March 20th, 2008 — Comparisons, World Religions
Siddarthra Gautama was a seeker. He lived 2500 years
ago but his experience and thought process parallels that of many sincere seekers in this modern generation–
He grew up in prosperity and abundance, oblivious to the poverty and suffering just beyond the walls of the royal compound. In a radical move for royalty he ventured out and there he saw death, he saw pain and suffering, and also a wandering ascetic. Disturbed by it all, the great disparities, he left his previous life, including his young wife and two young children, in search of answers to this great dilemma.
Enos was also of royal blood being the grandson of Father Lehi. He went alone “to hunt beasts in the forests”, an activity that has not been a safe venture for royal princes historically, it was often the place of “accidents” that led to changes in power in the ancient world. He reports that his “soul hungered” and that he an internal “wrestle” before God for his sins.
Despite their similar predicaments, their conclusions were quite different. Gautama Continue reading →
March 19th, 2008 — Nature
What strikes me about this article is how it challenges the core theories and current “answers” of science. In our modern society we tend to put ultimate confidence in the current scientific explanations and laugh at our predecessors who thought the earth was flat. Well… I think little findings like this should keep us humble regarding our current understanding of the universe. The universe might have a few tricks up its sleeve yet.
via National Geographic News
Anne Minard March 19, 2008
A new study is challenging the long-standing notion that the whole solar system formed from the same raw materials.
Until now most scientists had believed that the inner solar system bodies—Mercury, Venus, Earth, its moon, and Mars—had the same composition as primitive meteorites called chondrites.
But, problematically, Earth’s chemistry doesn’t quite match. Continue reading →
March 12th, 2008 — Links
Toys will be our downfall (In perpetuum) Well written post about the absurd over-pursuit of entertainment in our modern world.
Dwellings of prophets (Adventures in Mormonism) Cites a great article from the Salt Lake Tribune about the living arrangement President Monson will inherit as the latest president of the LDS Church. Not quite as glamorous as the Vatican.
Enoch (Journeys in Between) Any mention of Enoch catches my eye as I long for a Zion society.
The Fallacy of Misplaced Hope (Connor’s Conundrums) Interesting post about the Obama phenomenon. I’m sticking with my prediction from three months ago that he will be our next president.
Joseph Smith Papers Fantastic new resource with key writings of Joseph Smith available and searchable online.
A Sample of Mormon Donors (Times and Seasons) Someone spent a lot of time sorting through that big list but it made for a very interesting read. I like that there is still a little bit of diversity in there.
Dolphin Saves Stuck Whales (National Geographic) How do the evolutionists explain an altruistic dolphin?
March 11th, 2008 — Book Notes, World Religions
My latest read was a collection of essays in a book 
entitled “Beyond Death–Theological and Philosophical Reflections on Life after Death.”I selected the book simply because the title caught my eye as I was skimming through the stacks one day in the library. I really enjoyed the format of the book and commend the editors for the quality of writers they were able to attract. The book consisted of a collection of essays of very diverse voices reflecting on the issue of life after death. The essays included a wide range of perspectives: Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, Athiest/Humanist, Orthodox, Evangelical, and objective scientific researchers. The writers were extremely articulate, thoughtful, and sincere in their reporting. The greatness of the book is the all-encompassing picture that is painted; having the full spectrum in one place. I regret that I no longer have the book in front of me to quote certain essays, however the power of the book truly lies in the panorama. I found the discussion about the scientific study of near-death experiences particularly interesting, it really is a subject most scientists won’t touch with a ten foot pole yet it is very much a measurable phenomenon that can be examined and scrutinized. I felt this book was an honest exploration of that ultimate question of life.
March 2nd, 2008 — News commentary, Responses
PBS recently rebroadcast ”The Mormons” documentary and I have heard or read various discussions on it recently so I thought I would republish my original review. (One bit of trivia for my friends- both me and my dad happen to be included in background shots during two different segments, could you pick them out?)
I wrote the following review, not to cry evil and argue that the documentary was ‘completely biased’ or ‘wrong’ or anything to that effect. I believe in questioning and thinking deeply on information presented to me and just wanted to point out some failings that I saw that should make us stop and think. The letter:
I was disappointed in the quality of journalism displayed in “The Mormons” documentary. It really made me question the objectivity in other programs backed by Frontline and American Experience. I do not think the filmmakers were actively trying to push an agenda but I do feel they fell into the same pitfalls and stereotypical biased reporting of the Church on the most controversial topics. Evidence of perpetuating stereotypes and poor journalism:
Continue reading →
February 22nd, 2008 — Other
National Geographic Featured Article
If you were to dig a hole 300 feet straight down from the center of the charming French village of Crozet, you’d pop into a setting that calls to mind the subterranean lair of one of those James Bond villains. A garishly lit tunnel ten feet in diameter curves away into the distance, interrupted every few miles by lofty chambers crammed with heavy steel structures, cables, pipes, wires, magnets, tubes, shafts, catwalks, and enigmatic gizmos.
This technological netherworld is one very big scientific instrument, specifically, a particle accelerator-an atomic peashooter more powerful than any ever built. It’s called the Large Hadron Collider, and its purpose is simple but ambitious: to crack the code of the physical world; to figure out what the universe is made of; in other words, to get to the very bottom of things.
Read the full story
February 22nd, 2008 — Links, Research
National Geographic News
February 18, 2008
More than half of the sunlike stars in the galaxy could have terrestrial planets with the potential to harbor life, a new study suggests.
The research, announced yesterday at a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston, Massachusetts, is just one of a set of recent findings that suggest the roster of potential life-harboring worlds is huge—even in our own solar system.
Read the rest of the article
February 11th, 2008 — Comparisons, Responses
A friend of mine recently converted to Buddhism or at least embraced Zen teachings and asked for my opinion on some of the issues. I am nowhere near being an expert but I have had a decent amount of exposure living among Cambodians for two years, getting an Asian Studies minor, and eating a lot of Chinese food. So I speak primarily from my personal experiences. My response over multiple exchanges:
I have a lot of respect for Buddhism. There is something quite beautiful about the mediation, concentration, and unity with the natural world found in Zen Buddhism. The traditional teachings of Buddhism are quite simple and beautiful, i.e. the 8 fold path, and when practiced are conducive to a harmonious society.
The Cambodians I worked with were Theravada Buddhists and for the lay people it was more a matter of culture than religion. A lay practitioner likely didn’t know the Continue reading →
February 10th, 2008 — Nature, Temple
Somebody loved me and gave me the Planet Earth series for Christmas. I am completely mesmerized every time I watch it. The beauty, diversity, and richness of this world as captured in this film is completely staggering. 
What does this have to do with the Mormon Endowment ceremony as presented in LDS temples? The presentation includes a portrayal of the creation of this earth. In the temples of the pioneers the setting was set with murals paints on the walls of the creation room. Since the inception of the video presentation of the endowment the creation story presentation has been augmented by beautiful cinematography highlighting the beauties of this earth. Considering the endowment has been streamlined into a two-hour presentation compared to the all-day experience as Joseph Smith originally shared it, I think it could be completely appropriate to consider mentally inserting this Planet Earth series right in the middle of the story of the creation of the earth and celebrating the glory and beauty of the creation. Continue reading →
February 7th, 2008 — Links
