M* Ben

M* Ben is an emeritus blogger.

My Continuing Academic Saga: Does Blogging Boost GRE Scores?

Posted on July 26, 2007 - Filed Under Any | 11 Comments

As many of you long-time Nacclers know, I am a graduate student. Or at least, I was. Right now, I’m between programs

LDS Chaplains in Iraq

Posted on July 9, 2007 - Filed Under Any | 14 Comments

This is not a political post, so don’t even think about it.
I know two LDS chaplains currently serving in Iraq, who both went through the Divinity School at the University of Chicago.
One hosts a blog, trying to make people aware of the daily events and things that don’t tend to make the news. […]

GD Lesson 47-The Prayer of Ezra and Humility

Posted on December 11, 2006 - Filed Under Any | 7 Comments

(Originally posted 4-19-05)
Ezra lived in the Israelite “post-apocalyptic” period. The glorious kingdom was gone, the city of Jerusalem and its Temple destroyed, the Davidic line lost, God’s chosen people had been hauled to Babylon, and only a small remnant returned to try to rebuild the Temple. Ezra believed that these events were to […]

A request for prayers

Posted on November 14, 2006 - Filed Under Any | 12 Comments

As some of you may remember, I took my 6 PhD comprehensive exams last December and passed five. I retook the sixth in June, and must take it for the last time on Fri. December 8th. If the department follows the rules strictly, this exam must be passed on this attempt, or […]

I give out writing advice. Bloggernacle begins laughing.

Posted on October 11, 2006 - Filed Under Any | 29 Comments

Click on the link. On the other end of that link resides a newspaper column from the October 10, 2006 Daily Texan (the student newspaper of UT-Austin).
I should probably follow my own writing advice more. But, if avoiding the passive voice in your own writing interests you, you might enjoy it.
Or […]

A standing ovation

Posted on October 10, 2006 - Filed Under Any | 18 Comments

It was my second week in the ward. Brother Aamodt, who was conducting priesthood meeting, closed the session with a request. “Brethren, as you know, we have been lacking musical talent in our priesthood quorums for some time. Could you pray that we might have some sent to us?” I waited […]

Priesthood session notes, October 2006, second hour

Posted on October 1, 2006 - Filed Under Any | 2 Comments

Notes from the second hour of the priesthood session, October 2006. All three members of the First Presidency spoke this hour.
Notes from the first hour are at http://www.millennialstar.org/index.php/2006/10/01/priesthood_session_notes_october_2006_fi_1

Priesthood session notes, October 2006, first hour

Posted on October 1, 2006 - Filed Under Any | 3 Comments

From the first hour of last night’s session. Second hour notes will go up later today.
(the second hour notes are now posted here:
http://www.millennialstar.org/index.php/2006/10/01/priesthood_session_notes_october_2006_se )

An Egregious Example of Pseudo-scholarship

Posted on September 22, 2006 - Filed Under Any | 19 Comments

I use a lot of electronic books in my personal and academic life, and Logos provides many of them, such as the JPS Torah Commentary. Many other good scholarly works are available from Logos, such as the Anchor Bible Dictionary. Some of their material would be more accurately classified as “pseudo-scholarship.”