About a week ago, I started re-reading Bushman’s classic Joseph Smith biography “Rough Stone Rolling.”  I figured this would be a great way to get some good background for the gospel doctine lessons we will be participating in this year as we study Church history and the Doctrine & Covenants.

Re-reading “Rough Stone Rolling” is a mind-blowing experience:  there are things I want to blog about on virtually every page.  So, I will probably be referring to the book a lot this year.  But one subject needs to be addressed right away, it seems to me:  the early Saints’ view of nationalism vis-a-vis the United States.  As Bushman says:  “The United States figured only as one of the unnamed nations that were to suffer in the last days.” (p. 191)

Continue reading →

I have never been big on New Years’ resolutions, but after reviewing 2008, I realize that I need to make some changes in my life. So, I am compiling a list of resolutions and invite the readers of M* to share your resolutions for 2009.

Here are just a few of my resolutions/goals for 2009:

• Revise my budget and stick to it (I hope my wife has a similar resolution 🙂 )
• 30 minutes of scripture study every day
• No more rolling over and going to sleep without praying with my wife
• Teach my son to ride his bike without training wheels
• Be more charitable to my fellow man
• Upgrade to WP 2.7

What are your resolutions/goals for 2009?