In his Rhetoric, Aristotle taught that analogies such as metaphors and similes function as ways to “get at something fresh” (as one translation puts it). They have a cognitive, teaching function that could be used to instruct and persuade an audience if used correctly.
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‘Les Miserables’ and Christian inspiration
I recently watched the 1978 made for TV version of Les Miserables with Richard Jordan as Jean Valjean, Anthony Perkins (Psycho) as Javert and Claude Dauphin as the Bishop.
I found myself weeping uncontrollably during the scene when the Bishop forgives Jean Valjean and allows him to leave with all of his silverware.
And then I began thinking about Christian inspiration and what this means for the Lord’s One True Church.
Well, that’s one way to do it
Last week a man in my ward was driving with a coworker (the coworker was actually driving) between areas here at the military base where we live and work. They were driving a long stretch of road – straight, unpopulated, no stop signs. One of the security vehicles followed them closely for a few miles. They didn’t think much of it because there aren’t exactly a lot of options for getting from one area to another; there is usually just one road, so they figured the security guy was just going to the same place.
Eventually the flashing lights on the security vehicle went on (I’m not sure if he also used his siren). The coworker expressed dismay because he was going the speed limit and couldn’t imagine what he had done, but they pulled over.
The security guy got out of his vehicle and approached them. The coworker asked the security guy what he had done.
“Oh, I don’t want to talk to you. I want to talk to him,” the security guy – who also happens to be the first councilor in the bishopric – said, pointing to the passenger, who was the man in my ward. “I wanted to know if you and your wife would speak in church this Sunday.”
Mountain Meadows Massacre article in the Setpmber Ensign
At LDS.org, you can read an article on the Mountain Meadows Massacre to be published in the September 2007 Ensign written by Richard E. Turley Jr., the managing director for the Family and Church History Department.
September 11th marks the 150th anniversary of the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
Finally, I get a Father’s Day present at Church
My family piled into the Chevy Trailblazer early Sunday morning to drive down to Key West so that I could fulfill a High Council speaking assignment on Father’s Day.
It was worth it. I got the first Father’s Day present I’ve ever gotten at Church.