Home
News & People
Mormon Voices
Arts & Entertainment
Around The Church
Studies & Doctrine
Mormon Living
Emily Jensen updates “Today in the Bloggernacle” every weekday, containing the best of what we've seen from the world of LDS-oriented blog sites.
The extended “Bloggernacle Back Bench” is published Tuesdays.
Choir tour: If you live in the central United States, then take note! The "Tour 2009: Mormon Tabernacle Choir" is coming in June! Click to have Mormon Soprano tell you all about dates, times and locations!
Thursday, Nov. 27:
NienieThanksgiving: Enjoy this touching Thanksgiving video full of appreciation for all those who have helped and reached out throughout the blog world for Stephanie and Christian Nielson, badly injured in an Aug. 16 plane crash in Arizona. Beautiful and heartfelt! Have tissues nearby!
Thanksgiving Saints: In this gratitude-filled post for those saints who "marched out -- to work, to preach, to war, to hoe the peas, to visit the neighbor, to vote. ... They marched across continents and oceans to bind themselves to God and to their families in holy temples." And that's just a small part of this incredible and timely post "For Thanksgiving: My Saints Don't Go Marching In."
Earliest Revelations: Hot off the online version of the Ensign is a new article that provides interesting details about "the 'Book of Commandments and Revelations,'" which "served as the principal source for the 1833 publication of A Book of Commandments" and later the "first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants." Cool! Find out more at the "Ensign Online: Elder Marlin K. Jensen on Future Joseph Smith Papers Volume."
Thanksgiving wishes: Appreciation, thanks and "Gratitude" are what Thanksgiving is all about. Click to see a marvelous list full of thanksgiving and lovely links. And "Warm Wishes and Food" are the perfect recipe for a wonderful Thanksgiving, may yours be full of family, friends, fun and food!
Wednesday, Nov. 26:
Monday, Nov. 24:
Screwywompous wonderings: To get your brain a-whirring this Monday, check out "Dueling Dualists" that studies the relationship between the spirit and consciousness. "And, as far as I know, we have no clue where the consciousness in our spirit comes from ... There are a variety of opinions on this from a number of early general authorities ... But as far as I know we have no clear doctrine on the matter. I am, however, willing to be taught differently." Cool! Or as he says, screwywompous!
Adoption month: Did you know that it's "National Adoption Month"? Click on over to read one family's wonderful adoption story complete with darling pictures. And be sure to click on the embedded links if you want to learn more about adoption!
FHE idea: Looking for a fun family home evening craft? Print out this adorable "Christmas Nativity Advent Calendar" and then cut it out and ready it for use as a family, all the while talking about things you are thankful for, including the upcoming glorious Christmas season!
Happy birthday: Read some delightfully crotchety musings from a blogger who is "Fifty Six and Grumpy About It." My favorite line: "I still want to be a football player when I 'grow up.' So, I pretend (in my mind) that my aches and pains are former football injuries." Happy Birthday!
Friday, Nov. 21
Twilight time: Many Mormon mommy blogs across the Bloggernacle have counted down to the theatrical release, and now "Twilight is here!" Read about the Mormon overtones found throughout the series at "Now a glorious dawn is breaking."
Bonus: This totally Twilight background made me smile.
Bring back: Pinewood derbies. Green and Gold balls. Roadshows. What things do you miss from the church's cultural past? Click on over to this big list (continued throughout the comments) of things that maybe the church "ought to bring back."
Taking pictures: "Pick me! Pick me!" begs this photographer at the beginning of this nice post full of advice on "How to Choose a Good Photographer." Joking aside, if you're in the market for a photographer, click on over to read these four things you should be looking for.
Thursday, Nov. 20:
Utah War: How much do you know about the Utah War? If you're like me, then you probably know a fact here and there, something about Johnson's Army coming and President Brigham Young burying the temple foundation. Well Ardis comes to the rescue with this "Utah War Primer." Enjoy this summary and learn something today like I did. It's Johnston, not Johnson.
Gospel mysteries: "Is examining the mysteries wrong?" asks this insightful post about why it is important to both study the basics of the gospel and the mysteries. He explains: "What I look to as my example is Joseph Smith. ... He would consistently learn and grow and as each level was reached there was so much more to know." Cool
Wednesday, Nov. 19:
Conference statistics: Look! "Over 1.2 Million Archives of October 08 Conference were Downloaded in October." And that's a conservative estimate. To see the fascinating statistics about how people yearned to re-read, re-watch or re-hear the talks, check it out!
Big picture: "Looking at the Bigger Picture" muses on the fact that sometimes we just need to step back to better view our lives. He uses the example of losing a job, which is the exact subject of "Storm Clouds" and how to adjust your attitude and look for the silver linings. Great reminder!
Weird words: I noticed this same phenomenon of "Weird Word Verifications." The gobbledygook verifications are becoming more word-like. Enjoy this fun look at some almost words such as "opinglut," which she defines as "opin your mouth, shove food in."
Tuesday, Nov. 18
A 400-year-old law and various interpretations for one confusing Greek scripture are examined. Did you know it's illegal to curse in Massachusetts? Find out why!
Greek translations: "hoi baptizomenoi huper tOn nekrOn" means nothing to me, and means myriad things to Greek scholars. Translated in the King James Bible, it's found in 1 Corinthians 15:29 and reads "which are baptized for the dead." And this compilation of attempted scholarly explanations for the verse is fascinating and handy. Bonus: this post also gets my vote for best comment by Ann, who tongue-in-cheek asks: "What does any of this have to do with Proposition 8?"
Breaking laws: Did you know that it is illegal to blaspheme in Massachusetts? It's one of those laws from 1620, last looked at by the Massachusetts Supreme Court in 1834, found constitutional and not really touched since. For more information on what exactly the law specifies, check out "Codifying the Commandments." And then be careful -- cursing the government in Massachusetts can gain you a year in jail!
Friday, November 14
Ancient bones: One of the enduring mysteries of the Book of Mormon speak of the land northward, a land covered in "Bones." This spine-tingling post takes you through the Book of Mormon passages that speak of these bones, and maybe the stories are all connected. Wow!
Humanitarian missions: "Becoming The First Mormon Nun" looks at humanitarian service in the church. Using Mother Theresa as the example, she hypothesizes ways the missionary program could include more humanitarian opportunities. Fascinating ideas!
A few commentors point out that the church missionary program does include humanitarian missions. Check it out!
Coming soon: Interested in what's on the horizon for Mormon history books? Well look no further than this thorough list of "Forthcoming and Recently Published Books on Mormon and Utah History." And it includes links to the books. Awesome!
Thursday, Nov. 13:
Church questions: Or more specifically, some help in "Answering Questions About the Church." With the explosion of information on the Web, it is easy to come across criticism and questions about the church. Click on the link above to find some handy resources. And this article by Joel Campbell compliments the issue with "How Mormons can respond to criticism and mockery." Nice!
Among poor: The lame man Peter healed at the temple gate, King Benjamin's audience begging for forgiveness, or those panhandlers begging for change at the gates of the Salt Lake Temple, all are examples of "Begging at the Temple." This perceptive post takes a contemporary look at giving substance to those literally begging in the shadows of the temple. Wow!
Righteous complaints: "Righteous Complaints"? Is that possible? Yes, says this post that insightfully looks at the difference between murmuring and complaining. In fact, the author says complaining can be part of repentance, but "It's the attitude (complaining in humility) and the focus (complaining to the right person) that are critical." Fascinating!
Religious language: Welcome Richard Holzapfel to the Bloggernacle! The Publications Director of the BYU Religious Studies Center blogs about RSC news, including "In His Own Language" that reports how the RSC is translating some of its publications into Spanish, German and Portuguese! Check it out!
Wednesday, Nov. 12:
Penman prophet: The signatures of Joseph F. Smith, George Q. Cannon and "'Jim the Penman'" adorn a single sheet of paper dated Oct. 18, 1921. And interestingly, both President Smith and Apostle Cannon had passed away. So who was this "Penman" prophet and how did he so perfectly reproduce signatures? Click over to both see the signatures and find out the answer!
Dream Mine: Ever heard stories or rumors of the Dream Mine near Salem, Utah? I think I have. Nonetheless, this bit of obscure Utah history fascinated me! The series is a three-parter. Click above for the first part, click here for Part 2 of the history. And finally, get an update on "The Dream Mine Today."
Ken Jennings: Did you know that Jeopardy champion Ken Jennings has a blog where he provides "Confessions of a Trivial Mind." For instance, see his "Bewildering Conversations with a One-Year-Old." Very enjoyable!
Hair stylings: Here's another lovely and instructional blog where "She Does Hair" and explains how. She includes step-by-step instructions and photos. So if you have daughters, try out a new hairstyle today!
Choir tour: If you live in the central United States, then take note! The "Tour 2009: Mormon Tabernacle Choir" is coming in June! Click to have Mormon Soprano tell you all about dates, times and locations!
For bibliophiles: And for statisticians. Or for those who find numbers about the Book of Mormon fascinating. Check out "Books, Mormons, and Statistics" to find out which list the Book of Mormon tops. It's cool.
Photo montage:
Take a moment and enjoy some wondrous photos of the "Temple Square Christmas Lights." It's almost like you're right there!
Friday, Nov.
28
Christmas service: The Thanksgiving dishes are done, so thoughts now turn to "Christmas gift giving." This cool humanitarian site has wonderful links to help fuel your generosity. Check it out!
Offering help: Perusing in a store, do you like it when a salesperson offers help? Technology allows for a similar thing on the Web. Discuss the ramifications of online missionary work at "To online investigators: "Can I help you find anything?" Cool!
Thursday, Nov. 27:
NienieThanksgiving: Enjoy this touching Thanksgiving video full of appreciation for all those who have helped and reached out throughout the blog world for Stephanie and Christian Nielson, badly injured in an Aug. 16 plane crash in Arizona. Beautiful and heartfelt! Have tissues nearby!
Thanksgiving Saints: In this gratitude-filled post for those saints who "marched out -- to work, to preach, to war, to hoe the peas, to visit the neighbor, to vote. ... They marched across continents and oceans to bind themselves to God and to their families in holy temples." And that's just a small part of this incredible and timely post "For Thanksgiving: My Saints Don't Go Marching In."
Earliest Revelations: Hot off the online version of the Ensign is a new article that provides interesting details about "the 'Book of Commandments and Revelations,'" which "served as the principal source for the 1833 publication of A Book of Commandments" and later the "first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants." Cool! Find out more at the "Ensign Online: Elder Marlin K. Jensen on Future Joseph Smith Papers Volume."
Thanksgiving wishes: Appreciation, thanks and "Gratitude" are what Thanksgiving is all about. Click to see a marvelous list full of thanksgiving and lovely links. And "Warm Wishes and Food" are the perfect recipe for a wonderful Thanksgiving, may yours be full of family, friends, fun and food!
Wednesday, Nov. 26:
Wordle puzzles: Wordles are so cool in that they depict words as pictures and you can easily see the main themes. So enjoy "The Word Made Visible: A Keepa Puzzle."
Thanksgiving feast: If you haven't found the perfect recipe for tomorrow, then check out this "Recipe of the Month: Thanksgiving Dinner." I found the title amusing and the recipes mouthwatering!Tuesday, Nov.
25
FAIR treatment: "Does the Church Control Members?" asks FAIR blog in light of the recent articles about the church's involvement in Proposition 8 and compares two seemingly contradictory quotes. The conclusion: "Too much control? Too little control? Seems people can't really decide -- in or out of the church." Click on over to weigh in.
Free music: If you ever have enjoyed Sally DeFord's music, be as a choir director, choir member or even as part of the listening audience, then you should read "Music in the key of free: an interview with Sally DeFord." Read about her challenges and highlights as a composer. And nicely there are links to her Web site where you can download her free musical works!
Monday, Nov. 24:
Screwywompous wonderings: To get your brain a-whirring this Monday, check out "Dueling Dualists" that studies the relationship between the spirit and consciousness. "And, as far as I know, we have no clue where the consciousness in our spirit comes from ... There are a variety of opinions on this from a number of early general authorities ... But as far as I know we have no clear doctrine on the matter. I am, however, willing to be taught differently." Cool! Or as he says, screwywompous!
Adoption month: Did you know that it's "National Adoption Month"? Click on over to read one family's wonderful adoption story complete with darling pictures. And be sure to click on the embedded links if you want to learn more about adoption!
FHE idea: Looking for a fun family home evening craft? Print out this adorable "Christmas Nativity Advent Calendar" and then cut it out and ready it for use as a family, all the while talking about things you are thankful for, including the upcoming glorious Christmas season!
Happy birthday: Read some delightfully crotchety musings from a blogger who is "Fifty Six and Grumpy About It." My favorite line: "I still want to be a football player when I 'grow up.' So, I pretend (in my mind) that my aches and pains are former football injuries." Happy Birthday!
Friday, Nov. 21
Twilight time: Many Mormon mommy blogs across the Bloggernacle have counted down to the theatrical release, and now "Twilight is here!" Read about the Mormon overtones found throughout the series at "Now a glorious dawn is breaking."
Bonus: This totally Twilight background made me smile.
Bring back: Pinewood derbies. Green and Gold balls. Roadshows. What things do you miss from the church's cultural past? Click on over to this big list (continued throughout the comments) of things that maybe the church "ought to bring back."
Taking pictures: "Pick me! Pick me!" begs this photographer at the beginning of this nice post full of advice on "How to Choose a Good Photographer." Joking aside, if you're in the market for a photographer, click on over to read these four things you should be looking for.
Thursday, Nov. 20:
Utah War: How much do you know about the Utah War? If you're like me, then you probably know a fact here and there, something about Johnson's Army coming and President Brigham Young burying the temple foundation. Well Ardis comes to the rescue with this "Utah War Primer." Enjoy this summary and learn something today like I did. It's Johnston, not Johnson.
Gospel mysteries: "Is examining the mysteries wrong?" asks this insightful post about why it is important to both study the basics of the gospel and the mysteries. He explains: "What I look to as my example is Joseph Smith. ... He would consistently learn and grow and as each level was reached there was so much more to know." Cool
Wednesday, Nov. 19:
Conference statistics: Look! "Over 1.2 Million Archives of October 08 Conference were Downloaded in October." And that's a conservative estimate. To see the fascinating statistics about how people yearned to re-read, re-watch or re-hear the talks, check it out!
Big picture: "Looking at the Bigger Picture" muses on the fact that sometimes we just need to step back to better view our lives. He uses the example of losing a job, which is the exact subject of "Storm Clouds" and how to adjust your attitude and look for the silver linings. Great reminder!
Weird words: I noticed this same phenomenon of "Weird Word Verifications." The gobbledygook verifications are becoming more word-like. Enjoy this fun look at some almost words such as "opinglut," which she defines as "opin your mouth, shove food in."
Tuesday, Nov. 18
A 400-year-old law and various interpretations for one confusing Greek scripture are examined. Did you know it's illegal to curse in Massachusetts? Find out why!
Greek translations: "hoi baptizomenoi huper tOn nekrOn" means nothing to me, and means myriad things to Greek scholars. Translated in the King James Bible, it's found in 1 Corinthians 15:29 and reads "which are baptized for the dead." And this compilation of attempted scholarly explanations for the verse is fascinating and handy. Bonus: this post also gets my vote for best comment by Ann, who tongue-in-cheek asks: "What does any of this have to do with Proposition 8?"
Breaking laws: Did you know that it is illegal to blaspheme in Massachusetts? It's one of those laws from 1620, last looked at by the Massachusetts Supreme Court in 1834, found constitutional and not really touched since. For more information on what exactly the law specifies, check out "Codifying the Commandments." And then be careful -- cursing the government in Massachusetts can gain you a year in jail!
Monday, Nov. 17
Prophetic views: Have you ever wondered about the view President Hinckley saw out his condo windows? Click on over to see these gorgeous pictures of his side and front view that will soon be another "Prophet's View" as the Monsons are slated to move in after a renovation. Bonus, read the entire post for a memorable President Hinckley quote.
Musical notes: What is "The Best Chord in the LDS Hymnal"? No, not song, chord. Those spine-chilling moments where the song ends, turns or just sounds really cool. Nicely, this post and subsequent comments link their favorite chords to the awesome LDS Church Interactive Music Player. If you haven't tried it, it's amazing!
Primary chorister: This marvelous yet hilarious "Tribute to Primary Music Leaders Everywhere" looks at the four important qualities Primary music leaders must possess to produce such fantastic programs (and he just witnessed two such powerful programs): drill sergeant, "Saturday Night Live" cast member (minus the coarse debauchery), multilingual interpreter and Warshack Test administrator. My favorite was his attempt at representing a song. So funny!Friday, November 14
Ancient bones: One of the enduring mysteries of the Book of Mormon speak of the land northward, a land covered in "Bones." This spine-tingling post takes you through the Book of Mormon passages that speak of these bones, and maybe the stories are all connected. Wow!
Humanitarian missions: "Becoming The First Mormon Nun" looks at humanitarian service in the church. Using Mother Theresa as the example, she hypothesizes ways the missionary program could include more humanitarian opportunities. Fascinating ideas!
A few commentors point out that the church missionary program does include humanitarian missions. Check it out!
Coming soon: Interested in what's on the horizon for Mormon history books? Well look no further than this thorough list of "Forthcoming and Recently Published Books on Mormon and Utah History." And it includes links to the books. Awesome!
Thursday, Nov. 13:
Church questions: Or more specifically, some help in "Answering Questions About the Church." With the explosion of information on the Web, it is easy to come across criticism and questions about the church. Click on the link above to find some handy resources. And this article by Joel Campbell compliments the issue with "How Mormons can respond to criticism and mockery." Nice!
Among poor: The lame man Peter healed at the temple gate, King Benjamin's audience begging for forgiveness, or those panhandlers begging for change at the gates of the Salt Lake Temple, all are examples of "Begging at the Temple." This perceptive post takes a contemporary look at giving substance to those literally begging in the shadows of the temple. Wow!
Righteous complaints: "Righteous Complaints"? Is that possible? Yes, says this post that insightfully looks at the difference between murmuring and complaining. In fact, the author says complaining can be part of repentance, but "It's the attitude (complaining in humility) and the focus (complaining to the right person) that are critical." Fascinating!
Religious language: Welcome Richard Holzapfel to the Bloggernacle! The Publications Director of the BYU Religious Studies Center blogs about RSC news, including "In His Own Language" that reports how the RSC is translating some of its publications into Spanish, German and Portuguese! Check it out!
Wednesday, Nov. 12:
Penman prophet: The signatures of Joseph F. Smith, George Q. Cannon and "'Jim the Penman'" adorn a single sheet of paper dated Oct. 18, 1921. And interestingly, both President Smith and Apostle Cannon had passed away. So who was this "Penman" prophet and how did he so perfectly reproduce signatures? Click over to both see the signatures and find out the answer!
Dream Mine: Ever heard stories or rumors of the Dream Mine near Salem, Utah? I think I have. Nonetheless, this bit of obscure Utah history fascinated me! The series is a three-parter. Click above for the first part, click here for Part 2 of the history. And finally, get an update on "The Dream Mine Today."
Ken Jennings: Did you know that Jeopardy champion Ken Jennings has a blog where he provides "Confessions of a Trivial Mind." For instance, see his "Bewildering Conversations with a One-Year-Old." Very enjoyable!
Hair stylings: Here's another lovely and instructional blog where "She Does Hair" and explains how. She includes step-by-step instructions and photos. So if you have daughters, try out a new hairstyle today!
NEW TODAY
MOST POPULAR
YESTERDAY