readstoomuch

The Story of the Latter Day Saints is a very well written volume and had a good balance between faith and historical points. James Allen and Glen Leonard wrote it. I had a discussion with Glen Leonard about it years ago. It just wasn`t an official history despite being written by LDS historians employed by the Church. The Mormon Experience written by Leonard Arrington and Davis Bitton was published by a secular publisher. Also well written and worth reading, but still not an official history. The Church did not put their official approval for those two books like they have for Saints. That makes Saints a momentous event.

Thanks for the kind words. This was very supportive.

I think the challenge for me is that my cancer is slow. Apparently I have already had it for 3.5 years. Statistics say I should have another 8.5 years. The oncologist thinks it will be longer than that with new treatments. When you tell people they start treating you differently. They don't think you will be around very much longer. If I had a serious cancer I would definitely tell more people and get them involved. Cancer is unique to the person and situation, so there will never be a one size fits all.

So, I was hoping that 2020 would be a better year than I have had recently. My daughter served for 5 months on her mission and was sent home because of her medical condition when Covid came. She flared right after coming back and we have her on new medicines and she seems to be doing better finally. She`s going back to school this fall as she didn`t have the choice to go back out on her mission. My two oldest children finalized their divorces a few months ago. Our youngest son has been married for a year and is going to school far away with his wife. The business survived the Covid crisis so far. It’s been quite a bit of turmoil and the manager resigned about three weeks ago. I am the manager and senior partner right now. Boy that is a bunch of work. My cancer and autoimmune disease seem to be pretty stable. My married son is home for a month to spend time with me. I told him about my diagnosis two months ago. That was after quite a bit of praying. I also told one of my younger brothers. Right now I am having a lot of time with my wife and two youngest children. My youngest grandson came over today, so that was very nice. Our missionaries have been busy and we have had an investigator at our home for church the last 10 weeks. Every one around me seems to be looking to me for reassurance about the world. Honestly, its all so crazy. The closest thing I can relate it to is the 60`s with the riots and Vietnam War going on. I haven`t gotten the virus and I wear a mask all day at work. I need some time to just be still and try to figure out all the things I am supposed to do to make my Heavenly Father happy.

Kate Holbrook is married to Sam Brown, a physician who writes some really interesting books on LDS topics.

I listened to a good chunk of the podcast. RFM style is not my cup of tea. I would prefer to use his name since it is so easy to find out, but I will defer. Obviously, Brother Hauglid is hurt by Gees actions. There really is a sort of feud going on. He is really good friends with David Bokovoy and is in his band. I know David was greatly effected by his daughter returning from a mission and coming out as LGBT. Brian and David respect each other’s scholarship and talk with Brent Metcalfe. Brent is more nuanced than he used to be. Somebody wrote that Hauglid pretty much debunked the catalyst theory of The BOA. I didn`t see that myself. Brother Hauglid has always impressed me from reading about his story to listening to him at a FAIR Conference. At that Conference he and Brent went at it just a little bit. I have enjoyed reading Brothers Bokovoy and Hauglid in the past. I wish them well. I have found them faith promoting. Scholarship and belief can be a tough path. I see David and Brian very similar in their paths and their choice in music since they are in the same band.

Glad to see someone misses me. Super busy trying to keep a business running and afloat. Don is such an inspiring guy. I had to say something.

Your recent book on the lost 116 pages is really awesome. I have respected your journey, comments and great scholarship over the last 10 years. Best wishes to you and your work.

There are a number of different attempts at connecting with people by the missionaries. We just had a convert baptism of a man who was taught all of the discussions by Zoom. My daughter who returned early from her mission helped teach him. I am so proud of the missionaries for everything they are trying. I think we are going to learn new ways of sharing the gospel through all of this.

Diagnosed waiting to go into the mtc. She has had a roller coaster the last year. She is strong though.

Daughters back as I said on another thread. She had a great experience but her medication puts her at risk. By showing faith that it was ok to send her out even though I have cancer it worked out. Every one is a winner. Now business is totally messed up. Hoping all those people I employ will be ok.

She started to learn Russian on her own, but she loves Spanish.

She has an autoimmune disease and is on medication that suppresses her immune system. We don’t know if she can go back out and I think she is happy with even being able to serve.

She didn’t make it to Russia, right before she was to go to the MTC her call was changed.

My daughter was called to Russia, then reassigned to California and had three great months as a spanish speaker before coming home last Friday. She feels like she went to the right place and it was meant for her to come home. She is doing great, even though the first couple of days were hard. I guess there is not a missionary yet who has tested positive for the virus. This is definitely going to be hard for these missionaries, but so good for them that they took the call to serve and wen with it. I am so proud of them all, including my daughter. Eventually it will make sense, like most tragedies we have in life.