My Column in "Mormon Times"

[CQUIRK]

My hypersecretive Malevolent Stalker is actually male -- and a rage-fueled sexist, to boot. He has, it seems, absolutely blown a gasket elsewhere because I referred to him, above, as "she," and has started yet another thread about me (his fourth or fifth, I think, in the past few days) in order to hyperventilate about what he clearly regards as one of the worst insults that could be directed against him.

Looks like you just found kryptonite, Dan.

You know what to do

[Kenngo1969]

He ain't Lincoln, and I do have my disagreements with the man, but I do have to give him credit when such credit is due; President Obama's Proclamation ain't bad, either:

One of our nation's oldest and most cherished traditions, Thanksgiving Day brings us closer to our loved ones and invites us to reflect on the blessings that enrich our lives. The observance recalls the celebration of an autumn harvest centuries ago, when the Wampanoag tribe joined the Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony to share in the fruits of a bountiful season. The feast honored the Wampanoag for generously extending their knowledge of local game and agriculture to the Pilgrims, and today we renew our gratitude to all American Indians and Alaska Natives. We take this time to remember the ways that the first Americans have enriched our nation's heritage, from their generosity centuries ago to the everyday contributions they make to all facets of American life. As we come together with friends, family and neighbors to celebrate, let us set aside our daily concerns and give thanks for the providence bestowed upon us.

Though our traditions have evolved, the spirit of grace and humility at the heart of Thanksgiving has persisted through every chapter of our story. When President George Washington proclaimed our country's first Thanksgiving, he praised a generous and knowing God for shepherding our young republic through its uncertain beginnings. Decades later, President Abraham Lincoln looked to the divine to protect those who had known the worst of civil war, and to restore the nation "to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and union."

In times of adversity and times of plenty, we have lifted our hearts by giving humble thanks for the blessings we have received and for those who bring meaning to our lives. Today, let us offer gratitude to our men and women in uniform for their many sacrifices, and keep in our thoughts the families who save an empty seat at the table for a loved one stationed in harm's way. And as members of our American family make do with less, let us rededicate ourselves to our friends and fellow citizens in need of a helping hand.

As we gather in our communities and in our homes, around the table or near the hearth, we give thanks to each other and to God for the many kindnesses and comforts that grace our lives. Let us pause to recount the simple gifts that sustain us, and resolve to pay them forward in the year to come.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 24, 2011, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage the people of the United States to come together — whether in our homes, places of worship, community centers, or any place of fellowship for friends and neighbors — to give thanks for all we have received in the past year, to express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own, and to share our bounty with others.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

[Scott Lloyd]

We didn't have a car there, and never got beyond walking distance from the Moscone Center and Union Square. Too bad, because I've always really loved the Oakland Temple.

How was your trip to Missouri?

I'm a bit late with this, but here's my Deseret News column for this morning:

http://www.deseretne...-paramount.html

Yet another in my continuing, even escalating, series of attacks on non-Mormons and non-Mormon faiths.

Another fine column, Dan, one that enhanced my Thanksgiving celebration. And I was proud to see that they chose to illustrate it on line with my photo of the Abraham Lincoln statue in Springfield, Ill., that I shot last year during the Mormon History Association Conference.

My trip to Missouri was enjoyable and edifying. When Susan Easton Black said in her talk at the monument in Richmond that we were on "holy ground," I thought of you.

The Church News gave me an unusually generous amount of space: cover, center spread and three pages besides.

[Duncan]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700179165/Evidence-of-Jesus-Christs-resurrection.html?pg=2

Just a quick question about this great article! Why would women have been chosen to be the first witnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus if no one would have believed their testimony? Wouldn't men have been the ideal first witnesses to prove the resurrection's authenticity?

[Daniel Peterson]

It's difficult to know why women were chosen to be the first witnesses of the Resurrection. Perhaps, I halfway think, because, even though their testimony might have counted for less in antiquity, it might count for more -- for that very reason -- in our time. God is cunning that way, I think.

But now it's time for this week's vicious assault on non-Mormons:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700202764/Johns-Revelation-has-simple-message-all-shall-be-well.html?s_cid=rss-32

[Duncan]

It's difficult to know why women were chosen to be the first witnesses of the Resurrection. Perhaps, I halfway think, because, even though their testimony might have counted for less in antiquity, it might count for more -- for that very reason -- in our time. God is cunning that way, I think.

But now it's time for this week's vicious assault on non-Mormons:

http://www.deseretne...ml?s_cid=rss-32

sounds good to me!

[Kenngo1969]

Herr Professor Doktor,

I'm not sure which aspect of the column I'm more impressed by, its general tone or the fact that you worked in a reference to Ghostbusters.

P.S.: You also worked in an excerpt from one of my favorite hymns. Well done!

[Daniel Peterson]

I thought the piece was getting too solemn, so Ghostbusters seemed appropriate.

But now it's time for this week's exercise in mean-spirited, vengeance-fueled bigotry:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700204883/Temple-attendance-is-a-Christlike-gift.html

[Pahoran]

I thought the piece was getting too solemn, so Ghostbusters seemed appropriate.

But now it's time for this week's exercise in mean-spirited, vengeance-fueled bigotry:

http://www.deseretne...tlike-gift.html

How dare you be so cruel to non-Mormons as to mention that Temple service is a good thing?

And fancy a Mormon using the King James Bible! Whatever is the world coming to?

Regards,

Pahoran

[The Nehor]

Like it, my sister is going through on the 23rd in preparation for her mission so I had my two temple trips for the month planned but I've decided to schedule a few extras.

[Scott Lloyd]

I thought the piece was getting too solemn, so Ghostbusters seemed appropriate.

But now it's time for this week's exercise in mean-spirited, vengeance-fueled bigotry:

http://www.deseretne...tlike-gift.html

The anonymous reader comments (of which there were only two when I checked just now) are an unfortunate distraction from the fine message of this piece. The first commenter gets hung up over the fact that you chose to cite the King James Version rather than the Joseph Smith Translation rendering of John 1:1. This gives the second commenter an excuse to dispute the veracity of the JST.

Of course, the alteration in wording does not, in any substantial way, change the kernel of meaning you were intending to convey with your citation of that verse, as is clear when one considers it in combination with verse 14, which you also cited and which is retained unaltered in the JST.

The other thought I had was this:

If one agrees, as I do, that the headline and message of the piece are correct, "Temple attendance is Christlike gift," then those who clamor against the LDS practice of vicarious temple ordinances for the dead are fulfilling at least the latter portion of the prophecy that in the latter days, men would call evil good and good evil.

[Daniel Peterson]

This isn't my regular weekly column and it has nothing to do with Mormonism. But, having decided to speak out, I want my voice heard on this matter:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700206689/Gingrich-is-wrong-Palestinians-are-not-invented.html?pg=1

[Kenngo1969]

Gingrich needs you as his chief adviser on the region. (Yes, I know he'd never offer you the job; and yes, I know you probably wouldn't take it if he did, but ... Just sayin'! )

[Daniel Peterson]

I would hate to have to stake my career on fixing the Middle East. What an impossible job.

But back to my usual vituperative assaults on those who don't share my religious beliefs:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700207011/Defending-the-Faith-Joseph-Smith-was-known-as-truthful.html

This column has gone up unusually early, by roughly seven hours or so, and is already being hammered by the critics. My favorite rebuttal is from a poster named Utter Nonsense -- I wonder if Utter is short for something else -- and features the following decisive evidence and argument: "This is simply unadulterated drivel."

[Daniel Peterson]

Here's my latest venture into sneering, contemptuous bigotry. As one "Trevor" commented in the Jewish Journal a couple of days ago, when the Journal published a response to my vicious Deseret News critique of Newt Gingrich's remarks on the Palestinians (see above), "Daniel Peterson is no stranger to preaching the politics of hate":

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700209032/Pure-love-led-Christ-to-descend-the-courts-of-glory.html

[Libs]

I think I missed your "hateful" article on Newt , but this last one is beautiful. Very nice explanation of the condescension of God. Perfect for this season. I don't think I have ever heard it put quite that way, as far as God not wanting to "destroy our freedom", by overwhelming us. I really liked that.

[Kenngo1969]

I would hate to have to stake my career on fixing the Middle East. What an impossible job.

But back to my usual vituperative assaults on those who don't share my religious beliefs:

http://www.deseretne...s-truthful.html

This column has gone up unusually early, by roughly seven hours or so, and is already being hammered by the critics. My favorite rebuttal is from a poster named Utter Nonsense -- I wonder if Utter is short for something else -- and features the following decisive evidence and argument: "This is simply unadulterated drivel."

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm convinced.

[Calm]

Dan, on a personal note, which do you prefer...emails or phone calls, I have something I want to ask you.

[Daniel Peterson]

Dan, on a personal note, which do you prefer...emails or phone calls, I have something I want to ask you.

Either one will do.

daniel_peterson@byu.edu

I don't think I'll give my number, even though it's in the phone book and you would be completely welcome to use it. That would be just a bit too much help for the occasional unhinged loon. (I rarely get phone calls from them, and I would like to keep it that way. As it is, though, I already receive too many hostile and sometimes deranged e-mails.)

[Calm]

Wow, that was quick. Give you a call tomorrow then as I make it a habit not to call after 9....just too rude unless it's an emergency.

[Daniel Peterson]

Wow, that was quick. Give you a call tomorrow then as I make it a habit not to call after 9....just too rude unless it's an emergency.

Please do.

I have a funeral to attend today, at 1 PM. (And -- this is for my Malevolent Stalker -- no, I didn't murder the person whose funeral I'll be attending.) I imagine that I'll be gone from roughly a little bit after noon until about three. Other than that, I think that I'll be working at home.

But now I have to announce today's vengeance-driven, rage-fueled, deeply disingenuous attack against all who fail to agree with my every opinion:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700210696/May-your-new-year-begin-better-than-Amalickiahs.html

[Kenngo1969]

... I have a funeral to attend today, at 1 PM. (And -- this is for my Malevolent Stalker -- no, I didn't murder the person whose funeral I'll be attending.) ...

You don't expect us to accept your mere ipse dixit, do you? I mean, you wouldn't be the first murderer loudly to proclaim his innocence. (Personally, I'm skeptical.) (Seriously, though: condolences on your loss.)

[Daniel Peterson]

Once again, Peterson doesn't care how many people he hurts with his shameful and vicious attacks:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700212348/Embracing-the-power-of-the-Book-of-Mormon.html

[Libs]

That was interesting.

I didn't know the Book of Mormon had gone through periods of being treated like a bookend.

Whereas authors typically like to call attention to their creations — have I mentioned my "Muhammad" biography lately? — Joseph doesn't do this with the Book of Mormon.

Heh.

[Daniel Peterson]

Another stunning eruption of bile and venom:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700214472/Throne-vision-motif-points-to-Book-of-Mormon-authenticity.html