One of the many ordinances performed in the Church is the blessing of babies. Like many of our practices, this has evolved throughout Church history. Early records indicate that there has been debate over blessing babies in the home. Moreover, there was a long tradition for babies to be blessed, in the home, eight days after birth that no longer seems part of our praxis. The following is the relevant council on the topic. (more…)

One of things that distinguishes our Church is our lay ministry. This has become one of our symbols of the incorruptible natures of the Gospel. Interestingly, this was not always so. Priesthood remuneration was common throughout the 19th century and has been well documented elsewhere. However, I recently ran across an interesting 1888 letter from President Woodruff that delineates the paying of stake presidents. (more…)

It’s a boy! The ultrasound results are in, and they were quite conclusive. We’re happy, still this one means difficulties we didn’t encounter with our girl. For instance, we don’t agree as readily on boy names. The big question, however, has to do with the anatomical differences that were so apparent. What do we do with that little part of the difference that so many discard? (more…)

Patty Sessions, a convert to the Church in 1834, followed the saints in their travails. She was a midwife extraordinaire and nursed the Saints, often on a daily basis. She was an insider in the Church hierarchy and her diary is a fascinating insight into the chimeric life of the transcendent and banal. (more…)

So, you have scoured over the facsimiles in the Book of Abraham and have gleaned all possible knowledge from them. Malaise sets in as you realize that you have gone as far as any mortal can. Well, my friend, you are in luck today. In 1847, the Millennial Star (vol. 9 pg. 23-24) carried a diagram of the mysteries of Godliness, including substantial commentary. Behold! (more…)

Decided to tweak the layout. What say you? Should we revert? Should we keep it but change it?

Over at New Cool Thang, Geoff posted recently on commandments as Dumbo feathers. I’d like to offer another way of looking at this idea. When I learn the principle behind a law, perhaps that law becomes a dead law–but still one we should keep. (more…)

While anointing the sick with consecrated oil is standard ordinance work for the Melchizedek priesthood, the manner in which the ordinance is executed has evolved. This post will outline current standard practice compared to some historical practices within the Church. (more…)

As a missionary, I consistently carried and read from the “White Handbook”. To my knowledge this is still standard practice. I’m not sure when it was first introduced; however, I believe that the grand progenitor of our current missionary code is The Elders’ Reference, a 64 page book published in 1913. (more…)

The announcement that Harvard Business School Dean Kim B. Clark received a phone call from President Hinkley and was asked to be the President of BYU Idaho got my thoughts stirring. Ben’s recent outline of current apostolic vocations is rather explicit: The most reliable route to the Quorum of the Twelve is through academic excellence. Moreover, the best field to focus intellectual pursuits is business. (more…)

It was after reading some of my posts on the Gifts of the Spirit that someone close to me sent a bittersweet email. The email spoke about my grandmother. I am the youngest of a youngest and never had the opportunity to know her. Stories remain and I assemble the narrative that my siblings experienced. You see, my grandmother was given the gift of prescience. A prophetess. And she loathed it. (more…)