Lucifer's Lantern

     In his chapter “Hebraisms and Other Ancient Peculiarities in the Book of Mormon,” published in Echoes and Evidences of the Book of Mormon  ( affiliate link) , Donald W. Parry suggests that the Book of Mormon reflects ancient Semitic origins through the way names are used in the text. He highlights three main points: the absence of surnames, the lack of names beginning with the letter F, and the complete avoidance of the letters q, x, and w in all 337 proper names in the Book of Mormon. He argues that these features mirror patterns found in the Bible and that it would be unlikely for Joseph Smith to have replicated them by chance.      This claim sounds convincing on the surface, but it falls apart under closer examination. These patterns are better explained as a result of Joseph Smith’s efforts to match the tone, structure, and language of the King James Bible.       The Bible served as Joseph Smith’s template. The King Jam...

     Written by Lucy Mack Smith and first published in 1853, The History of Joseph Smith By His Mother , is one of the earliest records about Joseph Smith’s life. As his mother, Lucy offers a personal view of his upbringing, the Smith family’s struggles, and the events leading up to the founding of the Church. The History of Joseph Smith By His Mother (Amazon affiliate link)      I recommend the edition that is labeled as the complete and unabridged 1853 first edition . Later versions were edited and don’t include everything she originally wrote.      It’s not a polished history. It reads more like a collection of memories. That makes it valuable in that Joseph's story is told a bit different than how the church often tells it. Lucy talks about Joseph’s childhood illnesses, the family's money troubles, and their spiritual beliefs. Including vivid accounts of visions held by both herself and her husband.   ...

        Richard Dawkins’ The God Delusion challenges belief in a supernatural creator. The book argues that the idea of God is not only unsupported by evidence but is also unnecessary. Dawkins lays out a scientific and philosophical case for atheism and calls for a shift toward reason, evidence, and open skepticism. And while his tone can admittedly be a bit condescending toward theists at times, it can be an incredibly eye-opening book to read. The God Delusion (Amazon affiliate link) The Central Claim      Dawkins begins by defining what he calls the “God Hypothesis.” This is the belief in a supernatural being who created the universe and continues to intervene in it. He argues that this is a scientific claim because it makes testable assertions about how the universe works. Dawkins maintains that the hypothesis is extremely improbable and that natural explanations are more plausible. The book also addresses several traditiona...

     The Book of Mormon presents America as a chosen land which was set apart, protected, and central to God’s plans. From the opening chapters, the narrative places its events on a continent prepared by God for righteous people. Lehi, the founding patriarch, is told that his family is being led to a "promised land" where those who serve God will prosper and those who rebel will perish.      This idea repeats throughout the book. America is portrayed as a land of liberty and divine inheritance, meant to be free from kings and preserved for the sake of righteousness. This connection between sacred land and sacred purpose wasn’t unique to the Book of Mormon. It reflected a broader pattern in early American thinking, where many saw their national story through a biblical lens. The book,  American Zion by Eran Shalev   (affiliate link) looks at the strong influence of the Old Testament on early American thought. From the Revolution to the Civil War,...

You were living in a bubble. Your entire community was Mormon. Your parents were Mormon. Your siblings were Mormon. Good chance, most of your friends were Mormon. Most of the social ties you had in your life were Mormon. You were in a Mormon bubble. Waking up one day and deciding to pop that bubble is absolutely terrifying . You are threatening almost every aspect of your life. Your mind was probably racing with doubts.   There are people who wake up dreading the moment they have to tell their spouse they don't believe Joseph Smith was a prophet, because they know it might lead to a divorce. There are people who get outcast from their entire group of friends. People who are no longer invited to family functions. Nothing else in their life has changed, except for the fact that they don't believe in the church. And the worst part? You dont know if you're going to be one of those people until you do it. But its not just social ties that might be damaged.  Your en...

Humans crave belonging. We find comfort in groups that validate our identity, beliefs, and experiences. But with that comfort comes a downside: we start dividing the world into "us" and "them." Psychologists call this in-group/out-group bias, and it shows up almost everywhere, from sports teams and political parties to nations and religions.  In religious communities, this bias carries a moral weight. It’s not just “us vs. them.” It becomes “righteous vs. deceived.” This tribal thinking isn’t just about social division. It often leads to thinking errors that distort how people view others, and even themselves. Here are a few examples that show up regularly in religious in-groups: 1. “They left the church because they were offended.” Thinking error: Attribution bias When someone leaves a faith, members of the group often assume it’s due to a personal flaw such as pride, sin, or laziness. Rarely is it assumed that the person had good reasons or honest dou...