Time Experience Thoughts

August 28, 2013 is the fifty-year anniversary of Martin Luther King, Junior’s seminal 1963 speech, “I Have a Dream.” Below I offer brief commentary on a few paragraphs from the front half of the speech with the corresponding paragraphs of the back half. This arrangement also highlights what I believe to be the center section(s) where often the most poignant imagery of Christ obtains. So, in honor of the fiftieth anniversary and to remind us all of the best of what American can and should be, I offer this suggested outline and related commentary, with a link to the entire speech. I Have a Dream Delivered by Martin Luther King, Jr. on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, August 28, 1963 Suggested outline, summary A — The Greatest Demonstration for Freedom  B — The Emancipation Proclamation   C — An Exile in His Own Land    D — Honoring This Sacred Obligation     E — Stand on the Warm Threshold which leads into the Palace of Justice      F — Our Struggle on the High Plan

The Heart of The Book of Mormon Scott Vanatter, July 21, 2013 PICTURE Picture with me, in your mind’s eye, that you are present at the crowning event -- the heart -- of The Book of Mormon. The Lord Jesus Christ descends out of heaven and stands before you -- in all his majesty, grandeur, and glory – yet somewhat paradoxically, with a sweet inner humility. And you are drawn to Him. The darkness has dispersed. As the new day begins to dawn, you gravitate toward the Temple. You finally recognize the voice of Heavenly Father introducing his Beloved Son. This is the moment that has been prophesied for so many years. This is the moment you have eagerly awaited. You can see him with your natural eyes. But, in a special way, you now see him as never before with your spiritual eyes – the eyes of your understanding. You see him as he is. You not only see his face, you see and understand his heart better than ever before.  And yours swells as wide as eternity. You can feel

The Star Spangled Banner Fourth of July (2013) This is the story about the Star Spangled Banner. And a little bit about our country, and a little bit about you. Some historians claim that the most important political act in American History was neither the daring signing or publishing of the Declaration of Independence, nor was it the brilliant design or ratification of the U.S. Constitution. But that it was when George Washington, the first president of the United States of America, purposely chose to step down from power. Evidently this was the first time in world history that the leader of a great nation voluntarily left office of his own accord. Prior to Washington, if a leader or king did not die of natural causes they were either overthrown or assassinated. By the way, this was not the first time Washington gave up power. After he won the Revolutionary War, rather than take over as the conquering hero/general, he turned back his military commission to the civilian leaders w

Robert Treat Paine -- named Thomas Paine at birth -- had his name changed to that of his father, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. (NOTE: The original Thomas Paine had fallen out of favor with the public later in his life.) Robert Treat Paine wrote a song: Adams and Liberty . It was perhaps the most popular political song of its era, and was even republished in Great Britain. It was one of many songs sung to the tune of the English song  To Anacreon in Heaven . A later, now more famous, The Star-Spangled Banner . This poem/song is, in its own right, quite a commentary on the promise and character of the new nation. (Try singing it to yourself in the melody mentioned above.) ODE. ADAMS AND LIBERTY. Robert Treat Paine (1773-1811) Written for, and sung at the fourth Anniversary of the Massachusetts Charitable Fire Society, 1798. 1     Y E   sons of Columbia, who bravely have fought,           For those rights, which unstained from your Sires had descended,