Mormon Coffee (Audio)

After All BYU Professors Can Do to Implicitly Reject LDS Institutional Readings of 2 Nephi 25:23

Aaron Shafovaloff — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:16:32 +0000

Bill McKeever, Eric Johnson, and I discuss 2 Nephi 25:23 in relation to institutional Mormonism and BYU neo-orthodoxy. This conversation is from around June 21, 2007. I procrastinated in uploading the talk and hence have not done all I can do.

Direct link to MP3

Having listened to this MP3 again, I realize how much I need to be quicker to listen and slower to speak and interrupt!

Free Speech and the Julie Bird Case

Aaron Shafovaloff — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 07:23:32 +0000

Julie Bird had a diaper bag over her shoulder, her child in one arm, and a stack of tracts in the other arm. On a public sidewalk in front of an abortion clinic, she had a peaceful, gentle, pleading conversation with a woman passing by. So how did this result in her being charged with assault (even though there was no physical contact or threatening gestures) and then ultimately convicted of disorderly conduct a year and a half later? Are laws that define “disorderly conduct” as that which is an “inconvenience” or “annoyance” vulnerable to the abuse of agenda-driven judges?

Bill and I talk to Julie’s husband, Andy Bird.

Direct link to MP3

An introspective question for my evangelical Christian brothers: Are we willing to die to defend the right of others—including non-Christians we vehemently disagree with—to participate in legitimate, peaceful, and non-violent expressions of free speech, even if the content of the speech makes us uncomfortable?

Introduction to Mormonism Research Ministry

Aaron Shafovaloff — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:07:50 +0000

The audio podcast is finally back up and running (RSS and iTunes), and we are slowly releasing a few MP3s. Here we introduce the ministry.

Direct link to MP3

Conversation with Stephen at Temple Square

Aaron Shafovaloff — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 03:35:13 +0000

We discuss General Conference, the Lorenzo Snow couplet, whether God was possibly once a sinner, whether God demands praise, whether God gets all the glory, and some other things. (30m 6s)

Direct link to MP3

Yes, I’m horrible with names. I think I asked him three times!

Some passages referenced in the conversation:

For my name’s sake I defer my anger, for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off. Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.” (Isaiah 48:9-11)

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36)

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” (Hebrews 1:1-2)

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:4-11; I wish I had read this whole passage!)

“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19)

Does God forgive sins you continue to repeat?

Aaron Shafovaloff — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:42:40 +0000

A classic audio clip worth repeatedly promoting (3m 21s).

Direct link to MP3

Observations On Reactions to Yesterday’s Post

Aaron Shafovaloff — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:40:07 +0000

Bill and I discuss reactions to yesterday’s post (6m 24s).

Direct MP3 Link

A related item: Some Mormons had their own attempt at humor (link no longer works) describing a “slow-track” that enables those who are not “top-level celestial material” to “earn a temple recommend” stamped with an “S”. Funny upon a first read, but more than anything it’s sad… Update: I’ve added an update to the April Fool’s post.