This talk, "Take Especial Care of Your Family” from April 1994 by Neal A. Maxwell on the importance of the family is worth reviewing every few years. Its predictions are proving true. Significant quotes include: Priorities The eminent historian Will Durant wrote of the human need “to seize the value and perspective of passing things. … Continue reading Maxwell on the Family and Moral Relativism
The Fruit of Scripture Study
Yesterday I saw a friend who is years younger than me; I spoke with him briefly, but felt this morning to send him this e-mail about the fruits of scripture study, particularly when we are in the midst of our busiest time in our lives. OK, so you asked for a link to my blog. … Continue reading The Fruit of Scripture Study
1820: Something Happened
William J. Bernstein, The Birth of Plenty: How the Prosperity of the Modern World Was Created (2004), 3-4. When we look at the [facts], it becomes crystal clear that something happened ... in the early nineteenth century. ... [Up] until approximately 1820, per capita world economic growth [the single best way of measuring human material progress] registered near … Continue reading 1820: Something Happened
Words
I very much believe this quote from Maya Angelou: “Words are things. You must be careful, careful about calling people out of their names, using racial pejoratives and sexual pejoratives and all that ignorance. Don’t do that. Some day we’ll be able to measure the power of words. I think they are things. They get … Continue reading Words
Topic Study: The Book of Psalms
Today I have finished my study of Psalms. I have read a Psalm a day for about 150 days, as there are 150 Psalms. I noted on the heading to the book in my written book: “Trying to read the Book of Psalms straight is like having a meal of just desserts. They are too … Continue reading Topic Study: The Book of Psalms
Letter to my Book of Mormon Teacher
[Leaun Otten was my teacher during two semesters in 1982-1983 at BYU in studying the Book of Mormon. I felt to write him a letter recently, and felt, because of his great influence upon me, to make the letter public. I guess perhaps I do this in commemoration of Thanksgiving in two days.] Leaun Otten … Continue reading Letter to my Book of Mormon Teacher
Imagination is Fast, Knowledge Slow
In speaking about developing knowledge of geography, the noted historian Daniel Boorstin in his book "The Discovers" (page 134) said: "Imagination drew in bold strokes, instantly serving hopes and fears, while knowledge advanced by slow increments and contradictory witnesses." With this, I have made my first post directly on the Kip on Character blog, not … Continue reading Imagination is Fast, Knowledge Slow
Isaiah Analyzed in the Book of Mormon
Brother Leaun Otten, my Book of Mormon instructor at BYU, taught me that Nephi and Jacob and others, when quoting Isaiah, “tell us what they will tell us, then they quote Isaiah to tell it to us, and then they tell us what they have told us.” That pattern makes clear how to use the … Continue reading Isaiah Analyzed in the Book of Mormon
Being One, With Another Person
I wrote the following e-mail to a daughter, a few months before her marriage. It contains some of my best thinking on the importance of purity before and in marriage. I felt last week ...that perhaps a letter to you might be helpful. Not really because I am worried, but simply because I love you, … Continue reading Being One, With Another Person
Bookkeeping and Life
Anyone that deals with bookkeeping in their professional life would do well to think about the applicability to their moral lives. Dr. Stocks has given a very good framework for consideration. Our Book of Life - BYU Speeches
Kip on Character 