Over the centuries, mankind has developed a way to assess facts that scientists could agree on. This field is called Science. We use the Scientific Method to discover Truth. When the majority of scientists are convinced that a theory is correct, it becomes part of “mainstream science”. Today we are seeing yet another verbal attack on mainstream medicine - questioning the existence of COVID-19, precautions we must take, and the and upcoming vaccine treatment. In this emergency, we shouldn't doubt the conclusions of our medical community. We should do what they advise.

Metaphorically, science and religion put the puzzle pieces together to allow us to see a full picture of the universe. Science is a partner in this, not an adversary. We should respect the accomplishments of science and medicine. In the end - please follow your doctor's advice.

There is both a scientific and a spiritual way to look at endings and beginnings. First let’s look at the scientific side of endings.

Many of the endings in our lives are due to the planet Earth on which we reside. Every 24 hours, Earth’s rotation causes the sun to set and our day to end. Because of that characteristic of our planet, man has developed a “circadian rhythm”. When it gets dark, we feel sleepy. If we have a good night’s sleep, we awake refreshed. The end of the previous day was a good ending because it allowed us to sleep. We are now at our best to begin the new day. The old you becomes a new you.

The planet Earth also revolves around the sun. But because the axis of the Earth is tilted, as we revolve around the sun, we have different seasons. Our calendars may tell us the end of the year is December 31, but the end of the year that plants and animals recognize is when winter arrives.

Endings are programmed into our biology as well. As we enter our early teenage years, our bodies start to produce more hormones than they did before – and childhood ends. Your death is also programmed into your body. Eventually the failure of one of your bodily systems will cause your body to cease its function.

In a process we call “eternal progress”, we should expect multiple endings and beginnings. We are supposed to learn to move on again and again and yet again. The numerous cycles of endings and new beginnings on earth give me hope for a new beginning after death. It seems logical that, with my death, I will simply begin a new phase of my eternal life. In summary, congratulations on reaching the end of 2020. Lets’ hope that 2021 will be a better year for everyone.

As my Christmas podcast, I suggest that Christmas be a celebration of the whole Plan of Salvation, including, of course, the role of Jesus Christ.

Christmas is a time to appreciate the miracle that the Plan of Salvation works at all. Simply put, humans blunder and the consequences of those blunders occur throughout history. Besides human error, we have “Murphy’s Law” which states that “If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong”. The earth life part of the Plan of Salvation is extremely complex, involving millions of people who make mistakes and centuries of time for them to make those blunders. At this time of year, I am grateful for the efforts of those who have brought the Plan of Salvation to pass, and especially for Jesus Christ, who took on the role of our Savior.

During the last two months of every year, we see multiple depictions of Jesus laying in a manger. We sing about the scene in multiple church hymns. We see small Nativity scenes, life-size manger scenes, and paintings. In every one of them, Jesus Christ is an infant. What could be less intimidating than a one-day old baby? To have the proper attitude towards the Savior, we should both love and respect Him. Can you really respect a new-born infant? If you think of Jesus Christ as a baby, are you going to worry at all about the Final Judgment?

Images of God are important. It is the reason why we don't have crosses and crucifixes in our chapels and temples. Our image of the Savior affects how we worship Him. We should develop the most accurate image we can, through prayer, scripture study, and meditation that will both comfort us and motivate us to do well.

Only 30 years ago, the world still read books and newspapers for its information, as it had done for centuries. But the art of reading has changed. The most obvious change is that today we read more from computer and phone screens than we do from books. But the changes run much deeper than just a different format from which to read words.

In this episode, I interview Bryce Mortimer, President and owner of Cedar Fort Publishing and Media, based in Springville Utah. We discuss the good and bad of print books, e-books, audiobooks, email, and social media - and how the way we read shapes the way we think.

I have received requests by several listeners to explain the reasons why church history is now cited so very often as the reason that once-faithful members are leaving the church. These disenchanted members have evaluated church history and have decided the perceived failures they find there must mean the church is not true. I wish to examine the assumptions made by those who criticize church leaders - or any leaders for that matter – that we find in our history books.

Mistaken Assumption #1 – The prophets are perfect men

Mistaken Assumption #2 – Leaders of the church receive revelation that keeps them from making mistakes

Mistaken Assumption #3 – The Church is Hiding Something

Mistaken Assumption #4 – Historical Figures in Church and Government “Should Have Known Better”

Mistaken Assumption #5 – Histories are Histories and Facts are Facts

Mistaken Assumption #6 – Being Offended Justifies Radical Decisions

I once thought of the state of Utah as the largest bubble ever created in this country. I wish to apologize to the state of Utah for that. It’s not that I was in error; what I said was accurate. But generally, if you accuse someone of living in a bubble, there is a negative connotation to the accusation, suggesting you are out of touch with the real world. But there is nothing wrong with living in a bubble. It is a good separation from the outside world.

Having said that, there are also bad separations from neighbors and other church members – some of which are now being caused by politics. We need to keep the negativity of politics out of our relationships and out of our homes.

This episode is an interview with Tim Taylor, an Deputy County Attorney for Utah County and, when deployed, a National Guard JAG attorney. We discuss "The Rule of Law" - the principle that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law . Especially at this difficult time, understanding the Rule of Law is critical.

This episode is a discussion about the wisdom of the body in healing itself by processes of which we are not aware. The body is a complex biological vehicle with amazing recuperative powers - a blessing from Heavenly Father for our mortal probation. An interview with medical researcher Lon Cook, who reviews the healing of the heart, skin, joint, and bones.

We are going to discuss what you might say to someone you know who has lost their faith in God or their church. Sadly enough, lower religious observance and church activity among younger adults is becoming common around the world. Depending on why the person is struggling, here are a few suggestions of what you might say.