Apologia Pro Substack Sua
(In other words, what I’m doing here)
I’d like to read the scriptures more deeply and I’d like to read them more often. I used to be a lot better at it, but with recent changes in my life it has gotten more difficult. But those desires and complications have led me to start this newsletter. Because that is the entire point of this, everything I write and everything you hopefully read here will be primarily focused on understanding and discussing the books of Latter-day Saint scripture: the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. My goal is to engage with these books to build my testimony and improve my own practice of the gospel as a result. The point of writing and posting here is to help me stay in a rhythm of reading, thinking, and acting while also sharing my experiences and insights with other Latter-day Saints and fellow-travelers with Christ.
I don’t really have a coherent philosophy or agenda guiding my study and what I write here, but below are some of the things I am interested in and are therefore likely to come up:
People: I love people and all the difficulties and triumphs they have as they try to live, love, and thrive on earth. A few years ago, I complained to my father that the Book of Mormon doesn’t have many complex or nuanced characters (like King David) or stories (like Peter’s denials). The good characters tend to be presented as good and the bad characters as bad. He, wisely, didn’t say much but suggested I might be overlooking some things. I was skeptical, but started to try harder to see the humanness of the people. Shortly after, rereading the story of Zeniff convinced me that my complaint was completely off the mark. So, one thing I’m going to try to notice is the full humanity of scriptural characters, especially in the Book of Mormon. I think this helps us more fully liken the scriptures to our own situations.
Stories: Along with people, the scriptures are full of stories: stories told and recorded with the intention of connecting us to God. Thus, paying attention to the elements of the stories (plot, setting, characters, etc.) and the forms those stories take (letters, histories, essays, etc.) can help us understand the goals of scripture and realize what the prophets want us to get out of it (and what they may not want us to get out of it).
Jesus Christ: Finally, I will always do my best to show how scripture can turn us to the source of all light and truth, the Son of God and our Savior. If I am able to help one person come even a little closer to emulating Christ by making and honoring covenants with Him, this will all be worth it.
With that all as an introduction, let me also offer some things you won’t find on this site:
Academic discourse or sources: I’m not planning to engage in academic discussions or cite a lot of sources. There is great value in that approach, but I won’t be reviewing a lot of what others have had to say about the topics I discuss, though things I have read and heard from others will certainly have an influence. I will occasionally mention sources that have informed my thinking when I think they are worth looking into.
Apologetics: I am taking it for granted that mainstream Latter-day Saint beliefs are true and that they lead to God and Christ. I am not here to debate the existence of God, the values or doctrines of other faiths, whether Latter-day Saints are Christians, the historicity of the Book of Mormon, or a host of similar issues. These questions are certainly important, but there are others who do a far better job than I could at addressing them, so I urge you to seek them out if you are interested.
Public reader comments: I am not going to create a space for readers to post public comments on this site. This is because public comment sections on the internet (in my experience at least) are more likely to damage the conversation than enrich it. I would still love to hear from you and you are welcome to write with any questions, comments, or ideas to latterdayss220@gmail.com
My identity: I am not going to be posting my name or identifying information here. I am not afraid to sign my name to these thoughts, nor am I trying to use anonymity to say or do hurtful things. You are always welcome to email me and ask more about who I am, but I don’t like publicity and would much rather any attention paid to this site go towards the scriptures and the Savior than towards me.
With all of that, welcome! I hope you enjoy what you find here and that it brings you peace and hope.
