Joseph Smith did not fit in

With his fellow Americans. 

And for Americans in the early 19th Century, this was not acceptable. So they left America, with the American Army close behind them.

And with Joseph Smith's body behind them in Illinois. 

Early Mormonism

I am still reading the Kindle book about Brigham Young.

It is the best book I have read about Early Mormonism. About the Church before Joseph Smith was killed.

The American people (and the Mormons) at the time were immature, violent. and stupid. 

Understanding the Taliban

This is something the American Military did not even try to do. And another war we have lost to a far weaker enemy.

What's going on here? 

Maybe we should think about what we are trying to do when we get into these unequal conflicts. 

The keyword here is unequal. When we get in a fight with a much weaker force (as we see it) - they win. 

Human Global Civilization is not Working

This problem is often referred to as Globalization. 

And it is not working, especially with Global Warming. As our Scientists are warning us. 

The usual response is "To Hell with Science!" Which is not much help. 

And probably means the end of Human Civilization in 100 years, or so. 

Speaking in tongues

The book I am reading now, about Brigham Young, makes it clear that this was a common practice in the early Mormon church.

I witnessed one of the last practices of it during Reunion back in the Fifties, The speaker, standing in the back of the church, could not restrain himself, and was shaking all over. Everyone listened to him respectfully, but then the service continued as though nothing unusual had happened. 

Understanding the Taliban

My personal understanding of the Big Picture is that there are two basic forces in the world: construction and destruction. And these apply to the situation in Afghanistan. 

And the Big Picture and be assembled by combining all the Little Pictures.

Unfortunately, there are too many Small Pictures in Afghanistan. As you can see by reading the Google News.

As a result, the forces of destruction (the Taliban) are taking over. 

Brigham Young in the Early Mormon Church

I am reading the Kindle book Brigham Young and learning a lot about the early Mormon church. He joined the church in Western New York State when it was just getting started. 

It was one of the many religious enthusiasms of the time. And it considered the Book of Mormon to be Divine Scripture