Umar Malik > Recent Status Updates

Surprised to learn that Dr. Nelson grew up in a non-practicing LDS household. Regardless of that, his parents were good ppl who raised him and his siblings with character. Yet, like a lot of us tend to feel in our youth, he felt something was missing in his life, and for him, that was faith. This led him to look more into the church, and eventually, compelled him to attend as the only member of his family.

Jobes writes an academic defense of Peter’s authorship in her intro. Her arguments don’t feel predetermined and are based on historical reasoning/linguistic analysis. For example, while Peter lacked Greek fluency, and critics use this to argue against Petrine authorship, Jobes reasons that the letter has a syntax reflective of a Semitic origin, whether through dictation, collaboration, or the use of a scribe.

First Peter is the only NT text to explore what it means to live as a “foreigner” (parepidemos) in a world where adherence to Christ brings alienation, judgment, and persecution. Peter’s words were first addressed to a refugee community, but as with any NT text, they hold relevance generationally. As much as he spoke to them, he spoke to the LDS pioneers, and just the same, he speaks to you, Karissa.

O’Brien describes branches in Northern Ireland where Saints still seat themselves according to their former religions; former Protestants on one side, former Catholics the other. In another account, she tells of a woman seeking a Temple marriage, but the closest is in England. Her parents would never accept a wedding in England, so she instead opts for one in America! This is how deep divisions still are in Ireland.

Dr. Holland covered proselytism. he said something profound: to guide others, we must first “convert ourselves.” if we want others to emulate the standard of christ as fully as the apostles did, we ourselves need to do so first and foremost. personally, I saw that standard in front of me; she was a light when I needed one. and there isn’t a single doubt in my mind that she is, and will be, for countless others.

Dr. Holland shared some life events of early eastbound pioneers who left Utah; he gave commentary on the stories of Elizabeth Claridge and Belle Smith. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a single account of early LDS pioneers that hasn’t left me amazed by their perseverance and faith.

she finds comfort in his words, and I find comfort in hers. his merit speaks for itself, but if his voice carries even the faintest echo of hers, i’d read this a thousand times over

i reread the parable of the good samaritan alongside a few other scholarly commentaries and lay views. afterwards, I wrote my own short commentary to help internalize it in memory. i thought I understood maybe 30% of the parable’s depth; after reading Dr. Bailey’s commentary, I realized it was more like 1%

I’ve said this before, but whenever you read scripture, read it alongside scholarly commentary; not just Dr. Bailey’s, but a range of voices. Seek what’s accurate; seek what brings out the full depth of meaning; seek what reveals the richness of your own tradition and church. A single verse can unfold into an entire chapter of lessons; remember that.

this book is worth purchasing for its commentary on the beatitudes and the lord’s prayer alone. it isn’t just for those interested in eastern interpretations, but for anyone looking for renewed spirituality

reading this book, I came across some of the virtues of Joseph (peace be upon him). there was a time when I overlooked his place in the Holy Family, but someone opened my eyes to more of his merit. since then, he’s stayed with me. i haven’t forgotten. not him. not her. not the way she helped me see him.

Bailey is showing me how even something as seemingly inconspicuous as the three wise men being from Arabia adds to the prophecy of Jesus' birth

Read what I personally thought to be the best chapter in this book. A chapter dedicated to both adhering to the greatest commandments: loving God and loving others, and to humbling ourselves through introspection, recognizing our deepest flaws, and sincerely seeking the Lord to transform those areas

So far, Dieter Uchtdorf’s book reads like a solid reminder to never give up—to keep your optimism alive, your hope alive, and, in turn, your faith alive. I would appreciate this message from anyone, but it hits harder knowing that Uchtdorf is an immigrant refugee with a past full of hardship.

“the meeting of the emigrants with relatives, acquaintances, and friends was not joyous…some were so affected that they could scarcely speak, but would look at each other until the sympathetic tears would force their unforbidden way.”

John Jacques, a member of the Martin Handcart Company, recollects the emotional reunion of trail-battered pioneers with their family members and friends in Salt Lake

“like a thunderbolt out of the clear sky, God answered our prayers”

- Twelve-year-old John Oborn, upon witnessing the arrival of the rescue riders to the Willie company's camp (dispatched by Brigham Young during a general conference)

It’s clear from this book and chronicles of the handcart ordeal, with reverence to the Willie/Martin companies, that if more weight was given to John Taylor, Brigham, and Joseph Young’s views, the tragedies on the trail may have been lessened. I see why Taylor became the church’s third president; he displayed wisdom and empathy where others did not. Even so, trials like this serve to strengthen faith and wisdom.

Something I completely overlooked and was naïve about was the voyages by ship to the States. It was a rough journey, i.e., harsh winds, illnesses, deaths, shifting waters, lack of good food, overcrowding, and limited deck and cooking time. However, there were also positive aspects, such as constant prayers, marriages, births, sightseeing (sunsets, whales, dolphins, rainbows), new friendships, and courtships.

It’s fascinating that the author personally trekked so many trails, including a reenactment of the Mormon Trail. Her family’s ancestry as English LDS handcart migrants, along with their journal accounts, adds a layer of depth. I’ve also gained more insight into the journey’s specifics than from other broader works, especially regarding the financial investment in building the carts and John Taylor’s pivotal role.

I did not realize the amount of struggles early LDS members had to deal with, and yet it seemed their faith still managed to manifest so strongly. For example, members were readily willing to go into debt for the sake of the church, were willing to move 100s of miles on a moment’s notice from New England to Ohio and/or Missouri, and were willing to even lay down their lives against inciting mobs.

I thought this book was going to be a denser read, but it’s easily digestible. I appreciate that the sourcing is after chapters rather than lumped at the end. The history is straight forward, and it made me realize that Joseph Smith went through a lot since his earliest days. He had detractors all around him (even as a child), but he kept faith and was steadfast in his mission to find God’s church and himself.

This book reaffirms the need to read scripture with expansive commentary or with a clergy member or both. In terms of reading the New Testament, context can be provided historically, i.e, through early church members and through analysis of early Jewish belief, through previous scripture, i.e., the Old Testament, through reference from one work of the New Testament to another, and through linguistic analysis of Greek

Reading this book is pretty thought provoking. It’s making me realize that even with a figure like Mary there is a lot of allusion from the Old Testament towards.