While once trying to explain to a non-Mormon friend why missionaries had such a strict dress code, I talked about showing respect for others, about norms of economic equality between rich and poor missionaries, but none of it seemed to register. Finally I said, “Look, becoming a missionary is like joining the Army. They have a collective goal, and everything is focused on that goal, to the point where things that you might otherwise find bothersome really don’t matter. If you are so concerned about individuality that you resent having to wear a uniform, then you are probably out of place there.” That made sense to him.

That sparked a years-long reflection on my part about how many aspects of Christianity in general, and Mormonism in particular, make more sense if you remember the words of the hymn, “We are all enlisted ’til the conflict is o’er.” As I’ll explain in more detail below, points of doctrine or Church history that might be troubling and confusing become less so when one realizes that we are in a spiritual war.

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One of the hard teachings of the LDS church is that God will accommodate the weaknesses of his people. One standard example of this is Samuel ordaining Saul as king for Israel, and another is that the higher priesthood was withdrawn with Moses, leaving ministry only through the Aaronic priesthood. One can imagine being taught the gospel by the ancient apostles, embracing it and teaching it to one’s children, but ultimately unable to pass the blessings of the priesthood on to further posterity, not because of any lack of desire or seeking for them, but because the priesthood has been withdrawn from the earth until times of restoration.

This pattern allows one to fully accept the authority of the LDS church’s president to enact changes in the church’s ministry, and to believe him a prophet acting as God has directed him, and to still wonder if a given change is a good change, a further unrolling of gospel fullness, or a necessary change due to the latter-day saints’ weakness in a fallen world, much to be lamented as we correctly submit to it.

Providing the best conceivable argument for stadium subsidies, here are interviews with parents of Kansas City newborns, ten months after the Royals played in their first World Series since 1985:

“We’re thinking game six-ish,” says Eric, 33, a sales manager for a local beer distributor. That was when the Royals crushed the Giants 10-0 and forced game seven.

The Edgars, both 32, scored tickets to the 2014 American League Wild Card Game — “the best sports experience of my life,” she says.

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As one having 18- and 19-year-old sons, I found this Washington Post piece pitched at my interests and needs as I work out being a father to adult children:

“That’s the one thing my mom is going to do: give me her opinion,” Washington Nationals center fielder Denard Span said.

Span isn’t alone. Several Nationals get similar help from unexpected places. Reliever Aaron Barrett receives unofficial instruction in postgame text messages from his brothers. Right fielder Bryce Harper’s father will occasionally call with swing advice. Catcher Jose Lobaton’s wife, Nina, has never played baseball or softball, but after watching his swing for years, she delivers her thoughts in person. Reliever Casey Janssen calls his parents after every appearance, good or bad.

“I joke, but I call my dad ‘The Humbler,’ ” Janssen said. “He can be very pessimistic at times. He’ll just lay it out there. ‘Hey, you’ve got to pitch a little better. You’ve got to throw more strikes. You’ve got to change speeds.’ ”

For the last few years, I’ve mused that the Church was inevitably going to have to separate from the BSA, and create the “Mormon Scouts of America.” Of course recent events have brought that possibility to the fore. But “MSA” would be a terrible name, so let me be the first to broach the subject of what to call the Mormon Scouts. (more…)