David T
@improvementera.com
Latter-day Saint Christian. Random musings on Scripture, History, Culture, Lived Religion & Liturgy. Not a hater.
Pinned
David T
@improvementera.com
· Jul 4
Then Shall They Fast
Years ago, a loved one died, and I was led to wonder if it might have been my fault.
www.wayfaremagazine.org
"As we regularly ask for those morsels of daily bread, through fasting we are acknowledging with our full body that the full banquet hasn’t arrived yet...We aren’t demanding an early snack...but we certainly won’t reject it if by the grace of God it is given."
www.wayfaremagazine.org/p/then-shall...
www.wayfaremagazine.org/p/then-shall...
Just learned of this massive, massive change in practice for Jehovah's Witnesses. While they still do not donate or receive 'whole blood' transfusions, they are now permitted to donate and receive all of the ~components~ of blood separately or combined.
www.jw.org/en/news/regi...
www.jw.org/en/news/regi...
2026 Governing Body Update #6
In this update, we will discuss an adjustment to our position on blood components. This video, as well as the related “Questions From Readers” article and chart, is being released now in English. Offi...
www.jw.org
September 23, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Just learned of this massive, massive change in practice for Jehovah's Witnesses. While they still do not donate or receive 'whole blood' transfusions, they are now permitted to donate and receive all of the ~components~ of blood separately or combined.
www.jw.org/en/news/regi...
www.jw.org/en/news/regi...
If I don't have the words for 'pitching camp' and 'departing' drilled into me by the end of Numbers 33, then I have no one to blame but myself..
September 23, 2026 at 2:29 AM
If I don't have the words for 'pitching camp' and 'departing' drilled into me by the end of Numbers 33, then I have no one to blame but myself..
Reposted by David T
So let's celebrate key days in the traditional Christian Liturgical Calendar, and find a structured and coherent way to do it. Lets add in our own unique days. Lets add our own traditions to the existing days (Hosannah shout on Palm Sunday, PLEASE!). We could add coherence without being clunky.
September 22, 2026 at 9:19 PM
So let's celebrate key days in the traditional Christian Liturgical Calendar, and find a structured and coherent way to do it. Lets add in our own unique days. Lets add our own traditions to the existing days (Hosannah shout on Palm Sunday, PLEASE!). We could add coherence without being clunky.
Reposted by David T
Having a Universal Hymn Book is actually a big step. The ability to designate particular themed/programmed Sunday across the worldwide Church with the same Hymns instructed to be sung in every ward/branch is now approaching possibility.
September 22, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Having a Universal Hymn Book is actually a big step. The ability to designate particular themed/programmed Sunday across the worldwide Church with the same Hymns instructed to be sung in every ward/branch is now approaching possibility.
Reposted by David T
The idea that off-to-the-side Sacrament Tables may be transitioning into Front Center Eucharistic Altars suggests movement. Genuinely would like to know if there was any attempt to get copies of Maxwell Institute's Ancient Christians into the hands of the 15 and actually read it and engage with it.
September 22, 2026 at 9:19 PM
The idea that off-to-the-side Sacrament Tables may be transitioning into Front Center Eucharistic Altars suggests movement. Genuinely would like to know if there was any attempt to get copies of Maxwell Institute's Ancient Christians into the hands of the 15 and actually read it and engage with it.
Reposted by David T
We're closer than we've been (Temple Reforms bringing symbols/language into much easier conversation w/ daily and weekly Church life, acknowledging Holy Week, etc). We have Good Material! But I frankly don't see much indication leadership has experience/knowledge of the traditions that do it WELL.
September 22, 2026 at 9:19 PM
We're closer than we've been (Temple Reforms bringing symbols/language into much easier conversation w/ daily and weekly Church life, acknowledging Holy Week, etc). We have Good Material! But I frankly don't see much indication leadership has experience/knowledge of the traditions that do it WELL.
Reposted by David T
Oaks & the Church flirt with Liturgy-adjacent ideas without calling them such & without giving them coherent structure. Lots of scattered pieces that COULD work together, but without any explanation that DOES that work.
September 22, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Oaks & the Church flirt with Liturgy-adjacent ideas without calling them such & without giving them coherent structure. Lots of scattered pieces that COULD work together, but without any explanation that DOES that work.
I get trying to make 9/21 "Moroni Day", but the midnight communications, first & subsequent Cumorah visits were on 9/22. Besides, 9/21 is already the Feast of St. Matthew. If we're having our own Feast Days now, lets let them be complimentary to the traditional ones ;)
#SaintMoroni
#SaintMoroni
September 22, 2026 at 3:47 PM
I get trying to make 9/21 "Moroni Day", but the midnight communications, first & subsequent Cumorah visits were on 9/22. Besides, 9/21 is already the Feast of St. Matthew. If we're having our own Feast Days now, lets let them be complimentary to the traditional ones ;)
#SaintMoroni
#SaintMoroni
Was explaining to my kids last week that the Prophet Isaiah is hella woke. And the intro to this week's #ComeFollowMe doesn't hurt the stanning.
Read Isaiah 14 as if presented to a modern Tyrant. It still tracks.
Read Isaiah 14 as if presented to a modern Tyrant. It still tracks.
September 21, 2026 at 10:59 AM
Was explaining to my kids last week that the Prophet Isaiah is hella woke. And the intro to this week's #ComeFollowMe doesn't hurt the stanning.
Read Isaiah 14 as if presented to a modern Tyrant. It still tracks.
Read Isaiah 14 as if presented to a modern Tyrant. It still tracks.
Reposted by David T
"Recently, I have come to understand better the distress of other[s]...who feel that some of us are invoking ... free exercise of religion...to deny or challenge their own...basic constitutional rights." - Dallin Oaks.
May understanding continue.
newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/pres...
May understanding continue.
newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/pres...
Faith, Freedom and the Common Good
President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints delivered this speech on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at Washington National Cathedral.
newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org
September 18, 2026 at 12:51 PM
"Recently, I have come to understand better the distress of other[s]...who feel that some of us are invoking ... free exercise of religion...to deny or challenge their own...basic constitutional rights." - Dallin Oaks.
May understanding continue.
newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/pres...
May understanding continue.
newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/pres...
This. Similar circumstances and realization in our family in Georgia. Lifelong moral anti-abortion absolutists suddenly became missionaries for reproductive rights. Change is possible, but it requires listening to learn and humility.
This is very upsetting.
After we lost our first pregnancy, we had eye-opening conversations with family members who did not understand that my wife would not have been able to get the medical care that she needed until it became an imminent life-endangering emergency if we had been in Idaho.
After we lost our first pregnancy, we had eye-opening conversations with family members who did not understand that my wife would not have been able to get the medical care that she needed until it became an imminent life-endangering emergency if we had been in Idaho.
I am seriously so pissed right now.
The next 2 weeks in idaho the LDS church is reading a letter across the pulpit telling folks to vote no on Prop 1 in idaho. Which overturns our draconian abortion restrictions thatve led to 37% loss in idaho OBGYNs.
The hubris of men.
The next 2 weeks in idaho the LDS church is reading a letter across the pulpit telling folks to vote no on Prop 1 in idaho. Which overturns our draconian abortion restrictions thatve led to 37% loss in idaho OBGYNs.
The hubris of men.
September 18, 2026 at 12:40 PM
This. Similar circumstances and realization in our family in Georgia. Lifelong moral anti-abortion absolutists suddenly became missionaries for reproductive rights. Change is possible, but it requires listening to learn and humility.
I am so in.
EXCLUSIVE 🪩
Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew is a rock inspired fantasy nodding to David Bowie and The Who.
“Narnia is literally a world made out of music,” she tells Empire. “And rock ’n’ roll to me felt like a world made out of music.”
Read more: www.empireonline.com/movies/news/...
Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew is a rock inspired fantasy nodding to David Bowie and The Who.
“Narnia is literally a world made out of music,” she tells Empire. “And rock ’n’ roll to me felt like a world made out of music.”
Read more: www.empireonline.com/movies/news/...
September 17, 2026 at 8:05 PM
I am so in.
I hope @keepapitchinin.bsky.social is doing some Celestial fistbumps right now.
September 17, 2026 at 4:11 PM
I hope @keepapitchinin.bsky.social is doing some Celestial fistbumps right now.
Maxwell Institute at BYU is hosting a Book Club studying their book Ancient Christians. This is a very, very, very good thing.
September 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Maxwell Institute at BYU is hosting a Book Club studying their book Ancient Christians. This is a very, very, very good thing.
Wy weakness is Pretty Editions of Official Church Texts, and I just discovered several of the TPC manuals were released in leather/hardbound editions for General Authorities and my collector's brain is now crying.
September 17, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Wy weakness is Pretty Editions of Official Church Texts, and I just discovered several of the TPC manuals were released in leather/hardbound editions for General Authorities and my collector's brain is now crying.
Morning Seminary drop-off.
September 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Morning Seminary drop-off.
I'm considering a new pattern that uses the full Liturgy of the Hours for Advent and Lent, but during Ordinary Time using an adaptation in the lectionary, including subbing in some of our unique Canticles (2 Nephi 4:16-35, D&C 84:99-102), and adjust the Office of Readings to CFM and GC/TPC.
"O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise." - Psalm 51:15 #Lauds
September 12, 2026 at 5:37 PM
I'm considering a new pattern that uses the full Liturgy of the Hours for Advent and Lent, but during Ordinary Time using an adaptation in the lectionary, including subbing in some of our unique Canticles (2 Nephi 4:16-35, D&C 84:99-102), and adjust the Office of Readings to CFM and GC/TPC.
In addition to my Oft Spoken Of and Hoped For Official History of the Temple Book™, I also wish one day for a Temple wing of the Church History Museum devoted to the different forms of ceremonial clothing throughout the years. Our Temple ritual is filled with rich material culture and history.
September 6, 2026 at 11:32 AM
In addition to my Oft Spoken Of and Hoped For Official History of the Temple Book™, I also wish one day for a Temple wing of the Church History Museum devoted to the different forms of ceremonial clothing throughout the years. Our Temple ritual is filled with rich material culture and history.
Atlanta Temple today.
September 5, 2026 at 11:18 PM
Atlanta Temple today.
Y'know, those two degrees of the CK in the presence of the fulness of God that don't require horizontal hetero sealings are wide open for exploration and motivating folks to look forward to, just sayin'.
September 1, 2026 at 1:41 AM
Y'know, those two degrees of the CK in the presence of the fulness of God that don't require horizontal hetero sealings are wide open for exploration and motivating folks to look forward to, just sayin'.
Oaks is the #1 person who has been pushing for formalization of ritual over the years (Prayer Language, Right Hand Sacrament) - but without a full liturgical structure to make sense of it and to contextualize it, they're just random policies. This could be changing.
I hope part of a reformed Sacrament meeting (apart from moving the Altar to center which I think is very good!) is more liturgical participation by the congregation beyond Hymns. Many ways to do that, including a return to (optional) congregational kneeling during the Sacramental Prayers.
Listen, I'd be in favor of installing optional-use genuflection benches on all the pew so the Priests can truly "kneel with the church" during the Sacrament prayers, so sounds good to me 😅
August 30, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Oaks is the #1 person who has been pushing for formalization of ritual over the years (Prayer Language, Right Hand Sacrament) - but without a full liturgical structure to make sense of it and to contextualize it, they're just random policies. This could be changing.
I hope part of a reformed Sacrament meeting (apart from moving the Altar to center which I think is very good!) is more liturgical participation by the congregation beyond Hymns. Many ways to do that, including a return to (optional) congregational kneeling during the Sacramental Prayers.
Listen, I'd be in favor of installing optional-use genuflection benches on all the pew so the Priests can truly "kneel with the church" during the Sacrament prayers, so sounds good to me 😅
August 30, 2026 at 3:58 PM
I hope part of a reformed Sacrament meeting (apart from moving the Altar to center which I think is very good!) is more liturgical participation by the congregation beyond Hymns. Many ways to do that, including a return to (optional) congregational kneeling during the Sacramental Prayers.
Spring 1820, Palmyra, New York:
bsky.app/profile/theo...
bsky.app/profile/theo...
Christ Does Soft Return To Gauge Interest https://theonion.com/christ-does-soft-return-to-gauge-interest-1819578856/
August 29, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Spring 1820, Palmyra, New York:
bsky.app/profile/theo...
bsky.app/profile/theo...