Michael Barker
Michael was born and raised in Northern California. He received his education from Ricks College, Portland State University, and Oregon Health and Sciences University. He presently lives in Southern Oregon with his wife and two daughters working as a Physician Assistant in Orthopedic Surgery. He served his LDS Mission in Dallas Texas, Spanish Speaking. He is presently the Young Mens President in his ward.
The Inclusivity of Mormon Weddings: A Prayer for Change
by Michael Barker
I consider myself well-read in regards to Mormon thought, theology, and history. Yet, as embarrassed as I am to say, it was not until last year that I realized that the majority of the countries where our Church is established, the temple sealing is a separate...
read more
I have family and friends that are either in the midst of a faith crisis or have passed through their crisis and now find themselves outside of the Church. As I have spoken with them and listened to others’ stories about their faith transitions, I have taken mental notes of what seems to help and what doesn’t help....
read more
MT. BIKING AND THE CHURCH
by Michael Barker
I love mt. biking. I love being Mormon.
I woke up at 4:30 a.m.. Got dressed and hopped into my truck. My 2005 Santa Cruz Blur classic (that’s for all you mt. bike geeks) was already on the hitch- rack. It was still dark when I pulled out of my driveway and headed to the...
read more
When my oldest daughter was about 18 months old, my wife gave me the o.k. to buy a boxer puppy. I had wanted one for years. Their square heads, under-bite, and wiggly butts, just charmed me. We drove up to Grants Pass, Oregon on Father’s Day and bought a beautiful brindle boxer. The brown in his fur was...
read more
Recently we have had two excellent posts, one written by Kelly Andersen (click here to read) and the other written by Chris Brewer (click here to read) that addressed the issue of how, as a Mormon culture, we tend to deify our leaders. This along with the hagiographies that Deseret Book produces can lead members of the Church to...
read more
Introduction:
I am not the regular teacher of the 15 and 16 year old youth in my ward. I was called earlier in the week and asked if I would help teach about the Great Apostasy and the Restoration. My concern is that the historical data does not necessarily point to the simple narrative with which I grew up and what is...
read more
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:
“…the benediction will then be given by Sister Jean Stevens, First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency…”
My wife and I had told our eleven and seven year-old daughters that a woman would be praying for the first time ever in General Conference. They were...
read more
Click here to read Part I of this series.
Click here to read Part II of this series.
Click here to read Part III of this series.
Click here to read Part IV of this series.
Click here to read Part V of this series.
Click here to read Part VI of this series.
A SURVEY OF THE DIFFERENT RESURRECTION HYPOTHESES PART VII:...
read more
A SURVEY OF THE DIFFERENT RESURRECTION HYPOTHESES PART VI: PLANTINGA’S PRINCIPLE OF DWINDLING PROBABILITIES
Click here to read Part I of this series.
Click here to read Part II of this series.
Click here to read Part III of this series.
Click here to read Part IV of this series.
Click here to read Part V of this series.
A...
read more
A SURVEY & CRITIQUE OF THE DIFFERENT RESURRECTION HYPOTHESIS PART V: HUME’S ABJECT FAILURE
Click here to read Part I
Click here to read Part II
Click here to read Part III
Click here to read Part IV
A case for Jesus’ resurrection historically has two elements to it. First, we must establish the basic facts to be...
read more
Recent Comments