What I’m Reading ... Here are a few interesting pieces to consider after yesterday’s news about one of the church’s reserve funds. First, my former colleague Hal Boyd and Lynn Chapman wrote this highly read opinion piece on the issue with the provocative title, “The Washington Post says the Church of Jesus Christ has billions. Thank goodness.” Second, Forbes published this opinion from a tax expert who quotes other experts who do not think the news merits the attention of the IRS. Finally, I found interesting this 2012 NPR piece on the tithing practices of church members. A shorter piece on the little things that affect our work relationships. If you don’t know the name Arthur Brooks, here’s a chance to learn more. He spoke at BYU’s graduation in April on the need for more love and less contempt. Previously, he spoke at a campus forum on civic virtue that I covered. In that talk, he said Joseph Smith taught that all people are made for enlargement. He also spoke at a BYU forum in 2009 on why giving matters. He has been quoted by church leaders, Church Newsroom and “Music and the Spoken Word.” Brooks, who jokes he’s BYU’s favorite Catholic, recently published this column. In it, he argues for optimism, saying the world is getting indisputably better for most countries and most people. As the House considers impeachment, here is a piece from an incredible storyteller about his experiences as the editor of two of President Trump’s books. I enjoyed it first because of the writing and second because of the look inside publishing a book with a celebrity and his ghostwriters. It ends before the president enters politics, so I offer it as a good read that doesn’t take sides in what’s happening on Capitol Hill now. I enjoyed this profile by my colleague Lottie Johnson about a BYU professor who appeared today on the TV game show “Jeopardy!” |