Defending the Faith: The Savior can change dark to light

By Daniel Peterson, For the Deseret News

Published: Thursday, Dec. 20 2012 5:00 a.m. MST

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For the Deseret News

Summary

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's first wife, Mary, died after a miscarriage. His second wife, Fanny, died in a freak household fire. Trying to save her, he himself was burned so badly that he couldn't attend her funeral and, for the remaining decades of his life, couldn't shave. His iconic image, still today, features a long white patriarchal beard.

And this is true only because the Savior (Immanuel, "God with us") came into the world. The light of Christmas shines even brighter after the darkness of Newtown. Because he lives, its victims shall live also. (See John 14:19.)

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4).

Daniel C. Peterson is a professor of Islamic studies and Arabic at BYU, where he also serves as editor in chief of the Middle Eastern Texts Initiative. He is the founder of MormonScholarsTestify.org, the general editor of "Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture" online at www.mormoninterpreter.com and he blogs daily at www.patheos.com/blogs/danpeterson.

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JDL

Magna, UT

Thank you Bro. Peterson

10:41 a.m. Dec. 20, 2012
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Coach Biff

Lehi, UT

I love the words to "I Heard the Bells" and for some reason, even as a child, it has been my favorite Christmas carol. Thank you Professor Peterson.

11:21 a.m. Dec. 20, 2012
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sharrona

layton, UT

RE: The God of Christianity is no unmoved mover, no absentee landlord.
True,
God is Love ,1John 4:8,10.

God is invisible ,unique, and spirit. John 1:18; 4:24; 1 Tim 1:17; 6:15,16)

God is present everywhere More..

6:50 p.m. Dec. 20, 2012
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