Notes and Essays by David Rodeback

The writerly thrills I chase are quotidian. It’s fine with me if others fill their books with the magic of wizards, castles, and all things speculative and paranormal. For my part, I want to tease the magic – and light and darkness – out of ordinary moments.

This may sound shallow or Pollyannish. But lately I am drawn more to questions of how we live together in families, neighborhoods, and communities – including religious communities – and less to similar queries on a larger scale. We navigate these things throughout our lives, but with special intensity during adolescence, so perhaps it makes sense to write of youth.

I want to enjoy a novel in all the usual ways – laughing, savoring the building suspense, shedding the occasional manly tear. But I especially want to think. I want to think new thoughts and test and rearrange old ones. I want to see and understand the world, myself, and other people in new and unexpected ways. I want to finish the book with a sense that there are still things for me to learn from it, by pondering it or even reading it again. I want a book with a heart and a mind.

I went to a man’s funeral this week. He died shortly after his 94th birthday. Was he a man-out-of time? Are we a time out of men?

A new Barnes and Noble bookstore coming to American Fork prompts a bookbuying resolution for the new year.

In which David Rodeback chats about 33 books he’s read in the past two years, give or take, and lists a few more. Fiction, non-fiction, and non-fiction about writing.

Christmas reflections on the Light, the Life, the Truth, the Way — and why I think even secular Christmas celebrations can have some sacred effects.

This is a reprint of a blog post from 2013, which in turn was based on something I said at…

Christmas looms large on the Christian calendar, but I’ve long thought that Easter should loom larger. There is no greater cause for celebration in all of earthly Christianity than the resurrection of Jesus Christ. So let’s celebrate Easter!

By nature reminders are not new thoughts, but Christmas reminds me of important things, I think.

When I finish reading a book, I stack it on a certain shelf near my desk in my home office,…

My two favorite authors, Fyodor Dostoevsky and Vasily Grossman, treasured Raphael’s Sistine Madonna from different perspectives. What that has to do with Mother’s Day …

I began this Thanksgiving morning by setting myself a task: to describe my gratitude for specific things which are not…

Like Good AF Writers, most critique groups have three nerve-wracking activities in common: reading an excerpt of your writing aloud, hearing others’ feedback on your writing, and giving others your feedback on their writing.

The more I read, the more I want to talk about what I read — and I’ve been reading more…

One of the unsung joys of Christian worship — there may be a pun there, alas — is encountering verses…

Here we are, in the shortest days and longest nights of the year. It’s cold and getting colder — a…

For Max Olsen (1930-2020)** Thou, Lord, who groaned in agonyWhen darkness ruled GethsemaneAnd daylight mocked on Calvary,Whose perfect gift has…

Lately I’ve been finishing books I started reading in the last year or two — and enjoyed, but left unfinished….

These thoughts are primarily for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who generally understand what we…

The presence of doubt does not require the absence of faith, only faith’s imperfection. We mortals typically act in faith despite our doubt, not because we have no doubt. If we doubted less, perhaps we would need less faith.

This week’s reading is John 2-4. Jesus attends a wedding at Cana in Galilee, goes briefly to Capernaum, then heads south to Jerusalem for Passover, after which he preaches in Judea and briefly in Samaria on his way back to Galilee to preach.

This week’s readings are Matthew 4 and Luke 4 and 5. They include Jesus’ temptations in the desert and his early preaching and miracles in Galilee, and Peter walking on the water.

This week’s readings are Matthew 3, Mark 1, and Luke 3. John the Baptist preaches, baptizes Jesus, and is cast into prison. Jesus begins to preach in Galilee; calls Simon Peter, James, and John to follow him; and heals many including Simon Peter’s wife.

This week’s reading is John 1. John speaks of the Word made flesh, answers the Pharisees’ questions about his own identity, and baptizes Jesus. Jesus invites Philip to follow him and praises Nathanael as a guileless Israelite.

This week’s readings are Luke 2 and Matthew 2, which recount the birth of Jesus, the visits of the shephers and the wise men, Herod’s slaughter of the innocents, and the holy family’s flight to Egypt and eventual return to Nazareth.

Mary speaks of prophecy and God’s power and mercy, of the House of Israel and of divine promises to Father Abraham. She celebrates God’s exaltation of the humble and poor, and rejoices, “He hath filled the hungry with good things.

A person whose heart and mind — today, on a given topic — are thorny ground may be excellent soil on another topic or on another day. In some cases that day may be far in the future, but God is patient, and we can be patient too.

I’ve been thinking a lot about music during this Christmas season. Bits of text more than whole songs have had me pondering. I’ve long appreciated Christmas hymns which celebrate but also look beyond the (mostly) sweet story of the Savior’s birth.

When we truly welcome others into our towns and neighborhoods – and homes, hearts, and circles of friends – we’re not just being nice. We’re obeying two key commandments. Both are literally as old as Moses.

Four immeasurable gifts give meaning and permanence to all other good things in our lives. They open our eyes to the great human and natural beauty which surrounds us. They steady us when we stumble and lift us when we fall. … They bear sure witness of a time beyond time, when all that is good will continue, and all that is not will fall away.

Lorenzo Snow: “To become as God would wish us, we must accustom our minds to rejoice in seeing others prospered as ourselves; rejoice in seeing the cause of Zion exalted by whatsoever hands Providence may order; and have our bosoms closed against the entrance of envy when a weaker instrument than ourselves is called to greater honor; be content in magnifying a lesser office till called to a higher; be satisfied in doing small things and not claim the honor of doing great ones.”

What if today is for thanking a deity who put me in a place and time in which I have food to eat and work to do, some freedom to enjoy as I’m doing it, some faithful friends around me, and a comfortable place to lay my head?

Our light is Christ. He didn’t circle the metaphorical wagons. He was famous for eating with publicans and sinners, for blessing the leper and the adulteress in their shame. He even defended such souls against the official wagon-circlers of his day. He told the elders and chief priests, “The publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you” (Matthew 21:31).

My mother’s love, her service and sacrifice, her canned peaches that were better than candy — all of these deserve…

Here are a few more gems — I know it’s been a while — from Ann Padgett’s “The Getaway Car:…

Last time, I told you about the critique group held twice a month by the American Fork chapter of the League of Utah Writers. Here I’ll give you a better taste of how it works, in case you’re on the fence about whether it will work for you.

American Fork’s chapter of the League of Utah Writers (LUW) meets twice monthly, on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, at 6:00 p.m. We usually meet in the American Fork Library. Check the Good AF Writers Facebook group for current information.

The thing about actual predawn darkness is that you know it’s about to end. Dawn comes like clockwork. The troubles which darken our minds and hearts are less predictable. Sometimes the light seems so faint and distant that we wonder if it’s a mirage. Sometimes we cannot see it at all, and we are left to walk by faith alone – and to wonder whether we still have, or ever had, any of that.

Peter said that the Savior “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). What if he had said something slightly different: “he…

The fourth and final part of this photographic celebration of high school marching bands isn’t potential or kinetic or unusual….

Part III of my happy photo essay features more images from last fall’s state and regional high school marching band competitions in…

Here is Part II of my amateur photo essay, with more images from last fall’s state and regional high school marching…

Two novels I’ve read in the past year stand head and shoulders above the rest. The first is Chaim Potok’s The…

Introduction — and My Marching Band Withdrawal After four years with a mellophone player in the American Fork High School…

I recently baked some fresh Alaska salmon. It practically melted in my mouth. I almost didn’t need teeth. But I…

Context (or Chatter) I spend more time writing than reading, these days — too little of both — and I…

In 1 Nephi 1 Lehi’s experience resembles Joseph Smith’s later experience with visions and the gold plates (see Joseph Smith…

One of my first conscious acts on this Thanksgiving morning was to pull a folder from my file cabinet and…

Sometimes, when reading the Revelation of John, we come across gems which don’t require us to decode a lot of…

I’m driving south to St. George, Utah, today for my middle son’s last two competitions as a member of the…

Paul tells King Agrippa what he did at Jerusalem and elsewhere: “Many of the saints did I shut up in…

How much of what I hear in conference — or in other church meetings, or read in the official writings of Church leaders — am I required to obey, as a committed Latter-day Saint? Am I permitted to employ my own reason and inspiration to choose the counsel which applies to me, adapt it to my circumstances, and ignore the rest, or is that too much like selective obedience, which is a lot like disobedience? How nearly does counsel given by church leaders approach the status of scripture? Is counsel the same as commandment?

This week has seemed a bit odd to me, where matters of language and writing are concerned. To wit: Fruits…

Decades ago, I read Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and immediately declared it one of my favorite books. Then,…

“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple . . . And a certain man lame from his…

In 2002 I was called as bishop (lay pastor) of a large, unusually challenging LDS ward (congregation). I had served…

In Jesus’ Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23) seeds fall in different places. Some are eaten immediately by birds….

In the Protestant tradition, today is the last day of Lent. (The precise span is different in other traditions.) Unlike…

In Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37), a man is robbed and badly beaten. Some people help him,…

This week brought two noteworthy birthdays at 180fusion, where I work. For the company’s 5th birthday we had ice cream…

In the scriptures Jesus both prays and teaches prayer. His best-known instruction is what we Christians call the Lord’s Prayer…

A few years ago, not more than four, I decided it was time to enlarge my understanding of period of…

God invited shepherds to visit the manger that night, then bear witness – not religious, civic, or business leaders (Luke…

It’s December 27. Some people would call this the Third Day of Christmas. Some people think December 25 is the…

King Josiah ruled Judah in Jeremiah’s and Zephaniah’s time. Tradition has Jeremiah teaching in the streets, Zephaniah teaching in the…

Today is Thanksgiving, one of my favorite holidays – and perhaps you’ll forgive me if I parse that word as…

From Ann Padgett’s “The Getaway Car: A Practical Memoir about Writing and Life” (This Is the Story of a Happy…

I know the educational reasons for having music programs — and drama and sports and other such programs in schools….

God commanded Ezekiel to “prophesy against the shepherds of Israel.” His people’s leaders were neglecting their duties – and worse….

This site is quite new, and I have a long backlog of things to add, including favorite links on several…

Yesterday, somewhat randomly, I ran into an author’s biography at Amazon.com, to which I point you for its style as…

Of late I’ve been less present here at my new non-political blog than I want to be. This is mostly…

We all have things in life which cause us to seek refuge – either refuge from our troubles, or at…

Much of Isaiah’s writing applies to the modern House of Israel – that is, to us. God knows each of…

From Marilynne Robinson, “Freedom of Thought,” in When I Was a Child I Read Books (New York: Picador – Farrar, Straus…

From Ann Padgett’s “The Getaway Car: A Practical Memoir about Writing and Life” (This Is the Story of a Happy…

Here are some favorite words from LDS general conference yesterday. The speaker is Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum…

Every church or religion has its own vocabulary, which can easily make its meetings seem strange to outsiders. Latter-day Saints (Mormons) are no exception. We even think friendship is a verb; the ripples from this barbarous pebble are sometimes conspicuous. It’s a good thing the Lord is merciful. He gives us excellent, beautiful languages, and we insist on . . . But I digress.

From Ann Padgett’s “The Getaway Car: A Practical Memoir about Writing and Life,” in This Is the Story of a…

I had an hour to kill in a university bookstore a while back. The results were more less predictable. I…

If you spend any time in church-related settings with Mormons — members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — it won’t be long before you hear the words, “I know the Church is true.” What do we mean when we say our Church is true? What don’t we mean? Should you be offended, if you’re not a Mormon?

My aim at Bendable Light, when I write about faith and religion, is not to proselyte. It is to explore…

I was looking for some things C. S. Lewis said on praying for people we don’t like, including tyrants, for…

It’s natural to wonder: in the endless list of things I could or should be doing, what would most please…

After calling down fire from heaven, Elijah commanded 450 false priests to be slain. King Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, was enraged…

One verse of a favorite modern psalm begins, “Praise to the Lord! Oh, let all that is in me adore…

When Samuel heard his name one night, he thought Eli was calling him. He answered, “Here am I.” Eli had…

The Law of Moses is a lower law, compared to the Gospels’ higher law, but the higher law’s highest principles…

One purpose of the Book of Mormon is to establish the Bible’s truth (1 Nephi 13:40). Another is to restore…

(Continued from February’s newsletter.) We often assume that Lucifer’s alternative to our Father’s plan was to compel everyone to do…

[toggle title=”Author’s Note”] This essay was published in my local LDS ward’s (congregation’s) newsletter in October 2013 and was adapted…

Elmore Leonard passed away last August. He’s been called the greatest crime writer of our time, but that’s not a…

In November, when the American Fork High School Marching Band was in Indianapolis for Grand Nationals, I wrote something that…

[toggle title=”Author’s Note”] Years ago, I tried my hand at a few book reviews. Here is one of them, because…

[toggle title=”Author’s Note”] Years ago, I tried my hand at a few book reviews. Here is one of them, because…

[toggle title=”Author’s Note”] Years ago, I tried my hand at a few book reviews. Here is one of them, because…

[toggle title=”Author’s Note”] Years ago, I tried my hand at a few book reviews. Here is one of them, because…

We’re taught of a premortal grand council (Joseph Smith used the term), where all of our Heavenly Father’s spirit children…

[toggle title=”Author’s Note”] Years ago, I tried my hand at a few book reviews. Here is one of them, because…

Read with Your Mind Slow down. We’re to learn and experience, not check a box or win a race. Read…

The Book of Mormon’s title page suggests the book may contain “mistakes of men.” Joseph Smith called it “the most…

Mormon wrote that God’s ongoing work to save each of us will not cease, “so long as time shall last,…

When Jesus visited the Nephites after his resurrection, he filled in some gaps in their own records (3 Nephi 23:6-13),…

King Lamoni’s father, a Lamanite, is learning the gospel from Aaron. He wants immortality and eternal life. He wants the…

Tucked between splendid sermons and dramatic events in scripture is something we often overlook: down time for God’s exhausted servants….

In the “Psalm of Nephi” (2 Nephi 4:6-15), Nephi laments “the temptations and sins which do so easily beset me”…

In the garden and on the cross, Jesus suffered the penalty justice demands for our sins, so that we can…

We’re often taught that to hold the priesthood is to be called to minister to God’s children – to teach,…

Nephi’s brother Jacob looks back on his life and writes, “We … had many revelations, and the spirit of much…

I once heard Elder Jeffrey R. Holland say that, if you could keep only one chapter in the Book of…

Here’s something in the first chapter of the Book of Mormon (1 Nephi 1) which is probably not a coincidence. Lehi’s…