Never Been Cleaner

Our youngest tried this on us after his baptism. Needless to say, my wife and I were just as skeptical as the mother in today's gag. At least in our case, it resulted in another post to this website.

Special Dinner

There is nothing better than a companion who knows how to cook.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Home for Christmas

Santa Claus really should be persona non grata on BYU campus. Not only is he sneaking into girls' apartments after curfew, but he's also doing so with a beard!*

*Unless, of course, he managed to score a coveted beard card.

Dinner Choices

As a missionary, my dinner menu was rather limited too.

Book of Mormon: Dagobah Edition

Let's tackle one of the longest-lasting and persistent Mormon myth out there, shall we? Was Star Wars' Yoda based on President Spencer W. Kimball?

First consider these facts.

1. Yoda was introduced in 1980's The Empire Strikes Back. The year 1980 happens to correspond with President Kimball's presidency.
2. One of the quotes that President Kimball is famous for is "do it." One of the quotes that Yoda is famous for is "do or do not, there is no try."
3. President Kimball was a diminutive man with ears that protruded slightly farther from his head than most. Yoda was a diminutive Muppet with giant ears.
   

Given those facts it is understandable that Mormons would so quickly jump onto the theory that Yoda was inspired by President Kimball. Here's the thing, though, no one involved in Empire Strikes Back has ever claimed that to be the case. Instead they credit Albert Einstein (another wise old man) as the inspiration behind Yoda's look.

So while we Mormons can't claim Yoda as one of our own, we can at least take comfort in the fact that he'd most likely like 1 Nephi 3:7.

Ball of Curious Workmanship

Growing up I had two sci-fi loves: Star Wars and Star Trek. And while Star Wars is now larger than ever (a new movie every year with television, comics, and books a plenty), Star Trek is in a serious rut. And while this week's posts are celebrating Star Wars, I wanted to take a moment to bemoan the current state of my other sci-fi love.

Sure the new Star Trek movies have been a lot of fun, but as for the TV side of things there is only a show available on a paid streaming service that nobody subscribes to and (even more egregious) is rated MA (the TV equivalent of an R rating). On top of that, there is talk that Quentin Tarantino is developing an R rated Star Trek movie. Now Quentin Tarantino might have the coolest idea ever for a movie, but a hard R rated show featuring all the swears, excessive violence, and whatever else he's got planned isn't Star Trek.

Instead of introducing Star Trek to a new generation of fans (like Star Wars has been doing), the creative team behind Star Trek is looking to rebrand it as something more edgy and cool while limiting it's appeal to an older crowd. The problem is that if you replace the hopeful geekiness of Star Trek with edgy violence, it's no longer Star Trek.

Tomorrow I'll write about Star Wars, I promise.

Star Wars Week: Episode I

After three critically acclaimed Star War weeks, I'm back for more. In honor of the Last Jedi, I'm running three posts this week all centered around Star Wars. Look for the regularly scheduled Thursday post later this week as well as a special Friday post!

Now if I were doing this right, today's strip wouldn't feature Elder Van Dyke but an excerpt from his father's mission, just before he turned to the dark side and began drinking caffeinated drinks or something. Instead, I'm just publishing another Van Dyke rerun today. But look on the bright side: there also is zero chance of a Jar Jar Binks sighting this week.

Scrooge's Visitors

Just think of what a golden investigator Scrooge would have been post-Christmas Carol.

Of course, given the time and location of his story (London, 1843), Ebenezer would have just missed Wilford Woodruff and the other members of the Quorum of the Twelve who experienced so many miraculous conversions during their mission to the English Empire between 1839 and 1841; but he still could have participated in the remarkable activity of the Church still happening in the British Isles shortly thereafter.

He likely would have emigrated with other Saints to the United States and then across the country to the Salt Lake Valley. With his large personal wealth, Scrooge would have been able to pay for the provisions of many fellow British converts, most of whom had little to their name.

In Utah, Brigham Young would have surly put him to work at the Zions Bank where Brother Ebenezer would have spent his days content in his efforts to build the kingdom. No doubt Ebenezer would have traveled south to do the temple work for his beloved business partner Jacob Marley as soon as the St. George Temple was dedicated.

Missionary Grocery Shopping

It can be pretty hard grocery shopping in another country as a missionary. Especially when the only foods you know how to prepare are hot pockets and mac and cheese.

Are you looking for a Christmas gift to give the missionaries in your life? Why not consider purchasing a copy of Mission Daze for them? Trust me, they'll love it. And if you email me immediately after your purchase, I'll make sure to personally dedicate your missionary's copy to your missionary. Order today!*

*Is this where I include a 1-800 number? I feel like I should be including a 1-800 number here and maybe a free set of Ginsu Knives if you order in the next 15 minutes.