In the glory days of anthropology, Western researchers would travel all over the world compiling ethnographies of the peoples and cultures they encountered. The goal was impartial and exhaustive recording of what those peoples and societies were like; they were there as dispassionate observers. An unattainable goal from the start, but over time anthropologists also learned that mere observation of others was missing much of the picture. They had to turn inwards, which gave birth to the movement of autoethnography.

Recently, a letter was read over the pulpit in Latter-day Saint congregations; a letter from the First Presidency of the church encouraging church members to participate politically. There have been many such letters before, but what caught the ear of many members and other observers was this sentence: "Merely voting a straight ticket or voting based on "tradition" without careful study of candidates and their positions on important issues is a threat to democracy and inconsistent with revealed standards.

A belief distinct to Latter-day Saints (Mormons) is eternal marriage. In Temples, Latter-day Saint couples are married not with the traditional understanding of “till death do us part”, but believing they will stay married for the rest of eternity. One might think the implications of such a marriage would have a paralyzing effect on Latter-day Saint singles worried about their ability to spend literally infinite time with their partner, but surprisingly, Latter-day Saint courtships are notoriously quick.

There is an interesting moment in the Platonic dialogue Protagoras where Socrates, the champion of seeking knowledge, also cautions us about the nature of knowledge.1 It occurs when a companion of Socrates calls on him in the early morning, eagerly entreating him to accompany him to listen to the great Sophist Protagoras. Socrates eventually agrees, but warns his over-eager companion. He reasons that Sophists are like any other merchant, but instead of physical goods, they deal in the “food of the soul.

If you belong to a church, you likely face the temptation to free ride. By free riding, I mean you want to enjoy the benefits of membership without performing the obligations with which membership may come. By way of illustration, I’ll use an example I’m very familiar with–the obligation to attend Sunday School in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is occasionally a little boring. Here are the particulars of that example: