A few good men

I love how Abraham tried to negotiate with God to find enough righteous people to avoid Sodom being destroyed. He haggled from 50 down to 10 until God just walked away. And even at that low number they still couldn't find enough good people to save the city!
 

Hi, Abraham. I'm dad!

I mean, this guy named his kid after laughter! Fun fact: The first time that laughter is mentioned in the Bible is when Abraham laughs at the news that he is going to be a dad (see Gen. 17:17).*

There are those who say that this gift of originating dad jokes is how all the world shall be blessed by Abraham's seed!
 

*His wife Sarah is the second person in the Bible who laughs (Gen. 18). Although she just chuckled internally, while Abraham fell on his face with laughter!

Join the rebellion

Yes, the news story about Utah banning the scriptures made big headlines. But what I think is funny is that even if the lawmakers and policymakers ban the books from the school libraries, a huge percentage of the kids will have Gospel Library or another scripture app on their smartphones anyway, making it one of the least effective book bans in the history of banned books.

Editor's note: This seems an awful lot like an editorial cartoon. What do you think?
 

Something to chew on

This was among the first gags I sold to the Church magazines back when it was The New Era and I was still in high school. They had another cartoonist do the artwork (Cal Grondahl), so I was a little disappointed at the time.  My skills as an artist have improved over the ensuing years. I can't say I blame them.

As a result, this little gem has been hidden away. Yes, it would have been better to revisit it last year while we studied the Old Testament. 

My hope is that many of these old prophets have a sense of humor — or at the very least they're forgiving!

On the other hand...

I struggled with the concept of left and right for the longest time. Then someone pointed out to me that if you hold your hands in front of you, palms out, your right thumb points to your left hand. That clarified everything.
 

Right up the middle

I could see Goliath positioned at power forward, kind of like Karl Malone.

That's probably why some stakes require a bishop's endorsement before someone can join the ward team!
 

Light the World: Looping Luke 2

Today's Light the World prompt suggests that we read a verse of Luke 2 and then pass it off to a friend. I asked a couple of my cartooning buddies to help me tell the story of the Nativity: Summer Bird and Arie Van De Graaff.*

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"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was the governor of Syria.)

"And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child."

"And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night."

"And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be unto all people; For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them unto heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

"And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."

"And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

"And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."

(Luke 2:1-20)

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*As an added bonus, the last panel includes hidden pictures for you to find! Download a printable copy!

Special thanks to Summer and Arie for joining me in this project. They are amazing people!

Second bonus: There's also a video version — take a look!

Cold contacting

Sometimes I think I was one of the lucky missionaries: I never had things thrown at me. Or maybe the people who threw things weren't very good shots.

It's just a letter

Especially that "greet one another with a holy kiss" part.

Easter Week: Christ Teaches His Disciples

"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

"For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me doing; I was a stranger, and ye took me in;

"Naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

"Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

"When was we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Sketchbook: Jacob's things

You should see all the stuff Jacob has in his shed!

Shod with something comfy

Because you have to be comfortable when you're fighting off the fiery darts of the adversary!

What about the seismic retrofit?

That's what happens when you use the low bid system.

Snakes on a boat

I was searching through my archives the other day to find a cartoon to go with our Sunday School lesson about Noah. This one didn't show up in my search, but it's one of the first cartoons I ever sold to the New Era.

Sketchbook: Fall is in the air

It kind of grows on you.

Read all about it!

Yes, once again it's Banned Books Week! It's an annual event to celebrate the freedom to read. Some of the best books have been on the chopping block, ranging from Captain Underpants to Catcher in the Rye to the Holy Bible and other religious texts. In fact, some of my favorite books have scored high on the lists! One thing that some people don't understand is that as soon as you try to ban a book, it soars in popularity!

Celebrate the ability to read this week!

Eyes of understanding

One bit at a time, right?

Kind words are sweet tones of the heart

We had an Area Conference last Sunday in which Elder Dale G. Renlund spoke. He offered some great words. This is how he described what he said on his Facebook page:

This past Sunday, I participated in a satellite broadcast for stakes in the North America Northwest and West Areas of the Church. One thing I felt impressed to share was a bit of advice from my wife, Ruth. She was a plaintiff’s attorney for 23 years. She was always working with others who strongly held different opinions than she. I was impressed by how two lawyers who were fierce adversaries in the courtroom could sit down calmly together and eat lunch. She said that she had learned early in her career to disagree without being disagreeable. She might say to opposing counsel something like, “I can see we are not going to agree on this issue. I like you. I respect your reasoned opinion. I hope you can offer me the same courtesy.” Most often, this allowed for mutual respect and friendship.

Our Church doctrine does not lend itself well to sound-bite debate and argument. But if we are allowed the opportunity to explain our belief in living prophets, the plan of salvation, and the ultimate destiny of all of Heavenly Father’s children, others will at least understand why we believe as we do, even if they disagree. After offering such an explanation and respectfully listening to another’s opposing viewpoint, it might be wise to say to someone who disagrees something like, “I can see we are not going to agree on this issue. I like you. I respect your reasoned opinion. I hope you can offer me the same courtesy.”

We may on occasion find ourselves in uncomfortable situations where we differ in doctrine with our acquaintances, friends, and family members. But the doctrine can never be used to justify treating others with anything less than respect and dignity. We can stand firm in our beliefs and have a loving relationship with those who hold differing opinions. It is never an either-or choice. We love and live our doctrine, and we love those who do not live it. We need not create false dichotomies. The late Elder Marvin J. Ashton shared this insight from an inspired leader: “The best and most clear indicator that we are progressing spiritually and coming unto Christ is the way we treat other people.”

Following up

As promised, here's the second set of the Follow the Prophets Old Testament bookmarks. There's also a downloadable PDF (through Dropbox) if you're interested. Enjoy!

Metaphorically speaking

How much oil does it take to run an iPhone?