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Betting on heaven

A Wheat & Tares guest blogger — who works for a sports betting company — has a different take on gambling than apostle D. Todd Christofferson, who roundly condemned the practice in his recent General Conference sermon.

“Fundamentally, gambling is a form of entertainment meant to enhance your lived experience,” Chris Robison writes. “And regardless of whether you win or lose, you still go away having had your lived experience enhanced.”

So don’t chase potential payouts, the blogger advises, but rather pursue a more meaningful life. Too many members, Robison adds, do the same with their approach to church, seeking blessings and eternal rewards for their obedience — even wagering 10% of their income on obtaining them.

“Is tithing a bet?” the writer asks. “If paying it for promised blessings isn’t a wager, what makes it different?”

Robison recommends a better (not bettor) approach to religion:

“Underneath all the doctrine, policy, ordinances, etc.,” the writer argues, “the purpose of the gospel is to fundamentally enhance one’s life experience.”

Where will the next temples appear?

Like ward roadshows, the naming of new temples at General Conferences seem to be a relic of the past.

Instead, under church President Dallin Oaks, these announcements could pop up anytime, anywhere.

So which locales are “most likely” to be selected for Houses of the Lord in, say, the next six months? Well, independent researcher Matt Martinich, who tracks church growth at ldschurchgrowth.blogspot.com, has revealed his top 20 (and it’s the same as his list from last spring).

Here, again, are his top 10:

1. Angeles or Olongapo, Philippines.

2. Bo, Sierra Leone.

3. Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

4. Rigby, Idaho.

5. Lomé, Togo.

6. Southeastern Salt Lake County (Cottonwood Heights, Holladay or Sandy).

7. Evanston, Wyoming.

8. San Pablo City, Philippines.

9. Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

10. Ibadan, Nigeria.

View Martinich’s next 10.

In addition, Presiding Bishop W. Christopher Waddell recently relayed that the church will surpass 400 temples “in the near future.” There are currently 385 existing or planned temples in the world, so another 16 or so may be coming relatively soon.

Latest ‘Mormon Land’ podcast: ‘Rooted’ to the True Vine

Patrick and Melissa Mason, co-authors of the newly released “Rooted,” discuss how Latter-day Saints can center Christ in every gospel topic — from patriotism to pioneers, food storage to Mother’s Day.

Listen to the podcast.

Around the world

• Apostle David Bednar was the president of Ricks College when it officially became Brigham Young University-Idaho in 2001.

He and his wife, Susan, returned to the Rexburg campus this month to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the school’s transition.

“On this occasion, when we look to the past, I’d rather look to the future,” said Bednar, urging students to “magnify [their] talents in the building of his kingdom.”

• Those eager for resources to accompany next year’s youth theme, “Rejoice in Christ,” can, well, rejoice.

A website, logo and album (featuring eight new songs) are now available.

“This will be a year of hallelujah. This will be a year of hosanna,” Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman said in a news release. “This will be a year of rejoicing for us. I love that the youth will be part of that great year of rejoicing,” which is also tied to the Salt Lake Temple reopening.

• The New York Times recently showcased our own funnyman, Tribune guest columnist Eli McCann, talking about his surprising bestseller, “Stitched.”

You can also read McCann’s Tribune column about the novel’s genesis and his conversation with Tribune culture reporter Palak Jayswal.

The fabric of his debut novel: two gay men who join a gabby group of competitive female quilters. A bookseller described it as “one part ‘Golden Girls,’ one part ‘Schitt’s Creek,’ and a whole lot of Eli McCann’s signature wit and charm.”

• Apostle Ronald Rasband on Sunday dedicated the Managua Temple, the church’s first in Nicaragua. Belize is now the only Central American country without a Latter-day Saint temple.

• President Henry Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated Idaho’s Montpelier Temple on Sunday.

From The Tribune

• The presiding bishop makes a bold forecast: up to a half-million new converts this year.

• Why the church can wade into abortion politics — and even donate money to a campaign — without risking its tax-exempt status.

• President Dallin Oaks brings his plea for peacemaking and compromise for the common good to an audience of global religious leaders.

• The First Presidency prays for Pope Leo XIV’s “swift recovery” from lung cancer surgery.

• How Latter-day Saint women shaped conservative Christian ideals around womanhood. Listen to the podcast. Read the excerpts.

• Carol Lynn Pearson’s play about an excommunicated gay Latter-day Saint returns to the stage.

• BYU’s football team jumps to No. 2 in the nation after defeating Notre Dame.

• Tribune columnist Gordon Monson has his doubts about spiritual certainty. He is happy to walk by faith.

• Pointing to Pew’s data dump about Latter-day Saints, Religion News Service columnist Jana Riess explores nine ways the membership is changing.