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“A Portion of God’s Light”

“A Portion of God’s Light”

Last updated on: September 2, 2026 at 11:22 am by Dan Peterson

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“A Portion of God’s Light” 2026-09-02T11:22:38-06:00 Dan Peterson

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At this point, I have absolutely no reason to doubt the statistics on which this graphic is based, but I haven’t independently verified them, either.

I’ve discovered an ideal form of clickbait: Simply post something about shari‘a or Islamist violence that’s based on historical facts or accurate survey data and hordes of infuriated anti-Muslims will descend upon you, particularly on Facebook. They’ll sneer at your ivory-tower academic career and your head-in-the-sand book-lernin’, abuse you personally, mock your lack of real-world experience with Muslims and in the Middle East, and — this one, I admit, is particularly delicious to me as a life-long and very serious free-market, pro-life, federalist, strict-constructionist, libertarian-friendly conservative — denounce your woke socialist ideology. I’ve recently posted an entry here about anti-Jewish bigotry (“Against Burgeoning Anti-Semitism”) and two entries about Islam (“Some Thoughts On Islam And Terrorist Violence” and “What is Shari‘a?”). The latter two have drawn almost frantic attention, overwhelmingly negative, and I rather expect that the graphic above will attract impassioned comment, as well. So be it.

One thing worth mentioning: The style of argument and the temperament of many of the anti-Muslims who’re currently attacking me are remarkably similar to the temperament and style of argument that, over decades of experience with them, I’ve encountered from (especially Evangelical Protestant) anti-Mormons. The resemblances are really quite striking. So is the vitriol. And, to be honest, more than a little discouraging. One of the exchanges surprised and saddened me.

I confess to having blocked four of them. I figure that I would show them the door of my house, if all they had was personal insults and nasty put-downs, so why should Facebook be fundamentally different? I’m actually pretty tolerant and patient, but I can’t imagine why I should consider such folks “friends,” even in the attenuated Facebook sense of that word. I’ve been worried for some time now that my list of Facebook “friends” is apparently approaching its limit, to where I won’t be able add any more. So I’ve been very leery of accepting more “friend” requests and I’ve even thought that I ought to go through and prune my “friends” list. Not a few of those on it have, I know, passed away. I should remove their names (although I’ll do it with genuine melancholy in many cases). But the storm of unpleasantness over the past couple of days has given me an excellent idea for freeing up space for new Facebook “friends.”

Some of those who’ve been attacking my (really quite harmless and anodyne) recent blog entries on Islam, perhaps trying to soften their criticisms, have suggested that I ought to stick to writing about the Gospel. In this, they mirror some of my ex-Mormon critics, who suggest that I stick to writing about Islam, where I actually might know something. One of my persistent and forthright critics, though, years ago explained that he would stop criticizing me if I would simply stop writing altogether. (He’s been at it for nearly a quarter of a century now, anonymously and relentlessly.)

But I intend to say still more in the coming days and weeks. I guess I’m just stupid that way.

By the way, one of those responding to my Islam-related blog entries identifies himself as an active British convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but, when I reminded him that the Brethren have asked us to interact with our Muslim neighbors with charity and respect, dismissed them as “limp-wristed” people who know nothing about conditions in the United Kingdom and to whom he “owes no allegiance.” Instead, he names Tommy Robinson as his leader in the fight to make Britain great again. You can read about Tommy Robinson here; I think that I’ll take my chances, instead, with President Oaks.

The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1978 (from left to right: N. Eldon Tanner, Spencer W. Kimball, and Marion G. Romney)
Wikimedia Commons public domain photo

It’s probably time to share, yet again, a statement that was issued by the First Presidency in 1978 under President Spencer W. Kimball. Unsurprisingly, it was overshadowed shortly thereafter by the dramatic and momentous revelation on priesthood, but it bears keeping in mind:

Statement of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

February 15, 1978

Based upon ancient and modern revelation, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gladly teaches and declares the Christian doctrine that all men and women are brothers and sisters, not only by blood relationship from common mortal progenitors but as literal spirit children of an Eternal Father.

The great religious leaders of the world such as Mohammed, Confucius, and the Reformers, as well as philosophers including Socrates, Plato, and others, received a portion of God’s light. Moral truths were given to them by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding to individuals.

The Hebrew prophets prepared the way for the coming of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, who should provide salvation for all mankind who believe in the gospel.

Consistent with these truths, we believe that God has given and will give to all peoples sufficient knowledge to help them on their way to eternal salvation, either in this life or in the life to come.

We also declare that the gospel of Jesus Christ, restored to His Church in our day, provides the only way to a mortal life of happiness and a fulness of joy forever. For those who have not received this gospel, the opportunity will come to them in the life hereafter if not in this life.

Our message therefore is one of special love and concern for the eternal welfare of all men and women, regardless of religious belief, race, or nationality, knowing that we are truly brothers and sisters because we are sons and daughters of the same Eternal Father.

One of the respondents on Facebook, reacting to a mention of that 1978 statement, denied that Muhammad and Islam have brought any “light” into the world, to which I replied that, although I heartily agree with them, his quarrel was really with the First Presidency, not with me. And I call your attention to an article that I myself wrote in response to a direct request from a later First Presidency of the Church. It was published in the April 2018 issue of the Ensign: “Understanding Islam.”

On the whole, I intend to cast my lot with the men whom I sustain as prophets and apostles. And I don’t apologize for it.

One last note: I’m probably done with that particular Facebook, umm, discussion. I will now receive attacks and denunciations for this blog entry. And I’ll be posting more such clickbait in the future.

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