For want of a comma

When I was young, my [non-LDS] mother impressed upon me the need for careful punctuation by reciting this phrase:

“Good, by god, I’m going to Arkansas.”

A missing comma, she explained, gives this alternate version:

“Goodbye God, I’m going to Arkansas.”

This came to mind when I read that archaeologists, planning to exhume Parley P. Pratt and rebury him in Utah, could find no trace of him in his grave.

Parley had a great sense of humor. I’d like to think that he’s laughing about this.

Leave a Reply