For the last couple of days, since receiving news of the attack on a Latter-day Saint congregation in Michigan, I have witnessed the subsequent conversation online and discussed the event with people in person. One phrase has been ringing through my mind: “peculiar people.” Then-President of the Church, Gordon B. Hinckley quoted the first book of Peter calling Christ’s followers “a peculiar people” who were intended to “shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” He explained to his audience of young Latter-day Saints: “I know of no other statement which…

A version of this article was first published in the Right to the Point newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday morning. Moderates and centrists have gotten a bad name over the past few decades, and that’s part of the checkered legacy of Rush Limbaugh. The late, great radio host — who helped to shape conservatism for three decades and beyond (he famously inspired Charlie Kirk) —disdained political moderates. He saw moderates and centrists as people who lack the will to stand by principles. “There is no book in the library entitled ”Great Moderates in…