A Band of Christians

Tom Hanks, creator of polygamist show Big Love, calls Mormons "un-American" for voting their conscious

So Tom Hanks, creator of the polygamy inspired TV show Big Love, that he claims was not inspired by Mormons, calls members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints "un-American". In other words, Tom Hanks who makes fun of a Mormon practice abandoned over 100 years ago, now calls Mormons "un-American".

Specifically, Tom Hanks said:

"The truth is a lot of Mormons gave a lot of money to the church to make Prop-8 happen. There are a lot of people who feel that is un-American, and I am one of them."

Now the thing I find interesting, ignoring the fact that Tom Hanks fails to lump all those that supported Proposition 8 like Catholics, Evangelicals, Latinos, and African Americans, into his "un-American" label, is that Tom Hanks shows his bias and ignorance on the issue by saying, "Mormons gave a lot of money to the church".

Tom, I don't think Mormons and others gave money to the Mormon church to help pass this issue, didn't they donate their money as citizens of the United States to the political organization of their choice? It's a little crazy to suggest law abiding citizens are "un-American" for following the legal processes due them by the constitution.

Update: Tom Hanks hid behind his publicist who issued a statement on his behalf saying basically, "We use to be able to make fun of Mormons with impunity, but the timing was wrong on this biased statement. I will continue to use Big Love as my forum and I'll wait for another moment to spew my own discriminatory comments." OK, he really didn't say that, but you can read it between the lines. Look at what he said here.

Day of Faith and Interviews at Harvard - Mormon getting grilled on beliefs

There are some ideas and concepts that should be mimicked by others. I think the forum, held at Harvard called Day of Faith: Personal Quests for a Purpose, allowed many different religions to be seen from the actual minds of members of their church as opposed to the clouded glasses of authors whose works befuddle and confuse.

A Mormon, Rachel Esplin, fields questions about Mormonism. She talks a lot about Jesus Christ and describes some of her perceptions and doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Perhaps other universities could further peace by mimicking this forum. Did she handle the questions or did she get burned? What do you think?

Day of Faith: Personal Quests for a Purpose - 3. Rachel Esplin from Harvard Hillel on Vimeo

My personal thoughts on the subject is that she did well. I think she could learn an example of the Mormon garments to help answer the question. For example, the man to Rachel's right was wearing a kippah or yarmulke and the woman to her left was wearing a hijab. There are many religions today that wear clothing to represent their faith, religion, or dedication. Of course, one major difference between Mormon garments and the kippah or hijab is that Mormon garments come mostly in one color, while the kippah or hijab has a wide variety of colors. See the sport collection of kippah's here and a Smörgåsbord of hijabs here.

Read about it in frequently asked questions my take on the Mormon garment.

You may view all the interviews here.

Wishing the World a Merry Christmas

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good
time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long
calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their
shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were
fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other
journeys. ~Charles Dickens

A review of News discussing Mormons December 2008

I found an interesting article on Crosswalk.com written by a Richard Abanes. It appears the December 13, 2008 article is a regurgitation of an article he wrote in the Summer of 2005. It was an interseting article calling for more civil dialogue, no need for shouting matches. He ends the article quoting Daniel C. Peterson, who in 2003 said: “[Some] take this as just, ‘it’s a competition, you can score points.’ You know, you can ‘win on this’—gratify your ego by defeating somebody on that point or something. That’s not what it’s really about. Resist that temptation.” There is only one other thing I would add to his list, an evangelical lowers their credibility when they try to sell their pejorative publications in the middle of their articles/discussions. You can read his full article here.

The California Prop 8 issue continues to be big news, I find it interesting that the LGBT groups in San Francisco are attacking the evangelical groups that are defending the Mormons. (I am actually surprised at the number of LGBT news sites that have plastered their articles with Mormon bashing news.) Overall authors are drudging up the same old statements to make Mormons seem crazy. In fact, one newspaper writer wrote up about some quote by a Mormon that people lived on the Moon. Of course, it was the New York Times that years before a Mormon said it, proclaimed that one day we would meet the people on the moon. So why doesn't the newspaper writer take any heat for being part of a crazy group that believed people lived on the Moon? Anyway, the PoliGazette does an interesting job disecting how newspaper writers propogate misconceptions about Mormons.

This was a kind of funny snippet from a newspaper in Arizona called The Daily Courier: "Dec. 8, 1958 A group of us has been studying various religions. Out here in the West we find Mormonism particularly interesting because of their zeal and growth."

Another humorous commentary about Christian music and Mormonism can be found at Belief.net In fact, I couldn't help but chuckle as I read about the "Jesus fish stamp of approval" when choosing music. Due to a misunderstanding about a joke the author told about "You might be a christian music fan if...", the author has to explain the joke to the reader. It's a fun read click here.

So this band called the "Killers" has an interesting personality in Brandon Flowers. This article comes from the UK and can be found here.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir December 14th - What a performance!

I just finished listening to Music and the Spoken Word with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir this morning. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has been performing a weekly radio broadcast since 1929. I was touched by the beauty, spiritual message expressed. Mr. Brian Stokes Mitchell performed with the choir and I must say he was amazing. They performed an English carol and Mr. Mitchell sang for each character.

Then Mr. Edward Herrnamm did a monologue accompanied by the orchestra and choir about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. How his wife died when their home started on fire and Mr. Longfellow was burned trying to save her. Mr. Longfellow wrote the music to the song I heard the bells on Christmas Day. His poem is called Christmas Bells and was written in 1866. Mr. Herrnamm did a wonderful job expressing the sentiments and feelings that may have wracked Mr. Longfellow. When Mr. Longfellow was recovering and his wife was buried three days after the fire on their 18th wedding anniversary, Mr. Herrnamm said, "Mr. Longfellow struggled with life and whether to live. As the fire raged without, a fire also raged within." For all those struggling this Christmas I wish you peace.

The song is sung by a christian music group and is a beautiful rendition of the song. The video uses a lot of film from movies made by the LDS Church about Jesus' life.

If you want to search for the actual broadcast search for the December 14th message. Again, it was incredible.

December 14, 2008
Weekly, Live Broadcast
Conference Center

TICKETS ARE REQUIRED: The live broadcast, featuring the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, takes place every Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. This week's "Christmas" program includes, singer Brian Stokes Mitchell and actor Edward Herrnamm. Doors open for the broadcast at 8:30 a.m. Guests should be seated by 9:15 a.m., when the doors are closed. Admission is free and limited to eight years of age and older.

Mormon Apostle Dies at age 91 - Elder Joseph B Wirthlin

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, the oldest living apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died Monday night, at age 91.

Elder Wirthlin had gone to bed at his Salt Lake City home, and died peacefully at about 11:30 p.m. of causes incident to age. His oldest daughter, Jane Wirthlin Parker, was present. A member of the family had been staying and caring for Elder Wirthlin, whose wife, Elisa Young Rogers Wirthlin, died in 2006.

He had continued to work at his office right up until the Thanksgiving holiday.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Friday, December 5, at the Tabernacle on Temple Square.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin was ordained an Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 9, 1986. He was sustained and set apart as an Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles on April 4, 1975 and served in that capacity until he was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy in April 1976. He was set apart in the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy August 28, 1986, where he was serving when called to be an Apostle.

Elder Wirthlin was born in Salt Lake City on June 11, 1917 to Joseph L. and Madeline Bitner Wirthlin. His Father served as the Presiding Bishop of the Church.
Elder Wirthlin graduated from the University of Utah in Business Administration. He received from Brigham Young University a Doctorate of Christian Service Honoris Causa, April 26, 2001. He is an Eagle Scout. He was active in athletics in high school and played football (running back) at the University of Utah.
Before his call as a General Authority, he was a prominent business leader in Salt Lake City. He was also president of a trade association in Utah.
Elder Wirthlin served a mission to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in the late 1930s. Among other positions in the stake and ward auxiliaries, he has served as a counselor in the Bonneville Ward bishopric and as bishop. He was a member of the Bonneville Stake high council and a member of the stake presidency. He served as a counselor in the General Sunday School Presidency until April 1975, when he was called as an Assistant to the Twelve.
He married Elisa Young Rogers May 26, 1941 in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the parents of eight children. Sister Wirthlin passed away on August 16, 2006.

Here is Elder Wirthlin talking about his father.

You can watch the entire funeral services by clicking here.

Watching the children grow up

Hello,

Here is a little more inspiration for you…

My Son, who was apparently born two months old because of his size. (At least that's what his clothes said on the tags.) is growing bigger and bigger. My youngest daughter is very adorable, and has thankfully lost interest long ago in her old hobby of holding something in her hands and coming up to you with the sweetest little adorable look and then whacking you between the eyes with it. I think it may have developed out of not being the little baby anymore and wanting more attention. I am not sure but it was so cute (before she whacked you). I received two black eyes from that hobby of hers but I sure loved her and I still do. (I didn’t really have black eyes but after the blues clues motorized stuffed animal whack I was surprised that I didn’t.) The real funny part of it is that there was no warning whatsoever. "Oh, hello my little sweet girl. Is that blue..." WHACK!

My oldest daughter is sure growing up fast. The other day she noted, "Daddy you have whiskers coming out of your nose like Tigger." I guess I am getting closer to the age of longer nose hair at that.

I hope that you have a wonderful day!

Sincerely,

-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet

Happiness is…

Hello,

Here is a little more inspiration for you…

I believe that happiness is the feeling that you are doing good in life. I hope that all of us can be happy. I used to think that I would be happy in life based upon a shortage of difficulties. I have realized that I must be happy in life based upon how I react to difficulties. I believe that everything in life can be hard and difficult and at the same time we can be happy inside. Sometimes people are mean to us and we think it is the way they treat us that makes us unhappy. Sometimes it is the way we react to those situations because of pride and anger that really is the thing that makes us unhappy. Let’s all do our best to do good in life so that we can be happy. I hope that you feel good inside as much as possible. Have a good day if possible and know that I do care about you! I want all of you to succeed in the challenges of life and have a good feeling as much as possible. In other words I really do love you all very much!

Work
Author Unknown

Work for the night is coming, Work thru the morning hours.
Work while the dew is sparkling, Work mid the springing flowers.
Work while the day grows brighter, Under the glowing sun.
Work, for the night is coming, When man's work all is done.

Work, for the night is coming, Work thru the sunny noon.
Fill brightest hours with labor, Rest comes sure and soon.
Give every flying minute, Something to keep in store.
Work, for the night is coming, When all man's work is o'er.

I hope that you have a wonderful day!

Sincerely,

-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet

Funny Stories

Hello,

Here is a little more inspiration for you…

My wife and I were talking together when I noticed that my oldest daughter was missing part of her left eyebrow. "How did that happen?" I asked my wife. "Someone came to visit today and their little boy cut part of her eyebrow off with a pair of scissors." "How in the world did he do that?" I asked. My daughter answered in a very serious tone, "Vewy Cawfuwy."

I think that it is funny that My wife’s Sister used to baby-sit my siblings and I. (One time she stayed at our house and took care of us for an entire week.) Everyone in my wife’s family loves to joke me whenever the subject arises that her sister used to change my diapers. (Her sister did say, however, that I was too old at the time.)

The other day we were all sitting around the dinning room table. I said to my wife, "You have such beautiful eyes." "Thank you very much." replied my wife. We smiled at each other and then when I looked at my oldest daughter she opened her eyes wider, smiled and cocked her head to one side. My wife and I immediately knew what she wanted and we both grinned as I said, "and you have beautiful eyes too."

I hope that you have a wonderful day!

Sincerely,

-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet

Funny and great Children

Hello,

Here is a little more inspiration for you…

I was sitting in the family room one morning and one of my children came up to me and said, "Do you want to see yourself?" My child then held up a little hand-held mirror. The mirror was not aimed at me but rather at a picture of me on the wall behind me. This picture was taken a long time ago (a few months after the creation of the world when I was 20 lbs lighter) I smiled and said, "Wow, I look good!"

I'm glad that I was able to celebrate a birthday and I would not mind looking like I did in that picture when I was full of strength and energy.

I hope that you have a wonderful day!

Sincerely,

-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet

I love my wonderful Wife

Hello,

Here is a little more inspiration for you…

I decided to give track and field a try my senior year. I first met my future wife at a track meet. I tried to impress her with my jumping skills and she remembers not being very impressed. Both my sweetheart and I did the very best from our High School in the High Jump Event and my sweetheart almost broke a State record. I watched her jumping and was silently cheering her on long after all of her competitors and most of the people watching the event had left the field. (this was because the higher up she went after everyone else had finished, the more people didn't want to stay and watch my sweetheart jump so much higher than their daughter or teammates.) I was very, very impressed and watched her until after her final jump. Each time she was jumping toward the end my heart leaped as well. My sweetheart went on to do the high jump at a University and so she was both a College and a High School track star. I was always so intimidated by her! (I don't think I even had the confidence to go up to her after her final jump to congratulate her. I always thought that she was way out of my league.) I have always had a high opinion of my sweetheart and now my opinion of her is even higher after almost eight wonderful years of marriage. I really, really love my wonderful wife!

I hope that you have a wonderful day!

Sincerely,

-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet