Nativity Scenes and the Mormon Church

This is an interesting clip by a news group that shows a Mormon Church displaying Nativity Scenes. Over 600 different Nativity Scenes are on display. Only trouble is it is shown after stories of a robbery and a yellow school bus crash.



The article about the event was better, and take a look at the variety of choirs performing - and they are not even Mormon! Read it here.

Hundreds of nativity scenes from around the world are on display through Sunday at the annual Creche Exhibit sponsored by the Yuba City Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The four-day exhibit continues 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Saturday and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at 1470 Butte House Road in Yuba City.
Admission is free.

In addition, musical groups are performing each night: the St. Andrew Presbyterian Church Bell Choir at 7 p.m. today, the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Choir at 7 p.m. Saturday, and the Hillcrest Ward Trio at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Seasons Greetings to you all!

In another stake in Peoria Arizona, Mormons gathered blankets and raised money to buy turkey's:

This year, more than $5,800 was donated to WasteNot Arizona to purchase turkeys that go to more than 80 organizations to provide holiday meals for the less fortunate. The two LDS stakes in the City of Surprise added another $4,800 (LDS members in Sun City and Sun City West are part of these stakes). Quilts, fleece blankets, afghans and booties were hand made and donated to homeless and women's shelters, along with book bags and craft kits.

Terrie Schwartz and Shirley Guthrie, both of Peoria, organized the project and arranged for Judy Ryberg from WasteNot to accept delivery. The money will be used to purchase more than 1,000 turkeys.

Read more at the Peoria Times.

North Salt Lake offers "The Savior of the World" in Spanish. It will be presented as "El Salvador del Mundo". Read more in the Deseret News.

The Tampa Florida Stake is presenting a live Nativity.

Tampa Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7851 Lutz Lake Fern Road, Odessa, "Live Nativity" with music and animals, every half-hour beginning at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17-20. (813) 926-9748

Read more at the Tampa Bay Online.

The Southwest Region of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is holding a special fast on Sunday December 5th. All other religions are invited to participate.

The Southwest Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fasting and prayer takes place Sunday. Officials said that, because economic conditions affect everyone, the method of prayer or dedication is not important but recognizing and attempting to help is key, so the fast is extended to people of all religious backgrounds.
“We’re asking all communities of all faiths to join together to help feed the hungry and give to those less fortunate,” Deru said. “It’s about sharing the faith and knowing that good things come from faith.”

Read more at Today's News-Herald.

I loved fishes comment on the article, "I learned from the Mormons many years ago about the necessity for preparedness in case of lean times ahead, and have never forgotten it. They are a wise and generous group."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints performs Handel's Messiah a free concert. Read more at the Washington Post.

THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Dec. 6 at 6. Dana Rothlisberger will conduct the orchestra with soloists soprano Teri Bickham, alto Jessica Renfro, tenor Duane Moody and bass Bryan Jackson. Free sheet music will be available for choral parts, and all skill levels are welcome. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-Ellicott City, 4100 St. John's Lane, Ellicott City. 410-418-4026. Free.

Mormon Family selected as World's Strictest Parents

A new TV show called World's Strictest Parents has shown up on CMT. As I was watching the other day, you can imagine my surprise when a family knelt down in prayer and I immediately recognized the Mormon phrases. A short time later the family said they were Mormon. Wow, I thought, this might be very interesting.

In World's Strictest Parents two unruly teenagers are taken from their families and dropped into the lives of a family with very strict parents. The disrespectful and/or lazy teens are supposed to learn lessons from the strict family that their own parents wish them to learn.

The Cork family said their nightly prayers, enforced their rules on modesty, and asked the children to keep their language curse word free. The young women of the family were very articulate explaining why they did what they did.

The Cork family had two main rules:

• Respect each other
• Teamwork

In an ironic twist, as the two teens were driving to the house. Julie (16) turned to Sebastian (16) and said, "They might be Mormon or Amish or something..."

It was a good glimpse into the hearts and minds of a family from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mrs. Cork and the guests visited a woman with two children and helped clean her house. The two teenagers did the dishes, swept the floor, and cooked up dinner for the kids. Mormons tend to be doers, engaged in community and aware of those around them.

The Corks talked about the sweet child they had adopted from China. Which I found interesting since President Barak Obama just announced on Saturday May 16, 2009 that Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. of Utah will be the new U.S. Ambassador to China. Incidentally, Mr. Huntsman and his family also adopted a child from China. The story appeared to have a strong impact on Sebastian - he was amazed at how quickly a change had occurred in the little girl.

This show was very good. It was inspiring on so many levels. Julie appeared to transform in some ways and Sebastian, the teenage boy, really stepped up to the plate with regard to service. Sebastian started the show repeatedly calling the Corks "cheesy". He ended the show stepping up and realizing that he has an abundance of power to help others. They even showed the family praying with their guests a few times. Julie's Mom's prayers appeared to be answered. As Julie realized that family is the most important thing. Again, I thought it was a great show. The only thing lacking in this show, is a follow up on how the two visitors are doing.

Hat tip to the Cork family and their two guests.

Honestly, I don't understand why people have an issue electing a Mormon to the White House.

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.

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.

Abuse not tolerated by Mormons: "My brethren, if... any guilty, I call upon you to repent."

I read the following story, Rites and wrongs - alleged abuse in the Mormon church published in the Sunday Star Times of Fairfax, New Zealand on Sunday, 10 August 2008. The story relates a sad story of three women that were abused by their spouses and in one instance abused by someone that had come to live with the family.

The stories are tragic, and it is true that every religion has some adherents that do not follow their leader's direction. However, this story certainly portrays a negative slant on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church or Mormons). While the author does point out the inadequacy with which some Mormon lay leaders approach these sensitive, serious, personal issues, the article fails to report on the LDS Church's official position on child abuse, spouse abuse, and sexual abuse.

The article gives the impression at the least that the Mormon church condones the behavior and at the worst that the offenders were driven to their terrible actions because of the Church's doctrine (a truly ridiculous assertion on the author's part).

In a worldwide broadcast the immediate Past President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mr. Gordon B. Hinckley delivered a powerful message on the subject of sexual abuse, child abuse, spouse abuse, and abuse of the elderly to the largest gathering of men in Church at the time.

He concluded his remarks saying:

"For a long period now we have worked on this problem. We have urged bishops,
stake presidents, and others to reach out to victims, to comfort them, to strengthen them, to let them know that what happened was wrong, that the experience was not their fault, and that it need never happen again.
We have issued publications, established a telephone line where Church officers may
receive counsel in handling cases, and offered professional help through LDS Family Services. These acts are often criminal in their nature. They are punishable under the law. Professional counselors, including lawyers and social workers, are available on this help line to advise bishops and stake presidents concerning their obligations in these circumstances. Those in other nations should call their respective Area Presidents."

Finally, with specific reference to spouse abuse and child abuse Mr. Hinckley stated:

"In the marriage companionship there is neither inferiority nor superiority. The
woman does not walk ahead of the man; neither does the man walk ahead of the
woman. They walk side by side as a son and daughter of God on an eternal
journey. She is not your servant, your chattel, nor anything of the kind.
How tragic and utterly disgusting a phenomenon is wife abuse. Any man
in this Church who abuses his wife, who demeans her, who insults her, who exercises unrighteous dominion over her is unworthy to hold the priesthood. Though he may have been ordained, the heavens will withdraw, the Spirit of the Lord will be grieved, and it will be amen to the authority of the priesthood of that man. Any man who engages in this practice is unworthy to hold a temple recommend... My brethren, if there be any within the sound of my voice who are guilty of such behavior, I call upon you to repent."

The article would be much better balanced by referencing the Official Church stand against spouse, child, and sexual abuse. I suppose there are some draw backs to relying on a lay clergy, can they all become trained social workers? Probably not, but there is the hotline to call for information and Bishops and Stake President's hopefully understand that any form of abuse must not be tolerated!

Latest Mormon News and Events 4/25/2008

"Sheep Stealing" the reason Mitt Romney lost Presidential Bid? Interesting thought, but I really doubt it. See the Westin Town Crier, MA article: Weston Wayland Interfaith Action Group hosts speaker

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The article says: What are the concerns that Evangelicals and other Americans have with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known by the nickname of Mormons? Proctor proposed that even though Evangelicals have and will vote for Catholics, Protestants and candidates from other faith traditions, something about Mormon theology and doctrine doesn’t allow for similar support. Proctor quoted a report that this in part could be from a factor known as "sheep stealing." Evangelicals can be frustrated with losing followers who convert to Mormonism and with that lost membership comes economic repercussions. She also said it may be in part to "nearness of doctrine" that causes Evangelicals to feel threatened.

A commentor named Aaron said: Sharon (a previous commenter) has a right to her own opinion, but let us not beg the question. "For evangelicals believe that people who worship any God other than the God revealed in the Bible are in grave spiritual jeopardy."

Then I'd suggest you stop believing a different God then the rest of Christianity, because that is the God in who the Mormons worship! Whether Evangelicals "understand" differences of understanding equates to a different god is not only irrelevant, but ridiculous (and a very calculated rhetoric despite it being logically unsustainable). One can not simply change the being of an individual because you have a different understanding of him. That's like saying that the George Washington that founded this country and was the first president of the US who didn't have false teeth is a different George Washington than the one with wood teeth! It is juvenile, and ridiculous.

The following comes from The Anniston Star located in Anniston, Alabama.

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I am not denying that Mormons are good people and do many good things, but that isn't what makes someone Christian.
Elmyra N. Jackson, Anniston

Elmyra, I think we all understand your concern. But why do you deny the definition of "Christian" in every dictionary? Interestingly, someone responded to Elmyra in their newspaper.

Letter writer Elmyra Jackson stated that because Mormonism was so "deviant" from Christianity, persecution forced the Mormons to move from one place to another. The fact is that those most active in heaping persecution on the early Latter-day Saints were so-called "Christians," those professing to know Jesus and follow his teachings. I don't read anywhere in my New Testament any justification for the followers of Christ to vilify and torment any other group of people for their beliefs. Richard ByBee

Moving on to Raleigh, North Carolina and the Biblical Recorder. A Mr. Brandon Peay stated in response to Mike Lacona (NAMB, director, apologetics and interfaith evangelism), "While I appreciated your attempts to describe Mormonism, as an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a former missionary, I feel there were a multitude of misrepresentations in the piece." I have to agree with Mr. Peay, Lacona's misrepresentation is hardly accurate.

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A Baptism Exhibition in England is underway showing where around 600 individuals were converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reports the Ledbury Reporter. The article written by Mr. Gary Bills-Geddes describes William Carter, blacksmith that converted to Mormonism and was the first person to plough a half-acre in the Salt Lake Valley.

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The Christian Science Monitor has a piece written by Uwe Siemon-Netto titled Christians Should Keep Scripture Out of Politics. "That is not to say that Christians today shouldn't let their Christianity inform their political values and action. They should. But the Bible is not a political playbook. Christians, or adherents of any religion for that matter, should refrain from using holy text to fight politically over human concerns. Using Christian doctrine to push a political agenda is not just rude – it is a dangerous departure from the core message of Christianity: salvation by grace through faith."

Latest Mormon News and Events 4/6/2008

Interesting article written by a man born in Iran and adopted into a Mormon family over on inTHEfray. He compares four things about Muslims and Mormons, and appears to have rejected them both by declaring, "To answer my own questions, I have looked elsewhere for a foundation of beliefs that do not resonate with such orthodox theocracies. I have found that my ultimate truth is blending of all religions' positive teachings and the forsaking of their fear tactics. In short, to teach love is my ultimate truth." I think however that the Mormon church has always declared the same thing, namely, that we seek for all positive teachings no matter what religion it comes from (Article of Faith 13). I wish him the best on his search to teach love, I believe that the genesis of love is a Father in Heaven.

Another interesting article from inTHEfray features an interview with Randall Balmer the author of God in the White House. In one instance he talks about abortion and the Religious Right "The Southern Baptist Convention, hardly a bastion of liberalism, passed a resolution at its gathering in St. Louis in 1971, calling for the legalization of abortion — a resolution reaffirmed in 1974 and again in 1976." Who knew? Balmer also mentions Joseph Smith, "The most intriguing element of the 2008 presidential primaries was the attempt by Mitt Romney to become the Republican nominee. He’s not the first Mormon to run for the White House, of course. Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, made a run in 1844, though it was cut short by his assassination at the Carthage jail... But 40 years later, it became clear — to everyone but Mitt Romney, it seems — that the former governor of Massachusetts would not be given a pass on his Mormon faith, unlike his father."

T.R. Fehrenbach writes an interesting article in the San Antonio Express-News titled Mormons Tested U.S. Assimilation. He says among other things, "The Latter Day Saints may still seem strange to some Americans, but they are widely admired for their virtues, their business acumen and their patriotism. This is a classic case where a body at odds with society chose assimilation over separation and alienation, with great success."

The Deseret Morning News reports Elder Richard G. Scott blasted child abuse and encouraged people to come forward and report such activities to police.

Over on the Fundamentals side of things, the FLDS church (not to be confused with the Mormon Church or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) was being raided over the weekend, reports KWTX 10 in Texas.

The Packet and Times in Ontario, Canda reports on religious events in history:
April 6
In 1528, Albrecht Durer, German painter, engraver, and designer of woodcuts, died. His most popular work is Praying Hands.
In 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - the Mormon Church - was founded by Joseph Smith.
In 1926, Northern Ireland clergyman and politician Ian Paisley was born. For decades, Paisley, founder of the Free Presbyterian Church, opposed any move he regarded as spreading the control of the Irish Republic or Catholicism over Northern Ireland.
In 2003, Gerald Cardinal Emmett Carter, retired archbishop of Toronto, died at the age of 91.

AFP gets a thumbs down for article POLYGAMISTS BAR POLICE FROM ENTERING MORMON TEMPLE

I woke up late last night to the commotion of a myriad of police in SWAT uniforms surrounding my house. I could see them because the moon was exceptionally bright and they were just below my window. Fear crept into my mind and I slowly arose. I stealthily walked to the front room, where I could see the dark vans on the street and four more SWAT team members crouched near the front of my house. I ran through all my past crimes and couldn't think of anything that would bring the SWAT team to my house. I wasn't sure what I should do since I knew they were coming. Should I unlock the door, or lay down on the floor?

Here is a picture of green grass like I have in front of my house.

There was a loud bang and the SWAT team started running. Turns out they weren't hunting for me, they were hunting the new next door neighbors. SWAT hauled them off to jail for drugs.

I write this story with the following caveats: 1. I was actually at a friend's house, 2. the picture I have used has nothing to do with where I live.

The AFP has done the same thing on a story of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS), a splinter group that formed some hundred years ago.

They are not related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) or the Mormons.

The AFP has a story that shows the LDS Mormon Salt Lake City Temple and then a second image that shows FLDS leader Warren Jeffs in court. The caption on the LDS Mormon Temple reads "A statue of Brigham Young, second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". The second picture has the caption "Warren Jeffs is serving a life sentence for being an accomplice to rape". At least CNN got more of the story right, no wonder Agence France-Presse (AFP) isn't viewed as a credible source for information. The AFP does mention the story is going down in Fort Worth, TX, but they fail to mention the Salt Lake City Temple has nothing to do with their story. Here is the first and second picture from the AFP website.

The strange thing is that they AFP forgot to include the actual picture of the FLDS Temple in Fort Worth, TX. Shame on the AFP for this misleading reporting. Just like I associated the White House with the SWAT team tactical entry using the picture above, so the AFP has associated the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Warren Jeffs the polygamist leader.

What the AFP meant to show was this picture of the FLDS temple in Texas. The AFP has a long way to go to become credible.

Latest Mormon News and Events 3/30/2008

I apologize, I've been finishing up some school projects and have finally got them all wrapped up. So here is the latest news from the last little bit.

The Modesto Bee (a city just outside of Fresno, California) has an interesting article written comparing Mormon culture, the Salt Lake bar scene, and the natural beauty of Utah. The descriptions of Mormons at the beginning is not wonderful, but at least the author explains some of the beliefs.

Roger Cutler, the Attorney that engineered the sale of a portion of Salt Lake City Main Street to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is set to retire after a long and distinguished career. The Salt Lake Tribune reports. The guy deserves a pat on the back.

The Daily Herald has an interesting story about Edwina Booth, a 1930's movie star and a Utah native. She stayed in the London Mission Home on her way to Germany in 1935. Josephine Constance Woodruff Fehlburg, once widely famous worldwide as Edwina Booth, died May 18, 1991, in the Medallion Convalescent Hospital in Long Beach, California, at age 86.

The Deseret Morning News reports on the "Escape Polygamy" project in Utah.

The Northwest Arkansas' News Source (NWAnews.com) reports the first Mormon chapel site in Centerton, Arkansas is dedicated by "nonChristians", at least in their words, "there were no Christians there, at least in the traditional sense of the word." I couldn't help but chuckle at that because if you look in any dictionary Mormons fit the definition of Christian. I think what Tom Treweek meant to say is "there were no Christians there, at least in the traditional sense of the word [as defined, not by a dictionary, but by the Benton County Daily Record]." An additional funny piece is the claim that Wal-Mart hires excessive numbers of Mormon returned missionaries from Brigham Young University to work in Bentonville, Arkansas. Sometimes gossip is fun to write about.

I found a list published by the Associated Press that one might call, "the dirt" on religious behavior. It lists a bunch of negative things that religious people have done. Oregan City Follower's of Christ group may be complicit in the death of a 15 month old, Saudi's behead citizen for shooting a neighbor, Zion Lutheran Church offers free tuition to members and nonmembers, Mormon missionaries may have defaced a Catholic shrine in Colorado, oh, and a convicted ex-Connecticut governor spoke on Easter Sunday. My question is why does the Associated Press title the section Religion News in Brief? What a sorry bunch of reporting.

The Milford Daily News (that is Milford, Massachusetts, not Milford, Utah) has a great article about Family History - "Yesterday's [Family History Conference], believed to be the only free one of its kind, drew out genealogical researchers including former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney's granddaughter, Alexis." Now if only we can get Danielle Ameden to spell Mormon correctly: "Many of the people who flocked to workshops like 'Finding Descendants with Online Sources', 'Colonial Immigration', and 'Italian Genealogy: As East As Uno, Due, Tre' don't belong to the Morman church."

The Acorn serving Aguora Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Oak Park, and Westlake Village in California reports the Mormon Relief Society (one of the largest Womans organizations in the world) of those cities gathered blankets, clothing, and toys for the Lighthouse Women's and Children's Shelter in Oxnard, California.

An interesting article in the Times Online , a UK publication, about Katherine Heigl from Grey's Anatomy and 27 dresses. The article quite a ways down talks about how her parents converted to Mormonism when she was 7. When she was dating, she didn't end up sleeping with her fiance because of some of the things she believes. The article says, "Her parents converted to Mormonism when she was seven – more of that later – and although she is no longer a fully practising Mormon, “there is something of that still in me. I wanted to keep a bit sacred”. They moved house to the same area in the Hollywood Hills. He would come and stay with her while they were dating, but he had also been touring for a lot of that time, so until now they had no experience of even a joint washing cycle. She says she thought about just staying in that house and redecorating “to make it feel like ours, but I also felt it would be easier and more exciting to start afresh”... She was only seven, out shopping with her mother, when her 15-year-old brother, Jason, was involved in a fatal road accident. He was in the back of a pick-up truck. A girl who hadn’t had her licence for long was driving. It was raining. The car spun out of control. The accident happened 40ft away from their front door. Upon arrival at the hospital, Jason was braindead. His family donated his organs, and Heigl is still a passionate supporter of organ donation. At that time, Katherine’s mother was Lutheran and her father Catholic. The tragedy led to their conversion to Mormonism because a couple of Mormon families were a great comfort to them. “I give the Mormon church a lot of credit for helping them,” says Heigl." Best of luck to Heigl in her career.

Happy Easter 2008 Reflections of Christ artwork on display in Arizona

Today is Easter.

We don't give gifts at our home, we share our thoughts about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. My wife wrote cards to each of our children sharing her witness that Jesus saves. It was wonderful to see how happy my kids were this morning.

Please take a moment to visit the web page for an Easter pageant held in Arizona. The music and artwork are amazing. I am sure your heart will be touched as mine was. The artwork is on display in Mesa, Arizona and the collection is called Reflections of Christ. Truly inspiring.

Thoughtful reader, I wish you the best, and I too believe it is time to celebrate, for Christ has surely risen from the dead. Rejoice, and be glad.

Here is a short clip of the filming of the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist.

Latest Mormon News and Events 2/27/2008

The following story, Mormon Missionaries Describe Lives in Bloomington published in the Indiana Daily Student reminded me of my time in Fresno, California. While I was serving out in a small town that covered Caruthers, Raisin City, and the southern tip of Fresno proper, my mission companion and I wrote an article that was published in one of the local papers. I'll have to find a copy of that article it's in my files somewhere. I do remember I included a ton of information thinking they would edit it, so I was embarrassed when they published the whole thing without editing. Overall though, it was fun to write.

In Sun City, California the Mormon youth were out and about helping the elderly. Great story Area Mormon youth help Sun City seniors tidy up community's ubiquitous rock lawns published in the North County Times. I think their service project was much easier than some of the ones I've been involved in recently. We cut down a huge tree in one of the good Sister's yard. We had 23 brethren and it took 6 hours, after which the High Priests cooked us up some delicious dutch oven food. Mormon service projects are awesome!

I don't usually post obituaries, but I found the services for Tom Lantos fascinating. He was a Holocaust survivor, in fact, the only Holocaust survivor ever elected to Congress. He was fiercely pro-Israel. His wife, also a Holocaust survivor, and his two daughters are Mormons. The article can be found at The Jewish Ledger titled Tom Lantos remembered. It's an interesting story. The Jewish Ledger serves Connecticut and western Massachusetts.

Another notice: This comes from KVOA television. Services for former governor Saturday in Glendale. The former Governor of Arizona Evan Mecham will hold memorial services this Saturday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building in Glendale. It appears he was controversial figure in Arizona politics.

Students of Brigham Young University reacted to the recent published study showing first born children get far more attention than the rest. Responses ranged from "it's only logical" to "my family was different". I wonder if the response varied by if the student was the first born or not?
More results of the study can be found here.

This was an interesting article detailing the 1882 congress of the United States of America. Harsh immigration laws echo 19th century anti-Mormon legislation is the title published in the Salt Lake Tribune. Who new the same year congress outlawed the vote of Mormons they also wrote the "Chinese Exclusion Act"?

I find it amazing what missionaries learn while serving, some learn a language or foods, I personally love Posole, but others learn culture. Elder Luis Castro learned about a dance called Bachata. Now eleven years after his mission he tours the country promoting the dance. This article is called Bachata: Utah DJ spins sultry sounds.

Black Mormons at Brigham Young University talk about some of their experiences and some of the difficulty of attending a school where 158 students are black out of 30,246. This article is titled Being a black student at BYU can be difficult. Written in the Deseret News by Amy K. Stewart.

Michael Otterson, the media relations director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints writes a blog. This last entry was called The American Quest and talks about President Hinckley and describes the "essence of a church is that it is a community of believers, requiring mutual support and encouragement as well as opportunities for service, and therefore for growth. People need other people. Disintegrating societal and familial ties and a profound sense of 'not belonging' pervade America, and churches can offer a home for restless souls." I like his thought on that one. I have friends that have met playing World of Warcraft and got married. Religion can be a commonality for people.

A member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was invited to sing a Fort Walton Beach. International performer comes to Fort Walton Beach printed in The Walton Sun based in Florida. That's kind of cool. Reminds me of my brothers, we all sang together for a long time. We still do when we get the chance.

I don't think it comes as any surprise, but I want to let you in on a little secret about Mormons, they have big families. The Deseret News reports LDS have largest families in US. The report published by the Pew Forum on Religious and Public Life titled U.S. Religious Landscape Survey. Found that Hindus (78%) were most likely to be found married followed by Mormons (71%) the average in the US is 54%. Muslims had the second largest families. Mormons were also more likely to have children than any other group. Jewish people had the largest proportion earning more than $100,000 a year at 46% while Mormons matched the national average at 16%.

The Kansas City has a blog that gives a hat tip to Salt Lake City claiming roads need to be named to help the visitor get around. What does the "corner of Lincoln and Mulberry tell you"? Absolutely nothing! Naming Streets is the title.

Salt Lake Tribune article about Mr. Danzig's exit from the LDS Church

LDS Church Releases statement about article written by the Salt Lake Tribune
SALT LAKE CITY 24 February 2008

Church leaders are always saddened when an individual, whether through his or her actions or personal choices, decides to leave the Church. A welcoming hand of fellowship is always extended to those who wish to return at anytime.

Every organization, religious or secular, has to determine where its boundaries begin and where they end. The Apostle Paul said that the original Church was organized to help members to be “no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine.” (Ephesians 4:14)

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are encouraged to study, learn and ask questions in their quest for knowledge. Gordon B. Hinckley, 15th president of the Church said: “This Church came about as a result of intellectual curiosity. We believe in education … we expect them (Church members) to think. We expect them to investigate. We expect them to use their minds and dig deeply for knowledge in all fields.”

However, it is not acceptable when their digging and questioning leads to public opposition against doctrine Church leaders are obliged to uphold. That doesn’t mean that Church leaders don’t listen and consider opposing views. Quite the contrary. Local bishops and stake presidents (congregational leaders) love and are concerned about all members of the flock. This is the purpose of counseling provided by local Church leaders who know and care for each individual in their congregations.

Honest disagreements are not the same as public advocacy of positions contrary to those of the Church. When disagreements arise, the principle of the Church is that local leaders discuss these matters with members with love and concern. This was the case with Peter Danzig.
On 23 February 2008 The Salt Lake Tribune posted an article about Mr. Danzig who was a member of the Church’s Orchestra at Temple Square. According to the story, in June of 2006 Mr. Danzig published a letter-to-the-editor in the Tribune (and letters in other local newspapers) encouraging members to oppose Church leaders on the issue of same gender marriage.

In his Tribune letter-to-the-editor, Mr. Danzig said he “was troubled that my church requested I violate my own conscience to write in support of an amendment I feel is contrary to the constitution and to the gospel of Christ." In reality Church leaders had asked members to write to their senators with their personal views regarding the federal amendment opposing same gender marriage, and did not request support or opposition to the amendment.

Initially Orchestra leaders met with Mr. Danzig to see if his public advocacy of this issue could be reconciled. Finding no resolution, they contacted the Office of the First Presidency, and were instructed to refer the matter to Mr. Danzig’s local Church leaders, as Church protocol requires. Mr. Danzig was asked to take a leave of absence from the orchestra until the matter had been resolved.

For more than a year and a half, Mr. Danzig counseled with his local bishop and stake president regarding same gender marriage and other Church doctrines. Unfortunately he was not able to reconcile his personal beliefs with the doctrine Church leaders are charged to maintain by divine mandate.

In December 2007, Mr. Danzig voluntarily withdrew his membership in the Church by his own formal written request. He was not officially disciplined by the Church as the Tribune article indicated.

The Church normally keeps this type of communication confidential. However, the Church felt compelled to defend its position when Mr. Danzig made this information public and because of the blatant, inappropriate editorializing by the Salt Lake Tribune in what was purported to be a news story.

You can read the Salt Lake Tribune article here.

Latest Mormon News and Events 2/23/2008

Here is some neat news from the past few days.

Arizona Easter Pageant on the Mesa Temple Grounds continues.
The Pageant began in 1928 and is considered the largest outdoor Easter Pageant. Read more at the EVLiving website. And note: metal chairs are strictly first-come, first-served.


Original Book of Mormon sold at auction for $103,500. The auction was held on Oct 11, 2007.


I had no idea the New York Times posted wedding announcements for Latter-day Saints. Congratulations Rachel and David. Although they did get two things wrong:
first "an elder serving in the Manhattan New York Temple" wouldn't be performing a marriage that would be a sealer,
and second, David didn't go on his mission to work "with the Creole-speaking community at a Latter-day Saints temple in Fort Lauderdale, Fla." He served in the Fort Lauderdale, Fla mission.


Thoughts on DNA evidence
Jason in DNA and the Family Tree: Some genetic testing companies are promising more than they can deliver


Pearl Awards and Music about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Quint Randle of Joshua Creek talks about Mormon Pop: What is 'Mormon Music' Did you know the Pearl Awards added five new catagories as a hat tip to Mormon Music?


New Mormon blog about Music
A new blog by Greg Hansen about Mormon Music just started. Check it out: He calls it Positive Music and Arts.


The San Francisco Chronical posted this article: POLITICS WITH A DOSE OF GOD
DEVELOPMENT: Hard-line Utah immigration reformers get a dose of religion (and mellow a bit).
WHAT IT MEANS: Congress is doing nothing to address immigration issues, so the states are breaking out on their own, often with a nativist, some might say racist, approach. Utah lawmakers are debating proposals that will be among the harshest in the nation, even making it a crime to transport or shelter illegal immigrants. But when a leader from the Mormon church stepped in and urged the mostly Mormon members of the state Legislature to take a more "thoughtful" and "humane" approach, the rhetoric and the bill were toned down somewhat. A similar dynamic is playing out in Colorado, where religious leaders have asked lawmakers to debate immigration with respect for "each other and all of God's children."


The Chicago Tribune has an article by Ron Grossman titled Cuts Both Ways
With all the campaign chatter about religion in politics, it's useful to recall that sometimes the reverse is true: History is full of occasions in which politics have trespassed upon theology...
More recently, the Mormons made a theological turnaround inspired more by something like Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code than by any chapter from the Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, once declared that an angel had approved of polygamy. But in the 1880s, the U.S. government confiscated the church's property over the illegal practice of multiple marriages. Whereupon a new Mormon leader announced that he had had a divine vision too: Polygamy, the word came down, was not worth the cost.These bits of realpolitik show that religion is sometimes suspended between two worlds: It's a search for things unseen; it speaks of a higher existence. Yet its prophets, preachers and priests, even if questing for ultimate truth, are not immune to human nature and the vagaries of earthly motivation—ambition, jealousy, shortsightedness and the instinct for self-preservation... Think of that when next in the church, synagogue or mosque of your choice. Even if you prefer to watch football on Sunday, you might want to offer prayerful thanks to our founding fathers for drawing a constitutional line between political power and religious commitment.

Mormons helping in storm ravaged areas

Clinton, Arkansas
The Log Cabin Democrat reports Latter-day Saints are helping storm victims.
Unusual winter thunderstorms and tornadoes took lives and caused much damage early in February, especially in the Clinton area. Individuals from the Conway First Ward, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, took their own chainsaws and tools on Feb. 9 to assist whoever they could with clean up.
Then on Feb. 16, a more organized crew of about 30 people from the Conway First and Second ward, along with members from Quitman and Russellville, were assigned to clear fallen trees from a local residence. This Saturday, the goal is to have 100 volunteers to assist.

Faaa, Tahiti
Mormons from Tahiti were released from a meeting to go assist after a fire broke out.

Accra, Ghana
Twenty-eight young missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently visited two orphanages in the Accra area to donate food and gifts to the children. LDS Charities provided the goods delivered to the orphanages.

LDS Youth, United States of America
One illustration is how seriously many high school-age Latter-day Saints approach education. Many Mormon youth are not only staying in school; they are also taking extra classes...

Researchers interviewed more than three thousand 13-to 18-year-olds across the United States and discovered that a high percentage of Latter-day Saint youth have no or few doubts about their religious beliefs and feel they understand those beliefs, and that Latter-day Saint youth are less likely than other teens to use drugs and alcohol and are more likely to abstain from premarital sexual relationships.

John Bartowski, who helped with the research, said that Latter-day Saint teens have their own problems, but they’re more knowledgeable about and more committed to their faith and have more positive social outcomes associated with their faith, as compared with their counterparts across the country.

The results of the study have caused many to wonder what it is about Latter-day Saint culture and doctrine that helps parents shape dependable, educated and well-adjusted young people. Part of the answer goes back to the emphasis on learning and an important rite of passage for most 14– to 18-year-old Latter-day Saints: graduating from what Church members call seminary.

International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies in Salt Lake City

The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) held their meeting in Salt Lake City in order to use The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints family history library. I thought this was a wise decision as the attendees were able to go to seminars, but also able to use the family history library to do research. I find it heartening that Jews and Mormons were able to work together.