March 2005 @ 8:37 am

http://utahbeehive.blogspot.com/2005/03/in-utah-michael-schiavo-could-be.html

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Danithew (author of the best LDS blog that no longer is) was good enough to email me and let me know that Wednesday was the first anniversary of our collective moniker, “The Bloggernacle.” I have to confess it took me a while to warm up to the name but it has stuck and rightfully so. So happy birthday Bloggernacle! Danithew also suggests that March 23 forever be enshrined as Bloggernacle Day. We’ll have to see who remembers next year. . .

But this gives me the occasion to unveil the rudimentary beginnings of a new and improved Bloggernacle index which will be be found at

http://www.mormon-blogs.com/

The biggest improvement I hope to bring is a detailed categorized index of all the LDS blogs and Mormon bloggers based on content. This is intended to make the index more useful, accessible, and navigable. I have made a very preliminary attempt to make some subcategories (not even that yet – see UPDATE below) and I was not going to announce the new index until it was further developed, but I realize that I could use some help.

I would especially appreciate any help on:

• what categories should be used
• whether blogs should be listed under multiple categories, or if that would be too confusing.
• most importantly, how you would like your blog to be categorized.
• any other tips or suggestions would be most welcome.
• and, any tips on how to pass the Patent Bar

(Note, I created the category “Bloggernacle Choirs” to represent the must read group blogs (regardless of whatever large retail chains they may represent) that cover wide-ranging subjects and defy categorization. Other single-author blogs may similarly defy categorization – should a blog fall under multiple categories or should an all-purpose category be used?)

It would be especially helpful to trackback or pass this post on to others so I can at least get author’s opinions on how to categorize their own blogs. Ultimately, I hope to get some consensus on how the index should look.

Thank you to all who have helped me make the index so far, for all the updates, submissions, and messages of support.

UPDATE: I had hoped to have had a preliminary index listing on the main page (right now there is a cursory listing in the right column). However, I am having difficulty figuring out how to do it since Movable Type does not support “true” subcategories. It is getting to crunch time for the Patent Bar so I don’t know how much I will be able to do for the next three weeks. But i would appreciate any input on how to categorize the blogs.

With well-paid publicists clearly earning their paychecks, HBO hopes their new show Big Love (due this fall) is greeted with some controversy. If they are lucky, some Mormons will get outraged and be kind enough to comply and organize a boycott that will result in some free publicity. Clearly, last year’s announcement has faded from the memories of too many and we need to be reminded of impending SCANDAL and CONTROVERSY. Don’t forget!

TV Guide is happy to start the ball rolling [link updated 03/10/2009]:

Indie starlet Chloe Sevigny['s] next TV project might win her more controversy than she bargained for, however.

“I’m about to do a TV show for HBO called Big Love,” says the 31-year-old actress. “It’s a modern-day, Six Feet Under-like drama about a Mormon [sic] fundamentalist family.

Fortunately for our culture, HBO is not one to shy away from controversy, regardless of the specter of angry Mormons:

Considering the controversial subject matter of Big Love, it’s no surprise that Sevigny is already steeling herself for the outcry from the Mormon community. ”They try to sweep this kind of stuff under the carpet as much as they can because it gives them a bad name,“ she says. ”The production company was like, ‘Oh, we’re going to go shoot in Salt Lake City.’ And I was just thinking, ‘Are you kidding me? There’s no way you’re going to Salt Lake!’“

Fortunately, besides ”steeling“ themselves from the coming difficulties, those of HBO will be treating the ”controversial subject matter“ with the sensitivity and accuracy it deserves:

”I watched a lot of Dateline specials to prepare for the role,“ she says. ”I also read Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer, which was a fascinating book.“

So after you stop laughing (or crying), don’t forget to get mad and start the online petitions. Don’t forget, there’s still time!

http://provopulse.com/home/?q=node/view/862

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BRF_GOVERNOR_GAY_MARRIAGE?SITE=FLPEJ&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

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http://www.furdell.com/archives/001021.html

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http://www.uncorrelated.com/archives/2005/03/blood_of_israel.html

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http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/004/6.23.html

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http://outofthebestbooks.blogspot.com/2005/03/black-and-mormon-edited-by-brighurst.html

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http://ctlring.com/

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Nestled in KUTV’s article on their interview with the First Presidency they have the following:

President Hinckley on a “big announcement?”

“I’m not gonna tell ya…I know somethin’ but I’m not gonna tell ya about it…you’ll have to hear it on your various television stations!”

Oddly, no other press source mentions this comment. Perhaps this hints at something to be addressed at General Conference but it sounds like something that may be announced sooner.

Perhaps because of his past experience as a state legislator. President Faust was tapped to handle comments on politics, at the aforementioned press gathering:

President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, said he sees a wider acceptance and understanding about Latter-day Saints reflected in the growing number of congressional representatives who are LDS — three U.S. senators and nine congressmen from outside Utah.

When asked if America is ready to elect a Latter-day Saint to serve as U.S. president — whether in the person of Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (whose name often has been mentioned) or another candidate — he noted that many believed years ago that American voters would never elect a Catholic.

“But that day came. I expect that day will come for a Mormon,” he said.

When asked about the Utah Legislature’s dominating LDS majority, President Faust said the church doesn’t endorse political parties or candidates.

It’s amazing to pause and review what the Church has accomplished in the past ten years, since President Hinckley and his counselors were ordained, ten years ago today.

• “Taking the temple to the people” with 72 temples built in 22 countries.
• The creation of the Perpetual Education Fund which now assists 18,000.
• The construction of the Conference Center.
• The Proclamation to the World on the Family was issued in September, 1995.
• $641 million dollars disbursed in humanitarian aid.
• President Hinckley has traveled to 70 nations, covering over a million miles.

See more reflection from the First Presidency on the past ten years at the Deseret Morning News’ LDS leaders praise progress, KUTV’s LDS First Presidency Talks With Michelle King on 10 Year Anniversary of Service , and the Church News has a thorough recounting of highlights (subscription required).

http://newsnet.byu.edu/story.cfm/54787

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http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_2605458

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http://www.ldsbooktrade.com/index.php

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My time on he Senate Judiciary Committee is now over and I am studying for the Patent Bar while looking for a new job. With no regular internet connection (a pain) and the Patent Bar fast approaching, blogging will be even more sparse than normal.

http://byunews.byu.edu/release.aspx?story=archive05/Mar/wrathall

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http://www.timesandseasons.org/index.php?p=2019

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