because the Ensign doesn’t have an Op/Ed page
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Despite its supposed Satanic influences on our children, Halloween has always seemed a very popular Mormon holliday. Our ward had a very nice trick or trunk last night.
Still, it’s gratifying to read that the Prophet approves (although I had never heard of a policy on masks).
As far as Mormon Halloween costumes go, this one has to be the best I’ve seen. While some evangelicals will find this LDS-style Jack-O-Lantern pretty scary, I bet some Mormons will find this one much scarier..
Six roggermeiers in peachtree city
The 6 Roggermeiers are: Herb, Elizabeth, Sophie, Henry, Max and Alex.
We Might Be Windmills
It’s a little of everything. Usually heavier on the LDS-related stuff and lighter on the rest. Includes reviews of books, movies, albums, and restaurants, and recipes. Some political observations, an occasional poem or essay.
Book of Mormon Inspection
Personal commentary and quotes on the Book of Mormon
Rusted Sun
Our reference point for adoption related stuff. Learn more about us…come in and take a look.
Latter-day Commentary
In which news, politics and religion are mixed – a potentially volatile combination
Life with my Bama Boys
It’s not what we are, but what we becoming. It’s not what has happened, but what will happen. It’s not where we’ve been, but where we are going.
Brad’s Theories
A Blog of Random Theories About Whatever. Clever and Humorous blog with new theories posted almost every day.
More can be found at LDS & Mormon Blogs. To submit your blog please fill out this form. Thanks.
Writers in Heels
Five Women Authors
LammyAnnLife
I’m a homeskoolin’ mom of 5 and wife to a retired military guy. Our days are filled to the limit…with humor, learning, and love.
This is my life….
Two Sticks
A Blog designed for Jewish/ Mormon dialogue. Explores issues we have in common and areas of discord as well. Not Exclusively LDS but almost every post should deal with LDS Issues. Absolutely NOT an anti-Mormon site nor an outreach to Jews. Rather, “Two-Sticks” is designed to be a place where “two houses of Israel” can get to know each other better in a respectful atmosphere.
Rachelle’s Writing Spot
Rachelle’s Writing Spot is a place where you can take part in my quest to be published.
More can be found at LDS & Mormon Blogs. To submit your blog please fill out this form. Thanks.
Governor Mitt Romney’s Remarks At The Family Research Council:
“By the way – a few of you may have heard that I’m a Mormon. I understand that some people think they couldn’t support someone of my faith. That may be because they’ve listened to Harry Reid.
David Byrne’s take on the architecture of Mormon temples. And he likes the DC temple in particular: “As a spectacle it surely ranks as one of the great works of architecture.” Yes, Talking Heads’ David Byrne (And I live close to his folks). None of this is necessarily important but I thought it was cool. (Thanks, BCC)
It’s been interesting this year to watch the Church and Mitt Romney reach out to Christians for their own reasons and in their own ways.
Gov. Romney has been actively courting GOP-influential evangelicals as a key to his nomination. Rather than directly speaking on his religion (as so many pundits are demanding he do), he has continuously emphasized that it has informed his “values” which are similar to the rest of religious conservatives.
“The values of my faith are much like, or are identical to, the values of other faiths that have a Judeo-Christian philosophical background,” he said at a campaign event in New Hampshire this month. “They’re American values, if you will.”
In contrast, the Church has renewed its efforts to define itself as a Christian church while emphasizing its peculiar differences. President Hinckley and Elder Holland’s General Conference talks rejected the creedal beliefs of mainstream Christianity based on what Holland called “post–New Testament Christian history”:
So any criticism that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not hold the contemporary Christian view of God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost is not a comment about our commitment to Christ but rather a recognition (accurate, I might add) that our view of the Godhead breaks with post–New Testament Christian history and returns to the doctrine taught by Jesus Himself.
Last week the Church followed up these talks with a press release emphasizing that “As people learn more about Latter-day Saint beliefs, they may see some distinct differences and yet find some unexpected common ground.”
Governor Romney glosses over his religious differences (smartly I think) while the Church unapologetically emphasizes its differences, and yet they are both seeking to establish that Mormonism (or at least a Mormon) has a place in the public square. (Just to keep piling on, Harry Reid’s comments last week were not helpful in this effort)
There will always be evangelical clods who will feel they have a divine mandate to harass the Church and protest General Conference, but politically, I think there has been evidence that progress has been made.
The Church has made it clear we don’t want to agree on everything theologically. Or politically. Just some respect and an acknowledgement that Mormons don’t have horns would be nice. When Bob Jones University can join the 21st century and endorse a Mormon for president, I think there’s reason for hope.
Little known ordinance for joining the First Presidency. Chivalry meets the priesthood.
Joshua Tree 20th anniversary release confirmed for November 20!!
The Church is testing out audio and video podcasts of General Conference.
U2 couldn’t have made The Joshua Tree without the Mormon pioneers. Especially fitting with this being the 20th anniversary and a rumored special edition to be released in December (oh please, PLEASE!!!!).
Speaking before one of the most conservative schools in one of the most conservative areas in the country (registered Republicans outnumber Democrats 11 to 1), Senator Reid was before an audience that is rarely visited by a prominent Democrat. Senator Reid’s speech on “Faith, Family and Public Service” (PDF) (video and mp3 audio) did a very good job discussing his humble uprbringing, his conversion, and how his personal beliefs inform his Democratic politics.
Discussing why ”I am a Democrat because I am a Mormon, not in spite of it” was a great demonstration that a faithful Mormon can be a Democrat. Indeed, Senator Reid couldn’t be a better asset in the Church’s continuing struggle to show that it is politically neutral. I imagine that the Church was very happy to welcome Reid to show that that it is hospitable to both parties and to highlight the fact that the most prominent LDS politician, ever, is a Democrat.
Unfortunately, Senator Reid’s talk was overshadowed by his comments in a following BYU press appearance where he:
Whatever you may feel about his opinions, the resulting headlines: “Reid: Right-wingers have taken LDS Church members down ‘wrong path’ ” and “Reid speaks out against past Mormon leaders” probably aren’t going to help sway anyone who thinks that being a good Democrat and Mormon is a paradox.
Even more embarassing for the Church are his comments about President Bush and conservative christians. This has received some attention (and justifiable outrage) from conservative blogs but not enough in the Bloggernacle, unlike some subjects. Not living in Utah, I don’t know how this has played out beyond newspaper articles.
At the end of his speech, Sen. Reid quoted Alma and and then bore his testimony where he said (transcribed from audio, not in his prepared text but partially included in the BYU press release):
“I want each of you to leave this great education you have and go out and do good things for people. Represent the Church. Make people like President Gordon B. Hinckley happy with what you are doing, the life you are leading.”
Senator Reid promptly forgot his own counsel and undid any good he may have done with his impressive talk. Too bad.
The Salt Lake Tribune does its best to keep stoking the controversy by revisiting the bloggernacle furor over President Beck’s talk. And tries its darndest to rebut her. Usuallly newspapers ignore blogs. UPDATE: Good commentary at Messenger and Advocate.
The Church Newsroom now has its own YouTube channel. It currently features videos of Elder Ballard answering frequently asked questions.
I couldn’t find it on the page but it’s RSS feed is http://www.youtube.com/rss/user/LDSPublicAffairs/videos.rss.
(Thanks More Good Foundation Blog)
An appreciation of the most beautiful temple. I love going to the Washington D.C temple, I was sealed in the Salt Lake temple, but someday I have to go to the Cardston Alberta temple.
LDS Apostle Sighting could use some help co-blogging.
Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid’s BYU speech discussed his upbringing, conversion, and his basic political beliefs and how they have influenced his career and perspective on public service. Senator Reid’s prepared text can be found here.
Senator Reid had the good sense (if not class) to wait to criticize the political beliefs of past Church leaders, President Bush, and conservative christians in a press conference following his speech.
Some past prominent LDS Church leaders wrongly pressed conservatism on church members, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday during a press conference at Brigham Young University.
The Nevada senator attacked President Bush and evangelical Christians while saying members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints need to worry less about abortion and gay marriage and more about health care, global warming, education and jobs . . .
“I think people in the church have to understand there are issues more important than abortion and gay marriage.”
The Church, as an institution, would appear to think otherwise as it has made the rare exception to voice its political opinion on abortion and gay marriage and not health care, global warming, nor jobs.
On past church leaders,:
Reid said Ezra Taft Benson, active in very conservative politics before he became a president of the LDS Church, and Ernest L. Wilkinson, the president of BYU from 1951-71, were among past church leaders “who were very right-wing people politically.”
“Members of the church are obedient,” Reid said, “they are followers in the truest sense of the word, and I think they’ve taken members of the church down a path that is the wrong path. Look at Joseph Smith. Here’s a man who was progressive, to say the least. He broke from the pack. He did things differently than they’d been done. He was against slavery. He wanted to start a national bank.
The SL Trib adds Sen. Reid’s actual comments on President Benson:
In the past years we’ve had some very prominent members of the church, like Ezra Taft Benson, who are really right-wing people. Members of the church are obedient and followers in the true sense of the word, but these people have taken members of the church down the path that is the wrong path.
Understandably, being a party’s standard bearer can be a tough role to play, but right after speaking about King Benjamin’s example and service to God, Senator Reid took some rather uncharitable digs at President Bush:
“They have focused on just a few issues, flag-burning, gay marriage, abortion,” Reid said. “The country has gone beyond that to other issues. We have a country that needs to do something about health care. Global warming is here. We have a president who doesn’t know how to pronounce the words.”
and at evangelicals:
Reid also told reporters the Republican Party has been driven by evangelical Christians for 20 years. “They are the most anti-Christian people I can imagine, the people from the Christian far right.”
More first hand accounts at Hot Blava and by Gordon Smith at Conglomerate.
The BYU Democrats had their own meeting with with Senator Reid and a photo gallery where the Senator posed with many of its members.
The Salt Lake Tribune has a provocative first write-up of Senator Reid’s BYU appearance today. “I am a Democrat because I am a Mormon, not in spite of it.” Fair enough.
But then:
“In the past years we’ve had some very prominent members of the church like Ezra Taft Benson who are really right-wing people. Members of the church are obedient and followers in the true sense of the word, but these people have taken members of the church down the path that is the wrong path,” he said.
I would like to see if there is greater clarification in his remarks as to who “these people” are. I’m sure he’s just referring to a mundane political disagreement but it sounds like his words could easily be taken out of context. That would be unfortunate. He’s not calling President Benson a “phony prophet” is he?
But, I’m glad he didn’t shy away from being partisan. His talk promises to be an interesting read.
UPDATE: Frank Staheli has a first hand account of Sen. Reid’s speech. He was impressed.
UPDATE 2: The Deseret Morning News has more thorough coverage on Sen. Reid’s speech. While there were no protests, there was some unfortunate boorish behavior, “One person did walk out between the end of Reid’s speech and the traditional closing prayer and called out that students should not be deceived by Reid.”
Does it say anything that very conservative BYU won’t be protesting Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s BYU appearance today? Take that in contrast to the hype and hysteria that attended Vice-President Cheney’s commencement speech six months ago. Maybe it doesn’t mean anything, Reid is LDS after all. But I imagine many, if not most, at BYU have more in common politically with the Vice-President than the Senator.
Fortunately, the Deseret Morning News has the non-story that no protests are expected during Reid’s BYU visit today. The most that could be dug up are some comments on the Free Republic that someone should bring a protest sign. Hopefully, that’s an empty threat.
As much as I disagree with Senator Reid’s politics and rhetoric as a Democratic leader, I do hope all goes well today. His appearance will hopefully raise his visibility as a prominent (and Democratic) Mormon that will help the Church and its members smooth over some of the political divides among us.
I liked Dean Magelby’s closing in his op-ed on welcomg Sen. Reid:
Within the church there can be and should be room for disagreement about political matters. At the 1968 Commencement exercises President Hugh B. Brown encouraged students to “strive to develop a maturity of mind and emotion, and a depth of spirit which will enable you to differ with others on matters of politics without calling into question the integrity of those with whom you differ. Allow within the bounds of our definition of religious orthodoxy a variation in political belief. Do not have the temerity to dogmatize on issues where the Lord has seen fit to be silent.”
Senator Reid will be speaking on faith, family, and public service.
While promoting her new book which mentions her Mormon roots, Second Lady Lynne Cheney is denouncing recent anti-Mormon criticism that has been aroused by Mitt Romney’s campaign. She specifically mentions last year’s Slate article as “virulently anti-Mormon.”
Cheney, who recounts her Mormon roots in a new book, “Blue Skies, No Fences,” said there is more religious criticism of Romney than there was of his father, the late Michigan Gov. George Romney, when he ran for president 40 years ago.
“It surprises me because it wasn’t that way when his father ran,” she said. “So I think we need to kind of say take a deep breath here. This is a country where people have the right to worship freely.”
Cheney’s paternal grandparents were Mormons, though her father, Wayne Vincent, rejected Mormonism and sent his daughter to a Presbyterian church that he and his wife never attended. Cheney later became a Methodist.
“My father’s real animus, however, was directed not against Presbyterians but against Mormons, into whose religion he had been born,” Cheney wrote in “Blue Skies,” which is being published today. “A ‘Jack Mormon,’ he called himself, signifying that he was no longer part of the church.”
Useful link to finding General Conference on TV and radio if you live in the United States, Canada, and . . . Bermuda. And of course, there is the internet as well. (Thanks, Millenial Star)
From RealClearPolitics:
The retirement of Sen. Pete Domenici, which he is expected to announce today from Albuquerque, sets up the possibility of a bid by Rep. Tom Udall (D-NM), son of the late Rep. Stewart Udall (D-AZ) and cousin of Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO), who is running for Senate himself. But what we overlooked, which Taegan Goddard points out today, is that a third cousin to both congressmen, Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith, a Republican, is running for re-election. Have three first cousins ever been on the ballot for Senate in the same year before?
If Rep. Tom Udall becomes Sen. Domenici’s successor, he will join Sen. Reid as another Democrat senator who is LDS. Sen. Smith is also LDS while Rep. Mark Udall has no religious affiliation
UPDATE: Alas, it’s not to be. Rep. Tom Udall opts not to run for the Senate.
The Church’s Public Affairs office held an online press conference today, fielding questions from reporters by phone and email .
It is part of a new effort that includes visits by LDS apostles to newspaper editorial boards for on-the-record presentations about Mormon beliefs and practices . . . If LDS leaders deem the half-hour question-and-answer format successful, they may get LDS authorities to participate in the future.
The conference is to be posted at newsroom.lds.org in a bit.
The Church’s Newsroom page is now offering a Public Affairs Newsroom Podcast (link goes to a Feedburner feed).
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will be giving a BYU devotional on October 9. Will there be the forthcoming protests and petitions? Chief Justice John Roberts follows on October 23.
LDS and Mormon Blogs
