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BYU-Idaho disbands student political party clubs. In order to maintain school’s policy of political neutrality, but BYU (Provo) or BYU-Hawaii won’t be following suit. Odd.

“We feel that it is in the best interest of our university to be politically neutral,” Cargal told the Standard Journal of Rexburg. “While we actively encourage our students to be politically active and join political parties of their choice, we feel that BYU-Idaho itself can’t be a sponsor of partisan political groups or activities.”

Carri Jenkins, a spokeswoman for Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, said the university’s main campus is not disbanding its College Republicans or College Democrats student organizations.

“It’s not something that’s under discussion,” Jenkins said.

Michael Johanson, a spokesman at BYU-Hawaii, also said that campus has no plans to dissolve the two groups, either.

Perhaps it club membership was so lopsided towards the Republicans that it gave the impression that more Mormons tend to agree with the GOP (shock!) but is disbanding the clubs the best approach? Still, I doubt students will be at a loss to organize and participate politically.

Calling my Rexburg Democrat for comment.

19 May 2009 @ 4:08 pm | 8 comments

One more reason to love Jimmy Stewart: The DesNews looks at some Hollywood-Utah connections from Robert Redford to Fay Wray (my grandma’s cousin, thank you very much).

But I was most interested that the connection with the Church and Jimmy Stewart went beyond just Mr. Krueger’s Christmas.

James Maitland Stewart, better known as Jimmy Stewart, had close associations with Utah, visiting the state several times and starring in a 1980 TV film that has become a Christmas treat for many, “Mr. Krueger’s Christmas,” produced for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Years later he told a Deseret News reporter the film allowed him to fulfill a lifelong dream, conducting the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

In 1985, the star of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” “Harvey,” “Vertigo,” “Rear Window” and a slew of other productions, donated his papers and memorabilia to Brigham Young University. Covering half a century of his work, this treasure included prints of 25 films.

26 January 2009 @ 3:38 pm | No comments

New Book: A View of Jerusalem

5 December 2008 @ 7:04 pm | No comments

This week, some friends of mine published a book about the BYU Jerusalem Center,  A View of Jerusalem: A Collection of Memories.  Here is the press release:

Remembering the Holy Land: Erin Tolman Releases A View of Jerusalem

December 2, 2008 – Even eight years after returning to the United States, the view of Jerusalem’s Old City from the top of the Mount of Olives remained vivid in author Erin Tolman’s mind, as did the sound of gunfire and sirens which marked the beginning of the Second Intifada in September 2000. Unable to let the memories remain only in her journal, Tolman wrote a series of thirty-eight vignettes describing her semester as a student at the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies and titled the collection A View of Jerusalem.

The Holy Land is a place of spiritual and historical significance to millions of people. Tolman, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and as a young college student of history, witnessed the sacredness and the violence which exist side by side in Palestine.

A View of Jerusalem begins on September 29, 2000 when Palestinian rioters and Israeli police clashed in the Old City and sparked a brutal conflict which lasted for years. While Tolman and the other 175 students at the Jerusalem Center remained safe during the following two months, their study abroad experience changed dramatically at that point.

After opening her account with this historically pivotal day, Tolman contrasts life at the Jerusalem Center before and after the violence begins. She visits the Garden Tomb, floats in the Dead Sea, walks on the Temple Mount, and describes the daily routines of the Jerusalem Center. As hostilities erupt and continue, Tolman is able to explore parts of Israel, Jordan, and Egypt until she and the other students are sent home a month early and the Jerusalem Center closed its doors to students. Those doors remained closed until January 2007 when forty-four students returned to study at the Center.

Steven L. Elgan created pencil drawings to accompany ten vignettes. Among the illustrations included are The Jerusalem Center, The Dome of the Rock, St. John the Baptist Church, and the Church of Beatitudes.

A View of Jerusalem was published by Wordclay.

For more information, please go to A View of Jerusalem’s website at www.byujc.org

My copy is on the way and I’m looking forward to reading it.

Also, Tom and Erin Tolman have agreed to give a free book to two other bloggers who want to review the book. Leave a comment with a link to your blog or send an email to Tom if you want to be considered.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled today that paper money discriminates against the blind.

A federal appeals court today upheld a lower ruling that the U.S. currency system discriminates against blind people because bills of different denominations are the same size, shape and color and cannot be easily distinguished by the visually impaired.

Judge Thomas B. Griffith, formerly General Counsel of BYU , concurred in today’s opinion.

20 May 2008 @ 2:29 pm | 1 comment

U. of Texas plagiarizes honor code from BYU:

University of Texas at San Antonio students wanted to draft an honor code that discouraged cheating and plagiarizing.
Unfortunately, it appears they copied Brigham Young University’s code without proper attribution.

Blame it on the Internet and Google!

“That’s the consequence of the Internet and the availability of things. It doesn’t feel like what would be in a book. You Google it and here it comes.”

31 March 2008 @ 10:42 am | No comments

Unfortunately, Denny Miller is not Dennis Miller. That would have been interesting.

5 February 2008 @ 3:37 pm | No comments

KSL reports that BYU has modified its policy on politics to better reinforce the neutrality of the Church. The report suggests that the change may be in response to the controversy from Vice-President Cheney’s commencement appearance.

“The policy now reads: ‘The essential functions of the university require strict institutional neutrality, integrity and independence regarding partisan activities, particularly because perceived partisanship is often interpreted as endorsement by the university’s affiliated sponsor, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.’”

21 January 2008 @ 10:49 pm | No comments

A court rules that just because you’re Mormon doesn’t mean you hold allegiance to BYU. 

17 January 2008 @ 12:00 pm | 8 comments

The SL Trib looks at the return to BYU’s Jerusalem Center since it reopened.  The story emphasizes the need for its students to NOT talk about the Church:

“We do not proselytize. Even if someone asks, we tell them we are Christians and that’s all we can say,” explained Jill Heyes, of Salt Lake City, who in November was nine months into a year of volunteer service with her husband. “It goes right against everything we learned growing up.”

Missionary work is banned in Israel, where an aversion to conversion, forced or otherwise, reigns. Historical scars such as the Crusades and Spanish Inquisition likely weighed on the minds of those who founded the modern Jewish state. So written into the lease BYU signed for the 5 acres of land, upon which it built the sprawling 125,000-square-foot building, was a condition prohibiting all proselytizing, said Jim Kearl of BYU, who’s overseen the center since 1989, one year after it opened. Students and adults who come to BYU Jerusalem must sign an agreement to uphold their end of the deal.

“The integrity of the church is on the line,” Heyes said. “We have to keep our promise. . . . We will do that until the Israeli government says you can teach. And they haven’t said that.”

28 December 2007 @ 7:06 pm | No comments

Anti-Mormon Push Poll Calls in Iowa, NH – from Utah?

16 November 2007 @ 9:22 am | No comments

Voters in New Hampshire and Iowa have reported getting phone calls purporting to be research polls, but instead are asking questions emphasizing Mitt Romney as a Mormon.  And not in a nice way: push polls.  And they’re coming from a Utah-based firm!

An individual in Manchester, Iowa, contacted me on Wednesday night saying he received a call with information about McCain’s military service and anti-spending record.

Then there were “lots of negatives on Romney,” said the recepient of the call in an e-mail, including mentions of his “flip-flops,” hiring illegal immigrants as landscapers and extensive discussion of Mormonism.

“Statements were on baptizing the dead, the Book of Mormon being on the level of the Bible, and one about equating it to a cult,” said the Iowan, deeming them “common criticisms of Mormonism.”

The AP adds a little more anti-mormon details:

Among the questions was whether a resident knew that Romney was a Mormon, that he received military deferments when he served as a Mormon missionary in France, that his five sons did not serve in the military, that Romney’s faith did not accept blacks as bishops into the 1970s and that Mormons believe the Book of Mormon is superior to the Bible.

Strangely, the “research firm” used to do these calls is based in Utah. According to J.A. Miles, it has call centers in Provo and Rexburg and the firm’s founder and chairman is on the advisory board at BYU’s Marriott School Center for Entrepreneurship.

The McCain and Giuliani campaigns have strongly denied their involvement (it’s doubtful Huckabee has money to do something like this). Since it would be so foolish for a campaign to be directly involved, I bet some third-party group is trying to help out its favorite candidate.

Harry Reid Blew It

12 October 2007 @ 10:55 am | 8 comments

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:

  • criticized President Benson and other conservative church leaders who have “taken members of the church down . . . the wrong path”
  • implied church members are easily swayed and became politically conservative because they were misled
  • childishly insulted our President (not the first time he has done this at a school)
  • slammed conservative evangelicals: ”They are the most anti-Christian people I can imagine, the people from the Christian far right.”  (Does anyone see the irony in that statement?)

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.

Sen. Reid’s BYU Speech and Afterwards

10 October 2007 @ 9:43 am | No comments

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.

Sen. Reid Questioning a Prophet?

9 October 2007 @ 4:40 pm | 8 comments

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.”

A Civil Welcome for Sen. Reid

9 October 2007 @ 10:04 am | 1 comment

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.

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.

1 October 2007 @ 8:10 am | 2 comments

Today is Constitution Day.  Last week they started at BYU the “Year of the Constitution” and will be having future “campus visits of three national dignitaries in October and November, when BYU will host U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and bestselling historian Nathaniel Philbrick.”  BYU NewsNet explains why the Constitution is inspired but not scriptural.

17 September 2007 @ 10:22 am | No comments