Stephen M and his comments about the recent PR film put out by the church entitled “Mormon Myths and Reality” inspired this post. Today’s LDS Doctrine and Covenants Section 132:61 reads: “And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood—if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse aanother, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and…
Posts Tagged ‘ Mitt Romney ’
The Mormon Peace Project — Please Support
I’m becoming a big fan of William Vanwagenen (of Mormon Worker fame) — and he’s at it again. As mentioned in today’s SLTrib, if your brand of Mormonism compels you to be inclined against (instead of towards) war, please consider signing this petition. Go William go!!!!
A Quick Analysis of “What Is It About Mormonism?” — The Amazing New York Times Magazine Article
Holy smokes this guy nails it: a must read for thinking/seeking Mormons. The most interesting parts to me — that are most relevant to our current political and cultural situation as Mormons with the Mitt Romney campaign — are: “This period of resisting persecution by living outside the law taught Mormons that secrecy can be a necessary tool for survival. As one apostle … later put it in a speech … “I am not dishonest and not a liar . . . [but] we have always been taught that when the brethren were in a tight place that it would…
The Three Reasons This Mormon Thinks Romney Didn’t Win Iowa
The Three Reasons I Think Romney Didn’t Win Iowa: He’s managed his campaign in a way to make him appear like a flip-flopper, and as lacking meaningful convictions. To many, he appears to be a blatant opportunist. I’m not saying these things are true — only that they appear to many to be true. To me, Romney does not come across as an authentic Mormon OR Conservative. He managed his Iowa campaign in a way to make him appear as if he “went negative”. What’s worse, his negative ads appeared to many to be distortions. He doesn’t communicate in an…
7 Reasons This Mormon Thinks Mitt Romey Will Win the 2008 Republican Nomination
7 Reasons This Mormon Thinks Mitt Romey Will Win the 2008 Republican Nomination: Fred Thompson is not energetic enough Giuliani is too corrupt (mafia connections), too sexually immoral (for conservatives), and too politically liberal John McCain is too old, has had too many cancer scares, has anger issues, and has questionable enough ethics to disqualify. He’s also last election’s news (actually — 2 elections ago) Huckleberry is completely unelectable in the generals — for his name, as well as for his past hateful rhetoric, and his entrenchment in “The Christian Right” which will turn off too many moderates and liberals.…
Mitt Romney Is Really Close to Winning the Republican Nomination
I think it is looking more and more likely that Mitt Romney is going to win the Republican nomination (which was my original prediction, and has been my inclination all along). Romney is now tied for the lead with Giuliani in national polls, and I will eat my trousers if Huckleberry, McCain or Thompson win the Republican primaries. I think Huckabee will go down in flames like Howard Dean….within the next 6 weeks, I predict. I really do think that it is now Mitt’s to lose. Now the general election…that’s another thing entirely. I’m still putting my money on Billary.
The LDS Church (Sort of) Answers 21 Questions about Mormon Doctrine at FoxNews.com
It looks as though Fox News worked w/ the LDS Church to publish answers to some of the typical questions regarding Mormon doctrine. Most of the answers seem relatively accurate…here are the few that did not seem right to me (either because they come across as “partial” or “technical” truths, but not the “whole truth”): Q: Does the Mormon Church believe its followers can become “gods and goddesses” after death? The Church’s Answer: “We believe that the apostle Peter’s biblical reference to partaking of the divine nature and the apostle Paul’s reference to being ‘joint heirs with Christ’ reflect the…
Approaching Mormon History: A Recent LDS Church Press Release
The LDS Church just released a press release called “Approaching Mormon History. It’s definitely an interesting read. My buddy was most concerned with this part: “It is often asked, for example, how the Church can reconcile the authenticity of the Book of Mormon with the absence of archeological proof. This difficulty is inherent in all religious history and illustrates how spiritual matters are best verified by spiritual means…At a time when many religions are pressured to treat their sacred histories as myths, the Latter-day Saints on the contrary embrace their history as a literal expression of their faith.” “Church President…
Salt Lake Tribune “Day in the Life of a Polygamous Mormon Family” Screencast
This is really cool (from an “understanding them” perspective). It’s from the Salt Lake Tribune, and it’s a “Day in the Life of a Polygamous Family” multimedia screencast. For those interested, there appears to be an entire SLTrib blog dedicated to modern Mormon polygamy. Check it out if you feel so inclined. (Thanks to David for the head’s up)
Me on Good Morning America Today
For those of you who didn’t catch, I happened to be on Good Morning America today. You can watch it here. I have a few reactions/thoughts:
Mormons Heighten Public Relations Efforts
Politico: Mormons Heighten Public Relations Efforts By: Andrew Glass April 9, 2007 04:20 PM EST Amid heightened scrutiny because of former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney’s White House bid, the Mormon church is raising its public relations profile, making moves that reflect deep concerns over widely held myths about the faith and internal anxiety over the need to convince outsiders that it will remain neutral as a Mormon runs in the 2008 contest. “We have to walk a very fine line to stay away from political issues,” said Michael Otterson, media relations director for the 12.6 million-member worldwide Church of Jesus…
Trailer Out for the Upcoming PBS / Frontline / American Experience Documentary “The Mormons”
Just found out from T&S that the trailer is now out for the PBS / Frontline / American Experience Documentary “The Mormons.” It does look very interesting. Check it out. Set to air April 30th and May 1st, 2007
April 2007 LDS General Conference Statistics: No Unhallowed Hand Shall Stop the Work from Progressing
LDS Church stats for 2006 are out, and the story to me is: growth is strong. 44 new stakes 3 new missions 388 new wards and branches 307,737 more members An increase in 29,737 more convert baptisms than in the previous year 1,104 more missionaries than we had last year 5.1 baptisms per full time missionary — an increase over 4.7 from the previous 2 years. A few other stats listed below. Raw stats can be found here. Finally, I do wish that they would publish activity rates. I also wish that the church would allow external auditors to publish…
An Illustration of Why I Do Mormon Stories Podcast : Anti-LDS DVDs in Arizona
For the last year or so, I’ve had 3 primary goals for all I do with Mormon Stories Podcast: –More Knowledge within Mormonism –More Understanding/Empathy/Compassion within Mormonism –Less Pain within Mormonism When I conduct an interview, it is always with these 3 goals in mind. Recently I’ve had to discuss and justify (in a friendly setting) the costs/benefits of what I do (which is a very healthy exercise, I might add). Clearly I feel like what I’m/we’re trying to do is a good thing, but sometimes it’s hard to articulate. Perhaps this recent news article I stumbled upon today helps…
Today, It’s a Wonderful Life
I have so many reasons to count my blessings this week…so bear with me as I mention a few…. The very generous and supportive letters I received last week (both as comments to the post, and in private) in response to my call for help were more than I coud have ever hoped for. Thanks to all of you from the bottom of my heart. To me, this was my Jimmy Stewart/Frank Capra moment — and it will remain with me always. Rest assured that these letters were put to very good use, and that they made a huge difference.…
MTV’s Engaged and Underage Episode 6: Mormon Temple Marriage and the Exclusion of Non-Members
(Props to Tom Grover for the Head’s up) MTV is running a series called “Engaged and Underage” on underage marriages in the U.S. One of the couples they are spotlighting is a Mormon couple — she was raised in the church, he converted. Within this episode, they explore how hard it is for non-LDS families to be excluded from the wedding ceremony in the LDS temple. It’s definitely an interesting Mormon story. Some parts are QUITE painful. To watch the episode, click here and then click on the “Engaged and Underage: Episode 6 — Play All” link at the top…
U.N.L.V. Forward Does Not Lack Family Support ( Mormon Fundamentalist Polygamy Meets NCAA Basketball )
NY Times: LAS VEGAS, March 4 — (Again from Paula) When the cheering section for Joe Darger is at full strength, it includes his father, his mother, his 18 siblings and his father’s other wife. They wear red T-shirts, blow on red noisemakers and wave red pompoms. They appear no different from any other group in the U.N.L.V. family section — only larger and louder. “We cheer for all the players,” said John Darger, Joe’s father. “We like to get a little rowdy.” John Darger is married to Carollee Darger, Joe’s mother. He is also married to Elizabeth Darger, the…
Mitt Romney and Mormonism: On Point
For those interested, check it out. Former Massachusetts governor, Republican Mitt Romney formally throws his hat in the ring for the presidency today. Romney comes to the contest as successful businessman, state leader, increasingly conservative politician who saved the 2002 Winter Olympics – and as a Mormon. He’s hardly the first Mormon political leader – or presidential candidate. Orin Hatch ran. So did Mitt Romney’s own father. But Mitt Romney is running hard to be the favored candidate of the religious right. Howard Berkes, Salt Lake City-based correspondent for NPR Richard Bushman, Emeritus Professor of History at Columbia University and…
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