August 2008
Mormon Times--Looking back: Mormons on Time and Newsweek's cover (8-30-8)
Can you name the times the LDS Church, its leaders or members have been featured on the cover of U.S. national news magazines?
Mormon Times--'In their own language' - translating in the LDS Church (8-30)
More than four and a half million copies of the 2008 adult study course, "Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith," rolled off the presses of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints last year. More than half were published in English and the remaining two million in 64 other languages.
LDS Church sends emergency supplies to Gulf Coast (8-30)
Seven semitrailer loads of emergency relief supplies from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are on their way from Salt Lake to Gulf Coast church storehouses near the expected impact zone of Hurricane Gustav, and more is on the way.
Belfast Telegraph--Eamonn McCann: What if Mormons are right and Catholics and Protestants wrong?" (8-28)
Why are the Catholic bishops so concerned about Mormons baptising dead parishioners?
Mormon Times--In focus: Documents give clear view of history to Joseph Smith Papers team (8-28)
There's very little on Robin Jensen's desk that distinguishes it from any other. From the computer screen to the family pictures to the mouse pad decorated with an island sunset, it's a fairly typical setup. But one simple accessory sets this workstation apart.
Mormon Times--Reader asks: What's wrong with calling the FLDS "Mormon"? (8-28)
The increasingly protracted battle between the FLDS community and the state of Texas has prompted a number of discussions about the Texas polygamous group and the Mormons.
Mormon Times--Time to grade reporting, again (8-27)
One of the primary reasons Mormon Media Observer exists is to help improve the quality of media reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through media criticism. So, like the MMO did in December, it's time to hand out grades on recent reports about the LDS Church.
Mormon Times--A Mormon looks at the Quran (8-27)
The story sounds familiar.
FLDS struggle beyond YFZ Ranch borders (8-25)
Tammy Jessop wasn't anywhere near the YFZ Ranch when Texas authorities raided the sprawling polygamist community just outside of Eldorado in early April on abuse allegations, but she's here now.
Mormon Times--DNA may help family research, but it won't prove or disprove Book of Mormon (8-25)
There is no way to prove or disprove theories of people who criticize the Book of Mormon's authenticity based on DNA testing, but genetics sometimes can be helpful in current family-history research, according to a forensic DNA scientist.
Mormon Times--Pres. Monson dedicates Twin Falls temple (8-25)
Hundreds of LDS Church members from across south-central Idaho gathered here Sunday to celebrate the new Twin Falls Idaho Temple.
Mormon Times--LDS Olympic Games athletes (8-25)
Mormon Times counts at least 19 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as athletes who competed in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing:
FLDS child-custody evidence is subject of dispute (8-24)
Lawyers representing a group of FLDS mothers caught up in the raid on the YFZ Ranch are headed back to court in an attempt to force child welfare authorities to hand over evidence of child abuse and neglect.
Jeffs, 2 others indicted on felony bigamy counts (8-23)
Fundamentalist LDS Church leader Warren Jeffs and two of his followers are the latest to be indicted by a grand jury here on third-degree felony bigamy charges.
Mormon Times--Mormon Media Observer: The good, the wacky and unbalanced in international reporting (8-23)
A leading religious expert in Russia says the LDS Church has ties to the CIA, in Cambodia former missionaries are a popular singing boy band, and a news blog in the U.K. reported the LDS Church was making a bid to buy Facebook. The news about Mormons during the past week in the international press has run the gamut from the positive to the wacky.
Los Angeles Times--Jeff Ruffolo competed to do Olympic PR for China and won (8-22)
BEIJING -- "How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Communists" could be the title of Jeff Ruffolo's autobiography.
3 more indicted in Texas FLDS probe (8-22)
One by one, the women of the Fundamentalist LDS Church were called before the grand jury to testify in secret about allegations of crimes within the Utah-based polygamous sect. By the end of the day, three felony indictments were handed down.
Mormon Times--'All Dogs Go to Heaven' along with other animals, BYU professor says (8-22)
The short answer to the question, "Do animals go to heaven?" is "yes, and only to the Celestial Kingdom," a Brigham Young University professor said during a Campus Education Week presentation.
Mormon Times--What's it like inside a Mormon chapel? (8-22)
Most first-time visitors to a Mormon church building comment on the number of rooms. Many expect to find one large interior space, such as in many other Christian denominations' buildings of worship.
For heaven's sake: 'Angels' filmmaker says LDS movies can be positive and entertaining (8-22)
There are those who feel the current wave of Mormon filmmaking has run its course--that as a form of cinema, it's become stale, stagnant and irrelevant.
FLDS spokesman testifies before Texas grand jury (8-21)
The grand jury investigating crimes within the Fundamentalist LDS Church is meeting again today, with more young women being hauled before the secret panel.
More FLDS indictments today? (8-21)
A grand jury investigating alleged crimes within the Fundamentalist LDS Church will meet here again today, with the possibility of more indictments being handed up.
Mormon Times--Scriptures have patterns, speaker says (8-21)
When people study scriptures they are less likely to make doctrinal or application errors if they apply a pattern to it, said S. Michael Wilcox, an instructor at the University Institute in Salt Lake City. Wilcox is teaching a series of classes at Campus Education Week at Brigham Young University.
Mormon Times--Study of the Prophet's papers leads to knowing 'who we are' (8-21)
As the head of an ambitious project with plans to publish 30 volumes of historical material over the next 20 years, Ronald Esplin has several objectives in place.
Defending Joseph Smith, however, is not among them.
Mormon Times--Robert L. Millet: Drowning questions with living waters (8-21)
A Baptist friend of Robert L. Millet told him he couldn't figure out what Mormons believed sometimes. "It's like trying to nail green Jell-O to the wall," Millet's friend said. Millet, a professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University, said in a presentation at Campus Education Week that being clear and consistent in our expression of our belief is important.
Well-made, well-intentioned 'Errand' is a bit dry (8-21)
THE ERRAND OF ANGELS-- ** 1/2 --Erin Chambers, Rachel Emmers, Bettina Schwarz; with subtitles (European dialects); rated PG (thematic material)
Mormon Times--Tour livens up the history for St. George visitors (8-21)
Doug Alder has brought the sleepy town of St. George to life.
Mormon Times--The gospel in words -- 'worthy' (8-21)
I recently received an e-mail from Dona Hessling, a sister in the Dortmund Germany Stake. She notes problems in translating various words from English into German. Specifically, Sister Hessling has been "confronted with the word 'worthy.'" She notes, "We must be worthy to partake of the sacrament or be considered worthy to enter into the temple. Sometimes I have the feeling of having to be perfect before I am completely worthy." Sister Hessling wonders how to think about being worthy in connection with our efforts toward self-improvement.
Foster care for Jeffs' apparent child bride (8-20)
A 14-year-old girl believed to have been married to Fundamentalist LDS Church leader Warren Jeffs is back in foster care.
Mormon Times--How well has the media covered the LDS Church and gay issues? (8-20)
The June announcement by the LDS Church asking California members to join the effort to amend that state's constitution to define marriage as being between a man and a woman has garnered attention, including emotional feelings on either side of California's Proposition 8 debate.
'I stand on Fifth,' FLDS mom tells court in custody battle (8-19)
To nearly every question she was asked, Barbara Jessop gave the same answer: "I stand on the Fifth."
Mormon Times--Joseph Smith as a statesman (8-19)
Joseph Smith's role as a spiritual leader overshadows the fact he was also a great statesman, Arnold K. Garr said Monday at Brigham Young University Campus Education Week.
Mormon Times--Heaven is more a relationship than a place, Education Week audience told (8-18)
Heaven isn't so much an environment or a paradise as it is a relationship and a person, S. Michael Wilcox told a Campus Education Week audience at Brigham Young University Monday.
Judge orders child bride of Warren Jeffs into foster care (8-18)
A judge has ordered a 14-year-old girl believed to be married to Fundamentalist LDS Church leader Warren Jeffs to be placed into foster care, but her 11-year-old brother can remain with his mother.
Swinton may be witness in FLDS evidence challenge (8-18)
A judge here has set an Oct. 1 hearing on a challenge to the law-enforcement search of the Fundamentalist LDS Church's YFZ Ranch.
Mormon Times--Nancy Murphy -- the writer in the family (8-18)
Dale Murphy may have three book titles to his credit, but he's not the writer of the family.
Mormon Times--BYU professor combats atheist (8-17)
As bestseller lists of late show, atheism is stirring up a keen interest among readers nationwide.
Mormon Times--How to answer questions about the Book of Abraham (8-15)
Helping people who are questioning their belief in the Book of Abraham isn't easy. Brian Hauglid told FAIR Conference attendees four ways to talk about the Book of Abraham that might be helpful to those with questions.
Mormon Times--The divine institution of marriage (8-15)
The California Supreme Court recently ruled that same-sex marriage was legal in California. Recognizing the importance of marriage to society, the Church accepted an invitation to participate in ProtectMarriage, a coalition of churches, organizations, and individuals sponsoring a November ballot measure, Proposition 8, that would amend the California state constitution to ensure that only a marriage between a man and a woman would be legally recognized.
Mormon Times--Steven Kapp Perry: 'With Mine Own Hand, the Musical Account of Nephi' (8-15)
Ramona Zabriskie has a great imagination, but when she began editing down Nephi's words in First and Second Nephi 15 years ago, she didn't imagine the resulting musical "With Mine Own Hand" would be premiering to LDS audiences from around the world at BYU Education Week.
Mormon Times--LDS service missionary helps jump-start stalled project (8-15)
Bob Ward has been a service missionary for only three months, but he has already made an impact by helping a stalled project to build a community center in a low-income area get back on course.
Dining out: The Lion House (8-15)
It was a race between us and a bus of senior tourists to make it to the lunch line for The Lion House, one of Salt Lake's most venerable eateries.
Judge wants fair FLDS property allocation (8-15)
Judge Denise Lindberg, who for three years has been overseeing attempts to untangle the intricate financial and ownership affairs of a religious organization, reassured one of its leaders Thursday that she has no religious prejudices and wants to see a fair distribution of property.
Mormon Times--Testimony drives Dean Jessee's work (8-15)
Dean C. Jessee has been retired for eight years now, but two times a week he'll be in the east wing of the Church Office Building, working behind a door that bears his nameplate.
Mormon Times--Historians create visionary project (8-14)
About 30 years after he began his work on Joseph Smith's papers, Dean C. Jessee was asked to go home and rethink the project. The request, however, was far from critical.
Trek tragedy--2 die when truck hits handcart near Fairview (8-13)
Edwin Montell Seely built his first handcart when he was 12 years old.
Mormon Times--Dan Peterson says humble apologetics is for 'people on the edge' (8-13)
Apologetics: Defending in writing or speech.
Mormon Times--FLDS: Does the media get it yet? (8-13)
It's been a month and a half since the LDS Church asserted its right for exclusive use of the term "Mormon" and asked the media to distance it from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On July 10, a few pro-polygamy groups said they also had a historical right to use the moniker as well.
Texas widens FLDS probe (8-12)
Texas Rangers are investigating 20 cases of sexual assault and about 50 bigamy charges involving members of the FLDS Church, the Deseret News has learned.
Mormon Times--Book of Mormon uses ancient directions (8-12)
A map of Palestine does nothing to prove the authenticity of the events of the Bible, Larry Poulsen said at the 10th-annual Mormon Apologetics Conference presented by the Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research (FAIR). A map showing the road to Emmaus doesn't prove the resurrected Jesus appeared to his disciples on that road.
Mormon Times--Prophet Mormon was much more than 'abridger,' scholar says (8-12)
Regarding the prophet Mormon as merely an "abridger" of the Nephite record hardly does justice to what he did, a Book of Mormon scholar affirmed at the closing session of the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR) conference Friday at the South Towne Expo Center.
LDS Church's 127th temple is dedicated in Panama (8-11)
Sunday's thunderous dedication of the Panama City, Panama Temple marked several historic firsts.
Mormon Times--Understanding the reasons people leave the LDS Church (8-11)
Individuals leave the LDS Church for any of a number of stated reasons, "but before you set up a full discussion with them, you might try to understand and empathize with the deeper issues that might be involved," the president of FAIR said Friday at the closing session of the foundation's two-day conference at the South Towne Exposition Center in Sandy.
LDS Church suited for green push (8-11)
Is the LDS Church on the threshold of a push into environmental sustainability?
Gay support group outlines requests to LDS Church (8-11)
Had a gay LDS support group met with LDS Church representatives Monday morning as scheduled, it would have asked the church to affirm its recent statements on homosexuality in the upcoming general conference.
Mormon Times--LDS Church responds to gay Mormons group (8-11)
It has always been the intent of the Church to engage in an open and honest discussion with Affirmation leaders to listen to their concerns. When the Church was originally approached by Affirmation, Church officials offered a much earlier meeting date. The meeting was put on hold until August at Affirmation's request. The Church asked for the same courtesy as it hires a new director of Family Services, a position crucial to this conversation.
Gay Mormons appeal for higher recognition (8-10)
While many gay Mormons acknowledge that progress has been made in recent years with top LDS Church leadership addressing their concerns, there is yet progress to be made, says one representative of a group that had hoped to meet with leadership this week.
Mormon Times - Personal revelation, not intellect, is most valuable tool, doctor says (8-10)
A keynote speaker at a Young Single Adult conference in Salt Lake City this weekend said the most profound decisions in life aren't founded on intellect or reason, which are significant statements coming from a Stanford Medical School graduate and professor of radiology at the University of Utah's School of Medicine.
Mormon Times--Racial issues may remain for some Mormons (8-10)
Most Mormons probably believe race equality in their church to be an issue resolved more than 30 years ago, when men of all races became eligible to receive the church's priesthood. However, the consensus at two independent Mormon conferences this week seemed to be otherwise.
Cross is called 'stumbling block (8-9)
The cross is the universal symbol of Christianity. However, the cross is not used in any chapels or temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nor do church members generally wear the symbol. Why?
Mormon Times--Early Christian rituals came from temple (8-9)
Many modern Christians think the temple was not an important element of early Christian thought or ritual. Matthew Brown presented an in-depth rebuttal of this view Friday morning at the 10th annual Mormon Apologetics Conference presented by the Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research (FAIR) at the South Towne Exposition Center in Sandy.
Mormon Times--Joseph Smith Translation was education in temple concepts (8-8)
When Joseph Smith produced a new translation of the Bible, it was for him a tutorial in temple-related concepts, the author of a forthcoming book on the Book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price said Thursday at the 2008 FAIR conference, an annual event highlighting defense of the Mormon faith.
Mormon Times--DNA shows Joseph Smith was Irish (8-8)
DNA research into Joseph Smith Jr.'s genealogy has turned up a surprise, according to Ugo Perego, director of operations at the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation: A rare DNA marker shows that the assumption Smith's family line came from England is probably wrong. The Smiths were Irish.
LDS leader's '07 address still causing controversy (8-8)
An address last fall by the general president of the LDS Relief Society on motherhood continues to raise discussion and disagreement nearly a year after it was delivered.
LDS Church suited to help environment, Sunstone panelist says (8-8)
Is the LDS Church on the threshold of a big push into environmental sustainability?
Mormon Times--Intellectuals don't have to leave church, Sunstone panel says (8-8)
When all the wrestling over challenges to traditional faith is finished, it's the feeling of Mormon community and belief that keeps people tied to the church.
Mormon Times--Scholars discuss Mormon bids for president (8-8)
The writers of a recently published book spent Friday discussing Mormons who seek the White House -- and how a white horse sometimes enters the picture.
Mormon Times--Community of Christ preaches peace (8-8)
Describing her church as a "grace-based" rather than a "works-based" faith, a member of the Council of the Twelve of the Community of Christ said the church encompasses a broad swath of belief based not simply on scriptural canon or revelation, but on "the grace of God."
Mormon Times--Shaken faith a syndrome, not a sin, author says (8-7)
It used to be you had to go out of your way to find anti-Mormon material. "Now, how many members (of the LDS Church) that are doing research for a lesson or a talk stumble across it on the Internet?"
Mormon Times--Video: Mormon author continues innovative work (8-7)
The result of Givens' research was "The Viper on the Hearth: Mormons, Myths, and the Construction of Heresy," a book published in 1996 by the prestigious Oxford University Press.
Mormon Times--Theology suggests Book of Mormon setting in Central America, scholar says (8-7)
Similarities between theological concepts in the Book of Mormon about deification and aspects of the ancient Mayan culture suggest a Central American setting for the Book of Mormon, according to a scholar on Mesoamerican archeology who spoke at the 2008 FAIR Conference.
Court upholds polygamist's conviction (8-6)
An Arizona appeals court has upheld the conviction of a Colorado City polygamist who argued that his marriage to an underage girl was protected by religious freedom.
Data bolstering case against Jeffs (8-6)
Marriage records, dictations and even love letters to Fundamentalist LDS Church leader Warren Jeffs are being used to bolster Texas child welfare authorities' claims of underage marriages within the Utah-based polygamous sect.
Removal is sought of 8 FLDS kids again (8-6)
Texas child welfare authorities have filed court papers asking a judge to put eight children from the Fundamentalist LDS Church's YFZ Ranch back into foster care.
Mormon Times--LDS Olympic Games athletes (8-6)
Mormon Times counts at least 17 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as athletes who will be competing in the 2008 Olympic Games, beginning Friday and running through Aug. 24 in Beijing.
Mormon Times--Mormon Media Observer: Athletes' missions and vampires attract media attention (8-5)
So what it is about Mormons that usually attracts media attention? It's usually when we do something weird or illegal (or we get confused with people who do weird or illegal things) or when Mormons hit the court, gridiron, stage or write a good book.
Times-News: Magicvalley.com--Learn all you can about LDS before conversion (8-4)
I have followed the editorials and letters regarding the dedication of the LDS temple and other church members who passed out leaflets. Some of those critical of the other church members may be missing a major point.
Mormon Times--Friends, family and football led Eddie Sampson to LDS Church (8-4)
It was a combination of friends, family and football that led Eddie Sampson to the LDS Church.
Mormon Times - Indonesia program focuses on family (8-3)
The government of Indonesia is making a historical and bold move to strengthen families across the nation by launching a national "Weekly Family Night" program.
On Faith at washingtonpost.com--Michael Otterson: Aspiring to Better Behavior (n.d.)
Whether it's Christian-Muslim conflict in Bosnia or the sight of burning crosses lighting the night skies of the American South in less tolerant times, history offers plenty of sad examples of ethnic or racial intolerance skulking behind the mask of religion. Some have based their entire religious outlook on the untenable idea of racial superiority.
Mormon Times--Mormon media observer: Times of London digital archives open view into LDS history (8-2)
It's often said that journalism is the first draft of history. If that's the case, the Times of London has just opened a treasure trove of first drafts by digitizing 200 years of its pages from 1785 through 1985 in its online archive.
Mormon Times--YSA conference will be Aug. 8-10 in Salt Lake City (8-2)
Brains, brawn and spiritual lessons will be the main draws of a Young Single Adult conference taking place August 8 through 10 -- with keynote speakers Dr. Anne Osborne Poelman and Super Bowl champion quarterback Steve Young.
Mormon Times--San Francisco Saints celebrate forgotten California history (8-2)
One of the most forgotten events in California history proved to be one that in many ways changed California forever -- the arrival of ship Brooklyn in 1846.
Mormon Times--Be cautious about LDS history articles, Elder Oaks says (8-2)
Elder Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Quorum of the Twelve Friday instructed members to be skeptical when reading media stories about church history.
FAIR, Sunstone conferences are this week (8-2)
Two of the largest independent conferences about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will take place next week--FAIR and Sunstone.
Anti-polygamy activist pens book on FLDS (8-1)
An anti-polygamy activist who has been a lightning rod of controversy when it comes to the Fundamentalist LDS Church will publish her autobiography next year.