December 2007
Mormon Media Monitor: Time to grade LDS coverage (12-31-7)
As an assistant professor teaching journalism at BYU, I've been spending my holidays grading news reporting, journalistic research and First Amendment legal analysis.
John Boyd's letter on Mitt Romney [n.d.]
The Moderate Voice--What role should religion play in politics? (12-31)
The first is the candidacy of former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, a Mormon. Personally, while I have the same disagreements with Mormonism as those advanced by evangelical Christians, I’ve never felt that Romney’s religion should preclude him from consideration for the presidency.
NewsChannel6--Inside the LDS Temple (12-30)
As we told you last night, the Rexburg Temple is now open to the public for a one month long open house. A chance for the public to see what goes on inside the most sacred building in the LDS faith.
Bogus cards 'from' Mitt sent in S.C. (12-30)
Many South Carolina Republicans got a bogus holiday greeting card this week, purported to be from White House hopeful Mitt Romney, that cites some controversial passages of the Book of Mormon.
Idaho senator slams LDS adoption agency (12-29)
An Idaho state senator says an LDS adoption agency is solely to blame for the fiasco involving a set of adoptive parents in American Fork and a birth mother and birth father in Idaho.
Orange County Register--Life: Misconceptions follow Mormon faith (12-28)
Mormons. Just mentioning the name can evoke images as wide-ranging as "polygamists living in the deserts of Utah" and "a traditional all-American family with strong religious values."
Modeling brings Jesus back into Utahn's life (12-27)
Phillip Miner sits in the studio of artist Liz Lemon Swindle, lounging comfortably in an oversized chair. His legs stretch out to display a 3-inch rip in his jeans. His hiking shoes are encrusted with dried mud.
The Wairarapa Times--'Our son's work goes on beyond the veil' (12-26)
The parents of a Mormon missionary killed on Friday near Masterton are hoping to speak with the driver of the vehicle that struck their youngest son as he cycled home from delivering a church message.
Chief joins ranks of Mormon writers (12-26)
A police chief with a penchant for mystery writing is bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase, "Book 'em."
'Temple effect' in full swing in Rexburg area (12-24)
After selling houses in this Mormon university town in eastern Idaho for two decades, Ted Whyte knows what some of his customers want: a home near the new Mormon temple. If only he could use that in his ads.
Apprising Ministries--JOEL OSTEEN: MITT ROMNEY AND MORMONS ARE CHRISTIANS (12-23)
Profound 'Divide' explores 2 faiths (12-23)
BRIDGING THE DIVIDE: THE CONTINUING CONVERSATION BETWEEN A MORMON AND AN EVANGELICAL, by Robert Millet and Gregory C.V. Johnson, Monkfish, 186 pages, $14.95, softcover.
Fascinating look at LDS history (12-23)
THE WILLIAM E. McLELLIN PAPERS, 1854-1880, edited by Stan Larson and Samuel J. Passey, Signature, 638 pages, $39.95
World Magazine--The right questions (12-22)
It's not bigotry for voters to take Mitt Romney's Mormonism into account
Aspen Times Weekly--The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: Missionaries and restorationists (12-22)
Mormon church buildings follow uniform architectural guidelines and look similar everywhere. The Aspen building is near Aspen High School off Maroon Creek Road.
LDS choir CD creating waves on Web (12-22)
With Mitt Romney's presidential campaign putting the LDS Church and its doctrines under the media microscope in unprecedented ways, one of the faith's signature organizations--the Mormon Tabernacle Choir--is generating publicity of a different sort.
As LDS temples rise, home values do, too (12-22)
After selling houses in this Mormon university town in eastern Idaho for two decades, Ted Whyte knows what some of his customers want: A home near the new Mormon temple. If only he could use that in his ads.
The Arizona Republic--Mesa LDS fire ruled arson, but not a hate crime (12-21)
A fire that destroyed an LDS church in Mesa last month was the work of an arsonist, ATF agents announced late Thursday afternoon.
Mormon Media Watch: For journalists, interaction will tear down intolerance (12-21)
As a professional journalist and a Latter-day Saint, I am amazed by the level of negative rhetoric about my faith in the news media recently.
The Economist--America's next president might, conceivably, be a Mormon. What does that mean? (12-19)
NEAR the edge of Temple Square in Salt Lake City is an unobtrusive statue of a man pulling a wooden handcart, with his family walking beside him. It commemorates a trek more gruelling than the tourists who gawp at it can imagine.
Scripps Howard News Service--Mormons and 'polytheism'...and the baggage it carries (12-19)
Few religious leaders on earth have as much power and authority as the "prophet, seer and revelator" who leads the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
New York Daily News--Politicians & pundits, please stop slandering my Mormon faith (12-19)
This is a strange season to be a Mormon. During my lifetime, I thought the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had effectively mainstreamed itself.
The Racine Journal Times--MIKE MOORE: Homegrown answers to the Mormon question (12-18)
It began like the triple crown of off-color jokes. A group of Japanese monks run a Mexican restaurant through a Catholic church.
Townhall.com--Christian Angst Over a Romney Presidency (12-18)
Calling us “bigots” and claiming that any discussion of Mormon theology is “out of bounds” only aggravates our deepest concerns and makes our vote for him more difficult and perhaps less likely.
FOXNews.com--21 Questions Answered About Mormon Faith (12-18)
Mitt Romney's run for president has put his Mormon faith in the spotlight, but the religion remains a mystery to most.
Springfield News--GOP, Christianity have no room for anti-Mormon hate (12-18)
Mitt faces an uphill battle against an entire industry devoted toward the destruction of his beliefs. Walk into any Christian bookstore, and you'll find an entire shelf devoted to anti-Mormon literature, books and videos. Web Sites, seminars and traveling "Mormon experts" warn Christians about the church's dangerous doctrines.
Wall Street Journal--Mormons Back Romney -- in Iowa (12-18)
Pam Garner brought two of her four children and some homemade mint-chocolate-chip cookies to a town-hall meeting here last week with Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney.
Newsweek--A New American Holy War (12-17)
The speech was written, the stagecraft set. Last Wednesday evening, about 12 hours before he was to speak on faith and public life as the guest of George H.W. Bush in College Station, Texas, Mitt Romney was musing aloud about the task before him.
Dallas Morning News--Mormons aren't Christians ... (12-16)
... and other thoughts on religion and politics sure to get your blood boiling
Election sparks spirited debate about Mormonism (12-16)
A presidential campaign focused on war, immigration and health care took a theological turn last week, raising questions more often debated in seminaries.
Share faith, Elder Ballard urges LDS (12-16)
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints need to join the global conversation and use new technology to stand up for what they believe in, a top church official said Saturday.
Romney's campaign motivates fellow Mormons to dip into pockets (12-16)
Mitt Romney's Mormon religion is enough of an obstacle for him among some voters that the Republican presidential candidate was prompted to give a much- advertised speech on faith last week.
LDS Church News--Pouch service has new regulations (12-15)
Receptionists in the Missionary Department have been overwhelmed with phone calls from members wondering why letters and packages sent to missionaries through the Church pouch mail service have been abruptly returned.
Ottawa Citizen--The things people believe (12-15)
Mormonism is one of the world's fastest growing religions, yet non-Mormons know little about it.
New York Times--Huckabee Is Not Alone in Ignorance on Mormonism (12-14)
Americans are notoriously uninformed about faiths other than their own, and they are particularly perplexed about Mormon beliefs.
Lake County News Chronicle--Religion doesn’t disqualify a president (12-14)
...But I don't understand why some people, and more than a few, think Mitt Romney is unqualified because he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. A Mormon.
The Daily Princetonian--Open Season (12-14)
In the news section of today's Daily Princetonian, a grotesque tale of personal intimidation is told, detailing activity not acceptable anywhere, let alone at an elite American university. The lives of five members of the University community who hold and defend traditional beliefs about marriage and sexuality, including Rhodes Scholar Sherif Girgis '08 and politics professor Robert George, were threatened Wednesday afternoon.
Pundit bashes Mitt, Mormons (12-14)
Lawrence O'Donnell is a bigot, pure and simple.
The Huffington Post--Romney & Me (12-13)
After the Today Show used video clips of me talking (ranting, to some) about the racist history of the Church of Latter Day Saints as a lead-in to Matt Lauer's interview of Mitt Romney, I feel compelled to clarify the obvious: religious affiliation is not a good reason to vote for or against a candidate for president.
Townhall.com--Question Mormonism and You're a Bigot? (12-13)
MSNBC political analyst Lawrence O’Donnell was recently cross examined by syndicated radio host and blogger Hugh Hewitt regarding statements O’Donnell made about Mormonism as a panelist on The McLaughlin Group.
Townhall.com--Mike Huckabee's Low Blow (12-13)
When Mike Huckabee asked a New York Times' reporter, "Don't Mormons believe that Jesus and the devil are brothers," he crossed a line he cannot uncross.
IRR.org--Are the Mormon Jesus and Satan brothers - answer to Huckabee question (12-13)
Colorado shooter had been baptized Mormon (12-13)
The man who went on a killing spree inside a pair of Colorado churches Sunday had been baptized recently into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Auction house sells 1830 Book of Mormon in 3 minutes (12-12)
It took about three minutes Wednesday for a New York auction house to sell an 1830 Book of Mormon for $89,000. With the auction house commission, the price comes to nearly $98,000.
New York Times--The Huckabee Factor (12-12)
Mike Huckabee walked into the lobby of the Des Moines Marriott at 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 3, deposited an armful of dirty laundry at the desk and checked to make sure he was being credited with Marriott Rewards points toward his next stay.
Romney accepts Huckabee apology (12-12)
Voters will reject attacks on his Mormon faith, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney said Wednesday in response to a question raised about his beliefs by rival Mike Huckabee.
CNN.com--Huckabee apologizes for comments on Mormons (12-12)
Republican Mike Huckabee Wednesday personally apologized to rival Mitt Romney for comments he made in an upcoming New York Times Magazine article that appear to disparage the Mormon faith.
BYU library puts missionary diaries online (12-12)
Hyrum Smith's missionary diary, hand-decorated by his mother, Lucy Mack Smith, is the oldest of 575 diaries written by early missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that are now housed in the L. Tom Perry Special Collections of BYU's Harold B. Lee Library. After an enormous, five-year project, 376 of these diaries-- including Smith's--are now available for patrons around the world to access online.
Townhall.com--In Politics Values Matter, Not Theology (12-11)
There are some Americans -- presumed usually to be evangelical Christians -- for whom voting for a Mormon for president of the United States is difficult, if not impossible.
Church lines equal school lines? (12-11)
When the Provo School District Board of Education votes tonight on changing elementary school boundaries throughout town, the decision will be made with consideration of "ecclesiastical boundaries."
Auction to feature first-edition Book of Mormon (12-11)
Rare copy at sale in New York could fetch close to $100,000
TPM--Huckabee: "Don't Mormons Believe That Jesus And The Devil Are Brothers?" (12-11)
It was only a matter of time before Mike Huckabee said something about Mormonism that they would find offensive — and it's now happened.
MormonSpeak: Day of defense (12-11)
In high school I was into forensics. Not the “CSI” kind--the public speaking kind.
Reprinted LDS book at BYU Bookstore (12-11)
The Brigham Young University Religious Studies Center recently reprinted a small number of copies of its book, "Modern Perspectives on Nauvoo and the Mormons." Originally printed in 2003, this rare book is now available at the BYU Bookstore for $29.95.
LDS Newsroom--Mormon Volunteers Distribute 10,000 Cleaning Kits to Flood Victims (12-10)
Thousands of volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints put on waterproof boots, heavy gloves and yellow "Mormon Helping Hands" shirts this weekend to clean up homes and farms in Lewis County devastated by floods.
Washington Post, On Faith--Are Mormons Christians? (12-10)
In the 177 years since its founding, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has grown to become the fourth or fifth largest church in the United States. Yet poll after poll has shown that a sizable minority of Americans still acknowledges some discomfort about the “Mormon” faith, and many more who readily admit knowing little about its teachings.
Washington Post--A Mission Accepted (12-10)
They had spent the past month scared and sequestered as France revolted around them, so the Mormon missionaries could hardly wait to get outside Paris and onto open country roads. The mission president and his wife readied their roomiest car, a Citroen DS. For this road trip in June 1968, they asked...
New York Times--Mitt's No J.F.K. (12-9)
Mitt Romney was right when he said that "Americans do not respect believers of convenience." Now if he would only admit he's describing himself.
New York Times--A Mormon's Ultimate Doorbell (12-9)
Mitt Romney, after nearly a year of graciously sidestepping invitations to a theological duel, may have at last engaged it despite himself.
Romney speech a hit--on blogs, talk radio (12-8)
Check the blogs, editorials and talk radio shows across the country, and chances are you'll hear something about presidential candidate Mitt Romney's delivery this week of his "Faith in America" address in Texas.
Wall Street Journal--What Iowans Should Know About Mormons (12-7)
Mitt Romney's speech and American tolerance.
2 FLDS marshals may lose badges (12-7)
Two marshals from the Fundamentalist LDS border towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz., will face disciplinary action over their loyalties to polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs.
Theology: LDS god is in harmony with the Bible (12-7)
Editor's note: The following essay is by Orson Scott Card, a member of the LDS Church best known as an award-winning writer of science fiction, as well as other fiction, screenplays and commentary.
Is issue over competition for souls? (12-7)
Mitt Romney's Mormonism and its potential to help the faith become more "mainstream" present a threat to many evangelicals, who have been seeking to point out why his faith is not Christian as one way of competing in the "marketplace for souls."
Theologian in chief? (12-7)
This presidential primary season, God is in the details.
Romney's speech champions 'Symphony of faith' (12-7)
GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney offered few details about his Mormon faith in his long-awaited speech on religion here Thursday, focusing instead on the need to stand up against efforts to eliminate God from public life and other beliefs he shares with conservatives.
World On the Web--Romney speech may not sway voters (12-7)
Signs point to the fact that Mitt Romney took yesterday’s speech seriously. Criticized often for projecting an air critics call robotic or scripted even in informal settings, he spoke convincingly of a faith that’s shaped his heritage. His campaign says he wrote the speech himself.
LDS present holiday gift to Latinos (12-7)
The LDS Church prepared, wrapped and delivered a holiday gift to Utah's Latino community Thursday, presenting the Christmas story through music, song and narrative.
Jeffs move may be ploy to retain leadership (12-6)
Observers knowledgeable about Mormon fundamentalist splinter groups are wondering whether Warren Jeffs' formal resignation as president of an FLDS corporation on Wednesday is simply a legal ploy that severs his financial ties to the church but allows him to remain its covert spiritual leader.
FOXNews.com--Mitt Romney, the Mormon (What’s That?!) (12-6)
I’m a Catholic priest. After hearing this speech, would I vote for a Mormon as president of the United States of America? Maybe.
Newsweek, Stumper--Real Republicans React to Romney's 'Major Mormon Speech' (12-6)
For minutes before former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney strode on stage at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library this morning--with Bush "41" at his side and his wife, Ann, and four of his five toothy sons in the front row--the room was silent.
London Telegraph--Mitt Romney strives to win over evangelicals (12-6)
Seeking to overcome deep suspicion of his Mormon faith among many evangelical Christians and reignite his stalling presidential campaign, Mitt Romney declared yesterday that he would "serve no one religion" in the White House.
Texas A&M Thebatt--Romney has faith in America | Experience opens eyes to campaign reporting (12-6)
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is based on a reporter's first experience covering a presidential campaign event.
Romney: No candidate should be rejected because of his faith (12-6)
GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney offered few details about his Mormon faith in his long-awaited speech on religion here Thursday, focusing instead on the need to stand up against efforts to eliminate God from public life and other beliefs he shares with conservatives.
Romney's speech on faith earns high marks from Utah Latter-day Saints (12-6)
A sampling of Utah Latter-day Saints gave Mitt Romney's speech on faith high marks, saying there were no surprises --and curious to see what impact it will have on his candidacy.
In tiny Nauvoo, no big push for Romney (12-6)
Mitt Romney's campaign for president hasn't exactly caught fire in the little river town that many Mormons consider a touchstone for their religion.
Beliefs in the LDS faith are a mystery to many (12-6)
Mormonism is a distinctive way of life as well as a unique way of being Judeo-Christian that is deeply satisfying to the people who are active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But Mitt Romney's candidacy for the presidency is making it obvious that many Americans regard this faith tradition with suspicion.
Daily Home--Lincoln man says he will spend year in Iraq teaching Gospel (12-6)
When the phone rang at the Cote house on Thanksgiving Day, Jeff Cote wasn’t expecting it to be anyone special. Then, on the other end of the phone he heard the voice of his son, Nathan.
Huckabee is mum on Mormonism (12-5)
Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, a Southern Baptist preacher, declined Tuesday to say what he thinks of Mormonism, the religion of rival GOP candidate Mitt Romney.
LDS Newsroom--Church Organization for Children Serves as Support for Parents (12-5)
Parents everywhere are competing for the attention of their children with an avalanche of information on television, the Internet and cell phones, sometimes making it even more difficult to teach values, morals and traditions in the home.
LDS.org--New Opportunity Allows More Members to Serve (12-5)
Sister Thelma Taylor was happy with her calling at her local family history center in Mesa, Arizona, USA. For 17 years she assisted, guided, and supported men and women in their quests to find their ancestors.
As Romney prepares speech, poll shows bias against Mormons (12-5)
Conservative evangelicals long have been accused of being biased against Mitt Romney because of his LDS faith, and a new poll released Wednesday sheds light on some details of that bias. It also reveals that 50 percent of Americans don't know Romney is Mormon.
Bias poll highlights (12-5)
A new poll released Wednesday reveals "intense bias against Mormons," according to survey researchers at Vanderbilt and Claremont Graduate University.
Pew Forum--How the Public Perceives Romney, Mormons (12-4)
Candidate Recently Discussed the Role of Religion in Public Life
New York Times--Reid to Romney: You're on Your Own (12-4)
If Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic majority leader and a practicing Mormon, feels any brotherly love toward former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, the Republican presidential candidate who plans to address his own Mormon faith in a major speech this week, Mr. Reid gave no hint of it on Tuesday.
Evangelical Law Institute--The Crux of Romney's Evangelical Problem (12-3)
With the primaries just around the corner, some pro-Romney advocates have begun to put the full-court press on those conservative Evangelicals still opposed to voting for Romney.
Romney to give his JFK speech (12-3)
Much as John F. Kennedy once confronted skeptics of his Catholic faith, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said Sunday he will deliver a speech on religion as he seeks to become the first Mormon in the White House.
McClatchy Washington Bureau--Romney's Thursday speech on his Mormon faith is risky (12-3)
Mitt Romney's address Thursday on his Mormon faith could be the most politically risky speech on religion by a presidential candidate since John F. Kennedy defended his Catholic faith in 1960.
Trial delayed for ex-LDS official (12-3)
A trial for an excommunicated general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been continued.
LDS leaders speak of true gifts (12-3)
Rather than focusing on what gifts Christmas brings, those who focus on Jesus Christ will remember his gift of resurrection and life for all and seek to succor others as he would do, top LDS leaders said Sunday.
ABC News--Will 'Pulling a JFK' Be Enough for Romney? (12-2)
He was an attractive candidate, with money, intelligence and institutional support. But no candidate of his faith had ever been elected president, and wherever he went this issue confronted him.
Making a better Glenn Beck (12-2)
The first thing you learn about Glenn Beck, the syndicated radio and TV talk-show phenomenon, is that he is usually doing several things at once. This morning, for instance, he's eating breakfast while doing an interview at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, biting off words and a croissant at the same time.
FLDS sect may splinter now that Jeffs is in prison (12-2)
The Fundamentalist LDS Church could be in for a leadership shake-up--or it may splinter now that polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs is in prison, the attorney generals of Arizona and Utah say.
You can't sink faith that floats (12-2)
As a Bolivian missionary in the 1960s, I witnessed a miracle--the advent of Velcro. Before Velcro, missionaries used flannel boards to tell a story. But Velcro changed all that. Pictures with Velcro backing stayed suspended as if by magic.