June 2008
'The leader we need is you,' Beck tells 17,000 at BYU (6-30-8)
The answers to America's problems aren't found in Washington; they're found in the people of America.
BC Books--Book Review: Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall (6-30)
This book deals with the Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), the extremely conservative sect of Mormonism that has recently been in the national news with the raid on a Texas FLDS camp. Mainstream Mormonism is not a factor in this book.
Mormon Times--LDS First Presidency letter: California and same-sex marriage (6-30)
The LDS Church has issued a news release that includes a much-talked-about letter that encourages activism to support a November ballot issue regarding same-sex marriage. The entire news release as found on LDS.org follows:
The case of the anti-Mormons (6-30)
Viewers of tonight's season premiere of "History Detectives" will learn that a book about the horrors of "Female Life Among the Mormons" is a work of fiction.
Head of agency that seized FLDS children to retire (6-28)
The head of the Texas department that removed about 440 FLDS children from their homes has announced he is retiring.
Mormon Times--Religion survey framed Mormons, professor says (6-27)
A recent survey found that Americans are becoming more religiously tolerant -- except for Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses. Or did it?
Mormon Times--Greed drove 1838 persecution, BYU Studies article says (6-27)
Editor's note: This is a synopsis of an article appearing in the latest volume of BYU Studies about motives behind the 1838 persecution of Latter-day Saints in Missouri.
LDS Church hopes videos will help distinguish it from FLDS (6-26)
As confusion continues worldwide about the connection between the Salt Lake City-based LDS Church and the FLDS polygamist group in Texas, LDS officials released a new series of videos on its web site today to try to clarify that their members have nothing to do with plural marriage.
Skousen wore hats well at Y. (6-26)
He started out as a professor and teacher of accounting, although the majority of his career has been spent as a BYU administrator. But Fred Skousen will always be remembered as the man placed on the front lines in the volatile world of Cougar sports — and it was his task to make decisions become reality and ideas turn to rubber on the road.
FLDS girl's attorney refuses to testify before grand jury in Texas (6-26)
The court-appointed lawyer for a 16-year-old member of the Fundamentalist LDS Church refused to testify before a grand jury investigating crimes within the polygamous sect.
FLDS grand jury ends for the day (6-25)
A grand jury investigating allegations of criminal activity involving members of the Fundamentalist LDS Church has ended for the day, issuing no indictments.
FLDS grand jury meeting in Eldorado (6-25)
Grand jury proceedings are under way, hearing testimony as it investigates possible crimes against members of the Fundamentalist LDS Church.
Mormon Times--Not all Utah temple trips can be considered simple (6-25)
For most Utah members of the LDS Church, "traveling" for temple worship is not a lengthy task.
Utahns change minds on backing FLDS raid (6-25)
Attitudes about polygamy and the raid on the Fundamentalist LDS Church's YFZ Ranch have shifted, a new poll shows.
Security increased for FLDS hearing today (6-24)
A court-appointed attorney for a 16-year-old FLDS girl caught up in a grand jury investigation will go to court today under armed guard.
Diversity of beliefs reported in survey (6-24)
In a religious landscape in which most Americans have what a new report calls "a nondogmatic approach to faith," Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are the exception.
LDS Church backs marriage measure on California ballot (6-24)
LDS Church officials are urging California Mormons to "do all you can" to support a state constitutional amendment to recognize only marriages between a man and a woman.
Sunstone announces new editor, director (6-24)
The board of directors of the Sunstone Education Foundation announced Stephen R. Carter as the new director of publications and editor. Mary Ellen Robertson was selected as the new director of outreach and symposia.
Web site sells FLDS-style clothes (6-24)
From the compound to the catwalk, "fundamentalist chic" could be poised to be the next big thing.
Mormon Coffee--Christian Evangelists Banned from Using the Bathrooms at Mormon Public Event (6-22)
Evangelical youths aglow with their faith (6-21)
I was striding by Temple Square the other day when two young women made a bid for my attention. They were missionaries — not LDS missionaries, evangelical missionaries. And they must have been all of 15 years old.
Judge grants a restraining order against FLDS's Jessop (6-21)
A lawyer for a 16-year-old girl taken in the raid on the FLDS Church's YFZ Ranch in Texas obtained a restraining order Friday against a high-profile member of the polygamous sect.
Sierra Club hails LDS Church for downtown Salt Lake makeover (6-20)
A new report on faith-based environmental initiatives praises The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its commitment to be "good stewards" in its massive makeover of downtown Salt Lake City.
FOXNews.com--Watchdog Web Site Goes After the Mormon and Scientology Churches (6-18)
A scrappy Web site that's built a reputation for taking on Goliath-sized corporate and government corruption is now fighting a holy war over copyright infringement.
Grand jury could consider FLDS case next week (6-18)
A grand jury is scheduled to meet next week and could begin considering evidence from the raid on the Fundamentalist LDS Church's YFZ Ranch.
Salt Lake Crawler--Polygamy Pageant in Manti (6-16)
The Manti Miracle Pageant, which finishes its annual run next weekend, was invaded by the wives of Joseph Smith.
Canadian cops asked to re-investigate FLDS enclave (6-16)
A special prosecutor appointed to look into polygamy-related crimes in Canada said he plans to ask police there to reopen their case.
Mormon Times--Musical tells handcart pioneers' story (6-16)
Some young men and women who live in or near Utah will push and pull handcarts this summer in treks designed to give them a taste of their Mormon heritage.
Mormon Times--Mormon Battalion honored at annual program (6-15)
Stars and stripes decked the banisters, men in period piece uniforms conducting a flag ceremony and a full choir were all part of 2008 Mormon Battalion Heritage Day. The program was held Saturday in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square, which was filled nearly to capacity.
FLDS raid costs surpass $14M (6-14)
The state's tab for operations associated with the roundup of more than 460 youngsters from a polygamist sect's ranch in West Texas has already topped $14 million, and a chunk of invoices for such expenses as overtime, travel and professional services have yet to be submitted, newly released records show.
Type of flag Utah settlers flew has been lost to history (6-14)
High above the Capitol rotunda above the front doors is a mural of men erecting the Stars and Stripes on Ensign Peak on July 26, 1847. If the event really happened, it was the first proud and patriotic posting of the national colors in Utah. Only, it probably did not happen.
Lawyers for FLDS may sue over raid (6-13)
Lawyers for the Fundamentalist LDS Church are preparing for what could become a series of lawsuits against Texas authorities for the raid on the YFZ Ranch.
Mormon Times--Book tells extrordinary tales of handcart pioneers (6-13)
Andrew D. Olsen, author of "The Price We Paid, the Extraordinary Story of the Willie & Martin handcart Pioneers," shares the stories and people of these best-known handcart companies in the most in-depth and complete retelling of their incredible saga ever published.
Summit targets FLDS (6-12)
The top law enforcement authorities from Utah, Arizona, Nevada and Texas gathered in a closed-door summit here, mapping out a cooperative plan to go after crimes within polygamous sects.
Mormon Times--The Word of Wisdom in a caffeinated world (6-11)
Many members have wondered why caffeine is not explicitly forbidden by the current interpretation of the Word of Wisdom since it is a potentially harmful substance found in coffee and tea, two substances that are forbidden.
Beware of FLDS enforcers, Texas told (6-11)
Texas police have been standing guard outside the home of the Texas judge who ordered the removal of all the FLDS children from the YFZ Ranch.
Washington County sends dossiers of select FLDS members to Texas officials (6-11)
The Washington (Utah) County Sheriff's Office sent Texas authorities dossiers of several FLDS members "who may engage in acts of intimidation or violence again law enforcement and/or potential witnesses."
Mormon Times--Kirby Heyborne: Mormon, actor, not yet a millionaire (6-10)
Ideally, Kirby Heyborne would earn a living by making the type of First Presidency-approved, church-sanctioned films that are shown in Legacy Theater on Temple Square.
Mormon Times--'Saturday's Warrior' sequel is engaging, fast-paced (6-10)
Is not being bad good enough? Why do bad things happen to good people? How much sacrifice is "enough"? What is "family " anyway?
Mormon Times--Bulgarian missionary incident called a misunderstanding (6-10)
A recent request by a Bulgarian Orthodox priest to remove LDS missionaries from Bulgaria and revoke the LDS Church's official registration in that country may have been the result of a misunderstanding.
LDS black leaders call for spirit of unity (6-9)
Though they may not fully understand the reasons for the LDS Church's one-time ban on priesthood for black males, three black leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called for a spirit of unity amid the growing diversity within the church on Sunday as they joined thousands in celebration at the Tabernacle.
Lawyer is keen on justice for FLDS clients (6-9)
He is not a member of the FLDS Church. Nor is he a member of the LDS Church, though he used to be.
LDS marking 30-year milestone (6-7)
Since 1978, when 19 Africans were baptized members of the LDS Church, more than 270,000 people on that continent have become Latter-day Saints, and the estimate of black membership worldwide is pegged at about 1 million.
Much has changed for LDS blacks since '78 (6-7)
Recording artist Gladys Knight was working on her first solo single in 1978, a disco-dancing song whose title, "It's a Better Than Good Time," would come to describe the feeling of many Latter-day Saints on June 8 that year.
Mormon Times--Temple is crown of growth in Brazil (6-7)
In what he called "a long-awaited day," President Thomas S. Monson dedicated the Curitiba Brazil Temple on June 1.
Mormon Times--Changes in Church leadership (6-7)
The First Presidency has announced changes in area leadership assignments and the Church's administrative areas.
Suspected 'Sarah' will be in court today (6-6)
The woman considered a "person of interest" in the phone call that sparked the massive raid on the Fundamentalist LDS Church's YFZ Ranch is scheduled to make her first appearance in court this morning.
Mormon Times--Raiders of the lost Book of Mormon geography (6-6)
It used to be that going on a "Book of Mormon lands" tour required a passport, immunizations and bottled water. Now all it takes is $1,979 per person and airfare to New York. New York? Aren't Book of Mormon lands in Central America?
UEP Trust waiting on FLDS probe (6-5)
Lawyers for the court-controlled real-estate holdings arm of the Fundamentalist LDS Church say they will wait until a criminal investigation into the polygamous sect subsides before pushing subpoenas to see evidence.
All FLDS children returned to parents (6-5)
The last of the hundreds of children taken in the raid on the Fundamentalist LDS Church's YFZ Ranch have now been reunited with their parents.
Most caregivers enjoyed the FLDS children (6-4)
Nearly 400 FLDS children have now been reunited with their parents with most of the other 50 or so expected to go home today.
'I didn't bring this on FLDS,' sheriff says (6-4)
He was the man at the gates in the white cowboy hat and the folksy southern drawl.
Split was a heavy burden for FLDS family (6-4)
It was obvious that Zachary had had enough of prying eyes, nosy news people, snapping cameras and inquisitive strangers.
Mormon Times--Couple's wish: 'Bring people to God' (6-3)
Don and Jerri Harwell could cite their desires to know God, their beliefs in prayer or even the Osmonds as reasons that led them to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and, eventually, to each other.
Joyful reunion--FLDS children can't get enough hugs as they join their mom (6-3)
The two-story twin home is small with a tiny back patio, but it's home.
LDS leader meets with Brazil's v.p. (6-3)
After dedicating the Curitiba Brazil Temple on Sunday, President Thomas S. Monson flew to Brasilia Monday and met with Brazil's Vice President Jose Alancar in his government office.
Polygamous sect pledges to quit performing underage marriages (6-3)
The same day a judge signed an order returning hundreds of FLDS children taken in the raid to their anxious parents, the polygamous sect pledged to no longer perform underage marriages.
Mormon Times--'Saints at War: Faithful Heroes' film nearing completion (6-2)
Although his faithful Latter-day Saint parents in East Germany had expected it would happen "someday," President Dieter F. Uchtdorf describes it as "a great surprise" when the Berlin Wall came down in November 1989.
Mormon Times--Mormon pageant season begins next week (6-2)
The 2008 pageant season begins next week when the Mormon Miracle Pageant kicks off in Manti, Utah, on June 12.
FLDS trust faces court hearing in Texas (6-2)
The man appointed by a Utah court to oversee the real-estate holdings arm of the Fundamentalist LDS Church is pushing to see what authorities seized when they raided the YFZ Ranch.
Texans had been 'reining in' the FLDS via state laws (6-2)
If the Fundamentalist LDS Church wanted to be left alone, it certainly seemed like its members picked the right place out on the west Texas prairie.
FLDS official: No more underage marriages; reunifications begin with the children (6-2)
Perhaps bowing to the pressure at the center of the FLDS custody case, a spokesman for the church today released a prepared statement saying members will be counseled to not allow or participate in marriages below the age of consent.
A new deal on FLDS offered (6-2)
A new order to return hundreds of children taken in the raid on the Fundamentalist LDS Church's YFZ Ranch will be put before a judge today.
Brazil temple dedicated (6-2)
On his first trip outside North America since becoming the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Thomas S. Monson dedicated the Curitiba Brazil Temple on Sunday, saying that this was "a long-awaited day" for church members in Brazil and missionaries who have served here.
Lawyers meet behind closed doors in FLDS case (6-1)
An order to return hundreds of children taken in a raid on the Fundamentalist LDS Church's YFZ Ranch will be filed Monday morning with Judge Barbara Walther.
Mormon Times--Schroder: Actor's conversion story (6-1)
Andrea Bernard, like many other teenage girls in the '80s, had a crush on Ricky Schroder.