March 2010
MormonTimes - Deseret Book Top 10 best-selling products (3-31-10)
A listing of the top-selling products in Deseret Book stores:
MormonTimes - 100 years ago: April 1910 general conference (3-31)
"Children urged to stay at home" was some of the counsel given church members at the April 1910 general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
For 35 years, Church Office Building has been symbolic Mormon headquarters, operational center for church growth (3-31)
It's a symbol of church headquarters, and to church leaders it's even a miracle maker.
MormonTimes - Do Mormons need an Anti-Defamation League? (3-31)
Jews have one. Catholics have one. Do Mormons need an independent anti-defamation group that stands up and challenges misinformation, bigotry and verbal slams concerning their faith and fellow members?
MormonTimes - Mormons a topic that draws hostile posts (3-30)
I often get private messages on the USA TODAY social network (you join it when you set up an icon and login to comment on a story of blog post) from people who are asking why their posts have been deleted or unhappy with a discussion they say disparages their faith or philosophy.
MormonTimes - Conference will mean more if you are spiritually prepared (3-30)
Mormons seem to have cornered the market on emergency preparedness.
MormonTimes - Banish distractions, focus on Mormon conference speakers (3-30)
Elder Neal A. Maxwell once pointed out that opportunities to personally meet and listen to the leaders of the church are limited.
MormonTimes - Priesthood session is a chance to strengthen ties (3-30)
Brotherhood. Duty. Spirit. Tradition. No, it's not a marketing slogan for BYU football.
Mormon geography conferences to compete this weekend (3-29)
They call it the "heartland" model of Book of Mormon lands. Within the movement, phrases like "Joseph Smith knew" are almost holy mantras and the word "Mesoamerica" is a cussword.
MormonTimes - Hidden treasures around Temple Square (3-29)
You've been through the tabernacle. You've seen the film in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. You've even stopped by the new Deseret Book flagship store.
MormonTimes - What's open conference weekend (3-29)
Films produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- "Legacy," "The Testaments of One Fold and One Shepherd" and "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration" -- are shown at regularly scheduled times in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building during general conference weekend.
MormonTimes - Elder Holland dedicates Mormon Battalion Historic Site (3-29)
After extensive renovation and technological enhancement, the newly reopened Mormon Battalion Historic Site operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Diego was officially dedicated on Friday.
MormonTimes - Who were Nephites scattered and smitten by? (3-29)
To recap and finish this particular discussion about if the Americas were populated when Lehi and family arrived, Lehi received revelation that their promised land would be "kept from all other nations" (2 Nephi 1:9).
MormonTimes - Pioneers to descend on Church History Museum (3-29)
Pioneer profilers, including Sarah Granger Kimball and Brigham Young, will appear at the museum throughout the day on Friday, April 2, and Saturday, April 3.
MormonTimes - Making conference more meaningful for yourself (3-28)
General conference is precisely what you make it.
Historic Eagle Gate a prominent Salt Lake landmark (3-28)
For more than 150 years, the Eagle Gate has been one of downtown Salt Lake City's most prominent landmarks.
MormonTimes - Social justice in the Book of Mormon (3-27)
Imagine a grand council of humanity. In this meeting it doesn't matter what one's position is on Earth.
MormonTimes - Is the freedom to share the gospel a human right? (3-27)
Many Latter-day Saints may not be familiar with the term "proselytism," but it's making the rounds in academic and media circles in a debate about the rights and ethics of religions to convert others, particularly overseas. In Mormon vernacular, it's all about the obligation and role of "missionary work."
MormonTimes - Pres. John Taylor artifacts preserved: platter, plane, book (3-27)
Three descendants of John Taylor donated to the church artifacts representative of his legacy. President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve received the gifts on behalf of the church in his office on March 17. He has since turned the artifacts over to the Church Historical Department.
MormonTimes - Restoration must be at the forefront of interfaith dialogue (3-26)
Mormons should push to openly talk about their differences in interfaith dialogue rather than overlooking them, a British religious scholar told listeners at BYU Studies' 50th Anniversary Symposium on March 12.
MormonTimes - Pre-existence conditions and freedom (3-26)
One of the favorite topics in any gathering of theology and philosophy aficionados is the problem of evil -- more specifically, understanding the reason why an omnipotent God could allow suffering and evil.
MormonTimes - Nibley a passionate defender of the Book of Mormon (3-26)
A man known for throwing written and verbal poison darts at the wealthy, the social elite, BYU's dress code and war never took potshots at the Book of Mormon.
MormonTimes - Doctor explains martyrdom in antebellum America (3-25-10)
Looking at antebellum Protestant culture puts the Mormon view of martyrdom into vivid context, and helped resolve tense paradoxes about why the good and righteous suffer, a Utah doctor said.
MormonTimes - Portraits of the past: Downham, Great Britain (3-25)
On his first mission to Great Britain, Elder Heber C. Kimball served in the region of Preston and the Ribble Valley.
MormonTimes - Chargers' Eric Weddle finds his joy in the LDS Church (3-24)
It was hard to tell if the freshman was serious or just being polite.
MormonTimes - Joseph Smith Irish? And sympathy for the Osmonds (3-24)
Odds and Ends
MormonTimes - Mormons can learn from other faiths (3-24)
LDS general conference is a week away. So this week, many of us will be reminiscing -- remembering favorite talks and moments from conferences gone by.
MormonTimes - New institute building shows growth at Southern Virginia (3-23)
It's midday Sunday on a bright winter day, and the new LDS chapel next to Southern Virginia University's campus is bustling as five student wards take turns meeting in the chapel, cultural hall and rooms throughout the building.
MormonTimes - What about statements that say the Lehites came here alone? (3-22)
From a textual and scientific standpoint there is no escaping the conclusion that other native populations co-existed and intermarried with the Lehites, so let's move on to our second question: What about statements from leaders or verses in the Book of Mormon that suggest Lehites arrived to a continent void of other people?
MormonTimes - Maricopa, Arizona, family ties strong in LDS Church (3-22)
Joe Estes is a successful attorney, a city councilman and a respected city leader.
Glenn Beck gives Skousen book's sales a 'Leap' (3-21)
Here's the latest formula for producing a best-seller:
MormonTimes - Apostle attends LDS night with the Houston Rockets (3-21)
The Houston Rockets defeated the visiting New Jersey Nets 116-108 on March 13 in a National Basketball Association matchup at Toyota Center.
MormonTimes - Collectors get hands-on with historic letters (3-20)
It was a seminar especially for those who pine for the days of written correspondence, of days long past when people wrote feelings and business transactions in eloquently flowing cursive.
MormonTimes - LDS saluted for their efforts to aid fellow Chileans (3-20)
Recovery from large-scale disasters such as the massive earthquake that rocked Chile on Feb. 27 is best measured in stages.
MormonTimes - Mormon Media Observer: DNews let the public down (3-20)
In the wake of former Utah House Majority Leader Kevin Garn's confession about his "mistake" about getting into a hot tub naked with a 15-year-old girl 25 years ago, the public has also learned about another questionable decision, this one at the Deseret News eight years ago.
MormonTimes - Classical scholarship drove Nibley to religion (3-19)
That Hugh Nibley was a gifted scholar is not a statement that is new to those who knew him. But the man who had an extensive amount of scholarship, especially in the classics, never intended to use his talents for anything but the gospel, according to one BYU scholar.
MormonTimes - Young Women get connected March 27 (3-19)
Presidency asks all teens, mothers to make general meeting a priority Members of the Young Women general presidency said they are thrilled to hear that young women, their mothers, and their leaders are making the General Young Women Meeting on March 27 an event -- a priority.
MormonTimes - Relief Society commemoration in Nauvoo (3-18)
On March 17, 2010, LDS sisters throughout the world celebrated the 168th anniversary of the organization of the Relief Society.
MormonTimes - The three witnesses and the reality of the Book of Mormon (3-18)
Serious critics of the Book of Mormon must neutralize the testimonies of the witnesses to the golden plates.
MormonTimes - LDS missionaries stand out among college students (3-18)
Most people have seen them; dressed in white, collared shirts, dress slacks, ties and black name badges.
Portraits of the past: preaching in Chatburn (3-18)
Elder Heber C. Kimball served two remarkably productive missions to Great Britain.
Mormon church gives first lady Michelle Obama volume of family history (3-17)
For the second time in less than a year, Mormon church leaders have met with a President Barack Obama family member in the White House to present a volume of history.
MormonTimes - Mormon among those killed at Mexican consulate shooting (3-17)
The brutal murders of a Mormon and his pregnant wife have left local LDS Church members in a state of sadness, shock, disappointment and concern.
MormonTimes - Joseph Smith now even more Irish (3-17)
Mormon prophet Joseph Smith Jr., was shown in 2008 to have descended from Irish royalty.
MormonTimes - Mariners schedule LDS Night; Institute to throw out first pitch (3-17)
Seattle Mariners legend Ken Griffey, Jr. and star outfielder Ichiro Suzuki aren't Mormon, but on one summer night in the Emerald City, both will share the spotlight with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
MormonTimes - Latter-day Saints can learn from sacred days on the calendar (3-16)
It was my first year in my first full-time reporting job after graduation, and Mardi Gras was on my beat.
MormonTimes - Beck responds to backlash, Mormons respond to Beck (3-15)
Glenn Beck has responded to accusations his recent comments to be anti-poor and anti-church. At the same time Mormons have been responding to Beck saying he doesn't get the gospel.
MormonTimes - First Presidency urges Mormons to participate in U.S. Census (3-15)
In a letter to be read in all U.S. congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the First Presidency urged Mormons to participate in the 2010 United States Census:
MormonTimes - Logical arguments for existence of 'others' in Book of Mormon times (3-15)
As discussed last week, the Book of Mormon doesn't mention "others" for at least two reasons:
MormonTimes - Section 138 called timeless, timely by Y. professor (3-14)
BYU professor George S. Tate didn't need to say a word to extol the timeliness of Doctrine & Covenants Section 138.
MormonTimes - Going to the temple: A defining moment (3-14)
I will never forget my experience of going to the temple for the first time, before I went on my mission.
MormonTimes - Holding Aaronic Priesthood is an extraordinary privilege (3-14)
I write today for my son and other young men about what an extraordinary privilege it is to be an Aaronic Priesthood holder. You have been ordained and given POWER, by someone with authority from God, to act in God's name on the earth today.
Mormons, other Christians decry Glenn Beck comments on social justice (3-13)
Fox News talk-show host Glenn Beck has outraged some Christians by asking them to leave their church if it preaches about "social justice" or "economic justice"--terms he believes could be code words for communism or Nazism.
MormonTimes - BYU Symposium: LDS Church's first legal status (3-13)
For years historians thought that when the Mormon church was originally created it followed a particular 19th-century New York statute. But David Stott, an attorney from New York, found that the church was complying with a different set of legal rules.
MormonTimes - Providential history described by BYU historian (3-13)
Many Christian historians have done great things in keeping providential history alive in the modern decades, but too many put huge obstacles in the way because they don't believe in continuing revelation, a Brigham Young University professor of history said Friday.
MormonTimes - A different take on the Carthage mob -- BYU Studies Symposium (3-13)
Those who were responsible for the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum on June 27, 1844, were not who might you think they were, according to one presenter at the BYU Studies 50th Anniversary Symposium.
MormonTimes - Four good ideas to reinvent media (3-13)
In business circles one of the buzzwords these days is the "BHAG," the Big Hairy Audacious Goal. The leader of the LDS Church's media-related companies has one of those: to reach hundreds of millions of people worldwide with light and knowledge. He's getting a good start with four good projects.
Journal on LDS scholarship celebrates 50 years (3-13)
Turning 50 isn't normally a birthday to savor--unless you're a journal.
MormonTimes - Bodyguard to Pres. Hinckley reflects on prophet’s genuineness (3-13)
David Sayer recounted some of his fondest memories serving as President Gordon B. Hinckley's bodyguard, to institute students at Westminster College, recapturing the spirit and spunk of the late Mormon prophet.
Nov. 1 trial set for Brian David Mitchell, accused of kidnapping Elizabeth Smart (3-12)
On the seventh anniversary of the day Elizabeth Smart was found after being abducted for nine months, a trial date was set for her accused kidnapper, Brian David Mitchell.
MormonTimes - Turning Book of Moses into commentary took effort (3-12)
Turning an eight-chapter book of scripture into a 1,000-plus-page commentary wasn't a seamless process for Jeffrey M. Bradshaw.
MormonTimes - Book of Mormon has administration plan (3-12)
The Book of Mormon serves readers in many ways, "but equally present on its pages one finds the foundational administrative principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ," said John W. Welch in his Church History Symposium presentation Feb. 26.
MormonTimes - Opposition to Mormonism started early (3-11)
Many critics of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claim the advent of the Internet and free access of information created their critical view of Mormonism.
MormonTimes - Comedy: Mormon stand-ups keep their humor clean (3-11)
Ask a Mormon to describe his or her favorite comedian's humor and you're bound to hear the phrase "really clean" at least once.
MormonTimes - Hugh Nibley writings that changed the church (3-11)
Hugh Nibley was an editor's dream.
MormonTimes - Mormon Media Observer's potpourri of news and opinion (3-10)
Genealogy makes it big on TV. Are Mormons and Catholics starting a new interfaith age? Beck offends evangelicals. Is a college outreach to Mormons wrong, but gay outreach OK
MormonTimes - Scripture in depth: Moses 2:26 (3-10)
"And I, God, said unto mine Only Begotten, which was with me from the beginning: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." (Moses 2:26)
MormonTimes - The writing of 'Lord, I Would Follow Thee' (3-10)
Sometimes Heavenly Father sends us opportunities that nearly take our breath away, and require that we gather everything we are, or desire to be -- everything we have accomplished or are praying for -- and place it all in his hands -- then walk, as we never have before, by faith.
MormonTimes - Retired LDS FBI agent recalls career in new autobiography (3-10)
Retired FBI agent James Wright weaves his Mormon faith into his new book about the cases in which he worked to bring criminals to justice.
Interest in genealogy taking off thanks to new TV shows (3-9)
Genealogy is not the boring word anymore that applies only to your grandmother or mother.
MormonTimes - Valerie Hudson: A feminist because of faith (3-9)
She's on a list that includes President Obama and the Clintons -- a list that includes everyone from the Pope to Richard Dawkins.
MormonTimes - Symposium deals with the institution of the church (3-9)
Though people, places and events are often thought of as comprising the history of the church, much of that history is found within its institutional and administrative structure: the priesthood quorums, leadership councils, auxiliary organizations and written guidelines by which its work has been accomplished.
MormonTimes - Hockey, biathlon part of Seminary Olympic Games in Texas (3-9)
An Olympic torch was passed through all the seminary classrooms in the Hurst Texas Stake, eventually reaching its final destination at the Seminary Olympic Games on Jan. 30.
Funeral service held in Provo for Marie Osmond's son (3-8)
Marie Osmond's 18-year-old son was remembered at a funeral service Monday with fond words, laughter and music from his famous singing family.
MormonTimes - Sister Bednar: Pray to hear 'promptings of the Spirit' (3-8)
Sister Susan R. Bednar, wife of Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve, spoke at a fireside at the conclusion of a weekend conference held by the 25-30 Association of the Salt Lake Institute of Religion.
MormonTimes - Why aren't other peoples mentioned in the Book of Mormon? (3-8)
Last week it was explained that the Lehites were a small incursion into a larger existing New World population. Such a position raises at least two questions:
Mormon leaders and Salt Lake City work together to transform land (3-6)
When the Mormon Church recently purchased 13 acres near 400 South and Main Street in Salt Lake City, some wondered if the church was "expanding" its traditional buffer around Temple Square.
MormonTimes - Mesa Arizona Easter Pageant now largest of its kind (3-5)
Loran and Marilyn Webb saw the original Mesa Arizona Easter Pageant more than 40 years ago, back when they were dating and when the pageant was a one-time sunrise service presented atop a flatbed cotton wagon.
MormonTimes - Cricket & Seagull: Author writes 'Trust God no matter what' (3-5)
Darla Isackson knows her topic by heart because she has lived it -- those moments which surprise us, frustrate us, break our hearts, and leave us reeling, wondering if everything we believe is really true.
MormonTimes - The truth about Hugh Nibley myths (3-5)
Imagine, if you will, that Hugh Nibley is stuck like Bill Murray in the movie "Groundhog Day" -- except instead of repeating the same day over and over, the magic of folklore is creating multiple stories of how Nibley found love and marriage at BYU.
MormonTimes - What is the definition of 'anti-Mormon'? (3-5)
I have often heard the criticism that Latter-day Saints classify everyone who disagrees with our beliefs as "anti-Mormon." Of course, the people who say this are usually anti-Mormons. Am I proving their point? I don't think so.
MormonTimes - Latter-day Saint families are focus of NBA team promotion (3-5)
In an effort to increase attendance, the National Basketball Association's Golden State Warriors wanted to know how they could draw Latter-day Saint families and their friends to a game.
BYU housing proposed to replace Deseret Towers (3-4)
What was once a cubist skyline along 900 East will soon become a sleek new housing development.
MormonTimes - Meet 'Mahana': 'Lingo' leads actress to lifelong fame (3-4)
Naomi Kahoilua Wilson insists that making the Mormon film "Johnny Lingo" in 1969 was more like a huge Polynesian luau -- fun coming above film formalities.
MormonTimes - BYU students solve Mormon mysteries (3-4)
The questions usually start simply enough.
MormonTimes - Mormon-Catholic tolerance goes back to Brigham Young years (3-4)
During his forum address at Brigham Young University on Feb. 23, Francis Cardinal George, head of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, mentioned last year's participation by President Thomas S. Monson and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the centennial celebrations for Salt Lake City's Catholic Cathedral of the Madeleine.
MormonTimes - Author celebrates Pirates and Mormon ace of 1960 (3-3)
John Moody didn't know much about Mormons, but he did know Vernon Law.
MormonTimes - Books on Mormonism show change (3-3)
The LifeWay Christian Store on South State Street in Salt Lake City has a shelf of LDS literature.
MormonTimes - 2 Olympics medals for Mormon athletes (3-3)
Seven Mormon athletes competing in the 2010 Winter Olympics accounted for one gold medal, one bronze medal and a fourth-place finish.
MormonTimes - Deseret Book's Top 10 best-selling products (3-3)
A listing of the top-selling products in Deseret Book stores:
MormonTimes - Osmonds, Romney, Mormons and Catholics (3-3)
The MMO takes the media pulse in three areas: slimy tabloids intrude into the Osmonds' sacred space in the wake of a tragedy, the media still can't move beyond Mitt Romney's faith, and U.K.'s Guardian takes a jaded view of Mormon-Catholic cooperation.
MormonTimes - Giant LDS Church holding open house (3-2)
A model of the largest LDS church in existence is about to have an open house (on March 5 and 6) in Rexburg. The double chapel is 38,000 square feet.
LDS Church ships food to earthquake victims in Chile (3-2)
The LDS Church is delivering several large shipments of food throughout the quake-affected areas of Chile.
MormonTimes - Forgotten Mormon catechisms (3-2)
1. Q. What are Mormon catechisms? A. Catechisms used by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- very popular in the 19th century, but now mostly forgotten.
MormonTimes - Utah 'Elvis' a walking billboard for Mormonism (3-2)
Kerry Summers is keenly aware that his Elvis-style, jet-black, bouffant hair and long sideburns draw a lot of attention.
Mitchell to 'face the music,' father of Elizabeth Smart says (3-1)
Brian David Mitchell, the man accused of abducting and raping Elizabeth Smart, has been ruled competent to stand trial in federal court.
MormonTimes - Reader Voices: Southern Baptist finds gospel in Utah (3-1)
Growing up very active in the Southern Baptist church in Georgia, Marsha Addams could not in her wildest dreams have imagined she would one day become a Mormon.
MormonTimes - Dismissing Book of Mormon geography inaccuracies (3-1)
One issue that relates in important ways to Book of Mormon geography is the human composition of the ancient Americas.