May 2009
MormonTimes--Mormon lessons in self-reliance can help families survive (5-31-9)
Plant a vegetable garden. Store food and water. Avoid debt. Build up savings. Sound like a plan for these tough economic times?
Question: Is Glenn Beck Mormon? (5-30)
Questions about Glenn Beck's faith are being posed by thousands of Internet-browsing Americans still exploring affiliations of the wound-up fury of fiery conservatism.
LDS Church's Elder Russell Nelson, wife robbed in Mozambique (5-30)
Elder Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Quorum of the Twelve and his wife, Wendy, were among church leaders robbed by armed assailants Friday evening in the Mozambique Maputo Mission home.
Mountain Meadows rites help bridge animosities (5-30)
The paths of two seemingly divergent groups violently collided more than a century and a half ago here in the mountains some 35 miles southwest of Cedar City--one a wagon train of emigrants from northwest Arkansas bound for California and the other members of a Mormon community in southwestern Utah.
Church reviews plans for massacre site (5-30)
Using the visit of Mountain Meadows Massacre descendants to Utah for the 150th anniversary of the reburial of victims' remains, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reviewed its application for National Historic Landmark consideration as well as a master plan for expansion and development of site property.
Dream-makers: 3 local authors gaining far-reaching reputations as fantasy writers (5-30)
There's another world out there--one filled with magic and mystery and even dragons.
Author draws her inspiration from fairy tales (5-30)
Julie Berry is an LDS mother of four boys younger than 12 who lives just outside Boston.
The Lion of LDS Letters heads home (5-30)
To paraphrase W.H. Auden: Earth receive an honored guest, Truman Madsen's laid to rest. The Lion of LDS Letters is gone.
Backers of same-sex marriage raise issue of LDS support of Prop. 8 (5-30)
As more states take up the debate on same-sex marriage, some advocates of legalization are taking a very specific lesson from California, where The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dominated both fundraising and door-knocking to pass a ballot initiative that barred such unions.
MormonTimes--Larry King's hard choice: Provo or 'eternal nothingness' (5-30)
In a long article in GQ magazine, broadcaster Larry King talks about his life and his connection to Utah and Mormons. His wife is LDS and he owns a home in Utah, but he is by no means endeared to his Provo home or her LDS beliefs. But, as always, King handles it with a great sense of wit.
MormonTimes--Church membership is hard, but it's worth it (5-30)
A while back at our stake Relief Society conference, there was a parody performance on the many expectations on women in the church. The song was a laundry list of things from changing diapers to preparing for lessons to doing family-history work. It was funny but true. There are a lot of things expected of us as members of the church.
Celebrating the youth: Events a chance for kids to focus on temple (5-30)
Thousands of teens clad in bright costumes and waving colorful flags retraced the rich legacy of Utah through song and dance Friday evening.
MormonTimes--'Mother tongue': Bible language in Joseph Smith's family (5-30)
As Emma Smith described, Joseph Smith was "neither able to write nor dictate a coherent and well-worded letter, let alone dictate a book like the Book or Mormon." But that does not mean that Joseph Smith was uneducated, nor does it mean that he did not have vast knowledge of the Bible.
Former BYU professor Truman Madsen dies (5-29)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lost one of its great orators and scholars with the passing of Truman G. Madsen on Thursday. The emeritus professor of philosophy at Brigham Young University and former director of the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies died at his Provo home after a yearlong battle with cancer. He was 82.
MormonTimes--Member's dreams come true in YouTube concert (5-29)
Two LDS church members competed against more than 3,000 talented musicians and won the opportunity to appear in the world’s first online-auditioned orchestra at New York’s Carnegie Hall in April 2009.
MormonTimes--'The Continuous Atonement' real, infinite (5-29)
Author Brad Wilcox has a message for those who are sincerely trying to improve themselves -- that the atonement of Jesus Christ is not only real, but infinite.
MormonTimes--Liahona, Iron Rod: Which LDS brand is best? (5-29)
Are you a Liahona, an Iron Rod, or just an apostate? Last December, I overheard a group of BYU students discussing Proposition 8, the church-backed California ballot initiative proposing a statewide ban on gay marriage. The students were animated and thoughtful in their discussion, but the general consensus might have startled some Latter-day Saints.
MormonTimes--Truman G. Madsen, LDS author and scholar, died Thursday (5-28)
Truman Grant Madsen, 82, emeritus professor of philosophy at BYU and former director of the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies in Jerusalem, died today, May 28, 2009.
MormonTimes--Challenging issues and keeping the faith: Part 6 (5-28)
Few church members have really encountered serious anti-Mormon arguments. Most have heard a few LDS-critical comments in the media or from acquaintances. Those who have attended General Conference, a temple open house, or an LDS historical pageant have probably seen the protesters and may have accepted, out of curiosity, some of their anti-Mormon literature. After browsing the literature it is typically thrown away and the member's testimony remains unscathed.
MormonTimes--Mormons and the Illinois and Michigan Canal (5-28)
While the Erie Canal in New York may be more famous, the Illinois and Michigan Canal (I&M Canal) was just as significant argued Vickie Speek in her presentation "Mormons and the I&M Canal" last Saturday at the Mormon History Conference. And for some 19th century Mormons, this canal was triply significant as it provided economic, transportation and missionary opportunities.
MormonTimes--Relating our faith to the rest of Christianity (5-28)
How do you plan to spend your summer vacation? Whether you're at the beach, in the mountains, visiting family, or just working on the yard and having an occasional barbecue at home, having a little free time can mean reading a book. I'd like to recommend three books that I have found vital to understanding our faith in relation to the rest of Christianity.
MormonTimes--Law in Joseph Smith's day (5-28)
American law in Joseph Smith's day is almost unrecognizable today, because so much has changed, and one must be careful and meticulous in combining the tools, legal research and statutory and documentary analysis in drawing conclusions, said John W. Welch, a professor at the J. Reuben Clark Law School at BYU.
MormonTimes--'First laborers' laid church's foundation (5-27)
Any serious building project has distinct stages. For example, the planning stage takes place off-site and in advance. It requires a vision of the big picture, and of every fine detail, start to finish.
MormonTimes--Utah's SB81 will break up LDS families (5-27)
I can only speak from my own LDS experience here, but I hold Utah lawmakers responsible for breaking up good LDS families and forcing young American citizens out of their native land.
MormonTimes--Witnessing the kindling of a great gospel spirit (5-27)
Until a few months ago, missionary and member activity in the Greensboro Branch in the Bessemer Alabama Stake was withering.
MormonTimes--Quick Mormon media hits (5-27)
Here's a collection of recent LDS mentions in the media:
MormonTimes--Youths celebrate 2 new temples with music, dance (5-26)
Many teens in the youth choir at the Draper Temple cornerstone ceremony were excited to be in the presence of a prophet, sing for him and help him dedicate a new temple.
MormonTimes--Muslims meet Mormons in Idaho (5-26)
An Egyptian family spoke to BYU-Idaho students, sharing their culture and religious beliefs. The University is trying to teach a Rexburg community that is highly dominated by Latter-day Saints to have an understanding of the Middle East.
MormonTimes--Book of Commandments 'major discovery' (5-26)
A manuscript found in the First Presidency's vault -- characterized by Assistant Church Historian Richard E. Turley Jr. as "a major documentary discovery" -- was discussed May 22 by four scholars from the Church History Department before a gathering of some 400 church history enthusiasts here.
2 Utah couples have blissful time on 'Here Come the Newlyweds' (5-24)
If you're surprised to learn that not one but two couples on the second season of "Here Come the Newlyweds" are from Utah, you're not alone. "We were shocked," said Jed Hinkins of Cedar City, one-half of one of those couples.
The Mormons and America's empires (5-24)
When University of Notre Dame scholar Walter Nugent, a non-Mormon, set out to prepare his lecture for this year’s Mormon History Association Conference, he laid out a working hypothesis about the history of the LDS Church as it pertains to American expansionism. By his own admission, he turned out to be wrong.
MormonTimes--Reflections of an Emma Hale Smith biographer (5-24)
In a standing-room only conference room, Mormon historians gathered to honor the 25th anniversary of the publication of "Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith" at the Mormon History Conference on Saturday afternoon.
MormonTimes--Illinois officials honored by history association for regret (5-23)
Five years ago, Illinois passed a resolution formally expressing regret for the persecution of Mormons and their 1846 expulsion from the state. On May 22, the Mormon History Association honored two state officials who helped get the measure passed.
MormonTimes--'Massacre' receives honors from Mormon History Association (5-23)
A long-awaited book on the infamous Mountain Meadows Massacre has received the Best Book Award from the Mormon History Association at its 44th annual conference convening here this week.
MormonTimes--Joseph Smith and Lincoln viewed one colleague differently (5-23)
"Mormonism and the Land of Lincoln" reads the title of the 44th annual Mormon History Association Conference and in preparing for the conference in Springfield, historians searched for links connecting the Prophet to the 16th President.
BYU professor speaks on LDS polygamy (5-23)
Though it has often been noted how difficult it was to introduce polygamy into a puritanical society, it was even more difficult to move out of polygamy, the president of the Mormon History Association said Saturday night.
MormonTimes--Carthage Jail in Mormon memory (5-23)
"Within a few years of the martyrdom, Gov. Thomas Ford recognized that the events that unfolded in Carthage might transform a common county jail into sacred space ... that Nauvoo and the Carthage Jail may become holy and venerable names, places of classic interest like Jerusalem."
MormonTimes--East African general authority finds full joy in gospel (5-23)
As converts who discovered the LDS Church in their African homeland while raising a young family, Elder Joseph W. Sitati and his wife, Sister Gladys Sitati, learned early an essential gospel truth: It's the simple things that matter most.
Springfield, Ill., had early LDS connections (5-22)
A statue of young Abraham Lincoln, depicted on the Illinois state commemorative quarter, was sculpted by a Mormon from Utah, but not many people know that.
MormonTimes--Publishing 1840 Book of Mormon no easy task (5-22)
Grab the nearest Book of Mormon before reading this article.
Provo's Pioneer Village is ready to reopen its doors (5-22)
For retired college sociology instructor Steve Nelson, Pioneer Village at North Park is a labor of love.
MormonTimes--Historic buildings open this weekend (5-22)
The official residence of early Mormon apostle Orson Hyde heads the list of 17 restored homes, religious and commercial structures open for public tours during Spring City Heritage Day on Saturday, May 23.
MormonTimes--MHA opening session: A religious backdrop to the Civil War (5-22)
"In 1815, in the glow of good feelings prompted by the return of peace, American citizens looked with unprecedented confidence to their republic's future. To the community of the pious, the young new nation presented an array of boundless opportunities."
MormonTimes--Mentoring was key in BYU film project (5-22)
Brigham Young University's first theatrical film release debuted this month, after years of combined effort by students and professors from departments across the Provo campus.
Oquirrh Mountain Temple: "It's a wonderful thing" (5-21)
Having led a group of journalists Wednesday through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' new Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the church's Quorum of the Twelve summarized the purpose of such tours.
MormonTimes--LDS singer says talent is gift, responsibility (5-21)
Katie Miner believes there's more that unites artists in the Christian music genre than divides them, even when some of those artists, like her, are Mormon.
LDS-Lincoln links being examined at Mormon History Association meetings (5-20)
In this bicentennial anniversary year of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, an eclectic gathering of Mormon history enthusiasts is meeting today in Springfield, Lincoln's hometown and the capital of Illinois, for the annual four-day conference of the Mormon History Association.
MormonTimes--Memorial to the prophets (5-20)
With cameras in hand, Tom and Becky Welker stopped by the grave of President Gordon B. Hinckley to take a quick picture and pay their respects at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
MormonTimes--New research: media trying with LDS stories (5-20)
New research on Mormons and media show that media are making attempts to distinguish between FLDS and LDS. Other research shows the polarization that often occurs in Utah media over controversial issues, in this case the cancellation of the movie "Brokeback Mountain" in some Utah theaters in 2006.
South Jordan will soon be home to 2 temples (5-19)
Quick--name the city where two LDS Church temples are located.
MormonTimes--Making the most of the new Mormon Channel (5-19)
Oh wow! I wasn't the only one excited about the new Mormon Channel launched Monday morning.
MormonTimes--Mormon history convention in Illinois (5-19)
An estimated 500 members of the Mormon History Association will travel by plane, train and automobile -- from all parts of the world -- for their annual conference next week.
MormonTimes--Mountain Meadows group investigates Idaho skull (5-19)
A skull with a bullet hole in it found in an Idaho pawn shop has raised speculation that it might be connected with the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre.
MormonTimes--Cambridge Mormon church fire ruled accidental (5-19)
A fire that began during Sunday morning services at a crowded church outside Harvard Square in Cambridge has been ruled accidental.
MormonTimes--New home for Deseret Book (5-19)
With revolutionary changes in the publishing world, the 143-year-old Deseret Book Co. has remained constant in one important respect, according to President Henry B. Eyring.
MormonTimes--David McCullough visits Church History Library (5-18)
Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough told Church History Library employees recently that "history doesn't stay alive unless it's looked after."
LDS Church launches new radio network (5-18)
With The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints introducing its new 24/7 radio service on Monday, potential listeners who think they can tune in with traditional transistors and car radios are going to need a little more modern thinking in order to find "Mormon Channel."
KBYU may lose its PBS affiliation (5-18)
A handful of Public Broadcast Service television stations--including Brigham Young University's KBYU-TV--face the possibility of losing their affiliation if PBS votes this summer to punish those whose programming includes religious shows.
MormonTimes--Welfare: helping the bishops (5-18)
The economic downturn weighed heavily on the minds of members of the General Welfare Committee of the LDS Church at a meeting about a year ago. Dennis R. Lifferth, managing director of Welfare Services for the church, remembered the meeting that included the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve, seven presidents of the Seventy, Presiding Bishopric and Relief Society general presidency.
MormonTimes--Contest seeks LDS singer for anthem at upcoming 'Mormon Night' in L.A. (5-18)
LDS Open Auditions is giving an LDS Church member the chance to sing the national anthem during "Mormon Night" at Dodger Stadium this summer.
MormonTimes--Oquirrh Mountain Temple ready for June 1 start of open house (5-18)
Following the 1893 dedication of the Salt Lake Temple, members waited almost a century for a second temple -- the Jordan River Temple -- to be opened in the Salt Lake Valley. Almost three decades passed before the Draper Utah Temple became No. 3.
Fire engulfs decades-old Massachusetts church (5-17)
A fire began during Sunday morning services at a crowded church in Cambridge, Mass., and quickly spread through the decades-old building.
MormonTimes--Hill Cumorah Pageant (5-17)
It's unlikely you know what it involves unless you happen to be Mormon.
MormonTimes--Financial legend says living the gospel will pay off (5-16)
Financial legend Howard Ruff, who now lives in Saratoga Springs and spoke to a Young Single Adult multi-stake conference Saturday, said the only sure way to surf through the difficult times ahead is to live the gospel.
Obama names Huntsman ambassador to China (5-16)
Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. was named Saturday by President Barack Obama to be U.S. ambassador to China.
MormonTimes--Dinosaurs revisited in BYU paleontology museum (5-16)
"We know why the Earth was created, we just don't know how."
MormonTimes--Grade time for media coverage of Mormons (5-16)
Grades: Coverage from Obama's mother to "nutty fellow"
MormonTimes--'Why? Powerful Answers and Practical Reasons' (5-15)
Most parents agree that "Why?" is one of the first and most-asked questions by their children and while there are times when "Because the Lord said so" really is the reason, there is power when we can also supply a "Why."
MormonTimes--Good flexibility, structure in Mormonism (5-15)
Mormonism allows for flexibility in thought and ideas, which is necessary for healthy individuals and societies, said Bryan V. Wallis, a PhD student in English at the University of California Davis.
MormonTimes--FamilySearch names Rencher to position (5-15)
FamilySearch recently named David E. Rencher as its chief genealogical officer.
MormonTimes--Teaching seminary: 'Most-dreaded calling' no more (5-15)
Jenni Bowman wakes up at 6:15 a.m. on weekdays, she only has 15 minutes before a high school senior, junior and sophomore walk through her front door.
MormonTimes--Marriage as a Mormon value (5-14)
Anyone wonder why the Mormons do so well at marrying off their young?
MormonTimes--Dynamite, Dutcher, Hitchcock and the failure of LDS movies (5-14)
Move over Mormon philosophers, theology wonks and scholars. If you really want to explore spiritual paradoxes, dilemmas and trends in the LDS Church, you need to go to the movies.
MormonTimes--What's New: 'The 13th Reality' (5-14)
Atticus Higginbottom is back, along with Master George, Mothball, Rutger and fellow Realitants Paul and Sofia.
Parents questioned about daughter's trip to Texas (5-13)
The Texas parents who authorities believe might have kidnapped their 19-year-old daughter because she had recently joined the LDS church were interviewed by law enforcement officers for most of Wednesday but were not placed in custody.
MormonTimes--Pope's staff at BYU's Jerusalem Center (5-13)
Five people in Pope Benedict XVI's traveling party are staying at Brigham Young University's Jerusalem Center while His Holiness is in the Holy Land this week. "We're cooperating with them so that they're close by to where he is staying, and they're available to him and can easily travel with him wherever he goes," said S. Kent Brown, BYU Jerusalem Center assistant director.
MormonTimes--Italian media misunderstand Mormons (5-13)
The Italian media connects Mormons and polygamy nearly every time it reports about Latter-day Saints. At least that's what research of Italian coverage of the Mitt Romney campaign and the airing of "Big Love" in Italy show, a prominent religious sociologist has found.
MormonTimes--It just feels nice to be so trusting (5-13)
Mormons have a reputation for being gullible. And for some of us, it has taken most of our lives to earn that reputation. I've been hoodwinked so many times I'm thinking of calling my autobiography "A Stranger Taken In." We are a believing people.
MormonTimes--New York Times: City Creek center rises despite economy (5-13)
While the economic crisis has silenced hundreds of real estate projects around the country, 1,100 construction workers are toiling on a 20-acre development here that is springing up across the street from Temple Square in the center of downtown. A private development of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, City Creek Center will be the largest mixed-use project in Salt Lake City. When completed in 2012, it will encompass 900,000 square feet of retailing, including an outdoor pedestrian shopping mall capped by 115 apartments; 1.6 million square feet of office space in eight buildings; a grocery store; and five residential towers with about 600 condominiums.
MormonTimes--Arising at 5:30 a.m. doesn't deter student (5-13)
The early-morning seminary program -- with all its attendant adventures and blessings -- is highlighted with a series of profiles on students, teachers and families from around the country, on MormonTimes.com beginning May 10.
MormonTimes--Jackson County is a lush garden waiting (5-13)
Jackson County, Mo.: scene of ancient beginnings, scene of joys and sorrows in early church history, and scene of incalculable influence and glory in a future still distant. These scenes are a bit difficult to imagine when visiting the urbanized Jackson County of today. The area resembles countless other cities of North America, sprinkled with typical businesses and neighborhoods, the earth sealed off in many places with asphalt and concrete, towers of brick and glass huddled here and there.
FLDS men seek ruling on seized documents (5-12)
Attorneys for 10 polygamist sect men facing criminal charges have asked a judge to throw out hundreds of boxes of documents and other evidence seized from the Yearning For Zion Ranch, saying law enforcement misled a judge about the veracity of the calls prompting the raid and the true intent of the search.
MormonTimes--Being 'too churchy' vs. 'just living good'? (5-12)
Dear Dr. Elia, My husband has accused me of being "Too Churchy." His attitude is that you can still get to heaven without listening to General Conference, missing church or other activities to go camping or vacationing, not attending the temple and just living good. I must admit that I am a "Molly Mormon." I try to serve others regularly in and out of my home. I fast every month, attend the temple alone, conduct family prayer and scripture study by myself. He has totally missed the boat!
MormonTimes--Peter Vidmar to headline single adult conference (5-12)
Olympic gold medalist and motivational speaker Peter Vidmar will be in Salt Lake City Saturday to address single adults ages 31 and older at the third annual Salt Lake City Single Adult Conference. Held May 15-17 at the Salt Lake Institute of Religion, the three-day conference will feature workshops, dances, speed dating, a concert and other activities.
MormonTimes--Mountain guide likes Mormon climbers (5-12)
Tanzanian mountain guide Bryson Mandari has taken 307 Americans to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. More than half of those hikers (153) have been from Utah -- and most of them are Mormon.
Woman abducted for converting to LDS Church, police say (5-11)
Salt Lake County sheriff's investigators Monday were looking for two Texas parents who reportedly abducted their daughter from her apartment, allegedly because they didn't approve of her recent conversion to the LDS Church.
MormonTimes--Early-morning seminary: 'It's the right thing to do' (5-11)
The early-morning seminary program -- with all its attendant adventures and blessings -- is highlighted with a series of profiles on students, teachers and families from around the country, on MormonTimes.com beginning May 10.
MormonTimes--Congregation, residents collide over new building (5-11)
Call it a collision between church and state. For more than two years, residents of the East Hempfield neighborhood "The Meadows" have fought plans to build a 26,000-square-foot Mormon church at the edge of their quiet, upscale development. In more than a dozen late-night meetings, residents claimed the proposal, by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, meant that traffic in their neighborhood was going to spike, and that the church was simply out of character with the surrounding community.
MormonTimes--Mormon questions answered (5-11)
Examiner contributor and Mormon Brent Rowse helps answer a series of questions about the LDS Church. Q. I've seen young men wearing white shirts and ties walking around or riding bikes. What exactly do they do and why?
MormonTimes--Dig seeks to save remains of historic Camp Floyd (5-11)
Archaeologists are working rapidly to preserve the remains of Camp Floyd, a historic military post once home to 3,500 troop sent to suppress an expected Mormon rebellion.
MormonTimes--Building on the rock of Christ in Klein, Texas, youth conference (5-11)
For two days about 250 youths of the Klein Texas Stake gathered in the "wilderness" to re-enact spiritually motivating events from the Book of Mormon. They also heard from Sister Ann M. Dibb, second counselor in the Young Women general president, and other leaders during the youth conference April 9-10 near Huntsville, Texas.
MormonTimes--Marvin Goldstein to celebrate 50 years with good friends (5-11)
Marvin Goldstein is not your typical Mormon pianist. For one thing, he was raised Jewish. He's also had a lengthy international career, spanning five decades and three continents. He's recorded more than 40 CDs and has written 15 piano books. "It's been a great blessing," Goldstein said.
MormonTimes--Landmark application progressing for massacre site (5-10)
A historian says the LDS Church is working diligently on an application to secure National Historic Landmark status for Mountain Meadows, the southern Utah site
of a pioneer wagon-train massacre.
MormonTimes--A Mormon theology manifesto (5-9)
The key to Mormon theology, according to Adam S. Miller, is a story about Buddha. Miller, a professor of philosophy at Collin College in McKinney, Texas, was speaking at the third annual Mormon Scholars in the Humanities conference on May 8 at Aspen Grove. He presented a manifesto for how Mormon theology should be approached.
MormonTimes--Missionary moments: A family fortune (5-9)
Fourteen-year-old Hong Qi Liang was walking home from school with his backpack slung over his shoulder when he responded to a greeting from two missionaries serving in the Taiwan Kaohsiung Mission. Above the din of the busy street, and despite the distraction of the rainy day, Hong was intrigued enough with Elder Andrew Mitchell and Elder Alan Beal to accept an invitation to learn about the gospel.
MormonTimes--Beatboxing the gospel (5-9)
I was born in Salt Lake City and born into Mormon-hood from day one. My dad is an ordained minister. My mother is Samoan and they didn't always agree on everything, but they both have the same perception of who God is and His mission, and they wanted their children raised the same way. My mom plays guitar and sings and my dad, he's a preacher and plays gospel jazz. My parents made me sing all the time -- not asking, but telling. We sang all the time. They taught me how to sing when I was about four or five.
AdaEveningNews.com--Musical missionaries to perform in Oklahoma (5-8)
The picture that comes to mind when Mormon missionaries are mentioned is that of two clean cut young men in white shirts, dark pants and ties--often on bikes. Oklahoma will soon be hearing from over 400 musical missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who do not fit that description at all. Their mission is to inspire and entertain rather than to proselyte.
MormonTimes--A Christlike approach to immigration (5-8)
A few years ago, my mom was called to be the Relief Society president in our tri-lingual ward. I remember watching as she painstakingly translated every e-mail, note and newsletter into Spanish and Portuguese. She became friends with women who didn't speak her language. She made sure every lesson was translated.
MormonTimes--'The Fading Flower' by Mahonri Stewart (5-8)
In "The Fading Flower," his new work for the stage premiering this month in Provo, Utah, Latter-day Saint playwright Mahonri Stewart explores a fascinating part of the Smith family history during the time of David's courtship and Emma's struggles to protect and hold together her maturing family. Mahonri and actress Kathryn Laycock Little, who plays Emma Smith, talk about the play, the characters, and share excerpts recorded during rehearsal.
MormonTimes--'Savior of the World' performed by four S.L. stakes (5-8)
"Come, Lord Jesus, Come." That is the message emanating from the LDS theatrical production "Savior of the World," which will be performed by four west-side Salt Lake stakes this weekend.
BYU breaks ground for broadcast building (5-7)
Concluding one four-year effort as it begins another two-year endeavor, Brigham Young University broke ground Thursday afternoon for its new BYU Broadcasting Building.
Y. film opening in theaters (5-7)
Move over, Wolverine and the Starship Enterprise crew. You've got competition in theaters this week from--of all things--a Brigham Young University-produced theatrical feature.
No coffee, smokes or ESPN at BYU (5-6)
Something happened on the way to poking fun at BYU's on-campus TV services nixing ESPN from its lineup.
MormonTimes--Liahona: Same magazine, 51 languages (5-6)
In Kiribati, a language spoken in the Pacific Islands, the international magazine of the LDS Church is called "Riaona." In Haitian, it's "Lyawona." In Samoan, the name looks a bit more familiar to the English reader -- "O Le Liahona." In languages that don't use a Latin-based alphabet, like Chinese, Japanese, Russian or Thai, the words on the cover look entirely unfamiliar to English-only speakers. But the content inside is always the same.
MormonTimes--LDS musicians share memories of their mothers in new CD (5-6)
A new CD released by Covenant Communications, "An Angel to Watch Over Me," gave several Mormon musicians the opportunity to honor their mothers -- just in time for Mother's Day. In the song "The Quilt," Jeff Hinton of Joshua Creek pays tribute to his mother's love of knitting, crocheting and tying quilts. It's about the patches made from his pajamas, his mother's wedding gown and his father's sports jersey, among other colorful squares. Hinton's mother had three boys involved in sports and would bring her projects to the games.
MormonTimes--Random media takes (5-6)
MormonTimes--Church News viewpoint: 'Why am I thy servant?' (5-6)
When Joseph Smith began the School of the Prophets in 1833, he drew upon an established American tradition and the inspiration of God to create something that was at once familiar and unique.
MormonTimes--Auxiliary presidents visit Peru, Bolivia (5-6)
The church's Relief Society general president and Primary general president visited 11 cities in Bolivia and Peru this spring, meeting with the countries' first ladies, visiting local hospitals, training auxiliary leaders and addressing 11,000 church members.
MormonTimes--Church News viewpoint: 'Why am I thy servant?' (5-6)
Four days before being released as a stake president, Elder Brent H. Nielson joined President Gordon B. Hinckley to scout out land for a temple to be built in Twin Falls, Idaho. A few years later, with a beautiful temple now dedicated to the Lord, Elder and Sister Nielson have enjoyed being a part of the temple from its beginnings.
LDS Church investigates possible ordinances performed for Obama's late mother (5-5)
Investigating published reports that posthumous temple ordinances were performed on behalf of President Barack Obama's deceased mother, The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reiterated its policy regarding proxy baptisms.
Teen from polygamous LeBaron family abducted (5-5)
Furious over the kidnapping of a son of the LeBaron polygamous family, a caravan of fundamentalists, Mennonites and even Mormons protested to Mexico's regional governor over the apparent lawlessness sweeping the region.
MormonTimes--Volunteers help an 'Extreme Makeover' (5-5)
A beleaguered construction market didn't deter thousands of builders, contractors and volunteers -- including a large contingent of Latter-day Saints -- from doing "the right thing."
MormonTimes--Sing farewell: Bittersweet moment for choir members (5-5)
President Thomas S. Monson joined Mormon Tabernacle Choir members, staff and friends Sunday, April 26, 2009, to say thanks and farewell to one the largest single groups of choir members to retire at one time.
MormonTimes--Inspired program: The welfare plan of God (5-4)
At the end of an address featured in a church DVD and pamphlet on self-reliance, President Thomas S. Monson issues a clarion call:
MormonTimes--Self-reliance highlighted in DVD, pamphlet (5-4)
The church has released a DVD and pamphlet to re-emphasize its long-standing principles of welfare and to bring to the attention of priesthood and Relief Society leaders their responsibility to help bishops seek out and care for the poor.
MormonTimes--Mormon leader has roots in Fla. bay area (5-4)
Elder Neil Andersen was happy simply being a steadfast church member in Tampa, Fla.
MormonTimes--Production about Christ a labor of love, spirit (5-4)
When the curtain closed on the LDS Ogden East Stake's production of "Savior of the World" last Saturday night, tears were shed -- tears of the spirit, tears of happiness and tears of sadness that it was over.
Tabernacle Choir part of Utah heritage (5-3)
Uplifting music has been a part of Utah's heritage from the start, and is best exemplified by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
MormonTimes--Modest contestant wins crown in Texas (5-2)
Sleeves stood out among contestants participating in the Mrs. Texas International competition March 13, 2009. Bonnie Hubert, a member of the Woodlands 2nd Ward, Houston North Stake, was the only contestant with a sleeved dress and still took home the crown.
Mormon Tabernacle Choir's CD elevates U.S. folk hymns (5-2)
In early 19th century, a "Second Great Awakening" swept across America, moving from New England to the South and on to the frontier. This great religious revival led not only to the rise of new religions (including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), but also to new political and social reform movements.
MormonTimes--LDS Church teams with African hospital (5-2)
A new partnership between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation promises an additional water source for the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center, which is located in the capital city of Kinshasa.
MormonTimes--Mormons and torture: Guilt by association (5-2)
In recent months, Jews having been taking a lot of heat because of investment scammer Bernard Madoff who happens to be Jewish. It appears now Mormons have to bear the media's maligning of Mormons for the actions of a federal judge and pair of psychologists involved in creating the Bush administration's controversial interrogation policies that have been labeled torture.
LDS Church News--Area leadership changes announced (5-2)
The First Presidency has announced changes in the Church's area leadership assignments effective Aug. 1.
MormonTimes--LDS Church officials cancel church services in Mexico (5-1)
LDS church officials say they've canceled church services in Mexico City until further notice because of the swine flu outbreak. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is also delaying sending new missionaries to that country.