November 2007
Christianpost.com--Mormon Issue Mattering More in Iowa (11-30-7)
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is facing difficulties with some evangelical voters in Iowa who are troubled by his Mormon faith, which they consider not part of historic orthodox Christianity.
Redford shows little class with LDS comment (11-30)
Last sunday, Parade magazine offered up Robert Redford as one of Hollywood's top 10 "class acts" in Walter Scott's "Personality Parade" column.
LDS Newsroom--Brazilian Senate Honors Church and Its Members (11-30)
At a time when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the United States faces heightened interest from American media and public forums about its history, beliefs and practices, the Brazilian Senate has just held a special session to honor the 80-year presence of the Church in Brazil.
The Mercury--Africa is winning fight against measles (11-30)
Mormon missionaries have been involved in encouraging parents to vaccinate their children in Africa.
Statesman--Romney's campaign: family ties and outside-the-Beltway accomplishments (11-30)
Republican presidential candidate has managed to leap ahead of some better-known rivals.
New York Times--Mormons and the Bible (11-29)
One moment that got some attention at Wednesday’s CNN-YouTube Republican debate was when the candidates were asked whether they believed every word of the Bible.
Utah leads the nation in rates of depression (11-29)
Utah is the most depressed state in the country, according to a nationwide study released Wednesday.
WorldNetDaily--Giuliani: Jonah of Bible not really swallowed (11-28)
Do the Republicans running for president believe every word of the Holy Bible?
New York Times--In Iowa, Mormon Issue Is Benefiting Huckabee (11-28)
The religious divide over Mitt Romney's Mormon faith that his supporters had long feared would occur is emerging as he is being challenged in polls by Mike Huckabee, a former Baptist minister.
The Washington Times--Romney puts faith in Christian past (11-28)
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney wants to convince voters that his Mormon faith is mainstream, and thinks that Rudolph W. Giuliani's strategy of seeking wins in later primary states is a proven loser.
Romney should give a JFK-style speech, Hatch says at UVSC (11-28)
Mitt Romney will win presidential primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire, but to become president, he will need to overcome negative perceptions about his faith, issue "flip-flopping" and a too-good-to-be-true persona.
Groundbreaking held for Cebu Philippines temple complex (11-27)
“The significance of what is done here is to dedicate the land to the Lord and to pray . . . that we may prepare ourselves for the blessings of the temple,” said Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the groundbreaking ceremony held on November 14, 2007, for the Cebu Philippines Temple complex in Lahug, Cebu City.
The Northern Advocate--LEAGUE - Teen centre Aussie-bound (11-27)
It takes a powerful rugby league boot to stride the divide between local amateur club rugby league and the professional world of the Cronulla Sharks in Sydney.
Some still living in fear of polygamist's hit list (11-26)
Brenda Jensen used to sleep with a gun under her pillow.
Meridian Magazine--Violinist/Mom Keeps the Music Going (11-26)
She may be a top-notch violinist, but when people see Jenny Oaks Baker with her four children the oldest 6, the youngest 1 year they assume she's either their older sister or their nanny.
Jamaican's dream soon to come true at BYU (11-26)
In 1974, Victor and Verna Nugent became the first Jamaicans on the island to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
BYU hoops legend is subject of film (11-26)
"An Off-Court Story: The Life of Kresimir Cosic," a documentary about the Brigham Young University basketball legend, will premiere Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Wilkinson Student Center Varsity Theater.
New York Daily News--Enough cliches about faith. Mitt's Mormonism matters (11-25)
Let's quit tiptoeing around the question of whether Republican Mitt Romney's Mormon religion will be an issue in his bid to become President of the United States.
Book on blessings insightful (11-25)
EARLY PATRIARCHAL BLESSINGS OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, compiled and edited by H. Michael Marquardt, Signature, limited edition (475 copies), 488 pages, oversized, $70
Utah LDS population hits lowest level ever (11-24)
Residents of Utah who belong to the LDS Church make up 60.7 percent of the state's population, the lowest share ever.
A Mormon president? New film shows links between Smith, Romney (11-24)
Providing a balanced portrayal of either LDS Church founder Joseph Smith or former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has proven daunting for even the most experienced historians, political scientists and journalists.
BYU accounting programs ranked second in nation (11-23)
Brigham Young University’s undergraduate and graduate accounting programs ranked second in Public Accounting Report’s Annual Survey of Accounting Professors. Every year since 1995 the survey has positioned both BYU accounting programs among the top three in the nation.
Tabernacle Choir album tops Billboard chart (11-23)
"The Spirit of the Season," a new Christmas album by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, is No. 1 on the Classical Album chart, according to Billboard magazine.
NewsChannel 9 WSYR--Questions About the Mormon Faith (11-22)
A presidential candidate, a hit HBO show and the conviction of a polygamous leader have all put some extra attention on the Mormon faith. In Central New York, the number of people joining the Church has increased in the past year.
ATF looking at LDS chapel fire (11-22)
An investigation has begun into a fire that destroyed an LDS church in northwestern Mesa.
30-year Tabernacle organist is retiring (11-22)
John Longhurst is used to questions that demonstrate how little people understand the work of a professional organist.
Jeffs now in Utah State Prison (11-21)
Fundamentalist LDS Church leader Warren Jeffs is now at the Utah State Prison, where he will begin serving his 10-years-to-life sentence for rape as an accomplice.
9 Jeffs followers get subpoenas (11-21)
Elissa Wall strode out of the Washington County Attorney's Office, smiling to herself.
State prison next stop for FLDS leader (11-21)
Fundamentalist LDS Church leader Warren Jeffs is expected to be transported soon to the Utah State Prison, where he will begin serving his 10-to-life prison sentence.
Livingston Daily--Helping 'sisters' in Australia (11-21)
Several women from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brighton ward, gathered together on Nov. 10 to help their "sisters" across the globe in Aboriginal Australia.
Townhall.com--A Mormon Can be President (11-21)
Mitt Romney's religion keeps coming up on the presidential campaign trail.
The new face of global Mormonism (11-21)
Outside Zion Osandu Ndukwe's one-room apartment, a naked toddler ran up and down a filthy hallway lit by a single candle. The power in the overcrowded slum was off yet again. The stench of urine from the communal bathroom overpowered the fragrance of spices in the bubbling soup that a neighbor stirred in the dark passage.
EastValleyTribune.com--Inquiry begins in suspicious Mormon church fire (11-21)
The investigation has begun into what started a suspicious fire that destroyed a Mormon church, although a full inquiry won’t start until after Thanksgiving.
The New Republic--Latter-Day Skeptics (11-20)
Mormons against Romney.
Religion Writer.com--In Describing Mormonism, Who Is More Accurate: Believers or Reporters? (11-20)
A heated digital discussion following last week’s review of Dick and Joan Ostling’s Mormon America on this site brought up a set of pointed questions about religion and journalism.
Jeffs sentenced to 2 terms of five years to life in prison (11-20)
Fundamentalist LDS Church leader Warren Jeffs has been sentenced to two consecutive terms of five years to life in prison for performing a child-bride marriage.
BBC News--Defending one's faith (11-19)
I saw Karl Rove (President Bush’s former bag-carrier) repeating the truism that Americans do not mind what faith a candidate professes, provided that he or she has some faith.
Moms' duty is to embarrass their children (11-19)
My favorite news story of the past few weeks is the one involving John McCain's 95-year-old mother, Roberta, who famously dissed the Mormons when she appeared with her son on MSNBC. Speaking of Mitt Romney, she said, "As for the Salt Lake City thing, he's a Mormon and the Mormons of Salt Lake City caused that scandal."
GetReligion Blog--Troubles on the Godbeat (11-19)
Don't call him Brother Romney just yet
Times Online--Mormon smears turn Republican race sour (11-18)
THE only Mormon in the 2008 presidential race, Mitt Romney, is coming under attack for his religious beliefs as the battle for the Republican nomination becomes increasingly acrimonious.
Stop-smoking program is looking for LDS translators (11-18)
Thousands of Mormon missionaries have taught people to quit smoking using the LDS Stop Smoking program since it began in 1983, and now there is an effort to help many more people by translating the program into many languages.
Colorado Springs Gazette--Prepared FOR THE WORST (11-17)
John and Susan Leavitt’s Pine Creek home is lovely, the living room graced with a piano and stunning sculptures created by her father.
SVU announces changes in returned missionary grants (11-17)
Southern Virginia University has announced a change in the way its returned missionary grant will be awarded by removing the residential housing requirement and extending a flat grant of $2,000 per year to all returned missionaries enrolled at the university.
Romney, McCain attack anti-Mormon 'push polls' (11-17)
Republican presidential candidates John McCain and Mitt Romney are asking the New Hampshire attorney general to investigate phone calls to voters that pretend to be polls but raise questions about Romney and his Mormon faith--and make favorable statements about McCain.
NewsChannel 9--Strangers Helping Strangers In Kimball (11-16)
There are going to be a lot of sore arms, shoulders and backs Friday night after people spent the day cutting and moving huge trees that blew down in kimball Tennessee.
Telephone push poll raises questions about Mitt Romney and his Mormon faith (11-16)
Residents in New Hampshire and Iowa have received phone calls raising questions about Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, his Mormon faith and the Vietnam War-era military deferments he received while serving as a missionary in France.
LDS Newsroom--Leaders Answer Questions on How Mormons Worship (11-15)
Questions about how Mormons worship each Sunday have emerged as a significant issue among journalists curious about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Nassau Guardian--Facing the Church as an unwed mother (11-15)
"Not all churches and church members treat people this way," says Elder John Hedman of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Soldier Road. "And therefore I don't think that she should give up on us all."
The U of Chicago Chronicle--Doc Films explores new frontier with film series on Mormon cinema (11-15)
"Rarely seen outside of Utah..."
Mormon wasn't killer (11-15)
Well, at least the Mormon character on "CSI" wasn't the killer.
Traditions vary for giving praise and passing the plate (11-15)
"We don't collect tithes as part of our services," said Grant Maughan, spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Twin Falls area. "But there are envelopes in the church for people to give money for missions or other purposes."
BYU NewsNet--BYU-TV Wants Inspirational Stories (11-14)
YU-TV and MirrorLake Films are producing a show featuring the inspirational stories of LDS youth.
International Herald Tribune--Romney's life took a turn in France (11-14)
In December 1968, Mitt Romney returned home from a Mormon mission in France to find a changed country.
Baptist Press--LifeWay store fills Salt Lake City void in Mormon culture (11-13)
Sunlight peeks over the Rockies and rushes across the valley floor until it strikes the golden statue of the angel Moroni, fixed high atop Salt Lake Temple's towering eastern spire.
The Campaign Spot on National Review Online--Robert Redford, Aging Pretty Boy, Assesses Mormons (11-13)
If you've ever wondered if a lifetime of being Robert Redford could turn someone into a jerk--not merely spoiled, or full of themselves, as many Hollywood stars are, but more or less bigoted toward some unpopular religious faiths, and quick to denounce them--well, the evidence is in...
The Philadelphia Bulletin--Is America Ready For A Mormon President? (11-13)
Mitt Romney is a man on a mission. With millions of his own money invested into his presidential campaign and third quarter spending exploding at $21.3 million.
GetReligion Blog--Ghosts in the coach Reid story (11-13)
As Mormons, the Reids did not allow even alcohol in their home.
President Monson advises BYU crowd on 'guideposts' of life (11-13)
A crowd of some 10,000 gathered Tuesday at Brigham Young University to hear President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speak of life's guideposts at a Tuesday morning devotional.
GetReligion Blog--Voting for pastor in chief? (11-13)
For days, one of the top stories on CNN.com was "Romney's faith pitch recorded behind closed doors."
LDS Newsroom--People in Need Helping Others in Need (11-12)
Latter-day Saints respond to Mexican flooding
Romney faith speech decision highlights advisers' impact (11-12)
Republican Mitt Romney said Monday he's the decider, yet the presidential candidate has put aside his desire to deliver a speech about his Mormon faith on the advice of political staff — a move that speaks volumes about his campaign.
2News--Michelle King's Interview With Elder Jeffrey Holland (11-11)
Members of the LDS Church know Elder Jeffrey R. Holland as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Scouts may be thrifty, but some leaders are well paid (11-11)
Another big difference is that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has chosen to make Scouting its activity arm for young males.
Mitt undecided on a speech about his faith (11-11)
Voters still have to wait, perhaps indefinitely, for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney to give a John F. Kennedy-style speech addressing his faith--which is just fine with some religious scholars and political experts.
'Mormon Nation' is thriving (11-10)
Last week, in a column headlined "Adultery and blind obedience," I wrote about the army of Christian soldiers in the world. I had no idea a full regiment of that army would weigh in about the quality of the "chow" I was serving up.
AZ Republic--Valley mom sinks her teeth into gothic romance and finds international fame (11-10)
Stephenie Meyer, formerly a Glendale stay-at-home Mormon mom, is now a rock star of the highest teenage order. She has 25,190 friends on MySpace.com. Girls fly across the world to get her autograph.
Meridian Magazine--Latter-day Saints in World War II (11-10)
War is the antithesis of the Gospel of Christ.
DNA tests rule out 2 as Smith descendants (11-10)
After more than a century of speculation about whether LDS Church founder Joseph Smith had children with any of his plural wives, a local geneticist said he recently has crossed two such purported descendants off the list of potential candidates.
Osmond goodbye: Family shares memories of father (11-10)
Four of George Osmond's sons began singing in the 1950s to raise money for hearing aids for their two deaf older brothers.
Osmond's children pay tribute to 'a wonderful man' (11-10)
Remembrances of George Osmond as given by his children at his funeral on Friday in Provo:
LDS Newsroom--Publicizing Good Works (11-9)
While visiting Church headquarters in Salt Lake City a few months ago, a group of journalists from Haiti offered an interesting suggestion: They asked the Church to do a better job of publicizing its humanitarian efforts.
Intro change in Book of Mormon spurs discussion (11-9)
A one-word change in the introduction to a 2006 edition of the Book of Mormon has reignited discussion among some Latter-day Saints about the book's historicity, geography and the descendants of those chronicled within its pages.
Church responds to one-word change in Book of Mormon Introduction (11-9)
Following is a response from LDS Church spokesperson Mark Tuttle to inquiries regarding the one-word change in the Book of Mormon Introduction:...
CNN.com--Romney's faith pitch recorded behind closed doors (11-9)
Romney often has spoken about his efforts to allay the fears of evangelical Christians, but the recording of the event -- held Tuesday with students, faculty and alumni of the fundamentalist Bob Jones University -- provides a rare glimpse into the Republican's private efforts to court the constituency many see as crucial to his 2008 presidential bid.
McCain's mom says Mormons to blame for Olympics scandal (11-9)
John McCain's 95-year-old mother, in a swipe at her son's rival Mitt Romney, said Friday that Mormons were to blame for the scandal that rocked the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.
LDS Newsroom--One Hundred Thousand Africans Find Joy in Continent-Wide “Mormon Helping Hands” Project (11-9)
Every week, somewhere around the world, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participate in some form of humanitarian service--whether responding in times of disaster or preparing their communities in times of peace.
Meridian Magazine--The Silver Lining of War (11-9)
At one point in my reading of the Book of Mormon, I pondered why the Lord called a warrior to prepare a sacred text.
The Economist--Going West (11-9)
How Mormon history parallels America's
Commonweal--Meet the Mormons (11-9)
From the Margin to the Mainsteam
MormonSpeak: Prayer is the answer (11-9)
It was a simple, innocent question from someone I've never actually met.
ABC4.com--New poems from renowned LDS writer found in Long manuscripts (11-8)
Last week, ABC 4 News first told you about the discovery of a new collection of lost Mormon documents. And now 2 new wrinkles to that rare collection - never before seen poems of historic LDS figure, Eliza R. Snow.
BYU chemist wins U.S. government's highest award for young scientists (11-8)
The White House recently named Brigham Young University chemist Adam Woolley a winner of the highest award the government offers to young scientists, citing his research on detecting cancer marker proteins.
Meridian Magazine--"Renounce War and Proclaim Peace" (11-8)
What the Scriptures Say about Armed Conflict
The Daily Texan--Mormon church keeps strong campus presence (11-8)
Randal Wright instructs a course about missionary work at the Austin Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Institute Wednesday night.
Book review: Before the Dawn (11-8)
Dean Hughes, popular LDS author of more than 90 books, has created a book unlike any he has written: "Before the Dawn." This tragic, yet heartwarming novel follows Leah Sorensen, a strong and stubborn woman living during the Great Depression.
BYU Hawaii Newsroom--President Eyring installs ninth president of BYU-Hawaii (11-7)
Several thousand students, guests, government and academic leaders, dignitaries and others gathered in the Cannon Activities Center on November 6 to observe President Henry B. Eyring [pictured at left], Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, install Dr. Steven C. Wheelwright as the ninth president of Brigham Young University-Hawaii.
The number: 31%--Mormonism not a Christian religion (11-7)
Nearly one in three Americans (31 percent) expresses the view that the Mormonism is not a Christian religion, in a recent Pew poll; however, a slim majority of the public (52 percent) says that it is.
Church to sponsor Latino Christmas program on Temple Square (11-7)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced this year’s Latino Christmas program, to be held Dec. 6–8 in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. The program, titled “El regalo de navidad,” will be presented entirely in Spanish, with a limited number of headsets available for English and Portuguese interpretation.
Meridian Magazine--Mitt Romney, Christianity, and Slippery Slopes (11-7)
I’m a Christian. Do you mind?
BYU-Hawaii chief gets warm island welcome (11-7)
Inaugurated as the ninth president of BYU-Hawaii Tuesday, Steven C. Wheelwright promised to work to prepare students here "for a rich life of leadership and service."
'Popcorn' composer Bello dies (11-7)
The woman whose light-hearted song about springtime blossoms is known to millions of Latter-day Saints has died at her home in Salt Lake City.
George Osmond, father of music clan, dies at 90 (11-7)
Last August, Nathan Osmond took advantage of the opportunity to video-record his children sitting on their great-grandfather's lap during a special family home evening. For the first time, that same night, he performed the song he had promised his grandfather, George Osmond, he would write for him many years earlier.
Evidence from Jeffs trial to be made public (11-6)
Evidence once filed under seal in the Warren Jeffs rape case, including excerpts of jailhouse conversations and a competency evaluation, will be made public, a 5th District Court judge ruled on Tuesday.
George Osmond, patriarch of Osmond family singers dies (11-6)
George Virgil Osmond, father of the famous singing family The Osmond Brothers, has died.
Study finds possible link between fasting, low rate of heart disease (11-6)
The fact that fewer people here smoke often has been credited for Utah's lower rate of heart disease — a rate that is lower still among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Romney's life is his father's legacy (11-6)
From his slicked, carefully coifed hair to his data-driven business principles to his unwavering devotion to his oft-maligned Mormon faith, Mitt Romney is the spitting image of his father physically, professionally and morally.
LDS Newsroom--Two Apostles Visit Editorial Boards To Address Misconceptions (11-6)
Two apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have completed a first round of visits to the Washington, D.C., editorial boards of major American newspapers and magazines.
The Pew Forum--Gay Mormons See a Subtle Shift in Church Teaching (11-5)
Lester Leavitt said he first had an inkling he might be gay when, as an 18-year-old college freshman, he was startled by his hope to see certain boys at a party.
U.S. News & World Report--GOP Focus Group Is Down on Bush (11-5)
There were also trouble signs for presidential candidate Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts.
LDS Tonga Temple rededicated (11-5)
In what is known as "the friendly islands," the Nuku'alofa Tonga Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was rededicated Sunday by Elder Russell M. Nelson of the church's Quorum of the Twelve.
BYU-Hawaii chief looking ahead (11-5)
This country town on Hawaii's north shore is about as far as you can get from Harvard University's premier business school in the notable but cold Atlantic Seaboard city of Boston.
San Diego Union-Tribune--Volunteers help fire victims clean up (11-4)
Nuckols--along with others at Dawson's property--were among about 600 volunteers, mostly members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who gathered in Ramona yesterday.
TV show to preview Smith Papers Project (11-4)
To write a biography is to connect the dots of a person's life--but first you need the dots. For Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints founder Joseph Smith, that includes several thousand documents, from the mundane to the spiritual.
Changing role of LDS feminists explored (11-4)
Some 30 women and a few men discussed the ideas of service, activism and the changing role of Mormon feminists during the annual Mormon Women's Forum at the University of Utah on Saturday.
Christensen painting on display this month (11-4)
Anthony's Fine Art & Antiques, 400 E. 200 South, purchased and immediately sold a rare Mormon pioneer painting of Nauvoo by artist C.C.A. Christensen (1831-1912).
Reel place of worship (11-3)
On a recent Sunday in the Assemblies of God church, the pastor discussed the book of Proverbs.
BYU tuition rising 6% (11-3)
Repainting the Y, loathing their rival Utes, clanging the victory bell and surrendering more and more money each year to satisfy growing tuition costs are all Brigham Young University traditions.
Adultery and blind obedience (11-3)
If you want to triple the number of hits a story gets on the Internet, publish a piece about adultery.
LDS Newsroom--“Mormon Studies” and the Value of Education (11-2)
Survey research shows that most Americans know little, and understand even less, about the doctrines and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
US News and World Report--QA: Elder M. Russell Ballard on the Mormon Way (11-1)
Elder M. Russell Ballard discusses the Mormon faith in light of Mitt Romney's presidential campaign.
Mormons Continue Helping Neighbors After California Fires (11-1)
The Riley family, of Brentwood Street in Lake Arrowhead, California, is one among many families who lost their homes to the ravages of recent wildfires. Brentwood was described as a local street that “lost the battle of the blaze,” and now the Rileys and other people in the community are returning to inspect their losses.
Church Hosts Genealogy Event in Hong Kong (11-1)
“Every family has its unique and interesting stories,” explained Christine Loh, chief executive officer of the Hong Kong Civic Exchange and a participant in the recently held Genealogy and Family History Exhibition at the Hong Kong Central Library.
LDS film scripts do very well (11-1)
Cindy Newell probably didn't anticipate the potential of her script when she submitted it to the LDS Film Festival's 7-page script competition last October.
Mexican LDS history on exhibit (11-1)
Collecting memorabilia of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from south of the border has been a passion of a Provo family for years.