November 2008
Gay-marriage advocates protest at Mesa LDS temple (11-30-8)
Supporters of gay marriage were out in force when Christmas displays were lit Friday night at an LDS Church temple.
MormonTimes--Camp Hinckley reopens after fire (11-30)
Camp Hinckley in Running Springs, Calif., serves several hundred youth from the Victor Valley each year.
MormonTimes--Massacre book 'a big bestseller' (11-29)
'Massacre at Mountain Meadows' now on 5th printing, with more expected
Man arrested in vandalism of church, homes, cars in Weber County (11-29)
A 19-year-old West Haven man has been arrested in connection with a vandalism spree that caused thousands of dollars in damage to vehicles, homes and an LDS church early Saturday morning.
Church News--Singing elders took Korea by storm (11-29)
One of the first concerns of new Korea Seoul Mission President Eugene P. Till when he began service in 1974 was raising awareness of the Church among the people. A survey he conducted after arriving showed that only 7 percent of Koreans knew anything about the Church.
LDS population of Utah declining (11-29)
The Mormon population of Utah continues to get smaller.
LDS Church News--Early histories were a 'prequel' (11-29)
On the day the Church was organized, the Lord gave a revelation, the very first words of which command, "Behold, there shall be a record kept among you" (Doctrine and Covenants 21:1).
Telegraph--Profile - Stephanie Meyer: the million-dollar vampire mom (11-28)
"The next JK Rowling" - it's the publishing world's Holy Grail, and a promise that no fantasy writer has yet been able to live up to.
Time to move on from big ol' Mormon joke (11-28)
To paraphrase the famous saying, hell hath no fury like a TV animator scorned. Specifically Trey Parker, who can't seem to get over his first girlfriend.
MormonTimes--Symbolism can be seen in architecture of S.L. Temple (11-27)
The 40 years of labor it took to construct the Salt Lake Temple -- much of it without the help of machines -- have come to symbolize the extreme dedication, sacrifice, self-reliance and faith that early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah possessed. However, the outside (like the inside) of the iconic structure contains a wealth of symbols and representations.
Draper mulls 'free speech zones' near new temple (11-27)
City officials are preparing for the opening of an LDS temple by considering the implementation of "free speech zones" here.
Catholic bishops offer support after 'direct' targeting of Mormons in Prop. 8 battle (11-27)
The fallout from the victory of California Proposition 8 continues as individuals and churches that supported the measure to restore marriage as a union between a man and a woman face social pressure and reprisals. The U.S. Catholic bishops have offered support to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints following opposing activists’ “explicit and direct” targeting of the denomination.
MormonTimes--Another Prop. 8 casualty in California (11-26)
Criticism from Proposition 8 activists has prompted the resignation of another LDS Church member in the film and theater industry.
MormonTimes--Setting the record straight (11-26)
I thought I was done with writing about the aftermath of Proposition 8, but the Mormon Media Observer can't ignore the endless drone of reporting, name calling and finger pointing in the blogosphere, news media and public square. Here's to setting the record straight.
LDS aid for Prop. 8 scrutinized (11-25)
California officials will investigate whether The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints accurately described its role in a campaign to ban gay marriage in the state.
MormonTimes--Pollster to Mormons: Inform with simple facts (11-25)
Goal-free missionary work: End the guilt, relax and be yourself
Texas officials seeks DNA of polygamist sect baby (11-25)
Child welfare authorities want a judge to order a teenage member of a polygamist sect to let them collect a DNA sample from her newborn so they can identify the father and determine if he's an adult.
CitizenLink--Hundreds Thank Mormon Church for Supporting Marriage (11-24)
The National Organization for Marriage has launched a petition drive in response to incendiary attacks from gay activists in California and around the U.S. AboveTheHate.com has collected nearly 1,500 signatures of people thanking the Mormon Church for its support of Prop. 8, California's marriage-protection amendment.
3 FLDS members surrender in Texas (11-24)
The leader of the Fundamentalist LDS Church's YFZ Ranch has surrendered to authorities in rural Texas after being indicted by a grand jury.
FLDS leaders surrender to face charges in Texas (11-24)
The leader of the Fundamentalist LDS Church's YFZ Ranch has surrendered to authorities in rural Texas after being indicted by a grand jury.
MormonTimes--First Presidency supports National Adoption Month (11-24)
In honor of National Adoption Month, the Church's First Presidency has released the following statement: The President of the United States of America, George W. Bush, has proclaimed the month of November as National Adoption Month.
MormonTimes--Christ's church and Christ's doctrine (11-23)
Kristine Wardle Frederickson recently received a Ph.D. in modern European, Religious and Women's History from the University of Utah. She also holds Master's and Bachelor's degrees from Brigham Young University and has been teaching there since 1998 in the History, Honors, Women's Studies and Religion Departments.
LDS have big image problem (11-23)
Gary Lawrence is a card-carrying, tithe-paying, churchgoing Mormon who had long suspected that the public perception of his church in America wasn't exactly up there with, say, baseball and apple pie. So a year and a half ago, he decided to conduct a public opinion poll to see if he was right.
MormonTimes - LDS Church issues new Prop. 8 overview (11-21)
Following the passing of Proposition 8 in California, the church released statements urging civility and reaffirming its position on the issue.
Texas lawmen will be grilled by FLDS leader's attorneys (11-21)
Lawyers for Fundamentalist LDS Church leader Warren Jeffs have scheduled interviews with Texas authorities involved in the raid on the polygamous sect's YFZ Ranch.
FLDS girl ordered to appear in court on baby's DNA testing (11-21)
A judge has ordered a girl alleged to have been married at age 14 to appear in court Tuesday for a hearing to compel her to produce her newborn baby for DNA testing.
Costs top $12.4 million for raid on FLDS (11-21)
The raid on the Fundamentalist LDS Church's YFZ Ranch and its aftermath have cost the state of Texas more than $12.4 million, new figures provided to the Deseret News reveal.
Movie details early life of President Hinckley (11-21)
He once ditched school, spent time sucking a bar of soap for swearing, was scolded for a racial slur and wanted to come home before his mission to preach the LDS gospel was complete. Yet he became the man who Latter-day Saints revered as a prophet of God because he learned life's lessons early and well.
Law adds to woes for LDS in Kyrgyzstan (11-21)
The Kyrgyz Republic--a former Soviet republic that has recently hindered efforts by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for official recognition--is about to severely further erode religious freedom, a U.S. watchdog agency says.
Motion for mistrial denied in missionaries shootings case (11-21)
CHESAPEAKE Chesapeake Circuit Court Judge Randy Smith on Thursday refused a defense motion for a mistrial in the case of 21-year-old James Boughton Jr., a Deep Creek man accused of killing a Mormon missionary and wounding another in 2006.
Another LDS Church vandalized (11-20)
Police are investigating the vandalism of an LDS chapel here as a possible hate crime.
Police take man to hospital following standoff outside LDS Temple in Provo (11-20)
A man who threatened to kill himself outside the LDS Temple here after being disciplined by the LDS Church has been taken to the hospital for a mental-health evaluation.
Ogden police investigate fire at LDS Institute (11-19)
Ogden police are investigating a bizarre fire at an LDS Institute of Religion building near Weber State University.
MormonTimes--Activists' tactics counterproductive (11-19)
It's been a tough couple of weeks during an open season on Mormons.
'South Park' creators trying 'Mormon Musical' (11-19)
The creators of the animated TV series "South Park" are apparently teaming up to skewer The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in what is reportedly a new musical set to begin rehearsals next month.
Syracuse LDS Seminary building evacuated, suspicious white powder found (11-18)
Federal investigators were on the scene Tuesday at an LDS Seminary building at Syracuse Jr. High to investigate a report of a package containing a suspicious white powder.
FBI to run more tests on mystery substance mailed to LDS Church (11-18)
A suspicious substance mailed to the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is on its way to FBI headquarters in Quantico, Va., for further testing.
Gay-rights activists call for LDS help (11-18)
Gay-rights activists again called on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to support a body of proposed legislation aimed at securing rights for gay couples Monday.
MormonTimes--Courtroom tales conflict in shooting of missionaries (11-18)
As rain fell the evening of Jan. 2, 2006, Morgan Young and Joshua Heidbrink chained their bikes to a signpost on Elkhart Street and set out on foot in the Deep Creek community.
MormonTimes--Strange ward names: the sequel (11-18)
There are more than 27,000 wards and branches in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The names of most of these sound pretty routine, while others are unusual or strange -- at least until you know the name of the city it is located in, or something about the area's local history or geography.
FBI sending suspicious powder to headquarters (11-17)
A suspicious substance mailed to the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is on its way to FBI headquarters in Quantico, Va., for further testing.
Mexico City temple rededicated (11-17)
Sunday's rededication of the Mexico City Mexico Temple marked a day of returns.
Elder Ballard tells LDS students that they are fighting a battle (11-17)
An LDS apostle told a gathering of college-age church members Sunday night that they are fighting a battle that has been going on "since before the foundation of this world."
MormonTimes--Cultural diversity in the church (11-16)
What a wonderful thing to be members of a worldwide church where individuals share common gospel values and yet enjoy rich cultural diversity.
MormonTimes--'Reality' TV show blends families, scholarly insights (11-16)
A family oriented reality television show developed by Brigham Young University and broadcast by KBYU-TV and BYU TV -- what sounds like a contradiction is actually far from the combative, confrontational style of many so-called "reality shows" and the oft-portrayed dysfunctional family.
Hundreds take to S.L. streets to protest, support Prop. 8 ban on gay marriage (11-15)
Hundreds of demonstrators waving signs and rainbow-colored flags gathered in downtown Salt Lake City Saturday as the fight over gay marriage continued to intensify more than a week after California voters passed Proposition 8.
Polygamy show stinks (11-15)
Let's not pull any punches here. Dawn Porter is no journalist and cable channel TLC is beyond irresponsible to air her laughably bad program about polygamy.
LDS statement on Prop. 8 hostilities (11-15)
"Since the people of California voted to reaffirm the sanctity of traditional marriage between a man and a woman on Nov. 4, 2008, places of worship have been targeted by opponents of Proposition 8 with demonstrations and, in some cases, vandalism..."
MormonTimes--Ignoring Prop. 8 backers' spirituality (11-15)
What's missing from most of the news reporting about the Proposition 8 backlash is equal time and space to the value of a spiritual motivation that underpins the support for the sacred institution of marriage.
MormonTimes--London temple visitors center renewed (11-15)
The old Roman road running from the south coast of England to the Thames River has, for 50 years, passed by the towering London England Temple and its 32 acres of parklike grounds.
FLDS land-sale hearing postponed (11-14)
A global resolution of more than a dozen lawsuits involving the FLDS church could be resolved within months and ultimately pave the way for the polygamous sect to regain control of some of its communal trust property along the Utah/Arizona border.
Substance mailed to LDS Church not toxic (11-14)
Preliminary tests have found that a white powdery substance found in an envelope mailed to LDS Church headquarters is not hazardous, the FBI said.
Powder scares at 2 LDS temples (11-14)
Envelopes containing a suspicious white powder were mailed to two LDS temples and a Catholic fraternity, prompting a hazardous materials response and a federal investigation into who is behind it.
FLDS land sale goes before court today (11-14)
The Utah Supreme Court refused to halt a hearing scheduled for today on the proposed sale of more than 700 acres that members of the Fundamentalist LDS Church claim is a holy temple site.
MormonTimes--Jury seated for missionary murder trial (11-14)
After three days, a jury was seated Thursday night for the trial of James Boughton Jr., a 21-year-old Camelot, Va. man charged in the shooting of two Mormon missionaries nearly three years ago.
Sign critical of LDS destroyed by fire (11-13)
Signs critical of the LDS Church posted in front of a Salt Lake home were set on fire early Thursday.
Owner says Prop 8 opponents hacked into LDS site (11-13)
Owners of a Web site that specializes in advice and information for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints say their site was attacked the day following passage of Proposition 8 by people they believe opposed the measure.
Protests over Proposition 8 outcome getting personal (11-13)
Supporters of Proposition 8 won the election but now are frustrated because they are still fighting for their cause.
MormonTimes--Heroes and victims in Prop. 8 struggle (11-13)
Many people worked to pass Proposition 8 in California. Those who wish to be our enemies are working hard to blame it all on the Mormons, but our votes alone could never have done the job of protecting marriage from a fatal redefinition.
MormonTimes--Thomas Kane -- A 'friend of the Mormons' (11-13)
He fought at Gettysburg. He was freed from jail by the U.S. Supreme Court. He was an abolitionist who helped the Underground Railroad. He was a world traveler.
FLDS protest UEP land sale (11-12)
They packed the courtroom and when there was no more room in there, they stood in the halls that snaked around the federal courthouse.
Utah Jewish leader wants to keep talks going about LDS baptisms (11-12)
Let's keep the conversation going, the president of the board of the United Jewish Federation of Utah said Tuesday, the day after Holocaust survivors broke off negotiations with the LDS Church over posthumous baptisms.
Pleasant Grove religious case in top court today (11-12)
There are a number of donated monuments in Pleasant Grove's Pioneer Park: a stone from the first LDS temple in Nauvoo, the state's oldest schoolhouse and a monument to the Ten Commandments, to name a few.
MormonTimes--What's new: 'A Single Voice' (11-12)
When individuals who had planned on spending their lives with a spouse and children find themselves single and alone, Kristen M. Oaks suggests they "rewrite the dream."
MormonTimes--How Mormons can respond to criticism and mockery (11-12)
While the church and its members endure recent verbal attacks and protests, it is important to remember the proper ways to respond to the misrepresentations, half-truths and outright lies about Latter-day Saints in the news media, on the Web and other public spheres.
Catholics, Mormons joined to pass Prop. 8 (11-11)
Months before the first ads would run on Proposition 8, San Francisco Catholic Archbishop George Niederauer reached out to a group he knew well, Mormons.
MormonTimes--What's missing in the Word of Wisdom? (11-11)
According to Paul Hoskisson, an amazing thing about the revelation known as the Word of Wisdom is not just what is in it, but what was left out.
MormonTimes--Chesapeake trial begins in shootings of missionaries (11-10)
Jury selection began Monday in the trial of a man accused of shooting two Mormon missionaries, killing one, as they were proselytizing door-to-door in Deep Creek Jan. 2, 2006.
LDS Church surprised by Jewish Holocaust victims' decision (11-10)
The LDS Church "stands by its word" not to perform posthumous baptisms for Holocaust victims, church officials said Monday, after a group of Holocaust survivors held a press conference in New York announcing they are breaking off negotiations with the Church.
FLDS ask Utah Supreme Court to halt land sale (11-10)
Lawsuits and appeals are being filed in Utah and Arizona, challenging the pending sale of a swath of farmland that members of the Fundamentalist LDS Church claim is a future temple site.
BYU professor revels in teaching (11-10)
Susan Easton Black, BYU's prolific teacher, author and lecturer of LDS Church history, has a history of her own that sounds like something borrowed from Oprah.
More LDS chapels hit by vandals (11-10)
Police are searching for whoever is behind a vandalism spree at LDS chapels in Davis and Weber counties.
MormonTimes--Why Mormons are the Prop. 8 villains (11-10)
Anti-Mormonism is part of the reason why Proposition 8 protesters are targeting the LDS Church, according to media experts.
Utah faces potential boycott after LDS push for Prop 8 (11-10)
Utah's growing tourism industry and the star-studded Sundance Film Festival are being targeted for a boycott by bloggers, gay rights activists and others seeking to punish the LDS Church for its aggressive promotion of California's ban on gay marriage.
MormonTimes--Cabins honor struggle of 'unparalleled difficulty' (11-9)
Not much was known about southeastern Utah when pioneer settlers were directed by President John Taylor in 1879 to leave their established homes in Parowan and Cedar City, Utah, and forge their way across generally unfamiliar territory.
The Sacramento Bee--Mormon church in Orangevale vandalized in wake of Prop. 8 vote (11-9)
Three days after voters approved a proposition to ban same-sex marriage in California, vandals targeted a Mormon church in Orangevale.
MormonTimes--Oregon Sen. Smith unable to surf Democratic tide (11-9)
An Associated Press analysis says the Democratic wave wiped out Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith.
Prop. 8 protest draws thousands in Salt Lake City (11-8)
Thousands of people packed a Salt Lake City park and then paraded through downtown streets Friday night for a vocal but peaceful protest of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' participation in California's new ban on gay marriage.
MormonTimes--Prophet and scribes preserved early church history (11-8)
In a revelation dated Nov. 27, 1832, the Lord commanded that a "history and a general church record" be kept "of all things that transpire in Zion" (Doctrine and Covenants 85:1).
MormonTimes--LDS artist paints deity with reverence (11-8)
LDS artist Brian Kershisnik approaches painting deity with caution and a reverence, he told an audience Friday at a Brigham Young University Museum of Art symposium.
MormonTimes--Catholic Bishop Weigand decries bigotry against Mormons (11-7)
The following statement was released today by Bishop William Weigand, head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento and former Bishop of Salt Lake City, in response to attacks on the Mormon Church for supporting California's Proposition 8, defending the traditional definition of marriage:
Hundreds protest over Prop. 8 (11-7)
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets Thursday over California's new ban on gay marriage, amid deepening political turmoil and legal confusion over who should have the right to wed.
Church urges civility in wake of protests (11-7)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement Thursday regarding the California protest:
LDS President Taylor recalled as 'champion of right' (11-7)
Before a gathering of several hundred John Taylor descendants, family and friends who were commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of the third LDS Church president, an apostle of the church extolled him as a "champion of right" and challenged them to carry on his legacy.
MormonTimes--Why young Mormons become liberal (11-7)
If I have learned anything about politics this week, it's that I am on the fast track to H-E-double-hockey-sticks.
MormonTimes--Finding power after a mission (11-7)
LDS missionaries are often told they won't be able to feel God's spirit or guidance as well or as often when they return home, but a former mission president tried to dispel that notion at Brigham Young University on Thursday.
MormonTimes--Was Emma Smith an 'elect lady'? (11-7)
She lost five children in infancy and a sixth when he was 14 months old. Polygamy swirled around her. She was pregnant when her husband was murdered.
LDS official lauds work for California's Prop. 8 (11-6)
Gay marriage is once again banned in California after the nation's most hotly contested citizen referendum ended in victory for Proposition 8 supporters, backed by major fundraising and grass-roots organizing by members of the LDS Church.
MormonTimes--How all of Utah is connected with monument (11-6)
Almost every piece of property in Utah has a connection to a small obelisk-shaped monument on the southeast corner of Temple Square.
MormonTimes--Photographer's intent: an exhibit for all faiths (11-6)
The "Reflections of Christ" photography exhibit and related media portray the Savior based on beliefs held by Christians around the world.
MormonTimes--Baptist and LDS hymns focus on Christ (11-6)
A recent article on BaptistStandard.com explored how "Hymns sung in most Baptist churches historically have been 'More About Jesus' than about either God the Father or the Holy Spirit."
LDS youths get set for 'Brand New Year' (11-6)
Commuters going north on I-15 Wednesday night during rush hour in Salt Lake County found themselves crawling toward downtown, as some 21,000 young people made their way toward the LDS Conference Center amid traffic for the Utah Jazz game.
NBC's 'Law & Order' will take on polygamy (11-5)
"Law & Order" returns for its 19th season tonight (9 p.m., Ch. 5), and--defying all odds--it's still hitting on all cylinders.
Man guilty of killing LDS wife, stepson (11-5)
A man was convicted of first-degree murder Tuesday for killing his wife and 11-year-old stepson out of anger over the time she spent with members of her church.
MormonTimes--LDS Institute takes class to Ute football players (11-5)
One by one, the players ambled into the auditorium at the University of Utah football complex, some still dressed in their red-and-black Spandex, others in jeans and T-shirts. One player had an ice pack taped to his shoulder, and a couple had towels wrapped around their waists.
MormonTimes--Converts plant seeds for extended family (11-1)
As a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I am often envious of friends in the ward who grew up Mormon with active extended family members.
LDS Church News--Season of interest (11-1)
A new meetinghouse located on a busy street corner in Ljubljana, Slovenia, is helping the Church become better known and understood. The stately structure is a firm declaration that the Church has a promising future in this Balkan country.
LDS Church News--First member in Slovenia wasn't looking for truth (11-1)
Albin Lotric was not looking for religion when a young man dressed in a suit holding a book in his hand stopped him on the street. In his heart, he didn't feel that his religion was true but, then, he wasn't interested in learning the truth.
Standard-Examiner--LDS man leads Utah Catholic Community Services (11-1)
About once a week, Northern Utah Catholic Community Services sports an additional face among its employees.
LDS Church News--New Year's Eve-themed DVD introduces 2009 Mutual theme (11-1)
New Year's Eve has traditionally signaled a period of fresh starts and new beginnings. Folks worldwide will undoubtedly resolve to, perhaps, drop a few pounds, get back in shape, adhere to a budget or make amends with an estranged relative or friend.
MormonTimes--30 million diverse records added to FamilySearch (11-1)
FamilySearch continued its unending expansion by adding 30 million more family-history records to its free www.pilot.familysearch.org Search Pilot Web site.