Author: Sharon Lindbloom
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The "Anti-Mormon" Tactic
Over the weekend the Salt Lake Tribune posted an opinion piece titled “Romney candidacy will stir up anti-Mormon feeling”. The author, Tom Williams, begins, Am I the only practicing Mormon who’s not excited about Mitt Romney’s run for president? It’s not like his first order of business will be a $10,000 tax credit for all…
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Equally Unworthy
While we’re on the subject of Mormon temples (see Mormon Coffee’s last article), the February issue of Ensign magazine includes an article about the symbolism found in Mormon temples. Quoting LDS Apostle John A. Widtsoe, the article states: “In the temples all are dressed alike in white. White is the symbol of purity. No unclean…
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People Can Learn About the LDS Endowment Ceremony
On Tuesday USA Today posted an article by journalist Jill Lawrence: “Will Mormon faith hurt bid for White House?” There are some unexpected revelations in the article related to the doctrines and history of the LDS Church. They are grouped under the headings of “Theology,” “Polygamy,” “Racial History,” “Secrecy,” “Discipline,” and “Proselytizing.” This makes the…
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The Dos and Don’ts of Mormon Missionary Life
The newspaper in my town, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, ran an article about Mormon missionaries over the weekend. Along with the article was a revealing companion piece: “Young missionaries live by rigid rules.” Drawn from a “four-page list of rules for male Minnesota missionaries,” the article listed twenty-seven for Star-Tribune readers. The LDS Church wants its…
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The LDS Church Calls it a Distortion
The film “September Dawn” depicts the Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857, implicating LDS Prophet Brigham Young. The LDS Church condemns the film as a distortion of history, raising concerns over its portrayal and potential impact on their image.
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Brigham Young’s Lecture at the Veil
It was 130 years ago today that LDS recorder L. John Nuttall, by order of Brigham Young, transcribed the Lecture at the Veil in the St. George, Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Lecture at the Veil was a lesson at the end of the LDS endowment ceremony which…
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Will Pope Benedict Become a Mormon After He Dies?
So reads the headline of a recent Reuters article written by Religion Editor Tom Heneghan. The article, which discusses the Mormon practice of baptism for the dead, appeared today on the Reuters web site. PARIS (Reuters) – Pope Benedict was baptized at birth and will most likely be baptized again one year after his death,…
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Book Review: Jesus & Joseph: Parallel Lives
By Rodney Turner. Reviewed by Sharon Lindbloom
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Are Patriarchal Blessings "A Star to Follow"?
By Sharon Lindbloom It’s tough living in a fallen world. It’s hard to confidently choose our steps and make good life decisions, for we live in a culture of boundless possibilities. How often we think, “If I only knew the future I would know what to do.” Mormonism provides its members an answer to this…
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Not the Christ of Whom I Speak
The Associated Press reported Tuesday on Mitt Romney’s visit to South Carolina, a “Bible Belt state” where “a few Republicans expressed deep reservations about backing a Mormon.” Mr. Romney isn’t really concerned about that, believing people recognize they will be electing a president, not a pastor.Nevertheless, South Carolina Republican State Representative Gloria Haskins said, “I…
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Earnest People of Faith
Deseret Morning News journalist Jerry Johnston recently devoted his column to supporting LDS presidential hopeful Mitt Romney with “Be willing to vote for a believer.” The gist of the article was a challenge to those of the “Religious Right” who have concerns about voting for a Mormon. In the form of an open letter, Mr.…
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Choose Life, Choose Truth
Forty million unborn babies have been legally killed in this nation since that tragic ruling.My father is in favor of legalized abortion, citing the gruesome stories of illegal back-alley abortions he heard about as a young man. I wasn’t there, of course, but I’ve also heard plenty of horror stories about abortions that pre-dated Roe…
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Prophet Counsels Against Being “Unequally Yoked”
During the Priesthood Session of last September/October’s General Conference, LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke to the men and boys of the Church, urging them to be worthy of the LDS priesthood. President Hinckley instructed them to shun unclean thoughts, pornography and abuse of any kind. He told them to watch their language and stop…
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Utah’s Rich Beer-Making History
The Salt Lake Tribune published a lighthearted article yesterday: “Beehive State Brew”. In it, journalist Kathy Stephenson takes a look at the history of beer in Utah. She writes, [Tourists to Utah] likely have heard plenty of tales of Utah’s teetotaling ways. But few visitors — not to mention some longtime residents — may not…
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Put Away Childish Things
Last week Jeannie Berg posted an article on Blue Oregon: “Gordon Smith on Iraq — Did the Elders Make Him Do It?” Ms. Berg questioned the recent about-face of Oregon Senator Gordon Smith regarding his position on the war in Iraq. In her article, Ms. Berg wondered if LDS Senator Smith’s “new found opposition to…
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Mormonism Now and Then
There’s almost nothing in the news these days about Mormonism that isn’t primarily about Mitt Romney. But usually buried somewhere in these articles is at least a short statement about the religion Mr. Romney embraces. This week an article appeared on AmericanThinker.com, “Mitt Romney: A Leader for America” by Amy D. Goldstein. Consider her mention…
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All-Purpose LDS Missionaries
The Jackson Hole [Wyoming] Star Tribune reported Sunday that non-Mormon students at Brigham Young University believe they are at a disadvantage when it comes to the required Book of Mormon courses. Ninety-eight percent of the school’s students are Mormon, but the other two percent represent twenty other faiths; all students are required to take two…
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History of Fanaticism
The January 15, 2007 issue of The New Republic includes an article by Damon Linker: “Taking Mormonism Seriously. The Big Test” (subscription only). I don’t subscribe to The New Republic and so have not read Dr. Linker’s article. However, it appears that Dr. Linker has struck a nerve in some people.TNR Online is hosting a…
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Bound for Glory?
While reading the Book of Revelation I was struck by Jesus’ words regarding the final judgment of those whose names are not written in the Book of Life: …the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is…
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Assurances and Promises
Here it is again. The LDS Church has once again been confronted with concerns from the Jewish community over the Church’s inclusion of Holocaust victims and survivors in the LDS International Genealogical Index. On Monday, as reported by the Los Angeles Times, the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles demanded the LDS Church remove the…