Author: Sharon Lindbloom
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LDS Church Public Education Campaign
An article posted today on the American Spectator’s web site suggests that the LDS Church is worried about the publicity Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign may bring to the Church. “Mormonism in the Spotlight” says, The Salt Lake City-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is growing increasingly concerned about the public-perception hit the presidential…
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Christian or Not?
A Latter-day Saint student at BYU sent a letter to the BYU NewsNet Readers Forum this week. He wrote: I grew up considering myself both a Christian and a Latter-day Saint. I heard of people claiming we aren’t Christians, but I still felt comfortable in identifying with both titles. I never felt any wrong in…
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Mitt Romney and Mormonism
There’s a new video produced for online viewing: “Mitt Romney and Mormonism.” The introduction states, [Mitt] Romney is a Mormon Republican who’d like to be the next president. People are asking the question: Will his religion affect whether or not evangelicals vote for him? That’s a good question. But to many of us evangelical Christians…
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A God-Fearing People
I’ve been reading in the Book of Revelation. I’ve been quite affected by the imagery of God as recorded by the Apostle John. We find God seated on a throne covered in radiant color and glory, surrounded by myriads of myriads of angels and elders and other living creatures, falling before Him in worship. They…
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LDS To-Do List
A friend sent me a link to the web site of a Latter-day Saint couple. Comprised of the couples’ “Epistles and Handouts,” the web site says, It is our hope that these materials will be of value to you and your family in helping you be better missionaries and stronger more faithful Later-day [sic] Saints…
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If Any of You Lacks Wisdom, Don’t Ask
On November 7, 2006 LDS Apostle Dallin Oaks presented a devotional address to the students at BYU-Idaho. In his talk, entitled “Be Wise,” Mr. Oaks defined the principle of wisdom and demonstrated how wisdom may be applied in several different areas of life. Covering various subjects including prayer, dating, and self-characterization, Mr. Oaks spoke of…
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Mormonism in the News
There’s been lots in the news lately about Mormonism; mostly related to Mitt Romney’s suitability as a presidential candidate in 2008. But there are some other tidbits that have cropped up as well. If you’re interested, here’s a run down with follow-up links to recent stories.In early November BPNews.net (Baptist Press) published the results of…
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Unholy Devotion
Sunday’s San Francisco Chronicle ran a lengthy article about Warren Jeffs and the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In “A Prophet in Purgatory” journalist Don Lattin examines Mr. Jeffs’ history, leadership and behavior as the Prophet-leader of the FLDS Church. A significant question asked by Mr. Lattin is this: “Will throwing…
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Of Grackles and Bluebirds
Christianity Today posted an article on November 10th by Dr. Richard Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary. Titled Shoot-First Apologetics, Dr. Mouw here recounts a story he once read, written by the late Dr. Walter Martin, about the danger of too quickly labeling someone an “enemy of the gospel.” As the story goes, Dr. D.…
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Mormonism and Murder
In October a new book hit the shelves: The Open Curtain by Brian Evenson. Dubbed a thriller by Publishers Weekly, The Open Curtain is a story about Mormonism and murder. Evenson (Altmann’s Tongue) explores some controversial Mormon history in this thoughtful thriller rooted in an actual century-old murder case. When Rudd, a disaffected, fatherless Mormon…
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Addition or Attrition?
As I mentioned in a previous post, LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley is fond of inviting people of other faiths to come to the Mormon Church. He often suggests something like this: “We recognize the good in all churches. We recognize the value of religion generally. We say to everyone: live the teachings which you…
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Inviting Non-Mormons: Bring the Good With You
LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley is gracious toward people of other faiths. In his October First Presidency Message, written primarily to new members of the LDS Church, President Hinckley wrote: …there are many good people in other churches. There is much of good in them. Your family and your prior religious traditions may have taught…
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Questions of Mormon Racism — Again
In September and early October republican Representative Russell Pearce from Mesa, Arizona bought himself some trouble A supporter of tougher immigration laws — suggesting the deportation of undocumented immigrants — Rep. Pearce, who is a Mormon, made public comments that caused an outcry calling for an end to racist language and bigotry. An article in…
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Mormon Church and Romney Politics
It’s all over today’s news. Yesterday the Boston Globe reported that the Mitt Romney camp consulted with Mormon leaders to “map out plans for a nationwide network of Mormon supporters to help Romney capture the presidency in 2008.” The Boston Globe suggested the LDS Church is officially involved in supporting Governor Romney’s political campaign. According…
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Christ and False Christs
Yesterday the Southeast Missourian News ran an online article titled “Growing up Mormon.” Author Melissa Sirrine is a student at Brigham Young University but visits relatives in southeast Missouri each summer. Her article seems to be written for the purpose of informing her non-Mormon audience about the tenets of Mormonism, and specifically that Mormons believe…
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Personal Worthiness Required
At the LDS Church’s most recent General Conference held in Salt Lake City a little over a week ago, Elaine Dalton took the stand. Directing her remarks to the general membership of the Church, Mrs. Dalton delivered a talk she entitled, “Look toward Eternity!“Near the beginning of her talk, Mrs. Dalton asked, Do you understand…
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A Strange System of Terrorism
This might be old news as the blogoshpere goes, but it’s worth noting nonetheless. About 2 weeks ago (24 September) the Salt Lake Tribune ran an interesting article under the “Living History” banner. Sporting no byline, the article drew comparisons between LDS history and radical Islam. Here are a few excerpts. Early Mormonism and radical…
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Mormon Circles
According to the LDS history web site, on this day (September 22nd) in 1827 Joseph Smith “received the golden plates from the angel Moroni on the hill where they were buried.” Eyewitnesses reported that Joseph took the gold plates home and began translating them with the help of a seer stone — that is, a…
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If Elvis Were King
There’s a new movie being produced in Orem, Utah expected to bolster the faith of members of the Mormon Church. Rob Diamond has written and is directing “Tears of a King” which explores that [spiritual] part of Elvis’ life. The movie looks at the period when Presley studied the teachings of the LDS Church. He…