Author: Sharon Lindbloom
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Mormons Correct and Soften Smithsonian Exhibit
Today’s online Salt Lake Tribune includes an article about a relatively new exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution. “American Origins” contains portraits of prominent Americans from 1600 to 1900; therefore, it contains images of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. Before the exhibit opened in July some LDS Church members got a sneak-peek. They were concerned about…
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Catholic Bishops vs. the Mormon Church
This week the Associated Press reported on a situation in the Slovak Republic involving the Mormon Church. The LDS Church is seeking Slovak support, which would allow the church to register as an official religious group in that nation. But bishops of the dominant Catholic church don’t like the idea. BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) – Roman…
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Some Classes of the Human Family
Last Friday night (September 1st) I caught the first segment of Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees. The show “Polygamy in America: Cult or Calling?” was, predictably, about Warren Jeffs, the recently arrested leader of the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Anderson Cooper broadcast portions of a “rare audio recording” of Mr.…
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‘Mormon’ Morphology
The recent arrest of Warren Jeffs, prophet of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, has The [non-fundamentalist] Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints concerned again about public perception of the Mormon Church and polygamy. The LDS Church issued a statement on Tuesday reiterating its claim that the term “Mormon” is…
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Mormon Missionaries Confront Misperceptions
The Chronicle Herald of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, recently ran an article about Mormon missionaries serving in that area. There have been a plethora of such articles in the past few weeks that have crossed my desk. From Canada to Australia, from Florida to the San Francisco Bay area and places in between, newspapers have…
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Warren Jeffs in Custody
Warren Jeffs, fugitive leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was apprehended last night near Las Vegas, Nevada. The Associated Press reports: The leader of a polygamist Mormon sect, who’s been one of the country’s most sought after fugitives, is now behind bars… Jeffs has been on the FBI’s Ten Most…
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New and Improved King Follett Discourse
In 2004 the LDS Church brought its long-running City of Joseph pageant (Nauvoo, Illinois) to a close. In 2005 a new pageant premiered in the City of Joseph — Nauvoo Pageant: A Tribute to Joseph Smith. Along with the introduction of the new pageant, the LDS Church also offered tourists several historic vignettes which were…
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The Church Effect
An article on Salt Lake City’s KUTV.com reports on the findings of a U.S. Census Bureau survey released on Tuesday. According to the 2005 American Community Survey Utahn’s continue to hold the record for getting married and starting families at a younger age than people in other parts of the country. Behind the state’s large…
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Evangelical Filmmaker Arrested at Mormon Pageant
Joel Kramer, director of Living Hope Ministries, was arrested Friday night near Logan, Utah as he attempted to film portions of the LDS pageant, Martin Harris: The Man Who Knew. The Salt Lake Tribune reports: Joel Kramer, 39, was arrested and booked for disorderly conduct after he told a Cache County sheriff’s deputy he was…
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What Utah Does Best
Back in February I blogged about Utah’s quest for a new state slogan (see Marketing Utah). The Salt Lake City advertising agency which was working on creating the slogan promised that it “will reveal ‘the look of Utah,’ ‘the soul of Utah’ and ‘the sound of Utah,’ all composing the ’emotional core of Utah.’” The…
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Mormon Outrage, part 2
On Monday I blogged about a letter to the editor that appeared in USA Today. The Mormon author of that letter, Jeff Byrd, made some sweeping accusations regarding the ministry of Christian missionaries often conducted on the streets outside public LDS proselytizing events. Keith Walker of Evidence Ministries has prepared a timely and articulate response…
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One Mormon’s Outrage
Most people aware of Mel Gibson’s arrest last week for driving under the influence and his unfortunate behavior during that arrest (read the story). On August 3rd USA Today online posted an opinion (letter to the editor) titled Reaction to Gibson is hypocritical. The author, Jeff Byrd of Sacramento, California, wrote: I am writing to…
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Mormon Church Growth & Retention
On July 18th the LDS Church released this to the press: SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the second-fastest growing church in the United States, according to the 2006 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches, published by the National Council of Churches. After citing some statistics regarding worldwide…
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Turbulent Times
On June 23rd the current LDS Prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, celebrated his 96th birthday. One element of the festivities included breaking ground for a new building on the campus of Brigham Young University; a building to be named in honor of President Hinckley. Several people spoke at the groundbreaking, including Thomas S. Monson. President Monson…
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Mormonism: Depressing
Utah has the unfortunate reputation of being “the runaway leader in antidepressant use.” In February of 2002 the Los Angeles Times reported the findings of a study which showed Antidepressant drugs are prescribed in Utah more often than in any other state, at a rate nearly twice the national average. Utah’s high usage was cited…
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Mormon Pioneers and Little Lambs
Today is Pioneer Day in Utah. Each July 24th the residents of Utah celebrate the “Days of ’47” commemorating Brigham Young’s 1847 arrival in the Great Salt Lake valley. This holiday is a big deal; a state holiday with parades, fireworks and family picnics. It’s a lot like the 4th of July is for the…
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American Bigotry Toward Mormons
It’s been in the news a lot these past months. Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney may seek the Republican nomination for President of the United States. But he has a huge hurdle to overcome: his membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All the political pundits are asking, “Could a Mormon be elected…
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Mormonism and Spiritual Experience
A couple of weeks ago (July 8th) LDS Deseret News printed a column by staff writer Jerry Johnston. He told this story: “Not long ago I was visiting a woman from Mexico who had been praying about joining my own church, the LDS Church. She said the Virgin Mary came to her in a dream…
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Artistic Interpretation–Mormon Style
During my tour of Temple Square in Salt Lake City last week I visited the LDS North Visitors Center. A friend pointed out a large painting (reproduction) on the wall at the stairway landing. It was a painting of Jesus as a boy teaching in the temple. I found it interesting so I took a…
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Protestors at the Mormon Miracle Pageant
I’m back from a quick trip to Utah. While there I toured Temple Square, Brigham Young’s Beehive House, and the cemetery where Mr. Young and several of his wives now lay. I went to Zion’s Bookstore (which now has a nice coffee bar, by the way) and to Deseret Book. I went to the Church…