Mormon Life - Award tag

Bobbie Jager, LDS mother of 13 children, named Oregon Mother of the Year

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:32:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Bobbie Jager wanted to have 14 children ever since she was a little girl. Her husband, Mike, says that if you count him, she's made it.

Jager, of Sheridan, who was named the Oregon Mother of the Year last February, has 13 children from ages 10 to 33.

Her parents weren’t able to have children, and she was adopted along with her brother. Describing her family situation growing up as "boring" at times, Jager always wanted to be around people — baby-sitting big families when possible and hoping to someday have children of her own.

BYU rugby team wins national championship

Mon, 21 May 2012 09:41:00 -0600

source: universe.byu.edu

Mormon Life says: Congrats boys. Thousands of BYU fans gathered at the Rio Tinto stadium on Saturday night to witness the BYU Rugby team take the national championship title against Arkansas State. The final score was 49-42.

The Red Wolves took advantage of the Cougars’ slow start. Arkansas scored a penalty goal in the 2nd minute, which was shortly followed by its first try in the 5th minute. The scoreboard marked 0-8 for the Red Wolves.

Ty Detmer will be enshrined to the College Football Hall of Fame

Tue, 15 May 2012 10:29:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

BYU has long been known for producing prolific quarterbacks, and the Cougars' remarkable QB assembly line was honored again Monday, when Ty Detmer was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.

The National Football Foundation announced that Detmer, the 1990 Heisman Trophy winner, is the first member of the 2012 College Football Hall of Fame Class. It marked the first time Detmer's name appeared on the ballot. The entire class will be announced Tuesday.

"I think it's tremendous," legendary coach LaVell Edwards, who was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2004, told the Deseret News. "I thought it would happen on the first ballot, but you never know. It's certainly well-deserved. I'm really happy for him. It's a tremendous choice."

Top LDS writers honored at 5th annual Whitney Awards

Wed, 09 May 2012 00:07:00 -0600

by Brooke Ward - LDS Living
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Last weekend, the Whitney Awards honored the top authors in LDS fiction. Take a look to see who won (and find out what books to add to your reading list).

Veterans and rookies of the world of LDS fiction gathered together in Provo, Utah, on May 5, as the best works of 2011 were honored at the 5th Annual Whitney Awards. The awards—named for writer, poet and apostle Orson F. Whitney—recognized novels in seven categories, as well as the lifetime achievements of genre pioneers Jack Weyland and Douglas Thayer.

Deseret Book’s Rachel Ann Nunes was presented the first award of the evening in the category of General Fiction for her tender novel Before I Say Goodbye. A seasoned author with more than 30 books to her credit, Nunes has had her work recognized in others spheres, but said the Whitneys have a special significance, because it is a brainchild of LDStorymakers, the nonprofit writers guild she founded in 2002.

“This is great . . . I’m stunned,” Nunes said after making the trip to the podium to collect her first Whitney. “I’ve been writing for a very long time, and this is my fourth time being a finalist so I’ve come to expect to go home empty-handed.”

Fellow Deseret Book author Gale Sears also left with more than she came with, picking up the Whitney for Historical Fiction for her novel Letters in the Jade Dragon Box.

“I love what I do,” Sears told the audience, offering a heartfelt “well done” to the other winners, nominees, and all others who write in any form. “It’s truly a blessing to be able to do what we do as authors. I love to be able to do research, and I know that sounds kind of dorky, but it is so rewarding to dig into the past and unearth those gems.”

Newcomer Tess Hilmo uncovered treasures of her own with her first published novel, With a Name Like Love: a pair of Whitneys for General Youth Fiction and Best Novel by a New Author.

“This is such a blessing, shock and joy,” Hilmo said, adding that her nine-year journey to publication sometimes left her wondering if the ball would ever really start rolling for her.

“Sometimes when I write, I think about E.B. White and how he said writing is an act of faith,” Hilmo said. “We write initially with the hope that we’ll finish, then we need to have faith that the words on the page will reflect the story in our hearts; and finally that someone somewhere will connect with it somehow.”

Veteran author Stephanie Black, who won her fourth consecutive Mystery/Suspense Whitney for Rearview Mirror, has been blessed to have readers connect with her writing over and over again.

“I was really not expecting this,” Black said, after having predicted an end to her winning streak over dinner. “The competition was incredibly fierce this year, and it’s humbling to be numbered among them.”

Like Black, other familiar names accounted for the balance of the winners: Carla Kelly, taking the Romance category with Borrowed Light; Brandon Sanderson, coming out on top in Speculative Fiction with his latest Mistborn novel, The Alloy of Law; and Whitney Awards creator Robison Wells, who edged out the other nominees in the highly competitive Speculative Youth Fiction category with Variant. His brother Dan Wells also had reason to celebrate, picking up his third Whitney for Novel of the Year for his book I Don’t Want to Kill You.

Jack Weyland, despite his own successes, including Charly and 24 other best-selling books, said he was humbled to be among the evening’s honorees. “I don’t think I’ve ever been in the company of so many talented, wonderful people,” he said, adding that he felt particularly moved by the sense of joint effort and the potential that writers with faith in Jesus Christ have to affect change.

Weyland and Douglas Thayer, both greeted with a standing ovation, were awarded the Outstanding Achievement and Lifetime Achievement Awards, respectively.

“These men are not just pioneers, but also visionaries who have made a lifetime commitment to literature,” said Whitney Awards committee president Josi Kilpack, who later added that it was the first time that all award recipients were in attendance at the ceremony.

“This is the pinnacle of our year, and we are blessed to be able to honor the time and dedication that has gone into the creations of these authors,” Kilpack said.

To learn more about the Whitney Awards, visit whitneyawards.com.

BYU, University of Utah business schools on News and World Report's 'most popular' list

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:22:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Two business schools in Utah, Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Business and the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business, have joined the ranks of Harvard and Stanford on U.S. News & World Report’s Most Popular Business Schools list.

The rankings were based on the schools’ yields, or the percentage of full-time applicants accepted to the schools that decide to enroll there.

BYU runner to attempt mile record at upcoming meet

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:46:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Senior Miles Batty will attempt to become just the second runner in history to complete a sub-four minute mile in the state of Utah on Saturday at 1:45 p.m. MT at the annual BYU Robison Invitational.

Batty will attempt to join former Olympian Doug Padilla on the short list of runners to finish a mile in under four minutes in the state of Utah. Padilla is currently the only member of that elite group.

BYU Cougarettes again National Dance Champions in Hip-Hop

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:32:00 -0600

source: news.byu.edu

The Cougarettes, Brigham Young University's popular precision dance team, recently returned from Daytona Beach where they won their 10th National Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship Division One title in Hip Hop.

Mormons, Kansas City Missouri Temple Recognized in Governors’ Proclamations

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:00:00 -0600

source: Newsroom.lds.org

The governor of Missouri and the governor of Kansas released proclamations Friday acknowledging the contributions of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) in their respective states.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and Kansas Governor Sam Brownback presented the official proclamations to Church leader Elder William R. Walker following a tour on 5 April of the newly completed Kansas City Missouri Temple located at 7001 N. Searcy Creek Parkway in Kansas City.

Behind the Scenes of BYU Student Emmy-winning Film

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 03:06:00 -0600

source: news.byu.edu

LDS author nominated for prestigious science fiction award

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 02:48:00 -0600

by Alexa Justesen - LDS Living
source: ldsliving.com

Mormon Life says: Nancy Fulda has been nominated for a Nebula Award for her story about one autistic girl's experiences in the future. Inspired by her own autistic son's point of view, Fulda crafted a unique perspective on time in "Movement: A Short Story about Autism in the Future."

You may not have ever heard of the Nebula Awards, but you probably have heard of the Oscars.

The Nebula Awards are pretty much the same thing, but for science fiction writers instead of movie stars. And BYU alumna Nancy Fulda has been nominated for one. Her piece, “Movement: A Short Story about Autism in the Future,” tells the story of Hannah, a highly gifted teenager who is unable to communicate verbally. When her parents look in to a life-changing treatment, Hannah’s life is turned upside down.

Fulda, whose son is autistic, says that “Movement” was inspired by working with his unique abilities.

"‘Movement’ grew out of my efforts to comprehend a mental architecture that was utterly foreign to me, and from my son’s tender and diligent attempts to do the same,” she says. “The experience of trying to think differently, and of learning to respect my son's interpretation of the world as valid, enabled me to find a literary voice for Hannah and for her unique perception of time.”

However, using autism as a character trait wasn’t a conscious decision, it was just something she can relate to. “I was playing around with ideas about time and needed a focal point. Somewhere during the third or fourth revision, I realized that I needed a very unusual protagonist to discuss these ideas. I needed someone who doesn't see the world the same way most people do. Autism was on my mind at the time, so it was perhaps inevitable that the fictional condition I created for Hannah looks and feels very much like autism.”

As a member of the Church, Fulda says it’s easy for her faith to reflect in her writing. “It's my personal belief that authors can't help injecting their world view into their work," she said. "It's a subconscious process. We write what we see, we write what we experience; how can we not also write what we believe?”

She even includes gospel themes such as agency and eternal progression in her story, although the reader will have to pay attention. “More than anything else, Hannah desires to fill the measure of her potential, and find joy.”

Because being nominated for a Nebula Award is such an honor, Fulda was thrilled when she found out. It was totally unexpected, though, since the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America traditionally notifies Nebula finalists personally, and though the announcement of this year's nominees was approaching, she hadn't received a phone call.

“Imagine my joy when I got home from my son's karate class and found an answering machine message from my dear friend, telling me that ‘Movement’ had been nominated for the category of Best Short Story," she said. "I tend to bounce through the house, quite literally, whenever something good happens with my writing. In this case, I believe I bounced for a solid hour!”

Fulda has won various science fiction awards in the past, including the Phobos Award, the Vera Hinckley Mayhew Award and the Jim Baen Memorial Award. However, she isn’t stopping there. “Well, a Hugo nomination would be a nice addition to the collection. The Nebula and Hugo Awards are the two major milestones for science fiction and fantasy, roughly equivalent to the Oscars for film. Someday I'd also love to be nominated for a Whitney Award, but since they don't have a short fiction category, I guess I'll have to write a few novels first!”

The 47th Annual Nebula Awards will take place in Arlington, VA, May 17-20, and is put on by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. To read “Movement,” check out nancyfulda.com.

BYU student films, filmmakers win record number of ‘student Emmys’

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:04:00 -0600

source: news.byu.edu

For the third year in a row, BYU student films have won multiple student Emmys from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation, with this year’s haul being the largest ever.

On Saturday night, BYU student films and filmmakers won an unprecedented five awards at the 33rd College Television Awards.

Student film “Mr. Bellpond” won the student Emmy for best comedy, “I Am Not My Body,” won the 2nd place documentary award, and “My Hero,” won for best children’s program. Meanwhile, “I Am Not My Body” director Mark Williams won the Seymour Bricker Family Humanitarian Award and “Mr. Bellpond” director A. Todd Smith got the nod for best director.

Mormon students honor U. physiology lecturer

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:17:00 -0600

source: sltrib.com

As a student at American Fork High, Matthew Linton took an advanced placement biology class that changed his life.

"I never had been challenged like that before," Linton said. "It lit me up."

Virginia Mormon woman recognized for service as state Mother of the Year

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:41:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Sharlet Rowley Bouchelle was commended by the General Assembly of Virginia for her service as Virginia Mother of the Year on March 9. Bouchelle, from Buena Vista, Va., has been serving in that capacity for the past year.

Bouchelle and her family are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and attend the Rockbridge Ward, Buena Vista Virginia Stake. She is currently serving as the stake Relief Society president. Bouchelle is the wife of Joe Bouchelle and the mother of four children. Their eldest son, Joseph, is currently serving in the California Roseville Mission.

Winners of International Art Exhibit Announced, Exhibit Opens

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:49:00 -0600

source: news.lds.org

On Friday, March 16, 2012, at the opening of the Ninth International Art Competition exhibit, local and international artists gathered to accept awards for their LDS-themed artwork.

Merit Awards were presented for 20 artists whose pieces were deemed “outstanding,” while another 15 artists earned Purchase Awards, meaning the Church History Museum, which sponsors the competition, acquired the piece for its collection.

Czech Republic gives prestigious award to LDS couple

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:05:00 -0700

by Emily McClure
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Richard and Barbara Winder have happily labored in the Czech Republic for over 50 years. And just last month, the country took official notice of their efforts and awarded them the Czernin Palace Award for their significant positive relations between the U.S. and the Czech Republic. Richard and Barbara Winder, residents of South Jordan, Utah, have just become the first Utahns to receive the Czernin Palace Award. This highly prestigious award is given by the Czech Republic to a person or group that has contributed significantly to positive relations between the United States and the Czech Republic, and after more than 50 years of interaction with the Czech Republic, the Winders received the award in recognition of their efforts.

The Winders enjoyed a special ceremony to receive the award at the home of their friend, James McConkie, on February 20.

The story of the Winders’ involvement with the Czech Republic extends over half a century ago, before the country shifted to communism in 1948 and while it was still named Czechoslovakia. Just prior to 1950, Richard Winder served a mission to Czechoslovakia under Wallace Toronto, the mission president at the time. Unfortunately, Nazi occupation of the country forced the evacuation of all missionaries, and Richard returned home to Utah. Shortly thereafter, he met Barbara Woodhead, and two-and-a-half weeks later, they were engaged. (Aside from being a wife and a mother of four children, Barbara went on to become General Relief Society President in 1984.)

Under the direction of the First Presidency, Richard and Barbara remained in contact with the members of the Church in Czechoslovakia during the decades of communism, which spanned from 1948 to 1989. Jonathon Tichy, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic in Utah and former missionary to the Czech Republic under Richard Winder, said, “They went over . . . and met with members in their homes to try and check on them and . . . set the stage for the day the Church would be able to return to the country.”

Finally, a year after the communist government was officially ended, the First Presidency called the Winders to reestablish the Church in the country and reopen the Czechoslovakia Prague Mission. After so many years of being cut off from direction from Salt Lake City, members of the Church were not easy to find.

“When the Winders returned in 1990, they were able to locate roughly 150-200 members remaining from 40 years of communism. There had been a couple of baptisms, but roughly they started with 200 people,” said Tichy.

The Winders had their work cut out for them, not only because of the shortage of active members, but also because of the predominant atheistic beliefs of the country. A poll conducted by the United States in 2001 showed that 52 percent of the Czech population identified as atheist, and current polls on atheism frequently show the Czech Republic as one of the most atheistic countries in the world.

However, the country’s distaste toward religion has not stopped the progress of the Church in the Czech Republic. In fact, the 200 members in 1990 have expanded to a number reaching nearly 2,600. Tichy remarked, “They don’t sound like huge numbers, but you figure that’s ten times more in twenty years, and if it was ten times more in another twenty years, that would be remarkable. It shows good progress.”

After serving as mission president for three years, Richard was released and called as a patriarch. He would spend the next several years traveling from Utah to the Czech Republic for a week at a time to give patriarchal blessings, and he and his wife’s interest in the country did not go unnoticed. In May 2010, the Czech ambassador came to visit Utah and meet the Winders. Tichy recalled, “The Winders made a very positive impression on the Czech ambassador…and he walked away very impressed. As they looked further into what the Winders had done all these years, the Czech Republic realized these people were very deserving of this recognition.”

Latter-day Saint tenor part of Grammy-winning opera cast

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:58:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

Mormon Life says: Jenny Oaks Baker may not have won, but this Mormon did! The annual Grammy musical awards are typically associated with rock 'n' roll and pop performers — but for many years opera has been counted among the categories included for recognition.

And while music's "usual suspects" — think Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen and a cadre of other popular performers — were featured during the recent prime-time Grammy broadcast, fans of opera (and LDS performers) also had something to cheer about. Thomas Glenn, an accomplished opera tenor and a lifelong Church member, was part of the cast from the Met Production recording of "Doctor Atomic" that won a Grammy for Best Opera Recording.

LDS Church among 18 churches added to Hungarian recognition list

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 10:36:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of 18 churches that have been added to the list of formally recognized churches by Hungary's new coalition government.

A spokesperson for the LDS Church verified that the recognition has taken place, but said the church would not be commenting on it.

BYU track breaks three school records at Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:34:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: Congrats! The BYU men’s track and field team had strong performances in its debut at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships this weekend at the University of Washington's Demsey Indoor Facility.

“We had a very good meet and did very well,” men’s head coach Mark Robison said. “It was a fun meet and I’m extremely pleased. It was a good outing for us against very good competition.”

Video: BYU runner Miles Batty sets an NCAA record for indoor mile

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:52:00 -0700

source: youtube.com

Mormon Life says: Skip ahead to the 4:53 mark to watch the race.

BYU students erect, destroy world record cardboard castle

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:09:00 -0700

source: news.byu.edu

Mormon Life says: How fun! BYU students sure do love setting world records. About 50 students at Brigham Young University pitched in to help build a world record cardboard box castle designed by civil engineering majors on Monday and then happily destroyed it the same day.