Mormon Life - Literature tag

Why I'm a Mormon

Tue, 22 May 2012 09:49:00 -0600

source: cityweekly.net

Mormon Life says: The review is a little edgy, but the author is sincere and convincing. I normally try to avoid hearing what other people think about a book before reviewing it—but in the case of Why I’m a Mormon, someone else’s reaction was the reason I wanted to read it. I was in a Deseret Book store in Bountiful when a man picked up a copy from the display table, noted Democratic Sen. Harry Reid was one of the 53 essayists, and said in a loud voice, “Harry Reid, huh? I wonder what he has to say for himself!” He got laughs from the other patrons. Everybody understood. What was a leader from the party of abortion and gay marriage doing in an LDS book?

From that moment, I couldn’t wait to get a copy. On the flip side, the glares I got while reading it at a Salt Lake City Beans & Brews are a story for another day.

New guide advises Evangelicals on how to talk to Mormons

Fri, 11 May 2012 08:25:00 -0600

source: sltrib.com

Mormon Life says: An Evangelical preacher says understanding the LDS faith isn’t just about being nice, it’s a Christian mandate. He's even written a new book on it. Richard Mouw never intended to start a riot within the Evangelical community by saying his fellow believers had "sinned against Mormonism." But that’s exactly what happened.

Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif., had been meeting regularly with LDS scholars before he gave a seven-minute introduction of Ravi Zacharias, an Evangelical speaker who addressed a packed audience in the Mormon Tabernacle in November 2004.

Son reflects on life of his mother, Liz Lemon Swindle

Wed, 09 May 2012 10:21:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

Editor's note: The following is an excerpt from the book "Life Lessons from Mothers of Faith," published by Covenant Communications.

Of all the lessons my mother taught me, perhaps the one that has made the biggest difference has been her faith that after we have done all that we can do, God will make up the difference.

She taught me this from a very young age. I remember when I was 7 years old, I awoke one night from a bad dream. Like any scared child, I wanted my mother, and I knew just where to find her. I walked down the hall to the old storage room where she painted. When I opened the door, she was there, hunched over her easel. When she saw me, she put down her brush, picked me up and kissed me. Her voice was all the comfort I needed, and I fell asleep in her arms.

Primary general president reflects on her mother

Wed, 09 May 2012 10:02:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Editor's note: The following is an excerpt from the book "Life Lessons from Mothers of Faith," published by Covenant Communications.

The kitchen table was the spiritual center of my mother’s home, and when our family surrounded it, we drew from our mother’s faith. My mother, Mary Cannon Mix, did not preach to us. She simply lived her life so we could be taught. She did not demand our presence. Her warmth was an invitation. Her service to our family was not a burden — it was the air she breathed. She was and is not perfect. She is real.

How do I know this? I observed her while I was growing up, and I still observe her today in her 92nd year. Much of the time with my mother was spent within the walls of our family home. It is a humble home, but to her it is a castle, because it can compare to the sacredness of the temple. Each member of our family feels it when we walk through the front door. The Spirit draws us to her, and then we gather at the kitchen table.

President Monson’s Biographer Testifies of Prophet's Call

Mon, 07 May 2012 10:35:00 -0600

source: news.lds.org

Members of the Church—and many others throughout the world—know President Thomas S. Monson for his warm style and his ability to teach gospel principles by using powerful personal experiences. While those experiences help many feel as if they know President Monson, perhaps few know him as well as Heidi Swinton—his biographer.

Sister Swinton's article “Have I Done Any Good in the World Today,” recounting her experience writing the story of the prophet's life, appeared in the March Liahona and Ensign. Additional articles from Sister Swinton about the prophet will appear in August in the Liahona, Ensign, and Friend magazines. And recently, Sister Swinton met with Church News and Events to talk about the role of prophets and to share her testimony of President Monson as today's living prophet.

Elder Lund explains the virtue of hope

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:13:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

The idea came to Elder Gerald N. Lund more than a year ago when he was teaching a Sunday School class in his Utah County Latter-day Saint ward.

“I began to notice more and more people were struggling because of the hard times we were in, economically, with depression and temptations,” said Elder Lund, an emeritus member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “I was surprised to hear about people who had been active in the church their whole lives, who were suddenly wondering why God wasn’t there, why he wasn’t answering them. And in one or two cases, they actually left the church.”

Book excerpt: Ann Romney: A mother first

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:53:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Editor's note: The following is an excerpt from the book "Life Lessons from Mothers of Faith," published by Covenant Communications. Previous published excerpts from this book came from Jimmer Fredette and Kyle Whittingham.

My mother, Ann Davies Romney, attended Kingswood School in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. It was an all-girls high school and was sister schools with Cranbrook, the boys school my father attended. They grew up just miles apart, attended the same elementary school and later became high school sweethearts.

After high school, my mom and dad’s relationship blossomed, and they talked of marriage, but they both knew my dad would soon be leaving on a mission. When my dad was called to Paris, France, he encouraged her to wait for him. Although not a member of the church, my mom attended BYU, and on her own accord sought out the missionaries and subsequently joined the church.

'The Earth Shall Teach Thee: The Lifework of an Amateur Artist' by President Boyd K. Packer

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:48:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: Look for President Packer's artwork in our upcoming issue. As a young boy, Boyd K. Packer wanted to go on a safari to Africa rather than play cops and robbers or cowboys and Indians like the others in his neighborhood.

"My interest in nature evolved into an interest in art," President Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the Twelve, wrote in "The Earth Shall Teach Thee: The Lifework of an Amateur Artist." This coffee-table-size book includes some of his early sketches on lined paper, sketches from the notebook he had during his military service in Japan, and his later paintings, drawings and carvings. His formal art education was a high school art class.

LDS Church Almanac reflects growth, momentum

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:55:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

Every year, the Deseret News releases a new Church Almanac of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The almanac is prepared and edited by the staff of the Church News, a section of the Deseret News, with the assistance of the LDS Church History Department.

Shaun Stahle, an editor in the visual/editorial department for the Deseret News, began working on the almanac for its 2004 edition and is the current almanac editor.

Book shares truth about the movie '17 Miracles'

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:47:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

When T.C. Christensen's film "17 Miracles" was released last year, Mormon audiences embraced the compelling pioneer stories of courage and inspiration.

But many had questions about what was historically accurate and what was artistically altered.

Billy Casper tells of golf, fishing, Mormons

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:48:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

First of four excerpts from "The Big Three and Me," the autobiography of golf legend and Utah resident Billy Casper, who wrote the book with Deseret News columnist Lee Benson.

My reaction when I was first contacted by Billy Casper in late 2010 to help assist him in writing his life story was one of surprise. This hasn't been written before?

Casper was about to celebrate his 80th birthday. His golf career could hardly be considered "in progress." It had long been entrenched in the record books, where the numbers testify that few who have ever attempted the maddening game — of golf, Winston Churchill once said, "the object is to put a small ball in a small hole with implements ill designed for the purpose" — have made it less maddening.

'Madman' comic book artist reflects on 20 years, LDS faith

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:44:00 -0600

source: bleedingcool.com

You’ve been quite open about your Mormon faith — you’ve even drawn an adaptation of The Book of Mormon. Had you always been part of the faith, or did you arrive at it later as part of that existential search for meaning that you mentioned? Do your beliefs inform Frank?

MA: That also was subconscious. My parents got divorced, which is extremely rare in the Mormon Church. I think there’s like a five-percent divorce rate for couples that have been married in the Mormon Temple —

Laura Allred: I think before, but not now.

MA: — but, you know, just ridiculously successful. So, for my parents to get divorced, there was almost a shame to it. My older brother and younger brother went with my mom who went back to where she grew up, back in the Rocky Mountains by Salt Lake City. I stayed in Oregon with my dad who was a psychologist and worked at the hospital that One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was based on. Ken Kesey was his orderly. At that point — I hate to admit it — it was really fun, just me and dad. In a lot of ways, though, I kind of raised myself, and we had stopped going to church at this point, around when I was 11. A lot had been instilled in me, even though I didn’t practice the faith. Then, several years ago, my aunt gave me the journal of my great-great-grandfather who knew Joseph Smith — the prophet of the Mormon faith — and from New York, he went with Joseph Smith everywhere he went.

7 tips for sister missionaries

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:17:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

The time between when a young woman decides to go on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the day she enters the Missionary Training Center is filled with much to do. It can be difficult to determine what is necessary versus what can slide. Here are some things prospective sister missionaries should consider doing (as many wish they’d done) before entering the MTC.

1. It’s time to go shopping. If you’re leaving for a mission in the summer or spring, you might have a difficult time finding proper clothing for the full 18 months. A salesperson laughed at one sister when she asked the clerk where the long skirts were in June. You need to purchase a basic year-round wardrobe since you might not have access to clothing stores once out on the mission.

Stephanie Nielson's memoir 'Heaven Is Here' describes faith, trials

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:59:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Stephanie Nielson wanted nothing more in life than to be a wife and a mother with a home full of faith.

Nielson, who blogs at nieniedialogues.blogspot.com, had her happy life, with four children, her husband, Christian, and the daily adventures of life. She skied, taught yoga and was an avid runner.

Then, in a plane crash in August 2008, she was burned on more than 80 percent of her body and Christian on 40 percent of his.

{A&E} Romance Novels: Another Form of Porn?

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 01:06:00 -0600

by Ashley Bardsley
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: As a librarian, I have the unique opportunity to help people find books to entertain and inspire. But one too many times I have seen women get caught up in the world of romance novels and lose sight of what is virtuous and lovely.

“…If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy we seek after these things.”

The whole 13th Article of Faith is, in my opinion, a great motto for how to live a happy life. I am a librarian. I have the unique opportunity to help people find books that in some way entertain and inspire. I hear a lot of feedback about authors, writing styles, story plots, and characters. I also see a lot of trends in the world of reading. It is regarding one of these trends that I would like to focus today’s post.

Romance novels.

Not Jane Austen romance novels; they're just fine. We're talking the mass-market produced novels with someone who looks like Fabio on the cover and explicit sex scenes as the primary content. Those ones.

Yes, we are going there.

I see women check out romance novel after romance novel like there is no tomorrow. I believe these books are a much more serious form of pornography than people realize.

Before you think, “Who is this blogger, and who gave her the right to say something so presumptuous?” Hear me out. I have heard women talk about these novels as their escape. That they love reading about the characters and questionable sections of the novels because it is so far from the life they themselves live. It is their guilty pleasure. I have seen these fictional fantasies take over existing relationships. Mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, brothers, sisters, friends, grandmothers, you name it, individuals who are wasting time in a trashy nowhere land rather than living their own lives. This librarian has seen it all.

Now, all reading is escapism to some extent, and I am in no way advocating against reading. However, a book that creates a world or relationships that make you want to escape so strongly that your current world and relationships are no longer satisfactory is not safe, and the feelings of lust that are produced by such material are not safe either.

Just today, a 17-year-old girl told me about the romance novel she was currently reading. She was genuinely surprised at how racy the book was. If a teenage, nonmember girl can see where to draw the line with these books, I think we can too.

I know that romance novels are not the only form of entertainment that is questionable; however, I think it is important to always ask ourselves, “Is this ‘virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy’?” Then to seek after those things.

Your turn: How do you decide what is and isn’t appropriate to read? Where is the line between an enjoyable story (or movie) that has romance in it and one that is pornographic?

Side note: Deseret Book just released a new brand of book called “A Proper Romance.” This brand new genre promises romance “at its very best—and at its cleanest” that still provides all the feel-good thrills and butterflies of your favorite chick flicks. The first book, Edenbrooke, is a Heyeresque Regency that should please all Jane Austen fans, comes out this Tuesday.

For more information about Edenbrooke and to watch the book trailer, click here.

Joseph Smith Papers Project releases new book

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:16:00 -0600

source: news.lds.org

As part of a continuing effort to collect, preserve, and share Church history, Histories, Volume 1: Joseph Smith Histories, 1832–1844, the latest publication of the Joseph Smith Papers project, will become available for purchase starting Monday, March 19, 2012. Like other volumes, this publication will be available in English only.

The suggested retail price of the book is US $54.95, and it will be available both online and in bookstores. The volume will also be accessible from many research libraries around the world.

Bloggernacle Back Bench: What's new in history and international art

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:10:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Let’s delve into some history and art this week since I attended both a blogger news conference on the new "The Joseph Smith Papers: Histories, Volume 1" and the Church History Library’s 9th International Art Competition opening.

Deseret Bookshelf: Learning the gospel like never before

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:28:00 -0600

source: ldschurchnews.com

Mormon Life says: The app is free and the database of church doctrine and literature is incredible. It was just more than a year ago that Amazon.com announced that electronic book (e-book) sales had surpassed paperback book sales on its website. It stated that for every 100 paperback books sold, 105 e-books were purchased. Joining the e-book revolution, Deseret Book launched Deseret Bookshelf in June 2011. It's a free e-reader app for Apple and Android mobile devices that not only allows you to read e-books, but also access Deseret Book's library of nearly 1,500 digital titles for purchase.

Tiger Mothers and Mormon Mommies

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:08:00 -0700

source: mormonmommywars.com

Mormon Life says: I need to read this book. Okay, let’s crack this blog open with some good old fashioned controversy. And who better to swarm around in a buzz of parental indignation than Amy Chua?

You see, I spent the first part of this week on vacation with my family, and I picked up “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” to keep me company along the way. I figured I should finally jump on the bandwagon and see what the fuss is really all about.

Now I know why so many people got so fussy. It’s definitely a fuss invoking book.

And it reminded me of a lot of Mormon mommies I know.

Mormon Life - Literature tag

Why I'm a Mormon

New guide advises Evangelicals on how to talk to Mormons

Son reflects on life of his mother, Liz Lemon Swindle

Primary general president reflects on her mother

President Monson’s Biographer Testifies of Prophet's Call

Elder Lund explains the virtue of hope

Book excerpt: Ann Romney: A mother first

'The Earth Shall Teach Thee: The Lifework of an Amateur Artist' by President Boyd K. Packer

LDS Church Almanac reflects growth, momentum

Book shares truth about the movie '17 Miracles'

Billy Casper tells of golf, fishing, Mormons

'Madman' comic book artist reflects on 20 years, LDS faith

7 tips for sister missionaries

Stephanie Nielson's memoir 'Heaven Is Here' describes faith, trials

{A&E} Romance Novels: Another Form of Porn?

Joseph Smith Papers Project releases new book

Bloggernacle Back Bench: What's new in history and international art

SPONSORED: Joseph Smith Papers project releases first Histories volume

Deseret Bookshelf: Learning the gospel like never before

Tiger Mothers and Mormon Mommies