Mormon Life - Media tag

Viewpoint: Making the most of the Mormon Moment

Tue, 22 May 2012 12:05:00 -0600

source: universe.byu.edu

My last companion in Australia was Elder William Hopoate — one of the most famous rugby all-stars in Australia. When he turned down millions of dollars to serve a Mormon mission, it went viral. As we served together, I realized his influence did much more than simply touch the people he came in contact with. His good example and selfless sacrifice affected the general public’s opinion of the LDS faith. The people in Australia are more receptive to the gospel of Jesus Christ because, for perhaps the first time, they were able to see the Church in an incredibly positive way through the media.

Mormon history scholar discusses growing media interest in LDS church

Mon, 21 May 2012 10:05:00 -0600

source: hjnews.townnews.com

Almost two years ago, even before the pre-campaigning for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination began, Philip Barlow, the Leonard Arrington Professor of Mormon History and Culture at Utah State University, got a surprising phone call from a very powerful Mormon who happened to be a USU alum.

It was Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

Reid exchanged pleasantries, although the two men had never met. Then Reid ripped into Barlow about an article Barlow had been quoted in.

Mormon Media Observer: Relief Society visiting teaching makes the news

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:21:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

When Gov. Mitt Romney last ran for president, I studied, as part of one of those boring doctoral dissertations, the way in which his faith — my faith — was covered by the national press from 2006-2008.

I studied more than 200 articles in depth, categorizing each across more than 20 dimensions. I evaluated the favorability of each article and the portrayal of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — all pretty standard stuff in the social science research method called content analysis.

In addition, I read scores of other new articles about the faith as I studied.

So, I observed in detail how Latter-day Saints were covered.

LDS volunteers work with other faiths to serve

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:19:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Service is an integral part of what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does. Recent news has highlighted several service projects in which LDS members have teamed with members of other faiths to help less-fortunate people.

Columnist misrepresents LDS Church doctrine and policy

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:31:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: Come on media, try a little harder, please. New York Post columnist Maureen Callahan recently tried to explain to her readers the ecclesiastical implications for Mitt and Ann Romney and their activity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints if the family ends up living in the White House.

Callahan cited several sources in her column, although there is nothing officially from the LDS Church. Too bad. Even if she had just gone to the church's Newsroom website, specifically prepared as a media resource, she might have avoided some glaring misrepresentations of LDS Church doctrine, policy, practice and procedure.

For example:

Two writers use Book of Mormon to score political points

Tue, 08 May 2012 12:05:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: Recent comments by Martin Bashir and by a blogger in Salon magazine deserve rebuke for using the Book of Mormon to score political points. It’s been an unexpected season of cherry-picking from the Book of Mormon, one with frustrating but hopeful consequences.

Let’s pretend I said this: “I’m voting for Mitt Romney because he says he’s for lower taxes, and the Book of Mormon says taxes should be low. I follow the Book of Mormon, so I’m voting for Mitt!”

You would likely think what I was saying was simplistic, small-minded and inappropriate.

Jon Stewart defends Mormonism on 'The Daily Show'

Fri, 04 May 2012 10:29:00 -0600

by LDS Living
source: ldsliving.com

On "The Daily Show" Wednesday night, comedian Jon Stewart went out of his way to defend both Mitt Romney and the LDS Church. Although he's not known as the greatest Romney fan, he took time to critique people from both sides who have essentially been Mormon-bashing.

He begins by calling out Pastor Robert Jeffress, who late last year called the LDS Church a "cult," but just a few weeks ago said he'd prefer a "Mormon like Mitt Romney" to a "Christian like Barack Obama." Stewart goes on to criticize others like MSNBC hosts Martin Bashir and Lawrence O'Donnell.

Stewart saves his harshest words for O'Donnell who claims Joseph Smith started the Church to cover up an affair, to which Stewart says just about any major religion could have been started for a number of scandalous/frivolous reasons, and to claim such a thing is ridiculous.

The video veers toward the irreverent side (watch at your own risk), but we think the fact that Jon Stewart went out of his way to defend the LDS Church is pretty cool.

To read more or watch the video, click here.

How NOT to Investigate Mitt Romney’s Mormon Ties

Thu, 03 May 2012 09:46:00 -0600

source: religiondispatches.org

Earlier this week, Mother Jones' Tim Murphy tried to connect the dots between Mitt Romney and Cleon Skousen, the ultra-conservative, anti-Communist LDS political theorist made famous by Glenn Beck. Murphy dug out an August 2007 radio interview Romney did with a Rush Limbaugh-esque political talk jock in Iowa, who, after goading Romney on his faith, turned the subject to Skousen.

'Clara Tale' just the first of a series for LDS family

Wed, 02 May 2012 07:55:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Ironically, what Jan and Eliza Dawson would most like to do with their children's fairy-tale movie project is encourage parents to turn off the screens in their children's lives.

They're hoping their series of stories featuring youngsters with simple costumes and everyday props will prompt parents to sit down and create art of all kind with their kids.

"We want them to turn off the screen and jump over to the activities," said Eliza Dawson, who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "What we really care about, what we really want to see happen is so much more than cute.

Bloggernacle Back Bench: Amazing LDS apps

Tue, 01 May 2012 15:03:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

I like apps. A lot. They are becoming more useful and prevalent in this time of mobile Internet usage. I am sometimes just blown away by their helpfulness in making my life run more smoothly. And in church settings, apps can help you study, teach lessons, keep children quiet and so much more. Here are a few new apps you need to know about.

Do you have the “LDS Gospel Library App” on your mobile phone or tablet? If not, this video will showcase exactly how much you are missing. It is such an amazing tool. In fact, as the video concludes, you can use it to make your own personal scripture study topical guide. Wow.

'Time to shatter Mormon myths' column spreads across the country

Tue, 01 May 2012 11:53:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

Mormon Life says: Have you read the column yet? It's an interesting read. Over the weekend, newspapers in places such as Chicago, Indiana and Maine published "Time to shatter Mormon myths," the syndicated editorial by Dallas Morning News columnist William McKenzie that first ran April 23.

"Mormons have a teachable moment with Mitt Romney, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee. … But this breakthrough is not just an issue for Romney to address," McKenzie wrote. "It matters more that Mormons in the pew, and those of us who don’t share their views, better understand each other."

Mormon Media Observer: AP story about measles vaccinations shows media do report good news

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:18:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

One of the most common complaints about the news media seems always to be that the news is too negative.

While it is true that disaster, corruption and threat will always be news, a story this week from the Associated Press shows the complaint isn’t always true.

The story is this: According to the World Health Organization, millions of children’s lives were saved between 2000 and 2010 because of immunization for measles.

It’s a project the LDS Church has played a role in, along with many other organizations.

{LDSL Blog} Best of: Stories of the Week, Apr. 21-27

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 00:17:00 -0600

by LDS Living
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Check out which stories made up the best of LDS Living for the week of April 21 through April 27, 2012.

We all love a good story. And what better way to find out the best of the best than seeing what people found most interesting? For the week of April 21 through 27, 2012, these are LDS Living’s top online stories:

Top 5 LDS Living Stories:

1. {Poll} Public Displays of Affection at Church {Kate Ensign-Lewis}

2. FHE: Scripture Study {Shauna Gibby}

3. {Lifestyle} Ultimate Guide: Knee-length Shorts {Ashley Evanson}

4. {Food Dish} Muffin Tin Meals {Ashley Evanson}

5. Is Parenting Getting in the Way of Your Marriage? {Jonathan Swinton}

Top 5 Mormon Report Articles:

1. Prince Charles and the Book of Mormon {Mormon Times}

2. Kirby Heyborne gets his break with 'The Three Stooges' {Deseret News}

3. LDS Conference Center fire caused $500K in damage, fire officials say {Deseret News}

4. A female episcopal priest visits a Mormon temple {Huffington Post}

5. NY Times: Playing the Mormon Card {New York Times}

Top Video:

BYU Students Pull Best Prank Ever {YouTube}

New youth website celebrates 100 years of Young Women Camp

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:15:00 -0600

source: news.lds.org

For Clarissa Johnson, a young woman in the Liberty Stake in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, camp was an exciting new adventure. She cooked, hiked, and swam during this weeklong activity. At the end of the camp, she wrote in her journal: “[And the girls went home] in the twilight sad and happy, sad to leave the camp and swimming, glad to be at home with loved ones, filled with joy and blissful memories, looking forward to the next year.”

The entry sounds like what any young woman today might say about camp, but Clarissa wrote her journal entry in 1912. Although much about Young Women camp has changed over the last 100 years, the same spirit Clarissa felt a century ago is still being felt by young women all over the world today.

Mormon Media Observer: BBC story shows the limits of 'getting both sides'

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:04:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

Mormon Life says: I love how the author explains the media's unbiased role, and how it can actually do damage (like to the LDS Church). A must-read. Some people believe the Earth is flat — or so I’ve heard.

If Wikipedia is to be believed, they’ve formed a society — the International Flat Earth Research Society. Their work is called a theory. Their history includes antecedents with high-sounding names like Zetitism and practical cosmography.

Flat-earthing, therefore, seems to appropriate the sheen of traditional science, even though it isn’t.

Now, I’d like you to run a thought experiment about journalism and the idea that the earth is flat.

{LDSL Blog} Best of: Stories of the Week, Apr. 14-20

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 00:07:00 -0600

by LDS Living
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Check out which stories made up the best of LDS Living for the week of April 14 through April 20, 2012.

We all love a good story. And what better way to find out the best of the best than seeing what people found most interesting? For the week of April 14 through 20, 2012, these are LDS Living’s top online stories:

Top 5 LDS Living Stories:

1. Draggin', Saggin', and Naggin': When Hormones Drive You Crazy {Dr. Robert Jones}

2. Fighting the Battle Against Pornography {Briana Stewart}

3. {Lifestyle} Ultimate Guide: Knee-length Shorts {Ashley Evanson}

4. Dave Says: Downsizing House to Get Out of Debt? {Dave Ramsey}

5. April 2012 Visiting Teaching Message: Love, Watch Over, and Strengthen

Top 5 Mormon Report Articles:

1. Fire in LDS Conference Center leaves thousands of gallons of water in main auditorium {Deseret News}

2. Two LDS missionaries battle back from brain injuries {Deseret News}

3. MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell apologizes for anti-Mormon comments {TIME}

4. Elder David Archuleta at the MTC - as seen by fellow elders and sisters {Salt Lake Tribune}

5. Is it open season on Mormonism? {Washington Post}

Top Video:

Preview: Have I Done Any Good? Alex Boye and Carmen Rasmusen Herbert {YouTube}

Ann Romney ‘stay-at-home mom’ debate: Mormons react

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:50:00 -0600

source: washingtonpost.com

The public dust-up over Ann Romney and stay-home mothers played out in a particular way in Romney’s own community of Mormon women, who are twice as likely to be housewives as non-Mormons.

Mormon culture and preaching is strongly protective of distinct gender roles, with church members more likely than Americans of any other faith group to say it’s better for women to stay home and men to work outside the house.

Mormon Media Observer: Temple coverage leads to some butterflies

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:12:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

Butterflies can teach you a lot about the news media, if you let them.

This week, as I studied some of the interesting coverage of the construction and open house for the beautiful new temple near Kansas City, I saw lots of blog posts about butterflies. Hang with me for a minute as I explain why.

{LDSL Blog} Best of: Stories of the Week, Apr. 7-13

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 00:04:00 -0600

by LDS Living
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Check out which stories made up the best of LDS Living for the week of April 7 through April 13, 2012.

We all love a good story. And what better way to find out the best of the best than seeing what people found most interesting? For the week of April 7 through 13, 2012, these are LDS Living’s top online stories:

Top 5 LDS Living Stories:

1. Advice I'd Give My 21-Year-Old Self {LDS Living Readers}

2. LDS man is 'World's Most Embarrassing Dad' {Emily McClure}

3. 100 years after Titanic sinks, LDS connections still remembered {Alexa Justesen}

4. Ideas for a Fun and Christ-centered Easter {LDS Living Staff}

5. I'm Anxious - So Let's Break Up {Alisa Snell}

Top 5 Mormon Report Articles:

1. Anti-Mormon bigotry repeated by MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell {Deseret News}

2. CNN takes a rare tour of a Mormon Temple {CNN}

3. Wallace 'ambushed' by cordial, warm, thoughtful Gordon B. Hinckley {Deseret News}

4. Gay BYU group seeks to understand students with same-sex attraction {Deseret News}

5. Romney about to Make History for Mormons {Salt Lake Tribune}

Top Video:

He Is Risen {LDS.org}

MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell apologizes for anti-Mormon comments

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:41:00 -0600

source: time.com

Mormon Life says: What's so ironic about his original comment is that Romney’s own life shows a remarkable fidelity to monogamy, especially in comparison to many of the other men who try to run for president. MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell apologized Wednesday night for inaccurate comments he made a week earlier about the origins of the Mormon church. “I am truly sorry if I said something inaccurate about Joseph Smith, and I am happy to provide time on this show to a Church of Latter Day Saints spokesman to correct any inaccuracy,” he said on The Last Word, before adding “I just wish I could take those words back.”

The words in question were spoken on April 3, in the middle of a monologue about Mitt Romney’s claim that President Barack Obama was trying to “establish a religion in America known as secularism.” O’Donnell brought up the Mormon religion’s origins to make the point that Romney, while attacking the beliefs of Obama, was vulnerable on the same score. “Religiously, Mitt Romney lives in the glass house of American politics,” he said. O’Donnell also said the following: