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5528

I'm a Mormon—and I play one on TV

Business Week - On Dec. 19, Mitt Romney appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman to read “The Top Ten Things Mitt Romney Would Like to Say to the American People.” He gazed into the camera and deadpanned, “Isn’t it time for a President who looks like a 1970s game show host?” He also poked fun at his helmet hair and took a jab at Newt Gingrich. One thing absent from the list: his religion. In speeches, Romney often talks about faith and prayer but rarely mentions that he is a devout Mormon. Perhaps that’s because national polls show many Americans—particularly evangelical Christians he...

5527

FHE: Self-reliance

Shauna Gibby - Conference Talk: For more information on this topic read “Providing in the Lord’s Way” by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Ensign , Nov 2011, 53. Thought: The Lord’s way of self-reliance involves in a balanced way many facets of life, including education, health, employment, family finances, and spiritual strength. Familiarize yourself with the modern welfare program of the Church. (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Providing in the Lord’s Way” Ensign , Nov 2011, 53.) Song: “The Prophet Said to Plant a Garden,” Children’s Songbook , p. 237. Scripture: And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance,...

Transparent helper

Reader Voices: How to open a church talk

Deseret News - I have given church talks for more than 57 years (this is a monumental feat since I am only 50 years old), and I have yet to come up with the perfect opener for a talk. Most of my talks start out with, "When Brother Cannon asked me to speak ...," and the congregation automatically tunes out, way out. I can tell because suddenly the hymn numbers on that little plaque behind me suddenly become the most interesting feature on the planet. This used to be an OK way to start, I think, but I get a vague sense that the...

5525

Mormon filmmaker T.C. Christensen to speak at Church History Museum

Deseret News - "The Miracle behind the Miracles: A Lecture by T. C. Christensen " will be at the Church History Museum auditorium on Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. as part of the museum's ongoing Evenings at the Museum program series. T.C. Christensen is a well-known Latter-day Saint filmmaker and cinematographer. He will share insights and experiences from work on his most recent film, "17 Miracles," which he wrote and directed, about the Willie and Martin handcart companies. ...

5524

Mormon family stars in new Animal Planet TV series

Deseret News - It all started with an email that appeared to be a hoax. "We received an email from someone who wanted to create a TV show about a small, family-owned, taxidermy business and would we be interested," said Daniel Ross, the owner of Xtreme Taxidermy. "My wife told me about it and we thought it was a joke. We didn't take it seriously at all. But I told her to reply, 'Sure, why not?'" Three years later, the Ross family is going on TV. ...

5522

Embracing the power of the Book of Mormon

Deseret News - Among the hallmarks of Ezra Taft Benson 's tenure as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was his stirring summons to reemphasize the Book of Mormon . "My beloved brethren and sisters," he said during the October 1984 general conference, "for some years now I have been deeply concerned that we are not using the Book of Mormon as God intends. As I participated in the Mexico City Temple dedication, I received the distinct impression that God is not pleased with our neglect of the Book of Mormon. In the 84th section of the Doctrine and Covenants,...

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Payson City Council approves Mormon temple plans

Salt Lake Tribune - City officials Wednesday gave their blessing for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Payson Temple. The City Council unanimously approved a conditional-use permit for the 96,000-square-foot structure, as well as a site plan and boundary adjustment. And the city staff will work with the church to keep the temple exterior lighted at night without disturbing the neighbors. ...

5519

'Singles Ward' actor Will Swenson engaged to actress, singer Audra McDonald

Deseret News - Audra McDonald, of ABC’s “Private Practice,” is engaged to Broadway star and "Singles Ward" actor Will Swenson. According to PlayBill.com , the couple became engaged on New Year’s Day. ...

5518

Review: The Book of Life (B+)

LDS Cinema Online - Life is Beautiful meets Saturday’s Warrior in this Italian movie from writer/director/actor Marco Lui. Like fellow Italian Roberto Benigni, Marco Lui is adept at physical comedy (and uses jokes and humor to distract attention from serious situations). This beautifully shot Italian fable centers around spirits’ journey from the preexistence to mortal life and beyond. ...

5520

UK newspaper features LDS missionaries

News & Star - Young Americans Nathan Jensen and Benjamin Hansen are not in Carlisle to see the sights, they’re here to save souls. The 20-year-old Mormon missionaries have been in the city for the last six weeks as part of a two-year stint in the UK. ...