Entries Tagged 'Mormon Culture' ↓

This is an unusual post for me on 2 counts.  (1)  I generally hate lessons on tithing, because I don’t think there’s much new to say on the topic.  (2)  I tried to read “The Screwtape Letters” by CS Lewis a few years ago, and just couldn’t get through the book.  I’ve heard many people quote CS Lewis, especially from this book, but I just didn’t like it.  However, I did like the movie “Shadowlands” which was based on some true stories of Mr Lewis.

A friend of mine gave me a copy of Sunstone, the magazine.  I’ve never read it before, and have really wanted to get it for quite some time.  I am very grateful to my friend for giving it to me.  I read the articles he suggested, as well as many others that he didn’t, and came across a really interesting one by Jeff Burton.

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I came across an article in the Church News detailing the history on the Moroni statue.  The print edition and web edition have some interesting pictures of the various incarnations of the statue, and the photos have some different captions.

In the print edition, the Nauvoo Temple has a flying angel.  The angel is part of a weather vane, which was typical of New England architecture.  The current Nauvoo temple has a standing Moroni.  I remember President Hinckley said he wanted to restore the original look of the Nauvoo Temple, but he changed the Moroni statue, because he thought it looked better.  I wish he had kept with the historical weather vane, because if its’ uniqueness in mormon history.

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I have about 5 part-time jobs.  For one of them, I work as a freelancer for a television network.  As part of my job, my company flies me all over the country to cover sporting events.

During this past presidential campaign, I remember reading several articles first published in the Boston Globe, and reprinted in the Deseret News, regarding Mitt Romney’s upbringing.  I was surprised to learn that Mitt’s father, George, kept alcohol in their house to entertain non-LDS friends.  The article was sure to state that all of the Romneys obeyed the Word of Wisdom, and never partook of the alcohol.  I found this particular stance unusual.

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There is a new movie out in theaters called Errand of Angels.  A preview can be found here, and it is available in Utah theaters Aug 22.  This will be at least the 3rd5th “Hollywood LDS Missionary” movie, coming since God’s Army, and The Best Two Years, Other Side of Heaven, and States of Grace (God’s Army 2).

I saw this movie at the LDS film festival back in January, so I thought I would give a movie review.

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I had a very interesting time at the Conference Center this weekend.  The Osmonds joined the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for a Pioneer Day celebration.

The last time I was in the Conference Center was to attend the viewing of Pres. Hinckley, which was obviously a very somber occasion.  When the Osmonds came out, there were swirling spotlights, clapping, a little bit of country, and a little bit of Rock and Roll.  Donny had to remind the audience that it was ok to get a little more rowdy–that we had permission.  I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who felt it a little odd that there was actually a rock concert in a “house of worship.”

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I want to give a shout-out to my friend April.  She has a blog called Normal Mormons. April is a relatively recent convert living in Idaho, and I have enjoyed hearing her observations about mormons, our sometimes strange culturalisms, and her efforts to become more Christ-like.

I comment on her blog occasionally, and have often commented that nothing really strange happens in my ward.  Well, today we had an unusual event.

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I have left messages on this and other blogs about how boring church can be. This has prompted the question, “Well, if it’s so boring, why do you even bother to go?”

First of all, let me state that I am a believing mormon. I believe Joseph Smith was a prophet, I believe in the Book of Mormon, I believe in the Bible, I believe going to church is a good, worthy endeavor, and I am very supportive of the good service that is performed in every ward in the church. (I guess you could call these my personal Articles of Faith.) Continue reading →

Ok, I thought that would get your attention. Let’s talk semantics for a minute.  I will agree that mormons “observe” Easter, but we don’t “celebrate” Easter.

 Certainly we believe in the resurrection.  However, in comparison to other Christian denominations, mormon celebration is a yawner.  There is no Easter fireside by the first presidency.  Congregation celebrations depend solely on the bishop.  Some wards have nice Easter services, while others barely mention it.

 Shouldn’t there be more celebration of Easter?