Sunday, December 16, 2012

On Dresses, Pants, Equality and God

On social media sites such as facebook and twitter, there have been people encouraging women to wear pants when attending an LDS Church today as a way of raising awareness for the need of equality in the Mormon faith. Supporters of this pants campaign in the LDS Church argue that claim that the freedom to wear pants or a dress when attending services at an LDS Church is not the issue. To them, the issue is about  about equality, tradition, Church culture, narrow minded people, and leadership. It's intended to be a show of solidarity that states hey there is a large segment of the church that feel their voices aren't really being heard and concerns aren't even given a forum for discussion. They are making a silent reverent plea for a open honest discussion about the direction of our church and culture. 
I wish to make it aware to everyone that, Stephanie Lauritzen, who holds herself out as a leader of this protest, is not a member of the LDS Church. I find it odd that she is leading a protest in a religion for which she is no longer a member of and no longer believes in. Many people have legitimate reasons to wonder that this protest isn't about equality fo LDS women in the LDS Church but that she she has a much deeper agenda. 
However, let us have an open and frank discussion about the issues raised in this protest.
For me personally, I am not thrilled with the idea of using sacrament meeting, which is a sacred space and time, to make a protest. Sacrament meeting is the most sacred meeting we have outside the temple. Therefore, it is not a place for a protest or to stir contention. For the majority of the people attending Church, it is a place of reflection, learning, improving and working on their relationship with God. Church has never been a place to make a fashion statement. If one feels that the Church needs to improve in a certain area, there are better venues for that.
When it comes to the discussion of wearing a dress or a skirt to the LDS Sunday services,  As an LDS male, I don't care if you wear a dress or pants in church. When I was growing up, I had serious war of words with my parents about what I wanted to wear on Sunday. I believe then, as a teenager, and I still hold this belief today that what you wear is not important and that I doubt He really honestly cares what you wear. He knows your heart. I  really think that God looks at your heart and your life more than your wardrobe. God looks at you as an complete individual and doesn't focus on your fashion sense which I am grateful for since my sense of fashion isn't always that great inside or outside of Church.
Whatever relationship you have with God is strictly between you and God. Church is a place to evaluate yourself personally as an individual in this mortal existence and how you can improve personally, professionally and spiritually as well as evaluating where you stand with God and how to repair or mend that relationship with Him. Worship is between you and God.
The gospel does not tell male or females what to wear. It doesn't say what length or style it must be. However, there are cultural norms. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your view, there are standards of clothing for all types of events. As a lawyer, there are dress standards for certain situations such as appearing in court or at a deposition or meeting with a client. Both genders are expected to follow these standards as set up by society. Regardless if its Church, a courtroom or a job interview there are standards for formal wear for both genders. Men have to wear suits, the social equal for women is usually a dress. Remember, this is a societal expectation, not a religious one. I wish to point out that unfortunately, religion often adopts society's expectations and makes it a religious one. Church standards and society's standards are not sometimes not the same and are not in harmony in terms of beliefs and practices but people tend to confuse them as being the same.  Sometimes, things go a step further and take cultural expectations, which may have nothing to do with the gospel, and hold it up as doctrine.
A great example of where culture and religion, which are clearly different, can compliment each other is to look at the how Hawaiian, Tongan and Somoan members of the LDS Church show up for Church. While women wear dressses, many men wear a lava lava and sunday shirt with a tie. In the midwest, for men, it might be perfectly appropriate to show up in Church in blue jeans, cowboy boots and hat and a bolo tie. 
It is my belief that people of all faiths need to do a better job of being able to identify and remember the differences in worldly practices and expectations and religious practices and expectations and not let them bleed or mix into one another. There used to be a time when both society and religion were on the same page in terms of culture but that doesn't mean there were good traditions and beliefs that were being supported by both institutions.  
There are certain people in every religion who focus too much on the superficial and the legalistic aspects of religion. Unrighteous judgment is found in every religion, not just in the LDS Church. You'll find it wherever you go. If someone, regardless if they are male or female is judging you for what you wear in Chuch, don't be offended but feel sorry for them. They are blind because of the mote in their eyes. Someone on facebook made this profound point: "A relationship though with God, not religion, says come as you are. You don't need to clean up to come get clean through Jesus Christ."
Thus, if people are judging you for superficial reasons, I find that they are trying to avoid in dealing with their own personal issues by focusing on you and you issues. Sometimes it is a case of projection where they are accusing you of doing whatever personal sins they are committing. Regardless, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf has wisely said: 
"When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following: Stop it! It’s that simple."
In the end, it is up to you to decide how you will show your love, respect and faith when visiting His Church. That is between you and Him. Church is about you deep relationship with God and how you dress needs to reflect that. I wish my parents understood that more and let me figure out how to best express my devotion to God rather than fighting to micromanage what I wear on Sundays. How you dress in your Sunday best is up to you but do keep clothing standards in mind. They are there for a reason. 
However, don't get caught up in the superficial. Don't judge others about what they wear. Let them come as they are. Just as in tithing where a woman gave her widow's mite, which is all that she had, a person wearing jeans and a shirt is all they have in showing devotion to God. If others want to show up for Church to look good, that's not for you to judge. Focus on the meaningful and the significant which is your relationship with God. 
Having discussed the superficial issue of wearing clothing in Church, lets talk about the real issues that people feel needs to be addressed in the Mormon Church. Many people feel that there is a problem of equality in the Church. I am open to having this discussion. But sacrament meeting isn't the time and place for it. 
There are a lot of things that I don't agree with in the Church or I would like to see improvements made but I don't wage that fight in inappropriate places. There is a time and place for that.
Moreover, if we are going to talk about equality, we must remember that equality runs both ways. I don't like it when people declare equality for me but not for thee. Whatever it is that you are agitating for, must be applied for all people.  
That being said, I personally feel that the problem is not with the leadership but with the members of our Church. The members of our Church can and need to do a better job of treating each other in a way that we deserve regardless of our gender, disabilities, sexual orientation or wealth. I believe we can improve our thoughts, attitude and our behavior towards one another who may be different from us. I believe that people in the Church need to better distinguish what is gospel culture and what is worldly culture and stop mixing them together. Gospel culture and worldly culture aren't necessarily synonymous with each other.
I feel that the LDS Church and its leaders are both pro men and women. They support equality. Generally speaking, there already is equality in the LDS Church. Anyone who doesn't believe it doesn't understand our Church very well. However, that doesn't mean that there is room for improvement and changes. But for those who currently agitating for equality in the Church needs to also better distinguish what is gospel culture and what is worldly culture and stop mixing them together. For whatever reasons known to God, certain practices and beliefs, such as the Priesthood and marriage, are established as they are and are not up for debate or discussion.
In the end, I'm not sure exactly what the wearing pants in Church campaign is exactly agitating for. But if its a push to improve our thoughts, attitude and our behavior towards one another who may be different from us, I'm all for it. If its a push to change essential and fundamental practices and doctrines in the Church, then I'm not on board with it. But most importantly, don't get caught up in the superficial. Focus on the meaningful and the significant which is your relationship with God. Nothing else in this world matters but your relationship with Him.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

LDS Church Unveils New Tech Savvy Pass Along Cards

Recently, I got the Ensign in the mail and I was surprised to find out that the LDS Church has new pass along cards that missionaries and members can use. The LDS Church is integrating technology known as QR Codes into the pass along cards so that people who receive them can scan them with their smart phone and be taken to an official Church website in which people can learn about specific topics about the Mormon Church. 
The LDS Church provided a supplement to the October 2012 issue of the Ensign or English Liahona that contained a page inviting members to join Mormon.org, the new pass along cards, and a page explaining how the new pass along cards work:
The Mormon Church did a trial balloon of pass along cards in 1999 and unveiled it to the entire Church in 2000. It did not contain QR codes or invite people to a social media website. The old pass along cards invited people to receive a free copy of the Book of Mormon, Bible or video by contacting the Church via phone or a website.  With the new pass along cards, its giant leap forward in how the LDS Church shares the gospel. The LDS Church saw how successful and easy it was for missionaries to share a simple message about the Church. With social media sites and technology, its makes it even more easier for us to share the gospel with others. 
I expect that these new pass along cards will be the subject of at least one or more General Conference talks. The Brethren have been been encouraging us to share the gospel online using social media such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+, Pinterest and other websites for a few years now. Although these speeches haven't been given yet, I hope we will be open to what they have to say with regards to how we can best share the gospel with others.
The LDS Church is becoming very bold and creative in terms of marketing, advertising and message sharing. A great example of how confident the Church is sharing the gospel is when it placed advertisements inside the Playbill of the theatrical play, The Book of Mormon Musical. See below: 
Personally, I love what the LDS Church is doing in promoting the gospel. They are being bold, brave and tech savvy. It also provides an example of how we, as members of the Church, should go about in sharing the gospel with others.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

October 2012 General Conference Scheduale For Deaf Members Of The Church

The LDS Church has released the schedules to view General Conference with American Sign Language Interpretation on multiple television and online formats. Look at the scheduale below. If you know someone who is Deaf and is a member of the LDS Church, please refer them to this scheduale. This is also a great missionary opportunity to invite those who are non-LDS Deaf to learn more about our Church. 

1.  Internet ASL Schedule
2012 General Relief Society Meeting
Saturday, September 29, 2012

Sept. 29 6pm LIVE

1) Type conference.lds.org
2) Click on “Live Conference”
3) Click on “Watch Live”
4) Click on “Select Another Language”
5) Choice “American Sign Language ASL”

October 2012 General Conference
Saturday and Sunday Sessions
October 6 & 7, 2012

 Oct. 6 and 7 at 10am and 2pm LIVE

1) Type conference.lds.org
2) Click on “Live Conference”
3) Click on “Watch Live”
4) Click on “Select Another Language”
5) Choice “American Sign Language ASL”

October 2012 General Conference
Priesthood Session
October 6, 2012

Provided in the Conference Center or in your local meetinghouse only.
2.      KSL, Comcast, and BYU TV ASL Schedule
2012 General Relief Society Meeting
Saturday, September 29, 2012
KSL Television 5.3

Sept. 29 at 6pm             LIVE                 (English)
Sept. 29 at 8pm             Rebroadcast      (ASL)

October 2012 General Conference
Saturday Morning Session
October 6, 2012

KSL Television Channel 5 and 5.1
Oct. 6 at 10am               LIVE                 (English)

KSL Television 5.3
Oct. 6 at noon                Rebroadcast      (ASL)

Comcast 105
Oct. 6 at noon                Rebroadcast      (ASL)

BYUtv & Global
Oct. 14 at 10am             Rebroadcast      (English and ASL)

October 2012 General Conference
Saturday Afternoon Session
October 6, 2012

KSL Television Channel 5 and 5.1
Oct. 6 at 2pm                 LIVE                 (English)

KSL Television 5.3
Oct. 6 at 4pm                 Rebroadcast      (ASL)

Comcast 105
Oct. 6 at 4pm                 Rebroadcast      (ASL)

BYUtv & Global
Oct. 14 at 1pm               Rebroadcast      (English and ASL)

October 2012 General Conference
Priesthood Session
October 6, 2012

Provided in the Conference Center or in your local meetinghouse only.

October 2012 General Conference
Sunday Morning Session
October 7, 2012

KSL Television Channel 5 and 5.1
Oct. 7 at 10am               LIVE                 (English)

KSL Television 5.3
Oct. 7 at noon                Rebroadcast      (ASL)

Comcast 105
Oct. 7 at noon                Rebroadcast      (ASL)

BYUtv & Global
Oct. 21 at 10am             Rebroadcast      (English and ASL)

October 2012 General Conference
Sunday Afternoon Session
October 7, 2012

KSL Television Channel 5 and 5.1
Oct. 7 at 2pm                 LIVE                 (English)

KSL Television 5.3
Oct. 7 at 4pm                 Rebroadcast      (ASL)

Comcast 105
Oct. 7 at 4pm                 Rebroadcast      (ASL)

BYUtv & Global
Oct. 21 at 1pm               Rebroadcast      (English and ASL)
3.      Closed Caption (CC) Schedule
2012 General Relief Society Meeting
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Sept. 29 6pm LIVE

Provided live in the Conference Center or in your local meetinghouse only.

Rebroadcast at 8pm:
18 BYUTV (Southern UT)
21 BYUTV (Northern UT)

October 2012 General Conference
Saturday and Sunday Sessions
October 6 & 7, 2012
Oct. 6 and 7 at 10am and 2pm LIVE

5 KSL
5.1 KSL - Digital
18 BYUTV (Southern UT)
21 BYUTV (Northern UT)
143 SiriusXM
374 Direct TV
9403 Dish Network

October 2012 General Conference
Priesthood Session
October 6, 2012

Provided in the Conference Center or in your local meetinghouse only.
4. Roku ASL Schedule
October 2012 General Conference
Saturday and Sunday Sessions
October 6 & 7, 2012

Oct. 6 and 7 at 10am and 2pm LIVE

To stream general conference through a Roku player, download the Mormon Channel app from the Roku Channel Store.

Live video broadcast: Mormon Channel > Broadcasts and Events > Live Broadcasts

Languages: American Sign Language, English

Archived video broadcast: Mormon Channel > Broadcasts and Events > Conference

October 2012 General Conference
Priesthood Session
October 6, 2012

Provided in the Conference Center or in your local meetinghouse only.
5. Local Meethouse ASL Schedule
Please check with your local leaders as to when ASL interpretation will be provided in your area buildings.

Facts About Mormon Church & Temple Worship

The LDS Church has put out an infographic about the worship habits of their members. Look below: 

Friday, September 21, 2012

Steinfeld Star Accuses Mitt Romney Of Cheating The LDS Church Out Of Tithing Money

Jason Alexander, who is famous for playing George Costanza on the television show "Seinfeld" believes that Mitt Romney won't release his tax records because he believes there may be evidence that he's cheating the LDS Church out of millions of dollars by not paying his tithing:
Its a similar claim to Harry Reid made in which he accused Mitt Romney of not paying taxes for 10 years: 

Here's the transcript of Harry Reid's astonishing accusation:
He’s refused to release his tax returns, as we know. If a person coming before this body wanted to be a cabinet officer, he couldn’t be if he did the same refusal Mitt Romney does about tax returns. So the word’s out that he hasn’t paid any taxes for ten years. Let him prove that he has paid taxes, because he hasn’t.
Jason Alexander accuses Romney of avoiding paying tithing. Harry Reid says Romney hasn't paid his taxes. 
Both claims are outright lies. 
Today Mitt Romney released a detailed report of his 2011 tax returns and Romney's trustee, whose name is Brad Malt, gives us a summary of the 2011 data:
- In 2011, the Romneys paid $1,935,708 in taxes on $13,696,951 in mostly investment income.
- The Romneys’ effective tax rate for 2011 was 14.1%.
-The Romneys donated $4,020,772 to charity in 2011, amounting to nearly 30% of their income.
-The Romneys claimed a deduction for $2.25 million of those charitable contributions. The Romneys’ generous charitable donations in 2011 would have significantly reduced their tax obligation for the year. The Romneys thus limited their deduction of charitable contributions to conform to the Governor's statement in August, based upon the January estimate of income, that he paid at least 13% in income taxes in each of the last 10 years.
Brad Malt, the trustee of the Romney family, also gives us a breakdown of the taxes paid by the Romney campaign for the last 20 years:
- In each year during the entire 20-year period, the Romneys owed both state and federal income taxes.
-Over the entire 20-year period, the average annual effective federal tax rate was 20.20%.
-Over the entire 20-year period, the lowest annual effective federal personal tax rate was 13.66%.
-Over the entire 20-year period, the Romneys gave to charity an average of 13.45% of their adjusted gross income.
-Over the entire 20-year period, the total federal and state taxes owed plus the total charitable donations deducted represented 38.49% of total AGI.
-During the 20-year period covered by the PWC letter, Gov. and Mrs. Romney paid 100 percent of the taxes that they owed.
Its clear that Harry Reid's claim that Mitt Romney hasn't paid is any taxes is a LIE. Mitt Romney has paid 100% of his taxes for the past 20 years. What's even more important is to keep in mind that if you look at the numbers more closely, Mitt Romney paid 30% in taxes rather than the 13% to 14%.
As far Seinfeld actor Jason Alexander's claim that Mitt Romney hasn't paid tithing, the LDS Church does not publicly release how much tithing any member of the LDS Church has paid. That is a matter between the Bishop and the member. Mitt Romney has said that his tithing records should remain private even though by releasing his tax records, people can figure out how much he's given in tithing. 
"Our church doesn't publish how much people have given," Romney is reportedly quoted as saying in the forthcoming edition of Parade. "This is done entirely privately. One of the downsides of releasing one's financial information is that this is now all public, but we had never intended our contributions to be known. It's a very personal thing between ourselves and our commitment to our God and to our church."
However, records show that Mitt Romney has actually paid more than 10% in tithes to the LDS Church: 
The couple’s donations to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints appear to be almost double the 10 percent tithe faithful members are asked to give to the Salt Lake City-based faith.
In addition to Romney’s direct contributions to the LDS Church, he also gave to the faith through his charity for a total of $3.07 million last year, according to his campaign. The campaign also said Friday that the Romneys have given, on average, 13.45 percent of their income annually to charity, including the LDS Church.
Jason Alexander's claim that Mitt Romney is cheating the Church of tithing funds is also NOT TRUE. Its clear that Mitt Romney has been a faithful tithing payer all along. 
For more information on the LDS practice of tithing, the LDS Newsroom gives a simple explanation on tithing and charitable donations while another official LDS website called Mormon.org explains what the Mormon Church does with these funds and why Mormons pay tithing.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

My Review Of The Book Of Mormon Broadway Show

This is a review of the Book of Mormon Broadway show at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles on September 2012 which did not feature the original cast of the Broadway play.  Unlike LDS commentators and bloggers who have given their thoughts about this play without having seen it, I have seen it.
The Book of Mormon Broadway show is one of the most awesome, thought provoking and wildly offensive show.
Lets get the obvious out of the way. This play was written by Matt Stone and Trey Parker who are well known for their deeply biting critique of everything. You shouldn't be surprised to that this is a play filled with swearing, sex jokes, scatological gags, and poking fun at religion, especially the LDS faith. Matt Stone and Trey Parker have poked fun at the LDS faith before with an episode dealing with the origins of Mormonism and a movie called Orgasmo which is about an LDS Missionary who becomes a porn star. 
Like every other project these men have engaged in, they exert every ounce of creative energy they have to produce top notch entertainment. Yes, their entertainment is irreverent but its not cheap. There is a reason why they have won 9 Tony Awards and a nominated for a Grammy. The actors were fantastic. The set was phenomenal. The music was awesome. The lighting was done right. When it comes to the art of theater, Matt Stone and Trey Parker absolutely deserved these awards. It was very evident from what I observed at the play.
This play is about two young LDS Missionaries who have been called to serve in Uganda, Africa. One of the missionaries, Elder Price, is self centered overachiever who dreams of serving mission to Orlando, Florida. The other missionary is Elder Cunningham who is an awkward, chubby but funny person who yearns for a best friend. These two unlikely friends become companions. Once they arrive in Uganda, they find that other missionaries have been unsuccessful in sharing the gospel. They find a people who are more concerned about their everyday problems of malaria, AIDS, diarrhea, warlords, and poverty than they are about what peace this American gospel might bring to them now or in the afterlife. These Ugandans have a justified reason for saying "Hasa Diga Eebowai" (Fuck You God) which is the title of one of the songs in the play.
As a result of not getting a single baptism, Elder Price begins to feel frustrated and unhappy. The other missionaries (who are all very flamboyant) sing "Turn It Off" in which they advise him suppress his negative feelings. Unable to overcome his frustrations, Elder Price ditches his companion to wander off on his own. Meanwhile, Elder Cunningham, now without a companion, inadvertently begins to take creative liberties with Mormon doctrine and with what the Book ff Mormon teaches in order to win converts. He begins to make up things in order to address their everyday concerns and questions for which cannot be found in the Book of Mormon. As a result, Elder Cunningham has created a new religion which is a hybrid of Mormonism and his imagination which is filled with Star Wars, and the Lord of the Rings. With this new religion, he forbids the people from engaging in certain practices. Now, the missionaries are baptizing like crazy.  This excites the Mission President and the local townspeople put on a play demonstrating what they've learned from Elder Cunningham which they sing the song "Joseph Smith American Moses." What the Mission President learns horrifies him and catches the other missionaries off guard. The Mission President is unhappy and threatens to shut the mission down.
While Elder Cunningham is off making converts, Elder Price is on a harrowing journey of what it means to be Mormon and what it is he really believes. He goes to hell in which he has a very "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream" in which he sings about his sins. Elder Price finds his faith in hell and confronts the local warlord and sings about what "I Believe." The warlord, known as the General, takes Elder Cunningham and inflicts some pain on him. Having survived the torture, Elder Price shows up just as the Mission President is about to shut the mission down. He learns of what Elder Cunningham has been teaching and gets an idea. He confronts the warlord and threatens him with Divine Punishment based on Elder Cunningham's new religion. The General and his men flee. The people in this town of Uganda are happy that the Mormon helped them be free of this warlord. They sing a song titled "Tomorrow Is A Latter Day" with the Elders about a new and better tomorrow and say "Ma Ha Nei Bu, Eebowai." After that song, the show closes with a fabulous ending. 
The play has takes some of the usual observations about religion and presents them in an interesting, thought provoking and sometime irreverent light. This would be a great play for those who study religions and philosophy.
This play is about a religion that has arrived in a new land filled with people who are facing problems that unique that region. The play goes on a journey of how that religion struggles to gain converts and some creative liberties were taken to get people to join the religion. It shows how it morphs into a new faith that is a hybrid of local beliefs and the original religion.  This story is similar to the history of the Catholic faith in South America. It explores how ideas, beliefs and dreams are affected, shaped and changed by the land and people they are introduced to.
The Book of Mormon play also deals with the how people want to believe in a higher purpose but are more concerned about their everyday problems and how religion struggles in addressing it. Its not a problem unique to the most challenging parts of the world but in places that do not know war, hunger, disease and poverty.  The song "Sal Tay Ka Siti" demonstrates how people want to rise above their circumstances and to place where such things don't exist either in this life or the next.
One of my favorite aspects of this play was how the missionary work changes the person teaching the gospel and the person receiving it and how it affects the relationship dynamics of proselytizer and investigator. It is an aspect that I don't often see addressed in stories about religions. Its also the most realistic part of the play in a play filled with humor, sarcasm, sex jokes, and scatological gags. It delivers moments that would make any Mormon proud with songs such as "I believe," and "Baptize Me."   
One thing that I don't like about the play is when the missionaries (who are all very flamboyant) sing "Turn It Off" in which they sing about suppressing negative feelings and doubts. It doesn't really help the play in any way and I felt that it was an unneeded jab at religion.
Could Matt Stone and Trey Parker have made these points differently? Yes. For many Mormons, it is unfortunately that our ox got gored in this play. I can understand why some people of faith would be offended by this play. It pokes fun at religion. It also pokes fun at Mormonism. Thus, its not surprising why Mormons (and other faiths) would be upset by it and refuse to see it.
However, religion is a curious thing. It is bizzare. It is odd. It is funny. But its the people within the religion that make it is also spiritual, magical, and inspiring. That is Matt Stone and Trey Parker's message. Its also a topic worth exploring further because its a message that everyone needs to be reminded of because its applicable to everything else in life. Regardless of how we feel about religion, politics, business, or education, its the people that breathes life into those institutions we love or hate and create those touching and human moments within the framework of these institutions.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Dear Mormon Friends, It’s Time to Go “All-In” for Mitt

Below is an open letter penned by two Evangelicals to the LDS Community: 
Nancy and I started Evangelicals for Mitt in 2006 with one simple idea: To enlist the mighty machinery of evangelical activism behind the single best candidate for President of the United States, Mitt Romney. Even then we could see the need for a man of Mitt’s unique talents and now – with labor participation the lowest in 30 years and with the most sluggish recovery since the Great Depression – the need is even greater.
We were more idealistic back in those days. Convinced of Mitt’s merits, we saw our task as relatively easy. Introduce Mitt to evangelicals, deal with the relatively easy questions about theology and politics, and then watch him win social conservatives on his way to the White House. Of course politics is never easy, and there are always competitors for the same set of voters. First Mike Huckabee won enough evangelicals to hand John McCain the nomination in 2008, then Rick Santorum swept southern conservatives and challenged Mitt for the evangelical vote in 2012.
But now, all that is past. Evangelicals are finally united behind Mitt (even 2008 Huckabee supporter – and coolest action star in the universe – Chuck Norris is pleading with evangelicals to vote Barack Obama out of office), and Mitt’s rivaling George Bush’s astounding share of the evangelical vote in 2008. Pro-Obama evangelicals are coming back home to the Republican Party after Obama’s almost four-year assault on religious liberty and his zealous support for abortion. In short, evangelicals – as theologically and culturally divided as we are – will be there for Mitt on election day.
Curiously, however, we’ve heard disturbing reports that LDS Mitt supporters are hanging back just a bit. Some are afraid of stereotyping (“just because I’m Mormon doesn’t mean I’m going to automatically support Mitt. After all, I can’t stand Harry Reid!”), but many more seem just a bit confused about the role of the church in politics. If the LDS church is politically neutral, how can you use your church relationships to mobilize voters and donors?
But let’s back up a moment. Is the LDS church really “neutral?” Is my Presbyterian Church really “neutral?” Yes, I’ve read the portions of the LDS Handbook that emphasize that the church is politically neutral and doesn’t endorse candidates. But the fact that the church is nonpartisan doesn’t mean that it’s neutral on the key moral issues of the day or that the church’s members must maintain their neutrality. In fact, the LDS Handbook specifically urges member involvement:
"Members are encouraged to support measures that strengthen the moral fabric of society, particularly those designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."
Let’s be perfectly clear, after the God-booing abortion celebration masquerading as the Democratic National Convention, the moral choices in this election are beyond stark. Let’s just examine the issue of abortion. In Deuteronomy 30:19, God lays out His will for His people:
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live . . .”
And now here’s the Democratic party platform:
The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to make decisions regarding her pregnancy, including a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay. We oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right.
By contrast, here’s the Republican party platform:
Faithful to the “self-evident” truths enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to unborn children.
Is there anything that threatens the “moral fabric of society” or the “family as the fundamental unit of society” as much as granting mothers the “right” to order doctors to kill their innocent children in the womb?
In addition, the Obama administration’s assault on religious liberty through the HHS contraception and abortifacient mandates represents a clear and present danger to the autonomy of the church. The administration is telling Americans of every faith that if they leave the walls of their church and attempt to reach out to their communities – either as business owners or through ministries – that they can only do so on the state’s terms while advancing the state’s values. This is antithetical to the First Amendment and antithetical to fundamental American traditions.
In other words, while your church and my church will not endorse any candidate for president, that does not mean that individual congregants cannot or should not use our web of church friendships and relationships to invest fully in the outcome of this election.
In the six years that Nancy and I have run Evangelicals for Mitt, we’ve made a huge number of Mormon friends and learned a great deal from the LDS church. In fact, we’ve taken flack for urging evangelicals to emulate Mormons in your approach to missions, service, and church growth. We have long stood on the barricades against anti-Mormon bigots. But now we’re asking you to take a page from the evangelical book: Engage fully, proudly, and without hesitation.
Call your friends from your ward. Make sure they’re registered to vote. Ask them if they’ve given to Mitt’s campaign. If they need more education on the issues, equip them with materials. Don’t use church resources; use your own. Between worship and Sunday School, I can’t tell you how many conversations Nancy and I have had about Mitt, about abortion, about religious liberty, and – yes – about the economy. Politics isn’t a “dirty business;” it’s part of our life and obligations as citizens of a nation and government “of the people, by the people, for the people.”
Now is not the time for concerns about stereotyping, for false worries about “neutrality.” The church will remain nonpartisan, but you don’t have to. There are more than six million Mormons in America, and the causes of life and religious liberty need every one.
It’s time to go “all-in” for Mitt.
By David and Nancy French (EVANGELICALS for MITT)

Friday, August 31, 2012

LDS Church Declares That Coke and Pepsi Do Not Violate The Word Of Wisdom

For as long as I can remember, there has been a long standing debate over whether or not cafinated drinks like Coke and Pepsi violate the Word of Wisdom. The LDS Church sought to correct a public misconception that Mormons cannot drink caffeinated soda after that myth was mentioned on MSNBC's television show called "The Rock Center" in which they did a report on the LDS Church titled "Mormon in America":  
The Church's Mormon Newsroom blog had this to say about these kinds of drinks: 
Despite what was reported, the Church revelation spelling out health practices (Doctrine and Covenants 89) does not mention the use of caffeine.  The Church’s health guidelines prohibit alcoholic drinks, smoking or chewing of tobacco, and “hot drinks” — taught by Church leaders to refer specifically to tea and coffee. 
This statement will hopefully correct the misconception (both inside and outside LDS Church) that Mormon's cannot drink Pepsi and Coke. Despite the clarification, the debate among Mormons will never end. Reading the comments from various news sites show that many Mormons still think we should not be allowed to drink it even if it doesn't violate the Word of Wisdom because its unhealthy even if its not banned under the Word of Wisdom. 
Personally, I have always believed that drinking these kinds of sodas doesn't violate the Word of Wisdom based on the history behind the revelation, the language of the revelation and what it specifically banned. While drinking these drinks may be unhealthy (not because of the caffeine, but because of the amount of sugar in each drink) its up to each individual to make a personal choice to drink these drinks or not.
What do you think? Does Pepsi  and Coke violate the Word of Wisdom or not? Post your thoughts in the comment section. I'll read the comments with a Cherry coke in hand. 

Monday, August 13, 2012

Joanna Brooks On The Daily Show

Jon Stewart gives a great interview with Joanna Brooks who is the author of the "The Book of Mormon Girl" who talks about what it is like to be a girl growing up in the Mormon faith and becoming a liberal Mormon. Watch the awesome interview below: 


Having grown up in Southern California and going to BYU, I totally understand the world she is comes from. Like her I graduated from BYU but didn't leave as a liberal/progressive. However, I appreciate that she is willing to share her subjective and personal experience about her faith from a unique perspective. Although I haven't read her book yet, I plan on picking it up soon.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Why Mormons Build Temples Around The World

Today is an important day for many Jewish people in which they observe Tisha B'Av which is fast that memorializes the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BCE and the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE. The First Temple was built by King Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:1-6) while the Second Temple was built by Ezra and others under the permission of Babylonian kings. However, there will be a time when Jews no longer need to mourn the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem because they look forward to the construction of a Third Temple in Jerusalem.
While Jews focus on the destruction of these two temples in Jerusalem, Biblical archeology and scholarship shows that there was never intended to be only one temple located in Jerusalem to be used in Jewish worship. The Bible supports the notion that having more than one temple was permissible under Jewish Law since in 2 Kings 12 we find tthat Jeroboam built new temples at Bethel (on Israel’s southern border) and at Dan (on the northern border). 
Biblical archeology has discovered Jewish Temples at the following sites: 
Gilgal   
Ebal    
Shechem         
Shiloh  
Kirjath-jearim  
Gibeon            
Megiddo         
Arad   
Lachish            
Dan     
Bethel  
Beer-Sheba     
Elephantine/Aswan      
Shechem/Mt. Gerizim (Samaritan)        
Leontopolis/Tel Yehudia by Onias (near Heliopolis)
The temples at Elephantine, Leontopolis, Tel Arad and others are not recorded in the Bible but are clearly identified as Jewish temples and were known by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. These archaeological sites along with no record of Jewish leaders objecting to them demolishes the claim that they would not have allowed to have a temple constructed outside of Jerusalem. It does not appear that these buildings were forbidden by Jewish law and practice. Unfortunately, these ancient temples were either destroyed or simply faded away with time. Only the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem remained and temple worship continued during and after Christ's mortal ministry on earth as demonstrated in the New Testament:
"...the New Testament apostles continued to worship in the Jerusalem temple after Christ's ascension (Acts 2:46, Acts 3:1-10, Acts 5:20-42). Even Paul worshipped there (Acts 21:26-30, Acts 22:17, Acts 24:6-18, Acts 25:8, Acts 26:21). Paul is explicitly said to have performed purification rituals (Acts 21:26, Acts 24:18), and prayed in the temple (Acts 22:17, cf. Acts 3:1); he claims that he has not offended "against the temple," implying he accepts its sanctity (Acts 25:8). Indeed, Paul also offered sacrifice (prosfora) in the temple (Acts 21:26, cf. Numbers 6:14-18), a very odd thing for him to do if the temple had been completely superceded after Christ's ascension. Finally, and most importantly, Paul had a vision of Christ ("The Just One" ton dikaion) in the temple (Acts 22:14-21), paralleling Old Testament temple theophanies, and strongly implying a special sanctity in the temple, where God still appears to men even after Christ's ascension." 
Temples play a major role in LDS theology.  Mormons believed those who escaped to the New World prior to the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem as described in the Book of Mormon also brought the practice of Mosiac Temple worship with them.  The Book of Mormon mentions the construction of two temples that occurred in different places and at different times with the first one being constructed shortly after those who fled before the Babylonian invasion arrived in the new world and the second one being built a few centuries later in city called Bountiful. These temples were constructed for Mosaic Temple worship just like they were done in temples in the old world.
Mormons believe that God restored the practice of Temple worship in modern times beginning with the construction of the Kirtland Temple to the construction of temples around the world. Temples will continue to play an important role in LDS theology and practice in the future. Mormons look forward to the construction of a Temple in Jerusalem.
In conclusion, this brief explanation is an attempt to explain why Mormons build temples around the world. Mormons believe that temples have historically been an essential part of God's church throughout time and space beginning with the time God instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle to the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem to the construction of Temples in both the Old and New World to the multitude of LDS Temples that dot the globe to the construction of temples in the future.