Monday, March 28, 2005
I've come to the conclusion...
that only God knows the intentions of Michael Schiavo's heart, and if his intentions in letting his wife go are not good, then it will be her innocent blood on his hands. And that's all I have to say about it.
Saturday, March 26, 2005
Book Review: Mormonville by Jeff Call
I found this book in the library/guest bedroom upstairs and started reading it last night. I finished it about two minutes ago.
Luke Manning is a major writer for a New York paper and leads a very worldly lifestyle. Jack Kilborn, a man who owns a publishing company, contacts him one day with a premise for a new book: "My Year Among the Mormons: The inside story of America's most powerful cult". Luke is to live in a small county in Utah for one year, infiltrate the church, and uncover and expose any lies. This entitles a lot of lifestyle changes and a lot of acting, but he pulls it off and eventually the members of the Helaman 6th ward think they have a potential convert on their hands.
It's an interesting book; I couldn't put it down. I will advise some members that there is talk among some of the non-member characters about the church in general being a cult and members of the church being polygamists, brainwashed, and all stuff that we know to be untrue. ^_^ It's actually quite humorous. But if you're sensitive to any slight jabs over the church, then there are a few parts you can skip ahead. Especially when Luke has a first discussion with the missionaries and hurls all sorts of comments and questions at them. Just remember that it's only a book, and pray that you never run into people like that. ^_^
Anyway, even though it's a novel about the church, it isn't too preachy. There are characters that are often characteristic of LDS people that we've known or have been been acquainted with. George Durrant was correct when he said in his review, "You will see yourself or your fellow members and leaders on every page." Looking at the church from a non-member's point of view, even one bent on digging up dirt about the church, is an experience in and of itself.
The only real beef I have with the book is when I knew something was going to happen and wasn't surprised when it did. Although that only happened two or three times.
All in all, I found it to be an entertaining book. I'd read it again.
Luke Manning is a major writer for a New York paper and leads a very worldly lifestyle. Jack Kilborn, a man who owns a publishing company, contacts him one day with a premise for a new book: "My Year Among the Mormons: The inside story of America's most powerful cult". Luke is to live in a small county in Utah for one year, infiltrate the church, and uncover and expose any lies. This entitles a lot of lifestyle changes and a lot of acting, but he pulls it off and eventually the members of the Helaman 6th ward think they have a potential convert on their hands.
It's an interesting book; I couldn't put it down. I will advise some members that there is talk among some of the non-member characters about the church in general being a cult and members of the church being polygamists, brainwashed, and all stuff that we know to be untrue. ^_^ It's actually quite humorous. But if you're sensitive to any slight jabs over the church, then there are a few parts you can skip ahead. Especially when Luke has a first discussion with the missionaries and hurls all sorts of comments and questions at them. Just remember that it's only a book, and pray that you never run into people like that. ^_^
Anyway, even though it's a novel about the church, it isn't too preachy. There are characters that are often characteristic of LDS people that we've known or have been been acquainted with. George Durrant was correct when he said in his review, "You will see yourself or your fellow members and leaders on every page." Looking at the church from a non-member's point of view, even one bent on digging up dirt about the church, is an experience in and of itself.
The only real beef I have with the book is when I knew something was going to happen and wasn't surprised when it did. Although that only happened two or three times.
All in all, I found it to be an entertaining book. I'd read it again.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
MormonChic.com
I don't remember how I stumbled onto this website, but I'm glad I did. It has all sorts of interesting subjects for women in the church. It's divided into seven different Chic sections: Gospel (having to do with the church), Deal Diva (shopping tips and tricks), Recipe (delicious recipes to try), Mommy (all about being a mother), Style (for fashionable ladies), Crafty (for the handiwoman), and Healthy (all about health).
There are a variety of articles in each section, and lots of great ideas for Enrichment night (for those outside the church, Enrichment night is one night a month where the sisters 18 and up can go and learn and hang out). There are even Special Topics dealing with holidays, baby 101, weddings, and missionaries. It's definitely worth at least checking it out.
There are a variety of articles in each section, and lots of great ideas for Enrichment night (for those outside the church, Enrichment night is one night a month where the sisters 18 and up can go and learn and hang out). There are even Special Topics dealing with holidays, baby 101, weddings, and missionaries. It's definitely worth at least checking it out.
Monday, March 21, 2005
Happy birthday to my stake!
Our stake celebrated our 25th anniversary this weekend with a variety show on Saturday night (which I missed because I was at a friend's wedding reception), and a fireside last night.
Our stake was organized on 16 March 1980. We have had four Stake Presidents since then, including the current one, and all but the last one were present at last night's festivities. I had never met Vern, the first SP, only heard of him, until last night. George, the second SP is in my ward, Denny, the third SP has moved (to Utah?), and Dave, the current SP grew up with my parents and my sister's mother-in-law. Both stake patriarchs were also present. Fred served for 24 years in the position (my SIL was his first blessing), and John has been there for almost a year. All six men were presented with different tokens of esteem to commemorate the 25th anniversary.
We were told to get there half an hour early to see a slide of different people and events from the past 25 years. I got there two minutes late and missed seeing a picture of my dad's family, but I did see some people I knew. The main piece of the program was a 25th Birthday Tribute to the SP's and a brief history of the stake.
Dave presented us yet again with a challenge to read the Book of Mormon in 90 days. We did this last year for the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the stake center. Mira and I tried, but we didn't succeed, as we had trouble remembering and staying on track. I'm going to do it myself, along with our regular reading of the BoM.
Not only are we celebrating the 25th anniversary of the founding of the stake, but also the 200th anniversary of Joseph Smith's birth, and the 175th anniversary of the organization of the church and the first printing of the Book of Mormon. Not only are we going to read it as a stake, but in honor of the first 5,000 copies that were printed in 1830, we are going to give out 5,ooo copies from now until 26 June. The next day, all the families of the stake will hold a Family Home Evening about Joseph and Hyrum Smith, on the 161st anniversary of their deaths. Then at 8:00 p.m., we'll kneel in prayer and pray for "gratitude and appreciation for the life of the Prophet, the Restoration and organization of the Church, and the publication of the Book of Mormon" (taken from the info we got from last night). We'll also pray for those who received a copy of the book that they'll read it and gain a testimony of it. So we'll see how this works out.
Our stake was organized on 16 March 1980. We have had four Stake Presidents since then, including the current one, and all but the last one were present at last night's festivities. I had never met Vern, the first SP, only heard of him, until last night. George, the second SP is in my ward, Denny, the third SP has moved (to Utah?), and Dave, the current SP grew up with my parents and my sister's mother-in-law. Both stake patriarchs were also present. Fred served for 24 years in the position (my SIL was his first blessing), and John has been there for almost a year. All six men were presented with different tokens of esteem to commemorate the 25th anniversary.
We were told to get there half an hour early to see a slide of different people and events from the past 25 years. I got there two minutes late and missed seeing a picture of my dad's family, but I did see some people I knew. The main piece of the program was a 25th Birthday Tribute to the SP's and a brief history of the stake.
Dave presented us yet again with a challenge to read the Book of Mormon in 90 days. We did this last year for the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the stake center. Mira and I tried, but we didn't succeed, as we had trouble remembering and staying on track. I'm going to do it myself, along with our regular reading of the BoM.
Not only are we celebrating the 25th anniversary of the founding of the stake, but also the 200th anniversary of Joseph Smith's birth, and the 175th anniversary of the organization of the church and the first printing of the Book of Mormon. Not only are we going to read it as a stake, but in honor of the first 5,000 copies that were printed in 1830, we are going to give out 5,ooo copies from now until 26 June. The next day, all the families of the stake will hold a Family Home Evening about Joseph and Hyrum Smith, on the 161st anniversary of their deaths. Then at 8:00 p.m., we'll kneel in prayer and pray for "gratitude and appreciation for the life of the Prophet, the Restoration and organization of the Church, and the publication of the Book of Mormon" (taken from the info we got from last night). We'll also pray for those who received a copy of the book that they'll read it and gain a testimony of it. So we'll see how this works out.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Review: The Work and the Glory
My mother-in-law and I went to see this tonight. The closest theatre to us that was still showing it was almost an hour away, but boy was it worth it. There were eleven people including us: ten adults and a cute little blond girl, maybe four or five years old. When it ended, the lady in front of us said, in a French sounding accent, "I want to see the rest!"
It was interesting how they didn't really bring too much theology into it. Joseph recounts his vision, and we see a couple of people baptized. That's about it. The movie instead focuses on more of the history of the early church, and a major point of focus is the persecution that Joseph and his followers endured. What's sad is that it still goes on today. But I digress.
What can I say? I liked this movie. The music was reminiscent of most church-sponsored films, but that's okay. It worked. The acting was a whole lot better than that of The Book of Mormon Movie, but that's just my opinion. I think Jonathan Scarfe did a wonderful job portraying Joseph Smith. And the subplot involving Joshua and Nathan with Lydia reminded me of an episode in my life (possible spoiler for those who haven't read th books): I was interested in one guy, but he made himself scarce for a while and I ended up going for another guy. The big difference was that in my case, the two men were not brothers. Okay, possible spoiler alert over. ^_^
Anyway, I definitely want this movie as a part of my movie collection. I doubt I'll be able to get a copy where I live though. But maybe I will! Who knows?
It was interesting how they didn't really bring too much theology into it. Joseph recounts his vision, and we see a couple of people baptized. That's about it. The movie instead focuses on more of the history of the early church, and a major point of focus is the persecution that Joseph and his followers endured. What's sad is that it still goes on today. But I digress.
What can I say? I liked this movie. The music was reminiscent of most church-sponsored films, but that's okay. It worked. The acting was a whole lot better than that of The Book of Mormon Movie, but that's just my opinion. I think Jonathan Scarfe did a wonderful job portraying Joseph Smith. And the subplot involving Joshua and Nathan with Lydia reminded me of an episode in my life (possible spoiler for those who haven't read th books): I was interested in one guy, but he made himself scarce for a while and I ended up going for another guy. The big difference was that in my case, the two men were not brothers. Okay, possible spoiler alert over. ^_^
Anyway, I definitely want this movie as a part of my movie collection. I doubt I'll be able to get a copy where I live though. But maybe I will! Who knows?
Monday, March 07, 2005
Anniversary!
Two years ago today, I knelt in front of Mira and was sealed to him for eternity in the Lord's temple. Here's to many more years of happiness. (He wrote me the sweetest poem for my birthday last week! Is there any wonder why I love this man?)
Sister T
Sister T
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)