Mormon Musings

Back to the Basics: How to Excel While Really Trying

2013-04-14T18:39:00.001-04:00

Years ago I lost count of how many wards, branches, districts and stakes I have been in. I think the number is around 50 total. After I stopped moving around and staying put, they started moving wards around me. So, this is not entirely my fault.

What this has given me is a broad understanding of how congregations operate around the country. There are a lot of similarities, as there should be. However, not all of these similarities are good. In fact, some are downright disturbing.

Too many similarities suggest that the basics are getting lost in the frills.

To illustrate this, I need to point out that I have four college degrees and a plethora of awards, certificates, accomplishments and achievements. I have earned, or been awarded, so many that even I can't keep track of them all.

Excelling doesn't come any easier for me than it does for anyone else. So, what is my secret? Pay attention and I'll clue you in.

I do the basics, really really well.

For example, in school I would read all the material assigned. I would do all the assignments. I always went to class and I carefully worked on everything doing exactly what I was told to do. I didn't cram for anything. I learned it and worked hard.

In the long run, this paid off because I didn't cut corners, I didn't cram. I didn't pull all-nighters. I didn't try and B.S. my way through anything. I actually learned and mastered the material. In the long run, school actually got easier rather than harder.

Sadly, most people are ignoring the basics at church, all around the country.

- Few actually read the lessons or the scripture assignments before Sunday.

- Too many teachers try and prepare a lesson the night before or the morning of.

- Too many people don't actually read or study the scriptures.

- Too many teachers never access "Teaching, No Greater Call."

- Too many teachers don't pray or ponder on how to present concepts in the lesson.

- Few people actually watch, listen to or read General Conferences addresses.

- Few actually devote the time to their callings that they need to in order to accomplish anything.

- Too many people devote too little time to talk preparation.

- Too many people don't access any of the resources on lds.org.

- Few actually read Church magazines.

- Few actually read instructions, help manuals or help screens.

- Few actually know how to teach prospective investigators, because they've never accessed Preach My Gospel or any other helpful resource.

- Too many people don't know what is in the Handbook.

- Few people pay any attention to administrative matters.

If you see yourself in the points above; then you cannot reasonably expect to make Church a success, for yourself or anyone else.

People are cutting too many corners. Occasionally cutting corners may be justified; but the number of times is rare in comparison to how often it gets done.

I remember a quote, possibly from David O. McKay, that said something like this: Instead of preparing a talk, why don't you just prepare yourself, then you will always be ready to speak.

Consider programs like EFY and TOFW. I don't think what makes these events so successful is the unique program itself.

I think young people who attend EFY are responding to well-administered events with well-prepared, age appropriate content that is thoughtfully delivered.

I think women who enjoy TOFW are responding to well-administered events with well-prepared, age appropriate content that is thoughtfully delivered.

There is no reason why we can't have well-administered events with well-prepared, age appropriate content that is thoughtfully delivered, with assistance from the spirit at Church.

Too much of church today is poorly prepared, ill-conceived events with age-inappropriate content that is poorly delivered with no hint of the spirit.

Instead, people are devoting most of their time to social events where we prepare and consume humongous quantities of unhealthy food. In addition, we tend to focus our missionary efforts on a handful of splashy, expensive events that are big on image and low on religious substance. Such events often include public relations press statements and other gimmicks.

These events have their place. However, if we are using them to justify small expenditures on reading the scriptures, thoughtfully preparing lessons or talks and ignoring administrative duties, then we cannot expect to succeed at anything in the long run.

Drop the frills and concentrate on the basics. If we aren't doing the basics, we aren't building on a firm foundation. Our foundation is sand and it will eventually crumble.

When I taught in higher education at the college, university and graduate level I was told to expect to spend three hours in preparation for every hour I spent in the classroom. If I were teaching a new course, then five to seven hours in preparation was the norm. Teaching graduate students usually took a bit more time.

Consider though, that this was for teaching subject matter that I had already mastered myself.

If you put this time into a religious context then we should be spending at least three hours preparing any lesson. I spend at least that much time preparing Gospel Principles every week, often more, and it's a beginner course for new members and investigators. If I'm preparing a Sacrament Meeting talk I'll probably spend about twenty to twenty five hours preparing. The time I spoke in Stake Conference I spent at least thirty five hours of direct preparation time.

This all pays off in the long run. However, I don't think I've attended a church social event in ages. I have never been to a TOFW, or much of anything like it, and I almost never attend the big splashy events that can consume so much of our leaders, and members, time.

I'll stick to the basics, and you should too.

Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice!

2013-04-06T12:00:00.000-04:00

Starting right now, Mormons all over the world are turning into General Conference.

There are five sessions. Learn more at this link.

Join us and listen to a Prophet's voice!

"It is what God gave you time for . . . in this life and in the eternities."

2013-04-03T12:39:00.000-04:00

Mark 9:37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

Confessions of a Mormon Sacrament Meeting Bulletin Coordinator

2013-03-24T12:44:00.000-04:00

(Loosely inspired by Confessions of a Mormon Bishop.)

I got to bed late Saturday night, but I couldn't sleep. I'm sure my fellow ward members were calmly enjoying their Saturday night, while serenely awaiting the spiritual feast that surely awaited us all the next day.

My mind raced. I still had so many questions, so much frustration, such feelings of inadequacy.

Welcome to the life of a Mormon Sacrament Meeting Bulletin Coordinator.

Like other administrative warriors, in many religions, I spent hours on the phone and online, fussing over whether I had managed to collect all the pertinent information necessary for people to make paper airplanes out of my bulletin tomorrow.

My job is not just to compile a reasonably accurate chronology of local as well as stake events; I have to include a ward leadership directory so that people can have accurate phone numbers of anyone they need to call. It must be more accurate than the online directory the clerk's compile, because people actually use mine.

I also have to include who will be responsible for cleaning the building over the course of the next week and beyond. Never mind if they actually do it, but it has to be documented.

Also, I have to make certain the children's assignments for Primary are included, so that parent's have deniability when their children are not prepared for the next week. If I didn't put it on the bulletin, they might actually remember their children's assignments. (Wait, did I get this right?)

Each responsibility in compiling the bulletin is different because every ward is different.

I carefully constructed the bulletin to comply with the golden mean, put information in an inverted "M," selected a typeface and point size so that the visually impaired could read it easily. In fact, I utilized every graphic design principle and information rule that I learned in library school. But, no, they will make paper airplanes. . .

In fact, my husband even coached one young participant on the art of making paper airplanes out of my bulletins. His paper airplanes have incredible glide and distance. My husband's contributions to my efforts are invaluable.

I have learned that no matter how many times I contact someone, they will invariable forget to tell me some crucial detail necessary for fully participating in the Lord's true church.

I have learned that this is not a "calling" it is an "assignment." That is the cross I must bear. There will be no MLS listing for me.

I have learned that no one considers their giving me a bulletin item may actually increase attendance at ill-conceived events better than a cryptic comment; given as an afterthought in one of our meetings, that no one has time to write down.

I have learned that no matter how many bulletins I hand out on Sunday morning (and even though I put the extras close to the door) people will insist they didn't get one.

I have learned that no matter how many people tell me they will call me with announcements, they almost never do.

I have learned that the most important announcements that should be placed in the bulletin will never reach me.

I have learned that, if I do make mistakes in the bulletin, almost no one will bring them to my attention. (How many weeks did I list "Branch and Stake Business" instead of "Ward and Stake Business"?)

I have learned that nobody will notice if I stretch out the picture of our building to fit the column I place it in. Elongating buildings is not a forgiveness issue. (See picture below for how it really looks.)

I have learned that no matter how much education and training I have, even the lowliest church responsibility is a privilege and I must be content with what God has allotted to me.

Mine is a solitary life.

Late last night, as I pondered all of this, I decided I needed to write down what interacting with all of these people is teaching me.

And, I wanted to share it.

"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones . . ." (Matthew 18: 6)

2013-03-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

Right after I started doing the bulletin (program) in my current Ward, I closely observed who was reading it during Sacrament Meeting and how it was being used. Instead of handing it out entirely to adults, I hand it out to everybody. I observed numerous teens reading it. Also, I noticed kids coloring the picture of the chapel I include in the upper right hand corner.

That was something I hadn't anticipated.

Since I was having trouble getting announcements to fill up space, I thought maybe a picture on the back might be good. On the Church's "Video, Audio and Images" site under "Images" there is category entitled "Primary" with a "Line Art" folder in it.

The "Line Art" folder explains that "Line art allows children to express creativity while learning gospel principles." I've included a line art picture in the bulletin every week since, except for last week March 17.

I had so many announcements for March 17 I did not include a line art picture. (There was a particularly lengthy announcement about registering the youth for the upcoming youth conference which took up all my space.)

Well, I had a disappointed little girl on my hands before Sacrament even started. Apparently, she looks forward to the picture every week and was very unhappy there wasn't one in the bulletin. I assured her I would include one from now on and asked her if there was a special picture she would like to request. She said, "Jesus with the children."

So, today it went on the bulletin. See the redacted bulletin below.

I hadn't realized what a hit my "filler" idea was. It makes the bulletin relevant to the children. Just wanted to pass the idea along to you in the hopes other wards/branches can benefit.

Camel Milk, Bat Conservation and Faith in Christ!

2013-03-21T16:14:00.000-04:00

In an insightful article entitled, "Wright Words: We share our favorite restaurant — but what about our faith?" Jason F. Wright poses the very simple question:

Why is it easier to broadcast something as temporary as my affection for a new restaurant than to share something as eternal and lasting as my faith?

This same thought occurred to me only it was in the context of camel milk and bat conservation, my two primary causes in life. I can easily share information about camel's milk and the plight of bats in the world much easier than I can share my testimony and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Logically, this makes no sense at all. Camel milk and bats are somewhat obscure causes. Faith in Christ is not.

I understand in the next life it's unlikely anyone will approach me with tears in their eyes and tell me how much they wish I had introduced them to my favorite Chinese restaurant.

It may be easy for me to share my passion for camel milk and bat conservation but it probably won't matter at all in the next life. I can't imagine someone tearfully thanking me for sharing these causes outside of this life.

Perhaps we should all take Wright's challenge to heart:

I invite everyone to share what matters most. If it brings you happiness, share it. If it brings you comfort and peace in a troubled world, share it. If it bonds your family together, share it with other families.

If it’s so delicious, then tell the world why. Because it’s likely to be the most important discovery you’ll ever share.

I use logic, reason and the scientific method to convert people to camel milk and bat conservation. That will not work with the gospel of Jesus Christ. So, I think I'll share a quote from my Mormon.org profile:

In academia, we use the scientific method. This does not work with spiritual knowledge. Spiritual knowledge has to be learned in a spiritual way. If you want to know if what we believe as Mormons is true, you first have to find out what we believe and then ask Heavenly Father if it is true. He will make it known to you in a spiritual way. You won't be able to convince other people, or prove to them that you know, but you will know.

You WILL know!

The REAL World: From College Presidents to Welfare Dependents

2013-03-13T16:39:00.000-04:00

" . . . I lived in the real world for 30 years, enough to know I'm not in it now."

The quote above is from Stephenie Meyer, author of the Twilight novels and a great deal more. Her fame and wealth have eclipsed (pun intended) a lot of us. But, for years she was a normal person and a normal Mormon.

Peculiarities of our manner and mode of worship ensures that just about all Mormons are pretty down to earth and firmly implanted "in the real world."

As Mormons we are assigned to a local congregation on the basis of geography. In the Mormon Corridor this sometimes means that our congregation is no more that a few streets beyond our own. Even Mormon Corridor Mormons end up interacting with those in their "stake" which is a collection of congregations and always has a diverse cross-section of people. Further out it means we sometimes attend weekly services with college presidents as well as welfare dependents. I've gone to Church with members of the Osmond family and those just scraping by financially.

Constant exposure to a wide variety of people insures we experience people across the socio-economic spectrum. This keeps us grounded.

When I was a Ph.D. student, a lively discussion occurred in one of my classes concerning how we all had entered the elite and could no longer consider ourselves ordinary Americans. We discussed how this could lead to flaws in our examining American people, culture, government, etc. because our lives were far removed from the "ordinary.

I could understand what my fellow Ph.D's feared and had to acknowledge it was true for them. But I go to church every week with a cross-section of ordinary Americans. Because of church I interact constantly with "ordinary" Americans.

I've never lost touch with that and won't as long as I continue to attend church. I have to interact with, and teach, those that are functionally illiterate and those that are brilliant. Since church callings (unpaid jobs) are all temporary and no true leadership hierarchy exists, I've been under the authority of those with a high school diploma or less. At other times I have to direct those with more education than I've got. (Okay, that is rare.) Knowledge, skills and abilities range across the spectrum.

If this isn't the "real world" I don't know what is.

"Because I said it is and nobody's checked."

2013-03-05T13:41:00.000-05:00

Years ago I saw Victor Crawford on a 60 Minutes clip where he admitted to doing all sorts of dastardly things to promote tobacco issues as a tobacco lobbyist. He claimed he got away with making false claims, "Because I said it is and nobody's checked."

I've always remembered that. I decided that in the future somebody better check. With all the digital resources at our fingertips, that somebody can be me, and you!

Right now, the digital wires are burning up over the Church's new 2013 edition of the scriptures. Most of the changes are simply editorial but that doesn't stop people from making them out to be bigger than they are. For example. see the head-note for Official Declaration 2 in the Doctrine and Covenants:

The Book of Mormon teaches that “all are alike unto God,” including “black and white, bond and free, male and female” (2 Nephi 26:33). Throughout the history of the Church, people of every race and ethnicity in many countries have been baptized and have lived as faithful members of the Church. During Joseph Smith’s lifetime, a few black male members of the Church were ordained to the priesthood. Early in its history, Church leaders stopped conferring the priesthood on black males of African descent. Church records offer no clear insights into the origins of this practice. Church leaders believed that a revelation from God was needed to alter this practice and prayerfully sought guidance. The revelation came to Church President Spencer W. Kimball and was affirmed to other Church leaders in the Salt Lake Temple on June 1, 1978. The revelation removed all restrictions with regard to race that once applied to the priesthood.

This has always been the "official" version. What muddied the waters? Speculation! People gave all sorts of views on this matter and they got carried around as official. Over time, fiction become fact.

This is insidious. Do you want more proof? It took being a Ph.D. student for me to discover how the Founders really viewed black people when they wrote the Constitution.

The conventional wisdom will tell you that black people were valued as only 3/5's a white person. This is nonsense, but this nonsense has morphed into fact.

Simple reading of the Constitution and a little logic will debunk this theory.

For the text, see the National Archives. You can't get more official than that. The "infamous" reference is in Article 1, the one dealing with Congress and all the "legislative" issues:

Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.

Does this say black people are viewed as only 3/5's a white person? No, it doesn't.

What it does say is that in counting people in order to determine the number of Representatives in the House of Representatives and for tax persons that free persons are counted as a full person and persons not free are counted as 3/5's of a person.

So, how were free blacks counted in the original Constitution as written? Answer: AS A FULL PERSON. It didn't hinge on race. If any white slaves existed they would have been counted as 3/5's of a person.

The issue was apportionment and taxation not race!

Southerners, slave holders and their supporters wanted to count slaves as a full person!

Abolitionists didn't want to count slaves at all!

Why!!!

Siimple. If slaves were counted, it would give the South more Representatives in the House of Representatives giving it more strength and making it much less likely that slavery could ever be abolished by congressional vote.

If slaves were not counted then the South would have fewer Representatives, making the South weaker in Congress and making it more likely that the abolitionists in the North could abolish slavery through congressional vote.

So, how do we avoid succumbing to these gross inaccuracies whether religious or otherwise?

Simple. Just check!

Close, But No Cigar . . .

2013-02-24T16:14:00.001-05:00

Am I the only one that seems disturbed by announcements in Church of for-profit ventures that are near to the Church but aren't official? It would seem so.

In fact, these aren't announcements as much as they are endorsements. Time Out for Women and Especially for Youth, and the others like them, are wonderful programs. I would encourage anyone that can attend these things to do so if they wish.

However, they are not official. They aren't part of the Relief Society or the Young Men/Young Women's programs. I don't think they should be promoted as such.

I don't think they should be announced in the bulletin, over the pulpit or part of the opening exercises of any auxiliary. And, I don't think people ought to announce how tickets can be purchased for these events during church. My beef today is an extension of one I have addressed in the past.

When we teach lessons in the Church we are told to use the scriptures and correlated materials published by the Church. It isn't appropriate to rely on materials that Deseret Book or BYU produce so why is it okay to rely on them for the activities they sponsor? What is the difference?

Outside organizations produce many wonderful materials, programs and activities but they aren't Church materials and they aren't official.

The Church sponsors official Youth Conferences for the young people. It seems like people are elevating Especially for Youth, usually referred to as EFY, as the equivalent of them. It isn't.

Youth conferences are planned and executed by local church leaders under priesthood authority. EFY is planned and executed by an L.D.S. affiliated university, it's employees and paid staff/contractors. They aren't in the same class.

If EFY is being plugged why isn't Youth Conferences at Temple Square? It utilizes the same cadre of speakers as EFY but it is much more affordable and much closer to being "official" than EFY is.

I don't dare raise this issue with Church leaders myself. I know how most people will react to me. They'll assume I think there's something wrong with these programs. They will stoutly defend them and denounce me. They will point to all the wonderful outcomes for themselves, their family members and people they know.

I just don't have the energy to deal with it all.

Maybe they'll read my blog. Somehow, I don't think that will happen.

Anyway, I don't have the energy to deal with that either.

How to be Unselfish at Church

2013-02-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

I'm trying to behave myself at church. Truly, I am. In fact, I promised someone important that I would try and mend my ways, especially being more positive and constructive in my criticism. I won't tell you who, but I did promise.

With that in mind, I've structured today's post differently than I normally would. Instead of detailing how to be selfish at church I'm going to simply highlight the opposing behavior of how to be unselfish at church.

Are people selfish at church? I didn't say that . . .

So, here are my top ten ways to be unselfish at church:

10. Get to church on time so that leaders can start on time. Show that you actually care that others have exerted effort on your behalf and prepared spiritual content with your benefit in mind.

9. Sing the hymns so the poor chorister doesn't feel like an idiot waving her arm in front of people and the organist doesn't feel his time has been wasted practicing. Ignore the missed notes.

8. Acknowledge the children and the youth, especially in the hallways. Age means nothing here or in the hereafter. Anybody can get old. It doesn't take skill.

7. Actually read the Sunday School lesson assignment or other material before you come to class, especially during the week.

6. Make your comments in classes relevant. Before blurting out an amusing story, ask yourself if it will support the teacher's point rather than throw the whole class off on a tangent.

5. Make your comments brief. The teacher was called to teach a class and set apart for this purpose. It is his/her responsibility to teach. You can support them in this calling by being brief, supportive and to the point.

4. Don't talk to other sisters during the Relief Society lesson. Respectfully give your attention to the teacher who spent time and prayer preparing a spiritual message for you.

3. Perform your callings, whatever they might be, to the very best of your ability.

2. Contemplate the atonement, especially during the Sacrament.

1. Heavenly Father has given you so much. Give Him at least three hours of your week. Make it your best hours, for Him.

Mormons and Dornan's Manifesto

2013-02-10T22:25:00.002-05:00

So, what do Mormon's have to do with Christopher Dornan. Not much really. He graduated from Southern Utah University and was on the football team. Things must have been hard for him there. Comments from fellow students supports this. He isn't Mormon. By his own admission, he is non-religious; so being in Utah was undoubtedly difficult for him.

I've been ignoring most of the headlines about Dornan, because I don't like reading sensationalism about disturbed killers. Besides, I don't like reading news coverage. I don't like reading coverage of news coverage either. Even worse, I don't like reading slanted coverage of news coverage. I like reading facts. So, I decided to read Dornan's words myself.

Now, it appears that some of what was in what I read wasn't Dornan's words after all. No matter, there is enough there to get a sense of the man.

So, why am I so disturbed by his so-called manifesto? Well, for starters, if I wanted to discredit someone, I'd borrow the term manifesto. It smacks of Ted Kaczynski. Another thing I would do is simply direct attention to what Dornan has done and away from the issues Dornan raised.

This is exactly what's being done.

But, I read enough to come to one conclusion: I don't think Dornan's a whacko. I think he became disturbed by internal corruption in the L.A.P.D. I think he became a killer, because he saw no other response to his predicament.

I'm tired of hearing dismissal of Dornan, because he's Dornan. His allegations against corruption in the L.A.P.D. have the ring of truth. Does that justify what Dornan himself has done? No. But, it doesn't vindicate the L.A.P.D. either.

Generally, it is people who have something to hide that are hiding something. Is Christopher Dornan trying to hide something? It doesn't seem so. He gives names, facts, refers to documents and begs people, especially the press, to investigate his situation.

He lost on appeal. So what. Did all the appeals deal with the merits of his claim or look for error in the adjudicatory process? I don't know. For him, the issue was the merits.

It is very hard to go up against liars in our judicial system. They can make up what evidence they want and say whatever they want. If you are truthful, then you are limited by the truth. If you accuse them of lying, they will just concoct more lies to try and refute you. How do you fight against that? You can't really. Sometimes history vindicates you, but it is usually long after the fact, if ever.

Dornan lost faith in justice because he doesn't feel he received it. What he is doing is what he considers his "last resort." I'm not condoning it. I suspect Christopher Dornan will be dead in a couple of days, whether by his own hand or someone else's. He is a killer . . . now.

The issues he raised will remain, even if he is no longer here. I believe him. I didn't expect to believe him, but I do. The internal corruption, image-protecting, ruthless ladder climbing, old boys network, office politicking and so forth is just too familiar to me to discount it.

The L.A.P.D. and the people Dornan accused are probably exactly, or close to, what he says they are and they have probably done what Dornan says they did.

Dornan's being told to give himself up and he will be treated fairly.

Please . . .

Dornan's being told that he won't be killed.

Right, the cops will just shoot women in trucks that looks like Dornan's.

What planet are we on?

The inescapable conclusion is that Dornan will soon die. Will we be told the facts about his death? I doubt it.

Maybe Dornan's last acts in this world are the acts of a man who followed principles and then discovered the system he had faith in didn't function under the same principles.

I've always said it would be difficult to wait for justice in the next life, if you don't really believe there is one.

Why wait? Why not just exact your own justice in this one and be certain? Is this a sort of Dirty Harry or The Equalizer? How would I know, I never watched those shows.

Does Dornan's manifesto ramble? Yeah it does. He covers every issue, including the kitchen sink. It reads like someone who is writing his last words and he covers every issue he can think of. I'm not sure mine would be much different.

Dornan didn't run amok until after all his appeals and legal avenues were exhausted. An unprincipled person probably would have become unhinged a bit earlier.

If you are principled, but non-religious, what can you do?

If you had proof that wrong-doing was occurring in high places, but it got covered up, smoke-screened over and you yourself were discredited, what would you do?

Well, I've been there. I know what I'd do. I'd have faith that justice would finally prevail, in the next life, at the very least. Meanwhile, my actions in this one would have to be blameless.

If I didn't have my religious faith, what would I do?

I don't know, and I don't like to think about it.

Meanwhile, the search for Dornan goes on. Is the public safe? That is hard to say. Right now, it is evident the police aren't as concerned about protecting the public as they are about protecting themselves.

Feminism, Now and Forever?

2012-12-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

I'm usually amused by feminists, rather than disturbed. This holds true for their latest effort on wearing pants to church.

I refuse to join ranks with any feminist, Mormon or otherwise. This usually astonishes people because I have all the makings of a feminist.

What are they? If I had to compile a list, they would include the following: formal education, intelligence, formal education, marriage late in life if at all, formal education, no children of my own, secular leanings, formal education. Yep, I have them all, except I'm a conservative Republican.

I've written previously on women in the Church. This post is not going to rehash any of what I've addressed before.

So, what am I saying new this time? Simply this, if women aren't happy bearing and nurturing children in this life, they probably won't be happy doing it in the next life either.

"You don’t need the Book of Mormon to see that these Mormons are booked."

2012-12-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

I may hate sports, but I like it when I read stories like, "BYU players aren't kids...but they have lots of them" in a San Diego paper no less. Here are some great quotes from the article:

There is only one football program in the country with a wives club, and that program is BYU.

Some people think that because of the two-year Mormon missions most players take. . . [players] come into each season with a major advantage. They are older. They may be bigger. And they are unquestionably more mature.

But besides the fact that they spend 24 months away from football – often times in third-world countries where simply maintaining your physique is a challenge – they come back carrying a lot more weight than helmets and pads.

Being a husband is demanding enough. And being a parent is its own full-time job. But to be both while balancing a full slate of classes with the demands of college football? You don’t need the Book of Mormon to see that these Mormons are booked.

. . . And sometimes, players have to miss workouts altogether because the demands of parenthood simply outweigh those of the pigskin.

“They have quite a bit of leeway,” said BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall. “They miss practices for ultrasounds, doctors’ appointments, pregnancy tests, well, (laughing) that one’s not accurate – but things like that.”

Who do you fear more, an angry Coach Mendenhall, or an angry wife? Hansen is asked.

“Oh, definitely my wife,” he said. “Coach Mendenhall is pretty intense, but I’d rather be on his bad side than hers."

Enjoy!

Don't Jump Off of Spiritual Cliffs!

2012-12-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

I often find tidbits buried deep in articles on various subjects. Sometimes I like to pull them out and highlight them. The following comes from Daniel Peterson's article, "Defending the Faith: Moral law is no product of evolution" in the Deseret News:

Moral law is notably uniform across cultures. While applications can and do vary, fundamental values don't. No culture teaches that murder is good, that selfishness is a virtue or that parents should be disrespected.

Peterson is accurate and not just about moral law. Examine any people or culture anywhere, throughout time and across cultures and you will find many things that hold true. Here are a few:

- Courage is valued. Wimps are wimps.

- Honesty is valued. Dishonesty is not admired.

- Happiness is desirable. Misery is not admired.

You can search out the most remote Amazonian Indians or bushmen in Africa and these observations will hold true.

The world is full of natural, physical laws like the law of gravity that are just as immutable. There are moral laws, like the ones Peterson's identified that are immutable too.

Acting as though these laws don't exist will put you in spiritual peril as real as the natural peril you would face if you tried to act as though the law of gravity did not exist.

Don't jump off a natural cliff or a spiritual one.

Thoughts on Victimization, Justice and Forgiveness

2012-12-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

Like many, I've followed the story of Chris Williams and his ability to forgive the drunk, teenage driver that killed his pregnant wife and two of his children. It is an amazing, and inspiring, story of forgiveness. Eventually a Mormon Messages video was made about the story. See it below.

A follow-up article entitled, "A year of forgiveness" provides a great deal more on this story. Recently, Chris Williams published a book on this experience entitled, Let It Go.

My posting today is simply a paragraph from that article in the Deseret News. Ron Yengich is an attorney and person I admire. He's smart and competent, perhaps in the extreme, but he tells it like it is.

Society isn't always very helpful, Yengich says. "What we teach in America is: Once you've been victimized, maintain your victimhood forever, at all costs, and use that as an excuse for whatever happens to you in the future." As for our feelings about perpetrators, he says, "our idea of justice is fairly simple: once we've got our foot on someone's neck, justice for us is to press down as hard and as long as we can."

Although accurate, his descriptions are not particularly flattering. Spend at least a few minutes today considering how his descriptions fit you and then take a leaf out of Chris Williams book and consider how you can change.

Why Not Ask a REAL Mormon Girl!

2012-12-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

The national news media has styled Joanna Brooks as one of the foremost authorities on our faith. However, I think she falls far short.

Since Romney was not elected, the CNN article, "What would a Mormon White House look like?" from November 2, didn't seem to get much attention. Deep in the article, Joanna Brooks proves she's either a fringe Mormon or no Mormon at all by her scandalous assertion concerning The Proclamation on the Family.

Then there's something commonly known as the "Proclamation on the Family," which is often framed and displayed in homes -- though rarely in upper-class households, said Joanna Brooks, author of "The Book of Mormon Girl: Stories from an American Faith."

Mormons in upper-class households are just as likely to embrace the Proclamation in word, deed and display as any other good Mormons. In fact, if you extrapolate from PEW findings, they are probably more likely to embrace it since Mormons higher on the socio-economic ladder are typically more devout and committed than those who are lower.

The Proclamation is central to our belief structure. Apparently, it is not central to Brooks. She expresses many personal opinions that diverge from fundamental Mormon beliefs.Most Mormons aren't like her and her Proclamation comment just illustrates how far she is from us.

True Service, Not Just the Appearance of It

2012-12-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

I feel vindicated, at long last.

The Church has finally addressed what I've believed, and said, for years in a Church News article entitled, "Service that counts."

The article relates how a service project was conducted but then changed to be more effective the next year. Most were gung ho to do the same thing again. Only the Relief Society President felt that the prior year's Christmas service project was not conducted properly. She gives her reasons here:

. . . "As we were handing out our gifts, I looked at the women and mothers standing around the room. What I saw on their faces was not the excitement I had expected. Instead, it was more like misery. They felt like failures. They were supposed to be in charge of Christmas. It was their cherished role to provide joy for their kids, and they had failed to do that. As a result, their kids had to rely on charitable strangers for presents. So, yes, I would like to do something different."

The Relief Society president then proposed they go to the shelter directors and say, "We'd like to do something that helps the women feel like they are providing Christmas. What can we do? What would make this situation better than last year?"

They came up with a new service project, done in a different way that ultimately served both the individuals and the families better. What it lacked is what usually lacks in true and meaningful service: an immediate psychological benefit for those providing the service.

Although the women's shelter project took more time to plan and carry out — and it lacked the usual emotional high for some contributors — in the end it was a significantly better project.

I have a similar story. When I served in the Stake Singles I proposed we do meaningful service. I called a group home director and asked for guidance on an Easter activity for the kids. She suggested that we compile Easter baskets for each resident in the home. She suggested items for the baskets in addition to candy. She cautioned that we could not deliver the baskets ourselves and she could not tell us anything about the residents.

So, we knew the number of baskets we needed and the gender numbers. That was it. One of our members delivered the baskets to an anonymous location and handed the baskets over to an adult. There was no immediate, psychological gratification for any of us. No emotional high, nothing.

The director assured us it was a significant effort the kids would appreciate. That is all we ever knew.

In the Church's article, it suggests these guidelines in providing meaningful service:

As the Church determines how best to contribute to global humanitarian projects, those representing LDS Charities look to five welfare principles to guide them. They ask themselves several questions, which can easily be adapted to local situations faced every day in wards and stakes.

1. Is the project something the Area Presidency (or stake presidency, bishopric or family) feel is important?

2. Can the beneficiaries be involved in a meaningful way?

3. Is there some way for members of the Church to participate in a helpful way that does not take away ownership from families or beneficiaries?

4. Can we tap into the strengths of local solutions for local projects?

5. Outside intervention eventually goes away, so is there something we can do that will help people to be in a better, stronger position afterward to deal with issues that come up? (Sharon Eubank, LDS Charities director)

Having been a recipient of service over the years (fatherless child, single-parent home, etc.), I would encourage you to follow these guidelines carefully.

Meaningful service is rarely convenient, easy or gratifying. It is usually hard work, seldom rewarding and horribly inconvenient.

Just Do It!

Of Blessings, Healings and Pretzels

2012-11-02T11:05:00.001-04:00

My husband's patriarchal blessing tells him that he has "the gift of healing." Traditionally, we have viewed this gift rather narrowly. For example, since he holds the priesthood, he is able to administer a healing blessing to those who are sick or injured.

In order to not abuse or exploit this gift, he tries to remain humble about it and follow Church policy and procedures in exercising it. For example, he doesn't brag about it and he follows all correct procedures when he offers, or is asked to administer, a healing blessing.

In the 1980's he and another priesthood holder were dispatched to give an infant a blessing. It was not intended to be a healing blessing because the infant had been treated by a renown children's hospital and been sent home to die. Medical science could do nothing for the child. The blessing would be to comfort the family and help ease the infant out of this life.

In the blessing, my husband pronounced that the child would live and be a special light and influence in the family. Many other precious promises were made. A few years later he saw the living embodiment of all these promises fulfilled.

This embodies what we usually think of as the "gift of healing" and there are many examples in his past of this occurring.

Recently though, we decided that his gift needs to be interpreted more broadly. In other words, his gift doesn't appear to be confined to just priesthood blessings. Consider the next example of when he was young and before he joined the Church or had the priesthood.

In the 1960s, he was managing a restaurant. While making french fries, one of his workers dropped a pair of tongs in a hot oil vat used to fry the french fries. Reflexively, the boy plunged his whole arm into the oil to retrieve the tongs. He quickly pulled his arm out but the damage was done. His screams and the oil dripping from his arm relayed to my husband what had happened. He calmly walked the boy over to a sink where he hosed the oil off the boy's arm. He yelled for others workers to bring ice from the freezer. He packed the boy's arm in ice and transported him to the hospital.

Keep in mind that the conventional wisdom, and medical position at the time, was to coat any burn with butter. To this day he cannot explain why he acted the way he did. Initially, medical personnel castigated him for NOT applying butter.

However, they finally concluded that his quick thinking, calm action and especially his innovative solution saved the boy's arm.

My husband seems to know exactly what to do in either a serious health crisis or a minor emergency. For these reasons, I let him doctor me for anything.

Throughout his years managing factories, or as a first responder working in law enforcement, he continued to respond to medical issues with insight and skill.

This past week, one of our new residents called and asked directions to the local hospital. One of her boys had gotten a pretzel stuck in his ear and it was lodged deep, bleeding slightly and she was unable to get it out. The boy could not hear.

Although we had just walked in the door, he told her to bring the boy over and he would see what he could do. Within minutes, he had dislodged the pretzel with an ear bulb. A followup call established the ear is just fine. This saved the young family money, time and angst.

It is evident my husband has the gift of healing, whether in healing blessings or simply the knowledge and inclinations to pursue a correct course of healing action.

There are other multiple examples I could cite.

Sometimes it's a life.

Sometimes it's a limb.

And sometimes it's an ear, with a pretzel stuck in it.

Mormon Freak!

2012-09-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

Today's post is a write-up from my sister-in-law, Marcie, about her son, my nephew, Rhett.

Rhett was in his Advanced Placement literature class yesterday and they were discussing a short story called Grace or something like that. Anyway, Mr. Wilkinson* was talking to one of the kids about the story and the boy mentioned that he came across a word that he didn't know.

The word was "mammon." Mr. Wilkinson asked him if he looked it up, and the boy said, "No." Mr. Wilkinson told him that was dumb because he always tells the kids to look up a word if they don't know what it means. Then he proceeded to ask the class if anyone knew what it meant. Rhett was the only one to raise his hand so Mr. Wilkinson asked him to please tell the class what it means. Rhett explained that it means riches or worldly things.

Then Mr. Wilkinson smiled and said, "Where does it come from?" Rhett said, "The Bible." At this point, all the eyes in the class were fixed on Rhett. Then Mr. Wilkinson said, "Where?" Rhett said, "Matthew, Chapter 6, Verse 24." Mr. Wilkinson (smiling) said, "What does it say?" and Rhett proceeded to recite the verse. At this point, there were literally open mouths and stares of utter disbelief from the students. He even got a comment from one of his friends, "Mormon freak!"

Then Mr. Wilkinson said, "How many of you go to church?" Of course there weren't any other hands raised, so Mr. Wilkinson continued, "I think I'm going to make it a requirement for you to attend church at least twice a semester." He continued by explaining that the Bible is the most widely read text (except, perhaps for the Koran, because there are more Muslims than Christians) and that there are so many references to it in the literature they will be reading this year.

Then, Rhett gave a plug for Seminary stating anyone who wanted to come was welcome to join him at 6 am every week day morning.

No word yet on whether Rhett had any takers. . .

*Some names have been changed.

(Some punctuation and grammar have been altered for clarification and standardization.)

1.9 Million Versus 30 Million

2012-09-17T19:22:00.000-04:00

I got an email from LDSTech that said the Church's music web site gets about 1.8 or 1.9 million visitors per month and is one of the Church's most popular web features. I also read where Stephanie Nielson's Mormon mommy blog, The Nie Nie Dialogues gets 30 million visitors per month.

Can anyone doubt the impact of individual digital efforts when confronted with such statistics?

Almost Mormon: But Did He Get to the Lesson on Chastity?

2012-09-12T14:40:00.001-04:00

An astonishing news story today is that Bill Clinton almost became Mormon. Poltico reports that Clinton admitted (last night, Tuesday, 09/11/12) to being taught by the L.D.S. missionaries when he was growing up in Hope, Arkansas. He attended some events and almost joined. However, heaven was just a bit too complicated for him and he didn't want to leave all his friends behind.

From the Politico article:

Clinton — toting a copy of Milica Z. Bookman’s new book about economics in the afterlife, “Do They Take Credit Cards in Heaven?” — spoke of recruiting presentations he’d attended at the local Mormon church while he was growing up in Hot Springs, Ark. Clinton, a Baptist, said he admires the church for its high ethical standards and belief in a celestial kingdom but said the idea of being in a heaven without his non-Mormon friends was too much to give up. “I didn’t want to leave all these other people behind,” he said.

My question: Did Clinton get to the lesson on chastity?

Why Mormons are Conservative Republicans: Part 10: Conclusion

2012-09-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

Ideology and political party identification isn’t always rational. In fact, it is often irrational. People may simply identify with their parent’s party or the dominant party in the community they live.

Besides, how people talk and how they vote is often very different.

I don’t care if it is or isn’t. Whether rational or irrational, Mormons are conservative Republicans. I’ve presented my reasons for why there is a rational basis for Mormons being conservative Republicans.

The labels I've examined in this series coincide with the national political parties, not how something might be translated at the local level. For example, I know Mormons who ran as Democrats in local races; just because it was a one-party area and the only viable candidates for anything had to have the Democrat label, even though their personal ideology was conservative Republican.

I’m not interested in someone’s irate comment that their father, grandfather, uncle, mother niece, or whatever, is a good Mormon and a Democrat. I’ve addressed aggregates, not individuals, and I’m not interested in personal examples.

My contentions are based on aggregates, so unless you have aggregate statistical data I’m not interested in it.

You may WANT the situation to be different, but that does not alter what IS. Mormons are conservative Republicans. This is indisputable.

This series only addresses the “why” question. I’ll entertain commentary on the whys I’ve presented; but I’m not going to allow someone to deny the truth – Mormons are conservative Republicans.

When I took a modern church history course from Dr. Richard O. Cowan at BYU in 1984, he told us that he had researched whether church leaders assigned members to the various political parties. He told us that he found NO evidence to support this very common myth.

Members have always been free to affiliate, identify or join the political party of their choice. Mormons choose Republicans who are conservative.

Our religious teachings put us squarely in the Republican camp, especially when moral issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage are considered. These are the hot button social issues and have been for years.

When beliefs are turned into action by Mormon office holders, the beliefs square with the action:

Critical to these issues is the assumption that Mormon elected officials actually behave differently from those of other religious backgrounds. It turns out they do: when it comes to making policy, Mormons take a backseat to no one on conservative ideological purity.

It needs to be said and it is being said by me.

Our religious doctrines, beliefs and teachings should put all Mormons in the Republican camp, as conservatives. There is no other conclusion.

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Ideology Explained

Part 3: Democrats Explained

Part 4: Republicans Explained

Part 5: Socialists and Libertarians

Part 6: Ideology and the Book of Mormon

Part 7: Ideology and the Modern Church

Part 8: Judicial Activism vs. Judicial Restraint

Part 9: The Inconvenient Truth

Part 10: Conclusion

Why Mormons are Conservative Republicans: Part 9: The Inconvenient Truth

2012-09-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

Recently the Church issued a delightful little video to explain the Church’s political neutrality.

View it below:

It accurately depicts the Church’s neutrality. This may not have been how the Church operated in the past, but it IS how things are done now. For example, I remember the Church allowing mass meetings (precinct caucuses) in Utah to take place in church buildings. It has been a long time since that occurred though and it may not have been done with official approval even then.

However, neutrality is not necessarily non-partisan. It is difficult for the Church to claim it is non-partisan when its members are almost wholly associated with the Republican party. This is an inconvenient truth.

The Church is neutral and non-partisan, much more so than anyone would guess. I've been astonished to discover this cannot be said of all other religions.

My husband and I have a Christmas tradition where we attend Christmas programs of other religions. We go to as many as we can – Presbyterian, Lutheran, Catholic, Episcopalian, Assembly of God, independent denominations, etc. I'm amazed at how often politics creeps into the proceedings.

Politics is absolutely off-limits in Mormondom. We may refer to it in general terms. We may use terms like politican, elected leaders, national elections, broadcast new media, but rarely specifics.

If someone does bring up specifics it makes some irate and the others uncomfortable. Then, closed door meetings ensue on how to deal with the inappropriateness.

If a current local Church leader endorses a candidate in his private, personal capacity it can often backfire, sometimes badly, even in a primary.

"Here in Utah, it's not kosher to use your religion overtly for any purpose," says Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, and a friend of Mitt Romney.

"You don't hear politicians quoting the Bible or the Book of Mormon."

News media generally access L.D.S. political science/government faculty for information, commentary, sound bites and whatever else they need. L.D.S. political science faculty are almost entirely liberal Democrat; as are all such higher education faculty, regardless of religion.

Scholars that think government activity should be limited don’t generally want to study government. People who study government generally see an expansive role for government in society and in the lives of individuals; so it is perfectly logical that political science/government professors are liberal Democrats.

I’ve written before on how statistically I didn’t exist being a conservative Republican and working in academia.

These faculty members like to try and present the Church as being open to both parties. I think their commentary is skewed for this reason. Their own political ideology interferes with them being straight about how all the Mormon numbers align with conservatives, and especially, Republicans. It is an inconvenient truth.

Journalists and those associated with news media are overwhelmingly liberal Democrat. This also is an inconvenient truth.

So you've got liberal Democrats interviewing liberal Democrats about conservative Republicans. How can we really expect objectivity?

The Church may be open to both parties but the people aren’t.

There is no other religion so closely associated with one party, the Republican party, as the Mormons. I’ve known this ever since I got into politics which was about 1980. Mormons are overwhelmingly Republican and have been for years.

See the relevant PEW research for the authoritative figures.

Highly religious Mormons are even more likely to be conservative and Republican than less active Mormons. Mormons with lackluster commitment are much more likely to be liberal Democrats.

It is very hard to find good Mormons who are Democrats. Good Mormons are nearly always Republicans. That also is an inconvenient truth.

I share this viewpoint of Harry Reid's liberal Democrat views:

It is not possible for a faithful Mormon to support state-sanctioned gay marriage because it entails rejection of prophetic authority. On this issue Sen. Reid’s stance is not a liberal Mormon position; it is an anti-Mormon one.

Although the LDS Church does not expect or demand that its member politicians vote in accordance with its doctrines on political issues, it is possible to compare and contrast their positions with official church teachings. By this standard, Mitt wins the Better Mormon Award, though not by a landslide.

The “L word” is political death in Utah. Mormons do not like liberals, period.

Current news reports underscore that it is liberal Democrats that don’t want to vote for a Mormon President, not Evangelicals. That also is an inconvenient truth.

Given that the majority of church membership is now outside the United States, I see nothing wrong with underscoring that United States Mormons are conservative Republicans.

This is an inconvenient truth we all need to face.

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Ideology Explained

Part 3: Democrats Explained

Part 4: Republicans Explained

Part 5: Socialists and Libertarians

Part 6: Ideology and the Book of Mormon

Part 7: Ideology and the Modern Church

Part 8: Judicial Activism vs. Judicial Restraint

Part 9: The Inconvenient Truth

Part 10: Conclusion

Why Mormons are Conservative Republicans: Part 8: Judicial Activism vs. Judicial Restraint

2012-09-03T08:00:00.000-04:00

I’ll let Dictionary.com define my terms:

Judicial activism is:

[A]n interpretation of the U.S. constitution holding that the spirit of the times and the needs of the nation can legitimately influence judicial decisions (particularly decisions of the Supreme Court) [syn: broad interpretation]

Judicial restraint is:

A view . . . that judges should be reluctant to declare legislative enactments unconstitutional unless the conflict between the enactment and the Constitution is obvious. The doctrine is akin to, but not identical with, narrow construction, and it is the opposite of judicial activism.

Mormons believe our federal Constitution to be an inspired document. It was necessary for this government to be set up so that the Gospel of Jesus Christ could be restored. The temple work for our Founding Fathers was accomplished in a pretty miraculous way.

For more on this belief and the fascinating history behind it, see Brian H. Stuy, “Wilford Woodruff’s Vision of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence,” Journal of Mormon History 26, no. 1 (Spring 2000): 64–90. Retrieved July 10, 2012 from http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/mormonhistory/vol26/iss1/1/. Also see https://chl.libraryresearch.info/reft296.aspx?pmi=Kstvjm7Dki for the names of all those baptized.)

As a result, Mormons are very uncomfortable with altering the Constitution.

Mormons are not comfortable with allowing the “needs of the nation” or the “spirit of the times” to affect Constitutional interpretation. Mormons aren’t particularly comfortable with anyone fiddling with, what we consider to be inspired language.

Unfortunately, this often results in Mormons being unwilling to alter state constitutions. This is personally frustrating to me. State constitutions are generally detailed, working documents that need revision regularly. They shouldn’t have the same status as our federal Constitution.

Many liberal groups attempt to overturn democratic action, like California’s Proposition 8, via court action. This offends Mormon’s concept of majority rule.

Many liberal groups attempt to achieve their social goals through bypassing legislative action and seeking it directly through the courts. This also offends Mormon's concept of majority rule and basic democratic principles.

Judicial activism is most closely associated with liberal Democrats. Judicial restraint is most closely associated with conservative Republicans.

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Ideology Explained

Part 3: Democrats Explained

Part 4: Republicans Explained

Part 5: Socialists and Libertarians

Part 6: Ideology and the Book of Mormon

Part 7: Ideology and the Modern Church

Part 8: Judicial Activism vs. Judicial Restraint

Part 9: The Inconvenient Truth

Part 10: Conclusion

Why Mormons are Conservative Republicans: Part 7: Ideology and the Modern Church

2012-09-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

Fast forward to current times. Most commentators correctly point out that Mormons have only been Republican since about the 1970s.

It has always been clear to me that the Great Society programs under Kennedy, but especially LBJ, are really what turned Mormons into Republicans.

These anti-poverty programs with multiple safety nets allow people who don’t work to receive government assistance.

It is highly offensive to Mormons to give someone a handout if they are idle. Our strong work ethic and scriptural teachings revolt at the idea that someone isn’t working for what they get.

Consider the following:

D&C 75:29 Let every man be diligent in all things. And the idler shall not have place in the church, except he repent and mend his ways.

D&C 56:17 Wo unto you poor men, whose hearts are not broken, whose spirits are not contrite, and whose bellies are not satisfied, and whose hands are not stayed from laying hold upon other men’s goods, whose eyes are full of greediness, and who will not labor with your own hands!

Mormons believe in helping the poor. We have a large and astonishingly successful welfare program.

We believe individuals should help the poor. We believe non-profits should help the poor. We believe for-profits should help the poor. We believe churches should help the poor. We believe all organizations should help the poor. We just don’t believe it is appropriate for government to help the poor in the way they have traditionally done it – government handouts.

Self-reliance, thrift, work and serving others are hallmarks of our religion, not dependence, sloth, and idleness; which these government give-a-way programs are noted for.

In 1936, when our welfare program was first set up the purpose was crystal clear. It still is. Mormons have Heber J. Grant’s remarks ringing in their ears constantly.

Here it is:

“Our primary purpose was to set up, in so far as it might be possible, a system under which the curse of idleness would be done away with, the evils of a dole abolished, and independence, industry, thrift and self respect be once more established amongst our people. The aim of the Church is to help the people to help themselves.” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1936, p. 3.)

Democrats, especially liberal ones, are too closely associated with government programs that offend our Mormon principles.

See this recent counsel from a current leader:

There are many good people and organizations in the world that are trying to meet the pressing needs of the poor and needy everywhere. We are grateful for this, but the Lord’s way of caring for the needy is different from the world’s way. The Lord has said, “It must needs be done in mine own way.”9 He is not only interested in our immediate needs; He is also concerned about our eternal progression. For this reason, the Lord’s way has always included self-reliance and service to our neighbor in addition to caring for the poor.

When people are compelled by government to give up the money they worked for and this money, in turn, is given to the poor through government programs, everyone is degraded.

When people voluntarily assist the poor, the poor can receive assistance, knowing it is sincere and kindly meant. This ennobles everyone.

Another social issue is environmentalism. Mormons don't believe that the earth's resources are scarce. We believe "there is enough and to spare."

D&C 104:17 For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.

Mormons believe that we are stewards of the earth's resources and they should be taken care of and managed wisely. We just don't think they are scarce. This results in the rather curious position of being anti-waste, but not necessarily pro-recycling. This is more in line with Republican thinking.

Abortion on demand is abhorrent to Mormons. Democrats tend to favor abortion on demand or Pro-Choice as they euphemistically call it. Republicans tend to oppose it.

Same-Sex marriage and approval of homosexual behavior is abhorrent to Mormons. Democrats tend to favor it. Republicans tend to oppose it.

Republicans are more apt to be religious. Democrats are more apt to be non-religious.

These strong social issues result in Mormons being overwhelmingly conservative Republicans.

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Ideology Explained

Part 3: Democrats Explained

Part 4: Republicans Explained

Part 5: Socialists and Libertarians

Part 6: Ideology and the Book of Mormon

Part 7: Ideology and the Modern Church

Part 8: Judicial Activism vs. Judicial Restraint

Part 9: The Inconvenient Truth

Part 10: Conclusion