The Rise of a new generation of Mormons

Readers are encouraged to read this great article which was published in the Financial Times about four months ago. The article highlights Mormons' success in business, the arts, and politics. It describes the Church's international missionary efforts, including how missionary experiences helped influence prominent LDS leaders. Access the article online at the Financial Times: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/938ff454-8a32-11df-bd30-00144feab49a.html#ixzz14nDEvUV3

CNBC reports on Mormons, missionaries, and LDS business leaders

CNBC's Erin Burnett traveled to Taiwan, Utah, China, and Brazil to explore the world of LDS missionaries and former missionaries who have become international business leaders. Overall a pretty good report - one of the most favorable we've seen from the mainstream media in a long while. Watch the report in this video:

CNN reports on new LDS temple in Vancouver, British Columbia

CNN featured a video report about the new Mormon temple in Vancouver. Watch the video here below:

How does this report compare to other media reports on LDS temples? Please share your thoughts and comments.

Mormon Artist magazine is launched

The new magazine, Mormon Artist, is available online for free here.

Ben Crowder (not pictured above) is founding editor of the newly launched magazine, Mormon Artist.  The magazine is dedicated to Latter-day Saints in the arts and Mormon themed art, music, photography, dance, theater, and cinema.  

The magazine looks great and will serve a highly needed role in the Mormon arts community.  

The top 10 most famous Mormons in 2008:

1. Mitt Romney
2. Harry Reid
3. David Archuleta
4. Glenn Beck
5. Aaron Eckhart
6. Thomas S. Monson
   
7. Orrin Hatch
8. Gordon Smith
9. Bob Bennett
10. David Neeleman

ABC News take a look inside the new LDS Temple in Draper, Utah

Mormon interviewed in CNN's Black in America

Marvin Perkins, a Black Latter-day Saint, was interviewed by CNN for the network's series, Black in America.  Thanks to Marvin for his contribution!

The interview can be seen here. 

NPR reports on opposing Mormon legislators in Arizona

Two LDS Arizona state congressmen were highlighted in a story yesterday on National Public Radio (NPR).   Above is Phoenix legislator, Bill Kopenickee.  NPR highlighted the disagreement between Mr. Kopenickee, and his colleague, Russell Pearce, of Mesa, Arizona.  

Both legislators are members of the same political party, but disagree starkly on the right approach to address immigration issues in Arizona.  Interesting story at NPR.org.

David Archuleta exceeds on American Idol

A Latter-day Saint youth named David Archuleta has taken American television waves by fire.  Archuleta is a Mormon, and is posed as the favorite in this season of American Idol.

Church leaders pledge to engage press & media further

Elders Russell Ballard and Quentin Cook of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have pledged to continue promoting understanding of the Church, its beliefs, and its history through the international news media.  After extensive meetings, seminars, and interviews with the editors and journalists of the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, CBS, and many others, Elders Ballard and Cook are pledging to continue their media blitz.  

Elders Ballard and Cook commented that during the next months the Church will thoroughly observe how it is perceived publicly.

Elder Cook said the Church would not leave others to define its beliefs and its people. In some instances, anti-Mormon comments had been allowed to pass without much challenge.  “I don’t think we have to accept it when some people deliberately mischaracterize the Church,” he said.

Regarding the Church and politics, Elder Ballard has said: 

“We have members in the Church of all political persuasions. We encourage our people to get involved, to participate in party politics, to vote. But which party and which candidates are matters for them to decide.”

But he acknowledged that the need to avoid being partisan or drawn into political debate had sometimes hampered the Church in responding to criticisms or misrepresentations.

(Much of this information courtesy the LDS Newsroom.)

PBS: The Mormons, by Helen Whitney

Last night, I watched the latter half of the PBS documentary called "The Mormons". It was directed by Helen Whitney.  The movie can be watched here.  

I basically like most of the film, and appreciate Ms. Whitney's efforts to portray the Church. 

Mormons on the British Broadcasting Company

Elder Kenneth Johnson, President of the Church's Europe West Area, will be a guest on the BBC Radio 4 programme 'Beyond Belief' this coming Monday 28 January 2008 at 4:30pm.

Subjects to be addressed during the programme about the Church include convert growth, LDS doctrines, how Christianity is defined, and the current presedential election in the United States.

Each week the Sony Award winning series host Ernie Rea is joined by three guests who discuss how their particular religious tradition affects their values and way of looking at the world.

(Thanks to www.lds.org.uk online newsroom for this story)

American (Mormon) Idol

Several Mormons are participating in FOX's American Idol this season. LDS singer Brooke White (originally from Mesa, Arizona and now lives in Van Nuys, California) has been selected as a show contestant by the three judges on American Idol... she's headed for Hollywood!  She is not the first Mormon to participate in American Idol.  She is preceded by Jon Peter Lewis and Carmen Rasmusen. Below is the video of Brooke's initial audition in Philadelphia:

Also, David Archuleta, an LDS singer, received approval from the judges in his San Diego audition.  His film can be watched below:

We wish both very good luck in the competition!

Also, never forget the heavy Mormon involvement in popular television programs like "So You Think You Can Dance" (Benji Schwimmer , his sister Lacey Schwimmer, and Jaymz Tuaileva, among many other contestants) and "Dancing with the Stars" (Marie Osmond and others).

Mormons & Muslims unite at UCLA

A recent public dialogue was held on the campus of the University of
California Los Angeles (UCLA). The November 29, 2007, dialogue was organized by local
Muslim & LDS students and scholars.  

The event was entitled "Mormons, Muslims, and the Media." Many Muslims and Mormons came from across Los Angeles County to attend the discussion.  It was a remarkable event that intensified the friendship between the Islamic and Mormon groups in Southern California.

At the event, we enjoyed a stimulating discussion of Mormonism, Islam and the media's role y in informing public udnerstanding of these two dynamic faith groups.  

The panelists included:

• Dr. Claudia Bushman, Columbia University (visiting scholar at the Huntington Library in Pasadena, California), Author of Contemporary Mormonism
• Mr. David Haldant, The Los Angeles Times, reporter on Mormon & Muslim communities in Southern California
• Dr. Amir Hussain, Loyala Marymount Univ., Author of Oil & Water: Two Faiths, One God
• Moderator: Dr. Karen Torjesen, Dean of the School of Religion at Claremont Graduate University
  

This event was a great opportunity for all to interact, learn, reach out, and understand each other's religion, culture, and (mis)representations in the media.  Thanks to all who organized the event.