The last Post of the Month contest was fun, and generated some thoughtful comments. It’s that time again (actually, a little past that time — I’m running behind, as usual). We are now accepting nominations for Post of the Month for April 2004. Here are the rules (mostly the same as they were last time):
1. Any post in the LDS blogosphere, on any blog, is eligible, as long as it was posted during the month of March. (What is the LDS blogosphere? I’m looking for posts that deal with an LDS or LDS-related issue, or that approach an issue in an LDS way. This is a pretty loose and forgiving standard; mainly, I don’t want to see nominations of purely political, legal, or other off-topic posts — “John Kerry is a good/bad candidate because __” — even if they are well-written posts and were posted by an LDS blogger).
2. To be considered by the judges, a post must be nominated and seconded in the comments section of this post.
3. Commenters may nominate only one post. (They may second as many nominations as they want to).
(i.e., comments should be along the lines of:
Adam – I nominate Jim’s post of __ date.
Kristine – I second the nomination of Jim’s post.
Kristine – I nominate Dave’s post of __ date.
etc.)
4. Judging will be performed by a secret, hand-picked panel.
5. No one may nominate or second their own post. Last time, I refrained from nominating or seconding; this time, I’m going to relax that rule, and allow myself to nominate or second as well.
6. The prize will be recognition of the post as Post of the Month. A small prize (not likely to exceed $10 in value) may also be awarded.
7. How will the posts be judged? That’s a good question. Generally, I believe the judges will try to reward original, well-thought, important posts. Perhaps a post that makes people think about a new way to approach the Book of Mormon, or that presents a new, exciting thought on the atonement. Hopefully we will have lots of nominations of posts that reflect high-quality, in-depth, interesting, and provocative blogosphere participation.
8. The nomination process will close at midnight on May 7.
9. Further discussion of posts in the comment section is welcomed. “I really liked Bob’s post because it ___” are encouraged. Attacks on posts are not encouraged.
10. Posts will be judged on their content, not on the comments they did or did not generate. (Not all blogs have comments, and some blogs have more comment participation than others).
11. Any questions, comments, or suggestions can be sent to me.
Nominations are now open.
I’ll nominate The Quandry of the Sugar Beets
by Nate Oman. Any post that can turn the topic of sugar beets into an engaging discussion deserves consideration.
It’s been a good month. Lots of great posts all over.
I nominate this post, by Grasshopper: http://letusreason.blogspot.com/2004_04_18_letusreason_archive.html#108274453254915524
I nominate it for two reasons: first, it is thoughtful and inspiring; second, it refers to one of my own posts.
LDS Education Theory by Julie.
Either the home & raising kids is the most important thing in our lives…or it aint. :)
I second the Quandry of the Sugar beets.
And I second LDS Education Theory.
I vote for Chicken Marsala.
Third, Third,
And second Grasshopper
I nominate either Adam’s “Missionary Work and the Fear of the Spirit” or Kaimi’s “Aaron Brown’s Catholic Experience.” Both posts and their respective authors seemed truly inspired by forces of eloquence and brilliance outside themselves.
It is understandable that they would not want to promote their own work, but I, for one, cannot ignore their impressive erudition any longer.
:)
Aaron B
I’ll second both of those Aaron.
Almost as if we had dipped in the same well for inspiration. Strange . . .
I nominate Jim’s post “Integration” http://timesandseasons.org/archives/000659.html
I nominate Kaimi’s “Elite Religion and Common Religion.” It asks questions that are extremely relevant for those, like me, that read this page from the perspective of a “commoner” and seek to integrate the wonderful insights shared here, which often belong in the “elite” camp. Kaimi’s post is a very good synthesis of the paradox, and the neutrality with which he approaches it, and the questions he asks, give the reader much to reflect on.
I’ll second Jim’s post.
I’d like to second Kaimi’s post; I think it is the larger issue behind pretty much everything else that we talk about here at T & S.
Yeah, I think I’ll “third” Kaimi’s post, for the same reason as Julie.
Aaron B
I nominate Kristine’s post “On the bearing of complicated and complicating testimony”. Maybe it doesn’t need nomination because it already broke records for comments, but I think it was a very tasteful, poignant, and poetic way to raise the question of the gap between those who take an intellectual approach to faith and those who don’t, or who just haven’t yet — raising the question from an intellectual perspective, but *not in an intellectual way!* It asked very directly what we should *do* to be responsive to the needs of our fellow-saints.
And I “fourth”, or whatever, Julie’s post on education.
Richard Bushman’s post on “Capitalism and the Gospel” also hardly needs nominating or further praise, but it nailed another key issue for this crowd.
A great month!
I’ve already used my one nomination but we should probably think about nominating a few posts that were written on sites other than T&S. I see that a couple of you have already done so, but a few more would be welcome given the growing size of the Bloggernacle.
I’ll second Kristine’s post on testimonies.
Not that the nominated T&S posts don’t deserve nomination…..
I’ll agree about the need to look beyond T & S. I’m not nominating any of these at the moment, but a few posts that I’ve noticed include:
Steve Thurston-Evans discussing hyphenation: http://rameumptom.blogspot.com/2004_04_18_rameumptom_archive.html#108266681955966283
Jordan Fowles’ Retribution-Utilitarianism comment: http://bookofjordan.blogspot.com/2004_04_01_bookofjordan_archive.html#108215564190156776
John Hatch on what Mormonism can offer to young people: http://rameumptom.blogspot.com/2004_04_11_rameumptom_archive.html#108197231884009863
Dave Underhill on general conference: http://mormoninquiry.typepad.com/mormon_inquiry/2004/04/conference_note_2.html
Aaron’s Catholic Experience: http://rameumptom.blogspot.com/2004_04_25_rameumptom_archive.html#108293740646473539
Kristine on women, housecleaning, and spirituality: http://rameumptom.blogspot.com/2004_04_25_rameumptom_archive.html#108324717976920735
Steve on pacifism, war, Bin Laden, and the Book of Mormon: http://rameumptom.blogspot.com/2004_04_11_rameumptom_archive.html#108212453862340830
Bob Caswell on Godly characteristics: http://www.bobandlogan.com/archives/000093.html
Chris Goble on belief, change, and choice: http://moblo.blogspot.com/2004_04_01_moblo_archive.html#108287398280985586
Jeremy on weeping prophets: http://orsonstelescope.blogspot.com/2004_04_01_orsonstelescope_archive.html#108183408027679564
Baron on science and religion — several links, one of which is here: http://baronofdeseret.typepad.com/baronblog/2004/04/science_vs_reli_1.html
Jordan on cultural constructs of deity: http://bookofjordan.blogspot.com/2004_04_01_bookofjordan_archive.html#108321185892810140
I’m sure I’m missing a number of excellent posts, too. I quickly skimmed the list on bloglines, but I’m out of time. It’s pretty easy to see the last month of many blogs — go to bloglines, click on the blog, and select “past month” on the drop-down menu at the bottom. See http://www.bloglines.com/public/kaimipono
And I promise, I’ll actually nominate a post, probably tomorrow, when I’ve had a chance to think over some of the posts I’ve really liked over the past month.
What a nice list, Kaimi. You should unilaterally issue your own “Top Ten Posts of the Month” list along with every “Post of the Month” award.
Second chicken marsala. Nominate Celibate in the City, “Get Your Groove On, Cultural Hall Singles-Style!”
http://celibateinthecity.blogspot.com/2004_04_11_celibateinthecity_archive.html#108182070122892402
I would love to second several of Kaimi’s suggested nominations, but I’ve spent my one nomination…
Since Kaimi didn’t do it, I’ll nominate “Baron on science and religion”.
As I commented on the Baron’s Science & Religion…I will nominate it in May.
Why? It is a multi-post & looks to be more in May than April.
Darn it, I’ve been doing things, and time is running out.
I’ll nominate John Hatch, What the Church can Offer to Young People. It was a good discussion of an important issue. Apologies to all of the fine posts I couldn’t nominate, having used up my one vote. In particular, to the posts I listed above, as well as to Jim’s On the Shelf, Ben’s Terrible and Tender God, Richard’s posts generally, Nate’s My Problem with Liberal Mormons, and Nate’s highly useful corporate posts.
And I’ll second Baron’s Science post, and Celibate’s groovy post.
I nominate Nate’s The Real Issue.
I kind of liked Chris’ comments on linguistic evolution and the problem of sacrifice.
http://moblo.blogspot.com/2004_05_01_moblo_archive.html#108355482793787870
Of course he’s my brother, so perhaps I can’t vote for him.
I’ll second John Hatch’s post.
Second Nate’s The Real Issue.
I’ll second Chris Goble’s post on language and sacrifice.
I nominate Kristine’s post about Lizards in the pocket.
I’ll second Kristine’s post on laundry, housework and spirituality.
not to be a sticky parliamentarian, but…
how ’bout a motion to close nominations? i don’t know what the secret method is…but these judges have their handzez way full-sa sayez dis jar-jar.
:)
Yep, and I’m closing the comments on the thread. Thanks all for participating, we’ll get the nominated entries to the judges, and the results will be back in a few days.