Notes From All Over – for week ended May 9

Comment here on the Notes From All Over for the past week.

1. Buddha Story is the ‘Key to Mormon Theology’
   • A Mormon theology manifesto. By Michael De Groote. Mormon Times, May 9, 2009.
2. Mountain Meadows to be National Historic Landmark
   • Mountain Meadows Masscre location closer to becoming national historic site. By JENNIFER DOBNER, Associated Press Writer. ABC 4 TV, 5/08/2009. LDS Church is pushing landmark status for the site.
3. Former Congressman David S. King Dead at 91.
   • Three-term congressman a multi-faceted ambassador. By Paul Rolly, The Salt Lake Tribune, 05/08/2009. King served in Congress from 1958-1962 and 1964-1966, and then as ambassador to Madagascar and later on the World Bank. He was the Church’s ambassador-at-large, working to get the Church into Africa, and president of the Haiti Mission and the Washington DC Temple.
4. A Christlike Approach to Immigration
   • A Christlike Approach to Immigration. by McKay Coppins. Mormon Times, 8 May 2009.
5. New issue of the International Journal of Mormon Studies is out
   • Volume 2 Now Released. International Journal of Mormon Studies. Used to be called the British Journal of Mormon Studies.
6. “Mormons, Prop 8, and the Federal Law of Charities”
   • Mormons, Prop 8, and the Federal Law of Charities. by Brian Galle. Chino Blanco’s myTPM Blog. Talking Points Memo, May 8, 2009. This Essay considers the merits of the argument that the Mormon Church’s support for Proposition 8 violated federal tax law.
7. The best cities on earth to live in.
   • Swiss and German cities dominate top places of best cities in the world: Mercer Consulting. CityMayors.com, 28 April 2009.
8. The Economist Looks at a Mormon Management Guru
   • Clayton Christensen. Economist.com, May 7th 2009.
9. Last Son of Joseph Smith on Stage
   • ‘The Fading Flower’ by Mahonri Stewart. Reviewed by Stephen Kapp Perry. Mormon Times, May. 08, 2009. The Fading Flower explores a fascinating part of the Smith family history during the time of David Hyrum Smith’s courtship and Emma’s struggles to protect and hold together her maturing family.
10. “The lesson-manual standard may hinder a great Mormon work”
    • It’s Time to Play: Anti-Mormon… Or Not? by chanson. Main Street Plaza, May 7th, 2009. CHanson looks at whether or not anti-Mormon works should be excluded from stores.
11. So Where Does Mitt Live Now?
    • Romney’s mysterious residence, Granny Squibb’s tea. By Robert Whitcomb. Providence RI Journal This New England Blog, May 07, 2009. Mitt Romney sold his Belmont, Mass. mansion, and a ski cabin in Utah. But he still owns homes in Wolfeboro, N.H. and La Jolla, California. So what state does he reside in now?
12. 2nd Place on Prayer? Can We Do Better? Yes We Can!
    • Who Prays the Most? A Soft Answer, 7 May 2009. According to a Pew survey of which religions are most likely to pray daily, Mormons trail Jehovah’s Witnesses 82% to 89%.
13. Mormon Participation in “Interreligious Diplomacy”
    • Foundation announces new Mormon chapter. By Kristine Lewis. BYU Daily Universe/Newsnet, 7 May 2009. Foundation of Interreligious Diplomacy announces formation of Mormon chapter.
14. Tough things to find on BYU campus: Alcohol, Caffeine, Beards, Youtube, and… ESPN
    • No coffee, smokes or ESPN at BYU. By Dick Harmon. Deseret News, May 6, 2009. BYU cancels ESPN because it is too expensive.
15. Disgruntled about the proxy baptisms of your dead relatives? Robert Kirby offers help.
    • Kirby: Did we Mormons baptize your deceased loved one? I can help. By Robert Kirby, Tribune Columnist. Salt Lake Tribune, 05/07/2009.
16. Mormons Believe in Blood Atonement, So Shouldn’t Serve on Jury
    • Issue of ‘blood atonement’ is put off till July. by Ben Winslow. Deseret News, May 5, 2009. The defense in a murder trial in Utah argues that Mormons should not serve on the jury because they believe in “blood atonement” and are therefore biased toward the death penalty.
17. “Satan’s mentally challenged younger brother” Gets King-like Book Deal
    • New Deal Gives Beck Share in Book Profits. By JEFFREY A. TRACHTENBERG. Wall Street Journal, May 4, 2009. Simon and Schuster gives Glen Beck share of profits of each new book he publishes with them, in deal similar to Stephen King and other big-name authors.
18. Bloggernacle Growth Examined
    • ‘Nacle Numbers, 2003-2008, Part 1. by Ziff. Zelophehad’s Daughters, May 6, 2009.
19. “White House Begins Effort to Bridge the Divide on Abortion”
    • White House Begins Effort to Bridge the Divide on Abortion. By LAURA MECKLER. Wall Street Journal, MAY 7, 2009.
20. “Translation is a revelatory function. It’s a spiritual process on deadline.”
    • Liahona: Same magazine, 51 languages. By Christine Rappleye. Mormon Times, May. 06, 2009. [Once you get past the well-known information in the front of this article, the rest is a very interesting look at how the Church’s international magazine is produced.]
21. Singles Ward Star Wins Tony Nomination for Hair role
    • Hale family scion earns Tony nomination: Utah native Will Swenson bares it all to earn acting nod in ‘Hair’ revival. By Roxana Orellana. The Salt Lake Tribune, 05/06/2009.
22. “It assumes Jesus predestined Aaron and his Fluffy Bunny pals to be a huge pain in the butt to other people on earth.”
    • A zealous anti-Mormon explains his motivations. By Geoff J. New Cool Thang, May 6, 2009.
23. Jorge Luis Borges and the Mormons (in spanish)
    • Jorge Luis Borges y los Mormones. By Thomas E. Lyon. Desde Sion, 2 de mayo de 2009. BYU Spanish professor Ted Lyon tells about his encounters with the most important writer in Spanish of the 20th century.
24. “I told my LDS relatives they could go ahead and do ordinance work for me when I die. I think it’s useless, and I would rather they weren’t doing it, but thankfully for them, I worship a God who sees love where everyone else sees weeds.”
    • Weeds. by Bridget Jack Meyers. Clobberblog, May 6th, 2009.
25. Mormon Humanities Scholars Meet Friday and Saturday
    • Humanities conference Friday and Saturday. By Michael De Groote. Mormon Times, May. 05, 2009. “Mormon Scholars in the Humanities is sponsoring a conference on “Religions and the Practices of Criticism” Friday and Saturday, May 8-9, at Aspen Grove Family Camp & Conference Center and Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.”
26. Maine Becomes 5th State to Allow Same-Sex Marriage
    • Maine Becomes 5th State to Allow Same-Sex Marriage. By GLENN ADAMS, The Associated Press. Washington Post, May 6, 2009.
27. Mormon baptism of non-Mormons: So what?
    • Mormon baptism of non-Mormons: So what? by Rod Dreher. Beliefnet, May 6, 2009.
28. Rep. Chaffetz to fight D.C.’s new same-sex marriage bill
    • Uproar in D.C. as Same-Sex Marriage Gains. By Tim Craig, Washington Post Staff Writer. Washington Post, May 6, 2009. “The D.C. Council overwhelmingly approved a bill yesterday to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.”
29. Disbarment likely for Jay Bybee?
    • Criminal Prosectuion of Bybee, Yoo, Unlikely. But Disbarment? By Ashby Jones. Wall Street Journal Law Blog, May 6, 2009. “The Justice Department said it’s nearing the completion of an internal probe expected to recommend professional sanctions — but no criminal prosecution — of John Yoo and Jay Bybee.”
30. Sen. Hatch: Obama won’t pick a ‘radical’ for the Supreme Court vacancy
    • Hatch: Obama won’t pick a ‘radical.’ By GLENN THRUSH. Politico, 5/5/09. On Monday, Obama made a phone call to assure the conservative Hatch that the court pick wouldn’t be divisive or dangerous — and would attract bipartisan support.
31. The Blossoming Union of Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Freedom
    • The Blossoming Union of Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Freedom. by Ira Lupu. Concurring Opionions, May 6, 2009. “In the wake of the bitterness in California, the Iowa ruling, the new laws in Connecticut and Vermont, and the proposed legislation in New Hampshire, Maine, and New York, the conflict between religious freedom and same-sex marriage is now squarely on the political table.”
32. The next gay marriage hot potato?
    • DC Council, Over Religious Objections, Votes To Recognize Gay Marriages From Elsewhere. by Howard Friedman. Religion Clause, May 06, 2009.
33. Huntsman rising.
    • Huntsman Rising, Weaver Advising by Chris Cilizza. Washington Post, May 5, 2009. “Less than 24 hours after Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman’s national profile received a nice — and unexpected — boost from the man who managed President Obama’s 2008 campaign, comes words that John Weaver is providing strategic guidance to the governor.”
34. Renowned Religious Freedom scholar Judge Michael McConnell stepping down from the 10th Circuit
    • Tenth Circuit Judge Michael McConnell Stepping Down From Bench. United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit Press Release, 5 May 2009. McConnell, of Salt Lake City, will resign effective August 31, 2009. At that time, he will accept a position as Richard and Frances Mallery Professor of Law and Director of the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford Law School in Palo Alto, California.
35. “Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life questioned nearly 3,000 people and found that most children raised unaffiliated with a religion later chose to join one.”
    • Defecting to Faith. By CHARLES M. BLOW. New York Times, May 1, 2009. “The nonreligious could learn a few things from religion,” says Blow.
36. David Plouffe’s most feared candidate? Jon Huntsman.
    • Obama’s campaign manager fears Jon Huntsman the most in 2012. Reported by: Chris Vanocur. Salt Lake City, UT ABC TV4, 5 May 2009.
37. The Church is investigating the posthumous “baptism” of President Obama’s mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, as a “serious breach” of religious code
    • Mormon Church investigates baptism of Obama’s mother. by Ben Smith. Politico, May 05, 2009.
38. Free KFC on Times & Seasons (well… courtesy of Oprah too I guess)
    • The Oprah Winfrey Show/Kentucky Grilled Chicken Two-Piece Meal Coupon. The Oprah Winfrey Show 30 April 2009.
39. But what about the wheat grinder?
    • Scratch That: How cost-effective is it to make homemade pantry staples? By Jennifer Reese. Slate, April 22, 2009. Its cheaper to make bagels and yogurt, but you should buy cream cheese. Also jam, crackers and granola are discussed.
40. Frequent churchgoers are more likely to support torture
    • Why are frequent churchgoers more likely to support torture? by Jack Cafferty. CNN Cafferty File May 1, 2009.
41. “Did the Mormons baptize Obama’s mother, after her death, without his knowledge or consent?”
    • Thanks again Stevie. Did the Mormons baptize Obama’s mother, after her death, without his knowledge or consent? by John Aravosis. America’s blog, May 05, 2009.
42. Marie Osmond, in a radio interview, discusses her gay daughter, gay rights, and gay marriage
    • Hat Tip to the irrepressible Steve Evans. Mormon Marie Osmond Supports Gay Marriage! by Perez Hilton. PerezHilton.com May 5, 2009.
43. “He paused. ‘Do you ever think about hurting yourself?’ I hesitated. ‘Yes.’”
    • Hide and seek. by Kathryn Soper. Segullah 4 May 2009. A bought with depression leads Soper to consider the threat of self-deception, and how to thwart it.
44. More faith promoting than a thousand testimonies beginning with “I know with every fiber of my being . . .” (ht Julie for the description)
    • A Particle of Faith. by Seraphine. Zelophehad’s daughters, 4 May 2009. Musings on struggling with is a belief that God has betrayed me.
45. Worst. Advice. Ever.
    • Mr. Justice Gore. by Hendrik Hertzberg. The New Yorker May 4, 2009. Suggests that Al Gore would be a good nomination to replace Justice Souter on the U.S. Supreme Court.
46. Lord of Languages: Carlos Roberto Martins, Brazilian LDS Church Member (in portuguese)
    • Empresário graças a Deus: Ele é mórmon, escreveu livro de autoajuda e criou a maior rede de escolas de idiomas do mundo. Conheça Carlos Wizard. by Adriana Mattos. Isto É Dinheiro, 24 Abril 2009. LDS Church member Carlos Roberto Martins, 52, is the owner of the largest group of language schools in the world, grupo Multi, which includes 2,000 franchises who teach more than 1.5 million students.
47. Mormon Missionaries become Portuguese Documentary (in portuguese)
    • Santos dos Últimos Dias, directed by Leonor Noivo. IndieLisboa 2009. This 45-minute documentary was presented in the 6th IndieLisboa International Film Festival last month in Lisbon, Portugal. The description says that missionaries “aspire to be examples of perfect young men and women.”
48. Asunción Paraguay Temple Candidate for City Cultural Heritage Site (in spanish)
    • 7 Tesoros del Patrimonio Cultural Material de Asunción. Neike, 2009-05-04. The Asunción Paraguay Temple is one of 45 candidates for the seven Material Cultural Heritage Treasures of Asunción. The Organización Capital Americana de la Cultura is holding an online vote until May 17th to name the seven treasures at http://www.cac-acc.org/patrimonio.php
49. The Hartford Courant takes a look at Sen. Dodd’s LDS wife Jackie’s business dealings
    • Jackie Clegg Dodd Making Big Money As Corporate Director. By EDMUND H. MAHONY and JON LENDER. The Hartford Courant, May 3, 2009. Since marrying Dodd in 1999, Jackie M. Clegg Dodd’s income has quadrupled to the mid-six-figure range, due to her appointment as a highly compensated member of multiple corporate boards of directors. Before her marriage, Clegg Dodd was a former legislative aide and senior federal Export-Import Bank officer.
50. About Elder Anderson’s Life in Tampa
    • Mormon leader has roots in bay area. By Waveney Ann Moore. Times Staff Writer. St Petersburg FL Times, May 3, 2009. Elder Anderson’s visit to former hometown leads newspaper to profile him.
51. “He’s a Nice Guy, Until You Google Him”: Mormon Marriage Reforms NZ Racist?
    • Turning his back on white supremacy. Interview by Paul Henry. TVNZ Closeup, May 04, 2009. Kyle Chapman, known as “the face of white supremacy in New Zealand,” at least until recently, claims that he has turned his back on his past, and got married on Friday in the Hamilton “Mormon Temple.”
52. Mexico-bound missionaries to remain in MTC until further notice
    • Mexico missionaries withheld from going into the field. BYU Daily Universe, 3 May 2009.
53. Happy Birthday, Betsey Pearl
    • Happy Birthday, Betsey Pearl. by Adam Greenwood. Jr. Ganymede 4 May 2009. Today would have Betsey’s 8th birthday.
54. “Utah prime location for gay-rights movement”
    • Utah prime location for gay-rights movement. By Jennifer Dobner, Associated Press Writer. Salt Lake Tribune, 05/03/2009.
55. “Sadly, some young men and women in the church today ignore ‘things as they really are’ and neglect eternal relationships for digital distractions, diversions and detours that have no lasting value.”
    • Elder Bednar warns of dangers on Web. By Greg Hill. Deseret News, May 3, 2009. Speaking of “things as they really are,” At a Church Educational System fireside Sunday evening broadcast from BYU-Idaho, Elder Bednar counseled young adults to beware the virtual reality of cyberspace.
56. One cause of the financial crisis that you probably haven’t heard about.
    • Partnoy on the Market Crisis, Credit Rating Agencies, and The Match King. by Kaimipono D. Wenger. Concurring Opinions May 01, 2009. Problems with the rating agencies Standard & Poors and Moodys underlie much of the current financial crisis, argues USD law professor Frank Partnoy.
57. Mormons and the Cross
    • Mormons and the cross: Historian learns early Mormons did not eschew the cross as a symbol. By Peggy Fletcher Stack. The Salt Lake Tribune, 05/02/2009. Michael Reed, a historian at California State University in Sacramento, claims in a just-completed master’s thesis that Mormon aversion to the cross is a relatively recent development in LDS history.
58. “There are several passages which have long been used in the Christian tradition to subordinate women to men ecclesiatically, socially, morally, and even soteriologically.”
    • Wait, that’s in the Bible?! Gender Inequalities (Part 1). By The Yellow Dart. Faith Promoting Rumor May 2, 2009.
59. “Schanze said he turned down the plea agreement because the case makes a mockery of the court system and Christianity and promotes homosexuality.”
    • ‘Superdell’ Schanze appears in Orem court on gun charges. by Janice Peterson. Provo UT Daily Herald, 02 May 2009. Dell “Superdell” Schanze, a 2008 candidate for Governor of Utah, is charged with carrying a concealed dangerous weapon and reckless driving, both misdemeanors, and three seat belt or child restraint violations.