In Utah, Down syndrome is more prevalent

http://www.sltrib.com/News/ci_13891834

Utah babies are more likely to be born with Down syndrome than in nine other states studied by the federal government.

The study, published online today in the American Academy of Pediatrics' journal Pediatrics , showed one in 730 babies born in Utah had the genetic disorder, compared with one in 848 among the 10 states studied.

The study didn't explore why. But a Utah expert on birth defects says it's likely because of Utah mothers' ages and attitudes.

Many continue to have children into their late 30s and 40s, which increases the risk of the chromosomal disorder, said Lorenzo Botto, a medical epidemiologist at the Utah Birth Defect Network, which provided data for the study.

And Utah women are less likely to have abortions once the condition has been detected prenatally, he added.

The higher prevalence is "not because there is something wrong with Utah," he said in an e-mail, "but is basically a function of family choices."

Continue reading here.

Evolution and Mormonism: An internal debate

Charles Darwin

Today marks the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles's Darwin's On the Origin of Species.  It has invoked vigorous discussion about science and the creation in Mormon thought.

 

In 1930, LDS General Authority B. H. Roberts submitted the copy of a manual he had been assigned to write for adult men of the church containing a chapter attempting to reconcile the scientific understanding of the origin of life to Mormon teachings.  It included a discussion of  "pre-Adamites," human-like beings that lived before Adam and Eve.  It also taught that death had occurred for millions of years before Adam's fall.

Junior apostle Joseph Fielding Smith disagreed .....

Continue reading here.

Mormon church leaders presented Barack Obama a family tree

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/07/20/Obama-to-meet-LDS-president/UPI-25611248066676

Mormon church leaders presented U.S. President Barack Obama a detailed family tree Monday during a private meeting in Washington.

The meeting was the first time Obama met with Thomas Monson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,  Monson was escorted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, the highest ranking Mormon in the government, and accompanied by Dallin Oaks, chairman of the religious organization's genealogical committee.

"I enjoyed my meeting with President Monson and Elder Oaks," Obama said in a statement after the meeting. "I'm grateful for the genealogical records that they brought with them and am looking forward to reading through the materials with my daughters. It's something our family will treasure for years to come."

Church leaders have traditionally presented presidents with genealogical breakdowns, giving similar reports to Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, the Tribune reported. However, church officials said none of their previous genealogical reports was as varied Obama's, whose mother was from Kansas and whose father from Kenya. Previous ancestral examinations uncovered Irish and German lineage, too.

The meeting was arranged by Reid.

Forthcoming: Hearken O Ye People: The Historical Setting for Joseph Smith's Ohio Revelations

Hearken O Ye People: The Historical Setting for Joseph Smith's Ohio Revelations

Overview of Hearken

The book Hearken is a history of Mormonism in Ohio that focuses primarily on the decade from 1829-1839 but includes elements from the larger Mormon experience. It examines the theolological, social, economic, and histrical context in which Joseph Smith, leader of the movement, received revelation. The book is divided into four parts with each part seeking to explore the historical roots of a specific aspect of the Ohio experience in depth. Hearken begins with a Forward written by Lachlan Mackay, Community of Christ Historic Sites Coordinator, and a Prologue that introduces Kirtland, Ohio through the perspective of those who were forced to leave their religious community. It ends with an Appendix that includes nine sermons addressing elements of Ohio's Latter-day Saint experience as recalled by George A. Smith and Brigham Young in November 1864. LaJean Carruth, an expert in Pitman shorthand, has transcribed these sermons.

The book's four sections are:

Part One: Ohio's "Mormonites"
This is an examination of the Morley Family religious community in Kirtland, Ohio and its transition to the "Mormonite Family" organizations that developed between November 1830 and February 1831 in northeastern Ohio. "Mormonite" was a term first applied by newspaperman Eber D. Howe to the nascent religious community that grew out of the original Morley Family commune. This section looks at the early revelations dealing with religious enthusiasm and the gifts of the Spirit through the eyes of Black Pete, an early member of the Morley Family who became part of the movement.

Part Two: Consecration
Newel K. Whitney, an early merchant active in Michigan and Ohio exemplifies the concept of consecration as it developed in Kirtland. This section examines the development of the concept of consecration as exhibited by N. K. Whitney. Whitney became an Overseer or Bishop of the Kirtland community where he helped distribute offerings consecrated by others and consecrated his own businesses to help build Mormonism in Ohio.

Part Three: "It Came from God": The Johnson Family, Joseph Smith, and Mormonism in Hiram, Ohio
The Johnson family played a pivotal role in Mormonism during the Ohio experience. This section explores their influence on Joseph Smith. It examines the "Plan of Salvation" as understood and preached by Reformed Baptists in the community and how The Vision, an experience had by both Joseph Smith and his scribe Sidney Rigdon, responded to current doctrine by reshaping and refining it in significant ways. This experience led to a violent attack on the two men that culminated in their attempted murder.

Part Four: Kirtland's Economy and the Rise and Fall of the Kirtland Safety Society
This section explores the beginnings of Kirtland's economy that eventually led to the organization of a quasi-banking, money-lending institution known as the Kirtland Safety Society. The institution encountered severe and sustained opposition from both within the religious community and without. Those involved in the community recalled that virtually the entire membership refused to follow Joseph's direction in financial matters as he sought to create a "Zion" community in Kirtland. It eventually led to the "excommunication" of Joseph Smith by a renegade part of the Mormon community and the mass defection of large numbers of members. Understanding the major issues of this economic battle helps place the widespread collapse of the Kirtland community within its historical context.

Book Table of Contents

Forward
Preface and Acknowledgements
A Selective Chronology of Significant Events in Ohio's LDS History
Prologue

Part One: Ohio's "Mormonites"
Introduction
Chapter 1 Black Pete
Chapter 2 The Shout Tradition and Speaking in Tongues in the Black Community
Chapter 3 Barton Stone, Alexander Campbell, and the Foundations of Black Pete's Religious Involvement in Ohio
Chapter 4 Freedom and Authority
Chapter 5 Owenites and the Morley Community
Chapter 6 The Morley Family in Kirtland
Chapter 7 The Book of Mormon Comes to Ohio
Chapter 8 Black Pete and Early Mormonite Religious Enthusiasm
Chapter 9 Dissension in Ohio's Mormonite Family
Chapter 10 The Law of the Church
Chapter 11 Joseph Smith and the Gifts of the Spirit
Chapter 12 The June Conference and Authority to Discern Religious Ecstasy
Chapter 13 A New Understanding of the Gift of Tongues in Kirtland and Missouri

Part Two: Consecration
Introduction
Chapter 14 "To Manage the Affairs of the Poor": N. K. Whitney and Company
Chapter 15 Sidney Gilbert as an Independent Entrepreneur
Chapter 16 N. K. Whitney & Co.
Chapter 17 The Whitneys and the Latter-day Saints
Chapter 18 Whitney's Role as Bishop
Chapter 19 At the Whitney Store

Part Three: "It Came from God": The Johnson Family, Joseph Smith, and Mormonism in Hiram, Ohio
Introduction
Chapter 20 From Vermont to Ohio
Chapter 21 Hiram Township in Portage County
Chapter 22 Ezra Booth and the Johnson Family
Chapter 23 The Apostasy of Ezra Booth and Symonds Ryder
Chapter 24 Joseph Smith at the Johnson Home
Chapter 25 Continuing Revelation and the Seeds of Violence
Chapter 26 Reactions to "The Vision"
Chapter 27 The Mobbing of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon
Chapter 28 Last Days in Hiram
Chapter 29 The Johnson Family's Epilogue

Part Four: Kirtland's Economy and the Rise and Fall of the Kirtland Safety Society
Introduction
Chapter 30 The Foundation of Kirtland's Economy
Chapter 31 The Lyman and Loud Mills, Arnold Mason's Tannery, and the Means to Build a House of God
Chapter 32 A Plan to Get out of Debt
Chapter 33 The Kirtland Safety Society
Chapter 34 The End of Kirtland's Banking Experiment
Chapter 35 Epilogue

Appendix: Sermons
Introduction
George A. Smith      November 12, 1864
Brigham Young        November 12, 1864
Brigham Young        Two Sermons, November 13, 1864
George A. Smith      November 13, 1864
George A. Smith      November 14, 1864
Brigham Young        November 15, 1864
George A. Smith      November 15, 1864

Mark Lyman Staker, Senior Researcher, Historic Sites Division, Church History Department, LDS Church

Textual versions of D&C 8 (Rod of Nature Revelation)

Early copy of D&C 8, (Manuscript Revelation Books, April 1829-B)

Shortly after Joseph Smith met Oliver Cowdery, a revelation was received regarding a gift belonging to Oliver Cowdery, referred to as Section 8 of the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C).

Revelations Book 1 (circa 1831) was a handwritten copy of revelations primarily assembled in 1831 by John Whitmer. It contains earlier versions of revelations than published in the Book of Commandments (1833) or the Doctrine and Covenants (1835).

Here is the text of four versions of D&C 8, a revelation with one of the more interesting textual histories.

Keywords: Rod of Nature, Rod of Aaron, Sprout, Gift of Aaron

Utah 2nd healthiest state

Excerpts of Utah ranked No. 2 healthiest state, by Carrie A. Moore, Deseret News
--

New data released in the United Health Foundation's 20th annual America's Health Rankings rate the Beehive State second only to Vermont in a broad measure of health and overall physical well-being. Utah ranked fifth last year, so the newest rating is a significant boost, health officials said.

The yearly report credited Utah with the lowest rates in the nation for smoking, cancer deaths, infant mortality and binge drinking, but found the availability of primary care physicians here limited compared with other areas.

It also noted a high "geographic disparity" regarding access to health services for those in remote rural areas, and cited a low rate of funding for public health as significant health challenges.

Utah's spending was $60 per person for public health last year, compared with a national average of $94 per person and $150 per person in Vermont.

Sundwall was particularly pleased that the boost "comes at a time when the state is increasingly diverse."

"We can't just say anymore that those white Mormons are healthy people," he said. "We have to assume some of these improvements are due both to public health practices and state policies," including a legislative mandate that children in Utah who meet the income guidelines qualify for government-funded health insurance.

Though Utah's rate of obesity continues to increase at about the same rate as the rest of the nation, "we have a lower rate overall and a much lower rate than some parts of the nation, especially in the Southeast," Joy said.

Sundwall said he takes no comfort in the fact that Utahns were fifth best in the nation in the percentage of obese residents, noting 23 percent of Utahns still fall into that category.

 

Church support of gay rights raises anti-gay sentiment

Apparently the photo did not make it through in my last post -- so I'm resending. 

With the recent support by the church for gay rights in Salt Lake, thousands of these are being sent to fax machines around Utah . 

Larger photo at https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HRmQXfss6Dg4q__g76lE8WHHSwn3u4fXDBusDo5Iurg_FZccTQdRy0ewzDkyxfLhbhho8Prb38u7QYJSrnCQv2wHOpbB_Jo7rv1JMElL9KPofOE7qKepu_YsG6-_lycZ12dpwA/s1600-h/

Conservative Group surprised at LDS support of gay rights

From Off the Agenda: Gay-rights bombshell blew up in Sutherland's face, Salt Lake Tribune

Note:  The Sutherland's full statement against gay rights can be read here,  Many are anxiously awaiting the ultra-conservative Eagle Forum's reaction to the LDS church's new moderate view.
----

Minutes before the LDS Church's startling announcement of support for Salt Lake City's anti-discrimination laws, one of Utah's conservative mouthpieces insisted it would not happen.

Standing in the City Council Chamber, the Sutherland Institute's Jeff Reynolds told reporters rumors of the church's support were both ridiculous and a glaring case of "journalistic fraud." The church, Reynolds said, simply would proclaim non-opposition to the ordinances.

Then church spokesman Michael Otterson strode to the lectern to deliver the bombshell. Soon after, Reynolds skedaddled to write a response that showed up two hours later. Blindsided by the news, Sutherland nonetheless reiterated its call for the Legislature to kill the ordinances, which outlaw firing or eviction in Utah's capital based on a person being gay or transgender.

Sutherland's argument: Such measures mean "marriage will die by a thousand cuts."

"As a public-relations opportunity, the LDS Church's statement before the Salt Lake City Council may assuage the minds and soften the hearts of advocates of "gay rights" in Utah, the think tank argued. As a policy statement, it is problematic.

"The approved ordinances," Sutherland continued, "are vague, dangerously broad and unjust to the parties they seek to regulate."

But in light of the church's position, it remains to be seen whether this conservative stalwart or another -- the Eagle Forum -- influences any lawmakers.

--

Bias knows no bounds » According to participants of the secret meetings between gay leaders and church officials, personal anecdotes describing discrimination proved a powerful tonic in the negotiations. And at least one former state employee says such bias is not uncommon in the ranks of state workers.

On Tuesday, John Bennett, grandson of former U.S. Sen. Wallace Bennett and nephew of current Sen. Bob Bennett, told the City Council he was fired in 1986 from the Utah Department of Community and Economic Development because he is gay.

"Coming from a very politically powerful family does not protect you," he said as he urged the council to pass the anti-discrimination measures.

Now an employee of Salt Lake County, which has nondiscrimination protections in place for its work force, Bennett laments that many employees across Utah still are not so fortunate.

--

How will the church communique play on Capitol Hill? » Sen. Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake City, said he is thrilled with the church's declaration of support. And he predicts the rare public stance will have an impact when state lawmakers convene early next year.

"It makes a huge difference," McCoy said moments before Tuesday's announcement at City Hall. "The church does not run what happens on Capitol Hill. But it would be ridiculous to suggest that the leaders on the Hill would not sit up and take notice of what's happening here tonight."

Salt Lake County Council Chairman Joe Hatch says he is not convinced the church endorsement will sway conservatives at the Legislature.

"It might actually hurt," Hatch said, explaining that the long-held perception is that when the LDS Church says jump, legislators ask how high. "Here's a way for the Republican Mormon leadership to say, 'We don't do what the church says.' "

Utah ranks last in attitude to pro-gay policies

A recent study ranks Utah last in pro-gay policy attitudes. By these criteria, Utah's percentage who favor gay protections and rights (38%) is 5% lower than the next lowest state - Oklahoma; and 30% below the highest ranked state - Massachusetts (68%). Utah's ranking for each category is as follows:

• 50th ∙Adoption—Do you think there should be adoption rights for gay and lesbian couples?
• 50th ∙Hate Crimes—If a hate crime law were enacted in your state, do you think that homosexuals should be covered?
• 50th ∙Health: Should there be health insurance and other employee benefits for gay spouses?
• 50th ∙Housing: Should there be laws protecting homosexuals from discrimination in housing?
• 50th ∙Jobs: Should there be laws to protect gays and lesbians from discrimination in job opportunities?
• 46th ∙Marriage: Do you favor allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry legally?
• 45th ∙Sodomy: Do you think homosexual relations between consenting adults should be legal?
• 50th ∙Unions: Do you favor allowing gay and lesbian couples to form legally recognized civil unions, giving them many of the legal rights of married couples?
• 50th: Overall

From Jeffrey Lax and Justin Phillips, “Gay Rights in the States: Public Opinion and Policy Responsiveness,” American Political Science Review, p.41. Estimates of explicit pro-gay policy support are shown by state as a percentage, ordered by average opinion.

. State 2nd Parent Adoption Hate Crimes Health Benefits Housing Jobs Marriage Sodomy Civil Unions Mean Opinion . mean 43 70 59 75 62 39 45 49 55 . st. dev. 8 6 6 5 6 9 9 9 7 . total congruent 43 31 16 20 22 46 32 37 245 . Utah 22 55 41 57 40 25 33 31 38 . Oklahoma 26 59 49 65 50 25 32 35 43 . Arkansas 27 65 51 68 50 25 30 34 44 . Alabama 29 61 54 68 53 23 28 34 44 . Mississippi 29 64 55 71 55 23 28 34 45 . Tennessee 31 65 54 70 53 26 29 35 45 . Kentucky 32 63 52 69 53 28 35 39 46 . Idaho 33 59 51 67 53 34 42 40 47 . South Carolina 33 66 57 73 59 28 33 42 49 . Louisiana 36 67 58 76 62 30 34 40 51 . Georgia 36 68 58 74 60 30 39 43 51 . North Carolina 36 68 58 74 60 31 34 40 50 . Wyoming 37 59 54 70 58 36 45 45 51 . Texas 37 65 59 74 61 32 38 43 51 . Nebraska 39 62 53 72 60 32 39 43 50 . Kansas 39 65 54 73 61 36 41 46 52

. South Dakota 40 65 55 73 60 35 40 44 51 . Missouri 40 69 54 73 57 34 44 45 52 . North Dakota 41 63 55 73 62 33 41 44 51 . Indiana 41 66 54 74 60 35 42 45 52 . West Virginia 41 67 57 75 62 33 38 44 52 . Montana 43 66 58 73 61 41 51 52 56 . Alaska 43 66 59 75 62 42 49 50 56 . Virginia 43 71 62 77 64 37 44 45 55 . Arizona 44 70 62 76 64 44 52 54 58 . Wisconsin 44 73 56 77 62 42 51 50 57 . Florida 45 71 63 76 64 39 49 52 57 . Iowa 45 72 58 76 62 38 44 51 56 . Ohio 46 73 60 78 64 39 42 46 56 . Pennsylvania 46 73 61 78 66 43 47 52 58 . New Mexico 47 73 61 78 65 45 52 53 59 . Michigan 47 74 60 78 64 39 44 49 57 . Minnesota 47 74 60 78 64 42 49 51 58 . Oregon 47 75 61 77 63 45 54 56 60 . Nevada 48 73 63 78 65 46 51 55 60 . Colorado 48 74 61 78 66 47 55 56 61

. Illinois 48 77 64 80 66 42 50 53 60 . Delaware 49 76 66 81 68 41 46 54 60 . Maryland 49 79 67 82 69 41 50 55 61 . Hawaii 50 76 62 78 65 49 56 57 62 . Washington 51 76 61 79 65 49 56 57 62 . California 51 78 65 81 68 50 58 58 64 . Maine 52 75 64 79 67 49 52 58 62 . New Hampshire 52 75 66 80 68 51 53 61 63 . New Jersey 53 76 67 81 70 48 53 61 64 . Connecticut 54 77 68 81 70 52 56 62 65 . Vermont 55 79 66 81 69 53 56 62 65 . Rhode Island 55 79 67 82 70 53 57 64 66 . New York 56 79 71 82 70 52 58 63 66 . Massachusetts 57 81 68 82 70 56 61 69 68

Polygamy: What Love Is This?

Polygamy: What Love Is This? is the only broadcast television program dedicated to exploring the subject of polygamy from a biblical perspective. Since June of 2008, this call-in program has been broadcast live from Salt Lake City on KTMW TV-20 on Thursday nights at 8:00 PM. (The show is re-broadcast on Boise's KCLP TV-18 on Sunday nights at 5:00 PM). In addition, all episodes of the program are also available for online viewing from this website, and are also available as a free video Podcast through iTunes™. (Click here to subscribe to the Podcast!)

Polygamy: What Love Is This? is production of A Shield and Refuge Ministry a weekly talk show hosted by Doris Hanson, a former Mormon Fundamentalist.

Episodes from 2009:

	Episode	Date	Description	Link
	2.01	08 Jan 09	Doris interviews a former polygamist husband.	watch online
	2.02	15 Jan 09	Doris interviews Sandra Tanner.	watch online
	2.03	22 Jan 09	Doris interviews former polygamist Mary Mackert & Christian wife Dorothy Catlin.	watch online
	2.04	29 Jan 09	Doris interviews Brian Mackert, author of the book, Illegitimate on the special needs of those exiting polygamy	watch online
	2.05	5 Feb 09	Doris addresses recent and new questions and comments from viewers	watch online
	2.06	12 Feb 09	Doris interviews Bill McKeever	watch online
	2.07	19 Feb 09	Doris addresses early Mormon polygamy myth #5, and answers viewer questions.	watch online
	2.08	26 Feb 09	Doris addresses another polygamy myth #6, and discusses David's polygamy--is it from God or man?	watch online
	2.09	5 Mar 09	Doris interviews guest Russ East concerning his family's polygamist heritage.	watch online
	2.10	12 Mar 09	Doris interviews Shawn McCraney, host of TV20's "Heart of the Matter"	watch online
	2.11	19 Mar 09	Doris addresses polygamy myth #7, and discuss "faith without works".	watch online
	2.12	26 Mar 09	Doris interviews Kathy Jo Nicholson, formerly of the FLDS group.	watch online
	2.13	2 Apr 09	Doris "interviews" two of Joseph Smith's wives! (Part 1)	watch online
	2.14	9 Apr 09	Doris addresses viewer calls and emails.	watch online
	2.15	16 Apr 09	Doris "interviews" two more of Joseph Smith's wives! (Part 2)	watch online
	2.16	23 Apr 09	Doris interviews Susan Ray Schmidt, formerly of the notorious LeBaron group, about the powerful testimony of Rena Chenowyth, who had participated in this group's "blood atonement" killings.	watch online
	2.17	30 Apr 09	Doris "interviews" two more of Joseph Smith's wives! (Part 3)	watch online
	2.18	07 May 09	Polygamy Myths: Myth #9	watch online
	2.19	14 May 09	Doris interviews pastor Ross Anderson concerning the reliability of the Bible.	watch online
	2.20	21 May 09	Doris addresses polygamy myth #10; also, do we really "bash" Mormons?	watch online
	2.21	28 May 09	Myths of Polygamy, part 11; Doris adddresses viewer letters, emails, and calls; Polygamy in the Old Testament.	watch online
	2.22	04 June 09	Doris interviews pastor Ross Anderson on the reliability of the Bible (part 2)	watch online
	2.23	11 June 09	Anatomy of an escape: told by one assisting a successful rescue.	watch online
	2.24	18 June 09	Doris interviews Danielle Pimentel, a former polygamist	watch online
	2.25	25 June 09	Doris interviews Pastor Hartog about the religious culture of Utah	watch online
	2.26	02 July 09	Doris talks about polygamy in the news, and addresses viewer calls and emails.	watch online
	2.27	09 July 09	Doris interviews Kay Brown, on how the subject of polygamy contributed toward her exit from Mormonism.	watch online
	2.28	16 July 09	Doris interviews former polygamist Mary Mackert, about her ministry to those trapped in polygamy.	watch online
	2.29	23 July 09	Doris interviews Bill McKeever of Mormon Research Ministry, on "contending for the faith".	watch online
	2.30	30 July 09	Interview with Joseph Smith's 2nd plural wife, Lucinda Pendleton (dramatization by Dorothy Catlin).	watch online
	2.31	06 Aug 09	Doris addresses polygamy myth #12; The United Order	watch online
	2.32	13 Aug 09	Doris reviews the LDS film, Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration together with guests Tracy and Quentin Ferguson	watch online
	2.33	20 Aug 09	Doris interviews Bill McKeever, who continues his discussion on "contending for the faith."	watch online
	2.34	27 Aug 09	Doris interviews Beckie Whittaker, who explains the reasons behind her leaving the LDS Church.	watch online
	2.35	03 Sept 09	Doris interviews Kay Brown, who shares more of her story and testimony.	watch online
	2.36	10 Sept 09	Doris interviews Sandra Tanner, on the re-defined terminology that tends to confuse mainline and Fundamentalist Mormonism.	watch online
	2.37	17 Sept 09	Doris interviews Rauni Higley, to discuss the question of whether Joseph Smith believed the Book of Mormon.	watch online
	2.38	24 Sept 09	Doris discusses Polygamy Myth #13, as well as so-called "Christian" polygamy, and addresses viewer calls and questions.	watch online
	2.39	01 Oct 09	Doris interviews Susan Schmidt and Kathie Jo Nicholson (prerecorded episode).	watch online
	2.40	08 Oct 09	Doris dedicates this show to the memory of the late Charlie Kingston, whose moving testimony of leaving fundamentalism and finding freedom in Christ will be an encouragement!	watch online
	2.41	15 Oct 09	Doris discusses polygamy myth #14, and "Is Jesus the Christ?"	watch online
	2.42	22 Oct 09	Doris interviews childcare specialist Karen Holder on how abuses within the polygamist lifestyle affects children.	watch online
	2.43	29 Oct 09	Doris interviews Rauni Higley a second time, and examines the contradictions between the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine & Covenants.	watch online
	2.44	05 Nov 09	Doris interviews Kay Brown, who looks at the journals of early polygamists.	watch online