Review: Modern Polygamy in the United States: Historical, Cultural, and Legal Issues

Modern Polygamy, "primarily about the Federal raid on the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS) ... is a collection of essays written by historians, anthropologists, and sociologists familiar with the FLDS and various other polygamous groups.  ... [It is] predominately sympathetic of the polygamous life-style .... [providing] an insider's perspective."

Title: Modern Polygamy in the United States: Historical, Cultural, and Legal Issues
Author: Edited by Cardell K. Jacobson with Lara Burton

New York becomes 6th state to allow same-sex marriage

Excerpts of New York ushers in same-sex marriage, Douglas Sabiston, Examiner.com
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Hundreds of gay couples tied the knot in New York Sunday as the state became the sixth and largest to recognize same-sex marriage in the United States.

State lawmakers voted 33 to 29 June 24 to lift the ban on same-sex marriage, and a political campaign that lasted years finally came to an end. The new law took effect 30 days later, and at the stroke of midnight July 24, gay marriage became legal for the first time in New York history.

Thousands of opponents rallied in Manhattan, Albany, Rochester and Buffalo chanting "let the people vote!" The rallies, organized by National Organization for Marriage (NOM), were timed to coincide with the first day the new law took effect. Despite recent polls indicating that a majority of New Yorkers support gay marriage, opponents believe if the issue is put to a vote, traditional marriage will be upheld.

Mormon movie to be based on Krakauer's "Under the Banner of Heaven"

Excerpts of Ron Howard to explore dark side of Mormon history, and more cheery stuff
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And in the closest thing to fresh movie news in this post, Ron Howard ...  has now set his sights on Mormons, but not the cute, cuddly kind that won "South Park" masterminds Trey Parker and Matt Stone the top Tony.

Instead, Howard will team up with scribe Dustin Lance Black ("Milk" and Clint Eastwood's upcoming J. Edgar Hoover biopic) for a movie based on Jon Krakauer's "Under the Banner of Heaven."

Mormons love Harry Potter

Many fundamentalist Christians oppose the Harry Potter books and movies because aspects of the occult are treated in a favorable light. While Latter-day Saints are also religiously conservative, they apparently have no such aversion to the works of Rowling. Not only does "Harry Potter" rank  highly in Utah google searches, but Utah helped set a new record in box office receipts.

FOX News host says Mormons are not Christians

With Utah ranked as one of the most conservative states in the union, and FOX News the predominate news source for the politically conservative, some members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may feel conflicted by a recent statement on FOX News.

Excerpts of Mormon Mitt Romney not 'Christian,' says Fox News host by Elizabeth Tenety

Moroni Pratt not son of Joseph Smith says DNA researcher

Sarah Pratt, mother of Moroni Pratt

"Following another mission, this time to England, Pratt arrived in Nauvoo, Illinois, in July 1841. During Pratt's absence, Joseph Smith had begun practicing plural marriage. One of the women he approached was [Pratt's wife] Sarah, who rejected his advances. The next spring Sarah told Orson of Smith's proposals. Pratt became depressed and on 14 July disappeared; however, he was found near the Mississippi River and was persuaded to return home."  [Utah History Encyclopedia: Orson Pratt]   

Rumors have since circulated that Joseph Smith fathered Moroni Pratt, son of Sarah Pratt.  New DNA evidence sheds light on this proposed child of Joseph Smith. 
 
Excerpts of DNA solves a Joseph Smith mystery, by Michael De Groote, Deseret News
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Study to analyze impact of Mormonism on gays

Excerpts of Study Looks at Experiences of Gay Mormons, QSalt Lake

A new study assessing the experiences of gay and former members of the Mormon Church was launched by a Utah State University professor this week.

Renee Galliher, along with the Brigham Young University emeritus biology professor and chair of the pro-gay Family Fellowship, William Bradshaw, launched the 149-question survey to look at the impact the Mormon Church has had on gay and lesbian members.

The survey is anonymous and designed for gays and lesbians who have, at one point or another, been a member of the Mormon Church.

"The researchers hope this study may provide insights into the experiences of same-sex attracted Latter Day Saints, increasing the competence and sensitivity of the consumers of this research, who could potentially be psychologists, researchers, educators and other service providers interacting with individuals who identify with these experiences," the survey introduction says....

Click here to take the survey.

Mountain Meadows designated national historic landmark

Excerpts of Mountain Meadows now a national historic landmark By Peggy Fletcher Stack, The Salt Lake Tribune

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... "The designation means the United States has recognized that this site is among the most important in U.S. history," said Lysa Wegman-French, a historian with the Intermountain regional office of the National Park Service. "I like to compare it to the Emmy or Oscar awards for actors. This is public recognition of the importance of the site to the nation."...

"This is the culmination of a multiyear collaboration between the church as landowner, victim groups and the federal government," Richard Turley, assistant LDS Church historian, said Thursday. "We are grateful that so many people came together to make this a reality."

Ogden Sunstone Symposium Program, 2011

Excerpts of Sunstone 2011 Utah Symposium and Workshops Preliminary Program

August 2011,
Weber State University
Shepherd Student Union Building
3848 Harrison Blvd., Ogden, Utah

Theme: Mormon Artifacts and Material Culture

More Info, Including Complete Program:
https://www.Sunstonemagazine.Com/Symposium/


Wednesday, 3 August
Workshops

W-1.  Title Teaching Gender Equality and Agape Love in Africa (And The United States) With Carrie Miles
W-2.  Title Taming and Unleashing The Bible: An Introduction to Academic Biblical Studies With Jared Anderson

Tabloid

KUER.  Tuesday, we bring you the latest in our documentary film series "Through the Lens." Doug is joined by Errol Morris, whose latest film tells the bizarre story of Joyce McKinney. In 1977, the former beauty queen followed the man of her dreams across the globe. He was serving his Mormon mission; she was convinced he had been brainwashed. The ensuing story of gunpoint abduction landed her in the tabloid headlines. Morris joins us to talk about why stories like McKinney's fascinate him and about his career bringing these stories to audiences.
Join us Wednesday night at the Tower Theatre for a free screening of "Tabloid." For more information, visit us on-line at http://bit.ly/rw2092

********

The discussion will be broadcast at 11 a.m. Mountain on KUER 90.1 and on SiriusXM Public Radio (XM 121, Sirius 205). You can also catch a rebroadcast of  the program at 7 p.m. on KUER.

The Dreams of Joseph Smith

Being that today is the anniversary of Joseph Smith's death, and in light discussion regarding Joseph Smith's last dream ( here, here, and here) I though I'd reproduce accounts of Joseph Smith's dreams.*

I've divided accounts of his dreams into two sections; first, those dreams by Joseph Smith after the organization of the church, most as recorded in his diary.

The second section includes a selection of account relating to the visitations by Moroni and recovery of the gold plates. These accounts suggest these visions may have occurred while dreaming.  Note this section contains some accounts by sources not friendly to Joseph Smith.

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-- Jan 22, 1836
[Joseph Smith Diary] ...I then observed to the brethren that it was time to retire. We accordingly /closed/ our interview and returned home at about 2 o'clock in the morning. The spirit and visions of God attended me through the night. (1)

Richard Bushman: 'Golden Age' of Mormon history

Excerpts of At symposium honoring birthday, Bushman says now is 'golden age' of Mormon historical scholarship By Emily W. Jensen, For Mormon Times

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"I believe we are in a golden age of Mormon history," Richard Bushman said, rattling off the sponsors for the symposium: Church History Department, Mormon Historic Sites 

“Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons” Premiering On Documentary Channel Next Month

Premiering on the Documentary Channel next month (July), in continuation of its Black Documentary Cinema series, is the award-winning film film Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons.

A stunning examination of racial issues within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons traces the history and experiences of African Americans in the Mormon church from the church's beginnings in 1830, through the Civil Rights Movement, to the present day.  At the heart of the debate lies the churches denial of the priesthood and most sacred privileges of the faith to its African American members – denials that were reversed in 1978 with a historic "priesthood revelation".

Intriguing… the film includes rare, never-before-seen archival footage, interviews with renowned scholars on race and Mormonism, Civil Rights leaders, clergy and numerous black Latter-day Saints and former Mormons.

Look for it on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 8PM, only on the Documentary Channel, which is primarily available through satellite television services DISH Network (Channel 197) and DIRECTV (Channel 267). 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj7kCVtrpYA&feature=player_embedded

'Book of Mormon' sweeps Tonys

Excerpts of 'The Book of Mormon' wins nine Tonys, by Scott D. Pierce, The Salt Lake Tribune

To the surprise of absolutely no one, "The Book of Mormon" musical dominated the 65th annual Tony Awards on Sunday, winning the award as Best Musical and becoming one of the most honored productions in Broadway history.

Broadway neophytes Trey Parker and Matt Stone thanked their "South Park" fans and the audiences who are packing the show.

"You guys made this show what it is," Parker said. "And therefore, you're going to have to atone for it one day."

He went on to jokingly thank the "co-writer who passed away. Mr. Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon religion. He couldn't be here tonight, but — you did it, Joseph! You got the Tony!"

Last Laborer: Thoughts and Reflections of a Black Mormon

The 1978 Official Declaration 2, granting priesthood to "all worthy males" in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, caused many members to engage in a collective sigh of relief. For many of us, we no longer had to engage in the mental gymnastics required to maintain belief in what was then considered an important doctrine (that black men of African descent could not hold the priesthood, thus preventing them from full participation in their local wards and stakes), and the fairly universal sentiment prevalent in society that the Civil Rights war had been over for at least a decade and that restricting blacks in any way was considered racist. Looking back on that time, I wish the declaration had occurred a decade earlier, when I was a missionary in France, so I wouldn't have had to deal with the conflicting emotions involved in having to obey the counsel of my Mission President regarding what we should do if we knocked on the door and a black person answered: We were to excuse ourselves, say we had the wrong address, and then move on to the next potential convert.  ...

2011 FAIR Conference

August 4–5, 2011
South Towne Exposition Center
Sandy, Utah

 Location

South Towne Exposition Center
9575 South State Street
Sandy, Utah 84070

Speakers

The speaker lineup is being finalized. At this point some of the confirmed speakers include Don Bradley, Newell Bringhurst, Paul Fields, Brant Gardner, McKay V. Jones, Cynthia J. Lange, Steven C. Harper, Valerie Hudson, Roger Nicholson, Dan Peterson, Steven Ricks, and Chris Watkins.

Newsweek Cover: The Mormon Moment

These stories appear in the current issue of Newsweek

• Mormons Rock
• They've conquered Broadway, talk radio, the U.S. Senate-and they may win the White House. Why Mitt Romney and 6 million Mormons have the secret to success.

•  Mormons Take the Stage
• The Book of Mormon once inspired persecution. Today it's the inspiration behind a hit Broadway musical. With its tuneful score, blasphemous gags, and sentimental appreciation for the psychological benefits of religious faith, The Book of Mormon looks likely to clean up at the Tony Awards on June 12.

•     Everyday Saints
• How faith shapes the lives of individual Mormons.

•     Elizabeth Smart: Saved by Her Faith
• Elizabeth Smart's new mission.

Mormon Studies program at Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley,

Excerpts of Prestigious Berkeley school delves into Mormon studies by Peggy Fletcher Stack, The Salt Lake Tribune
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For the first time, students at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Calif., can enroll in a Mormon studies course and get credit for it.

"The Mormon Rebellion: America’s First Civil War, 1857-1858" (reviewed by Dallas Robbins)

David L. Bigler and Will Bagley's new work "The Mormon Rebellion," subtitled "America's First Civil War, 1857-1858," recounts the tale of the "Utah war" with meticulous research and provocative aplomb. Readers familiar with current Mormon history will not be surprised that Bigler and Bagley, authors of "Forgotten Kingdom" and "Blood of the Prophets" respectively, stake the claim they are recounting a more accurate history as a corrective to the myth and legend that they learned as young boys, this myth being "how the United States in 1857 sent an army to persecute their long-suffering Mormon progenitors, based on nothing more than the malicious reports of corrupt carpetbaggers"(ix). They tell how this myth has even continued in books such as Donald Moorman's "Camp Floyd and the Mormons: The Utah War" and Harold Schindler's "Orrin Porter Rockwell: Man of God, Son of Thunder." The myth has slowly begun to break down as archival sources have been discovered and made more easily available. Particularly this includes the territorial militia records and the papers of Brigham Young, paving the way for works such as William P. MacKinnon's ground-breaking "At Sword's Point: A Documentary History of the Utah War," providing researchers the impetus to reassess the story of the Utah war. ....(continued below)

Mormonism in Cultural Context: A Symposium in Honor of Richard Lyman Bushman

Mormonism in Cultural Context: A Symposium in Honor of Richard Lyman Bushman
On the Occasion of His Eightieth Birthday

June 18, 2011
Springville Museum of Art, Springville, Utah