April 24, 2008
April 22, 2008
Speaking of Faith interviews Robert Millet
Speaking of Faith interview with Robert Millet about LDS doctrine and culture.
Interfaith Voices Speaks On LDS Polygamy Theology with Jan Shipps
Interfaith Voices produces a radio show that fosters interfaith understanding through dialogue (a very honorable purpose). This week’s podcast, Passover, the Exodus Story and African American Jews, featured special guest Jan Shipps, a well known non-Mormon historian of Mormonism who discussed LDS Polygamy Theology. This portion of the podcast, begins at minute 37:31.
Listen to this Interfaith Podcast Here- just click play at the top of the page
April 21, 2008
M. Russell Ballard Speaks on Recent National Media Attention
In a recent address to the BYU Management Society, M. Russell Ballard, head of the Public Relations of the Church, commented on the position of the church in the world and the recent national media attention that the church has been receiving.
Overall, I personally think the interest in the Church over the past year and a half was a plus. I’d much rather have people talking about us than ignoring us. The biggest problem we face is apathy. Still, we have learned a lot. One thing we have concluded is that even after one hundred seventy eight years, there is more misinformation out there than we had imagined.
He went on to express the need for members and friends of the church everywhere to get involved and to be active participants in dialogue about the restored church.
I support the call of the Pope that all who believe in God unite in an effort to stem the tide of evil that is flooding the earth. And so there are many reasons why I ask Latter-day Saints to be more open about their Church membership and about their values. Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Redeemer of the world, taught us how to live.
He spoke in parables. He once compared the good people of the earth to the leaven used in baking bread. A little leaven raises the whole loaf, He said. At another time, He compared His followers to salt.If the salt loses its savor, it is “henceforth good for nothing” but to be cast away and trodden underfoot. Translate that into today’s world, and we can see the parallel.Without being self-righteous or overbearing, we should allow our belief in the basic decency and goodness of humanity to shine through. Both the apostle Paul and Joseph Smith taught that if there is anything lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy, we should seek after these things. The term “seeking after” suggests active participation, not passive acceptance. We should be active in our communities. We should join groups where we can exert a positive influence. We should embrace those who have similar values and try to better understand those who don’t. We should join the conversations on the Internet or anywhere else where we can clarify the great purpose of God in restoring to the earth the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the Prophet Joseph Smith.
You can read the entire transcript of Elder Ballard’s message HERE
Are Mormons Christian?
Well the answer is yes, but it may surprise you to see how other Christians view Latter-day Saint theology. This interesting and productive dialogue took place Feb 19, 2007 between Greg Johnson, an Evangelical Minister, and Robert Millet, a professor at BYU. I apologize for the poor sound, I think that it was just recorded by one of the listener’s computers– so turn up that volume.
Smith Papers and Church Historian’s Press
I am ecstatic for the much anticipated release of the first couple volumes of the Joseph Smith Papers. I don’t know how much they are going to cost, but I figure that the price will be more bearable considering they will only be released at the rate of 2 or 3 volumes each year. I am anxious to see how the world’s view of Joseph Smith continues to evolve over the next 10 years as better resources of accurate information continue to come forth.
