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14 August 2012
Mormon Brigham City Utah Temple Opens for Public Tours
August 14, 2012
The Brigham City Utah Temple, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ (Mormons) 139th temple, will open to the public Saturday, 18 August 2012. The open house will continue through mid-September before the temple is formally dedicated.
President Thomas S. Monson will dedicate the temple on Sunday, 23 September 2012 in three dedicatory sessions. The sessions will be broadcast at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to Latter-day Saint meetinghouses throughout Utah and in areas of southeastern Idaho that are located within the temple’s district. All regular Church meetings will be canceled within the temple district and in Utah on 23 September to allow members to participate in the dedication broadcast.
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormon-brigham-city-utah-temple-opens-for-public-tours
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Anderson: Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan and a min course in Mormon-Catholic relations
August 14, 2012
Long Island Newsday (New York)
Mitt Romney’s choice of Paul Ryan as his vice-presidential candidate makes 2012 the first time in American history that a major party has run a ticket without a Protestant on it: Romney is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Ryan is a Roman Catholic.
Have Mormons and Catholics always gotten along as well as the Republican running mates appear to? No. The root of the conflict is doctrinal. The premise of the Book of Mormon is that the Bible is a corrupt and incomplete account of God’s revelation — an implicit criticism of Catholic doctrine.
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The “Mormon Issue” Is Not Going Away
August 14, 2012
Christian Post
It is the number that may very well define the outcome of the 2012 presidential race. Less than a year ago, a Gallup poll revealed that twenty-two percent of Americans said they would not vote for a Mormon to be president. Only atheists and gays rated less popular. And breaking this number down between Republicans and Democrats did not improve the picture. The same poll indicated that twenty percent of Republicans and twenty-seven percent of Democrats would not vote for a Mormon presidential candidate. Gallop also reported that these percentages have remained essentially unchanged since 1967 when the firm first began polling on the issue of Mormons in politics.
http://blogs.christianpost.com/in-our-time/the-mormon-issue-is-not-going-away-11376/
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Mormon Church $7 Billion Income From Tithe, Including Mitt Romney as One of Top Donors
August 14, 2012
Christian Post
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in America is reportedly bringing in $7 billion a year from donations alone, an analysis into the church’s finances has revealed,. The analysis also reveals that GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney is one of the top donors.
The Latter-day Saints church owns about $35 billion worth of temples and meeting houses around the world, according to Reuters. However, because the Mormon Church owns farms, ranches, shopping malls and other commercial ventures, its exact fortune is difficult to estimate precisely on a global scale.
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Column: How to play the Mormon card
August 14, 2012
Daily Astorian (Oregon)
Mormonism is a worldlier, more business-friendly religion than traditional Christianity, but it does not glorify wealth for wealth’s sake, in the style of many contemporary prosperity preachers. Instead, as Walter Kirn suggested in an essay in The New Republic, Mormonism represents “our country’s longest experiment with communitarian idealism, promoting an ethic of frontier-era burden-sharing that has been lost in contemporary America.”
To spend some time in Salt Lake City and its environs, as I did earlier this summer, is to enter a world where faith, family and neighborliness really do seem to fill the role that liberals usually assign to the state. There you can tour the church-run welfare centers, with supermarkets filled with (Mormon-brand) products available to the poor of any faith and assembly lines where Mormon neurosurgeons and lawyers volunteer to can goods or run a bread machine. You can visit inner-city congregations where bank vice presidents from the suburbs spend their weekends helping drifters find steady work, and tour the missionary training center where Mormons from every background share a small-d democratic coming-of-age experience.
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Mitt Romney & Mormons Can’t Shake Collectivist Nature
August 14, 2012
The Nevada View
After my recent post about Mitt Romney’s rhetoric vs. his Mormonism, I received ample comment about how I have totally misconceived the notion of Mormon Consecration versus “the evils of Communism.” Nice appeal to fear, Red Herring, and multiple other logical fallacies put to use for sure. Though I wasn’t in any way suggesting that the history of Mormonism, the United Order, and the Law of Consecration implied that Mormons should be advocating for a form of global Communism, that’s exactly the sum of the rebuttals I received, mainly from Mormon readers.
Shocking… apparently they are very sensitive about their collectivist history. I was merely suggesting that the United Order and the Law of Consecration should give Mormons, and Mormon candidates such as Mitt Romney pause before condemning statements that reflect a positive position related to a collective mentality.
http://thenevadaview.com/3695/mitt-romney-mormons-cant-shake-collectivist-nature/
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Who’s the better Mormon, Mitt or Harry?
August 14, 2012
Jewish Journal (California)
Many Mormons point to Harry Reid as an example of a liberal Latter-day Saint whose true religion is the Democratic Party’s platform. They certainly have a point. I can’t judge someone’s heart or thoughts, but actions usually advertise one’s character. For example, the LDS Church has repeatedly and publicly condemned gambling in all of its forms, yet the good senator has chosen to defend and promote gaming interests in Washington for many years.
How can I possibly defend a Mormon senator’s being in hock to the gaming industry? Well, I can’t. However, I do have a question: Is it also morally questionable for LDS politicians to knowingly accept money from billionaire gaming moguls? If so, then Mitt Romney will have to return Sheldon Adelson’s checks. Something tells me that ain’t gonna happen.
http://www.jewishjournal.com/jews_and_mormons/item/whos_the_better_mormon_mitt_or_harry_39120814/
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Glen Warchol’s Crawler: Why’s everyone freaked about Mormons?
August 14, 2012
Salt Lake Magazine (Utah)
With a Mormon presidential candidate, we’ve been seeing increasing national scrutiny of his religion–mostly of LDS Inc. financial might of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, including its $7 billion in annual cash flow from tithing from its faithful.
But Americans want to know more about the LDS faith and the culture it spawned–sorry, but you can’t get all your info from Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s “The Book of Mormon” musical, even if you can afford a ticket.
http://saltlakemagazine.com/blog/2012/08/glen-warchols-crawler-more-scrutiny-of-mormon-church/
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The Mormon Church Takes In $7 Billion a Year
August 14, 2012
The Atlantic
We all know that Mitt Romney is rich, but just how much does his church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, get within a year? Oh, just about $7 billion. You know, about the size of the entire Moldova’s entire gross domestic product. The figure comes from a Reuters report wherein the news organization, alongside sociologist Ryan Cragun, examined church records to estimate the amount, which is derived from tithes — part of the practice of members giving 10 percent of their income — and “other donations.”
While Moldova, the tiny country wedged in between Ukraine and Romania, only has a population of 3,656,843 (including two bronze medal-winning women weightlifters), according to July 2012 estimates, the Mormon church says it has 14 million members worldwide. That said, Reuters notes that only “active members are most likely to tithe, and the result is that from a financial standpoint at least, the church remains largely a venture of active American members.”
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2012/08/mormon-church-gets-7-billion-year/55755/
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Reuters probes LDS Church Wealth
August 14, 2012
Religion Dispatches
A story out by Reuters today focuses in on LDS Church finances, expanding one of the most important lines of investigative reporting of this Mormon moment.
The LDS Church brings in about $7 billion annually from donors.
“Most of the revenue of the religion is from the U.S., and a large percentage comes from an elite cadre of wealthy donors, like Mitt Romney,” said sociologist Ryan Cragun, who conducted research for the story with Reuters. “(It) is a religion that appeals to economically successful men by rewarding their financial acuity with respect and positions of prestige within the religion.”
http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/joannabrooks/6281/reuters_probes_lds_church_wealth/
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New Mormon temple offers taste of Brigham City
August 14, 2012
Salt Lake Tribune (Utah)
But not all LDS temples have what the new Brigham City Temple has: peaches. The newest temple is adorned with images of peach blossoms in honor of the Box Elder County city, which is renowned for growing the sweet, fuzzy fruit.
Elder William R. Walker, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and executive director of the church’s Temple Department, called it an homage to “the beautiful community” that is now home to the faith’s 139th temple worldwide and its 14th in Utah. The 36,000-square-foot structure is expected to serve 40,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Walker said the church decided to build the new temple to serve growing demand in northern Utah.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/lifestyle/54696293-80/temple-church-brigham-lds.html.csp
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Utah’s 14th Mormon temple to be dedicated
August 14, 2012
San Antonio Express-News (Texas)
Utah’s 14th Mormon temple is set to be dedicated in Brigham City.
But KSL reports (bit.ly/Oh71pX) that starting this Saturday, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is allowing the public to tour the facility.
Tours will continue until Sept. 15. The temple will be closed on Sundays.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/Utah-s-14th-Mormon-temple-to-be-dedicated-3788118.php
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Utah Gubernatorial Candidate Distances Himself From National Democratic Platform
August 14, 2012
Think Progress
Peter Cooke, Utah’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate, has distanced himself from the social issue planks of the party’s national platform. Vowing to represent “Utah values” in accordance with his membership in the Mormon Church, Cooke declared his opposition to same-sex marriage, civil unions, and a woman’s right to choose:
COOKE: To me gay marriage is part of my religious belief and I support that and I respect other religious beliefs and I support and love those who are in the gay community. I think what needs to be done in Utah is for us to all live together, be compassionate. That’s what the Democratic Party is showing.
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Five siblings from 1 Arizona family say ‘I do’ on the same day in ‘mega wedding’
August 14, 2012
New York Daily News
When five Arizona siblings got engaged within weeks of each other, their father suggested a wild idea — a joint wedding.
After months of planning and compromises, the Waldie siblings and their significant others tied the knot Friday in a “mega wedding” at a Mormon church in Mesa, Ariz.
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/siblings-1-arizona-family-i-day-mega-wedding-article-1.1135953
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Five siblings from the Waldie family in Arizona say ‘I do’ on the same day
August 15, 2012
News.com.au (Australia)
WHEN five siblings of the Waldie family in Arizona got engaged within a short time of each other, it made sense to have five weddings in one day.
The Waldie siblings married on Friday in a “mega wedding” at a Mormon church in Mesa, Arizona.
”They think we’re crazy or that it’s the greatest thing on earth,” dad Doug Waldie told Fox News.
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Romney-Ryan ticket makes U.S. religious history
August 14, 2012
CNN
But in any case, “this Republican ticket really symbolizes the passing of an era,” said William Galston, senior fellow with the Brookings Institution.
Romney is Mormon. Ryan is Catholic.
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/14/romney-ryan-ticket-makes-u-s-religious-history/
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Atheist billboards target the religions of the presidential candidates
August 14, 2012
Examiner
The other billboard depicts a man dressed only in an undershirt and boxer shorts (apparently to represent the famous Mormon “magic underwear”) and states:
MORMONISM:
God is A Space Alien
Baptizes Dead People
Big Money, Big Bigotry
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Atheists rip Mormons, Christians in bipartisan billboard blitz
August 14, 2012
Salt Lake Tribune (Utah)
A similar format reduces Mormonism, the faith of Republican nominee-in-waiting Mitt Romney, to this: “God is a Space Alien, Baptizes Dead People, Big Money, Big Bigotry.” The words are accompanied by a man in white underwear, alluding to the LDS Church’s sacred undergarments.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsfaithblog/54695806-180/billboard-atheism-atheists-percent.html.csp
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Atheists Post Billboards in NC Attacking Presidential Candidates’ Religious Views
August 14, 2012
Christian Post
The other billboard, geared toward candidate Romney, speaks of Mormonism being “Big Money, Big Bigotry” and shows a man wearing shining undershirt and underwear, alluding to the temple garments many Mormons wear under their clothes.
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18th Annual Arrington Lecture Speaker Announced
August 14, 2012
Utah Statesman
Terryl Givens, the James A. Bostwick chair of English and professor of literature and religion at the University of Richmond in Richmond, Va., has been selected to present the 18th annual Leonard J. Arrington Mormon History Lecture.
The Arrington Mormon History Lecture is an annual event hosted by University Libraries and its Special Collections and Archives Division at Utah State University. The lecture is sponsored by University Libraries and the Special Collections and Archives Division, the Leonard J. Arrington Lecture and Archives Foundation, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Utah State University.
http://www.usustatesman.com/18th-annual-arrington-lecture-speaker-announced-1.2749746#.UCsYXlZlSZc
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Religious test vanishing?
August 13, 2012
Yuma Sun (Arizona)
Only 60 percent of voters are aware that Romney is a Mormon, 9 percent think he is something else and 32 percent can’t identify his faith, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center released July 26.
Of the people who correctly identify Romney as a Mormon, 60 percent say they are comfortable with his practicing that faith and another 21 percent say it doesn’t matter. Only 19 percent claim to be “uncomfortable” with the Mormon connection.
http://www.yumasun.com/opinion/percent-81014-religious-affiliation.html
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Ad marks foray into religious campaign rhetoric, Baylor analyst notes
August 14, 2012
Baptist Standard
In the ad, Romney is shifting away from what has been a major focus–the economy–to appeal to religious voters, said Hogue, noting religion as a political issue has slipped beneath the radar since the primaries, when attention was focused on Romney’s Mormonism.
http://www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14155&Itemid=53
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Opinion: Romney and Ryan a ray of hope
August 14, 2012
Washington Times (DC)
Mitt Romney is a Mormon, and Paul Ryan, a catholic. These two faiths are very different, but they share common interests and beliefs, the greatest of those being faith in Jesus Christ. Members of these two faiths (and I count myself among them – I am a Mormon) share a common love for this great nation, even as both have suffered persecution from religious and political zealots here. The importance of keeping religious tests out of government and the government out of religious practice is ground into the DNA of Mormons and Catholics alike, but so too is certainty that a great nation prospers under God, not in spite of Him.
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