November 29, 2006
More and More Mormons in the Media
Have you noticed all the hoopla about The Church of the Latter Day Saints lately? A wise friend suggested that perhaps we, the American public, are being innured, rather, prepared, to clasp a centrist Mormon to our respective bosoms.
Mitt Romney, everyone's favorite Mormon politician, has been running for president ever since he was elected Governor of Massachusetts four years ago. His company, Bain, scooped up Clear Channel (famous for banning The Dixie Chicks) this month. How convenient to have his very own media outlet for the 2008 election. As you may know, Mormons are required by doctrine to be prepared.
Mitt, no doubt thinking of his future in politics, was savvy enough to limit himself to one wife, which is not the case with Warren Jeffs, husband of 90, father of 272, who has been on trial for two first degree felony charges of rape (and a little sodomy on the side). Jeffs is president and patriarch of The Fundamentalist Church of the Latter Day Saints.
A couple of days ago the depressed, gay, neoconservative , Andrew Sullivan, published a shot of Mormon underwear on his blog and caused quite a flap (forgive the expression) (P.S, he was scooped by yours truly in 2004}
Tom Ashbrook did a great polygamy program this week with guests Mary Alfred, a Happy Poly wife #3, and Vicki Prunty, Director of Tapestry Against Polygamy, among others.
Then there were last year's Mormon best sellers, Jon Krakauer's "Under the Banner of Heaven" a shocking true crime tale of Mormon murder, and Martha Beck's Leaving the Saints. Martha's dad, Hugh Nibley, a professor at Brigham Young, was the apologist for Mormonhood when The Book of Abraham Papyri, an important Mormon text, translated from the Egyptian by Joseph Smith, was discovered at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, retranslated, and proved to be a complete fraud. Dr. Nibley was very stressed by the situation, and he sexually abused his daughter, as patriarchs are sometimes known to do under duress..
On the lighter side, the big hit of the HBO season, the new "Deadwood", "Six Feet Under the Covers", "Big Love", is a noirish comedy about a polygamous family, now out on DVD. Even though the show is highly recommended by the intelligentsia, Mormons are not amused
I , personally, have nothing against polygamy. I can think of a number of dear and close personal friends with whom I'd gladly sisterwife. I do, however, detest a patriarchy. Number 9 on the list of the characteristics of fundamentalism is, "led by males". Oh well. I'd of course, want to do the blog, and distribute my alloted trysts among the more nubile.
Photo note: I'm sure most Mormon women aren't this drab, (their underwear not withstanding), but It's hard to find a shot of a group of ladies in the archives -- and I just used this one last month
Posted by Dakota at November 29, 2006 06:50 AMAre you really that stupid? Don't you understand that LDS and FLDS are different? Warren Jeffs is not associated with the mormon church in any way. More power to Mitt if he has the money to buy clear channel. I'm really sorry if you're jealous because you never added up to nothing more than an internet blogger, but seriously, butt out of other peoples business, ESPECIALLY IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!
Posted by: C.S. at November 30, 2006 03:28 AMBy the way, your photography sucks. Look at my website, (removed because C.S.'s angry ex posted this in his name) My photos blow yours out of the water any day! You suck.
Dear C.S.:
You are fortunate indeed to have visited a breathtakingly beautiful place like Utah, where the landscape itself provides unlimited opportunities for the "ametaur" photographer. Sadly, I must make do with bleak New England vistas.
I am sorry that I have offended you. I do understand the difference between fundamentalists of any sort and others who practice more traditional religious forms. My point was that we are hearing about all kinds of Mormonism in the media these days.
I did visit your website. Good luck in your future endeavors. You certainly have the aggression that is necessary to pursue a career in the law, though your spelling, punctuation and grammar could use improvement. If I may quote:
"I have many other interests, and I must say that I often feel guilty over my capricious attentions. I enjoy multi-tasking and have a minute attention span, and often am I enjoying one of my frivilous [sic] hobbies when I find myself lured by another seductive topic. The following then is a transient if not expired short-list of my favorite non-artistic interests: Chess, 1984 (George Orwell), The Smashing Pumpkins, Rugby, Sir Isaac Newton, Calculus and the Mean Value Therom [sic] , Lunar phases and other astronomical events, Camping, Hiking, and the like, and Law and the American Consttitution."
I too am interested in the American Constitution, and its erosion. Although I multitask, I seldom find it enjoyable.
You are wise not to pursue photography as a career, lest you become a wizened old internet blogger.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
Suckily, Dakota
Dakota,
Just a few words before I move on. You provide the same old ho hum.
I blogged about Big Love. As LDS I think it is a riot. My wife and I love it. Nibley was not as you described, nor has the manuscript that you describe been retranslated...... causing any reaction among church members.
Other than insulting the character of our church and its leaders, do you have anything of substance to say?
Further, a point of decorum: you must be growing a comma tree in your backyard. I prophesy that it is in bloom presently. Work on your profusion, will you? Take a class.
LDS High Priest
Well here a few words from my perspective. I dont see why people who are not LDS have to sit there and say stuff about the religion if you dont like it great keep it to your self dont make a big deal about it at least us mormons and doing stuff to stay rightous and are not out there doing stuff that could get us into trouble thats the way i think of it. We are not doing anything wrong so why does it matter to those people who try to cause conflict.
angie
Gee, lotta thin-skinned Mormons coming out of the woodwork. Don't like the attention? Get used to it if the Mittster runs.
I really have a difficult time believing that C.S., who takes such breathtaking photographs, is the same person who wrote such horrid and mean comments (above.) However, I checked out his Myspace profile, and it all seems to match up. (Wow--he's only 21? That could explain his..."boldness.") Quite sad. (I am signing this anonymously because I don't want to be the target of his childish ranting & raving.)
Posted by: Another An0n at December 13, 2006 11:49 AM