June 20th will go down as a historic return to St. Louis, Missouri for  Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It’s been 51 years since the 300 voice choir performed here.

The choir’s day started early in the morning, 6 a.m. sharp with a photo shoot at the Gateway Arch for a documentary film – learn more, click here.

True confession here, while I am very proud of our church’s premiere choir, I am not a groupie of the choir. I am appreciative and humbled by the way the choir brings the Christ’s spirit to our world-wide church conferences. But I don’t follow their weekly broadcasts. 

Many at the St. Louis concert, however, were groupies who have listened to the choir for years. I was tickled by their enthusiasm.  

James Dobbs, an older gentleman who was ushering at the venue, grabbed my arm to stop me and share his delight, “they sang one of my favorite songs!” Dobbs beamed. 

Dobbs explained that he has retired from his ushering duties but came back just for this…

It’s been a while since I have posted. Busy, busy bee I am between my day job and preparing for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I am serving on a committee to host the choir and a group of community leaders.

Most of the area’s 15,000  Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormons) can’t remember a time when the Tabernacle Choir has performed here. It’s been 51 years after all.

In subsequent posts I’ll share my involvement and behind-the-scenes activities, any I experience, as well as little known trivia facts about the choir.

Here is one: National Geographic’s “USA101″ recently named the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as one of America’s top icons.

Mostly, I hope many of you will experience the concert for yourself.  We have heard them on TV at the Olympics and presidential inaugurations or weekly on the radio, but it is an amazing experience to hear the choir in person.

And the choir in recent years has embraced new styles of music with its own unique…

ATLANTA 20 April 2009 Hundreds of thousands of volunteers from community and faith-based organizations will strengthen communities and bring relief to those struggling because of the economic downturn in an unprecedented single day of service across 11 southern states on 25 April 2009.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized the project under the direction of Elder Walter F. González, who presides over church affairs in the southern United States. He challenged over 665 congregations from Florida to Indiana to join forces with other faiths and civic organizations to render significant community service in what is being called “The Helping Hands and Linking Arms Project.”

Elder González said: “It’s powerful when like-minded people join together to meet a wide spectrum of needs in diverse communities. We can bring help and hope to others no matter what their circumstances.”

“The impact of these feet on the ground during the day of service will…

An Apostle’s Easter Thoughts on Christ

Though Easter is now a week behind us, this video — linked above – posted in celebration of Easter continues to receive hits. A press release explains the popularity of this Easter message:

SALT LAKE CITY 13 April 2009 A short Easter video from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints quickly spread over the weekend to become the top “viral” video on the Internet, according to the Viral Video Chart.

The four-and-a- half-minute video was extracted from an address delivered by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, of the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, at the faith’s general conference on April 4–5, in which he spoke of the final moments in the life of Jesus Christ and talked directly to those who feel alone or abandoned.

Read more: Click here.

I enjoyed Tim Townsend’s article, The Mormon Index, that appeared on the front page of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on January 22. Tim discussed how some economists look at the numbers of people using the Mormon welfare program to gauge the economy.

It’s an obscure index, one that was lost on me though I am a Latter-day Saint (LDS or Mormon). My view of the welfare system of the Church is as an insider who has been benefited by it. I don’t think too many LDS, with the exception of a few LDS economists, were aware of “The Mormon Index” until reading Tim’s article.

The Church’s welfare program is supported by a facility that typically includes a food storehouse, a cannery, an employment resource center, and a family counseling center. The Bridgeton facility in St. Louis Missouri is a central focus in Tim’s article.

My family has been benefited by the facility. In the past, when we’ve needed to stretch…

From the lds newsroom:

SALT LAKE CITY 16 January 2009 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be represented at inaugural events for President-elect Barack Obama by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, and Elder M. Russell Ballard, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Continued

The two leaders, who have been asked to represent the Church by Church President Thomas S. Monson, are scheduled to attend the swearing-in ceremony on January 20 and the National Prayer Service at Washington’s National Cathedral on January 21.

“It is always an honor for the Church to be represented at the inauguration of a new president,” said President Monson. “We send our best wishes to President-elect Obama and pray for the blessings of a loving Father in Heaven to be upon him and his administration.”

Since a majority of Californians passed Proposition 8, Latter-day Saints (Mormons), who make up 2% of the California’s population, have been attacked by some who are upset with the outcome.  I have Latter-day Saint family and friends in California. All can share a story of the intimidation they have experienced as a result of their support for Proposition 8.

When the attacks first occurred, Latter-day Saints were stunned as some saw their employment threatened and their places of worship vandalized. Many Latter-day Saints wondered, “where is the outrage? Will no one defend us?”

The rhetoric of anti-religious bigotry surprised many on both sides of the issue.

Some community and religious leaders are now responding.

This week, The Becket Fund, a non-profit interfaith organization that defends religious liberties, posted an ad, signed by community leaders, in the New York Times to defend the right of religious people to speak out on issues with out the fear of retribution.

See ad: click here.

Learn more at the Becket Fund website: click here.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day…

I have blogged about California’s Prop 8 and have appreciated the comments made. It is a deeply emotional issue to many. I respect and find interest in the views and experiences of others.

The following is what my church has published in response to the outcome of the California debate:

SALT LAKE CITY 5 November 2008 COMMENTARY
Since Proposition 8 was placed on the ballot in June of this year, the citizens of California have considered the arguments for and against same-sex marriage. After extensive debate between those of different persuasions, voters have chosen to amend the California State Constitution to state that marriage should be between a man and a woman.

Such an emotionally charged issue concerning the most personal and cherished aspects of life — family, identity, intimacy and equality —…

Catholic Conference Condemns No on Prop 8 Ad

It appears California’s emotionally debated Proposition 8 has passed to amend the California State Constitution to state that marriage should be between a man and a woman. Florida and Arizona likewise amended their constitutions.

In the eleventh hour of the debates the “No on 8″ campaign targeted the activity of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) in support of Proposition 8. They scheduled an ad to run on CNN and MSNBC that vilified the Church.

The commercial depicts two Mormon missionaries invading the home of a same-sex couple and saying “we are here to take away your rights.” They take their wedding rings, ransack the house looking for their marriage license, find it, and then tear it up. They say, “that was too easy, yeah, what should we ban next?” Then the ad says:” Fact: Members of the Mormon Church have given…

The pulpit and politics in my church – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – rarely come together. Ranking religious institutions and political involvement on a scale of one to ten, with ten being the most politically active, my church is likely to be rated a 2 or 3 on the scale.

My church affirms it’s political neutrality. However, it maintains the right to speak out on social and moral issues that affect the Church and families. And occasionally the Church encourages action.

Most recently, our church leaders are encouraging members to vote YES on Proposition 8 in California to provide a legal definition of marriage being between a man and a woman. LDS.org, the Church’s website, offers various links to discussions and information on this issue.

One point made in the discussions is the idea of the “Tyranny of Tolerance” – when tolerance is redefined to mean acceptance rather than love.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Latter-day Saint church leader, clarifies and reminds us what “tolerance” means:

“Tolerance obviously requires a non-contentious manner…

Last weekend, my church hosted Gladys Knight and the Saint’s Unified Voices Choir.

Yes, that’s right, Gladys Knight, from Gladys Knight and the Pips. Only this time she wasn’t singing with the Pips and she wasn’t singing “Midnight Train to Georgia”.  Instead, she was performing with a 100 person multi-cultural choir made up of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) who live in the Las Vegas, Nevada area.

We had 6000 tickets, free and by invitation only, for four performances that could better be described as praise worship events. Someone called it a “Mormon revival”.

The packed events were much more spirited and lively than anything our church typically does. The musical heritage of our faith finds its roots in those of its early converts, many of whom were white and from the eastern United States and Europe. They brought with them a ural heritage of many faiths, but the influences of African American ure have been slow to take root.

That is…

I just got back from vacation and found Tim Townsend’s article about Chatfields Boutique in Des Peres, Missouri – click here – specializing in bridal and formal gowns that are modest.

What a concept!

This is an idea that has caught hold in Utah, where Latter-day Saint clothing entrepreneurs have, in recent years, been helping young teens and adults dress up without dressing down, way down to cleavage baring styles reminiscent of Hollywood’s Night at the Oscars.

Learn of one such clothing entrepreneur in the Meridian Magazine article: Keith Hall takes on Fashion Industry with Beautifully Modest Clothing.

For years Latter-day Saints and people of many faiths have been imploring clothing manufacturers to provide clothing with more cloth. But the response was always the same: modesty does not sell. 

When I went shopping in St. Louis a couple years ago to buy my daughter a prom dress there were none that didn’t show a whole lot of shoulder and revealing necklines. We had to…

I have enjoyed reading the comments that have been made to my last post — Latter-day Saints examine racial history. I especially enjoyed the expressions of faith in the grace of God.

To clarify, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is built on the foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We believe in a restored, not reformed gospel. We believe in living prophets and apostles and our doctrines are derived from an open cannon of continuing revelation from God. Our roots are in Christian teachings, but our doctrine is distinct relative to other Christian traditions because of our open cannon. If there are errors in our practice, those errors are of man.

Our open cannon makes us open for correction or clarifying revelations. It makes our church vibrant and responsive to challenges in our times. We often refer to the church as a “living church”.

We rejoiced in the clarifying revelation in 1978 that extended the…

Tim Townsend’s article on Monday touched on a topic close to my heart, that is: the experience of black members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To read his story, Black Mormons straddle two worlds on 30th anniversary – click here.

I have to admit, Tim’s story, while balanced and refreshing, was also hard to read. Especially hard for me to read was a comment made by my friend, Latter-day Saint (Mormon) convert, Nekisha Rhodes who says she is “comfortable being uncomfortable” as she struggles to learn more about the heritage of her new-found faith, a heritage that includes a church policy, lifted 30 years ago, prohibiting black male members from the priesthood.

Nekisha sounds much like many African American Latter-day Saints when they candidly express their faith and experience in the church. Catherine Stokes, Latter-day Saint and former assistant director, Office of Health Care Regulation,…

David Archuleta sings for his hometown crowd. Photo from the newsrooom of lds.org

Tonight’s the night “the two Davids” compete to be crowned the next American Idol.

One, I recently learned, David Archuleta, is a Latter-day Saint (Mormon). I don’t watch T.V. much and I am not up on popular ure, but I hear Mormons are now populating the reality television shows and drawing interest. I learned this from Newsweek.

My first reaction was: “where have I been?” I am missing all the excitement. There are members of my faith who are losing weight (the Biggest Loser), surviving (Survivor) and dancing (Dancing with the Stars and So You Think you can Dance). Who knew?

My second reaction was: “why all the fuss?” Why aren’t the faiths of others mentioned?

I guess it is because people still hold on to the notion that Mormons are not likely to be found doing normal things. If you call eating…

A unique opportunity to learn a bit about the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is coming to a movie theater near you. Emma Smith: My Story  tells the story of Emma Smith who was wife to Joseph Smith, founder and prophet of the church.

Photo credit: Candlelight Media Group

The movie starts tonight and shows through May 21st at : Regal St. Louis Mills, 5555 St. Louis Blvd., Hazelwood, MO 63042. Showing at 12 pm, 2,00 4:00, 7:25 & 9:25 pm.

The movie is likely to have highlights of the church history in Missouri.

If you see the film, I would be grateful if you would share your thoughts by commenting to this post.

For more information, please see the website: click emmasmithmovie.com

Learn how the church has partnered with the effort: click here