What are Good Apologetics?
Posted on August 26th, 2008 by Clark Goble
Over at Mormon Matters there’s a discussion of apologetics. While some of the notables from FAIR came in to explain what they see as good apologetics I figured it would be a great time to list what I see as good apologetics.
Read more
» Filed Under General | 15 Comments
From ‘Basic Instinct’ to finding God
Posted on August 26th, 2008 by Geoff B.
Last time I heard from Joe Eszterhas, he was warning people not to smoke because he had just gotten throat cancer. That in itself was quite a revelation because Eszterhas was the ultimate party boy during the 1980s and 1990s, writing “Basic Instinct” and “Jagged Edge,” two of the raunchiest movies of that generation, and living the Hollywood high life.
Well, it turns out that Eszterhas has found God, and I think it’s wonderful.
» Filed Under General | 2 Comments
Help needed on Prop. 8 in California
Posted on August 26th, 2008 by Geoff B.
Please see the attached article and volunteer to help.
» Filed Under General | Comments Off
Guest Post: And Re-Introducing: The Flawed Doctrine of Universalism
Posted on August 23rd, 2008 by Millennial Star Administrator
The Millennial Star is pleased to present the following guest post from Chris Heimerdinger. Chris is the author of the well know “Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites” adventure series of books. He’s written a total of sixteen adult and young adult novels and has released a film, Passage to Zarahemla in October 2007.
Chris has five children and presently lives in Draper, UT.
I felt I like blogging on on a subject of a more doctrinal/philosophical nature. Maybe I’m overemphasizing the resurgence of this problem, but since some guy brought it up in Sunday School last week, and since I read where someone tried to push this doctrine on an AML blog, and since some might misconstrue that this doctrine is also supported by a new book by Alonzo Gaskill called, Odds Are You’re Going to Be Exhalted, I felt it was worth bringing up.
“Universalism” is the doctrine that eventually, whether it may take billions of years, ALL of our Heavenly Father’s children will be exalted in the Celestial Kingdom. The idea is that even though many on earth will inherit the telestial kingdom, or the lowest of the three degrees of glory, over time they will have the opportunity to progress to higher kingdoms. Usually this doctrine is couched with the emotional philosophy that a loving Heavenly Father could NEVER introduce a plan of salvation wherein only a portion of His children would receive exaltation and be permanently reunited into His presence.
» Filed Under Administrative, Guest Post, Sunday School | 78 Comments
Nah-nah-nah, hey-hey-hey, Good Bayh?
Posted on August 22nd, 2008 by Brian Duffin
The Drudge Report reports a printing company in Kansas City that specializes in campaign literature is printing Obama/Bayh material. The site also displays the graphic of an Obama/Bayh bumper sticker.
Feel free to discuss the possibility of an Obama/Bayh ticket.
» Filed Under General | 52 Comments
Mormon-Facebook Rumor Hits Mashable
Posted on August 22nd, 2008 by Bryce Haymond
Look at what just showed up last night on the 10th most popular blog on the internet, Mashable.com.
Why the Mormon-Facebook Rumor Made Sense
So it’s kinda funny that this rumor keeps getting rehashed, despite being officially debunked by the Church. But I guess it makes a good story, right? I’m surprised he didn’t say anything about Mitt Romney. Was that deliberate? Saying that the Church was a for-profit organization kinda misses the mark too (he mentioned nothing about the Church itself being a 501c3 non-profit organization). Seems like many are trying to focus the media’s attention on the wealth of the Church these days. Why?
How do you think Mark ‘Rizzn’ Hopkins did in his portrayal of the Church?
Discuss.
» Filed Under General | 17 Comments
Attention Obama supporters: your candidate is losing
Posted on August 20th, 2008 by Geoff B.
Ok, now that I have your attention, please look at this map. The map is put out by Real Clear Politics and it shows McCain winning the electoral college vote by 274-264. The map is based on averaging the latest polls nationwide and is a snapshot of where the electoral college stands today.
Shocked?
» Filed Under General | 94 Comments
Should “I Know” the Church is True?
Posted on August 20th, 2008 by Bryce Haymond
I just listened to the podcast of the Mormon Miscellaneous radio show by Van Hale from August 17th talking about Mormon apologetics and with guest Mike Ash about his new book Shaken Faith Syndrome. This post isn’t a critique of Hale’s show or of Ash’s book, but it is about one tenet expressed during this particular program that is false.
I consider myself an apologist in the Church, meaning that I have covenanted to sustain and defend it from error. I always bear my testimony that “I know” the Church is true, and that “I know” the Book of Mormon is true, and that “I know” Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and that “I know” that President Monson is a prophet of God, and that “I know” that Jesus Christ is our only Savior and Redeemer. The reason why is that I have received an unmistakable witness from God, through His Spirit, that it is so. Come rain or come shine, I will always hold on to this sure witness. Should it be any different? Read more
» Filed Under General | 117 Comments
Mormon Olympians Are Mostly Women
Posted on August 19th, 2008 by John Mansfield
The Mormon Times web site has information on 18 athletes competing in the current Olympic games who are Latter-day Saints. It is interesting that of the 18, 13 are women (72%). Three of those LDS women are competing in events where women did not compete in the past. There’s a weightlifter, a pole vaulter, and a steeplechase runner; women Olympians first competed in the first two events in the 2000 Sydney games, and women’s steeplechase debuted in Beijing.
» Filed Under General | 12 Comments
Chelsie Hightower’s Experience on SYTYCD
Posted on August 17th, 2008 by Bryce Haymond
For those who may not know Chelsie Hightower, she was recently a semifinalist on the popular television dance series “So You Think You Can Dance.” She made it to be one of the top three girls on the nationally syndicated show, which is quite an achievement. She also happens to be a member of my ward. In fact, in the first episode of her audition they featured a clip filmed in her home and the recreational areas of the same residential complex in which I live. She also is an excellent ballroom dancer, a talent and sport which I have been involved with and have personally competed in for many years.
Chelsie was asked to give a talk in our sacrament meeting today. Having shortly returned from filming the show live in Los Angeles, I can only surmise that they asked her to speak on her experiences dancing on the show. The stake president was invited to the meeting and was on the stand presiding. I’d like to share some of the things that she related which I thought were very thoughtful and honest.
» Filed Under In real life, Sacrament meeting | 19 Comments
