From: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com (aml-list-digest) To: aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: aml-list-digest V1 #539 Reply-To: aml-list Sender: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk aml-list-digest Friday, December 7 2001 Volume 01 : Number 539 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2001 23:22:52 -0800 From: harlowclark@juno.com Subject: Re: [AML] Point of View Point of View came up in May of last year, after a comment I posted about my unwritten novel _Purple Twinkies_. I didn't get involved in that discussion, but now that POV has come up again, I'll say that in this whole discussion I haven't seen Point of View considered as a matter of control. _Purple Twinkies_ ("I bet if our moms found out about this they'd sh_t purple Twinkies.") is about two teenagers who live on the streets of Spokane together, get pregnant, get married. Husband joins the military to bring some kind of stability to his life and get professional training. Wife has two more children before she's 20--in a hurry because she's afraid she may have health problems later that will preclude having children. Her testimony and spiritual desires overcome her alienation from the Church and she goes through the temple. Husband is something between a pagan and an atheist and doesn't oppose her going through the temple, but doesn't particularly support or love her. One of his military buddies is an inactive LDS who comes to live with them. Through the wife's influence and testimony he becomes active in the Church again and seeks the Melchizedek priesthood. Through all this the wife has become increasingly alienated from her husband, has been separating herself emotionally from him, and finally thinks of their marriage as over. Then she hops in bed with his army buddy. The two eventually understand what they've done, and at first try to repent on their own, but finally go to their bishops. She's excommunicated, he's not. Eventually they marry. It's unwritten partly because I've been trying to define the story's narrative voice, and partly because of language. It would have the fiercest language this side of That Championship Season (or, Glengarry Glenn Ross, from what Eric Samuelsen has said about David Mamet). There's a lot of abuse in the story. Not much physical abuse, but a lot of sexual exploitation, a lot of head games and emotional battering, and both husband and wife engaging in fierce verbal assaults on each other. That phrase, "engaging in fierce verbal assaults on each other," suggests the complexity of the situation. We think of _engaged_ as a love term, and _engaging_ is a synonym for _charming_, and while I hope the story would be engaging, the language wouldn't be. I have considered different ways of approaching the story, for example, telling it from a parent's pov and not quoting the exchanges, but that only tells us what it's like from the outside. Shortly before reading Thom's piece I recalled the narrator's comment in Thomas Berger's _Little Big Man_ about how he is bowdlerizing the old old man's words, then lets off with a string of profanity, and says, something to the effect of, "That was nothing compared to what he really said." (Can't quote it, loaned my copy years ago before I had read anymore than that forward.) It occurred to me, why not tell the story from the wife's pov, then I started thinking about opening lines: >>>>> I'm not going to tell you what we said to each other all those hours on the phone. You already know the words anyway, and if I tell you we were yelling and talking about physically impossible things you'll know exactly what we said, and you've probably said them yourself, and if you haven't, get down on your knees and thank the Lord. So if you want to hear dirty words stop reading right now, and go listen to "Me So Horny." <<<<< That defines a rhetorical stance, separates the adult who is writing a story her children will probably read someday from the child she was, and allows the story to be told in frank detail without being overwhelmed by the ugliness of the life she was living. Now I just have to decide if I really want to enter into that world enough to write the story. After I posted this synopsis, Eric Eliason wrote, Wed, 31 May 2000: > Harlow, > > I read your synopsis of Purple Twinkies and think it is brilliant. I > hope you write it. I think the perfect irony would be for both > characters to emerge from there sordid past fully spiritually > converted and mainstream LDS from this and be faced with the > question of "So how did you meet?" from cheerful innocent > Mormons in their ward. > > Cheers, > > Eric Eliason Very nice idea. Would make a great tag line. All through the novel there would be references both to doing your home teaching and to allowing yourself to be home taught, so at the end of this narrative the (new) home teachers finally show up, and their first question is, "So, how did you two meet?" On Thu, 1 Jun 2000 15:08:52 Valerie Holladay picked up on my comment about trying to find a POV to tell the story from. > With the various personalities and viewpoints > involved, I'd love to see each person tell it the way > he/she sees it. Is that an option, Harlow? I've > enjoyed quite a few books where the author allows each > character to tell what happened from his/her POV. I > like first person but third person works well also. > Though for your story, I think first person would be a > better vehicle for the intensity of the issues. > > I think it would be fascinating to hear the wife, the > ex-, the new husband, the parents, everyone seeing (or > choosing to see) things a certain way, painfully > honest or stubbornly self-deceptive, trying to earn > the readers' sympathy and convince them to see their > side of the story. This is the underlying ethical issue of the story. Who has the right to speak, and what do they have the right to say? There's a lot of verbal violence in the story, both reflecting and shaping the obscenity these two teenagers live in. I don't particularly want to use that kind of language in the story--partly because I want people within my culture to be able to read it. If I limit the story to one POV, the young wife, I can create a character who knows obscene language and has uttered lots of it, but has decided not to allow it into her story. In other words, she's using her position as narrator to control how the story is being told, and part of the story being told is that she's a controlling person who manipulates people around her. She can get away with not using the profanity because she has an engaging voice. By letting her control the narrative I'm being true to the kind of person she is. If I split the narrative and let the ex-husband speak from his POV, honesty requires that I let him use the kind of language he would use, or find a reason why he can't use that language. Now here a technique from the _Road_ movies might work, where Bob Hope and Bing Crosby occasionally turn to the camera and crack jokes about each other to the audience. I could have the ex-husband argue with the Editor about why he (she?) keeps erasing his profanities, or substituting the word _blue_. We have the convention in novels that the first person narrator isn't necessarily writing the story, simply telling it. In this case the narrator is writing and understands that between him and his audience sits an editor. So, to go back to what I was saying in the first paragraph, POV is not simply a matter of having a consistent voice and following rules for making sure the audience doesn't get lost, it's a tool for telling stories. Authors choose a POV because it allows them to tell the story in a particular way. It may be difficult to change POV effectively, but if the story requires it why think of it as a violation, or an exception to the rules? Harlow S. Clark ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/. - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 02:00:34 -0500 From: "Debra Brown" Subject: [AML] Fw: MN Readers Respond with Nominations for Mormon Of The Year: Kent Larsen 5Dec01 US NY NYC P2 Readers Respond with Nominations for Mormon Of The Year NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- Mormon News' readers have responded with three additional nominations for Mormon of the Year as we prepare for a vote starting December 15th. In addition to the 10 nominations provided in the announcement, Mormon News' readers have nominated: Cary Stayner, Jon M. Huntsman Sr. and Darius Gray. Mormon News is launching the Mormon of the Year vote to determine who our readers believe, other than LDS Church president Gordon B. Hinckley, has been the most influential Mormon in the past year. As previously announced, nominations may be for any Mormon who has been in the news during the past year, and who was alive at some point during the year. President Hinckley is excluded because it is likely that he, or whoever he LDS Church's president is, would be selected by readers each year, making the process of selecting a "Mormon of the Year" pointless. Instead, we are determining who, other than the prophet, has had the most influence. Until December 15th, Mormon News will be accepting nominations for the award. To nominate someone, please send the nomination to: MOTY-nominations@MormonsToday.com In your message, please include the person's name, a link to a news article about his or her accomplishments during the year, and a sentence or two describing why you think this person should be considered. Mormon News' website should help you find an appropriate article, but links to other websites are also acceptable. We will keep an updated list of those nominated on the MormonsToday website at the URL: http://www.mormonstoday.com/subjects/MormonOfTheYear.shtml . On December 15th we will close nominations and open voting at that same web page. Voting will consist of ranking nominated people in a 'top ten' list. Each place on the list will be given a number of points, and the person with the most overall points will win. Note: One subscriber suggested that other women should be nominated. If you know of someone appropriate, please let us know. The following list includes all nominees to date: Gary Crowton (Nominated by Kent Larsen) As the replacement for famed BYU Coach LaVell Edwards, who retired last year, Crowton only had to do as well or a little better than Edwards had last year to be accepted as adequate. Instead Crowton has led the Cougars to their first undefeated (so far) season since their National Championship in 1984. See: Crowton Will Be Named BYU Coach Today Mormon News 7Dec00 S2 http://www.mormonstoday.com/001208/S2GCrowton02.shtml Eugene England (Nominated by Kent Larsen) Known for his untiring attempts to bridge the gap between liberal and conservative LDS Church members, W. Eugene England died August 17th of brain cancer. His example made a lasting impression for Church members of how to live in a community with conflicting views. See: Remembering England Mormon News 25Aug01 A2 http://www.mormonstoday.com/010824/A2EEngland02.shtml Darius Gray (Nominated by Allen Johnson) Along with Marie Taylor, Darius Gray was instrumental in getting the Freedman's Bank Records on CD. Darius also published the first of three books "One More River To Cross" during the year and is President of the LDS Church's Genesis Group. As a result there is much activity among the African American community and the Church as been perceived in a very positive light. "I believe that thousands of names have been added to the Church's ancestral files as a result and these souls will now have an opportunity to have their work done for them," says subscriber Allen Johnson. Mormon News 7Nov01 P2 http://www.mormonstoday.com/011102/N4Genesis01.shtml Tom Green (Nominated by Kent Larsen) While not now an LDS Church member, Tom Green has been in the news this past year as much as any other Mormon. The Utah polygamist, once an LDS Church member, appeared in newspapers worldwide during his trial on bigamy charges. Although Green wouldn't see it this way, he gave the LDS Church more opportunity to disavow itself of polygamy than it would otherwise have had. See: Polygamist Green Given Five Years, $78,000 Judgement Mormon News 27Aug01 N5 http://www.mormonstoday.com/010831/N5TGreen01.shtml Orrin Hatch (Nominated by Kent Larsen) Hatch continues to have a major impact on U.S. policies, including his groundbreaking decision to support the use of federal funds for stem-cell research. With Hatch leading the way, all five Mormon senators eventually supported stem-cell research, and the views of many conservatives were moderated on this issue because of his decision. See: Hatch Favors Stem Cell Funding, Draws Pro-Life Ire Mormon News 6Jul01 T2 http://www.mormonstoday.com/010706/T2OHatch01.shtml Paula Houston (Nominated by Kent Larsen) Lawyer Houston was named Utah's Porn Czar to handle citizen complaints about pornography and help Utah's local governments draft laws that meet constitutional muster. The unique nature of her new job led to national attention. LDS Church Member, Utah's 'Porn Czarina,' Gets National Attention Mormon News 9Mar01 T2 http://www.mormonstoday.com/010309/T2PHouston01.shtml Jon M. Huntsman Sr. (Nominated by Lyle Leavitt) While most wealthy men tend to loss their faith, Huntsman continues to demonstrate an unyielding ability to exercise his religion in his business, community and personal affairs. This is a very powerful example to member and non-member alike. "There are a million bad things he could be doing with that influence but I haven't heard of one." says Mormon News subscriber, and nominator Lyle Leavitt. Mormon News 21Sep01 P2 http://www.mormonstoday.com/010921/D4AllianceUnity01.shtml Elbert Peck (Nominated by Kent Larsen) For fifteen years Elbert Peck led Sunstone magazine, despite criticism from conservatives and continuing struggles to keep the magazine growing. In spite of the criticism, Peck has maintained his belief that Sunstone provides a needed and enduring role in the Mormon community. See: Long-time Sunstone Publisher Elbert Peck Resigns Mormon News 14Jun01 N4 http://www.mormonstoday.com/010615/N4EPeck01.shtml Naomi Randall (Nominated by Kent Larsen) A longtime leader of the LDS Church's Primary organization, Randall was best known for authoring the favorite LDS hymn, "I am a Child of God," in 1957. Randall died May 17th at age 92. See: 'I am a Child of God' Author Naomi Randall Dies Mormon News 21May01 P2 http://www.mormonstoday.com/010525/P2NRandall01.shtml Mitt Romney (Nominated by Kent Larsen) When Romney took over the Salt Lake Organizing Committee in January, 1999, he became one of the most visible Mormons in the world, known for rescuing the 2002 Winter Olympics from a bribery scandal that could have put it in the red. And since the 2002 Games he is preparing for is in the Mormon heartland, he has also become visible to many Mormons. See: Deseret News Profiles Mitt Romney Mormon News 7Jul00 S2 http://www.mormonstoday.com/000709/N2Romney01.shtml William Sadleir (Nominated by Kent Larsen) Sadleir pulled off one of the biggest Mormon commemorative events in history, focusing the attention of news media on two continents as well as hundreds of thousands of Mormons on a small group of ships commemorating the immigration of more than 80,000 Mormon pioneers from Europe to America. SeaTrek2001 was simply the biggest Mormon event since the 1997 Mormon Trek re-enactment. See: SeaTrek Sails; Commemoration Gets International Attention Mormon News 8Aug01 N6 http://www.mormonstoday.com/010810/N6SeaTrek01.shtml Cary Stayner (Nominated by D. Jack Haycock) Stayner murdered three people in Yosemite park and then plead guilty to a federal homicide charge, getting life imprisonment. He is now awaiting trial for the Sunn-Peloso murders and expected to get the death penalty. His widely-publicised trial brought disgrace to the church and his family. Mormon News 7Aug99 P2 http://www.mormonstoday.com/990801/L8Stayner01.shtml Mark Wattles (Nominated by Kent Larsen) CEO of Hollywood Entertainment has managed to turn around his company and raise its stock price during the year from under $1 a share to a high of $12 a share. See: Hollywood Entertainment Fighting Investor Fears Mormon News 19Sep01 B4 http://www.mormonstoday.com/010921/B4HollywoodEnt01.shtml >From Mormon-News: Mormon News and Events Forwarding is permitted as long as this footer is included Mormon News items may not be posted to the World Wide Web sites without permission. Please link to our pages instead. For more information see http://www.MormonsToday.com/ - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 02:03:01 -0500 From: "Debra Brown" Subject: [AML] Fw: MN Bigfoot and Mormons?: Shane Lester Press Release 3Dec01 A2 Bigfoot and Mormons? New Theory About the Origins of Bigfoot linked to early history of Mormonism. EVANSTON, WYOMING -- Clan of Cain: The Genesis of Bigfoot is a newly published book that offers a different dimension to the Bigfoot mystery. A recently uncovered document reveals a possible connection between the origins of the Mormon Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) and Bigfoot. Searching through the archives of historical church documents the author; Shane Lester uncovered an extraordinary story that becomes the foundation of a new theory about the origins of Bigfoot. "I uncovered an obscure historical document that sheds new light on the Bigfoot mystery. I used this encounter as the basis for a fictional story that links the mystical, legend of Bigfoot to the origins of Mormonism." says author, Shane Lester. Deep in the woods of Tennessee in 1835, an unparalleled encounter occurs. David Patten, an early Mormon Church leader, unwittingly opens a new facet of the future mystery of Sasquatch. His story will lend new credence to the existence of Bigfoot. "What does Clan of Cain mean? David Patten described an encounter with a person that represented himself as Cain, the brother of Abel found in the Holy Bible. My first chapter is a representation of the actual dialogue that was reportedly exchanged during this encounter. The book asserts the theory that Cain is in reality the legendary Sasquatch. The rest of the book is a fictional extrapolation based upon the validity of that account," explains Lester. >From the legendary tale the story then propels the reader to the last remnants of undiscovered wilderness of the Pacific Northwest where a young man takes a journey of a lifetime. Spencer James joins a group of scientists in their quest to find the legendary Bigfoot in the Pacific Northwest. Egos, deception, and conflicting agendas are brought into a singular effort by a millionaire consumed with revenge and hate. Spencer becomes the moral compass, standing alone in a forest of scientific amorality. Despite their technology the truth becomes more allusive, challenging their intent and ethics, questioning the morality of their methods and the very reason for the hunt. Recent creditable sightings, such as the one by Psychologist Dr. Matthew Johnson on July 1 2000, have reinvigorated the interest in Sasquatch. ( http://www.sasquatchsite.com/ ). The Skookum Cast discovered in September 22 2000 ( http://www.bfro.net/NEWS/BODYCAST/index.html ) mentioned in the book is also an important find as we continuethe search for Bigfoot in the new millennium. A man, a myth and the obsession to know the truth will reveal a story that will forever change the way you think about Bigfoot. To read the first chapter log on to http://www.clanofcain.com . Source: Bigfoot and Mormons? Shane Lester Press Release 3Dec01 A2 New Theory About the Origins of Bigfoot linked to early history of Mormonism. >From Mormon-News: Mormon News and Events Forwarding is permitted as long as this footer is included Mormon News items may not be posted to the World Wide Web sites without permission. Please link to our pages instead. For more information see http://www.MormonsToday.com/ - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 06 Dec 2001 08:32:14 -0700 From: "D. Michael Martindale" Subject: Re: [AML] Harry Potter Books katie@aros.net wrote: > > I will back up D. Michael on his opinion of the first > few chapters. I agree that the first book starts slowly, and would argue that > the first chapter is almost completely unnecessary. After we read the first > chapter together, my husband and I wondered what all the fuss over these books > was about, because we sure weren't as "hooked" as we'd expected to be. > Anyway, sometimes ya gotta read past the first few chapters to get to the good > stuff. I believe there is no good excuse for starting a book out this way. Why any author would think the reader should be willing to slog through a lackluster beginning is beyond me. If it doesn't grab in the first few pages--one way or another--I don't think the most exquisite writing on earth in the following pages can justify a poor opening. - -- D. Michael Martindale dmichael@wwno.com ================================== Check out Worldsmiths, the new online LDS writers group, at http://www.wwno.com/worldsmiths Sponsored by Worlds Without Number http://www.wwno.com ================================== - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 06 Dec 2001 08:35:31 -0700 From: "D. Michael Martindale" Subject: Re: [AML] Harry Potter Books Major Productions wrote: > If it's great, it's great, without adding that YA qualifier. And if it's > not, it's not. > > And whether or not it is, the fact that Harry Potter speaks to so many > people of all ages is a truly remarkable thing. Whatever I may say about my personal reaction to the book or film, I still consider the Harry Potter series to be great. Anything that can get so many millions of young people to read in this day and age--especially those who never cared for reading before (I know one such kid personally)--and is a cut above the usual spook fare, deserves the appelation "great," no matter how many writing errors I personally think Rowling may have committed. - -- D. Michael Martindale dmichael@wwno.com ================================== Check out Worldsmiths, the new online LDS writers group, at http://www.wwno.com/worldsmiths Sponsored by Worlds Without Number http://www.wwno.com ================================== - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 06 Dec 2001 08:49:05 -0700 From: Barbara Hume Subject: Re: [AML] Beards At 07:51 PM 12/4/01, you wrote: >But, how would I make it interesting enough to read? Looks like you already know how! Tell a lot of stories to illustrate your points! Barbara R. Hume Provo, Utah - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 08:42:11 -0800 From: "Jerry Tyner" Subject: RE: [AML] re: Beards Larry, If you wrote a book with these elements I would find it fascinating. I have never been a bishop (and heaven forbid they ever ask me to be - I've seen the bosses job and I don't want it). But I am a Stake Scouting Leader and find motivating people to do all the parts of their calling in scouting very hard and frustrating. Any book on how a bishop motivated a ward would do everyone good. Jerry Tyner - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 06 Dec 2001 10:19:25 -0700 From: BJ Rowley Subject: Re: [AML] Beards lajackson@juno.com wrote: >Some day I'm going to write a book . . . to include >the story of the stake president who called a new bishop, >telling him that the beard had to go. . . . > >And . . . about the bishop who also happened >to be a senior officer at the nearby Air Force Base. . . . > > >But, how would I make it interesting enough to read? > Simple. Turn it into an action-packed murder mystery, a la "Brigham City," but with a little more than just a mustache mention. - -BJ Rowley Orem, Utah - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 06 Dec 2001 14:42:41 -0500 From: Tony Markham Subject: Re: [AML] Book of Mormon as African Gideon, I looked up the book and was most intrigued. Did anyone on the list respond? Are you at liberty to share any of Melekin's email? Gideon Burton wrote: > I received an interesting email from Embaye Melekin, who has authored a > book called Manifestations Mysteries Revealed in which "proves that the > Book of Mormon is an African book and the exclusive property of the > black race" Details are on a page at Amazon. BYU doesn't have this > book. Has anyone seen or read it? > > http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/books/0968156916/re > views/103-8399387-4739855 > > Gideon Burton > > -- > AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature > - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 21:46:52 -0500 From: "Debra Brown" Subject: [AML] Fw: MN New Products: Trio of Historial Novels, Romney's Latest Primary CD: Kent Larsen 5Dec01 US NY NYC A4 Trio of Historial Novels, Romney's Latest Primary CD NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- New on publisher's lists this fall are three historical novels, two of which launch new series. In addition, Clive Romney has released his latest CD of songs to fit the 2002 Primary theme. Dean Hughes' new series, "Hearts of the Children" really covers recent territory. It follows the children of the family in his previous series, "Children of the Promise" as they move through the turbulent 1960s. In contrast, N.C. Allen explores well-traveled territory with a new series of novels set during the U.S. Civil War -- but with an LDS connection. And for fans of popular author Lee Nelson, a new collector's edition of the first five volumes in his popular Storm Testament series is now available. New and recent products: The Writing on the Wall (Hearts of the Children, Volume 1) by Dean Hughes Bookcraft Book; LDS Publisher; Fiction; Mormon Author and Subject $22.95 Dean Hughes' new series of books looks at the grandchildren of Al and Bea Thomas, the babies born at the end of his "Children of the Promise" series. These characters experience the turbulent world of the 1960s. The Storm Testament Vol. 1-5 Leather-bound Collector's Edition by Lee Nelson Cedar Fort Book; LDS Publisher; Fiction; Mormon Author and Subject $49.95 A leather-bound collector's edition of Nelson's popular Storm Testament series. The first 500 copies are signed and numbered and available for $79.95. The series follows Mormon pioneer Dan Storm from the persecutions of Mormons in Missouri to life in the Rocky Mountains. Faith of Our Fathers, Vol. 1: A House Divided by N. C. Allen Covenant Communications Book; LDS Publisher; Fiction; Mormon Author and Subject $22.95 The first novel in a historical series that looks at a family caught in the middle of the U.S. Civil War. The saga looks at brothers on both sides of the war and their families as the war irrevocably changes their lives. The Temple-I Am Going There Someday by Clive Romney Excel Entertainment Music CD; LDS Publisher; Mormon Performer and Subject $15.98 Romney's latest children's CD fits the theme of the 2002 Primary Sacrament program, and helps children prepare to one day be married in the Temple. Includes six original songs written by Romney. >From Mormon-News: Mormon News and Events Forwarding is permitted as long as this footer is included Mormon News items may not be posted to the World Wide Web sites without permission. Please link to our pages instead. For more information see http://www.MormonsToday.com/ - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 21:47:37 -0500 From: "Debra Brown" Subject: [AML] Fw: MN The Other Side of Heaven Theatrical Release December 14: Excel Entertainment Press Release 5Dec01 US UT SLC A2 The Other Side of Heaven Theatrical Release December 14 SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- Excel Entertainment Group proudly announces the theatrical release of "The Other Side of Heaven." From the Academy Award-winning producer of "Schindler's List" and "Jurassic Park," comes "The Other Side of Heaven" -- a movie that captures the essence of a beautiful time and a beautiful people in a true adventure story that explores the heart of what makes life worth living. See the movie based on the real-life experiences of Elder John H. Groberg as chronicled in his book, "In the Eye of the Storm." John Groberg (played by Christopher Gorham of "A Life Less Ordinary"), a farm kid from Idaho, crosses an ocean as a missionary to the remote and exotic Kingdom of Tonga during the 1950's. He leaves behind a loving family and the true love of his life, Jean Sabin (played by Anne Hathaway of "The Princess Diaries"). John must struggle to overcome language barriers, physical hardship and deep-rooted suspicion to earn the trust and love of the Tongan people he has come to serve. John Groberg's Tongan odyssey will change his life forever. Be one of the first to see the film that made Larry King say, "This movie is just what America needs. I loved it!" Michael Medved raves that "The Other Side of Heaven" is "skillfully crafted, heart-felt and all-together refreshing." Stop by http://www.othersideofheaven.com today to view the theatrical trailer and read the early reviews! The adventure comes to theaters in Utah on December 14. Coming soon to a theater near you. "The Other Side of Heaven" is rated PG by the MPAA. Source: A Major Motion Picture Event Excel Entertainment Press Release 5Dec01 US UT SLC A2 >From Mormon-News: Mormon News and Events Forwarding is permitted as long as this footer is included Mormon News items may not be posted to the World Wide Web sites without permission. Please link to our pages instead. For more information see http://www.MormonsToday.com/ - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 20:17:33 -0800 From: "Jeff Needle" Subject: [AML] Pete EARLEY, _Prophet of Death_ (Review) Review ====== Pete Earley, "Prophet of Death -- The Mormon Blood-Atonement Killings" 1991, William Morrow and Company Hardback, 448 pgs., price not known Reviewed by Jeffrey Needle Prior to writing this review, I spent some time going back in my memory, trying to remember when I had last been traumatized by a book. I've read my share of "scary" books -- from time to time, I enjoy a good horror tale. Sometimes I have to put the book down because I'm just plain frightened. Other times I put it down because it's just plain boring. But this book, "Prophet of Death," well, it's a whole other story. Earley's book documents the rise and fall of Jeffrey Lundgren. Lundgren, a layperson in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (now Community of Christ), found himself in strong opposition to the "liberalization" of his church. The decision to ordain women was the last straw for him. He, and a handful of his friends, formed a small group that separated from the RLDS community to pursue what they considered pure religion. So far, so good. But Lundgren, an unstable, egomaniacal extrovert, began to consider his own role as leader, elevating himself first to prophet, and finally to "God of the whole world." His followers were transfixed by his dynamic personality, ultimately abandoning their own wills to his. Lundgren turned deadly when he perceived one of the families in his group, the Avery's, as enemies. He hatched an elaborate plot to entice the family, one by one (parents and three children), into a barn where a special pit had been dug. There Jeffrey executed the entire family. Jeffrey's sexual habits are a strong theme in this book. His wife, Alice, was forced to endure the most humiliating and degrading practices I'd ever read. And it didn't end there. Jeffrey determined to take a second wife. He admitted to homosexual attraction to at least one of the men in his group. And at one point, he forced all the women to perform a strip-tease in front of him and his wife, in search of the one who would be his next wife. Crucial to Jeffrey's credibility was his command of the Scriptures. Early on he was taught the idea of chiasmus, that ordering of scriptural thoughts in a variably symmetrical pattern. He learned to use this technique to find the central thought in a section of Scripture. But he soon learned to twist and turn the Scriptures to his own advantage, "proving" the correctness of his murderous, licentious lifestyle. The extent to which his followers were willing to obey him was disconcerting. I had a particular interest in this book because Lundgren was finally apprehended just a few miles north of my home, in National City, California. I remember reading the news coverage. I did not, at the time, understand the depth of the sickness of this individual. Earley does a fair job of documenting the Lundgren story. From time to time he reveals his lack of acquaintance with Mormonism. His use of the term "testimonial meeting" for "testimony meeting," for example. And his statement that the Doctrine and Covenants contains "all" the revelations to the Prophet Joseph Smith adds to the impression that Earley isn't intimate with Mormonism. He does take great pains at the beginning of the book to point out the distinction between the Independence RLDS Church and the Utah LDS Church. But this distinction is blurred as the reader progresses through the book. I found myself wondering if readers will understand that Lundgren's concept of blood atonement, and his practice of polygamy, had no basis in RLDS history. It certainly didn't help matters by subtitling the book, "The Mormon Blood-Atonement Killings." It is unlikely that non-Mormon readers will make the distinction between Lundgren's roots and the Utah church. Several times I wanted to close the book and never open it again. The crime scenes are described in gory detail. Lundgren's megalomania sent chills through me. That such evil really does exist in this world is something I don't like to think about very often. In the end, of course, Lundgren is apprehended. Justice has had the last word. With this I should be satisfied. But I'm not. My great fear is that another Jeffrey Lundgren is out there, just waiting for the vulnerable and the weak to come to his side. "Prophet of Death" is a grim reminder of the evil that can so easily beset us. We need to be vigilant. - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 20:37:43 -0800 From: "althlevip" Subject: Re: [AML] Lavon CARROLL, _Love, Sin and Survival_ (Review) I am glad that Jana Remy read and enjoyed Lavon Carroll's novel. I have a copy of the book too, given to me by the author, who was my colleague in the English Department at Weber State University. The background of the novel is drawn from her own girlhood in Alpine, Utah, which is at the extreme north end of Utah County. I am quite certain that Ellen is modeled on Lavon herself, not from her ever having declared that as a fact but from the many details of her early life that she shared with me over many years of association. The modeling would be approximate and not exact, of course. Levi Peterson althlevip@msn.com AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 06 Dec 2001 23:53:40 -0600 From: "Kumiko" Subject: [AML] Re: AML "Best Film" Award I appreciate the comments that Terry L. Jeffress and Scott Parkin have made clarifying how the AML awards process has worked. If I keep my comments about the "AML Best Film Award" online I will modify the page extensively, perhaps omitting reference to AML, or perhaps removing the page. Fortunately (for those worried about misperceptions being propagated), my missives have only been seen by the AML email list. Preston Hunter www.adherents.com - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 06 Dec 2001 22:41:13 -0700 From: Thom Duncan Subject: [AML] Dahl (was: Harry Potter Movie) rwilliams wrote: > Steve writes: > > "J. K. Rowling is > >> what Roald Dahl could have been without his unquenchable inner core of >> bitterness and hatred." > > > I think you should explain yourself a bit here. How does someone as > delightful as Roald Dahl have an "unquenchable inner core of bitterness and > hatred"? Apparently you've never read his short story collection, _Royal Jelly_ (Or maybe that's just the name of one of the stories in the collection.) Creepy stuff. I first learned of Roald Dahl by seeing some of his stories on TV (I seem to recall that it was Twilight Zone). Thom - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2001 00:32:04 -0500 From: "Debra Brown" Subject: [AML] Fw: MN Film: Feature Films by LDS/Mormon Filmmakers and Actors: Mormon News Film Editor 5Dec01 A2 Feature Films by LDS/Mormon Filmmakers and Actors [Mormon News plans to make this a regular weekly feature, giving our readers an overview of Mormons in film and the films that they are in. Please let us know what you think!] DALLAS, TEXAS -- The big news in film this week was once again "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", in 1st place at the box office in its second week of release. The opening weekend for "Harry Potter" set a new box office record, breaking the old single-weekend box office record previously held by LDS producer Jerry Molen's "Lost World: The Jurassic Park." The relatively low-budget "Out Cold," with Canadian-born LDS actress A. J. Cook as female lead, opened in sixth place nationwide. Cook, who now lives in Utah, is actively seeking a more serious, dramatic role for her next film. Also notable in the Top 10 this weekend was Pixar's "Monsters, Inc" in 2nd place and Mark Andrus' "Life as a House" in 9th place nationwide. The big news in the next weekend report is "Behind Enemy Lines." Co-written by Mormon writer David Veloz, the early reports show that this war pic set in the former Yugoslavia opened in 2nd place, behind Harry Potter. In addition to Veloz as writer, it's worth noting that this film was inspired by the real-life experiences of Utah pilot Scott O'Grady, who was shot down in Bosnia. December 7th brings "Oceans Eleven," with no major LDS filmmakers or actors, but with two major Mormon characters (played by Scott Caan and Casey Affleck). And December 14th is, of course, when the long-awaited John H. Groberg/Mitch Davis/Jerry Molen film "The Other Side of Heaven" premieres. New on DVD this week: The acclaimed Criterion Collection version of Alfred Hitchcock's "Notorious" (1946). Starring with Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman is Mormon film star Moroni Olsen, playing Walter Beardsley. Along with "The Long, Long Trailer" (1954) and "Father of the Bride" (1950), Hitchcock's "Notorious" is one of Olsen's best remembered films. Also arriving in stores this week is a new video release of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," whose Magic Mirror was voiced by none other than Moroni Olsen. But LDS film fans remember "Snow White" best for its Academy Award-nominated musical score by Utah native Leigh Harline. The recipient of 2 Academy Awards (for "Pinocchio") and a total of 8 nominations, Harline is considered one of the greatest composers in Mormon history. Weekend Box Office Report (U.S. Domestic Box Office Gross) Weekend of November 23, 2001 [If table below doesn't line up properly, try looking at them with a mono-spaced font, such as courier - Ed.] Natl Film Title Weekend Gross Rank LDS/Mormon Filmmaker or Actor Total Gross Screens Days - ---- ------------------------------ ------- ----- ---- 6 Out Cold (NEW) $4,531,665 2,011 5 A. J. Cook (2nd billed star) 6,700,687 22 Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure 238,790 18 290 Scott Swofford (producer) 5,405,381 Reed Smoot (cinematographer) 28 Mulholland Drive 176,695 95 49 Joyce Eliason (producer/writer) 4,980,763 43 Joy Ride 60,847 122 52 Paul Walker (2nd billed star) 21,760,992 47 China: The Panda Adventure 39,991 21 122 Reed Smoot (cinematographer) 1,523,396 58 Galapagos 24,049 10 759 Reed Smoot (cinematographer) 11,882,077 68 Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man 16,271 9 570 Reed Smoot (cinematographer) 12,876,333 73 All Access 11,772 4 234 Reed Smoot (cinematographer) 947,789 78 Island of the Sharks 9,206 6 941 Alan Williams (composer) 10,514,823 >From Mormon-News: Mormon News and Events Forwarding is permitted as long as this footer is included Mormon News items may not be posted to the World Wide Web sites without permission. Please link to our pages instead. For more information see http://www.MormonsToday.com/ - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ End of aml-list-digest V1 #539 ******************************