From: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com (aml-list-digest) To: aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: aml-list-digest V1 #663 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 Tuesday, April 2 2002 Volume 01 : Number 663 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 14:14:15 -0500 From: "Debra Brown" Subject: [AML] Fw: MN Bio of Neal A. Maxwell A Disciple's Life: The Biography of Neal A. Maxwell SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- The dictionary defines disciple as "one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of Christ." It is an accurate description of the life and attitude of Elder Neal A. Maxwell, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bruce C. Hafen, member of the First Quorum of the Seventy for the Church, has undertaken the responsibility of writing the biography for Elder Maxwell. He has devoted countless hours in research and personal interviews to write the most in-depth, complete, and personal biography of Elder Maxwell. Elder Hafen is best known for his award-winning book The Broken Heart from his bestselling trilogy on the Atonement. At the heart of this new biography is Elder Hafen's observation that "Discipleship is the central message both of Elder Maxwell's teachings and of his life story." It is filled with the personal moments that are at the heart of the man: telling stories to his grandchildren, traveling with his family, his importance as an educator, quiet conversations with prophets of the Lord, and a faith born and refined in a foxhole during the battle of Okinawa. Elder Maxwell began his service as a general authority in 1974 and has been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve since 1981. He is also well known as an author and speaker. Elder Maxwell is the author of more than two dozen books, including One More Strain of Praise, "Not My Will, but Thine," That Ye May Believe, All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience, and The Promise of Discipleship. Source: A Disciple's Life: The Biography of Neal A. Maxwell Deseret Book Press Release 26Mar02 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: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 14:48:15 -0700 From: "Cathy Wilson" Subject: Re: [AML] Sharing Experiences I am generally reluctant to share the nitty gritty of my experiences. This is probably unhealthy and reactionary :). Still, I've had a collection of experiences that might seem nigh-unbelievable to "regular" Mormons. In retrospect, I don't really regret it because I have had an incomparable education in all sorts of off-the-wall things. I bet I've met just about every kind of Mormon-apostate there is; they all came to visit when I was previously married (not to visit ME, of course, but I met them). It sometimes seems it would be an incredible relief to tell some of my stories, but on the other hand, I have sometimes shared things and when they get back to me all twisted and amplified, I wonder what I could have been thinking to say a word! In the larger picture, what probably should happen is to write it all into fiction. I've actually started a novel in that direction but haven't done much on it in a long while. Margaret's _Salvador_ treats some of the issues, much better than I could ever contrive to write them, and then there are some more :). Cathy Cathy (Gileadi) Wilson Editing Etc. 1400 West 2060 North Helper UT 84526 - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 15:53:41 -0700 From: "Sharlee Glenn" Subject: Re: [AML] Sharing Experiences Todd Petersen wrote: > I don't feel like taking my burdens to my ward, really. And I think > it's because I don't see it happening all the time. I'm sure that > leaders hear things like that, but no one comes to me at church. I never > get to help, even though I'd like to. Really!? You *never* get to help? This statement amazes me. Maybe you need to join the Relief Society. :-) My family has countless (daily) opportunities to help other ward members. Just in the past couple of years we have pulled weeds, mowed lawns, re-roofed houses, taken in meals, provided babysitting, cleaned toilets, done laundry, lent listening ears and moral support, fixed cars, pitched in money, and even helped build an entire add-on apartment for a family suffering from serious health problems. And I don't think our ward is atypical in this respect. I actually think that this is one area where we are incredibly successful as a church. In every ward I have lived in, I have seen a whole-hearted willingness, an eagerness even, among members to help buoy up their brothers and sisters in the gospel. I feel very sad for Todd and Paris and any others who find themselves in less community-minded wards, but I really don't think this is the norm. Sharlee Glenn glennsj@inet-1.com - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 19:31:19 -0500 From: "Debra Brown" Subject: Re: [AML] Chad HAWKINS, _The First 100 Temples_ (Review) Jeff's review is right on the money. My husband and I read this book together every night, about three temples at a time, and loved it. It was worth every penny. The only other thing I would add is that there were a few things amiss with the editing. But otherwise, great. Some of the spiritual experiences that Hawkins told made me disgusted with people today who whine about how far the temples are from them. Debbie Brown - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeff Needle" - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 17:58:49 -0700 From: "Jacob Proffitt" Subject: RE: [AML] Sharing Experiences - ---Original Message From: Todd Petersen > Paris, I can't, for the longest time, remember hearing > something so important about what the church is failing to do. > > I don't feel like taking my burdens to my ward, really. And I > think it's because I don't see it happening all the time. I'm > sure that leaders hear things like that, but no one comes to > me at church. I never get to help, even though I'd like to. How can you expect to be allowed to help others if you don't allow others to help you? People forget that service is two-way and the most interesting thing I've noticed in the church is what you mention here. People are so much more willing to *serve* than they are to *be served*. It's all so much fear, though at least partially justified. It's as if we don't want to feel grateful to others. Or obligated. We fear looking weak or incapable in our stewardships. I think one reason for our reticence in asking for help is our lessons on personal responsibility that use an unfortunately poor word-choice. We title these lessons "Self-reliance" and that is the worst possible way to phrase it. Self-reliance, when you come right down to it, is an utterly impossible ideal to strive for and potentially damaging to boot. We *aren't* self-reliant and will *never* be. It's easiest to counter the false notion when you discuss spiritual self-reliance because spiritually we, all of us, absolutely need the atonement--and if that isn't reliance on someone else, nothing is. But the lesson applies to physical reliance as well. Just because money masks our relationships with others doesn't mean that we can *ever* be really self-reliant. How many of you produce your own food, generate your own electricity, or create your own silverware? You couldn't be self-reliant if you tried to and still live in the United States (even a mountain man in the wilderness isn't going to make his own knife and compass, let alone draw his own maps). At the heart of those "Self-reliance" lessons is a message of taking responsibility for yourself. The thing that is *supposed* to be taught is to work hard and try to provide for our families. We have been given important responsibilities (I tend to think in terms of stewardships) here on the Earth that we are expected to fulfill. Spiritually, we are personally responsible for our relationship with God and we should *all* be studying scriptures, praying, and striving to understand His ways. Physically, we have talents, gifts, and abilities that we should share in ways that others find valuable and we should employ our efforts to supply the needs of our families as best we can. "Self-reliance" is an instance of cultural heritage that is actively damaging our culture, I think. We can't admit weaknesses without fear of becoming an example of not being adequately "self-reliant" in some Sunday School lesson. It's amazing to me how deeply rooted "self-reliance" is. I recently attended a meeting, for example, where the Stake First Counselor was urging us to pay a generous Fast Offering. His illustrative example was of a man who paid a full tithe and was more generous than most with his Fast Offering. In the story, the man never had to rely on Church Welfare and this was attributed to his generous Offerings, hard work, and (thus) self-reliance. These attitudes can find their way into our deportment with others in very damaging ways. How many families in dire fiscal need put off talking to the bishop far too long because they don't want to see the recrimination there? Our assumptions are strong enough that they show up despite contrary knowledge. When we hear of others in need, we have two immediate emotional responses. The first response is gratitude that it isn't us. The second response is how can we fix what is wrong. It's this second gut-level response that we need to work to change. Now, we *should* be trying to help our fellow members and an aspect of helping is identifying and correcting things that are wrong. The problem is that our immediate *assumption* is that something is wrong that needs fixing. That assumption should *not* be our first approach to hearing the need of another. Our first response should be compassion, love, and genuine concern for the well-being of those in need. We should start from that point and then move to learning details, gaining knowledge, and more love. And even when we think we have all the details, we should proceed only with the greatest caution and respect in any attempt to "fix" anything. I liked what you said about writing stories to explore/illustrate this, Todd. I think that stories that depict people in need who are nonetheless strong, dedicated, and serving God in every way they know how would be very useful in overcoming our sometimes self-righteous assumptions. We need to disassociate need from sin. Jacob Proffitt - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 20:01:03 -0500 From: "Debra Brown" Subject: Re: [AML] Sensual Poetry One of my favorite poetry books is a collection of sensual poetry called _Passionate hearts_ compiled and edited by Wendy Maltz. As with all poetry, some are bad, some are so-so, some are good, and some are reallt terrific. Here is one of my favorites: Praise In my hands your body is a hymnal open to the familiar page of praise. I sing you in the ancient rhythm that brought us all here to make what we will of this world, I sing you in tongues and in silent awe of our loving, certain only of imminent separation. anne k smith I also write sensual poetry and the few times I have shared it with friends (not my husband who I write it about, he gets embarrassed) have kiddingly fanned themselves. I'll be honest, I have been a member for almost 30 years, and in looking back at all the members I have known and been friends with, the thought of any of them writing sensual poetry makes me giggle. Of course I am sure some on the list write it, but that doesn't make me giggle since I have never met you in person. Debbie Brown - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 18:09:25 -0700 From: "Jacob Proffitt" Subject: RE: [AML] Sharing Experiences - ---Original Message From: Jana Remy > I often come home from church totally drained of energy. > Part of this might come from teaching SS, and all of the > emotional energy that I invest into my class. But I think > the larger part of my fatigue is from the dissonance I feel > between the 'Sunday School answers' I hear at church, and the > reality that I experience in my own life. When I was SS teacher, I made an effort right from the start to undermine 'Sunday School answers'. It was *way* worthwhile. I was astonished how open people became and the kind of depth we got when we moved beyond the initial response we tend to favor. For example, in one class the topic was having a heavenly home (this was several years ago). I asked the class to imagine what it was like to live with Heavenly Father and how we could model our home on His. I specifically asked if there was contention there? The initial response is what you'd expect... "Of course not!" Contention is *bad* and Heavenly Father can't possibly have had any in his home. "So there were no wars in Heaven?" I asked. Derailing the 'Sunday School answers' can be hard and takes some thought and, more importantly, sincerity. You can't go into it with the intention of 'livening things up', or 'shocking the sheep'. Doing so will set you up as an adversary and will be ultimately unfruitful. On the other hand, I've found that a sincere desire to explore attainable answers that are within the scope of the lesson is *very* worthwhile and a little rut-jumping can produce unexpected gems from class members. Jacob Proffitt - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 17:33:04 -0800 From: "Rex Goode" Subject: Re: [AML] Sharing Experiences To Jacob's point about authority: My disclosures to my children, both about my past as a victim of child abuse and as one who has overcome serious sin, have not undermined my authority with them. It was about seven years that I told them my entire story and nothing but good has come of it. It explained a lot to them about their father. The truth, however colorful, was more satisfying to them than the explanations they had manufactured. I am authoritarian in my home. I have rules. I have consequences. I teach truth. I point the way. We went to the temple last Saturday with my third child, oldest son, for his endowment prior to entering the MTC on his way to the Philippines. He arrived at this point after some mistakes, not even similar to mine. What was similar, and perhaps even learned from the experiences I related to him, was the way in which he approached getting himself spiritually ready to serve the Lord. In other words, the principles of repentance I demonstrated from my life were the same principles he applied to his own life, even though the sins were different and of a lesser magnitude. I have never suffered from my children thinking my rules were unfair because I did things I don't allow them to do. In a very real way, my experiences provided the added information they needed in order to know why I have the standards I do. My authority has not been undermined by my openness. If anything, it has made me more approachable. Being approachable, in my opinion, is more valuable an asset in raising children than having authority. I can't answer how I might have fared as a youth leader, if at the time I was a Scoutmaster, my Scouts had known about my past. They know now, and I suspect it would have not made much difference. Whatever skills I possessed that made me a good leader, if I indeed was a good leader, were partially owing to the part of my story the youth did not know. Those skills were available to me either way, and I don't believe having disclosed my life to them would have hurt my ability to use those skills. At the support group for men that I run, we are often visited by local priesthood leaders. During the most private part of the meeting, we excuse them. I go with them and answer any questions they have. The support group is for male Latter-day Saints struggling with same-sex attraction. The most common question I am asked is, "Shouldn't we be concerned that if we talk to our youth about this topic, we will be giving them ideas they wouldn't otherwise have?" I point out that if they think they might be giving their youth new ideas, they ought to try to turn invisible and follow the youth around at school, with friends, when they're watching television, read the things they read, and the movies they see. We definitely ought to be giving them ideas, ideas they can use. We ought to be showing them a balanced view of life to counteract the imbalanced view they are being fed when out of our homes and Church meetings. Rex Goode - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 18:39:05 -0800 From: john Subject: Re: [AML] Sharing Experiences I'm a latecomer to this thread, so I apologize if I throw in a few extra punches at some point that's already been beaten to death. While I agree with Chris Bigelow and Jacob Profitt that there are complications and consequences associated with being open about past sins, I think that active Church members err on the side of building facades than on being open about their weaknesses. The problem goes far beyond the issue of "sin". Many members of the Church constantly compare themselves to other members and worry about how they (or their children, or their home) don't measure up. While people probably shouldn't be doing these comparisons at all, the problem is compounded by the fact that they are comparing their real, imperfect, selves--of whom they have full knowledge--with the near-perfect Sunday facades of their fellow members. They don't realize that their stake president yells abuse at his wife and children when he's under stress, that the first counselor in the ward Relief Society presidency snuck a drink in a bar on her last business trip, or that the Ward Mission Leader flips through Maxim at the bookstore magazine rack. We are all human! Late one Sunday afternoon, we were at the park in our Church clothes because we did not have a chance with all of our meetings to run home and change. We bumped into a family from Church who had changed and who defended their casual attire to us. Why did they feel a need to apologize? We don't need to apologize when a member sees us walking into the grocery store on the Sabbath--this is between us and God, not between us and Church society. And why isn't Church a place where we can honestly air our doubts? If we lack testimony of a doctrine, why can't we discuss our concerns in Elder's Quorum or in Gospel Doctrine? I've tried this, and even in the more "liberal" of wards, my questions are ignored or receive textbook replies, implicitly or explicitly discouraging further discussion. A key Mormon teaching is that Jesus Christ was the only human who led a sinless existence. By default, the rest of us are imperfect. That includes every baptized Mormon, every Relief Society president, and every bishop, apostle and prophet. Members of the Church should be the most welcoming and accepting of people. Smokers should not feel ashamed to walk into one of our chapels because they smell like cigarettes. Also, few, if any today, have perfect faith. We are all doubters to some extent. Those who struggle with their faith should feel free to ask hard, honest questions in Sunday meetings. As someone who is very aware of my imperfections, I am overjoyed when someone in Church expresses a serious doubt or in some other way tears away a bit of their facade. I do not rejoice in their sorrow--I am happy because I am no longer alone in my weakness. I then know that someone else struggles with the same issues that I do, and that they are all right--I still respect them and like them in spite of (or now perhaps even because of) their faults. I read somewhere that "we read to know that we are not alone". Much of Mormon literature reinforces the same false front which members build in Church. I wish that more of our literature reflected the real world imperfections of the saints without vilification or apology. Every LDS author who honestly reveals their sin, imperfection and doubt is reaching out to those who are wandering and feeling alone in this world. In contrast, *unrealistic* but "faith-promoting" works, by perpetuating the fantasy of perfection, may discourage and even shut out more than they help. John Remy UC Irvine - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 20:33:52 -0600 From: Ronn Blankenship Subject: [AML] Re: Anthology Opportunity At 09:42 AM 3/29/02, you wrote: >LEAPS OF FAITH [snip] > >Karina and Rob Fabian, editors >Submissions: francisisidore@hrtide.com [snip] > >Ideal submissions will highlight a coexistence of science and the >Christian faith (any denomination), However, do Karina and Rob Fabian consider Mormons to be Christian? Many evangelical Protestants, at least, do not, saying that we "worship a=20 different Jesus than the one in the Bible." - -- Ronn! :) God bless America, Land that I love! Stand beside her, and guide her Thru the night with a light from above. From the mountains, to the prairies, To the oceans, white with foam=85 God bless America! My home, sweet home. - -- Irving Berlin (1888-1989) - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 22:26:04 +0000 From: Kellene Adams Subject: [AML] SSA in Mormon Lit (was: _Angels in America_ on HBO?) [MOD: I've had several requests from those who receive AML-List posts at work that we avoid subject lines that will raise questions among coworkers. Hence the "SSA" in the subject line, which stands for same-sex attraction. (It also has the advantage of being short--always desirable in a subject line!) For more details, see my comment at the end of this file.] This is a comment I wrote more than a week ago in response to a comment about Angels in America. I tucked it in a "draft" file and then just thought I'd throw it away after a few days went by and I didn't send it. Homosexuality is a sensitive topic and one that I was reluctant to bring up. However, after Rex re-introduced himself and brought up the subject, I revisited this and thought that my main point (see the last paragraph) was still valid. So I'm sending it and will let the moderator determine whether or not to post it (since the original thread has been dead and gone for quite a few days. . . .) > As to why Harper takes drugs, she wouldn't need a neurosis or a personality > disorder. Wouldn't knowing that your husband is a homosexual be quite > enough? > > Nan McCulloch I wanted to comment on this comment, which is a comment on a a previous comment and so on and so on. . . . .:-) I number among some of my closest friends some very active members of the church who struggle with homosexuality, including several who are married in the temple and who are waging one of the most difficult natural man vs. child of God battles imaginable. Having a husband (or wife) who participates in homosexual activity may, indeed, be a reason for taking drugs. Having a husband (or wife) who struggles with homosexual feelings but refuses to act upon those feelings could be inspiring and faith promoting (while at the same time possibly difficult and not at all the idyllic marriage one envisioned while growing up. But who of us who is married has that marriage anyway?). As I have watched my friends deal with this incredible challenge, I vowed to take every opportunity to try to educate those who might not understand that feeling these feelings is not a choice. Unlike some lifestyles, homosexuality (or same sex attraction, as some people call it who wish to define the difference between those who act on their feelings and those who don't) doesn't result because someone made a bad choice at some point in their life. Every single person I know who struggles with this (a small sampling, admittedly, but I think fairly representative of the entire population) has known from their earliest memory that something was wrong, different, strange. (I'm not advocating that they are born that way; the reasons behind the feelings is a whole other discussion!) But they have simply made a choice to live a certain way in spite of feelings that would tempt them to do things they believe are not right. And that choice is, IMO, worthy of deep respect and admiration. And the rationale for making this worthy of AML circulation? I'm convinced that what we produce in the coming weeks, months, and years will have tremendous impact on the Mormon culture and way of thinking. Therefore, I wanted to take this opportunity to plant a seed that may see fruition in a reference or story or attitude portrayed in a song, book, novel, poem, film, etc., which may introduce new ideas and concepts about homosexuality to a rather uninformed, sometimes intolerant LDS culture. So many people, in and out of the Church, equate homosexual feelings with sin, rather than understanding that it's action and behavior that is sinful, not feelings. (Some of you may be thinking of that scripture about he who has simply thought about committing adultery has already done so in his heart, but I hope you understand the point I'm trying to make here.) While we typically can't choose our feelings, we can certainly choose the way we act on them. So FWIW. . . . Kellene Adams [MOD: Kellene's post raises an interesting question in my mind: How many works of Mormon literature deal with the issue of homosexuality/same sex attraction, and from what perspective? In particular, how many (if any) published works include characters who struggle with SSA yet remain faithful members of the Church (a group that I know Rex has commented in the past is underrepresented in public perceptions)? There's lots of Mormon lit that deals (for example) with youth who must repent of serious moral transgressions, but I can't think of any that deal with this type of issue. Those of you who've read more widely than I: what can you think of that's out there, and how does it deal with this issue? And for those of you who are writers (and anyone else who wants to comment on this): how do you think this could/should be dealt with in Mormon letters? Let's get another high-volume (but literary) conversation going here...] - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 00:59:29 -0500 From: "Debra Brown" Subject: [AML] Fw: MN Tragic Gilmore Story at New York's Film Forum: Kent Larsen 29Mar02 US NY NYC P2 Tragic Gilmore Story at New York's Film Forum NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- A film of the tragic life and subsequent execution of murderer Gary Gilmore has made it from the small screen to the big screen. First shown on HBO last October, "Shot in the Heart" shows the final days of Gilmore, and, through flashbacks, his family life, from the perspective of his youngest brother, Mikal. Gilmore's mother is described as a devout, but superstitious Mormon obsessed with visions. The film, based on Mikal's book of the same name, shows the twisted, violent past of Gilmore's parents and his own life, a tale that makes the Gilmore brothers seem doomed from the start. But Gilmore's execution became more than just another murder when the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated In the New York Daily News, reviewer David Bianculli says the film is "personal and disturbingly haunting" and says that the main performances in the film are excellent. "Shot in the Heart" is, according to Bianculli, a "potent, very personal story." In the New York Post, reviewer V.A. Musetto seems to agree, saying that Giovanni Ribisi (as Mikal) and Elias Koteas (playing Gary) "give realistic performances, and play off the differences [in their personalities] brilliantly." And Musetto goes on to suggest that "'Shot in the Heart' puts Gary Gilmore's tragic life into perspective, helping explain why it went so far amiss." A Personal Look at a Public Death New York Daily News 27Mar02 P2 http://www.nydailynews.com/2002-03-27/New_York_Now/Movies/a-145646.asp >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: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 03:48:46 -0500 From: "Debra Brown" Subject: [AML] Fw: MN New BYU Student Publication 29Mar02 US NY NYC X1 New BYU Student Publication Pokes Fun PROVO, UTAH -- "The Firearm," a new publication started by a group of BYU students, serves as an outlet for the BYU students who started it, and as a place to poke fun at everything from Abercrombie and Fitch to Latter-day Saint vernacular. Now Andrew Berthrong, 25, and Brigham Barnes, 24, put out 350 copies of their magazine every two weeks, with the assistance of 24 people who distribute the publication. The publication is also available on the Internet at http://firearm.com . Source: Publication pokes at Provo's ideosyncracies BYU NewsNet 17Mar02 US UT Prov A4 http://newsnet.byu.edu/story/37688/4022 By Wendy Weiler: NewsNet Staff Writer >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, 28 Mar 2002 14:14:58 -0700 From: Darlene Young Subject: Re: [AML] Sharing Experiences Can I just put in a plug here for the forum at Scott Card's nauvoo.com site? It is a perfect place to share burdens, or to meet people with whom to share burdens in more private ways (like direct e-mail). You cannot join the site unless you agree to uphold certain standards. It is meant for just the kind of thing we've been talking about--to provide an LDS support group and discussion center focused primarily on real issues and practical ideas. I have made many dear friends there and highly recommend it. - -Darlene Young ________________________________________________________________ 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: Mon, 01 Apr 2002 17:15:33 -0700 From: Barbara Hume Subject: Re: [AML] Sensual Poetry At 06:01 PM 3/29/02, you wrote: >I also write sensual poetry and the few times I have shared it with friends >(not my husband who I write it about, he gets embarrassed) have kiddingly >fanned themselves. I am happy for you that you have a husband who inspires sensual poetry. That's wonderful -- and it's also wonderful that you have a creative talent by which you can express your appreciation. barbara hume - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2002 18:50:55 -0700 From: "Scott Parkin" Subject: Re: [AML] Fw: MN New BYU Student Publication 29Mar02 US NY NYC X1 Debra Brown wrote: >The publication is also available on the Internet at > http://firearm.com . That should be http://thefirearm.com as I'm sure most of you have figured out. Scott - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 01 Apr 2002 19:10:25 -0700 (MST) From: Margaret Blair Young Subject: Re: [AML] SSA in Mormon Lit The following works of Mormon literature come to mind immediately: Carol Lyn Pearson's _Goodbye, I Love You_ Linda Sillitoe's _Secrets Keep_ Robert Van Wagoner's _Dancing Naked_ Of course, there have also been NON-fiction titles addressing the subject. Specific titles escape me. One written by a father about his son-- _Remembering ?_. (The father teaches at the University of Idaho-Pocatello, I believe), and the other by Mary Beth Raynes and someone else called (I think) _A Peculiar People_. As for short stories, I've written a few of those myself, since my husband's brother is gay and it has thus been a family issue. [Margaret Young] - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2002 18:27:19 -0600 From: "DCHuls" Subject: Re: [AML] Sharing Experiences > Now, we *should* be trying to help our fellow members and an aspect of > helping is identifying and correcting things that are wrong. The > problem is that our immediate *assumption* is that something is wrong > that needs fixing. That assumption should *not* be our first approach > to hearing the need of another. Our first response should be > compassion, love, and genuine concern for the well-being of those in > need. We should start from that point and then move to learning > details, gaining knowledge, and more love. And even when we think we > have all the details, we should proceed only with the greatest caution > and respect in any attempt to "fix" anything. > > I liked what you said about writing stories to explore/illustrate this, > Todd. I think that stories that depict people in need who are > nonetheless strong, dedicated, and serving God in every way they know > how would be very useful in overcoming our sometimes self-righteous > assumptions. We need to disassociate need from sin. > > Jacob Proffitt > > The baptism covenant we make talks about *sharing others burdens*. As Jacob says: sometimes we want to rush in and fix when what many need is simply to know that someone cares and understands. I spent years beating myself up because some of my offspring took different directions once they left our household. Then someone reminded me that Heavenly Father lost 1/3 of his children and that helped put it into perspective. We need literature that is positive but that is capable of dispelling the "Molly Mormon" myth. People who read of others challenges and methods by which they find their way back will be assisted in that venture. I do not believe you can read the BOM and see only wonderful things going on? Why should we not benefit in our fiction as we do from our scripture. I think some great fiction can be written with the story lines from our Scripture but put into today's vernacular. I am team teaching 15-16 yr olds in SS. I have found they pay much better attention and seem to get the point when told the stories of the bible in the vernacular of today. The Sister I team teach with asked the group, all boys that day? "How they handle the pressures of their peers regarding issues like Potiphers wife put Joseph through. One said. "Well I don't like that they think I am Gay because I don't sleep around." I asked what he said when they hinted that. He said: "You don't see me sleeping around with guys do you? So what makes you think I'm Gay just because I am living promises I've made to the Lord". I wanted to give him a hug!" The Church is there to help perfect the Saints. It is not just for the Perfect Saints. I have yet to meet one of those and I'm soon to be 62! Some have come close but no winners so far! I love telling how they called me out of a bar to serve in a branch presidency. Eyebrows go up but people get friendlier. I don't believe that is because they are without mistakes of their own. I am grateful everyday for the atonement! Craig Huls - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 01 Apr 2002 01:11:40 -0500 From: Richard Johnson Subject: Re: [AML] Sharing Experiences At 11:58 AM 3/27/02 -0700, you wrote: > > >I seem to remember the Book of Mormon says that one of the ways you can tell >a Zion Society or a Chirst-like society is that the people would bear each >others burdens, meaning people would share with each other and try to >understand each other . . . and help out if if were possible and convient. > >That doesn't happen at Church. They tell you to go home and pray about it. >Maybe they're just too busy--and they are busy. I feel like I need to bring you out to the Southeast. Sometimes folks out her get so busy bearing each other's burdens (not meant in a sarcastic way) and sharing with each other that it gets wearing. On the other hand I was told about an Elder's quorum out in Washington State that announced that it was not their job to help people move from one place to another unless those people were on church welfare.---Boy! thats being too busy. We've had so many people move in here recently that I bought a hand truck But it does happen here--on >AML-List. This the first place I've ever found in my entire life where it >does happen. I have felt such liberation at being able to "share" and get >feed back, whether positive or negative doesn't matter. It means at least >someone's listening to what I say--and not telling me to go home and pray >about it. I sure share that sentiment. My computer has been out of whack for most of a week and I really missed the list. Richard Johnson - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ End of aml-list-digest V1 #663 ******************************