From: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com (aml-list-digest) To: aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: aml-list-digest V1 #665 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 Wednesday, April 3 2002 Volume 01 : Number 665 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2002 09:04:18 -0800 From: "Rex Goode" Subject: Re: [AML] SSA in Mormon Lit To add something that I haven't seen mentioned: _A Place in the Kingdom_ edited by Garrick and Ginger Hyde (1997, Century Publishing), an anthology of brief autobiographical sketches of some who struggle with same-sex attraction, in some ways a counterpoint to _A Peculiar People_. According to the back cover: "_A Place in the Kingdom_ represents a small collection of personal essays from members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have personally witnessed the significance of same-sex attraction in their own lives or in the life of someone they love. The essays in this book detail the insights and experiences of LDS men and women who desire to follow the gospel when caught in the tug of war between obeying Christ's commandments or pursuing homosexual behavior. These stories speak of real charity--the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ--and compassion given by the rescuing hands of Christ and his followers. "This book has been compiled to grant comfort and insights to the many, many thousands of Latter-day Saints who feel alone and desperate in their struggles with same-sex attraction. You hold a very important place in God's kingdom." Also, though not written to a Mormon audience, the list should include _The Unconquerable Soul_ by Kim A. Mack (2001, iUniverse). Kim Mack is Mormon, but her book was written to address the issues of dealing with same-sex attraction while believing in a religious tradition that prohibits same-sex behavior. I also want to thank Thom for saying that I have contributed to his understanding. You have reciprocated. Thanks. Regarding your play, I understand your desire to represent different points of view, but it also seems like a difficult task. Though not a Mormon work, Mart Crowley's _The Boys in the Band_ does mention Mormons. The point of view of the main characters are fairly narrow, but there is an acknowledgement by at least one that other points of view do exist. I would find a play satisifying that addressed the treatment of homosexuality by BYU from one kind of viewpoint as long as there was some acknowledgement that it is not the only viewpoint. In _The Boys in the Band_, Michael says to his lover, Donald, "Donald, _you_ are the only person I know of whom I am truly ashamed. Some people do have different standards from yours and mine, you know. And if we don't acknowledge them, we're just as narrow-minded and backward as we think they are." (Mart Crowley, The Boys in the Band, (New York City, New York: Samuel French, Inc., 1968), Act I, p. 16.) That's where I think so much homosexual literature fails to satisfy. When it seems like a tract for one viewpoint, it doesn't resonate with thinking people. At the same time, it would be too daunting and confusing to attempt to represent all viewpoints in one work. Rex Goode - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 02 Apr 2002 10:57:39 -0800 From: Jeff Needle Subject: Re: [AML] Fw: MN New BYU Student Publication 29Mar02 US NY NYC X1 At 06:50 PM 4/1/02 -0700, you wrote: >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 Yup, figured it out as soon as you told us . - ---------------- Jeff Needle jeff.needle@general.com - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2002 13:07:09 -0600 From: Jonathan Langford Subject: Re: [AML] SSA in Mormon Lit I think it's interesting that in none of the examples cited by Andrew and others, except possibly for the title by Laura Torres, does SSA seem to be dealt with at all in our "faith-promoting" literature, and particularly not in literature intended for youth. While I admit that I would have been surprised at any other result, I think it's worth taking a minute to consider why this might be so. I think it's probably safe to say that there's a lot of literature out there, particularly literature designed for youth, that attempts to take on the challenge of living a morally chaste life in the midst of the teen dating scene. Of course, a lot of this literature might be considered as pretty inept in how it handles this, but the issue is out there. And there's some good literature, too, such as the story by Doug and Donlu Thayer (I forget the title) about the couple who go too far and then have to consider going to the bishop and so forth and so on. Drugs and alcohol, I think, are also being dealt with in some Mormon literature for youth. I'm not a wide reader in this genre, but I know there are some AML-List members who have published stories for young adults that deal with drug issues. Why, then, the (apparent) lack of fiction dealing with homosexuality/same sex attraction as a serious issue, and one that (I think no one would deny) many of our youth, as well as adult members, do struggle with? I think there are several reasons: * On the one hand, unlike heterosexual dating, same-sex attraction has no "right path" within Church teachings that can be contrasted with the "wrong path" of sexual activity. There's no "right way" for a boy to date other boys in Mormon theology and culture! * On the other hand, same-sex attraction seems to be not a choice like drug use, where the problem can be pretty squarely stated as the consequences of unwise choices, and the story follows the classic repentance process. What is there to be repented of in the case of a girl who starts to find herself attracted to her best friend? For that matter, what is the positive and hopeful dramatic resolution of this story? Is it for the girl to discover that those feelings *weren't* real after all? Is it for her to discover that by a gift from God, those feelings change? Is it for her to decide that despite her feelings, she's going to be faithful in the Church, get married and have a family, but with the expectation that those feelings might never entirely leave her? Is it for her to decide on a life of faithful celibacy? (I'm excluding the option of having her decide to "follow her feelings" and/or leave the Church, since what I'm talking about here is a positive ending within the context of Mormon faith-promoting fiction.) Although I can believe in any of these endings as potentially positive for individual Church members, they all seem problematic to me, for one reason or another, as endings for a piece of YA fiction: either too simplistic (and potentially damaging, if, say, a youth reading a story takes away the message that his/her feelings will change if he/she simply ignores them and gets married as soon as possible) or not nearly hopeful enough (you call deciding never to get married a *happy* ending?). So when Jim or Rebecca (our main character in this hypothetical Mormon YA novel) starts noticing that he or she is, well, *noticing* other boys or girls, what happens next? You can't simply drop a bombshell like that into a piece of Mormon fiction and then ignore it, or treat it as a secondary issue. On the other hand, what realistic yet positive resolution can possibly be achieved within the limited confines of your story? Part of the problem, as I see it, is (in a sense) a doctrinal one: as a church, our current teaching is that SSA people are not necessarily responsible for the feelings they experience, but also that the "right" answer is ultimately for those feelings to go away or somehow to be subsumed into some larger, gospel-consistent context. But I sense some disagreement as to what that "ultimately" means. Should we expect that a change of feelings, a "cure" (of the sort apparently described in several of the nonfiction titles cited by Andrew) is an attainable and worthwhile earthly goal for SSA members? Or should we rather assume that for most members who experience SSA, this set of basic feelings is something that will probably not change during this life, and that the goal is rather to live according to the Church's teachings (faithful heterosexual marriage or celibacy in this life) and leave (ultimate) healing up to God and the atonement? Of course, one of the most important points frequently made by Rex in relation to this topic is that there's as much individual variation and diversity of categories within the broad group of the SSA as there is, for example, among heterosexuals (and that there's an overlap: many individuals are both heterosexually and homosexually attracted). I have no more trouble believing that some with SSA may see their feelings change in this life, and others not, as I have in believing that some are healed of physical illness by the power of God in this life, and others not. Faith and righteousness may lead to such change, but lack of such a change does not necessarily indicate a lack of faith and righteousness. One type (as I believe Rex has commented) that seems to be largely missing from our Mormon fiction is the faithful, believing LDS man or woman, involved in a committed marriage relationship, who nevertheless is primarily SSA. I'm guessing that for many members of the Church, it's hard to believe that such individuals exist, and that there's a tendency to believe that one part of the picture or another must be a falsehood. I think such doubts demonstrate the degree to which we tend to buy into larger societal assumptions about the centrality of sexual attraction to marriage. (The best head-on fictional critique of this idea that I've seen from a Mormon author is the figure of Zdorab in Card's _Harmony_ series, cited by Andrew.) And so I'm unsure how faith-promoting Mormon fiction, and particularly fiction for youth, *could* deal with this issue. And yet, and yet... I can't help but worry that we're giving away too much ground to the opposition by our failure to do so. If the only stories where our youth who experience SSA find their feelings described are stories where "gayness" is part of a person's essential identity, and where happiness comes only when one "accepts" that identity by actively pursuing homosexual relationships, I think it's likely to make it that much harder for them to see their own path to remaining faithful. If our youth who *don't* experience SSA also don't encounter such figures in fiction, they're all the more likely to make easy equations of SSA with unrighteousness--or buy into other common but mistaken assumptions, such as the belief that if one is SSA it's impossible to have a satisfying marriage. I've gone on overlong, and probably (as is often my wont) done little more than restate the obvious. But I do think it's important that we talk about this issue, and how it perhaps can and ought to be addressed in our literature, particularly the faith-promoting fiction that our youth are most likely to encounter. Any ideas? Jonathan Langford Speaking for myself, not AML-List jlangfor@pressenter.com - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2002 16:49:18 -0500 From: "Debra Brown" Subject: [AML] Fw: MN "The Other Side of Heaven" to Open Nationwide on April 12: Excel Entertainment Group News Release 28Mar02 US UT SLC A2 "The Other Side of Heaven" to Open Nationwide on April 12 PG-rated film produced by "Schindler's List" & "Jurassic Park" Oscar winner Gerald R. Molen; stars Christopher Gorham and Anne Hathaway SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- "THE OTHER SIDE OF HEAVEN" is the latest film from Academy Award winning producer Gerald R. Molen ("Schindler's List," "Jurassic Park") starring Christopher Gorham ("A Life Less Ordinary," "Popular," "Felicity") and Anne Hathaway ("The Princess Diaries") and is being released nationwide on April 12 by Salt Lake City-based Excel Entertainment Group. This inspiring, heartfelt, coming-of age family drama was written and directed by Mitch Davis (making his feature film directorial debut) and based on the memoir "In The Eye of the Storm" by John H. Groberg. The film tells the true story of a 19-year old John Groberg's experiences as a young man who travels to the exotic island of Tonga in the 1950's to become a missionary. Through letters, he shares his challenging, humorous and life-affirming adventures with "the girl back home." "THE OTHER SIDE OF HEAVEN" opened to great success in Utah and Idaho in limited release in December 2001, grossing the highest per-screen average of any PG film released that year. The film has already garnered some advance plaudits from Larry King: "This movie is just what America needs. I loved it." Michael Medved said that the film was "skillfully crafted, heart-felt, and altogether refreshing." "THE OTHER SIDE OF HEAVEN" was shot in spectacular locations around the Cook Islands and New Zealand, using many of the same key technical crew that worked on "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." The film will be the third motion picture Excel has distributed in theatres in less than two years. Excel Entertainment Group was established in 1995 when Jeff Simpson, a former Disney executive, became president and CEO of the newly formed organization. The company is composed of four independent record labels, a motion picture distribution division and is a regional leader in the wholesale distribution of music and videos. "THE OTHER SIDE OF HEAVEN" is an Excel Entertainment Group release of a 3Mark Entertainment presentation of a Molen/Garbett production. The film was produced by Gerald R. Molen and John Garbett. Executive producer is Mitch Davis. It was directed and written by Mitch Davis. Source: "The Other Side of Heaven" to Open Nationwide on April 12 Excel Entertainment Group News Release 28Mar02 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: Mon, 01 Apr 2002 23:13:42 -0800 From: JLTyner Subject: [AML] April Fool's Stuff [MOD: My wife, oldest child, and I will be going out tomorrow night for a Peter Schickele PDQ Bach concert in St. Paul. There are advantages to living out in the "mission field" after all!] Having been throughly snookered by another member of The Sugarbeet staff vis' a vie an April Fool's gag, It got me to wondering if an annual April Fool's event still takes place at BYU, the PDQ Bach concert. It was always one of the most well attended concerts of the year with a lot of non-musical majors in the audience.PDQ Bach is a ficticious offspring of the legendary J.S. Bach and the invention of a Prof. Peter Schikley (sp?). He released a number of albums about PDQ and his "found" musical works in the seventies. They were done in baroque style and included arias like, "By the leeks of Babylon", "The Percolator Concerto" and a commentary of Beethoven's Fifth done in Monday Night Football style. It was great to see both the professors, choir directors and students let down their hair for an evening, or don hair they didn't have such as the 17th & 18th century wigs, hose and knee britches. There were other selections and skits besides PDQ's, but his stuff often made up the majority of the concert. Does it still take place? Hopefully it does, and did anyone ever think to put it on video? I'd love to know, I found it a delightful oasis in a wilderness of such serious stuff at the HFAC. Kathy Tyner Orange County, CA - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2002 15:13:04 -0500 From: "Debra Brown" Subject: [AML] Fw: MN News Briefs: Kent Larsen 31Mar02 US NY NYC X1 Orchestra at Temple Square Holding Auditions SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- The Orchestra at Temple Square is seeking applications from those who wish to audition for places in the LDS Church-run group. Applications will be accepted for all instruments, but applicants must be LDS Church members in good standing who live in the Wasatch Front area and have considerable orchestral training and experience. Call (801) 240-4150 to request an application. Audition tapes and application forms are due by April 20th. Source: Auditions Deseret News 31Mar02 US UT SLC A1 http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,380009045,00.html Sunstone Writing Contest Seeking Entries SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- The Sunstone Education Foundation is seeking entries for its annual fiction writing contest. Entries are due by June 30th in either the 1,500-word Short Short Story category or the 6,000-word Short Story category. Entries must relate to experiences about the LDS Church. Prizes of up to $400 in each category will be awarded. Source: Sunstone seeks entries for writing contest Deseret News 30Mar02 US UT SLC A4 http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,380009263,00.html >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: Mon, 01 Apr 2002 19:13:15 -0700 (MST) From: Margaret Blair Young Subject: [AML] re: Other Side of Heaven April 12 is the NATIONAL opening of _The Other Side of Heaven_. I received publicity material today from the Grobergs to pass around to friends outside of Utah. Mostly, the message is--it MATTERS that theaters fill up when the show opens, so please go see _The Other Side of Heaven_ during the weekend of its opening. If you're in Utah and want publicity to send your friends, drop by my BYU office and I'll gladly share it. 1027 JKHB, BYU. - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2002 09:10:26 -0700 From: "Thom Duncan" Subject: Re: [AML] Sharing Experiences > If we > > lack testimony of a doctrine, why can't we discuss our > > concerns in Elder's > > Quorum or in Gospel Doctrine? In another ward, I was blown aware when the Elders Quorum Instructor said something to the effectg, "I don't really KNOW anything. I believe the Gospel's true, but I can't get up in Testimony Meeting and say I know it." I thought that was refreshingly honest. And very rare. Not that his feelings are rare, but it is rare that people have enough courage to say such things. In a church which implicitly places such emphasis on "Knowing," its superiority over merely believing, to admit only to belief automatically puts you in an inferior position to "everyone" else (of course, we don't know what "everyone" else believes -- those other people who never give their testimonies-- maybe they don't because they only believe and are ashamed or afraid to admit it in public.) > 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. > > I invite you to come to our Elders' Quorum where you can freely express > any doubt you want to provided a) it ties into the topic at hand and b) > you're willing to listen and believe any responses are sincere and not > some form of textbook reply. The problem with characterizations like > "textbook" is that there really is no textbook. I know that kind of answer he is talking about. Express a doubt that the Nephites never existed. The textbook answer; "Well, I know they do." That is hardly an answer. We have a tendency in our lessons (almost a mandate) to ensure that everyone comes to the same conclusion. We don't do open-ended lessons. When someone throws a monkey wrench into our discussion, such as the above, we need to set that aside as much as possible so we can get to the conclusion. > You can dismiss > anything you don't like as a "textbook" answer when it might be the > actual, correct, simple, vital answer needed to open up elegant > solutions you hadn't considered before. The fact is that there may just not be one answer that fits everyone. That is one of the problems, as I see it, with typical church lesson material. All the answers are the same, and they all work for everyone. > > 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. > > I agree, as long as the questions are honest and not a form of judgment > or challenge. I've seen a number of instances where meetings were > co-opted by someone with an agenda who was not interested in asking > questions as much as they were interested in expressing their own > opinions. I think this is a case where the abuses of a few end up > damaging the lines of communication (and trust) and harming the many who > wish to pose serious questions about things they really struggle with. This, of course, happens on the positive doctrine side, as well. With some brother going off on a tangent about the government usurping our second amendment rights. It happens on both extremes. I think we should think about why it happens. What is lacking in our lessons, or the way we teach them, that such people feel the need to usurp the classroom? Or is it only the ursupers problem? A combination of both? > > 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. > > Here I'm split. On the one hand, I'm happy when people overcome their > fear and drop the facade. On the other hand, I'm not at all overjoyed > when people express serious doubt (though I am sincerely interested in > helping in any way I can). And, I would suggest, few in the Church, which is why those closet doubters out there don't speak up in Church. > I'm also troubled by the implication that we > should love people because of their faults. I think that's a pretty > faulty motivation and would tend to leave us encouraging the faults in > others. If you joy in your faults, and in the flaws of others, then you > lose impetus to change and will resist the motivation in others to > change. If you respect some one for his or her faults, you might end up > reinforcing those faults--which can't be good for anyone involved, > really. What would be an alternative to loving people beause of their faults? How about tolerance of them? > > > 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. > > You will have a very hard time defining a real world that should be > reflected in literature. I've heard plenty of people complain about > "unrealistic" depictions of sin and imperfection that I felt were > entirely realistic. How do you know that so-called "faith-promoting" > works *aren't* a reflection of real experiences and beliefs? I don't > have any trouble with the call to drop facades, but I know one or two > people who really *are* as good as they appear to be and their stories > should be as much a source for stories as any others. The problem appears when we think that those "faith-promoting" works should be the standard way to think and to be. Thom Duncan - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 02 Apr 2002 16:27:56 GMT From: "pdhunter" Subject: [AML] Re: [AML-Mag] SA in Mormon Lit - FILM Following up on Hall's bibliography of SSA in Mormon Lit: Sampling of films with Mormon/LDS and homosexuality/Same-sex attraction themes FEATURE FILM: Advise and Consent (1962) Directed by Otto Preminger Written by Allen Drury (novel), Wendell Mayes (screenplay). IMDb: "Robert Leffingwell (Henry Fonda) is the president's candidate for Secretary of State. Prior to his approval, he must first go through a Senate investigation to determine if he's qualified. Leading the Senate committee is idealistic Senator Brig Anderson, who soon finds himself unprepared for the political dirt that's revealed, including Leffingwell's past affiliations with a Communist organization. When Leffingwell testifies about his political leanings, he proves his innocence. Later, however, Anderson learns that he lied under oath and even asks the president to withdraw Leffingwell for consideration, especially after the young senator begins receiving blackmail threats about a skeleton in his own closet." DOCUMENTARIES: Straight from the Heart (1994) Academy Award-nominated documentary directed by Dee Mosbacher. Examines the issues parents face when a child becomes gay or lesbian. Tells of multiple true stories, including the Latter-day Saint family whose son is believed to be the first gay man in Idaho to have died from AIDS. Family Fundamentals (2002) Arthur Dong's GLBT documentary, which premiered at Sundance, includes 3 profiles, one about Brett Mathews and his father, an LDS bishop in Tooele, Utah The Laramie Project (2002) Characters include Russell Henderson, a lapsed Wyoming Mormon accused of killing Matthew Shepherd, and the Latter-day Saint teacher who counsels him Our House (2000) GLBT documentary profiles a Latter-day Saint family in Arizona. TELEVISION: The Ryan White Story (1989) True story of Ryan White, a Latter-day Saint hemophiliac boy who contracted AIDS through a contaminated blood supply. His famous case is credited for "humanizing" the AIDS epidemic, showing that all kinds of people were affected by the disease. Subsequently, the "Ryan White" bill championed by Latter-day Saint senator Orrin Hatch secured federal funding for AIDS treatment. Some people might also list "Heavenly Creatures" (1995; directed by Peter Jackson), but the film's lesbianism may be entirely fictional, and the story in the film predates Hulme's conversion to the Church. [Preston Hunter] - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2002 13:18:01 -0700 From: "Clark Goble" Subject: RE: [AML] JOSPE et al., _Covenant and Chosenness in Judaism and Mormonism_ (Review) ___ Jeff ___ | But Mormonism has shown more flexibility -- Utah was not the | first choice. How, then, can one speak in the same breath of the | centrality of land to both Jews and Mormons? ___ But the land that is theologically central to Mormonism and which we hold a Zionist wish of return isn't Utah. It is Jackson, the *new* Jerusalem. You don't have to spend much time in Utah to hear all the folk stories and even true stories about this. For instance a few years ago there was the rumor that a real estate whiz was made a 70 so as to buy up property in the area on behalf of the church, but done in secret so as to not drive up prices. There is the constant theme of either Mormons or fundamentalist apostate Mormons hiding caches of weapons ala _Terminator 2_ along the route to Missouri in preparation for the return. There is the famous Wilford Woodruff / John Taylor vision of the destructions of the last days and the return. All of these themes parallel remarkably the Jewish Zionist movement. While it is true that Utah has become the "center stake," perhaps that is because we are more like the Orthodox Jews who see the Messiah coming as the requirement of the return? Many Orthodox Jews don't even recognize the state of Israel because of that. Now, as you say, Zion is where you are for Mormons. But even this occurred only this century, and after the Federal persecutions ended. Up to that time there was a gathering to Utah that parallels what happened in Israel a great deal. Further it was a gathering with a millennial ferver that always looked east for a return. Even on up to the point of the revelation ending polygamy there was this "hope" for the apocalypse that would usher in the return. It is interesting that our different view of the land occurs now because Mormons are in a kind of self-imposed diaspora in which we scatter ourselves around the world. The Jews are in the gathering phase. I suspect that were a gathering to be called again to the center stakes, that the land would be viewed differently. Further, despite our diaspora most Mormons still think of the land of Utah as something special. The SLC Winter games were in a sense a Mormon games because even to scattered Mormondom, it was in the land of Zion. Thus Mormons outside of Utah see Utah as their land, much the way that a Jew living in New York City sees Israel. How many Mormons even keep rough contact with news of the goings on in Utah? - -- Clark Goble --- clark@lextek.com ----------------------------- - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 02 Apr 2002 10:51:44 -0800 From: Jeff Needle Subject: Re: [AML] Chad HAWKINS, _The First 100 Temples_ (Review) Being a San Diegan, I was unhappy that our Temple wasn't in there, but of course, it wasn't one of the first 100! - ---------------- Jeff Needle jeff.needle@general.com - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2002 13:11:46 -0500 From: "Debra Brown" Subject: [AML] Fw: MN Internet: Sites for Groups and Regions: Kent Larsen 1Apr02 US NY NYC I4 Sites for Groups and Regions NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- One of the advantages of the Internet is its ability to allow small groups to connect and work together. This week we've found several sites either to allow that communication or providing services to a unique group of Latter-day Saints. Particularly interesting are the sites for author Marlena Tanya Muhnick, a Jewish convert who gives firesides and who is a supporter of the Jewish LDS group B'nai Shalom, and the Las Vegas Guide, a 12-year-old annual directory. Other sites are simply websites on the Yahoo!Groups and SmartGroups systems for groups of LDS Church members. Two new groups serve LDS women, while another serves LDS Church members who suffer from bipolar disorders. Newly Listed Mormon Websites: The Official Site of Marlena Tanya Muchnick http://home.att.net/~comeuntochrist/ Page for author Muchnick, a Jewish convert to Mormonism. She also speaks at LDS firesides and tries to explains the connection between Judaism and latter-day scripture. Also includes some information on the Jewish LDS group, B'nai Shalom. Las Vegas LDS Guide http://www.lasvegasldsguide.com/ 12-year-old annual directory for Latter-day Saints in the Las Vegas area. Website includes information about the directory, advertising, and a guide to the directory's contents. Latter_Day_Saint_Women http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Latter_Day_Saint_Women/ Page for new Yahoo!Groups list for LDS women, billed as a "safe haven for women to talk about their everyday lives, dreams and aspirations, combined with the joys of being a Latter Day Saint." Started in February, group already shows heavy traffic. LDSWomenFriends http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ldswomenfriends Another group for LDS women, this one moved recently to the SmartGroups site and system. Created in April 1999, the group allows women to talk about anything, make new friends and find lasting friendships. Yahoo!Groups : bipolarLDS http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bipolarLDS/ A group created by and for Latter-Day Saints who are bipolar. Intended to inspire and uplift group members, and allow them to encourage each other. Go Cougars http://www.gocougars.tk/ BYU Sports information site. Includes news and information, primarily about BYU football. However, site hasn't been updated recently, and doesn't seem to be operating as intended. >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: Wed, 3 Apr 2002 12:00:00 -0700 From: Christopher Bigelow Subject: [AML] _King Lear_ Tickets at BYU Tonight We have two extra tickets to _King Lear_ tonight at BYU's Pardoe Theatre in the HFAC building (April 3). They're good seats, near the center of row F. Play starts at 7:30. You would meet us at the entrance to Pardoe Theatre SECTION ONE at about 7:20 to get your tickets. You can pay us the $6 apiece if you want, but if you don't mention it we won't either. First come, first serve. Let me know by 5:00 p.m. at chris.bigelow@unicitynetwork.com. Chris Bigelow - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ End of aml-list-digest V1 #665 ******************************