LDS Blogger Kathryn Skaggs Fires Back Against Criticism Of Her Assessment Of The Disney Movie "Frozen"

The proverbial "Gay Mafia" is always on the prowl for opportunities to discredit and defame anyone who speak out against the promotion of homosexual behavior. And they found a juicy target in the person of Kathryn Skaggs, a leading Mormon blogger who posted her assessment of the new Disney movie "Frozen". After seeing the movie three times, Sister Skaggs got the impression that it promoted a pro-gay message. The following statement best sums up her assessment of the movie; midway through her post, Sister Skaggs wrote "It actually gave me a good opportunity to confirm my initial reaction, and in so doing, I could blatantly see that the homosexual agenda, to normalize the practice, was not simply an underlying message in the movie Frozen, but is the actual story".

Of course, the critics all piled on to the comments section of her post and vented their spleens. Some criticism came from fellow Mormons, and not all of it was constructive. The "homophobic" epithet was slung about faster than hash at Mel's Diner. While she finally found it necessary to disable further comments, she let most of the comments stand as a testament, in part, to the emotional and irrational hatred displayed by the Gay Mafia and its allies against those who question their agenda. On February 21st, Kathryn Skaggs fired back, seeking to clarify the misunderstanding of her position and the resultant misinformation published in a number of outside media sources such as Pink News and HuffPo. Here's the meat of her rebuttal, along with my comments in italics:

I'd like to make a few clarifications about some of the things that I wrote in the post, which are being misrepresented, misunderstood, or were never said:

-- I did not say that people should boycott Frozen, rather, I liked the film. This is true; at no time did she call for a boycott.

-- I do not think the movie Frozen is evil, although I do see a strong gay theme running throughout the film. This is her honest assessment, although as Sixteen Small Stones points out, the movie actually demonstrates broad applicability to many different human experiences, which explains its popularity.

-- I never said that children who watch Frozen will become gay. This is true; at no time does she say or even imply that watching Frozen will turn anyone gay.

-- I do not believe people who advocate for SSM are evil. This is true; she clearly states she has no problem with those who find the homosexual messaging good, or important for society, from their perspective.

-- I do not hate homosexuals. This is true; one of her five kids is a non-practicing lesbian who's married to a man and who is an active LDS member, and Sister Skaggs says she loves her very much.

-- I never said that Christian parents who didn't see a gay message in Frozen are stupid. This is true; she merely said they could be clueless, which can mean they could have been honestly duped. Satan is notorious for twisting around otherwise worthy messages to mislead us, misdirect us, and subject us to his yoke.

-- I am aware that others see different themes in Frozen, which are positive. She points this out numerous times in her original post.

-- I believe a progressive element is strongly rooted in all forms of media and intentionally influences culture, in order to normalize that which currently is opposed by mainstream society - often so subtle that most don't detect it. This is putting it mildly. Progressives have virtually hijacked the entertainment industry, glorifying anti-heroes, misfits, malcontents, and other losers. And progressives have hijacked all the national media organizations except for the Fox News Channel.

Perhaps another reason why Sister Skaggs sees a gay theme in the movie is because some of the Gay Mafia have so enthusiastically taken ownership of it. Topless Robot wrote, in part, "Frozen's subtext is so gay, it's barely subtext; it's just on-the-nose text". And Bad-Ass Digest wrote, in part, "Is Elsa gay? I think there’s certainly a valid queer reading to be found in the film". So one can understand why some would focus on a gay theme in the movie. But Sixteen Small Stones gets it right when they opine that many people who are marginalized, for many different reasons, can relate to the movie. But Kathryn Skaggs does not deserve to be raked over the coals merely for sounding a voice of caution.

LDS-Owned City Creek Center Revitalizing Downtown Salt Lake City, Earns Critical Acclaim, But The Ads Need To Be Cleaned Up

Would you see this at Sacrament meeting?

One of the projects financed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints triggering controversy even among ranks of observant Mormons is in the news again. On July 9th, 2013, the New York Times published a story entitled "Mormon-Backed Mall Breathes Life into Salt Lake City" which shows that the City Creek Center has made a positive contribution to the economic and cultural life of downtown Salt Lake.

City Creek Center opened in March 2012, and was financed entirely by the LDS Church without the use of any tithing funds. Mall operator Taubman Centers said it owns the retail buildings and operates the place under a long-term lease from City Creek Reserve Inc. The most recent cost estimated published by KSL Channel 5 on June 19th, 2013, says that the cost is widely believed to be $1.7 billion, and that the accompanying condominium towers may have pushed the total cost to $2 billion. The LDS Church neither confirms not denies these numbers. Business leaders and developers credit the mall with spurring new business and enlivening what had been an increasingly seedy downtown core, although there are indications that the nearby Gateway Mall, a more family-oriented center, has paid a price. They saw sales decline around 20 percent to $150 million during 2012, and some of its tenants migrated to City Creek. Here are some of the facts and stats from the story:

-- Added 2,000 jobs and brought more than 16 million visitors into downtown, as well as provided 1,700 additional jobs during construction.
-- Helped downtown retail sales increase by 36 percent, or $209 million, in 2012. Convention visitors account for as much as 35 percent of retail sales.
-- All 111 rental apartments are fully leased.
-- Of the 424 condominiums, approximately 50 percent have been sold. Current market prices range from $486,000 for a two-bedroom unit to $213,000 for a 634-square foot studio.

What the Times did not include in the story was that City Creek Center has already received critical acclaim from a number of sources. On January 15th, 2013, KSL reported that International Property Awards named City Creek Center the Best Retail Development in the Western Hemisphere, and the third best worldwide, citing sustainable design, community collaboration, and breathtaking features and amenities as positives. But in 2008, long before the mall's completion, the Sierra Club issued a report on faith-based environmental initiatives which praised the LDS Church for its commitment to be good stewards in designing the mall. They said the mall placed a high priority on good health, the natural environment and quality of community life, and cited the employment of new-urbanism practices by choosing locations and designing projects that are transit-oriented and encourage walkable communities and more efficient energy and water use.

Nevertheless, the Times cites reaction from two different Mormons to illustrate the split within the LDS community on the project. Derek Staffanson, a local LDS member, has mixed feelings about the mall project:

"...I’m very disappointed with the manner in which the LDS Church chose to develop the area, the use to which they put it, and what that implies about the church’s priorities. If they had really been concerned about the local community and ending the blight, they would have built a mixed-income, mixed-use community, focusing on developing local entrepreneurship, community centers and resources, a playground, more like the true walkable urban communities in Europe. That would have truly revitalized the local community, creating more prosperity for all. For this huge sum of money to be spent on an edifice for commerce and conspicuous consumption seems at best misguided.”

However, Kevin Barney, a LDS member from Chicago who visits Salt Lake on occasion, reacted more positively:

“The church put a whole bunch of people to work during a deep recession. For another thing, downtown Salt Lake City had become blighted, and that area is sort of like the Mormon Vatican. I think the church had a responsibility to do something about it if it could.”

Another issue which has troubled some observant Mormons is the mall's occasional use of advertising considered to be sexually suggestive. Of course, just because a secular mall is owned by the LDS Church does not require it to precisely mirror LDS moral standards. But take a look at the screenshot of billboard advertising replicated below:

Bare Record was troubled by this, writing "...I find all of this to be quite troublesome. What causes me even greater concern is how we choose to market and advertise our LDS Mall. Here are a few photos that I took along the freeway of the new billboards advertising City Creek. In the first billboard shown, the advertisement uses the word: 'Enchants' to describe City Creek. A synomym for the word 'enchant' is 'beguile'. That word sounds familiar". This, of course, is in reference to the Genesis verse where Eve explains to the Lord that the serpent "beguiled" her and she did eat. On Pure Mormonism, H. Rock Waterman expresses similar concerns, and also questions whether City Creek is as financially healthy as touted.

In response to critics who insisted that the LDS Church spend more money "feeding sheep", FAIRLDS issued this statement recorded on March 25th, 2012:

"Some have insisted that funds would be better if directed to charitable works such as feeding the poor. The Church does have an extensive humanitarian effort. Critics on this point often overlook the fact that Church funds are best managed not by sitting in a bank account, but through prudent investment. Investment in land and real estate development is often a wise and ultimately profitable investment approach It is entirely possible that the City Creek Center Mall will eventually become a money making venture, as the Church collects rent from mall merchants. This investment strategy would allow the Church to, over time, recoup its initial outlay or even make money that could be further dedicated to the Church's religious and humanitarian goals

Critics also overlook the fact that if money is spent to feed the needy, that money is gone. On the other hand, if the Church reinvests in Salt Lake City's downtown core, this provides jobs and economic stimulus, for example, via construction and then the service-industry jobs which will fill the mall upon its completion. While providing fewer short term gains, this long term 'teach a man to fish' strategy could ultimately benefit many more people, by allowing them to 'help themselves'".

There's more than one way to feed sheep, and the best long term solution is to teach sheep to feed themselves, and, subsequently, others. This approach doesn't merely sustain the economy -- it actually GROWS the economy. By building this mall, the LDS Church gave back life to a declining community -- which cannot always be measured in pure dollars and sense. They would do well to clean up the ads, even if they do allow alcohol sales in certain areas and close most of the mall on Sunday.

East Valley Mormon Choral Organization In Mesa, Arizona Grabs The Number One Spot On Billboard's Classical Chart With "Messiah In America"

A predominantly-Mormon musical group in Mesa, Arizona has just grabbed the number one spot on a Billboard music chart for their rendition of a new oratorio, "Messiah In America".

According to the Arizona Republic and the Salt Lake Tribune, the East Valley Mormon Choral Organization was part of a group of 700 singers and instrumentalists from MCO's choirs, children's choirs and symphony orchestras, which also included the Orange County Mormon Choral Organization in California, which captured the top spot on Billboard's Traditional Classical music chart for their performance of Messiah In America. They're also listed as a "Hot Shot Debut" at number seven on the overall Classical chart and as a top Independent album. Here's a brief promo of the group:



The LDS website noted that the group includes four world-class soloists; Jennifer Welch-Babidge, soprano; Francesca Forsyth, alto; George Dyer, tenor; and John Huntington, bass. The group also performed in the Salt Lake Tabernacle on June 4th, 2011.

"Messiah in America" was written by Mormon Choral Organizations of America co-founder Brett Stewart, who based the story on the Book of Mormon account of Jesus Christ's visit to America. You can read the complete account of Christ's visit to America in III Nephi, Chapters 9 through 26 inclusive. The album is currently available through iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby and select local retailers in Arizona and California. For more information about the Messiah in America album, go to www.messiahinamerica.com.

LDS Bishop Dennis Toone Defends No Cross-Gender Dressing Policy At Crescent 16th Ward Trunk-Or-Treat In Draper, Utah

The bishop of the Crescent 16th Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Draper, Utah has defended a flyer posted at his chapel prior to their October 25th trunk-or-treat event in which they asked people not to dress up in cross-gender attire. A photo of the flyer is posted above. Update: This story has now gone viral, picked up by The Blaze and the Fox News Channel.

Bishop Dennis Toone's family says the Young Women's group created the flyer before hundreds went out to the community. Since Bishop Toone suffered a loss in his family, he didn't want to appear on camera. But in a published report, Toone defended the flyer saying "I thought it was church policy. I'll defend the church and anyone who doesn't like it doesn't have to come.”

Bingo! That's what some of us Mormons have been waiting to hear. Political correctness has been infiltrating the ranks of Latter-day Saints; many went ga-ga over the calling of the openly-gay but celibate Mitch Mayne as executive secretary to the Bay Ward bishopric in San Francisco, acting as if he was a second Joseph Smith. I commend Bishop Toone for having the stones to say that if people don't like it, they don't have to come. There's too much obsession with inclusivity in our society -- an inclusivity which is rarely extended towards those who wish to hold fast to the iron rod. If we try to be all things to all people, we will be of no value to the Lord.

Meanwhile, LDS spokesperson Scott Trotter said that although the Church does mandate a no-mask policy for such events, the cross-dressing ban is not churchwide policy, and event rules like that are up to the discretion of the local bishop or church members. Trotter did not explain why Bishop Toone used such language, but he assumes his intent was to promote appropriate dress. KSTU Channel 13 news video embedded below (after the jump):

Florida Panthers Draftee Rocco Grimaldi Thinks Women Should Be Guardians Of Virtue......And He's Not Even A Mormon

Some readers may recall that during the General Young Women Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held on March 26th, 2011, Young Women President Elaine Dalton called upon women to be "guardians of virtue". Her premise was that while men are always responsible for their own behavior, women could better comport themselves in dress and conduct to serve as an incentive for better behavior by men. Specifically, she counseled the young ladies in attendance to even avoid sending flirtatious, sexually explicit text messages, claiming that such messages could lead a young man to lose the Spirit, his Priesthood power and his virtue. The talk drew a mixed reaction from the LDS blogosphere, with Feminist Mormon Housewives criticizing it while Sister Dalton's own daughter, Emi Edgley, mounted a vigorous defense.

Now a college hockey player who's been drafted by the Florida Panthers of the NHL has picked up on this theme. In a series of posts on Twitter, Rocco Grimaldi, who'll be playing for the University of North Dakota this season, basically calls upon women to be guardians of virtue......and he's not even a Mormon. Grimaldi calls upon women to dress less suggestively in public, concerned that they might tempt men beyond their ability to bear it. Grimaldi's Twitter counsel to women is replicated below (click the images for a larger version):

But unlike Sister Dalton, Grimaldi doesn't cut the men any slack. He calls upon men not to blame women for the way they dress, and said that women are not just an object to be playing with. Grimaldi also admonished men that since God put men in charge of this earth, we have the primary responsibility to man up and lay down our lust. The latter is a reflection of Priesthood thinking -- since only men get the Priesthood, men incur a greater responsibility and accountability. Grimaldi's Twitter counsel to men is replicated below:

Formalize Grimaldi's syntax a bit, and he'd be a natural fit up on the podium at General Conference. His counsel is no different than that dispensed by countless General Authorities and auxiliary leaders at countless conferences and firesides.

Reaction: Greg Wyshynski basically scoffs at Grimaldi's notions on Yahoo Sports, characterizing it as "Twitter rants that espouse Puritanical nonsense" and "uncomfortably close to the asinine...". Wyshinski also notes that although Grimaldi's heart is in the right place with the comments about men, his comments about women drown them out. This, of course, is a sexist analysis, implying that women have to be held beyond reproach simply because they're women.

But on the Broward-Palm Beach New Times, a couple of commenters express support for Grimaldi. Vickymomof6 wrote, "Rocco Grimaldi, Thank you! About time a man stood up for his beliefs. You tell it just like it is and I honour you for it!"

I agree wholeheartedly.

Donny Osmond Decries Hollywood's Cultural Pollution, Specifically Criticizes Lady Gaga For Using Profanity, Sexual Exploitation, Nudity And Graphic Violence

During the Saturday evening Priesthood Session of the 181st Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held on April 2-3, 2011, President Thomas S. Monson took issue with cultural pollution in contemporary society. In his address, entitled "Priesthood Power", President Monson noted the following:

"...We have come to the earth in troubled times. The moral compass of the masses has gradually shifted to an 'almost anything goes' position.

I’ve lived long enough to have witnessed much of the metamorphosis of society’s morals. Where once the standards of the Church and the standards of society were mostly compatible, now there is a wide chasm between us, and it’s growing ever wider.

Many movies and television shows portray behavior which is in direct opposition to the laws of God. Do not subject yourself to the innuendo and outright filth which are so often found there. The lyrics in much of today’s music fall in the same category. The profanity so prevalent around us today would never have been tolerated in the not-too-distant past. Sadly, the Lord’s name is taken in vain over and over again"...

On May 18th, 2011, KSL Channel 5 reports that LDS entertainer Donny Osmond has picked up on President Monson's counsel. During a May 16th appearance on CNN's Piers Morgan program, Osmond also took issue with the upsurge in cultural pollution, specifically citing Lady Gaga as a prime example. He criticized the controversial singer for her 2010 music video "Telephone", saying that the video with Beyonce contains "profanity, sexual exploitation, nudity and graphic violence". According to National Ledger, Osmond also said "I wouldn't want my child to watch this video. Would you? What do you think? Should these two extremely gifted female role models for millions of young girls, maybe, have given a little more thought to the effect it might have on their core audience?"

Osmond does acknowledge that Lady Gaga is brilliant as a marketer, a writer, and an artist, characterizing her as a "Madonna incarnated". But he's clearly repulsed by a lot of the shock elements used by many artists nowadays just to get that initial burst of publicity.

Donny Osmond is to be commended for speaking out publicly on this issue. When a prominent public figure like Osmond speaks out against cultural pollution, it gets more public attention than when an LDS General Authority speaks out. Furthermore, if decent folk like us fail to speak out, extremist elements are likely to take action that could bring discredit upon us all. Case in point: On Sunday April 17th, 2011, a group of well-intentioned French Christian nationalists invaded a venue in Avignon, France where the works of artist Jose Serrano were displayed and vandalized the infamous Piss Christ depiction. The Piss Christ depiction is a photograph of a crucifix immersed in urine. But while their spirit was commendable, their actions were illegal, and they will be prosecuted if caught. So far as I know, the Twelfth Article of Faith has not been repealed; we're still counseled to being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. Vandalism is still a crime.

A poll run by KSL on the story page shows respondents agree with Donny Osmond. In response to the question, "What's your take on Donny's comments", 2,900 people have weighed in so far:

-- He's spot on: 63 percent (1816 votes)
-- He makes a point, but it won't make a difference: 31 percent (892 votes)
-- He's out of touch: 7 percent (192 votes)

Actually, it can make a difference -- if we take action. We need to speak out against cultural pollution when prompted by the Spirit. More importantly, we need to quit buying offensive products and patronizing offensive artists -- use the power of the purse.

Why American Mormons Are Predominantly Republican; It's Because The Democratic Party Changed Its Prevailing Social Values

A recent Gallup Poll which showed that Barack Obama has the lowest approval rating, 24 percent, among Mormons has triggered considerable discussion. One pundit on Mormon Mentality authored a post entitled, "Mormons NOT Fans Of President Obama (really!?)", and simplistically wrote off the findings as "bias" against the Democratic Party. A follow-up post entitled "Mormon Political Affiliation" acknowledged a combination of theology/practice combined with the demographics of the average U.S. Mormon.

But many people who were either not alive or who had not yet reached the age of majority during the late 1960s and early 1970s missed an important sea change -- the Democratic Party changed its predominant social values during the early 1970s, and those changes tend to be antagonistic towards LDS values.

A brief history lesson is in order. During the New Deal era, Utah Mormons did not vote Republican. Franklin D. Roosevelt actually carried the Beehive State in five consecutive elections from 1932 through 1948, despite the fact that conservatives at the time decried some of the New Deal provisions as "socialist". Although the main appeal of the New Deal was that its benefits were intended to be for all Americans instead of a Byzantine series of "protected classes", another reason for FDR's appeal is that the LDS Church's welfare program was still evolving at the time. But there are other reasons why the Democratic agenda was acceptable to Utah Mormons at the time:

-- The Democratic Party was not pro-choice on abortion
-- The Democratic Party did not promote gay rights or gay marriage
-- The Democratic Party did not promote feminism

The Democratic Party remained a classical liberal party until 1972. At that point, spurred on by a more radical progressive contingent which first took root on college campuses during the late 1960s, the Democratic Party did adopt a more "progressive" agenda on abortion, gay rights, and feminism, although the evolution took several more election cycles to complete. A classic liberal Democrat, Edmund Muskie, was shunted to the sidelines by the more progressive Senator George McGovern, who ran for President against Richard Nixon in 1972 and got crushed. Those who were alive at the time probably remember McGovern being characterized as the "Amnesty, Acid, and Abortion" candidate (amnesty in reference to draft dodgers and acid in reference to the hallucinogen LSD).

Thus in 2010, we have the following clash of values between the Democratic Party and Mormon social values:

-- While the Democratic Party tends to be absolutely pro-choice on abortion, the LDS Church is conditionally pro-life, accepting abortion only for medical reasons
-- While the Democratic Party tends to promote pro-gay values, to increasingly include gay marriage, the LDS Church defines marriage as only between one man and one woman, and continues to excommunicate those of its members found to be practicing homosexuality (the LDS Church does NOT impose discipline on celibate gays)
-- While the Democratic Party tends to promote feminism, the LDS Church itself is infrastructurally patriarchal, conferring Priesthood only upon men, although both The Exponent and Feminist Mormon Housewives promote a less-threatening brand of feminism.

As long as this pronounced social disconnect exists, we can expect American Mormons to remain predominantly Republican. If the Democratic Party wants to make inroads within the LDS community, it must downgrade abortion, gay rights, and feminism from being "articles of faith" to being merely individual matters of conscience. LDS politicians who take that approach can get elected; Jim Matheson and Harry Reid are proof.

To expect the majority of American Mormons to vote for a party diametrically opposed to LDS social values would be like expecting Jews to have voted for Hitler in National Socialist Germany or Missouri Mormons to have voted for Lilburn W. Boggs in the 1830s. It just ain't gonna happen.

An Antidote To Gay-Straight Clubs: Christie Richmond Forms A "Mormon Club" At La Jolla High School In California

America's high schools have become inundated with so-called "Gay-Straight Clubs", around 3,500 nationwide at last count, which allegedly promote nothing more than "tolerance and understanding" between the straight community and the gay community (often referred to by the tongue-twisting acronym of "GLBTQ", which sounds more like a specialty sandwich from Burger King). Efforts to stymie the proliferation of these clubs have been hindered by the provisions of the Federal Equal Access Act, which requires schools to allow student clubs to be organized as long as attendance is voluntary, the group is student-initiated, the group is not officially sponsored by the school, the group is not disruptive, and they don't allow outsiders to acquire a controlling interest or engage in regular attendance. The only lawful alternative is if a school bans all student clubs.

However, if you can't beat them, you can instead compete against them, according to La Jolla (CA) High School student Christie Richmond. While she's taken no public position on gay-straight clubs, she decided to form a Mormon club on campus to address the growing public misperceptions about Mormonism. The full story of her accomplishments is published by the La Jolla Light (La Jolla is a suburb of San Diego for the geographically-challenged).

Richmond followed all the instructions. First, she circulated a petition; 100 signatures were required. After she got 260 signatures, the club was approved, and 60 people showed up at its first weekly meeting. Any La Jolla student is welcome to join the club.

Typically, the club leadership presents topics like the First Vision or topics out of the pamphlet "For the Strength of Youth" (a pamphlet of standards to guide Mormon youths, leaders and parents; HTML copy HERE, 47-page PDF copy HERE). On one occasion, a couple of full-time missionaries attended to explain their role. But they also plan social activities for club members where LDS standards of behavior are observed to show that people can have a good time while upholding LDS church standards. And it's not all funeral potatoes and green jello, either; pizza is frequently on the menu.

The Mormon Club is relatively new, since it is not yet listed on the school's list of student clubs, although a gay-straight club exists, as well as a branch of the controversial M.E.Ch.A., known colloquially as the "Mechistas", considered by some to be a Latino supremacist group (a student does not have to be Latino to join it, though).

Some anti-Mormons, particularly ex-Mormons who won't let go of the Church, will undoubtedly take issue with this club, claiming it's a mechanism for proselytization. Well, so what if it is; proselytization is free speech, and all religions are entitled to compete for adherents. Free speech applies to ALL, not just to those with whom we agree. But the primary purpose of this club is information, although some conversions may eventually result. Ex-Mormons need to understand that just because Mormonism didn't work for them doesn't mean it doesn't work period; millions continue to find spiritual satisfaction within the ranks of the Church, and ex-Mormons need to show more respect for those who choose to remain within the Church (in return, we can be less judgmental of those who leave).

Nevertheless, the creation of a Mormon Club, as well as any other religious clubs on high school campuses, will serve as a valuable and welcome counterweight to the proliferation of gay-straight clubs nationwide. If you can't beat them, compete against them.

Apostle Russell M. Nelson And His Wife Wendy Watson Nelson To Represent The LDS Church At The 2009 World Congress Of Families V In Amsterdam

Christian News Wire reports that the World Congress of Families V will be taking place in Amsterdam in the Netherlands from August 10-12, 2009. Over 1,000 pro-family leaders, activists, scholars and legislators from 61 countries are gathering to participate in the international strategy session for -- and celebration of -- the natural family.

The term "natural family" of course means a family as our Heavenly Father conceived it - an Adam-and-Eve family, NOT an Adam-and-Steve family.

As implied by the event's title, it is the fifth conference held by this organization, which meets irregularly. Overwhelmingly a Christian event, participants represent a wide variety of Christian interests (31 pro-family groups sponsor the conference), most notably Dr. Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), former SBC President Paige Patterson, Dr. Wanda Franz (President, National Right to Life Committee), and even a feminist, Anna Zaborska (Chairman, Committee on Gender Rights and Women's Equality, European Union Parliament). Token Jewish representation will be provided by Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs (Chief Rabbi of the Netherlands), most likely because the conference is taking place on his home turf. No Muslims are listed as participants, although Dr. Farooq Hassan, an international jurist who is the President of the Pakistan Family Forum, will be in attendance.

And the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will also be represented; more precisely, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Foundation, better known by its short title of LDS Philanthropies. Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will also be in attendance, accompanied by his wife, Wendy Watson Nelson. According to the official program, both are scheduled to speak on "The Family: The Hope for the Future of Nations" on August 12th. According to WCF's June-July 2009 Newsletter, Wendy Nelson chaired the Brigham Young University’s Women’s Conference in 1989 and 2000.

The official program also reveals that two more Latter-day Saints will be present; Paul Mero, president of the Utah-based Sutherland Institute, and Sheri Dew who formerly served in the LDS Church's Relief Society Presidency and is now the president of Deseret Books. They will co-chair "The Family: Hope for the Future" plenary session to be held on August 12th. Ironically, Dew has never been married, but one doesn't have to be married to be a successful pro-family activist.

There is a threat of antifa disruption at the event. The Autonomous Feminist Action calls World Congress of Families a group of “fundamentalistic (sic.) Christians” who “will plead for going back to the Christian traditions of traditional relationship between man and woman (sic).” It describes WCF as anti-feminist, anti-abortion, homophobic and opposed to divorce. To illustrate its anti-natural family message, Feminist Action has posted a menacing drawing of a man and a woman, with a child and a cross between them. There’s a dotted line going through the necks of the couple and a pair of scissors ready to cut off their heads.!

Larry Jacobs, Managing Director of the World Congress of Families, responded, “Clearly, the social left is terrified of the Congress bringing a pro-family message to what it considers its turf.” Appropriate security will be provided at the event.

Pew Religious Forum Survey Entitled "A Portrait Of Mormons" Shows 68 Percent Of Latter-Day Saints Feel Threatened By Hollywood

A newly-released study by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, entitled "A Portrait of Mormons", shows that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints feel more threatened by Hollywood than do members of other religions. The study said 68 percent agree their values are often threatened by the entertainment industry. In contrast only 42 percent of the population as a whole feel threatened. Media story in the Salt Lake Tribune. In the Bloggernacle, A Soft Answer takes a swing at this survey; later, The Mormons Are Coming and Times and Seasons also weighed in, the latter with a more detailed analysis, but focusing on some different aspects.

The Pew study showed the next highest religious group concerned about Hollywood was the Jehovah's Witnesses at 54 percent. Also, 53 percent of members of evangelical Protestant churches feel similarly.

This is easy to understand. Hollywood puts out a steady diet of movies that utterly reek of sex and special effects. Hollywood is also vigorously promoting and mainstreaming homosexuality. These values are grossly antagonistic not only to most Mormons, but to many of those in other conservative denominations. In addition, the behavior of people at movie theaters has become increasingly abominable, so that civilized people cannot enjoy a movie in their presence. It's no wonder conservatives have become so turned off on anything associated with Hollywood.

The study is divided into three parts. Part I examines Demography, Part II highlights Religious Beliefs and Practices, and Part III discusses Social and Political Views.

Other interesting factoids:

(1). Political Philosophy: 60 percent of Mormons identify as conservatives, 27 percent as moderates, and 10 percent as liberals. This compares to the general population statistics of 37 percent conservative, 36 percent moderate, and 20 percent liberal.

(2). Party Affiliation: 65 percent of Mormons are or lean Republican, and 22 percent are or lean Democrat. This compares to the general population of 35 percent Republican and 47 percent Democrat.

(3). Homosexuality: Only 24 percent of Mormons say homosexuality should be accepted by society, vs. 50 percent of the general population.

(4). Evolution: Only 22 percent of Mormons say evolution is the best explanation for human life, vs. 48 percent of the general population.

(5). Abortion: 70 percent of Mormons say abortion should be illegal in most or all cases, vs. 43 percent of the general population.

The survey also examines attitudes in other areas, such as size and role of government and foreign affairs. It illustrates why Mormons are so predominantly conservative and Republican. It also should send a message to gays and progressives - that any attempts to bridge the ideological gaps in social issues are likely to be fruitless. The best approach would be to simply learn peaceful co-existence, such as what existed between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. If we place the one common denominator, Jesus Christ, first, we can succeed.