M* is pleased to present a guest post from Brother Earl Taylor, Jr., President of the National Center for Constitutional Studies.

About Brother Taylor:

 Earl Taylor, Jr.  has taught The Making of America Constitutional Study course to thousands of people over the past twenty years throughout the nation.  He has developed other study courses for a wide range of participants, from high school students to state legislators.

 Educated in Washington State and Arizona, Mr. Taylor graduated from Arizona State University and received his Masters Degree in Political Science from George Wythe College and Coral Ridge Baptist University.  He has had the privilege of being privately tutored by Dr. W. Cleon Skousen over the course of many years.  He became President of the National Center for Constitutional Studies in 1995, an organization founded by Dr. Skousen in 1971 as the Freemen Institute.  The purpose of the NCCS is to teach Americans the exciting message of the Founding Fathers – where they got their great ideas and how they put them all together into a Constitution for the establishment of the first free people in modern times.  In 1998, Mr. Taylor was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from George Wythe College and Coral Ridge Baptist University.  He also serves as a member of the adjunct faculty of George Wythe College.

 Mr. Taylor served as coordinator in 1985 of the Winter Conference for State Legislators where nearly 400 elected officials from 30 states met to study The Making of America.  He has written a special study guide for Boy Scouts to help them earn their Citizenship Merit Badges.   He also helped structure courses on the U. S. Constitution for college re-certification of public school teachers.
 
 In his desire to begin to train young people in this most important area, Mr. Taylor established one of the first charter high schools in Arizona, Heritage Academy,  where he has developed a special curriculum for the teaching of hundreds of students the exciting message of the Founding Fathers.

 Mr. Taylor has also been instrumental in encouraging the celebration of Constitution Week in many cities and schools throughout the nation.

 Mr. Taylor and his wife, Ruth, are the parents of ten children and reside in Mesa, Arizona. Read more…

Guest Post Constitution, Government, LDS, Mormon, Politics

The Millennial Star is pleased to present the following guest post from Chris Heimerdinger. Chris is the author of the well know “Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites” adventure series of books. He’s written a total of sixteen adult and young adult novels and has released a film, Passage to Zarahemla in October 2007.

Chris has five children and presently lives in Draper, UT.

I felt I like blogging on on a subject of a more doctrinal/philosophical nature. Maybe I’m overemphasizing the resurgence of this problem, but since some guy brought it up in Sunday School last week, and since I read where someone tried to push this doctrine on an AML blog, and since some might misconstrue that this doctrine is also supported by a new book by Alonzo Gaskill called, Odds Are You’re Going to Be Exhalted, I felt it was worth bringing up.

“Universalism” is the doctrine that eventually, whether it may take billions of years, ALL of our Heavenly Father’s children will be exalted in the Celestial Kingdom. The idea is that even though many on earth will inherit the telestial kingdom, or the lowest of the three degrees of glory, over time they will have the opportunity to progress to higher kingdoms. Usually this doctrine is couched with the emotional philosophy that a loving Heavenly Father could NEVER introduce a plan of salvation wherein only a portion of His children would receive exaltation and be permanently reunited into His presence.

Read more…

Administrative, Guest Post, Sunday School

The Millennial Star is pleased to present the following guest post from Stephanie Abney. Stephanie (Peterson) Abney is a member of the LDS church and resides in Mesa, AZ, Mesa Mountain View Stake, with her husband of 38 years, Jim. They have a remarkable and growing family (5 kids - 4 living - assorted in-laws and at last count, 14 grandchildren). Stephanie is currently a writer and a substitute school teacher. She writes regularly for the Arizona Beehive newspaper and is the General Vice-President of American Night Writers Association (a network for LDS women writers).

I’ve gone back to school in order to complete a degree in Education and to become certified so I can start teaching full-time and not just substitute teach. I just finished a summer school class called, “Introduction to Education.” I really loved this class, not just because the information is so useful but because I think I managed to sign up for a class taught by a “master” teacher, Mr. Ted Telepak, at M.C.C., Mesa, AZ. Just observing him I gained great insights about the kind of teacher I want to be.

Read more…

Guest Post, In real life

The following guest post is from Dr. Warner Woodworth.

Latter-day Saints around the globe recently celebrated the 1978 Church announcement regarding the Priesthood being conferred upon all worthy males. For me it’s a time to pause in gratitude, remember that momentous event, and reflect on the days of struggle many of us, Black and Caucasian, went through to achieve a better, more egalitarian society.  I sat in the tabernacle June 8, 2008 with a group of friends—African Americans, Polynesians, and Africans—as we shared recollections and listened to the program.  One conclusion was that the event wasn’t black enough.  We wanted more jumping up and singing, clapping, and a lot more energy.  Said one, “When are you white Mormons going to break out of your stiff culture and let your hearts soar?”

I didn’t have an answer. Read more…

General LDS, Liberal, Mormon, Politics

The Millennial Star is pleased to present the following guest post from Chris Heimerdinger. Chris is the author of the well know “Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites” adventure series of books. He’s written a total of sixteen adult and young adult novels and has released a film, Passage to Zarahemla in October 2007.

Chris has five children and presently lives in Draper, UT.

Passage to Zarahemla has been the project of my life for the past three years. And doggone it—I’m proud of it! Sure, sure. There’s flaws. But I think we finally got some things right. And some of these are cinematic firsts.

Firstly, we finally got the ethnic thing right. Or at least we got it closer. I firmly believe there will come a day when paintings, illustrations, and movies featuring elements of the Book of Mormon wherein Europeans (oh, let’s just call ‘em white dudes) are featured as Nephites and Lamanites, will be a subject of some ridicule. And it won’t just be a “politically correct” thing. It will be because blonde-haired, blue-eyed Nephites and Lamanites are just not accurate. Even if you subscribe to the idea that Nephites should appear Jewish (since they, uh, came from Jerusalem), they would still look very different from actors in many of our Church movies.

Now, this doesn’t mean Passage to Zarahemla is perfect on that score. If you look very closely you might find one or two Caucasian Gadiantons in the group scenes. But my goal from the beginning was that the casting of these roles should be overwhelmingly dominated by Native Americans, Polynesians, and Hispanics. Now, I confess, even this strategy could be found lacking. Ask any Native American and they can tell you that there are distinctive physical differences even from one tribe to another. And they would certainly rebuff any suggestion that they look like Polynesians. But at least in this film, I’d like to think we got closer. Perhaps much closer than we’ve ever gotten before.

Secondly, Passage to Zarahemla is the first Book of Mormon story that films within the confines of actual Book of Mormon territory. Or to be more specific, we filmed in Costa Rica. Not Hawaii. Not Park City. Okay, now I better back up a bit. Quite honestly, most LDS scholars would proclaim that Costa Rica is just south of the Nephite and Lamanite heartlands. But again, we’re so much closer than the vision of any other Book of Mormon filmmaker. Yeah, yeah. I know there are still some who want to put Nephite territory in the region of the Great Lakes. They may be a dying breed, but they do die hard. Nevertheless, we filmed in Costa Rica because there appears to be a much better chance that the descendants of Lehi actually resided on this ground.

I know some are thinking…but wasn’t your “time portal” was in Leeds, Utah? Yeah, but if you pay attention to the book (the movie doesn’t really get into this) it also says that the time portal in those woods near the home of Aunt Corinne and Uncle Drew is not just a rift in time, but a rift in location. And hey, Passage is a fantasy movie after all. So don’t look too closely if want an accurate portrayal of a Book of Mormon event. In the end, it’s only fiction. But it’s a story whose intention from the beginning was to celebrate the scripture. Not prove the Book of Mormon. Not argue the case to Baptists and Catholics. Just…celebrate the fact that it is. And quite honestly, I feel that kind of unapologetic approach is more powerful anyway.

If nothing else, in years to come, I will be gratified enough if Passage to Zarahemla earns the distinction of being the first Book of Mormon story that sincerely tried to get a few of these formerly overlooked attributes right.

Chris Heimerdinger

Administrative, General, Guest Post

You might have read his insightful and thought-provoking posts at his new blog, Temple Study, or perhaps you will get to know his insightful and thought-provoking posts here at M*. Either way, we think you will enjoy reading Bryce’s posts at either blog!

Bryce grew up in Sandy, Utah, as a Beetdigger. He was the Utah State Sterling Scholar winner in Computer Technology. He served a mission in El Salvador San Salvador East mission from 2000-2002, including 8 months as mission financial secretary. Bryce graduated from Brigham Young University in 2007 with a BFA in Industrial Design and a minor in Ballroom Dance. As a member of the BYU Ballroom Dance Company, he toured 10 countries internationally over 4 years. A self-described Nibleyophile for about 10 years, loves the temple and is the founder of the new Temple Study blog, started in January of 2008. Bryce lives in Pleasant Grove, Utah, with his beautiful wife, daughter, and another child the way!

General

 The Millennial Star is pleased to present the following guest post from Cecily Markland. Cecily is an amazing writer with an extensive resume.  

She has over 18 years experience as a writer, editor, project manager and journalist. Her past experience includes freelance writing for the “Ogden Standard Examiner”, the Gilbert Independent Newspaper and she for the last eight years has served as the editor of “The Beehive“. 

Cecily is the mother to six children and grandmother of 11. You can visit Cecily’s web site and blog “The Buzz” by clicking here.  

 In true “if-you-build-it-they-will-come” fashion, the Reflections of Christ exhibit at the Mesa Arizona Temple Visitors’ Center drew more than 1,500 people in the first three days it was open. 

Now, several weeks later, crowds of up to 600 or more a night continue to converge on this unique exhibit of fine art photographs depicting the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, complemented by a companion documentary and a soundtrack with original arrangements of familiar hymns.

Read more…

General Cameron Trejo, Cecily Markland, General, Guest Post, LDS, Mark Mabry, Mormon, Reflections of Christ

Steph B will be joining the M* family as a permablogger. She blogs regularly at the Mormons Rock blog. She describes herself the following way:

“I’m 29 years old, I am married with 2 kids. My hubby is a contractor in Iraq, He has been there for almost 3 years (he was in the Army for 1/2 of the time). Read more…

General

Now we’re using Wordpress. Let us know what you think and please feel free to make suggestions.

We’re hopeful this new software will make for a new, improved user-friendly experience in visiting our blog.

Any

The following guest post was submitted by a frequent commenter and past guest blogger at M*, Mike. He describes himself as “the husband of my wonderful wife, married five years, and father of two great kids. I am most proud of that. I’m a graduate of BYU in Computer Science, and currently work as a software developer in Wisconsin, where my wife grew up and where I am growing to love. My personal blog is The Horebite.

By: Mike

Last Sunday I broke the Sabbath. Yes, I confess. My wife had a severe pain in the neck (no, it wasn’t me this time), and we didn’t have any ibuprofen or icy-hot. I considered calling some friends to see if I could borrow some, but thinking of the hassle of calling around got the best of me (besides, how exactly do you borrow icy-hot), and so I decided to drive down the street to the grocery story. Yes, on Sunday.

Read more…

Any