About Geoff B.

Geoff B graduated from Stanford University (class of 1985) and worked in journalism for several years until about 1992, when he took up his second career in telecommunications sales. He has held many callings in the Church, but his favorite calling is father and husband. Geoff is active in martial arts and loves hiking and skiing. Geoff has five children and lives in Colorado.

Do elite colleges and universities discriminate against Mormons?

This study is getting a lot of attention lately.   An analysis by two Princeton professors shows that elite universities really only favor one kind of diversity, ie diversity based on skin color and/or Latino ethnicity. Asians and middle class whites — especially whites from rural backgrounds — are discriminated against. This analysis shows that the groups discriminated against include Pentecostals, evangelicals and Mormons.

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Some updated news on climate issues

M* has been a source of a lot of interesting discussions lately on climate change, global warming, global cooling, etc. The ever intrepid Bruce Nielson has done a great job looking into the issue from a fresh perspective, and I believe his search — and his discoveries — will continue.

In the meantime, this may be as good a moment as any to look at some recent developments in the world of climate research. Why are we doing this on a Mormon blog? We could say it has to do with being good stewards of the Earth, but the reality is that (some of us) are just interested in the subject.

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With Father’s Day coming up…

…my wife sent me the following quotation:

“There is no higher authority in matters relating to the family organization, and especially when that organization is presided over by one holding the higher priesthood, than that of the father. The patriarchal order is of divine origin and will continue throughout time and eternity. There is then a particular reason why men, women, and children should understand this order and this authority in the households of the people of God, and seek to make it what God intended it to be, a qualification and preparation for the highest exaltation of His children.”

Source: –L. Tom Perry, ““Fatherhood, an Eternal Calling”, Liahona, May 2004, 69-72

Feel free to discuss. Be sure to call your dad and wish him happy Father’s Day on Sunday.

Utah Latinos plan letter-writing campaign to President Monson

This story in the Salt Lake Tribune says a Latino activist group is urging President Monson to clarify the Church’s position on illegal immigration.

Here are the key paragraphs of comments by activist Tony Yapias:

Yapias has applauded other faith leaders, including Bishop John C. Wester, leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, for speaking out against Arizona’s new law and pressing for comprehensive immigration reform. But the Latino activist wants the state’s predominant religion to take a stand.

“Why is it,” Yapias asks, “that the LDS Church can’t say what many other churches have said already?”