This Week in Latter-days

Boy Scouts of America opens the doors for gay leaders to serve within troops and the Church is mighty upset over the whole thing. We feel the Church's reaction is strangely pouty, so let's talk about what's going on and what to expect going forward, including a new scouting program developed by the Church itself.

Famed book The Miracle of Forgiveness is slowly going out of physical print, but no word on its digital distribution. Is the Church backing away from a sometimes controversial book or have market forces rendered physical publication moot?

Remember that driving range the Church wanted to tear down and replace with office buildings? The people have spoken and like the Ethiopians fighting the Italians, have fought back the larger power. No offices for you.

Should we develop a dating show for Al? Please say yes. Please participate!

An art exhibit at BYU featuring an allusion to Heavenly Mother is robbed, because that's the classy thing to do people.

Some Mormons are leading the charge to crowdsource an annotated, paginated, interfaith Bible.

How should we celebrate the Sabbath? The Church actually has a proactive program about improved Sabbath observance, and we love it. It's so nice to see something beyond a social media campaign.

The Cedar City Utah Temple groundbreaking is a-happenin'!

Links:

* Church statement on Boy Scouts ruling

* A non-Scouting future for LDS young men?

* Compare the Catholic response to BSA to the Mormon one (at the bottom)

* Interfaith Bible

* Five ways to tackle the Sabbath

* Miracle of Forgiveness going away?

* Lehi's driving range survives

* Heavenly Mother robbed

* Groundbreaking for Cedar City Temple

Geoff returns. Rest easy.

Can women count money? Why don't women serve in any financial roles in the Church? We know there are priesthood stewardship issues at play, but a recent article at The Exponent highlights the fact that women could serve as stake auditors as recently as 2010, until Handbook 1 was updated.

Our Facebook page gets really upset over Harry Reid. Facebook are judges in Israel. Who knew?

Peggy Fletcher Stack wants to talk about the grand "opportunity" the Brethren have to call apostles not from whitewashed Utah. She informs us that the "world is watching," even though it's not. So how does this sort of revelation transpire?

We have 11 signs that you're dating a 19th-century RM. It is hardcore. And it's for those with a sense of humor about church history. It is not for those who get upset at laughing about church history.

Author Richard Bushman does a Reddit AMA, and the results are pretty interesting. There are lots of powerful insights for the saints to apply. Make sure to click the link below to get the full rundown.

Since Pioneer Day is coming, there's a new #IAmAPioneer campaign, and we aren't in love with it.

In other news: history of the Church in the Washington, DC area; biblical women referred to as a "prophetess;" there is no more free agency; 16 leaders who have thrown out MLB first pitches; pay your tithing or get fined; a Mormon in Anaheim gets killed by taggers

Show links:

* Can women count money?

* #IAmAPioneer

* History of the Church in Washington, DC

* Prophetesses

* Mormon in Anaheim gunned down by taggers

* 16 LDS leaders who have thrown out pitches. So much Dodgers.

* Peggy Fletcher Stack wants a female apostle. We said it, not her.

* People all upset about Harry Reid

* 11 signs you're dating a 19th century RM

* Richard Bushman does an AMA

* Pay your tithing or get fined

* No more free agency

Geoff sits out this week's show for the first time in 284 straight weeks and is replaced by friend-of-the-show and friend-of-life Steve Soelberg. But don't fear! This week's TWiM will be as good - nay - better than any episode before it!

Remember when the Church bought up 2% of Florida? Apparently that wasn't just for Second Coming preparations as plans have been revealed that show the Church's plans to build a monstrous master-planned city of 500,000 people. So we started with condos at City Creek and moved up to condos in Philly and (maybe) Arlington, VA, and now we're building whole cities! Maybe an arena was lost somewhere in the middle?

In other development news, residents of Lehi Utah are miffed that the Church wants to develop office buildings on the site of a driving range. Naughty.

Elder Russell M. Nelson is now officially the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, next in line to the not-a-throne, and the block on Elder Dallin H. Oaks' rise to power.

Also, remember that alleged meth-making BYU student who says he was making soap? Well, he got sentenced for his malfeasance.

A fire in Los Angeles devours a Mormon meetinghouse there, and repairs will take roughly two years. The congregation will relocate in the interim.

Boy Scouts of America officially endorses gay adult leaders, and the Church responds in reasonably murky fashion.

Provo has a fire, and people must pay!

The Indianapolis Temple gets an open house.

Show Links:

* Church development in Florida

* Church development in Lehi

* Meth BYU student gets sentenced

* Los Angeles Church burns

* Russell M. Nelson is the man

* Boy Scouts is OK with gay

* Church response to BSA policy change

* Indianapolis Temple open house underway

President Boyd K. Packer passes away. We share our thoughts and memories on his ministry and life. Go well, Boyd.

Mormon leaders have pushed for stronger Sabbath observance from members of the Church. What does that mean to you? Why this new push? How can you improve your Sunday activites?

Did your ward read a letter from the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve this past Sunday? Will it this Sunday? How did it go with regard to the same-sex marriage ruling? Some wards seem to have discussions. Others just blow past it.

The Church contributes to a LGBT advocacy group, and it's awesome.

Kate Kelly is out at Ordain Women. She has resigned from the group's executive board, but apparently she wasn't the actual leader of the organization. No one is? It makes little sense.

Missionaries in 108 missions around the world will now no longer be required to bring a suit on their mission. At all. But will they still have testimonies?!

Bryce Harper gets naked for ESPN magazine, running afoul of For the Strength of Youth.

Polygamists in Montana try to register for marriage licenses. It's starting, folks. It's starting.

Cliven Bundy will be the King of Nevada!

And lastly, a great Stephen Colbert segment with Boyd K. Packer. Watch it below.

Links:

* Leaders push for improved Sabbath observance

* Church contributes to Utah Pride Center

* Bryce Harper has abs

* Cliven Bundy says Rand Paul promised him Nevada

* Kate Kelly leaves Ordain Women

* Missionaries don't need suits no more

* Polygamists in Montana push for union

* President Packer passes away

* Funeral services for President Packer

* Two Ways Boyd K. Packer Changed My Life

The Colbert Report

Colbert Report Episode Guide,  More Colbert Report Videos,  Comedy Central Full Episodes

The US Supreme Court rules in favor of same-sex marriage, so what will this mean for Mormons? Why should Mormons care? How do we react as Latter-day Saints? How do we uphold the law while our church openly disagrees with it?

We admit we have mixed feelings about the entire thing, particularly with how we separate our political beliefs from our religious ones. But we're not you, and we know all of you will have views covering a broad spectrum, and we welcome them, so sound off in the comments below.

In other news, BYUtv's Granite Flats us ending; two people shot outside a church in Oakland, CA; 10 great books about Mormonism; missionaries potentially going to Senegal and Sao Tomé and Principle; Farsi Book of Mormon, and the all-new @Ask_Mormons Twitter feed, of which we are participants!

Links:

* SCOTUS backs gay marriage

* Letter from the First Presidency

* Blogger says Elder Christofferson did not say it's OK to support gay marriage

* Do Mormons condemn interracial relationships?

* Granite Flats is ending

* North Dakota takes mission from Rapid City

* @Ask_Mormons on Twitter. Follow it!

* Farsi Book of Mormon

* Missionaries potentially going to new countries in Africa

* 10 Great LDS books

Americans are suddenly more inclined to vote for a Mormon than an Evangelical. Where was America in 2012? We are now Mittless!

We have loads of great dating advice for you, including how to maintain eye contact, the proper use of wands, and when to incorporate dialogue from The Lion King into your approach.

The Church is set to index 4 million slave names, which is really, really awesome. There's been a roadblock for many to complete their lines and this will be a big help.

The Trujillo Peru Temple was dedicated over the weekend, bringing us up to 147 dedicated temples. 147!!!

Do you remember that mission prep app one of us relentlessly mocked a few months ago? Well it got funded, so we will have some form of something in (maybe?) a few months. Look for a full review here when it comes out.

The Orem Owlz cancel "Caucasian Night" for obvious reasons.

Kate Kelly: One Year On. A new Lifetime movie. Not really, but an article in a newspaper that's not Deseret News.

A new show will purportedly show a Mormon character in nothing but garments. Are you outraged?

Lastly, Feminist Mormon Housewives are holding a fundraiser for formerly FLDS women. It's a good cause.

Links. Visit them.

* More Americans will vote Mormon than Evangelical

* The mission prep app is real

* Trujillo Peru Temple dedicated

* Fundraiser for FLDS refugees

* Church to index 4 million slave names

* Orem Owlz cancel "Caucasian Night"

* Kate Kelly one year on

* Garment show

 

The Church announces changes to the structure of sacrament meeting coordination, looping in the entire ward council. Both genders shall now be blessed beyond measure.

What would it mean for the prophet to "lead us astray," and how do we support and sustain the prophet? How do we follow while still weighing things and having open discussion?

LDS Music finally drops for Android. Congrats, world.

A blogger discusses our obligation to Mother Earth, and how we can be better stewards over the great temporal blessings we're given.

Some youth build a replica of the Nauvoo Temple and then it gets destroyed. It's actually a pretty cool activity with a strong message.

Assorted news: a Provo Openshaw family dies in a plane crash; a new member of the General Sunday School Presidency; a guy sets fire to churches because he hates churches! A dying man visits 100 temples before he dies; and a baptist says Mormons are becoming Christians. Yep.

Also, Geoff's suggestions for pregnancy movies!

Links:

* Ward council to plan sacrament meeting

* Stewards of the earth

* LDS Music for Android

* Youth build Nauvoo Temple replica

* Provo family dies in plane crash

* New member of the Sunday School General Presidency

* Church burner

* 100 temples before dying

* Mormons are becoming Christians, says non-Mormon

What's up with Mormons and multi-level marketing? Why are we so attracted to it? Let's talk about this.

There are a number of news items this week, including the Payson Utah Temple dedication, plus the announcement of the Provo City Center Temple dedication. Utah County will want for nothing!

What about Bryce Harper? Apparently he hates BYU. Does this make us love him more? Or less?!

Polygamy is increasingly en vogue in America. Uh oh.

Other news: a Mormon political party wants to "call" Mormons to run; John Huntsman and Mitt Romney are "Mormon rivals;" AMAZING LDS.org stock photos; a Provo church is converted to apartments; a couple has "faith" by traveling; Elder Holland speaks to the British parliament; and some other goodies!

And "As Sisters in Zion" gets a new treatment. A remix! A redub!

Plus: plenty of "South Pacific" references.

Please Click the Following Links to Read More:

* MLMs in Utah. Why?

* "As Sisters in Zion" Part Deux

* Payson Utah Temple celebration and dedication

* Political party to elect Mormons

* Mormon rivals

* Great LDS.org stock photos

* Provo church becomes "luxury" apartments

* Not all athletes who choose to serve missions succeed in athletics later on

* Provo City Center Temple dedication dates announced

* Bryce Harper hates BYU

* Couple has faith in traveling

* Elder Holland at UK parliament

* Polygamy at highest approval rating in US since 2000

* An obviously Mormon church vandalized

* Church pulls plans for Billings meetinghouse

Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles passed away on May 30 at the age of 92. He lived a great life and we have much to rejoice in, but we'll still miss him. So let's talk about Elder Perry's influence as well as a little bit of what to expect going forward to fill the vacancy in the Twelve.

We have a surprise mid-show guest: our pal, comedian Steve Soelberg! Steve calls in, talks about his new comedy DVD that EVERYONE IS BUYING and chews the fat with us. Good times.

In other Mormon news (much of which is overlooked this week), a missionary serving in central Georgia was killed in a car accident, and there will be a Pioneer Day concert with a Broadway star!

Also, some thoughts on effective high councilor talks and lessons, how to enjoy a hastily prepared fifth Sunday lesson, and general Mormonness all around.

Links:

* 21 uplifting L. Tom Perry quotes

* Elder Perry's son recounts final moments

* Reuters unfortunate headline

* Elder Perry loved Utah's LGBT law

* 7 Elder L. Tom Perry facts

* Elder Perry's first talk

* Elder Perry funeral details

* How a new apostle is chosen

* Good LDS comedians

* Sister missionary killed in GA car crash

* Pioneer Day concert guest!

BYU-Idaho has notified students that the university's insurance does not meet the minimum requirements of the Affordable Care Act, so students are encouraged to find some sort of gap insurance so as not to be hit with a penalty for not having coverage come September. The question, of course, is why BYU-I doesn't just change its insurance. Or is this due to abortion rights? Birth control? We must get to the bottom of this!

Elder Dallin H. Oaks lets us peek behind the curtain of how mission calls are issued. It's brief, but it's cool, and he cranks out 240 in a day. A DAY. That's one call per two minutes in an eight-hour workday. Madness.

A woman threatens to leap from the observation deck of the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City, but the situation is resolved. Al finds the whole thing funny because magicians.

Mormons Building Bridges is once again denied participation in the Days of '47 parade because participants can't be pushing for any form of "advocacy." However, isn't basically everything some form of advocacy? What's your take on this scandal of the century?

Brandon Flowers appears on NPR and talks about being Mormon, a father, and how he still deals with temptation. It's a great segment.

Is Mormon dating broken? An article poses the question, then does not explore it.

In lots of other assorted news: Elder Rasband visits soldiers in Kuwait; the Festival of Colors expands to Ogden to keep Ogdenites contained; a BYU student sells a QR code scanning app to Snapchat, defying all logic; a shooting at an Arizona stake center; couple has 100 "grandchildren;" LCR being phased in; new Temple Square exhibits; and so much more!

Links for the Show. Click Them:

* BYU-I is failing at health insurance

* Woman threatens to jump from Church Office Building

* Mormons Building Bridges denied once again

* Elder Oaks makes mission calls

* Elder Rasband in Kuwait

* Brandon Flowers on NPR

* 100 Grandchildren. Not really.

* LCR phase-in. MLS phase-out.

* New Temple Square exhibits are old elsewhere

* Festival of Colors expands

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