American Moment: Invitation from President-Elect Obama Nov. 2008

In 2008 the President-Elect invited supporters from his prodigious social media community to reflect on this “American Moment” and to submit it to his organization. Here below is my little response to the soon-to-be commander-in-chief.   I campaigned many long hours, donated money, and engaged in myriad conversations with friends, …

ENDOWING THE OLYMPIC MASSES: Review of “Light of the World” at the 2002 Winter Olympics

In 2002, the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City was an opportunity for the LDS Church to present itself to the world. The theatrical extravaganza titled “Light of the World” was staged downtown at the new indoor Conference Center which seats a whopping 22,000. This review which appeared in Dialogue, …

DESPERATELY SEEKING SPIRIT: Review of Martha Beck’s “Leaving the Saints”

Martha Beck’s Leaving the Saints is valuable . . .  .Why? Because in my view the book is so very Mormon. There are rich and telling descriptions of the Church and of Mormon culture, particularly as it configures in Utah Valley,more precisely at church-owned Brigham Young University. Many of us are apt to …