Photo Caption Contest: Beyond The Mark

A few month’s ago, I arrived late to church and as I scurried across the parking lot with three small children to try to make it in time to take the sacrament, I noticed something so awesome that I just had to stop. Despite our tardiness, the freezing cold, and the fact that we were probably going to miss the central purpose of attending church every Sunday (again!), I fumbled around in my pocket for my phone to snap a picture, trying to ignore the children’s whining remonstrations and arm tugging.

Beyond the Mark

I think that this photo is nicely symbolic. Or it at least implies a story. What it symbolizes, however, or what the story is, is up to you. Submit your photo caption suggestions in the comments or by email.

The winner will be announced next Week.

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Some thoughts on Evolution and Intelligent Design

I have discussed and debated the Intelligent Design vs Evolution issues numerous times both online and in person, but I have not felt a need to broach the subject very much on this blog until now.

It is a complex debate and I have no illusions about easily resolving it for anyone else. Those of you who have discussed this issue with me before know that I lean strongly toward the Intelligent Design side of the controversy, though I have some reservations about a number of the political goals of the movement.

I do intend to go see the new documentary film Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, which opened last Friday, if I can make some time this week.

My thoughts here, however, were prompted by reading this blog post by BYU Professor Steven L. Peck . Brother Peck certainly has impressive credentials, and so I hesitate to respond to what he has written for the honest recognition that the topic may simply be beyond my skill and understanding. However, despite my worries, I will share my thoughts.

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Distressed About the FLDS Situation in Texas

I have waited to comment on the situation down in Texas where the Texas government has removed over 400 children from their parents with allegations of abuse until there was more information available.

The situation distresses me for a number of reasons.

It wouldn’t be appropriate to go into details here on my blog, but a number of years ago I was involved in a brief legal struggle over some abused children. Having reported abuse to child protection services, I quickly discovered that unless there is physical evidence of abuse (bruises, dislocated or broken bones, etc.), the chances of getting abused children removed from their parents into the safety of state care are practically nil.

It is extremely frustrating and heartbreaking to talk to an abused child who has trusted you and to have to tell them that there is nothing you can do because they haven’t been hurt badly enough yet to deserve protection from the government’s Child Protection Services.

At the same time, through this process I did learn that there are very strong legal protections for parental rights in the United States, and that is something that I strongly support.

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President Thomas S. Monson: The Face of Sin Today Often Wears The Halloween Mask of Tolerance


“The face of sin today often wears the Halloween mask of tolerance. Do not be deceived. Behind that facade is heartache, unhappiness, and pain. You know what is right and what is wrong, and no disguise, however appealing, can change that truth. The character of transgression remains the same. If your so called friends urge you to do anything you know to be wrong, you be the one to make a stand for right, even if you stand alone. Have the moral courage to be a light for others to follow. There’s no friendship more valuable than your own clear conscience, your own moral cleanliness…”

President Thomas S. Monson
Priesthood Session, April 2008 Conference
In his first address as President of the LDS Church

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LDS General Conference April 2008 – MP3 Audio, Streaming Video, and Audio & Video Podcasts

[Looking for October 2008 General Conference? Go here.]

[Looking for April 2009 General Conference, go here.]

[Looking for the October 2009 Conference, go here]

This weekend we are holding the annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Every year I try to post links to MP3 audio and other Internet resources as they become available. This conference will include the sustaining of Thomas S. Monson as the President of the High Priesthood and Prophet.

MP3 Audio
These are links to the earliest available audio I can find. They will be replaced by links to the MP3s at the church website as they are posted.

Saturday Morning Session
Entire Session

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Elder Russell M. Nelson

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

Sister Cheryl C. Lant

Elder Kenneth Johnson

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

President Henry B. Eyring

Saturday Afternoon Session

Entire Session

Presented by Robert W. Cantwell

Presented by F. Michael Watson

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Elder Robert D. Hales

Elder Gerald N. Lund

Elder Carlos H. Amado

Elder Willian R. Walker

Elder Richard G. Scott

Elder L. Tom Perry

Sunday Morning Session

Entire Session

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Elder Sheldon F. Child

Susan W. Tanner

President Boyd K. Packer

President Thomas S. Monson

Sunday Afternoon Session

Entire Session

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Elder David A. Bednar

Elder W. Craig Zwick

Elder Robert R. Steuer

Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander

Elder Lance B. Wickman

Elder Craig C. Christensen

Elder M. Russell Ballard

President Thomas S. Monson

Streaming Video
Live Video, streamed over the Internet, as well as archived recordings of completed sessions is available on demand through BYU and KSL. We have been watching conference through BYU.tv for several years now and love it. The video player only works on Windows or Mac OS X (Sorry Linux Users!). This year KSL appears to be using the same player as BYU.tv, so they may be actually the same source. Also, the church is officially providing a Video Podcast for the first time this year (see the podcast section below).

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