Famous Mormons

By Amy Choate-Nielsen

Deseret News
Published: Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 7:00 p.m. MST

David Letterman knows how to get a laugh.Like most comics, he riffs on the day’s news, deadpans the camera and revels in audacity.”Oh, did you hear about this?” the host of CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman asked his audience recently. “A campaign staffer on the Newt Gingrich campaign was fired because he was making negative comments about Mormons. I thought, now, wait a minute — isn’t Newt in favor of multiple wives?”
Laughter rumbled from the audience followed by applause. The polygamy punch line is a familiar one when it comes to poking fun at Mormons — as though Mormons and polygamy are synonymous in mainstream media. Ironically, the practice that’s most linked to Mormons is a practice most Mormons oppose, according to a groundbreaking new study of Mormons in America released Thursday by the Pew Research Center‘s Forum on Religion and Public Life.

According to the study, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints unequivocally reject polygamy — only 2 percent said the practice is morally acceptable — evidence of a yawning gap in what Mormons believe and how they are perceived. Mormons’ opinions are overwhelmingly conservative, the study shows, but in many ways, their views are also surprising — especially when it comes to opinions on moral issues, divorce, homosexuality and polygamy. Read the rest of this entry »

SMITHFIELD — After dinner, three baths, four bedtime stories and a half-a-dozen goodnight kisses for 2-year-old twins Brock and Isaac and 6-year-old Ellie, Erin and Brian Thompson finally sink into the couch with weary smiles.

Being parents is just what they always wanted. And they love it.

“Of course we have our crazy moments,” Thompson says, “but for the most part we just try to find the good things in the day and remember that they’re only going to be little for so long.”

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Thompsons believe that maintaining a strong marriage and raising and teaching children are essential keys to happiness and their most important responsibilities on earth.

In fact, 81 percent of Mormons say being a good parent is “one of the most important things in life,” according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life — the first survey of Mormons about Mormons, by a non-LDS research organization.

The survey of more than 1,000 self-identified Latter-day Saints from across the country asked how accepted Mormons feel in American culture, as well as their thoughts on religious practices, political issues and family roles. Read the rest of this entry »

As the “Mormon moment” extends into 2012, the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life today released a groundbreaking new survey, the first ever published by a non-LDS research organization to focus exclusively on members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their beliefs, values, perceptions and political preferences.

Entitled “Mormons in America: Certain in Their Beliefs, Uncertain of Their Place in Society,” the survey was conducted between Oct. 25 and Nov. 16, 2011 among a national sample of 1,019 respondents who identified themselves as Mormons. The results validate a number of long-held stereotypes (most American Mormons are white, well-educated, politically conservative and religiously observant) while providing a few interesting surprises (care for the poor and needy is high on the list of LDS priorities, while drinking coffee and watching R-rated movies aren’t as taboo among the rank and file as you might think).

“While this survey comes amid a contentious election campaign, it is not solely or even chiefly about politics,” said Luis Lugo, Pew Research Center director, in the published survey’s preface. “Rather, we hope that it will contribute to a broader public understanding of Mormons and Mormonism at a time of great interest in both.”

For example, in one very interesting section of the new survey, respondents were asked several questions about what is essential to being a good Mormon. According to the survey, 80 percent said “believing Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ” is essential to being a good Mormon, 73 percent said “working to help the poor,” 51 percent said “regular Family Home Evenings,” 49 percent said “not drinking coffee and tea” and 32 percent said “not watching R-rated movies. Read the rest of this entry »

Famous Mormon entertainer Donny Osmond recently addressed a question on his website Donny.com.  He was asked how he reacts to friends in same sex relationships who consider themselves married.

Despite the controversy, boycotts, threats, vandalism of LDS buildings, and even an Anthrax scare at two of our temples due to the church’s position on the issue and most recently, the vote on Proposition 8 in California, Donny stood by his beliefs as he explained how he can love his friends but disagree with the choices they make.

He explained that whether you consider yourself straight or gay, we all face temptations and are expected to live up to the same standards.  He referred to a statement released by The First Presidency of the Church in 1995 called “The Family  -  A Proclamation to the World“.  In it contains our beliefs that marriage is meant to be between a man and a woman, the family is ordained by God, and that children are entitled to have a mother and a father who are bound together by marriage, who love each other and will raise their children in righteousness.  It warns:  The disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

Donny states his belief that this statement was issued by true prophets of God.  His courage in standing by his convictions is an inspiration to Mormons everywhere who have faced a variety of trials due to their position on gay marriage.

In other Osmond news, he recently released a Christmas Single titled “Little Drummer Boy” just in time for the holidays.  More information on the album can be obtained by contacting terri@jayosmond.com.

Stephenie Meyer’s book “Twilight” turned movie is setting records at the box office.  Since it’s release date on November 21st, it has made $151,533,441 as of December 16, 2008 – not bad for a movie with a production budget of $37 million.   So far it is the highest grossing vampire and teen romance film, also the highest grossing film directed by a woman.

Crazed and not so crazed fans all over the world flocked to theaters to see their beloved Edward in person.  Despite it being “not as good as the book”, it hasn’t stopped many from seeing it multiple times and is the current girls’ night flick of choice.  Tell a friend you haven’t seen it and most likely their reply will be, “I saw it, but I wouldn’t mind seeing it again!”

The sequel release date has already been set for next year, November 20, 2009.  Hopes are high that “New Moon” will live up to the book better than its predecessor with a higher budget and the talented directing of Chris Weitz (director of The Golden Compass).  The consensus is that “Twilight” didn’t have the greatest special effects or make-up, that some parts were dragged out, and others not long enough.  It will be interesting to see the difference between the two directors’ styles and changes that will be made from Edward’s supernatural movements to his skin that sparkles in the sunlight.

Perhaps Meyer’s screaming fans will be even more excited for the sequel next year (if it’s humanly possible to be more excited than they already are).