Monthly Archives: March 2011

So what exactly is a Son of Perdition?

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Doug Gibson

To see Cal Grondahl’s cartoon that goes with this post, click here We Mormons have a name for hell — it’s called Sons of Perdition. We’re pretty confident that Satan, Cain and Judas will be residents there, but after that … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged C.S. Lewis, Chad Holtz, Doctrine and Covenants, Fire and brimstone, Hell, Joseph Smith, MOrmon Church, Sons of Perdition, The Great Divorce, United Methodist Church | 28 Comments

The adults are starting to win on immigration reform

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Doug Gibson

Arizona said “no” recently to several hard-line anti-illegal immigration bills sponsored by state Sen. Russell Pearce, the architect of that state’s SB170, which allows state law enforcement to check Hispanics for citizenship for almost any reason. SB170, which is tied … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Arizona, Guest worker program, Illegal immigrants, Immigration reform, Minutemen, Senate Bill 116, Senate Bill 170, Utah | 6 Comments

Utah Camelot: Adultery between Cannon, Wells roiled 1886 Salt Lake City

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Doug Gibson

I’m haunted by the ragged PDF copied photograph, courtesy of the Utah State Historical Society, of Louisa “Louie” Wells, who 125 years ago was a princess in late 19th century Mormon Salt Lake City. The poor quality of the reproduced photo … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Adultery, Angus Cannon, Emmeline Blanche Wells, Excommunication, John Q. Cannon, Kenneth Cannon III, Louisa "Louie" Martha Wells, Mormon history, Salt Lake City, Scandal | 16 Comments

Heartbeat bill set to test the limits of Roe v. Wade

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Doug Gibson

In Ohio’s Legislature recently, the room was silent as everyone listened to the heartbeat of a 15-week-old fetus. Also “testifying” at the hearing was the barely audible heartbeat of a nine-week-old fetus. Read

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged "Heartbeat bill", Abortion, Nebraska, Ohio, Roe v. Wade, U.S. Supreme Court | 7 Comments

MGM tries desperately to find a politically correct bad nation for Red Dawn

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Doug Gibson

MGM has produced a remake of the guilty pleasure Red-Scare ’80s film, “Red Dawn,” the Soviet invasion film with a vengeful Patrick Swayze, evil Russians and — as a bone to lefties — a conflicted Cuban war commander. My favorite … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged China, Greg Gutfeld, Kathy Griffin, MGM, North Korea, Patrick Swayze, Red Dawn, Red Scare | 22 Comments

Mormon folklore as diverse, tragic and humorous as other religions

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Doug Gibson

To see Cal Grondahl’s cartoon that goes with this post, click here A friend loaned me a book published in 1956, “Saints of Sage and Saddle: Folklore Among the Mormons,” by Austin and Alta Fife, that turned into a treasure … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged J. Golden Kimball, LDS Church, Mormon folklore, Mountain Meadows Massacre, Saints of Sage and Saddle: Folklore Among the Mormons, The Boozer, Three Nephites, Utah | 11 Comments

Baby Joseph medical case revives worry of government deciding medical care

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Doug Gibson

I’m following the case of “Baby Joseph” with a lot of interest. Joseph Maraachli, 13 months, was moved last night from a Canadian hospital to a U.S. Hospital, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center in St. Louis. “Baby Joseph” has a … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Baby Joseph, Canada, End of Life care, Health Care reform, U.S. hospital | 17 Comments

History of LDS temple worship includes second anointings, floating temple idea

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Doug Gibson

To see Cal Grondahl’s cartoon that goes with this post, click here Ask an active Mormon if she or he knows what a “second anointing” is, and I’d wager most of the time you’ll receive a blank stare. However, second … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Devery S. Anderson, Endowments, Latter-day Saint temples, LDS temple worship, MOrmon Church, Mormon garments, Second Anointings, Signature Books, The Development of LDS Temple Worship 1846-2000: A Documentary History | 27 Comments

Rep. Brad Dee is no fan of sackcloth and ashes

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Doug Gibson

A few Utah Republican legislators are trying to defend their hasty passage of House Bill 477; you know, the one that guts open government, transparency and allows lawmakers to break your wallet billing you for GRAMA requests. The bill is … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Bible, Free speech, House Bill 477, Rep. Brad Dee, Sackcloth and Ashes, Utah Legislature, Woody Allen | 15 Comments

Davies was booted off BYU hoops team because he got caught

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Doug Gibson

There’s a subtle distinction that some people I think I missing about BYU suspending its starting hoops star Brandon Davies for the rest of the season. It’s not because he engaged in pre-marital sex; it’s because he got caught having … Read More