This may seem presumptuous, but I think some of you may find it valuable. Basically, I’m gonna try creating a single podcast feed of podcast episodes that I particularly like as I listen to them. They will most likely cover Mormonism, politics, popular culture, and history.
Some of you with similar interests may find it more convenient than having to subscribe to multiple podcasts and culling through them all.
Anyway, let me know if any of you enjoy.
(Thanks to Paula for the head’s up)
Wow. LDS Wards are starting to produce training videos, and posting them on Youtube? Crazy stuff. (created for the Murray 33rd Ward Visiting Teaching Conference)
I wonder if this bishop will be receiving a call from his stake president soon? 
(Props to my buddy David for the referral)
PASADENA, Calif. — Award-winning filmmaker Helen Whitney has one over-arching goal for her four-hour production “The Mormons,” which airs this spring on PBS.
“I hope that most of the stereotypes — ideally, all of them — will be blown away,” she told the Deseret Morning News on Saturday. “Because so many of them are just based on ignorance. Ignorance about Mormon history, ignorance about Mormon theology. Ignorance.”
The two-part, four-hour documentary, a presentation of both “American Experience” and “Frontline” — their first co-production — is to air nationally on April 30 and May 1.
After spending three years on the project, Whitney is well aware of the stereotypes and ignorance that’s out there.
“Most of the time when I bring up what I’m doing and I talk about it with people, the first word that comes up is polygamy,” she said.
(more…)
This entry is the 11th and final in a series that begins here. For the full effect, click on “Continue Reading” below, find the music player, and play the song while reading the lyrics.
Story Background: In this scene, Glinda and Elphaba, whose friendship has been severely tested, find a way to see beyond their issues, feel their mutual love, and come to appreciate the role that each has played in the other’s spiritual development.
Parallels to My Story: I think this song speaks for itself, but I will say a few, short things:
I hereby challenge all of my DAMU friends to work very hard to get to the place emotionally that this song conveys: a place of understanding, peace, and even love for the role the LDS church has played (and likely will continue to play–at some level) in our lives. It will be hard, to be sure, but it may be one of the most important things we ever do.
I must end by saying that in a very deep and meaningful way (for me), I have been changed for the better by all of you…my Internet Mormon friends. Thanks for letting me be a small part of your world (all 3 of you who made it this far)–and thanks for being such an important part of mine. I love you all.
This entry is 10th in a series that begins here. For the full effect, click on “Continue Reading” below, find the music player, and play the song while reading the lyrics.
Story Background: In this scene, Glinda is elevated by Madame Morrible to celebrity status among the citizens of Oz. Ironically, it is also the scene where she loses the love of her life, Fiyero, to Elphaba (those of you really following will note that this song is out of order from theprevious song. Sorry about that.).
But the powerful parts of the song for me are threefold:
The most powerful lines (for me) being (again–describing the cost of being an uninformed TBM):
(sung) ‘Cause getting your dreams
It’s strange, but it seems
A little – well – complicated
There’s a kind of a sort of : cost
There’s a couple of things get: lost
There are bridges you cross
You didn’t know you crossed
Until you’ve crossed…
And if that joy, that thrill
Doesn’t thrill you like you think it will
Still -
With this perfect finale
The cheers and ballyhoo
Who
Wouldn’t be happier?
So I couldn’t be happier
Because happy is what happens
When all your dreams come true
Well, isn’t it?
This entry is 9th in a series that begins here. For the full effect, click on “Continue Reading” below, find the music player, and play the song while reading the lyrics.
Story Background: As events spiral out of control, Elphaba tries to use her magical powers to make things better. Unfortunately, each time she tries to fix things, she is blamed for making things worse. When something bad happens to Fiyero (Elphaba’s love), Elphaba becomes discouraged and begins in a sense to own the reputation that has been thrust upon her.
Apparently I have an “Atheological Tendency” (3rd quote down from the top).
Guilty as charged.
This entry is 8th in a series that begins here. For the full effect, click on “Continue Reading” below, find the music player, and play the song while reading the lyrics.
Story Background: Here we see the Wizard’s softer side, and learn that he got swept up (like Glinda) in the glamor of attention. We learn that in his own way, he had (at least in part) noble intentions to help the citizens of Oz. Along w/ the allure of power and security, it’s clear he felt that the ends somewhat justified the means. Thus the deception of the veil.
The program notes also claim, “He holds out the promise to Elphaba that, with him, she can fulfill her subconscious longing to be accepted by a fatherly figure.” I can’t necessarily relate to that part of it, but maybe some of you can.
(more…)
This entry is 7th in a series that begins here. For the full effect, click on “Continue Reading” below, find the music player, and play the song while reading the lyrics.
Story Background: Glinda (she got renamed) would like to see Elphaba conform and also realize her dream as expressed in “The Wizard and I.” But when Elphaba discovers that the Wizard is behind the mistreatment of animals, she must change her dream. She takes a stand. This is her moment when she resolves to follow her new conviction based on her inner moral sense and care for Dr. Dillamond, even though it means social rejection.
(more…)
To all my esteemed colleagues in the blog and podcast worlds — congratulations on being named Man (Person) of the Year!!!!
We deserve it, dontcha think?
