Elder Oaks Says Vote; “The Other Side of Heaven” is Hi-Def; and 100K+ Flock to Philly

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Elder Oaks Mormon

“The Other Side of Heaven” Now in HD

the other side of heavenDisney’s 2001 movie, “The Other Side of Heaven,” will be revamped in high definition for its Sept. 16 re-release on iTunes to commemorate the 15th anniversary.

The film, starring Christopher Gorham, chronicles the true story of LDS missionary, John H. Groberg, emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as he served in the Tongan Islands.

Elder Groberg expressed his surprise about the movie’s reception over the years, saying:

“I have been very impressed by the positive impact the movie has made on the thousands of people who have contacted me since seeing it over the last 15 years. The movie is not so much about me as it is about the power of the faith and love of the Tongan people. It has a spirit all its own and I really hope its positive influence can be magnified by its rerelease.”

Read more at Deseret News.

100K Visitors Tour Philadelphia Temple Before Dedication

580-Philadelphia-PA-Temple-Exterior-sunset2016Around 141,000 curious visitors took a peak into the most sacred of LDS edifices at the Philadelphia Temple from August 10 through September 9. With 5 days until dedication on September 18, the Temple has now closed its doors to visitors, but not before it received massive amounts of attention.

Temple coordinators had prepared for tens of thousands of visitors, and were met with tenfold.

“Visitors included key leaders from religious, business, academic, and civic organizations as well as families, neighbors, journalists and community members,” according to Area Seventy, Milan Kunz. Even members of Amish communities toured the temple.

Read more at Philadelphia Business Journal.

Elder Oaks Says ‘Vote’

president worthen elder oaks
image via Deseret News.

More than 12,000 people gathered in the Marriott Center for Elder Dallin H. Oaks’ BYU devotional address. In his discourse, Elder Oaks advised BYU students to exercise their civic liberty and defend religious freedom by voting in the upcoming presidential election. He described the current presidential field as “ugly,” but maintained students had a duty to look hopefully toward the future without participating in the “meanness” of the political arena.

“I am convinced that a worldwide tide is currently running against both religious freedom and its parallel freedoms of speech and assembly”

Elder Oaks reminded students of their responsibility to research candidates and become informed about current political issues and emphasized defense of religious freedom publicly for the second time in the last four days.

Read more at Deseret News.

Gabriella is a psychology major, Westfalia-dweller, and expert bean-eater. Having spent the majority of her life living in the great Latin-American metropoles of Guatemala and Mexico, Gabriella continues to grapple with the eccentricities of suburban living.