Mormon Channel Launches New Series
Mormon Channel released “Hope Works” over the weekend to share individual stories of how faith and hope have played a part in people’s lives. “Hope Works” shared six videos that were filmed at a live event, similar to the format of “TED Talks.”
“Hope Works is devoted to sharing interesting insights realized through finding hope, discovering faith, and putting that faith into action.”
Cambry Kaylor was paralyzed due to an accident. Because of her accident, Cambry was able to look at the big picture and to believe in God’s plan. She learned through her experience how to get through things that are difficult. Her drastic lifestyle change has caused her to find hope in all things.
Samuel Bishop shared his appreciation of the wisdom of others; especially those who aren’t members of the LDS Church. When he returned from his mission in Ukraine, he realized that the Ukrainians taught him many valuable lessons.
Watch more at Deseret News.
Helping Those with Leprosy
When we think of Leprosy, we often think of the Bible stories. We believe that Leprosy no longer exists in the world.
However, Leprosy still exists! There are millions of people in India who have Leprosy.
“Some of these beggars had no hands, no feet, and had festering open wounds. I withdrew from the window in horror when one man thrust his hand in to beg. There were maggots crawling through his flesh. The stench was indescribable.”
Becky Douglas felt the urge to help those with Leprosy. She prayed that she would know what to do to help. Since she didn’t have any medical training and knew very little about Indian politics and culture, she thought that the least she could do is look at them and acknowledge them.
“They are human beings.”
Although she set this personal goal, she was unable to look at the beggars the remainder of her trip. When she got home, she still felt such a sense of guilt that she had to do something about it.
She called three of her friends and her husband’s secretary to a meeting at her house. They all met around her kitchen table and formed Rising Star Outreach to serve the leprosy-affected of India.
Read more at Meridian Magazine.
BYU’s Cosmo the Cougar Performance Goes Viral
During the timeout at the BYU football game versus Toledo, the BYU Cougarettes collaborated with BYU’s Cosmo the Cougar for this epic dance. This video has been shared on Instagram by House of Highlights, single Jordin Sparks, and ESPN.
In her post, Jordin Sparks said “I’m ready for NFL cheer teams to get it like this! Do something fun and current!”
Utah Mormons Vow Not To Vote For Trump
Following the release of a tape in which Donald Trump made comments on the ease with which he can sexually assault women, Chief Washington Correspondent for CNN, Jake Tapper, called out Christian leaders for coming to his defense.
Ralph Reed, Chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition defended Trump’s comments, saying, “I think a 10-year-old tape with a TV-talk show host ranks pretty low on [voters] hierarchies of concern.” The statement comes along with the support of many other prominent Evangelical leaders who are willing to overlook flaws in Trump’s character.
Tapper brought on Evangelical Theologian and preacher, Dr. Russell Moore, of the Southern Baptist Convention, to explain how Evangelical leaders can ask followers to practice such moral relativism this election. Moore went on to explain the political-religious climate and the ever-growing divide within the Evangelical community between those willing to practice what they preach and the rest. In response, Tapper posed the question:
“When did Mormon leaders become stronger in terms of faith for the teachings of Jesus Christ than Christian leaders?”
Throughout this 2016 election season, Latter-day Saints have been the loudest when it comes to opposing Trump’s candidacy. The New York Times described their anti-Trump political fervor as an “all-out revolt.”
A number of Utah’s Republican officials withdrew their endorsements, including Gov. Gary Herbert, a Mormon. Herbert announced that Trump’s statement was “beyond offensive and despicable.”
Representative Jason Chaffetz, who is also Mormon, planned to vote for Trump. However, due to the comments Trump made about women, he is no longer voting for Trump; if he did, he wouldn’t be able to look his 15-year-old daughter in the eye.
Deseret News also broke its 80-year tradition of refraining from presidential endorsements. Deseret editorial board stated:
“We prefer to stand for something rather than against someone. But this is one of those rare moments where it is necessary to take a clear stand against the hucksterism, misogyny, narcissism and latent despotism that infect the Trump campaign.”
Majority of the congressional delegation pledged not to vote for Trump in the November Election.
“The Republican establishment in the state of Utah is in all-out revolt against the Trump candidacy,” director of Brigham Young University’s Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy Chris Karpowitz said. “I don’t think we’ve ever seen that before.”
Read more at New York Times.
