Book of Mormon “Fourth Most Influential Book in America”
The Book of Mormon is hugely important to every Latter-day Saint (and apparently the creators of South Park), but even the general public, of whom the majority is not LDS, agreed that it is one of the most influential books in America. In fact, Americans themselves voted it the fourth most influential via an online survey earlier this year.
Because of its importance to America, it was honored at the Library of Congress on December 7th as one of the greatest and most instrumental pieces of American literature.
Almost every Mormon congressman was in attendance, and Utah Senator Orrin Hatch-R hosted the event.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson (who, on a side note, became the first LDS apostle to open a session of the Senate with prayer on Wednesday) was also present at the Library of Congress meeting. He spoke at the event and remarked about The Book of Mormon’s fourth-spot ranking, “I know what its influence has been in my life and I’m grateful that anybody else has that same experience and opportunity.”
Read more at The Sale Lake Tribune.
Fire Consumes LDS Chapel in Idaho
Live footage was caught on December 6th of an LDS chapel in Eastern Idaho’s Swan Valley that caught fire, leaving in its wake a self-proclaimed “stunned” community.
Though it’s been ruled unsuspicious, the cause of the fire remains unknown, but it reportedly started in the attic, causing the chapel’s roof to cave in.
Thankfully no one was injured in the fire, though there was a piano tuner inside at the time of its ignition. He escaped unscathed and fire fighters shortly appeared at the scene.
Despite their efforts, the building “was a total loss,” according to Palisades Ward Bishop Terry Hulse, and is likely irreparable.
Each Sunday, the chapel held small congregations of 100, but would raise to numbers in the 400-500 range during the summers.
The loss of the building is “devastating,” said Hulse, and it will be sorely missed by the community.
Read more at Idaho Stateman and watch the video of the aftermath (both the live footage as well as the aftermath were posted by East Idaho News) below.
LuminTV: A Mormon Streaming Service
A new Orem-based streaming service known as LuminTV has arrived, capturing the attention of Mormons everywhere.
With the tagline “Illuminating Entertainment,” LuminTV promises a streaming service that has ” the same values and standards you do,” containing titles and advertisements that are wholly family friendly.
The majority of LuminTV titles are currently of the Mormon variety, (e.g. Meet the Mormons, Emma Smith: My Story, etc.) but it also contains a growing array of non-LDS films such as Danny Kaye’s Inspector General and Cary Grant’s His Girl Friday.
All movies are clean and won’t require you to cover your children’s (or, if you’re like me, your husband’s) eyes for “just that one scene.”
The service includes a free 7-day trial, after which you’ll be billed $5.99/monthly.
Learn more at LuminTV.com.
Soldiers Sought Refuge at Mormon Tabernacle After Pearl Harbor Attack
A Mormon tabernacle less than 10 miles from Pearl Harbor was dedicated in August 1941, just months before the devastating attack that took place on December 7th of the same year.
At its dedication, David O. McKay — who was in the First Presidency at the time — blessed the building to be protected from missiles in the face of any attack. The blessing was an interesting and clearly prophetic one, seeing as the States had yet to even enter the war.
The tabernacle remained unharmed in the bombing of Pearl Harbor and quickly became a place of refuge for thousands of LDS soldiers, including the late President Boyd K. Packer, whose name is on the guest register for the tabernacle.
The historic tabernacle found in Honolulu is the last tabernacle the Church ever built.
Read more at The Salt Lake Tribune.
