In response to HBO's misrepresentation of the Mormon practice of temple building and worship within temples the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has published this piece.
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Home school graduation
]]>Is Obama's goal to subsidize parents so they can be in the workplace instead of raising their toddlers?
Washington Times' article says Obama's plan to require states to provide preschool is counter to a joint Harvard and Stanford study. The study suggests there is more social and psychological damage done to children in pre school and that there is no evidence of an educational or academic benefit.
There is research that supports that children benefit most from being at home with supportive parents in the 0 to 5 age ranges. Family. Imagine that.
]]>A North Carolina judge thinks he knows what's best for a home schooling family.
The case makes it clear that the children are ahead of their grade level. The judge only cites that the children will be taught things that will challenge what their mother has taught them. Since when do judges have the right to decide what it means to have a "well rounded" education? The judicial branch should be held accountable for this kind of over stepping.
]]>"The judge, when contacted by WND, explained his goal in ordering the children to register and attend a public school was to make sure they have a "more well-rounded education."
The fact that this charismatic baptist believes in the Book of Mormon is somewhat surprising. Surprising until you see the very long list of reasons this Baptist preacher lists for his belief in the truth of the Book of Mormon. http://www.centerplace.org/library/bofm/baptistversionofbofm.htm
]]>I just read The World's Best Family Christmas Letter from The World's Best Family. It's a hilarious treatise. Basically, you get letters from people who never call, write or email you, but who want to let you "catch up" about their kids, church volunteer efforts, accolades and careers all rosied up with tidbits about how environmentally friendly and health-conscious they are.
Have you also noticed that the older the letter writers get the more it reads like a health journal? (Grandpa had [insert procedure] done to his liver. I had my [insert organ] removed.)
Us? We blog. That's how we brag about our kids, volunteer efforts, accolades, etc. =)
What They Play is a guide for parents to know about the content of the video games their children are playing. A great resource if you have pre-teens that are getting into games with grown-up themes.
"Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil." -- CS Lewis.
]]>This is a warning issued in 1978 but is more applicable than ever.
"Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened.... Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat."
(Elder Neal A. Maxwell, BYU devotional address, Oct 10, 1978)
30 years ago - almost to the day - Neal A. Maxwell said the following at a BYU devotional.
In 1995, Gordon Hinckley, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sought to bring clarity to many of the questions at stake in modern debate. (And what's the role of a prophet if not to provide the long-range view on these kinds of matters!)
Over the years I have loved the simplicity and clarity of the language that outlines the fundamental organizing principles for a healthy society. I remember thinking how timely the announcement was in 1995 but it seems all the more timely given recent legislation in Massachusetts, Canada parts of Europe and in California.
This is a defining moment and here is what I believe a modern Prophet has to say on the matter.
1- Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
2- Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
3- We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
4- Children are entitled to birth within the
bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor
marital vows with complete fidelity.
5- We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere
to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family
as the fundamental unit of society.
The full text is here: http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,161-1-11-1,00.html
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