An American Idol...in the Mormon Missionary Training Center - The Salt Lake Tribune

On March 31st, social media was abuzz about former American Idol finalist David Archuleta's appearance in General Conference singing with a over 300 other LDS missionaries (David appears at 4:43).

In Saturday's Salt Lake Tribune, there was a fun article to read about "Elder Archuleta" and his life in the Missionary Training Center (the MTC). Since Elder Archuleta is trying to remain low key, the article is based on the letters home from missionaries who are in the MTC who have seen him or had experiences with him.

David Archuleta at Mormon Missionary Training — as seen by fellow elders and sisters

Church service » Details about singer leak out from blog posts: “He is way cool.”

By David Burger

| The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published Apr 13 2012 10:01 pm • Last Updated Apr 14 2012 12:19 pm

Murray native and "American Idol" finalist David Archuleta began his journey to become a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by entering the Missionary Training Center in late March.

It was thought that once he went inside the doors of the secretive Provo institution, the 21-year-old would be out of the public eye for about two years, spending about 10 weeks at the MTC and then the rest of his time in his assigned mission, reportedly in Chile.

But this is an age where social media breaks down ramparts and bulwarks, no matter how much Elder Archuleta desires his pious privacy. As a consequence, the public and his fans have been able to read about his experiences through blog posts written by fellow elders and sisters at MTC.

"I’ve been officially star struck," wrote Sister Emily Lewis. "I just drooled over him when he was on ‘American Idol.’ 

To read the rest of the article, check it out on the Salt Lake Tribune.

What Does a Mormon Bishop Do? - South Coast Today

New Bedford, Massachusetts' South Coast Today published an interesting article looking into the family life and work of a Mormon Bishop. These men are not paid and do not apply for the position.

Rochester resident is Mormon bishop, father of nine

ROCHESTER — A remarkable couple, Sean and Brenda Spearin are the parents of nine children ranging in age from 18 to 11 weeks.

Employed as a regional corporate manager, Sean has his hands full, balancing his work life with the demands of fatherhood; but he also happens to be a bishop.

"They are good people who teach by example," said Elder Max Staples, a senior Mormon missionary on assignment with his wife, Gaye, in the Greater New Bedford area. "You look in their eyes and see the light of Christ."

Sean serves as bishop of the SouthCoast Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Born and raised in Norwell, Sean grew up as a Catholic. He converted to Mormonism 15 years ago and was baptized on Father's Day.

For the rest of the article, click here.

Colbert Getting Reports From a Mormon - Salt Lake Tribune

Turns out Stephen Colbert's Super PAC is advised by a University of Utah graduate.

Utahn part of Stephen Colbert’s Super PAC team

By Matt Canham

| The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published Apr 12 2012 12:24 pm • Last Updated Apr 12 2012 11:40 pm

Washington • On air, Stephen Colbert has two advisers for his super PAC. One is Trevor Potter, a prominent campaign finance attorney, and the other is a canned ham with glasses.

But off camera, Matt Sanderson, a spiky-haired Orem native just a few years out of law school, is helping Colbert navigate the quirky laws that have led to a deluge of unfiltered money in politics.

"The Colbert Report" last week won a Peabody Award, one of the top prizes for electronic media, for its satirical look at super political action committees, and the show’s long-running spoof is far from over. Colbert has just sold 1,000 "super fun packs" to college students, helping them create similar entities at universities across the nation, and he’s likely to produce political ads through his super PAC, Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow, throughout this election year.

Read the entire article at the Salt Lake Tribune

Study Abroad, Mormon Style

The New York Times wrote a pretty good article about what Mormon missionaries' lives are like.

The Huffington Post called it "Study Abroad, Mormon Style." Good title. It is a pretty extensive lesson in life. My wife did an official study abroad through BYU. To Jerusalem.

At Age 19, From Utah to Uganda

By JOSH KRON

Published: April 13, 2012

LAST summer, Jared Dangerfield was simply 19, skateboarding the streets of suburban Salt Lake City, plugged into the Jewish reggae singer Matisyahu. He had just wrapped up his year at Utah State University, where there was a girl he liked to make laugh.

Memories of college and family are kept in a photo album his sister gave him when they said goodbye, but it is rarely looked at.

“Little time to remember home,” he says. “We kind of have to stay away from the world.” Gone are his friends. Gone is his given name. The next time he will see his mother’s face is 2013. Until then, he is Elder Dangerfield, as it says on his name tag.

Each day he rises with the African sun to say his prayers before venturing into the urban wilderness of Kampala, Uganda, a churning kaleidoscope of motorcycles, street urchins, vegetable carts and pterodactyl-like storks that circle office towers and lampposts. They orbit above him as he makes his way up and down the muddy hills of the capital city, careful to keep his black pants and white shirt clean, scanning faces in search of those who will listen to him speak of his faith. His Mormon faith.

To read the entire article, check out the New York Times.

Mormon for President? Two Groups, Two Views - Washington Post and Reno Gazette-Journal

Apparently Mitt Romney's LDS faith is a good thing in Nevada according to the Reno-Gazette Journal.

Romney's LDS faith a strength in Nevada

Written by Ray Hagar

Las Vegas political consultant Sig Rogich is fond of saying that "Nevada is Romney's to lose"...Rogich has faith in Romney in part because he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

But it is not such a good thing for Millenials (those age 18 - 29) as reported by the Washington Post.

Romney’s Mormonism a tough sell for Millenials

By Robert P. Jones

A new survey...reveals that if Romney becomes the Republican nominee for president, he will be confronted by another, perhaps even more challenging, “M” problem: A majority of Millennial voters (ages 18-29) report being uncomfortable with the idea of a Mormon president.

The Growth of Mormonism in Latin America - Fox News

By the times I was born in the mid 1970's, the Church has built all of 17 temples throughout the entire world since its inception in 1830. Since then, they have built over 20 in Latin America alone.

With Spanish as the second largest language spoken by members of the Church, Fox News looks at the growth of the Church in Central and South America.

The Growth of Mormonism in Latin America

Written By Angela Santos

Published November 13, 2011

Fox News Latino

Growing up in Colombia, Margarita García always considered herself a woman of faith. But no matter how many religions she explored, she couldn’t find the right one.

It wasn't until she got baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — also known as the Mormon Church or the LDS Church — that, she says, she found a perfect fit.

It all started when a pair of clean-cut young men wearing suits and ties showed up on her doorstep. She was unsure about their message but started asking questions.

For the complete article, go here.

The Potential Mormon Breakthrough - New York Times

The New York Times posted an Op-Ed yesterday about the Mormon Church from the 19th Century. He sets up Mitt Romney as the likely Obama opponent, then puts Romney deep within Salt Lake, then bashes the Church.

The author uses words like "corporate greed" to describe the Church's leadership.

A rather unfortunate article.

Will This Election Be the Mormon Breakthrough?

THIS fall, we behold omens that will darken a year hence in the final phase of President Obama’s campaign for a second term. His likely opponent, the Mormon Mitt Romney, will be a pioneer figure whatever the outcome, since no previous member of that very American church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has ever secured a major-party nomination. Even should Mr. Obama triumph, a crucial precedent will have been established.

For the entire article, please go here.