Martin Luther King, Jr. was on January 15, 1929. To commemorate his birthday, I wanted to share with you the above clip from his “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech. This speech is his last. He delivered it on April 3, 1968. He would be gunned down on April 4, 1968. In the speech, he acknowledges that he might not see the completion of the work. This clip is a glimpse at an American prophet in action. Note not only... Read more
I have not, but I really want to. Especially after some recent comments made on a Mormon blog about the treatment of gays in Uganda (those comments are addressed here). God Loves Uganda tells the story of the evangelical anti-homosexual movement in Uganda. Last night, Roger Ross Williams, the director and producer of the documentary, talked with Jon Stewart on the Daily Show. Take a look: Here is a synopsis of the film from filmmakers: As an American-influenced bill... Read more
Thomas Jefferson famously spoke of erecting a “wall of separation between church and state” in order to prevent an alliance of religious and political interests that would undermine democracy and lead to religious tyranny.[1] “History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government,” he wrote.[2] “In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to... Read more
See the above special video message from the Attorney General of the United States Eric Holder. Holder responds directly to the move by Utah Governor Gary Herbert who has declared that Utah will not recognize the marriages that have already taken place. Here is Holder’s official statement: Last June, the Supreme Court issued a landmark decision – in United States v. Windsor – holding that Americans in same-sex marriages are entitled to equal protection and equal treatment under the law.... Read more
Well, they don’t. At least, not as a polygamous family. This morning, Kody, Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn Brown spoke with me about a variety of issues. One thing I asked them about was taxes. No, not what they thought about taxes. But, as a polygamist family, how do they file their taxes? As Adam Alba, one of their attorneys, pointed out to Approaching Justice right after the Brown v. Buhman ruling, only Kody and Meri are legally married. As... Read more
I will be interviewing Janelle, Christine, Meri, Robyn, and Kody later this week. I have written about them, and polygamy in general, quite a bit lately. What question or questions would you ask the family made famous by TLC’s Sister Wives? I will ask as many questions submitted in the comment section below as time allows. Sorry, questions left on Facebook or Twitter do not count. What would you like to know? Read more
Todd, I just finished reading a book by Adam Miller. It is called Letters to a Young Mormon. Others have written books in this format, but this one struck me and I wanted to tell you about it…in a letter. Adam talks about two stories. The story that we want our lives to tell and the story of God’s work in your life. The more we try to tell our own story, the more we resist Him. When we do... Read more
Approaching Justice is pleased to announce President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the 2013 Approaching Justice Mormon of the Year. President Uchtdorf, a native of Germany, stands as a symbol of many of the developments within Mormon culture during 2013. Following grand discussions about the “Mormon Moment” surrounding the 2012 presidential campaign of Mitt Romney, the question became “What is next for Mormonism?” As we begin 2014, the... Read more
I admit, I’m old, and my music tastes generally align with my age. Most of what I listen to was recorded from the mid 1960’s to the mid to early 1990’s. SO I had never heard of Sara Bareilles or her song “Brave” until a few weeks ago. My daughter had just come home from a meeting at our Church where she was helping to plan the annual summer young women’s camp out. I asked her how it went and... Read more
Approaching Justice launched in February 2013, so this list is really the top 10 posts of all-time at Approaching Justice. It has been a great year. Thank you for your support. 10. Progressive Polygamist: Polygamists Need to Change Their Ways 9. I Am No Longer a Democrat. 8. Ordain Women is Succeeding 7. Are Mormons Christians? Yes and No. 6. Have You Seen “My Five Wives” on TLC? 5. Mary Knew! Stop Asking Stupid Questions! 4. Why, Yes. I am a Liberal Mormon. 3. Are Mormons Protestants? 2. Community... Read more
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