tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45566083975830148132023-11-15T10:36:43.125-08:00The Mormon journalistLane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-86653527328035455732010-01-07T13:05:00.000-08:002010-01-07T13:09:58.831-08:00Amy Adams a Mormon?You remember all those rumors about famous people who are Mormon -- like Steve Martin and famous actors.The Toronto Sun reported this week that talented actress Amy Adams -- she was fantastic in the movie Doubt and solid in the movie Julie and Julia acting opposite of Meryl Streep and holding her own -- was born into a Mormon family that left the church after a divorce.Interesting tidbit.Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-73263674140979614222010-01-06T08:47:00.000-08:002010-01-07T14:13:31.848-08:00Sherlock Holmes and MormonsI thought it worth mentioning as Sherlock Holmes makes a renewed place in the cinema this season that there is a long tie-in between Mormons and Sherlock Holmes. The first Sherlock Holmes mystery, A Study in Scarlet,, features Mormons -- including Brigham Young, as villains. Such portrayal was par for the course in 19th century fiction. Many novelists, including Zane Grey and Jack London, Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-78054659998134790812009-12-22T10:58:00.000-08:002009-12-22T11:23:16.883-08:00She read the apology.As Diane Sawyer takes over for Charlie Gibson at ABC, arguably the best remaining network news operation, tobacco comes to mind. (Jake Tapper and Brian Ross, for example, are aces at that network.)I felt the need to mention that it was Diane Sawyer who agreed to read ABC News' infamous apology to Philip Morris in the 1990s for the tobacco story the network aired and resulted in a huge legal Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-51143537870113752472009-12-17T10:01:00.001-08:002009-12-17T10:06:52.225-08:0048 hours piece on adoptionThis week, the CBS News documentary series, 48 hours, did a powerful piece on a series of Samoan adoptions that likely involved fraud. I comment on it because many of the principals in this alleged scam were evidently Mormon. One wore a BYU hat in a photo. He was clearly portrayed as a villain in the piece. Yet, no where was the Mormon connection made very explicit. As such, I give credit toLane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-85438532122767032912009-12-03T14:12:00.000-08:002009-12-03T14:18:37.419-08:00Wow ....Blatant disrespect for divergent beliefs among those various denominations calling themselves Mormon was evident in the U.K. this week in its newspaper, The People.A news brief reporting on a change in immigration law said the following:"Muslim and Mormon immigrants are to be barred from bringing their HAREMS into Britain."No where did the article say anything about LDS beliefs having outlawed Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-38041283171017242142009-10-29T08:27:00.000-07:002009-10-29T08:30:42.431-07:00A new report on Prop 8The Heritage Foundation has issued a new report on the discrimination faced by supporters of Proposition 8. It is a powerful assertion of vicious anti-democratic approaches to an important issues. A worthwhile read for all Latter-day Saints and those interested in civil society.In defense of the press, many of the stories in the report were reported by the news media.Read the report here.Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-73370364257436777402009-10-12T10:51:00.000-07:002009-10-12T11:06:14.941-07:00Sad News in New EnglandA vicious, stabbing, random murder in New England involves a young suspect who is Latter-day Saint, who reportedly had been considering a mission. A horrific crime that seems to have no explanation. The heart-wrenching nature of this tale must have caused many broken hearts. I have read a few reports about this and see nothing too bigoted in the coverage of Mormons -- indeed, one article Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-16921025775301758172009-10-09T08:13:00.000-07:002009-10-09T08:19:01.758-07:00My family and the book of MormonIt has come down to me a late 1800s copy of the Book of Mormon that my 2nd great-grandfather -- and his daughter -- was converted with. It is a family treasure.My cousin treasures another copy of the book that converted another of our ancestors about the same time.It needs to be remembered how much this European sacrificed because of the firm testimony they received of this book, fleeing countryLane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-36474215859970289102009-10-09T08:03:00.000-07:002009-10-09T08:13:47.082-07:00Another witnessIn my study of Mormons and the media, one thing has repeatedly stood out: how little care there is in reporting on the Book of Mormon.While I am largely grateful for the writings of journalists in that their stories of what Joseph Smith said about the Book of Mormon are largely accurate -- telling as they do about golden plates.They rarely, if ever, however, go into the teachings of the book norLane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-5735422129350322132009-10-09T07:43:00.000-07:002009-10-09T07:55:43.527-07:00The return of Angels in WashingtonThe Washington Times is reporting today that Tony Kushner's play Angels in America, which won him a Pulitzer in the 1990s, is back in the Washington D.C. area. The stellar review of the play was much like the reviews of the 1990s. As my friend Dan Stout observed back then, there are very few writers who even care to notice how painfully mocking the play is of my Mormon faith. The angel in the Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-6732340741308624382009-09-24T15:56:00.000-07:002009-09-24T16:06:32.022-07:00Travel piece from the MirrorThis article in the U.K.'s Daily Mirror is a generous portrait of Utah's beauty and variety, but a lazy approach to the church. It's sort of like complaining about dandelions to complain about some elements of coverage in a British tabloid, but, alas, the story shows the chronic and annoying way Mormons are often portrayed in Britain. The name of the church is wrong; no distinction is made Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-10229871715883503192009-09-21T10:52:00.000-07:002009-09-21T10:57:01.337-07:00Important news piece from CPIAn important piece of journalism -- and model for the future -- is the Center for Public Integrity. Its non-profit investigations are difficult to produce and represent a high-level of craft. I wish to have everyone go to see their latest.Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-52439652303687539402009-09-14T08:08:00.000-07:002009-09-14T08:10:37.343-07:00Wonderful Mormon pieceThe New York Times shows a powerful way to tell stories and to provide moving stuff online with its 1 in 8 million people stories. Its authors picked a young Mormon missionary traveling the streets of Chinatown -- a three-year convert. Just a great piece of journalism and storytelling -- and one that makes the church look good.Here is the story.Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-34415294219593547852009-09-01T13:32:00.000-07:002009-09-01T13:40:24.126-07:00Back in the saddleI haven't updated in a while. Been working on a dissertation. We'll see how it goes this week. School is also starting again.Worth noting this week is a wonderful story of Gary Neeleman in The Economist of London. Neeeleman evidently started a version of Jet Blue in Brazil -- building on his missionary experience -- and is being remarkably successful. Unfortunately, I can't find this articleLane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-59945420516310528862009-06-22T13:58:00.001-07:002009-06-22T14:21:17.314-07:00Saving a lost boy.Kudos to the Deseret News for its excellent reporting on the weekend rescue of a boy lost in the mountains near Daggett Lake.That it happened on a Sunday morning and the reporters got photos and excellent stories -- even an interview with the boy himself, shows determination and solid craft.It also shows classic feature style form -- anyone can learn more about effective writing here.Readers Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-11716158856229001212009-06-20T20:58:00.001-07:002009-06-20T21:02:31.450-07:00Modern missionary workThe Religion News Service, republished here, has published a solid article about the church's online missionary efforts. About a year ago, I took a couple of hours and systematically looked at articles about Mormon missionaries in the American news media.With only a couple of exceptions, they were extraordinarily positive. What I noticed is that missionary stories needed to be more than just Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-41830558597784134422009-06-19T07:51:00.000-07:002009-06-19T07:54:56.672-07:00A must-readNot surprisingly, The Wall Street Journal published the best personal account of the demonstrations in Iran.It looks as though we have, more or less, another Tiananmen Square.Nevertheless, something is in the air there and it is inspiring to watch.Stunning to think that the Muslim call, God is Great, has become a cry of liberty.I do stand with these protesters.Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-44737119377935770452009-06-18T09:19:00.000-07:002009-06-18T09:28:42.430-07:00Yettaw in Newsweek I'd have to say that Newsweek's coverage of John Yettaw this week is fair-minded and a complete story about this sorrowful man. It suggests Yettaw suffers from mental illness and has had a rough life. His Mormonism, more so than in most coverage in the U.S., is part of this news story. When I see stereotypes in coverage, I wince. That he is portrayed as crazy and a Mormon, can't be considered Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-4975884915119384282009-06-17T07:36:00.000-07:002009-06-17T07:47:05.538-07:00PBS' bad decisionPaul Fahri wrote in the Washington Post that PBS has reached a compromise about religious programming. Programming at PBS should be non-sectarian.KBYU in Provo, therefore, was granted a reprieve. It will be allowed to broadcast the types of religious programming it has broadcast, but no new religious broadcasts on other PBS stations would be allowed.I suppose that this is a good decision for Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-29807306570031651842009-06-16T12:31:00.000-07:002009-06-16T12:42:51.866-07:00Philly InquirerThe religion section of the Philadelphia Inquirer has a terrific article this week on Mormon mission presidents going from and coming to the area.The article does credit to LDS people and is well-written.What I like about it -- again -- is that if reporters let us tell the story of our own lives, then we look good as a church. Rely on outsiders to describe doctrine and you get a hodgepodge.What Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-34546222149612591392009-06-16T10:12:00.000-07:002009-06-16T10:15:54.187-07:00Front page of The New York TimesThe New York Times had a fun piece on former Mormon missionaries who profit from selling things such as security systems door to door.I am not sure that Pinnacle Security is exactly what we want Mormons to be, but there is much to recommend the coverage of the church, even in this way. Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-38782139272262708722009-06-12T13:32:00.000-07:002009-06-12T15:26:11.842-07:00Time this week.Time magazine has a long feature on the Church and proposition 8. Reasonably fair-minded and interesting. It does have some loaded terms like how prop 8 seems to be becoming a "referendum on Mormonism itself."But the article does allow Mormons to speak for themselves, including a talented new mission president from the Bay area, and it talks of church humanitarian work glowingly and describes Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-17150911825070662802009-06-08T14:46:00.000-07:002009-06-08T15:04:54.111-07:00Another soldier's deathAnother Mormon soldier from Northern Ireland has died, the Belfast Telegraph reports. Sean Binnie, a Mormon hero, died about a week ago in Afghanistan.I was critical of the coverage of Binnie's death, noting that no one had talked of his faith, whilst covering broadly the Mormonism of John Yettaw.That has changed with this second death and the coverage was sensitive and kind.The second soldier, Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-70880504672155770162009-06-04T13:28:00.000-07:002009-06-05T11:50:04.765-07:00A couple of Book of Mormon writings<!--StartFragment--> A couple of events in the news this week made me think of three important defenses of the Book of Mormon, that I wish to recommend:Orson Scott Card. Hugh Nibley's response to Faun Brodie Terryl Given's book -- more a history than a defense -- is another I recommend.As a journalist, I am moved by the quality of the stories in the Book of Mormon -- they are dense but very Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556608397583014813.post-74151626428206604912009-06-03T09:46:00.000-07:002009-06-03T10:26:46.066-07:00Is it still communication if nobody reads it?Today is an off day for Mormon news -- more on poor Mr. Yettaw and a bit in the Washington Post about a short play set in a tour of a Mormon Temple.So, my doctoral research has set me thinking. Is it still communication if no one reads or responds to a message sent?This kind of forlorn question might have seemed silly a decade ago -- when mass media still dominated. Today, in an era of unread Lane Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647758455053891553noreply@blogger.com1