The Church Releases a New Version of the Temple Film

Author’s Note: I have a pronounced respect and love for the Temple.  It is a place where I have received inspiration and made promises that draw me closer to my Family, my Savior, and my Heavenly Father.  All the information shared is available through official church public sources. I have taken great care to be respectful to the sacred nature of the Temple and I hope that you would show the same respect in comments.

 
   Today I went to the Newport Beach Temple; being inspired to see the new Temple Film after talking with Mormon Movie Guy, Jono Decker, during the recording of our last Podcast.  I had first heard about it while listening to the This Week in Mormons Podcast.

 
   The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a section on their public news site giving an explanation of the Temple.  It gives the history of Temples stating: 

Mormon Men: We Don't Want Unrighteous Dominion

 

Inside the Mind of the Mormon Man

Source: LDS Living
KAELA WORTHEN AND JAMIE LAWSON - AUGUST 02, 2013
“Men are from Mars; women are from Venus.” Books and discourses abound on the differences between men and women. So we set out to understand the enigma that is the Mormon man, surveying 500 men, conducting focus groups, and interviewing experts in the process. This study was not a scientific one, and the results will not accurately represent every single LDS man, but we’re confident that we now have a good grasp on what goes on inside the mind of a Mormon man.
This is the fourth article in our five-part series. To get the other three parts, click here.
"Lately in the media it seems that there is growing attention being given to the movements for the so-called Mormon feminist movement," said one man. And that's true. In the recent past, women have worn pants in Church, agitated to pray in general conference, and even started a movement to allow women to be ordained to the priesthood. And right or wrong, they've been making a big splash and stirring up controversy both within the Church membership and without. "I don’t think I’m wise enough to really say much about how right or wrong these people are," he continued, "but the one thing they seem to attack the most is the idea of priesthood leadership. It hurts to think that women find our leadership so distasteful."

Unexpected Ballers: Mormons In The Hood Schooling These Dudes In A Basketball Game

   That is the official video title, not my words.  But man, talk about PR.  I think it is so awesome that these missionaries took an opportunity to interact with these guys. 

   I remember as a missionary going to a home to teach a family.  We would spend the first 10-15 minutes just plating football in the front yard the the neighborhood kids.  When we drove up the dirt road to the property kids would pop up out of no where and start running beside the car.  I will always remember the day I heard the them shout as they ran,

“It’s the Elders!”

“What’s that?” said a little kid behind him.

“C’mon, its fun!”

 

The Wolverine (2013): Mormon Movie Review

Quality:
   I chose the Spanish movie poster to represent this review of “The Wolverine” because Wolverine: Immortal is such a more fitting title.  Summoned to Japan by an old acquaintance, Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) becomes embroiled in a conflict that forces him to confront his own demons.  Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality, emerging more powerful than we have ever seen him before.
    We were treated to a Wolverine film in 2009’s X-men Origins: Wolverine.  While that film is a prequel of sorts this film follows the events of X-men (3): The Land Stand.  Logan (Wolverine) has lost all purpose after the events of The Last Stand and lives a secluded live in the mountains of Alaska.  He is constantly haunted by nightmares of his lost love Jean Grey (Famke Janssen).  And I mean constantly! She has so much screen time she is featured in some of the movie posters.  Because I am fundamentally against the movie trope where a girl leave the good guy for the bad boy this relationship is continually problematic for me and I loathe seeing it on screen.  (See my pending article asking why is James Marsden the perpetual cuckold?)  

These Movie-Themed Engagement Photos Deserve an Oscar

Source: Mashable
When you're a professional wedding photographer, there's a lot of pressure to get the perfect shots of your own nuptials. So when photographer Joshua Watson and his then-girlfriend Rachel, who works in video production, wanted to take engagement photos for their June 1 union, they went above and beyond the typical photo shoot.

Inception

Man on Steel (2013): Mormon Movie Review

Quality: 
   Man of Steel is a reboot of the Franchise made famous in cinema by the late Christopher Reeve.  The Warner Bros. synopsis makes the story sound a little odd when taken at face value.  “A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.” 
   I was very conflicted on my opinion of this movie.  Don’t get me wrong, I loved it.  There were also some glaring flaws.  So in true D&C 121:43 fashion, let me give you a short list of my gripes before we give credit to the things praiseworthy.  There is some beautiful cinematography in this film, but there is one fatal flaw, shaky cam.  I was feeling a bit noxious at times a Superman flies around making the “cameraman” rumble.  As a result the view is blurred and the fine details obstructed. (See title photo) We also never really get to see the mind mannered adult Clark.  He seems to look more like a stand in for The Wolverine.  Lastly of my major issues, cookie cutter casting, more on that later.

To My Friends Who Didn't Make Troubadours (or anything else you strived for), It Gets Better!

 
  For those of you outside the Orange County area; Troubadours is the elite choir at Fountain Valley High School.  Those who pass the audition process are "kidnapped" in the night by members and paraded around school the next day. 

   I am sorry you tried out for Troubadours and didn't make it. I want to tell you, I know how it feels. I know how it feels to go to bed in your clothes or cool pajamas with your shoes by your bed just knowing they were coming for you. Waking up several times in the night thinking you've heard something. Then to finally be awoken by the rising sun as your hopes sink into despair.

   I remember going to school the next to see my classmates in slippers and silly clothes with signs prompting others to ask them to sing. I can still remember the embarrassment when I saw the posted roster revealing there was a vacancy in my section. It wasn't that I was out sung by better singers, but I just wasn't plain good enough.