General News

Mormon Church To Build New Temples In final comments made at the close of the LDS Church's 170th semiannual General Conference, President Gordon B. Hinckley announced plans to build six new temples, raising the total number of temples operating, under construction or planned to 121. 76 temples are currently in operation, with 2 more to be dedicated this week.

New Mormon Temple The new Palmyra, New York Temple received national attention with a nearly 5-minute story about the new building. The story, by Brenda Tremblay of NPR member station WXXI (Rochester, New York), talks about the unique nature of the Temple because of its location near the birthplace of Mormonism.

Local News

Palmyra Temple Dedication Causes White Handkerchief Shortage The dedication of the Palmyra, New York Temple has caused a shortage of white handkerchiefs in Utah County, Utah as LDS Church members sought them for the ceremony broadcast. Stores in Utah County reported selling-out of handkerchiefs days prior to the ceremony, and fielding many anxious calls from members trying to find them. White handkerchiefs are used during the dedication of a Temple.

Former LDS Missionary Found Guilty Of Death Of Wife Former LDS missionary Dan Mackay, 44, was found guilty Thursday, April 6th of voluntary manslaughter in the death of his wife. Mackay could face up to 12 years in prison at his July 21st sentencing hearing before Alameda County Superior Court Judge Leo Dorado. The four-woman, eight-man jury took less than three days to find him guilty of manslaughter instead of murder, which could have led to a life sentence.

ACLU Action Unlikely Against LDS Coach That Gave Blessings Mountain View High School girls basketball coach, Dave Houle, may not have to endure a court case because of giving LDS blessings of comfort to some of his players. The ACLU says that it is unlikely to take any action over the issue, which came to light in a newspaper article during the recently-ended basketball season.

Sports

LDS Man Trying To Walk Into Olympics John Nunn, a 22-year-old former Harrison, Indiana High School graduate, isn't running towards his goal of a spot at the July U.S. Olympic trials. He is walking, and doing that as fast as he can. The rules are tough and state that one foot must be on the ground at all times. As soon as one foot hits the ground, the leg above that foot must be straight; the knee cannot bend. Sound like a lot to remember? Nunn had plenty of practice while serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

People

LDS Palestinian Deported From US Seeks Custody Of Son A Palestinian who joined the LDS Church while living in the United States is seeking any help he can get to get custody of his five-year-old son, Edward. The case of Mohammed Shiabat, 38, is strikingly similar to the high-profile Elian Gonzalez case now being negotiated at the highest levels of the U.S. Government. Like Juan Miguel Gonzalez, Mohammed simply wants to get his son."I ask God and the American government to be merciful to me and give me back my son," Shiabat said yesterday. "Edward is my whole world and he needs my love."

LDS Columnist Jack Anderson's Legacy Continues Through His Children Salt Lake City Attorney Kevin Anderson and his sister, Cheri Loveless of Orem, have many fond memories growing up with one of the nation's most famous reporters, Jack Anderson. Jack and Olivia Anderson are the parents of nine children and two of them have returned to the state where their father spent his formative years being a newspaper reporter.

Arts & Entertainment

LDS Member Examines Evil In Documentary Phil Tuckett has looked into the face of Evil and reports, "It is very frightening." Tuckett is the director, producer and writer of the TNT documentary entitled, "Faces of Evil". For his research, Tuckett examined evil in all of its forms--from Satan and Hitler to Marilyn Manson and horror movies.

Mormon Writer Terry Tempest Williams Explores Religion In Life Mormon naturalist writer Terry Tempest Williams' new book "Leap" will be released next month, giving readers an insight into her explorations on religion in life. Williams, who's previous books looked at environmental issues, this time explores her own childhood and the place of religion in life.

Business

CNNfn Tells Huntsman Story CNNfn's 'Pinnacle' program featured LDS billionaire and philanthropist Jon M. Huntsman in a half-hour biography broadcast Sunday night. Huntsman's story is well known in Utah, according to the Deseret News, who compares his notoriety to Abraham Lincoln, Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone.

LDS Entrepreneurs Launch Mission Website Jason W. Turley and Steve C. Pinegar both returned missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have formed a new web site.  The website, "called2serve.com" is designed for those who are planning for future missions, those who have returned and the families and friends of missionaries who are in the field.

LDS Digital Artists From New York Talk To BYU Students New York digital artists Devin and Kevin Shelley visited BYU on Wednesday, March 5th to host a student night and tell students about their multi-million dollar venture, SilverKid Digital Studios. The twin brothers started the company while students at BYU.

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