|  | 
     | News about Mormons, Mormonism, and the LDS Church
 |  | 
	  
		| General News |  | Branch Started in Kazakhstan |  | There are no full-time missionaries in Kazakhstan, yet 
the Kazakhstan Almaty Branch was organized July 29, only 7 months after The 
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was officially recognized by the 
government. The branch has 44 members, many of whom were referrals from 
friends and relatives who joined the Church while in the United States. 
Because there are no full-time missionaries in Kazakhstan, the branch 
members have the privilege of teaching and fellowshipping those interested 
in the Church. |  | More General News ... |    
      
		| Local News |  | Woman Charged with Threats Against BYU, President Bateman |  | A threatening letter promising to "damage or destroy a 
building or real property by means of fire and explosives," was received by 
the secretary to BYU President, Merrill J. Bateman, on August 6, according 
to Brigham Young University Police Lt. Greg Barber. Concerned with the 
dangerous nature of the letter, BYU police immediately informed the FBI, 
leading to the indictment of Lavanya Paul by a federal grand jury on charges 
of trying to extort $1 million from BYU President, Merrill J. Bateman. The 
Wednesday, August 15th indictment against Lavanya Paul, 28, a native of 
India, charged her with extortion and "willfully threatening to kill, injure 
and intimate" President Bateman. |  | More Local News ... |    
      
		| Sports |  | RM Marc Dunn Looking to Start at Kansas State, But Supports Rival |  | The BYU football team is almost as well known for 
quarterback controversies as it is for producing stand-out quarterbacks. 
Now, one of the quarterbacks that BYU didn't land is in the middle of a 
little quarterback controversy at another college. Marc Dunn, returned 
missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who served in 
Santiago, Chile, transferred to Kansas State University from Ricks College 
after completing his sophomore year and is presently battling last year's 
starter, Ell Roberson for playing time. As the projected starter entering 
spring drills, Roberson patiently endured a redshirt season in 1999 and a 
backup role last year, all in preparation for his chance to take the helm in 
2001. Now, with Dunn on the scene, Roberson knows he has some serious 
competition for the coveted number one spot on the depth chart. |  |  |  | BYU's Pochman Making Case to NFL's Patriots |  | After a record-setting football career at Brigham 
Young University, Owen Pochman is trying to "kick-start" a career in the 
NFL. A four-year place-kicker for the Cougars, Pochman's BYU highlights 
include his record 135 PAT conversions, 66 field goals and 333 points scored 
over four seasons. Pochman, a soccer player who didn't play football until 
his senior year in high school in Mercer Island, Washington, had the luxury 
of learning the art of kicking from one of BYU's other top kickers. His 
older brother, Ethan, kicked for the Cougars in 1996 and set his own school 
record with 61 consecutive PATs. He also set single-season records with 123 
total points and 21 made field goals. |  | More Sports News ... |    
      
		| Politics |  | LDS Church to Comment on Utah Liquor Laws |  | This past week, The Church of Jesus Christ of 
Latter-day Saints issued a statement that the Church will offer its comments 
and concerns to Utah lawmakers who are working to rewrite the state's laws 
on the advertising and sale of liquor. |  |  |  | LDS Boise Mayor Facing Election Threat After Puzzling Behavior |  | Prior to last week and by most accounts, Boise Mayor Brent 
Coles appeared to be a shoo-in to win his third consecutive term in the 
upcoming November municipal elections. Coles has been serving as Mayor of 
Boise and the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, a prestigious 
position that has brought recognition to both Coles and Boise. In addition, 
Coles has had a high approval from his constituents based on his ability to 
set policy and win consensus for his programs. |  | More Politics News ... |  
      
		| Internet |  | Sunstone Explores Mormons on the Internet |  | The Internet and the changing demographics of The 
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was the topic of one session of the annual 
Sunstone Symposium, held Saturday at the WestCoast Hotel in Salt Lake City. 
Characterized as "a fluid space somewhere between the printed and spoken 
word" panel moderator, Hugo N. Olaiz, a doctoral candidate at the University 
of California at Berkely, discussed "Virtually Mormon: Mormons at the 
Internet." |  | More Internet News ... |  
      
      
      
		| Business |  | Water Trouble with LDS Farm Worsens |  | The number of households without water grew from 36 to 
68 in the western part of Saginaw county on Friday as the Saginaw County 
Department of Public Health rejected one large scale irrigator's water 
management plan. According to Kevin W. Datte, the county's environmental 
health director, the county also dismissed parts of a proposal from The 
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while accepting Clio-based 
Walther &Sons Farm's plan. |  | More Business News ... |  |  | |  |  | QUOTE: 
		 
		    [an error occurred while processing this directive]
		 
		  | 
 |