Mormons & Media: 2012 forecast includes White House, NYT best-seller [Real Mormon/LDS]

Today's highlighted links of the LDS Church and its members in news coverage include Huffington Post-published predictions of a Mormon in the White House and the Book of Mormon on the New York Times' best-seller list within the next two years as well as a look at Utah Catholics anxious to share Temple Square with their out-of-state peers.

HuffPo's "What Will Be The Top Religion Stories of 2012" offering leads off with two bold predictions regarding The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"1. "2. The Book of Mormon will be on the New York Times Bestsellers list throughout the Fall '12 campaign."

The post came from the journalist Jon M. Sweeney; it should be noted that it was erroneously attributed to another regular Post blogger with the same last name — long-time labor leader John Sweeney — through Thursday morning.

Sweeney explains: "As one who makes his living in the field of religion, participates in two different religious traditions on a regular basis, and passionately studies what's happening among the spiritually mindful, I have an abiding interest in what follows. Wading hip-deep into these waters, the following are my opinions of where we may find ourselves nearly two years from now, as we look back on the year 2012."

Other topics earning Sweeney's forecasts — Christianity in China, Pope Benedict XVI's age, "virtual" church observance and the Mayan calendar.

Intermountain Catholic, the Salt Lake Diocese's weekly newspaper, had this report from Laura V. Sausedo about the tour of Temple Square by participants of the recent diocese-hosted Southwest Liturgical Conference.

Local Catholics were excited to share the state's culture with visitors, Sausedo wrote, quoting Rosalie Mirabelli, a parishioner of Salt Lake City's Saint Ambrose Parish: "I like to see people from out of town see the temple. I think it is important because it is our culture here. Even though I am Catholic, I think it is important that we show our visitors Temple Square."

The Temple Square tour stops included the Salt Lake Tabernacle, the visitors' centers and the Conference Center.

The group was hosted by Elder Ben B. Banks, emeritus LDS general authority and director of the church's hosting, with visits from several Mormon Tabernacle Choir leaders — president Mac Christensen, principal organist Richard Elliott and associate director Ryan Murphy.

Sausedo's report added: "The tour was scheduled because people are curious about the LDS Church 'and they are interested in understanding each other better,' said Dr. Juliana Boerio-Goates, a member of the SWLC organizing committee and parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Orem."

Sausedo's report added: "The tour was scheduled because people are curious about the LDS Church 'and they are interested in understanding each other better,' said Dr. Juliana Boerio-Goates, a member of the SWLC organizing committee and parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Orem."

I doubt the "understanding EACH OTHER" part...IMO mormons don't feel the need to understand other faiths.

Restoration must be at the forefront of interfaith dialogue

"The Dichotomy of Latter-day Saint Interfaith Commentary: A Way Forward" James Holt

Holt, who also serves in the Manchester England Stake Presidency, examined how Mormons, through scripture, came to a negative view of other faiths. By referring to Doctrine and Covenants 76:99-101, Matthew 7:21 and 3 Nephi 27: 7-11, he showed that churches not based on the restored gospel will be found in the telestial kingdom.

"It seems as though the negative view of other faiths reaches its zenith in the description of these inheritors of the telestial kingdom. The reward available to such people is on a comparable level to murderers and whoremongers (though maybe on a higher level)," he added. "Through the Atonement of Christ, the most these faiths can hope for is to the lowest degree of glory. No matter how well-meaning it is, no matter how much truth it contains, it still falls short of the knowledge and ordinances of Christ that are necessary for exaltation, and can only be found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"As a commentary on the religious beliefs of millions of people worldwide and throughout the ages, this is perhaps as condemnatory as is possible."

the American people will send a Republican administration to the White House that includes the country's first Mormon President or Vice-President"

In a pig's eye!

From your link:

"The reward available to such people [non LDS religions]is on a comparable level to murderers and whoremongers (though maybe on a higher level)," he added.

"Through the Atonement of Christ, the most these faiths can hope for is to the lowest degree of glory.

No matter how well-meaning it is, no matter how much truth it contains, it still falls short of the knowledge and ordinances of Christ that are necessary for exaltation, and can only be found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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