From: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com (aml-list-digest) To: aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: aml-list-digest V1 #835 Reply-To: aml-list Sender: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk aml-list-digest Friday, September 20 2002 Volume 01 : Number 835 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 11:16:03 -0600 From: "Sharlee Glenn" Subject: Re: [AML] World Without Credit Harlow Clark wrote: > up with. I think the last 20 pages of Sharlee Glenn's _Circle Dance_ (the > part that should be a whole nother novel) is a vision of a world that > doesn't need credit because people had a sense of being common-bonded. An interesting side note about this last portion of _Circle Dance_: I entered the manuscript for _Circle Dance_ in the Utah Art's Council Original Writing Competition several years ago. The written critique from the judge was very positive for the most part, but of the last third of the novel, she wrote something to the effect of "this is completely unrealistic; it would never, ever happen." "I've lived among Mormons in Utah most of my life," she said. "And I've never once seen anything like this happen." Well, the funny thing is that it *did* happen. That portion of _Circle Dance_ is very autobiographical. My mother's cousin really did sell her an acre of land for $1.00, and the ward really did come together and build a house for us. Truth is often stranger (and maybe less cynical?) than fiction. Sharlee Glenn glennsj@inet-1.com - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 13:00:09 -0500 From: "Preston" Subject: [AML] Box Office Report Sept. 13 02 Feature Films by LDS/Mormon Filmmakers and Actors Weekend Box Office Report (U.S. Domestic Box Office Gross) Weekend of September 13, 2002 Report compiled by: LDSFilm.com [If table below doesn't line up properly, try looking at them with a mono-spaced font, such as Courier - - Ed.] Natl Film Title Weekend Gross Rank LDS/Mormon Filmmaker/Actor Total Gross Theaters Days - --- ----------------------------- ----------- ----- ---- 7 City by the Sea (NEW) 4,862,445 2575 10 Eliza Dushku (actress) 16,654,735 17 Possession 773,532 619 31 Neil LaBute (director) 9,088,016 Aaron Eckhart (lead male actor) 20 Master of Disguise 460,890 687 45 Perry Andelin Blake (director) 38,792,609 28 Minority Report 220,683 243 87 Gerald Molen (producer) 131,320,567 41 The Divine Secrets of the 98,298 160 101 Ya-Ya Sisterhood 69,347,585 49 The Singles Ward 50,296 29 227 Kurt Hale (writer/director) 1,136,236 John E. Moyer (writer) Dave Hunter (producer) Cody Hale (composer) Ryan Little (cinematographer) Actors: Will Swenson, Connie Young, Daryn Tufts, Kirby Heyborne, Michael Birkeland, Robert Swenson, Wally Joyner, Lincoln Hoppe, Gretchen Whalley, Sedra Santos, etc. 60 ESPN's Ultimate X 25,380 29 129 Reed Smoot (cinematographer) 4,127,098 69 Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man 19,225 8 864 Reed Smoot (cinematographer) 13,970,534 89 The Believer 7,195 2 122 Ryan Gosling (lead actor) 355,216 92 Galapagos 6,353 4 1053 Reed Smoot (cinematographer) 13,698,640 94 China: The Panda Adventure 5,783 5 416 Reed Smoot (cinematographer) 2,841,134 91 The Other Side of Heaven 4,617 5 269 Mitch Davis (writer/director) 4,694,311 John H. Groberg (author/character) Gerald Molen, John Garbett (producers) 102 Little Secrets 4,180 12 24 Blair Treu (director/producer) 401,245 Brian Sullivan (cinematographer) Sam Cardon (composer) Jerry Stayner (film editor) Actors: Jan Broberg Felt, Rick Macy, Tayva Patch, Caitlin E.J. Meyer, etc. 113 Ziggy Stardust & Spiders from Mars 1,405 2 68 Mick Ronson (2nd billed actor) 104,125 HANDCART: The producers of the Latter-day Saint-themed feature film "Handcart" have announced events related to the upcoming release of the movie throughout Utah on October 11th. There will be a premiere on the night of October 10 at the Scera Theater. There will also be: a Question and Answer Session with the director and others at the Ragan Theater at UVSC October 9; Television spots during General Conference; Trailers playing in theaters. DeVORE BOOK OF MORMON FILM RETOOLED: Meridian Magazine has a new article on the Steven DeVore, Peter Johnson, Reed Smoot, Quinn Coleman, and Scott Swofford project to produce Book of Mormon-based feature films. The project was first reported in April 2001, when it was planned as an IMAX film titled "Safe Passage." Little has been heard about it since then. The title of the first film has been changed to "Journey to the Promised Land," which is only incrementally better than the monumentally un-exciting-sounding "Safe Passage." The film is no longer planned as an IMAX film, but as a regular theatrically-released feature film. "A Voice From The Dust" is the name for the proposed series of films. The Meridian Magazine article, headlined "Elite Team of LDS Film Makers to Produce Epic Book of Mormon Story for Big Screen Release", is at: http://www.meridianmagazine.com/breakingnews/020917ldsfilm.h tml THE SINGLES WARD OPENED IN CALIFORNIA, over the weekend taking in over $50,000 nationwide at the box office, bringing its cumulative gross to $1,136,236. CHARLY SCREENS FOR PRESS: Tom Baggaley, our co-webmaster, is attending a press screening of "Jack Weyland's Charly" tonight. We'll let you know what you thinks. NEW POLL: "Jack Weyland's CHARLY" opens across Utah and southern Idaho on September 27th (less than two weeks away!!!!). Care to guess how it will do at the box office? Head over to http://www.ldsfilm.com/polls.html and vote in our new online poll question. If you want, you can even take your shot at guessing an exact box office total... Come closest, and win a free "Spirit of the Sabbath" CD from film composer Tom Baggaley. But you have to vote in the poll (and/or send in your box office prediction) BEFORE the movie opens on September 27th. NEW CARD FILMS: Geoffrey Card, the author of the novelization of Richard Dutcher's "God's Army," and the cinematographer for the short film "Remind Me Again" (released earlier in 2002), has recently worked as the Director of Photography for the DJD Entertainment Productions "A Foot in the Door", which filmed during Summer 2002. Card also made the short film "Fork" earlier this year. KIETH MERRILL GOES NATIVE ONCE AGAIN: Here's an interesting article about a Kieth Merrill film in the works, although it doesn't appear that production has begun yet. The planned film project is a feature film biopic about the famed Native American Sakakawea (i.e., "Sacagawea"), who led Lewis and Clark to the Pacific Ocean: http://www.ndweb.com/mdnonline/content/0101/0103/3movie.html SINGLES WARD COMES HOME: "The Singles Ward" will be released on DVD and video on October 11th. An online description of the DVD reads: "This funny, touching, romantic comedy focuses on the single life of a group of young Latter-day Saints. It shows that being LDS and single can be as funny as it is unique. Audiences will laugh as they are reminded of the defining moments that make up single life for young Mormons. This movie, hilarious at times, will leave you smiling and talking all night long. Anyone who is or ever has been an LDS Single will thoroughly LOVE this movie! There are numerous cameo appearances throughout the movie by Steve Young, Coach La Vell Edwards and Coach Ron McBride, Shawn Bradley, Danny Ainge, Gordon Jump, Wally Joyner, Thurl Bailey, Richard Dutcher, and Utah's own Ruth Hale. This DVD has many special features that aren't offered on the VHS tape. The DVD has musicvideos, outtakes, interactive dating games, and other LDS movie trailers... among other things! You'll be glad you got the DVD." One of the outlets taking pre-orders is LDSLiving.com: http://www.ldsliving.com/details.asp?prodid=984&cat=99&path= FEATURE FILMS FOR FAMILIES PROMO TRAILER: This is very interesting... a glimpse at the man behind the curtain. There's a QuickTime video promo featuring Forest S. Baker III now on the Feature Films For Families website: http://www.familytv.com/ForrestPromo_240.html "OUT OF STEP"-RELATED BOOKS, CD HIT STORES: Catalogs from indepenent LDS booksellers (such as Moon's LDS Bookstore in Dallas) are arriving in customer's mailboxes this week. Included in the catalog are "Out of Step"-related products that should arrive in stores within the next two weeks. "Out of Step", the novel, is the novelization of the Latter-day Saint-themed feature film now in theaters. The novel is by Nikki Anne Schmutz, one of the writers of the film. ALSO, a completely unrelated novel by Nikki Anne Schmutz is coming to stores, titled _Found_, described in the catalog thus: "The story of a runaway teen girl who sets about a train of events that leads her and others to a truth that can only be revealed by divine intervention. A warm and richly written first novel..." And finally, the "Out of Step" soundtrack should be in stores within a few weeks. This should be a really exciting, unusual soundtrack. Some of the film's music was written by actor Jeremy Elliott. Merrill B. Jenson wrote the score. The film also features music by some of the top LDS artists and Canadian artists working today, including Alex Boye, John McVey, Jericho Road and Moxie Tonic. I have no idea why this soundtrack wasn't released earlier. 5 NEW INDEPENDENT LDS DVDs: The new independent LDS bookstore catalog arriving in customers' mailboxes this week features 5 new DVDs from Latter-day Saint directors. John Lyde's feature-length dramatic film "The Field is White" -- about Latter-day Saint missionaries -- was released on video early this year. It now gets the DVD treatment, with director's commentary, a trailer, bloopers, and a bonus short film, Lyde's "Turn Here", which was screened at last year's Young LDS Film Festival, and is based on a true story originally published in the Ensign, written by Richard A. Dove. I enjoyed the film on video and I can't wait to hear the DVD commentary. "Turning Point" is the title of a new DVD from director Martin Andersen. It not only includes his inspiration film "Turning Point", it also includes his fils "Reach for the Stars" and "Follow Your Heart." Andersen's fils are motivational and inspirational, but broadly applicable, without references to any one denomination or religion. Two separate DVDs featuring films by director/cinematographer T.C. Christensen are available. "Touch of the Master's Hand" features Christensen's adaptation of the popular same-titled poem about a violin auction which is a parable about Jesus Christ and the Atonement. The 20-minute film features a director's commentary and notes. "The Mouths of Babes & Sons of Babes" brings to DVD Christensen's 1996 film featuring illuminating and often funny off-the-cuff, unscripted comments by Latter-day Saint children. The DVD includes director's commentary, notes, and 6 minutes of never-before seen footage. The films on these four DVDs have been available previously on video. But the fifth new DVD (being released simultaneously on video) is entirely new, and is easily the most surprising of the new releases. "When Men Hurt" comes from Gregory Peck's Bristone Films -- the same producers who made "Christmas Mission" (1998) and "Only Once" (1998). These two previous films featured top-notch production values and excellent performances by actors who already had national reputations or have since established themselves in successful careers, including Corbin Allred (Juding Amy; Boston Public; Dharma & Greg; C.S.I.), Jacque Gray ("God's Army"), Austin O'Brien ("The Last Action Hero"), Britt Leary and David Jensen. Many people have loved "Christmas Mission" -- I first saw it when a Gospel Doctrine teacher showed it in church. But as a film, it is far surpassed by "Only Once", which is one of the best independently-made films ever relased as a direct-to-video film in the LDS market. But all that refers to Bristone's PREVIOUS films. I have NOT seen "Men Hurt" and have no idea what it's like, although I'm sure the production values are very high. And one thing can be said for this video/DVD... It's tackling extremely unusual territory. The description in the catalog reads: [QUOTE] Bristone Films and Club CTR Inc. (Christmas Mission and Only Once) team up to offer the first in a series of programs directed toward empowering victims and perpetrators of abuse and violence. "When Men Hurt" illustrates overcoming cruel behavior from a perpetrator's perspective. hear three men's poignant stories and learn from leading experts the answers to everything from why people abuse to how to break generational chains of suffering. This show is a spiritual, emotional and educational ride. It is a first step and one of many solutions to a problem recently addressed explicitly by President Gordon B. Hinckley. [END QUOTE] - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 16:00:01 -0600 From: "Clark Goble" Subject: RE: [AML] BYU Education Week Event ___ Michael ___ | But I don't know of anyone involved into his discussion | who categorizes pornorgaphy as art. Therefore the point | you were making in that message was not relevant. ___ We should also point out that what constitutes pornography is very socially dependent. We'd all consider Playboy pornography yet is some cultures women go about topless without thought. I think we all consider D. H. Lawrence a great literary artist, yet many would consider _Lady Chatterly's Lover_ pornography. Likewise I can think of a lot of erotic poetry from the Greeks on up through folks like E. E. Cummings which is art and pornographic (IMO). As I said I don't mind calling a lot of pornography art and a lot of art pornography. To me art is largely determined by the artistry of the artist in producting the art. Pornography to me is a label regarding content and not artistry. The implication of this is, of course, that I don't mind people rejecting a lot of art for moral reasons. Once again ignoring the pornography debate since it has been done ad nauseum, we could speak of art that is excessively violent or offensive for other reasons. For instance with regards to music the art that is typically attacked is attacked for being excessively misogynist, violent or the like. Personally I don't see "art" as something special. Indeed while I'm more than willing to distinguish "fine art" from things like "folk art" to me all are art. I have, perhaps, more of a Zen appreciation for art. I love, for instance, how the Japanese were able to make the act of serving tea into a deeply moving artful act. Even here in the west we recognize this broadening of what constitutes art in the avenue of performance art. Yet this broadening also shows, I think, how the categorizations of art as something "special" is rather problematic. - -- Clark Goble --- clark@lextek.com ----------------------------- - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 17:04:03 -0600 From: "Thom Duncan" Subject: RE: [AML] BYU Education Week Event I don't think even pornography should be destroyed. Avoided, by all means. But purveyors of porn have the same right according to the Constitution to publish as the Mormon do to publish the BofM. What makes our country great is that a citizen can, with no coercision from anyone else, read or not read whatever he/she wants. For the first time in recent history, we can make our own decisions regarding our own lives and, as long as those decisions don't harm, others, we are free to suffer the consequences or reap the rewards. Perhaps a reason why many people still rely on others to tell them what to read, what to think, or what to see or listen to is that humankind as been spoonfed for so long. Our culture used to be dictated by our kings. Now, we are free to choose and maybe it scares us. Thom Duncan - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 17:04:03 -0600 From: "Thom Duncan" Subject: RE: [AML] Neil LaBute Interview in _Salon_ > >And in answer to your question, "Can a person be a good Mormon >and a good artist?" Yes. At least this Mormon thinks so. > I would have to see a definition of good Mormon and good artist before I could agree with this. There are restrictions in Mormonism, as there should be. In art, as far as I'm concerned, there are none, or if they exist at all, they are the restrictions that the artist imposes on his/her own work. For instance, if being a good Mormon means that, though I might not say certain words in my own life, it would be all right to have my characters say them, then I think I could agree. Thom Duncan - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 20:56:28 EDT From: Jhotodd@aol.com Subject: [AML] "Religious Educator" Article on Creative Arts "Touch These Stones .. That They May Shine Forth in Darkness: Inspiring Students to Let Their Light Shine through Creative Works" by W. Jeffrey Marsh discussed issues often mentioned on this list. The article appeared in Vol 3 # 1, 2002 of Religious Educator published by BYU Religious Studies Center. The author discusses ways to "help inspire the rising generation to greatness" in the creative arts. The main points are: 1. Teach them who they are and give them hope 2. Teach students to educate themselves in the things of the Spirit 3. Teach students to view life from an eternal, latter-day perspective 4. Teach students to understand they are children of the covenant 5. Teach students to find ways to use their talents to bless others 6. Remind students that people are attracted to light and good works 7. Teach students that our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son are, themselves, creative 8. Teach students to allow the Lord to enliven their creative gifts 9. Teach students that perspiration precedes inspiration 10. Teach students to turn to the scriptures for inspiration 11. Teach students to be worthy to receive inspiration 12. Teach students that their works can rise above the mediocre The author closes the article with - "May we, as teachers, be inspired to know what to say and how to say it so that our students will be filled with the desire to create and compose those things that will take us all to a higher level." JH Todd, Worthington, Ohio - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 22:12:33 -0400 From: "robert lauer" Subject: Re: [AML] Neil LaBute Interview in _Salon_ >When "God's Army" was playing in theaters I had local missionaries over for >dinner and mentioned the movie. They reacted negatively, because they had >heard that the movie's director had been excommunicated because his movie >showed a baptism. I asked them where they had heard this, and they said >that >every missionary in the mission knew this. > >I did what I could to point out that what is in the film is staged, filmed >in pieces and not a real baptism, and point out that half of the Church >videos ever made ALSO show a baptism. I was pretty shocked by the fervor >with which they thought this preposterous rumor was true. But there simply >had never been an LDS-directed Latter-day Saint-themed feature film like >this before > >Preston [Hunter] Last summer while finishing up some film work in Colorado, I was telling a Greely, Colorado Bishopric member (who also headed the Institute Program at the University) about BRIGHAM CITY--how much I had loved the film. Acting as if he was personally "in the know" with the First Presidency, he stated that he could never support that film or recommend it to any member of the Church because he knew for a fact that "the Brethren" were very upset with Richard Dutcher over the film. He went on to imply that Church disciplinary actions were going to be taken against Brother Dutcher very shortly. I don't know where this attitude comes from, but a surprising number of members seem to share it: let a Latter-day Saint enjoy ANY success in the media or the art and folks are instantly spreading rumors about how that person has lost his testimony, upset the Brethren or is guilty of some type of "immorality." What is the cause of this? Do these members hate "the world" that much or do they hate themselves? Have they confused righteousness with suffering and rejection? Do they assume that success (even in creating Mormon art) is possible only if one sins? When DESERET NEWS did a lengthy story of Richard Dutcher last summer I was grateful when he said if his critics among the Church's general membership were to know how the Brethren really felt about his films, "they would shut up." (I think that was how he put it. Forgive me if I paraphrased.) ROB. LAUER _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 22:54:29 -0600 From: "Travis Manning" Subject: Re: [AML] Not All Bad in Mormontown Scott Parkin wrote 9/17/02: "This post doesn't really have a strong literary tie-in except to suggest that true stories of Mormon culture, behavior, and society cover a broad spectrum that includes both the noble and the petty, the fair and the foul, the giving and the grabbing. This is one of many true stories that can be
told of how Mormons react under pressure. "I live in Santaquin, Utah.... [mudslide story cleanup, then -- snip] "There are many true stories of what it means to be Mormon, to be human. Some true stories feature nasty people who use each other shamelessly, who take rather than give, who judge with harshness rather than charity. Some true stories end with good people suffering and evil people prospering.< "But other true stories feature good people trying--and even succeeding--to be as good and honest as they can be (or as they hope to be), to show true charity and hope and a desire to build something wonderful. Some true stories accept that ugly things happen but choose to tell of nobility rather than failure. "The true stories of our people are varied and often contradictory. Some affirm, some challenge, some do both. In thinking about the stories we can tell, the stories we *should* tell, let us not be afraid to reveal both the best and the worst of ourselves, the struggles and the victories. Let us be brave in telling whatever true stories we know, whatever true stories move our own souls and touch us most deeply. "All is not bright in Mormontown, but all is not gray either. I hope we don't limit our thinking to one extreme or the other, that we are open to all kinds of true stories of what it means to be alive, to hope and question and sometimes doubt. To find grace or lose it. Because true stories have the power to expand us, to make us more complete. [snip] "Whatever the reason, my hope is this: that we will be unflinching in telling all the stories that we know to be true, whatever their direction and whatever their outcome. We should fear no truth and we should become slave to no single truth at the expense of others, either in our study or in our literature." ******************** Telling "true, honest" stories with as many sides to it as is possible, is important in many instances; though, "truth" is somewhat in the eye of the presenter--facts can be spun and twisted with various interpretations. With regards to LDS historian Leonard Arrington's nonfiction writing and controversial researching, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not provide carte blanche access to their historical records and archives. I don't know all the reasons for that, and could only surmise as to why. It does seem to me that isolated facts about a church member's life, for example, dragged out into the public view, with little or no context surrounding a situation may not be journalistically researchable, nor reported and written about in a balanced and fair manner. I agree with what Scott is saying above about "true stories having the power to expand us, to make us more complete," but I also believe at some point that the 'dirty little secrets,' sins that have been repented of, past transgressions for example serve no vital purpose to the well being and salvation of our own souls. "Gossip," if you will, which I consider some of these past secrets to be, only serve to pique our interests about scholarly and intellectual matters unrelated to the progression and establishment of our own character and spiritual nature. Christ has said in Isaish 1:18: "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Hebrews 8: 12: "For I [Christ] will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." If Christ forgets--or chooses not to bring up--our dirty little secrets, past mistakes, when is it feasible, plausible for us, non-Deity, to discuss, quibble over the transgressions of another soul? When should Christ forget sins and man still remember them? I think it's a good question for Mormon writers to consider. At some point, discussing the past transgressions of another human being, for example, expecially when that person is not under our stewardship (i.e. bishop, father to son/daughter, etc.) can sidetrack us from concentrating on "working out our own salvation" with God. Public figures pose a slightly different can of worms, as Chris Bigelow (I believe it was) has pointed out, and learning from a Mormon artist who is also a pubilc figure should allow us, the public, more access and open discussion--though I still think great care needs to be taken; access to information about public Mormon figures should not go unfettered. I appreciated Doug Robinson's (Deseret News) recent article on Kurt Bestor (he's also done great ones on Sherry Dew, LaVell Edwards, Richard Dutcher, Larry Miller, etc.) because it was a candid perspective on a Mormon artist. Some on this list have intimated that Robinson implied Bestor had had an affair, others on this list, the opposite, but the point is Robinson never came out and said it, he never crossed that confidentiality line. Based on Robinson's past interviews and articles with the above-mentioned Mormon public figures, I feel like I can largely trust Doug Robinson's perspective and approach. His article on Bestor was down and personal because he interviewed Bestor and his two former wives; he didn't pull many punches. I believe his article on Bestor was balanced journalism. Now, if Robinson had done a story on, say me--who am not a public figure--and interviewed my two previous wives [I'm still married to the first by the way], his story would not be appropriate (nor interesting for a Deseret News audience either, but that's beside the point). In the right context, personal stories can strengthen our own selves and our own families. Prophets for decades have been advising us to write in personal journals, to record spiritual experiences, our trials, our successes. (Some of my journals are actually hard to read--especially my missionary journal--because I was so prideful, still am in many ways.) True stories have their place, many of which don't need to ever reach the wandering, straining public eye. Travis K. Manning

"Men and women die; philosophers falter in wisdom, and

Christians in goodness: if any one you know has suffered

and erred, let him look higher than his equals for strength
to amend, and solace to heal." (Jane Eyre) - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 02:30:08 -0500 From: Ronn Blankenship Subject: Re: [AML] World Without Credit From my slightly (?) twisted mind conflating the subject line and the topic of the list: what if "credit" meant "attribution", IOW, anyone want to discuss what the world would be like if no one got any "credit" for their work (writing or whatever)? (If not, I can go back under my rock.) - --Ronn! :) I always knew that I would see the first man on the Moon. I never dreamed that I would see the last. --Dr. Jerry Pournelle - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 09:32:51 -0600 From: "Brown" Subject: Re: [AML] Not All Bad in Mormontown Scott wrote a wonderful treatise about Santaquin's mud problem. "Whatever the reason, my hope is this: that we will be unflinching in telling all the stories that we know to be true, whatever their direction and whatever their outcome. We should fear no truth and we should become slave to no single truth at the expense of others, either in our study or in our literature." Sometimes those of us who have myopia with language forget to look at the real truths around us. But when you see a bishop on the phone, neighbors helping others, etc., you are seeing the facts of human goodness. Scott also said some people stole others' sandbags. Yes, there is always the evil. Yet I agree with Scott, tell it all. And I am so grateful for his essay, because I had wondered how he was doing down there. The FACTS are that he dug the mud out of one side of the duplex. These are facts, and I salute him for the gist of this piece. It's great. And it gave me hope for the human spirit, and I am praying for all of those people, including Scott--may their sacrifices bring them grace and love. Marilyn Brown - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 19:28:34 -0600 From: "Scott Parkin" Subject: Re: [AML] Not All Bad in Mormontown Marilyn Brown wrote: > I had wondered how he was doing down there. We're just fine. Literally ten minutes after I sent that post I was in my car rushing to help pack sandbags and clear gutters and storm drains as water gushed into our neighborhood and ran in about a four foot wide turbulent river through the streets--dirty water rather than heavy mud. We ended up putting a full truckload of very expensive sand-supplemented topsoil into sandbags and using them to shore up corners and redirect water flow away from dead-end streets. The owner was sad to see it go, but was more interested in helping protect his neighborhood than in saving his topsoil. (It turns out that the pile of soil was right in the middle of the heaviest water flow and would have washed away if we hadn't packed it in bags and carted it away. At least the topsoil did some good; the owner didn't even hesitate to offer it.) In other words, as far as I know there was no water in anyone's house in my neighborhood, though a couple of front yards picked up a lot of mud when the flow ran over them. Some annoyance, but no further damage. After last week's heavy mud flow in the neighborhood a half-mile north, workers used heavy equipment to dig a new channel over there to redirect water, and that neighborhood ended up with no significant water flow. I was happy to see that they didn't have a secondary flood to deal with. There was a lot of water, but it was all successfully redirected. Of course the storm drains are all clogged now... It rained again last night and this morning. Other than the large puddles in the road from overflowing storm drains there was no water flow in the streets. Sadly, it looks like there's going to be a lot of rain over the next few days. Fortunately, it looks like all the right channels have been cut and sandbags placed in the right locations to minimize further trouble. At least until Spring. So there you have it. It just did my heart good to see people working hard to protect other peoples' stuff. I get so caught up in my own frustrations that sometimes I forget that there really are a lot of good people in the world. And thank you for wondering. Just knowing that someone cares can make all the difference in how we deal with the frustrations of living. Scott Parkin - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ End of aml-list-digest V1 #835 ******************************