From: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com (aml-list-digest) To: aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: aml-list-digest V1 #894 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, November 15 2002 Volume 01 : Number 894 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2002 19:42:58 -0700 From: Barbara Hume Subject: Re: [AML] Recent Spoken Word At 07:08 AM 11/11/02 -0700, you wrote: >How can = >we sing with the spirit and feel joy doing it and still meet the church = >guidelines for acceptable sacrament meeting music? Dare I suggest that = >some of us write some new hymns, or is this not the answer. We recently had a sacrament meeting that consisted of several people discussing their favorite hymns, then the congregation singing them. I was asked to participate. The first counselor called me and said, "I want you to talk about your favorite hymn for sacrament meeting, but knowing you, you'll say something radical." "My favorite hymn isn't in the LDS hymnbook," I answered. "Not that radical!" he said. I did mention some of the gospel hymnns I was sorry to leave behind when I joined the LDS Church: Bringing in the Sheaves, Every Day with Jesus, When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder, I Was Sinking Deep in Sin . . . . . some of the converts in the ward knew just what I was talking about. But then I said how much I loved the hymns of the Restoration and talked about The Spirit of God Like a Fire Is Burning. I was the last speaker, and we wound up with that hymn, and it was great because it's a hymn of triumph and people stood up and belted it out. Like Nan said. Why don't we just drop some of those dour old Methodist hymns and write some hymns of joy and triumph? And how about standing up while we sing them? And how about not being so dad-blasted conservative and dreary about what we are allowed to sing in church? barbara hume - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2002 19:48:21 -0700 From: Barbara Hume Subject: Re: [AML] Kofford Books (New Publisher) At 11:46 PM 11/11/02 -0700, you wrote: >As there is an advance reading copy for sale on the Deseret Book auction >site even as we type, I'd guess that the wait will not be long. People are not supposed to sell their advanced reading copies! That's why it says "Not for resale" right on the cover. Someone is breaking faith with the publisher and with the writer. Don't buy it. barbara hume - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2002 20:27:44 -0600 From: "Kumiko" Subject: [AML] First U.S. Feature Film Thom Duncan wrote; >>I realize we have to start >>somewhere in bringing the story of the BofM to film and that the first >>one out of the chute may not be the film it needs to be. I know it took >>many versions of the life of Christ on film to finally get it right with >>Zefferrelli's Jesus of Nazareth. Speaking of movies about scriptures... Here's some fun facts to contemplate. The very first feature-length film EVER filmed in the United States was... Well, it wasn't from the Bible. It was Dickens' _Oliver Twist_. But the SECOND feature film ever made in the U.S. was indeed an ambitious attempt to bring the life of Jesus to the big screen. Third American feature film... Shakespeare (no surprise there). Then we've got the first-ever of many versions of "Cleopatra." Number 5 was "Lieutenant Petrosino" (?). Wasn't until the sixth-ever American feature-film that the industry made an LDS-themed movie: "One Hundred Years of Mormonism", featuring Brigham Young's grandson playing the part of Brigham Young. Of course, this wasn't about the Book of Mormon, it was about the pioneers and Utah and Joseph Smith and, well, the title is pretty self-explanatory. You have to fast-forward 28 years to get to the first recorded independent feature film based on the Book of Mormon (Lester Park's 1931 "Corianton"). After the financial and popular failure of "Corianton" not much happened for decades, until the Church itself made institutional, instructional short films, sometimes depicting scenes from the Book of Mormon. The biggest independent Book of Mormon filmmaking venture to date has been headed by director Richard Rich, with the approximately one dozen half-hour animated films featuring stories from the Book of Mormon. The screenwriter for these was Orson Scott Card, who is, coincidentally, the grandson of Lester Park. But an independent, live-action feature film based on the Book of Mormon remains largely unmade. A major attempt was mounted by producer Cary Derbidge and writer/director J. Daniel Nell, when they filmed "The Stripling Warriors" in Kaysville, Utah in June of 1999. When the partially-filmed project wasn't completed, the property reverted to Nell, who still has plans to re-tool and finish a version of the project trimmed in length to just two hours. But this project is essentially on hold. If Gary Rogers succeeds in completing a feature film about the Book of Mormon by his planned target date it will be about the twelfth Latter-day Saint-themed feature film since the advent of "God's Army." Or will it? Interestingly enough, the subject matter of any film about the Book of Mormon presents a slight semantic problem to anybody who uses the term "LDS-themed feature film." The Book of Mormon actually has no Latter-day Saints in it. It has no Mormons, either. And there are no known characters named "Mormon" until the very end... certainly none in 1st and 2nd Nephi, which would be the source of the first such films in a projected series. So, technically, such a project might have to categorized as a "Jewish-themed feature film," in which case we would have to classify it with "Fiddler on the Roof", "The Ten Commandments" and "Blazing Saddles", rather than with "God's Army" and "The Singles Ward." First Feature Films Made in the United States: May 1912 Oliver Twist (5 reels) H. A. Spanuth Oct 1912 >From the Manger to the Cross (6 reels) Karem Co. Oct 1912 Richard III (4 reels) Sterling Camera & Film Co. Nov 1912 Cleopatra (6 reels) Helen Gardner Picture Plays Nov 1912 The Adventures of Lieutenant Petrosino Feature Photoplay Co. Feb 1913 One Hundred Years of Mormonism (6 reels) Utah Moving Picture Co.; Ellay Co. - - Preston Hunter, ldsfilm.com - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2002 19:54:25 -0700 From: "Paris Anderson" Subject: Re: [AML] Exponent II Jana wrote about Exponent II: Instead you might find an essay about > single women, an interview with Claudia Bushman, some poetry by Emma Lou > Thayne, etc. Or you might find poetry by swarthy gentlemen who wear eye-patches and don't like to shave. Paris Anderson - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 00:06:07 -0700 From: "Nan McCulloch" Subject: [AML] Environmental Literature I enjoyed reading the last issue of Irreantum. In an interview the = question was posed to Terry Tempest Williams, "Do you think that Mormons = are anti-environment?" She answered that she didn't think so. I agree. = We just don't hear too much about the positive things Mormons are doing = in this area. My niece Polly Parkinson-Taylor just finished getting her = masters on this subject. She gave a paper in London at the Association = for Study of Literature and the Environment. It was titled _Norris and = Williams: Changed by Their Native Lands_ and discussed how for some = writers, place is more than setting and instead a primary force acting = on character and leading to change. They were changed by the land. = Each identity as a person is drawn from the place that she lives. Her = thesis study was on Williams's book _Refuge_ where she analyzed the = author-land relationship in terms of human attachment and loss theory. = After hearing Neila C. Seshachari read her essay on _Leap_ (another = book by Williams) just a week before she died, I was very happy to get = to reread the essay in Irreantum. The entire issue was well put = together and the theme nicely developed. Good job. =20 Nan McCulloch - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2002 20:02:32 -0700 From: "D. Michael Martindale" Subject: Re: [AML] Book of Mormon Movie Casting Call Thom Duncan wrote: > I know it took > many versions of the life of Christ on film to finally get it right with > Zefferrelli's Jesus of Nazareth. True, Zeferelli's film is the best one on the life of Christ to date, but I still don't think it got it right. - -- D. Michael Martindale dmichael@wwno.com ================================== Check out Worldsmiths, the new online LDS writers group, at http://www.wwno.com/worldsmiths Sponsored by Worlds Without Number http://www.wwno.com ================================== - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2002 20:06:57 -0700 From: "D. Michael Martindale" Subject: Re: [AML] The Role of the Reader Christopher Bigelow wrote: > > I'm not saying D. Michael's novel has > the literary weight of _The Backslider_ or anything My book isn't literary? I consider that a compliment. > but it's one of the > most interesting manuscripts I'm aware of floating around out there. I can't tell you how much fun it is to have AML-List discussing something I've produced. If that hasn't happened to you, you ought to try it sometime. > I still > can't imagine who'd publish it, though. I've received one offer to consider it. - -- D. Michael Martindale dmichael@wwno.com ================================== Check out Worldsmiths, the new online LDS writers group, at http://www.wwno.com/worldsmiths Sponsored by Worlds Without Number http://www.wwno.com ================================== - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 06:04:19 -0800 (PST) From: Marie Knowlton Subject: RE: [AML] Y'All Need to Get Out More Gotta love Kim's story! As a convert from California who has lived all over the country at various times, I have witnessed the narrow-minded ostracizement of which we speak. It began in college when good LDS guys refused to date me because I was not raised in the Church and didn't have the "proper upbringing" nor the requisite LDS grandparents for their future grandchildren. To them, it was almost as bad as associating with a non-member. I've also noticed that there are members who turn the same disapproval on other members if they do something that puts them outside the mainstream (like get divorced, for example). The general problem is that we teach tolerance, acceptance, and brotherly love, then ignore, criticize, or vigorously try to change anyone who doesn't fit "the mold." Eric Samuelsen's one-act play, "Bar and Kel" does a wonderful job of exploring this dichotomy without necessarily condemning the people who engage in it. Jack Weyland's novel "Nicole" touches on the subject and portrays a family who have become inactive because their developmentally disabled son has been treated badly at church. Weyland only skims the surface and retreats into a warm fuzzy conflict resolution that leaves unanswered the question posed by one of his characters (and many of us): How can people profess to be LDS and act like this? Non-members know all about this and can smell us coming a mile away. I can't say I blame them. [Marie Knowlton] - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 09:06:14 -0700 From: margaret young Subject: Re: [AML] _Brigham City_ (Movie) I tried YET AGAIN to purchase _Brigham City_ in VHS form. Unsuccessful. It was only available in DVD. Richard, where is it available? Do you have a marketing staff to help you make it more widely accessible? - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2002 22:20:00 -0600 From: "Kumiko" Subject: [AML] Box Office Report Nov. 8 02 Feature Films by LDS/Mormon Filmmakers and Actors Weekend Box Office Report (U.S. Domestic Box Office Gross) Weekend of November 8, 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 - --- ----------------------------- ----------- ----- ---- 2 The Santa Clause 2 24,734,523 3,352 10 Cinco Paul (screenwriter) 60,038,513 11 Punch-Drunk Love 2,501,670 1,293 31 Actors/characters: 14,513,079 David Stevens, Nathan Stevens, Michael D. Stevens, Jim Smooth Stevens (James Smooth) 40 Master of Disguise 85,104 116 101 Perry Andelin Blake (director) 40,245,712 58 City by the Sea 32,070 94 66 Eliza Dushku (actress) 22,433,915 64 Jack Weyland's Charly 24,807 21 45 Adam Anderegg (director) 477,631 Jack Weyland (book author) Janine Gilbert (screenwriter) Lance Williams, Micah Merrill (producers) Tip Boxell (co-producer) Bengt Jan Jonsson (cinematographer) Aaron Merrill (composer) Actors: Heather Beers, Jeremy Elliott, Adam Johnson, Jackie Winterrose Fullmer, Diana Dunkley, Gary Neilson, Lisa McCammon, Randy King, Bernie Diamond, etc. 67 Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man 19,840 5 920 Reed Smoot (cinematographer) 14,292,559 71 Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure 14,454 11 640 Scott Swofford (producer) 13,587,642 Reed Smoot (cinematographer) Sam Cardon (composer) 79 Galapagos 9,615 5 1109 Reed Smoot (cinematographer) 13,806,856 90 China: The Panda Adventure 4,161 4 472 Reed Smoot (cinematographer) 2,935,286 100 ESPN's Ultimate X 1,701 5 185 Reed Smoot (cinematographer) 4,195,710 104 Ziggy Stardust & Spiders from Mars 1,042 3 124 Mick Ronson (2nd billed actor) 121,244 HOLIDAY BLOCKBUSTER SEASON - Last weekend's release of "The Santa Clause 2" and "The Spy" marked the beginning of the holiday blockbuster season in theaters. What this means for Latter-day Saint-themed films is that independent features have a much harder time finding theaters to play in, and it shows in our box office report for this weekend, as Latter-day Saint-themed feature films largely dropped (at least temporarily) from the radar. Expect some to return with stronger numbers once the season has passed. For example, if you live in Utah and you've been planning to see "Handcart" again before it leaves the big screen, you may want to hurry. Since "Handcart" opened one month ago, it has left most theaters, but it has been continually at the Scera Theater in Orem. But its last day at the Scera is Nov. 14th, this coming Thursday. It is also currently playing at Fiddler 6 in Cedar City, UT and Blue Mountain Cinema in Monticello, UT. Note that in January "Handcart" will open in Arizona, California, and other states. SPECIAL PLUG FOR OLIVIERA - We were especially thrilled to see Spanish director Jose Maria Oliveira on the schedule for the LDS Film Festival. Here's a man who featured LDS missionaries and gospel values in very successful films nearly 30 years before the advent of "God's Army," yet few people have heard of him. In addition to his pioneering work as a filmmaker, he was also the first convert to the Church in Spain and the nation's first stake president. His is a fascinating story, and if at all possible, you shouldn't miss the opportunity to hear him. NATIONAL INTEREST IN LDS FILMMAKING? An Associated Press (AP) reporter recently interviewed Latter-day Saint feature filmmakers Richard Dutcher and Kurt Hale, Salt Lake Tribune movie reviewer Sean P. Means, and LDSFilm.com co-webmaster Thomas C. Baggaley (a film composer) for an article about Latter-day Saint-themed feature films. The resulting article appeared in the Sunday Daily Herald and nationwide distribution is expected. You can read it at: http://www.harktheherald.com/article.php?sid=65074&mode=thread&order=0 SCREEN YOUR FILMS - Works From Along the Wasatch Front: Anyone can show their short film or video at the Utah Film and Video Center (UFVC). The roster of films for each month's screening is filled based on whichever films are submitted first. Each screening features a number of worthwhile films as well as a number of films that are a complete waste of celluloid, all from Salt Lake City-area filmmakers. If you're looking for a free opportunity to screen your short film before an audience of film-lovers, check it out. For more information, see http://www.ufvc.org/2002-2003/11_01_02Works/WorksNov02.html THUNDERBIRD FILM FESTIVAL POSITIONS AVAILABLE - For more information, see http://www.thunderbirdfilmfestival.suu.edu/contact.html FREE CHARLY SCREENING AT UCLA - Melnitz Movies and the UCLA Producers Association are presenting the Los Angeles premier of CHARLY produced by LDS filmmaker Lance Williams. The special screening will occur November 13th, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. and will be followed by a special question and answer session. Those interested in attending should send an e-mail to Starbasemedia@yahoo.com. If you go, definitely take a date along, whether it's your spouse, a girl/boyfriend or just someone you'd like to get to know better. This is a great date movie! MERRILL ON LDS FILM - Academy Award-winning director Kieth Merrill (1 Oscar, 2 nominations) weighs in on the state of the LDS film scene, in a new article published by Meridian Magazine. We are grateful to acknowledge Merrill's kind mention of LDSFilm.com, as he did much of his research for the article on our site. The article can be found here: http://www.meridianmagazine.com/arts/021107stones.html MERRILL IN 3D IN 2004 - New article about Keith Merrill and the new 3D IMAX theater at Thanksgiving Point (in Lehi, Utah), and Merrill's upcoming 3D IMAX documentary "Dinosaurs Face to Face", slated for 2004 release at the Point. See http://www.ucjournal.com/ucjournal/pagespeed/url/Entertainment/story/585956 HUNTER ON OUT OF STEP, THE SOUNDTRACK - The "Out of Step" soundtrack CD is NOW in stores. VERY, VERY eclectic. A friend in my ward in Dallas who is a big-time music producer listened to it, thought it sounded great, and commented that its styles are really all over the map. There's jazz, folk, R&B, classical, and no-holds-barred rock. Alex Boye, Kriya, Sunfall Festival, even a song by the movie's star, Jeremy Elliott (also the star of "Charly"). Plus a lot of underscore tracks by Merrill Jenson. (Yes, THE Merrill Jenson, the megahuge music composer himself -- he did the score for this "little", but critically acclaimed, film.) The "Out of Step" novelization is also in stores right now. I've read it and really enjoyed it. Seriously needed a decent A.P. English student to go through it and fix some typos and minor editing problems. But this is a very fun, interesting read. In many ways this is also the most daring story out of all the Latter-day Saint-themd feature films. This is a VERY realistic, highly grounded story about one young Latter-day Saint student's struggles and romance in New York City. Everything in the movie is in there, plus a lot of background material that wasn't in the movie. This is a must-read for any serious fan of the "Out of Step" feature film. Speaking of which... We'll be able to tell you SOON when the DVD will be released, AND we should be able to tell you soon what the box office gross was. Stay tuned. ALSO IN STORES, SONGS FROM SEMINARY VIDEOS - Seminary's Greatest Songs brings together the very best from over 25 years. From "The Olive Tree" and "For Our Day" to "Like Unto Us" and "Joseph" these songs reach across generations, helping us understand and remember important gospel truths -- Christ and His atoning sacrifice, The Prophet Joseph Smith and the Restoration, The Book of Mormon, temples, the worth of souls, and more. A feast of inspiring, testimony-strengthening music for all ages. Tracks Include: I've Got to Find Out Who I Am; For Our Day; Like Unto Us; Come Unto Him; The Olive Tree; I Have It, Why Not Share It; My Soul Hungered; Joseph; That We May Know; Our Fathers Plan; Strength Beyond My Own; Going Home; I Want to Be Loved; I'll Build You A Rainbow. HICKS MENTIONS T.C. CHRISTENSEN - Well, you heard about them weeks ago from us, but in case you missed it, Chris Hicks mentions T.C. Christensen's new DVDs: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,440014849,00.html By coincidence, Hunter recently watched Christensen's "Touch of the Master's Hand" on video. His comments: This is an old video. But it really holds up. Fine, fine piece of filmmaking. Powerful and beautifully shot. It's only about 20 minutes long, and makes a perfect video family home evening activity. But, purely as a work of artistic filmmaking, regardless of spiritual considerations, I highly recommend this film. You might have it at home, on the Family Home Evening videos the Church released years ago, although, obviously, only the DVD will have the director's commentary. BYU FILM NEWS - Final Cut 2002 DVDs are available to students for a $5 donation to the Dean's discretionary fund. Donations will be matched 5 times by outside donors. Your $5 becomes $30! Come see the TMA Office in D-581 HFAC. AMIDST THE GATEWAY - "Amidst the Gateway," a 42-min. dramatic film by Christopher S. Clark and Patrick H.Parker, will premiere at the LDS Film Festival (Nov. 13-16). The website for the film is: http://www.lumasion.com. There is a VERY fine-looking trailer for it. TRUTH AND TREASON - "Truth and Treason: The Helmuth Hubener Story" - Produced by Rick McFarland and Matt Whitaker; Written and directed by Matt Whitaker. Distributed by Covenant. "Truth and Treason" is the remarkable true story of Helmuth Hubener, a young LDS German, and his heroic actions against Hitler's Nazi regime. Using arhicval footage and still-photography as well as new film footage shot on location in Germany, this film takes an unprecedented in-depth look at a compelling and complex story. Available in November - Video $19.95, DVD $24.95. Available through Deseret Book. SUMMER OF THE NEPHITES (AND SOME AREN'T) - A "Summer of the Nephites" movie update from Chris Heimerdinger's newsletter: Yup, I've gone out and shot the opening sequence for the movie. The idea was to raise money for the project, so I decided to take the opening scene (which I thought was rather cool), cast it, shoot it on 35mm film, edit it, do most of the advanced post production (including music and special effects -- Editor's Note: LDSFilm.com co-webmaster Thomas C. Baggaley will be writing the music for this opening scene) and then use to show investors. The scene takes place in a dark and scary section of woods and features three hunters. I played one of the hunters, to save money of course. :^) We ended up shooting near Duchesne, Utah with a professional cast and crew. It was an intense, rigorous, and nerve-wracking two days, but we got 'er done, and I've already started editing on it. When it's done, I think it will turn out to be a great opener. Yes, and eventually it will probably be on the Secret Spectacle. So what's "Summer of the Nephites" about, you might ask? Well . . . it's about NEPHITES! Can I get away with that for now? I don't want to spoil it before I even finish writing it. But just know that it's completely different from my "Tennis Shoes" books--new concept, new characters--but still a fun fantasy of mingling past and present. It will first come out as a book next summer or fall. Then, if all goes according to ambition, it will be on the big screen in the spring of 2004. Between now and then we just need a few miracles. I think they'll happen. THE WORK AND THE STORY IS FUNNY - LDSfilm.com co-webmaster Thomas C. Baggaley got a sneak look at a rough cut of "The Work and the Story" this weekend. His thoughts coming away from the film? "It's destined for greatness" - okay, if you've seen one of the earlier trailers for the film, you probably laughed at that joke. (If not, you'll get it when you see the film. Sorry - it's no longer on the site.) Seriously (can we say that word in connection with a comedy?) this is going to be a very funny film, especially for people who just love film in general. It is a different film - -- very different from any of the previous contributions to Mormon Cinema and probably different than anything most LDS theater-goers have ever seen. But we think that once audiences adjust to the interesting mockumentary format of the film, they'll find themselves laughing -- a lot. Besides, you have to laugh at just the concept that you can make a film that mocks a genre when that genre is only a few years old as it is. Baggaley adds one last thought (paraphrasing that early trailer once again): "This film is going to have some awesome music. I don't want to sound -- what's the word -- cocky? -- but they have a composer working on this film that ... well, he's destined for greatness..." Hunter: Tom just saw "The Work and the Story" rough cut and I can tell that the experience has addled his brain. He wrote this "news item", but in doing so he quotes and paraphrases the movie and its trailer. I know what he's talking about because I've seen the old trailer. But it's no longer online, and most of you probably haven't seen it, so you would have no idea why he said some of what he said. This whole "destined for greatness" line... That's how the movie's main character (played by the writer/director, Nathan Smith Jones) refers to himself in the movie. One of the funny things about the movie is that Jones' character is a real *******, although, of course, the word ******* is never used in the movie. Jones' filmmaker character lives in a world unto himself without realizing the extent of his own self-delusion. "The Work and the Story" features a number of "movies-within-the-movie" which send up popular movie genres, and how they might appear if given the "LDS-themed" treatment. So imagine a Mormon housewife/director's LDS-themed action/martial arts film. That kind of thing. And Tom forgot to mention that the movie's other main character is played by Richard Dutcher. Dutcher also contributed significantly to the plot. Tom is one of the composers for "The Work and the Story," but I'm not working on the movie, and let me tell you straight out that after I met with the Nathan Smith Jones I can't even think about this movie without smiling because I think it is going to be hilarious. In my guise as "LDSFilm.com" I hype a LOT of stuff. I don't lie to you. I don't say I like something if I don't. But usually (whether I like something or not), I don't convey my opinion -- I report facts and I pass on whatever the opinions of others or press releases, etc., etc. So having said all that, let me tell you that there are lot of things coming down the pike. I'm looking forward to all or most of them. But at or near the top of the list of what *I* want to see is "The Work and the Story." - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 09:37:46 -0700 From: "Brown" Subject: Re: [AML] Epiphanies Scott Parkin wrote about Cathy Wilson's Ephanies: > interesting attempts to explore the nearly universal human trait to worship. Could the universal trait be a definite human biological situation in which everyone begins as a child and keeps the "bent" of looking up to see the parents? Just a comment. I liked the idea of the "God spot" and my opinion is that it IS possible to develop it ourselves. Just as I feel that if we are in charge of our own bodies and development we can develop enough "glands" to be heterosexual, etc. (I just read about the sheep who had a smaller "sexually dimorphic nucleus" bundle of neurons in the preoptic hypothalamus for rams that rammed male rams. My question is, what do the ewes do, do ewe know?) (This all at the risk of bringing up homosexuality again which we beat over the head often--however, this article did say: "We realize that sexuality is more complex in humans than . . . in sheep.") I hope so! I'm saying, we as "gods" of our own bodies, have the OPPORTUNITY to take charge of ourselves and develop our own brains, our own looks, our own sexual orientation, our own health! Marilyn Brown - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 09:40:26 -0700 From: Christopher Bigelow Subject: RE: [AML] Y'All Need to Get Out More Kim, your story about the failed block parties needs to be dramatized as a short story. Chris Bigelow - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Nov 2002 22:31:11 -0700 From: "Eric R. Samuelsen" Subject: Re: [AML] Book of Mormon Movie Casting Call Since Gary Rogers' post took me particularly to task, I thought it would = valuable to report the following: Brother Rogers and I have since had a = very frank, open and, in my opinion, cordial exchange of views. I'm not = making any judgments about this film project, nor will I until I see the = film. But I'm willing to report that Brother Rogers has demonstrated to = me a willingness to engage in a productive and positive dialogue about our = continuing differences, and that the tone he's taken in those exchanges = has been most friendly and encouraging. I'm looking forward to meeting = him at the LDS film festival. Eric Samuelsen - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Nov 2002 09:27:53 +0000 From: "Andrew Hall" Subject: [AML] Evans Book Banned from Deseret Book (SL Tribune) Salt Lake Tribune Thursday, November 14, 2002 [MOD: There are many posts in already related to this issue. I think it's a critical one for us to discuss, thoroughly but honestly, here on AML-List.] LDS Author 's Book Deemed Inappropriate BY CHRISTY KARRAS THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE Nobody looked to Deseret Book as a source for steamy romance novels, but now even tame love stories face possible eviction from the shelves. The LDS Church-owned chain of bookstores has decided not to stock copies of bestselling Utah author Richard Paul Evans' latest book, The Last Promise, because it doesn't meet new standards for moral content. Evans, whose bestselling-author status began in his home state with sales of sugary, upbeat family-oriented stories such as The Christmas Box, covers new territory with The Last Promise, released last week. The book is about an American woman living in Italy who, in the face of an abusive relationship with her husband, turns to another man for emotional support and, eventually, romance. Evans said he is surprised by the negative reaction, especially since the affair between the woman and her male friend is never consummated. The theme is love, not sex, he said. "The book is not about adultery," Evans, a practicing Mormon, told The Tribune in an interview last week. "The book would be a PG-rated movie, at the most." Still, the themes were too much for new buying guidelines that went into effect a few weeks ago, said Sheri Dew, president and CEO of Deseret Book. The guidelines tell the store's buyers to avoid ordering books that clash with customers' values. Though the process has just begun, store employees will eventually comb through all 250,000 titles in the stores' inventory to remove other books that might flunk the new standards, Dew said. Classics such as The Scarlet Letter or Jane Eyre will get the same scrutiny as new books under consideration. The guidelines are based on recent customer surveys that said patrons, mostly members of the LDS Church, were upset when they found books at the store whose messages clashed with their values. "This is completely a business decision. It's not a religious decision, it's not a moral decision. It's a customer decision," Dew said. This does not appear to sever the relationship between Evans and the chain, which Dew estimates has sold more than 100,000 copies of his previous books. Deseret Book will continue to sell the earlier titles, and The Last Promise will be available by special order. The decision also doesn't seem to have had a negative effect on Evans' enormous popularity in Utah, the setting of most of his books. Long lines formed at Evans' book signings this week at Borders and Media Play. "We were disappointed that Deseret chose not to sell the book, but I don't think it will hurt a thing," said Lisa Johnson, head of publicity at Dutton, Evans' publisher. Copyright 2002, The Salt Lake Tribune _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 09:03:13 -0700 From: "Andrew W. Gallup" Subject: [AML] Book Release & Book Signings =93A Bundle of Choices: The Option Overload of LDS Mothers Today=94 By Anne-Marie Wright Greg Kofford Books, Inc. a local LDS publisher is pleased to announce the release of a new book by Anne-Marie Wright. This title will be available= in better bookstores after November 14th, 2002. In association with this release they are providing several opportunities to meet the author at th= ree book signings provided in conjunction with Seagull Book & Tape. The schedule for the book signings is as follows: November 16th, 2002 from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. at Seagull Book & Tape located= at 1720 South Redwood Rd. Salt Lake City, UT 84104 November 29th, 2002 from 2:00 to 3:30 P.M. at Seagull Book & Tape located= at 111 South State St. Orem, UT 84058 November 30th, 2002 from 1:00 to 2:30 P.M. at Seagull Book & Tape located= at 1625 W. 9000 S. West Jordan, UT 84088 Interviewing more than 100 women throughout the country, Wright brings readers along on a personal journey toward self-discovery and understandi= ng of the acrobatic juggling required by LDS women today. Children. Education. Work. Hobbies. Church. Today women enjoy more option= s and opportunities than ever before. Women can do anything and be anything they want to be. But all these choices seem overwhelming at times. What d= o women want to do, and in what priority, and when? The option overload presented today demands that LDS women perform a delicate balancing act, whether by choice or circumstance. With so many avenues available, prioritizing their lives and maintaining their sanity = can be complicated. Women have the world advocating the benefits of working, = the Church touting the joys of motherhood and the importance of education, an= d their own personalities and abilities weighing in as well. How do women reconcile these competing demands and enjoy their rewards? Anne-Marie Wright earned both her Bachelor=92s degree in political scienc= e and her Master=92s degree in journalism from Columbia University. She served = as Deputy Director of Communications for the New York City Council and has written for several publications. She lives with her two children in Salt Lake City. Andrew Gallup Greg Kofford Books Inc. (801) 523-6063 Office (801) 671-7470 Cellular (801) 576-0583 Fax P.O. Box 1362 Draper, UT 84020 agallup@koffordbooks.com www.koffordbooks.com - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 13:50:29 -0500 From: Tony Markham Subject: Re: [AML] Women in DeVore BofM Movie Preston Hunter wrote: > Nephi's wife is named "Miriam." The > official website even has a picture of her... quite a striking woman. I bit. The website has an artist's rendition of a heavily cloaked woman with her face exposed, one of several portraits floating in space around a topless beefcake with rippling pecs and washboard abs. Hunkaliscious! My gay friends (and Barbara Hume) are rubbing their hands together in anticipation. Is the producer going to sue me for this scurrilous, slanderous, libelous observation? Tony Markham - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 11:01:30 -0700 From: margaret young Subject: [AML] Re: New Hymns (was: Recent Spoken Word) The late Clint Larsen was adament on the need for new hymns--and would, I'm sure, have written a whole hymnbook himself if he had been given permission. For most of us, the green hymnbook is still relatively new and does have some nice additions from the blue one many of us grew up with and used for our tabernacle rubbings in crayon. The "new" book left out (as I've heard that Michael Moody readily admits) a hymn that never should've been nixed: "Come Thou Fount." It also doesn't include (as Moody has purportedly said it should've) "Amazing Grace." Of course, I would really like some good traditional spirituals in the hymnbook (and permission to SING THEM. When I was music chair, I was told we could have no sacrament meeting solos that sounded like Negro Spirituals--which is a really stupid rule.). I'd like some non-European songs. I'd like to import more hymns, like "Blessed Assurance" and "Precious Lord". (I sang "Blessed Assurance" in Genesis once as a solo and Pres. Gray received a complaint that Genesis was going Baptist. I haven't sung a solo since.) I'd like some songs that you'd WANT to clap to, even if you were urged not to--songs like "This Little Light of Mine", "He's Got the Whole World in his Hands", "O Happy Day" and "Amen!" I definitely think the Spanish hymn sung every Christmas in Mexico which searches for the holy baby should be in the hymnbook, and I would like "Moscow Lights" to be given gospel lyrics. And I want Mormons to learn how to sing like the gospel was exciting and maybe even joyful. When I was choir director, I loved directing Natalie Sleeth's "There'll be Joy in the Morning." What a great song! [Margaret Young] - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ End of aml-list-digest V1 #894 ******************************