Church Statement on White Horse Prophesy

In the LDS Church, there are several cases where the members tell stories that are what I like to call "extra doctrinal" because they have been passed down from person to person and are either not true, or the "accepted" truth is far from reality.

One of these is that Joseph Smith (or Brigham Young or Bruce R McConkie) said that if a man has been home from his mission a year (or turns 25 or turns 27) he is a menace to society.

Another is that Joseph Smith said that the constitution would one day hang by a thread, and that someone from Zion would ride in on a White Horse and save it.

This "White Horse Prophesy" has been getting some media attention lately, especially from Idaho, because a candidate for Governor there has been hosting meetings where he only wants LDS Priesthood holders attending so he can discuss this prophecy. Well, that has led the church to issue the following statement:

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is politically neutral and does not endorse or promote any candidate, party or platform. Accordingly, we hope that the campaign practices of political candidates would not suggest that their candidacy is supported by or connected to the church.

"The so-called 'White Horse Prophecy' is based on accounts that have not been substantiated by historical research and is not embraced as Church doctrine."

Is Sarah Palin Mormon?

Apparently, people are wondering if Republican Heartbeat-away-from-the-presidency candidate Sarah Palin is Mormon.

They wonder this because she has roots in Idaho.

Well, only about 23% of Idaho residents are Mormon.

Ad, she belongs to the Assemblies of God.

What to they think of the Mormons?

Well, their Web Site has several entries on the Mormons Church that are not exacly flattering.

-Bob

I've been to the Hennepin County Jail

By pleading guilty to carges in Minnesota, Sen Larry Craig (R-ID) avoided spending 10 days is the Hennepin County Jail.

I've been to the Hennepin County Jail. I'll see if I can find pictures.

No, I wasn't locked up for anything scandalous. I did service there while I was on my mission. Our service consisted of helping shred old prison records. We also got to go visit a member of the Church in his cell and deliver a Book of Mormon to him. We also had several good meetings with the prison chaplain, where we discussed matters of religion.

One of my favorite times in the Jail was lunch in the staff cafeteria. Not only was the food pretty good (and free as part of our hours working), but we occasionally got stopped by some of the "guests" who wanted to talk.

Nothing of import. Just feeling random tonight and wanted to share.

Sen Larry Craig (R-ID): I did not have sex with that woman

Count the numerous excuses he gives. It's almost as many as the amount of times he says he isn't gay:

“First, please let me apologize to my family, friends, staff, and fellow Idahoans for the cloud placed over Idaho. I did nothing wrong at the Minneapolis airport. I regret my decision to plead guilty and the sadness that decision has brought to my wife, family, friends, staff, and fellow Idahoans. For that I apologize.

“In June, I overreacted and made a poor decision. While I was not involved in any inappropriate conduct at the Minneapolis airport or anywhere else, I chose to plead guilty to a lesser charge in the hope of making it go away. I did not seek any counsel, either from an attorney, staff, friends, or family. That was a mistake, and I deeply regret it. Because of that, I have now retained counsel and I am asking my counsel to review this matter and to advise me on how to proceed.

“For a moment, I want to put my state of mind into context on June 11. For 8 months leading up to June, my family and I had been relentlessly and viciously harassed by the Idaho Statesman. If you’ve seen today’s paper, you know why. Let me be clear: I am not gay and never have been.

“Still, without a shred of truth or evidence to the contrary, the Statesman has engaged in this witch hunt. In pleading guilty, I overreacted in Minneapolis, because of the stress of the Idaho Statesman’s investigation and the rumors it has fueled around Idaho. Again, that overreaction was a mistake, and I apologize for my misjudgment. Furthermore, I should not have kept this arrest to myself, and should have told my family and friends about it. I wasn’t eager to share this failure, but I should have done so anyway.

“I love my wife, family, friends, staff, and Idaho. I love serving Idaho in Congress. Over the years, I have accomplished a lot for Idaho, and I hope Idahoans will allow me to continue to do that. There are still goals I would like to accomplish, and I believe I can still be an effective leader for Idaho. Next month, I will announce, as planned, whether or not I will seek reelection.

“As an elected official, I fully realize that my life is open for public criticism and scrutiny, and I take full responsibility for the mistake in judgment I made in attempting to handle this matter myself.

“It is clear, though, that through my actions I have brought a cloud over Idaho. For that, I ask the people of Idaho for their forgiveness.

“As I mentioned earlier, I have now retained counsel to examine this matter and I will make no further comment.”

This was more bizzare than watching Bob Murray down at the mine.

-Bob