Re-valu-ing the Family, Part Eighteen: Substituting Correct Principles for False Paradigms
by Richard and Linda Eyre
(www.valuesparenting.com)

Note: In this twenty-six part column, Richard and Linda Eyre explore the recent revolution of the family from the honored centerpiece of society to a disrespected and seemingly redundant appendage to the larger corporate and cultural institutions of our new world. Re-valu-ing the family, the Eyres believe, is the only alternative to America’s demise. The sequence of the column is: A. Re-valu-ing the family (part I); B. The “crux” (parts 2 and 3 — why family is the foundation for everything, including happiness); C. The “curse” (parts 4 and 5 — the social problems that plague our society today); D. The “crisis” (parts 6 and 7 — the breakdown and breakup of families that allows and leads to the social problems); E. The “cause” (parts 8, 9, 10, 11 — the

A Gourmet Picnic
by Julie Badger Jensen

A gourmet picnic can be an elegant excursion for two or a glamorous gathering for many. The setting can be anywhere your imagination takes you . . . a wooden table under blossoming trees, a pleasant porch, a dreamy beach, or a grassy hillside by a forest stream. Experience a serene afternoon or evening celebrating petals blowing in the breeze, sailboats in the sunset, a changing sky, or the sound of a brooklet passing by swaying pines.

You will be captured by the enchantment of nature . . . cascading roses spilling over a garden gate, ivy climbing stone walls, bird songs and budding greenery of the warm earth. Let botanical masterpieces generously fill your senses. Wander in willows or hunt hollyhocks. Feel tranquility and peace. Give yourself and someone else this precious gift. “Seize the moment” and celebrate spring. Reaffirm the quality

Mapping the Human Heart: Chaim Potok’s The Chosen
by Marilyn Green Faulkner

“Long ago, in The Chosen,” Chaim Potok writes, “I set out to draw a map of the New York world through which I once journeyed. It was to be a map not only of broken streets, menacing alleys, concrete-surfaced backyards, neighborhood schools and stores . . . a map not only of the physical elements of my early life, but of the spiritual ones as well.” (Chaim Potok, “The Invisible Map of Meaning: A Writer’s Confrontation,” Triquarterly, Spring 1992) Born and raised among the Hasidic Jews of New York, Chaim Potok transports us to a world completely strange, yet strangely familiar.

The Chosen is the story of two young men who form a friendship that changes both their lives. Reuven, an orthodox Jew, and Danny, a Hasidic Jew, struggle to understand each other, though to

“Handcart” Film Makes Its Way to Theaters

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Ampersand Films LC. announces the production of “Handcart”, a feature film that chronicles the courage and faith of a young family as they endure the hardships that befell the Martin Handcart Company and its rescue. The film will be released to theaters July 24, 2002.

Ampersand Films is a new company formed for the production and marketing of motion pictures. The principles of the company are director Kels Goodman, and producer Arthur Reid. Goodman has produced and directed commercials, music videos and promotional programs for 10 years.

Mr. Reid has had 20 years of experience producing and directing award winning entertainment and dramatic programming, as well as commercials, sales promotion programs and documentaries.

Two years ago, Goodman directed his first feature “Yankee 2 Kilo”, a comedy on the Y2K paranoia, which had a video release just before the

Passionate about Mormon Fiction, Drama, and Film?
Discover the Association for Mormon Letters
by Gae Lyn Henderson

You may have noticed the proliferation of LDS novels in your favorite bookstore. Maybe you’ve wondered which books, movies, and plays are worth your time and money. Perhaps you want to know what the critics think. Let me tell you about an organization that provides answers for you both on the web and in print. In addition, this organization sponsors a variety of live events each year that are intellectually stimulating and inspiring for both readers and writers.

The Association for Mormon Letters was founded in 1976 by a group of volunteers who wanted to promote high-quality writing by, for, and about Mormons. The non-profit group has met annually since that time to present awards recognizing superior work, hear discussions of scholarly criticism, and cultivate a community of people who care about values

Some “Classic” LDS Novels (Anyway, I Think So)
by Richard H. Cracroft

Mark Twain said that “a classic is a book which everyone praises but no one reads”; my personal definition of a “classic” is one which I have read (usually several times) thoroughly enjoyed, and place on a mental shelf to which I return again and again, and which becomes part of my frame of reference, and which I will eventually read again–and again (emotionally, if not actually), and recommend to others–again and again.

With that definition in mind, I present, ‘umbly (and knowing that many readers will demur, mumble, grumble, and wonder), a list of Some Novels Which I Believe Will Delight, Uplift, Inspire, and Entertain Most LDS Readers. My criteria are simple: 1) I personally like these novels; they please me; 2).they are well-written; 3) they are reader-tested: between 1972-2001, I have taught most of these

On the Outside Looking In
by H. Wallace Goddard

In mortality we commonly feel on the outside of everything that is important. We feel like foreigners and second-class citizens. We are not alone. The same has been true since this world’s first inhabitant. That is apparently how Zacchaeus felt (Luke 19:2-10) in spite of his wealth and prominence.

“And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.”

Most of us want to do something important, to make a contribution. Ironically we may be most vulnerable to this temptation when we are most inspired; when we are filled with heavenly fire, we want to change the world.

I will confess. I have wished God would give me a platform from

The Emperor’s New Groove
by Jonathan S. Walker

Most of us, at some point, fall into a groove. We find a pattern of daily living which has been successful, or proved to be either the most enjoyable or the least painful. Only when something throws off that groove do we have the best opportunity to grow as people. In The Emperor’s New Groove, Kuzco most certainly is thrown off his groove or “the rhythm with which he lives his life”-and it was the best thing for him and the kingdom.

The eighteen year old Emperor Kuzco (David Spade) rules the known universe. He lives a life of carefree selfishness where subordinates grant his every whim and only he matters. When he dismisses his very old advisor Yzma (Eartha Kitt) because of her tendency to usurp his power, she resolves to remove him. In a botched attempt to poison him,

Enoch Train To Set Sail with Sea Trek: Folk Ensemble will Anchor Musical Performances

Salt Lake City, UT-Acclaimed instrumental folk ensemble ENOCH TRAIN will anchor the musical activities on Sea Trek 2001, the month long re-enactment of nineteenth-century religious pilgrims crossing the Atlantic to find a new home in America.

From August 7 through August 28, ENOCH TRAIN will travel from port to port on the Statstraad Lemkuhl, one of the largest and oldest of the ten vintage tall ships on the “European Gathering” portion of the Trek. The band will perform both on board the ship and as featured performers at “Rock the Dock” celebrations in each port. Members of ENOCH TRAIN will also participate in the “Saints on the Seas” oratorio, performed with symphonies and orchestras across Europe.

The Statsraad Lemkuhl, with ENOCH TRAIN on board, will dock in Denmark at Esbjerg and Copenhagen, in Norway at

Before beginning this article, I read all of the posted messages (as of 11:00 A.M. May 1) in response to the latest poll regarding weight. It was with sadness that I noted several writers are struggling with the physical and psychological effects of obesity, or overweight, or being over-fat, all terms used freely in the media today. It is my sincere desire that this article may shed some light on what is appropriate, healthy behavior when we look in the mirror and pass judgment upon ourselves, and, when we do the same walking down the street and pass by a “large” person. Specifically for this article, I urge everyone to think before they place any label upon anyone they may encounter as they go about their daily activities.

Why Exercise is Important

In the third Epistle of John, he offers this salutation to the church members, “Beloved, I wish above …