Follow the Money?

     "The almighty dollar, that great object of universal devotion..."  Or is it?  These words were first written way back in 1836.  Are they outdated?  I know, it's a crazy notion, right?  At least it seems to be true in at least one business industry.  The movie and film industry.

     Business is about money - it's about producing a product or a service that people want to buy or use in order to make more money to grow and do more of the same.  There is nothing wrong with that.  It's capitalism and it's the American way.  Other people making money is great.  I begrudge no one for being wealthy, it motivates me to work harder. 

     However, there is something very contradictory that occurs in the movie and film business.  Let me explain my thoughts.  The website BoxOfficeMojo lists the top 100 all-time box-office hits adjusted for inflation and scrolling through the list you will only find that 10 have been given the "R" rating with only four of them in the top 50.  Ten.  That's it.  Ninety percent of the most lucrative films have avoided the "restricted" label.  On the other hand, fourteen of the top 100 grossing films are fully animated and directed towards children and families. 

Why does it seem to me that all the movies coming out lately are "R" rated?  A movie's "R" rating scares away and even prevents a large percentage of the population from seeing it and that means decreased ticket sales.  Obvious, right?  It doesn't make sense.   
         I love watching movies, all types, but for the past few years I've have a hard time trying to find a good non-"R" rated film.  A preview comes on and the movie looks really good but then inevitably you here's the guy's voice at the end say: "Rated R" and I'm totally turned off.  The reasons for the "R" rating are obvious and in most cases explain why such movies are made but that debate is for another time.  But suffice it to say they aren't worth it.
     While almost any remotely successful film will make a lot of money it just seems to me that if you really wanted to be successful you would create a good or service that the greatest amount of people would be willing and able to enjoy.  An "R" rated movie doesn't fit this billing.

p.s.: I know current rating system didn't start until the 1960's but you would be hard-pressed to find many successful "R-type" rated movies made prior to this time.  And I understand that many PG-13 movies maybe should be "R" but again, that debate is for another time.)

What's In A Name?

This is the official name of the so-called Mormon Church.  Considering it's Sunday today and I've got to complain about something it might as well be this: how on earth do people outside the church consider "Mormons" not to be Christians???
I mean has anyone noticed the name of the Church?  Is it not obvious?  I mean, really.
We believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and we believe that, along with the Bible, the Book of Mormon is the Word of God.  Do we not consider Catholics to be Christians even though they pray to Virgins and Saints?  Do we not consider Evangelicals to be Christians even though they preach about the Apostle Paul?  Then why, because we talk about Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and other important things, are we not considered Christians?  Of course we are Christians - "we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."  These words come from the Book of Mormon which, by the way, has a subtitle that reads: "Another Testament of Jesus Christ".
Speaking of the Book of Mormon and it's testimony of the Savior, it's been calculated that are there 101 different names or titles of Christ referenced within it's pages.  These 101 different names or titles collectively appear 3,925 times, averaging one reference to Him every 1.7 verses (taken from a discourse found at http://www.schoolofabraham.com/findingchrist.htm).  The idea that the Book of Mormon and that Mormons aren't Christians is absurd.  It solidifies all that is spoken of in the Bible and affirms that Jesus Christ is truly the Redeemer of the World.

Joseph Smith was a prophet of God just like Moses, Noah, and all the rest.  Why do we sometimes talk about him so much?  It was him to whom God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared and gave a prophetic call, it was through him that the Savior restored His church to the earth, it was through him that the Priesthood of God was returned, it was through him that we know the true identity and characteristics of the Godhead, it was through him that we have the Book of Mormon and a more clear understanding of the Bible, it was through him that revelation directly from heaven once again returned to man just as in ancient days, and it was through him that the Lord opened this, the last dispensation of the Gospel on earth before His Second Coming.  And finally, while writing of a vision he had of the Son of God he wrote: "after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which ( I ) give of him: That he lives!"  And he died as a martyr for the cause of Christ.  That is why we sometimes focus on the Prophet Joseph's teachings so much.
However, the "Mormon" church is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a reason.  It is not the Church of Joseph Smith nor the the Church of Mormon nor the Church of (insert any Mormon misconception).  We, unequivocally, undeniably, and without question worship God and His Holy Son Jesus Christ and believe that through Him and only Him can we be made whole.  The Savior is the focus of our worship and our mission - no doubt about it.  If these words aren't convincing enough, we plead all those who are truly seeking to find out for themselves; come visit us!
 
Is it no wonder that I am baffled, amazed, shocked, and astounded that somehow we are considered by some to not be Christians?
What's in a name, you ask?  Well, we think it's Everything.