Impacting Present and Future
while remembering lessons of the past
check out our 2009 Fab Mormon Nine
review the LDS Great 8 of 2008

by Dale J. Neilson

© Latter-day Times Newspapers

Learning from lessons of the past has always been important to faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It’s not only our history, but in everything we do.

The Latter-day Times’ predicted top LDS newsmakers for 2009 and also the 2008 review-for-you-who-haven’t-seen-it-yet reflects lessons learned. Only two repeaters, LDS President Thomas S. Monson and University of Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham, were named to each. Top vote-getters of each category are in descending order of their past or current impact upon church members as perceived by me, LDTN’s publisher.

Applications for LDS culture watchers are now open!


2009 Fabulous Mormon 9 Preview
of Probable Newsmakers

President Thomas S. Monson, for his general conference talks and dedications of the new Utah temples, Draper and Oquirrh Mountain.

BYU football coach Bronco Mendenhall, for continuing to build successful student-athletes before his professional success.

The late business mogul Larry H. Miller, who consistently sought to portray Utah as a great place to live, love and work.

University of Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham, who demonstrated hard work and teamwork did take the Sugar Bowl-winning Utes to the brink of a national championship.

Apostle David K. Bednar, whose trademark April 2009 conference and Oquirrh Mountain Temple dedication talks showed humility and gratitude for Christ’s Atonement.
The late BYU professor Truman Madsen, whom one writer said could eloquently make deep doctrine simple to understand and obey.

General Relief Society first counselor Margaret Lifferth, whose April conference and Oquirrh Mountain Temple dedication talks taught happiness comes through accepting personal responsibility.

The late BYU professor Robert Matthews, whom one writer said was instrumental in recovering significant portions of church history.

Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge, who’s apparent heart attack landed him in the hospital but didn’t steal his fighting spirit.

Honorable mention: my wife and others, who work full-time, serve in a weighty calling, cook dinner many nights and take time for their family; my mom, mother-in-law and others who continue to struggle with poor health, but righteously influence others to lead correctly.


LDS Great 8 of 2008 Review of Newsmakers

The death of President Gordon B. Hinckley, who taught us again how to laugh, love Heavenly Father and always search for wisdom in all His works.

President Thomas S. Monson, whose ascension to the presidency is the miracle we anticipated, while his general conference talks are always uplifting and teach us charity.

Mitt Romney, who made the best-ever LDS run for the U.S. presidency with his alluring charisma, resonating voice and John Wayne-like demeanor.

American Idol superstar-singer David Archuleta, whose golden-boy image electrified and endeared us to him.

UofU football coach Kyle Whittingham, who qualified his undefeated Utah Utes for the Sugar Bowl in one of the most amazing runs in college football history.

The death of Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (President Hinckley’s cousin), just days after his Utes finished their 12-0 regular season. Elder Wirthlin is renowned for his integrity.

General Relief Society President Julie Beck, whose great April general conference talk on motherhood was stirring in its spirit of leadership and responsibility in the home.

Sister Frances Monson, whose grit and determination to overcome apparent discomfort or pain is steadfast and immovable. Her pioneer spirit to succeed is commendable.


BYU Football is My Second Wife
and other terms of long endearment
Cougar basketball is my third spouse

by Dale J. Neilson

© Latter-day Times Newspapers

Don’t get the wrong idea, or it’s your bad.

This column is solely based on intended dry humor, because I dearly love my wife and children more than I can say. Nothing must ever take their place, or it’s my very bad. To avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, I told my wife about this column shortly after I posted it on the Web. Her only reaction was to ask how many would read it.

I don’t know, but hopefully a lot. So please tell your friends, family and others.
Comparing my love for BYU sports to a polygamist wife shouldn’t be misconstrued as some arrogant sexual fantasy, but as a loyal sports fan with strong emotions for his team’s success.


Who would have ever thought about BYU basketball as a third wife, anyway? I’m just getting used to Cougar football as the second.

Many of us sports junkies have at least one ‘wife’ beyond to whom we’re married. Since I follow all BYU sports, I’m ‘married’ to football and basketball and committed at different levels to all the others.

It’s almost like I’m living several different lives—one for each sport.

Maybe a TV sitcom on my fictional life would be My Wives, My Lives or Wives of My Lives. It sounds like quiet, family entertainment, doesn’t it? Riiiight.

My harem doesn’t even include any high school or professional team for whom I follow. You have to draw the line somewhere.

I’m a sports polygamist somewhat obsessed with cheering my teams into slaughtering the opposition. I’m most interested in BYU stuffing its opponents, of which the opposite happened on Sorrowful Saturday (Sept. 19).

Naturally, I received a taste of my own beat-‘em-up medicine.

My now 2-1 Cougars were banished to the trash heap of 2009 BCS rejects in the very good Florida State Seminoles’ 54-28 slaughter. How bad was it? Bad enough the Y’s collective ego was confined to intensive care indefinitely just like the aspirations and dreams of many Cougar fans.

Don’t laugh—you or your team (even if it’s BYU) may be next.

I’m still irritated by BYU’s inability to move the ball, maintain possession, control the line of scrimmage both ways, defensively control the quarterback, defend receivers and score.

The Cougars’ problems may be traced to the coaching-staff counted 27 player errors critical to game breakdown and ultimate lopsided loss. The biggest culprit seemed to be defense, which is why it was repeatedly popped—hard.

This wasn’t my doing. Maybe it was set up by the four-turnover win over the over-ranked Sooners. Oklahoma wasn’t as good as previously billed, while BYU was horrifically inept against the Seminoles.

BYU’s nine turnovers on the season left it 104th nationally in turnover margin, almost enough to start a profitable pastry shop. Saturday’s (Sept. 26) opponent, the 3-0 Colorado State Rams, is second in the nation with 10 net take-aways. You know CSU loves those turnovers, because they’re so tasty and very easy to get.

Why can’t the Cougs cook me yummy treats, instead of giving them away and causing big pain? The cook is the one getting cooked.

When a company’s employee performs badly and hurts its competitiveness, like my team, it’s time for discipline. The Y felt it Saturday with a smattering of groans from fans sounding like boos.

I’m demanding much better.

How can I trust BYU’s play will improve by Saturday? Buy the coaches and players flowers? Maybe take them to a movie and dinner? I’ve already planned our night out: a la roasted leg of CSU Rams seasoned with just the right amount of bar-b-qued Rams sauce, with Rams-fried rice, Rams-tossed salad, Rams-creamed soda and a gallon of chocolate-chunk Rams-rodded ice cream.

We’ll see the world premiere of Rams QB-Sad-sacked by Y. D-backs.

Nothing but the finest cuisine and entertainment for my BYU Cougars.