Summary: <br> <br> Why is there such a stigma around early returned missionaries? Do we have a cultural problem with relegating early RMs to a lower caste, even if they came home for completely valid reasons?<br> <br> Al has to give a talk on hope, belief, and knowledge. We'd love your input and experiences, particularly with the whole "I know that..." cliche that is so common in the Church. Why are we so averse to proclaiming a belief, as if that is weak and something about which to be ashamed? When can believing be just as good as knowing?<br> <br> Let's talk about when Church leaders age, go senile, etc. Should a prophet be "released"? Are we fine with the current way of doing things? Interesting discussion.<br> <br> BYU is now the fourth least-gay-friendly school in America. That's up from #6 last year. Why? Aren't we making inroads with our LGBT brothers and sisters?<br> <br> A BYU-I teacher resigns from the Church after being let go from his teaching position in the religion department. There's more to this than it seems, but it's worth a mention.<br> <br> Random news: Mormon-con is happening, oh yes! A strip club advertises on a church building. Missionaries in Sierra Leone and Liberia transferred elsewhere due to Ebola. Elder Nelson to speak at BYU commencement. LDS Tools receives an update. And the Mormon Bachelorette chooses 5 different bachelorettes. Because we care.<br> <br> <br> Links:<br> <br> * <a href="http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsfaithblog/58260544-180/expo-favorite-lds-products.html.csp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mormon-con</a><br> * <a href="http://ldsliving.com/story/76543-jk-rowling-sends-letter-from-dumbledore-to-lds-texas-shooting-survivor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Letter from "Dumbledore" to Cassidy Stay</a><br> * <a href="http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2014/08/princeton-review-updates-list-of-20-most-lgbt-friendly-unfriendly-colleges/2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BYU fourth least-gay-friendly school</a><br> * <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/kiwimormon/2014/08/church-leadership-and-the-dilemma-of-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Church leadership and dementia</a><br> * <a href="http://approachingjustice.net/2014/08/05/byu-idaho-religion-instructor-leaves-church/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BYU-I religion teacher quits church</a><br> * <a href="http://janariess.religionnews.com/2014/08/05/mormon-missionaries-stigma-early-return/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The stigma of early RMs</a><br> * <a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140806/inwood/rogue-strip-club-ad-reappears-this-time-on-mormon-church-owned-building" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Strip club on a church</a><br> * <a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/missionaries-serving-two-african-nations-reassigned" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Missionaries in Sierra Leone and Liberia transferred</a><br> * <a href="http://www.ldsmag.com/article/1/14713" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elder Nelson speaking at BYU commencement</a><br> * <a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865607866/Church-releases-major-update-for-LDS-Tools-app.html?pg=all" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Updates to LDS Tools</a><br> <br> <br>
