Tomorrow morning at 11 am Mountain Time, my wife Nicole and I will be on BBC World Radio's "World Have Your Say" program as part of a panel of Latter-day Saints talking about our faith, lives, and whatever else callers are asking about.
BBC reporter Richard Lawson, who will be moderating the discussion, called last week to chat with us. I was impressed with how polite he was and how interested he was in simply understanding the way different Latter-day Saints are thinking.
One moment I particularly remember from our conversation was when he'd asked about Mormon family values and I mentioned how we seem to be a lot more invested in extended family than many Americans and Europeans. He was interested, asked why I thought that was, and I told him I think it has a lot to do with the temple and the work for the dead. And he said something like: "You know, in the press that usually comes up because of controversies. But actually, you're getting a lot of good things out of it."
It was really nice to have a journalist step back from some of the media talking points about Mormonism and try to get a bigger, more holistic picture. And I'm optimistic about the discussion tomorrow: listen if you can. I'm not positive I've got the link right, but I think you can do so on this site for a week after the broadcast date.
I only recently found your blog, but I've been loving it and reading through the archives. You perfectly articulate things I've always had a hard time explaining out loud. Just this morning, my husband and I talked about how we wished the media would utilize you as an interviewee. Glad to see it's happening!
ReplyDeleteGood job, James! My favorite moments:
ReplyDelete1. When Nicole, asked to talk about Relief Society said, "Well, this is exciting."
2. Charles taking the "act and not be acted upon" approach by totally working some "core belief" testimony into the interview. Way to work it, Charles!
3. The British interviewer using the word "wonderful" in his final comments, after Charles had used it a dozen times during the interview. I think we got to him. ;-)
4. Your line about doctors not proselytizing during surgery.
5. Just how all-in-all gentlemanly those British interviewers were. And how all-in-all articulate you interviewees were.