LDS Senators United: Bennett Supports Stem Cell Research; Congressmen Divided

Utah Senator Bob Bennett announced Friday that he supports allowing federal funds to be used for stem cell research, putting all five LDS Senators on record as supporting the research. The surprising development led Mormon News to survey the views of the 12 Mormons in the US House of Representatives, finding that the congressmen were very divided on the issue. US political analysts now believe that a majority in both houses now support the research.

BYU's Annual World Family Policy forum Addresses UN Policies

BYU's World Family Policy center held its annual forum last week, attracting more than sixty United Nations delegates, ambassadors, and religious leaders from around the world to work on how United Nations policies affect the family. The three-day conference was held in BYU's J. Reuben Clark Law School.

Adoption Workshops and Info Fair This Friday, Saturday

Families Supporting Adoption (FSA), a national organization sponsored by LDS Family Services, is hosting its third annual conference on 27 and 28 July at Brigham Young University. The theme of this year's conference is "Adoption ... it's about love." Activities will include workshops on various adoption topics, a display room with adoption information and the annual Adoption Hall of Fame banquet. Approximately 500 people from all parts of the country will be participating.

Political News Briefs

Bennett Calls for National Help to Fight Mormon Crickets

This year's infestation of Mormon Crickets is so bad that Utah Senator Bob Bennett is calling on the US Congress to provide funding to fight the infestation. "I believe some of the land management agencies were caught flat-footed and were not ready for what was coming," said Sen. Bennett at a congressional hearing Thursday. This year the infestation has hit Nevada and Idaho in addition to Utah. Governor Mike Leavitt has declared a state of emergency in 18 of Utah's 29 counties where either crickets or grasshoppers have eaten through 1.5 million acres. Bennett last week convinced colleagues on the Senate Appropriations Committee to add $4 million to the Agriculture Department agency that will combat the pests. But local and state officials were hoping for $8.7 million.

Local LDS Official Says Church Won't Accept Faith-based Initiative Funding

Concord New Hampshire Stake President Bryson Cook told the Concord Monitor that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would never apply for funding under US President Bush's faith-based initiative because of the Church's desire for self-sufficiency. Cook said that members participate in the Church's welfare program to meet the needs of members, so the Church will not ask for government assistance, "We wouldn't go to the government for assistance because it flies in the face of our doctrinal belief that members should be self-reliant," Cook said. "If we go to the government, then we're not practicing what we preach, that you take care of yourself, you take care of others and that's your obligation to the church."

Stem Cell Research Issue Personal for Utah Family

Three-year-old Cody Anderson, son of Kenneth and Pamela Anderson of West Jordan, Utah, was sent to Washington DC in June to represent Utah children with diabetes as the Congress debates the issue. Cody was sent to DC by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, which believes stem cell research may provide a cure for the debilitating disease. The Andersons support the research and hope that it can soon make a difference for them and their son. Cody has his blood tested several times a day and his parents must be very careful with his diet because of the disease. About 16 of every 100,000 children in the US are diagnosed with diabetes each year. While in DC, the Anderson family met with Utah Senator Orrin Hatch and celebrities that support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation like actress Mary Tyler Moore.

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