Free Republic

It takes the right mix of ingenuity and desperation to discover new uses for old tools, but whoever first tried steaming a salmon fillet in their dishwasher must’ve been drunk. For folks who are curious about what else their kitchen contraptions can do, here’s a rundown of the most unconventional uses for your home dishwasher. Steam Fish Fillets The best part about steaming fish in your dishwasher—other than novelty of steaming fish in your dishwasher—is how simple it is. All you need to do is season a cut of your favorite fish, wrap it (tightly!) in aluminum foil, place it...

SALT LAKE CITY — A mom dying of cancer took to YouTube and inspired a pharmaceutical company to release to her a potentially life-saving drug before it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration. A compassionate use clause allows for people with no other treatment options to receive experimental treatments prior to FDA approval, which is what Darlene Gant was hoping for on April 16 when she uploaded a 20-minute video to YouTube, pleading with the FDA approve her use of the drug Pertuzumab before its expected June approval date. Gant, 46, had been told earlier in 2012 that...

SALT LAKE CITY -- An LDS-oriented group is calling on GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum to disavow a pastor who made anti-Mormon comments earlier this week. In a news release, MormonVoices, which is associated with the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research, called for Santorum to "condemn the anti-Mormon comments made by his supporter, an honorary Florida chairman, the Rev. O'Neal Dozier" of the Worldwide Christian Center. On Monday Dozier said "the Mormon religion is prejudiced against blacks, Jews and native Americans." He called Mormonism a "racist" religion and called on Romney to renounce it. The Church of Jesus Christ...

PROVO -- A major new art exhibit is currently undergoing installation at the BYU Museum of Art is expected to attract 100,000 visitors and will feature art from the world of Islam. KSL was able to get an exclusive first look. The "Beauty and Belief" exhibit is expected to attract 100-thousand visitors. Works will travel to four museums in America, but they make their first stop in Provo. The exhibit team is mounting 250 works of art. A pair of 19th century mother-of-pearl doors from India were donated by the Doris Duke Foundation in Hawaii. A heavy, jewel-encrusted box from...

With one striking exception, the LDS Church's leaders and members are, and always have been, flawed people. (No better quality of human is available.) "We have this treasure in earthen vessels," the apostle Paul said, referring to the gospel and its mortal ministers, "that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." Although we obviously shouldn't be surprised at it, the church's human side is sometimes jarring and, if permitted, can cause disillusionment. It's urgently important, therefore, for our own sake, that we "clothe (our)selves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which...

Ethan Miller/Getty Images It was reported yesterday that BYU starting center Brandon Davies was let go from the team for the remainder of the season for violating Brigham Young's honor code. Today, 1280 The Zone in Salt Lake City is reporting that Davies' girlfriend is pregnant with his child. The honor code does not allow sexual relationships unless you are married, among a hefty list of other rules. Davies is averaging 11.1 points per game and a team-high 6.2 rebounds, and not having him available for the NCAA tournament will be a major issue for Mr. Fredette and the Cougars....

Pope Benedict XVI has made a sweeping exoneration of the Jewish people for the death of Jesus Christ, tackling one of the most controversial issues in Christianity in a new book. In Jesus of Nazareth-Part II excerpts released on Wednesday, Benedict explains biblically and theologically why there is no basis in Scripture for the argument that the Jewish people as a whole were responsible for Jesus' death. Interpretations to the contrary have been used for centuries to justify the persecution of Jews. While the Catholic Church has for five decades taught that Jews weren't collectively responsible, Jewish scholars said on...

SALT LAKE CITY -- Three anti-abortion bills were passed by a House committee Tuesday, including a bill requiring more frequent state inspections of abortion clinics. "We have no idea if they're following our laws and we have no idea if women's health is being put at risk," Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, the sponsor of HB171. Wimmer began his presentation to the House Health and Human Services Committee by showing a video about unsanitary conditions at some out-of-state clinics that led to infections and even deaths. He said one of the state's three abortion clinics has not been inspected in more...

“Africa has been held in reserve by the Lord,” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said in an October 2010 visit to Burundi. “Africa will someday be seen as a bright land full of gospel hope and happiness.” A congregation in Madagascar holds worship services outdoors prior to baptizing new members into the Church.DOWNLOADLOW(56 KB)HIGH(1.13 MB)I agree to the Licenses and Restrictions for image use.© 2011 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reservedA congregation in Madagascar holds worship services outdoors prior to baptizing new members into the Church.CAPTION© 2011 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reservedAfrica is...

Does Mike Huckabee really hate Mitt Romney so much he'd run for president just for the chance to throw haymakers at his old rival? As a new poll shows the two Republicans running neck and neck against President Obama in the 2012 presidential race, the rivalry between Romney and Huckabee that began during the 2008 campaign resurfaced Monday when Politico published a story titled "Huckabee throws a Mitt fit." Click to enlarge Associated Press Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee From the archive News analysis: Analysis: Why Jon Huntsman Jr. may be running for president – Jan. 31, 2011 Huckabee: Israel...

SALT LAKE CITY — Strong bridges of friendship and commonality are being built between Mormons and Jews. That is the message Mark Paredes plans to share at the I.J. and Jeanne Wagner Jewish Community Center on Wednesday, Jan. 12. “There are things that Mormons and Jews have in common. A lot of people think there is a big diversion theologically, and there are some things obviously, but I think we have a lot more to talk about,” Paredes said. “I think Mormons who are interested in reaching out to Jews at any level will find something in the talk they...

Today's highlighted links of the LDS Church and its members in news coverage include Huffington Post-published predictions of a Mormon in the White House and the Book of Mormon on the New York Times' best-seller list within the next two years as well as a look at Utah Catholics anxious to share Temple Square with their out-of-state peers. HuffPo's "What Will Be The Top Religion Stories of 2012" offering leads off with two bold predictions regarding The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "1. "2. The Book of Mormon will be on the New York Times Bestsellers list throughout...

SALT LAKE CITY -- Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been sharing stories of faith and lifestyle on the blogosphere for awhile, now some are taking it one step further. They call themselves "digital missionaries" and hope to reach out to people who have questions about their church. Alan Osmond says even as a singer, he was serving a musical mission for his faith. Now he's a Latter-day Saint digital missionary. Alan and his wife, Suzanne, are on InternetMTC.org. The site includes Janice Kapp Perry, the singing group One Clear Voice, and is operated by...

SALT LAKE CITY -- We're a few days past the official announcement that Jon Huntsman Jr. will resign the U.S. ambassadorship to China, presumably to run for the White House in 2012. At this point, prominent political commentators seem to be generally taking one of two positions: either that Huntsman made a very bad decision to run now, or that this is what he needs to do to set himself up to be a Republican frontrunner in 2016. Almost nobody in the blogosphere who isn't associated with Newsweek believes Huntsman has a legitimate shot at winning the 2012 presidential election....

Now that it's official Jon Huntsman is resigning the U.S. ambassadorship to China effective April 30 (presumably to make a run for the White House), the question du jour becomes whether a candidate's Mormon faith precludes a viable candidacy for the U.S. presidency. Mounting evidence is increasingly pointing to a brave new world where the perceived biases that potentially derailed Mitt Romney's 2008 presidential campaign are dissolving and, lo and behold, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints could realistically be elected president of the United States in 2012. The Washington Post currently has two articles...

The Marriott hotel chain, one of the nation's largest players in the hospitality business, has made the decision to eliminate offering adult movies in their rooms. It is a decision praised by groups who view the pornography industry as a threat to families, individuals and children. It is also well known that the Marriott family is LDS, and their rooms frequently carry the Book of Mormon along with the Bible. Although I applaud their decision, I am disappointed by the reason behind it. The hotel chain says the decision is strictly based on economics: In-room porn profits have steadily declined...

Mitt Romney affirmed the centrality of his Mormon beliefs during an interview Tuesday on CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight show. Morgan initiated a conversation with Romney about religion by showing his guest a recorded clip from the 2008 presidential campaign wherein Romney said, "I believe in my Mormon faith. Â… Some believe that such a confession of my faith will sink my candidacy. If they're right, so be it." When subsequently asked by Morgan if he still stands by those words, Romney didn't hesitate: "Absolutely." He continued: "My experience (in) Massachusetts running as a Mormon guy in a state that's overwhelmingly...

SALT LAKE CITY — The Westboro Baptist Church — a Kansas-based congregation synonymous with controversy and notorious for protesting military funerals with signs proclaiming God hates homosexuals — ended a weekend of protests in Utah with an early Monday morning demonstration outside of West High School. Why? According to one Westboro congregant, "to tell (students) the truth for the first time in their lives." What is the Westboro Baptist Church? The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) is an independent Baptist church known for its extreme stance against homosexuality. The church is widely described as a hate group and is headed by...