Latest news with #ChurchofJesusChristofLatter-daySaints
Boston Globe
7 days ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Steve Benson, provocative editorial cartoonist, dies at 71
In an interview in 2017 with KJZZ Radio in Phoenix, Mr. Benson said that 'the role of an editorial cartoonist is not really to give the bottom line on anything, because all we want to do is kick bottoms and, and if it incentivizes people to jump into the -- into the riot -- then that's great.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'I don't aim to please,' he often said, as his mantra. 'I just aim.' Advertisement In criticizing President Trump's insistence on extending barriers along the US-Mexico border in 2018, Mr. Benson depicted President Reagan speaking before a wall topped by concertina wire and saying, 'My fellow Americans, don't build this wall.' It was a takeoff on Reagan's speech in front of the Berlin Wall in 1987, when he famously invoked Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in declaring, 'Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!' In one of the 10 cartoons that earned Mr. Benson the 1993 Pulitzer in editorial cartooning, Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir of Israel and Secretary of State James Baker are standing beside a graveyard of Jews whose tombstones say they were killed by terrorists. Shamir asks, 'I suppose you're going to blame us for this growing Jewish settlement, too, Mr. Baker?' Advertisement Another was that of a starving Somali child whose torso takes the shape of an hourglass with its sand having nearly run out; it appeared at the time of a US-led United Nations military intervention in Somalia. He had been a finalist for the prize in 1984, 1989, and 1992 and would be again in 1994. Mr. Benson grew up in a Mormon family, a grandson of Ezra Taft Benson, the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1985 until his death in 1994 and the secretary of agriculture under President Eisenhower. Steve Benson's cartooning and religious faith clashed when he often lampooned Evan Mecham, a conservative Republican who was the first Mormon to be elected governor of Arizona; Mecham served only 15 months, stepping down when he was convicted of two charges of misconduct in an impeachment trial in the state Senate in 1988. While in office, he rescinded the holiday that honors the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Mr. Benson, who had early on been a supporter of Mecham's, ultimately portrayed him as a 'paranoid pipsqueak whose ethics rose no higher than his socks,' The New York Times wrote in 1988. His cartoons rankled his Mormon relatives -- he was excluded from a Thanksgiving dinner at his in-laws' house -- as well as Mecham, who called to tell him that his work violated the Ten Commandments. Advertisement Even more, Mr. Benson was ousted as a local church official in 1989 after his cartoon, 'The Second Coming' -- drawn after Mecham said he would run for reelection in 1990 -- showed the governor descending from heaven holding a volume titled 'The Book of Moron, by Ev Mecham.' In 1993, Mr. Benson and his wife at the time, Mary Ann Benson, announced that they had resigned from the church. Steve Benson said he had become an atheist. He also moved from conservative to liberal in his politics, expressing his new leanings with cartoons that supported civil, transgender and abortion rights and Native Americans. Stephen Reed Benson was born Jan. 2, 1954, in Sacramento and grew up in Salt Lake City; Richardson, Texas; and Fort Wayne, Ind.. His father, Mark, was the president of a division of Saladmaster, which makes cookware. His mother, Lela (Wing) Benson, was a music instructor. Steve's early drawing talent was nurtured by his paternal grandmother, Flora Benson, who arranged for art lessons. As a teenager, he enrolled in an art correspondence course, on a scholarship, and submitted work all through high school (in Richardson and Fort Wayne). One summer job in high school was caricaturing customers at the Six Flags Over Texas amusement park. After serving a two-year Mormon mission in Japan, Mr. Benson entered Brigham Young University, where he was a political cartoonist for the student newspaper The Daily Universe. He started as a graphic arts major but switched to political science when he 'realized that he needed a bigger canvas,' Ferguson, his wife, said. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1979. He was hired by The Arizona Republic, based in Phoenix in 1980. In 1990, he left for The Tacoma Morning News Tribune in Washington state, but returned to the Republic a year later. Advertisement Mr. Benson stayed at the Republic until 2019, when he was laid off; he then joined The Arizona Mirror, a nonprofit news website, which preserves his cartoons online in 'Benson's Corner.' The collection includes a cartoon of the Statue of Liberty standing on a map of Arizona and saying, 'I'm here to help you guard your reproductive rights.' After Mr. Benson's death, Jim Small, the editor of The Arizona Mirror, wrote in a tribute, 'His work was as ubiquitous as it was powerful, and it not only sparked water cooler conversations in workplaces across the state, but it sometimes actually drove news cycles.' Mr. Benson retired in late 2023. In addition to his wife, he leaves his daughter, Audrey Benson Nuamah, and his sons, Brent and Eric, all from his first marriage, to Mary Ann Christiansen, which ended in divorce; his brother, Michael; his sisters, Stacey Ann Reeder, Margaret Ferry, and Mary Richards; and seven grandchildren. Another sister, Stephanie Benson Young, died in a car accident in 2022. Another daughter, Rebecca Benson, also from his marriage to Christiansen, died in 2018 when a vehicle struck her bicycle. Steve Benson found a fan in Queen Elizabeth II after he portrayed her as rain-soaked, wearing galoshes and carrying a dripping umbrella to Buckingham Palace after her West Coast tour in 1983, which coincided with severe rainstorms. A palace guard asks her, 'A pleasant trip, your majesty?' A spokesperson said that she had been amused by the cartoon and asked Mr. Benson for the drawing. Mr. Benson told the AP that 'as one of the queen's loyal subjects' he would make an exception to his rule against giving away originals. Advertisement This article originally appeared in
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Opinion: Divided by faith — but still united as parents
Religious differences can feel like the deepest of divides. For Utah families going through divorce or separation, that divide can become even more painful when it shows up in co-parenting decisions — around holidays, modesty, dating, Sunday routines, or whether and when a child will be baptized. We know this because we see it every day in our therapy practices. We're colleagues and friends from different faith backgrounds — one of us is Jewish, the other a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As therapists specializing in divorce and co-parenting, we've worked with hundreds of Utah families and seen how religious divides can either deepen conflict or invite growth. In Utah, where faith often plays a central role in family life, it's not uncommon for one parent to remain active in their religion while the other leaves the tradition — or embraces a new one. When this happens, both parents often feel fear: fear that their child won't share their values, or that the other parent will influence them in ways they can't control. But here's what we've learned: it is possible to co-parent well across religious differences. Doing so requires three things — clarity, compassion and commitment. We encourage co-parents to stay grounded in their core values, while staying flexible about how those values are expressed across two households. A key part of this is distinguishing between exposure to different beliefs and indoctrination. Children are more perceptive than we sometimes give them credit for. They can understand that people see the world differently, and they can learn to navigate those differences if they feel emotionally safe. Rather than seeing every disagreement as a battle, look for shared values — like honesty, kindness, respect, service or caring for one's body. When parents can identify and affirm what they agree on, it becomes easier to manage what they don't. It's normal to worry about your co-parent's influence. But children are shaped over time by many factors — not just by what happens at one parent's house. Attempts to control what your child is exposed to often backfire, making your own values seem rigid or fearful. A more effective approach is to live your values authentically, and trust that your child will be shaped by love, not pressure. You don't have to agree with your co-parent's faith — or lack of it — to treat it with respect. What matters most is how you talk about it in front of your child. Kids are always listening. When they hear parents speak about each other with respect, even in disagreement, they tend to feel more secure and confident in forming their own beliefs. Compassion doesn't mean staying silent. It means expressing your values without attacking the values of others. It's the difference between saying, 'I don't want you being brainwashed,' and, 'We believe different things, and I trust you to ask thoughtful questions as you grow.' Even when religious paths diverge, effective co-parents find common ground in the bigger picture: raising children who are kind, capable and resilient. You might disagree on the 'how,' but agreeing on the 'why' can be a powerful starting point. When parents agree on the values they want to instill, the conversation shifts from control to collaboration. And when that feels impossible, a neutral mental health professional — such as a therapist trained in divorce and co-parenting — can help identify what's getting in the way, offer strategies and support you in moving forward. We know this isn't easy. Co-parenting across religious differences isn't a theoretical exercise — it's deeply personal. It can stir up old wounds, grief, fears and the strong desire to protect your child's spiritual well-being. But time and again, we've seen what's possible when parents keep their focus on their child — not just in words, but in actions. Kids can grow up between two homes, with two belief systems, and still feel whole. They can learn that love doesn't require agreement. That faith can look different from one house to another. That they are free to ask questions and explore. And most importantly, that they are deeply loved by both parents. So whether you're divorcing or staying in your marriage but feeling the strain of religious differences, know this: your child doesn't have to grow up caught in the middle. Support is available. With the right mindset and guidance, it's possible to turn conflict into collaboration — and raise strong, thoughtful, resilient kids, even when you and your co-parent see the world differently.
New York Times
08-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
BYU coach on Jake Retzlaff's transfer status, potential suspension: ‘Prep for everything'
The status of BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff remains unclear, after reports that Retzlaff is expected to transfer due to a potential suspension for violating the school's honor code. At Big 12 media days on Tuesday, coach Kalani Sitake did not have a definitive update on Retzlaff's situation but told The Athletic he will 'prep for everything.' Advertisement Reports of Retzlaff's potential suspension and transfer come on the heels of a civil lawsuit filed against Retzlaff for sexual assault. The lawsuit has since been withdrawn. 'First of all, I love Jake Retzlaff and what he's done for our program. I think it would be inappropriate for me to speak for him,' Sitake said. 'It's his right to speak for himself and make whatever statements that he needs to make first about his situation. My job as a head coach is to get the team ready to go, no matter what the end result is going to be.' In May, a civil lawsuit filed by a Salt Lake City woman accused Retzlaff of sexual assault and battery stemming from a 2023 incident. Retzlaff denied the allegations and maintained his innocence while stating he had consensual sex with the woman. The woman withdrew the suit and a judge granted a joint dismissal last month, but Retzlaff's admission of a premarital sexual encounter still violates school rules. BYU, which is part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, enforces an eight-point honor code that requires students to 'live a chaste and virtuous life, including abstaining from sexual relations outside marriage between a man and a woman.' The quarterback could face a seven-game suspension if he returns to the Cougars in 2025, according to multiple reports. Sitake said Tuesday he could not comment on whether the suspension will be upheld if Retzlaff does not transfer. Asked if he had a timeline for when Retzlaff will make a decision and the matter will get resolved, Sitake just said he needs to know 'before the first game.' 'As a coach, you're prepping for the worst-case scenario. The fact that we could be in a quarterback competition, that's gonna be the key,' Sitake said. 'We'll have somebody there to catch the snap. We just have to let them win it out. Regardless of whether Jake is back or not, the best will play, that's the standard that I have.' Advertisement Retzlaff threw for 2,947 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for a BYU team that finished 11-2 and ranked No. 13 in the final Associated Press poll. Junior Treyson Bourguet, redshirt sophomore McCae Hillstead and freshman Bear Bachmeier would likely compete at quarterback if Retzlaff does not return.
Axios
03-07-2025
- General
- Axios
When Thomas Jefferson and enslaved Sally Hemings were "sealed" in a Mormon marriage ceremony
Almost 35 years ago, Sally Hemings and her enslaver Thomas Jefferson were reportedly sealed in posthumous marriage in a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is Old News, Fourth of July edition. Why it mattered: Hemings' relationship with Jefferson — the father of at least six of her children — has long been a point of historical debate. The term "power imbalance" understates the problems around consent between an enslaved person and their owner. Hemings was legally Jefferson's property and would have had no recognized right to refuse his sexual advances — even if she was his " paramour." Hemings was 16 when she first became pregnant; Jefferson was 46. What happened: In 2012, Slate reported that the church confirmed Hemings and Jefferson were posthumously "sealed" — a Mormon marriage rite that allows couples to stay connected eternally, per the faith's teachings. The ceremony occurred in 1991 in the Mesa, Arizona, temple, Slate reported. How it works: Church procedures allow Latter-day Saints to perform baptisms, sealings and other ordinances or ceremonies by proxy for people who did not participate when they were alive. Typically, these rites are performed by church members on behalf of their own ancestors, to allow families to reunite after death under the church's teachings. The intrigue:"In the spirit world, deceased persons can choose to accept or reject ordinances that have been performed for them," the church writes. That means, per church teachings, Hemings would at least be able to opt out of the connection to Jefferson in the afterlife. Context: Slate's report emerged shortly after the church threatened to suspend members' access to its massive genealogical databases if they performed proxy ordinances for Holocaust victims. A month earlier, a member had baptized Anne Frank at a temple in the Dominican Republic. For years, Holocaust survivors and descendants of victims decried the practice, while Latter-day Saint leaders tried to modify its record-creation protocols to prevent members from taking non-Mormon names into their own hands. The latest: The church did not respond to Axios' query as to whether the posthumous sealing of Hemings and Jefferson was still documented or considered valid. Previously in Old News
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lawsuit accusing outgoing BYU QB Jake Retzlaff of sexual assault dismissed by both parties
A lawsuit accusing BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff of sexually assaulting a woman in his home has been dismissed. According to multiple reports, attorneys for Retzlaff and his accuser filed a joint motion Monday in Salt Lake City's 3rd District Court to dismiss the case 'with prejudice and upon the merits of the Plaintiff's complaint against the Defendant," meaning that the plaintiff cannot refile the lawsuit. Advertisement News of the lawsuit's dismissal arrives a day after news broke that Retzlaff reportedly intends to transfer from BYU in the wake of a pending seven-game suspension by the school stemming from the lawsuit. The suspension is reportedly not because of the now-dismissed sexual assault allegation, but because Retzlaff contended in his response to the lawsuit that he engaged in consensual premarital sex. BYU is run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The school's honor code instructs students to "live a chaste and virtuous life" and prohibits them from engaging in premarital sex. It applies to all students whether or not they are Mormon. Retzlaff is not Mormon. The lawsuit and Retzlaff's response In the lawsuit that was filed in May, a Salt Lake County woman referred to as Jane Doe A.G. accused Retzlaff of sexually assaulting her in his home in 2023. The lawsuit stated that she consented to kissing while in Retzlaff's room as the two watched a movie but "did not want to do anything more." Jane Doe A.G accused Retzlaff of forcibly raping her after she repeatedly told him "no" and to "stop." Advertisement Per the lawsuit, Retzlaff's accuser reported the alleged sexual assault to police, underwent a rape kit and had pictures of her injuries taken. According to the lawsuit, she did not initially identify Retzlaff to police. Retzlaff does not face criminal charges. Retzlaff denied that he assaulted his accuser in a legal response filed Friday. In the response filed by his attorney, Retzlaff stated that he had sex with his accuser as part of a 'normal evening of consensual sexual interaction.' The filing stated that Retzlaff and his accuser exchanged text messages for months after the alleged assault and that his accuser intended to "extort money from him" now that he's an NFL prospect. The lawsuit sought damages of at least $300,000. BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) throws against Oklahoma during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Honor code violation and transfer Two days after his response asserting that he had consensual sex with his accuser, news broke of BYU's plan to suspend Retzlaff for the honor code violation. Regarding the lawsuit, BYU previously issued a statement when it was filed in May. "The university takes any allegation very seriously, following all processes and guidelines mandated by Title IX. Due to federal and university privacy laws and practices for students, the university will not be able to provide additional comment." Advertisement Retzlaff would not be the first BYU athlete to face a lengthy suspension for an honor code violation. Former running back Jamaal Williams missed the entire 2015 season when he was at BYU before returning to the team for his senior season in 2016. When asked by the Green Bay Packers in the pre-draft process why he missed that season, Williams said he told them "I had a girl in my room." In 2011, basketball player Brandon Davies was dismissed from the team for an honor code violation. That team featuring Jimmer Fredette was ranked No. 3 in the nation at the time of Davies' dismissal. Retzlaff is a graduate student and has one year of NCAA eligibility remaining. Per ESPN, he was working out with BYU with the intention of playing in the fall prior to news of his pending suspension. He has since informed his teammates and coaching staff of his intent to transfer and plans to put his name in the transfer portal in the coming days, according to the report. Retzlaff initially transferred to BYU from Riverside City College in 2023. He was BYU's starting quarterback in 2024 after playing a backup role in his first season. He led the Cougars to an 11-2 season in 2024 that concluded with an Alamo Bowl victory over Colorado. Retzlaff completed 57.9% of his passes for 2,947 yards (226.7 yards per game) on 8 yards per attempt with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
