Mormon Defense League

[_Sophocles]

I was reading the "About" page at www.MDL.com, trying to get an idea of their stated mission. "Defense League" brings to mind, of course, the JDL, which is more Danite than FAIR, so I was curious.

It struck me as I read the following

The Mormon Defense League has been created to respond to false information put forward in the media.

The intent is to assist journalists, authors, bloggers, producers, and others in the media in getting their stories right, and to correct misinformation and distortions about Mormons, Mormonism, and other faith communities.

that the LDS Church already had a website with the same stated purpose. Wasn't there an entire section of the LDS Newsroom site dedicated to correcting mistakes in the news? Isn't that where I had read various chastisements of media outlets and journalists for not properly following the AP Style Guide, and for referring to polygamists as Mormon fundamentalists?

So I went to LDS Newsroom to track down that section, but I couldn't find it. Some of the articles I remember reading there appear in the site archive, but they are no longer grouped under the heading "Mistakes in the News" or anything similar. Furthermore, the most recent article I could find addressing such mistakes was from 2008.

I'm wondering if the church has since decided that such admonishments are too confrontational for its official home on the web, and has now farmed the work out to its apologists. Now, the church can take the high road and remain above the fray, while the apologetic site (all the while reminding us that they are not affiliated with the church in any official capacity) can carry on the noble work of correcting mistakes in the news. Furthermore, MDL is free to take the extra step of informing us that all of this inaccurate reporting is due to anti-Mormon bigotry, as well as implying via the name of the site that failure to describe the church in terms suitable for its own marketing materials amounts to persecution of Mormons.

[_Patriarchal gripe]

Wouldn't the fact that they aren't "officially" affiliated with the LDS church pretty much make them a worthless source for outside media? I would think the media is going to want information right from the horse's mouth, not a bunch of amateurs saying they have the right information, but not the official stamp of approval.

Aren't there a bunch of media saavy spokesmen on the church payrolls to handle icky doctrinal and historical issues?

[_Bond James Bond]

I hope they use a phalanx formation throughout the election cycle. That always works out well in Rome: Total War.

[_daheshism]

I tried to start a "MADL" (Mormon Anti-Defamation League") back in 1981, but I was told "If the Brethren wanted that, then THEY would have authorized it via normal Church channels. Since they have not, it means they don't want it. Cease and desist. Will you obey this counsel?"

So, I had to obey the "counsel" (order) or face excommunication.

There is NO WAY that Church leaders would allow the MDL if Scott Gordon did not already get a secret "wink" from the First Presidency on this.

Basically, the MDL says "speak to us if you have questions of doctrine" because LDS Church Public Affairs "dodges" all questions that are the least bit controversial (Adam-god, archaeology and the Book of Mormon, blacks and the priesthood). There is NO WAY the MDL is functioning without a "wink" from the brethren. No way.

[_LDSToronto]

I managed to get a picture of Scott Gordon and the Defense League - take a look!

[_Bond James Bond]

Basically, the MDL says "speak to us if you have questions of doctrine" because LDS Church Public Affairs "dodges" all questions that are the least bit controversial (Adam-god, archaeology and the Book of Mormon, blacks and the priesthood). There is NO WAY the MDL is functioning without a "wink" from the brethren. No way.

(I think many here guessed this.)

[Guest]

I managed to get a picture of Scott Gordon and the Defense League - take a look!

LOL. I love The Big Bang Theory.

[_daheshism]

Where's the fat bald ugly woman? You forgot Dan Peterson.

I managed to get a picture of Scott Gordon and the Defense League - take a look!

LOL. I love Big Bang Theory.

[_Bond James Bond]

Where's the fat bald ugly woman? You forgot Dan Peterson.

There isn't a fat bald ugly woman character in The Big Bang Theory. Become familiar with the canon please.

(A Dr. Peterson cameo as The Kingpin (of Marvel Comics Universe), complete with cane fighting, would be amazing.)

[_malkie]

The Mormon Defense League has been created to respond to false information put forward in the media.

The intent is to assist journalists, authors, bloggers, producers, and others in the media in getting their stories right, and to correct misinformation and distortions about Mormons, Mormonism, and other faith communities.

So, if there is misinformation somewhere in the media about "other faith communities" - context says that this expression does not mean "Mormons, Mormonism" - the MDL is the place to go to get it sorted out. Interesting.

If I read in the papers that Moonies like to take their pants down and shake their booties at other people, can I expect the MDL to refute this ugly rumour?