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Come attend this years’ LDS Film Festival February 24-29th at the Scera Center for the Arts. View the schedule and learn more at www.ldsfilmfestival.org

From their website: “The LDS Film Festival was founded in 2001 by Austrian filmmaker Christian Vuissa, who envisioned a place for LDS filmmakers to network with each other and showcase their work to an appreciative audience. The festival is independently organized and not  affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since 2006, the festival has found a perfect venue at the Scera Center for the Arts in Orem, Utah.

The LDS Film Festival strives to annually present a diverse spectrum of films that represent the status quo of current LDS filmmaking. At the same time, the LDS Film Festival seeks to discuss what LDS filmmaking should be or could be. The festival’s LDS Film Forum presents papers by LDS scholars and academics that deal with different theoretical aspects of Mormon filmmaking. Discourses, discussions and exposure to different ideas and thoughts are all encouraged.

The LDS Film Festival has grown tremendously over the last few years. What began as a short film festival, is now a major event that showcases an impressive array of feature films, special screenings and short films. Over the last ten years, attendance has been steady, averaging 4000-7000 visitors each year. Since its inception, the LDS Film Festival has premiered dozens of theatrical releases and screened hundreds of films. Regional, national, and international media have all reported from and about the festival, including The Associated Press, The Washington Post, and Premiere Magazine.

The LDS Film Festival also offers a unique atmosphere with dozens of filmmakers attending the festival and mingling with each other and the audience. Experienced filmmakers share their knowledge with younger filmmakers in informative presentations, and almost every screening at the festival is followed by a Q&A session with the filmmakers. Additionally, the festival draws industry professionals, distributors, and broadcast media looking for content.”

God’s Army

1h 48min

2000

PG

A serious, entertaining, profoundly moving religious movie. Rookie missionary Brandon Allen (Matthew Brown) confronts the challenges of missionary life in Los Angeles, soon realizing that his most important convert may be himself.

Yesterday we sat and watched the movie God’s Army to celebrate the LDS Film Festival’s opening night. It’s been years since I’ve seen it. The film addresses anti-Mormon literature, blacks and the priesthood, doubts about serving, older missionaries, and serious health issues while on a mission. There are several “real-life” moments with lots of humor sprinkled in. Overall, it has a more dramatic tone. My oldest though it highlighted too much of the bad behavior of missionaries. I enjoyed the scenes which built faith and showed miracles as well as the message of wearing out one’s life in the service of God. I loved the message of “find out for yourself” through prayer.

Content: seizure, toilet scenes, minor violence, punching, questioning of faith, prostitutes. Recommend for older teens or adults.

Stream it live on LDS Scriptures. (ad)

The Milkman's Son: A Memoir of Family History. A DNA Mystery. A Story of Paternal Love

on March 3, 2020
Pages: 336
Format: ARC

Buy the Book • Goodreads

Raised in a family he bore little resemblance to, Randy was jokingly referred to as the "milkman's son." This warm and candid memoir chronicles the unraveling of a family secret, which begins with Randy's dad having dreams about deceased relatives urging him to complete their family tree. Randy agrees to help with the genealogy, but after his searching leads to a dead end, he takes a commercially available DNA test. The results reveal a possible genetic match to a sister, which begins a familial quest that forever changes the author's life.

Featuring a cast of vivid characters richly drawn from two distinct families, The Milkman's Son reveals one man's family tree, pulling back layers of new information as he gets closer to the truth--a biological father, siblings, and family members he never knew. This is a story of accepting, forgiving, and reuniting. Most importantly, it's about the bonds that connect us and the unconditional love that makes us feel like we belong.

Review

This book was relatable to me as I have helped several of our cousins and DNA matches locate their birth families using genetic data. Written as a memoir, it is the tale of a man who goes about trying to break down brick walls for his father and finds something else all together. I could feel the authors pain at others making light of his situation and nickname, but later his acceptance of who he is and how he came to know his roots. I really hope we hear more about his mother’s story and reaction in the future. There was also a bit of a disconnect in emotion portrayed to the readers between the writer and his biological father as a result of the medical conditions involved. Because his extended bio family accept and envelop him you can feel it coming through in other ways. I loved the discussion of jealousy and tension between bio and half siblings, as well as the differences in culture between the place where he was raised and the East Coast. There’s even a mention of Tastykakes!

Any genetic genealogist will enjoy this memoir. It was a bit slow in pacing through a few parts, but overall, I found it to be an interesting look at what can and does happen with Ancestry DNA testers. Thank you Shadow Mountain for the sneak peek!

About the Author

RANDY LINDSAY is a world traveler. Which sounds impressive until you realize the worlds he visits exist only in his mind and on the pages of his novels. He claims to prefer this method of sightseeing because he can stop at any time, go to the kitchen, and indulge his ice cream addiction. When he isn’t busy making things up he likes going to movies with his wife to watch what other people have made up and plays board games with his children who are in the habit of making up the rules as they go along.

WWW.RanTheStoryMan.com

From the New York Times bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi comes the first novel in a brand-new series set at an elite international boarding school, that’s a contemporary spin on Beauty and the Beast.

Will the princess save the beast?

For Princess Jaya Rao, nothing is more important than family. When the loathsome Emerson clan steps up their centuries-old feud to target Jaya’s little sister, nothing will keep Jaya from exacting her revenge. Then Jaya finds out she’ll be attending the same elite boarding school as Grey Emerson, and it feels like the opportunity of a lifetime. She knows what she must do: Make Grey fall in love with her and break his heart. But much to Jaya’s annoyance, Grey’s brooding demeanor and lupine blue eyes have drawn her in. There’s simply no way she and her sworn enemy could find their fairy-tale ending…right?

His Lordship Grey Emerson is a misanthrope. Thanks to an ancient curse by a Rao matriarch, Grey knows he’s doomed once he turns eighteen. Sequestered away in the mountains at St. Rosetta’s International Academy, he’s lived an isolated existence—until Jaya Rao bursts into his life, but he can't shake the feeling that she’s hiding something. Something that might just have to do with the rose-shaped ruby pendant around her neck…

As the stars conspire to keep them apart, Jaya and Grey grapple with questions of love, loyalty, and whether it’s possible to write your own happy ending.

I’m about a third of the way through the advanced reader’s copy of Curses and Kisses which releases today. So far, so good! Elite boradning school students, a mysterious curse, and teens navigating their loyalty.

Content: mild swearing, underage drinking.

About the Author

Sandhya Menon is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels with lots of kissing, girl power, and swoony boys. Her books have been featured in several cool places, including on The Today Show, Teen Vogue, NPR Book Review, Buzzfeed, and Seventeen. A full-time dog servant and part-time writer, she makes her home in the foggy mountains of Colorado.

Movie Synopsis: Gabriel Ngandu is a young Congolese revolutionary running from the terrible mistakes of his past. His journey of escape leads him to new experiences and even a new religion that challenges long-held beliefs about his destiny and world around him. He find himself torn between the influences and expectations of two very different father figures- Mwabila, his revolutionary leader, and President Kabasubabu, his new religious leader. Called to serve as a missionary, he is sent back to his native village to build an orphanage with Jason Martin, an American who also has a tragic and secret past. Together, they struggle to understand and overcome their histories, cultures, and prejudices to serve the people around them.

Caught between enmity and reconciliation, revenge or forgiveness, intolerance or understanding, they begin to see the potential for a better; more peaceful future for themselves and for the Congo. Worlds finally collide when explosions rock the new orphanage and Kabasubabu is kidnapped by Mwabila’s revolutionaries. Gabriel is faced with choosing between the two different worlds of these father figures… or finding his own path toward a new world inspired by understanding and redemption.

Share Trailer Link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=K_BK3bYKQ60&feature=youtu.be

Rafflecopter Giveaway: $50 Amazon Gift Card 

More Info:http://heartofafricafilm.com/about/

The last couple of days we’ve had the opportunity to stream the Living Scriptures in our home with their new live service. Much more than cartoons, it’s been a game changer. There are many titles to choose from and inspirational movies we can streamwithout worrying about the content. We are using it in our school day and as a part of Come, Follow Me gospel study. Highly recommend for every family. We are going to dig in this week and let you know what we loved on Faceboook and Twitter.

Streaming Service Details:
Good clean fun! With hundreds of movies and audio stories especially for Latter-day Saint families, you’ll never run out of good things to watch. Enjoy anytime on your favorite devices. Available for browsers, tablets, smart phones, Roku, Chromecast, Kindle Fire, Apple TV, Android TV and Fire TV.

What’s on Living Scriptures?
Enjoy animated scriptures stories, Latter-day Saint produced comedies and dramas, church inspirational films, values-based children’s shows and much more. There are thousands of titles to choose from with new titles added every week!

Hundreds of High Quality Videos & Audio Stories
Experience the scriptures and church history like never before! Young and old will better understand the stories from the Book of Mormon, Bible and Church History. Access our growing collection of Latter-day Saint produced and family friendly movies and shows, with new titles added weekly. Browse our extensive library – your streaming membership gives you instant access to all titles!

What we’ve watched so far:

The Fighting Preacher

This movie has an incredible message about kindess and love in the midst of heavy persecution. Willard Bean was called on a 24 year mission to Palmyra, New York with his wife during a time when members of the Chrurch of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints were hated. Neighbors ostracized them for their religious beliefs without getting to know them or giving them a chance. Their life is one of perserverence and service. LOVE, LOVE, LOVED it and recommend this movie to everyone. Family friendly. Thanks to Living Scriptures Streaming, we were able to experience one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long while. …Five ⭐️ stars.

Spirit of the Game

1000 to to 1: The Cory Weissman Story

Hidden in the Heartland (ad)

Other benefits:

Create a spiritual atmosphere

Affordable with great resources

Synergize your family scripture study

Entertain & educate

Wholesome heroes

Kids know all the answers in primary

High replay value

Stories that an be applied to life

Perfect alternative to TV on Sunday

Quick and easy family home evenings

Tour church & scripture sites from home

You Can Try Living Scriptures Streaming for one month free

Promo Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=30&v=xvII-nA7GRA&feature=emb_logo