Standing ovation undue

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Dec 16, 2008

I had the opportunity to attend Friday night's annual Christmas concert at the LDS Conference Center, which featured guest artist Brian Stokes Mitchell. One song Mr. Mitchell sang was called "New Words," about a father teaching his son to say the words moon, stars and, the most important word of all, love. Though we were only halfway through the program, many in the audience were so moved, they gave him a standing ovation. I couldn't help wondering why. It's a lovely song and was beautifully performed, but why the standing ovation? In a world where more single family homes are headed by women and gays are screaming for their marriage rights, are we really so starved for decent father figures that a simple song about a man setting a good example for his son warrants a standing ovation?

Michelle Llewellyn

West Jordan