By Common Consent: Difference between revisions

{{Update|part="Current (as of 2011)" sections|date=August 2022|updated=November 2019|reason=This article is 11 years out of date, and urgently needs updating}}

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'''''By Common Consent''''' (BCC) is a [[Blog#Types|group blog]] featuring commentary and discussion especially of [[Culture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], [[thought]] and [[current events]]. It was founded in 2004, and is one of several blogs in the group known as the Mormon [[Bloggernacle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ldsblogs.org |title=Mormon Archipelago: Gateway to the Bloggernacle and list of LDS and Mormon Blogs |publisher=LDSBlogs.org |date= |accessdate=2012-03-04}}</ref><ref name=nochoir>{{cite web|url=http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/culture/1179/mormon_bloggernacle_is_no_choir|title=Mormon Bloggernacle is No Choir|publisher=[[Religion Dispatches]]|date=2009-03-04}}</ref> According to the blog's mission statement, BCC was founded to provide a thoughtful, enjoyable, and reasonable place to post and discuss Mormon topics.<ref name=about/>

The blog is named after the 1830 revelation given to the Church of Jesus ChristofLatter-day Saints founder [[Joseph Smith]], which instructed that all things shall be done by common consent in the church, by much prayer and faith, for all things you shall receive by faith.<ref name="bycommonconsent"/> This statement is now canonized as [[Doctrine and Covenants]] 26:2 of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/26.2?lang=eng |title=Doctrine and Covenants 26:2 |publisher=churchofjesuschrist.org |date=2012-02-21 |accessdate=2012-03-04}}</ref>

Although "By Common Consent" was used immediately as a working title for the blog, readers were asked to give suggestions on a permanent name. Suggested names included "The [[Rameumptom]]" (the original [[URL]] for the blog was rameumptom.blogspot.com<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rameumptom.blogspot.com | title=We've moved! | publisher=Rameumptom.blogspot.com | accessdate=2012-03-04}}</ref> before moving to its present URL), "[[Zeezrom]], Esq." (an homage to the heavy presence of legal professionals in the Mormon blogging community), "[[Curelom]]s & Cumoms", "By the Regular Sign" (a reference to the custom in the LDS Church to show support for a given proposition by raising the right hand), "Fifth Nephi" (a reference to the [[Book of Mormon|Book of Mormon's]] four [[Plates of Nephi|books of Nephi]], "Times & Seasons 2" (at the time BCC was established, Times & Seasons was the dominant Mormon blog), and "Pay On Gross" (a reference to a common debate among [[Mormons]] about whether [[tithes]] should be paid on net or gross income).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/2004/03/13/a-name-and-a-blessing/ |title=A Name and a blessing « By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog |publisher=Bycommonconsent.com |date=2004-03-13 |accessdate=2012-03-04}}</ref>

Although ''By Common Consent'' was originally created to provide a place for more politically liberal members of the LDS Church to discuss issues,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/03/political-leanings/ | title=Political Leanings | publisher=Times & Seasons | accessdate=2012-03-04}}</ref> a vast majority of the content found on BCC is not political in nature. The topics of posts frequently address practical application of tenets of the LDS faith, Mormon history, analysis of ancient and modern scripture, poetry, music, humor and current events.

New contributions to the blog are posted daily by the "permas", with frequent additional posts provided by guest bloggers. Comments from readers are supported, and while a majority of participants in comment discussions are adherents to the LDS Church, the blog aims to maintain an environment conducive to respectful interfaith dialogue. The blog includes articles and discussions, with scholarly research, satire, devotionals, and humor.

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Since 2004, BCC has introduced several recurring features (* denotes series that is still active):

* '''Friday Firestorm''':<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/2008/07/11/your-friday-firestorm-analysis-1/|title=Your Friday Firestorm: Analysis|publisher=By Common Consent|accessdate=2013-09-26}}</ref> An open thread in which readers debate short passages taken from the scriptures or sermons from LDS Church leaders. These passages are typically presented out of context.

* '''The Illuminated Matsby'''*:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/?s=%22The+Illuminated+Matsby%22|title=The Illuminated Matsby|publisher=By Common Consent|accessdate=2013-09-26}}</ref>Adigitally manipulated image by [[Matt Page]] blending [[Mormon culture]], doctrine, history, and pop culture is presented without context or explanation as "an imageoffaith and devotion."

* '''Thursday Morning Quickie''':<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/?s=%22Thursday+Morning+Quickie%22|title=Thursday Morning Quickie|publisher=By Common Consent|accessdate=2013-09-26}}</ref> An open thread in which readers debate short passages taken from an LDS youth program manual from 1956. The nature of the manual is such that allofthe topics relate to dating, marriage, love, and related topics.

* '''The Top 10 LDS Musicians You've Never Heard Of''':<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/?s=%22The+Top+10+LDS+Musicians+You%E2%80%99ve+Never+Heard+Of%22|title=The Top 10 LDS Musicians You've Never Heard Of|publisher=By Common Consent|accessdate=2013-09-26}}</ref> This is a series of guest posts from Arthur Hatton, a specialist in LDS music and founder of Linescratchers, a website which promotes new LDS musical artists who do not write or perform LDS music. The entries in this series focus on both the artistic and musical style of the featured musician and their life experiences.

* '''Police Beat Roundtable''':<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/?s=police+beat+roundtable|title=Police Beat Roundtable|publisher=By Common Consent|accessdate=2013-09-26}}</ref> According to the site, the Police Beat Roundtable, or "PBR" is "our ongoing look at that most charming column of The Daily Universe,"<ref name="bycommonconsent">{{cite web|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/2010/04/22/police-beat-roundtable-xxi/ |title=Police Beat Roundtable XXI « By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog |publisher=Bycommonconsent.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-04}}</ref> the student newspaper of Brigham Young University. PBR takes the form of 4-6 contributors discussing humorous or awkward entries from the police reports of the campus newspaper. As of June 2010, there have been 21 editions of PBR, with Steve Evans serving as the host. Other regular or frequent participants include [[Ken Jennings]],<ref name="bycommonconsent"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/2008/10/03/police-beat-roundtable-6/ |title=Police Beat Roundtable #6 « By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog |publisher=Bycommonconsent.com |date=2008-10-03 |accessdate=2012-03-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/2008/12/22/police-beat-roundtable-13/ |title=Police Beat Roundtable #13 « By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog |publisher=Bycommonconsent.com |date=2008-12-22 |accessdate=2012-03-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/03/04/police-beat-roundtable-14/ |title=Police Beat Roundtable #14 « By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog |publisher=Bycommonconsent.com |date=2009-03-04 |accessdate=2012-03-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/09/15/police-beat-roundtable-18/ |title=Police Beat Roundtable #18 « By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog |publisher=Bycommonconsent.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/12/04/police-beat-roundtable-19/ |title=Police Beat Roundtable #19 « By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog |publisher=Bycommonconsent.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-04}}</ref> film critic [http://www.ericdsnider.com/ Eric D. Snider],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/2008/11/24/police-beat-roundtable-11/ |title=Police Beat Roundtable #11 « By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog |publisher=Bycommonconsent.com |date=2008-11-24 |accessdate=2012-03-04}}</ref> "GST", and other bloggers from the Mormon blogging community.

* '''You Make the Call''':<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/?s=%22you+make+the+call%22|title=You Make The Call|publisher=By Common Consent|accessdate=2013-09-26}}</ref> As explained by permablogger Kevin Barney in the first edition of You Make the Call:

<blockquote>"A friend reminded me of those old commercials featuring a close play in an [[NFL]] game, with the tagline ''You make the call!''. The idea was for the TV viewer to pretend he is the referee and call the play how he sees it, and then compare the actual call the referee made in the game. So, in that spirit...this is a game where we examine a close play, and in the comments section of this blog, presumably without the benefit of guidance by [[Holy Ghost|the Spirit]], we state our case for the call the official should make."<ref>{{cite web|author=|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/2007/11/12/you-make-the-call/ |title=You Make the Call – By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog |publisher=Bycommonconsent.com |date=2007-11-12 |accessdate=2013-09-14}}</ref></blockquote>

* '''Theological Polls'''*:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/?s=%22theological+poll%22|title=Theological Poll|publisher=By Common Consent|accessdate=2013-09-26}}</ref> A poll is embedded in the blog presenting readers with a question, typically related to some obscure or speculative element of Mormon doctrine or policy. Often, respondents are forced to choose between awkwardly dichotomous or polemic answers.

* '''Church-Hacker'''*:<ref>{{cite web|author=|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/2011/05/18/church-hacker-1-the-guest-professional/ |title=Church-Hacker #1: The Guest Professional – By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog |publisher=Bycommonconsent.com |date=2011-05-18 |accessdate=2013-09-14}}</ref> Inspired by Lifehacker, a weekly "idea that you can try in your ward or calling to make the meeting block more engaging, more spiritual, or even more fun."

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Over the years, By Common Consent has featured a number of authors from the Latter-day Saint community. The contributors to the blog come from backgrounds including [[homemaking]], [[law]], [[history]], [[social sciences]], [[humanities]], [[fine art]], [[biology]], [[chemistry]], and [[computer science]], among others. Religiously, the contributors represent "a varied swath of their lived religion," with different approaches to faith, doctrine, and religious living.<ref name=about>{{cite web|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/info-contact/|title=About Our Site|publisher=By Common Consent|accessdate=2013-09-26}}</ref> Additionally, several of the contributors write for other online or print publications on topics such as literature, politics, pop culture, and science.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theredbrickstore.com/ |title=The Red Brick Store |publisher=The Red Brick Store |date= |accessdate=2013-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/russell-arben-fox/|title=Russell Arben Fox|publisher=By Common Consent}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kulturblog.com/ |title=A pop culture blog |publisher=Kulturblog |date=2011-11-10 |accessdate=2013-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Steve P |date=July 21, 2012 |url=http://sciencebysteve.net/ |title=The Mormon Organon |publisher=Sciencebysteve.net |accessdate=2013-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902152421/http://sciencebysteve.net/ |archive-date=September 2, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

;[[Adam S. Miller]]

;Aaron B.*

: a former Seattle attorney

: Earned a master's degree in religious studies from Georgetown University. Works at the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship at BYU.

{{Anchor|Bradley H. Kramer}}Brad Kramer

: {{As of|2009}}, PhD candidate in [[sociocultural anthropology]] at the University of Michigan, with interests in [[semiotics]], [[Marxist theory]] and [[Christian conversion]].<ref>{{cite journal |publisher= [[Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought]] |page= 242 |title= Contributors |date= Spring 2009 |url= http://dialoguejournal.metapress.com/app/home/contribution.asp?referrer=parent&backto=issue,1,8;journal,6,30;linkingpublicationresults,1:113395,1 }}</ref> In 2010, contributed an article about early Mormon economics to ''[[Mormonism: A Historical Encyclopedia]].''

;Cynthia L.

: A [[Homemaker|SAHM]] with PhD in Computer Science.

{{Anchor|Jonathan A. Stapley}}J. Stapley

: Librarian and founder of another large Mormon blog called Faith Promoting Rumor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faithpromotingrumor.com |title=Faith-Promoting Rumor — Exploring Mormon Thought, Culture, and Texts |publisher=Faithpromotingrumor.com |date= |accessdate=2013-09-14}}</ref>

: Attorney in Washington D.C. working on international justice reform issues.

{{Col-break}}

: Editor, ''[[Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought]]''. Current research ({{as of|2010|lc=on}}): Mormon aesthetic theory and practice; history of Mormon women's publications, including blogs; Mormon women's and children's history; Mormon hymnody and children's songs. Lived in Massachusetts<ref name="mormonpublishing">{{cite web |url=http://www.patheos.com/resources/additional-resources/2010/08/mormon-publishing-the-internet-and-the-democratization-of-information |title=Mormon Publishing, the Internet, and the Democratization of Information |last=Hagland |first=Kristine |date=August 9, 2010 |website=[[Patheos]] |accessdate=November 15, 2017}}</ref>

;Kyle M.

: Blogger, musician, advertising executive, former missionary in [[Finland]].

;Miles M.

: Writer, mother, former missionary in [[Russia]].

;M. Norbert Kilmer

: High school teacher in Europe.

;Matt Page

: Graphic designer and artist.

;Natalie B.

: Law student.

: Writer, mother.

;Ronan JH

: Educator at a private school in Europe.

;{{Anchor|Russell Arben Fox}}Russell Arben Fox

: Assoc. Prof. [[Political Science]], [[Friends University]] in [[Wichita, Kansas]], from 2006. BYU Studies Academy, member, Brigham Young University, 2006-2009. From 2008, Book Review Co-Editor, ''[[Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought|Dialogue]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freewebs.com/mmfraf/rafvitae.htm |title=Russell Arben Fox |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221135725/http://www.freewebs.com/mmfraf/rafvitae.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |website=[[Webs (web hosting)|Freewebs]]}}</ref>

;Sam MB

: Physician and medical researcher in Utah.

;Scott B.

: Economist in Southern California and proud alumni of [[Utah State University]].

: Assoc. Prof., Dept. of [[Integrative Biology]] at [[Brigham Young University]], from 2000, teaching History and Philosophy of Biology and Bioethics.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110109012738/http://lifesciences.byu.edu/DirectoriesInformation/Directories/FacultyStaff/tabid/166/ctl/FacultyProfile/mid/5712/NetID/SLP73/Default.aspx|url=http://lifesciences.byu.edu/DirectoriesInformation/Directories/FacultyStaff/tabid/166/ctl/FacultyProfile/mid/5712/NetID/SLP73/Default.aspx+%22(801)+422-4145%22&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us|archivedate=January 9, 2011 |title= Peck, Steven L. |work= LifeSciences.BYU.edu}}</ref> {{As of|2010}}, had authored books, poetry, a novel and essays with ''Dialogue,'' [[Deseret Book|Covenant]], [[Religious Studies Center|BYU Religious Studies Center]], ''Irreantum'', Amer. Tolkien Society, ''[[Newsweek]]'' and elsewhere.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://sciencebysteve.net/?page_id=2 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080917102625/http://sciencebysteve.net/?page_id=2 |archivedate=September 17, 2008 |accessdate= August 26, 2010 |work= The Mormon Organon |title= A BYU Bio-Professor Explores Science and Faith}}</ref>

;Sunny Smart

: Tracy McKay, writer, adult convert to the LDS church, graduate student at [[George Washington University]] (Fall 2012) and divorced mother of three. Keeps a personal blog at [https://dandelionmama.com/ Dandelion Mama].

: Professor of Mathematics at [[Brigham Young University]] and independent historian. Author of ''Textual Studies of the Doctrine and Covenants: The Plural Marriage Revelation'' (Greg Kofford Books, 2018) and various historical articles.

===Previous ({{as of|2010|lc=on}})===

{{div col}}*[[John C. Hamer]] independent researcher, historian, and mapmaker

*[[Margaret Blair Young]] author and documentarian<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.patheos.com/resources/additional-resources/2010/08/the-colorful-lds-future-the-future-of-those-of-african-descent-in-the-mormon-church |title=The Colorful LDS Future |last1=Young |first1=Margaret Blair |authorlink1=Margaret Blair Young |last2=Gray |first2=Darius Aidan |authorlink2=Darius Gray |date=August 9, 2010 |website=[[Patheos]] |accessdate=November 15, 2017}}</ref>

{{div col end}}

BCC also features content produced by guest authors from the Latter-day Saints community, including the LDS sociologist [[Armand L. Mauss]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bycommonconsent.com/2007/06/07/the-race-issue-thoughts-on-the-state-of-the-field/ | title="The Race Issue:" Thoughts on the State of the Field | publisher=By Common Consent | date=2007-06-07 | accessdate=2013-09-14 | author=Guest author}}</ref> LDS Biographer [[Gregory A. Prince]],<ref>{{cite web|author=|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/10/07/jeanne-cheverton-dunn/ |title=Jeanne Cheverton Dunn – By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog |publisher=Bycommonconsent.com |date=2009-10-07 |accessdate=2013-09-14}}</ref> and [[parenting]] author [[Richard Eyre (author)|Richard Eyre]].<ref>{{cite web|author=|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/10/22/four-dimensional-success/ |title=Four-Dimensional Success – By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog |publisher=Bycommonconsent.com |date=2009-10-22 |accessdate=2013-09-14}}</ref> Additionally, ''By Common Consent'' periodically posts interviews with members of the LDS community, including an interview with comedian and author [[Elna Baker]], and an interview with [[Michael Otterson]], the Managing Director of Public Affairs for the LDS Church.<ref>{{cite web|author=|url=http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/06/09/interview-with-michael-otterson/ |title=Interview with Michael Otterson – By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog |publisher=Bycommonconsent.com |date=2009-06-09 |accessdate=2013-09-14}}</ref>

Since the initiation of the Bloggernacle’s annual "[[Niblet]]" awards in 2005, BCC has consistently won the award for "Best Big Blog."<ref name="mormonmatters.org">{{cite web |url=http://mormonmatters.org/2010/02/08/2009-niblets-results/ |title=2009 Niblets Results — Analysis |publisher=Mormon Matters |date=2010-02-08 |accessdate=2013-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610094451/http://mormonmatters.org/2010/02/08/2009-niblets-results/ |archive-date=2010-06-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2009, BCC authors won the Niblets in the categories of "Best Overall Blogger," "Funniest Thread," "Best Humorous Post," "Best Historical Post," "Best Personal Post," "Best Doctrinal Post," "Best Current Events Post," "Best Podcast," "Best Book/Article Review," and "Best Contribution to the Bloggernacle."<ref name="mormonmatters.org"/>

Several of the blog's long-term guest contributors are also editors or board members of ''[[Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought]]''.<ref name=nochoir/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bycommonconsent.com/category/dialogue-posts | title=Dialogue-posts | publisher=By Common Consent | accessdate=2013-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://byustudies.byu.edu/Reviews/Pages/reviewdetail.aspx?reviewID=799 |title=From Tabernacle to Bloggernacle |publisher=Byustudies.byu.edu |accessdate=2013-09-14 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426055740/http://byustudies.byu.edu/Reviews/Pages/reviewdetail.aspx?reviewID=799 |archivedate=2009-04-26 }}</ref> Kristine Haglund, one of BCC's permabloggers, is currently the Editor in Chief of ''Dialogue'', while Ronan JH and Steven Peck, two other permabloggers, serve as ''Dialogue'' editors, and other current and former permabloggers contribute to the ''Dialogue'' editorial board.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dialoguejournal.com/staff/ |title=Staff and Boards &#124; Dialogue – A Journal of Mormon Thought |publisher=Dialoguejournal.com |date= |accessdate=2013-09-14}}</ref>

The editors at By Common Consent inaugurated the non-profit book publisher BCC Press in April 2017, with the intent to publish books of Mormon-themed "philosophy, theology, history, scriptural exegesis, fiction, poetry, personal essays, and memoirs."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bccpress.org/ |title=BCC Press |website=By Common Consent Press |accessdate=November 15, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=5165450&itype=CMSID&fullpage=1 |title=Mormon blog opens a new chapter, will now spread the word as a nonprofit book publisher |last=Fletcher Stack |first=Peggy |date=May 3, 2017 |website=[[The Salt Lake Tribune]] |accessdate=November 15, 2017}}</ref> Serving as president of the press is Steve Evans, attorney and popular [[Mormon blogger]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldextra.com/special-section/lds/fall2017/an-industry-that-began-more-than-years-ago-mormon-literature/article_4547ffe7-6737-58d3-a341-baece07b9e9c.html |title=An industry that began more than 150 years ago, 'Mormon literature helps us figure out what it means to be Mormon' &#124; LDS Guide 2017: The Mormon Market |publisher=heraldextra.com |date= |accessdate=2017-09-25}}</ref>

By Common Consent is also the home of the ''BCC Zeitcast'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bycommonconsent.com/category/features/bcc-zeitcast/ |title=BCC Zeitcast |website=By Common Consent |accessdate=November 15, 2017}}</ref> one of the [[Bloggernacle]]'s few [[podcasts]]. Typically, the ''BCC Zeitcast'' is approximately 30 minutes in length, and takes the form of a [[talk radio]], with anywhere from two to five contributors participating in a given episode. The podcast consists of a free flowing conversation on Bloggernacle meta-topics, popular culture, current events, religious topics, or news from the world of [[Mormonism]].

* [[Culture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]