Hillary Clinton Courts Mormon Voters; Alex Boyé Baptizes Mother; and More!

Hillary Clinton Continues to Court Mormon Voters With New Campaign Video

With Donald Trump becoming an increasingly unattractive option for Mormon voters, Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, hopes to gain favor with the Latter-day Saint community.

Three weeks from today the Clinton Campaign announced the addition of a “Mormons for Hillary” group. The group was founded by 120-some Mormons with the intent to persuade other Latter-day Saints to support Clinton.

On Tuesday, October 11 the Clinton Campaign released a short video titled “We are Mormons for Hillary.” In the video, members of the Church can be seen going through their daily lives: cooking, cleaning, running through wheaten fields, and reading Hillary Rodham Clinton’s It Takes a Village.

In the video, Clinton provides a much more appealing message to Mormon voters, one that values family and the rearing of children above all else. Contrasted with Trump’s apparent lack of morals and his feelings of entitlement over women’s bodies, Clinton’s family centered approach may play to Mormon heartstrings. But Clinton’s video probably won’t be enough to overshadow her liberal platform or the email scandal.

Write-In Romney Petition Only 3,000 Signatures Short

In a last ditch effort to keep both Clinton and Trump from taking upon the presidential mantle, a petition for the Republican National Convention to launch a write-in campaign has been released for concerned voters.

“At this late date there is no candidate other than former Governor Mitt Romney who has the name recognition, campaign experience, known personal values, and proven executive qualifications with a reasonable chance of winning enough votes to be elected President by way of such a dramatic and historically significant campaign.”

The petition, currently at about 12,000 signatures is only 3,000 signatures short of the 15,000 signature goal.

Rumors abound, however, that it’s too late for the RNC to promote a write-in candidate, at least in most states.

UPDATE: Though nearly 20,000 signatures were received, the deadline for write-ins in most states has already passed. Voters in Oregon, Iowa, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Delaware will still be able to write Romney in, however, those in other states are urged to vote for a third party candidate.

Alex Boyé Baptizes Mother

After 20 long years, Alex Boyé baptized his mother this past Saturday in London. Boyé and his mother haven’t had the most idyllic of relationships—he was abandoned by her at a young age and wouldn’t find out why for years. Boyé was left homeless at the age of 16, and wandered the streets of London in search of food. Eventually, he was introduced to the gospel and things began to look up. But Boyé couldn’t seem to shake that feeling of abandonment.

On “Hour of Power,” Boyé shared how he finally came to forgive his mother, and as he forgave her, he learned of the sacrifices she had made in order to provide for him.

The mother-son pair was able to grow closer together, granting Boyé the opportunity to baptize his mother.

“Have been waiting for this moment for 20 years. Cried like a baby. BEST. DAY. Ever!” read Boyé’s Instagram post.

People Magazine Features Story On LDS Woman With Postpartum Depression

“More than anything, she loved being a mom – it was what she loved most in life And she was very good at it. She was so engaging and warm and magnetic. She made our house a home,” Eric Dyches told People Magazine of late-wife Emily.

It was just 7 months ago that he received the devastating call that changed his family forever. His wife, Emily Dyches, had run right into the path of a semi on the interstate; she was killed instantly. Though the five children lost their mother and Eric lost the love of his life, Emily’s death brought awareness to the often unspoken effects of postpartum depression.

Eric Dyches felt that it was his duty to do something for those suffering from perinatal disorders, so he started The Emily Effect.

“When Emily first started having anxiety and depression, it was maddening trying to find the right help. There were many times when I felt like we’d exhausted our options and didn’t have anywhere else to turn, ” Dyches, who works as director of operations for an investment firm, told People Magazine, “She felt incredibly alone.”

With an estimated 15 to 20 percent of women suffering from postpartum depression, Emily was far from alone. Hundreds of women have shared their stories of struggles with postpartum depression on The Emily Effect website — and thousands more have been educated or inspired to seek help.

Read more at People Magazine.

Helping Hands Hit Florida Harder Than Hurricane Matthew

In Florida, toppled trees, flooded streets, and some areas are still without electricity — though the damage doesn’t compare to the destruction Matthew caused in the Caribbean and southeastern United States.

More than 1,500 LDS Mormon Helping Hands volunteers flocked to Volusia and Flagler Counties in Florida following the havoc wreaked by Hurricane Matthew. Though the Hurricane’s worst winds missed the sunshine state by a few miles, damage was extensive.

“We’re all here to help each other. This is why we do this, just to help our fellow brethren who may be in some need,” said Bishop George Amyradakis.

Read more at The Daytona Beach News Journal.