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OK I know I already posted once today, but I couldn’t pass this up. CNN posted a story on April Fools daythat claimed Snoop Dogg became a Mormon. I will admit I’m a Snoop Dogg fan (don’t judge me), but Snoop as a Mormon, now that’s funny! The CNN link doesn’t seem to be going through, so here is the story for your reading pleasure. Enjoy.

DIAMOND BAR, California (AP) — In what some may consider an unexpected move, rap artist “Snoop Dogg” has reportedly converted to Mormonism after nearly a year of study with the fast-growing, Utah-based faith.

Snoop Dogg says he “can’t get enough of the Book of Mormon.”

In a statement, a spokeswoman for Snoop Dogg — whose real name is Calvin Broadus — said he considers himself extremely fortunate to have discovered such a deep sense of spiritual fulfillment at this stage in his life.

“Mr. Broadus is also very pleased to find that his family is as enthusiastic about attending church services as he is,” the spokeswoman said.

However, Snoop Dogg has not been enthusiastic about publicly sharing his experience and declined to be interviewed by CNN for this article. In fact, he reportedly informed producers of his E! reality show “Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood” that this particular aspect of his family’s life was off-limits to the cameras. Still, he left open the possibility of addressing the subject in future episodes.

According to the Associated Press, Snoop Dogg was first introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as the Mormon Church is officially known, after attending a Gladys Knight concert in an LDS meeting house in Los Angeles.

Knight, who very publicly discusses her conversion to Mormonism several years ago, invited Snoop Dogg to what is known to the Mormon faithful as “Family Home Evening,” a church program that encourages families to set aside Monday evenings for gospel-centered lessons and family togetherness.

Though Snoop Dogg has been hesitant to publicly discuss his recent spiritual journey, he commented on the experience of attending his first “Family Home Evening” in a recent interview with People Magazine.

“I was hooked from the start,” Snoop Dogg said. “We talked about the purpose of life, played Mousetrap, and ate brownies. The kids thought it was off the hook, for real.”

In what Snoop Dogg now thinks was anything but a coincidence, Mormon missionaries had knocked on his door just one week before the Knight concert. He said he had initially turned them away because of what he knew about the strict Mormon health code, which prohibits members from smoking, drinking alcohol, and using drugs.

“Y’all know me,” he said grinning broadly. “There were just certain things the old me — the “natural man” — needed to do. And these young guys are telling me that God’s not down with disrespecting ourselves. But it’s cool now.”

Snoop Dogg said his conversion marks the end of his old life, one that included frequent run-ins with the law. Snoop Dogg was convicted in 1990 of cocaine possession and charged with gun possession after a 1993 traffic stop. In 1997, he pleaded guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence.

In 1996, Snoop Dogg was acquitted of murder after a purported gangbanger was killed by gunfire from the vehicle in which Snoop Dogg was traveling.

Snoop Dogg dismisses critics who claim his conversion is intended to placate a Salt Lake County judge, before whom he is appealing an alleged probation violation.

“Listen, the haters will say what they will,” Snoop Dogg said. “I can only do what I feel is right.”

The stupidest Mormon pick up line EVER.

Guy: “Is your name virtue.”

Girl: “No, why?”

Guy: “because you garnish my thoughts unceasingly.” (D&C 121:45)

Seriously. Are you kidding me? I couldn’t believe this actually came out of the mouth of a boy my daughters age. Some kid said this to one of her friends. In all fairness he is only in the 7th grade, but give me a break!

So tell me, what is the stupidest pickup line you’ve heard?

I have pretty great parents. I grew up in a very socially and ethnically diverse area. I feel it made me a pretty understanding and tolerant person.

As a kid I was aloud to try many religions, and have learned some amazing life lessons from all the wonderful religions I had the opportunity to visit. I loved how the Southern Baptists celebrated there faith with music and dance. While visiting you could really feel there faith. They also had a awesome summer Bible camp that I attended every summer (until they found out I was Mormon, and asked me to never come back)

As a kid I remember the Jehovah Witnesses as being the funnest church, did you know that a lot of there buildings have cafeteria’s with ice cream machines ( I think it’s their equivalent of a Stake center). During intermission my friend and I helped ourselves to huge cones and I couldn’t help but think they were way cooler than our church.Â

As a teen I went to a Methodist sleep in, totally fun. It’s like a huge slumber party only better.

I enjoyed the solemn rituals of the Catholic church, (the Catholic church was by far the dominate religion in our area) and learned from the Muslim’s to always research what you believe, and not just take everyone else’s word for it. Gain your own testimony not just have one handed to you.

The lesson’s I’ve learned have served me well in my life, but our religion has always been where my heart belongs. All the other church’s had a lot to offer, but I always came back to what I knew to be true. I have always been grateful to my parents for giving me the opportunity to find out for myself.

I want this for my kids, but find it difficult to show them diversity while living in Utah. Don’t get me wrong I love living here, I just realize I have to work a little harder to teach my kids that not everyone thinks the way we do and that it’s ok.

This year I have decided to join the Lent band wagon. I am not Catholic, but as a Mormon I know a little something about self deprivation. So this year in honor of Lent (and my diet) I will be giving up soda. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but for me it is A LOT.

In honor of our dear late prophet I will also be reading the Book of Mormon in 97 days for the 97 years of his life.

So tell me are you giving something up for Lent? If not do you have any special goals or New Years resolutions?

www.lds.org

1910-2008

He would say “what is all the fuss about?” but we miss him deeply and honor him.

With recent tragedy hitting so close to home, and spending a considerable amount of time at LDS hospital, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking and reflecting on life. Looking at what really matters, and how your reality can be changed in an instant. As time goes by we realized more and more how this event is going to impact not only Ben’s life, but the people around him. I can’t begin to wrap my head around the heart ache he must feel, knowing he will never walk again. We take so much for granted. He doesn’t have much use of his hands, so he can’t even feed himself.

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I’ve been thinking a lot about faith, and I came across this blog at Segullah that I really enjoyed. I have never had a problem with faith, I have never struggled to know that the church is true, and for this I am very grateful. I have struggled with obedience. Although I have never doubted the church I have had a hard time from time to time doing what I knew was right.

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Last week I watched Ben ask for a blessing while he struggled with pneumonia. (He is not a member of the church, but knows that we are) He honestly thought at one point that he wasn’t going to make it. We were able to get him a blessing, by tracking down someone in the hospital who was able to assist. The next day when I came to see him the pneumonia was all but gone. I pointed out to him that the blessing worked, and then someone pointed out to me that Ben’s faith was what made the blessings a success. For some reason that hit me hard. It wasn’t anything that I didn’t already know, but being born and raised in the church I forget that we don’t have exclusive rights to faith, and that others not of our faith can and are blessed by Heavenly Fathers priesthood based on there faith.

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I’m grateful he had the faith to be healed, and that I was taught a lesson in the process. Right now I’m finding a lot to be grateful for.

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Stay tuned for an announcement about a benefit that will hopefully be happening soon for Ben and his family. If it is pulled off as planned it should be a fun night for a worthy cause.