We would like to introduce two new Bloggernacle awards: (1) The Wheaties, and (2) the Tarefic Awards! This is the opportunity to honor the unique and talented Mormon bloggers of 2012. It’s a chance to look back on the year and remember the great things that happened in the Bloggernacle, to come together in a spirit of camaraderie and fun! Wheat and Tares will be hosting this event to highlight YOU and your favorite 2012 Mormon blogs, and we are pleased to announce our collaboration with Ziff of Zelophehad’s Daughters, the mighty numbers cruncher, who will handle results presentation at the end of this event.
Here are the categories we’d like to start with, but if you think of something, feel free to nominate! Please include a link to the 2012 blog/post/comment that you nominate if you wish it to be considered. Put your link in [brackets] so that it will get through our spam catcher. As always, you are welcome to nominate yourself — isn’t that what blogging is all about?? Oh, and try to think of some other bloggers to recognize, too. For-profit blogs will not be considered. This thread is the place to make any thoughtful comments, concerns or suggestions on the categories or the process. They will be duly considered by our panel. Nominations will take place from now through Jan. 15th. So, without further ado, here are our 2012 Wheaties categories:
Best big blog:
Best group blog:
Best mommy blog:
Best humorous blog:
Best solo blog:
Best new blog: (must have put up its first post in 2012)
Best blog layout/graphics:
Best overall blogger:
Best commenter:
Most memorable comment:
Funniest thread:
Best post title:
Best humorous post:
Best historical post:
Best spiritual post:
Best doctrinal post:
Best personal post:
Best current events post:
Best book/article review:
Best contribution to the Bloggernacle in 2012:
Best contribution to interfaith dialogue:
Best navel-gazing post:
Write-in category:
And here are the categories for the Tarefic Awards!
Best flamewar in comments
Best temper tantrum post
Commenter that started the most arguments
Most missed personality on the Bloggernacle
Write-in category:
Thank you for your participation. It’s YOU that makes the Wheaties and Tarefic Awards great!
Wheat & Tares 
Best post title: Exactly 1000 words on pants by Cynthia L.
Best spiritual post: All eternity shakes by Jacob Baker
Best personal post: A mission dream for the last day of autumn by Craig H.
Best contribution to the Bloggernacle in 2012: Jacob Baker. His posts have been consistently outstanding and inspiring.
Best Book Review: Can I nominate JI’s series on Turner’s bio of BY?
Most missed personality on the Bloggernacle: Steve Evans and Scott B.
Best Big Blog: W&T
Best Group Blog: W&T
Best Humorous Blog: Overheard in the Ward
Best Commenter: Hawkgrrrl and Mike S
Best personal post: Greg Prince: My Journey
Commenter that started the most arguments: Dan, Jon, Will
Fun idea! Here are a few off-the-cuff responses, and I’ll come back as I think of more. I’ll fully admit that I am not partial in my choices since I participate on three blogs, but here we go:
Best big blog: By Common Consent
Best group blog: Juvenile Instructor
Best humorous blog: Expert Textperts
Best solo blog: Ardis P., Keepa (seriously, this isn’t a contest)
Best new blog: Peculiar People
Best overall blogger: since Jacob is already nominated, I’ll go with Taylor Petrey and George Handley
Best Post Title: Steve Evans, “To All the Stupid People”
Best humorous post: Matsby, “John McNaughton’s Idea Journal”
Best historical post: Ben P., “Mormon Patriotism and the Cultural Reading of Scripture”
Best spiritual post: Jacob, “All Eternity Shakes: Mormonism’s Weeping God”
Best doctrinal post: Matt B., “Why is it So Hard to Figure Out what Mormons Believe?”
Best personal post: Kristine, “To See Face to Face”
Best current events post: Patrick Mason, “The Politics of Jesus”
Best book/article review: I think it *has* to go to the Brigham Young biography roundtable, which Aaron mentioned above: David G. et. al., Roundtable on the Brigham Young Biography. But perhaps a shout-out to my “2012 in Retrospect: An Overview of Noteworthy Articles and Books in Mormon History.”
Best contribution to the Bloggernacle in 2012: Steve P.’s Gilda Trillim series.
Best Mormon Moment Post (write-in category): Patrick Mason, “Why Romney’s Loss is Good for Mormonism“
As is common in these types of comments, my contribution (which included a lot of links) is in moderation.
Big blog: BCC
Group blog: Peculiar People (seriously, every post is phenomenal)
Best historical post: Amanda, “Hawaiian History, Colonialism, and the Polynesian Cultural Center”
Best spiritual post: SC Taysom, “What Quinten Tarantino Taught Me About the Temple”
Best current events post: Saskia T., “Negotiation on the Internet: The Mormon ‘Hey Girl’ Meme”
Oh, and there has to be some award for Ben P., “The Best of the Mormon Moment.” That list is seriously helpful and must have taken a long time.
So it would seem to reason that this will be taking place of the “Niblets,” correct?
Not sure if all of you in the bloggernacle got together at a secret round table meeting with darkened out faces and voice modulators to ensure anonymity and work these things out.
Best group blog: By Common Consent
Best blog layout/graphics: FMH (redesign)
Best spiritual post:To See Face to Face
Best doctrinal post: A tie between all the Gospel Doctrine lessons by Julie Smith and Emma, My daughter in Zion: A Preliminary Study of D&C24 by Joseph M. Spencer (FMH)
Best personal post: To See face to Face (Kristine)
Best contribution to interfaith dialogue: Joanna Brooks
Is it crass to nominate my own blog and post? Cause I’m gonna. Best humorous post:
http://www.experttextperts.com/2012/09/general-conference-what-are-odds.html
Also, best spiritual post: http://bycommonconsent.com/2012/12/14/all-eternity-shakes-mormonisms-weeping-god/
Best doctrinal post:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/faithpromotingrumor/2012/05/lds-correlated-lessons-and-the-hermeneutical-model-pardes/
Pest personal post:
http://www.experttextperts.com/2012/06/what-is-in-name-faith-of-my-fathers.html
Best solo blog: NDBF, for persistent and dedicated grumpy tilting at windmills
So many things that come to mind are from the last few week and months. I guess that’s why most Oscar-bait movies come out right before the nominations.
All I’m going to do in my comment is make a bunch of write-in categories. Though the bloggernacle would suggest that it’s only about blogs, I think we should take far more into consideration.
So, Wheaties nominations and write-ins:
Best Mormon podcast series
1) Mormon Stories via [http://www.mormonstories.org]
2) Mormon Matters via [http://www.mormonmatters.org]
3) Mormon Expositor via [http://www.mormonexpositor.com]
4) Infants on Thrones via [http://www.infantsonthrones.com]
5) Mormon Stories Sunday School via [http://www.mormonsundayschool.org/]
6) Feminist Mormon Housewives Podcast via [http://feministmormonhousewivespodcast.org/]
Best Mormon Facebook community
1) Mormon Stories Podcast Community
2) Mormon Expression VIP Lounge
3) Feminist Mormon Housewives Society
Best Group Blog
Zelophehad’s Daughters via [http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/]
Best New Blog
Real Intent via [http://realintent.org/]
Tareific Nominations and write-ins
Worst Mormon internet drama
(none of these can really be captured through one link, but I’m too lazy)
1) David Twede/MormonThink Controversy [http://www.sethpayne.com/?p=1161]
2) Daniel Peterson/John Dehlin Rumored Attack Letter [http://www.clobberblog.com/?p=4481] [http://ldsreasonandrevelation.blogspot.com/2012/06/john-delin-dan-peterson-maxwell.html]
3) Ralph Hancock/Joanna Brooks Mormon Liberalism drama [http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2012/04/02/joanna-brooks-ralph-hancock-and-the-book-of-mormon-girl/]
…I will try to post links for all of these things later.
Best historical post: Ben P., “A Historical Note on ‘Unorthodox Mormonism,” http://bycommonconsent.com/2012/08/18/a-historical-note-on-unorthodox-mormonism/
Best Blog comment: BCC – “Great post” or “Thank you”
Best big blog: BCC
Best group blog: Juvenile Instructor
Best solo blog: Ardis Parshall, Keepapitchinin
Best commenter: Thomas Parkin
Best Post Title: Will God and my Good, True, Loving Husband Be Merciful?” The Secret Love Letters of Joseph F. Smith and Susa Young Gates
Best personal post: Gabriel Gomes Fidalgo In His Own Words: Gabriel Gomes Fidalgo, 2012
Best doctrinal post: Jacob B, All Eternity Shakes:Mormonisms Weeping God
Best book/article review: JI’s reviews of Turner’s Brigham Young biography
Well, this is depressing!!! So many good things to read, and so little time. Congrats to ALL nominees.
Also,
Best New Blog:
Worlds Without End, via [http://www.withoutend.org]
Best Overall Blogger: Hawkgrrrl
Best group blog: Wheat and Tares
Best solo blog: [http://irresistibledisgrace.wordpress.com/]
Best overall blogger: Andrew S
Best personal post: Anonymous/Matthew [http://www.dovesandserpents.org/wp/2012/07/gp-joy-therein/]
Best current events post: fmhLisa, [http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org/2012/12/on-nastiness-why-nice-mormons-can-be-so-very-very-mean-about-pants/]
Write-ins:
Best Mormon Podcast – Mormon Expositor
Best Facebook community – Mormon Expression VIP Lounge
Best Social Activism – All Enlisted – Wear Pants to Church Day
Worst Mormon Drama – Daniel Peterson/John Dehlin Rumored Attack Letter/ Death of FARMS [http://www.clobberblog.com/?p=4481] [http://ldsreasonandrevelation.blogspot.com/2012/06/john-delin-dan-peterson-maxwell.html]
Not sure what categories these two might best fit under, Perhaps “Best Definition of Commonly Misused Terms in the Church” or something like that. Anyway, I have two nominations in that category for Mike Ellis, proprietor of the blog “Zomarah,” who has done a phenomenal job of clarifying the correct meaning of terms commonly used by members of the church when they don’t know what the hell they’re talking about:
“What Is The Church?” [http://zomarah.wordpress.com/2011/05/08/what-is-the-church/]
And “Understanding Priesthood Keys.”
[ http://zomarah.wordpress.com/2012/10/26/understanding-priesthood-keys/ ]
I guess I have to nominate one of the comment sections of my own blog, “Pure Mormonism” for Funniest Thread (or would it more accurately be termed “Craziest”?
A reader by the name of Weston Krogstadt took issue first with my suggestion that homeless people could use our help, and later with a certain photograph I had included in my piece to illustrate the issue.
Brother Krogstadt, who describes himself on his own blog (It’s The Mormon-Hater Show!) as a “Hardcore” Mormon, became more and more apoplectic each day as other readers weighed in and failed to take him seriously.
I and many others found Weston’s contributions to the discussion highly entertaining, which was not quite the reaction Weston favored. You can find that thread by going here and starting a word search for “Weston” in the comment section:
[ http://puremormonism.blogspot.com/2012/12/are-we-paying-too-much-tithing.html ]
I would nominate Weston Krogstadt’s personal blog for a Tarefic award, but frankly I have no idea what category it would fit under. Here is how he describes himself on that blog (and keep in mind he is not engaging in self-parody):
“It is I, The Screaming Nephite, The Lone Danite, The Ultimate Alpha Male, The One, The Only, Weston Krogstadt! I am the host and star of the show! I am a valient [sic] defender of the faith. There is no time or room for gray in my life. Let’s face it, you either love me or you hate me, you are either good or evil, your inspiration is coming from the Holy Ghost or Satan. Thank goodness you have found my blog!”
“My name is Weston Krogstadt, and Yes I am an active practicing Mormon. I’m a true believer. Joseph Smith is a true prophet, Jesus is the Christ, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His church. I am Mormon-Hard-Core baby!”
Brother Krogstadt has expressed his intent to “convert all of Cyberspace to the Mormon Church.”
It looks to be an uphill climb.
Rock, I think we need a Tare-ific category for Biggest Cray-Cray Lunatic Commenter Who Isn’t a Troll.
Best contribution in 2012: Joanna Brooks appearing on The Daily Show.
Worst internet drama: Pantspocalypse
Too bad we can’t use the Facebook comments on the Pants page in the tares category. They’d win for sure.
It’s so hard to pick a worst internet drama. There were so many this year…
Why not? Are you nominating them for best out worst?
Well, Facebook’s not a blog, right? It would be for the worse, though it might be hard to pick the worst one. Possibly the one where the guy said we all deserved to be shot in the face point blank.
I think we’re open to including Facebook stuff (especially in light of Andrew’s comments above.) It might go in both worst internet drama and worst comments category. I think it sounds like a Tarefic nomination!
I think I’d like to propose another Tarefic category: Biggest Soapbox commenter. I can think of several: Jon, Will, Dan, Nick Literski, Henry, R Gary. I’m sure there are others, but those were pretty easy off the top of my head.
Best overall blogger: John Hamer, Margaret Young
Funniest Blog: Sistas in Zion
One other question: what’s the difference between “Best big blog” and “Best group blog”?
Guys, I agree that it’s reasonable to make a faithful-friendly award to replace the defunct “Niblets”. Yet, I think it’s a tad impolite to announce your own new awards without even mentioning the existence of the Brodies, which have been gaining steam for four years and are currently in nominations.
Sorry for the mis-step, but thanks for adding the link. I guess I should officially nominate CHanson for her “Best contribution to interfaith dialogue” with the Outer Blogness series.
Maybe you should define “soapbox,” MH, since you evidently think it’s a “terrible” thing?
I’m a comfortable fence-sitter, so I won’t take time to judge all. But I do want to add my second to this nomination:
Best personal post: To See face to Face (Kristine)
Oops, I also wanted to add a Thank You for all the links to the “best of.” It will be fun to jump right to the dessert.
Best blog lay-out/graphics: Doves and Serpents
Write-in category – Best Poetry Column – Psaltery and Lyre (on Doves and Serpents)
Best big blog: BCC
Best group blog: JI
Best humorous blog: Sistas in Zion
Best solo blog: Keepapitchinin (unrivaled)
Best new blog: Real Intent
Best overall blogger: Tracy M. or Hawkgrrrl
Best commenter: Thomas Parkin
Most memorable comment: Mark Brown [http://bycommonconsent.com/2012/02/05/the-super-bowl-of-analogies/#comment-247237]
Funniest thread: “The Super Bowl of Analogies” by Cynthia L. at BCC [http://bycommonconsent.com/2012/02/05/the-super-bowl-of-analogies/]
Best doctrinal post: Jacob – “All Eternity Shakes: Mormonism’s Weeping God”
Best personal post: Kristine – “To See Face to Face”
Best contribution to the Bloggernacle in 2012: Jacob Baker – Incredible year
Best humorous post: Election Reactions Explained by GIFs
Plus, I think a special prize should go to Julie Smith and the Kent Larsen for their posts on BoM. Unbelievably consistent.
Best doctrinal post: The Temple and the tempest by James Olson
Best personal post: Unraveling by Lynette. This made me ache.
Best Humorous post: Elder Uchtdorf to don Burqa by ZD
Most clever name for an awards category: “Tarefic” 🙂
Best big blog: Wheat & Tares
Best group blog: Doves & Serpents / Times & Seasons
Best overall blogger: Hawkgrrrl
Best personal post: Unravelling by Lynnette [http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2012/08/14/unraveling/]
(Though I too am wondering where the cut-off comes for big blog to group blog)
best big blog: FMH!
best contribution to ‘Nacle in 2012: “Forgotten Women” series by Winterbuzz.
Don’t have time for more extensive voting right now!
Best layout: Doves and Serpents
Best contribution to interfaith dialogue: Sara Long/Scott Holley/Mormon Building Bridges for Mormon Pride Parade
Best series/contribution: Forgotten Women of Joseph Smith (Winterbuzz)
Best personal post: Face to Face (Kristine H)
Best Activism: FMH – Temple Baptism Project -leading to church clarification that menstruating women should not be banned from temple baptisms (correcting the 25% of temples stated it was their policy to do so)
Let me just come in and try to explain the difference between big blog and group blog.
Big blogs are sort of a term of art, referring to the biggest of the Bloggernacle group blogs. E.g., traditionally, this has been T&S, BCC, fMh, and perhaps add a few others like Mormon Matters (now Wheat & Tares), etc.,
Group blogs are any blog written by more than one person.
The idea is that while BCC, T&S, W&T, FMH, etc., slug it out in big blog category, other blogs that don’t necessarily have the same traffic can get a chance for recognition in group blogs.
I think that it would be best for us to filter out nominations accordingly, but it takes a bit of judgment since blogs go in and out of traffic.
Ooh…
Best group blog: Exponent II
Just seeing all these blogs I haven’t even heard of yet got me thinking about how much I’m missing. How will I ever get to all of them? And this so far is just a partial list!
I hope to eventually have on my blogroll at Pure Mormonism a more complete listing of those Mormon themed blogs that exhibit a direction similar to my own. So if you are a blogger who embraces the fundamentals of Mormonism yet do not necessarily feel that requires you to idolize Church management, I’d like to know about you. Please email me at RockWaterman@gmai.com.
Rock, I have a few blog aggregators linked from my personal blog, which fits your description, fwiw. If you click on my name, you can check them out. It’s far easier to use what’s been compiled already, and one of them even divides individual blogs into categories that are reasonably accurate.
#41
Thanks, Andrew.
I think I must have split beween those I visit regularly, and those I visit only occasionally. I don’t really know what the traffic is like on any of them…
Best blogger: Mike S
Most humorous post: Poor Rich People (a post I did at BCC). A few people failed to get the satire, but I was amused.
http://bycommonconsent.com/2012/02/28/poor-rich-people/
I got it, Hawkgrrrl! But the real challenge was in trying to tell whether some of the comments were intentionally facetious.
Okay, someone please direct me to Mike S.’s Blog.
Mike S. blogs here at W&T and is famous for his “If I were in Charge” series. Click on his name in the “Authors” link on the right side.
Most missed: faithful dissident and Adam f
Book review: why I stay (by me)
Thanks, Mormon Heretic. Now I remember who he is!
Best blogger: Steven Peck
Best doctrinal post: [ http://bycommonconsent.com/2012/02/29/pride-gross-iniquity-and-suffering-for-ones-sins/%5D
I know it is ineligible because it occurred in 2011, but I’d like to honorably mention Hawkgrrrl’s comment about beards:
February 28, 2011 at 6:38 AM
Blue shirts and goatees are a gateway sin. It’s a slippery slope from there to worshipping Satan and having sex with goats. It could happen.