"We need a quote and we need it now!"

Adelle often gets a call from the Lodi News-Sentinel saying they would like a quote from a local church leader on a particular story they are working on. We get NO notice. They need it within a few hours. We need to have instant access to someone in the stake presidency, and also be able to offer them some ideas on a potential quote.

At our August meeting we decided to be prepared for what would surely be a story on Amendment 8, and have some things ready to go. Last week we got the call, but it wasn't Amendment 8. They wanted to know what we thought about Sarah Palin being nominated for vice president on the Republican ticket. Frankly I was a little thrown off by this unexpected request. Adelle and I talked it over and decided that even though the church doesn't endorse any candidate, there were some good points that could be made.

Adelle was able to reach Pres. Cook on his cell phone and he gave her some thoughts, which she translated into a quote. She sent me the quote by email and I edited it, and we met our deadline for the newspaper. We're hoping we still get the call for Amendment 8 because we're ready!

Here is Pres. Cook's part of the story:

"While the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints doesn't endorse candidates as a matter of policy, church leaders are always excited about candidates with strong family values," said Jim Cook, Lodi Stake President. "Sarah Palin appears to be just such a person," Cook said. "I believe her strong work ethic, her sense of fairness and her can-do attitude will be a great asset to John McCain and the nation, should they be elected."