Glenn Beck is arguably the most influential, popular, well-know Mormon man in America. However, Beck does not want to take on the roll of being any kind of spokesperson for the Mormon Church. Since Beck has gained prominence on CNN, I've been wondering if and when the L.D.S church would offer homage to Beck by perhaps making him a master of ceremonies at at their annual Christmas show, (like they did with Walter Cronkite and Mike Wallace and Gladys Knight). The L.D.S Church hasn't paid formal recognition of Beck but on last Sunday the LDS-church-owned Deseret News wrote and in-depth story on Beck. The story is comprehensive and partially reveals how one man can barn-storm the three major mediums of media all in one year.

Beck has the third-most-listened-to talk radio program in America. Beck has one of the most popular television news programs on CNN and now Beck has the New York Times number one best selling book- "An Inconvenient Book." Beck has risen to media prominence by a very atypical path. He never attended Cornell or Harvard. He has never taken a journalism class, and he doesn't claim to be a journalist. In fact Beck does not have a College Degree. But what he does have is tenacity, sincerity and energy. Three traits that have taken him far. Beck's opinions and conclusions are found by seeking truth to the ultimate end.

Glenn Beck, is a recovering alcoholic who became a Mormon after doing a search of religions and a study of philosophy. Mr. Beck hasn't yet offered a reason why he believes the Mormon church to be true. Back hasn't born his testimony on-air. But maybe this is part of what adds to Mr. Beck's appeal.

Unlike local Mormon radio personally Bob Lonsberry, Mr. Beck doesn't maintain the "holier than thou" attitude. Mr. Beck doesn't claim to have all the answers to God, faith and religion like Lonsberry. Mr. Beck doesn't maintain an fake gentleness and "God loves me cause I'm Mormon" attitude as Lonsberry does. I criticize Lonsberry brutally here, which is something I don't take lightly but my criticism is justified:

Five years ago Lonsberry claimed Muslims were in going to destroy America with their doctrine of Jihad. I called Lonsberry on his assertion, telling him that there are approximately 10,000 Bosnian Muslims (non-Arab and white) living in Salt Lake City, none of which have extreme fanatical beliefs. I know this because I've have met many Bosnians in Salt Lake City. These Bosnians were systematically persecuted and thousands were killed as their Serbian (Christian Orthodox) neighbors determined it would be best to murder all Bosnian Muslims in the early 1990s.

These refugees love the United States and the opportunities we offer that no other country on earth would. As I was speaking, Lonsberry silenced my phone line and proceeded to rant that I didn't know what I was talking about. Of course its always easiest to point the finger at something larger than an individual when tragedy occurs as it did in the Sulejman Talovic Trolley Square massacre. And again the Muslim faith was pointed out as the first cause.

Unlike Lonsberry, Beck is not causing irreputable harm by making enemies out of Muslims: for this I'm greatful he is popular and Lonsberry is not.

Without any formal journalism training Beck is doing a much better job of attempting to find answers to difficult questions that most of the media shy away from. Beck tackles issues such as: border control, muslim extremism, the War on Terror, Iran global warming, and even economics. Beck sometimes sounds like Chicken Little and arrives at some earth shattering conclusions. However, Beck always demonstrates to viewers how he has arrived at his conclusions. He then discusses his conclusions with experts in the field. His show, unlike the O'Reilly Factor, Harball or Chris Mathews, doesn't pin guests positions against each other with two minute shouting matches. As a radio personality Beck is quirky but fair with callers and respects all positions and allows for dissenting opinions.

Glenn Beck is often self-deprecating, he stands in awe of what God has done with his life. He practices his faith with an olive branch rather than a sword. Glenn Beck is a steller example of not just a Mormon but anyone who wants to practice truth-seeking in our world today. Veritable truth-seeking is the most genuine method for helping democracy to thrive.