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David mania: Thousands turn out to salute Archuleta

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Bob Tutwiler | 9:23 a.m. May 9, 2008

Well done my boy! Keep doing what you love.

Charlene | 9:24 a.m. May 9, 2008

Welcome Home, David. We love watching you and as a Murray resident are very happy with the way you represent us. May the Lord continue to bless you as you bless the lives of so many others.

Paul B | 9:25 a.m. May 9, 2008

"One student asked Archuleta, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whether he planned to serve a two-year mission for the faith. Archuleta responded that it was something he planned to do if he wasn't still doing music. 'I feel like I'm serving a mission right now in a way,' he said."

Nope, not even close to the same thing.

Smells like teen sell-out.

Comments continue below

Go Jazz! | 9:26 a.m. May 9, 2008

A little fame definatley cures getting rejected to sing the national anthem. It will be good to hear someone who can sing, not some wife of a rich businessman thats paying someone off to get the chance to sing the anthem poorly, which always seems to be the case when I make it to a Jazz game in person.

Anonymous | 9:30 a.m. May 9, 2008

I don't know what big deal is. Personally Im not a fan of him and Im sure there are others that feel the same as me. How come he gets all this attention when Carmen Rassmusen and Sabra from "So You Think You Can Dance" didnt? I dont think its fair to acknowledge what he has done and exclude them.

Dan | 9:46 a.m. May 9, 2008

Go David!

Anonymous | 9:55 a.m. May 9, 2008

Don't ask a seventeen year old about a mission...they still need time to decide...also with all that he's been going through right now. I think his answer was good.

To: Anonymous at 9:30 | 10:02 a.m. May 9, 2008

Because he has talent...

Ryan | 10:05 a.m. May 9, 2008

Paul B,

You wrote: "Nope, not even close to the same thing.
Smells like teen sell-out."

President Monson didn't serve a mission. Neither did Joseph Smith... sometimes ones life is a mission itself. Archuleta is willingly giving his life to serve. Some people have special gifts and callings. Archuleta has always wanted to use his gift to spread the gospel.

Big Deal | 10:05 a.m. May 9, 2008

Hey Anonymous,

It is a BIG DEAL because David has made it to the Top 3 of the biggest show in television. American Idol allows their Top 3 to return home and it allows Murray, Salt Lake City and Utah in general to be spotlighted on the big stage. It is free advertising for the area, so that's why they are making the most of it. This is national exposure they are receiving. For the other two contestants, it would have just been a local party.

keep your eye on him | 10:06 a.m. May 9, 2008

Keep your eye on David Archuleta....

I will be amazed that in the end, if he will not be destroyed by this kind of popularity.

It is more than most can handle....

Nancy | 10:11 a.m. May 9, 2008

David - You WILL touch many lives through your music that you never would be able to on a mission. Of course, you need to go with your heart on what is the best option for you. You are blessed with this great talent, don't bury it!!

I get chills when I hear you sing!!

Anonymous | 10:19 a.m. May 9, 2008

"One student asked Archuleta, a member of The "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whether he planned to serve a two-year mission for the faith. Archuleta responded that it was something he planned to do if he wasn't still doing music. 'I feel like I'm serving a mission right now in a way,' he said."

Nope, not even close to the same thing.

Smells like teen sell-out."

So, I guess Donny Osmond and Steve Young were sell-outs, too?

Personally, I believe you can be in the public eye and be a good representative of your faith by living your faith and being a good example. I'm sure there were people who investigated the LDS faith because Donny and Steve were "good, moral people".

David is an amazing talent and he deserves the success he's worked so hard for.

Anonymous | 10:19 a.m. May 9, 2008

Paul B: If it's good enough for Donny Osmond, then it's good enough for this guy.

Who Cares... | 10:21 a.m. May 9, 2008

Irrelevant...

Paula Smith | 10:22 a.m. May 9, 2008

We're cheering for you in Las Vegas. I teach high
school and I showed my students some of your performances. They were so impressed. Stay the way you are.

Dear anonymous | 10:22 a.m. May 9, 2008

I'll tell you why. Every single year the top three contestants go back to there home town for a big celebration so that they can show it on next weeks episode. They do it every year. If you think American Idol didn't plan every single stop he's making today, your wrong. Had Carmen made it a little further, they would have done it for her too, but she only made top six.

Cheddar | 10:22 a.m. May 9, 2008

To: Anonymous, Gimme a break! Carmen did a respectable job, but what David has done this year clearly surpasses that. And AI certainly has more national interest than the other two dance shows.

Either way, it's great to see him doing well. If he chooses to bypass a church mission to pursue a career in music, SO WHAT! Many athletes have done it and they seem to be able to live fulfilling lives. I don't think he's going to be less of a person by making that choice. However, I am sure many in Ut County feel otherwise.

Honor Academics | 10:25 a.m. May 9, 2008

Show business is surely a worthy profession. We would be ahead however if the attention we give to people to excell at show and sports were given to excellence in academics.

Math education has floundered in recent years. Lets toughen up standards and give honor those who achieve, rather than dumb down standards which helps no one.

Re: Paul B | 10:27 a.m. May 9, 2008

That's 21,900 not 21,900 thousand. My bad.

Kayelin | 10:28 a.m. May 9, 2008

YOU ARE SO HOT

Susan | 10:45 a.m. May 9, 2008

It can be a mission . . if you do it right . . just don't let the "fame" spoil your goodness. Remember where this beautiful, amazing talent came from and use it for His purposes. You are truly GIFTED!

Camille | 10:48 a.m. May 9, 2008

WAY TO GO DAVID!! I watched the show this morning, I think he did a great job fielding the questions. I'm sure it's not an easy task for one so young to do. And to Anonymous at 9:30am: It's a BIG DEAL for Utah! Even though you may not think so but dont' respond for "others" cause alot of people here in his hometown and state are cheering him on!!
And to Paul B: Sharing ones gift of singing is an awesome mission in itself!!

MoJules | 11:11 a.m. May 9, 2008

#1. I wouldn't want to be the first to cast a stone at David is he doesn't serve a mission, his music goes right to the soul. I would bet that he will do a church CD at some point and there are fans that will be moved and touched by the music, and not just teens.
#2. I don't think that Carmon was in the top three, I didn't follow that year, this is something that Idol does, if you follow the show, they always send the top three home for a day and the towns put on quite the fan fare. That is not something that they do on Dancing or any of the other shows. So this is Idol doing it, not Utah.
#3. I think that as innocent as David is, his father is no dummy and being a minor, his father is the one that is staying close by. I believe that David in many ways is saver than the 18 year old kids because of that. Note to father, keep Ryan a safe distance from David, this last show, Ryan just kind of made me feel uncomfortable.
#4. David, you have something, good luck.

James | 11:16 a.m. May 9, 2008

Where do I vote that stories like this aren't NEWS?

Kevin | 11:43 a.m. May 9, 2008

I agree that sometimes a mission can be fulfilled in other ways. If it were not for the Osmonds, my wife would not have been introduced to the Church when she was 14. We just celebrated our 27th anniversary after meeting at BYU. Am I ever glad that Donny did not serve a full-time mission and was able to inspire my wife the way he did. Because of the Osmond's music and the way they lived their lives, my wife sought out the Church and ultimately joined which led her to BYU where we met.

Mc | 11:52 a.m. May 9, 2008

To James:
When thousands of people travel from all around to see someone here, it IS news, even if it isn't interesting to you.

watevvvvaa | 12:07 p.m. May 9, 2008

haha u guys are all crazzy...he is MORE THEN AMAZING

pk | 12:17 p.m. May 9, 2008

davids so hotttt

to: James | 12:19 p.m. May 9, 2008

You vote by not reading it, and then furthering it's popularity by posting about it.

TO JAMES | 12:27 p.m. May 9, 2008

If you don't think this story is NEWS then you need to pull your head out! American Idol is one of the biggest shows watched in the country! To be in the top 3 is HUGE. It's good to see there is something positive in the news for a change. Do you consider news to be only negative happenings? HAH. It's a good thing the world isn't made up of people entirely like you. GO DAVID !

To James as well! | 12:29 p.m. May 9, 2008

First you don't vote. Second who said good news wasn't NEWS!

go DAVID | 12:33 p.m. May 9, 2008

Go David. We'll be cheerin for you at the Jazz game! Hope they play as good as you can sing! Then we would win for sure!

Katrina! | 12:35 p.m. May 9, 2008

We love you DAVID! WAHOOOO! We'll keep up our voting! DAVID ARCHULETA!!!!! AMERICAN IDOL 2008!

Songer family | 12:36 p.m. May 9, 2008

We love you David! You have such a wonderful opportunity to show people what kind of person "Mormons" are. Thanks for representing the church in such a good and positive way! Keep that mission in mind. It will only bless your life!

Cheri | 12:45 p.m. May 9, 2008

This is the best kind of news. It is positive and uplifting. Like David himself. I am so proud of him, and know he will go far in his career. He is a wonderful young man, and an inspiration to many.

PapaCorn | 1:01 p.m. May 9, 2008

Like an Obama appearance? Oh please.

Aged Fan | 1:04 p.m. May 9, 2008

I first rooted for David at a company Christmas party.
I'll Never be able to get that close to him again.
If like Donny he can maintain is genuine goodness, maybe he can date a Fan (fan club prize) like Donny and that girl will join the Church (My sister in Law). His music can be his mission if "He" makes it that and it will last a whole lot longer than 2 yrs

Brick Tamaland | 1:03 p.m. May 9, 2008

What happened to truancy laws? He should be in school. What will he do when his 15 minutes are up and he has no education?

To Papacorn | 1:36 p.m. May 9, 2008

It's obvious from your comment that you disapprove of the comparison between this event and the political campaign. Unfortunately for our political process, it's highly likely that more people watch American Idol than will vote this fall. So, yeah, this is just as big as an Obama appearance, at least for those attending.

Anonymous | 1:50 p.m. May 9, 2008

To Brick Tamaland:

In an interview on the show David was asked what has been fun to do when the group is together. His response was that he wasn't getting to do many things he was doing school with his school teacher-Tutor. He is doing school work much like a home school child does. Plus he is getting an education in social science that the majority of children will never experience.

Good Job for the boy. He is an entertaining with great ability as a singer.

Mission? | 1:53 p.m. May 9, 2008

If he has a long and fruitful career (like the Osmonds), and stays true to his principles, his mission will be much longer than 2 years. Donny continues to be a great missionary for his Church. I got chills when he was on Oprah and the testimony he bore on national TV.

Miche | 1:56 p.m. May 9, 2008

David attends school. He had to leave the mall to go to school. The law required him to do 3 hours of school work a day. (I saw a post somebody saying tuancy laws) lol some people!! Im so proud of him

Watch the show first!!! | 1:59 p.m. May 9, 2008

You know, there are some really big stick in the mud people that post here. They will say some really negative things, thinking that Utah is being so silly or that it is all about Mormons or what have you. If people would watch the show, they would know that the final three return to their home town, they would also know that those in high school spend three hours a day in doing school work. Can we say Jordan Sparks, she was the same age as David. You know, if some people get enjoyment out of a young man and his wonderful voice, let them enjoy it, go off and enjoy what you do and we won't be a stick in the mud for you.

Krudd | 2:00 p.m. May 9, 2008

It's just cool to see a guy from my home town being so popluar...........and humble.................and Talented.
Im a fan.........

Charles | 2:01 p.m. May 9, 2008

My Lord, how does the discussion of a teen idol and talent erode in to a political, and educational issue. If there were ever a time when the phrase "lighten Up" fit the bill, this is it.

Everyone needs to get out and vote like crazy for David Archuleta. David Cook does NOT deserve to win this title! David Archuleta has an original sound. It's the sort of thing one hears when music is being played and someone, without knowing the tract, says, "Ah, that's David Archuleta". That rarely would happen with the likes of David Cook. This is a talent and a potential superstar. Give it up for Archie!

To: Brick Tamaland | 2:00 p.m. May 9, 2008

David is getting an education. He's being privately tutored.

It is a law and American Idol makes sure of it. Which goes to show David's the man! He has to learn all the songs and everything the other singers do, with their skits and whatever. But, he also has to complete his schooling each day. He balances it all.

Carmen and the other High Schoolers had to do the same thing.

David also mentioned this morning on FOX 13 that he'd still like to go to college, because he said he knew that this probably wouldn't last forever.

The kids got a level head. I wish him well.

Clay | 2:03 p.m. May 9, 2008

Betcha Clay is Aiken when he sees David stealing the Idol spotlight

Anonymous | 2:21 p.m. May 9, 2008

What happened to truancy laws? He should be in school. What will he do when his 15 minutes are up and he has no education?
-------------------------------------------------

He is keeping up with his school work. He has to complete assignments daily.

Do you say this to/about students who are home-schooled?

He will make more money in a year than most people will make in a life time. He can always go back to college if he gets bored. If you have been in a college classrom, you would know that people of all ages attend college. He has to take the success as it comes. Looks like it has come.

Really the same? | 2:21 p.m. May 9, 2008

Wow, it scares me how many people here are willing to buy this "his singing is his mission" nonsense. Utahns really are more fame-smitten than I thought they were. I can't believe the people posting on this message board (usually the strictest of mormons) can't see the double standard they're applying to David. Singing is not a mission. Period.

Now, I'm not saying that David isn't doing good things. I'm not saying that his singing isn't meaningful and moving to some people. I'm not saying that his singing won't help introduce people to the Church; in fact, it will, and probably in large numbers. But, that does not mean he is somehow relieved of his responsibility to serve a mission.

Just imagine how many more people would be impressed by and interested in the Church if David were to interrupt his career and serve a mission. The number of people that would join the Church as a result of that decision alone (not to mention his actual proselytizing efforts) would far surpass the number of people who would become interested in (and hopefully join) the Church otherwise.

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