Is Chuck Norris's pen -- his keyboard, really -- mightier than his roundhouse kickfi The former star of "Walker, Texas Ranger," who's become something of a spokesman for conservative values in recent years, has spoken out again.

In an editorial posted Jan. 22 at WorldNetDaily, Norris lays out his case for ending abortion altogether and encourages readers to adopt a three-part creed that affirms the sanctity of life and the importance of forgiveness while declaring that abortion is morally repugnant and contrary to the will of God.

The 66-year-old actor discusses his involvement in an extramarital affair and states that he's grateful the mother of his daughter, Dina, chose to carry the pregnancy to term.

"There might be illegitimate parents in the world," Norris says. "I know because I was one, but there are not illegitimate children. God has a plan and purpose for each of our lives."

Norris is a regular contributor to WorldNetDaily. His columns can be read online at: www.wnd.com/news/archives.aspfiAUTHOR_ID=274.

State of Utah and LDS Church enhance archive of death certificates

There's a new online resource for genealogists and people interested in researching their family tree.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced late last month that a recent collaboration between church-owned FamilySearch.org, the Genealogical Society of Utah and the Utah State Archives and Records Services has improved access to state-issued death certificates.

The state's online index, which lists more than 250,000 individual certificates, now includes free digital images of death certificates issued between 1905 and 1954.

Individuals can access the information online at: historyresearch.utah.gov/indexes/index.html.

A death certificate can be an informational gold mine for family history researchers, as it typically includes the deceased's place and date of birth, marital status, occupation, permanent residence, place and date of burial, and time and cause of death. The names and birthplaces of the deceased's parents also are listed.

Mary Magdalene subject of seminar at SLC library

The Salt Lake City Film Center and the University of Utah's J. Willard Marriott Library will conduct a special seminar entitled "Secrets of Mary Magdalene" on Sunday at the Salt Lake City Public Library.

The title of the seminar is also the title of an anthology published in August whose contributors include Utah resident and former Latter-day Saint Maxine Hanks, who will be present at the seminar. A DVD released with the anthology will be screened at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., with a moderated discussion to follow at 3 p.m.

The Salt Lake City Public Library is located at 210 E. 400 South in Salt Lake City.

-- Cody Clark

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page B2.