Latter-Day Saints
A religiously diverse Edmonton hosts Pope Francis’ visit
By Peter Smith — July 26, 2022
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — In a sign of cross-religious cooperation, volunteers to help with Pope Francis’ visit have come from the local Muslim community, the Salvation Army and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Utah’s Pioneer Day celebrates Mormons’ trek west – but there’s a lot more to the history of Latter-day Saints and migration
By Jeffrey Turner — July 22, 2022
(The Conversation) — The Utah holiday is a reflection of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ slowly changing identity, a historian of Mormonism and migration writes.
Mormon founder Joseph Smith’s photo discovered by descendant after nearly 180 years
By Jana Riess — July 21, 2022
(RNS) — A great-great-grandson of Joseph Smith Jr. found the Mormon prophet’s photo tucked inside a locket passed down for generations.
Oh, now I get it: Purging the word ‘Mormon’ is a bid for the mainstream
By Jana Riess — July 14, 2022
(RNS) — I’m still not a fan of the attempt to purge ‘Mormon’ from our vocabularies, but it makes sense as a piece of the larger assimilation puzzle.
Hulu’s ‘Mormon No More’ rings true
By Jana Riess — July 1, 2022
(RNS) — While not perfect, 'Mormon No More' is a heartfelt docuseries that skillfully centers the painful experiences of LGBTQ Latter-day Saints.
Mormons now look liberal on abortion — by not changing
By Jana Riess — June 29, 2022
(RNS) — The GOP has swung so far to the right that Mormons’ nuanced abortion stance, once commonly accepted by fellow conservatives, now looks liberal by comparison.
LGBTQ youth of faith retell their stories to inspire others
By Luis Andres Henao — June 27, 2022
(AP) — 'I want to show that these identities aren’t a contradiction and for younger people to know that there’s hope,' said Hodak, who in addition to Beloved Arise belongs to another group, Jewish Queer Youth.
How Mormons are sabotaging marriage and the family
By Jana Riess — June 24, 2022
(RNS) — People rightly object to the hot-wife-as-reward fallacy; it’s sexist, shallow and theologically bankrupt. But here’s another objection I haven’t heard raised: This is a surefire way to torpedo a marriage before it even begins.
In Mormon Utah, LGBTQ Pride celebrations meet a desperate need
By Jana Riess — June 10, 2022
(RNS) — Pride celebrations are taking off in Utah. They may be more needed there than just about anywhere else in the country.
I support gun control laws as a doctor and a father — and a Mormon
By Jana Riess — May 27, 2022
(RNS) — From Joseph Smith to Russell Nelson, LDS leaders have provided a rationale for gun control.
‘Under the Banner of Heaven’ raises the question: Are Mormons dangerous?
By Jana Riess — May 25, 2022
(RNS) — If ‘Banner’ undermines its own credibility by only presenting the horrific side of Mormonism’s founding, the contemporary LDS church undermines its credibility by ignoring the dangers of religiously inspired violence.
Even abortion foes will help friends who choose to end a pregnancy
By Bob Smietana — May 9, 2022
(RNS) — Americans hold complicated views on abortion — with many seeing it as immoral but necessary. And they often help out friends who choose abortion.
Heavenly Mother, are you really there?
By Jana Riess — May 6, 2022
(RNS) — I worry that Elder Renlund's advice not to speculate about her will result in some LDS church members thinking that it’s not permissible to speak of her at all.
A more inclusive Mormon Family Home Evening
By Jana Riess — May 2, 2022
(RNS) — If one parent isn't LDS anymore but a couple still wants to hold Family Home Evening, using the church's own curriculum can cause conflict. Enter Uplift Kids.
Faithful Mormons won’t be happy with Hulu’s ‘Under the Banner of Heaven’
By Jana Riess — April 25, 2022
(RNS) — Despite excellent performances and production values, Hulu's 'Banner' left me with the same wary bewilderment I felt after reading Jon Krakauer’s book.
