Latter-Day Saints
Evangelicalism isn’t dying, and Catholics are going Republican
By Jana Riess — March 8, 2022
(RNS) — Sociologist Ryan Burge does some myth-busting about American religion, tackling the narratives that evangelical Christians are in a serious decline, that only lapsed Christians voted for Trump and that people who leave religion also no longer believe in God. All are untrue, he says.
Amid Russian invasion, LDS Church issues generic denunciation of ‘armed conflict’
By Jana Riess — February 28, 2022
(RNS) — The LDS Church’s official 'statement on armed conflict' is well-intentioned but vague; Russia and Ukraine are never even mentioned. This is not the time to be Switzerland.
In Mormonism, yesterday’s heresy is today’s orthodoxy
By Jana Riess — February 25, 2022
(RNS) — In 1973, Mormon author Carol Lynn Pearson's feature article for the 'Ensign' magazine was pulled at the last minute, and she was banned from writing about women for Church publications. What was controversial then has become the party line.
Mormon leader’s apology for racist remarks does not go far enough
By Jana Riess — February 16, 2022
(RNS) — Brad Wilcox, a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has apologized — sort of — for one part of his remarks earlier this month. But it doesn't go far enough.
Softening Mormon patriarchy, one correction at a time
By Jana Riess — January 31, 2022
(RNS) — The LDS Church's addendum to a 1973 'Ensign' article about patriarchy shows some progress in how it conceives of women's roles — and in how it acknowledges the mistakes of its own past.
What Mormon bishops should and should not say in counseling LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saints
By Jana Riess — January 28, 2022
(RNS) — A new study sheds light on the experiences of LGBTQ+ Mormons who seek counsel from Church leaders.
Secularism is not atheism. A new book explains why the distinction is so critical.
By Yonat Shimron — January 25, 2022
(RNS) — At its core, secularism is an approach to governance, writes Jacques Berlinerblau in his new book ‘Secularism: The Basics.’ And critically, it is one many religious people, not just atheists and agnostics, support.
‘Who Killed Joseph Smith?’ and other amateur-hour conspiracy theories
By Jana Riess — January 21, 2022
(RNS) — A new documentary recycles old conspiracies about the murder of Mormon prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum.
The top 10 changes President Russell M. Nelson has made in the LDS church
By Jana Riess — January 18, 2022
(RNS) — While many Mormons — including me — expected a Nelson presidency to be staid and uneventful, it’s been full of pleasant surprises.
Indigenous Mormons struggle to balance pride in the faith with LDS history
By Diana Kruzman — January 11, 2022
(RNS) — Some are calling out historical injustices the church has carried out against Native Americans, even as others find their faith empowering.
COVID outbreak reported at Mormon missionary training center
By Associated Press — December 31, 2021
PROVO, Utah (AP) — All 588 missionaries at the Provo, Utah missionary training center were tested and a total of 91 tested positive.
Idaho sheriff, charged with felonies, must surrender guns
By Associated Press — December 31, 2021
BLACKFOOT, Idaho (AP) — An eastern Idaho sheriff accused of threatening a church youth group with a gun can stay on the job but must surrender his firearms.
Harry Reid remembered as a fighter, skilled Senate dealmaker
By Ken Ritter and Laurie Kellman — December 29, 2021
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Reid died Tuesday at 82 after a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer and was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
How religious are Gen Z Mormons in the US? The results are mixed.
By Jana Riess — December 27, 2021
(RNS) — Gen Z Mormons attend church and youth activities, but many say they've been harmed by religion.
What partnership looks like in Mormon marriages is shifting – slowly
By Caroline Kline — December 14, 2021
(The Conversation) — LDS leaders still stress that men should ‘preside’ over their families. But in recent years, messages about marriage have stressed more equal partnership.
