INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (RNS) Few places have greater historic and religious significance to Mormons than Missouri. Likewise few places have been the site of greater Mormon conflict. By Tim Townsend.

NEW ORLEANS (RNS) Faith-based ministries say it's already clear that the recovery from Hurricane Isaac will proceed without the national outpouring of money and volunteers triggered by Hurricane Katrina. "From our point of view, the biggest challenge with this disaster will be getting attention and money," said Gordon Wadge, president of Catholic Charities. By Bruce Nolan.

DAVIESS COUNTY, Mo. (RNS) To non-Mormons, it sounds odd that a bluff on a bend 124 feet above the Grand River represents to 15 million faithful both the beginning and end of human time. Mormon doctrine makes reference to the place as the site where Adam and Eve went after God banished them from the Garden of Eden. It's also regarded as a gathering place for the faithful at the second coming of Jesus Christ. By Tim Townsend.

WASHINGTON (RNS) Mormon leaders say the church is not attempting to sway members to support Mitt Romney after an email surfaced suggesting to Mormon leaders in Nevada to register the faithful to vote and named a contact person who appears to support Romney. By Thomas Burr.

SALT LAKE CITY (RNS)  For Mormon historian Don Bradley, the search for truth about Joseph Smith led to disaffection, alienation and, finally, devotion to the faith's founder. By Peggy Fletcher Stack.

SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) Maybe now, reporters, bloggers, outsiders and even many Mormons will accept that the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not forbid drinking cola. By Peggy Fletcher Stack.

(RNS) Mitt Romney says in a new interview that one of the reasons he’s distressed about disclosing his tax returns is that everyone sees how much money he and his wife, Ann, have donated to the LDS church, and that’s a number he wants to keep private. By Thomas Burr.

(RNS) President Obama doesn’t think it’s his job to defend his Christian faith against doubters who suspect he’s a secret Muslim. His GOP challenger, Mitt Romney, says religion is “integral” to his life, even as he avoids mentioning his Mormon faith by name. By Daniel Burke.

SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) While some Mormon feminists want access to the all-male priesthood and others see it as blasphemy, a third group of Mormon women crave a more engaged and visible role for women in the church that respects history and doesn't compromise doctrine. By Peggy Fletcher Stack.

(RNS) As he competes against a Mormon in the presidential election, President Obama has appointed the first Mormon member of his White House faith-based council. By Daniel Burke 

(RNS) Most Americans who know that Mitt Romney is Mormon say the presumptive GOP nominee’s faith doesn’t concern them. But a new poll indicates there may be an “enthusiasm gap” for Romney among white evangelicals. By Daniel Burke.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) Every year, the Southern Baptist Convention and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spend tens of millions of dollars to spread their takes on Christianity. They rely heavily on thousands of faithful volunteers willing to spread out across the country to share their faith. By Bob Smietana.

(RNS) Stephen Mansfield, an evangelical author on the faith of politicians, has turned his attention to Mormons in his latest book, “The Mormonizing of America.” By Adelle M. Banks.

(RNS) The Mormon church is lashing back at a business magazine that parodied their prophet’s mission and portrayed the church as lucratively rich but miserly with charitable donations. By Daniel Burke.

SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) As Americans celebrate the nation's founding, some Mormons may outdo their neighbors this week in fireworks, fanfare and frenzy to express their outsized patriotism. Other Mormons caution against linking political perspectives on American exceptionalism to specific theology or teachings. Peggy Fletcher Stack.