We know the primary school version . . . but where did Thanksgiving really come from? And why did it take more than 200 years for it to become a national holiday?

On December 15, Mormon feminists will wear pants and the color purple as signs of their commitment to the full flourishing of LDS women.

The way Pope Francis has re-energized the Roman Catholic Church in just eight months is nothing short of astonishing. What might Mormon leaders learn from this example?

It's easy to lash out in an immature fashion when we feel we've been unfairly judged. I've got three strategies for dealing with this, the last one inspired by President Lincoln.

My college classmate Ji Hyang Padma, now a Zen leader, walks beginners through the first steps of meditation practice in "Living the Season."

While the predatory sexual behavior of this bishop occurred in his home and car, and not in the church building, Mormon cultural practice certainly paved the way for him to have time alone with his victims. Our controversial practice of sending teenagers alone into a room with a bishop for an “interview” that can include questions about sexual behavior gives teens the message that they are not fully in charge of their bodies. Moreover, our religion’s emphasis on obeying those in authority leaves little room to resist when leaders abuse their trust.

Our culture tries to tell us over and over again that having more things will give us more freedom, but the reverse is true.

Guest blogger Stephen Carter says every writer's dream is to find "an unexplored mine of myth and metaphor that you can dig in to forever." His suggestion? Try the Book of Mormon.

Thank you, thank you to all the people who have followed The Twible from its beginnings as a quirky little Twitter novelty to its fruition as a full-fledged book. The book is out today!

Recent controversies about offensive content in books has me wondering how the Bible would fare under the same standards. Incest? Check. Rape? Check. Bestiality? Check . . .

It's a painful reality for Mormon parents (and all religious parents) that sometimes, their children leave the faith. A new book from Oxford draws on a 35-year study to suggest ways to keep them in the fold.

Guest blogger Geoff Thatcher takes me to task for my post about Mormons not doing enough congregational community service. Not so, he says; the examples are all around us.

"Trauma cancer" isn't a real medical diagnosis, but it is certainly an emotional one. It's a reminder of how quickly our lives can change. And the changes are irrevocable as the stuff of nightmares becomes our new, unwelcome waking truth.

It's one thing to disagree with LDS leaders, and to speak plainly and pointedly about the reasons why. It's another to be unfair, inflammatory, and even cruel.

Some American evangelicals have engaged in vociferous hand-wringing about the spiritual dangers of Halloween. By contrast, Mormons seem to adore the holiday. What gives?