Mormon

Student reporters at BYU-Idaho allegedly pressured not to publish negative stories
(RNS) — Student reporters a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints college were told not to ‘poke the bear’ by publishing stories criticizing school policy, according to a leaked recording of an editorial meeting.

New LDS domain name may spark brand war over ‘Church of Jesus Christ’
SALT LAKE CITY — Along with dropping the ‘Mormon’ nickname, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has changed its website from ldschurch.org to churchofjesuschrist.org.

Latter-day Saints, NAACP collaborating on inner-city initiative
(RNS) — Leaders of the two groups met in Salt Lake City earlier this month to continue hashing out plans for an ‘education and employment initiative’ to be started in cities from Baltimore to San Francisco.

Mormon leader: Nicknames for faith are ‘victory for Satan’
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Addressing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ twice-yearly conference in Salt Lake City, church president Russell M. Nelson said the church’s name ‘is not negotiable.’

I’m a Mormon! But I’m not supposed to call myself that anymore.
Yesterday, the church that invested millions in its Meet the Mormons movie and exports its Mormon Tabernacle Choir as its ambassador to the world asked us all to stop using the word “Mormon.”
Church president: Use ‘Latter-day Saints,’ not ‘Mormon’
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The terms ‘Mormon,’ ‘Mormonism’ and ‘LDS’ have been frequently used for decades to refer to the Utah-based faith that counts 16 million members worldwide.

East African Mormons look forward to a Nairobi temple
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Construction of a temple — a setting for key Mormon blessings allowed nowhere else — is a sign that the church has established strong roots in a region.
At the Olympics, thousands of missionaries compete for souls
PYEONGCHANG, South Korea (RNS) — Teams of Christians — Baptists, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses and more — aim to save souls at the Winter Games.

Romney postpones announcement on Senate race after shooting
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Romney, one of the most famous Mormons, is widely liked and respected in Utah, which is heavily Mormon.

Mormons pay tribute to LDS leader Monson
SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) — Thomas S. Monson, considered a prophet by the 16-million-member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died Jan. 2 at age 90 after months of declining health.

Mormons expect more of the same with a new church leader
(RNS) — ‘I can’t imagine at all anything crazy happening with the switch of a new prophet, just like there hasn’t been in the past,’ said Al Carraway, a popular Mormon blogger.

Mormons after Monson: What comes next?
(RNS) — History shows that the transition to a new leader can mean significant change for a global faith still defining its relationship with the wider world. (Commentary)

LGBT-affirming Christians are more emboldened than ever
(RNS) — ‘A spate of recent events suggests that LGBT-affirming voices within religious communities are more emboldened and confident than ever,’ writes Jacob Lupfer. (COMMENTARY)

Mormons and the Boy Scouts: Heading down different trails
(RNS) — ‘Separation from the BSA will allow the church to continue distinct programs for boys and girls, each designed to train the next generation in their designated gender roles,’ writes Benjamin Park.

A new Mormon offshoot movement is growing, but can it last?
(Salt Lake Tribune) — Denver Snuffer’s Remnant movement, which plans to canonize a new set of scriptures in Boise this week, is drawing away Mormons with the mantra: ‘God can talk to you, too.’ But will these freewheeling fellowships last?