WASHINGTON (RNS) As Mitt Romney presses his White House bid, many Americans don't realize that his Mormon faith played an important role as foil in the early days of the GOP, and how its first candidates won by whipping up anti-Mormon sentiments. By Thomas Burr.

CHESNAY, France (RNS) With 36,000 members and a history stretching back to the1850s, France's Mormon community is among the biggest and oldest in Europe. But while Mormons in the U.S. bask in the so-called "Mormon moment," French Mormons are facing stiff opposition in their bid to build the country's first Mormon temple. By Elizabeth Bryant.

(RNS) Across the religious landscape, tithing is often preached but rarely realized.  Research into church donations shows a wide range of giving, with Mormons among the most generous relative to income, conservative Christians next, followed by mainline Protestants and Catholics last. By Bruce Nolan.

SALT LAKE CITY (RNS)  "The problem is not so much the discovery of particular details that are deal breakers for the faithful; the problem is a loss of faith and trust in an institution that was less than forthcoming to begin with."

(RNS) Lauren Markoe talks with Mormon writer Joanna Brooks about why she can't vote for Mitt Romney, why Americans are weirded out by Mormonism and how her interfaith marriage will affect the afterlife.

(RNS) Suddenly, America's abuzz about Mormonism's "gold plates and magic underwear," says Terryl Givens, a professor of religion at the University of Richmond. Mormon ways are little-known, yet many Americans are suspicious of them. Why? Cathy Lynn Grossman reports.