Religion

For 2 centuries, Latter‑day Saints have revered religious freedom — but their definition is evolving

Benjamin Park & Nicholas Shrum | The Conversation — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000

On Sunday, July 5, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is encouraging its American members to participate in a special fast: a day to “express gratitude for religious liberty and to pray that it be strengthened throughout the world,” in the words of its top three leaders.

Vatican excommunicates breakaway group in biggest Catholic schism in 156 years

Elisabetta Povoledo | The New York Times — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 12:00:01 +0000

Verbania, Italy • The Vatican on Thursday excommunicated the clergy of a breakaway conservative faction of the Catholic Church, as well as any worshippers who do not leave the group. The expulsion came a day after the faction’s leaders defied a personal plea from Pope Leo XIV and consecrated four new bishops without his permission.

Latest from Mormon Land: What Joseph Smith didn’t like about the Constitution

David Noyce — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:00:01 +0000

The Mormon Land newsletter is The Salt Lake Tribune’s weekly highlight reel of news in and about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Join us on Patreon to receive ad-free podcast episodes, the full newsletter and access to all of our religion content.

Pete Hegseth’s spiritual adviser longs for a day when Latter-day Saints can’t hold office or possibly even vote

Tamarra Kemsley — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000

If Pete Hegseth was attempting a theological purge when the Pentagon recently rolled out a controversial “Christian list” that left out Latter-day Saints, the defense secretary’s spiritual adviser wouldn’t have necessarily objected.

Salt Lake LDS Temple reaches ‘milestone moment,’ one designed to help the iconic building last

Peggy Fletcher Stack — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 17:40:22 +0000

The Salt Lake Temple, a jewel in the crown of Utah’s capital, is at last ready to withstand a major earthquake.

‘Mormon Land’: Why this LDS anti-communist zealot from yesteryear is gaining new relevance today

Peggy Fletcher Stack, David Noyce — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:00:01 +0000

There was a time in the 1960s when W. Cleon Skousen, who died in 2006 at 92, was a widely known and controversial conservative figure in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

What’s the right way for Latter-day Saints to sing African American spirituals?

Tamarra Kemsley, David Noyce — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000

This much seems clear in the recent remarks by a high-level leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about African American spirituals: A lot of white members aren’t sure how to respectfully sing them.

Texas public school students will be required to read the Bible

Sarah Mervosh | The New York Times — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 16:46:45 +0000

Texas has approved a sweeping, new state book list, establishing for the first time a common set of books that millions of students across the state must read, including excerpts from the Bible.