Religion

Eli McCann: In a poor village, an LDS missionary encounters the ‘best people’ he has ever met

Eli McCann | Special to The Tribune — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000

For just over nine months, I lived in a city in western Ukraine called Vinnytsia while serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The early part of that stint covered my second Ukrainian winter, meaning large portions of my memories of Vinnytsia look like horror stories in my mind’s eye.

If Jesus showed up today, would he play the guitar?

Bob Smietana | Religion News Service — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Nashville, Tenn • In recent decades, there has been a revolution in how Protestants worship.

How the LDS Church’s rebrand could end up sinking its legal case against ‘Mormon Stories’

Tamarra Kemsley, David Noyce — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Trademark and copyright laws don’t give an organization the right to silence critics. But what constitutes silencing versus the simple act of enforcing one’s branding can be a matter of debate — as in the federal lawsuit brought by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints against the long-running “Mormon Stories” podcast and its parent organization.

We’re not trying to silence John Dehlin’s ‘Mormon Stories,’ LDS Church insists in new court filing

Tamarra Kemsley — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 23:47:33 +0000

The LDS Church is emphatic that its case against John Dehlin's "Mormon Stories" is about eliminating confusion, not the podcaster's dissent.

New attractions are coming to one of Utah’s most popular tourist spots

Dylan Eubank — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 12:00:01 +0000

Exhibits featuring Jesus Christ and his mission. Interactive storybooks and hands-on children’s activities. Even video projections on the ceiling of the famed Salt Lake Tabernacle.

Latest from Mormon Land: The kinder, gentler Brigham Young; a look at Irish Latter-day Saints

David Noyce, Dylan Eubank — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +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.

‘Mormon Land’: The LDS Church’s retention rate hasn’t ‘bottomed out’ yet, says researcher

David Noyce, Peggy Fletcher Stack — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000

On this week's show, Religion News Service columnist Jana Riess discusses the retention problem facing the LDS Church and why more Latter-day Saint women, especially younger ones, struggle to stay in the fold.

‘As a sister who is not yet married,’ LDS women’s leader encourages young single adults to care for one another

Dylan Eubank — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:00:01 +0000

The Utah Area YSA Conference drew thousands to play games, attend concerts, perform service, meet fellow members, and hear religious messages — like this one from Kristin Yee of the faith's Relief Society General Presidency.

For Latter-day Saints, the retention decline is more than a people problem

Tamarra Kemsley — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:00:01 +0000

In a video clip that has ricocheted across social media about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a retired high-level leader chastises fellow members considering departing the faith, admonishing, “Darth Vader could be your bishop,” he states, “the culture could be like Alcatraz, and it will not drive you away.”

Dallin Oaks caps his first international trip as LDS president with a religious rite he has performed before

David Noyce — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 18:18:37 +0000

LDS Church President Dallin H. Oaks dedicated Brazil's Belo Horizonte Temple in his first international trip as head of the global faith. Meanwhile, in Ohio, apostle David Bednar dedicated a brand-new temple not far from the church's first one.

An ancient religion is taking root and moving into new digs in southern Utah

Mark Eddington — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000

St. George • When Mykel Giannakakos was ordained at 27, the Southern California native didn’t foresee leading a rapidly growing flock at a fledgling Eastern Orthodox church in southern Utah.

We asked what question should be added to LDS temple recommend interviews. Here’s what you said.

Peggy Fletcher Stack — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Latter-day Saints must answer a set of questions to obtain a temple recommend to enter the faith's temples. We asked members and other readers what question(s) they would like to add to reflect today's world. Here's a sample of the hundreds of responses we received.