Book of Mormon
Applications open for Book of Mormon seminar
By Jana Riess — December 7, 2015
One of the coolest things I did this year was an intensive two-week seminar on the Book of Mormon. Now they're taking applications for next summer, when the theme is Alma 12-13.
Mormon Church reveals images of founder’s ‘seer stone’
By Reuters — August 5, 2015
The faithful believe God helped him use the "seer stone" to translate symbols found on gold plates into English text that became the Book of Mormon.
Spectacular annual pageant at fount of Mormon faith
By Sarah Taddeo — July 13, 2015
More than 700 people have been cast in scenes from the Book of Mormon this week on the hill in Manchester, where Joseph Smith is said to have received the faith's sacred texts from an angel.
How to Read the Book of Mormon . . . S-L-O-W-L-Y
By Jana Riess — June 15, 2015
I'm in New York to read the Book of Mormon: a single chapter, over and over again, for two weeks. And the slow, careful pace has been exhilarating.
Mormons don’t know everything, says Mette Harrison
By Jana Riess — December 3, 2014
"It is one thing to believe that Mormonism is the right church for you," says guest blogger Mette Harrison. "But I find it arrogant to say that this is the 'one true church.'”
I’m joining the “Book of Mormon challenge.” And no, watching the musical doesn’t count.
By Jana Riess — August 1, 2014
Today I signed up to read the Book of Mormon with a group over the next 239 days. Yes, pathetically enough, I need an entire freakin' village to keep me on the spiritual straight and narrow.
The Mormon soft sell
By Jana Riess — July 15, 2014
After years feeling uncomfortable with the many artificial ways Mormons evangelize, being encouraged to make friends just for the sake of making friends was good news indeed.
Gay Mormon, gay Catholic, gay activist: ‘Book of Mormon’ star Rory O’Malley on faith, rights, and religious freedom
By Brian Pellot — September 24, 2013
“The Book of Mormon” star discusses how members of the LDS Church reacted to his on-stage portrayal of a gay Mormon character and shares his thoughts on bridging the divide between gay rights and religious freedom in a post-DOMA world.
N.Y. Freethought Trail traces nonbelievers who chartered a historic course
By Kimberly Winston — August 26, 2013
SENECA FALLS, N.Y. (RNS) Settlers transformed West-Central New York into a hotbed of radical social and religious ideas, including Mormonism and Spiritualism. A new Freethought Trail highlights the prominent atheists and agnostics who also called the region home.
The Agony of Nephi
By Jana Riess — June 26, 2013
When I started reading the Book of Mormon, I had a hard time relating to Nephi. As the opening character—and crucial first narrator—in the Book of Mormon, he comes across as somewhat self-important. He caricatures his older brothers, the comical complainers Laman and Lemuel, who almost never appear as individual characters in his narrative. He […]
Gay Mormon characters step out of the shadows
By Kellie Moore — May 22, 2013
(RNS) Twenty years ago, a gay Mormon character stepped onstage for the first time in Tony Kushner's "Angels in America.'' A lot's changed since then, fueled by the church's role in Prop 8 and its efforts to build bridges to gays and lesbians.
Mormons steal a page from ‘Book of Mormon’ popularity
By Leanne Larmondin — March 19, 2013
TORONTO (RNS) The Mormon church bought three full-page ads in the upcoming Toronto production of "The Book of Mormon." “The book is always better,” reads one of the ads.
The Ten Worst Stories About the ‘Mormon Moment’
By Cassandra Hedelius — November 15, 2012
Earlier this week we brought you the 10 best stories about the "Mormon moment." Now, here are the 10 worst, courtesy of MormonVoices.
12 myths about Mormonism
By Peggy Fletcher Stack — November 5, 2012
SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) All those stories about Mitt Romney's White House bid and his Mormon faith educated millions of observant Americans about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Still, some “understandings” remain misunderstandings — and many views of the religion continue to be skewed, exaggerated or flat-out wrong. Here are 12 persistent myths about Mormonism. By Peggy Fletcher Stack.
Missouri remains land of religious promise for Mormons
By Tim Townsend — September 20, 2012
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (RNS) Few places have greater historic and religious significance to Mormons than Missouri. Likewise few places have been the site of greater Mormon conflict. By Tim Townsend.
