Mormons
Americans see immigrants more favorably than do Trump, Cruz
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — March 29, 2016
(RNS) Most Americans say immigrants strengthen U.S. society rather than threaten it. But race and ethnicity divide opinion within and among religious groups.
Mormon church denounces ‘abusive’ LGBT therapy (COMMENTARY)
By Jana Riess — March 18, 2016
(RNS) After a Salt Lake City TV station aired a segment about a gay Mormon youth's trauma from conversion therapy, the LDS church finally spoke up.
Franklin Graham helps resolve Oregon standoff
By David Gibson — February 12, 2016
(RNS) The conservative evangelist, son of the famed Billy Graham, took part in negotiations with the rightwing protesters that ended their holdout.
Same-sex guidelines come from Mormons’ feeling as ‘a people apart’
By Kimberly Winston — November 11, 2015
(RNS) The new policies make the LDS church, with about 15 million members globally, the largest Christian denomination to enact such a formal — and some say draconian — policy. Children of same-sex couples are effectively denied baptism and other ordinances of the church.
Top Mormon leaders encourage members to help refugees
By Matt Canham — October 30, 2015
SALT LAKE CITY -- The LDS letter, to be read from the pulpit Sunday, takes a wider view of refugees, though it comes amid Syria’s deepening civil war.
Parliament of World Religions convenes in Mormon country — at last
By Kimberly Winston — October 14, 2015
SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) The selection of this city for one of the largest interfaith meetings in the world is no coincidence, but a clear sign that both the Parliament of the World's Religions and the LDS church have evolved.
Group prods fellow Mormons to get behind family-friendly immigration reform
By Peggy Fletcher Stack — September 3, 2015
SALT LAKE CITY -- How can Mormons hear their faith’s messages of love “and still talk about undocumented members as if they don’t exist or their families should be separated?” one organizer asks.
Where do feminist Mormons stand, a year after excommunication?
By Peggy Fletcher Stack — June 23, 2015
Many Mormon feminists experienced Kate Kelly’s excommunication as a harsh slap felt around the world.
Mormons lead effort to index records of 4 million freed slaves
By Lee Davidson — June 22, 2015
The LDS Church will spearhead a project to make searchable records of the Freedmen’s Bureau, an agency Congress created at the end of the Civil War.
Utah highest, Vermont lowest on newest church attendance poll
By Peggy Fletcher Stack — February 19, 2015
(RNS) Mormons put Utah on top, with 51 percent of Utah residents attending church weekly, the highest in U.S., according to a new Gallup poll.
Mormons embrace social media to push back against official church teachings
By Kimberly Winston — September 15, 2014
BERKELEY, Calif. (RNS) “We are starting to see a significant disconnect between what the church is telling people to believe about same-sex marriage and homosexuality and what people actually believe and accept,” said LGBT activist John Gustav-Wrathall. “I think the Internet has a lot to do with that."
Book examines pivotal moment in US history: Joseph Smith’s murder
By Peggy Fletcher Stack — July 2, 2014
(RNS) The assassination of Mormon church founder Joseph Smith provides rich insights into mob violence in 19th-century America and the country’s failure to protect religious freedom for unpopular churches, says the author of a new book.
Excommunicated Mormon Kate Kelly: ‘I’ve done nothing wrong and have nothing to repent’
By Kristen Moulton — June 24, 2014
(RNS) Women’s ordination advocate Kate Kelly said it’s unlikely she will seek rebaptism anytime soon into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which excommunicated her Monday (June 23).
How to excommunicate a Mormon
By Lee Davidson — June 12, 2014
(RNS) How do Mormons decide who can be excommunicated? It all rests on the work of disciplinary councils.
