January 2007
University of Utah President Michael Young put the secular rivalry between his school and Brigham Young University aside on Tuesday, asking LDS students to help create an environment that promotes religious freedom for all nations.
LDS affirms neutrality on Romney and others (1-28)
Top LDS Church leaders are trying to make it clear that Mormon political candidates, including former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, won't be expected to follow their direction on matters of public policy.
Romney must tackle religion question head-on--as JFK did (1-28)
Should Americans fear Mitt Romney because he is a Mormon? In spite of what some political pundits have recently argued, the answer is a resounding no.
LDS Church political neutrality statement on Web (1-28)
How deep is religious divide? (1-27)
"The Religious Divide" in Utah--the alleged chasm between Mormons and non-Mormons--was played down in a lecture Tuesday by David Knowlton, a sociocultural anthropologist who teaches at Utah Valley State College. Knowlton spoke at a diversity and social-justice session sponsored by the University of Utah College of Social Work.
Lindon mayor to step down in June (1-27)
A small hand-painted plaque in the Acerson family's living room reads: "Get up in the morning. Load your handcart. Head to Zion."
LDS plans call for tower of 32 stories (1-25)
If the LDS Church's real-estate planners get their way, a few people in Salt Lake City will be living 400 feet above ground.
LDS Film Festival roundup (1-25)
It's the kind of movie most folks would like to take their family to, with clean language, no untoward violence, lots of entertaining adventure--something like movie producers would've made in the 1950s.
The Dance (1-25)
If it truly take two to tango, then the premise of "The Dance" is to help those two learn and remember the steps.
Film explores Elvis-LDS link (1-25)
Even the King had a spiritual side. And that's the side writer/director Rob Diamond explores in his new film about Elvis Presley's sojourn into the Book of Mormon.
American Grace (1-25)
Curtis Taylor's "American Grace" is a good, first major feature effort, but the echo to "American Graffiti" is unmistakable.
Is Utah's success too much for economy? (1-23)
Negative perceptions about Utah still linger--strict liquor laws, a conservative monoculture and the dominant influence of a single church. However, a new survey of more than 100 businesses that have relocated or expanded in Utah during the past five years shows that those perceptions may be turning.
LDS Church, Scouts face sex-abuse suit (1-23)
Two brothers filed a $6.5 million lawsuit against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Boy Scouts of America on Monday, alleging they were sexually abused as children in the 1980s by a LDS "home teacher" who was also a Boy Scout leader.
Mormon church, Boy Scouts accused in sex-abuse lawsuit (1-22)
Two brothers who claim they were sexually abused as children by a "home teacher" filed a $6.5 million lawsuit Monday against the Mormon church and Boy Scouts of America.
Pres. Monson receives award for lifetime of service to others (1-21)
Nearly 50 years ago, President Thomas S. Monson appointed himself the personal guardian for 87 widows in his LDS ward.
Can voters picture good Mormons as good leaders? (1-20)
Some question whether theology shapes policy
Be willing to vote for a believer (1-20)
Open letter to the Religious Right: To Whom It May Concern: I write this letter on behalf of Mitt Romney, a candidate for the presidency of the United States.
Evangelicals: Voters may not go for Romney (1-19)
Mormon texts, revelations make some Christians uneasy
Details for S.L. center starting to take shape (1-19)
Architectural renderings likely won't be released until autumn, but preliminary drawings of City Creek Center unveiled Thursday revealed more of developers' vision for the center, including Spanish steps, circular fountains and broad, tree-lined pedestrian walkways.
Hold to rod, Pres. Packer urges (1-17)
LDS college-age youths need to "hold to the iron rod" in order to stand strong against spiritual challenges, President Boyd K. Packer told Brigham Young University students in a campus devotional Tuesday.
'The Mormons' on PBS takes aim at stereotypes (1-14)
Award-winning filmmaker Helen Whitney has one over-arching goal for her four-hour production "The Mormons," which airs this spring on PBS.
Uniting as one (1-13)
Several teens have a "freakin' sweet" secret percolating on Wednesday nights in Davis County, where they gather by choice to hang out, chill out and--yes--to learn about Jesus, no strings attached.
Y. students return to Jerusalem for studies (1-12)
A group of 44 Brigham Young University students arrived in Israel on Wednesday ready to become the first to study at the university's Jerusalem Center in six years.
BYU students required to sign pledge promising not to proselytize (1-12)
Each of the 44 BYU students studying in Jerusalem today had to sign this pledge:
BYU releases new Regional Studies book (1-11)
The Brigham Young University Religious Studies Center has released a new volume, "Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint History: Ohio and Upper Canada."
Battle over evidence expands in Jeff case (1-9)
The hearing lasted about as long as it takes to lose $20 at the slot machines.
Family ties: Conference to help genealogists update their Internet skills (1-8)
"There's a revolution right now in genealogy, and it is coming from a number of fronts," says Rich Running. His part in the revolution is to provide what he calls "the bathrobe experience."
Evidence hearing for Jeffs today in Las Vegas (1-8)
The "mother lode" of evidence the FBI seized when it arrested Fundamentalist LDS Church leader Warren Jeffs will be fought over in a federal courtroom today.
Author Bushman's diary of 'Rough Stone Rolling' tour is a page-turner (1-7)
A little over a year ago, I reviewed "Rough Stone Rolling" (Knopf), Richard Bushman's splendid biography of the first LDS prophet, Joseph Smith. I thought Bushman accomplished what no historian had before, a balanced, interesting, perhaps even definitive look at the life of the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — "warts and all."
Blessings of patriarch ease minds (1-6)
In 1968 I received an LDS mission call to Bolivia. I had no clue where I was going. I thought I was headed to Bulgaria. My mother, however, knew full well I was in for some bone-chilling winters in the Andes mountains and a whole new world of illnesses.
Media try to size up Reid as he enters D.C. spotlight (1-5)
Harry Reid is dour, unpolished, a walking contradiction with an "Eeyore exterior." Or he is "shrewd and very effective," with a "spine of steel," a brawling political insider who started life as a rural Nevada outsider.
Lehi resident entrenched in service, Scouts (1-4)
Firmly entrenched in Scouting, the local John Hutchings Museum of Natural History, family life and his church, Alvin Schow has served the Lehi community for most of his 79 years.
Romney says he's filing paperwork to explore presidential run (1-3)
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said Wednesday he's taking the first step in a 2008 presidential bid, joining an increasingly crowded field of Republican hopefuls.
Israel's Kollek, a friend to BYU, dies (1-3)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lost a good friend with the death of former Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek on Tuesday, according to a Utah political scientist who worked closely with him in the Middle East.
LDS leaders urge youths to make good choices (1-1)
While most youths rang in 2007 at New Year's Eve parties Sunday, thousands of young Latter-day Saint faithful filled the seats of the LDS Conference Center and lined the pews in church buildings across America, to hear prominent church leaders encourage youths to make wise choices.
BYU publishes handcart book (1-1)
BYU Studies has published a new book, "The Willie Handcart Company: Their Day-by-Day Experiences, Including Trail Maps and Driving Directions," which provides a detailed account of the Willie Handcart Company and its ill-fated journey across the wintry plains of Wyoming in 1856.