May 2007
Mitt's Mormonism and the 'Evangelical Vote' (5-31-7)
Can conservative Protestants vote for a member of what they consider a cult?
Historians tell details of massacre (5-29)
Nearly 150 years after scores of unarmed men, women and children were massacred here, the collective guilt still remains palpable enough among area residents that vandals regularly seek to alter the history laid out on memorial markers.
Skybridge popular (5-29)
Utah residents overwhelmingly support the LDS Church's plans to build a skybridge across Main Street, according to a statewide poll, even as Salt Lake City's mayor and urban-planning advocates warn that the bridge could hurt downtown.
Rehab-center owner appeals denial (5-29)
The owner of a drug- and alcohol-treatment center planned for Bluffdale is appealing the city's decision to deny him a business license. State law dictates that the issue now go before the city's Board of Adjustments.
Quilt to showcase teen's labor of love (5-29)
Sirens blared as police motorcycles and fire engines escorted seven containers full of fire, police and sheriff department patches from all over the country to the LDS Humanitarian Center.
Becoming 'Utah's storyteller' (5-27)
"What was I thinking?" That's what Ken Verdoia wonders aloud as he sits in his office, just days after he served as The Face of the PBS documentary about the LDS Church and then as moderator of the Sean Hannity-Rocky Anderson circus/debate at the University of Utah.
Romney beginning to look like GOP front-runner (5-27)
Just a few weeks ago, advisers to Mitt Romney spoke about a steady, gradual climb from obscurity to the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.
LDS in survey call for unvarnished history (5-27)
Active Latter-day Saints want their church to provide a "frank and honest" presentation of church history, unvarnished by attempts to sugar-coat the past in order to make it more palatable.
'Mormons' maker defends film (5-26)
Responding to pointed questions about her recent PBS documentary, "The Mormons," filmmaker Helen Whitney said Friday the criticism she gets most is over her insistence not to label the people she interviewed on camera as either Mormon or not.
Book on early leader of church is the 'Best' (5-26)
A book on early LDS leader Emmeline B. Wells was named "Best Book" Friday night by officials with the Mormon History Association during their annual awards banquet.
New Mountain Meadows book places blame on local leaders (5-26)
A new book about the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre lays the blame on local Latter-day Saint leaders in Cedar City who, the authors say, had no justification for murder and over-reacted to a complex environment of fear and inflamed political and religious tension.
Governments' approach to religion differs (5-25)
Before migrating West, early Latter-day Saints were persecuted, in part, because government officials at the time were concerned about maintaining political power in the face of a growing LDS minority with different religious views.
Rocky fighting skybridge (5-24)
Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson is considering selling access to the air space over a block of Main Street in an effort to stop the LDS Church from building a skybridge there.
Family in Sandy hosts Sharpton (5-24)
The Rev. Al Sharpton will be the topic Monday evening when the Becerra family gathers to write in their journals.
'Common ground'--Sharpton tours, meets with apostle (5-22)
The Rev. Al Sharpton said Monday he's found "common ground" with LDS Church leaders during a visit to Salt Lake City that included a meeting with Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve.
Sharpton meets with LDS Church apostle, tours church sites (5-21)
The Rev. Al Sharpton said Monday he's found "common ground" with LDS Church leaders during a visit to Salt Lake City that included a meeting with Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve.
Romney campaign has LDS in spotlight (5-20)
"A person extremely intolerant of creeds, beliefs, etc., other than his/her own." Such is the standard dictionary definition of a bigot. Unfortunately, this describes too many Americans, because of their personal view toward Mormons.
2,000 remember mission president (5-20)
About 2,000 people Saturday paid their respects to a Heber businessman and religious leader who was killed in a traffic accident May 10 while serving as president of the LDS Church's Uganda Kampala Mission.
Talk-show host meets with LDS officials (5-20)
Two days before the Rev. Al Sharpton is scheduled to meet with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Mormon talk-show host who challenged Sharpton's controversial remarks about the LDS faith met with church officials.
LDS history seminar set in Salt Lake (5-19)
The largest annual gathering of historians and scholars examining the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is scheduled to convene downtown next weekend, as the Mormon History Association opens its annual conference at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center Thursday through Sunday, May 24-27.
Network aids those who leave LDS Church (5-19)
For all the uncertainty and angst experienced by many who contemplate leaving the LDS Church, one thing is certain: They know that they don't know it is the "only true church" any more.
Sharpton and LDS leaders plan all-day get-together (5-19)
The Rev. Al Sharpton will meet with LDS Church officials during an all-day visit Monday. Scott Trotter, spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said that the exact details of the meeting are still being worked out, including who will participate.
Films portray Mormons in an ugly light (5-18)
Having been warned by a number of reviews that the new film "Georgia Rule" treats Mormons less than kindly, I went into the theater prepared.
80 billion family files to go online (5-17)
In what officials say will be a quantum leap forward in providing family history information online, the LDS Church has announced a plan designed to eventually help provide access to as many as 80 billion family records on the Web, in addition to the tens of billions of records it is currently indexing out of its own Granite Vault microfilm archives.
GOP debate tackles flip-flopping, torture but not Romney's faith (5-16)
Mitt Romney's LDS faith wasn't an issue during the second debate among GOP presidential candidates, held Tuesday night in South Carolina, but that gave them more time to tackle everything from flip-flopping to torture.
GOP debate may hit on Romney's religion (5-15)
With Mitt Romney's Mormon faith in the news, his beliefs are likely to be questioned during the second Republican presidential candidate debate tonight in South Carolina--and his answers could be a test of whether he can win over evangelical voters.
Romney criticizes Bush on Iraq (5-14)
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney took to the national airwaves Sunday to criticize the Bush administration's handling of the Iraq war, describe his LDS faith and denounce polygamy.
Anti-LDS evangelists rile Nauvoo faithful (5-14)
Towering over a Mississippi River bluff, the recently built Mormon temple symbolizes the central role this town played in Mormon history.
Washington Post.com--The Saints Go Marching In (5-13)
With a history steeped in racism, the Mormon church is now targeting the African American community for new members. Will it take a miracle?
Warsaw forum promotes 'natural family' (5-13)
An international forum for advocates of family-based values ends today with the formation of a political platform expected to take strong positions against same-sex marriage, abortion and social conditions that intentionally leave children without married parents.
Former child bride asks for LDS action (5-13)
A former child bride is asking The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to reach out to people leaving polygamy.
BYU-Idaho students warned of crime (5-13)
Police in southeast Idaho are trying to persuade students at Brigham Young University-Idaho to be more careful with their belongings.
Pro-family advocates network (5-13)
Some 3,300 delegates engaged in pro-family advocacy were attracted to the fourth World Congress of Families in Warsaw to find additional resources for the social agendas they are pursuing at home.
Anti-LDS bias running high (5-12)
Results of a two-year study released this week show one-third of university faculty nationwide have an unfavorable impression of Latter-day Saints, while an equal proportion of the general population holds a favorable view.
Sharpton, LDS leaders still plan to meet, but it may not happen soon (5-12)
LDS Church leaders will meet with the Rev. Al Sharpton--the only question is how soon.
Day truly special for LDS moms (5-12)
Reiko Elledge of Clovis, Calif., doesn't want to be disturbed from 6:15 to 7 p.m. Mother's Day, which is Sunday. It's reserved for a long-awaited phone call with a son, Christopher, an LDS missionary currently in Belo Horizante, Brazil.
Romney camp plans mass drive to seek support (5-12)
GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney's campaign is looking to sign up 24,000 new supporters in just 24 hours next week at events around the country, including Utah.
A national spotlight on LDS beliefs (5-11)
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney--and his membership in the LDS Church--are the topics of a Time magazine cover story and a new "60 Minutes" interview.
LDS leaders looking at dates to meet with Sharpton (5-11)
LDS Church leaders will meet with the Rev. Al Sharpton--the only question is how soon.
Sharpton apologizes, plans Utah trip (5-11)
The Rev. Al Sharpton apologized publicly to all Mormons and privately to two LDS Church apostles Thursday for a comment he made during a debate this week that suggested members of the church didn't believe in God.
FLDS Church may be expanding in Texas (5-11)
A member of the Fundamentalist LDS Church is breaking the silence of a closed society and reaching out to his new neighbors in a tiny town in the Bible Belt.
2 governors, 1 train, lots of delight (5-11)
"Brigham Young" joked that the first time this happened, in 1869, no governor showed up for the driving of the golden spike, a ceremony that involved two railroad trains.
Heber residents mourn 'old-timer' (5-11)
Residents are mourning the loss of a businessman, civic contributor and religious leader who was killed in a traffic accident Thursday while serving as president of the Uganda Kampala Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
LDS mission president killed in traffic accident (5-10)
A Heber businessman serving as president of the Uganda Kampala Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was killed in a traffic accident Thursday morning.
Sharpton apologizes to LDS Church apostles (5-10)
The Rev. Al Sharpton apologized Thursday to two apostles of the LDS Church for a comment he made during a recent debate that suggested members of the church didn't believe in God.
Catholics and evangelicals leap to Romney's defense (5-10)
Catholics and evangelicals came to the LDS Church's and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney's defense Wednesday, calling on the Rev. Al Sharpton to answer for suggesting Mormons don't believe in God.
GOPUSA--Romney calls Sharpton comments 'bigoted' (5-10)
U.S. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney says the Rev. Al Sharpton's comments about Mormonism and the 2008 election were "bigoted."
Marker to recognize early Utahns (5-10)
Emigration Canyon is well-known as the route Mormon pioneers followed into the Salt Lake Valley, but a monument to be placed at the canyon mouth aims to recognize the history of all those whose lives intersected there.
Romney assails Sharpton's comments about Mormons, says could be considered 'bigoted comment' (5-9)
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Wednesday denounced the Rev. Al Sharpton's remarks about God and his Mormon faith, saying it could be construed as 'a bigoted comment.'
138 years makes big difference (5-9)
Tomorrow afternoon, in an attempt to lure visitors and actually make money this summer, This Is the Place Heritage Park in the foothills of Salt Lake City is planning a re-enactment of the driving of the golden spike, the act that completed the intercontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.
The Stump--Al Sharpton Takes Swipe at Mormonism - Elections Blog (5-9)
Irony is a way of life for Al Sharpton. The embers on the Don Imus controversy haven't yet cooled, and the Rev. let fly with...
Pres. Faust offers recipe for esteem (5-7)
Latter-day Saint young adults who obey God's commandments can find the kind of real self-esteem that escapes those who idolize fame, wealth or worldly success.
Ex-hostage in Iraq speaks out (5-7)
The United States has been engaged in "huge acts of terrorism" in Iraq, says a Utahn who was kidnapped in that country earlier this year.
Romney in Virginia to court religious right (5-6)
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney made only a passing reference to his LDS faith as he continued his outreach Saturday to conservative Christians in a graduation speech at Regent University, the school founded by televangelist Pat Robertson.
'Reach out,' Pres. Monson tells U. grads (5-5)
As University of Utah graduates embarked on separate paths Friday, the first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offered three guideposts to assist them: glance backward, reach outward and press forward.
Women urged to aid relief efforts (5-5)
The newly called Relief Society General Presidency addressed women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the first time Friday, asking them to look for ways to continue to serve as part of a worldwide relief agency.
Salt Lake family says goodbye at missionary's bedside (5-5)
The bishop of Salt Lake City's 25th Ward is without his son tonight but was with the young missionary when he was taken off life support Friday at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Provo Day of Prayer event focuses on love (5-5)
Moving music, powerful prayer and stirring speech all merged Friday night in the Provo Tabernacle for Utah Valley's National Day of Prayer observance.
Missionary killed in bicycle crash (5-4)
William Tenney Angilau Jr. was just a month away from coming home. The 21-year-old missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Salt Lake City had been serving in the Washington Seattle Mission, when he was struck by an SUV while riding his bicycle across a road Thursday.
Pop/rock artist suffers from 'music disease' (5-4)
Cheri Magill grew up with three sisters. She served as the Young Women's president in her LDS Church ward. She remembers her own teen years, and she knows the world can sometimes be a tough place for a girl to live in.
LDS Women's Conference focuses on discovering life's missions (5-4)
Whatever their personal circumstances, LDS women have a common belief in life before mortality and an individual life "mission" they must find and fulfill by drawing on the power of heaven.
Iraq's religious rights called worsening (5-4)
Even with U.S. troops in Iraq, religious rights there are deteriorating so quickly that America's official watchdog for religious freedom has added that country to its "watch list" of repressive governments.
CNSnews.com--Mormon Massacre (5-3)
Opening in theaters Friday, a motion picture called "September Dawn" depicts a brutal American massacre that has been forgotten. On Sept. 11, 1857, in Utah Territory, Mormons slaughtered more than 120 California-bound settlers from Arkansas. Retelling at this time the 9/11 carnage of 150 years ago does not help Mormon Mitt Romney's presidential campaign.
PBS series 'a welcome change,' church says (5-3)
The LDS Church characterized the two-part PBS documentary "The Mormons" favorably, noting correctly that some church members may have a mixed reaction to its treatment of sensitive church issues.
LDS Church's statement about 'The Mormons' (5-3)
PBS has produced two thought-provoking programs about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aspects of the faith covered in the programs were broad and diverse, and the broadcasts are resulting in an equally diverse range of opinions and responses from viewers.
Salt Lake's former Key Bank tower will be imploded this summer (5-3)
For the first time since 1983, a Salt Lake City building will be imploded this summer. The former Key Bank tower at 50 S. Main is coming down as Property Reserve Inc., the real-estate arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, makes way for the City Creek Center development.
Miss Indian BYU--past winners (5-3)
Romney address may skirt religion (5-2)
This weekend, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney will deliver the commencement address at a conservative Christian college campus--but don't expect a major speech on his own LDS faith.
'Mormons' elicits a mixed response (5-2)
With few of the major issues facing the LDS Church left untouched, the final installment of the four-hour PBS documentary on "The Mormons" drew responses all across the board late Tuesday night among Utahns of different faiths--and particularly Latter-day Saints.
Controversial Lee statue may finally have a home (5-1)
Over the past 25 years, artist Jerry Anderson has cast dozens of faces in bronze--from the anonymous American Indian warrior to President Abraham Lincoln and inventor Albert Einstein.
Movie revives debate about massacre (5-1)
It's a story often left out of Western history: Pioneer-era Mormon settlers with painted faces and dressed as American Indians committing a vicious, execution-style killing of some 120 unarmed men, women and children who were part of a wagon train bound for California.
Has Jeffs lost hold over FLDS? (5-1)
Persistent questions about how much of a grasp Fundamentalist LDS Church leader Warren Jeffs retains on his followers could help investigators digging into alleged crimes within his polygamous sect.