Mormons to watch at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games
The whole world will be tuned in to watch more than 10,000 athletes go for gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics. And although the games will take place thousands of miles away from Utah, a few of these athletes have close-to-home Mormon ties. 1. Maka Unufe : Rugby : U.S. For the first time since […]
10 Mother’s Day traditions you can start this year
Flowers. Chocolate. Breakfast in bed. Few moms tire of the Mother’s Day classics. But why not try a new tradition this year for the moms you love most? Here are 10 Mother’s Day traditions that’ll guarantee you’ll make this the best day of mom’s year. 1. Plant something Pick up mom’s favorite plant, flower or […]
5 organizations you can work with to aid refugees — in Utah and beyond
They come to Utah after being forced to flee from Iraq, Burma, Somalia and Syria. Mostly women and children, they’ve been persecuted for their religion, race or nationality. In our state alone, there are 60,000 refugees from more than 20 countries. And according to top LDS Church leaders, they need our help. “These individuals have […]
D.C. brothers’ shuttle brings thousands to the temple
For D.C.-area Latter-day Saints, a weeknight trip to the temple requires careful planning. In the midst of rush hour, a 10-mile drive to the temple can take anywhere from a half an hour to an hour and a half. A minor accident on the beltway can lead to standstill traffic and make it impossible for […]
Lone Peak students raise $35,000 to build schools in Mexico
Most students at Lone Peak High School don’t know what it’s like to go without education. But 20 juniors and seniors had their eyes opened to that reality after recently traveling to Mexico to build classrooms for impoverished children. The trip began when Lone Peak’s annual student service project — dubbed “Gold Rush” — raised […]
9 Mormon shows to add to your Netflix queue
Gone are the days of flipping through channels in hopes of finding something clean or uplifting to view. Now, thanks to streaming services like Netflix, your options are seemingly limitless. Even better, Netflix has loads of LDS-themed movies and TV shows — complete with Mormon producers, directors or actors. This winter, cozy up on the […]
Soup’s on! 8 great bowls to try in Utah Valley
It’s beginning to look a lot like autumn in Utah — the new school year is well underway, temperatures are dropping, and the leaves are turning. And there’s no better way to ring in the season than to sample a bowl of one of the Valley’s best soups. Here are our top eight picks to […]
General conference literary challenge: How many have you read?
[pullquote] Who said it? We’re all familiar with President Thomas S. Monson’s plentiful references to poetry, music, and literature. But — surprise — President Dieter F. Uchtdorf cited more books in this list than any other Church leader. Presidents Monson and Uchtdorf each quoted from about two dozen books in the last five years […]
Mama Dragons breathe fire for their gay Mormon kids
Like many other Mormon mothers in Utah County, Yvett Zobel is in the middle of a journey she never expected to take. “I never dreamed I’d be where I am now,” said Zobel, a Highland mom of four. “This journey of having a gay son has been a huge blessing and adventure.” After her 19-year-old […]
Mormons in Manhattan
It’s the city that never sleeps. The economic and cultural capital of America. The top tourist destination in the country. And it’s full of Mormons. But New York City wasn’t always that way. In 1837, Parley P. Pratt spent six months preaching there with little result. He reflected, “Of all the places in which the […]
10 influential LDS books summarized in one sentence each
With hundreds of new books published each year by LDS authors, it’s impossible to keep up with the best in LDS writing. So we’ll make it easy on you: Here are 10 of the most popular LDS books ever, summarized in just a sentence each. 1. Jesus the Christ, by James E. Talmage (1915) A classic text […]
Naming names: Most popular Utah baby names in 2014 are not ‘made up’
We’ve heard it time and time again (and then a few times more): Utahns have a thing for unique baby names. But the most popular names in the state, according to new data from the Social Security Administration, show otherwise. The ever-traditional William was the hottest name for boy babies in Utah in 2014; for […]
4 family traditions for celebrating a Christ-centered Easter (without the bunny)
During the last weeks of Christ’s mortal ministry, he went about serving, sacrificing and suffering for those he loved. During the weeks leading up to our Easter celebration of Him, we typically focus on bunnies, Cadbury eggs, baskets and new dresses. Lehi resident and author Emily Belle Freeman knew all too well the dilemma of […]
By the book: 12 LDS titles to read right now
From biographies to fiction to self help to children’s books, LDS authors have flooded the market with reflections of their faith. With hundreds of titles published each year, it’s no easy feat to keep up with the best in LDS literature. Here are 12 favorites from the last year to put on your to-read list. […]
Utah lawmakers and universities aid victims of sexual violence
Five years ago Tiffany Turley was sexually assaulted, becoming living proof that the traumatic and life-changing experience can happen to anyone at any time. “It rocks your emotional and physical foundation,” said Turley, who now works as the manager of BYU’s Women’s Services and Resources office. “It’s one of the hardest situations a person can […]
Home for the holidays: 4 tips to enjoy a harmonious holiday
The famous Perry Como song “Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays” sums it up like this: “If you want to be happy in a million ways, for the holidays you can’t beat home, sweet home.” But in many households, that saccharine theme doesn’t exactly play out each December. Whether you’ve got critical […]
Reaching hearts: Utah County Christian minister helps others follow Jesus
There is no shortage of religion in Utah County. But Nathanial Wall, a Lehi resident and follower of Jesus, is considered a minority: He’s one of Utah Valley’s 0.5 percent who identifies himself as an evangelical Christian. Wall’s upbringing was unlike that of most of his Utah neighbors. Raised by a very young single mother […]
A delicate divide between land and sea in Ally Condie’s captivating ‘Atlantia’
[pullquote] Provo City Library to host official “Atlantia” launch event As part of the ongoing AuthorLink series, the Provo City Library will welcome New York Times bestselling author Ally Condie to celebrate the launch of “Atlantia.” Free tickets are available at the library’s first-floor reference desk. The bookseller at this event will be local indie […]
Mormonism, science and Harvard: 3 Boston-based thinkers connect the dots
For some, the subjects of science and religion are at odds. There is a choice: science or religion? For others, the two topics are beautifully compatible, both essential in the continual search for truth and knowledge. In Boston, the nation’s life sciences hub, Latter-day Saint scientists often find that their religious beliefs correspond well with […]
Carry on: Celebrating International Babywearing Week in Utah
Modern parenting, with all its high-tech gadgets and varying philosophies, can be a maze to navigate. Is that bath thermometer really necessary? Should I be educating my baby in utero? And is it worth the extra $500 to get a stroller than can charge an iPhone? Instead of getting caught up in the myriad of […]
For better or for worse: 5 ways things are improving in our world
Any General Conference-watching Latter-day Saint has heard warnings. The world is moving “deeper and deeper into sin,” one general authority said in 1999. Our youth are being raised in “enemy territory,” an apostle said in 2011. The world is “deteriorating,” another said in 2004. But what about the good in the world? What about the […]
‘Women of Faith’ film brings LDS heroines’ stories to life
Martha Hughes Cannon made history in 1896 when she became the first female state senator elected in the United States, defeating both the odds and her own husband, who was also on the ballot. Minerva Kohlhepp Teichert, an independent, opinionated woman who painted more than 400 murals during her life, left the West and a […]
20 ways to lose friends and make enemies in your Mormon ward
We call each other “brother” and “sister” every Sunday, but that doesn’t mean we don’t become a little disgruntled with someone in our Mormon ward family from time to time. The book has already been written on winning friends and influencing people. Let our 20 tips warn you against losing friends and making enemies in your […]
8 vegetables that will flourish in your Utah Valley garden
The last frost of the year is mere weeks away, and Utah County’s garden centers are bustling as residents make plans for their summer gardens. Whether you’ve got a solid green thumb or can’t tell the difference between a weed and a seedling, these expert ideas will get your garden growing. Here are eight vegetables […]
Work it: 8 local summer jobs for your teenager
The temperatures are rising, the school year is coming to a close, and your teenagers are looking forward to the lazy days of summer. Or maybe they’re looking forward to a productive summer of hard work and earning money. Either way, now is the time to apply for Utah County’s coveted summer jobs. Here are […]
Will Romney run again? ‘No, no, no’
Mitt Romney says he won’t do it again. After two failed presidential runs, Romney seems to be giving his final answer to the oft-asked question of whether he’ll try once more. “No, no, no,” he told the New York Times. “I’m not running for president in 2016,” he told CNN. “We’re so ready to watch […]
Abandoned architecture: 5 Utah County buildings of the past
From Alpine to Santaquin, Utah Valley’s landscape is dotted with stunning structures. And though many of these buildings are brand new and beautiful, we have to admit we miss the architecture of our ancestors. Here are 5 great Utah County buildings that are no longer.
Living Legends: 8 things to know before you go
The dancing is dramatic. The costumes are striking. The music is vibrant. And everything about BYU’s Living Legends performance group is genuine to the cultures it represents. This season, Living Legends will perform three shows at BYU’s de Jong Concert Hall — Feb. 21-22 and March 27 (tickets available here). Before you go, check out […]
Swimming in service: PG’s Sheila Morrison has dedicated years helping Down syndrome and autistic kids learn to swim
It may be the middle of winter, but one backyard pool in Pleasant Grove is full of warmth. Each week, dozens of children enter the pool to improve their swimming skills during lessons from instructor Sheila Morrison. And on two evenings a week, the lessons are free of charge and the students are particularly […]
Jolly Jewish jingles for Christmas
Turn on the radio or walk through any shopping center during the month of December, and you’ll certainly hear some of these tunes: “Silver Bells,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Santa Baby” and “White Christmas.” But what do all these jolly jingles have in common? Here’s a clue: They were penned by writers who don’t actually celebrate Christmas. […]