Provo welcomes first annual Startup Festival
[pullquote] If you go: When: Sept. 1-5 Where: Downtown Provo Cost: $20-$50 Site: startfestival.com [/pullquote] Downtown Provo is buzzing with aspiring and established entrepreneurs during Utah’s first StartFEST, an event dedicated to motivating and connecting the Utah startup scene. Following a late-night kick-off party on Aug. 31, the five-day festival formally began Sept. 1 with an introduction by Clint Betts, […]
10 successful Church programs that were discontinued (or changed)
On July 27, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that its “century-long association with Scouting will need to be examined” following the Boy Scouts of America’s decision to admit openly gay leaders in the program. Whether the Church severs ties with BSA or remains in partnership with the organization, this is not the first […]
Keep the seminary fire burning all summer with these simple ideas
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, teenagers learn important gospel principles in daily seminary classes — during the school year. But what happens during the summer? Though most places don’t hold seminary classes during the summer months, families can work together to keep the gospel fire that seminary ignites burning all summer long. […]
What prophets say about the Constitution
For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, holidays like Independence Day have special significance. The freedoms available in the United States not only allow us to live and worship as we wish but also made possible the religious and political climate necessary for the restoration of Christ’s Church. This weekend, take a […]
The one thing moms should stop doing — comparing
Mothers juggle a lot of things — keeping children dressed, fed and healthy and raising them to be respectable members of society while somehow also caring for their own physical and emotional needs. But juggling motherhood would be a whole lot simpler and more enjoyable if mothers would stop doing one thing: comparing. We went to a […]
Utah tops list of best places to grow up for upward mobility
A new study out of Harvard University ranks counties in the United States based on opportunity for upward mobility. While some results are disheartening (young men growing up in Baltimore are at a distinct economic disadvantage, the study shows), the data suggests that kids who grow up in Utah may be at an economic advantage over […]
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 […]
Eight is great: 8 things to teach your child before baptism
Baptism is the first ordinance in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Children of record are eligible for baptism when they turn 8 years old, but parents and Church leaders should help them prepare for this important milestone before the child is baptized. Here are eight things to teach your child before he or she turns 8 years […]
Gospel art guide: Where to get images for your lessons
Teaching is regarded as one of the most important callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Whether Church members teach in the home, at church on Sundays, at midweek activities or some combination of those venues, resources to bring variety to lessons is always welcome. Some of the most popular visual aids are pictures. LDS meetinghouse […]
All I really need to know I learned in Primary
The principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ are simple enough for a child to understand, yet usually take a lifetime to master. Many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are first introduced to these principles in their childhood. Gospel truths taught in the Church’s Primary organization are simple and succinct. As Church […]
7 fun facts about the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo
Relief Society, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ organization for women, began in Nauvoo after the women sought Joseph Smith’s approval to organize themselves into a women’s organization similar to others of the day. Joseph Smith said God had something better in mind. Today, more than 5.5 million women in 170 countries claim membership in […]
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. […]
6 ways to bring variety to scripture study
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the importance of personal scripture study cannot be—and seldom is—understated. “Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high,” Elder Richard G. Scott taught. “They can become the key to opening the channel to communion […]
Not so Pinterest perfect: Popular Utah Valley mommy bloggers share the truth behind the pretty pictures and success
Utah Valley is home to some of the nation’s most popular bloggers, and most of them are moms. That’s no surprise. Research shows that moms are 20 percent more likely to use social media than the general population, and 1 in 3 bloggers are moms. While these women see social media as a way to […]
10 celebrities you’ll see at RootsTech ’15
RootsTech is the largest genealogical conference in the world with thousands of attendees — from professional genealogists to occasional hobbyists — from around the world. But if a genealogical conference sounds stale, you’ve never been to RootsTech. RootsTech 2014 brought over 9,000 attendees (including 4,000 youth) from 49 states, six Canadian provinces and 31 countries. Live-streaming […]
10 local activities to make you forget its winter
Utah Januaries and Februaries can be downright dreary. Lack of sunshine and the post-holiday blues can have us dreaming of being anywhere but here. Fortunately, Utah Valley has some spots where you can leave your winter blues at the doorstep and step inside to a summery wonderland. 1. Heat things up with Bikram Yoga It […]
5 reasons you’ll love Clark Gilbert, the new BYU-I president
Clark Gilbert, who is currently CEO of Deseret News and Deseret Digital Media and an executive vice president of Deseret Management Corporation, will begin his tenure as the next president of BYU-Idaho this April. Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the change […]
Clark Gilbert named new BYU-Idaho president
At the conclusion of BYU-Idaho’s weekly devotional address, Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles announced that the university was getting a new president. Deseret News CEO Clark G. Gilbert will become BYU-Idaho’s 16th president. On April 13, Gilbert will replace current president Kim B. Clark, who has served as BYU-Idaho […]
4 uplifting EFY alternatives for youth
Especially For Youth is popular among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and for good reason. Youth love the program because it’s fun and inspiring, and parents love it because it helps youth build testimonies in an environment conducive to gospel living. However, the popularity of the program has made it difficult for […]
Pathway to the future: BYU-Idaho online program opens doors
Rachel Jackman, a Pathway student in Orem, plans to pursue a degree in health care administration upon completion of the program. (Photo courtesy Rachel Jackman) Rachel Jackman knew it was time to go back to school. She just couldn’t find the best way to get there. Five years into her second marriage, Jackman and her […]
Building momentum: FamilySearch in ’14 (and what to expect in 2015)
More missionaries are serving in the mission field today than ever before — 88,000, which would have accounted for the entire Church membership in 1869. Twenty-six temples have been announced or are under construction today — the same number as the total temples in the world at the end of 1983. In like manner, family history work has […]
Everything you need to know about the changes to CES devotionals
Sunday’s Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults is the first after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced changes to the name and schedule of firesides for young adults. Here’s everything you need to know about the transition — what’s changed, what’s still the same and what you can look forward to. What’s changed: The name: These firesides […]
Gold, frankincense and myrrh: Symbols, significance and where you can get it
The wise men who came to worship the baby Jesus famously brought with them the very first material Christmas gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. These gifts had special properties as well as symbolic meaning. While it’s impossible to know exactly what the wise men intended when they brought these gifts, historical context allows for some guesses. A closer look at […]
1984 to 2014: Evolution of the Christmas Devotional
The First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, held last Sunday, is the most recent installment in a decades-long tradition in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The devotional began as a way for Church leadership to celebrate the season with Church employees and has evolved into the worldwide broadcast. This year’s event drew thousands of viewers from […]
5 things every teenager should understand about fasting
Youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are building testimonies, and with more expected of LDS youth all the time, they are building them quickly. All that growing, spiritually and physically, means teenagers need to be fed—and, subsequently, fasting is hard. But a spiritual feast will do more, in the long run, for growing […]
BYU, BYU–I and BYU-H: A side-by-side comparison of Church schools
Thousands of college-age members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attend a church-owned university, and thousands more high school seniors are preparing to apply for admittance next fall. At every Church-owned university, the Holy Ghost is present on campus, and students learn both spiritual and secular truths side by side. But for all […]
A peculiar parlance: Origins of 13 unique Church terms
Unlike other Christians, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints call the ordinance of eating bread and water in remembrance of Christ the “sacrament,” not “communion.” We also call our local congregations “wards,” our young men “priests” and even sometimes call ourselves “Mormons.” When converts join the Church, the new vocabulary takes some time to […]
BYU fighter jet pilot shares how to honor our veterans and talks about flying upside-down
September 11th was a day of indescribable tragedy that affected Americans and the rest of the world. It was also the day Kyle Petitt decided he was going to join the United States Air Force. Both of Petitt’s parents served in the Air Force, so he grew up calling several places across the globe “home,” […]
Off-campus students now the majority at BYU-Idaho
Enrollment at Brigham Young University–Idaho reached two important milestones this year, according to new data from the Fall Semester 2014 BYU-Idaho enrollment statistics. For the first time in history, the university now serves more students off campus than on. Enrollment numbers have also finally reached pre-2012 levels, when the lowered minimum age for missionary service […]
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 […]