The problem that canceled general conference twice
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from around the world are looking forward to general conference. The semiannual event will be held this weekend, just as it has every six months since 1848. That is, every six months with two exceptions. Both times, the delay or cancellation was caused by the same thing. […]
60 LDS-inspired baby name ideas for expecting parents
If you’re naming a baby in 2016, you might not think a group of (mostly) elderly men and women can offer much by way of modern name inspiration — but you’d be surprised. From current Church leaders to prominent figures in Church history to canonized scriptures, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers plenty of […]
10 reasons why it takes a village to raise a child
My family and I recently moved to Utah from Texas. After three years of living in Dallas, in the heat and humidity far away from family, there have been a few adjustments to make. But besides purchasing winter coats and introducing our children to fry sauce, one change has been especially apparent as we’ve settled […]
How rich is the LDS Church?
Faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pay one-tenth of their income as tithing, and often give more in the form of fast offerings and other donations. Church officials use these funds to support the Church’s many functions, including the building and maintenance of temples and meetinghouses, supporting Church-owned universities and schools, humanitarian […]
14 ways being Mormon is like being in Harry Potter
Today is Harry Potter’s (and author J. K. Rowling’s) birthday. In honor of the world’s most famous boy wizard, fans worldwide are celebrating the release of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” (the script of a stage play that continues the Harry Potter story and officially premiered in London yesterday). Many members of The Church of Jesus […]
Who were the pioneers?: 12 little-known facts that tell their migration story
So you think you know the pioneers? Think again. Contrary to the belief of some, not all pioneers were the same. The 70,000 people who came to Utah during the decades of emigration in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were unique individuals from widely differing backgrounds, financial situations, educational aspirations, countries of origin, […]
5 ways to enhance temple worship from home
Temple worship is essential for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the temple, faithful members learn more about the plan of salvation, make sacred covenants and draw closer to God. But at certain times — like during the summer — when schedules are particularly packed and weeks go by quickly, it […]
A century and counting: How girls camp has (and hasn’t) changed since 1912
The first Young Women camp was held during the summer of 1912 when the Liberty Stake in Salt Lake City took the girls in the Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Association (the forerunner to today’s Young Women organization) to the mountains beyond Murray for a weeklong camping excursion. Today, young women all around the world participate in a […]
Opening the call: Missionaries approach milestone differently
It’s been weeks since your papers were submitted, and the day has finally come — your mission call has arrived! What now? For many newly called missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, opening the mission call is an important milestone that the missionary will share with friends and family. For others, the occasion […]
5 notable Church history journals you can read online
Like family history records, Church history records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were once found mostly in large libraries and were difficult to locate. But also like family history records, the internet has made accessing these important records simple for all Church members. Several valuable Church history records are available online, but […]
Why early LDS women gave blessings of healing (and why we don’t today)
In the time since The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in 1830, revelation has come to prophets and apostles a piece at a time. The Church has experienced steady progression as more revelation has been given to prophets little by little. Because revelation often comes gradually, practices in the Church also evolve […]
The (not) farewell: 5 unique ways to celebrate your departing missionary
In 2002, President Gordon B. Hinckley, who was then president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, mentioned the common practice of hosting a missionary “farewell” on a Sunday prior to the departure of a full-time missionary. These often included talks and special musical numbers from members of the missionary’s family and concluded with an […]
20 facts that show just how unique LDS temples are
Temples are especially significant to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are considered houses of God where Church members make sacred covenants with Heavenly Father and learn more about the mission of Jesus Christ. These ordinances are central to the meaning and purpose of every temple. But though all temples share this important […]
Where the Mormons are (and aren’t)
Everyone knows that there are a lot of Mormons in Utah, and you could probably guess that the Church doesn’t have a presence in North Korea. But what about everything in between? Here’s a list of the places in the world with the most (and least) Mormons, places with the most missions, and precisely how many “peculiar people” […]
6 highlights from Rosemary Wixom’s service as Primary general president
Sister Rosemary M. Wixom, who served as Primary general president from April 2010 until her release on April 2, 2016, served during a period of great excitement and progress for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During her time as president, the Church faced monumental decisions, the challenges of an ever-growing church and almost […]
General Conference Temple Square Scavenger Hunt
Attending general conference in the Conference Center on Temple Square in Salt Lake City is a unique experience, and one many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints share with their families. But the 10 hours of sessions are only part of the experience. Touring Temple Square is an indispensable part of […]
10 ways general conference has changed in 40 years
The April 2016 general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially began March 26 with the women’s session, the first of general conference. But 40 years ago, there was no such meeting — in fact, the general conferences of decades past are drastically different from today’s in many ways. Here are 10 ways […]
5 scripture sections that focus on the atonement for Easter
The week prior to Easter is known as Holy Week, when Christians around the world remember the last days of the Savior’s earthly ministry that culminated in His sacrifice for all mankind. A careful study of the scriptures and the significance of the Savior’s atonement can enhance your observance of this important week. Here’s a list of passages that will […]
If Book of Mormon people were sorted into Hogwarts houses
The magical world of Harry Potter has captured the imaginations of millions of people worldwide, and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are no exceptions. The Twitter hashtag #MormonHarryPotter emerged a couple years ago, and one of UtahValley360.com’s most popular articles is “Who Said It: Dieter or Dumbledore?” For all you Mormon Potter […]
How to engage small children in scripture study
If anecdotes from general conference and other meetings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are any indicator of overall trends, getting young children to engage in scripture study can be laughably difficult. Elder David A. Bednar taught an important lesson about family scripture study, prayer and family home evening in his 2009 general […]
5 family history tools even teenagers will love
Let’s face it — historically, family history has been for old people. But not anymore. In years past, genealogy has required a significant investment of time and effort that younger people just couldn’t afford. But today, billions of records are easily searchable online. This change has enabled people both old and young to succeed in family history work […]
10 Mormon cinema stars: Where are they now?
In 2000, screenwriter and director Richard Dutcher produced the missionary drama “God’s Army.” This marked the unofficial beginning of the age of Mormon Cinema—for the next 10 years or so, Mormon culture, Mormon actors and Mormon experiences were all the rage on the big screen. Though other films about and for Mormons had been produced before (like […]
5 great Christ figures in modern literature
The scriptures and the words of living prophets are the best place to learn about the Savior, His mission and His love. The Savior’s ministry as recorded in the New Testament and his visit to the Nephites as recorded in The Book of Mormon both bear powerful witness of His divinity and the reality of […]
3 other LDS temples built from existing structures
When the Provo City Center Temple is dedicated on March 20, it will become the 150th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worldwide. It will be the 16th temple in Utah and second in Provo. And it will be the Church’s fourth temple constructed from an existing structure. The Provo City Center Temple was built from […]
How sports led 4 apostles to their wives
Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints always sit on the front row of the stand at general conference. Their wives also sit on the stand in the Conference Center. That much, everyone knows. But what many may not realize is that a third of […]
5 problems from recent headlines the gospel can help solve
Every day new headlines proclaim some new calamity, some dilemma or social problem taking place at home or abroad. A combination of readily available information and an increasingly dangerous world combined to provide everyone with something to worry about. The solutions to society’s most concerning problems are much more complex than these simple solutions can account for. But […]
How First Presidency messages have changed over the last 10 years
This started out as a news story. I thought it would be fun to look through the last 10 years of First Presidency messages in the Ensign, making note of topics and paying attention to how their messages have changed over the last decade. I thought I might find a shift from Restoration-cenric messages to more centered on Christ and […]
Why Ty Detmer joined the LDS Church at BYU
When Ty Detmer returns to BYU as offensive coordinator this year, Cougar Nation will welcome him back with open arms. As the school’s first and only Heisman winner, Ty has secured a place in the hearts of Cougar fans everywhere. But when he came to BYU the first time as a quarterback out of Texas, he […]
How science explains the Star of Bethlehem
As we celebrate the birth of Christ this week, Christians around the world are rereading and retelling the story of the nativity. The story is rich in imagery, complete with angels, shepherds, innkeepers and a new star in the East. The story has been told and retold so many times that it can sometimes feel more like folklore than […]
5 gospel-oriented gifts to give your family this year
With Christmas just around the corner, it’s almost too late to order gifts online and have them arrive in time for Christmas morning. But as the fabled Grinch wisely mused, “Maybe Christmas … doesn’t come from a store. / Maybe Christmas … perhaps … means a little bit more!” (Dr. Suess, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, New […]