Religion
Most Recent
Ailing Pope Francis apologizes for Vatican absence
Joshua McElwee, Reuters | Posted Feb. 16 - 12:05 p.m. | Save Story
Pope Francis, who has spent the last two nights in hospital, apologized for missing a mass at the Vatican on Sunday, saying he was still being treated for bronchitis and thanking his doctors for looking after him.

At least 18 people are dead after a stampede at New Delhi railway station in India
Associated Press | Posted Feb. 16 - 10:08 a.m. | Save Story
At least 18 people, including 14 women, were killed in a stampede at a railway station in India's capital of New Delhi late Saturday. Delhi's caretaker chief minister, Atishi, who uses only one name, said many of the victims were Hindu pilgrims who were traveling to the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj in northern India.

Unclear how long the Pope will stay in hospital, Vatican says
Christopher Lamb and Sophie Tanno, CNN | Posted Feb. 15 - 10:44 a.m. | Save Story
The Vatican says it is unclear how long Pope Francis will stay in hospital after he was admitted on Friday with a respiratory tract infection.

President Russell M. Nelson invites world to Salt Lake Temple open house in 2027
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Updated Feb. 14 - 10:13 a.m. | Save Story
President Russell M. Nelson announced Friday that a public open house for the historic Salt Lake Temple will be held for the first time in 134 years and it will last for six months.

15 additional hymns added to new Latter-day Saint hymnal
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted Feb. 13 - 11:10 a.m. | Save Story
The Church of Jesus Christ announced the addition of 15 new hymns Thursday, including "This Little Light of Mine," "Faith in Every Footstep," and "I Know That My Savior Loves Me."

Members of MWEG gather at Utah Capitol for training
Sydney Jezik, Deseret News | Posted Feb. 10 - 10:48 a.m. | Save Story
The leaders of Mormon Women for Ethical Government want to help the women in their organization to take a more active role in all levels of government, and so they're teaching them how to make their voices heard.

Black church vandalized by the Proud Boys gains control over the group's trademark
The Associated Press | Posted Feb. 8 - 4:17 p.m. | Save Story
The Proud Boys has lost the trademark to their name and logos after a judge gave the rights to an historic Black church in Washington that was vandalized by the far-right group's members in 2020.

Elder Ulisses Soares encourages peacemaking at religious freedom conference in Washington
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted Feb. 5 - 10:01 p.m. | Save Story
Elder Ulisses Soares, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, advocated for religious freedom, saying it is "a key to peace and stability" at a national summit.

University of Utah training will focus on faithful connections
Ivy Farguheson, KSL.com | Posted Feb. 2 - 7:11 p.m. | Save Story
University of Utah's president has requested more interfaith work on campus, as well as more teaching how to talk with people with different perspectives. Faculty and staff will have an interfaith training next week.

Quakers cite religious liberty in lawsuit against immigration raids on churches
Samuel Benson, Deseret News | Posted Feb. 2 - 8:32 a.m. | Save Story
A group of Quakers is challenging the Trump administration's immigration policy on the grounds of religious liberty.

Unanimous 9th Circuit panel dismisses Huntsman tithing lawsuit
Tad Walch, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 31 - 3:49 p.m. | Save Story
A panel of 11 judges in the 9th Circuit issued a unanimous ruling Friday dismissing James Huntsman's lawsuit seeking the return of $5 million he donated to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

'Love, law and family unity': Church of Jesus Christ issues immigration statement
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 30 - 6:15 p.m. | Save Story
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement on immigration Thursday, saying its guiding principles on the matter center on 'love, law and family unity."

Open house, dedication dates announced for Syracuse Utah Temple, the 31st in Utah
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 28 - 4:00 p.m. | Save Story
The Syracuse Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be dedicated on June 8, after an open house in May, the church announced Tuesday.

Here's what to expect at 2025's RootsTech
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 24 - 9:16 p.m. | Save Story
A gold medal couple, Nelson Mandela's grandson, Elder Neil L. Andersen and others will share messages at the 2025 RootsTech family history conference in March.

Humanitarian collaboration celebrated between Latter-day Saints and Seventh-day Adventists
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 22 - 7:36 p.m. | Save Story
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Seventh-day Adventists have worked together on 330 separate projects in 85 countries, and representatives from each church met to celebrate.

Nothing Bundt Cakes now requires stores to open on Sundays. Some franchisees are furious
Ramishah Maruf, CNN | Updated Jan. 20 - 10:03 a.m. | Save Story
The Nothing Bundt Cakes bakery chain is now requiring that all stores be open a minimum of five hours on Sundays.

What the judge did in Friday's federal court hearing about Latter-day Saint tithing
Tad Walch, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 18 - 7:43 p.m. | Save Story
A federal judge blitzed lawyers on both sides with questions Friday during a three-hour hearing in a lawsuit brought by 13 people asking for the return of tithing they donated to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will go into effect Sunday morning, officials say
Samy Magdy, Melanie Lidman And Sam Mednick, Associated Press | Posted Jan. 18 - 5:34 p.m. | Save Story
The ceasefire between Hamas and Israel will go into effect Sunday morning. Families of hostages held in Gaza are bracing for news of loved ones, while Palestinians prepare to receive freed detainees.

Bill would prevent some Utah franchise locations from being forced to open on Sundays
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 15 - 5:01 p.m. | Save Story
State Rep. Ken Ivory has proposed a bill that would add protections for some Utah franchise owners who want to close their stores on Sundays.

Church of Jesus Christ partners with Silicon Slopes to package 1 million meals for food bank
Logan Stefanich, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 14 - 8:36 p.m. | Save Story
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints partnered with Silicon Slopes through JustServe to host a unique service project of packing 1 million meals to be given to the Utah Food Bank.

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square will not perform at second Trump inauguration
Samuel Benson, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 14 - 9:17 a.m. | Save Story
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square will not perform at President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony next week, Choir president Mike Leavitt confirmed.
Biden awards Pope Francis medal of freedom, highest US civilian honor
Andrea Shalal, Reuters | Updated Jan. 12 - 8:38 p.m. | Save Story
U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Pope Francis on Saturday and awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the nation's highest civilian honor, the White House said.

2 new billboards in Utah call for support of Jewish Americans, end to antisemitism
Caitlin Keith, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 11 - 7:04 p.m. | Save Story
As you drive north on I-15 into Salt Lake City it is likely that you will see the words "Standing against antisemitism is standing with America," popping off of a bright pink background.

Church of Jesus Christ asks local children's Primary groups to plan yearly service projects
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 10 - 12:00 p.m. | Save Story
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has invited its Primary organizations around the world to plan yearly service projects, expanding a history of children's service in the church.

Gov. Cox: Utahns can give hope to the nation
Brigham Tomco, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 6 - 5:28 p.m. | Save Story
On the eve of his second inauguration, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox stood at a church pulpit to deliver a sermon on the spiritual foundation of good governance.

Fewer Christians, more 'nones': Congress' new religious breakdown
Samuel Benson, Deseret News | Updated Jan. 6 - 10:13 a.m. | Save Story
As a growing share of U.S. adults turns away from religion, Christianity still thrives in one American institution: the U.S. Congress.

Salt Lake City church asks public's help to restore stained glass windows
Karah Brackin, KSL-TV | Posted Dec. 31 - 8:32 a.m. | Save Story
The historic First United Methodist Church in Salt Lake City is asking for the public's help in raising money to restore its stained glass windows.

Family remembers Latter-day Saint mission president who died in France
Daniel Woodruff, KSL-TV | Posted Dec. 30 - 9:35 p.m. | Save Story
Family members of a Latter-day Saint mission president from Utah are in shock after he unexpectedly passed away in his sleep over the weekend.

'A man of faith': Utah leaders react to death of Jimmy Carter
Ashley Imlay, KSL.com | Updated Dec. 29 - 7:33 p.m. | Save Story
Utah leaders took to social media to remember former President Jimmy Carter for his faith and service after his death was announced at age 100 on Sunday.

What Luke Dimyan said about playing Judas on 'The Chosen'
Hanna Seariac, Deseret News | Posted Dec. 28 - 10:32 p.m. | Save Story
Luke Dimyan plays a controversial character on "The Chosen" — Judas, the disciple who betrays Jesus, played by Jonathan Roumie. If it could be said the series was inching toward the betrayal the last four seasons, it's now hurling toward it in Season 5.

Latter-Day Saint mission president, 54, dies in France after unknown illness
Collin Leonard, KSL.com | Posted Dec. 28 - 11:35 a.m. | Save Story
A Latter-Day Saint mission president, Jason Michael Soulier, died in his sleep Saturday while serving in Lyon, France, according to a statement from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Jewish community welcomes all to celebrate, learn about Hanukkah at menorah car parade
Ivy Farguheson, KSL.com | Posted Dec. 27 - 9:05 p.m. | Save Story
Chabad Lubavitch of Utah is pleased to welcome the wider community for the annual downtown car menorah parade on Saturday. The parade departs from 1760 S. 1100 East at 7:30 p.m., and concludes at the Downtown Menorah at Abravanel Hall Plaza at 8 p.m. for the lighting of the fourth candle of Hanukkah.

'The Chosen' is going into the wild with Bear Grylls
Hanna Seariac, Deseret News | Posted Dec. 26 - 8:47 a.m. | Save Story
Cast members of the hit show "The Chosen" will get a once-in-a-lifetime experience to adventure into the unknown with popular TV show host Bear Grylls.

Brazil's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue is caught in a battle between church and state
Julia Vargas Jones, CNN | Updated Dec. 25 - 10:01 p.m. | Save Story
Perched high atop Brazil's Corcovado Mountain, Christ the Redeemer is more than a religious symbol or tourist attraction — and now it's at the center of a debate over land and conservation.

Pope Francis kicks off a yearlong Jubilee that will test his stamina and Rome's patience
Nicole Winfield, Associated Press | Posted Dec. 25 - 10:50 a.m. | Save Story
Pope Francis has opened the great Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica. The ceremony kicks off the 2025 Holy Year, a celebration of the Catholic Church that is expected to draw some 32 million pilgrims to Rome.

Silver amulet discovered in Germany could rewrite Christian history in Europe
Lianne Kolirin, CNN | Updated Dec. 25 - 10:13 a.m. | Save Story
A small silver amulet discovered by archaeologists in Germany could transform our understanding of how Christianity spread under the Roman Empire, experts have said.

The complicated story about religious attendance rates
Hanna Seariac, Deseret News | Posted Dec. 25 - 7:15 a.m. | Save Story
With mounting statistics showing a steady exodus from the pews, this trend of declining church attendance continuing is sometimes treated as a foregone conclusion.

The honor and joy of playing Mary Magdalene on 'The Chosen'
Hanna Seariac, Deseret News | Posted Dec. 22 - 10:14 p.m. | Save Story
For actress Elizabeth Tabish, playing Mary Magdalene on "The Chosen" is both an honor and a privilege.

Sometimes we can't understand 'terrible choices': Slain West Valley family laid to rest
Pat Reavy, KSL.com | Updated Dec. 21 - 3:07 p.m. | Save Story
Four members of a West Valley family found shot to death in their home were laid to rest Saturday in Salt Lake City.

Guest artists share what it was like performing at the Tabernacle Choir's 2024 Christmas Concert
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted Dec. 20 - 7:11 p.m. | Save Story
Guest artists and choir leaders spoke about the Tabernacle Choir's 2024 Christmas concert, which shares the story of Charles Mulli and his family, during a press conference on Friday.

Wisconsin shooter had 2 guns, got messages from man accused of plotting his own attack
Todd Richmond, Scott Bauer and Ryan J. Foley, Associated Press | Posted Dec. 19 - 9:43 a.m. | Save Story
Police say the shooter who killed a student and teacher at a religious school in Wisconsin this week brought two guns to the school. The 15-year-old girl also was in contact with a man in California who authorities say was planning to attack a government building.

'The oldest and dearest tradition': Utah Filipinos gather for Christmastime Simbang Gabi services
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted Dec. 17 - 9:01 p.m. | Save Story
Utah's Filipino expats are in the middle of Simbang Gabi, a nine-day celebration to commemorate Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ.

Police chief says motive for Wisconsin school shooting was a 'combination of factors'
Devi Shastri And Scott Bauer | Updated Dec. 17 - 8:40 p.m. | Save Story
Investigators in Wisconsin are trying to determine a motive in a school shooting that left a teacher and a student dead and two other children in critical condition. The police chief says it appears to be a "combination of factors." He's urging anyone who knew the 15-year-old shooter's feelings to reach out. The shooting occurred Monday at Abundant Life Christian School. The shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Six people were wounded. Barnes said police were talking with the shooter's father and other family members, who were cooperating, and searching the shooter's home.

'A joyful way to celebrate the season': Catholics hosting Las Posadas events across Utah
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted Dec. 13 - 9:11 p.m. | Save Story
Utah's Catholics will be hosting Las Posadas events, a Christmastime tradition strongly rooted in Mexico, across the state ahead of Christmas.

'24' actor Dennis Haysbert to narrate Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted Dec. 11 - 12:02 p.m. | Save Story
An actor known for his resonant voice will be the narrator at the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square 2024 Christmas concert, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Wednesday.

'Fighting Spirit': A former combat chaplain searches for healing
Hanna Seariac, Deseret News | Posted Dec. 8 - 10:28 p.m. | Save Story
One man's search for healing led him to make a film about military chaplains. Chaplains help people process significant losses while also processing it themselves.

Church of Jesus Christ Christmas devotional encourages members to reach out
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted Dec. 8 - 9:15 p.m. | Save Story
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are encouraged to share the love of Christ with others this Christmas season.

What to expect from Season 5 of 'The Chosen'
Hanna Seariac, Deseret News | Posted Dec. 8 - 6:31 p.m. | Save Story
It's no secret to fans of "The Chosen" (and readers of the Bible) that the upcoming fifth season will cover Holy Week.

Fields of faith: A Utah monastery's legacy preserved
Taylor Hartman, Deseret News | Posted Dec. 8 - 5:28 p.m. | Save Story
In the picturesque little valley just minutes from Ogden and the Wasatch Front, where Utah's rapid growth and development can be seen firsthand, one piece of land has resisted change.

The younger generations' fight for religious freedom
Hanna Seariac, Deseret News | Posted Dec. 6 - 12:35 p.m. | Save Story
Anna Hrypas is an Orthodox Christian living in Ukraine. When she looks around her district, she sees an Orthodox church and a mosque. Not too far away, there's a synagogue.

Gunman may have targeted California religious school in shooting that wounded 2 kindergartners
Associated Press | Updated Dec. 5 - 10:31 a.m. | Save Story
Sheriff's officials say two children have been wounded in a shooting at a tiny religious school in Northern California and the gunman is dead.

The world gets its first glimpse inside Notre Dame Cathedral after 5 years under wraps
Thomas Adamson, Associated Press | Posted Nov. 30 - 9:53 p.m. | Save Story
Five years after a catastrophic fire, the Notre Dame Cathedral is back and better than ever.

First Presidency testifies of Christ in annual Christmas message
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted Nov. 29 - 4:04 p.m. | Save Story
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released an annual Christmas message on Friday.

Temple Square's Christmas lights are back. Here's what to expect this season
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted Nov. 27 - 10:32 p.m. | Save Story
Visitors will have more room to roam around Temple Square this season as its iconic Christmas lights return this weekend.

Trump nominates Latter-day Saint lawyer as his trade chief
Samuel Benson, Deseret News | Posted Nov. 27 - 8:07 p.m. | Save Story
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated a Latter-day Saint to a key administration position, Trump announced Tuesday evening.

Sen. Mike Lee and the Church of Jesus Christ both file in support of Texas porn law
Hanna Seariac, Deseret News | Posted Nov. 26 - 6:17 a.m. | Save Story
Sen. Mike Lee and 22 of his colleagues are saying the Supreme Court needs to rule a Texas 2023 law requiring pornography websites to verify users' ages as constitutional.

'The Chosen' releases Season 5 trailer
Hanna Seariac, Deseret News | Posted Nov. 25 - 10:38 p.m. | Save Story
"The Chosen" released the Season 5 trailer, which already has been viewed tens of thousands of times. The teaser trailer focuses on the Last Supper — part of Holy Week, which is the focus of the season.

Giving Machines open in Utah and Salt Lake counties
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted Nov. 25 - 7:06 p.m. | Save Story
Giving Machines, part of a Christmas campaign of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, opened Monday in Orem and Salt Lake County. Others are open or open soon.
