Utah & U.S. Religion News
Most Recent
'Music & the Spoken Word' in Spanish will now air weekly on Telemundo Utah
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted June 13 - 4:36 p.m. | Save Story
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Thursday that the Tabernacle Choir's weekly broadcast will now be airing on Telemundo Utah at 5 p.m. Sundays in Spanish.
'Hymns — For Home and Church' now has 48 hymns with latest update
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted June 12 - 2:21 p.m. | Save Story
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released 11 songs for its new hymnbook on Thursday, including a translation of a Spanish hymn and a new melody for a familiar hymn.
Elaine Jack, former Relief Society general president, dies at 97
Logan Stefanich, KSL.com | Posted June 11 - 4:05 p.m. | Save Story
Elaine L. Jack, who served as the 12th general president of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1990 to 1997, died Tuesday at 97 years old.
President Russell M. Nelson dedicates Syracuse Utah Temple
KSL.com Staff | Posted June 8 - 9:37 p.m. | Save Story
President Russell M. Nelson, the 100-year-old leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dedicated the church's 206th temple Sunday in Syracuse.
Israel orders military to stop Gaza-bound yacht carrying Greta Thunberg
Associated Press | Posted June 8 - 10:57 a.m. | Save Story
Israel's government has vowed to prevent an aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists from reaching the Gaza Strip.
AI analysis of ancient handwriting gives new age estimates for Dead Sea Scrolls
Jacopo Prisco, CNN | Posted June 7 - 2:00 p.m. | Save Story
Many of the Dead Sea Scrolls, some of the most widely known archaeological finds of all time, may be older than once thought, according to a new study.
Church of Jesus Christ helping women and children worldwide through innovative partnerships
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted June 5 - 10:36 p.m. | Save Story
Leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and reps from humanitarian organizations shared how they're working together to improve the well-being of women and children.
Utah mom survives devastating Vespa crash in Italy: 'It's just a miracle you can't make up'
Debbie Worthen, KSL-TV | Posted June 4 - 11:05 a.m. | Save Story
What began as a sentimental family vacation on Italy's Amalfi Coast turned into a nightmare for a young Utah mother — and a journey of faith, resilience and recovery.
New Latter-day Saint hymnbook, with about 375 hymns, is expected in 2 years
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted June 3 - 5:02 p.m. | Save Story
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said Tuesday it expects its new full hymnbook will be released in four languages in 2027, with about 375 hymns.
Japantown advocates watchful as redevelopment plans around Delta Center, Salt Palace proceed
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted June 3 - 6:19 a.m. | Save Story
Japantown advocates are watching with a measure of apprehension as major redevelopment plans around the Delta Center and Salt Palace edge forward.
Church President Russell M. Nelson to dedicate Syracuse temple Sunday
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted June 2 - 3:04 p.m. | Save Story
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Monday that President Russell M. Nelson will dedicate the Syracuse Utah Temple on Sunday.
From radio waves to temple domes: The unexpected journey of a Krishna couple in Utah
Deepa Bharath, Associated Press | Posted June 1 - 10:05 a.m. | Save Story
A couple who moved from Los Angeles to Utah about 45 years ago to run a radio station are now operating the only Hindu temple in town.
Monument of the Americas breaks ground on 12-acre religious sculpture park in Heber City
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted May 29 - 9:04 p.m. | Save Story
Ground was broken Thursday for the Monument of the Americas sculpture gardens on a hill overlooking the Heber Valley. It's the first step in making a Utah surgeon and artist's 30-year dream a reality.
2 new baptismal fonts near completion as Salt Lake Temple renovations continue
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 28 - 5:58 p.m. | Save Story
Renovations to Salt Lake Temple's interior are picking up as seismic upgrades to the historic building wind down.
Report: The role faith plays in mental health
Lois M. Collins, Deseret News | Posted May 25 - 9:44 p.m. | Save Story
Religious faith and involvement with religious organizations provide a boost to mental health, according to a public policy study released by Sutherland Institute this week.
Mobile temple recommends soon available for Latter-day Saints
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted May 22 - 5:44 p.m. | Save Story
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hopes to simplify the temple experience for members with mobile temple recommends becoming available in the next several weeks.
Split Supreme Court blocks taxpayer-funded religious charter school
John Kruzel, Reuters | Updated May 22 - 2:34 p.m. | Save Story
A split Supreme Court on Thursday blocked a bid led by two Catholic dioceses to establish in Oklahoma the nation's first taxpayer-funded religious charter school in a major case involving religious rights in American education.
WSU panelists debate public funding of religious charter schools as high court issues ruling
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted May 22 - 11:15 a.m. | Save Story
Participants in a panel discussion at Weber State University put a spotlight on a U.S. Supreme Court case related to public funding of religious charter school.
Marco Rubio says Church of Jesus Christ will 'absolutely' be part of talks about fixing foreign aid
Brigham Tomco, Deseret News | Updated May 21 - 2:13 p.m. | Save Story
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday the State Department will look to charitable religious organizations like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as it seeks to adjust foreign aid programs.
Vice President Vance invites Pope Leo, an American, to visit home
Joshua McElwee, Reuters | Updated May 19 - 2:17 p.m. | Save Story
Vice President JD Vance met on Monday at the Vatican with Pope Leo XIV, the first leader of the global Catholic Church from the United States, and extended an invitation for Leo to make an official visit home.
Church of Jesus Christ sends representative to inauguration mass for new pope
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted May 19 - 10:02 a.m. | Save Story
Elder Matthew S. Holland represented The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Pope Leo XIV's Mass of Inauguration on Sunday and delivered a letter from the First Presidency.
Photo gallery: Missionaries sing national anthem before Real Salt Lake match
Scott Winterton, Deseret News | Posted May 17 - 8:50 a.m. | Save Story
A large gathering of singers stood before the mic Wednesday evening to share the national anthem ahead of the Major League Soccer match between Real Salt Lake and the Portland Timbers.
New Pope Leo XIV, celebrating first Mass, wants church to be beacon of light
Philip Pullella, Joshua McElwee and Keith Weir, Reuters | Posted May 9 - 6:34 p.m. | Save Story
Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass on Friday in the Sistine Chapel where he was elected less than 24 hours earlier, warning of the dangers caused by a lack of faith and hoping the Catholic Church could be a beacon lighting the world's "dark nights."
Prevost surprises as first US pope, takes name Leo XIV
Joshua McElwee, Crispian Balmer and Philip Pullella, Reuters | Updated May 8 - 8:15 p.m. | Save Story
Cardinal Robert Prevost, a long-time missionary in Latin America, was elected as the surprise choice to be the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, becoming the first U.S. pope and taking the name Leo XIV.
Catholic leaders in Utah express joy in the election of a new pope
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Updated May 8 - 5:40 p.m. | Save Story
Bishop Oscar Solis spoke to the media at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City on Thursday, following the election of a new pope, Leo XIV.
First Latter-day Saint temple with 2 baptismal fonts opens for tours ahead of June dedication
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted May 7 - 10:32 p.m. | Save Story
The public open house for the Syracuse Utah Temple begins next week and will run through the end of May before a dedication on June 8.
Black smoke signals no pope elected in first conclave vote
Crispian Balmer, Joshua McElwee and Philip Pullella, Reuters | Updated May 7 - 1:58 p.m. | Save Story
Black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday evening, signaling an inconclusive first vote by cardinals locked in the Sistine Chapel in a conclave to elect a new pope.
Tikis at Iosepa cemetery in Tooele County cut down, destroyed; officials investigating
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted May 6 - 8:33 p.m. | Save Story
Two tikis at the Iosepa cemetery in Tooele County, former site of a settlement of Pacific Islanders, were cut down and destroyed, and authorities are investigating.
How are state attorneys general reshaping the legal landscape under Trump?
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted May 6 - 7:11 p.m. | Save Story
Utah Attorney General Derek Brown, along with Texas Solicitor General Aaron Nielson and former Utah deputy solicitor general Chris Bates, discussed the ongoing relationship with attorneys general nationwide.
Why US News ranks Utah as the best state for the 3rd consecutive year
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com | Posted May 6 - 12:08 p.m. | Save Story
U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah the best state in its annual rankings for the third consecutive year.
All cardinals who will elect new pope arrive in Vatican City ahead of conclave
Joshua McElwee and Crispian Balmer, Reuters | Updated May 5 - 3:08 p.m. | Save Story
All of the 133 cardinals expected to take part in the secret conclave to elect a new pope have arrived in Rome, the Vatican said on Monday, with the race to succeed Pope Francis seen as wide open.
Pope Francis's popemobile set to become health clinic for Gaza children
Crispian Balmer, Reuters | Posted May 4 - 3:51 p.m. | Save Story
One of Pope Francis's popemobiles is being transformed into a mobile health clinic for children in the Gaza Strip, fulfilling one of his final wishes, the Vatican's official media outlet said on Sunday.
Revisiting the Utah Compact: Are Utahns upholding a free society for immigrants?
Courtney Johns, KSL-TV | Posted May 4 - 10:45 a.m. | Save Story
Fifteen years after the Utah Compact was signed, KSL explores the final principle and some leaders say is at the very heart of Utah's unique culture, history and spirit of inclusion.
Witness describes trying to save life of missionary hit by car in North Carolina
Daniel Woodruff, KSL-TV | Posted May 3 - 10:33 p.m. | Save Story
Craymon Garner spoke to KSL-TV about the crash that killed a missionary in North Carolina Friday.
Why Utah's governor says America needs a 'religious revival'
Brigham Tomco, Deseret News | Posted May 2 - 9:04 p.m. | Save Story
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Americans must look beyond politics for the solution to the country's problems.
Family of missionary killed in North Carolina auto-pedestrian crash says he was excited to serve
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Updated May 2 - 2:52 p.m. | Save Story
Elder Aleki Langi, a missionary from Magna serving in the North Carolina Charlotte Mission, was killed after being hit by a car on Thursday. A second missionary was injured.
Vatican firefighters install a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel for the papal election
Nicole Winfield, Associated Press | Posted May 2 - 12:57 p.m. | Save Story
Preparations for the conclave to find a new pope accelerated Friday with the installation of the chimney out of the Sistine Chapel that will signal the election of a successor to Pope Francis in a conclave beginning May 7.
Supreme Court conservatives signal support for milestone religious charter school
John Kruzel, Andrew Chung, Reuters | Posted April 30 - 2:06 p.m. | Save Story
Conservative Supreme Court justices signaled sympathy on Wednesday toward a bid led by two Catholic dioceses to establish in Oklahoma the nation's first taxpayer-funded religious charter school in a major test of religious rights.
New photos released as restoration of Salt Lake Temple, Temple Square continues
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted April 29 - 5:02 p.m. | Save Story
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provided an update on Temple Square renovations Tuesday, along with new pictures of ongoing work inside the temple.
Disgraced Cardinal Becciu formally withdraws from participation in conclave to elect pope
Nicole Winfield, Associated Press | Posted April 29 - 9:40 a.m. | Save Story
The Italian cardinal at the heart of the Vatican's "trial of the century" announced Tuesday he was withdrawing from participating in the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope.
'Absolutely beautiful': St. George Episcopal church exhibits historic stained-glass artwork
Nick Fiala, St. George News | Posted April 29 - 9:35 a.m. | Save Story
St. George's Grace Episcopal Church will be caring for a valuable piece of art until its permanent home is ready in the Liberty Village attraction.
Catholic Community Services to maintain refugee programming thanks to influx of private donations
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted April 28 - 5:05 p.m. | Save Story
Catholic Community Services will maintain its refugee programming — once threatened by federal funding cuts — thanks to an influx of private donations.
Conclave to elect a new pope will start on May 7 as cardinals get to know one another
Nicole Winfield and Colleen Barry, Associated Press | Updated April 28 - 9:58 a.m. | Save Story
The Vatican says the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis will begin on May 7. The date was chief on the agenda of cardinals holding informal meetings Monday to work out church business following the April 21 death of Pope Francis.
Catholic faithful pay respects to Pope Francis as his tomb opens to the public in Rome basilica
Vanessa Gera and Silvia Stellacci, Associated Press | Updated April 27 - 5:49 p.m. | Save Story
Roman Catholic faithful have begun visiting the tomb of Pope Francis. Starting early Sunday they began filing past the simple white tomb in St. Mary Major Basilica.
Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable looks ahead to Sunday event, embraces group's ongoing purpose
Eva Terry, Deseret News | Posted April 26 - 12:03 p.m. | Save Story
The Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable has been around for over 2½ decades, and it's not going anywhere any time soon. In fact, the group is hosting a sacred music evening for all faiths at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Sunday evening.
Pope Francis laid to rest in Rome
Joshua McElwee, Crispian Balmer and Philip Pullella, Reuters | Updated April 26 - 11:56 a.m. | Save Story
Pope Francis was laid to rest Saturday after a requiem Mass for the beloved pontiff who died on Monday.
Rome and the world bid farewell to Pope Francis with massive funeral, humble burial
Joshua McElwee, Crispian Balmer and Philip Pullella, Reuters | Updated April 26 - 8:52 a.m. | Save Story
Presidents, royalty and simple mourners bade farewell to Pope Francis on Saturday at a solemn funeral ceremony, where a cardinal appealed for the pontiff's legacy of caring to be kept alive.
Maine's hidden 'Sistine Chapel' inspires artists with 70-year-old frescoes
Patrick Whittle, Associated Press | Posted April 26 - 8:25 a.m. | Save Story
The recent launch of a website dedicated to frescoes in a Maine meeting house, described as the state's Sistine Chapel, has created a new surge of interest in the paintings.
More than 100,000 pay respects to Pope Francis in final hours of lying in state
Joshua McElwee and Giulia Segreti, Reuters | Updated April 25 - 3:58 p.m. | Save Story
More than 100,000 mourners filed into St. Peter's Basilica on Friday to pay their respects to Pope Francis, viewing his open coffin in the final visiting hours ahead of his funeral on Saturday.
Church History Museum debuts 'Lift Up the Hands Which Hang Down' art gallery
Gabriela Fletcher, KSL.com | Posted April 24 - 7:14 p.m. | Save Story
Artwork from the 13th International Art Competition of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be displayed in a Church History Museum exhibit until Jan. 3, 2026.
Leaders call 7,194 BYU graduates to excellence and discipleship during graduation ceremony
Tad Walch, Deseret News | Posted April 24 - 6:02 p.m. | Save Story
Speakers encouraged the BYU graduates of the 2024-25 school year to commit to faith, family, community engagement, service and professional excellence during graduation ceremonies at the Marriott Center on Thursday.
St. Peter's Basilica stays open overnight for public viewing of Pope Francis due to strong turnout
Colleen Barry, Associated Press | Posted April 24 - 11:53 a.m. | Save Story
So many people lined up to see Pope Francis lying in state at St. Peter's Basilica that the Vatican kept the doors open all night, closing for just one hour from 6 a.m. until 7 a.m. Thursday local time.
Hundreds attend mass at Cathedral of the Madeleine to mourn Pope Francis
Dan Rascon, KSL-TV | Posted April 23 - 6:02 p.m. | Save Story
Hundreds of people gathered at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City on Tuesday night to remember the teachings and the legacy of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday.
'Conclave' viewership is up after death of Pope Francis
Lisa Respers France, CNN | Updated April 23 - 12:57 p.m. | Save Story
The recent death of Pope Francis has ignited interest in a film about the selection of a new pope.
Pope Francis' funeral to be held on Saturday; many world leaders expected
Joshua McElwee and Crispian Balmer, Reuters | Posted April 22 - 7:28 a.m. | Save Story
Pope Francis' funeral will be held on Saturday in St. Peter's Square, Roman Catholic cardinals decided on Tuesday, setting the stage for a solemn ceremony that will draw leaders from around the world.
How Pope Francis inspired the Olympics
Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News | Posted April 21 - 9:31 p.m. | Save Story
Pope Francis is credited with inspiring the creation of the International Olympic Committee's refugee team.
Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies from stroke, heart failure
Joshua McElwee and Alvise Armellini, Reuters | Updated April 21 - 2:45 p.m. | Save Story
Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died of stroke and heart failure, the Vatican said on Monday.
'Humility and compassion': Utahns mourn death of Pope Francis
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com | Updated April 21 - 1:06 p.m. | Save Story
Several prominent Utahns and religious leaders issued statements mourning the death of Pope Francis, recalling the care he showed to marginalized people around the world.
