LDS Church
Elder Rasband tells BYU students: 'Hurrah for Israel' amid Middle East tensions
Elder Ronald A. Rasband invited BYU students to celebrate the Restoration during a devotional address, invoking 'Hurrah for Israel' language that echoes 19th-century Mormon history. The remarks come amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and reflect the Church's institutional positioning on Israel and religious heritage. Rasband, a senior apostle, framed the connection between restoration theology and contemporary religious freedom discourse.
October 28, 2026 at 1:01 PM MT · via Church News
LDS Church announces record number of missionaries during BYU devotional
An LDS apostle announced a new record for the number of active Latter-day Saint missionaries during a BYU devotional address, signaling sustained growth in the Church's global missionary program. The announcement reflects ongoing institutional expansion and member engagement in proselytizing work. Missionary service remains a cornerstone of LDS culture and institutional identity.
October 27, 2026 at 6:01 PM MT · via Deseret News · 2 sources
Salt Lake City considers rezoning former LDS Church property for townhome development
A real estate development proposal seeks to rezone a Fairpark property currently held by the LDS Church for the construction of townhomes, signaling potential Church asset redeployment in Salt Lake City. The rezoning request reflects ongoing development pressure in the city and raises questions about the Church's use of its extensive local real estate holdings. The proposal will require city approval and illustrates how Church property decisions intersect with municipal planning and development.
October 27, 2026 at 1:01 PM MT · via Building Salt Lake · 2 sources
LDS Church's new Visitors' Center emphasizes Christian identity to outsiders
Religion News Service reports that the LDS Church's redesigned Visitors' Center on Temple Square centers its messaging on the Church's Christian identity—a strategic pivot likely to preview next year's 150th Temple Square anniversary celebration. The emphasis reflects ongoing institutional efforts to position Latter-day Saint theology within mainstream Christian frameworks for external audiences.
October 23, 2026 at 7:01 AM MT · via Religion News Service · 5 sources
LDS Church updates General Handbook with policy changes for October 2026
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released its October 2026 update to the General Handbook, the comprehensive guide governing member conduct and ecclesiastical administration. The handbook—regularly revised to reflect policy shifts—serves as the operational manual for bishops, stake presidents, and member conduct standards across the global church.
October 22, 2026 at 7:01 PM MT · via Church Newsroom
LDS meetinghouse hosts Los Angeles interfaith concert uniting five religious communities
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted an interfaith concert in Los Angeles bringing together Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh communities. Held at an LDS meetinghouse on October 18, the event offered free admission and reflected the Church's broader efforts toward interfaith dialogue and community cooperation.
October 22, 2026 at 7:01 AM MT · via Church Newsroom · 2 sources
How Oaks' politics doctrine aligns with Christ's teachings, authors argue
Husband-and-wife authors of "Rooted" discuss how Latter-day Saints can integrate Christ's teachings into politically charged topics—patriotism, pioneers, food storage, and more. The interview, part of the Salt Lake Tribune's "Mormon Land" podcast series, explores President Oaks' recent direction on faithful political engagement and how members can navigate cultural debates without compromising doctrine.
October 21, 2026 at 9:01 PM MT · via The Salt Lake Tribune · 4 sources
Historian Gregory Prince on truth, trust, and LDS faith crisis
Dialogue Journal publishes a conversation between historian Gregory A. Prince and co-editor Caroline Kline examining the roots of faith crisis in the LDS Church, drawing on Prince's four decades of interviews with members. The discussion addresses how institutional trust, historical accuracy, and personal integrity intersect in members' decisions to leave or stay.
October 21, 2026 at 3:21 AM MT · via Dialogue
Scholar: LDS and evangelical women's 'positive thinking' trapped generations in conservatism
Kristin Kobes Du Mez, a New York Times bestselling author and historian, argues in a new essay that LDS and evangelical women's embrace of 'positive thinking' ideology has been instrumental in sustaining conservative gender roles and limiting women's autonomy across generations. The piece examines how religious women internalized and promoted frameworks that constrained their own agency while presenting limitation as empowerment. Du Mez's analysis draws on her scholarship on the intersection of Latter-day Saint culture, evangelicalism, and American conservatism.
October 19, 2026 at 4:01 AM MT · via The Salt Lake Tribune · 2 sources
Elder Soares tells NYU forum faith can bridge differences
Elder Ulisses Soares told religious leaders at New York University's Forum on Faith that people of different beliefs can remain true to their convictions while working together to build peace. He addressed the interfaith gathering on Friday.
October 17, 2026 at 7:02 AM MT · via Church Newsroom · 4 sources
LDS leader forecasts record 500,000 converts possible in 2026
Presiding Bishop W. Christopher Waddell said a record half-million convert baptisms in 2026 is possible, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. The forecast represents a significant increase over recent annual conversion numbers.
October 17, 2026 at 7:02 AM MT · via The Salt Lake Tribune
Church releases 2027 youth theme 'Rejoice in Christ' with website and music
The Church released resources for its 2027 youth theme, 'Rejoice in Christ,' including a logo, website, and music album. The materials are available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. The annual youth theme provides a scriptural focus for teaching and activities in youth programs.
October 16, 2026 at 11:02 PM MT · via ABC4 Utah · 5 sources