Commentary

The Divine Institution of Marriage

SALT LAKE CITY 13 August 2008
The California Supreme Court recently ruled that same-sex marriage was legal in California. Recognizing the importance of marriage to society, the Church accepted an invitation to participate in ProtectMarriage, a coalition of churches, organizations, and individuals sponsoring a November ballot measure, Proposition 8, that would amend the California state constitution to ensure that only a marriage between a man and a woman would be legally recognized. (Information about the coalition can be found at http://www.protectmarriage.com/). Full Story

Everyone Else Makes Such Lonely Heavens

SALT LAKE CITY 4 August 2008
The New Testament states unequivocally that, besides Jesus Christ, “there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." And yet hundreds of millions of souls, probably the majority of all who have ever lived, were never taught about Christianity and perhaps never so much as heard the name of Jesus Christ. Are these millions of souls lost for the eternities? If so, can God be considered just, let alone merciful? Full Story

Why Is a Mormon Excommunicated?

SALT LAKE CITY 16 July 2008
Periodically the news media gives extensive coverage to a high-profile case of a Mormon being excommunicated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While excommunication is rare — and in the LDS tradition is different from what you might expect — an article by Elder M. Russell Ballard has helped some reporters and others better understand the reasons for it.  We encourage journalists, bloggers and others who write about excommunication, or other Church discipline, to read this article to better understand why the Church sometimes takes this action. Full Story

Proportion and Perspective on Polygamy Reporting

SALT LAKE CITY 10 July 2008
On 26 June, Newsroom published a package of information featuring profiles of ordinary Latter-day Saints in Texas. With no other intention but to define themselves, these members provided a tangible depiction of what their faith is all about. They serve as the best distinction between the lifestyles and values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a Texas-based polygamous group that has recently attracted media attention. Full Story

The Grand Enterprise of Mormonism

SALT LAKE CITY 8 July 2008
Of all the institutions in the modern world that have learned the art of give and take with the news media, religion has perhaps had the most difficult time adjusting. Religious matters, with all their miraculous narratives and complicated histories, don’t easily lend themselves to neat explanations. The demands and rigors of journalistic objectivity are not always aligned with the subjective nature of religious experience. So it is with Mormonism.  Full Story

Who Are the Mormons?

SALT LAKE CITY 5 September 2008
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as Mormons) can be found at every level of society — in business and agriculture, education and the sciences, political parties and government, the entertainment industry and news media. Full Story

California and Same-Sex Marriage

SALT LAKE CITY 30 June 2008
The following letter was sent from the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Church leaders in California to be read to all congregations on 29 June 2008. Full Story

Did You Know?

New Nursery Manual Available

The Church has released a new manual for parents and teachers of nursery-age children. It provides lesson ideas and resources to assist young children in learning principles such as faith, prayer, gratitude and sharing. In a video promoting the new manual, Church leaders suggest it could be used by families in the home, as well as in Church Sunday nursery classes. Full Story

Texas Mormons Speak Out

Many media reports over the last few months have focused on the FLDS polygamous group and its members in El Dorado, Texas. In response to some media and public confusion regarding what it means to be a Texas Mormon, Newsroom has posted information about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in that state. To view the full package of stories, commentary and videos, go here. Full Story

Physician Sees Benefits of Mormon Health Code in Reducing Cancer Risk

Health guidelines taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 175 years help in the fight against many forms of cancer, according to a Kansas City Cancer Center physician. In this month’s edition of the Church magazine the Ensign, Dr. William T. Stephenson outlines ways that he believes adherence to the Church’s “Word of Wisdom” health code aligns with many recent research findings in the fields of cancer prevention and treatment. Full Story