Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, arguably the most prominent Mormon in politics today, addressed a crowd of college students and reporters at the University of Utah on Thursday morning in a speech that could shape the future of the upcoming presidential election.

For the second time in less than a month, an American missionary appeared on local television in eastern Europe—this time in Kosovo—and spoke fluently in the country’s native language, resulting in an amazing and life-changing experience for him and smiles and gratitude from the country’s native residents.

With Mitt Romney leading the GOP presidential race and traditional Evangelical influence appearing to wane, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is playing an increasingly significant role in the American political conversation. On Thursday the Pew Forum on Religion in Public Life unveiled an in-depth look at public perceptions of American Mormons — the first report of its kind ever published by a non-LDS research group. Here is a survey of some its most interesting findings:

Thanlia Mallqui, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was awarded a silver medal for wrestling at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.

David-James Gonzales was born, raised, and educated in Southern California by Mexican American parents that instilled in him a love for education and a commitment to family and community. He is a professor of history at BYU where he teaches and researches race, migration, and civil rights in US History. He has published in several academic journals and anthologies including the Journal of American Ethnic History, American Studies (AMSJ), 50 Events That Shaped Latino History, and The U.S.-Mexico Border: A Reference Handbook. He is the receptor of multiple scholarly fellowships and awards including the Career Enhancement Fellowship by the Institute for Citizens and Scholars and the Butler Young Scholar Award by the Charles Redd Center for Western Studies. His current book project is tentatively titled Breaking Down the Walls of Segregation: Mexican Americans and Civil Rights in Orange County, California. He is also a producer and co-host of the podcast New Books in Latino Studies, part of the New Books Network.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square will present “From the Treasury of American Song,” under the direction of Mack Wilberg, as the closing concert of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Conference on Saturday, February 28 at 8:00 p.m. in the Conference Center. The public is invited! Free tickets are available beginning Tuesday, January 27, at 10:00 a.m., first come, first served, at www.lds.org/events or over the phone at 801-570-0080 or 1-866-537-8457. There is a limit of four tickets per person.

Does God care who wins Super Bowl 50? Does He determine the outcome? What are your thoughts? Do you agree with most Americans?

The president, according to Mormon doctrine, is literally a seer, a prophet — the president, that is, of the church. Usually American presidents have a somewhat lower reputation.Now that Mitt Romney, an active Mormon, is aspiring to the more mundane office, new attention has come upon the faith that guides him. And much of that attention has been accompanied by controversy, confusion and concern about how Mormonism fits into American society.

A dusty, barren field in the shadow of a busy Arizona interstate was for decades a place where children played freely, teenagers spooked themselves on Halloween and locals dumped trash, seemingly unaware of the history beneath them.

Each member of the Church must build a deep faith in Christ, Elder M. Russell Ballard and Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles told members in Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua during recent assignments in Central America. Along with other Church leaders, they counseled members to strengthen their families through prayer, scripture study, temple service, family home evening, observance of the Sabbath day, obedience to the Lord’s commandments, and sharing their faith with those around them.