For its 2011 annual retrospective, Time magazine named Mormonism the Religion of the Year, accompanied with an obligatory photo from the Book of Mormon Musical. The distinction isn't offered every year, but in light of the musical, two presidential candidates and the rise of Glenn Beck — funny no one ever mentions Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in these lists — the editors made an exception. The Time write-up itself was notably upbeat.

While in Paraguay during his South American ministry tour, President Russell M. Nelson spoke with the missionaries serving in the area. Two of these missionaries took quite the journey to hear the words of the prophet, traveling for two days straight. Watch what they had to say about the experience below. For more about President Nelson's travels and teachings in South America, visit the Church News.

Too much money, too perfect, too happy, too disconnected with the real world. Is it Mitt Romney people are bothered with, or the Mormon Church?

Mitt Romney. Broadway smash “The Book of Mormon.” HBO hit series “Big Love.” Mormonism seems to be center stage these days. Religion scholar Matthew Bowman looked at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – past and present – in The Mormon People: The Making of an American Faith. I recently had the chance to talk with Bowman about his book, the rise of “the Mormon moment,” and what American voters should know about Romney. Here are excerpts of our conversation. Previously you had mainly studied the evangelical Christian church. Why are you now writing about Mormonism?

The recent visit of Church leaders here will be remembered as an event of profound spiritual significance for Central American members. Elder M. Russell Ballard and Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve added "oil to the lamps" of thousands of Central Americans with their inspiring messages and counsel. Elder Ballard and Elder Christofferson were joined by the Presiding Bishop, Bishop H. David Burton, and Elder Jay E. Jensen of the Presidency of the Seventy. Sister Katherine Christofferson, Sister Barbara Burton and Sister Lona Lee Jensen accompanied their husbands.

The LDS Dems Caucus, an official caucus of the Utah Democratic Party, announced "A Day of Fasting and Prayer" to be held Sunday, Dec. 2. The fast is a response to the recent election. LDS Dems’ statement reads, "We are concerned about the future of our country, as are most Americans. In this season when we have chosen new leaders for our nation and our communities, and in the spirit of following the counsel of the [LDS Church’s] First Presidency, we would like to encourage our fellow Latter-day Saints, and all Americans of good will, to join us in fasting and prayer on December 2nd for our country."

Mitt Romney’s campaign team knows that his Mormon faith scared off Republican voters the last time he ran for president.

What is wrong with talking about Mormonism when talking about Mitt Romney and his run for the Presidency? On CNN last Sunday, David Axelrod, President Obama’s strategist, promised that his campaign did not consider Romney’s faith “fair game.” The implication, there, is that Mormonism is a weak point to be exploited—a card that one would only expect the Obama team to play from the bottom of the deck. And given that suspicions about Mormonism are widely thought to have cost Romney votes in the South, there may be good reasons for thinking so. Romney has also said, rightly, that some matters of faith are properly private. It might be that, in the interest of civility and electoral prudence, neither Obama nor Romney can initiate a conversation about what it means to be Mormon in this country. But perhaps the rest of us should, because the story is complicated, fascinating, and utterly American.

During their Latin American ministry tour, President and Sister Nelson sat down with the Church News in a video that gives insight into their marriage and how God's laws work.