In June 1979, a coalition of conservative religious leaders led by a Jewish Howard Phillips, Catholic Paul Weyrich, and evangelical televangelist Jerry Falwell banded together to wage a political "holy war" against the liberal establishment. They called their organization the "Moral Majority" to signify the large number of social conservatives they believed were being ignored across American culture. Forming a political action committee, the organization registered 4 million voters in 1980 and purchased $10 million in radio and television ads questioning President Carter's patriotism and Christianity. Its message struck a chord with a large swath of Americans, and their efforts are credited with helping to elect Ronald Reagan. More importantly, the birth of the coalition began of a period of political dominance for the religious conservatives that would span at least three decades.

The First Presidency announced that two temples will close for extensive renovation in early 2018.

Santino Fontana, the voice of Prince Hans from Disney's hit Frozen, shared what it was like performing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Muppets from Sesame Street® last year during the 2014 Christmas concert.

"The church has a long history of working with the State Department going through the front door, not the back door," said Boyd Matheson, who served as chief of staff for Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah. That's why many are calling a request for an investigation of the way the LDS Church obtains visas for missionaries laughable or far-fetched.

A recent apostolic trip to the southern nations of South America demonstrated the growing ties between the Church and the leaders of many Latin American governments — even as the Church continues to develop in both membership and devotion. On Nov. 14-15, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and Elder D. Todd Christofferson, both members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, together with Elder Ulisses Soares of the Presidency of the Seventy, participated in a review of the South America South Area. Several training meetings highlighted their tour with priesthood leaders, members and missionaries — along with cordial visits with civic and religious leaders in Chile and Paraguay. Just over a year ago the Chile Area and the South America South Area were consolidated into a single area consisting of four countries — Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

In a hilarious bit on the Tonight Show, Jimmy Fallon featured some of the worst signs across the country, and a BYU poster made the cut. While it might not be the best reason to land a prime spot on the Tonight Show, it's also nice to take a step back and laugh at our mistakes.

It's rare when we can see faith expressed openly on TV. Violence, sex, politics, and virtually any other topics have no longer become taboo, but religion gets pushed even more in the background. Why is that?

The public is invited to tour the first temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Portugal. Church leaders announced the Lisbon Portugal Temple will be open for a free public open house from Saturday, August 17, 2019, to Saturday, August 31, 2019, excluding Sundays. A few weeks before the open house, the public can make reservations at templeopenhouse.lds.org.

Since we all begin reading the Book of Mormon with 1 Nephi 1:1, it's only natural to think that is one of the first passages Joseph Smith translated. But, surprisingly, research suggests 1 Nephi and the rest of the Small Plates of Nephi (1 Nephi through Words of Mormon) were the last scriptures to be translated. But why should the order of this sacred record's translation make a difference?

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced groundbreakings for the Quito Ecuador and Lima Peru Los Olivos Temples. Elder Enrique R. Falabella, South America Northwest Area President, will preside at both ceremonies.