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Mormons experience Easter in the Holy Land

During the month of December, Christians participate in various service activities and worship in their religious sects to recognize the birth of Jesus Christ. When springtime finally arrives, many American Christians may not recognize the fact that Easter is coming if it weren’t for the Cadbury Eggs on the candy aisle. Although Easter is still considered a reverent and beloved holiday for Christians in America, Easter Sunday falls on a different day each year, perhaps causing the death and resurrection of the Savior to be less celebrated than it should be.

A pageant of Mormon history and mirth

Every year in mid-July, Jesus descends from the heavens onto a hillside in bucolic western New York. Should they witness the nighttime scene, evangelical Protestants driving along U.S. Route 21 might worry that they have missed the rapture. Instead, what they have missed is a uniquely American religious festival, concluding its 75th anniversary this weekend. In the Hill Cumorah Pageant, nearly a thousand members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bring to life the sacred history of their faith. The pageant takes place near Palmyra, the small town in which Joseph Smith Jr. published the Book of Mormon in 1830.

Why the Gospel Is Eminently Practical

I was inspired by Matt’s remarks as he spoke to our ward before departing on his Mormon mission to Tonga. He explained that in his recent philosophy class at Brigham Young University he studied pragmatism. Pragmatism is most closely associated with C. S. Peirce and William James (1842-1910). James is often labeled the “Father of American psychology,” and one of the most influential philosophers in the United States. The philosophical tradition of pragmatism, in everyman’s language, is best described as a philosophy of practical living for a happier, more successful life that involves a sensible, commonsensical approach to problems and situations.

2011 positive Mormon media highlights

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.

Latter-day Saint Life

New Study: Is Religion Losing Influence in America?

A new study from the Pew Research Center shows that 72 percent of the United States public thinks religion is losing influence in American life, the highest level in Pew Research polling over the past 10 years. Significantly, most of the respondents who say religion's influence is waning describe this as a bad thing.

Latter-day Saint Life

3 Utah Cities Rank in the Top 5 for Most Babies in the Country

MR says: It turns out three Utah cities rank high for having the most babies in the country, and their high population of Mormon families plays a big role in that ranking.

Mormon men postponing marriage, concerning church officials

Marriage is a fundamental tenet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But church leaders now face a matrimony problem within their flock: Young single Mormons are delaying marriage. Becky Maher, 29, attends the American River Young Singles Adult Branch in Sacramento. She is active in the congregation and has held leadership positions in the church. But getting married has so far eluded her. "I would like to be married as soon as possible," she said.

Religion census reveals substantial LDS growth

At a time when major religious groups around the United States are experiencing significant declines in membership, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to grow substantially, according to the 2010 decennial U.S. Religion Census released today by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. The findings, released today in Chicago during the annual meetings of the Associated Church Press, show that while Catholic churches reported a 5 percent decline in membership during the decade that ended in 2010 and mainline Christian denominations reported a 12.8 percent decline during the same time period, the LDS Church reported growth of 45.5 percent.

Latter-day Saint Life

President Eyring's Spiritual Experience + Other Highlights from the Oklahoma Temple Rededication

Read the dedicatory prayer for the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple here.

Latter-day Saint Life

President Nelson Embarks on Five-Country Tour to Greet Latter-day Saints, World Leaders

The tireless, hardworking leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints begins another international trip this weekend.