I remember the first time I ever went to a Mormon church. I was 18 years old and a senior in high school. Trust me when I say I had no desire to be a Mormon. My parents divorced when I was a baby, and growing up my mom was a wonderful example of virtue, goodness and working hard to reach your potential. She brought us kids to a local Baptist church, where I learned to love the Lord as a little girl. I am thankful for my upbringing and my mother's powerful influence because I don't know who I would be or where I would be without her. I had just been crowned Miss Teen Nevada, and my dream was to become Miss USA.

Abi was a writer for LDS Living. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in journalism, and has written for many publications, including FamilySearch, Utah Business, and Y Magazine. When she’s not writing, Abi enjoys traveling, doing film photography, and going on picnics.

When Elder Hayden Merchant and his companion headed out to tract one day while serving in the Ohio Columbus Mission, they might have noticed a few mundane landmarks along the way.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints cares deeply about the quality of life in Utah, home to nearly two million of its members — 13 percent of total membership — and the Church’s worldwide headquarters. The Church's concern, however, is not to promote the health code we embrace as Church members, but to support legislation that advances the safety and well-being of all state residents, particularly minors, and to avoid the societal costs and harms that often result from alcohol excess consumption and abuse, underage drinking and DUIs. The Church also believes strongly that alcohol policy in Utah is closely tied to the moral climate of the state and legislation should not enable, promote or contribute to an “alcohol culture.” Nevertheless, the Church does not contest the fact that alcohol is socially acceptable in our society and should be available to those who want it.

The following story originally ran in September 2017 but has been updated.

Meridian, Idaho - A Mormon temple is a source of controversy in neighborhoods near its proposed Linder Road location. Neighbors take issue with how large the temple would be and how close it would be to their properties.

The U.S. luge team, including Mormon Christian Niccum, took sixth in the first Olympic luge team relay.