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Salt Lake rebrands as "America's Mountain City"

The new branding campaign comes as Salt Lake City prepares to host the 2034 Winter Olympics.

News

Visit Salt Lake is rebranding the Salt Lake area as &quot;America&#x27;s Mountain City&quot; in the lead-up to the 2034 Winter Olympics.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new campaign" data-vars-click-url="https://brand.welcometomountaincity.com/" data-vars-content-id="d3a5a4e4-1ee8-495d-a300-d39064166859" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake rebrands as &quot;America&#x27;s Mountain City&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://brand.welcometomountaincity.com/" target="_blank">new campaign</a> is designed to establish Salt Lake as a top destination — where urban meets mountains — as it prepares to welcome a global audience for its second Winter Games.

To seek execution in Charlie Kirk's murder, prosecutors turn to a seldom-used provision in Utah law

Here are the factors that have led to Utah death sentences in the past 50 years.

To get the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="death penalty" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/08/08/utah-executes-first-death-row-inmate-taberon-honie" data-vars-content-id="a9115c5e-0890-4d12-9d5e-74d2e1c55d22" data-vars-headline="To seek execution in Charlie Kirk&#x27;s murder, prosecutors turn to a seldom-used provision in Utah law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/08/08/utah-executes-first-death-row-inmate-taberon-honie" target="_self">death penalty</a> in Utah, a defendant has to commit &quot;aggravated murder&quot; — that is, a murder that&#x27;s particularly heinous, committed alongside other crimes, or involves other factors that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state law" data-vars-click-url="https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter5/76-5-S202.html?v=C76-5-S202_2025050720250507" data-vars-content-id="a9115c5e-0890-4d12-9d5e-74d2e1c55d22" data-vars-headline="To seek execution in Charlie Kirk&#x27;s murder, prosecutors turn to a seldom-used provision in Utah law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter5/76-5-S202.html?v=C76-5-S202_2025050720250507" target="_blank">state law</a> deems exceptional.Why it matters: At a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="preliminary hearing this week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/07/06/preliminary-hearing-evidence-charlie-kirk-case-tyler-robinson" data-vars-content-id="a9115c5e-0890-4d12-9d5e-74d2e1c55d22" data-vars-headline="To seek execution in Charlie Kirk&#x27;s murder, prosecutors turn to a seldom-used provision in Utah law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/07/06/preliminary-hearing-evidence-charlie-kirk-case-tyler-robinson" target="_self">preliminary hearing this week</a>, a judge is deciding whether Tyler Robinson can be charged with aggravated murder, which would make him <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eligible for the death penalty" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/16/charlie-kirk-suspect-facing-death-penalty" data-vars-content-id="a9115c5e-0890-4d12-9d5e-74d2e1c55d22" data-vars-headline="To seek execution in Charlie Kirk&#x27;s murder, prosecutors turn to a seldom-used provision in Utah law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/16/charlie-kirk-suspect-facing-death-penalty" target="_self">eligible for the death penalty</a> if he&#x27;s convicted in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/11/charlie-kirk-shot-utah-valley-university-turning-point" data-vars-content-id="a9115c5e-0890-4d12-9d5e-74d2e1c55d22" data-vars-headline="To seek execution in Charlie Kirk&#x27;s murder, prosecutors turn to a seldom-used provision in Utah law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/11/charlie-kirk-shot-utah-valley-university-turning-point" target="_self">fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk </a>at UVU in September.

Buc-ee's watch, Utah edition

Where we've been and where we're going, vis à vis the most anticipated gas station opening in Utah memory.

When marking your calendar for major events on Utah&#x27;s horizon, your mind might drift toward the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2034 Olympics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/24/salt-lake-city-2034-winter-olympics-host-utah" data-vars-content-id="a6db37cd-6afa-4148-ab28-90e52c4ae29a" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s watch, Utah edition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/24/salt-lake-city-2034-winter-olympics-host-utah" target="_self">2034 Olympics</a> or next year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt Lake Temple open house" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/04/13/temple-square-visitors-center-lds-mormon-sneak-peek" data-vars-content-id="a6db37cd-6afa-4148-ab28-90e52c4ae29a" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s watch, Utah edition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/04/13/temple-square-visitors-center-lds-mormon-sneak-peek" target="_self">Salt Lake Temple open house</a>.<ul><li>We are no longer convinced either of those is the real biggie, now that we&#x27;ve read our colleagues&#x27; recent reports about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Buc-ee&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/17/queen-city-quarter-epicentre-uptown-development" data-vars-content-id="a6db37cd-6afa-4148-ab28-90e52c4ae29a" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s watch, Utah edition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/17/queen-city-quarter-epicentre-uptown-development" target="_self">Buc-ee&#x27;s</a> grand <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="openings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/09/bucees-store-huber-heights-ohio-open" data-vars-content-id="a6db37cd-6afa-4148-ab28-90e52c4ae29a" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s watch, Utah edition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/09/bucees-store-huber-heights-ohio-open" target="_self">openings</a> in other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="states" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/10/buc-ees-mebane-north-carolina-gas-station" data-vars-content-id="a6db37cd-6afa-4148-ab28-90e52c4ae29a" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s watch, Utah edition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/10/buc-ees-mebane-north-carolina-gas-station" target="_self">states</a>. </li></ul>

Tyler Robinson appears for hearing in Charlie Kirk killing case

Erika Kirk and Donald Trump Jr. were present at Monday's preliminary hearing for the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk.

Utah prosecutors began presenting their evidence Monday at the preliminary hearing for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tyler Robinson" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/12/charlie-kirk-killing-suspect-arrested" data-vars-content-id="74b1d8b5-f07f-4d41-af8b-61f66705478a" data-vars-headline="Tyler Robinson appears for hearing in Charlie Kirk killing case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/12/charlie-kirk-killing-suspect-arrested" target="_self">Tyler Robinson</a>, who is accused of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fatally shooting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/10/charlie-kirk-shot-utah-valley-university" data-vars-content-id="74b1d8b5-f07f-4d41-af8b-61f66705478a" data-vars-headline="Tyler Robinson appears for hearing in Charlie Kirk killing case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/10/charlie-kirk-shot-utah-valley-university" target="_self">fatally shooting</a> conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University last year.Why it matters: The weeklong hearing in Provo will help Judge Tony Graf determine whether there&#x27;s enough evidence to send the case to trial in what could become one of the nation&#x27;s most-watched criminal cases.

DOD removes "Christian" label from recognized religions after fury over Mormonism's exclusion

The omission is stoking ire between conservative Latter-day Saints and the rest of the religious right.

Politics & Policy

The Department of Defense has revised its new, shortened list of recognized religions after fury from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Utah" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city" data-vars-content-id="8f4fadd8-853e-45a0-9c55-b94e94bc19c6" data-vars-headline="DOD removes &quot;Christian&quot; label from recognized religions after fury over Mormonism&#x27;s exclusion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city" target="_self">Utah</a> political leaders over not classifying Mormonism as a &quot;Christian&quot; faith.Why it matters: The omission is stoking ire between conservative <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Latter-day Saints" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/31/gop-latter-day-saints-yougov" data-vars-content-id="8f4fadd8-853e-45a0-9c55-b94e94bc19c6" data-vars-headline="DOD removes &quot;Christian&quot; label from recognized religions after fury over Mormonism&#x27;s exclusion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/31/gop-latter-day-saints-yougov" target="_self">Latter-day Saints</a> and the rest of the religious right, as some Evangelical Christians <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reiterate" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/DevisserJeree/status/2063394124640727321" data-vars-content-id="8f4fadd8-853e-45a0-9c55-b94e94bc19c6" data-vars-headline="DOD removes &quot;Christian&quot; label from recognized religions after fury over Mormonism&#x27;s exclusion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/DevisserJeree/status/2063394124640727321" target="_blank">reiterate</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="claims" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/LostMyHats/status/2063342413670953239" data-vars-content-id="8f4fadd8-853e-45a0-9c55-b94e94bc19c6" data-vars-headline="DOD removes &quot;Christian&quot; label from recognized religions after fury over Mormonism&#x27;s exclusion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/LostMyHats/status/2063342413670953239" target="_blank">claims</a> that the Utah-based faith is &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="demonic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/I8mNvFRPVdc" data-vars-content-id="8f4fadd8-853e-45a0-9c55-b94e94bc19c6" data-vars-headline="DOD removes &quot;Christian&quot; label from recognized religions after fury over Mormonism&#x27;s exclusion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/I8mNvFRPVdc" target="_blank">demonic</a>&quot; and a &quot;cult.&quot;

Utah weddings: No longer cheap

As destination weddings pour in and the state becomes less Mormon, couples are spending more.

Utah no longer lives up to its reputation for inexpensive, mints-and-lemonade church hall weddings.Why it matters: You&#x27;ll have to cough up more than $38,000 for the average celebration, per research firm <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Wedding Report" data-vars-click-url="https://wedding.report/action/wedding_statistics/view/market/id/49/idtype/s/location/Utah/" data-vars-content-id="81361702-18a6-4791-bfc1-2c327be3c081" data-vars-headline="Utah weddings: No longer cheap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wedding.report/action/wedding_statistics/view/market/id/49/idtype/s/location/Utah/" target="_blank">The Wedding Report</a>.

LDS Church sues critical podcaster over "Mormon" trademark

But the church also has called use of the word "Mormon" a "victory for Satan."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is suing the popular &quot;Mormon Stories&quot; podcast, alleging <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="trademark" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/01/09/morman-church-beer-lawsuit-desert-ipa" data-vars-content-id="de953e08-cb4c-476c-91e2-56449f8d579c" data-vars-headline="LDS Church sues critical podcaster over &quot;Mormon&quot; trademark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/01/09/morman-church-beer-lawsuit-desert-ipa" target="_self">trademark</a> infringements.Why it matters: One of the church&#x27;s objections is the podcast title&#x27;s use of the word &quot;Mormon,&quot; which the Utah-based faith has itself discouraged in recent years.Driving the news: In a lawsuit filed last week, the church argues that the podcast has used copyrighted images and adopted church branding elements in its logo, which will lead others to mistakenly believe &quot;it comes from or is affiliated with or endorsed by the church.&quot;<ul><li>The complaint includes screenshots of online comments by listeners who said they thought &quot;Mormon Stories&quot; was connected to the church.</li></ul>Between the lines: &quot;Mormon Stories,&quot; which has aired about 2,100 episodes since its 2005 launch, frequently criticizes the church.<ul><li>Its host, John Dehlin, was accused of apostasy and excommunicated in 2015.</li></ul>Yes, but: In a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="statement" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/getting-it-right-clarifying-trademark-branding-concerns" data-vars-content-id="de953e08-cb4c-476c-91e2-56449f8d579c" data-vars-headline="LDS Church sues critical podcaster over &quot;Mormon&quot; trademark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/getting-it-right-clarifying-trademark-branding-concerns" target="_blank">statement</a>, church leaders said the lawsuit is unrelated to the podcast&#x27;s critical content.The other side: The excommunication — and the church&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public statement" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-responds-to-john-dehlins-public-comments" data-vars-content-id="de953e08-cb4c-476c-91e2-56449f8d579c" data-vars-headline="LDS Church sues critical podcaster over &quot;Mormon&quot; trademark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-responds-to-john-dehlins-public-comments" target="_blank">public statement</a> about it — should disabuse audiences of the podcast&#x27;s church affiliation, Dehlin told Axios.<ul><li>He noted the podcast has changed its logo, removed church-issued images from video thumbnails and posted disclaimers on its online accounts and platforms.</li></ul>Catch up quick: In recent months, the church asked at least three other podcasts to remove &quot;Mormon&quot; from their names or withdraw trademark applications in recent months, the Salt Lake Tribune <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2025/12/08/lds-church-pressures-mormon/" data-vars-content-id="de953e08-cb4c-476c-91e2-56449f8d579c" data-vars-headline="LDS Church sues critical podcaster over &quot;Mormon&quot; trademark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2025/12/08/lds-church-pressures-mormon/" target="_blank">reported</a> late last year. None of them have changed their names.The intrigue: Their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hosts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/g_Kn-1UYzKs" data-vars-content-id="de953e08-cb4c-476c-91e2-56449f8d579c" data-vars-headline="LDS Church sues critical podcaster over &quot;Mormon&quot; trademark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/g_Kn-1UYzKs" target="_blank">hosts</a> have disputed the church&#x27;s ownership of &quot;Mormon,&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="citing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L6N_mHVDf4" data-vars-content-id="de953e08-cb4c-476c-91e2-56449f8d579c" data-vars-headline="LDS Church sues critical podcaster over &quot;Mormon&quot; trademark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L6N_mHVDf4" target="_blank">citing</a> its leaders&#x27; own disavowal of it.<ul><li>In 2018, the church purged the word from its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="promotional materials" data-vars-click-url="https://meetthemormons.com/" data-vars-content-id="de953e08-cb4c-476c-91e2-56449f8d579c" data-vars-headline="LDS Church sues critical podcaster over &quot;Mormon&quot; trademark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://meetthemormons.com/" target="_blank">promotional materials</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="websites" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-name-alignment" data-vars-content-id="de953e08-cb4c-476c-91e2-56449f8d579c" data-vars-headline="LDS Church sues critical podcaster over &quot;Mormon&quot; trademark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-name-alignment" target="_blank">websites</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="renamed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2022/12/08/tabernacle-choir-christmas-concert-temple-square" data-vars-content-id="de953e08-cb4c-476c-91e2-56449f8d579c" data-vars-headline="LDS Church sues critical podcaster over &quot;Mormon&quot; trademark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2022/12/08/tabernacle-choir-christmas-concert-temple-square" target="_self">renamed</a> the renowned <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mormon Tabernacle Choir" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2017/12/15/the-mormon-tabernacle-choir-is-ready-for-trump-1513300011" data-vars-content-id="de953e08-cb4c-476c-91e2-56449f8d579c" data-vars-headline="LDS Church sues critical podcaster over &quot;Mormon&quot; trademark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2017/12/15/the-mormon-tabernacle-choir-is-ready-for-trump-1513300011" target="_self">Mormon Tabernacle Choir</a> and told members that its use was a &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="victory for Satan" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/general-news-cae38cf6254442ffb4a608b4a8fcf334" data-vars-content-id="de953e08-cb4c-476c-91e2-56449f8d579c" data-vars-headline="LDS Church sues critical podcaster over &quot;Mormon&quot; trademark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/general-news-cae38cf6254442ffb4a608b4a8fcf334" target="_blank">victory for Satan</a>.&quot;</li></ul>Zoom in: The word still appears in the title of the church&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="signature text" data-vars-click-url="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng" data-vars-content-id="de953e08-cb4c-476c-91e2-56449f8d579c" data-vars-headline="LDS Church sues critical podcaster over &quot;Mormon&quot; trademark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng" target="_blank">signature text</a>. But other sects, from the polygamous FLDS to the progressive Community of Christ, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="use" data-vars-click-url="https://cofchrist.org/scripture/" data-vars-content-id="de953e08-cb4c-476c-91e2-56449f8d579c" data-vars-headline="LDS Church sues critical podcaster over &quot;Mormon&quot; trademark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cofchrist.org/scripture/" target="_blank">use</a> the same scripture.<ul><li>FLDS leaders, for example, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="have called" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dialoguejournal.com/articles/fighting-over-mormon/" data-vars-content-id="de953e08-cb4c-476c-91e2-56449f8d579c" data-vars-headline="LDS Church sues critical podcaster over &quot;Mormon&quot; trademark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dialoguejournal.com/articles/fighting-over-mormon/" target="_blank">have called</a> their faith &quot;Mormon.&quot;</li></ul>Friction point: Church officials <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="said" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/getting-it-right-clarifying-trademark-branding-concerns" data-vars-content-id="de953e08-cb4c-476c-91e2-56449f8d579c" data-vars-headline="LDS Church sues critical podcaster over &quot;Mormon&quot; trademark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/getting-it-right-clarifying-trademark-branding-concerns" target="_blank">said</a> they &quot;proposed several options to reduce confusion while minimizing disruption,&quot; and Dehlin refused.<ul><li>Dehlin said the church requested multiple disclaimers throughout episodes, and to rename the podcast &quot;Ex-Mormon&quot; or &quot;Post Mormon Stories,&quot; even though active members of the church appear as guests.</li><li>&quot;They did all this with the threat of a multimillion-dollar lawsuit. So it was like they had a gun at our heads to force us to make changes that were unreasonable,&quot; Dehlin said.</li></ul>Flashback: The church in 2023 also disputed a trademark application by &quot;Real Housewives of Salt Lake City&quot; star Heather Gay for the title of her book, &quot;Bad Mormon.&quot; Gay abandoned the trademark attempt.<ul><li>It also has challenged businesses using the word &quot;Deseret&quot; on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="name of a beer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/01/09/morman-church-beer-lawsuit-desert-ipa" data-vars-content-id="de953e08-cb4c-476c-91e2-56449f8d579c" data-vars-headline="LDS Church sues critical podcaster over &quot;Mormon&quot; trademark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/01/09/morman-church-beer-lawsuit-desert-ipa" target="_self">name of a beer</a> and a coffee shop that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="depicted" data-vars-click-url="https://www.deseret.com/2007/3/23/20008907/coffee-shop-pulling-moroni-advertisements/" data-vars-content-id="de953e08-cb4c-476c-91e2-56449f8d579c" data-vars-headline="LDS Church sues critical podcaster over &quot;Mormon&quot; trademark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.deseret.com/2007/3/23/20008907/coffee-shop-pulling-moroni-advertisements/" target="_blank">depicted</a> the Angel Moroni&#x27;s trumpet as a bong.</li></ul>

New visitors' center offers rare look inside Latter-day Saint temples

The new center reflects the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' effort to provide more transparency around temples.

The new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Temple Square Visitors&#x27; Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.templesquare.org/eng" data-vars-content-id="5ea615e1-c664-43c3-a5ef-a2eb8b6ec770" data-vars-headline="New visitors&#x27; center offers rare look inside Latter-day Saint temples" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.templesquare.org/eng" target="_blank">Temple Square Visitors&#x27; Center</a>, opening next month, will offer the public a glimpse inside a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Latter-day Saint temple" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/10/06/latter-day-saint-new-temple-construction-slowdown" data-vars-content-id="5ea615e1-c664-43c3-a5ef-a2eb8b6ec770" data-vars-headline="New visitors&#x27; center offers rare look inside Latter-day Saint temples" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/10/06/latter-day-saint-new-temple-construction-slowdown" target="_self">Latter-day Saint temple</a> with replicas of key rooms.Why it matters: The new center reflects the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints&#x27; effort to provide more transparency around temples and the sacred ceremonies performed inside them, including <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="baptisms for the dead" data-vars-click-url="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/baptisms-for-the-dead?lang=eng" data-vars-content-id="5ea615e1-c664-43c3-a5ef-a2eb8b6ec770" data-vars-headline="New visitors&#x27; center offers rare look inside Latter-day Saint temples" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/baptisms-for-the-dead?lang=eng" target="_blank">baptisms for the dead</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sealings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/what-happens-in-a-temple-sealing?lang=eng" data-vars-content-id="5ea615e1-c664-43c3-a5ef-a2eb8b6ec770" data-vars-headline="New visitors&#x27; center offers rare look inside Latter-day Saint temples" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/what-happens-in-a-temple-sealing?lang=eng" target="_blank">sealings</a>.

The Mormon church platformed a wife guy. The division online was stark

Even within Mormonism, social media platforms form their own echo chambers.

Controversy broke out last week when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints posted a testimonial from an Arizona man who is focusing on his wife&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="career" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/09/28/working-moms-rise-average-statistics" data-vars-content-id="45f09369-b3f1-487c-bd61-5a490c29f612" data-vars-headline="The Mormon church platformed a wife guy. The division online was stark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/09/28/working-moms-rise-average-statistics" target="_self">career</a> in pediatric neurology.Why it matters: The church&#x27;s posts elicited hearts and praise hands — and, elsewhere, seething accusations of &quot;woke&quot; PR.

Study: GOP losing ground among Latter-day Saints

The faith is one of the only groups that hasn't become more Republican since 2007.

Politics

<figure><img alt="A chart showing change in partisan composition of major religious groups in the United States from 2007-2009 to 2023-2025" height="816" id="1943d0e0-cb61-4bf3-9ea8-9b235b06d16a" src="https://images.axios.com/fiouo1-i7yPlPmvmhrJJevzV_nY=/2026/03/30/1774909221416.png" width="1220"/><figcaption>Chart: Courtesy of YouGov</figcaption></figure>In a study showing a nationwide conservative lurch across demographics, Latter-day Saints stand out as one of the few groups that have gotten <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more Democratic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/08/07/mormon-voters-harris-trump-arizona-utah" data-vars-content-id="20341487-7b65-414e-b610-0824ea8c6c18" data-vars-headline="Study: GOP losing ground among Latter-day Saints" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/08/07/mormon-voters-harris-trump-arizona-utah" target="_self">more Democratic</a> in the past two decades.Why it matters: The shift, reported in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="YouGov analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/54389-two-decades-of-partisanship-in-the-cooperative-election-study" data-vars-content-id="20341487-7b65-414e-b610-0824ea8c6c18" data-vars-headline="Study: GOP losing ground among Latter-day Saints" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/54389-two-decades-of-partisanship-in-the-cooperative-election-study" target="_blank">YouGov analysis</a> released last week, could reshape politics in GOP-controlled Utah if it continues.

Major SLC streets will close for months during LDS temple open house

More than 20,000 visitors are expected downtown each day of the open house.

<figure><img alt="A map of Salt Lake City downtown near Temple Square shows road closures marked in red and yellow." height="1560" id="ea5d7aed-0ba8-4b99-af86-899046589548" src="https://images.axios.com/6qiTm7AyhRuo5bHnqm6B0Id_i6Y=/2026/03/25/1774459937483.png" width="2108"/><figcaption>Road and lane closures approved around Temple Square for March–October 2027. Image: Courtesy of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt Lake City" data-vars-click-url="https://webdme.slcgov.com/OrdinancesResolutions/DocView.aspx?id=8389995&amp;dbid=0&amp;repo=SLC&amp;cr=1" data-vars-content-id="20dfbab8-05a6-4f17-8d1b-a96b966aacb8" data-vars-headline="Major SLC streets will close for months during LDS temple open house" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://webdme.slcgov.com/OrdinancesResolutions/DocView.aspx?id=8389995&amp;dbid=0&amp;repo=SLC&amp;cr=1" target="_blank">Salt Lake City</a></figcaption></figure>Some major thoroughfares in downtown Salt Lake City will close for six months next year to accommodate crowds for the open house at the renovated Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple.Why it matters: The closures, approved Tuesday by the City Council for March–October 2027, will mostly affect travel to and from Capitol Hill.

Most Utahns don't support Christian nationalism

Christian nationalism is deeply entrenched inside today's Republican Party, according to the survey.

Less than one-third of Utahns <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hold Christian nationalist beliefs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/03/11/utah-republican-christian-nationalism-view-politics" data-vars-content-id="5158a0e6-9106-40b5-811a-a886eb215a81" data-vars-headline="Most Utahns don&#x27;t support Christian nationalism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/03/11/utah-republican-christian-nationalism-view-politics" target="_self">hold Christian nationalist beliefs</a>, according to a sweeping 50-state survey by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute.Why it matters: The once-fringe ideology holds that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation and should be governed according to strict fundamentalist Christian values, even as the country becomes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="less religious" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/26/great-unchurching-america-religiously-unaffiliated" data-vars-content-id="5158a0e6-9106-40b5-811a-a886eb215a81" data-vars-headline="Most Utahns don&#x27;t support Christian nationalism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/26/great-unchurching-america-religiously-unaffiliated" target="_self">less religious</a>.

Mormon church returns ancient rock art to Indigenous custody

The boulder has been displayed outside a Tremonton chapel for about 80 years.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has returned a boulder containing 1,200-year-old Fremont <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="petroglyphs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/10/27/nine-mile-canyon-guide-utah-petroglyphs" data-vars-content-id="8e3ed061-c93e-409c-81d8-2b7b9327e072" data-vars-headline="Mormon church returns ancient rock art to Indigenous custody" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/10/27/nine-mile-canyon-guide-utah-petroglyphs" target="_self">petroglyphs</a> to its original site in northern Utah, about 80 years after members removed it and put it on display at a chapel.Why it matters: The location is a sacred gathering place in the mountains for the Northwest Band of the Shoshone Nation, the band&#x27;s vice chair, Brad Parry, said in a church <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="statement" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-works-with-shoshone-band-to-preserve-sacred-petroglyphs" data-vars-content-id="8e3ed061-c93e-409c-81d8-2b7b9327e072" data-vars-headline="Mormon church returns ancient rock art to Indigenous custody" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-works-with-shoshone-band-to-preserve-sacred-petroglyphs" target="_blank">statement</a>.

How Juanita Brooks' history of the Mountain Meadows Massacre changed Mormon views of the past

75 years ago, a revolutionary history book exposed who was to blame for the 120 deaths of the Mountain Meadows Massacre.

Seventy-five years ago this month, a new book drastically changed how Latter-day Saints viewed their own history: Juanita Brooks&#x27; &quot;The Mountain Meadows Massacre.&quot;<ul><li>This is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Old News" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/01/utah-history-story-collection-old-news-powell-bundy-olympics" data-vars-content-id="a4d5517a-95d5-4402-b950-89ce0665f662" data-vars-headline="How Juanita Brooks&#x27; history of the Mountain Meadows Massacre changed Mormon views of the past" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/01/utah-history-story-collection-old-news-powell-bundy-olympics" target="_self">Old News</a>, where we recount the history of Utah history.</li></ul>Why it mattered: It was the first historical work that offered convincing evidence that the Mormon Militia had slain 120 California-bound settlers in a 19th-century attack long blamed primarily on Indigenous people in southern Utah.