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Photo: Kevin O'Leary posed at Utah governor's desk before data center reveal

The image is unlikely to mollify populist outcry over government ties to the investor class.

News

Kevin O&#x27;Leary, the &quot;Shark Tank&quot; celebrity investor behind the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="massive data center proposed in Box Elder County" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/05/04/utah-data-center-kevin-oleary" data-vars-content-id="19d18ea0-8e95-4c51-8330-9ea9f078c487" data-vars-headline="Photo: Kevin O&#x27;Leary posed at Utah governor&#x27;s desk before data center reveal" 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/2026/05/04/utah-data-center-kevin-oleary" target="_self">massive data center proposed in Box Elder County</a>, sits at Gov. Spencer Cox&#x27;s desk in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="photo posted by a staffer to LinkedIn" data-vars-click-url="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tylermjennings_as-i-continue-to-talk-to-people-from-around-ugcPost-7415163427448451073-CQvC/" data-vars-content-id="19d18ea0-8e95-4c51-8330-9ea9f078c487" data-vars-headline="Photo: Kevin O&#x27;Leary posed at Utah governor&#x27;s desk before data center reveal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tylermjennings_as-i-continue-to-talk-to-people-from-around-ugcPost-7415163427448451073-CQvC/" target="_blank">photo posted by a staffer to LinkedIn</a> Jan. 8.Why it matters: That was weeks before the data center, which is projected to more than triple the electricity generated and used in Utah, had been addressed in any public meeting.

Tick bite ER visits soar in western states

Lyme disease is rare in Utah, but ticks also spread other illnesses.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tick bites" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/05/ticks-lyme-disease-removal" data-vars-content-id="ed6321f6-ac2d-4054-a455-f5d166285cd6" data-vars-headline="Tick bite ER visits soar in western states" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/05/ticks-lyme-disease-removal" target="_self">Tick bites</a> are sending a record rate of people in western states to the ER this spring, according to new CDC data.Why it matters: &quot;These tiny biters can make you seriously sick,&quot; says Alison Hinckley, epidemiologist with the CDC, in a statement.

SLC convenience store "influencer" accused of swapping underage vape sales for Instagram follows

Police say the owner was arrested just before boarding a plane for a one-way flight to Miami.

A self-styled influencer who frequently poses for photos with stacks of cash and a Lamborghini is suspected of selling vapes and beer to kids in exchange for Instagram follows.The big picture: Undercover agents listened while employees at Saif Al-Fatlawi&#x27;s City Corner convenience stores in Salt Lake and Murray made sales to underage customers that appeared to be as young as middle schoolers, police wrote in arrest documents.

Utah high schoolers protest AI name-readers at graduation

At least one school is keeping its bot announcer despite student objections.

Utah high schoolers are protesting the use of AI to announce students&#x27; names at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="graduation ceremonies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/19/college-graduates-ai-commencement-speech" data-vars-content-id="0fa3f2f5-6c1b-46ac-8ee6-5f4acfb0983a" data-vars-headline="Utah high schoolers protest AI name-readers at graduation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/19/college-graduates-ai-commencement-speech" target="_self">graduation ceremonies</a> this month.Why it matters: The students are joining a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nationwide mutiny against AI use" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/19/college-graduates-ai-commencement-speech" data-vars-content-id="0fa3f2f5-6c1b-46ac-8ee6-5f4acfb0983a" data-vars-headline="Utah high schoolers protest AI name-readers at graduation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/19/college-graduates-ai-commencement-speech" target="_self">nationwide mutiny against AI use</a> and mentions at commencement ceremonies.

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.

When Mark Hofmann's deadly bombs left SLC in terror

Forty years ago, a forgery scandal led to a series of deadly bombs.

Forty years ago, Salt Lake was reeling in terror as multiple bombs exploded in deadly attacks around the city, stemming from a forgery spree involving purportedly historical Mormon documents.<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="cd2e9802-df85-42f3-8428-6adb94dc30f6" data-vars-headline="When Mark Hofmann&#x27;s deadly bombs left SLC in terror" 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 process patterns of trauma and healing in Utah&#x27;s past.</li></ul>

Latter-day Saints' leaders urge forgiveness after shooting

The attack last week killed four and wounded another eight.

Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called on members to be &quot;peacemakers&quot; in the aftermath of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deadly mass shooting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/28/michigan-church-shooting-multiple-victims" data-vars-content-id="84757293-7c5f-450c-b6b1-f090131a16ea" data-vars-headline="Latter-day Saints&#x27; leaders urge forgiveness after shooting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/28/michigan-church-shooting-multiple-victims" target="_self">deadly mass shooting</a> a week ago against one of the faith&#x27;s chapels in Michigan.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;We realize that our hearts are mourning loss, and some feel uncertainty caused by violence or tragedy throughout the world,&quot; Gary E. Stevenson, a member of the church&#x27;s leading Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said Saturday at the faith&#x27;s semiannual General Conference.