Water Reaches “End of the Row” in Congolese Villages - News Release

Luputa, Democratic Republic of the Congo 23 November 2009 Dancing, shouts of joy and speeches marked the end of a significant milestone for residents recently in several villages of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Water finally gushed out from an 18-mile-long pipe to the African villages of Tshiabobo, Mafumba, Kasha, Ibola and will be in Luputa City by next summer. Full Story

Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple Site Announced - News Release

SALT LAKE CITY 19 November 2009 The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the site for the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple. The specific location is 1739 Vine Street in downtown Philadelphia. Full Story

Church Supports Nondiscrimination Ordinances - News Release

SALT LAKE CITY 10 November 2009 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has declared its support of nondiscrimination regulations that would extend protection in matters of housing and employment in Salt Lake City to those with same-sex attraction.

The Church said the Salt Lake City Council’s new nondiscrimination ordinance “is fair and reasonable” and balances fair housing and employment rights with the religious rights of the community.

The remarks, representing the position of the Church’s leadership, were read by Michael Otterson, managing director of Church Public Affairs, as part of a public comment period discussing the ordinances at a Salt Lake City Council meeting tonight. (Read full remarks).

Reaching Out Around the World - News Release

SALT LAKE CITY 4 November 2009 Latter-day Saints believe that giving service to others is a lifestyle based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, who “went about doing good.”  The desire to serve others crosses cultural boundaries and has been manifested in recent months with stories featured on International Church Web sites.  From Brazil and El Salvador to Samoa and Guatemala, members of the Church are reaching out around the world to help those in need.  Below are some examples. Full Story

What You Will Find When You Step Inside a Mormon Chapel - News Release

SALT LAKE CITY 26 October 2009 Most first-time visitors to a Mormon church building comment on the number of rooms. Many expect to find one large interior space, such as in many other Christian denominations’ buildings of worship. Full Story

Natalie Cole and David McCullough to Perform in Annual Christmas Concert The Wondrous Gift of Christmas - News Release

SALT LAKE CITY 15 October 2009 Singer, songwriter and performer Natalie Cole and two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough will join the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for their annual Christmas concerts, titled The Wondrous Gift of Christmas. Mack Wilberg and Ryan Murphy will conduct the concerts. Full Story

Apostle Says Religious Freedom Is Being Threatened - News Release

SALT LAKE CITY 13 October 2009 An apostle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said religious freedom is being threatened by societal forces intimidating those with religious points of view from having a voice in the public square. Full Story

From Salt Lake to Samoa, Church Extends Humanitarian Help - News Release

SALT LAKE CITY 6 October 2009 A chartered cargo plane loaded with relief supplies is on its way to Samoa to aid victims of last week’s tsunami.

“Dozens of villages were completely destroyed, resulting in hundreds of families losing everything," said Elder James J. Hamula of the Church’s First Quorum of the Seventy. Elder Hamula, the first counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency, said this shipment is expected to care for 2,000 people for 3-4 weeks.

Five New Temples Announced - News Release

SALT LAKE CITY 3 October 2009 Plans to build five new temples were announced today by President Thomas S. Monson, worldwide leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, during the Church’s 179th Semiannual General Conference in Salt Lake City. With 130 temples currently operating and with another 16 in some phase of planning or construction, these five temples bring the worldwide total to 151. Full Story

Thousands to Attend 179th Semiannual General Conference - News Release

SALT LAKE CITY 2 October 2009 More than 100,000 Church members, friends and invited guests are expected to attend the 179th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with millions more watching or listening to conference proceedings via television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. Five sessions of the conference will be held Saturday and Sunday, 3–4 October 2009, in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. Full Story

Church Update on Pacific Earthquake and Tsunami Crisis - News Release

SALT LAKE CITY 2 October 2009 Following the devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami in the central Pacific, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is determining a response from Church headquarters in Salt Lake City while local relief efforts are underway. 

According to news reports, over 150 people have died in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga. Church reports indicate that 26 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have died. Twenty-two were in Samoa and four were in American Samoa.

First-Time Conference Attendees Speak of Experience - News Release

SALT LAKE CITY 2 October 2009 Regardless of what country they live in, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who journey to Salt Lake City for the semiannual general conference meetings share similar reactions. Full Story

Church Report on South Pacific Earthquake, Tsunami - News Release

SALT LAKE CITY 30 September 2009 The Church is assessing the situation in Samoa and the surrounding area following the earthquake and tsunami there. Efforts are underway to determine the Church’s humanitarian response including coordination with government and disaster relief organizations. Full Story

Church Responds to Flooding in the Philippines - News Release

SALT LAKE CITY 28 September 2009 Tropical storm Ketsana struck the Philippines on Saturday, 26 September 2009, triggering the heaviest rainfall in 40 years and causing significant flooding. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is providing food, water, clothing, hygiene items and other relief supplies, which are being purchased locally and distributed to those in the affected region. Full Story

New Harrisville Welfare Services Center Dedicated - News Release

HARRISVILLE, Utah 25 September 2009 Bishop Richard C. Edgley, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has dedicated a new welfare services center in Harrisville, Utah. The 54,817 square-foot facility will house multiple Church welfare services, including the Deseret Industries and LDS Family Services, as well as Church Distribution Services and a humanitarian service room, which will open in October. Full Story