This Week in Latter-days

Melissa and Matt give us their top stories of 2022.

January: (Melissa)

TONGA VOLCANO

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-60051524

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2022/01/22/church-jesus-christ/

https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/1/21/23218744/first-presidency-tonga-volcano-letter-update

Tonga is a very devout nation, with most Tongans belonging to a Christian church. Statistics from a 2016 census show about 19% belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also known as the Mormons - the fastest-growing religious group on the island.Jan 21, 2022

Tonga has the highest percentage of Latter-day Saints of any country in the world (nearly 63%)

February: (Matt)

UKRAINE SAINTS DEAL WITH WARTIME ISSUES

https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/lds-missionaries-moved-out-of-ukraine-as-tensions-mount-with-russia-in-eastern-europe

https://www.thisweekinmormons.com/2022/02/kyiv-ukraine-temple-closes-following-russian-invasion/

March: (Melissa)

TEMPLE MASK REQUIREMENTS REMOVED

https://ksltv.com/486974/church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-removes-mask-requirement-in-temples/

https://www.deseret.com/faith/2022/3/15/22979821/latter-day-saint-temples-may-begin-to-remove-face-mask-requirement-other-covid-19-precautions

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2022/03/15/lds-temples-worldwide/

April: (Matt)

LDS MEDIA FEATURES… THAT AREN’T REALLY

https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2022/4/29/23048558/the-rumor-involving-latter-day-saints-that-producers-of-the-chosen-want-to-squash-mormons-social

https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/andrew-garfields-under-the-banner-of-heaven-embroiled-in-controversy-days-ahead-of-the-premiere.html/

May: (Melissa)

D.C. TEMPLE REOPENING / OPEN HOUSE

https://www.npr.org/2022/05/25/1100850964/mormon-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-temple-open-house

https://www.deseret.com/2022/6/5/23144875/mormon-lds-church-washington-d-c-temple-open-house-hits-milestone

https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/8/13/23304018/washington-dc-temple-influence-closure-renovation-open-house-president-nelson-rededicate

June: (Matt)

IDK???

https://gephardtdaily.com/local/church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-announces-effort-to-reduce-water-use-at-meeting-houses-temples/

https://kslnewsradio.com/1970796/church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-reacts-to-roe-v-wade/

July: (Matt)

FSY - FIRST YEAR

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/fsy-spots-open-to-more-graduating-seniors-this-year

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/youth/childrenandyouth/fsy/about/youth?lang=eng

FSY BEGINS

August: (Melissa)

TITHING SETTLEMENT CHANGES

https://ksltv.com/502338/church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-makes-changes-to-tithing-settlement/

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/first-presidency-tithing-declaration

Honorable Mention (but has been covered a lot already)

https://www.abc4.com/news/religion/church-responds-to-ap-investigation-into-sexual-abuse/

September: (Matt)

MISSIONARIES - SERVICE RETURNING TO ‘NEW’ NORMAL

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/area-breakdown-of-churchs-411-missions-worldwide

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/service-missionary/a-custom-experience?lang=eng

October: (Melissa)

NEW For the Strength of Youth

https://www.ldsliving.com/elder-uchtdorf-announces-a-new-guide-for-youth/s/11035

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/for-the-strength-of-youth/01-message?lang=eng

https://www.deseret.com/2022/10/1/23381979/10-new-things-to-know-about-the-new-for-the-strength-of-youth#:~:text=New%20chapter%20focuses,and%20Find%20joy%20in%20Christ.

November: (Matt)

RESPECT for MARRIAGE ACT

https://www.deseret.com/2022/11/17/23464767/senate-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-marriage-equality

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/respect-for-marriage-act-statement

https://www.ldsliving.com/church-releases-new-statement-on-signing-of-respect-for-marriage-act-in-us/s/11191

December Options: (Matt)

CHURCH DONATIONS WORLDWIDE

https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/lds-church-donates-10m-to-fight-polio-maternal-and-neonatal-tetanus

https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2022/12/14/23506202/africa-donations-fruit-trees-tanzania?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=cn-social&utm_campaign=twitter-en&utm_content=churchnews-en

https://www.deseret.com/faith/2022/9/14/23353721/why-latter-day-saint-leaders-just-made-the-largest-humanitarian-donation-in-church-history

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/donation-unhcr-wfp-refugees-europe

https://kslnewsradio.com/1979712/genealogy-research-now-a-tax-deductible-for-members-of-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints/

**

END-OF-YEAR MESSAGE FROM THE PROPHET (Melissa)

https://www.ksl.com/article/50542208/christmas-message-encourages-people-everywhere-to-spread-kindness

TWiM Sisters are back with an additional sister (Ciarran Burch)! The TWiM Triplets talk all things news during this busy Christmas week.

Links:

When the TWiM Sisters first interviewed their sister Ciarran Burch

Bundy Lawsuit

President Nelson Christmas Message

Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert

More Christmas Concert

Even more Christmas Concert

3 Latter-day Saint Football Figures

Mike Leach Article

Miss Rodeo America 2023

11 Crumbl Cookie stores found violating child labor laws

How being the only current woman to coach boys’ hoops in Oregon has been a ‘blessing’ for this Latter-day Saint

Bishop and stay-at-home dad wins baking show on Joanna Gaines’s TV network

Robbie and Alissa Parker on 10 years since Sandy Hook

Jennifer Roach and Melissa Fugazza make a great duo for summarizing the news in Mormons this week.

Links:

1. Marriage bill

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/respect-for-marriage-act-signing?fbclid=IwAR2SngXZtgGd9KEx5DbgT-eF9frnhPLcEt-YvGiuUBFIehKrqcz6GXL1J-4

2. The first boy scout abuse case has completed its wind through the courts https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/ex-boy-scout-leader-gets-12-to-20-years-on-sex-abuse-charges/?fbclid=IwAR1f8jhXd_Fvg-duyWxpja3SyvKrLA3TcMmbeCjt86kX4zdN-LzAMKuPgmM

3. Update on Bisbee case

Mediation possible in LDS sexual abuse civil case | Bisbee | myheraldreview.com

4. Nativity Displays

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/thousands-attend-follow-the-star-living-nativity-in-california?fbclid=IwAR29zaL8MbTdxuCr4iITavXx9dAPo18MhmjjXIrRIEfw0azsxW0nRgI2GLw

Devin Thorpe returns to the TWiM stage to share his thoughts on this week's Mormon news (some guy named Kurt was there too).

Article Links:

Why these members say their church is wrong on the Respect for Marriage Act

Gordon Monson: Is the LDS Church obsessed with worthiness? Who decides it ... you, your bishop or your God?

Latter-day Saint activism — See what it’s done for the church

In Sacred Loneliness: The Documents

One Latter-day Saint football player’s unexpected journey to this year’s Army-Navy game

See photos of the International Nativity Exhibit hosted at the Church’s London Hyde Park Chapel

Latter-day Saints & Earth Stewardship | An Interview with Chip Oscarson & Phil Fernberg

Question of the Week: What is the one thing you would adjust first related to church building decor?

Chip Oscarson and Phil Fernberg discuss the role Latter-day Saints can play in talking about the environment, stewardship, and climate change, while not making it so political.

Should Latter-day Saints be more intentional with this topic? How can we lead out? Does this discussion have a place in our church meetings?

Links:

https://ldsearthstewardship.org/

https://sustainability.byu.edu/

Guest hosts Melissa Jensen and Matt Miles walk us through last week's news items.

Article Links:

Temple Square Christmas lights have evolved during construction, but retain familiar features

Elder Quentin L. Cook Instagram

Mesa Temple Christmas

More than 1,000 Nativities on display in Michigan

This Latter-day Saint meetinghouse is expected to attract 10,000 visitors in the next 5 days—here’s why

Church plans to close 3 historic buildings near Temple Square in 2023 for renovations

Today is Elder Holland’s 82nd birthday. Here are 9 of his quotes from the past year

Tabernacle Choir aims to expand worldwide reach through tryouts, touring, translations

‘Strengthening Young Single Adults’ notice emphasizes callings, committees and ‘gathering places’

Mormon church’s celebration of Latino cultures puts spotlight on often-overlooked diversity

Video: Why the Presiding Bishopric calls temple-building ‘a miracle’

Opinion: Why many conservative Republicans in Utah don’t want Trump

Jana Riess: Why Americans, including Latter-day Saints, are leaving their churches

The TWiM Sisters, Tiffany Hales and Arianna Smith talk about the news!

News Links:

BYU-I instructors fired for failing ‘ecclesiastical clearance.’ They can’t find out why.

Is pushing for change within the LDS Church a ‘tactic of Satan’? A top leader thinks so.

A taste of Thanksgiving at the Provo MTC: How 1,050 elders and sisters spent the holiday

On Christmas Day, Latter-day Saints to Attend Sacrament Meeting Only

Stanford band stages controversial halftime skit during football game against BYU

‘Losing sight’ to help ‘others see Christ’: How a legally blind Paralympian sprinter is serving a unique mission in California

Actors Paul Rudd and Eric Stonestreet hype up Giving Machines in Kansas City

Porn-Star Dad of LGBT Club Massacre Suspect Spews Homophobia in First Interview

Colorado Suspect Anderson Aldrich's Links to Mormon Church Explained

Latter-day Saint leaders condemn Colorado Springs LGBTQ club shooting

Reseeding Hill Cumorah

Where are the 2022 Giving Machines?

Latter-day Saints in media need better representation

Kurt Francom interviews Jaxon Washburn about his recent article.

Article Link: Mormonism, the ‘Most American’ Religious Other

This week's episode introduces the TWiM audience to Steven Pynakker from Mormon Book Reviews and Rick Bennett from Gospel Tangents.

Stories & Links

David Archuleta details 'faith crisis' after coming out in the Mormon Church

Reports: Colorado Mass Shooting Suspect Is Grandson of Assembly’s Randy Voepel

Colorado Suspect Anderson Aldrich's Links to Mormon Church Explained

Mormon Book Reviews YouTube Channel

A Protestant Defense of the Book of Mormon by Steven Pynakker

Gospel Tangents

Rick Bennett's Tour of the Restoration Presentation

Now you can read the words of two LDS titans: Eliza Snow and Emmeline Wells

WHY IS NATIONAL MEDIA OBSESSED WITH LATTER-DAY SAINT SEXUALITY?

What the creator of ‘The Chosen’ said about the alleged Book of Mormon quote in Season 3

Viewpoint Diversity Ranking of Leading US Colleges

Jana Riess: Latter-day Saints are insulated from some dangers of celebrity culture — but not all