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Tamarra Kemsley
@tamarrakemsley.bsky.social
560 followers 320 following 180 posts
Journalist covering religion for The Salt Lake Tribune.
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tamarrakemsley.bsky.social
LDS Church remain largely silent on Trump's immigration policies, despite a new ban targeting a majority Latter-day Saint nation.

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
BYU-Hawaii students left in immigration limbo after Trump’s Tonga travel ban
The new semester is here for students of BYU-Hawaii. And so is a new restriction on travel for many of its students. How President Donald Trump's crackdown could affect students now and in the future.
www.sltrib.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:12 PM
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LDS Church to dissolve Temple Square mission in SLC

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
LDS Church to dissolve Temple Square mission in SLC
For decades, the female-focused mission fostered international sisterhoods among Latter-day Saint women. While young women will still lead the tours of visitors to the landmark square, their specific ...
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January 12, 2026 at 11:38 PM
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LDS historian who "forever changed our understanding of Joseph Smith" dies.

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
LDS historian who ‘forever changed our understanding of Joseph Smith’ dies
The Joseph Smith Papers project has been called the "lunar mission" of Mormon historical research. The Latter-day Saint archivist who started the vast undertaking has died, and historians are praising...
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January 8, 2026 at 6:17 PM
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LDS Church breaks with long-standing tradition, embraces modern English translations of the Bible. The move should help increase comprehension and put Latter-day Saints into greater conversation with other Christians regarding this foundational text.

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
LDS Church breaks with long-standing tradition, embraces modern English translations of the Bible
For the first time, Latter-day Saints are being encouraged to seek out modern translations of the Bible to further their studies.
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December 16, 2025 at 10:22 PM
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“When I grew up,” says Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, " … I did not know who the Republicans and the Democrats were in my congregation, and I wish I didn’t know that now."

✍️ Adelle M. Banks

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
Two governors — an LDS Republican and a Jewish Democrat — team up in an Episcopal cathedral against political violence
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro addressed their bipartisan partnership in an effort to end political violence.
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December 15, 2025 at 8:50 PM
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U.S. Gen Zers and millennials are indeed leaving the LDS Church. The numbers show it.

✍️ Jana Riess

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
Jana Riess: U.S. Gen Zers and millennials are indeed leaving the LDS Church. The numbers show it.
The data supports what many have suspected: Younger U.S. Latter-day Saints are leaving the church in greater numbers than before.
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December 12, 2025 at 6:34 PM
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Youngest Americans are rediscovering faith, but they remain far less religious than older Americans.

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
Youngest Americans are rediscovering faith, but they remain far less religious than older Americans
The decline of religion among young Americans has slowed, but they remain less religious than their parents or grandparents — a trend that is not expected to change.
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December 10, 2025 at 9:55 PM
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LDS Church pressures "Mormon Stories" and other critical podcasts to rebrand.
www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
LDS Church pressures ‘Mormon Stories’ and other critical podcasts to rebrand
"Mormon Stories" is just one of several critical podcasts that have recently found themselves in conflict with the church over use of the "M-word."
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December 8, 2025 at 6:29 PM
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Jana Riess: The surprising Latter-day Saint complexity in ‘Stranger Things’

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Jana Riess: The surprising Latter-day Saint complexity in ‘Stranger Things’
Latter-day Saint character, Suzie, is not all sweetness and light. She upholds — and defies — some church teachings of the time.
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December 1, 2025 at 6:15 PM
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How pro-LDS podcasts defend — and divide — the faith and the faithful.

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
How pro-LDS podcasts defend — and divide — the faith and the faithful
What is the role of podcasters in a prophet-led church? And what happens when their popularity grows?
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November 28, 2025 at 5:59 PM
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How LDS women serving missions at 18 might impact colleges, marriage ages and birthrates.

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How LDS women serving missions at 18 might impact colleges, marriage ages and birthrates
How the lower missionary age for LDS women could raise their standing in the patriarchal faith and the classroom. Could it also impact marriage and birthrates?
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November 24, 2025 at 9:23 PM
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Latter-day Saints will hear less from top leaders going forward — at least at General Conference.

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
Latter-day Saints will hear less from top leaders going forward — at least at General Conference
In a single-sentence news statement, church leaders waved goodbye to one of their key avenues for dispensing messages to members.
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November 19, 2025 at 6:44 PM
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Another federal filing, another record high for LDS Church’s investment fund.

✍️ Tony Semerad

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
Another federal filing, another record high for LDS Church’s investment fund
The LDS Church's stock investments at Ensign Peak Advisors have climbed to a new high in value at $60.9 billion. That's double what the fund was worth during the pandemic.
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November 17, 2025 at 6:02 PM
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LDS Church launches an ambitious plan to stock up food banks and celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday.

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LDS Church launches an ambitious plan to stock up food banks and celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday
The LDS Church will help celebrate next year’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by sending 250 semitrucks loaded with 20 tons of food to 250 food banks across all 50 states.
www.sltrib.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:31 PM
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In "Surviving Mormonism," Heather Gay highlights abuse within the LDS Church. Here are details she doesn’t cover.

#survivingmormonism #heathergay #lds

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
In ‘Surviving Mormonism,’ Heather Gay highlights abuse within the LDS Church. Here are details she doesn’t cover.
In the documentary “Surviving Mormonism,” the reality TV star and former Latter-day Saint is on a mission to save people from what she deems a "cult."
www.sltrib.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:04 PM
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Does the LDS Church give away formula (or other basics) to parents in need? The answer is: it depends.
November 11, 2025 at 6:40 PM
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Utahns call on LDS leadership to oppose nuclear missile being developed in Utah.

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
Harking to the MX, Utahns call on LDS Church President Oaks to speak out against nuclear missile being developed in Utah
Could the LDS Church end an ongoing nuclear weapons project? These veteran activists think so.
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November 11, 2025 at 12:35 AM
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New LDS apostle just dropped. Here's what people in the know have to say about him.

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Generous, capable, compassionate — How Latter-day Saints are reacting to their newest apostle
Reactions from member and others to the elevation of 62-year-old Frenchman Gérald Caussé to Latter-day Saint apostle.
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November 7, 2025 at 9:02 PM
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"We’re not apologizing for being Latter-day Saints" — New podcast seeks to give believers a boost of confidence.

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
‘We’re not apologizing for being Latter-day Saints’ — New podcast seeks to give believers a boost of confidence
These LDS podcasters are on a mission to promote faith with facts.
www.sltrib.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:43 PM
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The LDS Church gives bishops guidelines on how to distribute aid but ultimately leaves it up to them to make their own decisions. The result is a patchwork of responses, and nonresponses, to an impending nationwide crisis of hunger ahead of the holidays. #snap

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
Many LDS leaders are gearing up to help those impacted by loss of SNAP benefits. But not all.
Here’s how some, albeit far from all, Latter-day Saint leaders of congregations are preparing to help those impacted by loss of federal SNAP benefits.
www.sltrib.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:12 PM
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Sleeveless LDS garments are now on sale across the U.S. I wouldn't try ordering them online just now. Demand has crashed the site.

✍️ Peggy Fletcher Stack

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
The wait is finally over. Sleeveless LDS garments are now on sale across the U.S.
Latter-day Saints in Utah and across the U.S. have been itching to buy the faith's new sleeveless garments. Well, now they can — online and at church stores.
www.sltrib.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:40 PM
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As top LDS Church leaders age, they move closer to "the zone of dementia," says historian Greg Prince.

✍️ Dave Noyce & Peggy Fletcher Stack

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
As top LDS Church leaders age, they move closer to ‘the zone of dementia’
Historian Greg Prince discusses the LDS Church's aging top leadership, including how leadership succession has evolved throughout Latter-day Saint history, the advantages and disadvantages of having a...
www.sltrib.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:49 PM
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LDS Church announces 55 new missions, including 14 in the US --- a response to growing number of missionaries and congregations in some parts of the world (notably, Africa).

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
In big move under Dallin Oaks, LDS Church announces 55 new missions. See where they will be located.
The addition of 55 new missions, announced Friday, will greatly expand the LDS Church’s reach around the globe. An experts foresees “tremendous potential to accelerate growth.”
www.sltrib.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:27 PM
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“Congregants," one Latter-day Saint said, "deserve access to effective means of protection.”

#2A #gunsafety #grandblanc

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
LDS Church reiterates safety protocols for members, doesn’t budge on gun ban
After the Michigan attack, the LDS Church reiterates its safety protocols, including following “the guidance of the Spirit" and keeping guns out of services. A petition seeks to remove the firearms ba...
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October 23, 2025 at 4:38 PM
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"The report, published Monday, found that about a third of Americans (31%) said religion is gaining influence in the country — up from 18% a year ago."

✍️Bob Smietana

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
Religion’s clout is bouncing back, say more and more Americans
The influence of religion is growing in the U.S. So say Americans in a new survey.
www.sltrib.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:34 PM