One of my favorite quotes tying The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to America is not actually from an American scholar, but a Russian one.
Legendary author Leo Tolstoy called Mormonism “the American religion.”
He said, “The Mormon people teach the American religion; their principles teach the people not only of Heaven and its attendant glories, but how to live so that their social and economic relations with each other are placed on a sound basis. If the people follow the teachings of this Church, nothing can stop their progress — it will be limitless. There have been great movements started in the past but they have died or been modified before they reached maturity. If Mormonism is able to endure, unmodified, until it reaches the third and fourth generation, it is destined to become the greatest power the world has ever known.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released a new photo of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, along with a photo of the quorum. The pictures, which were taken in the Church Administration Building on March 4, 2026, include Elder Clark G. Gilbert, who was called as an Apostle on February 11.
Read more on Church Newsroom.
https://t.co/HJdDs2Mvdd
The final spellbinding minute of President Trump’s State of the Union address will give you chills if you listen closely.
It was pure, unadulterated patriotism and American optimism.
TRUMP: “There is no challenge Americans cannot overcome.”
“No frontier too vast for us to conquer.”
“No dream too bold for us to chase.”
“No horizon too distant for us to claim.”
“For our destiny is written by the hand of providence, and these first 250 years were just the beginning.”
“From the rugged border towns of Texas, to the heartland villages of Michigan, from the sunkissed shores of Florida to the endless fields of the Dakotas, and from the historic streets of Philadelphia to right here in our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.”
“The Golden Age of America is upon us.”
“The revolution that began in 1776 has not ended.”
“It still continues because the flame of liberty and Independence still burns in the heart of every American patriot.”
“And our future will be bigger, better, brighter, bolder, and more glorious than ever before.”
“Thank you, God bless you and God bless America!”
What US city has the largest gap between national perception and reality?
My answer: Detroit
Everyone seems to think it’s a run down hell hole w nothing but boarded up buildings.
In reality:
> Completely rejuvenated downtown w businesses, residential, restaurants, & nice sports venues – Ford Field (Lions), Comerica Park (Tigers), Little Caesars Arena (Pistons & Red Wings)
> One of the best airports in the country – Delta hub w direct flights all over the world
> Tons of history, culture, and classic architecture
> Diversifying economy beyond auto into tech, medical, etc.
> People are genuinely nice but also super tough & resilient
Of course it’s not all unicorns and rainbows. While some parts of the city are making a comeback, others are being left behind.
There’s crime, traffic and all the other things most big cities battle.
But if Detroit has a national reputation of 1/10, in actuality I think it’s more like 7/10.
With heavy hearts, we announce that President Jeffrey R. Holland, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died today at approximately 3:15 a.m. MST from complications associated with kidney disease, while surrounded by his family. He was 85.
“My total responsibility … is to bear witness of the Lord Jesus Christ,” President @HollandJeffreyR said hours after he was called to be an Apostle in 1994. “As inadequate as I feel, it is the most pleasant and most rewarding and most thrilling assignment a man can have in this world.”
Visit the link for more information on the life and ministry of President Jeffrey R. Holland.
https://t.co/65dXTiZTjZ
the FCS playoff has been insane, down to just 4 teams from 24
UNSEEDED Illinois State (10-4) at #12 Villanova (11-2) - odds of this matchup happening had to be below 0.1%
and
#3 Montana (13-1) at #2 Montana State (12-2) - in-state rivalry for what feels like the real national championship