Tamarra Kemsley
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Tamarra Kemsley
@tamarrakemsley.bsky.social
560 followers 310 following 160 posts
Journalist covering religion for The Salt Lake Tribune.
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LDS Church launches an ambitious plan to stock up food banks and celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday.

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
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."
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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.

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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.

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‘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.
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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

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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.
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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.
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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

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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...
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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).

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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.”
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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

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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.
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October 23, 2025 at 4:34 PM
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Newly rejected by appeals court, LDS tithing lawsuit may be headed to U.S. Supreme Court.

✍️ Tony Semerad

www.sltrib.com/religion/202...
Newly rejected by appeals court, LDS tithing lawsuit may be headed to U.S. Supreme Court
After being rejected by 10th Circuit on appeal, a lawsuit accusing the LDS Church of fraud over tithing appears to be headed to the U.S. Supreme Court. But will the justices hear the case?
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October 22, 2025 at 10:47 PM
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For most people, living to 80 is a reason to celebrate. Hindus, however, revere this marker as a religious milestone.

✍️ @pfstack.bsky.social

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In this faith tradition, turning 80 is a cause for religious symbolism and celebration
In deeply religious rituals, A Hindu couple from Utah celebrate as the husband reaches his 80th birthday.
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October 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM
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“This is a big cultural shift for the church that is relatively recent, and is something that is guiding our operational decisions.”

#LDS #gsl #greatsaltlake

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Latter-day Saints have a religious duty to conserve water and save the Great Salt Lake, speakers say
Latter-day Saints are urged to do better in conserving water to help save the Great Salt Lake.
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October 21, 2025 at 4:42 PM
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Meet the newly promoted LDS apostle and counselor to Dallin Oaks who helped sink Nixon.

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Meet the newly promoted LDS apostle and counselor to Dallin Oaks who helped sink Nixon
Who is D. Todd Christofferson, the newest member of the LDS Church’s highest governing body?
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October 20, 2025 at 8:28 PM
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Dallin Harris Oaks, a staunch defender of religious liberty and a devoted advocate of man-woman marriage, was announced Tuesday afternoon in a worldwide broadcast as the 18th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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Dallin Oaks ascends to LDS presidency, concedes ‘we do not have the answers to all of the world’s problems’
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially names its 18th prophet-president, a 93-year-old former Utah Supreme Court justice who is a fierce defender of religious liberty and a loyal a...
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October 14, 2025 at 10:01 PM
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‘This…is going to be fun’ — Cautious lawyer Dallin Oaks remembers Russell M. Nelson as a decisive, surprising LDS leader.

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‘This…is going to be fun’ — Cautious lawyer Dallin Oaks remembers Russell M. Nelson as a decisive, surprising LDS leader
Latter-day Saint leaders, family recall a president without an off switch.
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October 9, 2025 at 5:17 PM
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Active Latter-day Saints increasingly abandoning orthodox views

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Active Latter-day Saints increasingly abandoning orthodox views
Even among active Latter-day Saints, diverse religious, social and political views are on the rise.
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October 6, 2025 at 5:22 PM
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LDS leaders host first global conference since the Michigan attack. Follow along here.

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Latest from LDS General Conference: Dallin Oaks opens by expressing his love for Russell Nelson
The latest news, talks and announcements from Saturday's sessions of LDS General Conference.
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October 4, 2025 at 5:01 PM
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‘Prophet of love’ — Dallin H. Oaks recalls final meeting with his friend, LDS Church President Russell M. Nelson.

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‘Prophet of love’ — Dallin H. Oaks recalls final meeting with his friend, LDS Church President Russell M. Nelson
A Wednesday morning tribute to President Russell M. Nelson depicted him as a loving leader focused on Jesus.
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October 1, 2025 at 8:09 PM
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Where and when you can see or attend the viewing and funeral for LDS Church President Russell Nelson.

✍️ Dylan Eubank

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Where and when you can see or attend the viewing and funeral for LDS Church President Russell Nelson
The LDS Church has released dates, times and details for President Russell Nelson's public viewing and funeral. A special livestreamed tribute is also planned.
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September 30, 2025 at 5:20 PM
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Update on victims in LDS Michigan meetinghouse attack

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‘Absolute heroes’ — Worshippers sprang to save fellow Latter-day Saints after attack on Michigan church
The latest about the fiery attack and shooting at a Latter-day Saint meetinghouse in Michigan.
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September 29, 2025 at 9:53 PM
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At least two dead, including a shooter, in attack on LDS church in Michigan.

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At least two dead, including a shooter, in attack on LDS church in Michigan
There are “multiple victims” after a gunman attacked a Latter-day Saint church in Michigan Sunday morning, police officials said, and the Grand Blanc church was also on fire.
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September 28, 2025 at 8:30 PM
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Breaking: LDS President Russell M. Nelson has died.

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Russell M. Nelson, Latter-day Saint prophet of change and pandemic, dies
LDS Church President Russell Nelson has died at age 101.
www.sltrib.com
September 28, 2025 at 6:48 AM