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Weekly news summary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Below are some of the weekly summarized news headlines from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the week of January 25 through Feb. 2.

Church Reaffirms Immigration Principles: Love, Law and Family Unity

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has reiterated principles and communicated guidelines to local leaders in the United States regarding immigration issues.

As disciples of Jesus Christ, the following principles guide the Church’s approach:

  1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints obeys the law.
  2. We follow Jesus Christ by loving our neighbors. The Savior taught that the meaning of “neighbor” includes all of God’s children.
  3. We seek to provide basic food and clothing, as our capacity allows, to those in need, regardless of their immigration status. We are especially concerned about keeping families together.

The guidance closely follows statements made previously on these issues, which are available on the Church website.

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) has created guidelines to help local leaders comply with federal laws that criminalize harboring, transporting, or encouraging undocumented immigrants to remain in the United States. OGC also carefully tracks legal developments to ensure local outreach and area-initiated humanitarian activities are appropriate. Local leaders should be in contact with the Office of General Counsel for further information.

Depictions that Deceive: When Historical Fiction Does Harm

A recently released streaming series presents a fictionalized interpretation of events in mid-19th century Utah. While historical fiction can be illuminating, this drama is dangerously misleading.

Brigham Young, a revered prophet and courageous pioneer, is, by any historical standard, egregiously mischaracterized as a villainous, violent fanatic. Other individuals and groups are also depicted in ways that reinforce stereotypes that are both inaccurate and harmful.

As to the Mountain Meadows Massacre, which the series inaccurately portrays as reflective of a whole faith group, the Church has long acknowledged and condemned this horrific tragedy. It has also taken significant steps to uncover and share the full truth of what happened and promote healing.

The problem with such deceptive, graphic and sensationalized storytelling is that it not only obscures reality and hinders genuine understanding but can foster animosity, hate and even violence. This is particularly troubling today when peacemakers are needed more than ever. At a time when so many responsible leaders are condemning the division and hostility that dominate so much of our public discourse, we echo the plea of President Russell M. Nelson: “The Savior’s message is clear: His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire—no matter how difficult the situation. True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers. … Peacemaking is a choice. … I urge you to choose to be a peacemaker, now and always.”

This sentiment, shared across many traditions, is resonating around the world today. It is the prophetic message of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—a message of peace that all the modern prophets have shared, including Brigham Young.

The Church Joins Relief Organizations to Aid California Fire Victims

As part of its ongoing efforts to support those affected by the fires in Southern California, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has already contributed a combined US$1.2 million to help four nonprofit organizations respond to the immediate needs of people in the impacted areas.

“My heart is full of gratitude for the humanitarian organizations the Church is working shoulder to shoulder with to assist those tragically affected by the fires,” said North America West Area President Elder Mark A. Bragg. “Even in the most difficult and darkest of times, there is light and goodness all around us. I see the light of Christ working through these organizations, families, friends, and even complete strangers serving, comforting, and praying for all those in need.”

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross (ARC) is operating shelters across the Los Angeles area for those affected by the fires. In addition to providing shelter and food, ARC is also distributing relief supplies and offering physical and emotional health support. With the Church’s help, more than 10,000 people will have access to these services.

International Medical Corps

The International Medical Corps (IMC) is working to procure and deliver urgently needed response and recovery supplies to emergency shelters, emergency distribution centers, nursing homes and community-based emergency management organizations. IMC medical and mental health professionals are also providing direct health and mental health care.

More on this story can be found by clicking here.

A representative from the International Medical Corps delivers items to victims of fires in Southern California.

Government Hospital in Western Ghana Receives Medical Equipment from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

On Friday, January 17, 2025, the Kwesimintim Government Hospital in the Western Region of Ghana received a generous donation of vital medical equipment from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The medical superintendent, Dr. Simon Osei Frimpong, received the items on behalf of the hospital.

The Church’s donation provided equipment essential to improving maternal and neo-natal intensive care at the facility, including anesthesia machines, phototherapy machines, fetal doppler machines, an autoclave, radiant warmers, and more. The hospital averages 165 deliveries per month, including an average of 50 caesarean sections. Approximately 40 babies each month require neo-natal intensive care. The Church’s donation will significantly improve care for delivering mothers and their newborns.

More on this story can be found by clicking here.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Contributes to the Renovation of a Catholic Primary School in Kimwenza, Democratic Republic of Congo

“This renovation is a gift from heaven; the entire NTEMO community is joyful to have this new opportunity.”

On January 22, 2025, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated newly constructed and renovated buildings to the Primary School Ntemo, a Catholic institution located in Kimwenza, Mont-Ngafula, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. This gesture underscores a spirit of interfaith cooperation and community support.

The school was established in 1947 and was in a very dilapidated state: The roof was collapsing, the latrines were completely destroyed, the classroom walls were in ruins, and there was no access to drinking water. Once a jewel of the community, this school struggled to provide children with a healthy, safe, and educational environment. With the generous contributions of devoted Latter-day Saints worldwide, the Humanitarian Services Department was able to revitalize this primary educational institution. The donation includes 280 benches, eleven classrooms, and a renovated office. Additionally, six classrooms and a facility with sixteen mixed latrines have been constructed, along with a water borehole. The Vodacom Foundation, partnering in this project, provided thirty laptops and a year of free internet access to support the digital room.

Students expressing their gratitude during the handover of the construction and renovation works at Ntemo Primary School in Kimwenza, located in the Commune of Mont Ngafula in Kinshasa, DRC, on January 22, 2025.

On this joyous occasion, students, teachers, parents, and officials expressed their heartfelt gratitude. The priest of the Sainte Marie de Kimwenza ward opened the ceremony with a prayer, saying, “May God bless The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for this donation.” Mr. Vincent Madila, the Director of Ntemo School, remarked, “This renovation is a gift from heaven; the entire Ntemo community is overjoyed with this new opportunity.”

This renovation marks a new beginning for Ntemo Primary School and its students, made possible through the collaboration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Vodacom Foundation. The children of Kimwenza now have access to a safe and modern learning environment, showcasing the power of solidarity and community engagement.

Open House and Dedication Announced for Syracuse Utah Temple

It will be the 31st temple in the state of Utah

The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the open house and dedication dates for the Syracuse Utah Temple.

A media day for the Syracuse Utah Temple will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, and invited guests will tour the temple on Thursday, May 8, and Friday, May 9, 2025. A public open house will run from Saturday, May 10, through Saturday, May 31, excluding Sundays.

The temple will be dedicated in one session on Sunday, June 8, 2025. The dedicatory session will be broadcast to all units in the temple district.

A rendering of the Syracuse Utah Temple.

Church President Russell M. Nelson announced the Syracuse Utah Temple during the April 2020 general conference.

“Temples are a crowning part of the Restoration of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ,” he said then. “In God’s goodness and generosity, He is bringing the blessings of the temple closer to His children everywhere.”

Utah, the Church’s world headquarters, is home to nearly 2.2 million Latter-day Saints, approximately two-thirds of the state’s population of 3.5 million people. The temple in the city of Syracuse will be the 31st temple in Utah either in operation, under renovation, under construction or announced.

Temples in operation in the state are in American Fork (Mount Timpanogos), BountifulBrigham CityCedar CityDraperLaytonLoganMantiMonticelloOgdenOremPayson, Provo (Provo City Center), Saratoga Springs, South Jordan (Jordan River and Oquirrh Mountain), St. George (Red Cliffs and St. George), Taylorsville, Tooele (Deseret Peak), and Vernal. Temples under construction in Utah are in EphraimHeber ValleyLindon and Smithfield. The Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple and Salt Lake Temple are under renovation. Temples in Lehi, Price and West Jordan were announced in 2024.

The ceremonies conducted inside each temple teach about the purpose of life and unite families, both past and present. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints promise to keep God’s commandments, support His work, live the higher law that Christ taught while on earth, remain chaste and dedicate their lives to building the Church of Christ.

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