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Richie T talked to fellow hosts as well as several Patreon Saints about the top stories of 2023. (Become a Patreon Saint here.)

Robert Mortensen

Aaron Ryan

Meghan the Mitch

Annette Luthy Lyon

Richie T.

Top Stories per Chat GPT:

Defining the “top stories” for the LDS Church in 2023 can be subjective, as different perspectives prioritize different events. However, based on various news sources and discussions within the community, here are 10 significant stories from 2023, categorized for clarity:

Positive Developments:

  1. Temple Boom: President Nelson announced a staggering 35 new temple locations through the year, significantly expanding the church’s global footprint and solidifying his focus on temple worship.
  2. Humanitarian Aid: The church continued its robust humanitarian efforts, exceeding $1 billion in donations and impacting areas from malnutrition relief to disaster response.
  3. Increased Transparency: Continued historical document releases, including Spencer W. Kimball’s diaries and the final volumes of the Joseph Smith Papers, fostered greater transparency and engagement with church history.
  4. Missionary Success: A rise in missionary service, particularly young women, indicated renewed enthusiasm and commitment to sharing the gospel message.
  5. Community Outreach: Various church departments and initiatives collaborated with organizations like UNICEF, furthering interfaith dialogue and humanitarian partnerships.

Challenges and Controversies:

  1. Temple Costs: Leaks regarding the Pocatello Idaho Temple fueled discussions about the escalating cost of temple construction and its potential impact on other church resources.
  2. Heber Valley Temple Controversy: The proposed Heber Valley Temple location ignited community backlash and concerns about environmental impact and lack of local consensus.
  3. Social Media Debates: Issues like LGBTQ+ inclusion and women’s roles in the church continued to provoke online debate and highlight existing theological and cultural tensions.
  4. Media Scrutiny: Church policies and practices faced increased scrutiny from mainstream media outlets, prompting ongoing dialogues on transparency and public relations.
  5. Doctrinal Discussions: Internal discussions on interpretations of church doctrine, particularly surrounding the Adam-ondi-Ahman site and other historical topics, continued to evolve and challenge members’ perspectives.

It’s important to remember that these are just a selection of significant stories, and various individuals within the church might prioritize them differently. The key is to approach these topics with critical thinking, openness to diver