An Open Letter to the Mayor of Fairview, Texas

This article was originally published in Public Square Magazine.

Dear Mayor Hubbard,

We write to you not as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, nor on behalf of it, but as members of that church scattered across the country who have watched the Fairview temple controversy with growing concern. We know municipal leadership is hard. We know neighbors can disagree in good faith. We have often worked with our neighbors to get temples approved in our communities. We know growth can bring friction, and that public officials often inherit tensions they did not create. We also know that the language leaders use can either heal a community or quietly inflame it.

That is why your renewed request that the Church voluntarily lower the Fairview Texas Temple steeple deserves a candid response, not from the Church, but from its people. The town approved a 120-foot steeple more than a year ago; construction is now underway; and your latest appeal asks the Church to reopen what had already been mediated, compromised, approved, and begun.

The legal question is not mysterious. Federal law protects religious institutions from discriminatory or unduly burdensome land-use decisions, and the Department of Justice specifically notes that the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) protects houses of worship in zoning and landmarking matters. More pointedly, you have acknowledged that the Church has the legal right to proceed with the approved design.

The Church could have made this a courtroom fight from the beginning. It could have pressed for the original plan, with a steeple reported at roughly 174 feet—nearly 50% taller than the design now approved. Instead, after mediation, it reduced the project to the 120-foot steeple now under construction. The Church also accepted a slew of other concessions as part of a “neighborly” agreement. The concessions were not trivial. They were attempts to recognize your priorities and work with you.

So when, after all that, you suggest that the “neighborly” thing would be still another reduction, many of us hear something more troubling than a plea for harmony. We hear a public official redefining neighborliness as surrender. We hear an approved agreement treated as merely the latest opening bid. We hear a handshake being turned into a pressure campaign.

That is not a compromise. It is a way of poisoning the well. It says to the public: if the Church builds what your town approved, then the Church has chosen legalism over love, rights over respect, height over harmony. But the Church already compromised. Fairview already approved. Construction already began. At some point, “please compromise” stops sounding like reconciliation and starts sounding like bad faith.

And this is not the first time. In your own Dallas Morning News commentary last year, you urged “a further compromise” and suggested that lowering the spire would show the Church valued harmony over division. Before that, public reporting quoted Fairview’s mayor describing the Church as “being a bully in a way.” Mayor, let us say this as gently as possible: a religious community is not bullying a town by declining to renegotiate a permit the town granted. But a town can bully a religious minority by repeatedly telling the public that the minority is unneighborly unless it keeps giving back what was already agreed to.

Nor is it serious to argue that because the Church has built smaller temples or steeples elsewhere, it must therefore build this temple smaller too. A smaller building in one city is not a perpetual promise never to build a larger one. Fairview’s own records show that religious-facility heights have historically been handled case by case, including approval of a 154-foot bell tower for Creekwood United Methodist Church. We noticed that distinct treatment.

We understand that change is hard. Fairview sits in a region that is changing quickly. The Census Bureau reports that Dallas-Fort Worth grew 11% since 2020, with especially significant growth on the metro’s outer edges. Four of the country’s five fastest-growing cities are small cities in the DFW area. Latter-day Saints are part of that growth, too. The Church has tens of thousands of members in North Texas, and we need temples to serve them. Perhaps the character of Fairview that needs to be preserved is how you treat everyone in your city. Perhaps treating your neighbors of different faiths like they belong is the character that should be preserved. We’re not intruders. We’re neighbors.

You can still be the neighborly one here. You can say, “We disagreed. We debated. We mediated. We both gave a little. We approved. And now we will honor what was approved.” That’s the neighborly thing to do. And mayor, if you don’t stop this passive-aggressive campaign, perhaps it’s you who’s chosen not to be neighborly.

The Church is building the temple Fairview approved. It is not unneighborly for us to ask you to honor that.

Respectfully,

C.D. Cunningham

Hastening Now: A Weekly Church Report

ONE

 
Elder W. Mark Bassett Dies at Age 59
Monday, May 11, 2026
In the News

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released the following statement today on the passing of Elder W. Mark Bassett: We are deeply saddened at the sudden passing of Elder W. Mark Bassett, a General Authority Seventy who had been serving since April of 2016. Elder Bassett passed away on May 11, 2026, as a result of a traumatic brain injury. He was with his family in St. George, Utah, when the incident occurred.  At the time of his death, Elder Bassett was serving as the Executive Director of the Missionary Department, overseeing worldwide missionary efforts. READ STORY HERE.

TWO

 
At 93, How Healthy is President Oaks?
Saturday, May 9, 2026
In the News

Most 93-year-olds might limit talk of their health problems to close family and friends. But Dallin H. Oaks is not like most men of his age. His health is of keen interest to those who belong to The Church—and to outside observers. READ STORY HERE.

THREE

The First Presidency Previews Salt Lake Temple as Renovation Nears Completion

Friday, May 8, 2026
Temples Rising

President Dallin H. Oaks was joined by his wife, Kristen, along with his First Counselor, Henry B. Eyring, and Second Counselor, D. Todd Christofferson, and his wife, Kathy. President Oaks noted that this tour came as he recovers from recent hip replacement surgery. He expressed gratitude to the doctors who attended to him during the April 15 surgery and noted the tour was a welcome part of his ongoing recovery, which doctors indicated normally lasts from three to four months and allows him to continue to perform office and other assignments. “The opportunity to tour the temple today was a welcome chance to be with my brothers in the First Presidency in a place we cherish,” President Oaks said. “I have been looking forward to this opportunity to see firsthand the progress of this important project.” READ STORY HERE.

FOUR

Tabernacle Choir Announces Hollywood Bowl Guest Artists 

Monday, May 11, 2026
In the News

The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square and the O.C. Tanner Gift of Music Trust have announced guest artists for the “Songs of Hope Benefit Concert” at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California, on June 24–25, 2026. The guest artists will be Donny Osmond, David Foster, Katharine McPhee, Stephanie J. Block and Sebastian Arcelus. READ ABOUT EACH ARTIST HERE.

FIVE

 
Fairview Texas Mayor asks the Church to Scale Back 120-foot Temple Steeple as Residents Voice Concerns
Monday, May 11, 2026
Temples Rising

More than a year after the Fairview Town Council approved the Fairview LDS Temple’s 120-foot steeple, Mayor John Hubbard says some residents still have concerns about the height. “The citizens, they feel like this is still rammed down the throats of the citizens,” he said. “They feel like the council let them down.” Hubbard was not the mayor at the time, but he was on the council. He voted against approving the steeple permit but says the council was in a tough position. READ THIS CBS NEWS STORY HERE.

SIX

 
New Zealand Boxing World Champ Knows What Comes First
Monday, May 11, 2026
Women of Covenant

After winning the women’s World Boxing Organisation and International Boxing Federation super middleweight title, the ring announcer asked Latter-day Saint boxer, Lani Daniels, from Pipiwai, New Zealand, how she felt about her victory. Her response was in Māori, then in English, “First and foremost, I give thanks to our Heavenly Father, and massive love and respect to my opponent – I hope everything is well.” READ STORY HERE.

SEVEN

 
Honoring Women and the Influence of Motherhood
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Women of Covenant

As Mother’s Day (May 10, 2026) is observed this week in the United States and some other countries, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is sharing social media messages that honor women and express gratitude for the ways they nurture faith, love and belonging. The messages reflect the varied experiences connected to motherhood and womanhood and recognize the influence of women in many forms — as mothers, caregivers, teachers, leaders and friends. Readers are invited to explore the posts and reflect on the women who have shaped their lives. EXPLORE THESE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS HERE.

EIGHT

Church Welcomes International Organization for Migration Director to Discuss Migrant Support

Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Humanitarian Outreach

Leaders from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) visited Salt Lake City on May 11–12, 2026, meeting with representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ to discuss ongoing efforts to support vulnerable migrants in Latin America. IOM Director General Amy Pope said the Church’s support helps migrants find jobs and build small businesses through skills training and startup funding. “This is a community that is living its faith in ways that I’ve not seen anywhere else in the world,” Pope said. “It takes very, very seriously the teachings of Jesus that the responsibility to love thy neighbor as thyself — which is being played out in the most concrete of ways. That was really deeply affecting.” READ STORY HERE.

NINE

Creating a Welcoming Space for Young Adults in Frankfurt, Germany

Saturday, April 18, 2026
Chosen Generation

Young adults, community members, and local leaders gathered in Frankfurt on Saturday, April 18 to celebrate the opening and dedication of a new Institute of Religion, a space designed to bring young people together for learning, connection, and personal growth. The event began with an open house and guided tours, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the new facility and experience its welcoming atmosphere. The center is intended as a place where young adults, both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their friends, can meet, build friendships, and participate in classes focused on values, purpose, and faith. READ STORY HERE.

TEN

Elder Edward Dube, of the Presidency of the Seventy, Visits Africa Central Area

Wednesday, May 13, 2026
To All the World

On April 22, 2026, Elder Edward Dube, of the Presidency of the Seventy, and his wife, Naume, arrived in Kampala, Uganda, beginning a 12-day, three-nation visit to the Africa Central Area. Born in Zimbabwe, in Southeast Africa, Elder Dube is the first native-born African to serve as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy. The Dubes were welcomed to Kampala by Elder Christophe G. Giraud-Carrier, General Authority Seventy, and his wife Isabelle, who had flown in from Nairobi, Kenya, to greet and accompany the Dubes during their visit. READ ENTIRE STORY WITH GREAT PHOTOGRAPHS.

ELEVEN

Partnership Celebrated in Gratitude Luncheon Hosted by Archbishop Phillip A. Anyolo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Nairobi

Monday, May 11, 2026
To All the World

On the 29th of April 2026, Church representatives were invited to join in a celebration luncheon honoring donors and partners who had joined with Caritas Nairobi in serving the less fortunate.  Caritas is, as stated on their website, “A global confederation of Catholic Institutions working in humanitarian emergencies and towards the betterment and fullness of life for the marginalized in the community.” “This gathering is, above all, a moment of gratitude,” stated Father Peter Kiarie, Director of Caritas Nairobi, “Gratitude for the relationships we have built, for the lives transformed through our collective efforts, and for the enduring commitment to serve the most vulnerable in our communities.”  Adding that “Every act of generosity and solidarity shared here is not only service to humanity, but our living witness of our faith in action.” READ STORY HERE.

TWELVE

Education Thrives as 196 Students Receive Degrees and Certificates from BYU in Uganda

Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Chosen Generation

April 17 and 18, 2026 were historic days in Uganda as graduation ceremonies were held for the first time ever in the cities of Jinja and Kampala for 7 students receiving bachelor’s degrees, 28 students receiving associates degrees, and 161 students receiving BYU-PathwayConnect certificates.   Graduating with a bachelor’s degree represents a great deal of commitment to the educational process and personal sacrifice. READ STORY HERE.

THIRTEEN

Athens Open House Changes Perceptions

Thursday, April 30, 2026
To All the World

When visitors gathered at the Halandri meetinghouse in northern Athens on Thursday, April 30, 2026, to tour the building, they each brought personal perceptions of the Church and its members.

As guests toured the building and interacted with Church leaders and members, conversations and experiences helped them become better acquainted with the Church’s programs and its core message—the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Some of the organizations present were: Caritas Greece, Jesuit Refugee Services, Ithaca Laundry, HIGGS, Doctors of the World, and Greek Ancestry. READ STORY HERE.

FOURTEEN

The Church of Jesus Christ Engages Uzbekistan Leadership at Appreciation Event in Tashkent
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
To All the World

“I love you, you love me, that’s the way it’s supposed to be,” sang 20 second graders from School 86 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to a hushed audience of around 300 people on the evening of April 28, 2026. The occasion was an appreciation dinner where The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined with one of their humanitarian collaborators, the Stirling Foundation, to host senior government, academic, and faith leaders. READ STORY HERE.

FIFTEEN

Modern Maternity Ward Donated by Church to the Tshiamala General Reference Hospital in the DR Congo

Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Humanitarian Outreach

The healthcare landscape of the remote railway town of Mwene-Ditu was significantly enhanced as the mayor of the city, Mr. Gérard Tshibanda Kabwe, presided over the inauguration ceremony of the new maternity building at Tshiamala General Reference Hospital.  This achievement is the result of direct advocacy by the Mayor with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Promptly responding to the request submitted to Elder Thierry Mutombo, General Authority Seventy and President of the Africa Central Area, the Church funded and constructed this modern building to ease the challenges of caring for pregnant women in the city of Mwene-Ditu and the surrounding villages. READ ENTIRE STORY HERE.

SIXTEEN

Rendering Provided for the Rapid City South Dakota Temple
Monday, May 11, 2026
Temples Rising

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has provided an exterior rendering of the Rapid City South Dakota Temple. As previously announced, the Rapid City South Dakota Temple will be constructed on a 4.86-acre site at the northeast corner of Mount Rushmore Road and Moon Meadows Drive in Rapid City, South Dakota. Plans call for an 11,800-square-foot, single-story temple and an accompanying ancillary building. READ STORY HERE.