Currents: Church Trademark Lawsuit; Missionary Hero in Samoa; Ben Sasse on Dying and More

Catch the current. Here’s some of the news, views and perspectives that particularly impact Latter-day Saints and their values. This kind of news has no slow weeks.

One

Ex-Member John Dehlin of “Mormon Stories” Walked Away from Mediation with the Church over “Unreasonable Demands”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has just released a statement: Getting It Right: Clarifying Trademark and Branding Concerns https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/getting-it-right-clarifying-trademark-branding-concerns that tells the story of failed legal mediations with John Dehlin of the Open Stories Foundation and the “Mormon Stories” podcast which the church has now filed in court as a trademark and copyright complaint.

The Church reports: 

In November 2025, the Church contacted Open Stories Foundation privately about concerns with its branding. The goal was to resolve the matter privately and amicably.

The Church then engaged in good-faith mediation and proposed several options to reduce confusion while minimizing disruption. When those efforts did not result in resolution, the Church filed a complaint in federal court to protect its intellectual property.

Why does this matter?

The Church holds registered trademarks and copyrights so people can clearly identify what is and is not official Church communication. Names, logos, and visual design elements help people know when content represents the Church.

This case concerns branding choices that incorporate Church-protected names and design elements in ways that may lead people to believe the podcast is produced by or affiliated with the Church when it is not.

Why was mediation unsuccessful?

The primary issue is ongoing confusion about whether “Mormon Stories” is affiliated with the Church. To address that, the Church proposed a simple solution: a brief disclaimer that the podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is a common and straightforward way to help audiences understand the source of content. That step was not adopted. As a result, the likelihood of confusion remains, and the church moved forward to protect its trademarks.

The “Mormon Stories” podcast has been a long parade of people telling their complaints and concerns about the Church, but the Church’s issue legally here is not about the content, which the podcast is free to continue, but the misuse of the church’s own trademarks, colors and logos which are an infringement. 

It appears this the solution proposed by the Church was minor, not “unreasonable”, but it now will be in the hands of the court.

Two

Missionary Hero Died Saving Five Children  https://pacific.churchofjesuschrist.org/missionary-hero

It’s been seven months since his death, and missionary Elder Aaron Ahkau Matapa Patiole is still remembered as a hero in the island of Samoa.

Aaron Ahkau Matapa Patiole, from Sydney Australia, had been on his mission in Apia, Samoa for eleven months before he was struck by a car and killed.

The 21-year-old was walking along a street with his companion, helping five children return home on a Sunday afternoon last November.

Elder Patiole pushed the children to safety over a fence to his companion, to avoid a swerving car. On this day, Elder Patiole returned to his Father in Heaven.

A week later, the five children and their family were baptised by Elder Patiole’s companion, Elder Timoteo from California.

At Aaron’s funeral more than 1,000 people crowded into the church and then he was laid to rest in the Cawdor near his home in Australia. 

Each day, Aaron’s mother Sister Patiole travels to Cawdor before sunset to visit the resting place of her son. This sweet woman waits for the sunset to fall over where he is laid; a poignant and beautiful reminder that as Sister Patiole commented “he is in a better place. And we’ll see him again as we understand the Plan of Salvation.”

Three

High Ranks for Utah and also for BYU Law School

The Deseret News reported, “Utah ranked No. 1 in country for economic outlook. Here’s what lawmakers say is secret to success” https://www.deseret.com/politics/2026/04/15/utah-economy-leading-tax-day/ 

Utah had an especially high rating because of its “pro-taxpayer reforms in recent years,” the report found, such as the adoption of a flat personal income tax rate, pension reform, and “an innovative approach to property tax reform.”

“The thing that we know works and helps keep Utah’s economy going and flowing and creating those opportunities for our citizens, is a low tax rate,” Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz said on Wednesday. “It almost didn’t happen this year because we didn’t have the revenue that we’ve seen over the last five or six years. But what did we do? We stepped in and we evaluated every dollar spent in the state of Utah, and we were actually able to go in, reduce the inefficiencies, take and reallocate funds to areas where it was more efficient, and freed up additional money to where we could have a tax cut this year.”

BYU Cracks Another Top-25 Poll  https://www.deseret.com/utah/2026/04/13/byu-university-of-utah-law-school-ranking/

The national polls have been familiar homes for Brigham Young University over the past year.

Both the Cougar football and men’s basketball teams were mainstays in the recent rankings. And now BYU is once again listed among the nation’s top 25 — albeit in areas of torts and civil procedure rather than touchdowns and jump shots.

BYU’s J. Reuben Clark Law School is ranked No. 24 in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Law Schools survey.

Four

Ben Sasse Teaches us All How to Die https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/04/13/ben-sasse-cancer-faith/

How do you live when you know you are dying? Ben Sasse, 54, former Republican senator from Nebraska and president of the University of Florida was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, in December. According to the Deseret News, he wrote on X: “Advanced pancreatic is nasty stuff; it’s a death sentence. But I already had a death sentence before last week too—we all do.”

In a podcast with New York Times writer, Ross Douthat, Sasse shared his thoughts:

The most moving part of the conversation, in my view, came at the very end when Douthat asked Sasse if he was angry at God for the health challenge he’s up against. Sasse responded that he wasn’t. “Not at all?” Douthat probed further. Sasse continued:

“No. I wouldn’t want a sovereign God to defer to all of my prayers with a yes. I’m not omniscient. I don’t know what the weaving together of the tapestry of full redemption should look like, but I know going through the period of suffering that I’m going through is a benefit because it is a winnowing.”

“I’m filled with dross,” Sasse continued. “This suffering is not salvific, but it’s sanctifying, and I’m grateful for it.” Later he said he was “grateful that cancer is a stake against my delusional self-idolatry.”

Five

With just 2% of the U.S. population, how did Latter-day Saints take over your Instagram feed? https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/family-relationships/article/mormons-are-just-2-of-the-us-population-so-how-did-they-take-over-your-instagram-feed-120000045.html

This question has been popping up in numerous media stories, and while we think they miss on several of their answers, this much is obvious. For good or ill, Latter-day Saints produce a plethora of social media influencers who grab big audiences.

The reason for their popularity can be debated, but it may be that the presence of some of these moms and families that appear answer some longing for or fascination with a world that is quietly disappearing—especially intact families that focus on raising their children. 

This article points to the need for perfectionism in our culture that stems from a past of being persecuted.

Their early history of persecution is the reason the Church became so invested in the appearance of perfection, according to John Dehlin, a member who runs the popular podcast Mormon Stories, which vows to help listeners grapple with hard truths about the history of Mormonism. “We were tired of being the laughingstock of America,” says Dehlin. “We were literally targeted by the federal government. I think what we did [in response] is we became the all-American church.”

Perfection became an unofficial doctrine of the Mormon faith. When we think of Mormons now, we often think of the perfect family: a mother and father and many beautiful children who are all dressed in color-coordinated outfits. In the Mormon religion, there is a premium placed upon the pursuit — and attainment — of perfection, especially in the family sphere.

Six

Justice Clarence Thomas Warns Progressivism is a Threat to America https://www.foxnews.com/politics/justice-thomas-warns-progressivism-threat-democracy-rare-public-remarks

In a rare public address, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, the longest serving justice, gave a fiery critique of modern progressivism as he addressed a packed auditorium at the University of Texas at Austin.

He said Wednesday that values embraced by the nation’s founders have “fallen out of favor” in recent decades and urged younger generations to stand up for their principles.

“I think if we don’t stand up and take ownership of our country, and take responsibility for it, we are slowly letting others control how we think and what we think,” he told the audience. Progressivism seeks to replace the basic premises of the Declaration of Independence, and hence our form of government,”

It holds that our rights and our dignities come not from God, but from the government,” Thomas said. “It requires of the people a subservience and weakness incompatible with a Constitution premised on the transcendent origin of our rights.”

Hastening Now: A Weekly Church Report

This week the First Presidency announced new area leadership assignments with a modification that gives some presidencies four people serving rather than three. If you did not see the story on the new Temple Square Visitors’ Center, this is a must! The Tabernacle Choir will be doing a benefit concert in the iconic Hollywood Bowl where all proceeds will go to trusted charities, and the Church will match every dollar in addition. Read this week’s report below. You can catch up on last week’s report HERE. Read the report from two weeks ago HERE.  

ONE

First Presidency Announces New Area Leadership Assignments

Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Church Leadership

The First Presidency has announced the 2026–2027 area leadership assignments as well as adaptations that increase support in Area Presidencies to better meet the needs of a growing Church. These changes become effective on August 1, 2026. Each of the following General Authority Seventies or Area Seventies serves as a member of an Area Presidency. There are no longer specific counselor designations. The Area President is on the left, marked with an asterisk, with photos of those serving in the Area Presidency extending to the right. 9 of the 24 area presidencies will have four members serving. SEE ENTIRE RELEASE HERE.

TWO

New Temple Square Visitors’ Center Unlike Any Other

Monday, April 13, 2026

Temples Rising

A sneak peek into the new 39,800 square foot Visitors’ Center at Temple Square revealed a refreshing answer to how to tell our story. For years visitors to Temple Square have asked two questions. “Do Latter-day Saints believe in Jesus Christ and Can we come inside your temple? This new visitors’ center answers both questions masterfully, but the second question in a way that is utterly new. READ THE ENTIRE STORY HERE.

THREE

Tabernacle Choir to Do Benefit Concert at the Hollywood Bowl
Monday, April 13, 2026
To All the World

The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square and the O.C. Tanner Gift of Music have announced that tickets for the “Songs of Hope Benefit Concert” at the iconic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California, will be available beginning April 17, 2026. The concerts will take place June 24–25, 2026. Tickets will be available for purchase through the Hollywood Bowl website. The Church will match the revenue from concert ticket sales, thereby doubling the charitable contributions associated with the event. READ THE STORY HERE.

FOUR

Pacific Palisades Meetinghouse Rededicated after Devastating Wildfire

Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Communities of the Saints

In a symbol of hope and renewal, a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has reopened following last year’s wildfire that swept through the surrounding hillsides of Pacific Palisades, California. “Returning to our chapel after a year of work is a joyful milestone that fills us with renewed hope for the future,” said Brian Ames, who serves as a stake president of the congregation. READ ENTIRE STORY HERE.

FIVE

Bacolod Philippines Temple Opens Doors to the Media
Monday, April 13, 2026

Temples Rising

Church leaders welcomed journalists and media professionals for an initial look inside the newly completed temple before the public open house begins on April 16. “Bacolod, you’re the City of Smiles, but think about it, what could the bigger smile be, if not family living together happily forever? That’s why the temple is here today,” Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong said. “We want to build temples closer to our members so they don’t have to spend so much time and money traveling to worship in a place that is so important to them.” READ ENTIRE STORY HERE.

SIX

Milestones for Temples in Brazil, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Montana

Monday, April 13, 2026

Temples Rising

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the open house and dedication dates for the Belo Horizonte Brazil, Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala and Managua Nicaragua Temples. The groundbreaking date for the Missoula Montana Temple has also been announced. SEE ENTIRE RELEASE HERE.

SEVEN

Elder and Sister Gong to be in Friend to Friend Video for Children

Thursday, April 9, 2026
Apostolic Ministry

A new Friend to Friend video for children from The Church of Jesus Christ titled “Friend to Friend: Prophets Guide Us to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ” will be available for streaming beginning Sunday, May 24, 2026. The video offers special messages for children by Elder Gerrit W. Gong, Sister Susan Gong, and the Primary General Presidency. Through music, messages and activities, the video helps teach how prophets guide us to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Throughout the video, children and familiar Friend to Friend characters help explore questions such as What is a prophet?, What do prophets do?, and Why are prophets important today? READ ENTIRE STORY HERE.

EIGHT

White House Faith Office Leader Visits Church Headquarters
Friday, April 10, 2026
Apostolic Ministry

White House Sr. Faith Advisor Paula White-Cain met with Elder Gérald Caussé of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, J. Anette Dennis of the Relief Society General Presidency and Gordon H. Smith, director of Church Hosting, during a visit to Salt Lake City, Utah. During her time in the city, she met with regional multi-faith leaders and toured the Church’s welfare and self-reliance facilities, which are designed to help individuals and families meet basic needs. READ STORY HERE.

NINE

President Camille Johnson Teaches that Daily Acts of Kindness are Vital to Society

Friday, April 10, 2026
Church Leadership

Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson taught a Utah audience about the importance of being kind on Friday, April 10, 2026. “Our kind acts, one a day over a lifetime, are vital to the well-being of our families, community and nation,” President Johnson told over 150 educators, business, government and religious leaders during the 2026 Kindness Summit at Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. READ ENTIRE STORY HERE.