SALT LAKE CITY -- Connecting the dots of your family history just got easier in Salt Lake City, as the family history library has a new interactive discovery experience for the whole family.

There are two ways to take advantage of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Family History Library, which is located at 35 North and West Temple in Salt Lake City.

“One, you can come and do deep research and find out those brick walls and those ancestors you don’t know,” said Tamra Stansfield, the library manager. “But the new, exciting experience that we’ve just opened up—the discovery experience—takes the information that’s in your family tree and serves it up a new way.”

The discovery experience puts more than 10,000 square feet of interactive technology at your fingertips. The display includes 100 custom iPads, 44 touch screen monitors, and 42 computers.

Joy Jones, General President of the LDS Church’s Primary program, said it all works together to give families the chance to trace their ancestry back hundreds of years.

“There’s so much to learn about your family here,” Jones said. “It’s a fascinating place for children to come with their parents, with siblings, with grandparents, and to have an experience learning more about all the people who have gone before them.”

The experience is simple to navigate. Once you walk through the door, staff hand you an iPad. All you have to do is dock it at each station, and you're immediately connected.

“I stood in front of a green screen and I had a scene of a hillside village in Denmark behind me, and the picture was taken and then here I am standing in that beautiful green field in Denmark,” Jones said of her experience.

The experience features 55-inch monitors that you can touch to see information that goes beyond the typical pedigree charts and family group records.

“Explore your migration pattern of your ancestors, take fun photos in their time period, and, also, we provide individual and group recording booths that you can come and actually bring your family, and capture those living memories and stories,” Stansfield said.

Jones said the interactivity creates a personalized experience.

“Well I’ve never been to Denmark, but many of my ancestors came from Denmark, and it was emotional for me to feel this connection to a land and people that I’ve never met, and have never been there, and yet I felt the connection,” she said.

Staff members say anyone is invited to explore their history, but they add that doing so as a family is part of the unifying experience.

“The reason we do this is because we believe in families,” Stansfield said.

To learn more about the Family History Library, visit their website.

SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has joined with other religious groups opposing a federal decision to allow transgender students to use restrooms that correspond with their gender identity.

The amicus filing by the LDS Church, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the National Association of Evangelicals, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and Christian Legal Society was filed last month with the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Despite disagreements on many points of faith, we are united in supporting the vigorous free exercise of religion under the First Amendment. The religious liberty we cherish is threatened by the Fourth Circuit’s decision adopting the Department of Education’s expansion of Title IX beyond any plausible interpretation. We submit this brief to inform the Court about the sharp clashes with religious belief and practice that will arise if the Court interprets the term ‘sex’ in Title IX to include gender identity,” Alexander Dushku and R. Shawn Gunnerson of the Utah law firm Kirton McConkie (which counts the LDS Church among its clients) wrote in the filing.

In a statement to FOX 13, the LDS Church said its participation in the amicus filing “does not represent a change in position, but instead a restatement of our belief -with many other faith traditions-that gender is an eternal characteristic.”

“The brief concludes by arguing that, instead of imposing an outcome Congress did not intend, the Supreme Court should allow Congress and state legislatures to reach compromises where transgendered persons can be appropriately accommodated without infringing on the free exercise of religion, while seeking for fairness for all. Sustainable results will be more likely achieved if citizens and lawmakers are left free to address gender identity in ways that preserve the Nation’s priceless heritage of religious freedom,” the statement reads.

Read the amicus filing here, via SCOTUSblog

The state of Utah filed a separate “friend of the court” brief opposing the U.S. Department of Education’s directive. Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes and other state attorneys general argued over federal funding issues.

“If the federal government may change States’ obligations decades after they first agree to receive funds, the federal government will have the power to leverage the States’ longstanding reliance on such funds into accepting any number of conditions,” the brief states.

Read the amicus filing by the attorneys general here, via SCOTUSblog

The case centers around Gavin Grimm, a Virginia teen who identifies as a boy and sued to be able to use the restroom that corresponds with his gender identity. The U.S. Supreme Court has scheduled arguments in the case next month.

SALT LAKE CITY — A judge has quashed a deposition subpoena of the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in connection with a series of lawsuits alleging sex abuse in a church-run program on the Navajo Nation.

Court records show that in a hearing earlier this week, Third District Court Judge Su Chon rejected a subpoena to make LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson sit for a deposition. She allowed the church to appoint a representative to give testimony instead.

“The depositions of lower level corporate representatives or officers should be noticed prior to any deposition of President Monson,” Judge Chon’s order states.

“The Court hereby quashes Plaintiffs’ Subpoena Duces Tecum and orders that Plaintiffs are precluded from deposing President Monson or obtaining the documents sought by way of the Subpoena at this time.”

LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson greets people at the dedication of a building in his name in August 2016. (Image by Doug Eldredge, FOX 13 News)

In previous court filings, the LDS Church said it would resist efforts to depose President Monson, noting he “is 89 years old and, as can be seen from his few public appearances, he is in guarded health and manifesting the effects of his age.”

The LDS Church has said in court filings that President Monson has no unique knowledge of the program or the plaintiffs.

“The only connection President Monson has to the case is that he happened to be a senior leader of the LDS Church during the time period Plaintiffs allege they were abused,” LDS Church attorney David Jordan wrote in a court filing asking the subpoena be quashed.

Lawyers representing five people suing the LDS Church alleging sex abuse during the 1960s and ’70s while participating in a church-run program for Navajo children had sought to depose the leader of the Mormon faith. They argued that as a general authority at the time, he would have information on the inner workings of the program.

The alleged victims claim that as children they were part of the LDS Church’s “Lamanite Placement Program” (also known as the “Indian Student Placement Program”). They claim in their lawsuits they were taken out of their homes, baptized into the Mormon faith and then placed with host families in Utah. In some lawsuits, the plaintiffs have claimed that they disclosed sexual abuse to people within the church, but little or nothing was done about it.

A federal judge ordered the abuse lawsuits heard in Navajo Nation Court. Plaintiff’s attorney Craig Vernon said in an email to FOX 13 that another subpoena of the LDS Church leader is still being litigated in that court system.

SALT LAKE CITY — Two missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were recently involved in a terrifying encounter in Brazil, and the church issued its first statement on the incident Wednesday.

The missionaries, who the church has not identified, are serving in the Manaus, Brazil mission. A surveillance camera captured video of the missionaries as two men, one of whom was armed with a gun, rode up and began attacking them. (Read the full story here.)

LDS church spokesman Eric Hawkins released the following statement:

“We are grateful that this incident did not end tragically, either for the missionaries or the other individuals involved. The guidance given to missionaries is to avoid conflict. Every situation is unique, and as adults, missionaries must make decisions about their safety. In this case, the assailant had a weapon and the missionary reacted in the moment to protect his life and that of his companion.”

Hawkins added that the two missionaries involved in the incident have been temporarily relocated, and they are not “in trouble” in any way for their actions.

SALT LAKE CITY - It's a moment most parents would dream of, and the chance to watch his son play in a NCAA Tournament is almost too good for Utah's Eric Wade to imagine.

"I'm so excited," Wade said, while walking into Vivint Smart Home Arena Thursday morning.

Wade's son, Jesse, committed to Gonzaga University two years ago, when he was named Mr. Basketball as the best high school player in the state of Utah.

Salt Lake City is hosting two of the top four teams in the country during the opening two rounds of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, and one of those teams is Gonzaga.

But as Wade and his younger son, Josh, walked into the arena Thursday, they had no expectation of watching Jesse play.

"He’s serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the France, Lyon Mission,” Eric Wade said of his son. "It was something that was important to him ever since he was a little kid."

Although it's common for athletes in Utah to take time off to go on mission, Gonzaga is a Catholic university. In fact, no recruit in the program's history has deferred enrollment.

"We are so appreciative for Coach Few for believing in Jesse, and planning on him being gone for a couple years," Eric Wade said of Gonzaga Coach Mark Few.

Gonzaga struggled from the field early in their first round match-up, but came on strong in the second half for the win.

Walking off the court, Coach Few noted, “We could have used Jesse today, he can shoot a three-pointer from 30 feet away."

Luckily, the Zags won't have to wait long to see him in a uniform. Wade will be back from his mission in France in 25 days. However, he won't suit up for a game until next season at the earliest.

“He’s going to be a really, really good player for us," Few said.

SALT LAKE CITY — A series of documents posted by the website MormonLeaks claims The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has seen a decrease in convert baptisms and offers counsel to leaders in the aftermath of a controversial policy on the children of same-sex couples.

The documents were posted on the same day the LDS Church was beginning its semi-annual General Conference at Temple Square. A church spokesman declined to comment on the documents, or their authenticity.

The LDS Church’s policy in 2015 labeling married same-sex couples as “apostates” and refusing to baptize their children into the Mormon faith triggered protests and public resignations. In a document posted by MormonLeaks that purports to be from a “Utah Area Seventies Correlation Meeting” it says “remain calm and await further instructions.”

“Church discipline for same-gender marriages is mandatory,” the document states, later adding: “There is no hurry to quickly take this disciplinary action. Use prudence and judgment in the normal course. These members may request to have their names be removed.”

The document reiterates the LDS Church’s stance that it believes marriage is between a man and a woman and notes that its position on baptisms of the children of same-sex couples is no different than how it treats the children of polygamous families.

“Those who advocate for tolerance should think about where the ‘line’ should be drawn. The Lord has drawn the line here,” the document counsels its leaders. “Help members understand how this effects them.”

It also adds: “Church in Utah is not the same as everywhere else.”

In recent days, MormonLeaks has posted a number of documents it claims are internal communications and policy notes about same-sex marriage in Utah and across the United States. The site regularly posts what it says are internal documents as part of its push for transparency in the Mormon Church.

In another 2015 document purporting to be from a meeting of Utah area mission presidents, it claimed “convert baptisms have decreased all around the world as well as baptisms per missionary.” The document said Elder Ronald Rasband asked if it was a result of the LDS Church’s “new wave” of missionaries when the age to serve was lowered, or if the world was a more difficult place?

Elders Michael Ringwood and Larry Wilson asked if the LDS Church should emphasize baptism or reactivation of lapse members in their presentation, according to the document.

“In Utah 1/3rd of the population are active members, 1/3rd less active members, and 1/3rd are nonmembers,” the document stated.

SALT LAKE CITY - Thousands of people from all over the world gathered Saturday for the 187th General Conference of the LDS Church to hear messages on faith, respect and helping those living in poverty.

For some, stepping inside the conference center was a once in a lifetime experience.

“This is my first time and just seeing the prophet himself, I was in tears,” said Sherri Faalafua, one of those who attended.

Thomas S. Monson, President and Prophet of the LDS Church, was present for the first of Saturday's sessions. A church spokesperson said he was absent during the second because he was, "conserving his energy".

While President Monson didn't speak, many other LDS leaders delivered messages of love, hope, and faith.

“For us to ask for respect, we must be respectful,” said Elder Dale G. Renlund of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, another member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke about the importance of helping those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

He said economic deprivation is "a curse that keeps on cursing, year after year and generation after generation."

“If we could do more to alleviate poverty, as Jesus repeatedly commands us to do, maybe some of the less fortunate in the world could hum a few notes of 'There is Sunshine in My Soul Today,' perhaps for the first time," he said, referencing the lyrics to a popular hymn.

Holland continued by mentioning the needs of those suffering from mental or emotional illness.

"I pray we will not let these children of God suffer in silence," he said.

Marsha Thomas attended the conference and said it turned her focus toward family.

“The messages were very inspiring, I have a daughter in Africa, and it really made me miss her,” she said.

The statistical report revealed that in 2016 there were 70,946 full-time missionaries and 155 temples in operation. LDS Church membership grew to 15,882,417--up from the 15,634,199 reported at last year's April conference.

To see more of the statistical report, click here.

The semi-annual conference continues Sunday with a morning and afternoon session. For more information, including details on livestreams, click here.

SALT LAKE CITY -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said President Thomas S. Monson was absent from the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference in order to conserve his energy.

President Thomas S. Monson (Right) and Henry B. Eyring (Left) at the Saturday morning session of the April 2017 LDS General Conference.

The leader of the LDS Church attended Saturday morning's session but was not present as the Saturday afternoon session of the semi-annual event got underway.

The chair generally filled by President Thomas S. Monson remains empty during the Saturday afternoon session of the LDS Church's April 2017 General Conference. Screen capture courtesy
LDS Church.

An LDS Church spokesperson tells Fox 13 News Monson is "conserving his energy" but provided no further details.

Monson spoke Saturday night at the priesthood session of conference, focusing on a theme of kindness. He said Jesus Christ is the epitome of charity and that his love endures forever, which he said is an example all should strive to emulate.

Two more sessions of conference will be held Sunday, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.

In recent years Monson's conference attendance has prompted concerns among LDS Church members regarding his health. In October of 2015, Monson became visibly weak during a conference address.

Ahead of the April 2015 conference, Monson reduced the number of talks he was expected to give during the event.

At last April's conference Monson gave a shorter message than is traditional during the priesthood session. 

Monson is 89 years old and has served as the 16th President of the LDS Church since February of 2008.

For more information about the LDS Church's General Conference, including details on livestreams, click here.

SALT LAKE CITY -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Sunday they will build five new temples, and Saratoga Springs is on the list.

President Thomas S. Monson announced the new temples during the Sunday morning session of the faith's 187th Annual General Conference.

The new temples will be in Brasilia, Brazil; the greater Manila, Philippines area; Nairobi, Kenya; Pocatello, Idaho; and Saratoga Springs, Utah.

The five temples announced Sunday join an additional 22 that have already been announced or that are under construction. There are 155 temples currently in operation, meaning there are 182 temples worldwide in various stages of completion or planning.

There are currently 16 temples operating in Utah, and the Saratoga Springs Temple is expected to be the 18th once it is complete. The Cedar City Temple, the 17th, is scheduled to be dedicated on December 10 of this year. According to a press release, there are 2.1 million members of the LDS Church in Utah.

The temple in Pocatello will be the 6th operating temple in Idaho. In addition to the three currently operating, the Idaho Falls Temple will reopen next year after renovations are completed and the Meridian Temple is scheduled to be dedicated November 19.

The Brasilia Temple is the 10th temple announced in Brasil, six of which are currently operating. There are 1.3 million members of the LDS Church in Brazil, a press release states, which is the third highest number of members in any country behind the U.S. and Mexico.

The temple in the greater Manila, Philippines area will be the second temple in Manila, as the Manila Philippines Temple was dedicated in 1984. There are four total temples announced or dedicated in the Philippines, which is home to nearly 750,000 members of the LDS Church.

The temple in Nairobi, Kenya is expected to serve 30,000 members in East Africa. There are three operating temples in Africa and two more under construction. There are two in addition to the Nairobi Temple that have been announced, bringing the total of temples announced or operating in Africa to eight.

According to the LDS Church, Mormons consider temples to be the "house of the Lord" and among the most sacred places on Earth. While all are welcome to attend Sunday services in meetinghouses or chapels, temples are only open to faithful members for various ceremonies, like marriage.

While temples are generally closed to the public once dedicated, most dedications are preceded by a free and public open house. The open house for the Cedar City Temple is October 27 through November 18 with a few dates excepted. Click here for details on the open houses for the Cedar City, Meridian, and Tucson temples. 

SALT LAKE CITY -- President Thomas S. Monson has been hospitalized, a spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints confirmed to FOX 13.

"President Monson was not feeling well last evening and was admitted to the hospital. He has received treatment and fluids and will hopefully be released soon," LDS Church spokesman Eric Hawkins said in an email on Tuesday.

Other details about President Monson's health or what he was suffering from were not immediately provided.

The 89-year-old leader of the Mormon faith was hospitalized the day after he appeared at LDS General Conference to announce five new temples being constructed around the world. He limited his appearance at one of Saturday's conference sessions to conserve his energy, later appearing at the priesthood session to speak about kindness.

President Monson is the 16th leader of the LDS Church and has served as the faith's prophet since 2008. He has served in church leadership in various capacities stretching back to 1963.

President Monson has made limited public appearances recently, most recently at a building dedication in his name. In a court filing to oppose a subpoena of him in a lawsuit, attorneys for the LDS Church briefly addressed his health.

“President Monson is 89 years old and, as can be seen from his few public appearances, he is in guarded health and manifesting the effects of his age,” attorneys wrote in the filing obtained by FOX 13.

Updates on FOX 13 and fox13now.com as details become available...

SALT LAKE CITY — LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson has been released from the hospital, a church spokesman confirmed.

The 89-year-old leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was released after two nights hospitalization.

“President Monson was released from the hospital last evening, and plans to resume his normal schedule and duties today,” church spokesman Eric Hawkins said in an email.

President Monson was originally hospitalized Monday night after reporting that he was feeling unwell. The LDS Church said he was treated and given fluids. It followed scaled-back appearances at the Mormon faith’s semi-annual General Conference, where the church said he was conserving his energy.

Updates on this story on FOX 13 and fox13now.com as details become available…

SALT LAKE CITY -- Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are hoping a recent donation will go a long way toward helping Utah children recover from abuse.

The leaders of the LDS Church’s Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary organizations delivered a check for $120,000 to the Utah Children’s Justice Center.

The center says the money will go toward enhancing medical services at eight of the center’s locations across the state. Currently, the Justice Center says they help 5,500 child victims every year at their 22 locations across Utah.

“We see kids who have been sexually abused, physically abused, other types of crimes involving children,” said Tracey Tabet of the Justice Center.

Sister Carol F. McConkie, First Counselor in the LDS Church’s Young Women General Presidency, said they support the goals of the justice center.

“We want children and youth, those who have suffered at the hands of those who have perpetrated this evil upon them, to feel like they can be completely whole, and to feel good about themselves, and to be able to progress and move forward in life,” she said.

Staff at the justice center say they see children come to them confused and afraid, but many of them leave recognizing there is hope and healing ahead.

“Do you know what's remarkable? They come in terrified and they leave feeling hope and happiness,” said Susanne Mitchell, the Director of the center. “And I will show you their messages of happiness. And out of tragedy can come triumph, because these kids come back and do service projects. Because they want to give back, and that's part of the healing process.”

The Utah Children's Justice Center is designed to empower child victims and allow them to heal. This is the third year in a row the LDS Church has given to child abuse and prevention organizations.

SALT LAKE CITY -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said a new executive order issued by President Donald Trump on religious liberties will not affect its vow to remain "politically neutral."

The Mormon faith issued a statement to FOX 13 in response to questions about President Trump's executive order, which directs the IRS to relax enforcement of the Johnson amendment, which prohibits tax-exempt churches and religious groups from getting involved with political campaigns.

"We are always grateful for the efforts of leaders to safeguard religious freedom and protect the beliefs and religious exercise of all people," LDS Church spokesman Eric Hawkins told FOX 13 in an email on Thursday. "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been and remains committed to political neutrality. Today’s executive order will not affect that longstanding policy."

A statue of early Mormon Church leader Brigham Young outside Temple Square in Salt Lake City. (FOX 13 file photo)

The LDS Church's position on "political neutrality" has long meant the faith does not endorse particular candidates, allow its facilities or membership lists to be used for partisan purposes or tell members what political party or candidate they should get behind. However, the church does encourage its members to be politically active, and does weigh in on issues it "believes have significant community or moral consequences or that directly affect the interests of the Church."

Utah is in a unique position politically when it comes to church and state. Mormon pioneers settled here, fleeing religious persecution in other states. It remains the global headquarters of the faith.

The LDS Church has a presence on Utah's Capitol Hill, where more than 80-percent of the legislature is Mormon. The faith has been known to weigh in on legislation of social consequence, from alcohol policy to LGBT rights.

President Donald Trump signs religious liberties executive order. (Pool video image)

House Minority Leader Brian King, D-Salt Lake City, who is also Mormon, told FOX 13 he worried the president's executive order begins a step toward integrating church and state.

"I've got colleagues up here in the House of Representatives that believe there ought to be closer integration of church and state and when I say church, I mean LDS Church here in the state of Utah," he said. "I think that's a problem. To the extent we go down that road, I think it's unwise. I think it's bad public policy."

Rep. King said he believes lawmakers need to aggressively police themselves when it comes to separation of church and state, regardless of what faith group is weighing in.

Despite the president's executive order, other Utah churches also reaffirmed their stance of neutrality.

"The order will not change our practice. We encourage all parishioners to prayerfully and thoughtfully discern their own voting decisions, guided by the principles of Catholic social teaching," the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City said in a statement.

In an interview with FOX 13, the Rt. Rev. Scott B. Hayashi of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah said he had "mixed feelings" on the president's executive order.

The Rt. Rev. Scott B. Hayashi, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah, in an interview with FOX 13's Ben Winslow on Thursday. (Image by Todd Gilbert, FOX 13 News)

"On the one level I’m happy he did not attempt to allow businesses to discriminate on religious grounds," he said. "On the other hand there is a fair amount to be concerned about what may be coming next."

The Episcopal bishop, who is an outspoken presence on Utah's Capitol Hill on issues from health care to equal rights, said he always takes care not to endorse a candidate or party in his job. Rev. Hayashi said he believes people should be welcome to sit in pews, regardless of how they vote.

"The danger I see coming that therefore churches can simply become tools of whatever candidate or wealthy individual wants to get so-and-so elected to office," he said.

PAYSON, Utah — A 19-year-old man from Payson serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wisconsin died overnight.

According to a statement from the LDS Church issued Saturday, Elder Jeremy McCauley died of unknown causes during the night.

Elder McCauley began serving in the Wisconsin Milwaukee Mission in November of last year.

The full statement from the LDS Church is below:

“We are saddened to share news of the death of one of our young missionaries. Elder Jeremy McCauley died during the night from unknown causes. Elder McCauley, age 19, is from Payson, Utah, and has been serving since November of 2016 in the Wisconsin Milwaukee Mission. We mourn with his family and loved ones and pray that they may be comforted as they deal with this tragic loss.”

SALT LAKE CITY -- The controversial website "Mormonleaks.io" released what is purported to be an internal church survey of Utah stake presidents, bishops, and active members asked about the role of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Utah politics.

Among the findings, 87 percent of stake presidents, 76 percent of bishops, and 54 percent of active members said the church should have a strong influence in Utah.

Similar percentages also supported the Church in maintaining strict liquor laws in the Beehive State.

OGDEN, Utah -- The city of Ogden has a number of new developments in the works, including homes, office space, a senior living community and a hotel—and all would be built right across the street from the LDS Temple.

"We feel that this is some of the most valuable property in the city because of its location," said Brandon Cooper, Deputy Director of Community and Economic Development for the city of Ogden.

He is referring to the 3.5 acre lot on Washington Boulevard across from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Ogden Temple, 340 East 22nd Street.

"From a spiritual perspective, having a temple in your downtown is amazing; but from an economic development perspective, it's something we've been very excited about and grateful to have," Cooper said.

The LDS Church, which owns the land, is working together with the city to develop it. Their plans include office space, senior living and a hotel.

"So we are always trying to find that secret sauce, a special recipe of the right type of businesses in the right places," Cooper said. "We have one shot at this."

As for residential development, the city already got the green light to build 20 single-family homes on another vacant lot they own just two blocks from the temple on the corner of 22nd Street and Adams Avenue.

"We are going to have those patrons visiting the temple and visiting us, and it's super exciting to see the growth and to be a part of that," said Todd Crawford, Operations Manager for Farr Better Ice Cream.

Farr Better Ice Cream has been around for 97 years. Crawford has been scooping chocolate and vanilla for the past 10. He said all this new development is tremendous for Ogden businesses like his that are near the temple.

"Now there is a revitalization to the area so we are bringing in hotels, and businesses, and housing all over, and we are going to reap the reward for that," Crawford said.

The city expects to break ground on those 20 new homes later this summer. As for the senior center and the hotel, those are still awaiting final approval.

SALT LAKE CITY -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will end its participation in programs for young men ages 14 to 18, the faith announced Thursday.

The LDS Church said it would no longer participate in the Venturing and Varsity programs effective 2018. The faith said it would continue to support Cub and Boy Scout programs until age 13.

"Instead, Young Men activities will focus on spiritual, social, physical and intellectual goals outlined by the Church. These activities are designed to be fun and meaningful and provide opportunities for personal growth and development," the church said in a statement.

Boy Scout merit badges inside the Utah National Park Council's store in Orem. (Photo by Ben Winslow, FOX 13 News)

The decision by the church will have a significant impact. Approximately 470,000 boys in the Mormon faith participate in scouting from 8-18 in the United States and Canada. Of those, 185,000 are in the Varsity and Venturing programs.

Read a Q&A from the LDS Church on the scouting decision here

The LDS Church's decision will also have an impact on scouting and the cultural traditions of the faith. Eagle Scouts, the top rank in scouting for a young Mormon man, are widely regarded in Utah culture as a badge of honor.

"Young men who desire to continue toward the rank of Eagle will be registered, supported and encouraged. It is important to remember that only those young men who are properly registered are eligible to be awarded merit badges and rank advancements," the church's statement said.

The Orem-based Utah National Parks Council, which is the nation's largest scouting organization, said it was informed of the LDS Church's decision on Wednesday night. The council said 93 percent of its troops are tied to the church. Of the 85,114 scouts -- 14,571 are Varsity and 16,260 are Venturing scouts.

"The Church has expressed their concern that youth and Cub Scout and Boy Scout age are very active. They get lots of leadership experiences and opportunities, learning opportunities, and then when they hit the Varsity and Venturing program, they get less opportunities," John Gailey, the director of support services for the Utah National Parks Council, told FOX 13.

Gailey said that in response to the LDS Church's decision, it anticipates older scouts to be absorbed into the younger troops. They also offered their camps and other services to those older scouts as they work toward merit badges.

Read the letter from the LDS Church's First Presidency on scouting here:

Michael South, who leads Venturing and Varsity scouts in his local LDS ward, said he was not surprised by the decision.

"The programs are not utilized well in the LDS Church," he said. "The Varsity program isn't even really supported much by the BSA in LDS units."

The LDS Church did not exactly say if it plans to end its relationship with the Boy Scouts of America entirely in the future. In a statement issued early Thursday morning, the LDS Church reiterated previous lines meeting spiritual needs of children but also indicated it was working on a "global program" for young men and young women in the church.

"The Church continues to look for ways to meet the spiritual, physical, emotional and intellectual needs of young men around the world. The current decision is consistent with those efforts. The Church will continue to use the Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs for boys and young men ages 8 through 13," it said.

The LDS Church said it would continue to support "Friends of Scouting," a fundraiser for scout troops. It also suggested changes would be made on funding for young men's and young women's programs in the 14-18 age range.

In a Q&A on its website, the LDS Church addressed if this was in response to stances the Boy Scouts of America have taken recently, such as including gay children or leaders in their ranks.

"The BSA has always allowed the Church to operate its programs in ways that are consistent with our standards and beliefs, and they have been very supportive," the church said. "This change is to address the needs of young men ages 14 to 18. The Church is always evaluating what is best for our youth and families, and will continue to do so."

Cub scout uniforms on display at the Utah National Parks Council in Orem, Utah. (Photo by Ben Winslow, FOX 13 News)

In a statement, the Boy Scouts of America said it appreciated its longstanding relationship with the LDS Church, which was the first partner to sponsor scouting in the U.S.

"Although thousands of youth and leaders who participate in Venturing crews nationwide embrace and support the program, we recognize that not all programs are a perfect fit for all partners," the BSA said.

"We anticipate that many youth from the LDS Church will continue to participate in Scouting beyond the age of 14 as young men work to earn the Eagle Scout rank. The BSA values our ongoing partnership with the LDS Church in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts programming and look forward to our continued efforts to extend the benefits of Scouting to as many youth and families as possible."

SALT LAKE CITY -- It came as a big surprise to some but not to others when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced they will no longer offer the Varsity and Venturing Scouting programs starting in 2018. 

The LDS Church will instead develop a global program for young men ages 14-18 that can be implemented anywhere in the world.

Charles Dahlquist served as the President of the LDS Church's Young Men's organization from 2004 to 2009, and now he is the National Commissioner for the Boy Scouts of America. This week he joined Bob Evans for 3 Questions.

1. Why is it that the Venturing and Varsity Scout programs did not catch on within the LDS Church?
2. How important is Scouting to the LDS Church?
3. From your perspective as the National Commissioner of the BSA, where do you see this relationship going with the LDS Church? There are those who say the two are diverging.

See below for the extended interview with Charles Dahlquist.

SALT LAKE CITY — Thomas S. Monson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is no longer in regular attendance in meetings at the church’s offices on a regular basis, “because of limitations incident to his age,” the church wrote in a statement released Tuesday.

“[Monson] communicates and confers with his counselors on matters as needed. President Monson is grateful that the work of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles continues without interruption. He appreciates the prayers and support of Church members,” the statement said.

Watch FOX 13 News and fox13now.com for updates on this story.

TUCSON, Ariz. – The Tucson, Arizona, Temple is ready to welcome visitors.

Complimentary tickets are now available for a public open house for the newly completed temple that will begin on Saturday, June 3, and continue through Saturday, June 24, 2017, except for the Sundays of June 4, 11 and 18.

Click here for complete details about the temple.