LDS Church Caught Lying, Charlie Bird Breaking Point, Bishop Charged - Mormon News 9.4.26 | Ep. 2189

On today’s episode of Mormon News, Meggan and John break down another busy week of headlines involving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Charlie Bird says he is pulling back from sharing his journey to fatherhood after receiving horrific messages about his future family, including messages invoking LDS teachings. We look at the broader Mormon conversation surrounding Charlie and Ryan’s plans to become parents and where criticism of their family has gone.

CHARLIE BIRD RESPONDS TO HORRIFIC BACKLASH

https://www.instagram.com/p/DcqxX85mPeb/

A former LDS bishop in Utah is facing serious criminal charges after an undercover investigation led police to search his phone. According to court documents, Eric Hans Monson has been charged with three counts of exploitation. We look at what investigators say they found and why police specifically raised concerns about his former Church leadership position.

FORMER LDS BISHOP FACES FELONY CHARGES

https://www.abc4.com/news/crimes-against-children/former-lds-bishop-csam-charges/

The LDS Church’s massive investment portfolio is nearing another record high. New reporting from the Salt Lake Tribune looks at Ensign Peak’s latest numbers and what the Church’s stock holdings tell us about the continued growth of its financial reserves.

ENSIGN PEAK NEARS ANOTHER RECORD HIGH

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2026/08/28/lds-stock-fund-nears-record-high/

The fight over the Heber Valley Utah Temple is heading to the Utah Supreme Court, and a Red Ledges resident is speaking publicly about the dispute and what it has meant for people living near the proposed temple site.

HEBER VALLEY TEMPLE FIGHT HEADS TO UTAH SUPREME COURT

https://www.parkrecord.com/2026/08/31/red-ledges-resident-breaks-silence-ahead-of-utah-supreme-court-heber-valley-temple-arguments/

Meanwhile, interest in the renovated Salt Lake Temple is enormous (or is it?). The Church says more than one million reservations have already been made for the public open house.

ONE MILLION SALT LAKE TEMPLE TOUR RESERVATIONS

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/one-million-spaces-reserved-salt-lake-temple-tour

And finally, Salt Lake City International Airport is adding a new Gateside by TSA PreCheck experience. We look at what’s changing and why the airport story is getting attention in Utah.

SLC AIRPORT ADDS GATESIDE BY TSA PRECHECK

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2026/09/02/slc-airport-adds-gateside-by-tsa/

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