New history of LDS Church tells the story of a ‘fractured’ nation and faith

Benjamin Park’s “American Zion” explores the rise of the nation’s most successful homegrown religion — and how it sometimes battled and embraced the country that gave it birth.

(George W. Reed via J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah) A large American flag hangs from the Salt Lake Temple commemorating Utah's statehood in 1896. Benjamin Park's new book notes this was the largest Old Glory to date, measuring 132 feet by 74 feet.

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Peggy Fletcher StackSenior religion reporter

Hired in 1991 to cover Utah's various faiths, particularly Mormonism, Peggy has talked forgiveness with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, nearly fainted waiting for the Dalai Lama, fasted with Muslims during Ramadan — and has reported on 50 consecutive semiannual LDS General Conferences.

New history of LDS Church tells the story of a ‘fractured’ nation and faith

Benjamin Park’s “American Zion” explores the rise of the nation’s most successful homegrown religion — and how it sometimes battled and embraced the country that gave it birth.

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