Jacob Z. Hess

For me, reading the range of views - even on something so controversial and emotional as a Trump-as-Jesus image - helps me come away with less frustration and more of a calm understanding of the full picture of what's taken place. Is that true for you? deseret.com/faith/2026/04/…

Fascinating to see the range of views on the Pope/President back-and-forth this weekend: deseret.com/u-s-world/2026…

I'm always sad when Christmas is over. This is the first year I've felt the same after Easter. Savannah Guthrie's words to her NYC congregation took my breath away: "‘It is the darkness that makes this morning’s light ... so blindingly beautiful..." deseret.com/faith/2026/04/…

Fascinating moment in the Middle East. Like so many other important questions, what this truce means and what happens next elicits profound disagreement. deseret.com/u-s-world/2026…

The Iranian people are “asking for something universal," Shima Baughman told me. "The freedom to live, worship, speak, and raise their children without fear.” The ultimate question is “whether Iranian women can raise their daughters without terror." deseret.com/u-s-world/2026…

Grateful for the chance to publish my contrarian view on "Super Bowl Sunday" - and explain why I'm happier just catching the highlights on Monday. deseret.com/opinion/2026/0…

Thank you H. Wallace Goddard for the Thanksgiving reminder the whole of America need today : "Truth matters....Yet relationships matter more than anything else. The soul of a friend is of greater worth than my opinion on this policy or that politician." deseret.com/opinion/2025/1…

I've been curious about how the new U.S. refugee restrictions compare with other periods in U.S. history. Appreciations to David Haines (GMU), Yael Schacher (Refugee Intn.) and David-James Gonzales (BYU) for providing some fascinating historical context. deseret.com/politics/2025/…

I spoke with Ken Burns' co-directors, who think America's origin story could actually bring us together, rather than estrange us further. What do you think? Premieres tonight on PBS deseret.com/politics/2025/…

Grateful to Stephanie Bryson, Kristen Evans and Alison Palmer at Deseret Book for their help on this "Practice of Stillness" book and video series with Carrie Skarda for people 'not feeling it' in their faith: publishpeace.net/p/not-feeling-…

Interesting how federal university pressure may be generating more cynicism about good reform efforts. Caroline Mehl told me conservatives are asking, "are you truly sincere?" And on the left, "are you only doing this to appease the federal government?” deseret.com/education/2025…

In an age when it's almost taken for granted that young people 'aren't into faith' available data for Latter-day Saint Gen Z's keeps proving to be an exception. deseret.com/opinion/2025/1…

"Almost like slashing a Rembrandt painting, or defacing a Michelangelo’s sculpture," Douglas Brinkley said. Hard to understand why both couldn't have happened. Thanks to historians from the U of U, Utah State and BYU who shared their perspectives here. deseret.com/politics/2025/…

In a beautiful talk last week, Sheri Dew encouraged those unsure about their own worth and identity to “get on your knees and ask Heavenly Father to talk to you about you. Ask him how he feels about you.” deseret.com/faith/2025/10/…

Elder Kearon on how to "build sacred spaces within our relationships—places of mutual respect, compassion, and trust": "take the time to listen, replace judgment with compassion, and remember what unites us is far greater than what might divide us." youtube.com/watch?v=AcIlZG…

Grateful that Yahoo picked up my dispatch from our conference weekend as a faith. Heaven knows the world could use a little more reason for hope these days! yahoo.com/news/articles/…

Big thanks to Justin Hibbard, Rev. Kenneth Ray Parsad and St. Lawrence Mission for their remarkable kindness behind one of the sweetest stories I've ever reported. Such beauty following an ugly week! deseret.com/faith/2025/10/…

My favorite quote from the morning: “Oh, how I wish I could embrace you and help you understand this great truth: You are a blessed being of light; the spirit child of an infinite God! And you bear within you a potential beyond your capacity to imagine.” -Elder Dieter Uchtdorf

Monique and I feel more peace, joy and love in our lives than we ever have before. This weekend, we're gathering for our "conference retreat" as a people - hearing messages and music of hope, peace, love and joy. Please join us if you need a boost! churchofjesuschrist.org/media/broadcas…

In a week that began with such brutal ugliness, I've been struck by the beauty emerging from ashes, including this: deseret.com/faith/2025/10/… deseret.com/faith/2025/10/…