Deseret News readers gotta have faith.
Stories about the religious beliefs of newsmakers in politics, sports and entertainment were among our most-read of 2024.
Readers also gravitated toward in-depth profiles of compelling figures, moments of heart and humanity, and perspective about faith and religious institutions, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Note: This list takes is based on readership metrics for both pageviews (the number of times a story was clicked on) and engaged minutes (the amount of time readers spend on a story). It is not all-inclusive.
Religious faith of politicians, athletes, actors
Stories about the role of faith in the lives of high-profile individuals were among the most-read by Deseret News readers in 2024. That was particularly the case with the 2024 presidential election. Here are some of the most-read headlines about religion:
- What Kamala Harris has said about her faith: The Democratic presidential nominee grew up visiting both Christian churches and Hindu temples. (Kelsey Dallas)
- What has Donald Trump said about religion? His at-times awkward comments about religion have not prevented him from forging close relationships with evangelical leaders. (Kelsey Dallas)
- What JD Vance has said about his faith: The future vice president spoke with the Deseret News in 2016 about his religious journey. (Kelsey Dallas)
- The star of ‘Reacher’ has a message for Christians: “It’s funny to me how a lot of people criticize me, supposed Christians especially, criticize me for playing Reacher,” Alan Ritchson said. (Kelsey Dallas)
- Steve Young and Brock Purdy sat down to talk about football. They focused on faith instead: “I know God’s going to take care of wherever I’m at in my life, whether it’s football or not,” Purdy said. (Kelsey Dallas)
- What comedian Russell Brand said about getting baptized: Brand was baptized in April in the River Thames. (Kelsey Dallas)
- Former ‘American Idol’ star announces she’ll serve a Latter-day Saint mission: Kenedi Anderson left the show for personal reasons in 2022 after making the top 24. (Kelsey Dallas)
News and perspective about the Church of Jesus Christ
The Deseret News published several articles providing news, context and commentary about issues related to Latter-day Saints, including how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members are portrayed in media. Among the most-read stories were:
- The problem with ‘Heretic,’ Hugh Grant’s new horror movie about Latter-day Saint missionaries: At at time when a majority of people believe religious stereotypes need to be addressed by society, the movie joins a growing line of Hollywood vehicles dismissive of what believers find sacred. (Tad Walch)
- The real lives of Latter-day Saint wives: What Latter-day Saint women are saying about a new Hulu show. (Hanna Seariac)
- First Presidency authorizes garment changes for Latter-day Saints in hot, humid climates: The garment is a sacred symbol of Jesus Christ and a reminder of the covenant relationship with him and Heavenly Father made in temples by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Tad Walch)
- Church seeks fairness for plans to build McKinney Texas Temple: Representatives say the proposed temple is necessary because membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex has quadrupled over the past 40 years (Tad Walch)
- What surprised a British journalist after spending time with Latter-day Saints: Eight discoveries in an in-depth profile about Latter-day Saints that challenged the stereotypes of a U.K. journalist and helped to ‘demystify’ the faith for her. (Jacob Hess)
In-depth reporting and profiles
The list of our most-read in-depth profiles includes a Supreme Court justice and a Utah Jazz basketball legend:
- What does Tara Westover’s family say about ‘Educated’? It’s complicated: Five years after Tara Westover’s “Educated,” her family is speaking out — and yearning for reconciliation. (Daryl Gibson)
- New BYU coach Kevin Young: The inside story of how he came to Provo: “The Lord’s timing” — faith and family guide the Youngs to Provo, Utah. (Tad Walch)
- The invention — and reinvention — of Amy Coney Barrett: She may be the Supreme Court’s most enigmatic justice. And the most likely to become an icon. (Mariya Manzhos)
- Finding John Stockton: The Hall-of-Fame point guard spent the first two decades of retirement in relative silence. Now, he’s emerged as an activist for “medical freedom.” (Samuel Benson)
- After 25 years, Donny Osmond is returning to ‘Joseph’ — without the amazing technicolor dreamcoat: The singer will spend Christmas and his 67th birthday in Scotland, where he is performing in a production of ‘Joseph’ as the Pharaoh. (Lottie Elizabeth Johnson)
- Inside the mind of Glenn Beck: Is America headed toward its ‘last exit’? Beck invited the Deseret News into his home to explain the stakes of the 2024 election. (Brigham Tomco)
Heart and humanity
Stories about kindness, struggle and perseverance always resonate. Here are a few from the past year that readers gravitated toward:
- Latter-day Saint leader sends BYU students a note about their treatment of Kansas State’s football team (Tad Walch)
- My church is closing, and I don’t know what comes next — for me, or America (Ryan Burge)
- He dropped out of ‘American Idol’ 3 years ago. Now, he’s up for a Grammy (Lottie Elizabeth Johnson)
- After transcribing 1.2 million of his words, this researcher has something to say about Brigham Young (Jacob Hess)
‘The Chosen’
The television series “The Chosen,” along with its creators and stars, resonated with Deseret News readers in 2024. Among the most popular headlines:
- Dallas Jenkins give approximate date for ‘The Chosen’ Season 4 streaming release (Hanna Seariac)
- ‘The Chosen’ Jonathan Roumie’s Super Bowl commercial (Hanna Seariac)
- Why ‘The Chosen’ Season 4 streaming release is delayed (Hanna Seariac)
- Actress who plays Ramah on ‘The Chosen’ Season 4 Episode 3 ending (Hanna Seariac)
- When The Killers’ Brandon Flowers and ‘The Chosen’ Jonathan Roumie met (Hanna Seariac)
Sports
Deseret News readers can’t get enough sports. Here are a few of the headlines — among thousands — that kept them engaged in 2024:
- How fans of other Big 12 schools reacted to Mark Harlan’s comments after rivalry game (Kelsey Dallas)
- Analysis: Team of destiny? BYU’s latest comeback win — over Utah — is one for the ages (Jay Drew)
- Why didn’t Grace McCallum compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials? (Trent Wood)
- How did Zach Wilson fare in his first Denver Broncos game? (Brandon Judd)
- Analysis: Why would Mendenhall leave New Mexico for Utah State? (Trent Wood)
- AJ Dybantsa’s journey to BYU began with his parents (Dave McCann)
- Jimmer Fredette is headed to the Paris Olympics (Jackson Payne)
- A BYU touchdown from its game at Baylor has been officially altered. Here’s what happened (Ryan McDonald)
- How much gold is really in an Olympic gold medal? (Dennis Romboy)
- Andy Reid shares his top 3 cheeseburgers. Who made the list? (Brandon Judd)
And finally, something bizarre ...
- The sun’s magnetic poles will flip in 2024. Here’s what that mean (Eva Terry)
- Fighter jets intercept balloon over Utah (Ariel Harmer)