Famous Latter-day Saints

A Fortune.com editor wrote of Davis Smith, “Of all the founders I’ve interviewed, not one had ever even brought up their faith, let alone cited religion as a factor in any kind of decision-making.”

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the September/October 2020 issue of LDS Living magazine.

From the entertainment world to the medical field, Latter-day Saints have made several significant contributions to the way we live in the modern world.

From the Osmond family's relationship with Elvis Presley to Justin Osmond's experience as a deaf person, father and son Merrill and Justin Osmond are sharing some of their greatest life lessons through their new video podcast, Sound Advice.

While it is impossible to mention all the Latter-day Saint athletes making a difference in the world today, here are a few examples of those who have stood for their faith and the empowering messages they've shared about our Savior Jesus Christ and His gospel.

A lengthy ESPN feature story published earlier this year posed the question this summer, “Where Have You Gone, Dale Murphy?”

Mormondom can be pretty small, but just how small is it? How many degrees does it take to connect yourself with beloved LDS celebrity Donny Osmond?

Authorsand Time Out for Women presenters Tamu Smith and Zandra Vranes have long been a voice for black members of the Church under the name "Sistas in Zion." Now they've brought their witty humor to LDS Living readers in this fun and insightful new video. Here is a taste of one of their tips:

From the world’s fastest texter (Benjamin Cook, 2006) to the world’s fastest raw onion eater (Trevor Reilly, 2004); from the world’s strongest power-lifter (Lance Davis, 2004, 618.3 pounds) to the world’s fastest balloon animal inflator (KC Williams, 2003 & 2004), there is no doubt that the Church is full of impressive Mormons dedicated to developing the unique talents the Lord has given them. And the diversity of these talents has only added to the strength and notability of our Church and its members, proving that Mormons can be daring, whimsical, athletic, knowledgeable, and faithful.

Mormon celebrities and artists recently collaborated to create five fantastic videos for the 2017 Light the World campaign.

Frances Beverly Johnson Monson,in the words of her husband, Thomas S. Monson

Nashville is brimming with talented Mormons. In this country music metropolis, a former bishop has written hit songs for stars like George Strait and Reba McEntire, and a Young Women president once shared the stage with Dolly Parton. Here, the close-knit LDS community uniquely intersects with a network of exceptional LDS musicians, including veteran songwriters, up-and-coming producers, and some of the hottest acts around.

"People expect Latter-day Saints to be a lot of things: white, rich, serious. They picture who they’ve seen in the media like Mitt Romney,” says Zandra Vranes, although then she adds, “But I’m black, broke, and funny, and I’m a Latter-day Saint too.” She and her longtime friend Tamu Smith are known as the Sistas in Zion: two soul sisters whose faith and humor unites them. Their shared mission? To provide “a relief from sobriety where hilarity never faileth.”

Donny Osmond has been making the rounds in Mormondom for years—and proving to the world that Mormons really do have more fun! From the Donny & Marie Show to the Hill Cumorah Pageant, Donny sure has showed that he’s up for anything. (And we all know that every Mormon can be traced to Donny Osmond in fewer than 3 degrees!) Now’s your chance to prove how well you know your Donny Osmond trivia!

Whether in times or war, peace, or political unrest, Mormons have been involved in a lot of world events. Check out a few of these courageous Latter-day Saints and their notable contributions to history. Who else did you want to see on this list? Let us know in the comments below!

1. Basketball Standard

Attention Utah readers! Visit John at the Fort Union Deseret Book store in Murray on Wednesday, December 6th at 7 p.m. for a special book signing and Facebook Live Q&A event!

This weekend, Neon Trees frontman Tyler Glenn shared his experience of being gay and a member of the Church at a popular Mormon LGBT conference in Provo, Utah, hosted by the group Affirmation. He also sang a few hymns, including "Where Can I Turn for Peace?" Watch below to hear his powerful rendition. And don't miss Neon Trees' Elaine Bradley on the new album Hold On: A Modern Tribute to the Music of Michael McLean.

Donny Osmond underwent vocal chord surgery today to remove a hemorrhagic polyp (or a bleeding lesion) from his right vocal cord. Dr. Steven M. Zeitel, Director of Laryngeal Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School Professor, performed the surgery.

Often standing out in areas such as modesty, chastity, and clean living habits, LDS celebrities are under a lot of pressure to represent the Savior and their faith well in an increasingly critical public eye. We’ve already talked about five famous returned missionaries who have successfully faced the pressure—here’s another list, compiled by YOU, of five more.

Granary Art Center’s current exhibition “Rat Fink!” is a far cry from what one generally encounters in a traditional art museum. Curated by Laura Allred Hurtado, the exhibition showcases the life and art of Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, a pioneer of California’s Custom Car movement of the 1960s, who later moved to Manti, Utah, after converting to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

From bizarrely dressed bloggers to Botoxed editors, there’s no place for people-watching quite like the entrance to a fashion show. But the models who walk in the shows are usually pretty anonymous: they slink from one job to the next with their backpacks on, unnoticed.

Once upon a time, Josi Kilpack wrote novels with positively scrumptious titles like “Lemon Tart,” “Blackberry Crumble” and “Pumpkin Roll.”

Pastor Ed Young of Fellowship Church is drawing criticism for inviting Mormon speaker and author Glenn Beck to speak during his Sunday service as part of Young's Freedom Experience event.

Lindsey Stirling is a darling of the LDS and YouTube communities--and now the Buzzfeed community, too!

Noelle Pikus-Pace packs up her silver medal and her family to slide from Eagle Mountain to Costa Rica. Next Olympic-sized event? Giving birth to twin boys in July.

Over the past few days, a photograph of Glenn Beck and President Boyd K. Packer has been making the rounds on social media. Check out the photo, posted by Beck on Father's Day:

How do you find the time to write songs?

Last week, in a teaser for the latest episode of America's Got Talent, popular LDS Youtuber and singer Alex Boye noted, "[Our] performance was so hot, it actually sent me to the hospital."

Jenny Oaks Baker’s list of lessons learned from her father is constantly growing: speak kindly of others, use time constructively, live and teach the gospel, act with integrity and cultivate a love of the arts — an admonition that was particularly life-changing for the Grammy-nominated Juilliard graduate and professional violinist. They are just a handful of the traits Baker has gleaned from her father.

The tragic and sudden passing of an eight-year-old Latter-day Saint girl has resulted in countless acts of kindness being done all around the world.

LDS fans of NBC's America's Got Talent have something fun to look forward to on next week's episode: LDS singer Alex Boye and his band Changing Lanes Experience will make an appearance!

When Neon Trees takes the stage Saturday night at Utah Valley University, it will be a homecoming for bass guitarist Branden Campbell. Not only did the Las Vegas product attend UVU, but he lives in Provo with wife Emilie and children Katie and Connor.

We know that Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper marches to the beat of his own drum. He doesn’t fit any “traditional” molds of Mormonism, but perhaps the issue is with everyone else if we have decided what is “normal” for Mormons.

Many a new missionary, eager for a taste of home, looks forward to a care package from their grandmother. But one lucky sister in the Missionary Training Center has it even better—she gets to see her grandma every day.

Image via Freedom magazine

Photo from @lindseystirling. In response to a storm of criticism, Lindsey Stirling commented on Instagram concerning her choice of dress at the recent Billboard Music Awards (where she won for Top Dance/Electronic album):

It’s not easy to maintain your integrity and stick to your beliefs, especially in the entertainment industry. Actress, host, and podcaster Jenna Kim Jones makes it look easy, but that’s not the only thing people like about her. Jenna is Mormon and she has made her tenets—no smoking, no drinking, no pre-marital sex, and no words that could be potentially beeped out on television—the foundation of her personal brand. It’s also hard not to envy her level of perkiness, but also wonder how she does it all without coffee.

The Cordoba Argentina temple became the 145th operating temple this weekend after being dedicated in three sessions by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

Photo from Lindsey Stirling on Facebook At yesterday's Billboard Music Awards, LDS musician and YouTube star Lindsey Stirling took home the award for Top Dance/Electronic Album (for her album Shatter Me). To win, she had to beat out artists Calvin Harris, Acicii, and Skrillex for the award.