LDS Church and the GSL

Published February 16, 2023 at 3:38 PM MST

The rapid decline of Great Salt Lake has happened within easy eyesight of the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, leading some to ask what responsibility the church has to help.

Of course, the LDS Church is a global entity, and the powers of any organized religion to address an environmental disaster are limited. And yet, it wields extraordinary influence in Utah. Its members comprise a majority of the state’s population, and they pay close attention to the instruction and examples of their religious leaders. The Church is also sitting on an enormous “rainy-day fund.” So, how big of an impact could the LDS Church make if it decided to join the fight to save Great Salt Lake?

GUESTS:

Ted Wilson was the mayor of Salt Lake City from 1976 to 1985. @VagabondTed
Benjamin Abbott is an assistant professor of ecosystem ecology at Brigham Young University. @thermokarst
Rachael Lauritzen is the Chair of The Mormon Environmental Stewardship Alliance @MormonStewards
Søren Simonsen is the Executive Director of the Jordan River Commission. @SorenSimonsen

Airdate: Friday, Feb. 17, 2023 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.