Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks at interfaith event ahead of inauguration
Brigham Tomco writes:
On the eve of his second inauguration, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox stood at a church pulpit to deliver a sermon on the spiritual foundation of good governance. It was a message familiar to both his friends and opponents in the world of Beehive State politics.
“We might be the only state in the nation that can give hope to the rest of the nation and the world,” Cox said at the Sunday night interfaith fireside.
To kick off a week of inaugural activities ahead of Monday’s official swearing in and Wednesday’s ceremonial address, Cox gathered with other recently elected statewide officials, including Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Attorney General-elect Derek Brown and State Auditor-elect Tina Cannon, at the First Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City for a Sunday evening fireside.
The night featured remarks from church pastor Jamie White and Henderson, an armchair conversation between Cox and former federal Judge Thomas Griffith, a panel moderated by Cox with representatives from different Utah faith communities and two musical numbers performed by Brown and his family.
Read more about what Gov. Cox and others said at the interfaith fireside.
Someone recently pointed out to me that a good portion of the gifts in “The Twelve Days of Christmas” are avian. French hens, turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree are only the beginning. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather get a simple box of chocolates.
If you're more interested in watching birds than receiving them as presents, take a look at Lee Benson’s latest article on a 125-year-old tradition called the Christmas Bird Count.
Lee recently interviewed Keeli Marvel, an avid birdwatcher who keeps an eye on Utah’s birds. He writes, “While she indulges in her hobby year round, at Christmastime the activity takes on added gravitas as she participates in an annual event with the ambitious goal of keeping track of all the birds in the Western Hemisphere.”
Read more about why millions of Americans have made this tradition part of their holiday festivities.
More in Utah
Provo-Salt Lake City ‘quiet zone’ reinstated; comments sought on northern Utah waiver (KSL)
Woman found dead in Tooele County; police looking for her 'violent' ex-boyfriend (KSL)
Utah’s gender gap in accounting stands out nationally. UVU is working to change that (KUER)
Nearly $1 million worth of meth seized during traffic stop in Nephi (KUTV)
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Politics
Perspective: Artificial intelligence will remake our government. And that’s a good thing (Deseret News)
Opinion: Hunter Biden’s pardon seems like an abuse of power. But it is perfectly in the president’s power (Deseret News)
The U.S.
Jimmy Carter’s six-day state funeral begins in Georgia (Deseret News)
Live updates: Powerful winter storm threatens most of U.S. with heavy snow and crippling ice (NBC)
The World
South Korean police asked to execute arrest warrant for impeached president (Reuters)
Hal Boyd: Football, faculty and faith — why I’m excited about BYU’s future (Deseret News)
Zac Blair’s journey of resilience — one shot at a time (Deseret News)
Cougars need a ‘different level of fight’ to avoid repeat of Houston disaster (Deseret News)
Utah earns key Big 12 road victory at Iowa State, though concern surrounds win after late Kennady McQueen injury (Deseret News)
Shorthanded Jazz beat Magic with ease (Deseret News)
Faith
Why are more celebrities rediscovering faith in recent years? (Deseret News)
What to know about new seminary life preparation lessons being rolled out this January (Church News)
Health
Getting your steps in can reduce depression, research finds (NPR)
Non-alcoholic spirit CEO said the US Surgeon General's comments will further shift the culture around drinking (Insider)
🗓️ Events Calendar
We are still putting together the events calendar for January. We plan on having it available by Monday morning — check it out and let us know what you think!
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