For 2 centuries, Latter‑day Saints have revered religious freedom – but their definition is evolving
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 5, 2026, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is encouraging its American members to participate in a special fast: a day to “express gratitu


![A deep-sea habitat dubbed as “eel city” in American Samoa, where eels thrive among hydrothermal vents on the Nafanua volcanic cone. [Image: Hawai’i Undersea Research Laboratory (HURL) /NOAA] EEL CITY](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eel_city_in_american_samoa.jpg?itok=EQl7YOIR)
![Under construction by Paramount Builders, Inc., the new terminal is designed to better serve residents and visitors traveling between the islands. [courtesy photo] OFU WHARF TERMINAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION SITE](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/ofu_wharf_construction.png?itok=DqRCIC0x)
![Seen here is an 1863 depiction of Salt Lake City, which had been founded about 15 years earlier. The capital of Utah state, the city is known as the world headquarters for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, centered on the historic 10-acre Temple Square, where the Salt Lake Temple was built between 1853 and 1893. [graphic: Wikimedia Commons] SALT LAKE CITY CIRCA 1863](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/salt_lake_city_.jpeg?itok=GLw0QMdH)

![Lt. Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. and the Air Force Recruitment Team [Facebook photo] USAF recruiters with Lt Governor](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/lt_af_recruiters_0.jpg?itok=K9F-8nYB)


