Reader comments
Top 10 stories of 2008

...journalists don't know what readers think is important. They are too worried about winning the Nobel Prize and want to sensationalize everything.

Considering all that's going on in the world a change in Church Leadership is probably the most insignificant thing that has happened in Utah this past 12 months.

The church tops the list??! Oh, well, I guess you have to dance for the one with the supper dish...

Duh, don't you people notice it's a list of news IN Utah--not the country or world! Sheesh. With the number of LDS IN Utah, it stands to reason the passing of Pres. Hinckley would lead the list! It was a big deal!!! And what the heck does 'dance for the one with the supper dish' have to do with anything?

I was a little surprised to find an article about the top 10 list and yet there was no top 10 list.

Their will always be disagreement over any ranking list, but it seems pretty accurate to me. Even mentioning the church in any "top" anything list is a sure fire why to generate animosity to those not of that churches faith. It would be interesting to put maybe 20 or so topics to a readers poll and compare their rankings.

Duh! What year is the LDS Church NOT one of the top 10 names in local headlines. This is not news, it is just stating the obvious.

It is very irritating to read the hateful comments which appear regarding the LDS Church. I live in the "Mission Field" in Virginia, and wish the nastiness would cease. I believe the first sentence of this article stated the #1 LOCAL story was the change at the top of the Church. All the stories mentioned were LOCAL stories, although it could be argued many outside Utah were very interested in these stories. Comment if you must, but try not to be so hateful

Something heated and controversial about the church.

A jab about gay marriage.

Weird, awkward, outward rant about something else.

SOMETHING IN ALL CAPS.

It's not often that the prophet passes away. There have only been 16 prophets since the restoration of the church, so I can see why the new prophet is a big deal.

Also, remember, the Deseret News is owned by the LDS church, any surprises then on their pick of the top story?? ;)

I agree with RivertonCoug. If you're gonna do a list of Top 10 news stories, please publish the list in ORDER! How would it work if Letterman's Top Ten was listed so helter-skelter?

I really disagree with steven w. Your post is the one full of criticisms. Just because some people don't like this poorly-drafted article doesn't mean they don't deserve to live. Your post (and alas, mine as well) is full of hypocrisy: criticizing others for criticizing. Let's all play nicer.

The supper dish is a metaphor. My dog does a dance when i provide his meal, at the sight of his dish being prepared. I've no doubt that the editorial staff of desnews is well aware of the ownership and will pay homage accordingly, lest their dish not get filled. Essentially, it's like a lot of things around here. Everyone, whether they agree with it or not, knows who pulls the strings.

Have the LDS Church move its headquarters out of this great State of Utah and see what happens. Think things are bad now, just wait. No confusion and Nibbler: please have your parents check your next comment before you post it,ok?

If the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints topped local headlines in 2008 it was in their OWN news paper's and on their OWN news station's, NOT on a National level. It's the holiday season, the politically correct euphemism for this time of year when we�re supposed to demonstrate the "spirit of the season" by going shopping. We do this so that we can help retailers hit their year-end sales targets. Shopping, we are told, stimulates the economy and what's good for the economy is good for all of us. Our "holidays" have become mere orgies of economic stimulus. Need a new mattress? President�s Day Weekend is now known for slumber sales. That barbecue with 50 percent more grilling area that you want? Hold off until Memorial Day when the Lawn & Garden advertisements turn attention from patriotism to propane. Independence Day, once dedicated to national reflection on the struggle our Founders faced in creating a nation conceived in liberty, is now just an opportunity to buy beer and hot dogs. That's the other news Utah see's as well. Give me a break. You know it's true. Now, why is that?. They hate Mormon's is why.

I read the Deseret News because I have friends in SLC. I like reading the MormonTimes links. The article was about top ten stories in Utah, so therefore I would expect with the majority of Utahns being Mormon, of course the death of the LDS Prophet and the story of his successor would be the top story in the Newspaper. It is about statistics, not religion. If you lived in Rome I am quite sure the most read topic when Pope John Paul II died was about just that. If the top story were anything else but the death of your Prophet in the DN I would have been amazed. By the way...to all Utahns, Mormon or not, Happy New Year !

The article says the LDS Church ended year "in controversy over gay marriage". There is no controversy. The word "controversy" implies it did something wrong. The Church stayed true to its doctrines, especially the Proclamation on the Family, ergo, it did nothing wrong. In fact, the Church actually received unprecedented support from other churches as a result of its sticking up for its beliefs. Catholics, Jews, and Evangelicals in California praised the LDS Church for doing so. No controversy at all - poor choice of words on the author's part, very poor. Get an editor.

Chris,

The LDS Church DID do something wrong as well as controversial regarding gay marriage!

Wake up and smell the civil rights!

Freedom of the press is great. Deseret News can pick who they want and what they want to report as the top ten stories...

CatholicMan, Thank you for your kind comments. Happy New Year to you too.

I'd be more than happy to see the LDS Church move out of Utah, more specifically, SLC.

And remember, don't let the door hit you in the ... when you leave.