MormonTimes.com

The Deseret News has started  it's previously announced website: MormonTimes.com.  As time has gone on, the Deseret News has become a more serious source of rigorous news and information dealing with the church.  More than just a faith promoting site, MormonTimes.com continues this tradition by offering a wide breadth of news & information that should appeal to a wide audience.

The site provides a more sophisticated approach that includes information and materials that will appeal to those who are intellectually minded. For example the current issue covers a speech given by Dr. Richard Bushman talking about U.S perceptions of the church.  It talks of the "Revisiting Thomas F. O'Dea's 'The Mormons' symposium" and announces an upcoming conference on Mormon literature.  Another column covers highlights from "The Bloggernackle" including a discussion on Mormon feminism.

It also contains a good set of reference material.  Easy access to an online copy of the well regarded Encyclopedia of Mormonism is available.  The "Mormon Q&A" section takes critical questions about the church seriously and deals with them head on with articles from FAIR (The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research).

But the site will have an appeal beyond that which is scholarly.  You can find the latest Mormons appearing on American Idol, genealogical information, or a report on the latest Handcart Trek. 

All in all, it appears to be a great website in an accessible format that should have a wide appeal to members of the church.