Utah, a spacious state crossed by mountains, valleys and desert, takes in more refugees than some U.S. states with much larger populations. “It’s perfect here,” says Nour Eddin Abdul Bari, who worked as a chef and restaurateur in Damascus before fleeing Syria. He lauds the medical and education services provided for three of his five children with special needs.

Worldwide membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has hit 15 million, representing a three-fold increase over the last three decades, Mormon leaders said Saturday. LDS President Thomas S. Monson announced the milestone during the opening session of a two-day church conference. The biannual general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints brings 100,000 members to Salt Lake City.