The Mormon Church is hitting back against the idea that followers are taught they will get their own planet in the afterlife – a misconception popularised most recently by the musical The Book of Mormon.

As more Republicans back him, Mitt Romney seems increasingly likely to be the party’s presidential nominee,writes Beth Fouhy

ELNA BAKER is 28-years-old. She’s been living in New York City since moving there at 18 years of age to go to university. She’s five foot 10 inches and beautiful. She’s a comedian. In conversation, she has a self-deprecating charm and ready wit that makes her disarmingly attractive.

Tens of thousands of Mormons attended the funeral of church president Gordon B. Hinckley who has died at the age of 97.