Jan. 14, 2022, marked the four-year anniversary of President Russell M. Nelson's leading The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Within that historic time frame, President Nelson has guided the Church’s almost 17 million members during the COVID-19 pandemic, issued powerful invitations, traveled extensively and built many bridges of understanding with community, government and religious leaders. This special episode of the Church News podcast features Sister Wendy W. Nelson , the wife o...
Jan 25, 2022•52 min•Ep. 67
Brigham Young University sports fans had plenty to cheer about in 2021. The women claimed second-place finishes in soccer and cross-country and a Sweet 16 appearance in volleyball. Fans also enjoyed national rankings in football and men's and women’s basketball, and individual national recognitions in cross country and track and field. BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe and Liz Darger , BYU’s senior associate athletic director/senior woman administrator and a member of the Young Women general advi...
Jan 18, 2022•50 min•Ep. 66
Ethiopia’s national capital and largest city, Addis Ababa, hosts a new mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, recently opened in summer 2020. The first leaders of this mission, President Robert Dudfield and Sister Darice Dudfield , join this episode of the Church News podcast to talk about missionary work in Ethiopia and all that has impacted it — including the pandemic and the recent civil unrest that has caused President and Sister Dudfield, along with their missionaries,...
Jan 11, 2022•56 min•Ep. 65
There has never been a time when media literacy is more important than in today’s media-saturated world. One way of being alert and vigilant is preparing and protecting homes and children from the aggressive assault of pornography through establishing a pattern of open conversations. This episode of the Church News podcast features Deanna Lambson , a Latter-day Saint educator and founder of WhiteRibbonWeek.org . She discusses a gospel-centered approach to starting age-appropriate conversations a...
Jan 04, 2022•45 min•Ep. 64
With the continuing coronavirus pandemic and rising political tensions, 2021 has been a unique and challenging year during which many overcame contempt by connecting with those of different backgrounds, faiths and attitudes. Deseret News Executive Editor Doug Wilks , a journalist who serves as a stake president in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, joins this episode of the Church News podcast to discuss the important events of 2021 and how they impacted Latter-day Saints — as well...
Dec 28, 2021•44 min•Ep. 63
During the Christmas season — marked by celebrations of the birth and life of Jesus Christ — many turn their focus on serving others. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints connects people across the globe to service opportunities with an inspired initiative called JustServe . This episode of the Church News podcast features Heath Bradley, the global manager of JustServe, to talk about service this Christmas season and every day of the year. The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast t...
Dec 21, 2021•36 min•Ep. 62
Mary Richards spent nearly two decades working as a reporter for KSL NewsRadio in the heart of Salt Lake City. Working near the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mary had many opportunities to report on Latter-day Saint events and members. During her radio career, she produced numerous radio documentaries that aired between general conference sessions . While working on these projects, from covering the temple dedication in Haiti to exploring the Sacred Grove for t...
Dec 14, 2021•49 min•Ep. 61
In October 2018, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced a new home-centered, Church-supported integrated gospel curriculum known as “ Come, Follow Me .” He promised that the plan would “unleash the power of families.” This episode of the Church News podcast features the Church’s Sunday School general presidency: President Mark L. Pace, Sunday School general president ; Brother Milton Camargo, first counselor ; and Brother Jan E. Newman, second co...
Dec 07, 2021•42 min•Ep. 60
Christmas is a favorite time of year for many Christians across the globe as they cherish the opportunity to celebrate the birth and life of Jesus Christ. Members of the Savior's Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, each have unique and special Christmas traditions that come from their families, countries and cultures. This episode of the Church News podcast explores one family's Christmas traditions and the beautiful way they share them with others. Sister Harriet R. Uchtdor...
Nov 30, 2021•29 min•Ep. 59
One year ago on Nov. 20, 2020, amid the throes of the coronavirus pandemic, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints extended a global invitation of hope, healing and unity . He invited people everywhere, regardless of faith and circumstance, to share their gratitude on social media with the hashtag #GiveThanks. Within the first hour of the video release, it was viewed more than a million times; the #GiveThanks hashtag was trending on Twitter in the United S...
Nov 23, 2021•46 min•Ep. 58
When Latter-day Saints think about conversion, they often think of individuals joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through baptism. But every member is a convert in his or her own right by developing a personal testimony. And sadly, there are times when individuals choose to leave the gospel path. This episode of the Church News podcast features information about those who come back, who reengage in the gospel and build stronger foundations than before. These “reconversions” ...
Nov 16, 2021•49 min•Ep. 57
Three senior Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — President M. Russell Ballard , Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and Elder Quentin L. Cook — traveled to England and Scotland in October 2021 to address both Church members and missionaries. The trip marked a “coming home” for the trio of Church leaders as each had served missions in the British Isles . President Ballard first arrived in Great Britain as a young missionary in 1948, just three years after the end of World War II. E...
Nov 09, 2021•40 min•Ep. 56
The New Testament’s parable of the talents teaches us that God gives us everything we need to accomplish the work He has asked us to do, including the special skills and talents to grow and share our testimony with others. This episode of the Church News podcast features a member musician of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dr. Wayne Burton . The podcast also includes a small sampling of his music. The medical doctor has chosen to grow his musical talents by writing and producing...
Nov 02, 2021•38 min•Ep. 55
Senior members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been contributing to the missionary efforts of the Church since the earliest days of the Restoration. Today the opportunities for senior missionaries are vast, and more missionaries are needed. Still, there are a lot of misconceptions about this important volunteer work. Today we are joined by the Church Missionary Department’s Elder Weatherford T. Clayton and Arthur Johnson to discuss the need for senior missionaries in the ...
Oct 26, 2021•52 min•Ep. 54
Construction of the original Nauvoo Temple began in the spring of 1841 on a hilltop overlooking the Mississippi River. Early Latter-day Saints labored to build the temple, completing the sacred building after the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith . This episode of the Church News podcast explores the history and significance of the Nauvoo Temple. Joining the podcast is Spencer W. McBride , an associate managing historian of the Joseph Smith Papers who earned a Ph.D. in history from Louisiana...
Oct 19, 2021•37 min•Ep. 53
In March 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic intensified across the globe, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints turned their thoughts to full-time missionaries facing increasing health risks and nations about to close borders. They began returning missionaries to their home nations and reimagining the work. This episode of the Church News podcast explores all that has happened to missionary work during the past year and a half and looks forward to the future of missionary wor...
Oct 12, 2021•47 min•Ep. 52
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe participated in the Church’s 191st Semiannual General Conference on Oct. 2-3. Standing at the Conference Center podium for the first time since the progression of the coronavirus pandemic, President Russell M. Nelson declared, “There has never been a time in history when knowledge of the Savior is more personally vital and relevant to every human soul. ” This episode of the Church News podcast summarizes the historic con...
Oct 05, 2021•25 min•Ep. 51
Twentyseven people attended the first general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 9, 1830 — just months after the organization of the Church . Now, with the upcoming 191st Semiannual General Conference in October 2021 , millions of Church members and others around the world have the opportunity to learn from modern prophets and Church leaders. Church employees and volunteers work an estimated 91,000 hours to prepare for, host, broadcast and record the two-day, f...
Sep 28, 2021•42 min•Ep. 50
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a global faith with 16.5 million members who speak dozens of languages. This October marks 50 years since Church leaders began translating the faith’s semiannual general conference. In 1961 messages were shared in Dutch, German, Samoan and Spanish. Today — as a reflection of this growing global faith — general conference addresses will be translated into 97 languages. This episode of the Church News podcast features Church News translation coord...
Sep 21, 2021•41 min•Ep. 49
After months defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people across the globe are longing for social connection. This episode of the Church News podcast features Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University , who addresses the long-term health effects of social connection . According to her research, isolation and loneliness are risk factors for early mortality. Dr. Holt-Lunstad has worked with government organizations aimed at addressing the...
Sep 14, 2021•41 min•Ep. 48
During his time as the 17th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson has traveled 115,000 miles to 35 nations on six continents. He has met with members in large and small settings — often addressing them in their own languages — and with world leaders. During the past 18 months, President Nelson has led the Church through the COVID-19 pandemic. President Nelson will turn 97 years old on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. Michael Colemere, managing director...
Sep 07, 2021•49 min•Ep. 47
Former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt has been called as the new president of the world-renowned Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square . He will apply experience gained during decades of civil service to guide the Tabernacle Choir into a more global future. Elected to three terms as governor of Utah, he served twice in the Cabinet of President George W. Bush — first as Environmental Protection Agency administrator, and later as the secretary of health and human services. This episode of the Church News podc...
Aug 31, 2021•23 min•Ep. 46
A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked Haiti on Saturday, August 12, 2021 , claiming more than 2,100 lives, injuring more than 12,000 and leaving some 600,000 in need of assistance in the nation already affected by poverty and political unrest. On this episode of the Church News podcast, Sarah Jane Weaver is joined by a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that has made it her life's mission to assist the people of Haiti through education . Shannon Allred Cox is the moth...
Aug 24, 2021•37 min•Ep. 45
As numbers of COVID-19 cases continue to rise globally, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has urged members to use face masks and be vaccinated . In this episode of the Church News podcast, historian Richard E. Turley reflects on the lessons of the past and provides historical context to the invitation from President Russell M. Nelson and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring. “The COVID-19 pandemic is not the first epidemic ...
Aug 17, 2021•35 min•Ep. 44
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints treasure the history and legacy of the pioneering Saints who went before them. As Church members study the stories of the past, they learn lessons and gain greater inspiration for their daily lives. Church History Library Director Keith A. Erekson says it is important that complete and accurate recounts of history are shared; when rumor and myth mix with reality it can damage a member’s understanding or personal testimony of the restored...
Aug 10, 2021•33 min•Ep. 43
After more than a year of closures due to the global pandemic, historic sites of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are now beginning to reopen . Historic Sites operations manager Gary L. Boatright Jr. and Historic Sites manager Benjamin Pykles join this episode of the Church News Podcast to discuss these sacred spaces, how closures allowed for the opening of virtual tours , and how we can honor “the spirit of place” while visiting these locations. They discuss how touring historic ...
Aug 03, 2021•38 min•Ep. 42
This July 2021, the Church News is taking readers “ Inside Church Headquarters ” in a series of articles highlighting the council system of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The series explores how revelation guides Church councils and how the principles discovered there can be applied to stakes, wards, families and individual members around the world. This is part two of the podcast series on the Church’s councils . Church News reporter Sydney Walker discusses the inspiration beh...
Jul 27, 2021•32 min•Ep. 41
This July the Church News is taking readers “Inside Church headquarters” in a series of articles highlighting the council system of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These councils include the Council of the First Presidency and the Council of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles , as well as executive councils that oversee the work of temples and family history, missionary and priesthood and family. The series explores how revelation guides Church councils and how the principles dis...
Jul 20, 2021•30 min•Ep. 40
Summer is here and with the rising heat there is a rising excitement for the once-postponed Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Every few years the world comes together to celebrate the connecting power of sports, and this year several members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — including gymnast MyKayla Skinner — will compete for the honor of a gold medal. This episode of the Church News Podcast, features Church News senior reporter Jason Swenson reflecting on the gospel principles he ha...
Jul 13, 2021•33 min•Ep. 39
Nearly three years ago, Jennie Taylor was away from home when her mother called to tell her that two army officers had come to her home and needed to talk to her face to face. Later that day she met the officers at the same National Guard headquarters where her husband, Major Brent Taylor , had enlisted when they were newly engaged. She was told her husband had been killed in Afghanistan. Since that day in November 2018, Jennie has resiliently continued to carry her husband's mantle of service a...
Jul 06, 2021•45 min•Ep. 38
