As Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles declared in his April 2022 general conference talk , “No matter what our mortal experience may entail, we can trust God and find joy in Him.” This episode of the Church News podcast features a Latter-day Saint family from Box Elder County, Utah, who have found healing comfort in serving others and trusting in God's plan amid personal trials and debilitating illness. Stan and Jennifer Summers' lives have been altered by their so...
Aug 16, 2022•32 min•Ep. 97
President Dallin H. Oaks , first counselor in the First Presidency, will celebrate a landmark birthday on Aug. 12, 2022, turning 90 years old. This episode of the Church News podcast features President Oaks sharing the lessons he has learned through nine decades of life. He speaks about his youth and family life, unexpected tragedies, and the blessings of Church service. He also shares his testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — strengthened over 90 years. The Church News ...
Aug 09, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 96
During a special devotional broadcast to Latter-day Saints in Europe in early 2022 , President Russell M. Nelson said that at a time when some feel that religion is dying in Europe, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has “an unparalleled future” because of its faithful members. “You have access to the power — God’s power — that will literally change the future of Europe,” he said during the event on Sunday, Jan. 23. “As you keep your covenants with increasing precision, you are the ...
Aug 02, 2022•54 min•Ep. 95
During the October 2021 general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Primary General President Camille N. Johnson spoke to members about pondering their own personal narrative and allowing Christ to direct their story . Little did she know that six months later, her own narrative would shift as members worldwide sustained her as the Church’s new Relief Society general president, effective Aug. 1. In this episode of the Church News podcast, President Johnson talks about ...
Jul 26, 2022•41 min•Ep. 94
The work and purpose of Primary is to “ help children feel their Heavenly Father’s love and learn about His plan of happiness .” For President Susan H. Porter , that purpose has meant more to her in the past year as she has served as the first counselor in the Primary general presidency. She was sustained in April 2022 general conference as the Church's new Primary general president, effective Aug. 1. In the recent Saturday evening session of general conference, President Porter spoke about how ...
Jul 19, 2022•49 min•Ep. 93
There has always been a declared need for recording keeping in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, as documented in Doctrine and Covenants section 21 , affirms: “Behold, there shall be a record kept among you.” Historical records continue to bless Latter-day Saints, helping members to understand the robust history of the Church and the challenges their forefathers overcame. The modern explosion of technology has made it possible for ...
Jul 12, 2022•42 min•Ep. 92
“ This is the place .” These four simple words, uttered by a prophet, confirmed visions, gave a people their home and have become synonymous with the valley that headquarters The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On July 24, 1847 , Brigham Young spoke those words as a company of pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley where the Church finally settled — building a community and a temple. As the 175 anniversary of that event approaches this July, Latter-day Saints celebrate the pioneer...
Jul 05, 2022•37 min•Ep. 91
During rare times when circumstances shift, including the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals have an opportunity “ to look into our soul and see if we like what we see there. ” Life for Deseret News reporter Lois Collins was a constant invitation to see things differently. Raised by blind parents , Collins had the opportunity to learn how to “see” in every sense of the word . Of her mother, Collins once wrote, “She taught me not to worry about the things you can't change, but never to walk away from...
Jun 28, 2022•38 min•Ep. 90
An iconic Christian hymn encourages listeners who may be “tempest-tossed” or otherwise burdened to “Count Your Blessings.” Jenae Nelson , who has conducted research on indebtedness with Brigham Young University professors Dr. Sam Hardy and Dr. Dianne Tice, bolsters this claim. In a yearlong study, Nelson found that recognizing what God has done, and feeling an indebtedness toward Him, doesn’t create feelings of obligation, but rather leads to increased overall happiness, well-being and even pros...
Jun 21, 2022•36 min•Ep. 89
In July 2019, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced an extensive new Children and Youth program to strengthen the rising generation’s faith in Christ. This effort includes expanding For the Strength of Youth conferences , also known as FSY, in countries across the globe. These popular five-day events consist of a series of devotionals, classes and activities geared toward youth ages 14-18 years old. This June, after a pandemic delay, the first sessions in the United States an...
Jun 14, 2022•39 min•Ep. 88
The Washington D.C. Temple has been an iconic sight on the National Capital Beltway since its dedication in 1974 . In 2018, the temple closed for needed renovations and updating. As The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prepares to wrap up the open house for the newly renovated Washington D.C. Temple this week, Church leaders and others of influence speak of the importance of temples on this episode of the Church News podcast. During the public open house, more than 250,000 people tour...
Jun 07, 2022•50 min•Ep. 87
Being raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, women are taught that they are beloved daughters of heavenly parents . This truth has helped Sister Carol F. McConkie, a former member of the Young Women general presidency , share the gospel around the world. Now as the vice president of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women , in Geneva, Switzerland, Sister McConkie is serving and empowering women and girls worldwide as she advocates for human rights, education and self-relianc...
May 31, 2022•41 min•Ep. 86
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Patricia T. Holland , have dedicated their lives to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this final episode of a two-part series , they continue their conversation with guest host Sister Sheri Dew . The interview was recorded just before the world celebrated Easter, prompting them to talk about what it means to be disciples of Jesus Christ and remember the miracle of Easter every day. Elder Holland ...
May 26, 2022•39 min•Ep. 85
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Patricia T. Holland , have dedicated their lives to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This special episode of the Church News podcast is the first in a two-part series featuring the Hollands sharing some of the lessons they have learned through their lives. Elder Holland has served as a general authority since April 1989 and is a former president of BYU. Sister Holland served as a counselor in the Y...
May 24, 2022•39 min•Ep. 84
Freedom of religion is a basic principle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as a fundamental human right. Readers frequently ask why the Church News writes so much on this important topic . This episode of the Church News podcast features Deseret News reporter and editor Kelsey Dallas sharing her expertise on religious freedom . Dallas received a master’s degree in religion from Yale Divinity School and covers religion, politics and the Supreme Court for the Deseret News...
May 17, 2022•32 min•Ep. 83
For months prior to the open house of the Washington D.C. Temple , Diana Brown led a unique group of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and friends on a different kind of open house tour. The group visited sacred sites of other faiths in an effort to learn and foster interreligious relationships. Diana is the assistant director of interreligious engagement at Georgetown University and a Latter-day Saint. She joins the Church News podcast to talk about this "Reverse Open H...
May 10, 2022•34 min•Ep. 82
During the April 2022 general conference , leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints focused, among other things, on the importance of missionary work for every member. "Every person who has made covenants with God has promised to care about others and serve those in need," said President Russell M. Nelson . Davis and Asialene Smith , founders of the outdoor gear company Cotopaxi , join this episode of the Church News podcast to talk about sharing the message of the Church of Je...
May 03, 2022•51 min•Ep. 81
The third volume of “ Saints ” — the narrative history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — was released April 22, 2022. Titled “Boldly, Nobly, and Independent,” the narrative book chronicles the spread of the Church worldwide from 1893 to 1955. This episode of the Church News podcast features “Saints” general editor and lead historian Jed Woodworth , and general editor and lead writer Scott Hales . They dive into the compelling accounts of Church members and communities during a...
Apr 26, 2022•53 min•Ep. 80
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a global Church headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. While the Utah Area is small in terms of geography, it is the Church’s largest in terms of membership, activity and influence. This episode of the Church News podcast features Elder Kevin W. Pearson , a General Authority Seventy and president of the Utah Area, to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of building the Church in this area of the world. Elder Pearson is joined by a spe...
Apr 19, 2022•45 min•Ep. 79
In a recent Church News podcast with JustServe Global Manager Heath Bradley , he remarked on how the youth of the Church are using the JustServe website to serve the community and share their faith. Bradley said, “Young people are in love with JustServe…because it’s a launchpad to find out: What are my interests in serving? What are the things that I like to do.” This episode of the Church News podcast features two young adults who have found joy through service using JustServe. McKaylee Burton,...
Apr 12, 2022•34 min•Ep. 78
Amid turbulent times, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shared messages of hope, faith and peace during the 192nd Annual General Conference . They counseled Church members to avoid contention, find and stay on the covenant path and share the blessings of the restored gospel with others . The five conference sessions originated from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on April 2-3, 2022, and signaled a return to a more traditional general conference than has been held...
Apr 05, 2022•36 min•Ep. 77
President M. Russell Ballard , Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has given dozens of conferences addresses since his call as a general authority in 1976. After 46 years in general Church leadership, he joins this episode of the Church News podcast to share his memories of general conference . As members and friends of the Church prepare for the upcoming 192nd Annual General Conference the first weekend of April 2022, President Ballard offers insights into the event and what ...
Mar 29, 2022•48 min•Ep. 76
In recent years, smartphones, tablets and social media have allowed missionaries and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to reach “ unto the uttermost parts of the earth.” (D&C 58:64) . Even in the midst of a global pandemic, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ spans “every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.” (Alma 37:4 ) This episode of the Church News podcast features Elder Brent H. Nielson of the Presidency of the Seventy. Beginning in 2014, Elder Nielson was assi...
Mar 22, 2022•48 min•Ep. 75
On March 17, 2022, the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will celebrate its 180th anniversary . This episode of the Church News podcast features Relief Society General President Jean B. Bingham on the importance of the organization and the essential role of women in the Church. With the motto “Charity Never Faileth,” the Relief Society for 180 years has blessed millions worldwide in its efforts to strengthen women and families, increase faith and offer relief acr...
Mar 15, 2022•44 min•Ep. 74
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke in October 2013 general conference on acknowledging and confronting mental illness. “Though we may feel we are ‘ like a broken vessel , … we must remember, that vessel is in the hands of the divine potter,’” said Elder Holland. This episode of the Church News podcast features a licensed psychologist and Latter-day Saint who has spent his career helping individuals struggling with anxiety and mental illness. David T. Morgan, a co...
Mar 08, 2022•42 min•Ep. 73
After decades of business leadership and general Church service, Bishop Keith B. McMullin has learned many principles of successful leadership — skills that are needed now more than ever during this time defined by the pandemic, political tensions, social strife and war. As the chief executive officer of Deseret Management Corp. , an emeritus general authority and former member of the Presiding Bishopric of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and former managing director of the Chur...
Mar 01, 2022•41 min•Ep. 72
After attracting more than 1 million visitors from 240 countries and territories for last year’s online event , RootsTech will be completely virtual again in 2022. The three-day global family history event is happening March 3-5; registration is free. Participants will hear from international keynote speakers and have access to on-demand, livestream and interactive sessions where they can connect with one another, ask questions and learn from experts. This episode of the Church News podcast feat...
Feb 22, 2022•39 min•Ep. 71
From its granite foundation to its heavenly spires, the Salt Lake Temple is a landmark and symbol for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Originally dedicated in 1893, the Salt Lake Temple closed for extensive renovation s just over two years ago. Brent Roberts, managing director of the Church's Special Projects Department, and Andy Kirby, director of historic temple renovations, join this episode of the Church News podcast to talk about this expansive enterprise. They detail the wo...
Feb 15, 2022•46 min•Ep. 70
Elder D. Todd Christofferson addressed thousands gathered in San Diego, California, on Jan. 29, 2022, in celebration of the 175th anniversary of the arrival of the Mormon Battalion to the city . In a Church News interview, taped on the streets of Old Town San Diego that day, he spoke of the battalion's historic 2,100-mile march and why learning about history matters. This episode of the Church News podcast features that interview with Elder Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Ap...
Feb 08, 2022•49 min•Ep. 69
The 2022 youth theme for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has great meaning during this year, defined by culture wars and the continued COVID-19 pandemic: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” ( Proverbs 3:5-6 ). This episode of the Church News podcast features the Church’s Young Men general presidency — President Steven J. Lund and his counselors, Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt...
Feb 01, 2022•52 min•Ep. 68
