Courtney Wayment is a world-class track athlete who competes in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and is currently preparing for the United States Olympic trials . Her success spans from her collegiate career at Brigham Young University to two Team USA senior national teams and running at the World Athletics Championships. Wayment joins the Church News podcast to talk about her remarkable career, preparing for the Olympic Games, and what running and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hav...
May 07, 2024•35 min•Ep. 187
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sustained 11 new General Authority Seventies during the Saturday morning session of the Church's 194th Annual General Conference on Saturday, April 6, 2024. President Dallin H. Oaks , first counselor in the First Presidency, presented the new General Authority Seventies for a sustaining vote, along with the sustaining of the Church's general authorities and general officers. This episode of the Church News podcast is dedicated to sharing...
Apr 30, 2024•29 min•Ep. 186
In an inspired effort to shepherd the growth and future of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines, then- Elder Dallin H. Oaks was assigned by President Gordon B. Hinckley to serve as area president in the nation from 2002 to 2004. With his wife, Sister Kristen M. Oaks , President Oaks — now first counselor in the First Presidency — served in the country when there were 600,000 Latter-day Saints and one temple . President and Sister Oaks will now return to the Philippi...
Apr 23, 2024•47 min•Ep. 185
From time to time, members of the Church News staff join the Church News podcast to talk about creating “a living record of the Restoration.” This podcast episode features Church News editor Ryan Jensen sharing his observations of prophets and apostles, what he has learned about messaging to Latter-day Saint youth, and his personal life — which includes his family’s struggles with Huntington’s disease . Before joining the Church News, Ryan worked for the Priesthood and Family Department of The C...
Apr 16, 2024•50 min•Ep. 184
Millions listened to the 194th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6 and 7, 2024. During the conference, Church leaders — including members of the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other general leaders — emphasized the importance of temples and covenants and encouraged seeking higher joy . This special edition of the Church News podcast features excerpts from every general conference talk , including President Russell M. Nelson...
Apr 09, 2024•40 min•Ep. 183
In February 2024, The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square continued its " Hope " world tour with concerts and events in the Philippines . This second stop on the multiyear, multination tour is the first for “Asia’s Pearl." This episode of the Church News podcast explores this musical expedition with choir leaders and members, special guest performers and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — including Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,...
Apr 02, 2024•30 min•Ep. 182
Brigham Young University–Hawaii is known for its diversity of students , Christ-centered values and the “ aloha spirit. ” In this episode of the Church News podcast, the second of a two-part series , the Church News returns to the island of Oahu to talk to students and leaders of BYU–Hawaii and the neighboring Polynesian Cultural Center — where many BYU–Hawaii students work. Concluding this episode is a conversation with P. Alfred Grace , president and CEO of the Polynesian Cultural Center . He ...
Mar 26, 2024•42 min•Ep. 181
In 1921, President David O. McKay of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with Church members in an old chapel in Laie, Hawaii — where he witnessed many cultures worshipping together as one . There on the north shore of Oahu, President McKay saw how people can be united by the gospel of Jesus Christ. In a campus devotional at BYU–Hawaii almost one year ago, BYU–Hawaii President John S.K. Kauwe III spoke of President McKay's experience and of BYU–Hawaii today. The Church's universi...
Mar 19, 2024•41 min•Ep. 180
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has purchased the Kirtland Temple — the first temple built in this dispensation — from Community of Christ, leaders of both faiths announced Tuesday, March 5, 2024 . This episode of the Church News podcast features Elder Kyle S. McKay , General Authority Seventy and Church historian and recorder , and historian Matt Grow , managing director of the Church History Department , discussing the historic purchase, which also included landmark buildings a...
Mar 12, 2024•54 min•Ep. 179
This month is the 182nd anniversary of the organization of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When the Relief Society was organized on March 17, 1842, Emma Smith said, “We are going to do something extraordinary. … We expect extraordinary occasions and pressing calls.” To commemorate the purpose and founding of the Relief Society, a worldwide Relief Society devotional will be held on Sunday, March 17 . Local ward and stake Relief Societies will gather to hear ...
Mar 05, 2024•45 min
During the 2023 holiday season, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints collaborated with religious organizations on more than 60 projects serving some 42,000 children in the New York metro area. One of many leaders supporting this interfaith partnership is the Reverend Que English , who has said that this alliance is a model of how “we come together to bring hope” in a divided world . The Rev. English has served as the director of the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships...
Feb 27, 2024•24 min•Ep. 177
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “obtaining an education and getting knowledge are a religious responsibility,” said President Russell M. Nelson . Charged with taking education to Latter-day Saints and others in the world is Elder Clark G. Gilbert , a General Authority Seventy and commissioner of Church education. He joins this episode of the Church News podcast to discuss the expansive Church Educational System , the enlightening power of education and involving the Lord in le...
Feb 20, 2024•41 min•Ep. 176
Church News reporter Christine Rappleye joined the Church News three years ago, after serving as editor of the Deseret News features department. As a returned missionary; a Brigham Young University graduate; a talented writer ; a Relief Society, Primary and Young Women leader; and aunt and sister, she has shown how continual service can help individuals along the covenant path. She joins this episode of the Church News podcast to share her experiences reporting stories from around the globe and ...
Feb 13, 2024•39 min•Ep. 175
" Remember " is the theme of RootsTech 2024 , a three-day global online and in-person family celebration conference happening February 29 through March 2, 2024, in Salt Lake City. Hosted by FamilySearch International , the event will also include a never-before-seen video featuring the late President M. Russell Ballard , acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, recorded before his death. This episode of the Church News podcast explores what to expect at this year's RootsTech conven...
Feb 06, 2024•41 min•Ep. 174
The 2023 season for the Brigham Young University women's soccer team was unforgettable. The team defeated a No. 1-ranked opponent, becoming No. 1 in the United Soccer Coaches rankings, and captured headlines with a come-from-behind victory over North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals. The BYU women's soccer team completed the season with an overall record of 20-3-3, going undefeated in its first season in the Big 12 conference. This episode of the Church News podcast features BYU hea...
Jan 30, 2024•44 min•Ep. 173
Every week devotional speakers enlighten, instruct and uplift students at Brigham Young University. But these BYU Speeches are not only for the student body, they are recorded, curated and digitally shared for the world at large. With over seven decades of devotionals from Church leaders, BYU presidents, professors, scholars and invited guests, there are thousands of speeches. And now, with the archive expanding to include Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese and French translations, the speeches team ...
Jan 23, 2024•58 min•Ep. 172
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints focus “ Come, Follow Me ” study on the Book of Mormon this year, the Church’s 2024 youth theme declares, “I am a disciple of Jesus Christ” (3 Nephi 5:13). This episode of the Church News podcast focuses on this theme with Young Men General President Steven J. Lund and Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman . They are joined by guest host Ryan Jensen , Church News Editor, to discuss discipleship and the strength of Latter-da...
Jan 16, 2024•59 min•Ep. 171
Since President Russell M. Nelson announced “ Come, Follow Me ” in October 2018, the unified scripture study experience has revolutionized home and church study in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It has strengthened personal testimonies and created a transformative experience for partakers of the program. Now, as Latter-day Saints study the Book of Mormon in 2024, this episode of the Church News podcast features the Sunday School general presidency , President Mark L. Pace and h...
Jan 09, 2024•55 min•Ep. 170
The collective “ Come, Follow Me ” study of the Book of Mormon for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2024 comes as the Church is celebrating a significant milestone for the distribution of the sacred book. In 1830, the Church printed 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon, that number grew to 100 million copies distributed by the year 2000, and as of the summer of 2023, that number had doubled to 200 million copies. Now, as the Book of Mormon continues to find individuals...
Jan 02, 2024•25 min•Ep. 169
At the conclusion of 2023 — a remarkable year for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — Doug Wilks , Deseret News executive editor, and Hal Boyd , Deseret News editor and executive editor of Deseret Magazine , join the Church News podcast to discuss the news of the Church and how it intersected with national, local and government news this year. They talk about temple construction, dedications and announcements, the leadership of President Russell M. Nelson, the Church’s promotion of...
Dec 26, 2023•54 min•Ep. 168
Family history is important to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and during the Christmas season the significance of understanding family traditions and recalling family stories often increases. This episode of the Church News podcast features Dan Call, FamilySearch.org manager of Discovery Experiences and Centers . He explores how Latter-day Saints can learn about and honor their unique family history during the sacred Christmas season. The Church News Podcast is a wee...
Dec 19, 2023•34 min•Ep. 167
Many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints look forward to holiday music as an important part of Christmas celebrations , including the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square’s annual Christmas concert . This episode of the Church News podcast features Tabernacle Choir President Mike Leavitt and Karmel Newell, the choir director of member support, discussing the music of the Tabernacle Choir during Christmas and year-round. They also talk about choir priorities and ...
Dec 12, 2023•29 min•Ep. 166
In a world increasingly defined by division, this episode of the Church News podcast is dedicated to connection — with ward members, neighbors, communities, and those of other faith traditions and friends around the globe. No one is better at this than Aaron Sherinian, the senior vice president of global reach at Deseret Management Corp . This Christmas season, Sherinian invites listeners to connect with those around them as they work together to #LightTheWorld . The Church News Podcast is a wee...
Dec 05, 2023•31 min•Ep. 165
The historic St. George Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Church’s longest-operating house of the Lord. Originally dedicated on April 6, 1877, and rededicated on Nov. 11, 1975, the temple is set to be rededicated again after extensive renovations. President Jeffrey R. Holland , Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, will rededicate the edifice on Dec. 10 . President Holland is a native of southern Utah who was married in the St. George Utah Tem...
Nov 28, 2023•34 min•Ep. 164
On Sunday, Nov. 12, Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Okinawa Japan Temple , the fourth temple in Japan for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . While the first missionaries arrived in Tokyo in the early 1900s, the Church didn't have a presence in Okinawa until the 1940s, when World War II brought American servicemen to the area. During April 2019 general conference, President Russell M. Nelson announced a temple to be built in this historic ...
Nov 21, 2023•30 min•Ep. 163
President M. Russell Ballard , Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, at the age of 95 . In this special memorial episode of the Church News podcast, the Church News celebrates his life in his own words. The podcast features interviews and talk excerpts highlighting his teachings as a devoted husband, beloved father and faithful witness of Jesus Christ. He is remembered for his deep commitment to the C...
Nov 13, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 162
Last week's Church News podcast was the first in a two-part series featuring the Rev. Dr. Andrew Teal , an Anglican priest and theologian specializing in Christian church history at Oxford's Pembroke College. This episode continues interviews with Rev. Teal in his office and on campus at Oxford University. He is joined for segments of the podcast by David W. Checketts and his wife, Deb Checketts , leaders of the England London mission from 2018 to 2021 . They continue a discussion on interfaith ...
Nov 07, 2023•40 min•Ep. 161
During the summer of 2017, Elder Matthew S. Holland — then president of Utah Valley University and now a General Authority Seventy, knocked on a door with a sign that read, “chaplain,” at Oxford University. Behind the door was Reverend Dr. Andrew Teal , an Anglican priest and theologian specializing in Christian church history at Oxford’s Pembroke College. Unbeknownst to either of them, that first meeting would bloom into a friendship beyond themselves and their faith. On this episode of the Chu...
Oct 31, 2023•31 min•Ep. 160
For Issac and Rebecca Goeckeritz, working with the Orchestra at Temple Square has become more than just a calling. It is the organization that brought them together as a married couple and allowed them to use their talents to share their testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. Rebecca is an inspirational violinist and a member of the Orchestra at Temple Square. Issac is a videographer who has helped document the work of the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. ...
Oct 24, 2023•49 min•Ep. 159
Brigham Young served as the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in other governmental positions from 1844 to 1877. As a result, sorting through the library of his written word, images, lectures, journals and other documentation is a mammoth task. Still, the scholars at the Brigham Young Center are set to tackle this task with the upcoming Brigham Young Papers project . This episode of the Church News podcast features Ronald K. Esplin, director of the Brigham Y...
Oct 17, 2023•51 min•Ep. 158
