In early 2025, new mission presidents and their wives were called to serve in 167 missions around the world. In June, these new mission leadership couples gathered at the Provo Missionary Training Center to receive counsel and instruction from each member of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as well as other members of the Missionary Executive Council, before they reported to their missions in July. This episode of the Church News podcast features excerpts from these mes...
Jul 01, 2025•53 min•Ep. 247
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square celebrates a historic milestone on July 13, 2025, when it airs its 5,000th broadcast of “Music & the Spoken Word .” This occasion will commemorate more than nine decades of inspirational sacred music and messages shared with audiences around the world. To discuss this achievement nearly a century in the making, Tabernacle Choir President Michael O. Leavitt and the “voice of the choir,” producer, principal writer and presenter Derrick Porter join the Chur...
Jun 24, 2025•40 min•Ep. 246
The music in the youth-focused, ever-expanding Strive to Be library is helping strengthen young people around the world through Christ-centered music and messages. This music can be found through streaming platforms by Strive to Be and the youth albums produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This year, through regional concerts and the upcoming “Festival 2025: A Youth Concert ,” young people can worship Jesus Christ and find community with their peers through music. On this ...
Jun 17, 2025•49 min•Ep. 245
Former BYU Cougar basketball player Travis Hansen played professional basketball for more than a decade, spanning the NBA and internationally in Spain and Russia following his collegiate career. But basketball doesn't define Hansen; from a young age, he had many tender experiences that helped him build a strong spiritual foundation and know that Heavenly Father loves him. On this episode of the Church News podcast, Hansen joins Church News editor Ryan Jensen to discuss his professional and spiri...
Jun 10, 2025•46 min•Ep. 244
One year ago, the first batch of new hymns was released for a new hymnbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “ Hymns — For Home and Church ” is for members to use as part of their worship and gospel study. As more new hymns are released, they can be found on the Church’s website at music.ChurchofJesusChrist.org and the Gospel Library app . On this Church News podcast episode, Church News reporter Mary Richards is joined by the Church’s Hymnbook Committee chair, music author and...
Jun 03, 2025•46 min•Ep. 243
President Russell M. Nelson has recently invited Latter-day Saints to make discipleship of Jesus Christ their highest priority . At Ensign College , an institution of higher education founded and sponsored by the Church, the school's mission to develop capable and trusted disciples of Jesus Christ reinforces this invitation even in secular degrees like social media marketing. On this episode of the Church News podcast, Joseph Kerry , chair of the Communication Department at Ensign College, joins...
May 27, 2025•47 min•Ep. 242
Ministering assignments in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are made so that all members of the Church are remembered and cared for in ways similar to how Jesus Christ blessed those around Him . In this episode of the Church News podcast, Church News reporter Mary Richards is joined by Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson and Elder Robert M. Daines , a General Authority Seventy, to discuss how ministering is a vital way to help accomplish the work of salvation and e...
May 20, 2025•38 min•Ep. 241
In March 2024, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acquired the Kirtland Temple and other historic buildings and artifacts. A new website now offers information and resources about visiting and learning about Historic Kirtland and the remarkable events of early Church history that occurred there. This episode of the Church News podcast explores Kirtland with historian Karl Ricks Anderson , who has researched, presented on and lived at this important location. He focuses on the area’s...
May 13, 2025•44 min•Ep. 240
Recently, the Church History Museum unveiled 150 works of art as part of its exhibition for the 13th International Art Competition . These pieces were chosen from nearly 600 artworks submitted by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world. The theme for this year’s contest explores the gospel invitation to “Lift Up the Hands Which Hang Down,” which comes from Doctrine and Covenants 81:5 . On this episode of the Church News podcast, Church News editor Ryan Jensen ...
May 06, 2025•31 min•Ep. 239
In June 2024, Emily Hellewell was named vice president of marketing and creative services at Deseret News. In this role, she leads the marketing and communications efforts for the Deseret News , Deseret Magazine and Church News as well as several other teams. Hellewell joins this episode of the Church News podcast to discuss how her extensive background in public relations and her faith in Jesus Christ prepared her for this role. She emphasizes the importance of humanity in storytelling and how ...
Apr 29, 2025•30 min•Ep. 238
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sustained 16 new General Authority Seventies during the Saturday morning session of the Church’s 195th Annual General Conference on Saturday, April 5, 2025. 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 other general authorities and general officers. This episode of the Church News podcast is dedicated to t...
Apr 22, 2025•38 min•Ep. 237
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has emphasized the importance of Easter, saying Easter Sunday “is the most important religious observance for followers of Jesus Christ.” In preparation of celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, host and Church News reporter Mary Richards is joined by Brigham Young University professor emeritus and historian Richard Neitzel Holzapfel to discuss the historical context surrounding Easter , Holy Week , Gethsemane ...
Apr 15, 2025•47 min•Ep. 236
Members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world tuned in to the 195th Annual General Conference held April 5-6, 2025. The two-day conference featured messages of encouragement and hope from the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other Church leaders, including President Russell M. Nelson . This special conference edition of the Church News podcast features excerpts from each conference address, including topics like the Lord’s great lo...
Apr 08, 2025•59 min
What some saw as a surprise move, Brigham Young University athletic director Tom Holmoe has decided that “this is the right time” to retire . Over the last two decades, Holmoe has been at the helm of BYU Athletics as teams have won national championships, garnered international attention, and shared their testimonies on and off the field, the court and the track. On this episode of the Church News podcast, the award-winning sports legend and former Cougar defensive back talks about faith, footba...
Apr 01, 2025•46 min
The Prophet Joseph Smith said the Doctrine and Covenants is “the foundation of the Church in these last days, and a benefit to the world, showing that the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom of our Savior are again entrusted to man.” In 2025, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints study the Doctrine and Covenants , to learn of Him, apply the stories found in its pages to their own lives and explore thematically the invitation the Lord gives to all to come unto Him . In this ...
Mar 25, 2025•41 min•Ep. 233
February 2025 marked the fifth anniversary of the announcement that LDS Business College would become Ensign College . The name change to the 139-year-old educational institution came with expanded educational offerings and symbolic and historical significance. The name change helped reaffirm the full name of the institution’s ownership, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the scriptural use of the word “ensign,” meaning a new covenant, a symbol of peace and a standard to the na...
Mar 19, 2025•50 min•Ep. 232
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are encouraged to follow the Savior’s example of offering hope, understanding and love to those with disabilities . Hosted by Church News reporter Mary Richards, this episode features the Church’s disability specialist manager, Katie Edna Steed, who discusses how the Church encourages Christlike inclusion . This is done through individuals ministering to their neighbors , designing and retrofitting Church buildings to be accessible, spec...
Mar 11, 2025•51 min•Ep. 231
RootsTech , a three-day global family history event, is scheduled for March 6-8. The gathering will reach a worldwide audience online while also featuring an in-person experience in Salt Lake City. This year's theme is " Discover ," and organizers hope to empower attendees to uncover their family history and make new, meaningful connections. The lineup for 2025 includes a variety of keynote speakers, including Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Chr...
Mar 04, 2025•36 min•Ep. 230
Women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are also members of the Relief Society , one of the world’s largest and oldest women’s organizations, celebrating its 183rd anniversary this year. To commemorate the founding and purpose of the Relief Society, women are invited to participate in a worldwide devotional and testimony meeting on Sunday, March 16. Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will speak during the event, and the members of the Relief Society gener...
Feb 25, 2025•39 min•Ep. 229
Pew Research Center findings show many parents and teens think it’s harder being a teen today than it was 20 years ago. They point to technology, especially social media, as having a particularly negative impact on teen life. But how can parents and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ease the pressures on today’s youth and help them to flourish during their teen years ? Laura Padilla-Walker , dean of Family, Home and Social Sciences at Brigham Young University, has ponder...
Feb 18, 2025•33 min•Ep. 228
Since the Primary organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in August 1878, Primary children have served other children. Now the Primary general presidency is inviting wards and branches worldwide to organize annual service activities for children beginning in 2025. Church News reporter Mary Richards hosts this episode featuring Primary General President Susan H. Porter ; Sister Amy A. Wright , first counselor; and Sister Tracy Y. Browning , second counselor. ...
Feb 11, 2025•35 min•Ep. 227
After being sustained in the April 2024 general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the new Sunday School general presidency began serving on Aug. 1, 2024. Sunday School General President Paul V. Johnson and his first counselor, Brother Chad H Webb , and second counselor, Brother Gabriel W. Reid , join this episode of the Church News podcast to introduce themselves as well as share how studying the ongoing Restoration can help shape stronger testimonies of Jesus Christ...
Feb 04, 2025•42 min•Ep. 226
Since the founding of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830, those outside the Church have shared erroneous or misleading accounts of events involving Church leaders and members. In this episode of the Church News podcast, Matt Grow , managing director of the Church History Department, discusses a recent example of a depiction from the Church’s past that contributes to misunderstandings of the Church and its members today. Former Church News editor and current Deseret ...
Jan 29, 2025•36 min•Ep. 225
Elder Alvin F. Meredith III became the 18th president of Brigham Young University–Idaho on Aug. 1, 2023. In his inaugural speech , he reinforced the university’s mission of “building disciples of Jesus Christ ” by reminding students, “We must, with great resolve and intentionality, remain a Christ-centered, prophetically directed university.” That resolve and intentionality are exemplified in the lives of President Meredith and his wife, Sister Jennifer Meredith, through their Church and family ...
Jan 21, 2025•52 min•Ep. 224
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints works to be a good steward of the earth — believing that caring for the earth is a sacred responsibility entrusted to all of God’s children. Therefore, the Church makes an effort to prioritize environmental sustainability in many ways around the world, from increasing energy efficiency to conserving water and reducing waste . Church News reporter Mary Richards hosts this episode of the Church News podcast, interviewing Jenica Sedgwick, the Church’s...
Jan 14, 2025•38 min•Ep. 223
For the Strength of Youth conferences , also known as FSY, are designed to help youth have fun as they apply the gospel in all aspects of their lives. At FSY, youth participate in five days of devotionals, classes and activities to help guide them in strengthening their faith in Jesus Christ and in feeling joy and belonging as they live the gospel. In this episode of the Church News podcast, Church News reporter Mary Richards discusses the uplifting potential and divine inspiration behind these ...
Jan 07, 2025•57 min•Ep. 222
The youth theme for 2025 is “ Look unto Christ ” and comes from Doctrine and Covenants 6:36 , which says, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” On this episode of the Church News podcast, Young Men General President Steven J. Lund and Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman discuss how this important theme can help youth develop faith in the Savior and His Atonement. All year, youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will plan activities, listen to music...
Dec 30, 2024•43 min•Ep. 221
2024 has been a historic year for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; from the 100th birthday of Church Prophet and President Russell M. Nelson to the dedication of the Church’s 200th temple , many milestones marked the year as significant. In this 2024 year-in-review episode of the Church News podcast, Deseret News executive editor Doug Wilks and former Church News editor and current Deseret News editor Sarah Jane Weaver share their observations from the year in politics , peacemak...
Dec 23, 2024•37 min•Ep. 221
Each Christmas season since 2000, the sacred musical drama “ Savior of the World: His Birth and Resurrection ” has been performed at the Conference Center Theater on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. The two-act show — produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — follows the scriptural accounts surrounding Jesus Christ’s birth and Resurrection. On this episode of the Church News podcast, members of the 2024 production share their experiences while crafting performances: director ...
Dec 17, 2024•58 min•Ep. 219
For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, education is a religious responsibility ; as such, the Church Educational System (CES) has been built to pursue that responsibility and develop disciples of Jesus Christ. CES accomplishes this at larger institutions like Brigham Young University, electronically accessible programs like BYU–Pathway Worldwide , and gospel-centered curriculum found at seminary and institute classes wherever the Church is established, allowing students ...
Dec 10, 2024•49 min•Ep. 218
