Church News

With the 250th anniversary of the United States this year, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have invited members to learn more about moral agency and how the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence support religious liberty. These founding documents helped enable the Restoration of the Church, which now spreads throughout the world. Historian Spencer W. McBr...

In recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have the opportunity to study the country’s inspired founding documents and participate in commemorative and celebratory efforts. With May’s fifth-Sunday lesson, July’s fast for religious liberty and other events, the First Presidency has invited all to remember “...

In commemoration of the 300th episode of the Church News podcast, three of the hosts come together to reflect on this milestone. Sarah Jane Weaver, former editor of the Church News and current editor of the Deseret News; Church News editor Ryan Jensen and Church News reporter Mary Richards talk about the beginning of the podcast in 2020 to where it is now. They share experiences interviewing guest...

In recent years, artificial intelligence has moved from being a concept illustrated in science fiction books and movies to being something that many individuals use on a daily basis. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has spoken about AI to Church members, to politicians, to business leaders and to others. And he has done so in the United States, Italy, Turkey and Greece, am...

During the April 2026 general conference, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported 385,490 individuals were baptized in 2025. That historic number increased the Church’s total membership to 17,887,212, according to the annual statistical report. Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles called the increase in baptisms “remarkable.” He also noted t...

Millions of individuals visit Temple Square in Salt Lake City each year. Many are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many others come from around the world to see the 10-acre site of the Salt Lake Temple and other parts of the site that is headquarters to the global Church. The Salt Lake Temple has been undergoing significant renovations since 2019 and is scheduled to host...

Starting in September, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will again participate in three meetings on Sundays. After sacrament meeting, the second-hour will include two 25-minute blocks to ensure both Sunday School and then Relief Society, elders quorum and youth classes. These updates are meant to support members as they learn, worship and serve — both at home and at...

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints work in nearly every profession imaginable. Some, including the two guests on this episode of the Church News podcast are professional athletes. But Kaden Bowler and Bronson Balholm play in a unique league with equally unique rules in a spinoff of America’s pastime — Banana Ball.  Bowler grew up largely in northern Utah&rs...

In January 2025, the Palisades Fire became one of the most destructive wildfires in California history, burning homes, neighborhoods, schools, businesses and places of worship.  Last month, the Pacific Palisades meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reopened in Southern California after more than a year of extensive renovation because of the fire. On this episode of...

For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, temple and family history go hand in hand with the Church’s mission of uniting families for eternity . As new temples are announced, built and dedicated around the world, more members than ever have access to do this sacred work for themselves and their ancestors. On this episode of the Church News podcast, Elder Mark A. Bragg ,...

The Caring for Those in Need 2025 report shows that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints exceeded the previous year's record, spending $1.58 billion to help those in need. The Church’s efforts to care include both the work of the Church as an organization and the individual efforts of Latter-day Saints around the world. The summary highlights humanitarian aid, volunteer service an...

The First Presidency announced new names for Young Women age groups on Monday, April 20, and young women around the world reacted quickly to the news. As those young women learn about and begin to embrace the new names of Builders of Faith, Messengers of Hope, and Gatherers of Light, the Young Women general presidency of the Church rejoices with them. In this episode of the Church News podcast, sp...

  President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  has taught, "The singing of hymns is one of the best ways to learn the doctrine of the restored gospel." As new songs are added to “ Hymns for Home and Church ,” including music written for Primary children, that teaching and testifying power is evident for people of all ages. In this episode of th...

E ight General Authority Seventies and a new Primary general presidency were sustained at the 196th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday, April 4, 2026. On this episode of the Church News podcast, hosted by Church News editor Ryan Jensen , these new Church leaders share their testimonies of Jesus Christ, His restored Church and the blessings that...

On April 4-5, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held its 196th Annual General Conference . The two days of general sessions began with a solemn assembly to sustain the new Prophet, President Dallin H. Oaks , and a new First Presidency . This special conference edition of the Church News podcast, hosted by  reporter Mary Richards , features excerpts from each of the conference ad...

In 2026, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are studying the Old Testament and reading the words of prophets as they prepared for the first coming of the Messiah. President Paul V. Johnson , Brother Chad H Webb and Brother Gabriel W. Reid joined the Church News podcast to talk about the Old Testament and how members of the Church can study it more fully this year in life&rs...

Since the Israelites' liberation from 400 years of slavery in Egypt, Jews have commemorated the Passover that spared their ancestors from death and marked a new beginning for their people.   Exodus 12  describes the Passover as an ordinance. When the Savior and His disciples participated in the Last Supper, Jesus transitioned parts of the Passover to become the sacrament. In a way,...

Around the world, young adults are finding community, discovering their divine identity and deepening their conversion to Jesus Christ by attending institute classes. This year marks the 100th anniversary of  Institutes of Religion , an education program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Institute began in one building in 1926 near the University of Idaho and is now a worldw...

Although professional basketball player Parker Van Dyke has worn jerseys for the Salt Lake City Stars and Austin Spurs, he sees his first identity as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Parker currently plays for the NBA G League and broadcasts high school games. He has also played professionally in Europe , after starting for the University of Utah Utes and serving a full-time mission in the Alabama Birm...

RootsTech , a three-day global family history event, is scheduled for March 5-7. The gathering will reach a worldwide audience online while also featuring an in-person experience in Salt Lake City. This year’s theme is " Together ," and organizers hope to empower attendees to uncover their family history and make new, meaningful connections. The lineup for 2026 includes Elder Ronald A. Rasba...

Elder Clark G. Gilbert of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Christine Gilbert, have seen the hand of the Lord in their lives as they have strived to live the covenants they made at baptism and in the house of the Lord. The Gilberts have grown closer as a family and learned how to give and receive the Savior’s relief while fulfilling professional and Church assignments. A...

President Dallin H. Oaks was set apart as the 18th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Oct. 14, 2025. Since that time, he has carried the holy mantle as the Lord’s Prophet to the world, sharing the invitation to “ be optimistic ” and to “ stay on the covenant path .”  On this episode of the Church News podcast, Church News editor Ryan...

When President Jeffrey R. Holland , president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died on Dec. 27, 2025 , his biography was already in the works. Following his 2023 health scare , President Holland contacted Church historian Matt Grow to document his life story. On this episode of the Church News podcast, Grow shares how working with President H...

In January 2026, Tanise Chung-Hoon was appointed as the new vice president of advancement for  BYU–Pathway Worldwide , a higher education organization established by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Chung-Hoon takes her previous experiences serving as the managing director of Philanthropies for the Church into her role as she encourages the “One Work” and vis...

Each year, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides a scripture-based theme for the young men and young women of the Church to study and learn from. The 2026 youth theme , “Walk with me,” comes from  Moses 6:34 and is part of the greater “ Come, Follow Me ” study of the Old Testament. On this episode of the Church News podcast, Young Men General Preside...