Church News

In his October 2025 general conference message, President Dallin H. Oaks spoke about his family in a way few members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had heard before. He spoke of the death of his father, the loving care of his widow mother, and of the important role his grandmother and grandfather played in helping raise him. The doctrine of the eternal family is something the C...

The first year of President Dallin H. Oaks as the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints showed both members of the Church and friends of the faith the type of individual he is. It also showed the hope that he has for the future of the Church and the world.  In this episode of the Church News podcast, Rick Turley speaks with Church News editor Jon Ryan Jensen about what he...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has begun releasing episodes in a six-part video series called “Dedicate.” In this series, seven young adults from different countries tour the Salt Lake Temple to see its renovations. They share how they have worked to build testimonies of the Savior, of temples and of temple covenants. The seven young adults are from Brazil, the Philipp...

In his remarks to the Church and the world on Sunday, Oct. 4, President Dallin H. Oaks , President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, invited all to come unto Jesus Christ. “I pray for what our Heavenly Father wants for each of us — to be active members of the Church of Jesus Christ, proceeding forward on the covenant path into the eternities. We need one another&rsquo...

On Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, violence targeted members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan . Four people died and eight others were injured when a man rammed a truck into a chapel, started a fire and began shooting.  Since the attack, members of the Grand Blanc Ward have received support from Church leaders and members all over the world, as well as love...

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe in following the Savior’s two great commandments : to love God and to love their neighbors.  Loving one’s neighbors includes serving them, and opportunities are all around to serve each other, whether through organized efforts or individual acts.  The Church connects people around the globe to service opportun...

President Dallin H. Oaks , President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has taught that “essential to our doctrine on the family is the temple. The ordinances received there enable us to return as eternal families to the presence of our Heavenly Father.” After the San Diego California Temple was originally dedicated in April 1993, Elizabeth and Giovanni Guanuna were th...

President Dallin H. Oaks , President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has taught that the doctrine of the Church centers on the family . But marriages and birthrates are declining in places around the world — and so is dating.  The National Dating Landscape Survey , published earlier this year, looked at the opportunities and challenges of dating across the United Sta...

Starting next week, youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will shift from rotating each Sunday between their Young Women or Aaronic Priesthood classes and Sunday School classes to participating in both every week.  Young Men General President Timothy L. Farnes and Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman join Church News editor Jon Ryan Jensen for this episode of t...

For three years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has worked with global humanitarian and nongovernmental organizations as part of its Caring for Women and Children Initiative Consortium . The first week of August of this year, leaders from seven of those organizations met in Salt Lake City to review learnings from the past year’s work and to evaluate what can be done next yea...

The purpose of the temple and family history is to unite families for eternity. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints works with records custodians around the world to preserve vital records so that God’s children are remembered, one by one, name by name.  Having these records allows people to accompany their ancestors to the temple, which is a part of gathering Israel . Elder...

For the fourth consecutive year, the Church's Utah Area will host young single adults for a multiday conference. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 14-15, attendees will learn from general Church leaders, participate in service projects and build friendships with others. On this episode of the Church News podcast, 2026 Utah YSA Conference co-chairs Zach Sutton and Shelby Hurst talk with Church News editor...

In 2027, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will study the New Testament for “ Come, Follow Me ” at home and church.  The New Testament includes Jesus Christ's birth, life and teachings; His Atonement, Crucifixion and Resurrection; and the teachings of His apostles. The manual is now available on the Church’s website and in the Gospel Library app.&nbs...

In the April 2026 general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, members of the Church sustained a new Primary general presidency to begin their service on Aug. 1. The current Primary general presidency has served together since 2022 and will conclude its service on July 31. On this episode of the Church News podcast, President Susan H. Porter and her counselors, Sister Amy...

What took the pioneers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 40 years to complete the first time has now taken six years to renovate and revitalize. The Salt Lake Temple is almost ready to host the world at an open house that leaders are calling a full celebration. On this episode of the Church News podcast, Elder Brent H. Nielson , an emeritus General Authority Seventy, and Richard S...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintains a network of free museums, sites, monuments and markers for members and friends of the Church to interact with virtually or in person. These places show the events of the Restoration and the stories of Latter-day Saints who sacrificed to build the kingdom of God. The process of restoring, preserving, operating and sharing the Church histori...

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...