Church News

In March 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic intensified across the globe, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints turned their thoughts to full-time missionaries facing increasing health risks and nations about to close borders. They began returning missionaries to their home nations and reimagining the work. This episode of the Church News podcast explores all that has happened...

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe participated in the Church’s 191st Semiannual General Conference on Oct. 2-3. Standing at the Conference Center podium for the first time since the progression of the coronavirus pandemic, President Russell M. Nelson declared, “There has never been a time in history when knowledge of the Savior is more personal...

Twentyseven people attended the first general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 9, 1830 — just months after the organization of the Church . Now, with the upcoming 191st Semiannual General Conference in October 2021 , millions of Church members and others around the world have the opportunity to learn from modern prophets and Church leaders. Church employe...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a global faith with 16.5 million members who speak dozens of languages. This October marks 50 years since Church leaders began translating the faith’s semiannual general conference. In 1961 messages were shared in Dutch, German, Samoan and Spanish. Today — as a reflection of this growing global faith — general conference addresse...

After months defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people across the globe are longing for social connection. This episode of the Church News podcast features Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University , who addresses the long-term health effects of social connection . According to her research, isolation and loneliness are risk factors fo...

During his time as the 17th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson has traveled 115,000 miles to 35 nations on six continents. He has met with members in large and small settings — often addressing them in their own languages — and with world leaders. During the past 18 months, President Nelson has led the Church through the COVID-19 p...

Former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt has been called as the new president of the world-renowned Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square . He will apply experience gained during decades of civil service to guide the Tabernacle Choir into a more global future. Elected to three terms as governor of Utah, he served twice in the Cabinet of President George W. Bush — first as Environmental Protection Agency ad...

A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked Haiti on Saturday, August 12, 2021 , claiming more than 2,100 lives, injuring more than 12,000 and leaving some 600,000 in need of assistance in the nation already affected by poverty and political unrest. On this episode of the Church News podcast, Sarah Jane Weaver is joined by a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that has made it...

As numbers of COVID-19 cases continue to rise globally, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has urged members to use face masks and be vaccinated . In this episode of the Church News podcast, historian Richard E. Turley reflects on the lessons of the past and provides historical context to the invitation from President Russell M. Nelson and his counselors, Presi...

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints treasure the history and legacy of the pioneering Saints who went before them. As Church members study the stories of the past, they learn lessons and gain greater inspiration for their daily lives. Church History Library Director Keith A. Erekson says it is important that complete and accurate recounts of history are shared; when rumor an...

After more than a year of closures due to the global pandemic, historic sites of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are now beginning to reopen . Historic Sites operations manager Gary L. Boatright Jr. and Historic Sites manager Benjamin Pykles join this episode of the Church News Podcast to discuss these sacred spaces, how closures allowed for the opening of virtual tours , and how w...

This July 2021, the Church News is taking readers “ Inside Church Headquarters ” in a series of articles highlighting the council system of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The series explores how revelation guides Church councils and how the principles discovered there can be applied to stakes, wards, families and individual members around the world. This is part two o...

This July the Church News is taking readers “Inside Church headquarters” in a series of articles highlighting the council system of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These councils include the Council of the First Presidency and the Council of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles , as well as executive councils that oversee the work of temples and family history, missionary...

Summer is here and with the rising heat there is a rising excitement for the once-postponed Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Every few years the world comes together to celebrate the connecting power of sports, and this year several members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — including gymnast MyKayla Skinner — will compete for the honor of a gold medal. This episode of the C...

Nearly three years ago, Jennie Taylor was away from home when her mother called to tell her that two army officers had come to her home and needed to talk to her face to face. Later that day she met the officers at the same National Guard headquarters where her husband, Major Brent Taylor , had enlisted when they were newly engaged. She was told her husband had been killed in Afghanistan. Since th...

All of God’s children deal with ups and down, happiness and sadness, stormy seas and quiet calm. Some may also deal with depression and anxiety and need to seek help . Sister Reyna Isabel Aburto, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency , joins this episode of the Church News podcast to discuss mental and emotional health and the power of turning to the Savior for comfort, l...

Many have heard the popular adage "with age comes wisdom." It rings true for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints living faithfully into their 70s, 80s and 90s . While change is a constant in life and living longer increases experiences of loss, older Church members find comfort as they strive to connect deeper with their families and serve their neighbors and loved ones. The...

In His mortal ministry, Jesus Christ declared, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for such is the kingdom of heaven” ( Mark 10:14 ). As parents, teachers and leaders of children and youth, it is important to continue to invite them to come unto Christ. General youth leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Young Women General President...

This June marks 43 years since President Spencer W. Kimball announced the 1978 revelation extending the priesthood to all worthy male members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Historian Richard E. Turley and creative Mauli Junior Bonner join this episode of the Church News Podcast to talk about Black history as an important part of Church history. Mauli Junior Bonner is a Grammy...

From 1839 to 1846, the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was located in Nauvoo, Illinois . Under the prophetic leadership of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, Latter-day Saints worked together to build a beautiful community and temple that rose from the swamps. On Saturday, May 29, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated five new properties...

Part of the purpose of the Primary program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to help children feel their Heavenly Father's love and to learn about His plan of happiness. The scriptures teach that children “shall be taught of the Lord and great shall be the peace of the children” ( 3 Nephi 22:13 ). During the Saturday afternoon session of April general conference, La...

Prophets and Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have promised specific “healing” blessings for those who participate in family history and temple work. During his April 2018 general conference talk “ Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing ,” Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles promised that through discovering, ga...

Beginning in 1984, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints established areas to direct the work in geographic locations. There are currently 22 areas in the Church — six that span the United States and Canada, with 16 more outside those two countries. The Church’s Utah Area serves more Latter-day Saints than any other area and geographically includes Salt Lake City and Church h...

Some of the most memorable reports of how the global COVID-19 pandemic affected The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints revolve around missionary work. Elders and sisters in the England London Mission responded to the constraints brought on by COVID-19 — including quarantining in their flats — with creativity and determination. Mission President David Checketts and his companio...

Serving amid the Covid-19 pandemic , missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have used a flexible mix of technology and creativity to share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in new and astonishing ways. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and chairman of the Church's Missionary Executive Council joins this episode of the Church News Podcast to d...