Church News

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 S...

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 in...

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 cont...

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 in...

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...

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,...

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...

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 c...

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...

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-ce...

In an April 2022 general conference talk, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said, “The gospel of Jesus Christ has never been needed more than it is today.” Impelled by that need, the Church’s Missionary Department has developed new resources , tools and invitations to reach God’s children on this earth. This expansion includes in...

Laurel Day became the president of Deseret Book in 2021 after 23 years with the publishing company. On this episode of the Church News podcast, Church News reporter Mary Richards interviews Day on her unexpected journey to Deseret Book, her writing , and insights shared on the “Magnify” podcast about creating faith-based resources and supporting female voices . While Day’s life h...

FamilySearch International is celebrating its 130th anniversary this month, growing from its start in 1894 as the Genealogical Society of Utah to what now has become the world’s largest genealogical organization. While helping people worldwide interested in family history, FamilySearch has created a collaborative online family tree with more than 1.5 billion people in its branches, currently...

On Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, the Church History Department celebrated the release of the fourth and final volume of the “Saints” historical series , chronicling the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “ Saints, Volume 4: Sounded in Every Ear ” is now available in 14 languages and various formats, appropriately as the volume follows the rapid growth in...

Within a period of about 10 days in September and October 2024, two hurricanes made landfall back-to-back in the southeastern United States. Since then, more than 20,000 volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have donated their time to provide relief to thousands of impacted families in the area. In the process, they have seen miracles, witnessed the power of prayer and ex...

Forty years ago,  in 1984, Brigham Young University's football team was second to none. Against all odds, the Cougars finished the season undefeated and were named national champions after a series of big wins and nail-biting victories. This legacy of excellence continues decades later as BYU is having another winning season. Church News reporter Mary Richards interviews Deseret News sports c...

Research from Brigham Young University looks at the relationship between temple attendance , religious practices, and mental health in youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The evidence suggests scripture study, family prayer, church attendance and belief in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ are supported by and supportive of temple attendance. Professor Justin Dyer , a profe...

As The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints nears the bicentennial of its founding in 1830, the Church History Museum and The Center for Latter-day Saint Arts have come together to celebrate nearly 200 years of the rich doctrines, history and culture in artwork. In the new exhibit entitled “ Work and Wonder: 200 Years of Latter-day Saint Art ,” a wide variety of works are presen...

Millions tuned in to the October 2024 general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The 194th Semiannual General Conference featured messages from the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, other Church leaders, and President Russell M. Nelson who declared that now is the time for Latter-day Saints to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. This special co...

The new voice of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square , Derrick Porter , started his role as executive producer, principal writer, and presenter of the weekly “ Music & the Spoken Word ” broadcast in June 2024 . Porter, a 42-year-old bishop in Bountiful, Utah, took on this highly visible role from 34-year veteran Lloyd Newell , with the support of his wife, Rebecca, and their six...

On Palm Sunday in April 2023, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invited individuals to be the “ Peacemaker Needed ” in what is sometimes a contentious world. In 2024, presidential elections will happen or have happened in nearly 50 countries around the world. These countries are home to more than half the world’s population. At times l...

On Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, individuals around the world  joined in celebrating the 100th birthday of President Russell M. Nelson , the 17th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Nelson’s family, friends, and fellow leaders commemorated his leadership and dedication to Jesus Christ with birthday greetings, music, and tributes to his century of service . O...

History will be made in the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 as President Russell M. Nelson turns 100 years old. He will be the first prophet of the Church’s restored era to become a centenarian. President Nelson was set apart as the 17th president of the Church on Jan. 14, 2018, after serving 34 years in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Before 1984,...

For President Jeffrey R. Holland , acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the past year has been perhaps the most challenging of his life . President Holland, 83, faced an extended illness; spoke at the funeral of his predecessor, President M. Russell Ballard ; and dealt with the passing of his wife of 60 years, Sister Patricia Terry Holland . Speaking during the April 2024 general...

On Sept. 9, 2024, President Russell M. Nelson , the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will turn 100 years old . In his six-plus-year tenure as Prophet and leader of the global faith, he has become the oldest President of The Church , reinforced the correct name of the Church , guided members through a worldwide pandemic , spearheaded a home-centered and Church-supported...