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 with 18 billion searchable historical records and images. On this episode of the Church News podcast,...

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 Church membership globally from 1955 to 2020. On this episode of the Church News podcast, Church History Department...

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 experienced joy because of this Christ-centered service. In this episode of the Church News...

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 columnist Dick Harmon and slice-of-life columnist Lee Benson on BYU football's incredible 1984 season...

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 professor of religious education at BYU, joins this episode of the Church News podcast to talk about his...

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 presented, having been created by individuals connected to the faith around the world over two centuries.  In this...

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 conference edition of the Church News podcast features excerpts from each conference address that...

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 children. Now, he joins the Church News podcast to talk about where he has come from and where he sees Music &...

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 like these, we are reminded of the political neutrality of the Church, as well as the invitation to participate in the...

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. On this episode of the Church News podcast, we share highlights from that live broadcast celebration to show...

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, when he entered full-time Church service, President Nelson was a world-renowned heart surgeon,...

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 conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Holland said he felt he...

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 curriculum with the “Come, Follow Me” program, and announced168 temples worldwide while reminding...

In 2009, BYU–Idaho launched a program called Pathway. This one-year, reduced-cost online program was offered to students wherever they lived, without stepping on a university campus. Eight years later, in 2017, Pathway changed when the Church announced the creation of BYU–Pathway Worldwide. On this episode of the Church News podcast, we learn the stories of faith that have guided the growth and success of BYU–Pathway with its president, Brian K. Ashton, and Matt Eyring, the school’s vice...

In the Life Help section on the website for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are reminded that, “Everyone needs help sometimes. Life is like that. In fact, God planned it to be that way.” For social scientist, New York Times bestselling author and Church member, Joseph Grenny, helping others has become his career and a personal calling. Through thorough research, a variety of business endeavors and personal experiences, Grenny says he has learned the value of practical and...

In October 2020, the Church News launched the Church News podcast. For the next 199 weeks, the podcast featured leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints talking about their experiences and sharing their testimonies of the restored gospel. In May 2024, podcast host Sarah Jane Weaver was named editor of the Deseret News. This appointment comes after nearly 30 years as a reporter then editor working to create  “a living record of the Restoration” of The Church of...

President Russell M. Nelson donated the medical journals from his pioneering career as a heart surgeon to the University of Utah on Aug. 30, 2023. “I am deeply grateful for the important role the University of Utah played in my education and surgical career,” President Nelson said. Having “perhaps our most distinguished alumnus donate such a remarkable volume of records” marked a historic day for the university, said U of U President Taylor R. Randall. He joins this episode of the Church News...

Church Correlation is the process by which members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints become united through the covenants of the gospel to establish the kingdom of God in their hearts, in their homes, in their communities and throughout the world. Official Church publications, including the Church News, work with members of the Church Correlation Department to ensure that all published materials align with the doctrine of Jesus Christ and Church policies.  This episode of the...

On Nov. 13, 2022, President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, addressed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Finland during a special member meeting. President Holland promised Finnish Latter-day Saints that the prayers of the righteous will prevail. This episode of the Church News podcast features Finnish Latter-day Saint Mia Kemppaala, who also spoke during the meeting. She joins the podcast to discuss what it is like to be a...

Church leaders offered counsel and direction to almost 150 new mission presidents and their companions during the 2024 Seminar for New Mission Leaders for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 20 through 23. The mission leaders began their service in locations worldwide on or about July 1. During the four-day seminar every member of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke, as did the general authorities and general officers serving on the Missionary...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints launched the fifth and final season of the “Book of Mormon Videos” series in early 2024. Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles serves as the chair of the Scriptures Committee and has overseen the production of the “Book of Mormon Videos.” The Church recently hit a significant milestone in the distribution of the Book of Mormon, and Elder Renlund said the launch of this final season comes at an important time. “In an era...

The First Presidency has asked the Relief Society organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to take the lead in a global initiative for women and children. This initiative seeks to provide the Savior’s relief through maternal and newborn care, child nutrition efforts, immunizations and education. Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson and her counselors, Sister J. Anette Dennis and Sister Kristin M. Yee, join guest host Mary Richards, a Church News reporter,...

The welcoming sound of bells has heralded celebration and worship for centuries of Christian worshippers. This includes the music of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square since its pioneering start in 1847. In 2005, the inclusion of a handbell ensemble was officially organized under the auspices of the choir; the handbell group has evolved to 32 musicians who enhance choir concerts and recordings, as well as perform two handbell concerts each year.  From its inception, LeAnna Willmore served...

For more than three decades, Lloyd D. Newell has served as the voice of “Music & the Spoken Word” with The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. In recent years, he has been joined by his wife, Karmel Newell, who has served as the choir’s director of member support. They have traveled the world sharing the gospel through inspiring words and music. Now, the pair’s work with the choir is coming to an end as they embark on a new adventure. The Newells will begin serving as leaders...