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Church News

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9 snips
Feb 18, 2025 • 33min

BYU’s Laura Padilla-Walker on the power of service on teen flourishing 

Laura Padilla-Walker, Dean of Family, Home and Social Sciences at BYU, discusses the unique challenges teens face today, particularly with technology and social media. She emphasizes the importance of nurturing pro-social behaviors and community service to enhance teen flourishing. With insights on how strong familial relationships and effective communication can combat negative influences, she offers strategies for parents to help youth build resilience and a sense of belonging through service and sacred living.
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Feb 11, 2025 • 35min

Primary general presidency invites children to share Jesus' love through service

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 Susan H. Porter; Sister Amy A. Wright, first counselor; and Sister Tracy Y. Browning, second counselor. The presidency discusses this sacred responsibility and previews a Friend to Friend broadcast on the topic airing Feb. 15, 2025. Through this worldwide effort, children can realize they are an important part of the Church and can contribute in meaningful ways. The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.
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Feb 4, 2025 • 42min

The Sunday School general presidency on studying the ongoing Restoration with ‘Come, Follow Me’ in 2025

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 introduce themselves as well as share how studying the ongoing Restoration can help shape stronger testimonies of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. They discuss what they hope Latter-day Saints will learn from this year’s “Come, Follow Me” curriculum and the Doctrine and Covenants. The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.
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8 snips
Jan 29, 2025 • 36min

Church historian Matt Grow encourages peacemaking amid historical misrepresentation

Matt Grow, managing director of the Church History Department, dives into the often-misunderstood history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He sheds light on Brigham Young's commitment to peace and addresses the historical portrayal of the church in popular media, particularly in a recent Netflix series. The discussion highlights the challenges of early Latter-day Saints' interactions with Native Americans and emphasizes the importance of reconciliation and accurate historical narratives in fostering understanding and peacemaking.
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Jan 21, 2025 • 52min

‘Building disciples of Jesus Christ’ at Brigham Young University–Idaho, with President Alvin F. Meredith III and his wife, Sister Jennifer Meredith

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 intentionality are exemplified in the lives of President Meredith and his wife, Sister Jennifer Meredith, through their Church and family service. The Merediths join this episode of the Church News podcast to share the importance of education, personal revelation and supportive environments in becoming disciples of Christ.  The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Host Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of The Church News, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.
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Jan 14, 2025 • 38min

Church’s sustainability manager on the sacred responsibility to care for the earth

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 reporter Mary Richards hosts this episode of the Church News podcast, interviewing Jenica Sedgwick, the Church’s sustainability manager who operates under the direction of the Presiding Bishopric. They discuss the importance of integrating environmental stewardship into Church operations as well as in individual daily lives.  The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Host Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of The Church News, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.
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Jan 7, 2025 • 57min

The life-changing impact of FSY, with the Young Men and Young Women general presidency counselors

Tamara W. Runia and Andrea Muñoz Spannaus, counselors in the Young Women General Presidency, share insights on the For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conferences. They discuss how FSY helps youth deepen their faith and form meaningful connections, emphasizing the joy and belonging found through gospel living. The counselors reveal transformative experiences from past participants and the benefits of mentorship as they prepare for the 2025 youth theme, "Look unto Christ," which encourages youth to trust in Him during challenging times.
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15 snips
Dec 30, 2024 • 43min

The 2025 youth theme ‘Look unto Christ’ with President Steven J. Lund and President Emily Belle Freeman

Steven J. Lund, Young Men General President, and Emily Belle Freeman, Young Women General President, delve into the 2025 youth theme ‘Look unto Christ.’ They discuss how this theme fosters faith and lifelong discipleship among youth. Expect practical tips for integrating Christ into daily life and overcoming doubt and fear through spiritual resilience. They highlight the healing power of covenants and the sacrament, emphasizing connections with the Savior. The conversation inspires the upcoming activities and resources designed to uplift young members.
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Dec 23, 2024 • 37min

Finding peace — 2024 year in review with Deseret News editors Doug Wilks and Sarah Jane Weaver

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 current Deseret News editor Sarah Jane Weaver share their observations from the year in politics, peacemaking, missionary work and the strength of youth of the Church. The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Host Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of The Church News, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.
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Dec 17, 2024 • 58min

How the sacred musical ‘Savior of the World’ inspires audiences and production staff each holiday season

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 episode of the Church News podcast, members of the 2024 production share their experiences while crafting performances: director Paul Walstad; Troy Hanks, who plays the apostle Peter; and Karli Welch, who portrays Mary, the mother of Jesus. They talk about how a team of hundreds of performers, production and technical crews present the musical as a testimony of Jesus Christ and His divine mission as the Savior and Redeemer of the world.  The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Host Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of The Church News, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

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