Church News

The partnership of Young Men General President Steven J. Lund and his wife, Sister Kalleen Lund, has been an international one. Having met first in Frankfurt, Germany, while President Lund was enlisted in the U.S. Army after serving a mission, they reunited later as students at BYU in Provo, Utah, and married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1980. They have four children and several grandchildren, have served as mission leaders in the Georgia Atlanta Mission and have built a life of both religious and community service. They join Church News editor Ryan Jensen on this episode of the Church News podcast to discuss how patterns of service and sacrifice have blessed their lives as they serve their Church, community and family. 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.

Callie Jo Smith, a former collegiate tennis star and 11-time Professional Pickleball Association champion, shares her journey of faith and sport. She discusses how family bonds strengthened through recreational activities and her initial disdain for pickleball turned into passion. Callie emphasizes the importance of prayer and teamwork with her husband, navigating motherhood and professional challenges. Additionally, she highlights the transformative power of sharing her faith with young people, demonstrating how love and spirituality shape success and identity.

New mission leaders gather at the Provo Missionary Training Center, receiving powerful counsel on inviting others to Christ and the critical role of the Book of Mormon in their mission. Insights are shared on the importance of personal conversion, moral agency, and unwavering dedication to their purpose. The metaphor of the armor of God illustrates how it protects missionaries spiritually. Emphasis is placed on fostering a covenant relationship with Christ and understanding how love drives effective missionary work. The transformative power of scriptures remains a central theme.

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square celebrates a historic milestone on July 13, 2025, when it airs its 5,000th broadcast of “Music & the Spoken Word.” This occasion will commemorate more than nine decades of inspirational sacred music and messages shared with audiences around the world. To discuss this achievement nearly a century in the making, Tabernacle Choir President Michael O. Leavitt and the “voice of the choir,” producer, principal writer and presenter Derrick Porter join the Church News podcast — recorded inside the Tabernacle on Temple Square — to discuss the importance of sacred music. They explore how the choir’s music has touched the lives of members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worldwide for generations past and will for generations to come.  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.

Join Strive to Be artists Pearce Morris, Ashley Hess, and Ellie Barry as they dive into the transformative power of music in faith. Pearce, a mission-returned artist, emphasizes focusing on Jesus Christ through music. Ashley shares her passion for worship songs that inspire, while Ellie testifies of God’s love in her performances. They discuss the upcoming Festival 2025, highlighting how live music fosters community and strengthens testimonies. Together, they explore the profound healing and confidence that music can bring on personal faith journeys.

Travis Hansen, a former BYU basketball player with a storied career in the NBA and internationally, shares his inspiring journey. He reflects on the deep faith he's cultivated through personal loss, including his mother's battle with cancer. Hansen emphasizes the importance of being 'in the right place' to make meaningful connections and support others. His experiences as a missionary in Chile and now as a young adult leader highlight the interplay between faith, community, and personal growth—creating a rich tapestry of life's challenges and blessings.

One year ago, the first batch of new hymns was released for a new hymnbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Hymns — For Home and Church” is for members to use as part of their worship and gospel study. As more new hymns are released, they can be found on the Church’s website at music.ChurchofJesusChrist.org and the Gospel Library app. On this Church News podcast episode, Church News reporter Mary Richards is joined by the Church’s Hymnbook Committee chair, music author and composer Steve Schank, to discuss an update on the size, scope and timing of the new hymnbook. They explore the sacred power of music in worship, the careful selection of new music in this ongoing project and the joyful singing of hymns.  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.

Joseph Kerry, Chair of the Communication Department at Ensign College, shares his insights on navigating social media while fostering discipleship of Jesus Christ. He discusses the importance of consuming uplifting content, being a peacemaker online, and the role of intentional technology use in maintaining spiritual health. The conversation also touches on how social media can redefine relationships for the younger generation, and highlights the need for authentic online expressions that promote positivity and balance in faith.

In this discussion, Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society General President, and Elder Robert M. Daines, General Authority Seventy, dive into the transformative power of ministering like Christ. They emphasize how genuine relationships and small acts of service can foster community connections and personal growth. The duo explores the significance of inspired invitations and their role in enhancing relationships with God and fellow members. Their insights illuminate how ministering not only strengthens faith but also deepens discipleship and community bonds.

Historian Karl Ricks Anderson, who has dedicated nearly 50 years to researching Kirtland, dives deep into its spiritual significance for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He shares personal anecdotes about divine revelations and important church events that occurred in the area. The conversation also highlights ongoing restoration efforts in Kirtland, promoting healing and unity between different faith communities. Anderson emphasizes Kirtland's enduring legacy and the value of embracing diverse beliefs for contemporary believers.