In the year 2020, when many projects were put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints broke ground for 21 new temples in a powerful display of looking forward during a time of uncertainty. Today, R. Scott Taylor, managing editor of the Church News, joins the Church News Podcast to discuss how the Church handled temples during the global pandemic — first closures and then the phased reopening of temples — and the resulting greater appreciation for the blessings temples bring into the lives of members, families and communities worldwide. 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 Sarah Jane Weaver, reporter and editor for The Church News for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important 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.

The “Come, Follow Me” gospel study curriculum, announced by the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2018, has enabled a greater home-centered, Church-supported approach to gospel living, learning and teaching. When the global coronavirus pandemic shut down a majority of in-person worship in March 2020, “Come, Follow Me” allowed for the continued blessings that come through study of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. This year, the “Come, Follow Me” resource focuses on the Doctrine and Covenants, a book of history, scripture, invitations and answers. This episode of the Church News Podcast features the Sunday School general presidency: President Mark  L. Pace and his counselors, Brother Milton Camargo and Brother Jan E. Newman. They offer insights about gospel study, the Doctrine and Covenants and “Come, Follow Me,” and share their testimonies of the power of the scriptures. 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 Sarah Jane Weaver, reporter and editor for The Church News for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important 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.

BYU-Pathway Worldwide provides an accessible path to a spiritually-based degree at an affordable price without requiring students to step foot on a university campus. A prophetic effort 50 years in the making, the program is delivering online learning models that have benefited institutions across the world and assisted members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in tackling learning amid the coronavirus pandemic. BYU-Pathway Worldwide President Clark Gilbert joins the podcast to share his experiences in helping to develop the program as a deeply committed teacher, leader and innovator. He also discusses the evolution of education and communication technologies that allowed for Pathway to bless the lives of students of all ages around 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 Sarah Jane Weaver, reporter and editor for The Church News for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important 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.

In January 2020, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrates the third anniversary of President Russell M. Nelson serving as the leader of the Church. In this Church News Podcast, we celebrate this milestone as guest host Sheri Dew interviews President Nelson’s wife, Sister Wendy W. Nelson. They explore the life and ministry of the Prophet over the past three years.  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 Sarah Jane Weaver, reporter and editor for The Church News for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important 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.

In 2020 President Russell M. Nelson, leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, issued many important invitations to Church members and to the world. As this year comes to a close, Host Sarah Jane Weaver is joined by Deseret News Opinion Editor Boyd Matheson to discuss these historic invitations in the historic year of 2020. At the heart of each invitation in this turbulent year is President Nelson’s ultimate hope that all of God’s children will focus on the Savior Jesus Christ and draw closer to Him. 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 Sarah Jane Weaver, reporter and editor for The Church News for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important 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. 

As 2020 draws to a close the Church News podcast looks back on all that has happened during this unique and challenging year with Deseret News Editor, Doug Wilks. In a year defined by the coronavirus pandemic, natural disasters, political tensions and civil unrest, host Sarah Weaver and Wilks discuss the way Deseret News delivers the news, while aiming to elevate understanding, light, and most important hope to their readers. Wilks explores what it means to be a journalist and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the current divisive climate of the world, and how his experience as the president of the historic Salt Lake Stake allows him to temperance sorrow and empathy in his day-to-day life.  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 Sarah Jane Weaver, reporter and editor for The Church News for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important 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. 

As Christmas approaches many thoughts turn to children. In addition to seeking and finding joy during this special season, children can also serve others and reflect the love and example of the Savior Jesus Christ in their actions and through their examples. The Primary general presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is working with Latter-day Saint Charities and the Friend magazine — the Church’s global publication for children — to help children emulate the life and teachings of Jesus Christ through service this season and throughout 2021. The effort, emphasizing the “helping hands and loving hearts” of children, will be featured monthly next year in the Friend magazine. This episode of the Church News podcast features Primary General President Joy D. Jones, Sister Sharon Eubank of the Relief Society general presidency, and Friend magazine editor Jan Pinborough. They discuss the natural ability of children to love and serve, how children have been impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and service opportunities for children this season and throughout 2021.  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 Sarah Jane Weaver, reporter and editor for The Church News for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important 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. 

The Christmas season is a time for celebration and family traditions, but with the current coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 holiday season is going to be a bit non-traditional. For audiences around the world, TheTabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square’s Christmas concerts have been an annual way of celebrating the season. While an abundance of precautions has canceled the live concerts this year, there are some wonderful ways to continue to blend the magical music of the Choir into the festive season. Tabernacle Choir Music Director Mack Wilberg, as well as Choir President Ron Jarrett, join the Church News Podcast to explore the extensive history of “America's Choir” and how their award-winning melodies can continue to warm listeners' hearts this winter. 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 Sarah Jane Weaver, reporter and editor for The Church News for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important 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.

On Dec. 3, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will celebrate his 80th birthday. Days shy of this event, Elder Holland joins the Church News podcast to share his testimony, offer his hard-earned life advice, and to encourage individuals to turn to God amid the trying times of the COVID pandemic.  During 2020, people across the globe have worried about their health and livelihood, he said. Many are turning to God. “If we haven’t been able to turn here, and we can’t turn there, we can turn up,” he said. “And I hope that one thing we’ve all done is come closer to God.”  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 Sarah Jane Weaver, reporter and editor for The Church News for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important 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. 

President Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, issued a historic invitation to the world on Friday, Nov. 20. The “fast-acting, long-lasting spiritual remedy” — during this time defined by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, racism, violence, political tensions and a lack of civility — is gratitude. On this podcast, historian Richard E. Turley Jr. reflects on this and other prophetic invitations. Most interesting to Turley is that at a time in history when a disease has brought the world to its knees, the president of the Church is a renowned medical doctor. “What makes his invitation interesting is that he says, ‘As a medical doctor, I'm interested in what's happening to try to resolve this pandemic. But I'm going to offer you a solution that may be a little bit counterintuitive,’” said Turley, a retired managing director of the Church’s Communications Department and former assistant Church historian and recorder.  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 Sarah Jane Weaver, reporter and editor for The Church News for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important 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.