Church News

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. 

Pulitzer Prize-nominated photojournalist Jeffrey D. Allred has worked around the world capturing iconic images at events from the Olympics to natural disasters. But some of his most beloved photographic memories fall into a special category. He has had the honor of covering the significant events and day-to-day life of members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Allred shares his unique experiences and views of the Church that he has captured through the lens of his camera — from sacred moments at temple dedications to joyful moments of President Russell M. Nelson with children. Collectively these experiences have helped build his own personal testimony of the restored Church of Jesus Christ on earth. To view the photographs mentioned in this podcast visit this link.  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 Young Women organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been strengthening millions of youth across the globe for 150 years. In this episode of the Church News podcast, President Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general president, celebrates this historical legacy of learning, leadership and service. As part of the sesquicentennial celebrations this year, the Young Women presidency invited young women worldwide to participate in the “My 150” challenge. Even amid the COVID pandemic, thousands worldwide responded; the celebrations this year culminate with a worldwide virtual Face2Face event on Sunday, November 15, 2020.  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.

Sometimes during the fires and trials of our lives, it can be difficult to see through the smoke to what we can learn and become because of the event. For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who suffered the devastating effects of the California Camp Fire of 2018 and this September’s Almeda Drive Fire in Oregon, their tragedies led them to a greater appreciation of the blessings of the restored gospel of Christ. Blessings that no earthly tempest can remove. Chico California Stake President John Meyer and President John Clason of the Medford Oregon Stake share what their congregations have learned amid the fires of adversity, how faith can be found in the embers of our trials, and how powerful the blessing of comfort can be as we minister one to another. 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 1842 the Prophet Joseph Smith formed The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ first women’s organization known today as the Relief Society, stating, “this is the beginning of better days.” That promise was fulfilled as Latter-Day Saint women continued to serve their community and advocated for the equal voting rights of women in Utah and the United States. Better Days 2020 is a non-profit dedicated to popularizing this history as the year 2020 marks a year of celebrations for voting rights — the 150th anniversary of Utah women being the first in the nation to vote, the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment generally granting women the vote, and the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act protecting voting rights for women and men of all races. Better Days’ historical director Katherine Kitterman and historical research associate Rebekah Ryan Clark look at the privilege and duty of voting and share the story of the pioneering suffragettes who bravely blazed the path for the right to participate in elections. 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. 

October is the birthday month of President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Ballard reflects on lessons from his lifetime of service as he celebrates his 92nd birthday including examples of leadership and the beautiful simplicity of the gospel of Jesus 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 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.