In a world increasingly defined by division, this episode of the Church News podcast is dedicated to connection — with ward members, neighbors, communities, and those of other faith traditions and friends around the globe. No one is better at this than Aaron Sherinian, the senior vice president of global reach at Deseret Management Corp. This Christmas season, Sherinian invites listeners to connect with those around them as they work together to #LightTheWorld. 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. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

The historic St. George Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Church’s longest-operating house of the Lord. Originally dedicated on April 6, 1877, and rededicated on Nov. 11, 1975, the temple is set to be rededicated again after extensive renovations. President Jeffrey R. Holland, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, will rededicate the edifice on Dec. 10. President Holland is a native of southern Utah who was married in the St. George Utah Temple. This episode of the Church News podcast features Matthew C. Godfrey, senior managing historian for outreach and engagement in the Church History Department, discussing how the temple in St. George has changed the lives of generations of Latter-day Saints and how the most recent maintenance of the temple will continue to point its patrons toward 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. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

On Sunday, Nov. 12, Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Okinawa Japan Temple, the fourth temple in Japan for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While the first missionaries arrived in Tokyo in the early 1900s, the Church didn't have a presence in Okinawa until the 1940s, when World War II brought American servicemen to the area. During April 2019 general conference, President Russell M. Nelson announced a temple to be built in this historic area.  Elder Stevenson has a rich history in Japan, where he served as a young missionary and later returned as a businessman, mission president and area president. He joins this episode of the Church News podcast to talk about his love for Japan’s people and culture and the rich blessings a new house of the Lord brings to these temple-loving people. 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. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, at the age of 95. In this special memorial episode of the Church News podcast, the Church News celebrates his life in his own words. The podcast features interviews and talk excerpts highlighting his teachings as a devoted husband, beloved father and faithful witness of Jesus Christ. He is remembered for his deep commitment to the Church, his focus on missionary work, his teachings on councils and, above all, his desire to anchor his personal testimony to the life and Atonement of the Savior 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. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Last week's Church News podcast was the first in a two-part series featuring the Rev. Dr. Andrew Teal, an Anglican priest and theologian specializing in Christian church history at Oxford's Pembroke College. This episode continues interviews with Rev. Teal in his office and on campus at Oxford University. He is joined for segments of the podcast by David W. Checketts and his wife, Deb Checketts, leaders of the England London mission from 2018 to 2021. They continue a discussion on interfaith friendship and community building. 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. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Elder Matthew S. Holland and Rev. Dr. Andrew Teal discuss their interfaith friendship and the importance of bridge-building between different faiths. They share inspiring stories of service and unity, highlighting the significance of keeping promises and making covenants. They also explore the humor and heartwarming moments that strengthen interfaith friendships, reflecting on how eternal friendship is rooted in Heavenly Father's love and transcends time and space.

For Issac and Rebecca Goeckeritz, working with the Orchestra at Temple Square has become more than just a calling. It is the organization that brought them together as a married couple and allowed them to use their talents to share their testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. Rebecca is an inspirational violinist and a member of the Orchestra at Temple Square. Issac is a videographer who has helped document the work of the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. He has also traveled the world, covering the ministries of senior leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In their marriage, they have also overcome challenges and disappointment as Rebecca has dealt with health challenges. They join this episode of the Church News podcast to share their stories and testimonies.  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. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Brigham Young served as the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in other governmental positions from 1844 to 1877. As a result, sorting through the library of his written word, images, lectures, journals and other documentation is a mammoth task. Still, the scholars at the Brigham Young Center are set to tackle this task with the upcoming Brigham Young Papers project. This episode of the Church News podcast features Ronald K. Esplin, director of the Brigham Young Center and of the Brigham Young Papers project. He is joined by his fellow contributors, Garrett J, Dirk Mott and Brent M. Rogers, who also worked on the Joseph Smith Papers project. Together, they give a look at the life and legacy of the Prophet Brigham Young, as well as a peek into the immense undertaking of the upcoming project.  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. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participated in the 193rd Semiannual General Conference on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Rabbi Joseph Charnes, a long-time friend of the Church and an interfaith advocate, attended In the Conference Center to listen as Latter-day Saint leaders offered counsel and direction. This episode of the Church News podcast features Rabbi Charnes — joined by guest host Church News reporter Mary Richards. He shares his conference insights and speaks about the power of general conference for those of other faiths. 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. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Millions tuned in to the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2023. During the conference, messages from the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other Church leaders focused on faith in Jesus Christ, the happiness that comes from covenant keeping and the invitation to “think celestial.” This special edition of the Church News podcast features highlights from every general conference talk, including the announcement by President Russell M. Nelson that the Church will build 20 new temples.  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. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.