Church News

During April 2024 general conference, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said, “The temple is the gateway to the greatest blessings God has in store for each of us.” Part of this continual focus on temple service is the extensive renovations of pioneer-era temples, including the iconic Salt Lake Temple, which closed in January 2020 for extensive renovations. This episode of the Church News podcast features an update on the renovations of the Salt Lake Temple and Temple Square with Brent Roberts, managing director of the Church’s Special Projects Department, and Andy Kirby, director of historic temple renovations. 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 executive 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.

As early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fled persecution in the mid-1800s and settled in the Salt Lake Valley, they put a printing press in a wagon and moved it across the United States — publishing the first edition of the Deseret News on June 15, 1850. The legacy of that newspaper continues today with editors and writers who still work to spread light and truth around the world on Deseret.com. Jay Evensen, the opinion editor of the Deseret News, joins this episode of the Church News podcast to talk about the legacy and mission of the Deseret News to inform and influence. He also addresses the power of forgiveness, becoming peacemakers and disagreeing better in a divisive and polarized society. 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 executive 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.

Courtney Wayment is a world-class track athlete who competes in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and is currently preparing for the United States Olympic trials. Her success spans from her collegiate career at Brigham Young University to two Team USA senior national teams and running at the World Athletics Championships. Wayment joins the Church News podcast to talk about her remarkable career, preparing for the Olympic Games, and what running and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have taught her about “belief, resilience, faith and hope.”  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 executive 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 of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sustained 11 new General Authority Seventies during the Saturday morning session of the Church's 194th Annual General Conference on Saturday, April 6, 2024. President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, presented the new General Authority Seventies for a sustaining vote, along with the sustaining of the Church's general authorities and general officers. This episode of the Church News podcast is dedicated to sharing their words and testimonies 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 executive 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 and Sister Oaks discuss their return to the Philippines and the Urdaneta Temple dedication. They reflect on the growth of the Church in the country, efforts to educate members on tithing, empowering women, and the deep faith of Filipino people. Topics also include missionary teachings, baptism requirements, language barriers, resilience in overcoming challenges, and the importance of temple attendance.

From time to time, members of the Church News staff join the Church News podcast to talk about creating “a living record of the Restoration.” This podcast episode features Church News editor Ryan Jensen sharing his observations of prophets and apostles, what he has learned about messaging to Latter-day Saint youth, and his personal life — which includes his family’s struggles with Huntington’s disease. Before joining the Church News, Ryan worked for the Priesthood and Family Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with responsibility for the youth magazine and other projects, and as a working broadcast journalist. 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.

Leaders of a religious conference focus on the importance of temples, covenants, and joy. Topics include the significance of priesthood keys, power of prayer, building spiritual anchors, witnessing Jesus Christ, eternal blessings of faithfulness, power of words, and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ through kayaking in the ocean.

In February 2024, The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square continued its "Hope" world tour with concerts and events in the Philippines. This second stop on the multiyear, multination tour is the first for “Asia’s Pearl." This episode of the Church News podcast explores this musical expedition with choir leaders and members, special guest performers and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — including Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, choir President Michael O. Leavitt, choir musical director Mack Wilberg, and guest Filipina singer Lea Salonga.  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 executive 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.

P. Alfred Grace, President and CEO of the Polynesian Cultural Center, discusses the history and values of the cultural center. Topics include embracing diversity, intercultural peace, Pacific Island heritage, 'aloha spirit,' and the transformative experiences of students at the center.

In 1921, President David O. McKay of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with Church members in an old chapel in Laie, Hawaii — where he witnessed many cultures worshipping together as one. There on the north shore of Oahu, President McKay saw how people can be united by the gospel of Jesus Christ. In a campus devotional at BYU–Hawaii almost one year ago, BYU–Hawaii President John S.K. Kauwe III spoke of President McKay's experience and of BYU–Hawaii today. The Church's university in Laie continues to resemble that diverse group President McKay encountered more than a century ago, said President Kauwe. He joins this episode of the Church News podcast — taped on the BYU–Hawaii campus — to talk about the vision and future of BYU–Hawaii and of his service as the university's president. This episode is the first of a two-part series.  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 executive 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.