Church News

Church News

Experience behind-the-scenes stories and interviews relating to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Join Sarah Jane Weaver as she interviews Church leaders, members who are making a difference and writers from the Church News team.

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Church historians reflect on the spiritual significance of the historic Kirtland Temple, other sites, artifacts
1w ago
Church historians reflect on the spiritual significance of the historic Kirtland Temple, other sites, artifacts
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has purchased the Kirtland Temple — the first temple built in this dispensation — from Community of Christ, leaders of both faiths announced Tuesday, March 5, 2024. This episode of the Church News podcast features Elder Kyle S. McKay, General Authority Seventy and Church historian and recorder, and historian Matt Grow, managing director of the Church History Department, discussing the historic purchase, which also included landmark buildings and other artifacts. Of the purchase, President Russell M. Nelson declared, “We are deeply honored to assume the stewardship of these sacred places, documents and artifacts.”  The Kirtland Temple will remain a historic building and will not be converted into an operating Latter-day Saint temple, according to the question-and-answer statement released by the Church. The Kirtland Temple, as well as the other historic buildings — all in Nauvoo — closed March 5 to facilitate the transfer of ownership and will reopen to the public on March 25. “We are deeply grateful for what [Community of Christ] has done over the decades, for well over a century, to care for the Kirtland Temple, to care for the properties in Nauvoo, to care for these manuscripts and artifacts,” said Grow. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Relief Society general presidency celebrates the 182nd anniversary of the organization
Mar 5 2024
Relief Society general presidency celebrates the 182nd anniversary of the organization
This month is the 182nd anniversary of the organization of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When the Relief Society was organized on March 17, 1842, Emma Smith said, “We are going to do something extraordinary. … We expect extraordinary occasions and pressing calls.” To commemorate the purpose and founding of the Relief Society, a worldwide Relief Society devotional will be held on Sunday, March 17. Local ward and stake Relief Societies will gather to hear a message from President Russell M. Nelson and the Relief Society general presidency. The presidency — President Camille N. Johnson, Sister J. Anette Dennis and Sister Kristin M. Yee — joins this episode of the Church News podcast to talk more about the upcoming devotional and the mandate of the Relief Society, with Church News reporter Mary Richards as guest host.  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Rev. Que English on the power of and need for interfaith efforts
Feb 27 2024
The Rev. Que English on the power of and need for interfaith efforts
During the 2023 holiday season, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints collaborated with religious organizations on more than 60 projects serving some 42,000 children in the New York metro area. One of many leaders supporting this interfaith partnership is the Reverend Que English, who has said that this alliance is a model of how “we come together to bring hope” in a divided world. The Rev. English has served as the director of the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services since 2021; previously, she served as the deputy director of faith-based initiatives for the Governor’s Office in the State of New York. She is married to the Rev. Tim English, the senior pastor of Bronx Christian Fellowship in Bronx, New York. With a passion for empowering, training and educating, the Rev. Que English joins this episode of the Church News podcast to talk about the power of — and the need for — interfaith efforts.  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood on the mantle of a BYU athlete and the remarkable 2023 women’s soccer season, with Sheri Dew as guest host
Jan 30 2024
BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood on the mantle of a BYU athlete and the remarkable 2023 women’s soccer season, with Sheri Dew as guest host
The 2023 season for the Brigham Young University women's soccer team was unforgettable. The team defeated a No. 1-ranked opponent, becoming No. 1 in the United Soccer Coaches rankings, and captured headlines with a come-from-behind victory over North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals. The BYU women's soccer team completed the season with an overall record of 20-3-3, going undefeated in its first season in the Big 12 conference.  This episode of the Church News podcast features BYU head soccer coach Jennifer Rockwood talking with guest host Sheri Dew, executive vice president of Deseret Management Corp. and a former member of the Relief Society general presidency. They look at the team’s remarkable season, the mantle of being a BYU athlete, and how living up to the standards of the gospel of Jesus Christ strengthens players on the field and throughout their lives.  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The ever-expanding BYU Speeches collection with curator Charles Cranney
Jan 23 2024
The ever-expanding BYU Speeches collection with curator Charles Cranney
Every week devotional speakers enlighten, instruct and uplift students at Brigham Young University. But these BYU Speeches are not only for the student body, they are recorded, curated and digitally shared for the world at large. With over seven decades of devotionals from Church leaders, BYU presidents, professors, scholars and invited guests, there are thousands of speeches. And now, with the archive expanding to include Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese and French translations, the speeches team is ready to share the talks with even more listeners. This episode of the Church News podcast features Charles Cranney, senior manager of Digital Media at BYU Brand & Creative, as well as excerpts from past BYU devotionals. The episode explores the history and highlights speeches from BYU’s ever-expanding collection. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Elder Dale G. Renlund on his testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Church’s distribution of 200 million copies of the sacred text
Jan 2 2024
Elder Dale G. Renlund on his testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Church’s distribution of 200 million copies of the sacred text
The collective “Come, Follow Me” study of the Book of Mormon for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2024 comes as the Church is celebrating a significant milestone for the distribution of the sacred book. In 1830, the Church printed 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon, that number grew to 100 million copies distributed by the year 2000, and as of the summer of 2023, that number had doubled to 200 million copies. Now, as the Book of Mormon continues to find individuals worldwide seeking to know more about Jesus Christ and His role in their lives, Church members embark on a year of “Come Follow Me” study of this sacred book of scripture.  This episode of the Church News podcast features Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles sharing his testimony of the Book of Mormon, as well as his invitation for all to study and discover the truthfulness of the book for themselves.  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Historian Matthew C. Godfrey on the ongoing legacy of the St. George Utah Temple
Nov 28 2023
Historian Matthew C. Godfrey on the ongoing legacy of the St. George Utah Temple
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson reflects on the Okinawa Japan Temple — a symbol of peace in a land once defined by war
Nov 21 2023
Elder Gary E. Stevenson reflects on the Okinawa Japan Temple — a symbol of peace in a land once defined by war
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oxford’s Rev. Dr. Andrew Teal — Part 1: Building bridges of interfaith friendship with Elder Matthew S. Holland of the Seventy; with Sheri Dew as guest host
Oct 31 2023
Oxford’s Rev. Dr. Andrew Teal — Part 1: Building bridges of interfaith friendship with Elder Matthew S. Holland of the Seventy; with Sheri Dew as guest host
During the summer of 2017, Elder Matthew S. Holland — then president of Utah Valley University and now a General Authority Seventy, knocked on a door with a sign that read, “chaplain,” at Oxford University. Behind the door was Reverend Dr. Andrew Teal, an Anglican priest and theologian specializing in Christian church history at Oxford’s Pembroke College. Unbeknownst to either of them, that first meeting would bloom into a friendship beyond themselves and their faith. On this episode of the Church News podcast, the first in a two-part series, Elder Holland and Dr. Rev. Teal are joined by guest host Sheri Dew to discuss interfaith friendship and community building. Join us next week: Oxford’s Rev. Dr. Andrew Teal — Part 2: The repercussions of interfaith friendships with David W. Checketts and Deborah L. Checketts, London England Mission leaders. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.