Church News

Recently, the Church History Museum unveiled 150 works of art as part of its exhibition for the 13th International Art Competition. These pieces were chosen from nearly 600 artworks submitted by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world. The theme for this year’s contest explores the gospel invitation to “Lift Up the Hands Which Hang Down,” which comes from Doctrine and Covenants 81:5. On this episode of the Church News podcast, Church News editor Ryan Jensen talks with artists and individuals responsible for the exhibition and its rich body of work. The exhibit and online gallery showcase artists from more than two dozen countries and highlight some of the many ways Latter-day Saints testify of Jesus Christ and His call to lift and serve. 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. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and 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.

In June 2024, Emily Hellewell was named vice president of marketing and creative services at Deseret News. In this role, she leads the marketing and communications efforts for the Deseret News, Deseret Magazine and Church News as well as several other teams. Hellewell joins this episode of the Church News podcast to discuss how her extensive background in public relations and her faith in Jesus Christ prepared her for this role. She emphasizes the importance of humanity in storytelling and how truth-seeking journalism can help cut through the world’s clutter to connect Heavenly Father’s children to one 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. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and 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 16 new General Authority Seventies during the Saturday morning session of the Church’s 195th Annual General Conference on Saturday, April 5, 2025. 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 other general authorities and general officers. This episode of the Church News podcast is dedicated to the new leaders sharing their 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. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and 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 Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has emphasized the importance of Easter, saying Easter Sunday “is the most important religious observance for followers of Jesus Christ.” In preparation of celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, host and Church News reporter Mary Richards is joined by Brigham Young University professor emeritus and historian Richard Neitzel Holzapfel to discuss the historical context surrounding Easter, Holy Week, Gethsemane and more. 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. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and 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 around the world tuned in to the 195th Annual General Conference held April 5-6, 2025. The two-day conference featured messages of encouragement and hope from the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other Church leaders, including President Russell M. Nelson. This special conference edition of the Church News podcast features excerpts from each conference address, including topics like the Lord’s great love for His children, the need for repentance and personal preparation before the Savior’s Second Coming.  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. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and 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.

What some saw as a surprise move, Brigham Young University athletic director Tom Holmoe has decided that “this is the right time” to retire. Over the last two decades, Holmoe has been at the helm of BYU Athletics as teams have won national championships, garnered international attention, and shared their testimonies on and off the field, the court and the track. On this episode of the Church News podcast, the award-winning sports legend and former Cougar defensive back talks about faith, football and moving forward with prayer in life transitions. 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. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and 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 Prophet Joseph Smith said the Doctrine and Covenants is “the foundation of the Church in these last days, and a benefit to the world, showing that the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom of our Savior are again entrusted to man.” In 2025, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints study the Doctrine and Covenants, to learn of Him, apply the stories found in its pages to their own lives and explore thematically the invitation the Lord gives to all to come unto Him.  In this episode of the Church News podcast, Church News reporter Mary Richards is joined by Rosalynde Welch, a research fellow and associate director at the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship at Brigham Young University. They explore the themes interwoven in this sacred book of scripture, from the role of prophets to the transformative power of repentance and agency.  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. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and 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.

February 2025 marked the fifth anniversary of the announcement that LDS Business College would become Ensign College. The name change to the 139-year-old educational institution came with expanded educational offerings and symbolic and historical significance. The name change helped reaffirm the full name of the institution’s ownership, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the scriptural use of the word “ensign,” meaning a new covenant, a symbol of peace and a standard to the nations. Of the change, Ensign College President Bruce C. Kusch said, “As we embrace a new name, I invite each of us to think more carefully about that light and being a standard of righteousness.” On this episode of the Church News podcast, President Kusch and his wife, Sister Alynda Kusch, talk about their journey of faith, the academic changes the school is making and the power of aligning one’s life to the Lord’s mission and timing. 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. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and 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 are encouraged to follow the Savior’s example of offering hope, understanding and love to those with disabilities. Hosted by Church News reporter Mary Richards, this episode features the Church’s disability specialist manager, Katie Edna Steed, who discusses how the Church encourages Christlike inclusion. This is done through individuals ministering to their neighbors, designing and retrofitting Church buildings to be accessible, specialized programs, new resources and more. 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. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and 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.

RootsTech, a three-day global family history event, is scheduled for March 6-8. The gathering will reach a worldwide audience online while also featuring an in-person experience in Salt Lake City. This year's theme is "Discover," and organizers hope to empower attendees to uncover their family history and make new, meaningful connections. The lineup for 2025 includes a variety of keynote speakers, including Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as performances by musical artists, hundreds of classes and fun activities. In this episode Church News reporter Mary Richards is joined by Jonathan Wing, director of events for FamilySearch International, to preview events and discuss how family history can help individuals and families discover, connect and become part of the family of 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. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and 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.