Church News
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The official Church News publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “A Living Record of the Restoration.”
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A funeral was held for Elder W. Mark Bassett, a General Authority Seventy, who died on May 11, after suffering a traumatic brain injury. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has made a $25 million donation to UNICEF. The money will go directly to UNICEF’s Child Nutrition Fund. The Church has released a site map for the Rosario Argentina Temple. This is one of seven houses of the Lord in the country.
Church News14,084 views • 17 days ago
See video of the Salt Lake Temple without scaffolding for the first time since renovations began Portions of scaffolding on the exterior of the Salt Lake Temple have been removed as renovation work progresses. The dismantling, announced last month, is expected to continue through mid-March 2026. But portions of the northwest towers are already scaffolding free. A Church News video captured on Thursday, Feb. 19, shows the temple free of scaffolding after a snow storm in Salt Lake City.
Church News61,489 views • 3 months ago
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is inviting all to participate in a special fast on July 5 in conjunction with the United States’ 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Wrote the First Presidency: “All are invited to participate in a unified fast to express gratitude for religious liberty and to pray that it be strengthened throughout the world.” Also, the Church’s April 2026 general conference will feature just four general sessions as well as a solemn assembly. With the conference held over Easter weekend this year, messages are expected to especially focus on Jesus Christ, His literal Resurrection, His infinite Atonement and the hope, renewal and peace that come through Him and His gospel. And in a Church News video titled “Love Thy Neighbor,” Church leaders — including Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson, Presiding Bishop W. Christopher Waddell and Welfare and Self-Reliance Services managing director Blaine Maxfield — discuss progress made in caring for those in need in 2025. Leaders of charitable organizations and nonprofits speak about their collaborations with the Church in humanitarian efforts.
Church News41,276 views • 2 months ago
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints toured the Salt Lake Temple to see firsthand the progress of the renovation project. They were joined by the members of the Presiding Bishopric, who manage the temporal affairs of the Church. Afterward, President Dallin H. Oaks wrote about the purpose of the house of the Lord, where eternal covenants are made. This tour came the month after President Oaks had a hip replacement surgery on April 15. He said the tour was a welcome part of his ongoing recovery. A three-part Church News Living Record documentary series on BYUtv looks at religious freedom. The series is called “Voices for Faith,” and it features Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, personal stories and scholarly discussions on defending religious freedom, starting in Ghana and extending around the world.
Church News12,199 views • 26 days ago
Thousands of missionaries at the Provo MTC had a unique experience… thanks to an unexpected circumstance. Right in the middle of a devotional with Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the sound system stopped working. The auditorium… which doubles as a gymnasium… went quiet. The disappointment was palpable…. But it was quickly replaced with joy. Elder Andersen invited the MTC choir to sing their opening song again, “We’ll Bring the World His Truth.” After the first verse, he stood and directed the whole congregation to join in. Without hesitation, missionaries rose and boldly sang the words “we are now the Lord’s missionaries.” One sister said she felt as if surrounded by angels. After the singing, a quiet reverence filled the room. Elder Andersen continued his message, testifying of Jesus Christ, without the help of the microphone. Many missionaries in the very back of the room said they prayed to hear his words and their prayers were answered. One elder said God was telling every single person in that room that He loves them and cares about them.
Church News79,462 views • 8 months ago
The First Presidency has announced that on Palm Sunday this year, local congregations will hold a one-hour sacrament meeting. Easter Sunday this year, on April 5, falls on the same Sunday as the Church’s general conference. The letter states that Palm Sunday, Easter and general conference are “wonderful opportunities” to commemorate the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection. In temple news, ground was broken this weekend for two houses of the Lord, one in Jacksonville Florida and one in João Pessoa, Brazil. The Jacksonville temple’s groundbreaking comes just five months after another groundbreaking in Florida, for the Tampa Florida Temple. This is the first time that two Florida temples are in their construction phase at the same time.
Church News44,585 views • 4 months ago
🔗: President Jeffrey R. Holland, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints died Saturday, Dec. 27 at 3:15 a.m. MST, at age 85, from complications associated with kidney disease. Known for his words and the way he expressed them, President Holland will be remembered for the love he shared in nations around the world, where he taught and testified of the reality of Jesus Christ. An educator by profession, he inspired generations with his general conference talks, devotional addresses, missionary messages and social media posts. In almost every corner of the globe, he declared that the “gospel of Jesus Christ is personally precious, everlastingly hopeful and eternally true.”
Church News35,513 views • 5 months ago
Sitting only a few feet away from Elder Gérald Caussé in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building on Friday, Nov. 7, was a grand piano. Following his remarks that morning, he mentioned his love again of his parents for their decision to become pioneers and for their perseverance that shined as an example to him. He paired their example with that of the pioneers of the Church and expressed his admiration for them. Elder Caussé sat down at the piano and began to play a hymn, first with a single finger, then both hands, then with his whole heart with the high standard that only a classically trained pianist can exhibit.
Church News39,934 views • 7 months ago
A record number of people are joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Last year, over 308,000 people joined the Church. This is an increase of about 50,000 from the previous year… and the highest number of converts in a quarter century. In fact, convert baptisms were higher than in any 12 month period in Church history between June of last year and May of this year. The numbers were shared by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles last month at the Provo Missionary Training Center. He said as exciting as this increase in baptisms is, “we’re delighted to learn that the increase for new members attending sacrament meeting was even higher.” Elder Cook pointed to the Lord and said He is the reason. Elder Cook also said when missionaries understand and continually apply the missionary purpose — “we see miracles in the Lord’s work.”
Church News47,875 views • 11 months ago
For months, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has continued to donate truckload after truckload of food donations to food banks across the United States. This is part of the America 250 celebration to honor the 250th anniversary of the United States. The CEO of one food bank in St. George, Utah said the donation will help take pressure off as they are seeing a big influx of families in need. Women in Relief Societies in Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Louisiana helped those in need and served as Jesus Christ would. Several recent activities helped babies, teens, senior citizens and first responders.
Church News15,054 views • 2 months ago
Less than 24 hours after the conclusion of the 196th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Rosemary K. Chibota and her newly called counselors of the Church’s Primary general presidency sat down with Church News to talk about their testimonies and impressions after being sustained into their new callings. “I know that children are very precious to our Father in Heaven and that He loves them,” President Chibota said as she sat in the now-calm setting of the Church Office Building lobby on Monday, April 6. President Chibota and her counselors, Sister Nina M. Garfield and Sister Theresa A. Collins, will have a few months to let the calling set in before they begin their service on Aug. 1.
Church News12,360 views • 1 month ago
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pledged a “significant financial donation” and use of Church property and volunteers to support the 2034 Olympics in Utah. Bishop Sean Douglas of the Presiding Bishopric made the announcement in Milan, Italy, before those winter games begin. The Perpetual Education Fund reaches its 25th anniversary this year. The loans and scholarships have helped 130,000 Latter-day Saint students in more than 80 countries. And 88% of graduates report they found better work after completing their education. The president of Zimbabwe visited the open house of the Harare Zimbabwe Temple and the Church sponsored a religious freedom conference ahead of the dedication of the country’s first house of the Lord. At the conference, global and interfaith leaders discussed mutual respect, human dignity and harmony through religious freedom.
Church News20,264 views • 4 months ago
In light of news from the Middle East, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement saying in part that they are monitoring the evolving situation. The statement continues to say “we join in prayer with families worldwide who have loved ones in the region.” Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Harare Zimbabwe Temple on Sunday. This is the first house of the Lord in the country and the 214th worldwide. A new “Greater Love” Easter video from the Church celebrates Jesus Christ’s love for you. The video starts with John 15:13: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Church News16,446 views • 3 months ago
President Nelson: A Prophet to the World The late President Russell M. Nelson’s ministry was truly international. During his time as an apostle he preached in more than 130 countries and dedicated 31 nations for the preaching of the gospel. His ministry included meeting members and leaders across the world, building bridges, and emphasizing temple building. Take a look back at some special moments from his time as prophet.
Church News33,538 views • 8 months ago
Elder David A. Bednar shared his testimony of Joseph Smith and the Restoration of Christ’s Church as he spoke to young adults in Logan, Utah, on Sunday, Jan. 11. A standing-room only audience at the annual Joseph Smith Memorial Devotional in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on the campus of Utah State University was remarkably quiet, compared to the noise typically heard there for Aggie basketball games and other events. As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Bednar testified of the truthfulness of the work done by the Prophet Joseph Smith and the faith in the Savior that he demonstrated in following heavenly instruction that led to the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Church News20,798 views • 4 months ago
Church News Today, Monday, March 23, 2026 Temple Square renovation work reached another milestone. All scaffolding has been removed from the Salt Lake Temple exterior and tower cranes no longer hover over the pioneer-era house of the Lord. Dates were also announced for the Salt Lake Temple Celebration open house next year. Public tours will begin April 5, 2027 and continue to October 1. The First Presidency and an Apostle of the Church welcomed the Thai ambassador to the United States to Salt Lake City. The group discussed shared values and recent humanitarian collaborations in Thailand. The upcoming April general conference of the Church will include a solemn assembly. This is a special, sacred meeting, which can be held for a variety of holy purposes. Anciently, solemn assemblies have their origins in the antiquity of God’s dealings with His covenant people.
Church News12,485 views • 2 months ago
In Church News Today this Tuesday, Jan. 27: The Church has endorsed the first female active-duty Navy chaplain for the Church. Lt. j.g. Stacie Powell completed the U.S. Naval Chaplaincy School Basic Leadership Course in November. The 49-year-old wife, mother and grandmother is currently stationed at the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, near Oaks Harbor, Washington. She says that in times of doubt, she has taken those doubts to the Lord and felt a calm reassurance to have faith and keep going. Read more about her journey at or on the Church News app. The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square have announced the dates for three concerts in São Paulo, Brazil. This is the latest stop on the “Songs of Hope” tour in February and March. The tour has previously stopped in Mexico, the Philippines, the southeastern United States and Argentina.
Church News18,423 views • 4 months ago
President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shares the story behind "The Forgotten Man", a painting that has inspired him since his time at Brigham Young University. The artwork, depicting a man overlooked by the world but illuminated by heaven’s light, serves as a reminder of divine awareness and compassion.
Church News23,617 views • 6 months ago