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Experience behind-the-scenes stories and interviews relating to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Join Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards as they interview Church leaders, members who are making a difference, and writers from the Church News team.
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Since the Israelites' liberation from 400 years of slavery in Egypt, Jews have commemorated the Passover that spared their ancestors from death and marked a new beginning for their people.Exodus 12 describes the Passover as an ordinance. When the Savior and His disciples participated in the Last Supper, Jesus transitioned parts of the Passover to become the sacrament. In a way, the sacrament ordinance of today is a tie to both the Last Supper and the original Passover.In this episode of the Church News podcast, Matthew Grey, a professor of ancient scripture and coordinator of Ancient Near Eastern studies at Brigham Young University, speaks with Church News editor Jon Ryan Jensen about the lessons that can be remembered during the Easter season from the Passover and the institution of the sacrament.Grey shares how the sacrament helps demonstrate hope in the past, present and future, thanks to the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Around the world, young adults are finding community, discovering their divine identity and deepening their conversion to Jesus Christ by attending institute classes.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Institutes of Religion, an education program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Institute began in one building in 1926 near the University of Idaho and is now a worldwide program with more than 2,700 locations in more than 170 countries.
Brother Chad H Webb, administrator for Seminaries and Institutes of Religion and the first counselor in the Sunday School general presidency, said young adults can be "part of something historic" in this centennial year. He and Yaw Danso, an associate administrator for Seminaries and Institutes, join Church News reporter Mary Richards on this episode of the Church News podcast.
Although professional basketball player Parker Van Dyke has worn jerseys for the Salt Lake City Stars and Austin Spurs, he sees his first identity as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Parker currently plays for the NBA G League and broadcasts high school games. He’s also played professionally in Europe, after starting for the University of Utah Utes and serving a full-time mission in the Alabama Birmingham Mission.
Through all this, Van Dyke’s advice to others is to be builders — both on a team and in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He joins Church News reporter Mary Richards in the meetinghouse gym where he grew up playing in Salt Lake City.
RootsTech, a three-day global family history event, is scheduled for March 5-7. The gathering will reach a worldwide audience online while also featuring an in-person experience in Salt Lake City.
This year’s theme is "Together," and organizers hope to empower attendees to uncover their family history and make new, meaningful connections. The lineup for 2026 includes Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as other keynote speakers, hundreds of classes and new technologies.
In this episode, Jonathan Wing, director of events for FamilySearch International, joins Church News editor Ryan Jensen to preview RootsTech 2026 and discuss how family history can help individuals and families draw closer to the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Elder Clark G. Gilbert of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Christine Gilbert, have seen the hand of the Lord in their lives as they have strived to live the covenants they made at baptism and in the house of the Lord.
The Gilberts have grown closer as a family and learned how to give and receive the Savior’s relief while fulfilling professional and Church assignments.
As the newest Apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Gilbert knows he is to be a special witness of the name of Christ in all the world (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:23). Just a few days after being called by Church President Dallin H. Oaks, Elder and Sister Gilbert joined Church News reporter Mary Richards to share more about their family, faith and testimonies of Jesus Christ.
President Dallin H. Oaks was set apart as the 18th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Oct. 14, 2025. Since that time, he has carried the holy mantle as the Lord’s Prophet to the world, sharing the invitation to “be optimistic” and to “stay on the covenant path.”
On this episode of the Church News podcast, Church News editor Ryan Jensen shares recorded excerpts from President Oaks’ interview prior to the Jan. 11 dedication of the Burley Idaho Temple and his Feb. 10 devotional at Brigham Young University.
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.
1When President Jeffrey R. Holland, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died on Dec. 27, 2025, his biography was already in the works. Following his 2023 health scare, President Holland contacted Church historian Matt Grow to document his life story.
On this episode of the Church News podcast, Grow shares how working with President Holland during their one-on-one conversations helped build his testimony of the Savior. He is joined by guest host and fellow Church leader biographer Sheri Dew, executive vice president of Deseret Management Corp. and a former member of the Relief Society general presidency. Both highlight President Holland’s faith in Jesus Christ, his candor, his communication skills and his unfailing 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. 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 January 2026, Tanise Chung-Hoon was appointed as the new vice president of advancement for BYU–Pathway Worldwide, a higher education organization established by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Chung-Hoon takes her previous experiences serving as the managing director of Philanthropies for the Church into her role as she encourages the “One Work” and vision of the institution.
On this episode of the Church News podcast, Chung-Hoon joins Church News reporter Mary Richards to discuss the importance of self-reliance and the broader impact of Church education initiatives.
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.
Each year, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides a scripture-based theme for the young men and young women of the Church to study and learn from. The 2026 youth theme, “Walk with me,” comes from Moses 6:34 and is part of the greater “Come, Follow Me” study of the Old Testament.
On this episode of the Church News podcast, Young Men General President Timothy L. Farnes and Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman discuss how this year’s study can help youth have transformative experiences as they accept the invitation to “Walk with me.” Tools related to the theme can be found at youth.ChurchofJesusChrist.org, including upcoming and recent worldwide discussions, publications, music, FSY conference information and the “For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices.”
President Farnes and President Freeman are joined by Church News editor Ryan Jensen.
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.
For Jill McAuley, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, knowing her identity as a child of God has helped her both overcome and glory in her infirmities (see 2 Corinthians 12:9). Despite being paralyzed in a car crash at 18 years old, she has spent the last 20-plus years deepening her spiritual and emotional growth through service, study and grace through Christ. She joins Church News reporter Mary Richards to discuss this transformational journey of finding freedom and purpose in her faith beyond ability.
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 President Russell M. Nelson’s October 2023 talk, “Think Celestial!” he declared, “Mortality is a master class in learning to choose the things of greatest eternal import.” For aging members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this “learning” remains in force as they find themselves looking for the best ways to serve in the Church and with their families. On this episode of the Church News podcast, Norman Hill — BYU associate professor and author of the Deseret News series “Better With Age” — shares his insights into aging with faith with host Church News editor Ryan Jensen.
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.
As Latter-day Saints study the Old Testament as part of the 2026 “Come, Follow Me” curriculum, a General Handbook update provides guidance on using different editions and translations of the Holy Bible. On this Church News podcast, Brigham Young University associate professor of ancient scripture, Josh Sears, joins Church News editor Jon Ryan Jensen to discuss the flexibility in using Bible translations in home and Church studies, helping members understand doctrine and seek truth in the sacred works.
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.
2025 was a year of milestones, mourning and inspiration for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Celebratory stories included President Dallin H. Oaks becoming the 18th President of the Church, the announcement of 55 new missions opening around the world, and the 175th anniversary of the Deseret News (from which the Church News began as a section in 1931). These stories were offset by stories of loss, including the death of President Russell M. Nelson at the age of 101, a deadly attack on a Church meetinghouse in Michigan, and the death of members of the Church in an auto accident in southern Africa.
For Deseret News executive editor Doug Wilks and former Church News editor and current Deseret News editor Sarah Jane Weaver, the gospel of Jesus Christ has helped them find personal comfort as they covered the news for their readers. They join Church News editor Jon Ryan Jensen to discuss the events of 2025.
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 Jeffrey R. Holland, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints died Saturday, December 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.” Along the way, he made friends — best friends — everywhere he went, sharing unmatched empathy and offering hope and encouragement.
This special memorial podcast, hosted by Church News executive editor Sarah Jane Weaver, shares President Holland's testimony in his own words.
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.
For more than 30 years, Richard Elliott has inspired audiences worldwide as an organist for The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Elliott was introduced to and baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while studying for his undergraduate degree. He later served a mission in Argentina, married his wife, Elizabeth, in the Washington D.C. Temple and taught as an assistant professor of organ at Brigham Young University. Today, Elliott is the Church’s principal organist for The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. He joins Church News editor Ryan Jensen on this episode of the Church News podcast to discuss the power of music and conversion to 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.
Noelle Pikus Pace is an Olympic medalist, speaker, author, Gospel Doctrine teacher, wife, mother and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her faith and understanding of her identity as a child of God have helped her through all her Olympian experiences, both trials and wins. She won a silver medal at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, where she wore her Young Women necklace on the medals podium.
She joins Church News reporter Mary Richards to discuss the thrill and danger of skeleton racing, her recovery through faith amid massive setbacks, and how keeping on the covenant path has helped in every area of her life.
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 Presiding Bishopric of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints works under the direction of the First Presidency to oversee the Church's temporal affairs — or physical aspects. Following Elder Gérald Caussé’s call to serve as the newest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Church announced a new Presiding Bishopric on Nov. 14: Bishop W. Christopher Waddell as new presiding bishop, Bishop L. Todd Budge as first counselor and Bishop Sean Douglas as second counselor.
The new bishopric joins Church News reporter Mary Richards on this episode of the Church News podcast to discuss the spiritual purpose of overseeing the temporal affairs of the Church. This includes managing tithing and fast offerings, humanitarian aid, welfare and self-reliance programs, building and maintaining meetinghouses and temples, and producing and distributing gospel resources.
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.
Elder Gérald Caussé is the newest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, Church President Dallin H. Oaks extended this call to Elder Caussé, filling the quorum's vacancy left with the passing of President Russell M. Nelson. At 62, Elder Caussé is the first member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from France and has served for the last decade as the Church’s presiding bishop, helping oversee the Church’s temporal affairs.
This episode of the Church News podcast features a conversation between Elder Caussé and guest host Sarah Jane Weaver, Deseret News editor and Church News executive editor. Elder Caussé shares his experience and thoughts surrounding his new calling, the love for his family and the humbling honor of discipleship as he is called to be a special and lifelong witness of the name 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.
Sister Kristen M. Oaks is the wife of President Dallin H. Oaks, recently set-apart President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her life has been a record of shifting roles and accepted opportunities to serve as a wife, member of the Church and daughter of God. She joins this episode of the Church News podcast to speak again with guest host Sheri Dew, executive vice president of the Deseret Management Corp. and a former member of the Relief Society general presidency.
Sister Oaks gives some of her insights into President Oaks; the mantle of prophet; his role as a husband, father and friend; their ministering assignments around the world; and her testimony of the temple and 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. 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 recognition of Brigham Young University’s 150th anniversary and its sesquicentennial theme of “Celebrating Gifts of Light” (see Doctrine and Covenants 50:24), students, faculty and alumni are invited to perform 150 hours of service each. Throughout the yearlong celebration, BYU continues its mission to nurture divine light in its students, who then share the Light of Jesus Christ with the world by honoring the past and envisioning the future.
On this episode of the Church News podcast, BYU President C. Shane Reese and BYU Advancement Vice President Keith Vorkink join reporter Mary Richards. They underscore the university’s commitment in maintaining its faith-based mission, providing an excellent education and experiences to its students, and preparing its graduates for a lifetime of commitment to “go forth to 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.
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great podcast thanks. grateful for his testimony this Easter season
Thanks well said
This track sounds like it's skipping a lot and it's hard to listen to. Is it just me?