During the week of June 13-19, the First Presidency and NAACP announced major education and humanitarian initiatives, and President Russell M. Nelson was honored by the University of Utah for his significant contributions to medical science. A Church News video featured Elder Quentin L. Cook reflecting on the life and teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith during a recent visit to Liberty Jail.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson spoke to Ensign College students about a “key ingredient” to happiness, and Elder Neil L. Andersen hosted a Face to Face for single adults with Relief Society General President Jean B. Bingham and Sister Sharon Eubank, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency. Elder Dale G. Renlund and his wife, Sister Ruth L. Renlund, presented a joint keynote address at the Brigham Young University Law School’s 2021 Religious Freedom Annual Review.
Young Women General President Bonnie H. Cordon and Young Men General President Steven J. Lund joined the Church News podcast to talk about reengaging in the Children and Youth program post-pandemic. The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square announced dates and venues for its 2022 Heritage Tour to Europe. And dates were announced for the Pocatello Idaho Temple dedication and open house.
Find links and read summaries of these nine article below.
1. First Presidency and NAACP announce major education and humanitarian initiatives
“On this week of Juneteenth — a time designated to remember the end of slavery in the United States — we are honored to join with our dear friends from the NAACP and the [United Negro College Fund] to announce these goals and our shared vision,” President Nelson said.
Read more about the initiatives and what senior Church leaders and NAACP leaders taught about contention, racism and love
2. President Nelson honored by University of Utah
Lauding President Nelson’s “significant contributions to medical science during his distinguished career as a cardiac surgeon,” University of Utah officials presented the Church leader with an honorary degree citation and doctoral hood during a special ceremony. The recognition followed an all-virtual general commencement ceremony on May 6 in which President Nelson received an honorary degree of Doctor of Science.
Here’s more about this special ceremony
3. Elder Cook reflects on life and teachings of Joseph Smith
“I think in the end, this is a place where we recognize the depths of the hardships and yet the sacredness of the Doctrine and Covenants sections,” said Elder Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, while visiting Liberty Jail. “The revelations that came to [Joseph Smith] are powerful and bless us and give us hope. What a remarkable history, what a remarkable blessing it is to us.”
Watch the video
4. Elder Christofferson speaks at Ensign College’s first in-person devotional since the pandemic
During Ensign College’s first live, in-person devotional since the early 2020 onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Elder Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught students of a “key ingredient” to their happiness — meaningful work.
Why meaningful work is a ‘key ingredient’ to happiness
5. Elder Andersen, President Bingham and Sister Eubank host Face to Face for single adults
In the first event of its kind for a diverse single adult audience, Elder Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles testified that the Savior leads those who sincerely seek to increase their faith in Him. “Whatever your own particular situation, you are a child of God with unique talents and abilities, circumstances and challenges, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,” he said.
What 9 single adults learned as they accepted President Nelson’s invitation to increase their faith
6. Elder and Sister Renlund highlight Joseph Smith’s contribution to American democracy
The Prophet Joseph Smith was an indefatigable advocate and champion of religious freedom — along with its absolute centricity in a democratic government. That was the message affirmed by Elder and Sister Renlund in their joint keynote address at the Brigham Young University Law School’s 2021 Religious Freedom Annual Review.
Read a summary of their keynote
7. President Lund and President Cordon on reengaging in Children and Youth
President Lund and President Cordon are aware of the recent trials our youth have experienced amid the complicated coronavirus pandemic. They joined this episode of the Church News podcast to discuss reintegrating the recently launched Children and Youth program of the Church into our homes, worship, service and social activities.
Listen to the episode
8. Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra’s 2022 Heritage Tour is moving forward
Despite a pair of prior COVID-19-related postponements, the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square is proceeding with its long-anticipated Heritage Tour of several Nordic countries and the United Kingdom.
See of list of dates and venues
9. Pocatello Idaho Temple dedication and open house happening this year
The First Presidency announced that President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, will dedicate the temple in three sessions on Sunday, Nov. 7. An open house for the public will be Saturday, Sept. 18, through Saturday, Oct. 23, except for Sundays and general conference Oct. 2–3.
