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Mary Richards
Mary Richards

Mary Richards is a reporter for the Church News. Before that, she was a morning reporter/anchor for KSL NewsRadio in Salt Lake City. She graduated from BYU with a degree in journalism, and she and her husband have five children. Email her at mrichards@deseretnews.com.


Villagers in Vanuatu received water, people in Tonga have new seedling nurseries, and students in Samoa and Papua New Guinea saw school improvements.

The February Friend to Friend episode taught children their capacity to share Jesus' love through service.

An announcement on Feb. 13 on the BYU Jerusalem Center’s website said that the center will reopen for the 2025 spring/summer semester.

The Primary general presidency expounded on how children can plan, invite and serve beginning in 2025.

The Primary general presidency discussed how the annual Primary service initiative will help children realize they are an important part of the Church and can contribute in meaningful ways.

Local Church leaders are taking part in a pilot program to then teach their own members about strengthening marriage.

The presidency discussed chapter 1 of the “For the Strength of Youth” guide during a live video on the Young Women Worldwide account.

Born Feb. 6, 1951, Elder Ronald A. Rasband has served as an Apostle since October 2015.

The Primary general presidency spoke about the February 2025 Friend to Friend, featuring Elder David A. Bednar and children doing a service project.

“We tell people self-reliance is not the whole picture, it’s really reliance on the Savior,” said Lorin Walker of the Liberty Missouri Stake.

"We believe that global progress starts with women and children, and so we have prioritized their needs," said the Relief Society general president.

“One lesson I have learned is that no one can go ahead of the Lord’s timing," said a Latter-day Saint pioneer in Tanzania during the creation of the African country's first stake.

The Church has donated $1.2 million to nonprofit organizations as members are ministering one by one.

Members of the Relief Society general advisory council shared insights and help for ministering interviews.

The Relief Society general presidency and Presiding Bishopric met with Adventist Development and Relief Agency leaders in Salt Lake City on Thursday.

The Church’s efforts to be a good steward of the earth are an “integral component of our discipleship,” said the Church’s sustainability manager.

All women are invited to a March 16 worldwide devotional with Elder Dale G. Renlund and members of the Relief Society general presidency.

The Church is working with local organizations to offer aid; those wishing to help can use JustServe.

“All of the positives of eternal life are available to us because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ,” BYU–Idaho President Alvin F. Meredith III said in the first devotional of the semester.

Jenica Sedgwick discusses how the Church makes an effort to prioritize environmental sustainability in many ways around the world.

Church initiatives and donations are improving healthcare and sanitation in the West African nation of Ghana.

"Our hearts go out to all affected by the fires that continue to cause destruction," Elder Mark A. Bragg said.

The Primary service initiative continues the legacy of children serving other children.

For the Strength of Youth conferences empower Latter-day Saint youth to strengthen faith and forge connections.

Over five days at FSY conferences, youth develop habits of prayer and study, increase faith in Jesus Christ, and feel joy and belonging.

Born on Jan. 6, 1972, Sister Wright has served as first counselor in the Primary general presidency since August 2022.

Young Men general president and Young Women general president discuss how this important theme can help youth develop faith in the Savior and His Atonement.

BYU fans and alumni took part in Cougs Care service projects at road football games during the 2024 season.

Missionaries in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, sorted and labeled 12,000 cans of food to give to people in need.