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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@deseret.com.


Young Men General President Timothy L. Farnes and Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman outline the new Sunday schedule and curriculum in a video for August's fifth Sunday.

The videos include instruction from Elder David A. Bednar, Elder Patrck Kearon and other Church leaders and officers.

Born Aug. 6, 1955, Elder Gary E. Stevenson has served as an Apostle since October 2015.

One leader said others in his congregation told him, "If Bishop can do it, I can do it too" about gaining higher education.

Prepare for next year’s "Come, Follow Me" study by learning about themes, structure and language of the New Testament.

"It really is special to connect with others who share your commitment to Jesus Christ," said one young adult about the new institute building.

Prepare to gather on Aug. 30 and Sept. 6 to discuss implementing the new Sunday format.

Church News reporter Mary Richards writes about saying yes to callings and assignments and how life is better when we are about His business.

Primary children are invited to watch the Friend to Friend broadcast on Sept. 13, which will teach about families.

President Porter has served as Primary general president since Aug. 1, 2022.

Hymns and songs can build testimonies of Jesus Christ and seep deeply into hearts.

General officers described what it means to serve — and be heard — on the Church's executive councils.

Sister Amy A. Wright testified of four fundamental truths of the plan of salvation during a devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center.

"We are busy every day all day teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ," one missionary said.

See the new Gospel Library app and Member Tools features that will be especially helpful for September’s Sunday schedule change.

The hymns — some from other Christian traditions, some familiar favorites and some brand new submissions — invite worship of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

President Porter, Sister Wright and Sister Browning shared learnings and experiences from their four years as a presidency.

Tenacious and faithful pioneers followed Jesus Christ, said the Relief Society general president about celebrating Pioneer Day.

"Education empowers them to achieve their potential," said Eric Lam, who teaches the English lessons.

Meeting weekly in every class will connect home and church in a more direct way, Church leaders said.

Born July 18, 1961, Elder Kearon has served as an Apostle since December 2023

The Church donated classrooms, bathrooms and a water system to a school in the southeastern Africa nation.

The 91 blocks or squares in "The Family Quilt" on the wall at the Temple Square Visitors' Center show stories of families and temple blessings.

Jacob W. Olmstead and Benedicte Dansie of the Church History Department explain how historic sites allow members and friends to see Jesus Christ in the Church's heritage and history.

The first two single sister missionaries reached England in 1898; today there is a wave of sister missionaries going at age 18.

Almost 40 years to the day of his baptism, President Junior Banza is serving in Kinshasa. “The Lord has given me a front-row seat to His biggest miracle.”

President Chibota, born in Zimbabwe and sustained in April 2026 general conference, is excited to serve “God’s finest, the little children.”

The Church's Kakuma Branch inside a refugee camp in Kenya has grown from six members to more than 100 in the past year.

"Children’s testimonies are nurtured as they participate in church meetings," explained a social media post from Primary Worldwide.

President Timothy L. Farnes and President Emily Belle Freeman spoke about what youth should know about serving a mission.