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Scott Taylor
Scott Taylor

On the Deseret News staff since September 1984, Scott Taylor has been managing editor, opinion editor, sports editor, Olympic sports editor and an assistant city editor as well as a reporter/writer covering events and issues for the News, Sports, Olympics, Church News, Faith/Ethics, City and Utah County departments/sections. From 2011 to 2014, he took a leave of absence to serve as a Church mission president in Phoenix. A BYU graduate and Pulliam Fellow/intern at the Arizona Republic, he has reported from five continents with coverage from high school sports to five Olympic Games and from local city government and law enforcement agencies to relief efforts following the 2010 Haiti earthquake. He has received numerous local, state, regional and national journalism awards in news, sports, features, columns, headline writing and section supervision.


The former BYU-Idaho president has been a General Authority Seventy since April 2021 and currently is Church commissioner of education.

The upcoming Games can foster reflection on some elements of our participation in the Father’s plan of salvation.

Palm Sunday and the coinciding of Easter and April 2026 general conference provide "wonderful opportunities" to commemorate the Savior's Atonement and Resurrection, the First Presidency said.

211 temples are dedicated, seven scheduled for dedication, 55 under construction, two scheduled for groundbreaking, 108 in planning and design.

Elder Caleb Gene Martin, 21, was serving in the New Mexico Farmington Mission when he died in his sleep.

Four graphs show numbers of houses of the Lord — dedicated, under construction and announced — from 1976 to 2026.

Many have been recalling memorable, impactful discourses from the late Apostle — what is yours?

With the addition of 55 new missions worldwide in 2026, some countries, U.S. states and one Canadian province will have a new mission in their respective areas for the first time.

Do you remember the nine dedications, 20 construction starts and 16 announced new locations?

Members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are posting Christmas messages on their social media accounts in December 2025.

"We condemn and feel acutely the pain of such a senseless act and mourn with our brothers and sisters in the Jewish community around the world," statement said.

Two examples show it’s about more than just the money — much, much more.

Dec. 5 photo was taken of the quorum in the Church Administration Building.

Apostle also said students ‘peacefully reflected the light and love that Jesus Christ has’ following Sept. 10 UVU shooting.

Elder Patrick Kearon's words and love "brought hope and comfort to us all," a local leader said.

Mexico, United States Southwest area presidencies are reorganized after recent calling of new Presiding Bishopric.

During the holidays, voices worldwide sing lyrics highlighting the Savior and His role in the Father’s plan of salvation.

“We are both BYU men from the ground up”: The two have traveled parallel paths — as students, university presidents and supervising Apostles.

New First Presidency testifies that the Lord is leading The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

More than 20 temple dedications have occurred in each of six calendar months, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all dedications.

President Oaks highlighted learnings from serving together side by side with President Nelson for four-plus decades in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency.

“Our relationship with the Savior enables us to approach difficulties with smiling faces and grateful hearts,” said Elder Carlos A. Godoy.

“Cultivating temperance is a meaningful way to protect our souls against the subtle yet constant spiritual erosion caused by worldly influences that can weaken our foundation in Jesus Christ,” said Elder Ulisses Soares.

“I urge and bless every member of the Church... to trust the Savior enough to engage, patiently and diligently, in doing your part with all your heart,” said Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

Six new houses of the Lord have been dedicated in the six months since April 2025 general conference.

“As disciples of Christ, we have a solemn responsibility to advocate for human dignity and moral agency in a setting of religious pluralism,” Apostle said at Rome conference.

An aside exchange before a 2018 interview in Montreal underscored President Russell M. Nelson's love for children — and theirs for him.

The 200 he announced during his seven-year administration comprise 32 operating or scheduled for dedication, 58 under construction or scheduled for groundbreaking, and 110 still in planning.

"It’s all about anchoring yourself to Jesus Christ," said Brother Sean R. Dixon, who brings 30-plus years as an instructor and administrator in Seminaries and Institutes of Religion to his new calling.