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In the News
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Valerie Walton

Valerie Walton is a Church News reporter and editorial assistant, University of Utah grad, Ensign College student and returned missionary who served in Florida. She loves knitting, Church history artifacts and teaching Sunday School. Email: vwalton@deseretnews.com.

An actor portraying Joseph Smith holds the gold plates in a film.
Leaders & Ministry
Church leaders’ testimonies of the Book of Mormon to commemorate 200 years since Moroni’s 1st appearance to Joseph Smith
On the 200th anniversary of Moroni’s appearance to Joseph Smith, read what the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and three women leaders have said about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.
Elder Juan Pablo Villar speaks at a podium during a BYU–Idaho devotional.
Living Faith
In education and leadership, avoid staying in comfort zone, Elder Villar teaches at BYU–Idaho devotional
Rely on the Savior to help reach goals and new heights, Elder Juan Pablo Villar teaches at BYU–Idaho devotional.
President Shane Reese speaks during a BYU campus devotional held in the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, on Sept. 12, 2023.
Living Faith
It’s not coincidence — it’s divine design, teaches BYU President Reese
It’s no accident that BYU students of today are attending at a time when following the updated Honor Code means an elevated, principle-based approach, President C. Shane Reese teaches.
Two photos of President Russell M. Nelson in general conference, the left from 1984, the right from 2023.
Leaders & Ministry
115 quotes from President Nelson’s 115 general conference addresses
Read a quote from each of President Nelson’s general conference addresses since he was called as an Apostle in 1984.
Riley Owen at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
Members
How the gospel has shaped the public policy career of this Eisenhower Global Scholar
From mock U.N. leader, to missionary, to Ivy League graduate, Riley Owen’s career in international affairs and public policy has been shaped by a love for the gospel and all of God’s children.
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Members
Pioneers in our families: Faithfully following where the Holy Ghost leads
Joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “basically saved my life,” says Kevin Walton; for his wife, Susan Walton, finding the gospel “just completed me.”
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Leaders & Ministry
‘Finding is an essential first step to teaching and baptizing,’ says Elder Rasband
“Preach My Gospel” chapter 9: “Understanding the need to find helped me be fearless in opening my mouth to find and teach,” Elder Ronald A. Rasband taught new mission leaders.
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Leaders & Ministry
‘I wanted to please God’: Sister Spannaus on discovering, defending and serving in the Church
Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus will begin serving as second counselor in the Young Women general presidency on Aug. 1
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Living Faith
This week on social: President and Sister Oaks invite young adults to prepare for worldwide devotional
President Ballard tweeted why all should “Strive to keep the Holy Ghost as your constant companion, even during dark times.”
President Bruce C. Kusch stands at a podium while speaking during an Ensign College devotional held in the multipurpose room on April 18, 2023.
Leaders & Ministry
RSVP to the Savior’s invitation to come unto Him, President Kusch teaches at Ensign College devotional
Ensign College President Bruce C. Kusch speaks at a campus devotional on becoming more devoted disciples of Jesus Christ.
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Leaders & Ministry
Find out more about the new Young Women general presidency
Called during April 2023 general conference, President Freeman, Sister Runia and Sister Spannaus will begin their service on Aug. 1
Attendees sustain leaders during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
General Conference
Saturday afternoon session: See photos and talk summaries of April 2023 general conference
New Church leaders were sustained during the Saturday afternoon session of April 2023 general conference. See photos of the session and find summaries of the talks here.
Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Presidency of the Seventy speaks during a BYU campus devotional on March 14, 2023.
Living Faith
‘Go forward to bless the people of the world,’ Elder Paul V. Johnson invites BYU students
Elder Paul V. Johnson taught BYU students that they, who were born not too long ago, “now are ready to right wrongs, do God’s work, preach the truth and make a difference in the world.”
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Global
His Highness Sheikh Al-Qasimi at RootsTech: What honeybees can teach us about harmony
“It is time to make our life sweet, full of safety, friendship and love and to live in harmony,” His Highness Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al-Qasimi says.
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Living Faith
How the inner workings of calling a new stake president can help you make major life decisions
Elder Meredith teaches BYU–Idaho students 5 principles for making decisions with heavenly guidance.
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Global
How to subscribe to the Church News in print and online
Here are all the ways you can keep up-to-date with the Church News in print, via email newsletters, online and on mobile.
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Leaders & Ministry
2022 year in review: A look back at news and events of the Church around the world
Read a Church News compilation of significant Church events, news and milestones that happened in 2022.
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Living Faith
Where are the 2022 Giving Machines?
Follow this page for up-to-date information on locations and closing dates for the 31 Giving Machine sites around the world.
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Living Faith
Valerie Walton: What I know now about the power and blessings of fulfilling callings
After her husband’s hospitalization for depression, Valerie Walton found strength and blessings from a surprising source: accepting a calling as a Sunday School teacher.
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Living Faith
Elder Yamashita’s 5 suggestions for wrestling in prayer before God
“Such wrestling is a struggle to find and express one’s real desires and receive inspiration of the Holy Ghost,” Elder Yamashita teaches.
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Leaders & Ministry
Elder Rasband asks Weber institute students to ‘be moral, ethical and honest’
In an institute devotional address, Elder Rasband explains how personal integrity has defined his life from marriage and Church service to business and career.
Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, General Authority Seventy, speaks during a BYU–Hawaii devotional on Sept. 20, 2022.
Leaders & Ministry
Elder Wakolo teaches 3 doctrinal truths that help give strength, peace during life’s trials
Despite individual or family circumstances, each person is “dear to the heart of the Good Shepherd,” Elder Taniela B. Wakolo taught at a BYU–Hawaii devotional on Sept. 20.
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Leaders & Ministry
Would you have crossed the Plains as a pioneer? Here’s how crisis can reveal your character
During the Days of ‘47 Sunrise Service, Elder Lynn G. Robbins taught listeners to choose “not a spirit of murmuring, but a spirit of ‘faith in every footstep.’”
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Living Faith
This week on social: Farewell messages from leaders of Relief Society, Primary general presidencies
As the Aug. 1 transition of the Relief Society general presidency comes closer, these leaders want their testimonies of the Savior to be remembered best.
Bishop L. Todd Budge, second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, speaks in a BYU Pathway devotional broadcast on July 12, 2022.
Living Faith
Is your life’s drill set in reverse? Bishop Budge on why ambitions should be Christlike
When it comes to ambitions, make sure your life’s drill is set to go forward, Bishop L. Todd Budge of the Presiding Bishopric taught in a BYU Pathway Worldwide devotional.
Sister Rudá Tourinho de Assis Martins smiles while attending a Brazil Fortaleza Mission reunion in Holladay on Thursday, May 12, 2022. Martins was the mission president’s wife in Brazil.
Members
Pioneers in every land: From Rio de Janeiro to the prairies of North Dakota, Sister Martins’ faith is felt by all
Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, poses for a photo with her husband, Brother Jorge Dennis, at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Monday, April 4, 2022. She will begin serving in the Relief Society general presidency on Aug. 1, 2022.
Leaders & Ministry
How Sister Dennis learned to trust that the Lord ‘will meet you where you are’
“I’m not the same mother I was when I started,” Sister J. Anette Dennis said. “[The Lord] teaches you along the way through your children.”
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Living Faith
This week on social: In a battle of authority, let the lighthouse win
BYU–Hawaii President John S.K. Kauwe III greets a student following a devotional in the Cannon Activities Center in Laie, Hawaii, on Tuesday, May 3, 2022.
Living Faith
3 things to keep in mind to endure trials, according to BYU–Hawaii president
Brother Jan E. Newman, second counselor in the Sunday School general presidency, speaks in a BYU–Idaho devotional held in the BYU–Idaho Center in Rexburg, Idaho, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.
Leaders & Ministry
Brother Newman’s ABCs of digging deep into the word of God