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Leaders & Ministry

The 12 posts of Christmas that will make you want to grab the tissue box
By Danielle Christensen and Aubrey Eyre
Reflecting on the birth of the Savior, Church leaders bore their testimonies of eternal families, the Atonement of Jesus Christ and being a light to others this Christmas season.
President Dallin H. Oaks shared a Christmas memory on Instagram of when he was a boy delivering Christmas baskets to widows and he didn't realize his own mother was a widow. In the post, he testified of Heavenly Father's plan of happiness and of eternal families.
Jewish and Latter-day Saint leaders build bridges between faiths, find common ground on doctrine in New York
By Sarah Jane Weaver
Elder Quentin L. Cook spoke in New York City on Dec. 18 about the common ground that exists between Latter-day Saint and Jewish communities.
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik; Robert Abrams, the former New York attorney general; and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles participate in meeting sponsored by the New York Latter-day Saint Professional Association on Dec. 18.
Elder Christofferson has no fear for these graduates' future if they do these 3 things
By Valerie Johnson
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles told 2,562 BYU-Idaho graduates that they don't need to fear the future, so long as they exercise gratitude, responsibility and faith.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, address at the Commencement Service.
10 tender moments from President Nelson's first year as prophet of the Church
By Aubrey Eyre
Here's a quick look back at some tender moments with President Nelson from his first year as prophet and president of the Church.
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints greets Juan David Vargas Saavedra, left, and Joseph Daniel Vargas Saavedra at the Hyde Park Visitors Center in London, England, on Thursday, April 12, 2018.
On his 56th wedding anniversary, Elder Uchtdorf speaks on the quest to be a 'gatherer of light'
By Marianne Holman Prescott
Six decades — almost to the day — after of the dedication of the Hawaii Church College by President David O. McKay on Dec. 17, 1958, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf addressed BYU-Hawaii graduates during commencement exercises on Dec. 14.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf and his wife, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Dec. 13. Elder Uchtdorf gave the keynote address at BYU-Hawaii commencement on Dec. 14.
First Presidency announces changes for Primary progression, young men priesthood ordination and youth temple recommends
By Sarah Jane Weaver
The First Presidency has announced changes that will unify when children move from the Primary program into youth programs, when they attend the temple for the first time and when some boys are ordained to the priesthood.
The First Presidency announced changes Dec. 14 to the timeline children and youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will complete Primary, move from one class or quorum to the next and attend the temple for the first time. The changes, effective January 2019, also impact when young men may be ordained to priesthood offices.
What a teacup, a bag of cash and 'A Christmas Carol' taught Elder Curtis about business ethics
By Aubrey Eyre
Sharing stories of the importance of moral and ethical behavior, Elder LeGrand R. Curtis shares how the true Christmas story is one of hope for becoming better at a devotional on Dec. 11.
Elder LeGrand R. Curtis speaking at the BYU Management Society devotional on Dec. 11 at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake.
Young women leader shares 3 things to help 'prioritize our never-ending to-do lists'
By Marianne Holman Prescott
Sister Michelle D. Craig of the Young Women general presidency speaks during a BYU campus devotional on Dec. 11 and shares three ways a person can prioritize the things that matter most.
Sister Michelle D. Craig, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, speaks during a campus devotional at BYU on Dec. 11.
This week on social: What President Nelson, Church leaders suggest for getting the most out of Christmas this year
By Danielle Christensen
Leaders of the Church are anticipating Christmas this season, encouraging Latter-day Saints to look outside themselves and to serve their fellow men.
President Russell M. Nelson shared a story about a girl named Lydia Terry, who is suffering from a rare form of brain cancer, on Facebook. He also encouraged Latter-day Saints to accept four gifts of the Savior this Christmas season. These four gifts are an unlimited capacity to love, the ability to forgive, repentance and the promise of life everlasting.
Elder Soares visits Central America during first solo trip as an Apostle
By Sarah Jane Weaver
On his first travel assignment as an Apostle without another member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Ulisses Soares visited Guatemala and Panama on Nov. 2-11.
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Rosana Fernandez Soares, addresses missionaries in Guatemala.
First Presidency releases 2018 Christmas message
The First Presidency message: Our Savior, Jesus Christ, offers to us four incomparable gifts — the capacity to love others, the ability to forgive, the blessing of repentance, and the promise of life everlasting.
Thousands take in the colors as the lights are turned on at Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018.
Fun vs. joy: Elder Bednar speaks at BYU about finding true happiness
By Marianne Holman Prescott
Enduring, eternal joy comes through the Redeemer, Jesus Christ and His gospel, Elder David A. Bednar told BYU students during a campus devotional on Dec. 4.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Susan Bednar, share a laugh as they attend the campus devotional in the Marriott Center at BYU in Provo on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018.
How Caribbean Church members are staying vibrant and energized post Hurricanes Irma, Maria
By Jason Swensen
Elder D. Todd Christofferson's apostolic visit to the Caribbean comes just weeks after President Russell M. Nelson's historic weekend in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson fist bumps a little boy following a meeting on Nov. 11, 2018, with the Santo Domingo Dominican Republic San Geronimo Stake.
An Apostle's perspective on the 'universal' nature of the gospel
By Aubrey Eyre
Elder Gong spent nine days visiting four countries in South America on the heels of President Nelson's tour. In a recent Church News interview, he shared some of the prophecies he saw being fulfilled there.
Elder Gong visits with members and children following a meeting in the Florida Uruguay District on Nov. 13. This was the first visit of an Apostle to the District.
At Christmas devotional, President Nelson addresses 4 gifts from the Savior
By Sarah Jane Weaver
True followers of Jesus Christ have the privilege of experiencing unspeakable joy forever, said President Russell M. Nelson on Dec. 2.
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints speaks during the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson: 'Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room'
By Marianne Holman Prescott
Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve invites listeners to 'consider the condition' of their spiritual hearts, during the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional on Dec. 2.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson speaks during the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional on Dec. 2, 2018.
Elder Terence M. Vinson's 'A gift from Father: Accepted or Rejected'
By Valerie Johnson
"Whether in Sydney, Salt Lake or Sierra Leone; whether in Nuku'alofa, Newfoundland or Nigeria, our Savior's birth inspires people to do good things," Elder Terence M. Vinson said during the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional.
Elder Vinson delivers an address during the First Presidency's Christmas  Devotional on Dec. 2, 2018.
Sister Sharon Eubank: 'Silent Night, Love's Pure Light'
By Rachel Sterzer
Jesus Christ is Love's pure light, testified Sister Sharon Eubank, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, during the First Presidency’s Christmas devotional on Dec. 2.
Sister Sharon Eubank gives an address during the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional on Dec. 2, 2018.
Elder Holland joins ambassador of Paraguay to switch on Christmas lights in D.C.
The transformative power of the light of Christ to change lives and encourage peace was the focus of the Festival of Lights opening at the Washington DC Temple Visitors’ Center on Nov. 27 and 28.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, right, and His Excellency German Rojas, the ambassador of the Republic of Paraguay, switch on 650,000 lights that brilliantly illuminated the grounds of the Washington D.C. Temple.
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