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Here's what Church members are doing after losing their homes to Camp Fire
By Jason Swensen
Members from two Paradise wards worship together on first Sunday after the fire. Professional counselors on hand to assist displaced Latter-day Saints of all ages.
Charred exterior walls are all that remain standing at the Paradise 1st Ward meetinghouse in Paradise, California, following a massive Nov. 8, 2018, wildfire.
How one couple found strength in each other, even as the husband left the Church
By Aubrey Eyre
After nine years of marriage and four daughters, the oldest of whom was preparing for baptism, Brandon and Rebecca faced a challenge they had never expected.
Screenshot of Mormon Channel video that features the story of Brandon and Rebecca. The couple shared their experiences about when Brandon lost his faith in the Church and how they worked through it.
This man waited 25 years to receive the priesthood. Here's how he changed a community
By Aubrey Eyre
Harry Bailey was one of the only African American members of the Church in Safford, Arizona. Here's how his example of faith and patience shaped the lives of an entire community.
From left: Eldon Smith, who baptized Harry Bailey Jr. in 1953, and Harry with Irval Mortensen.
The most important lessons 4 women learned from doing President Nelson's social media challenge
By Trent Toone
Deloras Collins had been watching general conference all day when she stepped away during the women's session to give her son a ride.
Women gather outside before the start of the general women's session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City on Oct. 6, 2018.
Trading BYU jerseys for Helping Hands vests: Former athletes tackle Hurricane Florence cleanup
By Jason Swensen
Married athletes Mitch and Madie Mathews find joy serving strangers whose homes were severely damaged by Hurricane Florence.
Madie and Mitch Mathews left their Georgia home to spend a weekend working with a Church-sponsored Helping Hands crew in Wilmington, North Carolina, following Hurricane Florence.
Where 69 couples will serve in temples around the globe and how they've been prepared for their call
By Scott Taylor
This year's temple presidents' seminar was the largest ever conducted, with 39 couples assigned to temples in North America, 12 to South America, eight to Europe, four to the Oceania/Pacific area and three each in Asia and Africa.
Joined by select members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, General Authority Seventies, Temple Department leaders and their wives, the 69 couples attending the 2018 Seminar for New Temple Presidents and Matrons gather for a group photo in the Salt Lake Tabernacle.
What I know now that I didn't know before President Nelson's Book of Mormon challenge
By Valerie Johnson
One of the things I like to do with anything I read is ask why the authors wrote what they did, and ask for whom they wrote it.
Sister Valerie Johnson, a missionary in the Florida Jacksonville Mission from March 2013-September 2014, poses for a photo with a pamphlet in Waycross, Georgia.
Jay Evensen: What the 'biggest' news from October 2018 general conference really was
Several weeks ago, after writing about the persistent drought in the Western United States, I got an email from a reader who said he had a solution: Keep the Sabbath holy.
President Russell M. Nelson waves to attendees with his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, after the Sunday morning session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
How one bishop's idea to plant tomatoes blessed a rural Utah community
By Trent Toone
On a September Saturday morning, Bishop Rodney J. Ward stood in the small community center kitchen and cranked a juicer, filling a pan with tomato juice. Red stains striped his shirt.
Youth and leaders in the Howell Ward gather tomatoes as part of a harvest and canning project in Plain City, Utah, on Sept. 5, 2018.
Are you participating in President Nelson's social media challenge?
During the general women's session of general conference, President Russell M. Nelson extended an invitation to participate in a 10-day fast from social media.
President Russell M. Nelson speaks about changes during the Saturday morning session of 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018.
BYU MOA displays unique collection of illustrations by a Jesuit priest. See the art here
By Jason Swensen
Student-developed exhibition at BYU's Museum of Art invites viewers to personally engage with the scriptures and the life of the Savior.
The 1647 engraving "The Nativity of Christ" is one of seven highly detailed images on display of the BYU-MOA exhibition "Meditate on the Lord."
Storm-savvy Area Seventy in Florida staggered by Hurricane Michael's destructive force
By Jason Swensen
Several Latter-day Saint home lost to the historic storm. More feared destroyed as damage assessments continue across hurricane's path.
Carol Ralph walks through downed trees blocking her heavily damaged neighborhood just after Hurricane Michael passed through in Panama City, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018.
Church releases statement on safety of missionaries near Hurricane Michael
By Jason Swensen
Missionaries in vulnerable areas evacuated prior to Michael's arrival. At least one member home has been lost to the storm.
The St. Marks River overflows into the city of St. Marks, Fla., ahead of Hurricane Michael, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. The hurricane center says Michael will be the first Category 4 hurricane to make landfall on the Florida Panhandle. (AP Photo/Brendan Farrington)
How living the Word of Wisdom helped WWII veteran twin brothers reach their 100th birthdays
By Trent Toone
Before they celebrated their 100th birthdays with friends and family last week, twin brothers and World War II veterans Boyd and Ralph Henderson shared lessons learned over a lifetime of membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Boyd Henderson, left, and Ralph Henderson, wearing their military uniforms at the 99th birthday celebration in Provo, Utah September 2017.
Looking for an academic service opportunity? BYU is seeking teachers for universities in China
By Rachel Sterzer
The David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies at Brigham Young University (BYU) is seeking qualified couples and individuals to teach at highly respected universities in the People’s Republic of China during the 2019-20 academic year.
Ray Harrison teaches a class of master's candidates at Tongji University in Shanghai. The Harrisons were teaching English classes as part of the China Teachers Program, administered through BYU.
What April 2018 general conference meant to Church members
Many changes and invitations were issued in the April 2018 general conference of The Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints. We asked readers what has changed in their lives since participating in conference and accepting invitations presented there.
Conferencegoers arrive at the Conference Center for the Sunday morning session of the 188th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, April 1, 2018.
Members of many faiths working together defines ongoing clean-up effort in North Carolina
By Jason Swensen
Legions are expected to spend conference weekend serving others in need following historic hurricane.
Young women from the Apex North Carolina Stake clear out fallen branches from a yard in Wilmington.
Practical, inspirational and mouth-watering ways to prepare for general conference
As general conference approaches, we asked what people do to prepare and why. The responses ranges from getting ingredients to cinnamon rolls and setting up a note-taking grid to identifying questions and spiritually preparing to receive answers.
Pondering and praying about a question has helped
The love story of 2 Latter-day Saint young adults who helped each other combat cancer
By Jason Swensen
Grim disease may have brought them together — but it doesn't define their relationship. They are simply "a good fit," with or without cancer.
Lexi and Ricki Stafford show of their "his and hers" pick lines during their respective cancer treatments. The two helped one another out during their fights with the disease.
Security measures you'll need to be aware of before attending general conference this year
Those planning to attend the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should take note of significant new changes to security procedures.
Conferencegoers line up before the Saturday morning session of the 188th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 31, 2018.
What is a disability specialist and how they can help you and your family
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
A disability specialist is a new calling created to support those with special needs and to help them feel included at meetings and at activities.
According to the Church's website, the role of the stake and ward disability specialist is "to help facilitate increased participation and inclusion of Church members with disabilities." Some responsibilities are including members with disabilities in Church meetings and activities; responding to disability-related concerns; and identifying resources for members with disabilities.
Resources available to help support members with disabilities
Stake or ward disability specialists are a resource for local leaders seeking to help all members enjoy the blessings of Church participation -- and a support for families and individuals with disabilities.
Margaret Lawson, left, visits with Val Meredith about arthritis and other disability issues. Both women are members of the Perth Australia Southern River Stake.
Christmas in September — how a miraculous donation has helped the Hurricane Florence relief effort
By Jason Swensen
Rugged gloves, boots, jeans, shirts, hats and socks given to all missionaries who will join hurricane-relief work crews in the coming days and weeks.
A Latter-day Saint Helping Hands work crew chops up a fallen tree outside a local church in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Cinderella team reunited 50 years after epic softball tournament
By Trent Toone
During the late 1960s, the boys from Chula Vista First Ward weren't expected to go far in the Junior Fast-Pitch All-Church Softball Tournament.
The original team of the 1968 LDS All-Church championship softball team: Top row: Dennis Kirkman, Steve Foster (coach), Bob Wilkes (coach), Greg Wilkes, Wes Miller. Middle row: Gary Braun, Jerry Wilkes, Rick Black, Jim Nutz, Gene Amonette. Bottom row: Carl Haas, Rex Whitehead, Bobby Ferons, Lee Aland, Mike Gilbert. At a recent reunion the team paid tribute to deceased teammates: Steve Foster (died in 2011), Jerry Wilkes (1973), Wes Miller (1993), Gene Amonette (2012), Mike Gilbert (2014) and Bob Ferons (2017).
What this retired BYU professor did to make his mark on Church history in Wales
By Aubrey Eyre
Dr. Ronald Dennis, a great-great-grandchild of Dan Jones, was invited to unveil one of the U.K.’s famous blue plaques to commemorate the old Island Place Meetinghouse and the presence of early Church members in Wales.
On the right, Dr. Ronald Dennis presents at the unveiling of the blue plaque to commemorate the historic Island Place Meeting House on Aug 25, 2018, in Llanelli, Wales. To his left stand a representative from Llanelli Community Heritage, the Chair of the Carmathenshire County Council, Councilor Mansel Charles, Plaid Cymru of Llanegwad, and Counselor W.E. Skinner, Labour, Bigyn Ward of Llanelli.
North Carolina Relief Society ministers to flood victims 'on a whole new level' following Hurricane Florence
By Jason Swensen
Sisters cared for one another even during the most frightening moments of Hurricane Florence as the Relief Society works with priesthood brethren to minister to those in need.
5 things to remember when considering a senior mission
By Marianne Holman Prescott
For prospective senior missionaries — both married and single — missionary service is something many have been looking forward to for years.
A Church-service missionary helps another woman with her family history.
See 31 #followtheprophet reactions on Twitter, Instagram about President Nelson's messages last weekend
By Marianne Holman Prescott
Many took to social media during and after two devotionals with President Russell M. Nelson to share what they learned from the prophet’s visit. The hashtag #followtheprophet offers a glimpse of the responses.
A view from high above Safeco Field's home plate of the Sept. 15, 2018, member devotional held in Seattle, Washington. Speakers included President Russell M. Nelson; his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson; and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency.
Former UVU President Matt Holland talks missionary safety in the midst of Hurricane Florence
By Jason Swensen
Emergency preparedness, evacuation plans were mission priorities long before "monster" storm's arrival.
Tybee Island residents Sib McLellan, left, and his wife, Lisa McLellan, load sandbags into the back of their truck while preparing for Hurricane Florence, Wednesday, Sept., 12, 2018, on Tybee Island, Ga.
Memorable moment: How President Nelson interacts with children during his travels
By Scott Taylor
President Russell M. Nelson and Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared a little exchange in a media interview in Montreal on noticing the children in the congregation.
This missionary wrote an original song in the MTC and recorded it on her mission. Watch the video here
By Jason Swensen
Prayerful scripture study at a moment of personal struggle yields divine guidance, popular song for young missionary.
Sister Erin Roach, a missionary in the Germany Berlin Mission, made a studio recording of a song she wrote in the MTC. The song celebrates personal revelation and has been viewed by thousands.
'It looked like World War III had hit': Carolinians reflect on past storms, prepare for Hurricane Florence
By Jason Swensen
Church members are heeding evacuation orders while local priesthood and Relief Society leaders prepare to minister to others before the storm strikes.
People shop at the Harris Teeter, filling up on water and supplies as Hurricane Florence becomes a threat to the coast Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, in Charleston, South Carolina.
National university rankings are out — how did BYU fare this year?
By Marianne Holman Prescott
The U.S. News and World Report released their annual "Best Colleges" report. See what categories Brigham Young University made the top ten.
Brigham Young University campus during sunrise. 
Meet the Mormon History Association's new executive director
Barbara Jones Brown has a well-earned reputation as a gifted historian and writer, but her relationship with history had a rough beginning.
Barbara Jones Brown began her tenure as executive director of the Mormon History Association in May 2018.
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