Church President Russell M. Nelson invited individuals to “marvel and rejoice” at Heavenly Father’s plan in a social media post on Jan. 1. Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke with the Church News about the 200 millionth copy of the Book of Mormon. New mission presidents and companions have been called by the First Presidency and will begin their assignments in July 2024.
Read what Church leaders have said about goal setting. Youth are invited to gather on Sunday, Jan. 28, for a worldwide discussion on discipleship plus the 2024 youth album was released. A For the Strength of Youth conference in ASL is scheduled for June 24-29, 2024, and virtual FSY will happen again in the summer of 2024.
Several Temple Square plaza areas reopened this weekend for public access following renovation work. An updated Gospel Language Symbols library is now available from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church has supported various humanitarian projects in Brazil and food banks in Canada.
1. President Russell M. Nelson marvels on his 100th New Year’s Day
On the first day of 2024, President Nelson shared some of what he marvels at in the world today and invited individuals to “marvel and rejoice” at Heavenly Father’s plan.
In a social media post, President Nelson said he marvels at some of what men and women have accomplished, but he said those accomplishments are small in comparison to God’s creations.
Read the full article here.
2. Elder Dale G. Renlund joins the Church News podcast
This episode of the Church News podcast features Elder Renlund sharing his testimony of the Book of Mormon, as well as his invitation for all to study and discover the truthfulness of the book for themselves.
Listen to the podcast here.
Watch the video here.
3. New mission presidents and companions called to serve beginning in 2024
The First Presidency has called new mission leaders for 144 missions worldwide. These couples will begin their three-year service in July. Four couples will be announced later.
See the full list and map here.
4. Read what Church leaders have taught about goal setting
The start of a new year is typically a time for individuals to take stock of their lives and assess ways to improve them. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints begin to formulate their New Year’s resolutions, here’s a look at what modern Church leaders have said about setting and pursuing goals.
Read the full article here.
5. Worldwide youth discussion plus 2024 youth theme album
Youth are invited to gather on Sunday, Jan. 28, for a worldwide discussion on discipleship.
The 2024 youth theme — “I am a disciple of Jesus Christ” (3 Nephi 5:13) — is the focus of the event. The evening will include a 45-minute long prerecorded video broadcast featuring Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
The full album of a dozen new songs launched on Friday, Jan. 5, and will be available on the Church’s Children and Youth website, the Gospel Library, Strive to Be YouTube channel, Spotify and Apple Music.
Learn more about the worldwide discussion on discipleship here.
Read the full article about the youth theme album release here.
6. Updates on FSY
FSY ASL 2024 is slated for June 24-29, 2024, at Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah. The session is available for all eligible youth in the U.S. and Canada who are deaf or hard of hearing, not just those in stakes invited to attend in 2024.
Intended for youth in the U.S. and Canada who may not be able to attend an in-person session or prefer to attend from the comfort of their own home, virtual FSY is happening again summer 2024.
Read the full article about FSY ASL 2024 here.
Read the full article about virtual FSY 2024 here.
7. Temple Square renovation update: Several plaza areas to reopen Jan. 6
Beginning Saturday, Jan. 6, several Temple Square plaza areas reopened for public access following renovation work, while the Assembly Hall and surrounding gardens and facilities will be closing for their limited renovations and renewals.
Read the full article here.
8. Gospel Language Symbols library, a resource for nonverbal people and others, gets 2024 update
An updated Gospel Language Symbols library is available from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Originally released in December 2022, the library includes images that can help parents, leaders and others teach Church principles and doctrine to people who are nonverbal. They are also useful to those who are neurodiverse, have cognitive delays, are communicating in their non-native language, or simply prefer using visual images.
Read the full article here.
9. Church aids in Brazil and Canada
Recent humanitarian aid projects from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil have helped thousands of people in need. The donations — working in collaboration with health agencies, hospitals, civil defense and government — have helped meet needs for medical equipment, food and supplies.
The Church also has helped various food banks in Canada at a time when food bank usage is rising. The Church has supported these food banks through donations as well as volunteer service through JustServe.
