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In case you missed it: Church releases video series of apostolic insights, plus 8 more stories

Here are 9 stories from the Church News the week of Dec. 22-28

During the week of Dec. 22-28, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a series of videos with apostolic insights from recent general conferences. On Monday, Dec. 23, President Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, posted a Christmas message on social media.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke to missionaries at a Christmas Day devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, Dec. 25. A behind-the-scenes look was released of this year’s Light the World video.

Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman also spoke to missionaries at the Provo MTC, on Tuesday, Dec. 24. The First Presidency released the exterior renderings of six new temples on Monday, Dec. 23. Deseret News executive editor Doug Wilks and former Church News editor and current Deseret News editor Sarah Jane Weaver are featured in the newest episode of the Church News podcast.

In preparation to study the Doctrine and Covenants in 2025, look at a guide to historic sites of the Latter-day Restoration as well as 15 resources that will enhance your study of the Doctrine and Covenants and of Church history.

1. Church releases video series of apostolic insights from general conference

A depiction of the resurrected Savior talking to Mary in the tomb, with the text "Jesus Christ is our treasure."
The Savior, Jesus Christ, is “our treasure,” said Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in a video released by the Church on Dec. 5, 2024. | Screenshot from YouTube

The Church has released a series of videos providing “Divine Insights From Living Prophets and Apostles.”

The videos, based on general conference talks the past few years, give prophetic perspectives on how Latter-day Saints can live the gospel of Jesus Christ, care for one another and invite others to come unto Him.

Read more about this story here.
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2. Read, watch and listen to the Prophet’s Christmas wish

An Instagram screenshot of President Russell M. Nelson playing the piano.
An Instagram screenshot shows President Russell M. Nelson playing "Silent Night" on the piano, with his Christmas wish of "heavenly peace" posted on the side. | Screenshot from Instagram

President Nelson posted on social media his wish for “heavenly peace” and a video of him testifying of Jesus Christ’s sacred birth and mission. In the video, President Nelson plays “Silent Night” on the piano in a living room featuring several Nativity scenes and finishes with a joyful statement of “merry Christmas.”

Read more about this story here.
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3. ‘Go on your way rejoicing,’ Elder Rasband tells missionaries at Christmas Day devotional

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Melanie Rasband, smile while being introduced at a Christmas Day devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

In a Christmas Day devotional, Elder Rasband and his wife, Sister Melanie Rasband, taught missionaries at the Provo, Utah, MTC that even when discouraged or frustrated, they have great causes to rejoice because of Jesus Christ and His gospel — if they have faith in Him and share the gospel with the world.

Read more about this story here.
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4. Behind the scenes of this year’s Light the World video

An image of Joseph and Mary looking at the baby Jesus illuminates the side of London County Hall on Nov. 13, 2024.
An image of Joseph and Mary looking at baby Jesus illuminates the side of London County Hall on Nov. 13, 2024, as part of the Light the World initiative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The 2024 Light the World video is a way to feel the true spirit of Christmas, said Elder W. Mark Bassett, General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Church’s Missionary Department.

LJ Johansson, who worked on the filming, said the video “is something we are making not just for our members but for anybody who is looking or seeking Jesus Christ during the Christmas season.”

Read more about this story here.
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5. ‘Some Christmases are different,’ President Freeman tells missionaries at Provo MTC on Christmas Eve

Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman waves to the audience while exiting after a Christmas Eve devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

In a Christmas Eve afternoon devotional, President Freeman shared her experiences of coming to know Jesus Christ, many of which came during Christmases when she was going through a trial. She called these “different Christmases.”

“In the unexpected moments, He shows up. Just like He did in a stable,” she said. “In quiet moments, often when life isn’t going the way we thought it might, in places that feel unfamiliar, Jesus is there.”

Read more about this story here.
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6. First Presidency releases additional 6 temple renderings

Six temple renderings
Six temple renderings were released Monday, Dec. 23 — top, from left: Cincinnati Ohio, Cuernavaca Mexico and Des Moines Iowa temples; bottom, from left: Missoula Montana, Tacoma Washington and Toluca Mexico temples. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Just a week after releasing five renderings, for five planned houses of the Lord, The First Presidency offered the first look at six more temples — the Cincinnati Ohio, Cuernavaca Mexico, Des Moines Iowa, Missoula Montana, Tacoma Washington and Toluca Mexico temples.

Read more about this story here.
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7. Podcast episode 220: Finding peace — 2024 year in review with Deseret News editors Doug Wilks and Sarah Jane Weaver

Deseret News editors Doug Wilks and Sarah Jane Weaver join the Church News podcast on Dec. 23, 2024, to discuss the year in review.
Deseret News editors Doug Wilks, pictured above, and Sarah Jane Weaver join the Church News podcast on Dec. 23, 2024, to discuss the year in review. | Screenshot from YouTube

Hear observations from the year as Sarah Jane Weaver and Doug Wilks discuss politics, peacemaking, missionary work and the strength of the Church’s youth in the newest episode of the Church News podcast.

“This was a remarkable year for Latter-day Saints in a lot of ways. Again, it speaks to the hinge point President Nelson talked about, when he says, ‘Take your vitamins. There’s more work to be done,’” said Wilks.

Read more about this story here.
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8. A guide to historic sites of the Latter-day Restoration

The sun rises on the Kirtland Ohio Temple in Kirtland, Ohio, on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints makes a substantial commitment to historic sites because of “the importance of remembering,” Elder Steven E. Snow said at the 2016 Seminar for New Missionary Training Center Presidents and Directors of Visitors’ Centers and Historic Sites.

“Our Heavenly Father is desirous we remember,” said Elder Snow, now an emeritus General Authority Seventy who served as Church historian and recorder and executive director of the Church History Department from 2012 to 2019.

Read more about this story here.
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9. 15 resources to enhance your study of Doctrine and Covenants and Church history

The original Book of Commandments and Revelations and the corresponding section of the Doctrine and Covenants in 2009.
The original Book of Commandments and Revelations and the corresponding section of the Doctrine and Covenants in 2009. | Jason Olson, Deseret News

Read a compilation of resources found from the Church History section of the Gospel Library that will be vital tools in the coming year as Saints begin studying the Doctrine and Covenants.

One resource that can be helpful is “Revelations in Context,” which is a collection of narratives written by historians in the Church History Department that examines what prompted the revelations and what they meant to those to whom they were addressed. It was published by the Church in 2016 and includes references to the Joseph Smith Papers.

Read more about this story here.
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