During the week of Sept. 14-20, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released new songs for “Hymns — For Home and Church," including a song with lyrics written by President Russell M. Nelson. Also, each member of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles now has his own YouTube channel to share testimonies of the Savior.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited members of the Church in five West African countries, and Primary General President Susan H. Porter and Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, ministered in the Africa South Area for nine days in August and September.
In the wake of tragedy, Brother Sean R. Dixon, second counselor in the Young Men general presidency, spoke to young adults at a Utah Valley Institute devotional.
In temple news, groundbreaking dates were announced for two temples in Africa, and a rendering was released for a temple in Mongolia.
The Church announced plans for a significant update to the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, and in his first address of the new academic school year, BYU President C. Shane Reese testified, “The answer to evil is Christ.”
On the week’s Church News podcast episode, BYU professor Jenet Erickson discusses “The Family Proclamation.” Plus, members of the Church with Indigenous ancestry came together to celebrate their divine heritage as children of God.
Read summaries and find links to these articles below.
1. Latest release of new hymns includes song with lyrics by President Nelson
Twelve more songs were added to “Hymns — For Home and Church” by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Thursday, Sept. 18, including a song with lyrics written by President Nelson.
Read more about the new hymns here.
2. Church leaders find new audience on YouTube channels
Members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles now have their own YouTube channels to share testimonies of the Savior. The channels launched on Sunday, Aug. 31.
Read more about the new YouTube channels here.
3. What Elder Gary E. Stevenson taught Saints in West Africa
Elder Stevenson recently concluded a 10-day ministry to five countries in West Africa, where he delivered messages of identity, discipleship and covenant belonging.
Read more about Elder Stevenson’s ministry here.
4. President Porter and Sister Dennis minister in Africa South Area, see love and service
President Porter and Sister Dennis spent nine days ministering in the Africa South Area — including in the country of Lesotho, where 10 members of the Church were among those killed in a bus crash in late June.
Learn more about their ministry here.
5. Jesus Christ heals broken hearts, Brother Sean R. Dixon testifies to young adults
Brother Dixon shared messages of healing and peacemaking at a Sept. 17 devotional at Utah Valley Institute. The institute is adjacent to Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, where Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during a student event on Sept. 10.
Read more about the devotional here.
6. Temple news: 2 groundbreakings announced for temples in Africa; location, rendering released for Mongolia’s first temple
Groundbreaking dates were announced for the Kumasi Ghana Temple and Cape Town South Africa Temple.
A rendering and site map were released for the Ulaanbaatar Mongolia Temple, the country’s first Latter-day Saint temple.
Read about the temples in Africa here.
See the Ulaanbaatar Mongolia Temple rendering here.
7. Church announces plans for significant update to Provo Missionary Training Center
The Church announced plans to rebuild two buildings at the Provo Missionary Training Center.
“These new facilities will provide an improved environment for learning, growth and spiritual preparation, blessing future generations of missionaries as they begin their service,” a Sept. 16 news release says.
Read more about this story here.
8. BYU students can become ‘beacons of light’ in a world that ‘desperately needs it,’ says President Reese
Speaking to students, faculty and staff gathered in the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Sept. 16, President Reese reiterated the theme of the school’s sesquicentennial — “Celebrating Gifts of Light.”
Read more about the devotional here.
9. Podcast episode 258: BYU’s Jenet Erickson on the divine design of the family and ‘The Family Proclamation’
On the week’s episode of the Church News podcast, BYU professor Jenet Erickson discusses the divine design of the family, mothers’ well-being and how the proclamation’s principles promote family stability and happiness.
Listen to the podcast here.
10. ‘Of one heart and one mind’: Indigenous Latter-day Saints gather in Utah
On Saturday, Sept. 13, in American Fork, Utah, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Indigenous ancestry joined as one people for an enriching day of cultural workshops, traditional music demonstrations and a group temple visit.
