The dramatic rise in substance use disorders over the past decade has altered—indeed, destroyed—many American lives, but how does this epidemic affect children? And who is ensuring their safety? This week, Naomi and Ian are joined by Sarah Font, child welfare researcher and associate professor of sociology and public policy at Penn State, to discus…

For more than three decades, Lloyd D. Newell has served as the voice of “Music & the Spoken Word” with The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. In recent years, he has been joined by his wife, Karmel Newell, who has served as the choir’s director of member support. They have traveled the world sharing the gospel through inspiring words …

Send your text message - we'd love to hear from you! In a time where we can easily become fearful, retired Major Carole Newell describes how we can be confident in God's protection. She leads us through Scriptures on God's divine answers for every problem including how to hear from the Holy Spirit.Von iRefresh Sheryl Kloehr,Carole Newell

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will dedicate the Salta Argentina Temple on Sunday, June 16, 2024. Having served as a full-time missionary in Argentina, his return is a joyous opportunity to reflect on his own service as well as the growth of the Church in South Am…

Six years after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced in 2018 that it was working to create a new hymnbook for members to use as part of their worship and gospel study, leaders have released the first batch of hymns in four languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese and French. On this episode of the Church News podcast, Elder Isaa…

Send your text message - we'd love to hear from you! We all experience trauma at some point in our life. What do we do with it? Ignore it and move on to 'make it' for the sake of loved ones that may be counting on you? Sarah and Isabell Bowling team up to design a creative way to begin a journey of healing through their different styles of writing …

How has the Supreme Court’s decision on Dobbs v. Jackson affected foster care and adoption in the United States during the past two years? This week, Naomi and Ian are joined by Herbie Newell, President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services, one of the largest adoption agencies in the United States. Herbie discusses how the recent li…

During April 2024 general conference, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said, “The temple is the gateway to the greatest blessings God has in store for each of us.” Part of this continual focus on temple service is the extensive renovations of pioneer-era temples, including the iconic Salt Lake Temple, w…

As early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fled persecution in the mid-1800s and settled in the Salt Lake Valley, they put a printing press in a wagon and moved it across the United States — publishing the first edition of the Deseret News on June 15, 1850. The legacy of that newspaper continues today with editors and write…

Courtney Wayment is a world-class track athlete who competes in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and is currently preparing for the United States Olympic trials. Her success spans from her collegiate career at Brigham Young University to two Team USA senior national teams and running at the World Athletics Championships. Wayment joins the Church News p…

Send your text message - we'd love to hear from you! Alexandra Boylan shares her journey as an actress and how the challenges turned her towards writing and producing films. She finds the strength and courage to do practically every aspect of film making out of her passion and calling in life. Alexandra is full of life and inspiration to anyone int…

The steep increase in mental health challenges among young children is one of today’s most widely discussed issues. But why is so little attention paid to the role of family dynamics in creating or reducing stress for kids? This week, Ian and Naomi are joined by Dr. Nicholas Zill, research psychologist and senior fellow at the Institute for Family …

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sustained 11 new General Authority Seventies during the Saturday morning session of the Church's 194th Annual General Conference on Saturday, April 6, 2024. President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, presented the new General Authority Seventies for a sustaining vote…

In an inspired effort to shepherd the growth and future of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines, then-Elder Dallin H. Oaks was assigned by President Gordon B. Hinckley to serve as area president in the nation from 2002 to 2004. With his wife, Sister Kristen M. Oaks, President Oaks — now first counselor in the First Pre…

Send your text message - we'd love to hear from you! Myesha shares her inspirational journey from being a school teacher to an equity coach, guided by her faith and a deep sense of purpose. She integrates biblical principles into Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion issues through stories, biblical insights, and practical advice. She illustrates the tr…

Conventional wisdom suggests that developing a child’s intellect is the job of schools, but parents spend far more time with their kids than teachers do. There is a lot that parents can and should do on this front. This week, Naomi is joined by Eva Moskowitz, founder and CEO of Success Academy Charter Schools in New York City, and author of the rec…

From time to time, members of the Church News staff join the Church News podcast to talk about creating “a living record of the Restoration.” This podcast episode features Church News editor Ryan Jensen sharing his observations of prophets and apostles, what he has learned about messaging to Latter-day Saint youth, and his personal life — which inc…

Millions listened to the 194th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6 and 7, 2024. During the conference, Church leaders — including members of the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other general leaders — emphasized the importance of temples and covenants and encouraged seeking hig…

Why do some members of the “elite class”—those who are educated, wealthy, and largely raised in stable, two-parent homes—publicly advocate for harmful beliefs while not subscribing to them in their private lives? This week marks Are You Kidding Me?’s 100th episode! For this special episode, Naomi and Ian are joined by Rob Henderson, psychologist an…

In February 2024, The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square continued its "Hope" world tour with concerts and events in the Philippines. This second stop on the multiyear, multination tour is the first for “Asia’s Pearl." This episode of the Church News podcast explores this musical expedition with choir leaders and members, special guest…

Brigham Young University–Hawaii is known for its diversity of students, Christ-centered values and the “aloha spirit.” In this episode of the Church News podcast, the second of a two-part series, the Church News returns to the island of Oahu to talk to students and leaders of BYU–Hawaii and the neighboring Polynesian Cultural Center — where many BY…

The “Success Sequence” refers to a series of steps—graduating high school, working full-time, and marrying before having children—that are shown to dramatically decrease one’s likelihood of living in poverty. But what happens if, for a variety of reasons, these steps are completed out of order? In this episode, Naomi and Ian are joined by Angela Ra…

In 1921, President David O. McKay of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with Church members in an old chapel in Laie, Hawaii — where he witnessed many cultures worshipping together as one. There on the north shore of Oahu, President McKay saw how people can be united by the gospel of Jesus Christ. In a campus devotional at BYU–Hawa…

Send your text message - we'd love to hear from you! We can be overwhelmed by the distractions of life and divert our attention to the One who can sustain us, restore us and refresh us in our mind set on life. Angela Hurley-Smith an Brandy Williams give practical and helpful tips to regaining that quality time with God to help us flourish in the ga…

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has purchased the Kirtland Temple — the first temple built in this dispensation — from Community of Christ, leaders of both faiths announced Tuesday, March 5, 2024. This episode of the Church News podcast features Elder Kyle S. McKay, General Authority Seventy and Church historian and recorder, and hi…

Why are Americans having fewer children? And why do younger Americans seem resistant to the idea of having children at all? In this episode, Naomi and Ian are joined by Tim Carney, a senior fellow at AEI focusing on family, religion, and civil society in America. Tim discusses his upcoming book, “Family Unfriendly: How Our Culture Made Raising Kids…

This month is the 182nd anniversary of the organization of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When the Relief Society was organized on March 17, 1842, Emma Smith said, “We are going to do something extraordinary. … We expect extraordinary occasions and pressing calls.” To commemorate the purpose and founding of t…

During the 2023 holiday season, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints collaborated with religious organizations on more than 60 projects serving some 42,000 children in the New York metro area. One of many leaders supporting this interfaith partnership is the Reverend Que English, who has said that this alliance is a model of how “we come…

New York City public schools have long struggled with abysmally low literacy rates among their students. Will adopting a more evidence-based reading curriculum be enough to create improvement? This week, Naomi and Ian are joined by Robert Pondiscio, Senior Fellow at AEI and scholar of K-12 education, to discuss the science of reading. A former 5th …

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “obtaining an education and getting knowledge are a religious responsibility,” said President Russell M. Nelson. Charged with taking education to Latter-day Saints and others in the world is Elder Clark G. Gilbert, a General Authority Seventy and commissioner of Church education. He joins this epis…

Church News reporter Christine Rappleye joined the Church News three years ago, after serving as editor of the Deseret News features department. As a returned missionary; a Brigham Young University graduate; a talented writer; a Relief Society, Primary and Young Women leader; and aunt and sister, she has shown how continual service can help individ…

How can we ensure young Americans understand civics? Our K-12 schools have seen a significant loss in the both the quality and quantity of history and civics requirements. Is there any way reverse this trend? In this episode, Naomi and Ian are joined by Chris Sinacola, director of communications and media relations at Pioneer Institute and co-edito…