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In the Almanac
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Kaitlyn Bancroft

Kaitlyn Bancroft is a reporter with Church News. Previously, she’s written for KSL.com, The Salt Lake Tribune, The Spectrum & Daily News (part of the USA TODAY NETWORK), The Denver Post, Deseret News and The Davis Clipper. She’s a 2019 graduate of Brigham Young University’s journalism program, where she worked at The Daily Universe for four years. Follow her work on Twitter @katbancroft or on Instagram @katbancroftreports, and email her at kbancroft@deseretnews.com.

The first group of about 200 volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints line up to participate in the Stock the Block service project.
Members
YSAs in Washington, D.C. feed local families through ‘Stock the Block’ service project
Volunteers supplied families with necessities and connected them with health, legal and other services.
Elder Quentin L. Cook, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaks during October 2023 general conference.
General Conference
Full texts of October 2023 general conference talks now online
Texts of the October 2023 general conference messages have been added to the Church’s website in English. Other languages are expected to follow.
The sun shines on ruins of the Celsus Library in Ephesus, Turkey.
Living Faith
What have Church leaders and scholars said about Ephesians?
This week’s study guide includes the apostle Paul’s writings on “corrupt communication” and gathering in Christ.
Conferencegoers file in before the Sunday morning session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference.
General Conference
Church leaders emphasize importance of Holy Ghost, during October 2023 general conference
President Henry B. Eyring, Elder Gary E. Stevenson and others taught members how to better hear and follow the Spirit’s promptings.
The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square sings in the Conference Center for 193rd Semiannual General Conference.
General Conference
Sunday morning session: See photos, talk summaries of October 2023 general conference
The Sunday morning session of October 2023 general conference emphasized the importance of relying on Jesus Christ.
Elder Joni L. Koch, General Authority Seventy, speaks during the Saturday evening session of October 2023 general conference.
General Conference
Elder Joni L. Koch: ‘Humble to Accept and Follow’
“Some experiences in life make us realize that the natural prideful man often is very much alive within us,” said Elder Joni L. Koch.
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General Conference
Elder Yoon Hwan Choi: ‘Do You Want To Be Happy?’
“My dear brothers and sisters, do you want to be happy? Stay on the covenant path,” said Elder Yoon Hwan Choi.
Elder Ian S. Arden, General Authority Seventy, speaks during the Saturday morning session of October 2023 general conference.
General Conference
Elder Ian S. Ardern: ‘Love Thy Neighbor’
“Each of us can be the one who can make a difference for good in the life of someone,” said Elder Ian S. Ardern.
Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, talks with Qualtrics cofounder and Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith during a question-and-answer session at the eighth annual Silicon Slopes Summit at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023.
Elder Bednar talks tech at Silicon Slopes Summit
The Apostle sat down with Qualtrics cofounder Ryan Smith for a question-and-answer session that touched on topics from education to finances.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Church Administration Building is pictured in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020.
Leaders & Ministry
Church leaders sustain 2 new Area Seventies, release 2 others during leadership meetings
The changes were announced during the October 2023 general conference leadership meetings on Thursday, Sept. 28.
The reconstructed Smith log home in Palmyra, New York, is shown in 2009. The log home is where Joseph Smith lived at the time of the First Vision and of the angel Moroni’s first visit.
History Revisited
How the Palmyra New York Stake commemorated 200 years since angel Moroni’s visit to Joseph Smith
Local Church members met near the Smith family farm for a special devotional that included music, personal reflection and remarks about Moroni’s life.
Paul sitting at a table and writing an epistle to the Corinthians in a Bible video.
Living Faith
‘Come, Follow Me’ for Sept. 25-Oct. 1: What have Church leaders and scholars said about Galatians?
This week’s study guide includes the apostle Paul’s writings on dissension, adoption and the fruits of the Spirit.
An aerial view of a large crowd of young adults walking through a wide hallway.
Living Faith
Here’s how the Utah Area Young Single Adult Conference went
From a concert and a dance to a devotional given by an Apostle, young single adults in Utah had plenty to enjoy throughout the month of August.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson stands and speaks at a podium with others on seated on the stand and in the audience in Iceland conference.
Leaders & Ministry
Be ‘of one heart, of one mind,’ Elder Stevenson says during Iceland, Scotland, England ministry
Elder Gary E. Stevenson is the first Apostle to ministry in Iceland in over 20 years.
A statue of Ellis Reynolds Shipp was dedicated at This Is the Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.
History Revisited
This Is the Place Heritage Park honors medical career of Ellis Reynolds Shipp with new statue
Ellis Shipp became a doctor in 1878, then returned home to train hundreds of women as midwives and deliver thousands of babies.
BYU–Pathway Worldwide President Brian K. Ashton, right, and his wife, Sister Melinda Ashton, sit in armchairs with a table between them, during a devotional.
Living Faith
Keep covenants to receive ‘divine help,’ BYU–Pathway president and wife tell students
By keeping covenants, individuals can achieve what was previously impossible, BYU–Pathway Worldwide President Brian K. Ashton and his wife, Sister Melinda Ashton, said during a Sept. 19 devotional.
Actor Sean Astin speaks with emcee Kirby Heyborne at the final day of the 2023 RootsTech conference at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City.
Global
2024 RootsTech registration now open
The annual family history conference takes place Feb. 29-March 2, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Paul writes about Jesus Christ in this scene from the Bible Videos series.
Living Faith
‘Come, Follow Me’ for Sept. 18-24: What have Church leaders and scholars said about 2 Corinthians 8-13?
This week’s study guide includes the apostle Paul’s writings on grace, the third heaven and God’s “unspeakable gift.”
JustServe volunteers pack meals for the National Day of Service and Remembrance in Phoenix, Arizona.
Members
How volunteers took part in 9/11 Day of Service around U.S. and Canada
Volunteers gave countless hours of service on the National Day of Service and Remembrance, which honors those who died during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001
Brigham Young University–Idaho President Alvin F. Meredith III and his wife, Sister Jennifer Meredith, make heart shapes with their hands during the opening devotional for fall semester on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023.
Leaders & Ministry
Rely on Jesus Christ and become more like Him through principles in the Honor Code, BYU–Idaho president and wife teach
Brigham Young University–Idaho President Alvin F. Meredith III and his wife, Sister Jennifer Meredith, gave the opening devotional for fall semester.
Two women sit outside and study the “Come, Follow Me” manual together.
Living Faith
‘Come, Follow Me’ for Sept. 11-17: What have Church leaders and scholars said about 2 Corinthians 1-7?
This week’s study guide includes the apostle Paul’s teachings on personal conversion and “godly sorrow.”
BYU–Hawaii President John S.K. Kauwe III, right, sits next to his wife, Sister Monica Kauwe, during the opening devotional for fall semester at Brigham Young University–Hawaii on Tuesday, Sept. 5.
Living Faith
Know Jesus Christ and live by Honor Code, BYU–Hawaii president and wife tell students
BYU–Hawaii President John S.K. Kauwe III and his wife, Monica Kauwe, gave the opening devotional for fall semester.
A family has scripture study using the “Come, Follow Me” manual.
Living Faith
‘Come, Follow Me’ for Sept. 4-10: What have Church leaders and scholars said about 1 Corinthians 14-16?
This week’s study guide includes the apostle Paul’s teachings on the resurrection and celestial glory.
Latter-day Saint Charles Downey knits hats for newborn babies. Downey knit over 500 hats before he passed away in July 2023.
Living Faith
How this Latter-day Saint in Kentucky found a unique way to serve while on dialysis
Health challenges didn’t stop Charles Downey from finding ways to serve his community.
Natalie Nilsen helps a guest at the Project Connect event in Mesa, Arizona.
Living Faith
How these young single adults in Arizona served the homeless
Local YSA stakes provided food, clothing and other resources during a one-day special event called Project Connect.
In this Bible image from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Paul is depicted writing to Church members.
Living Faith
‘Come, Follow Me’ for Aug. 28-Sep. 3: What have Church leaders and scholars said about 1 Corinthians 8-13?
This week’s study guide includes the apostle Paul’s teachings on charity, resisting temptation and “the body of Christ.”
Sunday School General President Mark L. Pace speaks during a BYU Education Week presentation on Aug. 21, 2023.
Leaders & Ministry
Sunday School general presidency shares changes to 2024 ‘Come, Follow Me’ during BYU Education Week
Starting next year, “Come, Follow Me” will feature one consolidated manual rather than four separate study guides.
Becky Hinchcliff talking to young adults from the front of a large room.
Leaders & Ministry
Mental health professionals offer life help during young single adult conference
Topics included anxiety, depression, perfectionism and emotional resilience.
A large room full of young people and experience booths with family history displays.
Family History
YSAs connect with their ancestors, each other in family history events at the Utah Area YSA conference
Young single adults at Gather Together Conference on Aug. 19 connected with each other and their own family history in the conference’s Family History series of events.
The super moon rises in the sky in front of the Apollo’s temple at ancient Corinth, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) southwest of Athens, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014.
Living Faith
‘Come, Follow Me’ for Aug. 21-27: What have Church leaders and scholars said about 1 Corinthians 1-7?
This week’s study guide includes the apostle Paul’s teachings on unity, marriage and the sacredness of bodies.