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Mary Richards

Mary Richards is a reporter for the Church News. Before that, she was a morning reporter/anchor for KSL NewsRadio in Salt Lake City. She graduated from BYU with a degree in journalism, and she and her husband have five children. Email her at mrichards@deseretnews.com.

Elder Jörg Klebingat speaks to others at a donation ceremony in the Volta Region of Ghana after the Akosombo Dam spillage flood.
Global
Church gives emergency food and supplies to flood victims in Ghana
Tens of thousands of people have been displaced by the Akosombo Dam spillage flood.
The Santiago Chile La Reina Stake gathers for the Worldwide Day of Testimony.
Living Faith
The impact of the Worldwide Day of Testimony
Youth and leaders shared how bearing and listening to testimonies increased their strength in Jesus Christ.
Four teenagers sit together outside while holding Children and Youth program booklets.
Members
Young Women and Young Men general presidencies announce 2024 youth theme
Parents and youth leaders are encouraged to teach principles from the theme, found in 3 Nephi 5:13, at home and at church throughout the year.
A woman cares for chickens in Ethiopia in a wire mesh coop. The poultry voucher program is from CARE with the support of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Global
How poultry production is promoting self-reliance in Ethiopia
The Church of Jesus Christ is working with CARE to support thousands of families in poultry production.
A street is strewn with debris, including a white car, corrugated metal, mud and knocked over signs, and flooded with water, after Hurricane Otis.
Global
Church’s Mexico Area presidency expresses support for those affected by Hurricane Otis
Missionaries are safe and accounted for after one of the most powerful hurricanes to ever hit Mexico.
Elder Neil L. Andersen speaks during his devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center
Leaders & Ministry
Elder Andersen tells missionaries that as they put Jesus Christ first, their faith and belief will grow
“When you don’t know what to say, you speak of Christ,” Elder Neil L. Andersen said.
A group from the Church takes a tour of Second Harvest of the Big Bend warehouse in Tallahassee, Florida.
Living Faith
Church donates nearly $1 million to Florida food bank
“We need more organizations like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to recognize the growing need and ask, ‘How can I help?’” said the CEO of Second Harvest of the Big Bend.
Sister Kristin M. Yee speaks during a devotional in the Marriott Center at Brigham Young University.
Living Faith
Sister Yee shares the ‘wellspring of relief’ that comes through covenants with God
In a BYU devotional, Sister Kristin M. Yee gives 5 thoughts on relief that Jesus Christ brings through covenant relationship with God.
A new video from the World Food Programme thanks The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its support.
Global
World Food Programme highlights Church of Jesus Christ in efforts to fight hunger
A new video highlighted how the Church’s large donation has helped feed vulnerable people in nine countries.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband greets Vietnamese religious affairs leaders in Hanoi.
Leaders & Ministry
Elder Rasband thanks Vietnamese leaders for respecting religious freedom
While in Asia, Elder Ronald A. Rasband met with Vietnam government leaders and ministers in Hanoi.
Members arrive at the Bangkok Thailand Temple prior to the dedication.
Temples
Bangkok Thailand Temple dedicatory prayer: Elder Rasband prays, ‘May this temple fulfill its blessed purpose’
“May all who come here, recommended to the Lord, be further enlightened with the doctrine of the gospel, the hope of life eternal, and Thy promised peace.”
Young Men General President Steven J. Lund and Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman speak together at the Light of the World Garden in Lehi, Utah.
Living Faith
‘You can do all things through Christ,’ President Nelson promises youth during historic worldwide day of testimony
Youth around the world gathered to bear testimony of Jesus Christ and hear a message just for them from President Russell M. Nelson and the Young Men and Young Women general presidents.
A collage of pictures of youth gathering around the world during and after Church meetings and activities.
Members
Want to be featured in the Church News? Send us a photo of your worldwide youth testimony gathering
The Church News wants to share your photos of how you gathered for the Worldwide Day of Testimony.
A Primary teacher teaches a class.
Members
How to prepare Primary lessons for a fifth Sunday
A multitude of resources help Primary teachers, leaders and parents teach children about the covenant path.
BYU Jerusalem Center
Global
BYU Jerusalem Center students returning home at the end of the month
The Oct. 18 update came after attacks in southern Israel moved students from Jerusalem to Greece.
Youth Sunday School students listen to a lesson at Church.
Members
Preparing for the Worldwide Day of Testimony for youth
Youth are invited to participate in a testimony meeting that will last 24 hours around the world.
Rabbi Joe Charnes, center, with his friend Michael Law and daughter Yael Charnes, take a picture with Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong, a General Authority Seventy, and Sister Carol Lu Wong after a session of general conference.
Living Faith
A rabbi shares how to be changed by general conference messages
To truly hear leads to understanding and then to change, explained Rabbi Joe Charnes.
A young man and a woman harvest vegetables in a greenhouse at Osage Nation Harvest Land in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.
Living Faith
Oklahoma Latter-day Saints strengthen community relationships through service
JustServe volunteers and members of the Church took part in several service projects to help those in need.
A large group of Latter-day Saints of all ages from the Rivas Ward takes part in a service project in Nicaragua.
Global
Nicaragua Latter-day Saints celebrate 70 years of the Church in the country
Members of the Church took part in community service projects to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the gospel in Nicaragua.
An Afghan boy stands in front of his house that is now stone rubble and part of a frame.
Global
Church leaders express condolences after deadly Afghanistan earthquakes
The Church’s Middle East/Africa North Area presidency responds to latest deadly quake in Herat province.
Burundi Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca welcomes Rwanda Kigali Mission President N. Christian Mavinga as Elder Paul B. Pieper, General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the Africa Central Area presidency, observes.
Global
Church leaders meet with Burundi prime minister in Central Africa
“Our first mission is to help people come to Jesus Christ,” says mission president.
Members of the Church from Lahaina meet together for a counseling session with Family Services on the island of Maui.
Living Faith
Family Services provides emotional relief for Maui Saints
Counselors have been on the Hawaiian island of Maui giving support after the August wildfires.
Five African members of parliament take a tour of the Ghana Missionary Training Center.
Global
African leaders visit Ghana MTC and BYU in October
Delegates from several African nations took a tour of the Ghana Missionary Training Center while others attended the annual symposium on law and religion at BYU.
LaToyia Dennis shares her high-risk maternal journey at a MOMS baby shower in Dallas, Texas.
Living Faith
JustServe volunteers support MOMS baby shower in Dallas, Texas
JustServe volunteers helped before, during and after the community baby shower.
Elder Allen D. Haynie, General Authority Seventy, speaks about the temple during a BYU devotional.
Living Faith
How to meet Jesus Christ in the temple, teaches Elder Haynie
Temple ordinances and covenants and the garment of the Holy Priesthood all point to Jesus, taught Elder Allen D. Haynie at a BYU devotional.
A view of the Feather River California Temple in the morning of Oct. 7, 2023, in Yuba City, California.
Temples
Feather River California Temple dedicatory prayer: Read Elder Soares’s gratitude for the restored gospel and Savior Jesus Christ
“We also express our gratitude for the faith and devotion of those who were pioneers in this area and whose posterity have lived exemplary lives before Thee.”
Rabbi Joe Charnes, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, attends the Sunday afternoon session of October 2023 general conference.
Podcast
Episode 157: Rabbi Joe Charnes on the power of general conference as a member of a different faith
Rabbi Joe Charnes, an interfaith partner and religious studies lecturer, joins guest host Mary Richards on the Church News podcast.
Children play on new playground equipment on the House of Hope campus in Apia, Samoa.
Global
Giving hope to survivors of abuse in Samoa
Church support helps women and children fleeing domestic violence at House of Hope.
Brother Brady Browning and Sister Tracy Y. Browning at the London England Temple Arrivals Center in Lingfield, England, March 11, 2023.
Leaders & Ministry
Today is Sister Browning’s birthday. Here are 9 of her quotes from the past year
Born on Oct. 9, 1976, Sister Tracy Y. Browning has served in the Primary general presidency since Aug. 1, 2022.
President M. Russell Ballard, stands outside the historic Gould Barn in Topsfield, Massachusetts.
Leaders & Ministry
Today is President Ballard’s 95th birthday. Here are 9 of his quotes from the past year
President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was born on Oct. 8, 1928, in Salt Lake City.