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In the News
In the Almanac
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Sarah Jane Weaver

Sarah Jane Weaver is the executive editor of the Church News. Since 1995 she has covered, among other things, the Church’s welfare services, Church Education and social issues impacting Latter-day Saints. Her favorite assignments include reporting on temple dedications and writing about members around the world. Sarah graduated from BYU with a degree in journalism and history and served as editor in chief of the BYU student newspaper, the Daily Universe. Before joining the Deseret News staff, she completed a Pulliam Fellowship at the Arizona Republic in Phoenix, Ariz.

Historian Matthew C. Godfrey joins the Church News podcast in November 2023 to talk about the St. George Utah Temple.
Podcast
Episode 164: Historian Matthew C. Godfrey on the ongoing legacy of the St. George Utah Temple
Early saints celebrated the St. George Utah Temple, exclaiming ‘glory, hallelujah!’ Now the renovated temple will be rededicated by President Jeffrey R. Holland.
Elder Quentin L. Cook laughs with former New York Attorney General Robert Abrams and Mt. Sinai United Christian Church Bishop Victor L. Brown at a reception in New York City.
Leaders & Ministry
New York faith leaders link arms to share joy and light, help children this holiday season
The Church is collaborating with other religious organizations on more than 60 projects that will serve more than 42,000 children in the New York metro area.
Crowds look at Light the World billboards in Times Square in New York City on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023.
Living Faith
Times Square digital billboards reflect the Nativity and an invitation to share the Savior’s light this Christmas
Crowds on Times Square quiet as the Nativity is shared in iconic location.
2023 Light the World Giving Machines in Times Square in New York City
Living Faith
Church launches 2023 Light the World Giving Machine campaign from Times Square
At the intersection of commerce, tourism and entertainment in the United States, leaders of charitable organizations kicked off the global Giving Machine effort.
Missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints assemble meals for a service project.
Living Faith
Missionaries help fight childhood hunger during Thanksgiving service project
More than 1,400 Latter-day Saint missionaries at the Provo MTC assembled meals on Thanksgiving that will be distributed by the Utah Food Bank.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband speaks at a devotional on Thanksgiving Day at the Provo Missionary Training Center.
Leaders & Ministry
Miracles have not ceased, Elder Rasband tells missionaries at Provo MTC during devotional held on a day of ‘gratitude and thanksgiving’
Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke to Latter-day Saint missionaries in the Provo MTC on Thanksgiving morning.
A picture of the Okinawa Japan Temple.
Temples
Video: The ‘Blessings of the Temple’ at a tender time in Japan’s history
Elder Gary E. Stevenson recently visited Japan, the country where he served as a young missionary, to dedicate the Okinawa temple. In this video, he shares his feelings about the land, its history and people.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson stands in front of the Okinawa Japan Temple.
Podcast
Episode 163: Elder Gary E. Stevenson on the Okinawa Japan Temple — a symbol of peace in a land once defined by war
“I have really been touched by all of the elements that have been part of the lives of people in Okinawa,” said Elder Stevenson during a Church News podcast interview.
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Leaders & Ministry
Volkstrauertag: Elder Uchtdorf pays tribute to those who died in armed conflict
During special ceremony at the Fort Douglas Military Cemetery, Elder Uchtdorf pays tribute to the 41 German prisoners of war buried there — and others who died in armed conflict.
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Leaders & Ministry
Photo gallery: See a tribute in photographs from the funeral, graveside service of President M. Russell Ballard
President Ballard, 95, died Nov. 12, 2023, after a life of dedicated service to his family and the Church.
A man drapes the U.S. flag on President Ballard’s casket as pallbearers bring the casket out of the Tabernacle.
Leaders & Ministry
During funeral services, President M. Russell Ballard is remembered for his ‘enduring faith and commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ’
“His tremendous energy and delightful sense of humor will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of associating with him,” writes the First Presidency of President M. Russell Ballard.
President M. Russell Ballard smiles for the camera at a special recognition event.
Living Faith
Sarah Jane Weaver: When my words were inadequate to write about President Ballard, I found comfort in his words
“Let’s be happy and keep going forward and do the best we can,” said President M. Russell Ballard.
Church News video, titled “A Loving Farewell,” shares highlights of President M. Russell Ballard’s life and ministry.
Leaders & Ministry
Video: ‘A Loving Tribute’ to President M. Russell Ballard
Church News video shares highlights of President M. Russell Ballard’s life and ministry; see recent interviews where he speaks about his family, priorities and testimony.
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Podcast
Episode 162: President M. Russell Ballard, 1928 — 2023: Celebrating his life in his own words
A special memorial episode of the Church News podcast remembers the life and teachings of President M. Russell Ballard.
An exterior photo of the Okinawa Japan Temple with trees in the foreground and blue skies in the background.
Temples
See photographs of the Okinawa Japan Temple dedication
Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the 4th temple in Japan. Here is a photo gallery of the dedication.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson walks with Masato Omine in Okinawa, Japan, on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023.
Temples
In a place once defined by war, Elder Stevenson dedicates the Okinawa Japan Temple — a symbol of peace and unity
Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has dedicated the Okinawa Japan Temple, the 4th House of the Lord in Japan and 186th worldwide.
Two former stake presidents walk on the Okinawa Japan Temple grounds.
Temples
Both lost family in WWII, now former stake presidents in Okinawa share their journey from sorrow to peace — and a temple
Former leaders in Okinawa lost their fathers in World War II and now rejoice that a temple — the Okinawa Japan Temple — will grace their land.
Aerial video of Oxford, England, with “Across the Isle” in left corner.
Living Faith
Video: How 2 friends from different faiths are linking arms ‘across the isle’
This Church News video, titled “Across the Isle,” features Elder Matthew S. Holland and the Rev. Dr. Andrew Teal talking about their friendship and the discussions they shared about their disciplines and perspectives.
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Members
Early branch president in Okinawa, now 93, returns to Japan for dedication of the Okinawa temple
“The Church [in Okinawa] has come 360 degrees since then — from nothing to a temple,” he said.
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Leaders & Ministry
Elder Andersen visits Mongolia, where pioneering members continue to help the Church grow, prosper after 30 years
President Russell M. Nelson announced a temple for Mongolia in October general conference. “We feel the Lord’s love for His people,” a local leader said.
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Podcast
Episode 161: Oxford’s the Rev. Dr. Andrew Teal — Part 2: The reverberations of interfaith friendships with David W. Checketts and Deb Checketts, former mission leaders in England
The discussion continues on interfaith friendship and community building.
The Rev. Teal speaks in his office, with tall red bookshelves filled with books behind him, along with BYU pendant on a ball and scarf on a shelf.
Living Faith
The friendship of the Rev. Dr. Andrew Teal and leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ ‘has brought me to a deeper love of Jesus Christ’
Rev. Dr. Andrew Teal, Elder Matthew S. Holland and President David Checketts embarked on a journey that led to a “blossoming of connection with God’s children.”
Combination image showing Elder Cook, Bishop Caussé and Elder Godoy outside with local Church leaders in Almaty, Kazakhstan, left, and in Uzhhorod, Ukraine, right.
Leaders & Ministry
Despite challenges in Europe, members continue living the gospel of Jesus Christ, reports Elder Cook after recent visit
“We can be determined not to let the world’s wickedness, contentions and divisions invade the sanctity of our united effort to follow and worship the Savior,” Elder Quentin L. Cook said after ministry in Eastern Europe.
In this Church News video, titled “A Sacred Bridge,” Rev. Dr. Andrew Teal discusses his friendship with the former England London Mission leaders, David and Deb Checketts.
Living Faith
Video: How an interfaith friendship is creating a ‘Sacred Bridge’
This Church News video, titled “A Sacred Bridge,” features the Rev. Dr. Andrew Teal, whose mission is to grow unity between faiths through understanding.
The Rev. Dr. Andrew Teal joins the Church News podcast.
Podcast
Episode 160: Oxford’s the Rev. Dr. Andrew Teal — Part 1: Building bridges of interfaith friendship with Elder Matthew S. Holland of the Seventy; with Sheri Dew as guest host
In the first in a two-part series, Elder Holland and the Rev. Teal are joined by guest host Sheri Dew to discuss interfaith friendship and community building.
A state of the Prophet Joseph Smith is seen in profile.
History Revisited
Video: Lessons from Joseph Smith’s desire to repent
“One of the greatest messages of Joseph’s life is his need and his desire to repent and be forgiven,” says Elder Kyle S. McKay, Church historian and recorder and a General Authority Seventy, in the Church News video “Daily Repentance.”
Issac and Rebecca Goeckeritz pose for a photo outdoors.
Podcast
Episode 159: Issac and Rebecca Goeckeritz on dealing with disappointment, using talents to bring people to Christ
Issac and Rebecca Goeckeritz join the Church News podcast to share what they have learned while working with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.
Sister Kathleen Eyring and President Henry B. Eyring watching a show in the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Living Faith
Sarah Jane Weaver: How Sister Kathleen Eyring blessed my life with a smile
Sister Kathleen J. Eyring died Oct. 15, 2023, after a life of service to her family and the Church.
Ronald K. Esplin and other historians join the Church News podcast to share what they have learned about the Prophet Brigham Young.
Podcast
Episode 158: Ronald K. Esplin, other historians discuss the upcoming Brigham Young Papers project and the prophet’s life and legacy
Church News podcast features historians sharing what they have learned by studying Brigham Young’s letters, journals.
Elder David A. Bednar gives a hand heart to Snow College students after a devotional in Ephraim.
Leaders & Ministry
Press forward with faith, Elder and Sister Bednar tell Snow College students in Ephraim
Elder David A. Bednar asked students if they appreciate the “remarkable and marvelous season” in which they live.