Pew Research Center findings show many parents and teens think it’s harder being a teen today than it was 20 years ago. They point to technology, especially social media, as having a particularly negative impact on teen life. But how can parents and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ease the pressures on today’s youth and help them to flourish during their teen years?

Laura Padilla-Walker, dean of Family, Home and Social Sciences at Brigham Young University, has pondered this question in her research as she focuses on parenting and media influences during adolescence and young adulthood. Padilla-Walker joins this episode of the Church News podcast to help parents and leaders discover how positive behaviors can both replace and protect against negative behaviors and how sacred living strategies can help families stay stronger and happier. 

The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Since the Primary organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in August 1878, Primary children have served other children. Now the Primary general presidency is inviting wards and branches worldwide to organize annual service activities for children beginning in 2025. Church News reporter Mary Richards hosts this episode featuring Primary General President Susan H. Porter; Sister Amy A. Wright, first counselor; and Sister Tracy Y. Browning, second counselor. The presidency discusses this sacred responsibility and previews a Friend to Friend broadcast on the topic airing Feb. 15, 2025. Through this worldwide effort, children can realize they are an important part of the Church and can contribute in meaningful ways.

The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

After being sustained in the April 2024 general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the new Sunday School general presidency began serving on Aug. 1, 2024. Sunday School General President Paul V. Johnson and his first counselor, Brother Chad H Webb, and second counselor, Brother Gabriel W. Reid, join this episode of the Church News podcast to introduce themselves as well as share how studying the ongoing Restoration can help shape stronger testimonies of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. They discuss what they hope Latter-day Saints will learn from this year’s “Come, Follow Me” curriculum and the Doctrine and Covenants.

The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Since the founding of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830, those outside the Church have shared erroneous or misleading accounts of events involving Church leaders and members.  In this episode of the Church News podcast, Matt Grow, managing director of the Church History Department, discusses a recent example of a depiction from the Church’s past that contributes to misunderstandings of the Church and its members today. Former Church News editor and current Deseret News editor Sarah Jane Weaver serves as the guest host for this episode on encouraging peacemaking amid threatening rhetoric and historical misrepresentation. 

The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Host Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of The Church News, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Elder Alvin F. Meredith III became the 18th president of Brigham Young University–Idaho on Aug. 1, 2023. In his inaugural speech, he reinforced the university’s mission of “building disciples of Jesus Christ” by reminding students, “We must, with great resolve and intentionality, remain a Christ-centered, prophetically directed university.” That resolve and intentionality are exemplified in the lives of President Meredith and his wife, Sister Jennifer Meredith, through their Church and family service. The Merediths join this episode of the Church News podcast to share the importance of education, personal revelation and supportive environments in becoming disciples of Christ. 

The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Host Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of The Church News, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints works to be a good steward of the earth — believing that caring for the earth is a sacred responsibility entrusted to all of God’s children. Therefore, the Church makes an effort to prioritize environmental sustainability in many ways around the world, from increasing energy efficiency to conserving water and reducing waste. Church News reporter Mary Richards hosts this episode of the Church News podcast, interviewing Jenica Sedgwick, the Church’s sustainability manager who operates under the direction of the Presiding Bishopric. They discuss the importance of integrating environmental stewardship into Church operations as well as in individual daily lives. 

The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Host Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of The Church News, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

For the Strength of Youth conferences, also known as FSY, are designed to help youth have fun as they apply the gospel in all aspects of their lives. At FSY, youth participate in five days of devotionals, classes and activities to help guide them in strengthening their faith in Jesus Christ and in feeling joy and belonging as they live the gospel. 

In this episode of the Church News podcast, Church News reporter Mary Richards discusses the uplifting potential and divine inspiration behind these sessions with the Young Women and Young Men general presidency counselors: Brother Bradley R. Wilcox, Brother Michael T. Nelson, Sister Tamara W. Runia and Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus. Together, they talk about FSY and focus on how the 2025 youth theme, “Look unto Christ,” can impact the lives and growth of faithful youth worldwide. 

The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Host Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of The Church News, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

The youth theme for 2025 is “Look unto Christ” and comes from Doctrine and Covenants 6:36, which says, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” On this episode of the Church News podcast, Young Men General President Steven J. Lund and Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman discuss how this important theme can help youth develop faith in the Savior and His Atonement. All year, youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will plan activities, listen to music, and attend For the Strength of Youth conferences and worldwide events all based on this theme emphasizing lifelong discipleship. Church News reporter Mary Richards hosts this episode.

The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Host Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of The Church News, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

2024 has been a historic year for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; from the 100th birthday of Church Prophet and President Russell M. Nelson to the dedication of the Church’s 200th temple, many milestones marked the year as significant. In this 2024 year-in-review episode of the Church News podcast, Deseret News executive editor Doug Wilks and former Church News editor and current Deseret News editor Sarah Jane Weaver share their observations from the year in politics, peacemaking, missionary work and the strength of youth of the Church.

The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Host Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of The Church News, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Each Christmas season since 2000, the sacred musical drama “Savior of the World: His Birth and Resurrection” has been performed at the Conference Center Theater on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. The two-act show — produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — follows the scriptural accounts surrounding Jesus Christ’s birth and Resurrection.

On this episode of the Church News podcast, members of the 2024 production share their experiences while crafting performances: director Paul Walstad; Troy Hanks, who plays the apostle Peter; and Karli Welch, who portrays Mary, the mother of Jesus. They talk about how a team of hundreds of performers, production and technical crews present the musical as a testimony of Jesus Christ and His divine mission as the Savior and Redeemer of the world. 

The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Host Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of The Church News, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.