In recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have the opportunity to study the country’s inspired founding documents and participate in commemorative and celebratory efforts.

With May’s fifth-Sunday lesson, July’s fast for religious liberty and other events, the First Presidency has invited all to remember “religious freedom and our God-given agency.”

Ensign College professors Kurt Fertig and Joseph Kerry join Church News reporter Mary Richards on this episode to discuss the significance of America250.

In commemoration of the 300th episode of the Church News podcast, three of the hosts come together to reflect on this milestone. Sarah Jane Weaver, former editor of the Church News and current editor of the Deseret News; Church News editor Ryan Jensen and Church News reporter Mary Richards talk about the beginning of the podcast in 2020 to where it is now.

They share experiences interviewing guests and covering the ongoing Restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including what they have seen and felt over the years and answering the question, “What do I know now?”

In recent years, artificial intelligence has moved from being a concept illustrated in science fiction books and movies to being something that many individuals use on a daily basis. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has spoken about AI to Church members, to politicians, to business leaders and to others. And he has done so in the United States, Italy, Turkey and Greece, among other locations. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints published a video on Sunday, June 7, featuring Elder Gong teaching how to hear God’s voice in an age of AI. 

On this episode of the Church News podcast, Deseret News reporter Tad Walch joins Church News editor Jon Ryan Jensen to talk about AI and principles he has learned while covering Elder Gong.

“I've dived into AI closely with one Apostle, and it's remarkable to see the knowledge that he has about AI, the deep understanding of the technology, and also the ability to provide direction around faith to help people use AI in an ethical and appropriate way so that they can continue to be faithful members of Christ's kingdom,” Walch said. 

During the April 2026 general conference, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported 385,490 individuals were baptized in 2025. That historic number increased the Church’s total membership to 17,887,212, according to the annual statistical report.

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles called the increase in baptisms “remarkable.” He also noted that those new members are attending sacrament meeting at higher rates than in the past, as well.

A new report co-authored by Brigham Young University professor of religious education and BYU Studies editor-in-chief Justin Dyer and four other colleagues at BYU Studies, highlights data showing that members of the Church demonstrate the highest religious activity in America.

“What we find in the research is that it’s that religiosity — it’s that connecting with the divine — that really makes the big differences in our lives,” Dyer said.

Dyer, who has been a guest on the Church News podcast before, joins Church News editor Ryan Jensen on this podcast episode to discuss what he sees in this data and what it means for Church members.

Millions of individuals visit Temple Square in Salt Lake City each year. Many are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many others come from around the world to see the 10-acre site of the Salt Lake Temple and other parts of the site that is headquarters to the global Church.

The Salt Lake Temple has been undergoing significant renovations since 2019 and is scheduled to host an open house and dedication in 2027. As the grounds around the temple have been refreshed, new sculptures that represent aspects of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the life of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of Jesus Christ’s Church have been placed around the grounds.

Two of those sculptures came from the dedicated work of sculptor Michael Hall.

“It’s humbling,” Hall said. “How do you depict God? How do you depict God in a way that will help people to feel the Spirit?”

Hall joins Church News editor Jon Ryan Jensen to discuss the testimony-refining process of creating sculptures of the Savior’s mortal life and of Joseph Smith’s First Vision.

Starting in September, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will again participate in three meetings on Sundays. After sacrament meeting, the second-hour will include two 25-minute blocks to ensure both Sunday School and then Relief Society, elders quorum and youth classes.

These updates are meant to support members as they learn, worship and serve — both at home and at church, as they try to become more devout and lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ. 

Elder David P. Homer, a General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Church’s Priesthood and Family Department, joins Church News reporter Mary Richards to explain what to know about the changes and how to prepare.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints work in nearly every profession imaginable. Some, including the two guests on this episode of the Church News podcast are professional athletes. But Kaden Bowler and Bronson Balholm play in a unique league with equally unique rules in a spinoff of America’s pastime — Banana Ball. 

Bowler grew up largely in northern Utah’s Cache Valley where he played high school baseball before serving a mission on the other side of the world in Cambodia. Balholm is from Southern California. He played baseball in college, including time at Arizona State University. 

For Bowler, moving from the “darkest, loneliest time” of his life, to now being “super grateful for where I am,” was not an easy or predictable process. Balholm likewise had an unpredictable path that led to the two players meeting in Savannah, Georgia, where they attended the same young single adult branch. 

“There are going to be ups and downs,” Balholm said. “But the Lord’s always going to be there. You always gotta keep coming up to the next at-bat.” 

On this episode of the Church News podcast, Bowler and Balholm join Church News editor Jon Ryan Jensen to describe how playing baseball, serving a mission and studying the scriptures has helped them develop faith in Jesus Christ.

In January 2025, the Palisades Fire became one of the most destructive wildfires in California history, burning homes, neighborhoods, schools, businesses and places of worship. 

Last month, the Pacific Palisades meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reopened in Southern California after more than a year of extensive renovation because of the fire.

On this episode of the Church News podcast, Pacific Palisades Ward Bishop Taylor Mammen joins Church News reporter Mary Richards to share more of the recovery process and what it is like to meet again “in a beloved, familiar place where many sacred experiences have taken place.”

For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, temple and family history go hand in hand with the Church’s mission of uniting families for eternity. As new temples are announced, built and dedicated around the world, more members than ever have access to do this sacred work for themselves and their ancestors.

On this episode of the Church News podcast, Elder Mark A. Bragg, a General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Family History Department and FamilySearch International, joins Church News reporter Mary Richards to discuss how tools, resources and growing interest are helping connect families on both sides of the veil.

Elder Bragg reminds listeners that Latter-day Saints are promised greater blessings, understanding and a bolstered testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement as they gather family names to bring to the house of the Lord. 

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 Rex Warner. 

The Caring for Those in Need 2025 report shows that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints exceeded the previous year's record, spending $1.58 billion to help those in need. The Church’s efforts to care include both the work of the Church as an organization and the individual efforts of Latter-day Saints around the world. The summary highlights humanitarian aid, volunteer service and welfare and self-reliance efforts worldwide.

On this episode of the Church News podcast, Blaine Maxfield, managing director of the Church’s Welfare and Self-Reliance Services, joins Church News reporter Mary Richards to talk about this important work. They discuss how members, as disciples of Jesus Christ, strive to follow His teaching to “love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:39).

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 and Rex Warner.