Church News

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.