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In the Almanac
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Jessica Lawrence

Jessica Anne Lawrence is a writing intern with the Church News. She previously worked as a writing/editing intern with the Liahona magazine and editor-in-chief for a leadership journal at Utah Valley University. Jessica is from Twin Falls, Idaho, and graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in psychology. She is currently working on a second degree in English and creative writing from Utah Valley University. Jessica served a mission in the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission from 2013 to 2014 and spends her free time hanging out with her cute dachshund and watching the Kentucky Derby.

An aerial view of a large crowd of young adults walking through a wide hallway.
Living Faith
Here’s how the Utah Area Young Single Adult Conference went
From a concert and a dance to a devotional given by an Apostle, young single adults in Utah had plenty to enjoy throughout the month of August.
Humanitarian missionaries Elder Locke Ettiger and Sister Carol Sue Ettiger with students from the Kelly Urban Vocational Agricultural School at donation ceremony in Hastings, Sierra Leone, on Sept. 5, 2023.
Global
Donations help improve schools, education programs in 5 countries
From new classrooms with desks and tables to washrooms from Zambia to Peru, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has helped improve learning environments in schools in several countries in Africa and South America.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong shared his experience visiting an ancestor’s grave with his wife in a social media post Sept. 13, 2023.
Living Faith
This week on social: ‘Each of us deserves to be remembered’ says Elder Gong
Elder Gerrit W. Gong told a story of his ancestors and other Church leaders shared messages about the Joseph Smith Papers conference, repentance, and welcoming others.
President Bruce C. Kusch of Ensign College gives a devotional address to open the 2023 fall semester.
Living Faith
President and Sister Kusch teach humility and representing Jesus Christ at Ensign College devotional
“There is a great connection between a willingness to be obedient and opening the windows of heaven in your behalf,” said Sister Alynda Kusch with President Bruce C. Kusch at the first Ensign College devotional for 2023 fall semester.
On Sept. 3, 2023, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf shares a story about receiving a copy of the Book of Mormon that belonged to a missionary who taught his wife.
Living Faith
This week on social: Missionary efforts have ‘profound impact’
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf shared an experience on social media about a missionary who taught his wife, and other leaders post on the importance of focusing on Jesus Christ.
President Dallin H. Oaks urges Latter-day Saints to help others understand Jesus Christ’s divine mission and His role in answering troubling questions in a social media post on Aug. 27, 2023.
Living Faith
This week on social: Helping others understand Jesus Christ’s divine mission
“The theme of Jesus Christ needs to dominate our teaching,” says President Dallin H. Oaks.
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Living Faith
Strategies for when your mind goes to negative places
“How you cope determines what comes next,” said Scott Braithwaite during his BYU Education Week presentation.
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Members
BYU Education Week: BYU AD Tom Holmoe and the Big 12 era
“It’s an incredible responsibility,” says school’s athletic director.
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Living Faith
This week on social: The fear of moving forward
President Ballard talks about what to do when members worry about whether or not they are on the “right path.”
Aaron D. Franklin, right, teaches at BYU Education Week in an auditorium-style classroom as viewed from the side.
Living Faith
BYU Education Week: Can ChatGPT teach a Sunday School lesson?
“Should people fear AI or shun it?” asked professor Aaron D. Franklin during a BYU Education Week class.
Gaylamarie and John Rosenberg on the trails during the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
Living Faith
BYU Education Week: Lessons from a 500-mile hike to help battle self-doubt, negative self-talk
Gaylamarie G. Rosenberg walked the 500-mile Camino de Santiago in Spain. At BYU Education Week, she shared how lessons from the experience — including accepting God’s help, focus and strength — can help overcome self-doubt.
The blind man, now healed, hugging Christ in a gesture of gratitude.
Living Faith
BYU Education Week: ‘Christ freely, frequently and fully forgives’
“There are too many ‘pink’ Saints who don’t think they can be as white as snow,” said BYU religion professor Anthony Sweat.
Attendees at the Gather Together Conference, riding up and down escalators.
Living Faith
‘History is about people’: What YSAs learned about Church history at Utah YSA conference
How the Gather Together Conference of the Utah Area YSA Conference taught Saints a thing or two about history.
A board filled with sticky notes, next to a sign that says “Why I Stay.”
Living Faith
How the Utah Area conference built faith and testimony for young single adults
Events at the Gather Together Conference of the Utah Area YSA Conference that strengthened faith of Latter-day Saints.
A large room full of young people and experience booths with family history displays.
Family History
YSAs connect with their ancestors, each other in family history events at the Utah Area YSA conference
Young single adults at Gather Together Conference on Aug. 19 connected with each other and their own family history in the conference’s Family History series of events.
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Living Faith
Here’s what Church leaders and others taught during ‘Christ Daily’ talks at young single adult conference
The 30-minute TED Talk-style messages were given by a variety of Latter-day Saints such as Sister Kristin M. Yee and former Utah congresswoman Mia Love.
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Living Faith
This week on social: Church leaders visit Kenya temple and express concern for Hawaii
Elder Ronald A. Rasband shared on social about ministering in central Africa and visiting the site of the Nairobi Kenya Temple, and President Camille N. Johnson expressed concern for victims of the Hawaii wildfires.
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Global
See how food donations in 6 countries are helping communities
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have partnered with local organizations in six countries — Singapore, Ecuador, Peru, Belize, Honduras and Costa Rica — for a variety of food donations.
Teens wear shirts saying “Lift” as they participate in the Idaho Falls 4th of July parade.
Living Faith
See how Idaho teens are getting involved with JustServe over the summer
Serving is one way youth can stand out from the world, said a Latter-day Saint teen from Idaho Falls.
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Living Faith
This week on social: ‘When we love God, we love His children,’ says President Ballard
Church leaders this week share messages about the importance of reaching out to others and loving those that are different.
Concertgoers join for a group hug at the “Together in Christ” concert
Members
‘Together in Christ’: The ‘unprecedented’ OneRepublic concert for young single adults
More than 13,500 Latter-day Saint young single adults attended a concert with OneRepublic, Jordin Sparks and other artists to kick off the Church’s monthlong Utah Area YSA conference.
Elder Quentin L. Cook and Sister Mary Cook walk in England.
Living Faith
This week on social: ‘We are called to share the hope the Savior offers,’ says Elder Cook
New Young Women general presidency debuted a new social media initiative and “differences of opinion are part of life,” said President Russell M. Nelson.
Sister Tracy Y. Browning of the Primary general presidency writes about God’s love and light in a social media post.
Leaders & Ministry
This week on social: Women are ‘emissaries of the Savior’
President Camille N. Johnson shares gratitude for women who provide relief, President Bonnie H. Cordon talked about the blessings of callings, while Sister Tracy Y. Browning wrote about God’s love and light.
Elder Christofferson wearing a cowboy hat and waving to a crowd from a horse-drawn carriage, accompanied by his wife, Kathy Christofferson.
Members
Days of ‘47 parade: Being a pioneer ‘means everything’
See photos of Days of ‘47 parade floats created by members throughout Utah celebrating their pioneer ancestry.
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Living Faith
This week on social: Leaders encourage turning to the Lord for revelation
In social posts this week, President Henry B. Eyring, President Camille N. Johnson and Elder David A. Bednar encourage members to seek out spiritual revelation.
Sayge Madsen, in a cowboy hat and button-up long-sleeved shirt, gives two thumbs up to the camera.
Members
Latter-day Saint Sayge Madsen joins 5 others in Utah’s first Cowgirl Collective
“Never sell yourself short,” says Sayge Madsen, a Latter-day Saint and an ambassador of the new Utah Cowgirl Collective program.
Amira Elghawaby and Sandra Pallin at the Our Whole Society conference at Martin Luther University College in Waterloo, Ontario.
Members
‘The unifying power of religions’ in Canada
Latter-day Saints in Canada unite with those of other faiths and backgrounds to strengthen relationships and communities.
The Gallatin Election Fight in Daviess County, Missouri.
Members
Pioneers in our families: A legacy of defending the Church and the Prophet
After participating in the Election Day Battle at Gallatin, John Lowe Butler joined the Nauvoo Legion and was appointed as a bodyguard to the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Elder Bednar sits at a table with his scriptures holding his scriptures open in front of him.
Living Faith
This week on social: Elder Bednar points to 3 scriptures on what it means to have an ongoing Restoration of the Church
In a video on social media, Elder David A. Bednar answers a question he frequently gets on what it means to have an ongoing Restoration. Plus, Young Men and Young Women leaders share tips on prayer.
Interfaith network members visit together at the multifaith event in Melbourne, Australia.
Global
From an interfaith dinner in Australia to a youth summit in Africa, see how Church members are helping build their communities
See how the Church is strengthening families, communities and youth in Australia, Costa Rica, Ghana, Italy and Spain.