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In the Almanac
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Kaitlyn Bancroft

Kaitlyn Bancroft is a reporter with Church News. Previously, she’s written for KSL.com, The Salt Lake Tribune, The Spectrum & Daily News (part of the USA TODAY NETWORK), The Denver Post, Deseret News and The Davis Clipper. She’s a 2019 graduate of Brigham Young University’s journalism program, where she worked at The Daily Universe for four years. Follow her work on Twitter @katbancroft or on Instagram @katbancroftreports, and email her at kbancroft@deseretnews.com.

Brother Bradley R. Wilcox, first counselor in the Young Men general presidency.
Leaders & Ministry
Brother Wilcox teaches how to escape the ‘worthless’ trap of pornography
Brother Bradley R. Wilcox was a keynote speaker during the Utah Coalition Against Pornography’s 4th Annual Rally for Hope & Healing on Nov. 11, 2023.
The Utah Valley Institute Singers perform during the 2021 Church Music Festival broadcast Sept. 17, 2021.
Living Faith
How the 2023 Church Music Festival is different than ever before
The festival typically features original compositions by members, but this year, the focus is on worldwide music.
A man speaks during a Church council meeting. Several other adults look at him while listening.
Living Faith
What to know about teacher council meetings for parents
Church News sat down with the Sunday School general presidency to learn what teacher council meetings for parents are, how wards should conduct them and how these councils can bless parents.
A screenshot of FamilySearch’s North American website homepage.
Living Faith
FamilySearch launches changes to its North American website
FamilySearch implemented record search changes a year ago but those changes are now feature prominently on the website’s homepage.
Melchizedek ordains Abraham in this Gary L. Kapp painting found in the Old Testament DVDs set.
Living Faith
‘Come, Follow Me’ for Nov. 6-12: What have Church leaders and scholars said about Hebrews 7-13?
“Come, Follow Me” for Nov. 6-12 covers Hebrews 7-13, which includes writings on faith, chastening and the Melchizedek priesthood.
A young girl and boy play outside.
Members
Why people are talking about this 13-year-old BYU study on sibling relationships
Conducted in 2010, millions of Instagram users are learning about the study in 2023.
A Jack-o’-lantern sits on a hay bale.
Members
A BYU professor is hunting ghosts this Halloween — but not the spooky kind
BYU business professor Jeff Bednar recently helped research the impact of “organizational ghosts.”
Delia Rochon, right, and Camille Fronk Olson stand at a new pioneer memorial in the Murray City Cemetery in Murray, Utah, Oct. 28, 2023.
History Revisited
New memorial honors pioneers, reunites 2 family branches
Delia Rochon’s research led her to family she didn’t know she had. On Oct. 28, the cousins honored their shared ancestors with a new pioneer memorial.
A family in Paraguay having home evening together.
Members
What this BYU study found about how religious hope strengthens families
David Dollahite, a professor in BYU’s School of Family Life, is a co-author of a new study exploring connections between religious practices and hope.
A man confers the priesthood upon another man by the laying on of hands in this depiction of priesthood authority in ancient times.
Living Faith
‘Come, Follow Me’ for Oct. 30-Nov. 5: What have Church leaders and scholars said about Hebrews 1-6?
“Come, Follow Me” for Oct. 30-Nov. 5 includes writings on hope, the priesthood and how Jesus Christ “is able to succour them that are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18).
The Orem Utah Temple.
Temples
How the Orem Utah Temple will bless local students, young adults, community members
With nearby Utah Valley University and Brigham Young University boasting a collective 80,000 students, young adults are particularly excited about the new Orem Utah Temple.
Statues of Christ and the Apostles are displayed in the Rome Temple Visitors’ Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rome, Italy.
Living Faith
‘Come, Follow Me’ for Oct. 23-29: What Church leaders and scholars say about 1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; and Philemon
“Come, Follow Me” for Oct. 23-29 includes the apostle Paul’s teachings on bishops, endurance and overcoming fear through faith.
Boxes of food donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wait for distribution at the Rowan County Service Building in September 2023.
Living Faith
Church donates 33,000 pounds of food to 20 Kentucky organizations
The donations “are bringing the name of the Church... out of obscurity here in eastern Kentucky,” said JustServe specialist Samone Ratcliff.
A young family walks together outside with the father holding a child.
Members
Family research: What this BYU study found about which parent a school is more likely to call
BYU economics professor Olga Stoddard and researchers from two other universities conducted the study.
A portion of the walls of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Living Faith
‘Come, Follow Me’ for Oct. 16-22: What have Church leaders and scholars said about 1 and 2 Thessalonians?
“Come, Follow Me” for Oct. 16-22 includes the apostle Paul’s writings on loving all men, abstaining from fornication and being “children of light.”
Volunteers with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gather during cleanup efforts after Hurricane Idalia hit Florida’s Big Bend area in August 2023.
Members
Hurricane Idalia volunteer disaster relief by the numbers
The storm caused billions of dollars worth of damage, but thousands of Latter-day Saints joined disaster relief efforts.
Bishop L. Todd Budge, second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, speaks during a BYU–Hawaii devotional on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023.
Living Faith
BYU–Hawaii devotional: Bishop Budge outlines 5 things both President Nelson and prophet Mormon taught
Anciently and modernly, prophets testify of the same eternal truths, said Bishop L. Todd Budge.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, in white, and Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, left, talk with Gabrielle and Christylee Jara and their children — Gabrielle, 10, Sarai, and Jasmine — prior to the the McAllen Texas Temple’s dedication on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023.
Temples
McAllen Texas Temple dedication bridges borders, Elder Uchtdorf says
In the U.S.-Mexico border town where families are sometimes divided by literal and figurative walls, the temple represents peace and unity.
The Kirby family gathers for a gospel study at home around their table.
Living Faith
‘Come, Follow Me’ for Oct. 9-15: What have Church leaders and scholars said about Philippians and Colossians?
This week’s study guide includes the apostle Paul’s writings on doing “all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
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Temples
From 24 hours of travel to 15 minutes: How the McAllen Texas Temple is bringing blessings home for local members
The new temple will be dedicated Oct. 8, 2023, but the Church’s history in McAllen goes back much further.
The first group of about 200 volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints line up to participate in the Stock the Block service project.
Members
YSAs in Washington, D.C. feed local families through ‘Stock the Block’ service project
Volunteers supplied families with necessities and connected them with health, legal and other services.
Elder Quentin L. Cook, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaks during October 2023 general conference.
General Conference
Full texts of October 2023 general conference talks now online
Texts of the October 2023 general conference messages have been added to the Church’s website in English. Other languages are expected to follow.
The sun shines on ruins of the Celsus Library in Ephesus, Turkey.
Living Faith
What have Church leaders and scholars said about Ephesians?
This week’s study guide includes the apostle Paul’s writings on “corrupt communication” and gathering in Christ.
Conferencegoers file in before the Sunday morning session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference.
General Conference
Church leaders emphasize importance of Holy Ghost, during October 2023 general conference
President Henry B. Eyring, Elder Gary E. Stevenson and others taught members how to better hear and follow the Spirit’s promptings.
The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square sings in the Conference Center for 193rd Semiannual General Conference.
General Conference
Sunday morning session: See photos, talk summaries of October 2023 general conference
The Sunday morning session of October 2023 general conference emphasized the importance of relying on Jesus Christ.
Elder Joni L. Koch, General Authority Seventy, speaks during the Saturday evening session of October 2023 general conference.
General Conference
Elder Joni L. Koch: ‘Humble to Accept and Follow’
“Some experiences in life make us realize that the natural prideful man often is very much alive within us,” said Elder Joni L. Koch.
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General Conference
Elder Yoon Hwan Choi: ‘Do You Want To Be Happy?’
“My dear brothers and sisters, do you want to be happy? Stay on the covenant path,” said Elder Yoon Hwan Choi.
Elder Ian S. Arden, General Authority Seventy, speaks during the Saturday morning session of October 2023 general conference.
General Conference
Elder Ian S. Ardern: ‘Love Thy Neighbor’
“Each of us can be the one who can make a difference for good in the life of someone,” said Elder Ian S. Ardern.
Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, talks with Qualtrics cofounder and Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith during a question-and-answer session at the eighth annual Silicon Slopes Summit at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023.
Elder Bednar talks tech at Silicon Slopes Summit
The Apostle sat down with Qualtrics cofounder Ryan Smith for a question-and-answer session that touched on topics from education to finances.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Church Administration Building is pictured in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020.
Leaders & Ministry
Church leaders sustain 2 new Area Seventies, release 2 others during leadership meetings
The changes were announced during the October 2023 general conference leadership meetings on Thursday, Sept. 28.