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Mary Richards

Mary Richards is a reporter for the Church News. Before that, she was a morning reporter/anchor for KSL NewsRadio in Salt Lake City. She graduated from BYU with a degree in journalism, and she and her husband have five children. Email her at mrichards@deseretnews.com.

A drawing of a man by a window in a video from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about emotional resilience.
Members
Developing emotional resilience can make it easier to perceive the Lord’s guidance
Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé offers encouragement and resources in a new “Hear Him” video from the Church.
Kahului Hawaii West Stake President Benjamin J. Hanks, hugs Unaloto Taukeiaho after the fires in Lahaina on Maui.
Living Faith
Mary Richards: Capacity, potential and revelation
Each child of God has the capacity and potential to “grow into the principle of revelation” and receive heavenly help.
A couple donates seeds, polio vaccines, ducks and diapers at the 2022 Salt Lake City Giving Machine.
Living Faith
Light the World Giving Machines opening in 61 locations in 2023
Giving-focused vending machines to be in 61 locations across the U.S. and around the world, with options to donate online.
Four-year-old Priscilla washes her hands in water collected from a spring in Gicumbi District, Rwanda.
Global
Having water ‘is like a dream’ in Rwanda
The Church of Jesus Christ and Water for People are working on completing water systems in Gicumbi District, Rwanda.
Two young men make wigs at a table as part of a JustServe Magic Yarn Project at the Saratoga California Stake Center.
Members
JustServe volunteers help Magic Yarn Project make wigs for children with cancer
A young man who received a wig in his own cancer journey joins in project to help in California’s Bay Area.
Women and children at a malnutrition screening session in the village of Ngolo, in the Northern region of Burkina Faso.
Global
The Church’s global effort to nourish children and mothers
The Relief Society is involved in a global effort to improve the health and development of children under five and their mothers.
President Camille N. Johnson, Sister Tracy Y. Browning, Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, R-TN, take a picture in Nashville, Tennessee.
Leaders & Ministry
President Johnson, Sister Browning and Sister Spannaus minister in Tennessee
The Relief Society, Primary and Young Women general leaders meet with a U.S. senator, held interfaith meetings and conducted training in Nashville.
Elder Gary B. Sabin, a General Authority Seventy, speaks from the pulpit in the Marriott Center.
Living Faith
Understand the plan with an eternal perspective, teaches Elder Sabin
In a devotional at Brigham Young University, Elder Gary B. Sabin spoke of graduating with honor from mortal life.
A map shows an area of Israel and Gaza in the Middle East.
Global
Church providing humanitarian aid in Middle East during conflict
A statement says the Church is devoting significant financial resources for critical needs.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Sister Harriet Uchtdorf share a laugh at the Mesa Arizona Temple.
Leaders & Ministry
Today is Elder Uchtdorf’s 83rd birthday. Here are 9 of his quotes from the past year
Born Nov. 6, 1940, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf has been an Apostle since 2004.
Performers reach out their arms to the audience at the conclusion of the 2023 “Luz de las Naciones” in the Conference Center.
Living Faith
See photos from Luz de las Naciones: ‘Nuestra Tierra’ (‘Our Land’)
This year’s celebration at the Conference Center included songs, dances from multiple countries.
Kristen Gardner is from Richmond, Virginia. She shares how she got help from a Family Services counselor.
Members
How Family Services counseling helped this single mother
“I’m so excited to start a life as a bigger, happier family.” said Kristen Gardner.
A dancer wearing white and green prepares for a number from Brazil during the dress rehearsal for the 2023 Luz de las Naciones.
Living Faith
‘Luz de las Naciones’ celebrates ‘Our Land’ with songs, dances from multiple countries
Brazil and Spain included with Latin American countries in this year’s celebration at the Conference Center.
Hands hold pictures of ancestors in a Day of the Dead or Día de los Muertos letter.
Global
Day of the Dead is a time to remember ancestors
Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson and the Church’s Mexico Area presidency invited others to reflect on lessons from their ancestors and do family history work.
JustServe specialist and volunteer Francisca Salgado speaks at the official launch of JustServe in Santiago, Chile.
Global
JustServe officially launches in Chile
An event in Santiago let organizations and volunteers know how to get started using JustServe in Chile — the 14th country to have the free community service platform.
The Church’s Africa West Area presidency meets with Muslim leaders at the Nigerian National Mosque in Abuja, Nigeria, Oct. 26, 2023.
Global
Nigerian stake president named peace ambassador; Church leaders visit Nigerian National Mosque
The Africa West Area presidency visited the Nigerian National Mosque and a Nigerian stake president was named an Eminent Ambassador of Peace.
Elder Jörg Klebingat speaks to others at a donation ceremony in the Volta Region of Ghana after the Akosombo Dam spillage flood.
Global
Church gives emergency food and supplies to flood victims in Ghana
Tens of thousands of people have been displaced by the Akosombo Dam spillage flood.
The Santiago Chile La Reina Stake gathers for the Worldwide Day of Testimony.
Living Faith
The impact of the Worldwide Day of Testimony
Youth and leaders shared how bearing and listening to testimonies increased their strength in Jesus Christ.
Four teenagers sit together outside while holding Children and Youth program booklets.
Members
Young Women and Young Men general presidencies announce 2024 youth theme
Parents and youth leaders are encouraged to teach principles from the theme, found in 3 Nephi 5:13, at home and at church throughout the year.
A woman cares for chickens in Ethiopia in a wire mesh coop. The poultry voucher program is from CARE with the support of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Global
How poultry production is promoting self-reliance in Ethiopia
The Church of Jesus Christ is working with CARE to support thousands of families in poultry production.
A street is strewn with debris, including a white car, corrugated metal, mud and knocked over signs, and flooded with water, after Hurricane Otis.
Global
Church’s Mexico Area presidency expresses support for those affected by Hurricane Otis
Missionaries are safe and accounted for after one of the most powerful hurricanes to ever hit Mexico.
Elder Neil L. Andersen speaks during his devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center
Leaders & Ministry
Elder Andersen tells missionaries that as they put Jesus Christ first, their faith and belief will grow
“When you don’t know what to say, you speak of Christ,” Elder Neil L. Andersen said.
A group from the Church takes a tour of Second Harvest of the Big Bend warehouse in Tallahassee, Florida.
Living Faith
Church donates nearly $1 million to Florida food bank
“We need more organizations like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to recognize the growing need and ask, ‘How can I help?’” said the CEO of Second Harvest of the Big Bend.
Sister Kristin M. Yee speaks during a devotional in the Marriott Center at Brigham Young University.
Living Faith
Sister Yee shares the ‘wellspring of relief’ that comes through covenants with God
In a BYU devotional, Sister Kristin M. Yee gives 5 thoughts on relief that Jesus Christ brings through covenant relationship with God.
A new video from the World Food Programme thanks The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its support.
Global
World Food Programme highlights Church of Jesus Christ in efforts to fight hunger
A new video highlighted how the Church’s large donation has helped feed vulnerable people in nine countries.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband greets Vietnamese religious affairs leaders in Hanoi.
Leaders & Ministry
Elder Rasband thanks Vietnamese leaders for respecting religious freedom
While in Asia, Elder Ronald A. Rasband met with Vietnam government leaders and ministers in Hanoi.
Members arrive at the Bangkok Thailand Temple prior to the dedication.
Temples
Bangkok Thailand Temple dedicatory prayer: Elder Rasband prays, ‘May this temple fulfill its blessed purpose’
“May all who come here, recommended to the Lord, be further enlightened with the doctrine of the gospel, the hope of life eternal, and Thy promised peace.”
Young Men General President Steven J. Lund and Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman speak together at the Light of the World Garden in Lehi, Utah.
Living Faith
‘You can do all things through Christ,’ President Nelson promises youth during historic worldwide day of testimony
Youth around the world gathered to bear testimony of Jesus Christ and hear a message just for them from President Russell M. Nelson and the Young Men and Young Women general presidents.
A collage of pictures of youth gathering around the world during and after Church meetings and activities.
Members
Want to be featured in the Church News? Send us a photo of your worldwide youth testimony gathering
The Church News wants to share your photos of how you gathered for the Worldwide Day of Testimony.
A Primary teacher teaches a class.
Members
How to prepare Primary lessons for a fifth Sunday
A multitude of resources help Primary teachers, leaders and parents teach children about the covenant path.