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Mary Richards
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@deseret.com.


In Ohio, Arizona, Nevada and Utah, stake leadership, disability activity leaders and youth counselors help the Church's disability activity program.

President Marcelino Sanchez discusses what has happened in the past year and what is ahead.

The lyrics and music work together to show turmoil, then peace, explained the songwriter and composer.

Here are 10 stories from the Church News the week of Sept. 20-26.

The new Sunday format is helping Church members focus on Jesus Christ, strengthen learning at home and increase belonging and connection at Church.

Siblings serve with siblings, and parents have children serving together in another mission years later.

The Church recently donated educational supplies in Tonga, Brazil, Paraguay, Rwanda, Guatemala and the Philippines.

"The Spirit was so sweet and strong. People felt it. People were happy, and it extended through the dedication. The future is bright," said a longtime stake member.

Opportunities are all around to serve each other, whether through organized efforts or individual acts.

Temporal caring and spiritual caring, ministering, tithing and fast offerings are ways "God is helping us to care for one another, to love each other greater."

The celebration was not merely a look at the past but also a call to the rising generation to look to the future of an African nation where the Church is quickly growing.

Mammography equipment, dental care, incubators and other support from the Church will strengthen healthcare efforts.

The newest members of Relief Society who are coming from Young Women can find belonging through ministering, teaching, activities and friendships.

"This is Jesus Christ’s Church. He will guide us and help us find answers to better address the needs of the youth and serve them."

Choose prophecy over projections, do not fear, and aim high and fly, invited Elder Rubén V. Alliaud, General Authority Seventy.

Elizabeth and Giovanni Guanuna speak with Church News reporter Aimee Cobabe about their temple sealing and blessings from building their faith in Jesus Christ.

The cousins draw on their ancestors’ legacy of testimony and hard work as they serve.

The Friend to Friend episode shows children learning from "The Family Proclamation" and sharing family traditions. Watch here.

During her ministry in Germany, Austria, Cyprus and Spain, Sister Kristin M. Yee of the Relief Society general presidency taught about discipleship and temple blessings.

A Georgia woman’s monthly letters and cards to other women are bringing purpose and making a difference.

Learn what positive outliers can teach about creating a better dating and marriage culture.

“We want this issue to work for children of all ages,” said the managing editor.

Parental faith shapes generations in the Church.

When the Sunday schedule changes on Sept. 6, Primary classes will get five more minutes.

"We encourage all to listen to, study, ponder and apply the counsel given," the First Presidency wrote.

Parents and youth leaders are encouraged to teach principles from the theme, found in Philippians 4:4, at home and at church throughout the year.

Worshipping in the temple provides peace, joy and an eternal view, Elder Patrick Kearon said before the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple dedication.

Local units and areas can plan and hold their own in-person music experiences by the end of 2026.

The Church’s caring for women and children initiative is helping member children in Mozambique affected by malnutrition and stunting.

Start Aug. 30 to review a talk a day before the October 2026 #generalconference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which will be Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3-4. Here’s how to prepare.