During the week of Dec. 24 to Dec. 30, Church News looked back at the year of 2023. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles testified of the “Work of God” in a new Church News video. Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles talked about the 200 millionth copy of the Book of Mormon being distributed.
Read what Church leaders have taught, promised and testified about the Book of Mormon and sharing the Book of Mormon app. Take a look at temple news for 2023. The Young Women and Young Men general presidents talk about the 2024 youth theme.
Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman’s ministry included attendance at 1st-ever FSY conference in Fiji. Church News executive editor Sarah Jane Weaver wrote about what she learned from President Russell M. Nelson about accepting prophetic invitations and the Book of Mormon. Listen to a review of 2023 on the Church News podcast with Deseret News editors Doug Wilks and Hal Boyd.
1. 2023 in review: A look back on Church events this year
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shakes hands with President M. Russell Ballard, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, after the Sunday morning session of the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, April 2, 2023.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
As the year comes to a close, it is an opportunity to reflect on what has happened in the Church in the last 12 months.
In 2023 the Church dedicated 11 temples and announced 36 new missions. Leaders also ordained a new Apostle. Also in 2023 Church members mourned the loss of President M. Russell Ballard and the wives of a First Presidency counselor and two Apostles.
Here is a brief look back at the news of the Church in 2023
Read the full article here.
2. Video: Elder Uchtdorf testifies of the ‘Work of God’ — ‘I know that ... He is there for me’
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shares his testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ in this Church News video, titled “Work of God.”
Screenshot from YouTube
Elder Uchtdorf shares his testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ in this Church News video, titled “Work of God.”
Watch the video here.
3. Church distributes 200 millionth copy of the Book of Mormon
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced in December 2023 that 200 million copies of the Book of Mormon had been published.
Jason Olson, Deseret News
More than 200 million copies of the Book of Mormon have now entered the hands of individuals worldwide seeking to know more about Jesus Christ and His role in their lives.
Elder Renlund said the increasing distribution of the Book of Mormon is a fulfillment of prophecy and a sign that Heavenly Father is hastening the work of gathering scattered Israel.
Read the full article here.
4. What Church leaders have taught, promised and testified about the Book of Mormon
President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, opens The Book of Mormon in his office in the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. President Oaks turns 90 on Aug. 12.
Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
This year, Latter-day Saints across the globe have the opportunity to study the Book for Mormon as individuals and families and in Primary and Sunday School classes for “Come, Follow Me.” Church leaders have shared invitations, promises and testimonies about this “precious” book of scripture.
The Book of Mormon app makes it easier to use and share this sacred volume of scriptures digitally.
Read the full article about what Church leaders have said about the Book of Mormon here.
Read the full article about sharing the Book of Mormon app and what Church leaders have said about it here.
5. A look at temples in 2023
The Richmond Virginia Temple at sunset in Richmond on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
In a three-part series the Church News looks at what happened with temples during 2023.
Read part one here.
Read part two here.
6. 2024 youth theme: What being a disciple of Christ means to Young Women and Young Men general presidents
A scene from the theme song music video, “Disciple of Christ,” released on Oct. 27, 2023, along with the 2024 youth theme.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?
For Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman, it’s comparable to having the courage to perform on a stage in front of others.
For Young Men General President Steven J. Lund, being a disciple of Christ means knowing the Savior and your life’s purpose.
Read the full article here.
7. President Freeman ministry includes attendance at 1st-ever FSY conference in Fiji
Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman poses for a photo with youth leaders during the first-ever For the Strength of Youth conference in Fiji. The FSY conference was held the week of Dec. 12, 2023, in Suva.
Screenshot from ChurchofJesusChrist.org
In speaking to roughly 900 youth ages 14 to 18 gathered at the University of South Pacific in Suva, Fiji, Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman noted they all had something in common:
“This is my first FSY since I was called as the Young Women general president, and this is your first FSY in Fiji,” said President Freeman, who began her service in August 2023.
Read the full article here.
8. Sarah Jane Weaver: What I learned from President Nelson about accepting prophetic invitations and the Book of Mormon
During his October 2017 general conference address, President Russell M. Nelson shared these photographs of himself and of an 8-year-old boy named Riley — taken without either of their knowledge. President Nelson was sitting on his porch immersed in the Book of Mormon. Riley was reading the Book of Mormon with the help of an “I Am a Child of God” bookmark.
Screenshot from ChurchofJesusChrist.org
President Nelson invited us to ponder three questions: ‘What would your life be like without the Book of Mormon? What would you not know? What would you not have?’
Read the full article here.
9. Podcast episode 168: Recounting significant Latter-day Saint news of 2023 with Deseret News editors Doug Wilks and Hal Boyd
Doug Wilks, Deseret News executive editor, joins the Church News Podcast with Hal Boyd, Deseret News editor and executive editor of Deseret Magazine, to talk about what happened in the Church during 2023.
Screenshot from Youtube
At the conclusion of 2023 — a remarkable year for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — Doug Wilks, Deseret News executive editor, and Hal Boyd, Deseret News editor and executive editor of Deseret Magazine, join the Church News podcast to discuss the news of the Church and how it intersected with national, local and government news this year.
