Issuu

WWW.DESERET.COM

SPECIAL SECTION

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

E General Conference | E5

How different Christian faiths celebrate Easter

| F1

JustServe projects highlight the spirit of volunteerism in Utah

| G1

Utah’s 31 Latter-day Saint temples

25 years in the Conference Center

Brice Tucker, Deseret News Attendees exit the Conference Center after the Saturday afternoon session of the 194th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5, 2024.

The building reaches historic milestone this month

Groundbreaking and construction

By Kaitlyn Bancroft Church News

he April 2025 general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will mark the 25th anniversary of the first general conference held in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. In the 25 years, the building has welcomed hundreds of speakers, teaching on a variety of gospel topics. The Conference Center has also been the scene of numerous life-changing moments, including announcements of hundreds of locations worldwide for new temples and lowering the age requirement for fulltime missionaries. Between April 2000 and October 2024, the Conference Center hosted 1,755 total general conference talks. That number doesn’t include talks given outside the Conference Center between April 2020 and October 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions; it also doesn’t include the Saturday afternoon session of April 2007 general conference, which was held in the Salt Lake Tabernacle during its rededication. The Conference Center reached its 25th anniversary on April 1, 2025. Here’s a look at the building’s history and legacy as well as general conferences over the past quarter century.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Conference Center foundation is prepared in this photo from September 1997.

A plan to build the Conference Center was first announced during April 1996 general conference. The late President Gordon B. Hinckley noted the many people who wanted to attend the proceedings in the Salt Lake Tabernacle — where general conferences were held from 1867 until October 1999 — but were stuck outside due to space constraints. While no hall could ever be large enough to accommodate the entire Church membership, President Hinckley wished to create a place in which much larger numbers of people could attend general conference in person. “The structure we envision will not be a sports arena. It will be a great hall with fixed seating and excellent acoustics,” President Hinckley said at that time. “It will be a dedicated house of worship, and that will be its primary purpose.” A year later, during April 1997 general conference, President Hinckley announced a summer groundbreaking date for the not-yet-named assembly hall. “We may not fill it initially, but we are building for the long term,” he said at that time. The groundbreaking ceremony was held July 24, 1997 CONFERENCE CENTER E2

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Construction progresses on the Conference Center in Salt Lake City in this photo from March 1999.

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

COVER STORY

Conference Center turns 25

“

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Construction progresses on the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City in this picture from March 1999. The building was first used for general conference in April 2000.

CONFERENCE CENTER FROM E1

— the 150th anniversary of Latter-day Saint pioneers arriving in the Salt Lake Valley. Construction was a “bold undertaking,” as President Hinckley later said during April 2000 general conference. A consortium of three large construction companies handled the project, an October 2000 Ensign article reported; on any given day during the height of construction, as many as 1,000 workers were on site. “While engineers say that most of what was done in constructing the Conference Center had been done before, rarely if ever had it been done on such a scale.” It was also a challenge to plan a building partially embedded in a site that slopes downhill from Salt Lake City’s Main Street on the east side to West Temple Street on the west, the article continues. To keep the auditorium free of obstructing support columns, workers used steel roof trusses of up to 290 feet, capable of supporting loads between 250 and 525 pounds per square foot. Additionally, the structure needed to be capable of withstanding earthquakes. “It will be built as well as we know how to build in this season of the history of the world, and I hope that it will stand for as long as the earth lasts and serve the purpose of the kingdom of God,” President Hinckley said during the July 1997 groundbreaking ceremony.

First general conference, dedication By April 2000, construction on the new Conference Center was ongoing but complete enough to hold general conference. During his opening address, President Hinckley shared how the black walnut tree he’d planted 36

It will be built as well as we know how, ... and I hope that it will stand for as long as the earth lasts and serve the purpose of the kingdom of God.”

— President Gordon B. Hinckley

years earlier became the Conference Center’s pulpit. Additionally, all three members of the current First Presidency — President Russell M. Nelson, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring — spoke throughout April 2000 general conference, as did President Jeffrey R. Holland, the current acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. President Hinckley dedicated the Conference Center during general conference on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2000. In the dedicatory prayer — given at the end of the Sunday

Deseret News archives Thousands gather April 2, 2000, for the Sunday morning session of general conference — the first conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held in the new Conference Center.

morning session — he blessed the building to be “a gathering place for Thy people, where they may assemble to hear the word of the Lord as it is spoken by Thy servants who stand as prophets, seers and revelators and as witnesses unto the world of the living reality of the Lord Jesus Christ. … “From this pulpit may Thy name be spoken with reverence and love. May the name of Thy Son be constantly remembered with sacred declaration. May testimony of Thy divine work ring forth from here to all the world.” Following the dedicatory prayer, the congregation offered the Hosanna Shout. Additionally, prior to the Sunday morning session of October 2000 general conference, President Hinckley oversaw a cornerstone ceremony, the Liahona reported. A stainless-steel time capsule, placed within the cornerstone, includes a small replica of a beehive, carved from the same walnut tree as the Conference Center pulpit; April and October 2000 issues of Church magazines; a hard hat used in the building’s construction; and photos of the first ticket holder to enter the Conference Center for general conference. The capsule also holds a triple combination scripture set signed by members of the First Presidency, which at that time consisted of President Hinckley, the late President Thomas S. Monson as first counselor and the late President James E. Faust as second counselor. Today, the completed Conference Center is a 1.4-million-square-foot structure, built over an entire city block with its granite coming from the same deposits used for the Salt Lake Temple during the 1800s.

CONFERENCE TALKS IN CONFERENCE CENTER

1,755 382 579 481 43 227 43

TOTAL TALK S GI VEN

BY MEMBER S OF THE F IR ST PR E SIDEN CY

BY MEMBER S OF THE QUORUM OF THE T WELVE AP OSTLE S

BY GEN ER AL AU THOR I T Y SE VEN TIE S

BY MEMBER S OF THE PR E SIDIN G BISHOPR IC

BY WOMEN LE ADER S

BY MEMBER S OF THE SU N DAY SCHOOL OR YOU N G MEN GEN ER AL PR E SIDEN CIE S

CONFERENCE CENTER E3

Laura Seitz, Deseret News Church President Gordon B. Hinckley demonstrates how to do the Hosanna Shout, in the Sunday morning session of general conference on Oct. 8, 2000, prior to dedicating the new Conference Center.

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Audience members stand and sing a congregational hymn during the Saturday afternoon session of the 194th Semiannual General Conference in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5, 2024.

CONFERENCE CENTER FROM E2

The 21,000-seat auditorium is one of the largest in the world, big enough to fit a Boeing 747 airplane. Except for during COVID-19 precautions and portions of Temple Square construction, over 100,000 people attend general conference across its five sessions each April and October. The Conference Center is home to the world-renowned Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and to the choir’s national broadcast, “Music & the Spoken Word.” Its organ boasts 7,667 pipes, but only about 170 are visible to the audience. The Conference Center is also filled with beautiful art, including galleries featuring Jesus Christ, Book of Mormon scenes, temples and Church leaders.

Notable announcements and events A number of significant announcements were made in the Conference Center between April 2000 and October 2024, including: • April 2001 — President Gordon B. Hinckley introduced the Perpetual Education Fund, which provides financial support for Church members in developing areas seeking education to improve their employment opportunities. • April 2005 — The late Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles introduced the missionary guide “Preach My Gospel.” • October 2012 — President Monson, then the President of the Church, announced that minimum age requirements for full-time

missionaries would be lowered from 19 to 18 for men and from 21 to 19 for women. • April 2018 — Current Church President Russell M. Nelson announced that ministering would replace home and visiting teaching. • October 2018 — Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles announced that church meeting blocks would be two hours long instead of three and gave an overview of the at-home study guide “Come, Follow Me.” Additionally, notable events have been held at the Conference Center over the last 25 years, including: • December 2000 — Grammy Awardwinning singer Gladys Knight was the first musical guest to perform with the Tabernacle Choir in the Conference Center, during the choir’s Christmas concert. • February and March 2002 — During the 2002 Olympic Winter Games hosted by Salt Lake City, the Church launched “Light of the World: A Celebration of Life,” the first theatrical spectacular held in the Conference Center. It ran for 14 performances from Feb. 5 to March 2, before a total audience of more than 290,000. • November 2002 — The Church began its annual “Luz de las Naciones” (“Light of the Nations”) event, a celebration of Latin American culture. • June 2018 — The Church held its historic “Be One” event, a First Presidency-sponsored celebration marking the 40th anniversary of the 1978 revelation extending the priesthood regardless of race.

Leaders speak at general conference General conference talks given in the Conference Center by the current First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles members: President Russell M. Nelson: 73 As Church President: 37; as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: 5; as an Apostle: 31 President Dallin H. Oaks: 56 As 1st counselor in the First Presidency: 20; as an Apostle: 36 President Henry B. Eyring: 84 As 2nd counselor in the First Presidency: 19; as 1st counselor in the First Presidency: 50; as an Apostle: 15 President Jeffrey R. Holland: 47 All as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: 69 As an Apostle: 20; as 2nd counselor in the First Presidency: 48; as a General Authority Seventy: 1

Elder D. Todd Christofferson: 37 As an Apostle: 33; as a General Authority Seventy: 4 Elder Neil L. Andersen: 34 As an Apostle: 31; as a General Authority Seventy: 3 Elder Ronald A. Rasband: 24 As an Apostle: 18; as a General Authority Seventy: 6 Elder Gary E. Stevenson: 21 As an Apostle: 18; as the presiding bishop: 2; as a General Authority Seventy: 1 Elder Dale G. Renlund: 20 As an Apostle: 18; as a General Authority Seventy: 2 Elder Gerrit W. Gong: 15 As an Apostle: 13; as a General Authority Seventy: 2

Elder David A. Bednar: 40 All as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Elder Ulisses Soares: 18 As an Apostle: 13; as a General Authority Seventy: 5

Elder Quentin L. Cook: 35 As an Apostle: 34; as a General Authority Seventy: 1

Elder Patrick Kearon: 5 As an Apostle: 2; as a General Authority Seventy: 3

Special Evening Sessions on Wednesday and Thursday

April 30– May 2, 2025

Gather With Questions Contact Questions

Rick & Kim Cline 801-201-5696

Dean & Joan Connolly 801-898-5585

www.marriage-enrichment.org w w w.marria ge-enrichment.orrg g ww ww ag

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

Sylvia Saitman, left, and her daughter, Tiana, 13, of Bountiful, react after hearing Church President Thomas S. Monson announce that women can go on missions when they are 19 years old, a change from the previous minimum age of 21, during the Saturday morning session of the 182nd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Oct. 6, 2012.

General conference moments that changed lives By Kaitlyn Bancroft Church News

In the quarter century of general conference being held in the Conference Center, countless life-changing moments have occurred. April 2025 general conference will mark the 25th anniversary of the first general conference held in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. Announced in 1996 and constructed between 1997 and 2000 under the direction of the late Church President Gordon B. Hinckley, the Conference Center was complete enough by April 2000 to hold its inaugural general conference. The building was dedicated later that year in October. Church News recently asked readers what general conference moment in the last 25 years changed their lives. Here are some of their responses.

Missionary age change “October 2012, when the late President Thomas S. Monson announced the missionage change. I was 17 years old at the time and had no intention of ever serving a mission for the Church. A full year later, when I was 18, I was prompted during a sacrament meeting talk to serve a mission. Because of this age change during the 2012 general conference, this was an option for me now. “At first, I was terrified — I didn’t know if I was strong enough to serve a mission, talk to strangers every day or dedicate 18 months of my life to the Lord. [But] even when I was afraid, the Lord helped me get on my mission. “I served in the Indianapolis Indiana Mission from 2014 to 2015. I am the woman, wife and mother I am today because of my mission. My mission allowed me to grow in confidence, more readily trust the Lord and showed me the ways to deepen my discipleship to Christ as a member of the Church. I also met my husband while serving my mission. Truly my eternity was changed because of my mission, and it was only possible for me to be there because of that special October 2012 general conference announcement. I will

Laura Seitz, Deseret News

be forever grateful to my Heavenly Father for that conference. It changed my life.” — Ashley Mortensen, Lehi Utah Snow Springs Stake “It was October 2012, when President Monson announced the age change for serving full-time missions. At that time, I was still a young woman. Before the announcement, my goal was to finish college before serving a mission. But when I heard the news, I told myself, ‘I will serve a full-time mission when I turn 19.’ Looking back, several years

have passed, and I know that decision made a significant difference in my life, affecting me until now. I served my mission at 19 and finished my bachelor’s degree afterward. Everything we do matters to the Lord. After my mission, I made better decisions and matured in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I’ve served in various Church callings and witnessed miracles in my life.” — Dennise Pamesa Estera, Sorsogon Philippines District

age for sister missionaries was changed to 19. From the time I was a little girl, my greatest goal was to serve a mission and be a representative of Jesus Christ. I felt a great urgency and continued desire to do so when I was in high school, but it felt daunting at the time having to wait until age 21. I remember that October morning so vividly when President Monson made the announcement that 19-year-old young women could serve. Tears wouldn’t stop streaming down my face.

“I’ll never forget the moment when the

MOMENTS E5

$10

ADMISSION

Ticket gets you in car show all 3 days. Under 18 get FREE ADMISSION

JULY 3RD - 5TH, 2025

CACHE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS | 450 S. 500 W. LOGAN, UT

- CAR SHOW - DOOR PRIZE -

Ticket gets you in drawing to win this year’s vehicle giveaway

CONCERT ON JULY 3RD!

7pm at the Cache Valley Rodeo Arena

FEATURING:

- FOOD & FUN To register, buy tickets or more information visit:

cvcacruisein.com

EVERY ACT OF GIVING has the power to transform lives, teach generosity and inspire gratitude. Deseret Trust Company offers a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving. We can help you create lasting impact through a donor advised fund, charitable remainder trust, or gift annuity. For more than 50 years, Deseret Trust Company has administered charitable gifts that help donors give in smart and efficient ways. We work in partnership with Philanthropies to help you accomplish your philanthropic goals. If you’d like to help accelerate the work of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its affiliated entities, including BYU, we are prepared to help you make the world a better place.

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

EASTER

‘You’re just overjoyed’ The Easter season begins for many Christians with Lent, leading up to Holy Week and the celebration of new life on Resurrection Sunday By Aimee Cobabe Church News

Christians around the world have already begun celebrating Easter with various traditions. Although the central focus for all Christians is on Jesus Christ’s Resurrection as recorded in the New Testament, traditions vary among faith traditions in how the holiday is celebrated each year. The following is a sampling of how several different Christian denominations commemorate the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ during the Easter season. While many of the traditions may follow churchwide standards, variations also exist among local congregations as directed by local leaders.

Eastern Orthodox Eastern Orthodox Christians refer to Easter as “Pascha” and begin their observance with Great Lent. This is a 40-day fast from all meat, meat products, dairy products, fish, olive oil and alcohol. Father Paul Truebenbach, the pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church in Salt Lake City, said this fasting is both a beautiful gift to Christ and beneficial to the person who is fasting. EASTER E6

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Stained-glass windows in the Cathedral of the Madeleine are pictured Sunday, April 8, 2012, in Salt Lake City during Easter Mass.

Conferencegoers sustain Church leadership during the Saturday morning session of the 194th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, on Oct. 5, 2024.

MOMENTS FROM E4

I was happier than all Christmas mornings I’d ever had combined as I told my parents that I would have a mission call just one year from that time. “I left for my mission in January of 2014, and I unfortunately got very sick and had to return home four short months later. I was absolutely heartbroken, and still feel that heartbreak keenly, but had it not been for the age change for young women, I wouldn’t have been able to serve at all. I’m so grateful I had those amazing four months, and I absolutely treasure them. From the moment of the age change to now, I certainly know that Heavenly Father had me in mind when He made the change for sisters to serve at 19.” — Carli Ivie, Washington Utah East Stake

Temple announcements “I grew up and lived in a small branch in the town of Haugesund, on the western coast of Norway. All my life, when my family and I wanted to attend the closest house of the Lord, which was in Sweden, it meant driving for two days, crossing both a mountain range and into a different country. At the April 2021 conference, my family happened to be discussing the topic of whether we would ever get a house of the Lord in Norway. In the midst of our discussion, the Oslo Norway Temple was announced. The Spirit flooded the room in a way that I had only rarely felt before. Personally, it made me feel like the Lord was aware of me and my prayers and served as another sign that His love is real. I consider this the most joyful experience of my life thus far.” — Johannes Aaron Hiltunen, Oslo Norway Stake “When the Bentonville Arkansas Temple was announced in October 2019, my eyes burned. The joy I felt that day. I continue to feel joy as I attend a temple three hours closer — joy for my children, who will be able to attend the temple so easily and freely. I am grateful to the Lord for this blessing in my life and my family’s lives.” — Rebekah Hubler, Springdale Arkansas Stake “I had been praying for a temple in Lindon, Utah, since 2010. In October 2020, when President Russell M. Nelson announced the Lindon Utah Temple, I wept for joy and felt like I was being given the warmest hug. I felt the immense love of Heavenly Father that day and every day since, and I know better than ever before that not only can I hear Him, but He hears me, too.” — Landon Vernon, Pleasant Grove Utah West Stake

Personal testimonies “In April 2018, we gathered in a solemn assembly to sustain a new Prophet and members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I was 14 years old, and it was the first time I remembered getting a new Prophet. I learned in Church what was written in the Doctrine and Covenants, and we all prepared for this momentous occasion. When the conference started, I remember I was sitting in our living room, and when they called the young women to stand and sustain President Russell M. Nelson as the Prophet, I felt so

Isaac Hale, Deseret News A rendering of the Oslo Norway Temple. President Russell M. Nelson announced in April 2021 general conference that a temple will be built in Oslo. The building is in the planning and design phase.

strongly that he is a Prophet of God. I was so proud to be part of something bigger than me, expressing my beliefs in this Church and in living prophets.” — Olivia Kristin Barlow, Lehi Utah East Stake “It was the general priesthood session of April 2018 when I was at the Conference Center and President Nelson began delivering his talk, ‘Ministering With the Power and Authority of God.’ President Nelson began inviting all the brethren in attendance there and throughout the world to rise by priesthood office. I rose when he called the elders to rise. It was a spiritually palpable moment. “Then he invited us to stay standing as we sang ‘Rise Up, O Men of God.’ We remained standing through the prayer and as the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles left the building. What I will always remember is that no one ever invited us to sit back down. We were called to rise up as men of God, and never were we to sit back down again.” — Joseph Devin Durrant, Rexburg Idaho Henry’s Fork Stake “In 2008, my husband and I were listening to general conference. During the late Elder Richard G. Scott’s talk is when we received very clear instructions that we needed to move to Utah. Three months later, we moved across the country on a journey much like Lehi’s journey out of Jerusalem. We had only what fit in our vehicle, traveling with a toddler and brand-new baby. We had setbacks and trials of faith. We had no job and little money. “Then a bishop helped get us a place that was so close to the Salt Lake Temple that we each took turns attending weekly. This journey set the stage for how we have lived our lives together up to this point. Though we don’t get to attend the temple as often right now, as a family we make general conference weekend one to celebrate, as we all join in and listen to the words of God given to us by His prophets.” — Elizabeth Carr, Orlando Florida West Stake

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“My life was forever changed as I listened to President Nelson’s ‘Think Celestial!’ address during October 2023 general conference. At the time, I was in the first year of my mission. I felt the Spirit powerfully witness to me of the truth of all the blessings that come from thinking celestial. I knew that these promises were given to us by the Savior through His living Prophet. [This talk] has helped me become more intentional about focusing on what matters most in a world full of noise and distractions. It has helped me see decisionmaking in a new light — will something lead me toward or away from my ultimate goal of receiving eternal life in the celestial kingdom? I’m so grateful for President Nelson and for the Savior, who has invited us to come unto Him and keep Him at the center of our often busy and chaotic lives. If we let our main focus be on Him, then everything else will fall into place.” — Conner Green, Kona Hawaii Stake “The general conference moment that changed my life was in April 2020 general conference, when the Restoration Proclamation had been announced and read. This moment inspired me to be more self-

assured and outspoken about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.” — Brian Moranchel, Annapolis Maryland Stake “In March 2007, while being taught by the missionaries, I gained a testimony of the Restoration of the gospel. However, the idea of a living prophet in our days made me uneasy. The scripture in Matthew 7:15-20, which warns about false prophets, filled my heart with doubts. Still, I decided to be baptized, but I knew that without a clear testimony on this matter, I couldn’t move forward. “During April 2007 general conference, after praying and fasting, I listened to the late President Gordon B. Hinckley give his talk ‘The Things of Which I Know.’ He said: ‘I speak next of the great certitudes that have come with the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is the restoration of the priesthood, or the authority given man to speak in the name of God.’ At that moment, I received the answer I had been seeking. Tears filled my eyes, my heart was overwhelmed, and the Holy Spirit confirmed to me that we have living prophets.” — Brayan Ribeiro Cavalcanti, Vitória da Conquista Brazil Stake

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

“

WWW.DESERET.COM

So I always tell people, when you are hungry for that thing: ‘God, make me hungry for You. Make me want You more than I want to feel the dopamine hit from Instagram scrolling.’ ”

— Rev. Jamie White, senior pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Salt Lake City

Deseret News archives A mother lifts her daughter to light a candle from the Holy Fire at the St. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Salt Lake City on May 20, 2017.

EASTER FROM E5

“When we fast, it sets everything right,” Father Paul said. “The soul is what needs the most health, and so fasting is always supposed to be accompanied by greater prayer. … The body is there really just to serve the soul, and the soul is there to serve God.” Father Paul said the focus in the Orthodox Church during this time is on having a sense of joyful sorrow. During Great Lent, the sorrow is amplified, while during Pascha, the joy is amplified. Many Orthodox Christians will worship with special readings and hymns on each day of Holy Week. Father Paul said this week is what he looks forward to the most. “Some services run two to three hours long,” Father Paul said. “They’re incredibly beautiful services that we only do once a year.” The crowning event begins with Pascha on Saturday night, with a vigil in which the church is darkened. Everyone lights candles, and a procession proceeds around the outside of the church. As the procession returns inside the church building, they declare that Christ is risen. “And from then on, it’s a very triumphal and

really joyful service,” Father Paul said. After the Pascha service ends — in the early morning hours — worshippers will break the fast together, eating meat and dairy for the first time in over 40 days. “We are basking in the Resurrection of Christ,” Father Paul said. The best way to understand the Orthodox traditions and belief as they relate to Christ’s Resurrection is to experience being a part of them, according to Father Paul. “In modern society, most knowledge passes from the mind to the heart,” he said. “In Orthodoxy, it passes through the heart to the mind. Everything is experienced first. So the only way to really understand just how beautiful and glorious and joyful these services are in this period is to come and see.”

Presbyterian Ash Wednesday, which includes a public act of confession and contrition, kicks off the season of Lent for many in the Presbyterian Church. Each Sunday leading up to Easter, or Resurrection Day, is considered a mini Resurrection day. Following a pattern leading up to Easter Sunday is helpful to remember the larger faith narrative of Christ’s Resurrection, according

to the Rev. Jamie White, senior pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Salt Lake City. “We enter the rhythm as if it hasn’t happened,” she said. “We enter it and try to live it out as best we can as a ritual so that we’re transformed by Jesus’ death and Resurrection anew each year.” Fasting during Lent could include food or avoiding things like scrolling on social media or binging TV shows. The Rev. White said many people choose to replace whatever they’ve given up with something to bring them close to God. “The ancient contemplatives would always say, ‘God, make me hungry for You,’ ” the Rev. White said. “So I always tell people, when you are hungry for that thing: ‘God, make me hungry for You. Make me want You more than I want to feel the dopamine hit from Instagram scrolling. Make me want You more than numbing out right now with another glass of wine.’ ” Palm Sunday begins Holy Week, and many Presbyterian pastors will lead their congregations in a reenactment of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. “And if you’re entering with imagination, we’re retelling the story,” the Rev. White said. “And we’re trying to imagine ourselves as an

eyewitness or as a disciple or as a guard.” The Rev. White said this practice is exciting, but there is also a focus on what is to come. On Maundy Thursday, worshippers will return to the church to celebrate the Last Supper and share Communion. Many congregations will also wash each other’s feet. The Rev. White said they have opted in previous years to wash each other’s hands. “It was a moving time for folks to wash each other’s hands and dry each other’s hands and try to mimic that service,” she said. “Remembering that God came to serve and sacrifice Himself for us.” By the time Easter Sunday arrives, people are ready for a celebratory service, according to the Rev. White. “There’s just something in the air that day,” she said. “You are so ready for life to come from death that you’re like, ‘Finally.’ It’s such good news to realize that sometimes things that are too good to be true are still true.” As for why the Easter season and these traditions are so important, the Rev. White said it is one part of the puzzle piece that fits the whole story of Jesus Christ together. “I actually really need a Messiah that has EASTER E7

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

Deseret News archives Yoko Hanabusa places flowers on a cross for Easter at Mount Olympus Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City on Sunday, April 5, 2015.

EASTER FROM E6

suffered but then overcame suffering with Resurrection and life,” she said. “Because that means I can overcome my suffering and my failure and all the worst things that have ever happened to me with something redemptive.”

Catholic Catholics celebrate the Paschal Triduum from the evening of Holy Thursday to the early morning of Easter Sunday. The Last Supper Mass on Thursday is celebrated in the evening, focused on the body and blood of Christ, according to Father Martin Diaz, pastor and rector of the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City. “It’s a pattern that just sets us free,” Father Diaz said. “It frees your mind to enter into a deeper reality.” The Paschal Vigil on Saturday night includes the baptisms of those who have been preparing to enter into the Catholic Church. “Because the Resurrection is best symbolized in baptism and being born again as Jesus is alive again, so in baptism, we are alive once again,” Father Diaz said. Father Diaz relates the feeling during Easter

Sunday’s Mass to the joyfulness of seeing a newborn baby. “You’re just overjoyed,” he said. “There’s a deep sense of this new life, and we do it every year because every year we need to be reminded of that. … There is no problem, war, difficulty or evil in the world that is greater than God’s new life.” The Cathedral of the Madeleine also joins with other churches for an ecumenical walk on Good Friday to remember and symbolically participate in Jesus’ walk to the cross. Participants will take turns carrying a cross, starting at the Cathedral of the Madeleine and continuing on to the First Presbyterian Church, Crossroads Urban Center, First United Methodist Church and St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral. “We’re in solidarity with each other,” Father Diaz said. “It’s not an individual kind of me and Jesus, it’s really a communal celebration of life, death and Resurrection of Jesus.” Father Diaz said he likes to focus on the joy felt during the Easter season. “Sometimes people get overwhelmed with all the negativity of the world, … and Easter is ‘Jesus won,’ ” he said. “There is no evil greater than God’s goodness and love. To me, that’s the core of it.”

you Put the

in youth camp BYU Youth Programs offer a perfect blend of adventure, friendship, and skills. Join us for a fun and uplifting experience in the following areas: • Music • Dance • Theater • Writing • Technology • Adventure • College and Career Prep

See the list of programs at

youth.byu.edu

Deseret News archives Philippine Cannefax carries a wooden cross up South Temple Street in Salt Lake City during the Good Friday Procession of the Cross in April 2002.

Episcopal For many Episcopalians, the 40 days of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. Ashes are placed on worshippers’ foreheads as a sign of penitence and a reminder of mortality. Ashes are made from burning palms from previous Palm Sunday services. Holy Week is also incredibly important. “I wouldn’t know how to get to Easter without Holy Week,” said the Rev. Phyllis A. Spiegel, Bishop of Utah for the Episcopal Church. Bishop Spiegel said one of the greatest pleasures in her life is getting to talk to people who have experienced Holy Week for the first time. “And I like to challenge people to come once in their life, because it’s never once in their life,” she said. “Once they do it, they’re hooked to come to every Holy Week service.” Bishop Spiegel said local custom and local bishops will often decide what Holy Week services are offered in their parishes. “And that’s kind of the fun part,” she said. “It’s got a customary norm, but within that there’s so much that you can do.” She likes to do a “Stations of the Cross” service, which recalls the events of Christ’s life from His condemnation to His burial.

Worshippers will typically wash each other’s feet on Maundy Thursday. “I really like everybody washing each other’s feet, because Jesus said, ‘Unless you take part in this, you have no part in me,’ ” she said. “We are servants. This is about servant ministry.” Bishop Spiegel said she often tells people they should arrive at Easter exhausted, after nightly services for several days, including Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Holy Week ends at sundown on the Saturday before Easter with the Easter Vigil, which includes baptisms. “My theology professor said, ‘This is when your child should fall asleep in the pews, they should fall asleep to the story,’ ” Bishop Spiegel said. One year, Bishop Spiegel said, a worshipper told her after that in that one night of Easter Vigil, she learned “everything I believe about God.” She said that message is especially clear when people are invited to participate in services in some way. “It’s harder at a place like a cathedral,” she said. “But that’s the invitation — to encounter the crucified, the betrayed and the risen Christ.”

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

Your Dream Kitchen Without The Renovation

Bring home more joy with custom pull-out shelves for your existing cabinets and pantry

50% OFF INSTALL!

Call for Your FREE Design Consultation (888) 217-1917 | shelfgenie.com

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

SPECIAL SECTION

F General Conference | F2

Chart of the general authorities and officers

THE SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERISM

Monica Ringger Bambrough

Volunteers pose for a picture after a day of service at the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork on Sept. 7, 2024.

From official JustServe cities to high school clubs, Utahns are serving their neighbors and volunteering in their communities By Mary Richards Church News

n March, thousands of Utahns participated in the annual Feed Utah food drive — delivering fliers to homes, gathering food from doorsteps, transporting food to food pantries, then weighing, sorting and storing the food to be then given to those in need. Youth and their leaders in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were heavily involved in the effort, as were members of other faiths or no faith in many communities and cities around the state. The needs were listed on JustServe.org, where volunteers new to the effort found out how and where they could help. The JustServe platform is a free website and app where community

organizations list their service needs and where volunteers can find service opportunities around them. Utah leaders say the state ranks first in the nation for formal and informal volunteerism. JustServe is a big part of those efforts. In Utah in 2024, there were 189,550 registered JustServe users, 1,039 active projects, 206,930 referred volunteers, 761 nonprofit organizations using JustServe and 24 active high school JustServe clubs. Organizations in Utah using the JustServe platform include those that help refugees, veterans, the elderly, children and youth. Projects include cleaning up streets and parks, gathering and delivering food, writing letters, reading books, collecting clothes and toys and more. Volunteer opportunities are large, small, individual, group, remote or in person. JUSTSERVE F4

INTERACTIVE MAZE

JAN 18 – MAY 4, 2025 swanerecocenter.org 1258 Center Drive, Park City, Utah

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

General authorities and general officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints MARCH 2025

THE FIRST PRESIDENCY

Henry B. Eyring

Russell M. Nelson

Dallin H. Oaks

Second Counselor

President

First Counselor

THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES

Jeffrey R. Holland

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

David A. Bednar

Quentin L. Cook

D. Todd Christofferson

Neil L. Andersen

Ronald A. Rasband

Gary E. Stevenson

Dale G. Renlund

Gerrit W. Gong

Ulisses Soares

Patrick Kearon

THE PRESIDENCY OF THE SEVENTY

Carl B. Cook

José A. Teixeira

S. Mark Palmer

Marcus B. Nash

Michael T. Ringwood

THE PRESIDING BISHOPRIC

Arnulfo Valenzuela

Edward Dube

W. Christopher Waddell First Counselor

Gérald Caussé Presiding Bishop

L. Todd Budge Second Counselor

GENERAL OFFICERS

GENERAL AUTHORITY SEVENTIES (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

RELIEF SOCIETY

Marcos A. Aidukaitis

Rubén V. Alliaud

Jose L. Alonso

Jorge M. Alvarado

Steven R. Bangerter

W. Mark Bassett

David S. Baxter

Jorge T. Becerra

Randall K. Bennett

Hans T. Boom

Mark A. Bragg

David L. Buckner

J. Anette Dennis First Counselor

Camille N. Johnson President

Kristin M. Yee Second Counselor

Matthew L. Carpenter

Gregorio E. Casillas

Aroldo B. Cavalcante

Yoon Hwan Choi

Craig C. Christensen

Ahmad S. Corbitt

Valeri V. CordÓn

Joaquin E. Costa

Robert M. Daines

Massimo De Feo

Sean Douglas

Kevin R. Duncan

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Michael A. Dunn

Alexander Dushku

Mark D. Eddy

I. Raymond Egbo

J. Kimo Esplin

Eduardo Gavarret

Jack N. Gerard

Clark G. Gilbert

Ricardo P. Giménez

Christophe G. Giraud-Carrier

Patricio M. Giuffra

Carlos A. Godoy

Chad H Webb Paul V. Johnson Gabriel W. Reid First Counselor President Second Counselor

YOUNG WOMEN

Taylor G. Godoy

D. Martin Goury

Brook P. Hales

Kevin S. Hamilton

Allen D. Haynie

Mathias Held

Karl D. Hirst

Matthew S. Holland

David P. Homer

William K. Jackson

Jeremy R. Jaggi

Kelly R. Johnson

Tamara W. Runia First Counselor

Emily Belle Freeman President

Andrea Muñoz Spannaus Second Counselor

Peter M. Johnson

Christopher H. Kim

JÖrg Klebingat

Joni L. Koch

Erich W. Kopischke

Alfred Kyungu

Hugo E. MartÍnez

James W. McConkie III

John A. McCune

Kyle S. McKay

Alvin F. Meredith III

Peter F. Meurs

YOUNG MEN

Hugo Montoya

Isaac K. Morrison

Thierry K. Mutombo

K. Brett Nattress

Adeyinka A. Ojediran

Ryan K. Olsen

Adilson de Paula Parrella

Kevin W. Pearson

Anthony D. Perkins

Alan T. Phillips

Paul B. Pieper

John C. Pingree Jr.

Bradley R. Wilcox Steven J. Lund Michael T. Nelson First Counselor President Second Counselor

PRIMARY Rafael E. Pino

James R. Rasband

Carlos G. Revillo Jr.

Sandino Roman

Ciro Schmeil

Jonathan S. Schmitt

Steven D. Shumway

Vaiangina Sikahema

Denelson Silva

Vern P. Stanfill

Michael B. Strong

Benjamin M.Z. Tai

Amy A. Wright Susan H. Porter Tracy Y. Browning First Counselor President Second Counselor

Brian K. Taylor

Michael John U. Teh

Sergio R. Vargas

Moisés Villanueva

Juan Pablo Villar

Takashi Wada

Taniela B. Wakolo

Alan R. Walker

Scott D. Whiting

MARCH 2025

Chi Hong (Sam) Wong

Jorge F. Zeballos

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

RECORD, REFLECT, AND SHARE CONFERENCE INSIGHTS PERFECT STUDY COMPANIONS

PREORDER NOW

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

COVER STORY

JustServe projects highlight spirit of volunteerism in Utah JUSTSERVE FROM F1

A project that helped bring together a community happened on a sunny day last year. JustServe volunteers and members of the Enterprise Utah Stake of the Church helped run the Enterprise Outdoor Games on Sept. 14, 2024. This is an annual event sponsored by the city of Enterprise for families and individuals who have special needs. The day was full of carnival-type games, hay rides, ATV rides, a petting zoo, karaoke, cornhole, balloon animals, entertainment and more. There were about 80 participants and 75 volunteers who helped in various ways. The day was capped off with hamburgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, Dutch oven potatoes and soft-serve ice cream cones. Organizers reported seeing big smiles on faces of the volunteers and families. One poignant example around Christmastime involved providing gifts for the children of fathers in recovery. The Foundation for Family Life, based in Riverton, provides sober living homes and outpatient treatment for men who are dedicated to rebuilding their families. Volunteers saw the post on the JustServe platform and made Christmas possible for these families. The fathers — whose full names were not given for their privacy — expressed their gratitude to the volunteers. Said Josh: “Knowing we can rely on the love of others and the strength of our higher power warms my heart and brings joy to my entire family. It also reminded me and my children of the importance of serving others.” Zane said: “Getting gifts for my daughter and granddaughter for Christmas was huge — monumental. It helped open the lines of communication between us, improving the relationships I’m working to mend in my recovery.”

High school JustServe clubs in Utah Paul Staten — who helps support JustServe clubs in Utah — said there are 24 active high school JustServe clubs in Utah right now. Of those, 16 clubs have reported 2,500plus hours of service since the school year began last August. JustServe also supports

Members of the Woods Cross High School JustServe Club gather food for the Feed Utah food drive, in North Salt Lake on Saturday, March 16.

an additional 100-plus service clubs in high schools across the state with service opportunity ideas, national initiatives and community-building opportunities. As high schoolers join JustServe clubs and do service for others, they are finding friends, connecting with the community and finding out that service is joyful, Staten said. Jackson Best is a senior at Hunter High School in West Valley City who serves as president of the school’s JustServe club. He joined because he thought it would be a wonderful opportunity not only to serve others but also to get to know more people. “I love to serve because participating in things more significant than myself helps me connect with my community,” he said. “There

is nothing better than seeing the people I know and love come together to contribute to something that is selfless, that benefits others more than it benefits themselves.” The club has picked up trash, held a food drive, done crafts and played games with senior citizens, and more. Jackson’s favorite project so far came in January making wooden toys to give to children in need. Others in the club wrote on their Instagram page how serving with their friends is fun, and service to others brings the givers and receivers joy. The service projects that the Provo High School JustServe Club found on JustServe .org broadened the high schoolers’ interests in other people and what was taking place

WE BUY JEWELRY FAIR AND HONEST PRICES

Buying Estate Jewelry

Buying Diamonds

in the community. They found many opportunities to serve and needs to fill that they never would have thought of on their own. The club in Provo held a homecoming dance at a senior living facility, wrote letters of encouragement to various groups, made a quilt, knitted hats, gardened at community grounds, caroled at Christmastime, babysat, made cookies, donated blood, put together activity kits for kids, transcribed historical records, set up and hosted school events, helped teachers clean classrooms and more. Club president Adira Gilliland said that as they looked for projects to do, she liked JUSTSERVE F6

For librarians, teachers, parents—anyone who enjoys the beautiful world of children’s literature.

Buying Gold (Gold at all time high)

Shannon Wright

Buying Fine Watches

BRING IN THE JEWELRY YOU NO LONGER WEAR, BROKEN GOLD & SILVER ITEMS/FINE WATCHES/COINS

CONFIDENTIAL LOANS ON JEWELRY

Join us

as we celebrate 40 years of honoring the best in Kid Lit bfyr.byu.edu

CALL AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY! We’ve Moved! Located inside American Executive Office Suites. 75 E. Fort Union Blvd. Suite C102, Midvale • 801-266-3388

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

BOO K 2

025 2

NOW 6

DON’ T MISS OU T ON OU R

E X C LUSIV E R AT E S

1 year • 8.00% 3 years • 8.50% 5 years • 9.00% $10,000 $800,000 minimum

maximum

* Rates subject to change. Please call to verify current rates.

435-203-6944 Interest paid quarterly

Call A shley or visit us online today! ( B y appointment only) 8 0 1 - 56 6 - 5559 • WasatchCredit.com 7 3 2 4 U nion Park A ve., Suite # 1 0 0 , Midvale 8 4 0 4 7 Mon- Thur 9 :3 0 - 3 :0 0 F or U tah residents only .

It’s Worth It! WITH

3 DELIVERY OPTIONS:

Face-to-face

Live Broadcast Interactive Online

UtahStateMBA@usu.edu

Jon M. Huntsman School of Business

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

“It was also a good experience for my children to see what other religions do and how they worship.” — Aaron Lowe, volunteering at the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork Christina Gardner Photography Volunteers and participants take part in the Enterprise Outdoor Games in Enterprise, Washington County, on Sept. 14, 2024.

JUSTSERVE FROM F4

seeing how much other people were already serving in the community. “You see the goodness of everybody — they are already doing service for each other, and it’s super cool,” Adira said. Staten said that in a recent meeting of JustServe club members from around Utah, many discussed their favorite projects — and most involved serving elderly people, such as visiting them, singing to them, playing games with them or delivering flowers and artwork. April is Global Youth Service Month, and later in the month is Global Youth Service Day. Both events offer an opportunity for young people ages 5 to 25 to do service in their communities. Opportunities can be found on JustServe.org and the JustServe app.

Fire hydrants, cleanup and llamas Like Global Youth Service Day and Global Youth Service Month in April, other opportunities come up on the calendar for JustServe volunteers to gather for large-scale projects each year. These include the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance in

September and Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January. In Vernal, people came together to repaint the city’s fire hydrants for a 9/11 National Day of Service activity in September 2024. The volunteers represented at least seven local faith denominations. Normally, it would take the city’s crew of four people about four years to repaint all 900 of the city’s fire hydrants. But because of the volunteers, the work was completed in a single day. Plus, the volunteers were able to work with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and the Kingsbury Community Church to paint, clean windows, cut overgrown trees back and clean yards. Miss Uintah County even showed up in her formal pageant dress, crown and heels and joined in painting fire hydrants without getting a drop on her clothes. Event organizer Georgene Cook helped distribute cans of paint, brushes, lid openers and garbage bags. “The teens and children loved this project,” she said. Cook said that after everyone was finished, they returned to a central location to receive popsicles. The leftover popsicles were donated to a local elementary school. One week later,

the school was placed in lockdown because of police activity nearby. “The children in lockdown were each given a popsicle to help calm nerves and make the afternoon more enjoyable,” Cook said. “We were very blessed by the service of over 1,000 community members and the opportunity to help fearful children — yet another testimony that God loves everyone and is aware of everything.” In Spanish Fork, more than 60 volunteers helped at the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple for a project commemorating 9/11 National Day of Service. On Sept. 7, 2024, volunteer teams harvested the garden’s produce, trimmed vines, replanted bushes, cared for llamas, moved and painted fences, removed large debris and planted new trees. Krishna leader Caru Das said that the work accomplished what would have taken his congregation years to complete. “You did not organize service, you organized love.” Daniel Vincent, who serves with the Young Men organization in the Salem Utah Woodland Hills Stake, said his family enjoyed the day of service at the Krishna temple.

“Our kids thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Not only because they got their hands dirty and they got to tear things up and build fences, but because they got the opportunity to understand the significance of the llamas and the other animals there on campus,” he said. Rachel Vincent spoke about finding common ground between the two religions. And she quoted their children, ages 10 and 8, as saying: “I loved it. Wait, was that service? That was so much fun.” Aaron Lowe enjoyed cleaning up the property and helping to beautify the grounds of the house of worship. “It is a landmark in our community, and we are happy to have them as good neighbors,” he said. “It was also a good experience for my children to see what other religions do and how they worship.” Wally Trotter, who is the first counselor in the Woodland Hills stake presidency, said Jesus Christ ministered to everyone. “As disciples of Christ, we want to follow His example and minister to everyone, too. This was a day to do exactly what He would do.”

Discover the Joy of Dance

JUSTSERVE F7

Pure Raw Local Honey Utah’s gourmet honey specialist

5.00 OFF

any purchase of $25.00 or more

Buy 1 lb. of Fudge Get 1/2 lb. Free

Expires 5/31/2025

www.coxhoney.com 1780 South Hwy. 89, Logan

New Heights in Senior Living

A beautiful, one-bedroom w/balcony wheelchair accessible unit is coming available. Rent only $1,123 which includes all utilities. Must be at least 62 years old with monthly income of $2,800.00! See our virtual tours at: www.friendship-manor.com Call Wendy today at: 801-582-3100 TTY: 711 wendy@friendship-manor.com

1320 East 500 South, SLC, UT 84102

435-752-3234

WWW.DESERET.COM

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

F7 A volunteer gives a tractor ride to children with disabilities and their siblings during the Enterprise Outdoor Games in Enterprise, Washington County, on Sept. 14, 2024.

JUSTSERVE FROM F6

JustServe designations for 2 Utah cities

On Jan. 10, the city of South Salt Lake was given a JustServe city award. South Salt Lake is home to many refugees, and the Promise South Salt Lake department has been working for several years to improve community connection, after-school programs and other initiatives. JustServe fits into this goal to lift the quality of life for residents, as the city is committed to volunteerism, said South Salt Lake Mayor Cherie Wood. As mayor, she has learned that impactful change comes from building strong relationships and collaborations. “Volunteerism is crucial in achieving our goals, enhancing many of our programs and strengthening our community bonds. By partnering with JustServe, we’re making volunteer opportunities more accessible and fostering an inclusive, compassionate city,” Wood said. “I’m deeply grateful for this recognition and proud of our community’s big heart.” In November 2023, South Jordan received one of the inaugural JustServe Global Cities Awards. This was presented to six U.S. cities, recognizing communities that use the JustServe platform in significant ways that make a difference in their community. South Jordan Mayor Dawn R. Ramsey said the recognition is a testament to the generosity of the residents. “The heart of South Jordan is found in its people — those who see a need and take action. Through JustServe, we have seen incredible partnerships form between residents, local organizations, businesses and faith groups, creating lasting impacts,” she said. Residents of South Jordan “continually step up to serve in ways that strengthen our entire community,” she said. Orem JustServe specialist Val Hale told the Church News in 2024 that it is important for people to find ways to serve outside of their church connections. “We all live in communities, we are part of our communities, … we need to be engaged in what’s happening in our communities,” said Hale. “So, let’s make our community a better place to live. Let’s be part of the process.” For those wanting to volunteer more and include more service in their lives, Hale encourages them to first set a goal and, second, download the JustServe app and check it regularly. “Make a habit of it,” said Hale, “and find something that you would like to do and a way you’d like to make a difference for an organization and for some people.”

Christina Gardner Photography

Brian Nicholson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Tate Keddington, right, and Brooklyn Bradley speak about the Woods Cross High School JustServe club to members of the JustServe Advisory Council who were gathered at The Gateway in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.

Visit acburger.com to find a location near you.

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

READY FOR A SPRING REFRESH? ENJOY 10% OFF YOUR NEXT PURCHASE* Coupon Code:

BANQ7145139

MISSIONARY PACKAGES

Starting At

599

Includes 1 Suit Jacket, 2 Suit Pants, 5 White Shirts, 4 Ties & 1 Belt

WWW.MENSWEARHOUSE.COM

*General restrictions applicable to all offers. Present discount code in-store or enter at online checkout to receive 10% off your entire purchase. Discount is applied after any public-facing promotions and discounts are applied, but before taxes and shipping are imposed. Discount cannot be used toward the purchase of gift cards or on alterations, rentals, or the fees and taxes associated thereto. No cash or credit value. Customers returning items purchased with this code will forfeit the portion of the discount used for those items; the Men’s Wearhouse return policy will apply to the remainder of the purchase. Product selection varies by store and online. Discount is valid for use on multiple visits but can only be redeemed once per transaction. This discount may be modified or cancelled anytime and cannot be transferred. Perfect Fit points are earned only on amounts expended by you in connection with the purchase and are deducted for any returns. Expires December 31, 2025, 11:59 p.m. CT. **Valid in-store only. Select styles only; no substitutions. Valid only on new orders. Excludes custom and clearance. Cannot be combined with other offers. Customers returning purchased items will forfeit any discounts applied to those items at the time of purchase. Perfect Fit® points are earned only on amounts expended and are deducted for any returns. Offer ends December 31, 2025, 11:59 p.m. CT.

WWW.DESERET.COM

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

SPECIAL SECTION

G General Conference | G3-7

Maps of temples dotting the world

UTAH’S 31 TEMPLES

Laura Seitz, Deseret News The Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City is pictured on Thursday, March 20. Original construction on the temple started in 1853. The temple closed in 2019 for extensive renovations and seismic upgrades.

The Beehive State hosts a wide range — geographically and chronologically — of edifices held sacred by Latter-day Saints By Scott Taylor Church News

ecause of its history in and around the Salt Lake Valley and its global headquarters in Salt Lake City, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a strong Utah presence in terms of not only its membership but also its temples. And the Church has a wide range — geographically and chronologically — of the sacred edifices it calls “houses of the Lord” throughout the state. Worldwide, the Church of Jesus Christ counts more than 17.2 million members in almost 31,500 congregations and has 367 temples operating, under construction or renovation or in planning. To date, 202 of those temples have been dedicated. In Utah, the Church has nearly 2.2 million members, more than 5,400 congregations and 31 total temples — 21 in operation, two under renovation or reconstruction, five under construction and three announced and in planning. Following is a brief look at each of the 31 temples. For more information and for photos, maps and renderings on any Latter-day Saint temple, go to TheChurchNews.com/almanac/ temples/ — the Church News’ online almanac.

ST. GEORGE UTAH TEMPLE: President Brigham Young announced the temple on Jan. 31, 1871, and then presided over its Nov. 9, 1871, groundbreaking. President Daniel H. Wells, second counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the house of the Lord on April 6, 1877, with the temple rededicated after renovations twice — on Nov. 11, 1975, by Church President Spencer W. Kimball, and on Dec. 10, 2023, by President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The Church’s oldest operating temple, the St. George temple was also the first house of the Lord where Latter-day Saints could perform all temple ordinances for the dead. LOGAN UTAH TEMPLE: President Young announced a house of the Lord for Logan on Oct. 6, 1876, with the groundbreaking presided over by his son President John W. Young, first counselor in the First Presidency. Church President John Taylor dedicated the Logan temple on May 17, 1884, with President Kimball rededicating it on March 13, 1979. It is the only Utah-located temple yet unrenovated following President Russell M. Nelson’s April 2019 announcement to renovate several pioneer-era temples. TEMPLES G2

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

COVER STORY

31 houses of the Lord in Utah

Construction continues on the Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple on Tuesday, March 18. The Provo temple, originally dedicated in 1972, closed in February 2024 for reconstruction.

TEMPLES FROM G1

MANTI UTAH TEMPLE: President Brigham Young announced a house of the Lord for Sanpete County on Dec. 4, 1874, during a conference in Ephraim and then identified Manti specifically on June 25, 1875, in another Ephraim conference. He also presided over the April 26, 1877, groundbreaking. Church President Wilford Woodruff, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, privately dedicated the Manti temple on May 17, 1888, with Elder Lorenzo Snow of the Twelve reading the prayer in the May 21, 1888, public dedication. The Manti temple has been rededicated twice — June 14, 1985, by President Gordon B. Hinckley, second counselor in the First Presidency, and April 21, 2024, by President Nelson. SALT LAKE TEMPLE: Four days after Latter-day Saint settlers arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley, President Young announced both a temple and its exact location, driving his cane into the hard ground on July 28, 1847, and saying, “Here we will build a temple to our God.” He presided over the Feb. 14, 1853, groundbreaking; 40 years later, President Woodruff — then the Church President — dedicated the Salt Lake Temple on April 6, 1893. It has been under renovation since its Dec. 19, 2019, closure. President Nelson

recently announced the temple’s public open house as planned for April to October 2027. OGDEN UTAH TEMPLE: First Presidency counselors President Hugh B. Brown and President N. Eldon Tanner announced the temple in an Aug. 14, 1967, meeting in Ogden with local stake presidencies. Church President Joseph Fielding Smith presided at the Sept. 8, 1969, groundbreaking, and he dedicated the house of the Lord on Jan. 18, 1972 — the first Utah temple to be dedicated in nearly 79 years since the Salt Lake Temple. Church President Thomas S. Monson rededicated the reconstructed Ogden temple on Sept. 21, 2014. PROVO UTAH ROCK CANYON TEMPLE: On the same day they announced the Ogden temple, Presidents Brown and Tanner announced a house of the Lord for Provo in a meeting there with local stake presidencies. President Brown presided over the Sept. 15, 1969, groundbreaking, and President Smith presided over the Feb. 9, 1972, dedication of the Provo Utah Temple, with President Harold B. Lee, first counselor in the First Presidency, reading his dedicatory prayer. On Feb. 20, 2024 — four days before it closed for reconstruction — the house of the Lord was renamed the Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple, helping differentiate from the Provo City Center Temple just 2.4 miles away.

JORDAN RIVER UTAH TEMPLE: President Kimball announced the house of the Lord for South Jordan in a Feb. 3, 1978, news conference and then helped break ground with a front-end loader at the June 9, 1979, groundbreaking. On Nov. 16, 1981, President Marion G. Romney, second counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the temple by reading the prayer written by President Kimball. President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, rededicated the temple on May 20, 2018. BOUNTIFUL UTAH TEMPLE: The First Presidency — led by President Ezra Taft Benson — announced a house of the Lord for Bountiful in a Feb. 2, 1990, letter to regional and local leaders. President Benson presided over the May 2, 1992, groundbreaking, and Church President Howard W. Hunter dedicated the temple on Jan. 8, 1995. During the 28 dedicatory sessions held over seven days, 49 general authorities spoke in at least one dedicatory session, including all members of the First Presidency, the Twelve and the Presiding Bishopric. MOUNT TIMPANOGOS UTAH TEMPLE: President Hinckley announced, broke ground for and then dedicated the house of the Lord on a bluff overlooking American Fork. As the first counselor in the First Presidency, he announced the temple on Oct.

Isaac Hale, Deseret News

3, 1992, in general conference, then presided at the Oct. 9, 1993, groundbreaking. And as Church President, he dedicated the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple on Oct. 13, 1996. VERNAL UTAH TEMPLE: When President Joseph F. Smith — the Church’s sixth President — dedicated the Uintah Tabernacle in August 1907, he said he “would not be surprised if a temple were built here someday.” Almost 100 years later, the tabernacle was converted into a house of the Lord. Led by President Benson, the First Presidency announced the Vernal temple on Feb. 13, 1994, with President Hinckley presiding at the May 13, 1995, groundbreaking. President Hinckley, then Church President, dedicated the temple on Nov. 2, 1997. MONTICELLO UTAH TEMPLE: President Hinckley announced a house of the Lord for Monticello on Oct. 4, 1997, part of a general conference announcement that the Church would build some smaller temples in remote areas of the Church. Elder Ben B. Banks, a General Authority Seventy, presided over the Nov. 17, 1997, groundbreaking, and President Hinckley both dedicated the Monticello temple on July 26, 1998, and rededicated it on Nov. 17, 2002, after expansion. TEMPLES G3

Choose from more than 1,000 classes on a variety of subjects that renew, refresh, and recharge.

educationweek.byu.edu Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated the Church’s 200th temple, the Deseret Peak Utah Temple, in Tooele, on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024.

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

Temples dotting the

Russia (City yet to be announced)

ALASKA

world

The Syracuse Utah Temple, shown on Monday, March 17, will be dedicated on June 8.

TEMPLES FROM G2

DRAPER UTAH TEMPLE: President Hinckley announced a third temple for the Salt Lake Valley on Oct. 2, 2004, in general conference, with Draper identified in a Nov. 21, 2004, First Presidency letter. President Hinckley presided at the Aug. 5, 2006, groundbreaking, with the temple dedicated on March 20, 2009, by President Monson, then Church President. OQUIRRH MOUNTAIN UTAH TEMPLE: President Hinckley announced the house of the Lord on Oct. 1, 2005, during general conference, then he presided at its Dec. 16, 2006, groundbreaking. President Monson dedicated it on Aug. 21, 2009, as the Oquirrh Mountain temple joined the Jordan River temple to make South Jordan the first city to be home to more than one house of the Lord. BRIGHAM CITY UTAH TEMPLE: President Monson announced this house of the Lord on Oct. 3, 2009, during general conference, but it was President Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Brigham City native son, who presided at the July 31, 2010, groundbreaking and then dedicated the temple on Sept. 23, 2012. PAYSON UTAH TEMPLE: The President Monson-led First Presidency announced a temple for Payson in a Jan. 25, 2010, news release, and then-Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided TEMPLES G6

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

Moses Lake i

i i

i i i

i i

ii i

i i

F i F

Des Moines

i F

i i

i i i

Phoenix F Arizona Arizona Mesa Arizona i

i i

Arizona

i i

i i i

i i

Texas i F

Dallas Texas

i i ii

i i

i i i

i i

ii i

i i

i ii

i i

Georgia

i i

i F i Tallahassee F i

i i

i i i i

i i

ALASKA i

i i i

i i

Temples announced Under construction or scheduled for groundbreaking Operating or scheduled for dedication/rededication Under renovation or scheduled for renovation

Anchorage Alaska

HAWAII

PERFORMANCE CLOTHING PACKAGE (1) SLIM OR MODERN FIT SUIT

(4) WRINKLE-FREE SHIRTS

(3) WASHABLE TIES (1) LEATHER DRESS BELT

(1) PAIR OF WALKING SHOES

9 UTAH LOCATIONS UNIVERSITY MALL

TAYLORSVILLE

LAYTON

AMERICAN FORK

MIDVALE

OGDEN

BOUNTIFUL

LOGAN

CITY CREEK

WWW.MRMAC.COM

Temples announced Under construction or scheduled for groundbreaking Operating or scheduled for dedication/rededication Under renovation or scheduled for renovation

i i

F i

i i

Fi Alaska

@MRMACSUITS

i i

i ii

F i

ii i

F i

i i i

Louisiana

i i

Tooele

i i

i ii

i McAllen Texas

Texas

i i Tennessee Tennessee i

Texas

UTAH

i Arkansas

i Queen Creek Arizona i i Arizona Tucson Arizona Arizona El Paso Texas

i Missouri

i i

i i i

York

i Michigan

Chicago i i

i i

Temples dotting Latin America

i i

i Missouri

i Michigan Milwaukee i i

i i

Elko i i

i i

ii i i i

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

Temples i United States Canada

WWW.DESERET.COM

i i

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

Temples dotting Asia

Sapporo Japan

Ulaanbaatar Mongolia Seoul Korea Shanghai People’s Republic of China

Busan Korea

Tokyo Japan Osaka Japan Fukuoka Japan

Okinawa Japan Taipei Taiwan Kaohsiung Taiwan Tuguegarao City Philippines Laoag Santiago Philippines Yigo Bangkok Philippines Guam Alabang Philippines Thailand Urdaneta Naga Philippines Philippines Tacloban City Philippines Manila Philippines Cebu City Philippines Iloilo Philippines Cagayan de Oro Philippines Phnom Penh Davao Philippines Bacolod Cambodia Philippines Port Moresby Papua New Guinea

WWW.DESERET.COM

Temples dotting the Pacific

Hong Kong

Dubai United Arab Emirates

Bengaluru India

Singapore

Laie Hawaii

Honolulu Hawaii Kona Hawaii

Tarawa Kiribati

Jakarta Indonesia

Savai’i Apia Samoa Samoa

Uturoa French Polynesia Pago Pago American Samoa

Suva Fiji

Temples announced Under construction or scheduled for groundbreaking Operating or scheduled for dedication/rededication Under renovation or scheduled for renovation

Neiafu Tonga Nuku’alofa Tonga

Port Vila Brisbane Vanuatu Australia Brisbane Australia South

Perth Australia Adelaide Australia

Melbourne Australia

Kahului Hawaii

Papeete Tahiti

Sydney Australia Hamilton New Zealand

Auckland New Zealand Wellington New Zealand

TEMPLES FROM G3

at the Oct. 8, 2011, groundbreaking. The temple’s June 7, 2015, dedication included the dedicatory prayer from President Eyring, then the first counselor in the First Presidency. PROVO CITY CENTER TEMPLE: On Oct. 1, 2011, President Monson announced in general conference that a temple would be built from the remnants of the Provo Tabernacle, the interior of which was destroyed by a fire on Dec. 17, 2010. Two former Brigham Young University presidents who had resided in Provo fulfilled key assignments — then-Elder Holland presiding at the May 12, 2012, groundbreaking, and thenElder Oaks dedicating the Provo City Center

Temple on March 20, 2016. Provo became the second city with two temples. CEDAR CITY UTAH TEMPLE: President Monson announced the house of the Lord on April 6, 2013, in general conference, and Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy presided over the April 8, 2015, groundbreaking. President Eyring dedicated the temple on Dec. 10, 2017, ending at 140 years the need for local Saints to travel to the St. George temple. SARATOGA SPRINGS UTAH TEMPLE: President Monson announced the temple on April 2, 2017, in general conference, with Elder Craig C. Christensen, a General Authority Seventy, presiding at the Oct. 19, 2019, groundbreaking. Now second counselor in the

First Presidency, President Eyring dedicated the house of the Lord on Aug. 13, 2023. OREM UTAH TEMPLE: President Nelson announced the temple on Oct. 5, 2019, in general conference, with Elder Christensen presiding at the Sept. 5, 2020, groundbreaking. On Jan. 21, 2024, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the temple. RED CLIFFS UTAH TEMPLE: President Nelson announced a house of the Lord for Washington County on Oct. 7, 2018, in general conference, with then-Elder Holland, a native of St. George, presiding over the Nov. 7, 2020, groundbreaking. President Eyring dedicated the Red Cliffs temple on March 24, 2024, making St. George home to the Church’s

oldest and newest operating temples for a brief five weeks. TAYLORSVILLE UTAH TEMPLE: President Nelson announced the house of the Lord on Oct. 5, 2019, in general conference, with Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presiding at the Oct. 31, 2020, groundbreaking and then dedicating the temple on June 2, 2024. It was one of five temples dedicated within five weekends, with Elder Gong dedicating two of the five. LAYTON UTAH TEMPLE: President Nelson announced the temple on April 1, 2018, in general conference, the first of the 13 new houses of the Lord in Utah he has identified so far. TEMPLES G8

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

Temples dotting Europe

Oslo Norway

Copenhagen Denmark

The Hague Netherlands

Dublin Ireland Birmingham England London England

Vienna Austria Copenhagen Budapest Hungary Denmark

Monrovia Liberia

Benin City Nigeria Lagos Nigeria

Abidjan Ivory Coast

Cape Coast Ghana Accra Ghana

Rome Italy

Temples dotting Africa

Abuja Nigeria

Kumasi Ghana

Milan Italy

Barcelona Spain

Lisbon Portugal

Praia Cape Verde

Freiberg Germany Kyiv Ukraine

Paris France Bern Switzerland

Madrid Spain

Russia (City yet to be announced)

Hamburg Germany

Frankfurt Germany Brussels Belgium

Freetown Sierra Leone

Helsinki Finland Stockholm Sweden

Edinburgh Scotland

Preston England

Calabar Nigeria

Kananga Democratic Republic of the Congo

Aba Nigeria Eket Nigeria

Mbuji-Mayi Democratic Republic of the Congo

Brazzaville Republic of the Congo Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Luanda Angola

Nairobi Kenya Kampal Uganda

Lubumbashi Democratic Republic of the Congo

Harare Zimbabwe

Temples announced Under construction or scheduled for groundbreaking Operating or scheduled for dedication/rededication Under renovation or scheduled for renovation

Johannesburg South Africa

Beira Mozambique

Antananarivo Madagascar

Maputo Mozambique Durban South Africa

Cape Town South Africa

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY! TUACAHN.ORG

MAY 2  OCT 25

BAC K BY POPUL AR DEMAND

MAY 16  OCT 23

JULY 12  OCT 24

NOV 21  DEC 20

JAN 30  MAR 7, 2026

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

TEMPLES FROM G6

Elder Christensen presided at the May 23, 2020, groundbreaking, with Elder Randy D. Funk, a General Authority Seventy, dedicating the site and construction process. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the temple on June 16, 2024. DESERET PEAK UTAH TEMPLE: President Nelson announced the temple — first named Tooele Valley — on April 7, 2019, in general conference, and Elder Brook P. Hales, a General Authority Seventy, presided at the May 15, 2021, groundbreaking. Just two months after his 100th birthday, President Nelson dedicated the Deseret Peak temple — the Church’s 200th — on Nov. 10, 2024. SYRACUSE UTAH TEMPLE: Announced on April 5, 2020, by President Nelson in general conference, the temple had its June 12, 2021, groundbreaking presided over by Elder Kevin R. Duncan, a General Authority Seventy who grew up nearby. The Syracuse temple is scheduled for a June 7, 2025, dedication. LINDON UTAH TEMPLE: This house of the Lord is under construction, following its April 23, 2022, groundbreaking, presided over by Elder Kevin W. Pearson, a General Authority Seventy. President Nelson announced the temple on Oct. 4, 2020, in general conference. SMITHFIELD UTAH TEMPLE: President Nelson announced the temple on April 4, 2021, during general conference, with Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presiding at the June 18, 2022, groundbreaking. It remains under construction. EPHRAIM UTAH TEMPLE: President Nelson announced Ephraim’s house of the Lord at a May 1, 2021, news conference about the Manti temple renovation, and he presided over the Oct. 8, 2022, groundbreaking. It is under construction. HEBER VALLEY UTAH TEMPLE: President Nelson announced the temple Oct. 3, 2021, during general conference and presided at the Oct. 8, 2022, groundbreaking, with the temple in its construction phase. LEHI UTAH TEMPLE: Announced by President Nelson on April 7, 2024, in general conference, the temple is in planning, with a site location and exterior rendering released. WEST JORDAN UTAH TEMPLE: Announced simultaneously with the Lehi temple, this house of the Lord has a site and is in planning. PRICE UTAH TEMPLE: In planning, the temple was announced by President Nelson on Oct. 6, 2024, in general conference.

Tess Crowley, Deseret News Above, construction continues on the Ephraim Utah Temple on Monday, March 24. Ground was broken Oct. 8, 2022, to begin construction. The future site of the Lehi Utah Temple is pictured Tuesday, March 18. President Russell M. Nelson announced in April 2024 general conference that temples would be built in Lehi and West Jordan.

Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Peripheral Neuropathy WARNING! American Fork, UT - The most common method your doctor will recommend to treat your neuropathy is with prescription drugs that may temporarily reduce your symptoms. These drugs have names such as Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Neurontin, and are primarily antidepressant or anti-seizure drugs. These drugs may cause you to feel uncomfortable and have a variety of harmful side effects.

3) How much treatment will your condition require? The treatment that is provided at The Scranton Clinic has three main goals: 1) Increase blood flow 2) Stimulate small fiber nerves 3) Decrease brain-based pain

Figure 2: When these very small blood vessels become diseased they begin to shrivel up and the nerves begin to degenerate.

Figure 1: Notice the very small blood vessels surrounding each nerve. Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves often causing weakness, pain, numbness, tingling, and the most debilitating balance problems. This damage is commonly caused by a lack of blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet which causes the nerves to begin to degenerate due to lack of nutrient flow. As you can see in Figure 2, as the blood vessels that surround the nerves become diseased they shrivel up which causes the nerves to not get the nutrients to continue to survive. When these nerves begin to “die”

they cause you to have balance problems, pain, numbness, tingling, burning, and many additional symptoms.

The treatment to increase blood flow utilizes a specialized low-level light therapy (not to be confused with laser therapy) us-ing light emitting diode technology. This technology was originally developed by NASA to assist in increasing blood flow. The low level light therapy is like watering a plant. The light therapy will allow the blood vessels to grow back around the peripheral nerves and provide them with the proper nutrients to heal and repair. It’s like adding water to a plant and seeing the roots grow deeper and deeper.

The amount of treatment needed to allow the nerves to fully recover varies from person to person and can only be determined after a detailed neurological and vascular evaluation. As long as you have not sustained at least 85% nerve damage there is hope! The Scranton Clinic will do a neuropathy severity examination to determine the extent of the nerve damage for only $45. This neuropathy severity examination will consist of a detailed sensory evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, and a detailed analysis of the findings of your neuropathy. Dr. Scranton will be offering this neuropathy severity examination from now until April 30, 2025. Call 385-417-4562 to make an appointment with Dr. Scranton to determine if your peripheral neuropathy can be treated. The patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment, or be reimbursed for payment for any other service, examination or treatment that is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted fee, or reduced fee service, examination or treatment.

The main problem is that your doctor has told you to just live with the problem or try the drugs which you don’t like taking because they make you feel uncomfortable. There is now a facility right here in South Jordan that offers you hope without taking those endless drugs with serious side effects. (see the special neuropathy severity examination at the end of this article) In order to effectively treat your neuropathy three factors must be determined. 1)What is the underlying cause? 2)How Much Nerve Damage Has Been Sustained. NOTE: Once you have sustained 85% nerve loss, there is likely nothing that we can do for you.

Figure 3: The blood vessels will grow back around the nerves much like a plant’s roots grow when watered.

CALL (385) 417-4562 TODAY!

477 W. 30 N. American Fork, UT 84003 www.ScrantonClinic.com

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

SPECIAL SECTION

H General Conference | H2

| H4

Activity page: bingo, matching, maze, word search

Explore Church with the Church News Almanac

100 YEARS

OF MISSIONARY TRAINING CENTERS

A group of missionaries poses for a photo outside the Salt Lake Mission Home in Salt Lake City on June 7, 1927.

Church History Biographical Database

Missionary training has grown from 1 mission home in Salt Lake City to training centers around the world By Aimee Cobabe Church News

arch 2025 marked 100 years since the dedication of what came to be known as the Salt Lake Mission Home, a predecessor to what became missionary training centers around the world for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Missionary training dates back to the Church’s early days, with the School of the Prophets organized in the 1830s so elders could “teach one another” the gospel and “be prepared in all things” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:77-80).

Deseret News archives Elder Fernando Armindo Zuca, left, and Elder Jorge Gabriel, right, work with other missionaries on a lesson at the Brazil Missionary Training Center in São Paulo, Brazil, on May 24, 2018.

The Salt Lake Mission Home The Salt Lake Mission Home began training around 100 missionaries for a week at a time in 1925. Missionaries learning a new language learned that new language in the mission field. Although the instruction and training new missionaries receive continue to evolve over time, an article in the Church News in 1973, titled “Missionary Home: Place of Learning,” gave a full itinerary of what life was like then for training missionaries at the Salt Lake Mission Home. MISSIONARIES H2

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Elder Clint Allen Jr. does missionary training virtually from home in Chandler, Arizona, on Aug. 12, 2021. He would later go to the Provo Missionary Training Center to finish his training in person for a month.

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

Scriptures

Service

Tithing

Missionary

Jesus Christ

Music

Sabbath

Temple

Faith

Sacrament

Free Space

Home

Pioneer

Russell M. Nelson

Resurrection

Dallin H. Oaks Love

Henry B. Eyring

Word of

Jeffrey R. Holland Commandments

Joseph Smith

Minister

Priesthood

Baptism

Marriage

Wisdom

Prayer

Dieter F. Uchtdorf David A. Bednar

Family

Quentin L. Cook D. Todd Christofferson

Scriptures Prophet

Commandments

Home

Faith Temple

Prophet

Sacrament

Baptism

Love

Free Space

Neil L. Andersen Prayer

Marriage

Jesus Christ

Pioneer

Music

Ronald A. Rasband Gary E. Stevenson Dale G. Renlund Gerrit W. Gong Ulisses Soares

Minister

Patrick Kearon

Word of

Resurrection Tithing

Sabbath

Wisdom Service

Priesthood

Joseph Smith

Missionary

Family

JESUS LOVE FAMILY APOSTLE

MISSIONARIES FROM H1

New missionaries checked into the home on Saturday mornings. Many general authorities gave talks with titles such as “Your Potential for Success,” “Organization of Time” and “Spirituality, Key to Success.” Sundays included a one-hour sacrament meeting during the day. On Monday, missionaries would go to the temple for two sessions, ending at 4:15 p.m., then back to the mission home for more classwork. Tuesday was taken up with studies most of the day, and on Wednesday evenings, missionaries received a performance evaluation to review what they had learned. Much of the study for missionaries at this time was focused on learning the missionary discussions and accompanying “flip charts,” with pictures to use alongside the discussions. On Thursdays, missionaries would leave and go either directly to the mission field or to one of the language training missions at Brigham Young University, Ricks College (later BYU– Idaho) or Church College of Hawaii (later BYU–Hawaii). The Church History Biographical Database has a searchable record of missionaries who went through the Salt Lake Mission Home from June 1924 through 1957. Part of the

REPENT HOME VISION SCRIPTURES

FAITH MESSIAH WORSHIP DISCIPLE

PROPHET GATHER PRAYER ATONEMENT

MINISTER LORD ELDER

mission of the biographical database is to connect descendants to their missionary ancestors.

Language learning By the late 1950s, missionaries called to Mexico were having difficulty obtaining permits to enter the country, with arrivals sometimes delayed months. This prompted consideration of a language-training facility at BYU in Provo, Utah. The first class of missionaries — 14 going to Argentina and 16 to Mexico — began the language-learning program in the BYU Alumni building on the BYU campus in December 1961. The First Presidency changed the name of the Missionary Language Institute to the Language Training Mission in June 1963. It also added training in Portuguese and German. The Language Learning Centers at Ricks College and the Church College of Hawaii were opened for Dutch and Scandinavian languages and Polynesian and Asian languages, respectively, in 1968. The Church created plans in 1971 for a separate Provo Language Training Mission complex, which began housing missionaries in August 1976. When completed, the complex MISSIONARIES H3

George Frey, Associated Press Sister Erica Glenn, left, and other missionaries take Russian language class at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Jan. 31, 2008.

WWW.DESERET.COM

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Missionaries arrive with their luggage at the Mexico Missionary Training Center in Mexico City, Mexico, in June 2013. The Mexico MTC is one of 11 missionary training centers worldwide.

MISSIONARIES FROM H2

included 37 offices, 22 chapels, 290 classrooms and 12 observation rooms and enough housing for 2,974 missionaries. During the same period, a former elementary school just north of the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City functioned as the Salt Lake Mission Home from 1971 to 1978. The Salt Lake Mission Home was closed in 1978 as the facility was no longer large enough to accommodate missionaries for an extended time. A Church News article from August 1975 noted that 100 to 150 missionaries went

through the Language Training Mission each week, with sister missionaries accounting for 10% to 15%. The preparation of new missionaries followed three main goals: “One, to teach them to become disciples of Christ; two, to teach them the culture of the country they will labor in and to learn to love the people they will serve; and three, to teach them to preach the gospel in another language.” Missionaries spent their first three weeks at the Language Training Mission studying their new language full time. The remaining weeks were focused on memorizing discussions. The 1975 article notes that elders and sisters

would stand in line for food in the cafeteria “reading scriptures and studying discussions while waiting. No one stands idle in the queue.” Elder Mark Hale of Provo, Utah, who was preparing for a mission in Mexico, told the Church News: “I can’t believe the Spirit here. I’ve never worked so hard and learned so much in so little time.”

International training centers The first international missionary training facilities were established in São Paulo, Brazil, and Hamilton, New Zealand, in 1977. The next year, missionaries called to

English-speaking missions were added to the Language Training Mission in Provo, and the name was changed to the Missionary Training Center. After more than four decades, and with the growth of the Church internationally, more languages have been added at the Provo Missionary Training Center, and more missionary training centers were opened around the world. There are currently 11 MTCs globally: • Brazil Missionary Training Center, in São Paulo, Brazil. MISSIONARIES H4

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

Explore the Church’s historic growth with the Church News Almanac By Joel Randall Church News

Church History Catalog A group of missionaries poses for a photo outside the Salt Lake Mission Home in Salt Lake City in the mid-1920s. The mission home began training around 100 missionaries for a week at a time in 1925. MISSIONARIES FROM H3

• Democratic Republic of the Congo Missionary Training Center, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. • England Missionary Training Center, in Preston, England. • Ghana Missionary Training Center, in Accra, Ghana. • Mexico Missionary Training Center, in Mexico City, Mexico. • New Zealand Missionary Training Center, in Auckland, New Zealand. • Peru Missionary Training Center, in Lima, Peru. • Philippines Missionary Training Center, in Manila, Philippines. • Provo Missionary Training Center, in Provo, Utah. • South Africa Missionary Training Center, in Johannesburg, South Africa. • Thailand Missionary Training Center, in Bangkok, Thailand.

Missionary training in the digital age The COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of missionary training centers worldwide in March 2020, and the Church transitioned training of new missionaries to online instruction. Even with MTCs resuming on-site training in June 2021, many missionaries still begin their training online at home for a third of their training, then travel to an MTC. Elder Jarom Michael Moody, who was called to serve in the Massachusetts Boston Mission, told the Church News in September 2021 that he was able to share his at-home MTC experience with his family.

“

The Church News is now publishing an online version of the Deseret News Church Almanac, showing the history of the Church in temples, leaders and countries around the world. When the last print edition of the Church Almanac was published in 2013, it documented that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had only 140 temples in operation with another 26 announced. Just over a decade later, the Church now has 202 houses of the Lord in operation, with another 165 announced or under construction. And readers can now digitally discover the lesser-known stories of each one.

About the Church News Almanac

One of the biggest benefits of at-home MTC is seeing my family. It separates being a missionary from leaving your family.”

TheChurchNews.com/almanac/temples compiles comprehensive information about each house of the Lord, including photo galleries, stories, dedicatory prayer excerpts, timelines, architectural information and quick facts. Yet more importantly, the Church News Almanac — updated regularly — chronicles the stories of houses of the Lord and faithful Latter-day Saints building up the Lord’s kingdom. Read about the labor missionaries who built the Hamilton New Zealand Temple, how the Salt Lake Temple dedication calmed divisions among the Saints, and the sacrifices believers made to welcome the

Santiago Chile Temple as the first temple in a Spanish-speaking country. The almanac will also publish pages about the history of the Church in U.S. states and countries around the world. Readers can learn about the Church’s oldest continuously functioning unit in England, Ghana Saints who stayed strong through a government freeze on Church operations, and an earthquake that increased Church membership in Alaska.

History of the almanac From 1974 to 2013, the Deseret News released a print Church Almanac containing biographical information about Church leaders, news, departments, temples and other statistical information from the year. These almanacs were published once a year, except for 1984 to 2002, when they were released once every two years. Former Church News reporter Shaun Stahle started working on the almanac for its 2004 edition and later became the almanac editor. Comparing Church statistics year after year shows the Lord’s Church “in motion,” he noted in 2012. “You get a grand sense of the Church in motion, how it’s growing and gaining momentum,” Stahle said. “Every member in any part of the world is important; they’re part of the big picture. And where they are and how they live is part of this record.” Questions about or updates for the online almanac can be emailed to ChurchNewsAlmanac@DeseretNews.com. Some of the many temple history pages accessible on TheChurchNews .com/almanac/ temples.

— Elder Jarom Michael Moody, then training to serve in the Massachusetts Boston Mission

“There are a lot of invitations to involve our family in our training. From sharing what we have been learning to introducing ourselves in Spanish to them, we have had numerous opportunities to make them a part of the experience. One of the biggest benefits of at-home MTC is seeing my family. It separates being a missionary from leaving your family. I have been able to train without any homesickness, and that lets me become a more effective missionary.”

Screenshot from TheChurchNews.com

19TH ANNUAL

Amazing Earthfest MAY 8-11, 2025 | KANAB

Celebrating the natural world with 25 scheduled events, an experiential learning festival of arts, outdoor adventure, science, and film.

WORLD PREMIER PERFORMANCE OF

Music For Two Violins And Piano Saturday, May 10, 2025 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Photo by Marty Feely

Bingham Gallery of Fine Art, Mt. Carmel, Utah

New music composed by BYU Professor of Music Laurence Lowe, performed by Aubrey Woods, violin, Alex Woods, violin, and Rex Woods, piano. amid the elegance of original works of contemporary western art! GET YOUR TICKETS ONLINE AT amazingearthfest.org/events/earthfest-chamber-music-concert

AMAZINGEARTHFEST.COM

WWW.DESERET.COM

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

$1,000 SCHOLARSHIP $1,000 SCHOLARSHIP

for returned for returned missionaries missionaries

LEARN MORE LEARN MORE

THIS IS FAMILY TIME

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

2025

Come Join the Davis Chamber of Commerce Business Expo! Free to the public. Sponsorships & Booths Available Now!

APRIL

30 To join or learn more visit davischamberofcommerce.com Davis Conference Center 1651 N 700 W Layton, UT

Largest Business Networking Event in Northern Utah!

WWW.DESERET.COM

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

FREE REGISTRATION FOR ALL STUDENTS AND BYU FACULTY AND STAFF

Live stream available for select sessions.

JUNE 17, 2025

Religion, Peace, and Human Flourishing Understanding the Whys of Religious Freedom REGISTER AT RELIGIOUSFREEDOM.BYU.EDU

SHIMA BARADARAN BAUGHMAN

ELDER MARCUS B. NASH

REVEREND DR. DAVID G. LATIMORE

BYU Law School

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Princeton Theological Seminary

Join Us This Summer Trusted By Thousands - Quality Dentistry at Prices You Can Afford!

Grandpa's Family Dental Our Business is Dentistry, our Legacy is You

Est. 2006

Full mouth Restoration Includes final durable zirconia fixed bridge $

Best Price in UTAH

13,999

per arch

New Patient, Cash & Non insured only. Exp. 4/30/25

Smile Brighter! Regular Utah Price

Grandpa’s Specials (Uninsured Exp 04/30/25)

$1100- $1400

$599

Premium Denture

$1800- $3400

$899

Implant & Crown

$3000- $3800

$1799

$7000- $9000

$6700

Service Crown w/ Lifetime Warranty

Snap Denture w/ 2 implants

801-262-2040 Old Farm

3980 S 700 East # 21 Murray, UT 84107

801-576-1444

801-374-5200

3961 W 9000 South, #1 West Jordan, UT 84088

1256 S State Street #103 Orem, UT 84043

90th South

University Pkwy

TEXT @ 844-935-3369 - grandpasdental.com

New Patient exam

Includes Necessary xrays

FREE Non insured-limited availability ex 4/30/25

Enjoy pain-free procedures and a lifelong smile transformation

Friday, April 4, 2025 | Deseret News Weekend

WWW.DESERET.COM

RETIREMENT

LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE!

RETIRED OR RETIRING SOON? Do I k now way s to lower the tax es on my IRA and 4 0 1 ( k ) for a more com fortab le retirem ent? Y

Has my CPA talk ed with me ab out eliminating tax es on m y Social Security

Is my estate protected so I can stay in my own home if I have long term care ex penses? Y

Do I k now why a trust may b e more effective than a w ill and why I may need one?

Will I maintain my purchasing and power throug h m ark et volatility ? Y

A m I aware of the tax and leg al conseq uences of placing children on m y b ank accounts or home?

When donating to charity ( including tithing ) do I donate tax

Is my retirement income protected , so I don’ t from tax es and outlive it?

Do I understand p rob ate and how to avoid it?

A re my assets protected from b eing forced to surrender to Medicaid?

CALL (801) CPA-HELP (801) 272-4357

Advisory services are offered through Wealth Management CPAs, LLC, an SEC Investment Insurance products and services offered through Wealth Management Insurance Solutions, LLC,

2 COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATIONS AND A PERSONALIZED RETIREMENT PLAN ($1,000 VALUE!)

Get answers to your questions for a comfortable retirement!

PASS

WITH OUR RETIREMENT PLANNING CHECKLIST:

BOARDING

GAIN CONFIDENCE