During the week of March 15-21, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a video encouraging members to bring friends and family to an hour-long Palm Sunday service and watch the April 2026 general conference.
The Church’s comprehensive handbook has been updated with revised language and added clarification on ordinances and covenants. More information about Valiant’s Super Activities, Aaronic Priesthood Camps, and Young Women’s Camps. Access your patriarchal blessings. Then call the man or woman to the ward Sunday School presidency.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, participated in a five-day mission on Oahu, Hawaii.
The Church announced that millions of items were donated to people in need around the world through Giving Machine kiosks during the 2025 Christmas season.
In a Church News video, Elder Gerard Caussé of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles testifies to the power of the temple while serving in France.
Cranes and scaffolding have been lowered from the south tower at the Salt Lake Temple, and the date and time for the temple’s open house have been announced in the latest renovation update.
Young Women General President Emily Bell Freeman was the keynote speaker at the 2026 Utah Anti-Pornography Coalition Conference.
New resources released by the Church are designed to support women in their efforts to serve and become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ.
Brother Sean R. Dixon, second counselor in the Young Men general presidency, encouraged students to become “daily disciples” during a devotional at Brigham Young University.
On this week’s episode of the “Church News” podcast, Brother Chad H. Webb, administrator of seminaries and institutes of religion and first counselor in the general Sunday School presidency, and Yo Danso, associate administrator of seminaries and institutes of religion, discuss the record growth of the institutes of religion program.
Read the overview and find links to articles below.
1. First Presidency doubles Easter invitation to testify of Christ’s love with new video
The First Presidency of the Church extended invitations to two Easters. Church members are invited to invite friends and family to the one-hour Palm Sunday service and to watch the April 2026 general conference.
Each member of the First Presidency shared a short testimony of Jesus Christ and His love.
The First Presidency also welcomed the Thai Ambassador to the United States to Temple Square.
Learn more about the First Presidency’s Easter Invitation. Read more about the meeting between the First Presidency and the Ambassador of Thailand here.
2. Comprehensive Handbook Updated to Emphasize Ordinances and Covenants and Adjust Ward Sunday School Presidency
An updated version of the Church’s General Handbook has been released with revised language and clear expectations for ordinances and covenants. Also included is detailed information about Valiant Super Activities, youth camps, access to patriarchal blessings, calling men and women to ward Sunday School presidencies, and more. A ward Sunday School presidency can now consist of only women or only men.
When important content updates are fully released, they are listed in the Recent Updates Summary at the beginning of the handbook.
Learn more about updating the General Handbook.
3. Live with courage and faith, President Uchtdorf speaks in Hawaii
In his first mission as acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, President Uchtdorf spent five days testifying about Jesus Christ on Oahu, speaking with students on the BYU Hawaii campus, and speaking with missionaries on the grounds of the Laie Hawaii Temple.
Every day he shared the message of hope found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Learn more about Elder Uchtdorf’s ministry here.
4. Millions of items will be donated at Giving Machine kiosks during the 2025 Christmas season.
The church announced in a news release that 4.7 million items have been donated to people in need by visitors to Giving Machine kiosks around the world. Light the World Giving Machine kiosks are now in more cities than ever before.
“I can think of no greater gift we can give to the Savior than to love one another as He did, and the Giving Machine initiative is a great way to do just that,” said Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and President of the Mission Executive Council.
Learn more about giving with the Giving Machine.
5. Video: Elder Korth testifies to the strength of temples in the community
In a Church News video, Elder Kors speaks about the power of the temple while serving in his native France.
In February, Elder Cossé and his wife, Sister Valérie Cossé, spent several days in the greater Paris area during a multi-day mission.
Watch Elder Coase’s video here.
6. Temple Square Renovation: South Tower crane and scaffolding removed, art glass windows installed
The Salt Lake Temple’s south tower crane and scaffolding have been removed. Art glass windows depicting scenes from the life and ministry of Jesus Christ are currently on display.
The public can view the Easter exhibits on the temple grounds. Dates and times for the Salt Lake Temple open house were also announced.
Click here to learn more about the latest updates on Temple Square renovations.
7. President Freeman tells us to create personalized ‘armor of God’ in the fight against pornography
President Freeman invited the audience at the Utah Coalition Against Pornography conference to personally create the armor of God to fight pornography. As the conference’s closing keynote speaker, she testified to the grace, healing power, and ability of Jesus Christ to strengthen struggling individuals.
Learn more about President Freeman at the Utah Anti-Pornography Coalition Conference.
8. New Resources to Support Relief Society Service Activities
This month, in conjunction with Relief Society worldwide devotions and Relief Society’s 184th anniversary, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released several short discussion videos for women. Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson said the videos are each two to four minutes long and cover important topics designed to help local Relief Society leaders support and uplift the sisters they serve.
Additionally, a new section of the Gospel Library outlines “Experiences Supported by Relief Society.” President Johnson explained that experiences such as preparing to make covenants and serving like the Savior are designed to help women become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ.
Learn more about the new Relief Society discussion videos here. Learn more about Relief Society supported experiences.
9. Brother Dixon invites BYU students to become “daily disciples” of Jesus Christ in “simple daily decisions.”
Brother Dixon encouraged BYU students to become “daily disciples” of Jesus Christ in “simple daily decisions.”
During a devotional held at BYU on March 17, Brother Dixon spoke about becoming a “daily disciple” through daily decisions.
“Discipleship is not an activity that should be crammed into a busy schedule; it is at our core,” said the second counselor in the Young Men general presidency.
Learn more about Brother Dixon’s dedication.
10. Church News Podcast, Episode 285: Young Adults Are ‘Part of History’ as Church Celebrates 100th Anniversary
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Institute of Religious Studies. In this week’s podcast episode, Brother Chad H. Webb, Administrator of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion and First Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency, and Yo Danso, Associate Administrator of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion, discuss the program’s record growth in recent years.
Listen to the podcast here.
