Katharine Lyon

Apostles and Church Leaders Share How They Prepare Their Conference Talks + What It's Like Speaking at Conference

By Danielle B. Wagner

March 27, 2018 12:40 PM MDT

When the prophets, apostles, and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregate every six months to speak to the world, members and nonmembers are invited to tune in and hear their inspired counsel. With so many ears to hear, hearts to listen, and minds to enlighten, Church leaders turn to the Spirit.

2 Min Read

Fun

Why Cedar City and 2 Other LDS Temples Have Stained Glass Windows Rescued from a Presbyterian Church

By Alexandra Mortenson

October 23, 2017 03:24 PM MDT

If you've visited the Provo City Center Temple, you may have seen the stunning stained glass depiction of the Savior holding a lamb as you enter the main, street-level entrance. Illuminated from behind with light, the large stained glass panel is one of the most stunning pieces of art in the temple.

3 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

After Losing 10 Children, One Woman Finds Hope in the LDS Church and Walks 9 Hours to Get There

By Katharine Lyon

September 25, 2017 08:08 AM MDT

As the mission president of the Zambia Lusaka Mission from 2013–2016, Leif Erickson and his wife, Linda, had the incredible opportunity to observe the faith and optimism of the Zambian Saints up close. “Just like anywhere else in the world, there are setbacks and struggles,” Erickson says, “but the goodness of these Saints and the strength of their faith and reliance on the Lord inspires us.”

2 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

What Happened After a Zambian Woman Read the Book of Mormon to Prove the Missionaries Wrong

By Katharine Lyon

September 20, 2017 08:00 AM MDT

Often gathering in meetinghouses converted from local houses or buildings, Church members and investigators in Zambia fill the sacrament rooms with enthusiastic hymns and heartfelt testimonies each Sunday, unlike any other place on earth.

2 Min Read

Fun

10 Temples and the Amazing Treasures in Their Cornerstones

By Katharine Lyon

January 04, 2017 10:00 PM MST

On the day before each temple dedication, a time capsule is placed in the cornerstone of the temple. The next day, the prophet or apostle dedicating the temple seals the cornerstone with mortar as part of the dedication ceremony.

8 Min Read

From the Church

14 Major Church Announcements and News from 2016

By Katharine Lyon

December 28, 2016 10:00 PM MST

With 2016 coming to a close, it's time to look back on some of the big changes, announcements, and news from the Church throughout the year and reflect on the progress, miracles, and changes that continue to bless the lives of members worldwide.

7 Min Read

Fun

Surprising Things We Don't Have to Do for Personal Progress Anymore + More Changes Over the Years

By Katharine Lyon

December 16, 2016 10:00 PM MST

With the year 2016 coming to a close, Young Women programs around the world will focus on the new 2017 theme, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed" (James 1:5–6; emphasis added).

4 Min Read

Fun

8 Amazing Christmas Light Displays Put on by the Church You Probably Didn't Know About

By Katharine Lyon

December 12, 2016 03:00 PM MST

If you're a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, chances are you've at least heard about the lights on Temple Square each Christmas season. Surrounding the glowing temple, trees light up in red, green, and orange, and Christmas cheer fills the cold winter air.

3 Min Read

From the Church

Hilarious Graduation Photo of Bonnie Oscarson Revealed at BYU Devotional

By Katharine Lyon

December 07, 2016 07:00 PM MST

Calling it a "surreal experience" to stand in the Marriott Center and give a devotional address on December 6, Young Women general president, Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, shared a brief, hilarious look into her years at Brigham Young University.

2 Min Read

Fun

Why "Silent Night" Is the Most Iconic Christmas Song in the World

By Katharine Lyon

December 06, 2016 01:29 PM MST

My favorite Christmas tradition growing up was celebrating Christmas Eve with my German grandma, who we called Oma. Every year, we would eat lots of good food that she lovingly cooked for us, unwrap her presents for her, and play music on a variety of instruments.

3 Min Read

From the Church

Elder Christofferson to Hold First Face to Face in Language Other Than English

By Katharine Lyon

December 02, 2016 04:30 PM MST

The Church will hold the first Face to Face event in Spanish from Guatemala City on Saturday, December 10, 2016, featuring Elder D. Todd Christofferson and his wife, Kathy.

1 Min Read

Famous Latter-day Saints

10 Famous Mormons' Wedding Photos

By Katharine Lyon

November 21, 2016 10:00 PM MST

Everyone loves a good wedding photo, especially when it's backdropped by a beautiful temple. Check out these 10 wedding photos from famous Mormons:

5 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Counsel from Elder Holland Every Returned Missionary Needs to Hear

By Katharine Lyon

November 14, 2016 08:18 PM MST

For many returned missionaries, coming home can be one of the hardest parts of serving a mission. After 18 months or 2 years of finding, teaching, and serving others full-time, it can be disorienting to return to a life filled with school, work, and dating.

2 Min Read

Fun

Man Indexes Nearly 1 Million Names Before Passing Away & Teaches His Family a Lesson They Will Never Forget

By Katharine Lyon

November 12, 2016 05:05 PM MST

Even when various health struggles prevented Jerry Williamson from serving in Church callings, he found another way to dedicate himself to the work. Since he enjoyed family history and indexing, he set a goal to index one million names. And he came incredibly close.

2 Min Read

Lesson Helps

FHE Lesson: Baptism, Jesus, and Me

By Katharine Lyon

November 10, 2016 10:00 PM MST

This FHE lesson is adapted from Baptism, Jesus, and Me.

3 Min Read

Fun

Missionary Recreates Dad’s Mission Pictures from 28 Years Ago

By Katharine Lyon

November 07, 2016 09:00 PM MST

These days, it seems that everyone loves recreating photos. Whether you’re recreating a picture from your childhood with your grown siblings or a hilarious pose from your favorite picture, it’s fun to compare time passing and the stories behind each photo.

1 Min Read

Fun

8 "Gilmore Girls" GIFs That Mormons Can Totally Relate To

By Katharine Lyon

November 05, 2016 03:00 PM MDT

With the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, there are so many great things to look forward to: more time spent with family and good friends, elections will be over, and Gilmore Girls returns on Netflix with four new episodes.

2 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

How a Girl at a Lemonade Stand Answered an Addict's Prayer in the Most Unexpected of Ways

By Katharine Lyon

November 03, 2016 01:00 PM MDT

By age 22, Todd Sylvester felt like he hit rock bottom. In the grasp of an eight-year drug addiction, he lost his college basketball scholarship and everything else he had ever earned. He decided to take his own life. However, this was only the beginning of Todd's incredible story, as shown in the viral Mormon Message, "The Hope of God's Light."

7 Min Read

Famous Latter-day Saints

Following Search for Annie Schmidt, "Cello Guy" Shares Beautiful Story for Schmidt Family

By Katharine Lyon

October 31, 2016 06:44 PM MDT

When Annie Schmidt went missing in Portland, Oregon, people rallied around her family, including her father, Jon Schmidt, who is the pianist in The Piano Guys. Whether they were sending prayers or joining the Schmidt family in searching trails, thousands of people contributed their efforts to find Annie.

2 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Historic Mormon Tabernacle Choir Performance in the Newly Built Eccles Theater

By Katharine Lyon

October 25, 2016 05:50 PM MDT

Since Music and the Spoken Word broadcasted for the first time 88 years ago, the choir has never performed in a Salt Lake venue other than the Conference Center or the Tabernacle on Temple Square.

1 Min Read

Fun

Why Mormons Love HGTV Stars Chip and Joanna Gaines

By Katharine Lyon

October 21, 2016 07:33 PM MDT

If you know anything about HGTV, you have most likely heard of Chip and Joanna Gaines. Taking the house-flipping world by storm, Chip and Joanna won the hearts of viewers with their adorable relationship and strong family values.

3 Min Read

Fun

The Unexpected Story Behind One of the Most Popular LDS Hymns

By Katharine Lyon

October 20, 2016 05:00 PM MDT

Easily one of the most-sung hymns at general conference, “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet” is a familiar song for most Latter-day Saints. However, members seem to be less familiar with the story behind this popular hymn.

2 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

4 signs of the Second Coming that will make you more optimistic

By Katharine Lyon

October 19, 2016 05:40 PM MDT

Most of us have heard the scripture referring to the Second Coming as the “great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Malachi 4:5), but why is it that most of us forget the “great” part and focus on the “dreadful” side of things?

3 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

One Crucial Question That Puts Life in Perspective (Especially When You're Stressed About the Future)

By Katharine Lyon

October 19, 2016 01:49 PM MDT

When you don’t know what to do and you don’t feel like you’re receiving answers or direction, just act. That’s what LDS actor and comedian Stephen Jones did, quite literally.

3 Min Read