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Maddie Tolk

Maddie is a content specialist for LDS Living. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English from Harvard and has published and edited content for the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, Macmillan Learning, HarvardX, Utah Valley University, and Adobe. Maddie enjoys reading, playing the violin and piano, and watching musicals.

Two elders study scriptures on a bench at the Missionary Training Center.
Latter-day Saint Life
35 benefits of serving a mission we may not think about
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
February 24, 2025 01:52 PM MST
From conflict resolution skills to a consistent sleep schedule, missions can bless your life in many ways.
7 Min Read
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A compilation of portraits of eight members from the Gurnee 1st Ward.
Stories of Faith
A woman photographed her entire Chicago ward. The results are stunning
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
February 14, 2025 04:00 AM MST
“I hope to help others truly see each individual as God sees them. For when we see others as He does, we can’t help but love them.”
3 Min Read
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Ashly Stone sits in front of a microphone
Stories of Faith
She interviewed 100+ people who came back to the Church. Read her hopeful perspective
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
February 06, 2025 02:38 PM MST
“We can’t even get to all the people who want to share their story,” says Ashly Stone, host of the Come Back Podcast.
4 Min Read
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Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf speaks during a Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, on Sunday, February 2, 2025.
Follow the Prophets
Elder Uchtdorf’s 5 reminders about revelation are too good to miss
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
February 03, 2025 03:43 PM MST
During this weekend’s devotional, Elder Uchtdorf shared some encouraging tips for seeking God’s guidance.
1 Min Read
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Sierra Larson from Brandon, Florida, smiles standing in front of palm trees.
Stories of Faith
What Elder Bednar said to a young adult that helped her commit to living the gospel
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
January 24, 2025 02:40 PM MST
This counsel ignited Sierra’s conversion to Christ, ultimately preparing her to be among the 1st female military chaplains endorsed by the Church.
5 Min Read
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Two LDS sister missionaries in Romania laugh while walking down a street together.
Latter-day Saint Life
Why serving a mission for selfish reasons can be a good thing
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
January 24, 2025 02:35 PM MST
Elder Michael T. Ringwood believes focusing on personal development can be a “first-class cause.”
2 Min Read
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A family of four looks at the view during a hike
Help for Life Challenges
This insight on enduring to the end will uplift your soul
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
January 21, 2025 02:20 PM MST
A verse from the Book of Mormon shows how hopeful this phrase truly is.
1 Min Read
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Elder Patrick Kearon shares a message about Doctrine and Covenants 1 in a video for the ‘Come, Follow Me’ 2025 digital manual.
Follow the Prophets
The Doctrine and Covenants verse Elder Kearon finds ‘enormously comforting’
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
January 08, 2025 03:09 PM MST
Elder Kearon believes this truth “can console all of us.”
1 Min Read
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A mother, daughter, and father wearing winter clothes at a Christmas market smile looking at a mobile phone together.
Latter-day Saint Life
20 ways to serve on Christmas Day
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 18, 2024 03:07 PM MST
Looking for ideas to make Christmas Day even more meaningful? Here are some fun ways to help your family focus on giving.
4 Min Read
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Kathy and D. Todd Christofferson Christmas Tradition
Follow the Prophets
Sister Christofferson’s gingerbread house is seriously impressive—and supports a beautiful cause
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 17, 2024 02:18 PM MST
“I marvel each year at what Kathy makes happen,” Elder Christofferson shared in a recent social media post.
1 Min Read
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Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Jennifer, meet with new members of the Church during a devotional in Quezon City on August 18, 2024.
Follow the Prophets
Watch: Elder Kearon’s counsel for when you fear you’ll never measure up
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 16, 2024 02:09 PM MST
Here’s what we may misunderstand about divine love when we worry Christ’s Atonement can’t cover us.
1 Min Read
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A congregation in a Latter-day Saint chapel sings from the hymnbook.
Latter-day Saint Life
Do you mumble the hymns? 2 forms of power you receive by singing with your heart
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 12, 2024 03:42 PM MST
“Are we joining together to praise our God and King no matter the quality of our voices?” —Elder Patrick Kearon
3 Min Read
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Iam Tongi Sings "Silent Night" with the Rexburg Children's Choir
Latter-day Saint Life
Watch: ‘American Idol’ winner’s soul-stirring rendition of ‘Silent Night’
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 12, 2024 03:28 PM MST
Iam Tongi’s powerful version of the hymn also features a choir of 100 children.
1 Min Read
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Screenshots from Elder Dale G. Renlund, Elder Gerrit W. Gong, and Elder Patrick Kearon speaking at First Presidency Christmas Devotionals for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Follow the Prophets
Christmas traditions from 3 Apostles to help bring the Spirit to your holiday season
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 09, 2024 10:54 AM MST
Try these simple activities to keep your family’s focus on the Savior.
3 Min Read
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Latter-day Saint Life
A simple way to feel connected to Christ in the here and now
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 05, 2024 05:09 PM MST
“This practice helps me feel the Savior’s grace on a more tangible level.”
3 Min Read
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An illustration of a father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, and two children enjoying a Thanksgiving meal at the table.
Latter-day Saint Life
The best question to ask your family this Thanksgiving
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
November 25, 2024 12:52 PM MST
Share this powerful prompt during your dinner to foster happy feelings.
3 Min Read
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President Jeffrey R. Holland, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaks before the ribbon-cutting for the reopening of the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, September 29, 2015.
Help for Life Challenges
President Holland shares how to heal from broken dreams
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
November 22, 2024 04:00 PM MST
Remember this principle when life’s disappointments seem to break you down.
1 Min Read
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Latter-day Saint Life
A simple way to fill your home with Christmas magic
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
November 21, 2024 02:01 PM MST
Your family will gravitate toward these bright, Christ-centered decorations.
3 Min Read
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President Russell M. Nelson, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, waves to conferencegoers as he enters the afternoon session of the 194th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.
Follow the Prophets
10 ways Pres. Nelson has invited you to prepare for the Second Coming
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
November 20, 2024 01:57 PM MST
Do you remember these 10 prophetic invitations?
1 Min Read
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Follow the Prophets
Elder Soares shares emotional story of losing his son, finding comfort in the gospel
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
November 15, 2024 02:23 PM MST
While burying his infant son, Elder Ulisses Soares received a clear prompting from the Lord.
2 Min Read
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President Russell M. Nelson, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, smiles during the afternoon session of the 194th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Follow the Prophets
What Pres. Nelson said is ‘the most crucial question we each must answer’
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
November 13, 2024 03:58 PM MST
Answering this simple question may just be the key to true satisfaction and eternal joy.
3 Min Read
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President Jeffrey R. Holland speaks at a multistake conference in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Sunday, November 10, 2024.
Follow the Prophets
Watch: Pres. Holland declares what is ‘never, ever, ever going to fail’
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
November 13, 2024 01:57 PM MST
“It is the one thing that I know for sure is going to succeed,” President Holland shared in an inspiring new video.
2 Min Read
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President Russell M. Nelson at the Deseret Peak Utah Temple Dedication
From the Church
Experience the 200th temple dedication with these beautiful photos
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
November 11, 2024 03:02 PM MST
Here are 10 of our favorite snapshots from the historic dedication last weekend.
1 Min Read
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Woman looking up
Help for Life Challenges
One of the best antidotes to fear of the future
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
November 07, 2024 02:41 PM MST
This divine gift is a powerful way to navigate anything that comes our way.
2 Min Read
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