During the week of July 9-15, Young Women General President Bonnie H. Cordon joined the Church News podcast to share the joy of service, recent inspired changes to Church organization and the peace that comes by turning to the Savior Jesus Christ. Young Men General President Steven J. Lund, President Cordon and their counselors expounded on forgiveness, gratitude, worthiness, spiritual impressions and closing with “amen” in a series of simultaneous social media posts.

Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson participated on a panel with global faith leaders on Thursday, July 13, at the Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit in London, England. The Church News compiled a list of remarks from leaders within Church education who have shared insights and guidance they received from Church President Russell M. Nelson’s 2022 address to all young adults in the Church. Singers Adassa and Alex Melecio performed during The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square’s Summer Concert that included a tribute to Latin American pioneers.

The Church News highlighted 10 videos that feature some of the instances when leaders spoke about the need to defend and preserve the right to organize and worship as both individuals and congregations. Kenneth Rooks, a Latter-day Saint attending Brigham Young University, won the 3,000-meter steeplechase event at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday, July 8, after falling during the race.

Willa Mason, a 7-year-old member of the Church with cerebral palsy, won an award of excellence from the National PTA Reflections program for her self-choreographed wheelchair dance. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made a $3 million contribution to support a malaria immunization campaign in Africa.

Read summaries and find links below to these nine articles.

1. Young Women General President Bonnie H. Cordon on the lessons learned while serving children, youth

Young Women General President Bonnie H. Cordon joined the Church News podcast to share the joy of service, recent inspired changes to Church organization and the peace that comes by turning to the Savior Jesus Christ.

Screenshot from YouTube.

Weeks before the end of President Cordon’s calling as a general officer of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she joined the Church News podcast to share the joy of service, recent inspired changes to Church organization and the peace that comes by turning to the Savior Jesus Christ.

Since being sustained as a member of the Primary general presidency in 2016 and then as Young Women general president in 2018, she has served through an important time in Church history, including responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of the Children and Youth program and the creation of a new Young Women theme and “For the Strength of Youth” standards guide.

2. Young Men and Young Women general presidencies teach about prayer

Young Men General President Steven J. Lund shares about forgiveness and prayer in social media posts July 11, 2023.

Screenshot from Instagram

President Lund, President Cordon and their counselors expounded on forgiveness, gratitude, worthiness, spiritual impressions and closing with “amen.”

Heavenly Father wants His children to pray to Him to strengthen their connection with Him — and gratitude, forgiveness, power, worthiness, spiritual impressions and trust are all a part of reverent prayer, taught the Young Men and Young Women general presidencies in a series of simultaneous social media posts.

3. ‘Small light makes a big difference,’ says President Johnson at Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit

Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson participates during the Notre Dame Law School Religious Liberty Summit in London, England, on July 13, 2023.

Matt Cashore, University of Notre Dame

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints desires to be a “light” and “leaven” in every nation, even in environments hostile to religious faith, said President Johnson while participating on a panel with global faith leaders on Thursday, July 13, at the Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit in London, England.

“When it is darkest, even a small light makes a big difference,” President Johnson said. “So, we believe the Savior’s injunction — that His followers should be a light — applies to us, especially in times of darkness.”

4. The ripple effect of the Prophet’s counsel to young adults

President Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaks during a worldwide devotional for young adults, in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, May 15, 2022.

Deseret News archives

Within the past year, leaders in Church education have shared insights and guidance they received from President Nelson’s 2022 address to all young adults in the Church.

The Church News roundup includes remarks from Elder Clark G. Gilbert, the commissioner of the Church Educational System and a General Authority Seventy; Kevin J Worthen, recently released president of BYU; BYU–Hawaii President John S.K. Kauwe III; BYU–Pathway Worldwide President Brian K. Ashton and his wife, Sister Melinda Ashton; and Ensign College President Bruce C. Kusch.

5. Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra’s summer concert pays tribute to Latin American pioneers

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and Orchestra at Temple Square sing during a concert rehearsal in Salt Lake City on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Singers Adassa and Alex Melecio were the guest artists at The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and Orchestra at Temple Square’s summer concert July 14-15, which included a tribute to Latin American pioneers with members of choir and orchestra from Mexico and also songs of hope.

In interviews prior to the concerts, both shared the pioneer stories in their families and how music can share hope.

6. 10 videos to better understand the need for religious freedom

President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, talks with Notre Dame Law School Dean G. Marcus Cole during the Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit at Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, on Wednesday, July 20, 2022.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Church leaders have spoken in many settings over the years about religious freedom. The Church News highlighted 10 videos that feature some instances when leaders spoke about the need to defend and preserve the right to organize and worship as both individuals and congregations.

7. Latter-day Saint Kenneth Rooks falls but storms back to win steeplechase national championship

Kenneth Rooks crosses the finish line to win the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase final during the U.S. track and field championships in Eugene, Oregon, Saturday, July 8, 2023.

Ashley Landis, Associated Press

The first time the television announcers mentioned Kenneth Rooks’ name was when he fell more than two laps into the 3,000-meter race.

The Latter-day Saint from Brigham Young University made sure it wasn’t the last.

Rooks not only recovered to rejoin the pack, he stunned everyone by pulling ahead in the final stretch to win the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday, July 8.

8. Latter-day Saint girl with cerebral palsy choreographed wheelchair dance to win national competition

Willa Mason, a 7-year-old with cerebral palsy who is confined to a wheelchair, smiles at her mother, Melissa Mason, during a family game at home in Logan, Utah, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Willa Mason, a 7-year-old member of the Church with cerebral palsy, won an award of excellence from the National PTA Reflections program for her self-choreographed wheelchair dance.

In her artistic statement, Willa wrote: “I definitely showed my voice. I love wheelchair dancing, and I’ve been doing it since I was 4. I love to move with the music and use my wheels to dance. I picked this song because it’s very different, and I wanted to try something hard. Plus, it’s from one of my favorite movies about being who you are (‘The Greatest Showman’).”

9. Church donates $3 million for malaria vaccination campaign in Africa

Lydia Mwondi with her son after he was vaccinated against malaria at the Malava County Hospital, Kakamega, Kenya, in 2022.

Gavi

A historic malaria immunization campaign is underway in Africa with a $3 million contribution from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Church’s donation will help give an estimated 39,500 children the new RTS,S malaria vaccine — strengthening the coordinated efforts of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; UNICEF; World Health Organization; and others.