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In the News
In the Almanac
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Trent Toone

Trent Toone is a journalist and feature writer for the Deseret News and Church News. He was raised in northern Utah and graduated from the University of Utah. He has worked for several newspapers and received a number of awards over his career. Toone is the author of “No Excuses, No Regrets,” a sports biography of NFL football player Eric Weddle. Toone served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Santiago, Chile, and spent a year teaching seminary. Like his father before him, he is a proud Eagle Scout. Trent and his wife Lisa are the proud parents of four children.

People arrive at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City to attend the Saturday morning session of general conference.
Members
How to watch, listen or follow October 2023 general conference + 5 ways to prepare
Learn about the conference schedule, in-person attendance, ways to watch or listen live, ideas to prepare and how to follow online.
The pocket watch worn by John Taylor during the mob attack at Carthage Jail on June 27, 1844.
History Revisited
What happened to John Taylor’s pocket watch at Carthage Jail? Historians conclude investigation
Church History Department historians have continued investigating the damage to the Church leader’s watch to determine how it happened.
Brooke Jurges watches a handoff of “Documents, Vol. 15” of the Joseph Smith Papers during a Church History Department event.
History Revisited
How the Joseph Smith Papers has provided a foundation for future Latter-day Saint scholarship
Editors, historians and scholars reflected on decades of painstaking research, writing, editing and publishing, at the Joseph Smith Papers Conference.
FamilySearch will open a new center in the area of Logan, Utah, offering family history discovery activities on Sept. 25, 2023.
Members
FamilySearch is opening a new center in Logan, Utah
A new FamilySearch Center in the area of Logan, Utah, will feature 13 discovery stations and 33 computers to aid in family history discovery experiences.
President Russell M. Nelson reads scripture in his office at the Church Administration Building.
Leaders & Ministry
President Nelson commemorates the 200th anniversary of angel Moroni’s first visit to Joseph Smith
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints commemorated the 200th anniversary of the angel Moroni’s first visit to Joseph Smith.
Zeb Beck rides out in his wheelchair surrounded by cheerleaders at the Weber State-Utah game.
Members
How this Latter-day Saint found hope to keep living after a serious car accident
Zebulon Beck, Weber State football’s team chaplain, set a goal to lead the Wildcats out against Utah nearly a year ago after being injured in a car accident.
Oil painting “He Called Me by Name,” by Michael Malm, depicts Joseph Smith receiving a visit from Moroni.
History Revisited
Church marks 200th anniversary of Joseph Smith, Moroni’s visit and the gold plates
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is commemorating the 200th anniversary of Moroni’s first visit to Joseph Smith on Sept. 21, 1823.
President Dallin H. Oaks speaks at the 7th Joseph Smith Papers in the Conference Center Theater.
History Revisited
How the Joseph Smith Papers project will lead to ‘rich outpouring of scholarship’
Nearly 300 people attended the Joseph Smith Papers Conference to explore the question: “What have we learned from the Joseph Smith Papers project?”
President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, speaks at the Joseph Smith Papers Conference in Salt Lake City.
History Revisited
First Presidency announces new biography, ‘Joseph the Prophet,’ at Joseph Smith Papers Conference
President Dallin H. Oaks opened the Joseph Smith Papers Conference by announcing a new biography on Joseph Smith.
Brigham Young was the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
History Revisited
Historians introduce the Brigham Young Papers project and first volume of journals
Historians say people will learn and understand more about Brigham Young, the second Church President, through his journals and other papers.
Latter-day Saint youth attend a For the Strength of Youth conference on the San Diego State University campus on July 6, 2022.
Members
What Latter-day Saint parents and youth should know about FSY conferences in 2024
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent out a letter providing key dates, registration information and more for how parents and youth can prepare for FSY 2024.
Several hundred young women of the Springville Utah Dry Creek Stake listen to a speaker at the Church’s Heber Valley Camp.
Members
Church announces changes for scheduling use of recreational properties
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced changes for scheduling use of its recreational properties, giving youth groups top priority.
The sun rises on the Joseph and Emma Smith home in Kirtland, Ohio.
History Revisited
Trent Toone: What I learned about the family life of Joseph Smith in Kirtland, Ohio
While covering the dedication of the Joseph and Emma Smith home, Church News reporter Trent Toone gained greater insight into the life of Joseph Smith.
Elder Eduardo Gavarret and others talk outside a facility for Church services and activities
Global
How the Church of Jesus Christ is taking small steps forward in Cuba
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized its fifth congregation in Cuba in May. The Church is slowly but steadily growing in the Caribbean nation.
Elder David A. Bednar makes a heart sign with his hands after a devotional in Kirtland, Ohio.
Leaders & Ministry
Members and missionaries describe lessons learned from an Apostle in Kirtland, Ohio
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke at two devotionals while in Kirtland to dedicate the newly restored Joseph and Emma Smith Home. Here’s what members learned.
The sun rises on the Kirtland Temple in Kirtland, Ohio on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
History Revisited
Elder Bednar tours Kirtland historic sites with grandchildren, Community of Christ apostle
See photos of Elder David A. Bednar touring historic sites in Kirtland, Ohio, with family members and other Church leaders.
Elder David A. Bednar and his wife, Sister Susan Bednar, look over an Emma Smith-organized hymn book at the Joseph and Emma Smith Home.
History Revisited
Elder Bednar dedicates Joseph and Emma Smith Home in historic Kirtland, Ohio
“This house was not just any home. It was the home of ... the Prophet of the Restoration,” said Elder David A. Bednar.
Gail Miller speaks at a wooden podium about donating to the Joseph Smith Papers project
History Revisited
Why the Miller family provided significant financial support to the Joseph Smith Papers
Businesswoman and philanthropist Gail Miller reflects on her family’s tremendous financial support of the Joseph Smith Papers and how it has blessed their lives.
An exterior view of the re-created Joseph and Emma Smith home in Kirtland, Ohio.
History Revisited
Church prepares to dedicate Joseph and Emma Smith home in historic Kirtland, Ohio
The Church of Jesus Christ has recreated and will dedicate the home where Joseph and Emma Smith lived together longer than any other place prior to his death in 1844.
Abraham Kibiwot, of Kenya, left, Kenneth Rooks, of the United States, center, and Soufiane El Bakkali, of Morocco, jump into the water obstacle during the steelplechase race.
Members
How did Latter-day Saint Kenneth Rooks finish at the world track championships?
Latter-day Saint and BYU runner Kenneth Rooks finished his remarkable season with a 10th-place finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the world track and field championships in Budapest.
Latter-day Saint Jon Dionne, white shirt, explains the value of knowing your ancestors and studying family history.
Living Faith
Latter-day Saints host family history exhibit at African American Heritage Festival in Virginia
Members of a Latter-day Saint stake in Virginia Stake hosted a FamilySearch booth at a community event celebrating African American culture.
Baptist minister Myra Kinds and a FamilySearch volunteer visit in front of the Christus statue at the Parliament of the World’s Religions.
Living Faith
Church exhibit at global faith event features ‘beautiful’ Christus statue and family history
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted an exhibit that featured a Christus statue and family history during a global faith event in Chicago.
Soufiane El Bakkali, of Morocco, right, Kenneth Rooks, of the United States and Mohamed Amin Jhinaoui, of Tunisia cross the line to finish
Members
Latter-day Saint Kenneth Rooks advances to steeplechase world championship finals
The BYU standout was the only American to qualify for the final race in Budapest.
Kenneth Rooks runs during the men’s 3000-meter steeplechase final
Living Faith
What BYU’s Kenneth Rooks has learned while becoming a steeplechase national champion
While reflecting on his race at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, BYU’s Kenneth Rooks says whether running or in life, those who fall “can get up and still be successful.”
The BYU Cougars storm the field before a football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.
Living Faith
How many players on BYU’s 2023 football roster have served Latter-day Saint missions?
One of the unique things that sets BYU football apart from other schools is the number of players who serve Latter-day Saint missions around the world.
The Gadfield Elm Chapel in England on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021.
History Revisited
New website features virtual tours of Latter-day Saint historic sites in U.K. and Ireland
A new website is offering virtual tours of Latter-day Saint historic sites in the United Kingdom, Ireland and other places in the region.
Left, Gary Player, his daughter Amanda-Leigh Player Hall, and his late wife, Vivienne Player.
Members
The lesser-known connection between golfing legend Gary Player and the Church
Many know golfing legend Gary Player, but fewer know that his daughter, Amanda-Leigh Player Hall, and his late wife, Vivienne Player, joined the Church in the 1990s.
Performers dance under the lights during a dress rehearsal for Luz de las Naciones
Global
Church announces performance dates for annual ‘Luz de las Naciones’ in Conference Center
The 21st annual “Luz de las Naciones” (Light of the Nations), will feature a cast of 1,000 volunteer musical artists in traditional clothing celebrating music and dance from an array of Latin American countries.
Latter-day Saint Barry Wilcox prepares to compete in handcycling for Team USA.
Members
Latter-day Saint prepares to compete at para-cycling world championships in Scotland
Paralyzed in a car accident at age 16, Latter-day Saint Barry Wilcox learned to be independent and discovered a new passion for handcycling years later.
Latter-day Saint and former Utah State basketball star Justin Bean and his wife Claire hold images of their baby, which is due in November 2023.
Members
Latter-day Saint returned missionary is ready to play pro basketball in Germany, become a father
After a year of playing in NBA Summer and G-Leagues, Latter-day Saint and former USU Aggie Justin Bean has signed to play for Alba Berlin in Germany, where his wife will have their first child.