For the week ending April 30, 2026 The First Presidency met with international visitors, many temple updates have been given, a new children’s video has been released, BYU;s graduates this past week are the most faithful ever and the Yorba Linda, California Temple is currently open to the public.
ONE
International Visitors Visit Church Headquarters
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
The First Presidency
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH: Members of the First Presidency met with His Excellency Miloslav Stašek, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the United States, in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. President Henry B. Eyring and President D. Todd Christofferson were present during the visit, as well as President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Elder Gary E. Stevenson. In addition, a delegation of 15 government, business, academic and industry leaders from Kazakhstan, including Ms. Nazira Nurbayeva, the Consul General of Kazakhstan in San Francisco, met with Elder Patrick Kearon. READ STORY HERE.
TWO
Bednars, President Johnson and Sister Runia to Speak at 2026 BYU Women’s Conference
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Church Leadership
PROVO, UTAH: BYU Women’s Conference, one of the largest annual gatherings of Latter-day Saint women in the world, will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year with activities and events happening Wednesday, April 29, through Friday, May 1, on the BYU campus in Provo, Utah. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife, Susan; Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson; and Sister Tamara W. Runia, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, will speak at the BYU Women’s Conference happening April 29 through May 1, 2026, in Provo, Utah. READ ENTIRE NEWS RELEASE HERE.
THREE
Who is a Mormon?
Thursday, April 23, 2026
In the News
One of the more confused habits in contemporary Latter-day Saint-adjacent discourse is the insistence that people who reject The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints still possess some special claim on “Mormon” identity. They talk as though “Mormonism” were an ethnicity. As though there were something in the blood. As though having the right grandparents, the right zip code, the right memories of casseroles and church basketball and trek and EFY and green Jell-O and dirty sodas and ward culture means you retain some inherited authority to define what the Church is, what it should preserve, and what it owes the world. READ FULL STORY HERE.
FOUR
BYU Class of 2026 reports highest-ever percentage of strengthened faith in Jesus Christ, prophets
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Chosen Generation
PROVO, UTAH: Tad Walch from the Deseret News reported: The graduates who earned the 6,864 degrees conferred Thursday at a full Marriott Center gave a standing ovation to their parents, spouses and children. Ever the professional statistician, President Shane Reese reported that a record 91% of those graduates responded to the annual senior survey by saying their time at BYU strengthened their faith in Jesus Christ. That percentage has surged upward from 78% at the outset of his administration in 2023. READ FULL STORY HERE.
FIVE
President Eyring will Dedicate the Lindon Utah Temple
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Temples Rising
LINDON, UTAH: Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will dedicate the Lindon Utah Temple on Sunday, May 3, 2026. He will be accompanied by Elder Steven R. Bangerter, Executive Director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Susan; and Elder Jorge T. Becerra of the Utah Area Presidency and his wife, Debbie. The dedication ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. MDT and will be broadcast to all congregations within the temple district. READ STORY HERE.
SIX
Updated Rendering Provided for Temple in Argentina
Monday, April 27, 2026
Temples Rising
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: The First Presidency of The Church has provided an updated exterior rendering of the Buenos Aires City Center Argentina Temple. As previously announced, this house of the Lord will be constructed on approximately 1.56 acres at Avenida Cordoba Esquina Reconquista, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. This will be the city’s second temple. READ STORY HERE.
SEVEN
New Animated Children’s Video “Fiery Darts”
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Chosen Generation
A new video for children has been released teaching them what it means to be protected from spiritual danger. Learn with your children about the scriptural concept of the armor of God in this new Growing Faith episode. SEE THE VIDEO HERE.
EIGHT
Open House Begins for the Yorba Linda Temple
Monday, April 27, 2026
Temples Rising
YORBA LINDA, CALIFORNIA: The open house for the Yorba Linda California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ began on Monday, April 27, 2026, with a media day for journalists and invited guests. Doors will be open to the public from April 30 to May 23 (excluding Sundays). The temple will be dedicated Sunday, June 7, 2026, at 10 a.m. (rebroadcast: 2 p.m.), and the dedicatory session will be broadcast to all congregations in the Yorba Linda California Temple district. READ STORY AND SEE VIDEO HERE.
NIINE
“Holy Places”—Getting to Know the New Hymns
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Sacred Hymns
As we study the tabernacle of the covenant in Exodus and Leviticus, the Lord’s desire to sanctify His people becomes clear. The hymn “Holy Places” reflects the same call for us today to joyfully keep our covenants all along our journey. As our modern-day tabernacle of the covenant, “the temple is a holy place where heaven touches earth.” That same holiness can shape every moment of our lives, as our homes and even our heart become places where the Spirit can dwell and where we do God’s work “until Christ returns and makes all the world holy, clean, and new.” COME LISTEN TO THIS HYMN HERE.
TEN
Church Support Expands Access to Mobility and Dental Care in Samoa
Friday, April 24, 2026
Humanitarian Outreach
SAMOA: People across Samoa are expected to see improved access to mobility and dental care, particularly in rural and underserved communities, following the handover of new facilities and equipment at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The handover ceremony brought together government leaders, recipients of mobility and healthcare services and representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, highlighting the impact of these resources on individuals and families. Some recipients present at the ceremony rely on mobility and prosthetic services for daily living, underscoring the importance of expanded access to care. READ FULL STORY HERE.
ELEVEN
Church Donates Eye Surgery Machine to Western Visayas Medical Center
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Humanitarian Outreach
ILOILO, PHILIPPINES: A state-of-the-art surgical ophthalmology system and donated intraocular lenses will expand access to quality eye care and strengthen resident physician training at the country’s largest regional hospital in the Visayas. READ STORY HERE.
TWELVE
Church and NGOs Unite in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Friday, April 24, 2026
Humanitarian Outreach
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA: On March 31, 2026, a unique gathering took place at the Church chapel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, bringing together faith and service in a meaningful way. More than 14 representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) attended the event, each connected through past and ongoing support from the Church’s humanitarian efforts. The meeting created space for reflection, gratitude, and renewed commitment. The organizations have worked alongside the Church for years, providing critical support in areas such as healthcare, education, and community development across Ethiopia. READ FULL STORY HERE.
