Thursday, December 7, 2023 | 
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Sydney Walker

Sydney Jorgensen Walker is a reporter for the Church News. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in news media from Brigham Young University in 2017. She previously wrote for the Faith section of Deseret.com and worked as a staff assistant for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sydney claims Birmingham, Alabama, as her hometown.

President Russell M. Nelson, the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sits with President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor (left), and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor, at a press conference in Salt Lake City in January 2018.
Church of Jesus Christ
99+ announcements and changes in the church since President Nelson became prophet
A chronological list of some of the many announcements and changes that have happened in the church since January 2018.
By Sydney Walker
The Tabernacle Choir sings during the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City.
Church of Jesus Christ
First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional 2022: Read talk summaries
Messages given by President Dallin H. Oaks, Elder Neil L. Andersen, Elder José A. Teixeira and President Bonnie H. Cordon
By Sydney Walker and Sarah Jane Weaver
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Faith
President Nelson encourages Latter-day Saints to share joy on Easter Sunday
By Sydney Walker
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Faith
Session change to April 2020 general conference announced by the First Presidency
The First Presidency has announced a session change to the upcoming April 2020 general conference, with the Saturday evening session will be available for all members of the Church, ages 11 and up.
By Sydney Walker
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Faith
Church News: Prominent Muslim leader meets with First Presidency to build interfaith friendship
By Sydney Walker
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Faith
Church News: Church releases new safety guidelines to help members in case of shootings, emergencies
By Sydney Walker
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Faith
Church News: Location announced for Tooele Valley Utah Temple
By Sydney Walker
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Faith
Book review: ‘Favorite Scriptures of 100 American Leaders’ helps renew faith in American politics
By Sydney Walker
Amy Antonelli hugs three participants on the last day of Youth Summit Jerusalem in June 2017.
Utah
She’s worked with Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg; now she’s the CEO of a humanitarian nonprofit for youth
Three weeks before Amy Antonelli was scheduled to speak at Brigham Young University-Idaho’s Power to Become conference in October 2014 about her successful career path, she lost her job.
By Sydney Walker
Superman finds out he and Batman have a lot more in common than he expected in a "Studio C" video.
Entertainment
UTubers: James The Mormon releases ‘Buck Wild,’ Batman and Superman become friends on ‘Studio C’
This week’s UTubers roundup features a new song from James The Mormon and a BYUtv “Studio C” video about how hate between two Justice League superheroes turns into friendship.
By Sydney Walker
Missionaries serving in Texas created a video of conversion stories and testimonies to share with members and investigators.
Faith
Mormon Mentions: Missionaries create #WHYLDS video, Lindsey Stirling performs for NBA halftime show
A video made by Mormon missionaries in Texas is making its way around the internet, and Lindsey Stirling was in the spotlight this week for an NBA halftime performance.
By Sydney Walker
The LeBaron family joined "Good Morning America" live from Utah on Thursday morning.
Faith
LeBaron ‘Les Mis’ family performs on ABC’s ‘Good Morning America’
The LeBaron family, whose home video of a song from broadway musical “Les Mis” has tallied over 9.5 million views since it was posted last week, joined “Good Morning America” live from Utah.
By Sydney Walker
Becky Anderson, left, and Brenda Smith, right, pose at the 4th annual F2TF 5K in honor of Tyler Smith, an Anything for a Friend recipient, whose mantra was "Fight to the Finish."
Faith
How this Utah stage-three breast cancer survivor has helped 37 others through treatment
Becky Anderson now works alongside her sister, Brenda Smith, to run Anything for a Friend, a nonprofit that has raised nearly $2 million and helped 37 participants since its humble beginning that started with an event for Anderson.
By Sydney Walker
Rob Landes proposes to his girlfriend with the help of One Voice Children's Choir in a new video this week.
Entertainment
UTubers: One Voice Children’s Choir helps Rob Landes propose, The Bucket List Family welcomes new baby
Life events are big for UTubers this week as Rob Landes proposes to his girlfriend and The Bucket List Family is featured in a music video about their new baby.
By Sydney Walker
The LeBaron family loves to sing together. Several of the children and spouses received formal training in music.
Faith
The story behind the viral ‘Les Mis’ video sung by LDS family from Utah
The LeBarons, a family of five siblings, spouses and children who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, made national headlines last week for their home video performance of “One Day More” from “Les Miserables.”
By Sydney Walker
Alex Boye performs with students from Dixie State University in "A Million Dreams (The Greatest 'African' Showman)."
Faith
Mormon Mentions: Harvard Divinity School features LDS student on Instagram, Alex Boye releases video with Dixie State University
Harvard Divinity headlines this week’s Mormon Mentions with a video on Instagram in honor of the 188th anniversary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Students from Dixie State University star in a new video with Alex Boye.
By Sydney Walker
Conferencegoers arrive at the Conference Center for the Sunday morning session of the 188th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, April 1, 2018.
Faith
‘True and living': 42 history-making moments in 188 years of the LDS Church
On April 6, 2018, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrates the 188th anniversary of its organization. Here, we take a look back at some of the most significant events of change over the course of the church’s history.
By Morgan Jones, Sydney Walker, and 1 more
BYU Speeches recently published an interview with Renée Elise Goldsberry about her faith.
Faith
‘Being a light': Renée Elise Goldsberry from ‘Hamilton’ opens up about her faith to BYU Speeches
In a blog post published on March 22, BYU Speeches published an interview with Goldsberry, who performed at a concert at BYU in September 2017. Goldsberry discussed her faith and the gratitude she feels for God’s power and comfort in her life.
By Sydney Walker
Nemani Delaibatiki, from a small village in Fiji, attended general conference in the Conference Center for the first time this weekend.
Faith
LDS journalist from Fiji fulfills lifelong dream of attending general conference
Nemani Delaibatiki returned to Utah in what he describes as “a significant and historic trip” he’s still trying to digest. A life-long dream came true as he attended the 188th Annual General Conference live in the Conference Center.
By Sydney Walker
In this week's UTubers, Madilyn Paige released a cover of "Beautiful" by Huntar.
Faith
UTubers: Madilyn Paige shares message of beauty, ‘Studio C’ offers social media tips
This week’s UTubers focused on the theme of perfection and potential. BYUtv’s “Studio C” pokes fun at social media culture, while Madilyn Paige’s new cover seeks to promote a positive self-image.
By Sydney Walker
President Russell M. Nelson posted a video on Facebook from his talk on Sunday morning about receiving personal revelation.
Faith
Speakers from 188th Annual General Conference share thoughts about talks, announcements on Facebook
President Russell M. Nelson and the two newly called apostles, Elder Gerrit W. Gong and Elder Ulisses Soares, were among general conference speakers whose Facebook pages shared thoughts about talks and recent conference announcements.
By Sydney Walker
Claire Crosby performs "Peace in Christ" with her dad in her third annual Easter video.
Faith
Mormon Mentions: Claire Crosby sings ‘Peace in Christ,’ for Easter, Vocal Point releases ‘In Christ Alone’
5-year-old Claire Crosby and her dad, Dave Crosby, released a video of the song “Peace in Christ” and Vocal Point released “In Christ Alone” in honor of Easter this weekend.
By Sydney Walker
The Atlantic recently featured an article by BYU professors about family home evening.
Faith
BYU professors raise Mormons’ practice of family home evening as ‘an antidote to fast-paced living’ in The Atlantic
The Atlantic recently featured an article by BYU professors David C. Dollahite and Loren Marks, co-directors of the American Families of Faith project, who wrote about the value of a weekly gathering to strengthen family relationships.
By Sydney Walker
One of two new "Studio C" videos this week features a dog whisperer.
Faith
UTubers: Dog whisperer on ‘Studio C,’ LDS Church says ‘Welcome’ to all in new video
Blunt airplane pilots and dog whisperers star in two new BYUtv “Studio C” sketches in this week’s UTubers while Mormon.org published a new video called “Welcome.”
By Sydney Walker
Elder J. Devn Cornish, left, a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, walks with Elder Lachlan Mackay, middle, a member of the Council of the Twelve of the Community of Christ and Richard Moore, right, from BYU. Memb
Faith
How the Community of Christ and LDS Church draw upon shared heritage, work together as ‘friends’
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Community of Christ share almost 15 years of common heritage. Interfaith dialogue is important to both faiths, which continue to work together and learn from their shared history.
By Sydney Walker
LDS couple Travis and Holly Hancock met at BYU and run a successful board game startup from their home in Columbus, Ohio.
Faith
What one Mormon dad is doing to sell $1 million worth of games and make his family dream come true
Featured by CNBC earlier this month, Facade Games continues to grow in sales and gain attention for its success. Despite offers to expand their company, Travis and Holly Hancock are keeping their focus on the most important element of their business.
By Sydney Walker
Jude Stamper and his parents traveled to Los Angeles to cheer on Michigan in the NCAA Tournament.
Faith
Michigan’s LDS ‘good luck charm’ to face off in NCAA Final Four against Loyola-Chicago’s Sister Jean
Born with a joint disorder called arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, Jude’s story has inspired fans throughout the season, especially with Michigan’s success in the NCAA Tournament.
By Sydney Walker
LDS Living published a video on Facebook with tips for talking to singles to help avoid awkward conversations.
Faith
Mormon Mentions: LDS Living teaches ‘what (and what not) to say’ to single adults at church, BYU team to create Alexa socialbot
This week’s round-up kicks off with two Mormon Mentions helping people with their social skills: first, a video made to combat awkward conversations involving singles, and second, a team of BYU researchers designing a socialbot.
By Sydney Walker
Jesse Wade, a freshman who plays for Gonzaga, is an LDS returned missionary from Utah and is married to Jade Wade.
Faith
Utah native Jesse Wade an ‘anomaly’ to Gonzaga team as married man, Spokane newspaper reports
In light of the Zags current success in the NCAA Tournament, The Spokesman-Review reported on Wade’s busy schedule of “madness” as he attempts to balance basketball, classes and marriage.
By Sydney Walker
BYU AdLab's "Pests Do Not Mess With the Orkin Man" was featured by Adweek for winning the top student prize at the Andy Awards.
Utah
Adweek features BYU AdLab’s winning video from ANDY Awards
Adweek featured BYU AdLab’s pest extermination video that earned the top student award at the ANDY Awards in an article published Tuesday.
By Sydney Walker
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