Thursday, December 7, 2023 | 
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Valerie Walton

Valerie Walton is an editorial assistant for the Church News who has worked for the Deseret News since 2015. A Salt Lake City native, she graduated from the University of Utah with an honors degree in mass communication, and served in the Florida Jacksonville Mission from 2013-2014. She loves knitting, baking and spending time with family.

President Dallin H. Oaks, center, arrives at the George Q. Cannon Activities Center with his wife, Sister Kristen Oaks, before a BYU-Hawaii devotional on June 11, 2019.
Faith
Church News: President Oaks, Sister Oaks speak on anxiety, stress and gospel peace at BYU-Hawaii
The trend of more students seeking mental health services is seen all across the nation among young Americans, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said during a BYU-Hawaii devotional on June 11.
By Valerie Walton
Sister Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society General President; holds a bag of popcorn before giving it to Sister Joy D. Jones, Primary General President, who reacts to the gift as Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women General President; reacts aswell at a "Sist
Faith
Church News: Women leaders answer questions about belonging, doubt and inadequacy in first-ever Sister-to-Sister event
The live Sister-to-Sister event, broadcast from the Marriott Center as part of the 2019 BYU Women’s Conference, began with “a big question” submitted by a woman in the Church who described herself as “tired.”
By Valerie Walton
Jon Schmidt performs during an LDS Business College devotional in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square on March 26, 2019.
Faith
Church News: Jon and Michelle Schmidt on how to avoid making ‘wonderful things invisible’
Pianist and Piano Guys member Jon Schmidt, along with his wife, Michelle Schmidt, addressed LDS Business College students and staff in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square on March 26.
By Valerie Walton
The Salt Lake Temple is reflected in a pool on Temple Square on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, the morning after the death of LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson.
Faith
Church News: 6 times apostles, prophets and scriptures have talked about the full name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The correct usage of the name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a subject that has come up repeatedly for several years in the age of shortening names and referring to nicknames. Here are six references to what Apostles, prophets and the scriptures have said about the name of the Church.
By Valerie Walton
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Faith
Church News: In a ‘grand night for singing,’ Broadway-themed concert celebrates Pioneer Day
In a “grand night for singing,” the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square celebrated the 171st anniversary of the arrival of the first pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley.
By Valerie Walton
Elder Steven R. Bangerter, General Authority Seventy, and his wife, Sister Susann A. Bangerter, in Salt Lake City on Monday, April 2, 2018.
Faith
Elder Steven R. Bangerter: A love for people of all faiths
Practicing religious law has enabled Elder Steven R. Bangerter, newly called as a General Authority Seventy, to see and understand how people of all faiths desire to draw nearer to God.
By Valerie Walton
Graduates of BYU-Idaho attend commencement exercises held in the BYU-Idaho Center. Elder Vern P. Stanfill, General Authority Seventy, spoke at the event, held on April 13, 2018.
Faith
Be grateful, have integrity, be humble and be kind, Elder Stanfill tells BYU-Idaho graduates at commencement
Speaking on several Christlike attributes they would need following graduation, Elder Vern P. Stanfill, General Authority Seventy, spoke to new alumni of Brigham Young University-Idaho in his commencement address on April 13.
By Valerie Walton
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Faith
Sister Reyna I. Aburto: ‘With one accord’
Sister Reyna I. Aburto, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, spoke during the Sunday morning session of general conference on the importance of unity. “In order to reach our sublime destiny, we need each other.”
By Valerie Walton
Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé
Faith
Bishop Gérald Caussé: ‘It is all about people’
Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé spoke during the Saturday afternoon session of general conference on how the Church “is all about people. It is all about you, the Lord’s disciples.”
By Valerie Walton
President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor in the First Presidency President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency and President Russell M. Nelson exit after the General Priesthood session of the 188th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Church News
First Presidency explains ministering concept in letter to worldwide membership
Immediately following the closing session of the 188th Annual General Conference of the Church, the First Presidency released a letter explaining the Melchizedek Priesthood quorum changes and the new ministering concept to members.
By Valerie Walton
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Church News
Elder Dale G. Renlund: ‘Family history and temple work: sealing and healing’
During the Saturday afternoon session of general conference, Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke on how temple and family history work bless the lives of the living.
By Valerie Walton
Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women general president
Church News
Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson: ‘Young women in the work’
“Our young women are amazing. They have talents, unlimited enthusiasm and energy, and they are compassionate and caring,” Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, recently released Young Women general president, said during the Saturday afternoon session of general conference.
By Valerie Walton
Using BYU-Idaho President Henry J Eyring in a photo illustration as a positive example for students, Elder K. Brett Nattress, General Authority Seventy, speaks during a devotional in the BYU-Idaho Center on March 20, 2018.
Church News
‘Let us become devoted disciples,’ Elder Nattress tells BYU-Idaho students
Elder K. Brett Nattress, General Authority Seventy, taught about God’s ‘game plan’ in a BYU-Idaho devotional on March 20.
By Valerie Walton
A. Scott Anderson, president and CEO of Zions Bank.
Utah
‘Continue to work to achieve your dreams': Zions Bank CEO recalls time as Sterling Scholar participant
A. Scott Anderson, president and CEO of Zions Bank, remembers well his experience as a Sterling Scholar in drama from Skyline High School.
By Valerie Walton
Jared Payne, who is in the chaplain program at BYU, takes a selfie with his wife, Tiffany; son, Ryan; and daughter, Baylee, following the Sunday morning session of the LDS Church’s 187th Semiannual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2
Faith
See our photos from the Sunday morning session of general conference
Despite light showers of rain, thousands gathered in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City for the Sunday morning session of the 187th Semiannual General Conference of the Church.
By Valerie Walton