The Church’s Expanding Global Identity & $25M UNICEF Donation
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has donated $25 million to UNICEF’s Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), a global initiative aimed at preventing and treating childhood malnutrition.
• Doubled Impact: Thanks to a matching challenge announced in 2025, the Church&#8217;s donation will generate an additional $25 million, bringing the total financial impact to $50 million.
• Target & Scope: The contribution is part of an ongoing partnership with UNICEF that began in 2013. The funds will support nutritional programs for mothers and young children—specifically targeting areas like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Sierra Leone—with the broader goal of helping the fund reach 320 million women and children annually by 2030.
The First Presidency Tours the New Humanitarian Center Ahead of Dedication
This facility is part of the Church’s effort to follow the second great commandment: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
On Friday, May 22, 2026, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints toured the Church’s new Humanitarian Center in Salt Lake City, ahead of its upcoming dedication.
Purpose: Built to support the commandment to &#8220;love thy neighbour,&#8221; the center serves a dual purpose: providing job training, language courses, and employment counseling to help individuals overcome employment barriers, while also preparing and distributing global humanitarian supplies.
Public Open House: Runs from June 1 through July 23, 2026 (Monday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.). Visitors can participate in hands-on service, such as assembling kits or sorting clothes.
Attendance: Visitors are encouraged to schedule a time via the Temple Square app or by calling 801-240-5954, though walk-ins are welcome.
Harvard Global Flourishing Study Compares Latter-day Saints Internationally
The recently released Harvard Global Human Flourishing Study, which surveyed over 200,000 people across 22 countries, reveals that religious service attendance is globally linked to higher levels of overall well-being—and Latter-day Saints are no exception. When analyzing the U.S. data, the study found that Latter-day Saints scored highly on the overall &#8220;flourishing index&#8221; (which measures happiness, health, meaning, character, relationships, and financial stability), while those with no religious affiliation scored the lowest.
• Highest Church Attendance: Latter-day Saints reported the highest rate of weekly religious service attendance at 65%, outperforming Evangelicals (59%) and Pentecostals (53%).
• Mental Health and Happiness: The group demonstrated remarkably low levels of depression (8.5%) compared to atheists and agnostics (19%). Additionally, 30% of Latter-day Saints reported being &#8220;highly happy,&#8221; which is roughly double the rate of those distant from faith.
• Family and Spiritual Support: Latter-day Saints reported the highest rates of feeling loved by their mother (94%) and father (90%) while growing up. Furthermore, 89% reported finding immense strength and comfort from their religion.
• The Challenge of Community Criticism: On the flip side, 11% of Latter-day Saints reported feeling that their religious community was critical of them. While this number is statistically identical to other high-expectation faiths (like Baptists and Evangelicals), the article notes it highlights an ongoing need for the culture to shift from judgment to Christlike love, a priority recently emphasized by Church leadership.
Diplomatic Relations: Elder Bednar Meets With the President of Chile
Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held an official meeting with Chilean President José Antonio Kast at the La Moneda Presidential Palace on Monday, May 18, 2026.
• Core Topics: The discussion centered on strengthening families, supporting youth, protecting religious freedom, and fostering cooperation between governments and faith communities.
• Church Initiatives: Elder Bednar highlighted several Church programs designed to help the rising generation develop faith, purpose, and practical skills. These included the For the Strength of Youth program, various youth service and leadership experiences, and the BYU–Pathway Worldwide educational program.
Women Leaders Discuss Discipleship and Service at Annual Luncheon
On Monday, May 11, 2026, roughly 200 current and former women leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered for their annual emeritus luncheon at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City. The meeting brought together past and present general presidencies and advisory councils from the Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society organizations to discuss discipleship, service, and organizational updates.
• Young Women Age-Group Names: Leaders discussed the spiritual meaning behind the newly introduced Young Women age-group names. Former Young Women General President Elaine S. Dalton praised the change, noting that the titles—Builders of Faith (ages 12–13), Messengers of Hope (ages 14–15), and Gatherers of Light (ages 16–17)—give young women a strong identity rooted directly in Jesus Christ.
• Enduring Sisterhood: Attendees, including 93-year-old Joy Sansom (who served on the Young Women general board from 1961 to 1972), celebrated the lifelong bonds, shared memories, and enduring sense of community fostered by their years of joint church service.
 Bishops and Youth: One-on-One Ministering Supports Better Relationships
During a recent Instagram Live broadcast, the Young Men General Presidency addressed the common question of whether ward-level Young Men presidencies—discontinued in 2020—will ever return. Led by General President Timothy L. Farnes and his counselors, Brother David J. Wunderli and Brother Sean R. Dixon, the presidency clarified that the change is permanent and explained the spiritual and structural reasons behind keeping the responsibility on local bishoprics.
Church Communications Releases Inside Look Video of Provo MTC
With the rise in full-time missionary applications and the creation of more missions worldwide, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has produced a video offering prospective missionaries and their families an inside look at how missionaries are trained. The 21-minute video, titled “What It’s Really Like at the Missionary Training Center,” was released on YouTube on May 17.
short, fun, and heartfelt interviews with missionaries.
Volunteers and Performers Needed for Salt Lake Temple Celebration
SALT LAKE CITY— Temple Square volunteer applications are opening ahead of the highly anticipated Salt Lake Temple Celebration and the LDS Church Visitors’ Center opening, where the SLC Temple open house reservation date will be announced. Temple Square is seeking “exceptional volunteers who want to help guests feel welcomed, supported, and inspired throughout the celebration.”
• When to Apply: Volunteer applications will be available starting in June 2026. When the application window opens, Temple Square will share the link and additional details for the application process..
• Eligibility & Shifts: Volunteer roles are open to anyone 16 years old and older from all backgrounds and experience levels, with some assignments requiring specific skills. Some roles are able to accommodate accessibility needs. Volunteers are asked to serve for a minimum of eight weeks. Most roles require standing for many hours. Shifts will last between three and four hours. A variety of shifts are available for people to choose from, but specific roles and requirements will be announced in June.
• Performers Needed: In addition to general assignments, Temple Square is in need of specialized performers for the celebration. Some experiences will include opportunities for young musicians, vocalists, or cultural performers. Details will be shared as plans develop.
The post <a href="https://theculturalhall.com/2026/05/25/salt-lake-temple-performers-needed-aon-1044/">Salt Lake Temple Performers Needed! AoN 1044</a> appeared first on <a href="https://theculturalhall.com">The Cultural Hall Podcast</a>.

Podurama

Home

Trending

Personal

Your Podcasts

New Episodes

My Files

Favourite Episodes

Tags (Folders)

Recently Played

Bookmarks

Followed Playlists

Salt Lake Temple Performers Needed! AoN 1044

The Cultural Hall Podcast

AI Chapters

AI Insights

Reviews