Danielle.jpg

Danielle Christensen

Danielle is a features writer and editor for LDS Living. Previously, she served as web producer for Church News, where she managed its website and social media platforms. Danielle is a graduate of Brigham Young University in English and has been published with Deseret News, Church News, Y Magazine, and Spires Intercollegiate Arts and Literary Magazine.

Follow Danielle on Twitter

E595BA35-3C2A-4735-B6E1-5A653345D0AE.jpeg
Feature Stories
‘American Idol’ winner Iam Tongi shares the full story of his faith—and it will bring hope to any grieving heart
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
November 06, 2023 03:33 PM MST
American Idol winner Iam Tongi’s musical talent is truly impressive, but it is the person he’s become through his challenges who equally deserves the spotlight.
12 Min Read
More
The Maradiaga family holds a canvas of the photo Eduardo took of the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple. From left to right: Giselle, Eduardo Enrique, Bryana Giselle, and Eduardo.
Feature Stories
The unique blessings that came from one family’s focus on the temple
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
September 25, 2023 08:15 AM MDT
Starting over in a new country is far from easy, but the Maradiaga family soon found a new source of hope by following a prompting to focus—literally—on the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple.
11 Min Read
More
President_Nelson.jpg
Latter-day Saint Life
12 times President Nelson has pronounced blessings over the pulpit at general conference
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
September 21, 2023 08:00 AM MDT
Here are some of our favorite moments from President Nelson’s general conference talks when he has given listeners a specific blessing.
1 Min Read
More
Screen Shot 2023-08-01 at 1.14.54 PM.png
Latter-day Saint Life
How to be more mindful of the ministry of angels in your life
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
August 17, 2023 08:00 AM MDT
Here are six takeaways about the ministry of angels that can inspire us in our lives today.
11 Min Read
More
church building 2.jpeg
Latter-day Saint Life
What we can learn from going to church when it isn’t easy
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
July 20, 2023 05:37 PM MDT
I was hoping for an international church experience in Japan—but I got a very different outcome instead.
6 Min Read
More
Sacrament_photo_2.jpg
Latter-day Saint Life
9 ways to help someone going through the repentance process feel welcome at church
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
July 13, 2023 04:00 PM MDT
We all want to feel loved and accepted. Here are nine ideas that may help those who are unable to fully participate at church know they are welcome among their fellow Latter-day Saints.
14 Min Read
More
Elder Holland_DN.jpeg
Recommended by Us
Watch: Elder Holland tenderly thanks Saints for prayers during his struggles with COVID, kidney dialysis
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
June 29, 2023 06:12 PM MDT
Elder Holland recently expressed his gratitude for the Saints who have been praying for him as he’s faced health challenges in recent months.
2 Min Read
More
PMG_4.jpg
Latter-day Saint Life
7 updates in the new ‘Preach My Gospel’ that can improve your approach to missionary work
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
June 28, 2023 06:07 PM MDT
President Nelson recently announced a second edition of Preach My Gospel, saying, “It contains some of the best instruction I have ever seen to help people accept the Lord’s invitation to come unto Him.”
10 Min Read
More
family_2.jpg
Latter-day Saint Life
Dedicating your house + 2 more ideas to make your home a ‘house of the Lord’
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
June 14, 2023 12:49 PM MDT
The thought of creating a holier home may seem daunting, but don’t let that deter you. Here are three actionable ideas that can help you get going.
7 Min Read
More
Sitting in church.jpeg
Latter-day Saint Life
5 ideas to help you share—and not overshare—personal experiences at church
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
June 06, 2023 04:51 PM MDT
What should we share in church meetings? These five ideas can help guide you on how to talk about your personal experiences in meaningful ways.
6 Min Read
More
Saratoga_temple.jpg
Feature Stories
‘You need to take a picture of the temple’: The prompting that helped a Honduran family start a new life
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
June 01, 2023 12:12 PM MDT
Eduardo Maradiaga didn’t know it then, but the photo he took of the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple was about to go on a journey that would give him and his family hope as they started new lives in the US.
11 Min Read
More
Beautiful,Blue,Sky,With,Sunbeams,And,Clouds.,Sun,Rays.
Latter-day Saint Life
‘When shall these things be?’: What we should remember when studying the Second Coming
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
May 25, 2023 07:00 AM MDT
Many of us would like to know when the Second Coming is going to happen. After all, it is the latter days, so we know the event is closer than it ever has been before. But when will it actually take place?
7 Min Read
More
Anurat Kaeocha/Anurat_12.jpeg
Feature Stories
How the Bangkok Thailand Temple’s project manager was inspired to join the Church
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
May 25, 2023 07:00 AM MDT
Meet Anurat Kaeocha, one of the newest members of the Church in Thailand and project manager for the Bangkok Thailand Temple.
7 Min Read
More
Bengaluru-Temple-exterior-rendering.jpeg
Latter-day Saint Life
Here’s the status of all 133 temples announced by President Nelson
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
May 19, 2023 03:57 PM MDT
See a list of all the temples President Nelson has announced since 2018 and find out how far along they are in the construction process.
11 Min Read
More
Marguerite Gong Hancock/Watson_220511_0251_M.jpg
Feature Stories
Chinese roots to Silicon Valley branches: How this executive is sharing her faith and shaping the future of tech
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
May 15, 2023 07:00 AM MDT
Marguerite Gong Hancock is a techno-optimist in Silicon Valley whose family roots, faith, and passion for humanity inspire her to bring an abundant life to civilizations worldwide.
16 Min Read
More
Marcia_headshot_brown_outfit.jpg
Feature Stories
Talking to Jesus: How her Baptist grandmother’s faith inspires this Latter-day Saint
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
May 12, 2023 08:00 AM MDT
Marcia heard her grandmother constantly pray for her children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends—and that example changed her life.
9 Min Read
More
LDS Living Cover - In Layers-Edited230412.jpg
Feature Stories
A winning hand: How Grandpa Beck’s Games has risen to success by dealing fun to families worldwide
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
May 10, 2023 01:48 PM MDT
Grandpa Beck’s Games have brought families and friends together with games like Cover Your Assets, Skull King, and Gnoming A Round. Here’s how perseverance, trial and error, and a whole lot of faith have helped them rise to success.
15 Min Read
More
Jacob,Keeping,Laban's,Flocks,-,Picture,From,The,Holy,Scriptures,
Latter-day Saint Life
The important lessons we can learn from 5 mothers in the Old Testament
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
May 03, 2023 08:00 AM MDT
There are many mothers in the scriptures with valuable stories—here are just five from the Old Testament that we have a lot to learn from.
7 Min Read
More
Dnews Pioneer Child Memorial
Fun
11 fun ideas to help you celebrate Pioneer Day in style
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
July 14, 2022 08:00 AM MDT
Still recovering from the Fourth of July and haven’t figured out your Pioneer Day plans yet? These fun activities and food ideas will have you celebrating in pioneer style in no time.
6 Min Read
More
Screen Shot 2022-07-08 at 1.11.36 PM.png
Recommended by Us
Heavenly new Tabernacle Choir single will have you meditating in no time
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
July 08, 2022 01:56 PM MDT
The Tabernacle Choir has released a new beautiful single inspired by some of the most classic music in history.
1 Min Read
More
YSA_photoshop.jpg
Latter-day Saint Life
Where did the YSA ward come from?
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
June 23, 2022 08:00 AM MDT
We’d be willing to bet your next linger longer that most Latter-day Saints who go to YSA wards today have no idea how they came to be. Here’s a look at how they’ve evolved over the years.
16 Min Read
More
Screen Shot 2022-06-06 at 2.56.39 PM.png
Recommended by Us
Brandon Flowers shares beautiful testimony: ‘I believe because I remember’
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
June 06, 2022 03:30 PM MDT
Brandon Flowers, front man of the rock band The Killers, has long been open about his faith as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also recently shared his testimony with Church leadership.
1 Min Read
More
3.png
Latter-day Saint Life
5 of the sweetest stories from President Ballard’s ministry
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
May 19, 2022 09:57 AM MDT
Here are five stories that show some of the sweetest insights into President M. Russell Ballard’s life, testimony, and ministry.
5 Min Read
More
Zagreb,,Croatia,-,August,16:,Moses,Lifts,Up,The,Brass
Recommended by Us
Why a brass serpent? 9 surprising facts about snakes in Old Testament times
Danielle Christensen
By  Danielle Christensen
May 10, 2022 01:21 PM MDT
As the story goes, if you looked upon a brass serpent Moses fashioned and placed on a pole, you could be healed. If you didn’t look—well, you died.
3 Min Read
More
Load More