Jannalee Sandau

Jannalee worked as a writer and editor at LDS Living for seven years before hanging up her press badge and starting the journey of stay-at-home motherhood. While at LDS Living, she particularly enjoyed diving into the past and writing articles about little-known Church history stories or the Salt Lake Temple, though she wrote about a variety of topics. Today, you can find her happily organizing and reorganizing her house, scrap booking, reading books to her sons, or still writing an occasional freelance article.

Latter-day Saint Life

25 fascinating facts about the Conference Center for its 25th anniversary

By Jannalee Sandau

April 02, 2025 05:00 AM MDT

Do you know there are 1,300 parking stalls in the underground parking of the Conference Center? Or that there are 50,000 miles of electrical wiring?

7 Min Read

Eight youth holding cellos smile in a Latter-day Saint chapel at Christmastime.

Stories of Faith

This Arkansas ward has a full orchestra—and they’re all youth

By Jannalee Sandau

March 11, 2025 01:48 PM MDT

In the first year the Sugar Creek Youth Orchestra was created, a total of 18 youth participated.

4 Min Read

Follow the Prophets

100 facts about President Nelson for his 100th birthday

By Jannalee Sandau

September 06, 2024 09:25 AM MDT

Did you know President Russell M. Nelson played the bugle in elementary school? Read these 100 facts about his inspiring life.

11 Min Read

The Montoya family and their friends from Provo smile in the campground where they met 50 years ago.

Stories of Faith

‘We had to know more’: Family from Florida joins the Church after meeting members while camping in Utah

By Jannalee Sandau

August 08, 2024 03:38 PM MDT

In June 2024, the Montoya family reunited with the families who introduced them to the gospel 50 years ago.

9 Min Read

Jenna Barson holds her mother’s dresses that she inherited for The Tabernacle Choir.

Latter-day Saint Life

Soprano inherits her mother’s dresses as a new Tabernacle Choir member

By Jannalee Sandau

July 11, 2024 11:15 AM MDT

Have you seen this touching Tabernacle Choir family history connection?

1 Min Read

The Alcantar family (from left to right: Ange, Zander, Sawyer, Drezen, Ambery-Jae, and Sal) at the Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Temple.

Stories of Faith

Meet the family who’s served in 100 temples (and counting) around the world

By Jannalee Sandau

June 27, 2024 01:43 PM MDT

With over 300 temples built or announced worldwide, the Alcantar family’s goal to visit every temple keeps growing.

4 Min Read

Women standing in front of a meetinghouse.

Latter-day Saint Life

Easy conversation starters to help you find connection at church

By Jannalee Sandau

June 12, 2024 09:54 AM MDT

Church is a wonderful place to nurture friendships. Here are some ideas when you’re stuck on how to get started.

1 Min Read

George Neville, 4, and Hazel Neville, 2, of Medford, Oregon, look at the fountain outside the St. George Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the last day of public tours Saturday, November 11, 2023, in St. George, Utah.

Temple Worship

3 tips to make visiting a temple open house extra special for your kids

By Jannalee Sandau

May 29, 2024 12:55 PM MDT

Nurture your kids’ growing testimony with these ideas for a memorable temple open house experience.

3 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

What’s in a (temple) name? The origin stories of ‘St. George,’ ‘Cardston,’ and more

By Jannalee Sandau

May 14, 2024 10:44 AM MDT

Did you know St. George was likely named after Apostle George A. Smith (sometimes called the “potato saint”)? Learn why in this article.

6 Min Read

Stories of Faith

Identical twins called to serve in neighboring missions: ‘It was better than we could’ve hoped for’

By Jannalee Sandau

April 08, 2024 04:21 PM MDT

For these twins, the idea of being apart for two years came with some anxiety. But they soon realized their missions would be closer than they thought.

8 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Conference with kids doesn’t need to be perfect. 3 reminders to unleash more joy this weekend

By Jannalee Sandau

April 03, 2024 11:40 AM MDT

As a mom of two young boys, here are a few things that help my family and me have a better conference weekend.

4 Min Read

The sun rises on the Kirtland Ohio Temple and the Joseph and Emma Smith home in Kirtland, Ohio, on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.

Latter-day Saint Life

A quick look (with photos) at the historical treasures acquired with the Kirtland Temple

By Jannalee Sandau

March 12, 2024 02:29 PM MDT

With all the buzz about the Kirtland Temple, here are the newly acquired fascinating artifacts you might have missed.

11 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

The reason for trials we don’t talk about enough—but that makes all the difference

By Jannalee Sandau

February 26, 2024 02:33 PM MST

Reviewing the bigger trials in my life, I realized that while our personal trials are often for our learning, they can also benefit those around us.

5 Min Read

A drawing of a crowd welcoming Jesus on Palm Sunday

Latter-day Saint Life

This Scottish artist shares the Book of Mormon in the most approachable (and adorable) way

By Jannalee Sandau

February 07, 2024 07:32 PM MST

“For me, art bolsters the written messages [of scriptures] and conjures up feelings and emotions that words alone can’t always.”

5 Min Read

A senior woman greeting a young girl in the doorway.

Latter-day Saint Life

For me, this analogy finally takes the stress out of giving and receiving help

By Jannalee Sandau

January 22, 2024 01:04 PM MST

We always feel good when we can serve someone. But sometimes all it takes is a few extra minutes to make that service a little more meaningful.

8 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

My surprising takeaway from studying the final words of Book of Mormon record keepers

By Jannalee Sandau

January 15, 2024 02:00 PM MST

While looking through the Book of Mormon, I realized a unique characteristic about it that I’ve taken for granted my entire life.

9 Min Read

A woman sitting on a sheepskin rug meditates in front of a Christmas tree.

Latter-day Saint Life

2 reminders to soothe any parent’s heart during the pressures of Christmas

By Jannalee Sandau

December 20, 2023 06:00 AM MST

Feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to do during the holiday season? Here are a few ideas to help ditch the guilt and find the joy.

6 Min Read

Happy woman with red umbrella walking at the rain in beautiful autumn park

Latter-day Saint Life

We’re all worthy of God’s guidance—recognizing the promptings He pours down

By Jannalee Sandau

December 08, 2023 02:04 PM MST

God gave me a late-night thought that led to my son’s life-changing diagnosis. But I couldn't figure out how I "earned" this significant prompting.

5 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

The Sword of Laban and Liahona: Where Are They Now?

By Jannalee Sandau

January 28, 2020 12:00 PM MST

This story was originally published on LDS Living in February 2018.

5 Min Read

From the Church

New Tree of Life Augmented Reality App Arrives in Time for "Come, Follow Me" Study Next Week

By Jannalee Sandau

January 09, 2020 06:01 PM MST

What if instead of simply reading about the tree of life, you could walk the strait and narrow path? Look toward the great and spacious building from the perspective of those holding to the Rod of Iron? Stand with Lehi and modern-day youth at the tree of life?

7 Min Read

Fun

5 Soup Recipes to Celebrate National Soup Month

By Jannalee Sandau

December 31, 2019 10:06 PM MST

With the New Year comes the chance to celebrate National Soup Month in January! Though soup is especially popular in cold winter climates, this versatile meal option is enjoyed all over the world. Check out these fun facts you never knew about this popular food:

1 Min Read

From the Church

How the Story of Enos Came to Life for Me in the Newest Book of Mormon Video

By Jannalee Sandau

December 31, 2019 05:19 PM MST

As I have watched the Book of Mormon videos that have been released each Friday over the last few months, I have been surprised at how many details in the scriptures I have missed, understood differently, or forgotten. For instance, in this week's video, which shows us the story of Enos's mighty prayer, I was given a new insight into why Enos was so preoccupied with his salvation while he was out hunting. In the pages between the end of Jacob and the beginning of Enos, I missed making the connection that it might have been because he was just given a heavy spiritual responsibility to continue the record his father (and the Nephite prophet), Jacob, had been keeping. It really helped me feel and understand the longings of Enos' heart as he talked to his Savior in prayer.

1 Min Read

Fun

Take a Photo Walk Through Temple Square Changes from 1855 to Today

By Jannalee Sandau

December 26, 2019 10:59 PM MST

As announced earlier this year, beginning on December 29, 2019, the Salt Lake Temple will be closed for renovations for the next four years. Portions of Temple Square will also be undergoing significant changes. As the heart of Salt Lake City, Temple Square has been transformed many times since it's mid-1800's creation, with the adding and removing of numerous buildings, structures, and features. Below are photographs documenting Temple Square's history, showing both the area's past, present, and future.

5 Min Read

Fun

9 historic celebrities and members of royalty who have visited temple square

By Alicia Soto

December 23, 2019 10:59 PM MST

Here's a look back at famous people of various faiths and backgrounds who have visited this historic spot which, preconstruction, received 5 million visitors every year.

4 Min Read