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.

Follow the Prophets

101 facts about President Nelson for his 101st birthday

By Jannalee Sandau

September 08, 2025 06:00 AM MDT

Did you know President Russell M. Nelson played the bugle in elementary school? Read these 101 facts about his inspiring life.

11 Min Read

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

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

From the Church

Church Releases New Website About Temples

By Jannalee Sandau

April 07, 2019 07:11 PM MDT

"The temple is the house of the Lord," Elder David A. Bednar declared as part of his general conference talk Sunday afternoon.

1 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Why There Are Tattoos and Strapless Costumes at the Polynesian Cultural Center

By Jannalee Sandau

February 27, 2019 07:25 PM MST

Some of the hottest topics in Latter-day Saint culture revolve around our bodies. “Your body is a temple” is mantra repeated by dozens of youth and proper hemlines and lack of body art are vigorously scrutinized and emphasized by many within the Church. Tattoos are frequently described as a defacement of your body, a reminder of a mistake, and a potential inhibitor for serving a mission. There is an entire section in the For the Strength of Youth to emphasize modesty for women and men, explaining that “When you dress immodestly, you send a message that is contrary to your identity as a son or daughter of God.”

6 Min Read

Fun

7 Fascinating Facts About the "Come Unto Me" Window in the Rome Visitors' Center (+ Pictures)

By Jannalee Sandau

January 31, 2019 07:40 PM MST

Religious art can take many forms and hold many meanings for those willing to take a closer look. Whether you get to see the window in person or simply want to know more about it, here are seven insights into the symbolism and detail found within the Come unto Me stained glass mural now on display at the Rome Italy Temple Visitors’ Center.

3 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

The Couple Behind Windows in 80 Temples + Miracles Creating Stained Glass for Rome, Texas, and More

By Jannalee Sandau

January 27, 2019 10:13 PM MST

For anyone who has seen Tom Holdman sitting next to his wife, Gayle, in an office with walls covered floor to ceiling with big plans, detailed designs, and pictures of past projects, it’s hard to imagine that anything has ever held him back. Yet dozens of little leaves made of green glass hang from that office ceiling—one for each time Tom has been overwhelmed by one of his next big ideas. The leaves are a striking metaphor for something that the Holdmans have come to realize throughout their life together: challenges can lead to something beautiful.

11 Min Read

Fun

9 Hilarious Stages of Giving a Talk at Church

By Jannalee Sandau

January 16, 2019 10:28 PM MST

Have you ever had to stand in the spotlight at the podium, nervously adjusting the microphone as you try to say something profound and spiritual? You're not alone! Everyone who speaks at a sacrament meeting goes through some variety of these nine funny, and sometimes painful, stages.

1 Min Read

Fun

You Know You Were a Latter-day Saint in the '80s and '90s If . . .

By Jannalee Sandau

December 31, 2018 10:50 PM MST

The new year always comes with a bit of nostalgia for the old. And today, we're going even older as we remember some of the fun and memorable parts of life in the Church before the turn of the century thanks to you, our readers, who shared additional memories with us on Facebook!

3 Min Read