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Maddie Tolk

Maddie is a content specialist for LDS Living. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English from Harvard and has published and edited content for the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, Macmillan Learning, HarvardX, Utah Valley University, and Adobe. Maddie enjoys reading, playing the violin and piano, and watching musicals.

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles greets missionaries at the Manila Missionary Training Center in Manila, Philippines, on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
Follow the Prophets
Elder Andersen’s simple tip will help anyone learn to love the scriptures
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
July 26, 2024 03:13 PM MDT
Elder Andersen reassured new missionaries by sharing a scripture exercise you could easily try with your family.
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Cropped shot of two young women embracing each other at home
Help for Life Challenges
4 principles to help you respond to any sincere question—even when there aren’t easy answers
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
July 23, 2024 04:16 PM MDT
When a loved one asks a hard question, it can be difficult to know the right things to say. Here are simple ways to make these conversations easier.
4 Min Read
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Derrick Porter Music & the Spoken Word
Stories of Faith
Young father reflects on the Lord’s timing after accepting Church calling only 3 others have held before
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
July 18, 2024 03:11 PM MDT
The new host for “Music & the Spoken Word” says the calling came as a “complete shock and surprise,” but he trusts in the Lord’s timing.
5 Min Read
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Brandon Pak looks up at a grove of trees.
Stories of Faith
Berklee grad’s story of returning to the Church is as inspiring as his new music
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
July 18, 2024 02:39 PM MDT
Singer Brandon Pak found newfound peace coming back to church after years away. Read his story and hopeful advice for supporting loved ones who leave.
10 Min Read
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Black hispanic woman closing eyes in contemplation and smiling.
Latter-day Saint Life
Expert tips for enjoying spiritual stillness—no matter what’s on your plate
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
July 17, 2024 03:58 PM MDT
Bite-sized efforts to be spiritually nourished can add up to a fulfilling relationship with God.
3 Min Read
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Two sister missionaries sitting on a couch smile while looking at a scripture verse.
Help for Life Challenges
3 scriptures to bolster a missionary (that they might’ve not heard before)
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
July 16, 2024 02:33 PM MDT
Encourage a missionary during a difficult transfer or season with these comforting scriptures.
2 Min Read
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Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf with his wife, Harriet, and their granddaughter, Jasmin.
Follow the Prophets
Elder Uchtdorf shares testimony as granddaughter navigates serious illness
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
July 12, 2024 02:53 PM MDT
We may not always receive physical healing during difficult medical trials, but the Savior can bless our souls with an “active healing power.”
1 Min Read
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An instruction room in the Rome Italy Temple.
Temple Worship
3 simple questions to ask yourself each time you participate in the endowment
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
July 11, 2024 10:24 AM MDT
Reflecting on specific questions during a temple endowment session can help you prepare to receive personalized direction from the Spirit.
3 Min Read
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Screenshot 2024-06-26 142538.png
Latter-day Saint Life
3 interesting facts about ‘Come, Thou Fount’ (including the author’s touching backstory)
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
June 26, 2024 05:15 PM MDT
For how well-loved this famous hymn is, many people don’t know these inspiring, interesting facts about its history.
4 Min Read
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A boy holding open a copy of the Book of Mormon to Moroni chapter 10.
Help for Life Challenges
3 ways we may misunderstand ‘Moroni’s promise’ (and how the truth helps build testimony)
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
June 25, 2024 04:06 PM MDT
Many of us inadvertently oversimplify Moroni 10:3–5 in these three ways.
3 Min Read
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President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reads scripture in his office in the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, April 13, 2022.
From the Church
The Book of Mormon chapter Pres. Nelson reads with visiting diplomats, religious leaders
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
June 24, 2024 11:57 AM MDT
Time and again, President Nelson has experienced the power of the Book of Mormon when sharing this passage with guests around the globe.
1 Min Read
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¿Dónde hallo el solaz?
Help for Life Challenges
This 1 word in the Spanish version of ‘Where Can I Turn for Peace?’ may help you see Christ’s hand more often
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
June 21, 2024 07:16 AM MDT
When I listened to the hymn performed in Spanish, I discovered an interesting lyric translation.
2 Min Read
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Manti Te'o and his son
Stories of Faith
You’ll love this former NFL athlete’s unabashed commitment to fatherhood and faith
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
June 14, 2024 08:45 AM MDT
The past few years have been busy for former NFL and Notre Dame star Manti Te’o, but he says that his family is his top priority.
1 Min Read
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Portrait of a large family
Latter-day Saint Life
Don’t end your family reunion without trying this incredibly meaningful (and free) activity
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
June 11, 2024 02:40 PM MDT
This activity includes all ages, requires minimal prep, and creates lasting family memories.
2 Min Read
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A woman looks at the Payson Utah Temple.
Help for Life Challenges
This Latter-day Saint author has the best advice for finding hope when life isn’t a storybook
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
June 07, 2024 11:54 AM MDT
Author Rebecca Connolly hasn’t found her own love story yet, but here’s how she remains a believer in “the hope of the happily ever after.”
2 Min Read
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A smart phone shows digital sheet music for “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.”
Latter-day Saint Life
What’s an ‘Eben-ezer’? The true meaning behind 2 ‘Come, Thou Fount’ lyrics to comfort any wandering heart
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
June 06, 2024 10:54 AM MDT
These definitions help us appreciate the beautiful hymn even more.
1 Min Read
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Attendees listen to the prayer during a devotional in Worcester, Massachusetts, on Sunday, October 20, 2019.
Help for Life Challenges
‘When Church Is Hard’ author on helping young adults navigate complex faith questions
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 31, 2024 02:06 PM MDT
“Sometimes we assume that if younger people feel that sense of conflict, it must be a sign of them not being spiritually serious or being entirely wrongheaded or misinformed. And that’s just not true.”
3 Min Read
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Two young children sing in a Primary music program.
From the Church
Exciting, inspiring aspects of the new hymnbook you won’t want to overlook
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 30, 2024 05:41 PM MDT
Already, Church members and leaders are finding joy in the new hymnbook. Here are a few reasons why.
3 Min Read
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Dark-haired Latin mom and son smile at each other while sitting outside on a step.
Help for Life Challenges
This woman’s realization about love after her marriage ended will bless any family
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 23, 2024 01:24 PM MDT
Author Taylor Ricks Mele hesitated at first, but she felt compelled to write about her experience moving forward from a divorce.
1 Min Read
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The entire Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple, including scenery.
Temple Worship
A realization about the word ‘endowment’ to bring more peace to your temple worship
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 22, 2024 01:34 PM MDT
“I was recently studying how to feel more peace in the temple, and I came across an idea that sparked an encouraging realization.”
2 Min Read
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Stephanie Nielson (right) and her oldest daughter, Claire (left).
Stories of Faith
We love this powerful quote a mother gave her daughter before she started high school
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 22, 2024 08:56 AM MDT
When her oldest daughter Claire started high school, Stephanie Nielson gave her a mirror along with this quote to keep in her backpack.
1 Min Read
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Clayton and Ashley Young with their daughters at the 2024 US Olympic Marathon Trials
Stories of Faith
Advice from an Olympics-bound runner to help you succeed in life’s marathon
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 17, 2024 01:53 PM MDT
Olympics-bound runner Clayton Young and his wife, Ashley, recently spoke about how they aim for true excellence.
2 Min Read
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A painting of a sparrow falling into strong hands.
Stories of Faith
This painting took 12 years to come to the canvas. Here’s what it teaches about grief and ongoing healing
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 16, 2024 01:27 PM MDT
“In all of those moments of grief that come back, I feel God is there to catch me in them—over and over again.” —Jenedy Paige
1 Min Read
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A young man and a young woman sitting on a hill talk and laugh together.
Follow the Prophets
Young adulting—13 quick and comforting quotes to help you make choices with confidence
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 06, 2024 04:08 PM MDT
From missions to marriage, young adulthood involves big decisions. Elder and Sister Godoy recently shared their tips for navigating this crucial time.
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