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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.

A painting of a young woman playing the violin with a painting of Jesus Christ in the background.
Latter-day Saint Life
Greek words that will change how you think about perfection
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 16, 2025 01:59 PM MDT
Have you heard of katartismós or téleios?
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson, April 2025 general conference
Follow the Prophets
What may be the best, most genuine form of worship
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 15, 2025 01:47 PM MDT
This insight from Elder Christofferson can bring even more meaning to how you worship God.
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Moanahiwalani Walker dances hula with the Hoʻolōkahi Chamber Choir at Carnegie Hall
Latter-day Saint Life
Watch: BYU–Hawaii hula dancer performs with choir at Carnegie Hall
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 14, 2025 02:35 PM MDT
A Hawaiian student danced hula in a moving tribute to survivors of the 2023 wildfires in Lahaina, Maui.
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An outdoor portrait of a family of eight in Hawaii.
Latter-day Saint Life
2 simple ways to prepare your children for the Second Coming
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 09, 2025 01:56 PM MDT
These two things can help prepare your kids for the Savior’s return.
1 Min Read
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The Belém Brazil Temple
Temple Worship
3 things you can do to feel more comfortable in the temple
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 06, 2025 01:34 PM MDT
Try these simple tips to feel more at ease during your temple trips.
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Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson speaks to young adults during a worldwide devotional, broadcast live from the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Sunday, May 4, 2025.
Latter-day Saint Life
Ask yourself this question to feel more prepared for the Second Coming
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 05, 2025 01:57 PM MDT
President Camille N. Johnson recently posed a question that will empower you to be a force for good in the days ahead.
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Elder and Sister Gong in Kohala, Hawaii
Follow the Prophets
Elder Gong on ‘the way that we can answer all the longings of our hearts’
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
April 30, 2025 02:02 PM MDT
In a recent video, Elder Gong explained how the Lord helps us feel His love in a sometimes isolating world.
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Elder Bednar ‘Come, Follow Me’ 2025 Video
Follow the Prophets
Elder Bednar on why you don’t need to wait until you feel the Spirit to teach
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
April 28, 2025 02:04 PM MDT
In a new video, Elder Bednar shared a thought-provoking insight about Doctrine and Covenants 42:14.
1 Min Read
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Film studio stock image
Stories of Faith
What’s the audition process like to play Jesus Christ? 1 actor’s inspiring experience
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
April 25, 2025 02:19 PM MDT
“The whole thing was just an incredible experience,” Paul Wuthrich says of auditioning for the Book of Mormon videos.
3 Min Read
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Monte Deere,
Help for Life Challenges
The D&C section that comforted a mission president when his brother died by suicide
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
April 22, 2025 10:25 AM MDT
Kizik CEO Monte Deere was serving as a mission president in Spain when he learned that his brother had died by suicide.
2 Min Read
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Adassa performs “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” with BYU Noteworthy.
Latter-day Saint Life
This a cappella version of ‘His Eye Is on the Sparrow’ will lift your spirits
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
April 18, 2025 11:30 AM MDT
Disney star Adassa joined BYU Noteworthy for a soaring rendition of the hymn.
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President Jeffrey R. Holland sits at his office desk with an open copy of the Bible.
Follow the Prophets
Pres. Holland on what ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ means in the Easter story
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
April 15, 2025 01:50 PM MDT
“I think the force of that verse is the force of the ultimate expression of Christ’s gift for us,” the Apostle shared in a recent video.
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The Toronto Ontario Temple in Brampton, Ontario, is pictured on Friday, March 21, 2025.
Follow the Prophets
Pres. Holland turns the phrase ‘going through the temple’ on its head
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
April 10, 2025 02:01 PM MDT
At the Toronto Ontario Temple rededication, the Apostle shared an insightful spin on this common phrase.
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A woman praying outside in a field
Latter-day Saint Life
Your prayers will be more meaningful if you do this first
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
April 09, 2025 03:15 PM MDT
Do this to open yourself up to more authentic prayers.
2 Min Read
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The 195th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
Latter-day Saint Life
14 noteworthy stats from the April 2025 general conference
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
April 07, 2025 02:42 PM MDT
President Nelson has now announced 200 temples during his 7 years as the prophet.
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Sympathetic female friend in SUPPORT with suffering woman. Person in sorrow embracing supportive companion
Latter-day Saint Life
The most helpful things to say to someone going through a hard time
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 28, 2025 02:43 PM MDT
Here are 5 phrases to use instead of “let me know how I can help.”
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Cozy home sitting area with pink tulips
Latter-day Saint Life
General conference can be the rejuvenating retreat you need—here’s how
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 26, 2025 02:01 PM MDT
“With a little more advance thought, this can become a weekend retreat different from any other.”
3 Min Read
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A woman teaches Relief Society
Help for Life Challenges
‘I don’t have a testimony of this’: How a ward responded to teacher’s humble admission
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 25, 2025 01:42 PM MDT
When Meg Walter taught a Relief Society lesson one month after her father’s death, the topic felt unexpectedly personal and painful.
1 Min Read
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Beside Still Waters copy32x40.jpg
Latter-day Saint Life
‘After all we can do’: A crucial thing you might misunderstand about this verse
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 24, 2025 01:55 PM MDT
In Joseph Smith’s time, “after all we can do” had a slightly different meaning than how we often interpret the phrase today.
2 Min Read
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President Jeffrey R. Holland shakes a young man's hand.
Follow the Prophets
Pres. Holland on one of the ‘most important’ things youth can be doing
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 19, 2025 02:14 PM MDT
“I’m too old to be playing games with you or telling jokes,” President Holland said of his testimony. “This is the truth.”
1 Min Read
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Jordan Ring-Sakabe with his daughter Luna
Stories of Faith
Former atheist’s painting of his daughter with Christ is a must-see
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 18, 2025 01:49 PM MDT
Catholic artist Jordan Ring-Sakabe discovered the Savior’s love after nearly 10 years as an atheist.
4 Min Read
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Elder Dale G. Renlund and Sister Ruth Lybbert Renlund walk hand in hand in Temple Square.
Follow the Prophets
The prayer that brought Elder Renlund peace during his wife’s cancer treatments
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 17, 2025 01:45 PM MDT
“During Ruth’s first hospitalization, I felt crushed and found it difficult to pray,” Elder Renlund said.
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Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf addresses mission leaders during the 2022 Seminar for New Mission Leaders on Friday, June 24, 2022.
Follow the Prophets
Elder Uchtdorf’s simple suggestion for when you feel discouraged
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 14, 2025 02:33 PM MDT
The Apostle says this is one of the best ways to maintain hope.
1 Min Read
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The Auckland New Zealand Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Temple Worship
Most Church members will soon be within an hour of a temple
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 12, 2025 01:57 PM MDT
Elder Neil L. Andersen recently shared a notable statistic about temple growth.
1 Min Read
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