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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 Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks at a devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.
Latter-day Saint Life
Elder Uchtdorf’s 3 simple steps to experience higher joy (+ a comforting reminder for when you’re struggling)
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
April 26, 2024 11:23 AM MDT
Challenges like depression can make it difficult to feel joy, but Elder Uchtdorf shared some comforting (and easy!) suggestions.
2 Min Read
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The Orem Utah Temple in Orem on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023.
How can the Book of Mormon help me understand what happens in the temple?
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
April 18, 2024 01:59 PM MDT
These 10 moments from the Book of Mormon reveal beautiful insights about temple covenants.
6 Min Read
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Ardeth G. and Heber B. Kapp in Bountiful, Utah, after Sister Kapp was called to serve as Young Women General President.
Latter-day Saint Life
The simple tradition that strengthened Ardeth Kapp’s marriage (that feels straight out of a storybook)
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
April 12, 2024 06:44 AM MDT
In an episode of the “All In” podcast that originally aired on March 9, 2022, Sister Ardeth Kapp shared insights from her 67+ years of marriage.
3 Min Read
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Latter-day Saint Life
Beautiful new painting brings Jacob 5 to life (even if those 77 verses intimidate you)
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
April 10, 2024 08:00 AM MDT
Artist Chrisanne Serafin recently created a stunning painting of the master of the vineyard from Jacob 5 inspired by her Mexican ancestry.
1 Min Read
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Latter-day Saint Life
‘Amazing Grace’ was sung for the first time at general conference—watch the Tabernacle Choir’s powerful rendition
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
April 06, 2024 07:21 PM MDT
During the Saturday evening session of general conference, the Utah Valley Institute Choir sang “Amazing Grace” as the final number. Here's another one of our favorite performances of the beloved hymn.
1 Min Read
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Latter-day Saint Life
When was the last time someone outside the First Presidency conducted a session of general conference?
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
April 06, 2024 02:10 PM MDT
President Dallin H. Oaks announced that members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will conduct three of the five sessions of conference.
1 Min Read
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Precious In His Sight
Latter-day Saint Life
The small miracle that assured Greg Olsen his mother was watching over him from the other side
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
April 06, 2024 09:58 AM MDT
Watch this short video to hear why a tender experience at his mother’s grave forever impacted Greg Olsen’s art.
1 Min Read
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Feature Stories
BYU–Hawaii’s choral director uses her voice in a big way—from aiding refugees to building harmony in the Church
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 28, 2024 03:05 PM MDT
Erica Glenn conducts more than music. She uses her testimony to promote peace and harmony in diversity—in choirs, the global Church, and beyond.
8 Min Read
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Super Bowl LVIII - San Francisco 49ers v Kansas City Chiefs
Latter-day Saint Life
Andy Reid says his faith influences ‘everything’ about how he coaches the Kansas City Chiefs
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 22, 2024 01:37 PM MDT
From handling the viral sidelines moment with Travis Kelce to modeling clean language, Andy Reid says he banks on his faith as a “game plan” for life.
4 Min Read
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Easter Peg Doll Set with Tomb
Latter-day Saint Life
6 simple ways to make Easter as magical as Christmas + an Easter-themed set you’ll love as much as your nativity
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 20, 2024 02:42 PM MDT
Looking for creative Easter traditions focused on Christ? Try these seven easy ideas, like getting a peace lily or enjoying Easter “carols.”
5 Min Read
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US Olympic Trial: Track & Field (Marathon)
Latter-day Saint Life
2 Olympics-bound runners boldly testify of faith on CNN: ‘There is more to this life than running’
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 14, 2024 02:58 PM MDT
Former BYU distance runners Conner Mantz and Clayton Young spoke with CNN about how the gospel has impacted their journeys to the Paris 2024 Olympics.
1 Min Read
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Latter-day Saint Life
Keep calm, renovate a cabin—newlyweds rely on (and share) their faith in new reality show ‘Cabin Wars’
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 14, 2024 07:53 AM MDT
When Jessica and Jeremy Rock competed in a new reality series, they had opportunities to share the gospel and strengthen their own foundation.
5 Min Read
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Feature Stories
5 new paintings of the Savior so striking they stopped us in our tracks
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 06, 2024 12:57 PM MST
Art makes it easier to sense how personally the Savior loves us. Five artists, each with a distinct style, share how and why they paint Jesus.
11 Min Read
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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Manti Te'o #51 of the New Orleans Saints looks on from the sideline during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Latter-day Saint Life
Former NFL and Notre Dame star shares how he found hope after public humiliation and depression
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 01, 2024 09:13 AM MST
Manti Te’o was targeted in a high-profile catfishing scam in 2012. The experience brought him to a dark place, but he found light again through Christ.
3 Min Read
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Elder Ulisses Soares and Sister Rosana Soares at the Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults in Mexico City, Mexico, on Sunday, February 18, 2024.
Latter-day Saint Life
Elder and Sister Soares answer a question on perfectionism in the best way
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
February 20, 2024 01:41 PM MST
“We know that the space between His arms has been consecrated through His loving, atoning sacrifice, as a place for us.”
2 Min Read
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Latter-day Saint Life
7-year-old sings the national anthem at BYU basketball game—and she’s too cute for words
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
February 14, 2024 09:19 AM MST
Seven-year-old Lucy Llewellyn performed a stunning rendition of the National Anthem at the BYU men's basketball game on February 10, 2024.
1 Min Read
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Back view of anonymous female in coat with scarf and hat holding hands in pockets and looking away while strolling on snowy road on winter day in Dresden, Germany.
Latter-day Saint Life
How the Book of Mormon sustained one woman through infertility and a difficult international move
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
February 09, 2024 12:08 PM MST
The light of clear direction didn’t come all at once, but Morgan Choi found comfort by studying the Book of Mormon.
3 Min Read
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Heart with headphones on a wooden table.
Latter-day Saint Life
These 8 podcast episodes on Christlike love are must-listens before Valentine’s Day
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
February 07, 2024 02:08 PM MST
With Valentine’s Day coming up, we’ve chosen our favorite podcast episodes to help you find ideas to love others more deeply as the Savior would.
5 Min Read
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Photo of a young couple checking their flight status on the flight information board at the airport.
Latter-day Saint Life
What my long-distance relationship is teaching me about how to feel God’s love
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
February 07, 2024 02:08 PM MST
These five long-distance relationship tips have completely changed my perspective on feeling God’s love.
7 Min Read
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Latter-day Saint Life
9 times the Book of Mormon gives stellar relationship advice (that you might’ve never noticed)
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
February 01, 2024 01:26 PM MST
The Book of Mormon is one of the best sources to find relationship advice. Check out these scriptures on principles like boundaries and communication.
7 Min Read
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“Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day” (Doctrine and Covenants 4:2).
Latter-day Saint Life
4 scripture-themed valentines to print for your missionary (+ other creative ways to show love)
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
January 31, 2024 10:59 AM MST
Brighten a missionary’s day this February with these fun ideas.
3 Min Read
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Woman closing her eyes as the last sun rays of the day come into her house
Latter-day Saint Life
The 3 reminders that bring me hope—no matter what
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
January 19, 2024 01:59 PM MST
When pain or darkness “threaten our peace to destroy,” we can take courage in these three truths because of Jesus Christ.
5 Min Read
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Feature Stories
With God, we’ll never run out of good ideas—Greg Olsen’s inspiring take on creativity
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
January 17, 2024 09:49 AM MST
Latter-day Saint artist Greg Olsen’s creativity hasn’t slowed down in the slightest. In fact, it seems to be picking up speed.
10 Min Read
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A woman with red hair sits on the floor and smiles while writing in a journal.
Latter-day Saint Life
3 questions to ask yourself every new year (that won’t stress you out)
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 28, 2023 01:51 PM MST
Instead of making an overwhelming list of goals, try reflecting on what went well this year as you shape the next one.
4 Min Read
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