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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.

President Dallin H. Oaks April 2026 general conference
Follow the Prophets
What Pres. Oaks said in his first conference as the prophet
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
April 05, 2026 04:12 PM MDT
Here are four themes President Dallin H. Oaks shared this weekend.
2 Min Read
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Balm of Gilead by Greg Olsen (cropped)
Help for Life Challenges
Stirring new painting depicts how Christ eases our personal burdens
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
April 03, 2026 02:14 PM MDT
The image depicts the Savior gently placing His hands on the shoulders of a discouraged man.
4 Min Read
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Artist Morgan Casteel
Stories of Faith
How one artist captures the Savior’s presence without painting Him
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 20, 2026 03:24 PM MDT
Morgan Casteel believes that landscape art can communicate the Savior’s love in special ways.
2 Min Read
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LDS scriptures triple combination with the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price
Latter-day Saint Life
The scripture we hear so often we may not fully appreciate
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
January 28, 2026 03:39 PM MST
These verses imply a vital truth about our divine identity.
1 Min Read
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Hebrew Pentateuch from the 10th century
Latter-day Saint Life
6 Hebrew words every Latter-day Saint should know
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
January 21, 2026 01:47 PM MST
These powerful definitions can help shine a new light on the Old Testament.
6 Min Read
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Hand of woman picking apple in orchard - stock photo
Latter-day Saint Life
6 beautiful truths we know about Eve
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
January 15, 2026 03:30 PM MST
These restored truths clarify Eve’s courageous role in the plan of salvation.
2 Min Read
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Toronto Ontario LDS Temple
Temple Worship
9 exciting temple ‘firsts’ you may have missed
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
January 14, 2026 09:30 AM MST
Last year was filled with new temple milestones.
2 Min Read
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A night sky with stars and clouds
Latter-day Saint Life
An inspiring detail we sometimes forget about the Council in Heaven
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
January 08, 2026 10:40 AM MST
The scriptures clarify a common misconception about the premortal council.
1 Min Read
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Pres. Oaks writing at his desk 2
Follow the Prophets
5 teachings from Pres. Oaks to help you with your goals
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 22, 2025 02:53 PM MST
These inspiring quotes will help you start the new year strong.
1 Min Read
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Pres. Oaks, 2025 First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional
Follow the Prophets
5 inspiring things Pres. Oaks has said about Christmas
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 18, 2025 03:12 PM MST
“The spirit of Christmas brings out the best in us.”
1 Min Read
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President Dallin H. Oaks and Sister Kristen M. Oaks smiling together
Follow the Prophets
4 words Sister Oaks would use to describe the prophet
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 11, 2025 02:20 PM MST
“He always tries to do what’s right,” Sister Oaks shared. “He doesn’t ever cut a corner.”
2 Min Read
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"Little Lamb" by Jenedy Paige (cropped)
Latter-day Saint Life
The special significance of ‘swaddling clothes’ in the Nativity
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 10, 2025 04:52 PM MST
More than a description of an “ordinary diaper and receiving blanket,” this clothing detail suggests several profound truths about Christ.
2 Min Read
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The red cast (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday night shows) perform during the manger scene at a dress rehearsal of the “Savior of the World” production on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
Stories of Faith
25 years of ‘Savior of the World’: Actress shares miracles that brought her to the show
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 09, 2025 04:05 PM MST
Tens of thousands of people attend this beloved Church production every year.
5 Min Read
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Grandfather and grandson hanging decorations on Christmas tree at home together
Latter-day Saint Life
An easy way to give your family a spiritual boost this Christmas
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 05, 2025 02:00 PM MST
This activity only takes a few minutes but leaves a lasting impact.
3 Min Read
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Thanksgiving table setting with an open Bible and autumn decorations
Latter-day Saint Life
Why gratitude can open your heart to receiving revelation
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
November 24, 2025 03:02 PM MST
Thanksgiving just might be an ideal time to seek revelation.
1 Min Read
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Elder Kevin G. Brown speaks at the October 2025 general conference
Latter-day Saint Life
Why Elder Kevin Brown’s conference talk hit home for so many
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
November 13, 2025 09:19 AM MST
“Elder Brown’s testimony was so powerful it caught my teenager’s attention from the other room,” one mother shared.
2 Min Read
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Dallin H. Oaks and Kristen M. Oaks smile with seven of their great-grandchildren
Follow the Prophets
3 sweet traditions Pres. Oaks has with his grandchildren
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
November 12, 2025 02:15 PM MST
To help each grandchild feel special, President Oaks has a tradition of honoring a “Grandchild of the Month.”
2 Min Read
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Dirt road in autumn forest in fog
Help for Life Challenges
One of the best verses for when life doesn’t go as planned
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
November 06, 2025 03:46 PM MST
This scripture can help reassure anyone facing an unexpected life path.
2 Min Read
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President Russell M. Nelson, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, waves to conferencegoers as he enters the afternoon session of the 194th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.
Follow the Prophets
10 ways Pres. Nelson invited you to prepare for the Second Coming
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
September 28, 2025 06:00 AM MDT
Do you remember these 10 prophetic invitations?
1 Min Read
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Sharon Eubank greets someone Mormon Women for Ethical Government conference at UVU
Latter-day Saint Life
The first thing Sharon Eubank tells people who want to help others more
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
September 24, 2025 04:05 PM MDT
Sharon believes this approach can lead to more lasting solutions.
3 Min Read
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A young woman prays with an open Bible on her lap.
Latter-day Saint Life
A way to hear God’s answers more clearly when you’re making decisions
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
September 23, 2025 03:41 PM MDT
Elder Renlund suggests this approach will help us better recognize revelation.
1 Min Read
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Meditative senior man looking up at sky with serious expression
Latter-day Saint Life
One of the most important ways to prepare for life-changing revelation
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
September 16, 2025 09:43 AM MDT
“Life-changing revelation is not reserved for prophets,” Dale G. Renlund writes in his new book.
1 Min Read
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A graphic of a woman thinking next to a question-mark bubble
Follow the Prophets
Is a thought from me or the Spirit? Elder Renlund’s advice for when you feel uncertain
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
September 12, 2025 02:14 PM MDT
This counsel can help us move forward with confidence.
1 Min Read
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President Russell M. Nelson member devotional on September 1, 2018.
Stories of Faith
What it was like to be in President Nelson’s home ward
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
September 10, 2025 01:55 PM MDT
“Interacting with President Nelson—even briefly—has given me a glimpse of the Savior’s deep and abiding love.”
3 Min Read
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