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 returned LDS missionary with her sister on her homecoming day

Latter-day Saint Life

The best thing to do with your missionary as soon as they get home

By Maddie Tolk

July 31, 2025 03:32 PM MDT

“This may be the most memorable thing we did when my sister returned home from serving her mission.”

2 Min Read

Young women from the LDS Firth Idaho Stake

Latter-day Saint Life

Watch: Moving song written at girls camp by 200+ young women

By Maddie Tolk

July 30, 2025 03:41 PM MDT

More than a campfire sing-along, the experience solidified the participants’ confidence as disciples of Jesus Christ.

2 Min Read

President Jeffrey R. Holland speaks about a scripture passage from the Doctrine and Covenants in a social media video on July 15, 2025.

Follow the Prophets

A scripture passage President Holland often shares with youth

By Maddie Tolk

July 29, 2025 02:35 PM MDT

These verses may be just what the youth in your life need to hear.

2 Min Read

Elder Gary E. Stevenson “Come, Follow Me” 2025 video

Follow the Prophets

The perfect scripture for when challenges feel too hard to bear

By Maddie Tolk

July 28, 2025 09:09 AM MDT

Elder Stevenson recently shared some beautiful counsel from the Doctrine and Covenants.

2 Min Read

The Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 11, 2025.

Latter-day Saint Life

10 facts about the Church Office Building that might surprise you

By Maddie Tolk

July 23, 2025 03:40 PM MDT

This week marks 50 years since the building was dedicated.

1 Min Read

Elder Patrick Kearon and Sister Jennifer Kearon hiking in Cebu, Philippines

Follow the Prophets

Watch: Elder Kearon visits a family’s home in mountains of the Philippines

By Maddie Tolk

July 22, 2025 02:46 PM MDT

“To be here, and to be enveloped in the light and the love and the faith of these people, is just the most beautiful blessing,” said Elder Kearon.

1 Min Read

A close-up of female hands holding a Bible in a field of flowers

Latter-day Saint Life

3 scriptures to soothe your soul when life feels heavy

By Maddie Tolk

July 21, 2025 04:02 PM MDT

Here are a few encouraging verses to save for when you need a pick-me-up.

1 Min Read

Temple Worship

5 beautiful blessings of temple worship

By Maddie Tolk

July 15, 2025 10:24 AM MDT

President Nelson has shared specific blessings we can receive from temple worship. Here are just a few.

1 Min Read

Painting of Jesus Christ holding a staff standing in front of mountains and a lake

Latter-day Saint Life

What the Hebrew idea of truth teaches us about Christ

By Maddie Tolk

July 14, 2025 03:29 PM MDT

This framework can provide greater insight into our relationship with the Savior.

2 Min Read

A large group of people kneel around the Savior Jesus Christ during His Second Coming.

Latter-day Saint Life

4 signs of the Second Coming that will fill you with hope

By Maddie Tolk

July 09, 2025 12:37 PM MDT

While we often focus on scary “signs of the times” like wars and earthquakes, we can find comfort in the many hopeful signs of the Savior’s return.

4 Min Read

Calm senior woman in a red sweater sitting on couch and writing in journal

Latter-day Saint Life

Why living the gospel is about writing a script—not following one

By Maddie Tolk

July 07, 2025 04:16 PM MDT

“I don’t think it’s about getting the ‘script’ right. I think God gives us a blank canvas and says, ‘Here, paint a beautiful picture,’” says Terryl Givens.

2 Min Read

Illustration of a happy woman smiling at herself in the mirror.

Latter-day Saint Life

The myth of searching for your ‘true self’

By Maddie Tolk

July 03, 2025 02:48 PM MDT

“We’re not searching to uncover some ‘true self’—we are deliberately and consciously aspiring to a self,” says Latter-day Saint scholar Terryl Givens.

2 Min Read

A male hand writes in a notebook with a pen

Latter-day Saint Life

This song from the new hymnbook was written in a jail

By Maddie Tolk

June 30, 2025 03:03 PM MDT

For a hymn centered on joy, the lyrics originate from a surprising place.

1 Min Read

Stories of Faith

A quadriplegic man’s faith to not be healed

By Maddie Tolk

June 26, 2025 02:52 PM MDT

Chad says that his circumstances have allowed him to focus on what truly matters and serve in new ways.

2 Min Read

A woman pondering during an LDS sacrament meeting

Help for Life Challenges

This new hymn is a must-listen if you have anxiety

By Maddie Tolk

June 24, 2025 02:11 PM MDT

The composer based the song on a turning point in her experiences with anxiety.

2 Min Read

Help for Life Challenges

A 2-word mantra to help you recognize personal revelation more often

By Maddie Tolk

June 23, 2025 01:54 PM MDT

This framework helps remind us that God is always reaching out to us.

2 Min Read

Temple Worship

Practical advice for first-time temple goers

By Maddie Tolk

June 20, 2025 02:13 PM MDT

These two suggestions can help you find more joy in your temple worship.

2 Min Read

Shelby Stroud in front of "A Sure Foundation"

Stories of Faith

Must-see portrait of Christ made with seashells

By Maddie Tolk

June 11, 2025 02:22 PM MDT

This breathtaking image is composed of stones, seashells, fossils, and wood.

4 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

LDS Actress Shares How Playing Emma Smith Helped Her Develop Empathy, Overcome Postpartum Depression

By Maddie Tolk

June 09, 2017 07:55 PM MDT

Lindsay Farr Harper, known for her portrayal of Emma Smith in the movie Joseph Smith: Plates of Gold, recently shared her experiences and testimony in a segment of Splitting the Sky, a YouTube documentary series that aims to share authentic stories of faithful women.

1 Min Read

Fun

Why an LDS Weatherman and Opera Singer Are Getting a Ton of Attention for Their Family "Hymn Selfies"

By Maddie Tolk

June 08, 2017 04:00 PM MDT

The Siebert family loves to sing together. Jim and Debbie, and their four children—Ashley, Emmie, Grant, and Dallin—enjoy sharing their testimonies of the gospel through videos of acapella hymns, which they post on social media using the hashtag #hymnselfie.

1 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

16 Tips for Helping Children Suffering from Anxiety and Depression

By Maddie Tolk

June 07, 2017 11:00 AM MDT

Mental illnesses and emotional disorders can be difficult to understand, especially for children who are still learning to identify and understand their emotions. How can parents and leaders help their children to become resilient and learn to cope with difficult emotional issues?

4 Min Read

Famous Latter-day Saints

Why Latter-day Saints Are Dominating Billboard's Classical Music Charts, and People Are Taking Note

By Maddie Tolk

June 05, 2017 04:00 PM MDT

Latter-day Saints are dominating the classical music scene, and people have begun taking note.

5 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

"VICE" Features LDS Couple for Defying Cultural Expectations, Balancing Faith, Family

By Maddie Tolk

June 02, 2017 07:25 PM MDT

Recently VICE News featured an LDS couple and their courage in “bucking stereotypes” and cultural norms as the husband, Robert Wood, pursues his passion by creating $5,000 violins in a converted tool shed in his backyard.

2 Min Read