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.

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

By Maddie Tolk

January 28, 2026 03:39 PM MST

These verses imply a vital truth about our divine identity.

1 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

6 Hebrew words every Latter-day Saint should know

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

Hand of woman picking apple in orchard - stock photo

Latter-day Saint Life

6 beautiful truths we know about Eve

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

Temple Worship

9 exciting temple ‘firsts’ you may have missed

By Maddie Tolk

January 14, 2026 09:30 AM MST

Last year was filled with new temple milestones.

2 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

An inspiring detail we sometimes forget about the Council in Heaven

By Maddie Tolk

January 08, 2026 10:40 AM MST

The scriptures clarify a common misconception about the premortal council.

1 Min Read

Follow the Prophets

5 teachings from Pres. Oaks to help you with your goals

By Maddie Tolk

December 22, 2025 02:53 PM MST

These inspiring quotes will help you start the new year strong.

1 Min Read

Pres. Oaks, 2025 First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional

Follow the Prophets

5 inspiring things Pres. Oaks has said about Christmas

By Maddie Tolk

December 18, 2025 03:12 PM MST

“The spirit of Christmas brings out the best in us.”

1 Min Read

President Dallin H. Oaks and Sister Kristen M. Oaks smiling together

Follow the Prophets

4 words Sister Oaks would use to describe the prophet

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

Latter-day Saint Life

The special significance of ‘swaddling clothes’ in the Nativity

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

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

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

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

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

Thanksgiving table setting with an open Bible and autumn decorations

Latter-day Saint Life

Why gratitude can open your heart to receiving revelation

By Maddie Tolk

November 24, 2025 03:02 PM MST

Thanksgiving just might be an ideal time to seek revelation.

1 Min Read

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

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

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

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

Help for Life Challenges

One of the best verses for when life doesn’t go as planned

By Maddie Tolk

November 06, 2025 03:46 PM MST

This scripture can help reassure anyone facing an unexpected life path.

2 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

This beautiful art book is helping families talk about Christ

By Maddie Tolk

November 04, 2025 10:02 AM MST

“Everyone found a different painting that helped them feel connected to Jesus.”

2 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

The first thing to remember about the parable of the ten virgins

By Maddie Tolk

October 29, 2025 02:19 PM MDT

There’s a hopeful detail from the story we can emphasize even more.

2 Min Read

A woman takes notes as she listens to the 195th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.

Help for Life Challenges

The quote from conference that’s on my mind weeks later

By Maddie Tolk

October 28, 2025 09:32 AM MDT

“I’ll admit that when I first heard the sentence, I felt intimidated. But as I’ve pondered more, I’ve come to realize it teaches a profound truth.”

2 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

How a World-Renowned Artist Converted to the Church and Shares His Faith Through Unique Art

By Maddie Tolk

November 13, 2018 02:02 PM MST

Latter-day Saint artist Jorge Cocco Santángelo (Jorge Cocco) has always felt the calling to create. “There isn’t one point in time when I became an artist. I just developed as one,” he says.

5 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

4 Tips for Managing Your Family's Screen Time

By Maddie Tolk

August 30, 2017 09:06 PM MDT

Technology can be an amazing blessing. It allows us to connect with family and friends, to spread the gospel, to participate in family history work, and to access spiritual and educational resources almost instantly. While technology can be a powerful tool for good, it can also be a distraction from the things that matter most. In a CES devotional for young adults, Elder Ballard taught:

5 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

4 tips for those who experience anxiety in the temple and at church

By Maddie Tolk

August 12, 2017 09:00 AM MDT

Latter-day Saints are promised blessings such as peace, strength, and increased spirituality when we attend church regularly and go to the temple often. But for those who live with some form of mental illness, such as anxiety or depression, it is not always easy or comfortable to attend church and go to the temple and feel the effects of those promised blessings.

4 Min Read

Fun

LDS Friends Star in Their Own Food Network Show Thanks to Their Unbelievable Gingerbread Creations (Photos)

By Maddie Tolk

August 08, 2017 03:00 PM MDT

Elisa Barber and Brenda Nibley are receiving national attention for their unique cookie creations. Barber, who owns The Baking Hive, a bakery in the Salt Lake Valley, attended culinary school in Ireland and gained experience as a chef in a prominent London Michelin Star restaurant and leading London bakery. Barber's friend Nibley has a natural flair for creating gingerbread houses and owns an artisan cookie architecture company called GingerGiddy. Together they have created some spectacular gingerbread houses.

1 Min Read

Fun

Little-Known Hobbies and Hidden Talents of General Authorities

By Maddie Tolk

August 05, 2017 09:00 AM MDT

Many members of the Church feel a deep connection with the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. As we read their words and listen to them speak twice a year in general conference, we are able to learn from their unique spiritual strengths and distinct teaching styles. Since we are accustomed to seeing Church leaders in spiritual settings, it can be tempting to think of these men only in a spiritual light; however, they are multidimensional people with individual interests and personalities.

5 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

How an LDS Teen's "Happy List" of Over 19,000 Items Has Inspired Others to Live with More Joy

By Maddie Tolk

August 02, 2017 01:00 PM MDT

When the Church released the Christmas video "A Savior is Born" in December 2015, LDS teen Annie Weight noticed it repeated the word "rejoice" several times. She was touched by its hopeful message and felt inspired to live a more positive lifestyle. "Throughout the Christmas season and the beginning of the new year, I thought a lot about joy, what it meant to others, and what it meant to me," said Weight. "After a lot of thought, I decided that I wanted to be happier with my life and I decided to start keeping a list of all the things in my life that made me happy."

2 Min Read