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 Gérald Caussé displays a copy of the Book of Mormon in a video titled “Truths Unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

Follow the Prophets

Elder Caussé lists 23 questions the Book of Mormon answers

By Maddie Tolk

July 22, 2026 01:47 PM MDT

“What a wonder it is to know what we know,” Elder Caussé says.

1 Min Read

Two young women read together on the couch with a little girl listening next to them.

Latter-day Saint Life

This story will inspire you to reopen your scriptures

By Maddie Tolk

July 16, 2026 10:40 AM MDT

A prophet called this account “one of the finest stories in all of the scriptures.”

3 Min Read

Primary General President Susan H. Porter shares her testimony from the new Temple Square Visitors' Center in a video titled "Never Alone Through Jesus Christ."

Help for Life Challenges

Pres. Porter shares one of her darkest moments—and how she found light

By Maddie Tolk

July 15, 2026 01:44 PM MDT

On the day of her husband’s funeral, President Susan H. Porter discovered that their home flooded.

2 Min Read

From left to right: Lowell Gould, Nancy Gould, Margie Bradford, Dallas Bradford, Candy Olson, Della Lee, and Sheri Flygare gather for games as part of their ward dinner group in Bountiful, Utah, in 2025.

Stories of Faith

This ward dinner group has been meeting for 50 years—here’s how

By Maddie Tolk

July 02, 2026 08:28 PM MDT

The friends shared what they’ve learned after more than 600 meals together.

3 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Why Andy Reid says conducting the Tabernacle Choir was one of the highlights of his life

By Maddie Tolk

July 01, 2026 03:14 PM MDT

“You [could] compare this to what you do when you win a Super Bowl. I mean, it was just that exciting.”

1 Min Read

Lloyd E. Oaks and Dallin H. Oaks in 1939

Follow the Prophets

A poignant way Pres. Oaks honored his father

By Maddie Tolk

June 16, 2026 01:13 PM MDT

“I was not yet 8 years old when he died, but his influence lives on for me and his descendants.”

1 Min Read

Elder Gerrit W. Gong video workshop on AI, June 2026

Follow the Prophets

Worried about AI? 9 quotes from Elder Gong to help you navigate it wisely

By Maddie Tolk

June 12, 2026 02:17 PM MDT

“Artificial intelligence can answer questions, but it cannot answer prayers.”

1 Min Read

The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Latter-day Saint Life

Be part of history: How to volunteer during the Salt Lake Temple Celebration

By Maddie Tolk

May 29, 2026 08:50 AM MDT

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help people learn about and tour the newly renovated temple.

2 Min Read

Nana Okofo Ogyefo Amoako II Odikro with Dr. Thomas Appiah (Diaspora Chief: Nana Dr. Oboafo Kwamena Essuman Appiah I )

Stories of Faith

‘Just come and see’: The remarkable dream that led a Ghanaian chief to join the Church

By Maddie Tolk

May 21, 2026 09:56 AM MDT

“It’s amazing how such significant events can happen through small and simple things.”

2 Min Read

A woman speaks over the pulpit during an LDS sacrament meeting

Latter-day Saint Life

Why Christlike leaders don’t need to be loud to teach with power

By Maddie Tolk

May 11, 2026 03:13 PM MDT

“I thought I had to change my entire personality to be a good leader. Then, I learned a powerful lesson from Sister Jean B. Bingham.”

2 Min Read

JennaBree Tollestrup LDS Living (cropped)

Stories of Faith

How this firefighter mom manages wearing life’s many ‘uniforms’

By Maddie Tolk

May 07, 2026 04:11 PM MDT

As a mother, firefighter, and member of the Tabernacle Choir, JennaBree Tollestrup serves in many different ways.

2 Min Read

President Dallin H. Oaks April 2026 general conference

Follow the Prophets

What Pres. Oaks said in his first conference as the prophet

By Maddie Tolk

April 05, 2026 04:12 PM MDT

Here are four themes President Dallin H. Oaks shared this weekend.

2 Min Read

Help for Life Challenges

Stirring new painting depicts how Christ eases our personal burdens

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

Stories of Faith

How one artist captures the Savior’s presence without painting Him

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

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

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

Latter-day Saint Life

LDS Teen Makes History as North Dakota's First Musician to Perform at Carnegie Hall with NYO2, Shares Faith

By Maddie Tolk

July 17, 2017 11:51 AM MDT

On July 18th, 2017, LDS 17-year-old Kari Jenks will become the first musician from North Dakota to perform at Carnegie Hall with the National Youth Orchestra 2 (NYO2). Launched in the summer of 2016 by Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute, NYO2 is an intensive orchestral training program designed for talented young musicians ages 14–17.

1 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Wife of WWII POW Shares How a Patriarchal Blessing and Her Faith in God Allowed Her to Sustain Hope

By Maddie Tolk

July 14, 2017 03:15 PM MDT

When Amber Richardson read a quote by J.O. Young in the best-selling biography Unbroken, she was initially surprised. Brother Young lived in her home ward and she had remembered hearing him tell stories about his experiences as a prisoner of war during World War II; however, she had never made the connection to Unbroken. As she thought more about Brother Young's experiences, she realized she had never heard his wife's side of the story.

1 Min Read

Fun

LDS Twins Perform Epic Fiddle Cover of "Toxic" on ABC's "The Gong Show"

By Maddie Tolk

July 13, 2017 06:52 PM MDT

LDS brothers Jason and Jeffrey Linford are not only identical twins but also business partners and rising musicians. In addition to performing music, they run and own a pest control company in Mesa, Arizona. Recently "The Hollywood Bug Guys" performed an exterminator-themed fiddle number on ABC's newly revived The Gong Show.

1 Min Read

Famous Latter-day Saints

Returned Missionaries Star in Popular Discovery Channel Reality TV Show "Diesel Brothers"

By Maddie Tolk

July 08, 2017 01:00 PM MDT

LDS entrepreneurs David Sparks and David Kiley are not exactly what you might think of as stereotypical returned missionaries. Better known as "Heavy D" and "Diesel Dave," these two friends own and operate DieselSellerz—the world's largest marketplace related to anything diesel. In January 2016, Discovery Channel aired the hit reality TV show, Diesel Brothers, which highlights the friends' custom vehicle builds, crazy stunts, and elaborate pranks.

1 Min Read