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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.

"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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Expressions of Jesus
Latter-day Saint Life
This beautiful art book is helping families talk about Christ
Maddie Tolk
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
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Ancient oil lamp
Latter-day Saint Life
The first thing to remember about the parable of the ten virgins
Maddie Tolk
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
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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
Maddie Tolk
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
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President Jeffrey R. Holland speaks to youth during the October 2025 worldwide youth broadcast titled “Look unto Christ.”
Follow the Prophets
Pres. Holland’s counsel to youth that everyone needs to hear
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
October 27, 2025 01:58 PM MDT
At a recent devotional. President Holland shared timeless wisdom.
1 Min Read
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The Feather River California Temple in Yuba City, California.
Temple Worship
5 helpful things to say to someone before they receive their endowment
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
October 13, 2025 08:52 AM MDT
Try these talking points to start more meaningful conversations about the endowment.
7 Min Read
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President Dallin H. Oaks, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, opens the Sunday morning session of 195th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025.
Temple Worship
The last time no new temples were announced during general conference
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
October 08, 2025 03:16 PM MDT
Here’s a quick look back at new temple announcements during general conference.
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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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
Maddie Tolk
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
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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
Maddie Tolk
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
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Illustration of a happy woman smiling at herself in the mirror.
Latter-day Saint Life
The myth of searching for your ‘true self’
Maddie Tolk
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
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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
Maddie Tolk
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
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Chad Hymas 2
Stories of Faith
A quadriplegic man’s faith to not be healed
Maddie Tolk
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
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A woman pondering during an LDS sacrament meeting
Help for Life Challenges
This new hymn is a must-listen if you have anxiety
Maddie Tolk
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
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