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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.

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
Maddie Tolk
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.”
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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
Maddie Tolk
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
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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
Maddie Tolk
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
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Derrick Porter and Andy Reid
Latter-day Saint Life
Why Andy Reid says conducting the Tabernacle Choir was one of the highlights of his life
Maddie Tolk
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
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Lloyd E. Oaks and Dallin H. Oaks in 1939
Follow the Prophets
A poignant way Pres. Oaks honored his father
Maddie Tolk
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
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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
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
June 12, 2026 02:17 PM MDT
“Artificial intelligence can answer questions, but it cannot answer prayers.”
1 Min Read
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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
Maddie Tolk
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
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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
Maddie Tolk
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
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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
Maddie Tolk
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
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JennaBree Tollestrup LDS Living (cropped)
Stories of Faith
How this firefighter mom manages wearing life’s many ‘uniforms’
Maddie Tolk
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
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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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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
Maddie Tolk
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
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Temple Worship
5 beautiful blessings of temple worship
Maddie Tolk
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
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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
Maddie Tolk
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
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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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