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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.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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A confident Black woman with curly hair
Help for Life Challenges
A 2-word mantra to help you recognize personal revelation more often
Maddie Tolk
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
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The Hartford Connecticut Temple
Temple Worship
Practical advice for first-time temple goers
Maddie Tolk
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
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Shelby Stroud in front of "A Sure Foundation"
Stories of Faith
Must-see portrait of Christ made with seashells
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
June 11, 2025 02:22 PM MDT
This breathtaking image is composed of stones, seashells, fossils, and wood.
4 Min Read
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Elder Patrick Kearon smiles while speaking from a church podium.
Follow the Prophets
Watch: Deeply moving clip of Elder Kearon testifying of Christ’s love to Filipino Saints
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 29, 2025 02:00 PM MDT
“You are loved so much more than you can imagine,” Elder Kearon affirmed.
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A woman wearing a striped shirt holds her hands over her heart.
Latter-day Saint Life
It’s time we stop limiting revelation to a ‘burning in the bosom’
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 27, 2025 02:26 PM MDT
Feeling a “burning in the bosom” is one pattern for receiving revelation that may not be helpful for everyone.
3 Min Read
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The sun sets behind the Conference Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Latter-day Saint Life
For the first time, you can go to free concerts on the Conference Center rooftop
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 27, 2025 01:43 PM MDT
Enjoy free, family-friendly concerts near Temple Square this summer.
1 Min Read
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Allison Hong Merrill Mission and Baptism in Taiwan
Stories of Faith
After being disowned then stranded, she found healing from the temple
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 23, 2025 01:37 PM MDT
At age 21, Allison was disowned by her father. Then, only two years later, she was stranded by her first husband in an unfamiliar country. 
8 Min Read
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The Nairobi Kenya Temple in Nairobi, Kenya on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
Temple Worship
6 temple stats that might surprise you
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 21, 2025 01:55 PM MDT
Two countries outside the US will have over 20 temples.
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A painting of a young woman playing the violin with a painting of Jesus Christ in the background.
Latter-day Saint Life
Greek words that will change how you think about perfection
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 16, 2025 01:59 PM MDT
Have you heard of katartismós or téleios?
2 Min Read
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson, April 2025 general conference
Follow the Prophets
What may be the best, most genuine form of worship
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
May 15, 2025 01:47 PM MDT
This insight from Elder Christofferson can bring even more meaning to how you worship God.
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Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Jennifer, meet with new members of the Church during a devotional in Quezon City on August 18, 2024.
Follow the Prophets
Watch: Elder Kearon’s counsel for when you fear you’ll never measure up
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 16, 2024 02:09 PM MST
Here’s what we may misunderstand about divine love when we worry Christ’s Atonement can’t cover us.
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A congregation in a Latter-day Saint chapel sings from the hymnbook.
Latter-day Saint Life
Do you mumble the hymns? 2 forms of power you receive by singing with your heart
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 12, 2024 03:42 PM MST
“Are we joining together to praise our God and King no matter the quality of our voices?” —Elder Patrick Kearon
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Iam Tongi Sings "Silent Night" with the Rexburg Children's Choir
Latter-day Saint Life
Watch: ‘American Idol’ winner’s soul-stirring rendition of ‘Silent Night’
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 12, 2024 03:28 PM MST
Iam Tongi’s powerful version of the hymn also features a choir of 100 children.
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Screenshots from Elder Dale G. Renlund, Elder Gerrit W. Gong, and Elder Patrick Kearon speaking at First Presidency Christmas Devotionals for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Follow the Prophets
Christmas traditions from 3 Apostles to help bring the Spirit to your holiday season
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 09, 2024 10:54 AM MST
Try these simple activities to keep your family’s focus on the Savior.
3 Min Read
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Latter-day Saint Life
A simple way to feel connected to Christ in the here and now
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 05, 2024 05:09 PM MST
“This practice helps me feel the Savior’s grace on a more tangible level.”
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An illustration of a father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, and two children enjoying a Thanksgiving meal at the table.
Latter-day Saint Life
The best question to ask your family this Thanksgiving
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
November 25, 2024 12:52 PM MST
Share this powerful prompt during your dinner to foster happy feelings.
3 Min Read
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