Week in review: President Eyring turns 90 plus 8 more articles

During the week of May 28-June 4, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote an essay for Church News describing the maturity and judgment of Church President Russel M. Nelson and his counselors in the First Presidency, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor. President Eyring turned 90 years old on May 31, 2023, and he shared life lessons on service, modern prophets and his testimony of Jesus Christ in the latest Church News Podcast episode.

Elder Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles ministered to Saints across Australia, including the town Alice Springs, a city far-flung in the Australian outback. Some members of the Joseph Smith Papers staff explained what the epic project meant to them as the final volume is set to release in June. A historian identified rare first edition copies of the Hawaiian-language Book of Mormon.

Three families shared their experiences using the JustServe app and how service brings them closer to Jesus Christ. Iam Tongi, an 18-year-old Latter-day Saint from Hawaii and recent winner of “American Idol” Season 21, spoke about his faith to the Church News.

The Church updated its ‘Political Neutrality’ topic page, adding ‘Participation’ and additional material. The Church continued to grow, as shown by graphs and charts of numbers of Church members, dedicated temples, wards and branches, and stakes from 1830 to 2022.

Read summaries and find links to these nine articles below.

1. Elder Holland explains the ‘irreplaceable’ qualities of the First Presidency, which, along with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, are now the sixth-longest tenured Presiding Council in Church history

President Russell M. Nelson, center, and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, attend a First Presidency meeting at the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City

Elder Holland wrote an essay for Church News describing the maturity and judgment of Church Presidents Nelson, Oaks and Eyring. The First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve Apostles are now the sixth-longest tenured Presiding Council in Church history, and, for the first time ever, the Church has 4 nonagenarian apostles, including the entire First Presidency.

2. In honor of his 90th birthday, President Eyring shares life lessons on service, modern prophets and his testimony of Jesus Christ

A man in a black suit and a red tie smiling.

President Eyring joined the Church News podcast to talk about his life experiences over nine decades. “Find out what the Lord wants, try to do it, trust Him and be nice — be kind. And then things will work out,” said President Eyring in the podcast.

3. Elder Christofferson’s visit to far-flung outback shows how the Lord loves His children everywhere

A man in a black suit and a woman in a pink blazer stand in front of a large sign that reads “Welcome to Alice Springs.”

Elder Christofferson recently visited cities throughout Australia, including the remote town of Alice Springs in the country’s interior. During a devotional to the Saints in Alice Springs, Elder Christofferson spoke of the goodness he sensed from those in attendance. “As we follow the Savior’s example, we can become a light unto all those around us,” he promised.

4. What the Joseph Smith Papers has meant to historians, scholars, editors as the epic project wraps up

Robin Jensen holds a volume of the Joseph Smith Papers.

Some members of the Joseph Smith Papers staff have contributed many years to the project. Sharalyn Howcroft, lead project archivist for 22 years, said, “I would do it again in a heartbeat. No regrets.”

5. Historian identifies rare first edition copies of Hawaiian-language Book of Mormon

An old piece of parchment paper reading “Ka Buke a Moramona”

In the mid-1800s, Elder George Q. Cannon translated the Book of Mormon into Hawaiian with the help of native Hawaiians Jonathan Nāpela and J.W.H. Kauwahi. But only a few hundred copies were bound before the remaining printed pages were destroyed in a fire. However, a BYU–Hawaii archivist wanted to know how many copies still existed.

6. How serving others together brings these 3 families closer to Jesus Christ

The Arkell family does a JustServe project at the Orem Cemetery

Three families — the Arkells from Lehi, Utah; The Martineaus from Honolulu; and the Tibbitts from North Salt Lake — shared how they use the JustServe app to find opportunities to serve and come closer to Jesus Christ.

7. How faith and family influenced ‘American Idol’ winner Iam Tongi

Iam Tongi holds a microphone and stands on a stage while performing on “American Idol.”

Iam Tongi used to be afraid of sharing his membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But not anymore. “I’m trying to make it up now,” he said, “… and just tell people about the gospel when I can.”

8. Church updates its ‘Political Neutrality’ topic page, adding ‘Participation’ and additional material

Flags from numerous countries wave in the wind on flag posts.

The Church updated its “Political Neutrality” topic page on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, with the June 1 update including an expansion of the title to “Political Neutrality and Participation.” The “Conclusion” subhead was also updated with an additional paragraph.

9. Charts show Church’s ongoing growth through 192 years

A crowd of people walking around the Conference Center in Salt Lake City.

The Church continued to grow, as shown by graphs and charts of numbers of Church members, dedicated temples, wards and branches, and stakes from 1830 to 2022.