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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.

Sympathetic female friend in SUPPORT with suffering woman. Person in sorrow embracing supportive companion
Latter-day Saint Life
The most helpful things to say to someone going through a hard time
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 28, 2025 02:43 PM MDT
Here are 5 phrases to use instead of “let me know how I can help.”
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Cozy home sitting area with pink tulips
Latter-day Saint Life
General conference can be the rejuvenating retreat you need—here’s how
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 26, 2025 02:01 PM MDT
“With a little more advance thought, this can become a weekend retreat different from any other.”
3 Min Read
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A woman teaches Relief Society
Help for Life Challenges
‘I don’t have a testimony of this’: How a ward responded to teacher’s humble admission
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 25, 2025 01:42 PM MDT
When Meg Walter taught a Relief Society lesson one month after her father’s death, the topic felt unexpectedly personal and painful.
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Latter-day Saint Life
‘After all we can do’: A crucial thing you might misunderstand about this verse
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 24, 2025 01:55 PM MDT
In Joseph Smith’s time, “after all we can do” had a slightly different meaning than how we often interpret the phrase today.
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President Jeffrey R. Holland shakes a young man's hand.
Follow the Prophets
Pres. Holland on one of the ‘most important’ things youth can be doing
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 19, 2025 02:14 PM MDT
“I’m too old to be playing games with you or telling jokes,” President Holland said of his testimony. “This is the truth.”
1 Min Read
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Jordan Ring-Sakabe with his daughter Luna
Stories of Faith
Former atheist’s painting of his daughter with Christ is a must-see
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 18, 2025 01:49 PM MDT
Catholic artist Jordan Ring-Sakabe discovered the Savior’s love after nearly 10 years as an atheist.
4 Min Read
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Elder Dale G. Renlund and Sister Ruth Lybbert Renlund walk hand in hand in Temple Square.
Follow the Prophets
The prayer that brought Elder Renlund peace during his wife’s cancer treatments
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 17, 2025 01:45 PM MDT
“During Ruth’s first hospitalization, I felt crushed and found it difficult to pray,” Elder Renlund said.
1 Min Read
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Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf addresses mission leaders during the 2022 Seminar for New Mission Leaders on Friday, June 24, 2022.
Follow the Prophets
Elder Uchtdorf’s simple suggestion for when you feel discouraged
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 14, 2025 02:33 PM MDT
The Apostle says this is one of the best ways to maintain hope.
1 Min Read
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The Auckland New Zealand Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Temple Worship
Most Church members will soon be within an hour of a temple
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 12, 2025 01:57 PM MDT
Elder Neil L. Andersen recently shared a notable statistic about temple growth.
1 Min Read
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Latter-day Saint Life
3 parenting shifts that will help your kids love the gospel
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 12, 2025 01:49 PM MDT
These tips can help transform scripture study from a chore into a cherished family tradition.
3 Min Read
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President Jeffrey R. Holland speaks during the final day of RootsTech 2025 held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday, March 8, 2025.
Follow the Prophets
2 urgent lessons Pres. Holland learned from his near-death experience
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 10, 2025 01:54 PM MDT
The Apostle says he received admonitions that he was “in effect, told to take back to the Church.”
1 Min Read
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Three women stand in the lobby of the Metropolitan Opera.
Stories of Faith
Why this Latter-day Saint stands out in the largest opera house in the world
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
March 05, 2025 02:57 PM MST
A pianist and opera coach at the Met, Debbie Robertson has left quite an impression on her colleagues.
4 Min Read
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Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf gives a thumbs up to a crowd after the final session of the rededication of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple in Hamilton, New Zealand, on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022.
Follow the Prophets
The verse Elder Uchtdorf says is one of the ‘most inspiring’
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
February 27, 2025 11:53 AM MST
The Apostle believes these words are some of the most encouraging in scripture.
1 Min Read
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Two elders study scriptures on a bench at the Missionary Training Center.
Latter-day Saint Life
35 benefits of serving a mission we may not think about
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
February 24, 2025 01:52 PM MST
From conflict resolution skills to a consistent sleep schedule, missions can bless your life in many ways.
7 Min Read
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A compilation of portraits of eight members from the Gurnee 1st Ward.
Stories of Faith
A woman photographed her entire Chicago ward. The results are stunning
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
February 14, 2025 04:00 AM MST
“I hope to help others truly see each individual as God sees them. For when we see others as He does, we can’t help but love them.”
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Ashly Stone sits in front of a microphone
Stories of Faith
She interviewed 100+ people who came back to the Church. Read her hopeful perspective
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
February 06, 2025 02:38 PM MST
“We can’t even get to all the people who want to share their story,” says Ashly Stone, host of the Come Back Podcast.
4 Min Read
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Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf speaks during a Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, on Sunday, February 2, 2025.
Follow the Prophets
Elder Uchtdorf’s 5 reminders about revelation are too good to miss
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
February 03, 2025 03:43 PM MST
During this weekend’s devotional, Elder Uchtdorf shared some encouraging tips for seeking God’s guidance.
1 Min Read
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Sierra Larson from Brandon, Florida, smiles standing in front of palm trees.
Stories of Faith
What Elder Bednar said to a young adult that helped her commit to living the gospel
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
January 24, 2025 02:40 PM MST
This counsel ignited Sierra’s conversion to Christ, ultimately preparing her to be among the 1st female military chaplains endorsed by the Church.
5 Min Read
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Two LDS sister missionaries in Romania laugh while walking down a street together.
Latter-day Saint Life
Why serving a mission for selfish reasons can be a good thing
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
January 24, 2025 02:35 PM MST
Elder Michael T. Ringwood believes focusing on personal development can be a “first-class cause.”
2 Min Read
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A family of four looks at the view during a hike
Help for Life Challenges
This insight on enduring to the end will uplift your soul
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
January 21, 2025 02:20 PM MST
A verse from the Book of Mormon shows how hopeful this phrase truly is.
1 Min Read
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Elder Patrick Kearon shares a message about Doctrine and Covenants 1 in a video for the ‘Come, Follow Me’ 2025 digital manual.
Follow the Prophets
The Doctrine and Covenants verse Elder Kearon finds ‘enormously comforting’
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
January 08, 2025 03:09 PM MST
Elder Kearon believes this truth “can console all of us.”
1 Min Read
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A mother, daughter, and father wearing winter clothes at a Christmas market smile looking at a mobile phone together.
Latter-day Saint Life
20 ways to serve on Christmas Day
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 18, 2024 03:07 PM MST
Looking for ideas to make Christmas Day even more meaningful? Here are some fun ways to help your family focus on giving.
4 Min Read
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Kathy and D. Todd Christofferson Christmas Tradition
Follow the Prophets
Sister Christofferson’s gingerbread house is seriously impressive—and supports a beautiful cause
Maddie Tolk
By  Maddie Tolk
December 17, 2024 02:18 PM MST
“I marvel each year at what Kathy makes happen,” Elder Christofferson shared in a recent social media post.
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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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