The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints extended condolences after a deadly shooting at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Jordan. Gunmen opened fire during a funeral on October 23, killing seven people and injuring 40 others, according to authorities cited by The Associated Press. The Area Presidency expressed sympathy for the victims’ families and offered prayers for the injured and those caring for them.

Brother Kiyoshi Tokuzawa, a pioneer of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Japan, has passed away at the age of 90. He previously served as Kanazawa Branch president, Ishikawa District president, Fukuoka Japan Temple president, and Kanazawa Stake patriarch for 17 years. On the morning of his passing, he and his wife, Sister Aiko Tokuzawa, met with Elder J. Kimo Esplin, President of the Asia North Area.

Area Seventy, Elder Freeman Dickie, joined Mozambique President Daniel Chapo and religious leaders from across the country at a national conference promoting religious freedom and peace. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participated as a conference partner, supporting efforts to strengthen cooperation between government institutions and faith communities. During the gathering, Elder Dickie emphasized that religious diversity can strengthen families, communities and nations when people of different faiths work together.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated a new meetinghouse in Sariaya, Quezon province, Philippines, on September 27, 2026. Elder Felix O. Bentayen Jr., an Area Seventy, presided over the dedication, marking another milestone in the Church's growth in Southern Luzon. Local Church leaders encouraged members to welcome visitors and make the new meetinghouse a place of worship, fellowship and belonging.

Nicaragua's first temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was dedicated by Elder Ronald A. Rasband on October 18, 2026, marking a historic milestone for Church members in the country. In his dedicatory prayer, Elder Rasband called for peace throughout Nicaragua and asked God to safeguard the temple from natural disasters and acts of harm. He also prayed that the gospel would continue to flourish in the nation and that the temple would inspire greater faith in Jesus Christ among those who worship there.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will feature 12 new hymns from Hymns for Home and Church during its 2026 Church Music Festival on November 7. Titled “Love Without End,” the event will bring together more than 300 singers and musicians at the historic Salt Lake Tabernacle in Utah. The free concert will feature sacred musical performances centered on Jesus Christ, with recordings made available online afterward.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has funded a humanitarian project providing clean water and improved sanitation facilities to communities in Lagos State, Nigeria. Implemented in partnership with WaterAid, the project includes a solar-powered water system, accessible toilets, and handwashing stations at Maya Junior and Senior Community Grammar School. Approximately 1,500 people now have access to safe water, while 2,500 benefit from improved sanitation facilities.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has expressed its condolences following a tragedy at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta, Canada, that resulted in deaths and injuries. In a statement released on October 19, 2026, the Canada Area Presidency offered sympathy to the victims' families, friends and members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Church leaders also thanked emergency responders and medical personnel while offering prayers for those mourning the loss of loved ones.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined hundreds of volunteers, including Hollywood celebrities, in a three-day rebuilding effort for survivors of the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, California. Organized by Habitat for Humanity beginning September 23, 2026, the initiative focused on rebuilding six homes and a community park damaged by the wildfire. Church members worked alongside local residents and community organizations to clear debris, prepare properties for reconstruction and help families recover from the disaster.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced updated guidelines for chaplains and military relations as part of its October 22, 2026, General Handbook revisions. The changes reorganize the former “Military Relations and Chaplain Services” section into two separate sections covering chaplains and military relations. Both sections have undergone substantial revisions to provide updated guidance for Church leaders and those serving in these areas.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has expanded its guidance for supporting members with disabilities in its October 22, 2026, General Handbook update. The revisions clarify the responsibilities of disability specialists and introduce additional responsibilities for ward and organization leaders in assisting members with disabilities. The changes aim to strengthen support and help local Church leaders better address the needs of members with disabilities.

Elder Braxton Blake Mecham, a 19-year-old missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away at his home in Morgan, Utah, on October 17, 2026. He had been serving in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission before temporarily returning home for a medical procedure. His family remembered him as a gifted musician with a contagious smile who found great happiness serving the people of Tennessee.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has introduced a new option allowing wards and stakes to hold children's devotionals as part of its October 22, 2026, General Handbook update. The change provides local Church leaders with an additional opportunity to organize devotionals specifically for children. The new provision is among several handbook revisions intended to provide updated guidance for Church leaders worldwide.

Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles encouraged Latter-day Saints across the United Kingdom and Ireland to surrender their worries and place their confidence in Jesus Christ during a special devotional in London. More than 500 members attended in person, while thousands more watched online as he taught that life's challenges can soften hearts and deepen faith in God. Elder Kearon reminded listeners that they are precious children of God and that Jesus Christ can carry the burdens they cannot overcome alone.

Renowned Filipino historian Professor Michael Charleston “Xiao” Chua joined 55 participants in visiting facilities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Quezon City on September 30, 2026. The visit, organized by the Quezon City Tourism Department, included the Philippines Missionary Training Center and the First Vision sculpture as part of a tour highlighting Christian heritage sites. Chua emphasized the importance of firsthand religious experiences in promoting understanding and respect among people of different faiths.

Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh communities gathered at a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Los Angeles on October 18 for the “Sounds of Faith” interfaith concert. The free event featured choirs, soloists, children and instrumentalists sharing music from their religious traditions in support of religious freedom, unity and peace. A city representative also presented the Church with an honor of recognition during the concert.

Nearly 700 volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined hurricane cleanup efforts in Pensacola, Florida, over the weekend. Volunteers from seven stakes across Florida, Alabama and Mississippi contributed nearly 9,800 hours of service, clearing debris and helping residents clean up their properties. Residents expressed gratitude for the assistance, describing the relief they felt as volunteers helped ease the burden of recovery.

The Church Historian’s Press has released the Joseph Smith Papers Financial Records series ebook, offering historical context for nearly 2,000 documents available online. The collection explores the Prophet Joseph Smith’s personal finances, business activities and role as trustee for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The ebook includes historical introductions and an extensive glossary and is available through Deseret Book, Amazon and other retailers.

About 70 people gathered in Kawasaki, Japan, for a Chinese-language sacrament meeting and fellowship event organized by the Kanagawa Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members, their families, people learning about the Church and missionaries attended the gathering, which offered worship and interpretation in Chinese. Participants shared experiences of faith and life in Japan before meeting over a meal to build friendships.

Religious communities and Indigenous representatives gathered in La Florida, Chile, for a municipal Te Deum ceremony centered on prayer, reflection and community cooperation. President Claudio Candia of the Javiera Carrera Stake represented The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and led a prayer for the nation’s migrants. The Church’s participation continued its work with La Florida’s interreligious council, which has included hosting meetings in Church buildings and collaborating on welfare and self-reliance initiatives.