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Trent Toone

Trent Toone is a journalist and feature writer for the Deseret News and Church News. He was raised in northern Utah and graduated from the University of Utah. He has worked for several newspapers and received a number of awards over his career. Toone is the author of “No Excuses, No Regrets,” a sports biography of NFL football player Eric Weddle. Toone served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Santiago, Chile, and spent a year teaching seminary. Like his father before him, he is a proud Eagle Scout. Trent and his wife Lisa are the proud parents of four children.

Richard E. Turley Jr., with white-gloved hands, holds an old book open to a blank page on the left and a page with cursive handwriting on the right.
History Revisited
Church leaders, historians reflect on Joseph Smith Papers as project nears its end
As the Joseph Smith Papers nears completion, leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ and historians talk about the purpose of the project and why it matters.
UVU coach Mark Madsen calls a play during an NIT Final Four semifinal game.
Members
Mark Madsen accepts California job, leaves winning legacy of integrity at Utah Valley
After leading Utah Valley University to his best season ever, Latter-day Saint Mark Madsen has accepted the head basketball coaching job at the University of California-Berkeley.
Members of the Utah Valley University men’s basketball team celebrate from the bench
Members
Latter-day Saint teammates tell about UVU’s historic run from devastating loss to NIT final four
Tim Fuller and Blaze Nield, both returned Latter-day Saint missionaries, have been part of Utah Valley University’s historic run to the NIT final four. Read about their experience.
President Cleeo Wright sits during the meeting.
Members
Meet the 90-year-old elders quorum president in Utah who ‘just keeps going’
For more than a year, 90-year-old Cleeo Wright has found joy in serving as the president of his Latter-day Saint ward’s elders quorum. Read his story.
Families participate in the Nauvoo Pageant in Nauvoo, Illinois. The Nauvoo and British pageants are hoping to draw big crowds this summer.
History Revisited
Planning a trip to Illinois this summer? Make time to see the Nauvoo and British pageants
Individuals and families traveling to Nauvoo, Illinois, this summer are encouraged to see the Nauvoo and British pageants this summer.
Utah Utes guard Kennady McQueen (24) and teammate Lani White (3) celebrate the win over the Princeton Tigers.
Members
How Utah’s Latter-day Saint guard is living her dream of playing in the NCAA Tournament
As a young girl, Utah’s Kennady McQueen used to watch the NCAA Tournament with her family. Now the Latter-day Saint is living out her dream of playing in the “Big Dance.”
Louisville center Josie Williams runs down the court during a basketball game.
Members
How Louisville center Josie Williams found new family and perspective in Kentucky
Latter-day Saint Josie Williams was a 3-year starter at Utah Valley University before transferring to Louisville, where she has grown as a player and person.
People attend the 2023 RootsTech conference at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City on Thursday, March 2, 2023.
Global
Why the Ukrainian director of state archives and a Chilean genealogist came to RootsTech
Anatolii Khromov, the director of Ukraine’s state archival services, and Gonzalo Luengo, a Chilean genealogist, were among the notable visitors at RootsTech 2023.
The cover of Joseph Crossley’s pocket-sized 1856 journal. The journal was recently donated to the Church History Library.
History Revisited
Lost journal of Martin handcart pioneer found and donated to Church History Library
Joseph Crossley wrote about his family’s journey across the Atlantic in a small journal. More than 165 years later, his pioneer diary has been found and donated to the Church History Library.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shakes hands with a young adult.
Leaders & Ministry
RootsTech ‘After-Party’ young adult panel shares the blessings of family history work
Elder Gerrit W. Gong and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, shared a message about temple and family history work at an “After-Party” for young adults at RootsTech.
Utah Valley University head men’s basketball coach Mark Madsen gives instruction to his team.
Members
Mark Madsen’s UVU Wolverines fall short in WAC tournament, will play New Mexico in NIT
After falling short in the Western Athletic Conference tournament, Mark Madsen’s Utah Valley University men’s basketball team will play New Mexico in the 32-team National Invitational Tournament.
BYU quarterback Jaren Hall (3) throws a pass during the game.
Members
What former BYU QB Jaren Hall said about his Latter-day Saint faith at 2023 NFL combine
Former BYU quarterback Jaren Hall spoke with news media at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Here is what he said about his faith and why he belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Church History Department has added Mormon Battalion data to the Church History Biographical Database.
History Revisited
Mormon Battalion has been added to Church History Biographical Database
The Church History Department has added Mormon Battalion information to its Church History Biographical Database.
A photo of the Kirtland Temple in Kirtland, Ohio.
History Revisited
New Joseph Smith Papers podcast focuses on revelations in Church history era of Kirtland, Ohio
The Church History Department has released “Kirtland, City of Revelation: A Joseph Smith Papers Podcast” an eight-part, documentary-style miniseries hosted by Spencer McBride.
Mark Madsen standing with his wife Hannah holding their daughter and with their two young boys standing front on a grassy field with tree in the background.
Members
How UVU coach Mark Madsen is balancing basketball success with a young family
Even with college basketball success, Mark Madsen says, “My family comes first.”
Actor Sean Astin speaks with emcee Kirby Heyborne.
Global
5 thoughts from keynote speakers at RootsTech 2023
Elder and Sister Gong, singer Jordin Sparks, actor Sean Astin and others delivered keynote messages that resonated with audiences online and in person at RootsTech.
Elder Dale G. Renlund greets Latter-day Saints in San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Leaders & Ministry
Elder Renlund ministers to Latter-day Saints in Central American countries
Elder Dale G. Renlund and his wife, Sister Ruth Renlund, spoke with Latter-day Saints in five Central American countries. See what they talked about.
Tanner Alder juggles during the final day of the RootsTech conference.
Global
In case you missed it, here’s a look back at what happened at RootsTech 2023
RootsTech, a 3-day global family history event, featured a list of celebrity keynotes, fun activities, a bustling expo hall and hundreds of informative classes. Read what happened.
Young men and young women in the Rock Creek Ward of the Syracuse Utah West Stake participate in a “Strive to Be” evening.
Living Faith
Utah ward holds ‘Strive To Be’ evening to help motivate youth with personal development
A Latter-day Saint ward organized a ‘Strive to Be’ activity to help parents and leaders to support youth in personal development.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong and his wife, Susan, speak at the final day of the RootsTech conference.
Leaders & Ministry
Elder and Sister Gong journey from Hawaii to Ireland during RootsTech Family Discovery Day
Elder Gerrit W. Gong and his wife Sister Susan Gong took RootsTech audiences on a family history journey from Hawaii to Ireland. Actor Sean Astin also spoke. Here’s what they said.
Singer Alex Sharpe, from the world renowned Celtic Woman, sings in a video during the 2023 RootsTech Family Discovery Day.
Global
Watch: Elder and Sister Gong Family Discovery Day features new music video
A new music video features singer Alex Sharpe singing in Irish Gaelic and English in the green landscape of Ireland as part of Elder Gerrit W. Gong and Sister Susan Gong’s Family Discovery Day keynote at RootsTech 2023.
Jessica Stern, left and Jennifer Jacobs, co-founders of Connect Our Kids, speak at RootsTech.
Global
How this nonprofit organization is helping foster kids ‘connect’ with their families
Connect Our Kids is a nonprofit organization that helps foster children to connect with their families. Here’s what they said at RootsTech 2023.
Jordin Sparks, winner of the sixth season of “American Idol,” talks with emcee Kirby Heyborne
Global
Singer Jordin Sparks gets RootsTech 2023 underway with music and meaningful memories
RootsTech 2023 got off to a high-powered start with multi-platinum recording artist and actress Jordin Sparks speaking and performing.
FamilySearch is planning a free “After-Party” for young adults during RootsTech on Friday, March 3, 2023.
Members
FamilySearch is hosting a young adult ‘after-party’ at RootsTech 2023. Here’s what you need to know
An event for young adults at RootsTech will feature live music, food, family history activities and remarks by Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Elizabeth Kuehn stands at a podium with Eliza R. Snow on a screen behind her at the “Symposium on Women, Religion and Records.” Also on the stage are four women sitting at a table.
History Revisited
Historians reflect on the work of Kate Holbrook, records of early Latter-day Saint women
The Church History Department celebrated the publication of several landmark projects that spotlight Latter-day Saint women’s experiences during the “Symposium on Women, Religion and Records.”
Steve Rockwood, president and CEO of FamilySearch, speaks to the crowd at RootsTech.
Global
How 2 years of online events have helped shape the future of RootsTech
Family History Department executive director and FamilySearch CEO discuss lessons learned from the last two years and what RootsTech audiences can expect this year.
An 1883 photo of Belle Harris and her 10-month-old son Horace. The Church Historian’s Press has published the prison journal of Belle Harris.
History Revisited
From ‘footnote’ to ‘foreground’: Church publishes 1883 prison journal of Belle Harris
The publication of the Belle Harris prison journal is part of an ongoing effort to focus on the history of Latter-day Saint women.
Actor Sean Astin greets fans in Utah.
Global
Actor Sean Astin — aka ‘Samwise,’ ‘Rudy’ — will be a keynote speaker at RootsTech 2023
FamilySearch has announced that actor Sean Astin will be a keynote speaker at RootsTech 2023. Here’s when he is scheduled to speak.
Dave Checketts, a Latter-day Saint who worked in the sports industry for almost 40 years, speaks at a BYU Management Society luncheon.
Members
What former sports executive Dave Checketts said at a BYU luncheon about ‘integrity in pro sports’
Dave Checketts, who recently returned from serving as a Latter-day Saint mission president in England, spoke at a BYU luncheon about living a life of integrity.
Audience members hold up I AM A COUSIN signs at RootsTech.
Global
How to connect with new cousins worldwide using free ‘Relatives at RootsTech’ feature
The Relatives at RootsTech app feature is a fun global tool that allows users to find and connect with living relatives. Learn how to use it.