Rachel Lisonbee

I love reading, writing, and acting. My favorite show is N.C.I.S. I am a Hiddlestoner and Harmonic. I'm LDS aka Mormon.

[Nature is Amazing ☘️ @AMAZlNGNATURE]

Maine became the first U.S. state to ban certain forever chemicals from food packaging

The new rule prohibits intentionally added PFAS in specific paper-based food packaging, helping reduce exposure to chemicals that can persist in people and the environment.

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Church News this week, July 12-18

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has reached a new record of 88,500 full-time missionaries serving worldwide. The new historic total surpasses the previous high of 88,000, set in 2014. Church leaders attribute the surge to the first wave of 18-year-old sister missionaries entering the field. The missionary force is comprised of teaching and service missionaries and senior missionaries. The milestone also comes as the Church opened 55 new missions on July 1.

Speaking of missionaries, a new mural at the Provo Missionary Training Center recognizes the Church’s first single sister missionaries and inspires current missionaries. The first single sister missionaries — Inez Knight and Jennie Brimhall — reached England in 1898, with the new mural depicting their service. Walking past it at the MTC includes those who are making history as the new wave of sister missionaries going out at age 18.

The Church recently released site locations for three temples in South America — Medellín, Colombia; Goiânia, Brazil; and Campo Grande, Brazil. The Church has also released a rendering of the new Spanish Fork Utah Temple. It was the last of the 15 temples announced in April 2025 by President Russell M. Nelson in his final general conference address.

After becoming the first baptized member of the Church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 40 years ago, President Junior Banza is returning to the country as a mission president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa North Mission. President Banza was baptized in 1986 — at 14-years-old — after the Church was officially recognized by the country.

He says of returning to the DR Congo: “The Lord has given me a front-row seat to His biggest miracle.” Inside a refugee camp in Kenya, a new branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is growing in numbers. What started out as just six members, the branch has grown to over 100 in a year. Most people came to the camp after fleeing conflict or insecurity in their countries. And they now meet each Sunday to worship and find strength in Jesus Christ together.

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https://t.co/n00S8p4rio

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How the “gathering oasis” in the Africa West Area is flourishing 1 year later
A former Côte d’Ivoire mission president and counselor recount how the Church is growing across the border in Bamako, Mali, thanks to the efforts of members and missionaries sharing the gospel through technology.

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Learn about the presidency of the new Nampula Mozambique Mutauanha Stake and 17 reorganized presidencies of stakes in eight countries from Canada to Samoa. https://t.co/BbGXuKzbWl

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“The expansive nature of God’s love encompasses every challenge we face,” observes Derrick Porter in this week’s “Music & the Spoken Word” with @TheTabChoir at Temple Square. Watch it here. https://t.co/dVPasxG8Nw

[Rachel Lisonbee @RMLion]

@xxfluffiepuff Happy birthday, Fluffy!

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@USUBasketball https://t.co/haef0cyECZ

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Justin Bean’s 3-year journey to an improbable championship and living the gospel in Germany
Justin Bean, a returned missionary and former @USUBasketball Aggie, tells about winning a basketball championship, starting a family and living the gospel overseas.

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Providing space and dignity for school children in Malawi
The Church donated classrooms, bathrooms and a water system to a school in Lilongwe, Malawi, in southeastern Africa.

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The 415 teenagers and adults in the Spokane Valley Washington Stake who participated in a recent pioneer trek found connections to Jesus Christ, despite storms and poor weather conditions.

Inside a refugee camp in Kenya, a new branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is growing in numbers. What started out as just six members, the branch has grown to over 100 in a year.

The number “250” was key as missionaries of the Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission devoted the July 4th holiday to strengthening their communities through service and faith. To commemorate the United States’ 250th anniversary, the missionaries totaled 250 hours of service by working throughout southern Louisiana and parts of Mississippi.

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🔗: https://t.co/ADqE2wty4B

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As Carol Tingey, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reflects on the beginning of the Hip Hop Homies dance club, she never expected to learn as much as she did.

About 10 years ago, Tingey prayed for a meaningful way to spend her time. The answer came clearly: organize a hip-hop dance group for her friends.

Although she had no formal dance experience, Tingey took the initiative and called her friends with Down syndrome whom she had met in high school in Mesa, Arizona, inviting them to join the group. Beginning with just eight dancers, she launched “Hip Hop Homies with the Xtra Chromies” in 2016 in Mesa.

Read more in the link in the thread below.

📸: Provided by Carol Tingey and Ale Ray

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The Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple was dedicated 26 years ago.

Read more about the temple here: https://t.co/qx8DR74xg9

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https://t.co/WOsslPGhQ0

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Learn about the new president, matron of the new Fort Worth Texas Temple
The new Fort Worth Texas Temple president and matron have been called to serve by the First Presidency. They will begin their service when the temple is dedicated.

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has reached a new record of 88,500 full-time missionaries serving worldwide. The new historic total surpasses the previous high of 88,000, set in 2014.

Speaking of missionaries, a new mural at the Provo Missionary Training Center recognizes the Church’s first single sister missionaries — Inez Knight and Jennie Brimhall.

And Episode 303 of the Church News podcast features how we can connect with Jesus Christ through Church historic sites. The free-of-charge museums, sites, monuments and markers show Church heritage and history.

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https://t.co/uMnEWTOS3C

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Why the Church invests in preserving historic sites
Church History Department employees discuss the "ultimate goal" of preserving historic sites — to connect people, places and events to the Savior.

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https://t.co/UVEPKx6Iwi