The following is from the article “Mormons on the air,” by Ryan Morgenegg, Church News staff writer:

It’s a treasure trove of LDS-themed content on the Internet that’s new, inspirational and exciting. Contributions come from the vast archives of the Church, new programming and great partners, such as Bonneville Communications, Deseret Book and Brigham Young University. What is it? Mormonchannel.org.

Todd Daley, general manager for the Mormon Channel said, “The Mormon Channel was seen as an opportunity to increase our audience reach through new technology. The Church has always used new technologies to help in the efforts of sharing the gospel.”

So what kind of content is available? After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve, then President of BYU-Idaho, received some counsel from President Gordon B. Hinckley. What was it? Find out in episode 1 of “Conversations.” Ed and Lois Smart, the parents of Elizabeth Smart, describe how they overcame tremendous fear during the kidnapping of their daughter. Find out how in episode 3 of “Enduring It Well.” Who wrote the LDS hymn “Oh, My Father” and why did President Wilford Woodruff call it a revelation? Find out in episode 28 of “History of Hymns.”

Brother Daley said traffic across the various platforms of the Mormon Channel has tripled over the past year.

Discover hundreds of inspiring stories about the Church and its members through inspirational audio. Choose from more than 25 different programs with thousands of hours of programming. To access any of these programs go to Mormonchannel.org/programs. Content can be downloaded or listend to online. Here is a descriptive listing of the audio programs available at Mormonchannel.org

Conversations features interviews with General Authorities, auxiliary leaders and faithful Latter-day Saints conducted in a style that allows the listener to become acquainted with those being interviewed in an informal way.

Enduring It Well takes a deeper look at some of life’s real challenges and features real people who have endured or are enduring trials well.

Everything Creative explores creativity through interviews with artists and creative people of all types. Many episodes are unique in that the interviewee from a previous episode becomes the interviewer of another creative artist.

Faith in Action examines the welfare, humanitarian aid and service opportunities happening worldwide. The interviews include humanitarian missionaries, groups participating in service projects throughout the world and history of the Church.

For the Youth features seminary teachers sharing their personal insights as well as stories, scriptures and quotes from General Authorities on topics relevant to youth.

Fullness of Times, produced in 1938 by Gordon B. Hinckley, is a series of radio dramas dealing with modern prophecy.

Gospel Solutions for Families promotes gospel living amid the everyday challenges and opportunities of marriage and family life. General auxiliary leaders and experts come together to discuss topics relevant to today’s families. Matthew O. Richardson, second counselor in the Sunday School general presidency, hosts the program.

History of the Hymns investigates the inception and evolution of the hymns of the Church. The episodes include the history and progression of both the music and text and feature interesting stories surrounding the creators and others involved in the development of a hymn. Also included are stories surroundings the performance or inclusion of the hymn in a variety of settings.

Insights features professionals in many fields who share their knowledge and expertise to help others learn “of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been things which are things which must shortly come to pass … that we may be prepared in all things (Doctrine and Covenants 88:79-80).

Into All the World is a 30-minute program interviewing current and recently released stake and mission presidents from around the world about the Church in their area.

Joseph Smith Papers grants listeners a window into the life and personality of the prophet Joseph Smith. His journal writings include doctrinal teachings and revelations as well as accounts of daily encounters and revelations and significant spiritual experiences such as the First Vision and the Kirtland Temple dedication.

Legacy, created in cooperation with the Family History and Church History Departments, highlights some of the remarkable history of the Church and shares incredible stories of members’ faith, perseverance, hope and inspiration.

The Light of Men is a series of radio dramas depicting the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through intriguing and inspirational dramatization, these programs introduce the listener to the places Jesus walked, the doctrine He taught, the people with whom He lived and traveled and the conflicts and opposition that eventually led to His trial, His death and His glorious Resurrection.

Mormon Identities is a program about real Latter-day Saints as they live the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in the world today. We explore how the gospel shapes our identities in episodes dealing with our communities, cultures, scriptures, doctrines, life experiences and challenges.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir Premiers. Since August 1847, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has been performing with their world-famous sound.

Music with a Message is a 30-minute radio program that explores gospel themes through inspirational music and poignant narration. Each episode investigates one important gospel topic including faith, repentance, service, charity, sacrifice and many others.

Past Impressions is a chronological exploration of Church History. Host Brent Top, chairman of the Department of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University, leads lively discussions about places, people and other events in the history of the Church.

Perspectives on the Prophet Joseph Smith explores the life of Joseph Smith through various points of view.

Poets of the Restoration explores the lives and deeply moving poetry written by amazing men and women who lived through the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Mormon Channel Q & A. When looking for answers to life’s many questions, individuals can look to the apostles and prophets of the Lord. Mormon Channel Q&A takes questions and allows the prophets and apostles of this dispensation to answer them fully. Listen to their words as they answer your questions.

Relief Society expands the visiting teaching message with quotes and insights from General Authorities. Also sharing experiences from the book Daughters in My Kingdom, Sister Julie B. Beck, then Relief Society general president, and her guests answer questions from sisters around the world.

Scripture Stories for Kids is a weekly radio series, designed to inspire children to come to know and love stories from the scriptures. Each episode features children sharing their insights from the scriptures along with music and readings of great stories.

Stories from General Conference features some of the best anecdotes shared during various general conference addresses over the past several years, each tied to a specific topic or theme.

Mormon Channel Weekly Edition is a program that explores the lives and events of Latter-day Saints of all backgrounds, the Church, and other issues central to a belief centered on the Savior.

We Will Stand features young women from around the world sharing their hopes, struggles and triumphs.

Why I Believe is a program that explores conversion and why members of the Church believe in certain principles of the gospel. Conversion stories are shared by individuals who have had their lives touched and become converted to the gospel. Doctrines and principles of the gospel are explored.

Youth Voices features two episodes a month. The first episode features a youth from the Church and describes how he or she lives the gospel and maintains his or her standards. The second episode each month features a panel of youth discussing a gospel topic and how they apply it in their lives.

Listener response

The effects of these programs on individuals can be understood best by these actual comments from Mormon Channel consumers:

“I have listened to [The Mormon Channel] for hours while I do my housework. I have four young children and it has helped me be a better mother. While I have been listening to programs I have received impressions from the Spirit for myself personally and for our family as a whole. These programs bring a special spirit unto our home and into my heart.”

“I learned a deep lesson from this wonderful message. I am an inactive member of the Church because of my own selfish reasons … this message has opened my eyes and my heart … I will go back to the fold of the Church because I love my family … I pray that God will accept me into His fold again.”

“I am so thankful to have this blessing in my life, to have this uplifting choice as an option in a world, and a time, where there is so much other ‘noise’ out there.”

“I travel frequently and the ability to have such quality material, constantly updated, to listen to as I’m on the road makes an incredible difference. On my most recent trip, my 13-year-old son went with me. We listened for hours to ‘Stories from General Conference’ and ‘Into All the World.’ What a remarkable experience.”

Programming on the Mormon Channel is determined by working with Church leadership and user feedback from listeners, said Brother Daley. “The future includes video of the many programs instead of audio only. The Mormon Channel helps support Church efforts and is an opportunity to hear from leaders in settings outside of general conference with inspiring messages and council.”

In the April 2012 general conference, President Thomas S. Monson said, “There is much that is difficult and challenging in the world today, my brothers and sisters, but there is also much that is good and uplifting. As we declare in our Thirteenth Article of Faith, ‘If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.’ May we ever continue to do so.”