SALT LAKE CITY —This weekend, KSL-TV will suspend its regular daytime programming and, along with airing LDS General Conference, will air several inspiring, locally produced documentaries addressing a wide range of topics.

All of the specials will be available on KSL TV, KSL.com and on demand after the live broadcast at live.ksl.com. Be sure to tune in to watch each of these specials.

KSL Newsradio will also suspend regular programming for special programs. You can access KSLNewsradio on KSL.com, 1160 AM and 102.7 FM.

Here is the list for this weekend’s programming:

Saturday, April 1, 2017

9:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.: History of the Saints: In Their Steps

The story is often told of the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies — of their sacrifice, sufferings and death for their faith — and all of that is true, but is it the whole story? There were 10 handcart companies, not just two, and there is more to the handcart story than just what is represented by the Willie and Martin tragedy. For example, it was not just winter snows that tested their faith and drove some to turn back — what of the naysayers and apostates journeying east across the trail? History of the Saints presents "In Their Steps: The Story of the Handcart Pioneers," an anthology of obedience and faith.

10:00 a.m. - Noon : LDS General Conference

Noon - 12:30 p.m.: Connecting Roots: Freedmen’s Records

The Freedmen’s Bureau Project has changed the very fabric of genealogy for African Americans. Over a single year, 25,550 volunteers indexed the names of nearly 1.8 million men, women and children from the early days of freedom, often the first time any member of their family had been included in a public document. Now searchable online, those names give many African American families the ability to connect to their Civil War-era ancestors for the first time.

“Connecting Roots” explains the history behind this project, and the personal stories about why this is so meaningful for so many families trying to connect with their heritage.

The project is a partnership between FamilySearch International, the National Archives and Records Administration, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, and many other interested organizations. Volunteers began indexing names on Juneteenth (June 19) 2015 on the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation, and completed the work on June 20, 2016.

Noon - 1 p.m. on KSL Newsradio: An hour with the Sacred Skeptics

12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m.: Lost in India

When 7-year-old Chellamuthu is kidnapped from his poverty-stricken village in southern India and sold to an orphanage several miles away, his life and destiny are forever changed. This documentary shares his story and the miraculous journey he takes as he discovers his true purpose in life.

After being kidnapped, Chellemuthu is adopted into the home of an unsuspecting family in Utah where he begins a new life. His name is changed to Taj, but the memories of who he was and what happened to him stay with him. A language barrier makes it impossible for him to share his secrets until several months later when he is able to tell his new mother that he is not an orphan. His Utah family tries hard to find his Indian family but are unsuccessful, so they continue raising him and loving him as their son. Taj enjoys a happy life in the U.S. but, eventually, longs to return back to India to search for his lost family. This documentary shares the story of two mothers from two very different lifestyles who love the same son.

1 p.m. - 2 p.m.: LDS World Report

The LDS World Report is a semiannual news program from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It highlights events happening around the world pertaining to the church and its members.

1 p.m. - 2 p.m. on KSL Newsradio: Navigating difficult parenting waters

In addition to these hours, Jay Mcfarland hosts an hour on Saturday at 1:00 on parenting in difficult waters like adolescence, depression and on-line threats.

2 p.m. - 4 p.m.: LDS General Conference

4 p.m. - 5 p.m.: Latter-Day Saints in Europe

The beauty of Europe coupled with the power of music and faith come together in this one-hour special. Western Europe played a major role in the growth and success of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the beginnings in the 1830s, well into the 20th Century. Honoring that pioneer heritage, members today move forward with faith to face challenges and help those most in need while new temples stand as monuments to the church's growth. "Latter-day Saints in Europe: Faith, Hope and Charity” weaves together the uplifting and inspiring stories of European members with the beautiful music from the historic tour of The Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Sunday, April 2, 2017

9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.: Members in Many Lands

In Utah, Mormons are the majority; but what’s it like to live in a country where members are a rarity or where most people have never heard of Jesus Christ? We travel to far off places to see what life is like for Mormons in India, Mali, Mexico, Jamaica, Austria, Brazil and Ghana. Many of these members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are recent converts who have adopted a new lifestyle as they embrace the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

9:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.: Music and the Spoken Word

This weekly TV broadcast features the music of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir coupled with inspirational messages.

10 a.m. - Noon: General Conference

Noon - 12:30 p.m.: Civility: Changing the Conversation

Civility, or the lack of it, is a worldwide issue. The way we communicate with each other has deteriorated horribly. Social media has played a role in escalating this civility crisis — everyone in our communities is impacted. This is both an interfaith issue and a political issue. It affects our families, our schools and our workplaces. Despite this trend toward negativity, there are voices working to change the communication —to make it more civil. We highlight these positive voices.

12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.: To The Rescue

It’s been one year since members of the LDS Church were called upon to reach out to refugees. See how this call to service has inspired many people to step outside their comfort zones to help those most in need. A young woman, drawn to help in whatever way she could, set up a successful nonprofit organization that now provides thousands of pounds of needed items to those fleeing their dangerous homelands. Some members have traveled to refugee camps to show compassionate care, while others serve closer to home helping in their own communities. It’s a movement that is gaining momentum — it’s a desire to help those who cannot help themselves.

Noon - 1 p.m. on KSL Newsradio: An hour on mindfulness with Thomas McConkie

The the host of our podcast “Mindfulness Plus" will air an hour-long podcast.

1 p.m. - 2 p.m. on KSL Newsradio: Women and perfection

Maria Shilaos addresses the sensitive topic for women of not having to feel perfect

1:30 - 2 p.m.: A Site To See: Behind The Scenes on Temple Square

Every year, millions of people visit Temple Square. Now you can experience it like you never have before. We’ll take you behind the scenes of this most fascinating tourist attraction. Go inside the vast greenhouses where the beautiful flowers are grown and meet the gardeners in charge of keeping the grounds pristine. Get a look behind the massive Tabernacle Organ, see what it takes to outfit the world-class Tabernacle Choir and experience how these singers practice for perfection. Then, tag along with Chevy, the security dog, as he sniffs out potential problems on the square. And finally, go inside an area the public never sees — the sister missionaries’ teaching center. It’s a tour that will leave you wanting more.

2 p.m. - 4 p.m.: General Conference

4 p.m. - 5 p.m.: A World Away: Into the Heart of Africa

Deep in the country of Mali, West Africa, several groups with Utah ties are hoping to make a difference in a country crippled by poverty and war. Ashley Kewish documents their travels as she visits this area. They go into places unlike any they've seen before: cities with no jobs, villages with no running water, children suffering from disease and starvation. Creating lasting change in places where technology and modern medicine could be hours away seems like an impossible task. But despite facing setbacks at every turn, this group of Utahns is determined to try. Experience their journey as they travel a world away from everything they know. To see extra photos and videos of the humanitarin trip visit www.ksl.com/africa.

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