Could a greater understanding of the physical properties of light allow us to better radiate God's light—spiritual light—to those around us? How can our hope and trust in God increase when we more fully appreciate the ability of God's light to reach us? On this week's episode, we speak with Aaron Franklin, an engineer, chemist, and a professor at Duke University about how an increased grasp of principles of light could open our eyes to the gospel truths associated with spiritual light. "How does...
Jun 02, 2021•57 min•Ep. 133
In October 2015, President Russell M. Nelson, then-President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, issued a plea to the women of the Church: "We need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom, and your voices." Since becoming prophet, President Nelson has reiterated similar pleas and has said that the women of the Church have "the spiritual power to change the world." So, how do we make space for female voices in today's world? Ally Isom, former head of g...
May 26, 2021•40 min•Ep. 132
In 1830, the same year the Church was organized, a former slave named Peter became the first documented Black member of the Church. Nearly 200 years later, Mauli Bonner first heard Peter's story when he started exploring his own faith as a Black member of the Church. This journey led him to Paul Reeve, a professor at the University of Utah who has studied Blacks in Church history extensively. On today's episode, Mauli and Paul explain not only the importance of the stories of early Black Latter-...
May 19, 2021•56 min•Ep. 131
Harvard recently held a symposium entitled "Faith and Flourishing: Strategies for Preventing and Healing Child Sexual Abuse." Latter-day Saint Sage Williams was one of the organizers of the symposium. On today's episode, she shares how her faith has influenced her to advocate for the prevention of sexual abuse. She also explains why she believes this work is a sacred one. "God loves His children. Any work caring for them and meeting their needs and nurturing and ministering to them is His work."...
May 12, 2021•45 min•Ep. 130
We've all heard them. There are pre-general conference predictions, rumors about certain celebrities investigating the Church, and sensationalized stories from Church history. How can you discern what is real and what's rumor? On this week's episode, Keith Erekson, director of the Church History Library, teaches how historians approach corroboration and how you can do the same in your own life. "If anything, history teaches us to be humble." Show Notes 2:15- Why This Matters 3:30- History Is Not...
May 05, 2021•53 min•Ep. 129
When Keith Meyer met his wife, Brooke, he was not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In fact, the day he first saw her, he had a beer in his hand. Keith had started drinking in his youth, but it wasn't until three years into his marriage that he wondered if he might be an alcoholic. That was when his story of recovery and conversion truly began. And although it's a process that is ongoing—a true fight against an ever-present struggle—they believe it is a story worth tel...
Apr 28, 2021•41 min•Ep. 128
From the time he was a young boy, Bryan Ready felt drawn to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Initially he studied everything he could find about it, determined to prove it wasn't the restored church on the earth today. But while working as a Southern Baptist pastor, he allowed himself to consider that it might actually be true. Over the course of five years, he went from tearing down the Church to joining it. On this week's episode, we talk with Ready about why he eventually conc...
Apr 21, 2021•43 min•Ep. 127
Angie Balfour is an adventurer, a cancer survivor, a chief people officer, and a disciple of Christ. After her high school graduation, Balfour learned a valuable lesson when she graduated from high school about involving God in her life decisions and has since documented the defining moments from each year of her life. Today, we talk with Balfour about why she believes that recognizing the influence of people, places, and important moments in our lives is vital to our happiness. "I think we unde...
Apr 14, 2021•47 min•Ep. 126
Latter-day Saints will best recognize Kirby Heyborne for his starring roles in "The R.M." and "The Best Two Years." But in the years since those films, Heyborne's career has had its ups and downs. Although he initially began in finance, Heyborne loved to entertain. His big breaks in the Latter-day Saint film world would suggest he found an opportunity to make a living by following his passion—but the media industry can be brutal, and it wasn't until Heyborne landed a gig as an audiobook narrator...
Apr 07, 2021•44 min•Ep. 125
Latter-day Saints around the world make significant sacrifices to believe. For Roohina Arya, a desire to follow Jesus Christ meant risking her life. Local laws forbade her conversion to Christianity and simply desiring to believe meant subjecting herself to physical abuse as well as a loss of security for her and her loved ones. Yet, she says that the hope of finding light was worth any risk. On this week's episode, we talk with Roohina about her quest to come unto Christ and how her journey of ...
Mar 31, 2021•40 min•Ep. 124
A thread of complexity is woven throughout the life of Emma Smith. Her love for her husband, the Prophet Joseph Smith, was enduring despite her struggles to understand his participation in polygamy. Her family was the most important thing to her, yet she suffered familial losses over and over again. She gave her all for the gospel of Jesus Christ but chose not to go west with the Saints. Many have asked, "Did Emma fall short?" This week, we talk with Jennifer Reeder, the author of the new biogra...
Mar 24, 2021•50 min•Ep. 123
Like many young couples, Nate and Vanessa Quigley had big dreams and a firm vision for their little family after getting married. They had read the Book of Mormon scripture that promises if you keep the commandments, you will prosper in the land (2 Nephi 4:4). Over a quarter of a century later, they believe the Lord has blessed them in their efforts to raise their children in the gospel of Jesus Christ—those blessings just look a little different than they imagined. On today's episode, the Quigl...
Mar 17, 2021•48 min•Ep. 122
Sometimes, it can be difficult to put ourselves in the shoes of the people we read about in Church history or in the scriptures. We live in such a different world today that their experiences can be hard for us to grasp. But stepping into others' shoes is what Casey Elliott often does on stage, and the experience has changed him. From playing Joseph Smith in the upcoming film "Green Flake" to Peter in the concert film of the oratorio "Lamb of God," Elliott captures the humanity of these people a...
Mar 10, 2021•36 min•Ep. 121
Richard Turley has spent his career facing history head-on because he believes the more we know, the better we can answer questions. When it comes to Church history, there are an abundance of examples worth emulating, but there are also cautionary tales we can learn from. On this week's episode, Turley looks back on his takeaways from writing books about two dark moments in Church history: the Mark Hofmann trial and the Mountain Meadows Massacre. He then contrasts that to the uplifting lessons h...
Mar 03, 2021•49 min•Ep. 120
For the last decade, Fiona and Terryl Givens have brought to light wonderful and expansive doctrines in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ by drawing upon literature and other faith traditions. Their work helps Latter-day Saints appreciate the beauty of what we believe. On this week's episode, we talk with these scholars about many of their books, how those books are influenced by their life experiences, and how their studies have brought us greater appreciation for our faith tradition and the ...
Feb 24, 2021•57 min•Ep. 119
For four years, John Beck lined up under center at BYU as quarterback of the football team. He is likely best remembered for a winning play in a rivalry game against Utah that is often referred to as "The Answered Prayer," but in the years since his collegiate career, Beck has learned a lot about seemingly unanswered prayers and perceived failure. On this week's episode, Beck discusses the refiner's fire as well as the delicate balance between putting in the work to achieve success while allowin...
Feb 10, 2021•45 min•Ep. 117
Marcus Martins never planned to serve a mission, to be sealed in the temple, or to serve as a bishop. These things would require him to receive the priesthood, and there was a restriction in place that precluded him from doing so. But Martins's life changed forever on June 8, 1978, when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced a revelation extending the priesthood to all worthy male members ages 12 and older. Since that day, Martins has served not only as a missionary, but as a ...
Feb 03, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 116
After 25 years of documenting the ministry of prophets, apostles, and general officers of the Church, Sarah Jane Weaver reflects on the lessons she has learned not only from Church leaders, but from members of the Church throughout the world. On this week's episode, Weaver, the editor of Church News, looks back on a career that has taken her places she never dreamed of, both literally and figuratively. "I always say that I look at the church through the Church News window. …I'm certainly not doi...
Jan 27, 2021•47 min•Ep. 115
In February 2020, Dr. Candace Mcnaughton participated in her first conversations about coronavirus at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. While she has been on the frontlines of COVID-19, she has witnessed the toll the virus has taken on patients and their families, tirelessly researching how to bring about the end of the pandemic with her colleagues. On this week's episode, she graciously answers our questions surrounding COVID-19 and shares what the experience has taught her about discip...
Jan 20, 2021•43 min•Ep. 114
A study of the Doctrine and Covenants may feel a little bit daunting. There is no doubt that it reads a bit differently than other books of scripture. But could it be that this is because the Doctrine and Covenants tells an international story that is far from finished? And could the reason it feels a bit messy be because it is a story that is still being written? Could it be that we are all a part of its ending? "We read the Book of Mormon in black and white…we watch the Doctrine and Covenants ...
Jan 15, 2021•39 min
What if there is power in a Christlike attribute we have heard about our entire lives but have barely scratched the surface of understanding? In his new book, "A Better Heart," Tom Christofferson writes, "The gift of charity is enormous in conception, its effect and meaning eternal. And yet, it is also small and intimate and personal." On this week's episode, we explore charity and how it has the power to give us all better hearts. "It's that opportunity to be able now to simply be an instrument...
Jan 13, 2021•46 min•Ep. 113
In 2012, amidst cancer treatments, Rebecca Hirschi achieved her goal of running the Boston Marathon. But on New Year's Eve 2020, Hirschi approached another finish line as she was nearing the end of her battle with cancer and was on hospice. That night, she was carried up the stairs by her family. Her daughter and husband got her ready for bed, but when it was time for her evening prayers, Rebecca insisted on kneeling. She said she owed everything to God. Three days later, Rebecca returned to tha...
Jan 06, 2021•42 min•Ep. 112
Eva Timothy describes growing up in Bulgaria as a place filled with darkness. But even amidst that darkness, she instantly recognized the light of Jesus Christ in art taped to the walls of a makeshift chapel. She felt His light through the words in the Book of Mormon—even through a pamphlet which only contained a handful of chapters in Bulgarian. She was drawn to His light then, and now she hopes to help others find that same light through her photography. "We all see Him in our own special way ...
Dec 16, 2020•40 min•Ep. 111
Long before she won a Grammy, Lauren Daigle was a teenager homebound by sickness. But during this period of isolation, God gave her hope for a future through a dream of becoming a singer. Years later, the Christian music singer and songwriter has millions of fans but she isn't interested in having followers herself. Instead, she hopes to always direct people to the Savior of the World. Although the road certainly hasn't always been easy, Lauren can now look back and see that God was working in h...
Dec 09, 2020•27 min•Ep. 110
The son of converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jason Deere has lived most of his life in Oklahoma or Tennessee. After finding success in the music industry, Deere took his love for country music and combined it with a love for the gospel. The result, The Nashville Tribute Band, has inspired thousands and redefined Deere's career. "The heartbeat [of the Church] is family by family and it's when you put a bunch of heartbeats together that you have something that really sta...
Dec 02, 2020•46 min•Ep. 109
A lot goes on in between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but in the midst of cooking and shopping, are we taking time to reflect on the cause for our celebrations or the source of joy that we feel? Do we stop to think about the Christ child who became the Savior of the world? On this week's episode, John Bytheway explores the miracle of Jesus Christ and why that miracle can bring us joy regardless of our age—and even in the midst of a pandemic. "We know the source of joy. We know where to go for tha...
Nov 25, 2020•42 min•Ep. 108
Through the lens of his camera, Devin Graham has witnessed some pretty incredible things—things he never could've imagined as a shy young man. But his time as a missionary in Jamaica taught him to step out of his comfort zone and today, he has worked with some of the most successful companies in the world, including Google and Disney. Although there have been key moments in Graham's career where his standards have been called into question, he has remained true to a standard he set for himself a...
Nov 18, 2020•39 min•Ep. 107
As a college student, Tara Bench saw pictures of beautiful food spreads in magazines and knew what she wanted to be: the person who made that food. It took awhile to figure out what that job would look like, but eventually she landed a dream job as a food editor at Martha Stewart Living. From there, Bench rose to senior food editor and became the food director of Ladies' Home Journal magazine. Now, Bench—perhaps best known as Tara Teaspoon—is living the New York dream, having just published her ...
Nov 11, 2020•47 min•Ep. 106
Our understanding of religion, whether it be scripture or history, is greatly influenced by art. The depictions we see impact not only how we picture certain passages, but also which passages we know at all. In his new book, "Repicturing the Restoration," artist Anthony Sweat felt a desire to capture some of the lesser-known parts of our Church history in hopes of expanding our understanding of the Church's founding. Today, we talk with him about how Restoration art can change our perspective of...
Nov 04, 2020•48 min•Ep. 105
When Mandie Sherman was born in 1989 with Cystic Fibrosis, she was expected to live just 18 years. Three years later, her little sister Natalie was also born with the same disease. As they have battled their condition, the two sisters have endured painful challenges and daily treatments together. And yet, they are determined to take every opportunity and live life to its fullest. "Knowing that our life could be cut short—really at any moment—it allows us to repent of our sins more quickly, seek ...
Oct 28, 2020•54 min•Ep. 104
