Arise with Christ

Lee and Suzanna Livingston recently returned from serving a mission together in Samoa.  They are the parents of 6 children.   Suzy grew up in Alabama and is the oldest child of convert parents: they were formerly Baptist and Church of Christ members.  Lee is from Wyoming and California, from generations of members of the LDS faith. Lee served a mission as a young man in Texas Fort Worth. Lee and S...

Rdean and Sheryl Clark met and fell in love as college students. Eventually, he asked her if he could linger longer. She said yes, and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple. They moved from Utah to Portland, Oregon, where Rdean attended dental school at the University of Oregon Dental School. He later completed orthodontic training following two years as an army dentist. Sheryl taught English...

Bobbie Sandberg is a member of the Young Women General Advisory Council. She loves teaching and learning and has degrees in linguistics, TESOL, and instructional psychology and technology from BYU. Bobbie and her husband, Steve, have six children; their family loves traveling together and hiking, kayaking, and skiing in the mountains. She runs almost every day of the week, both for health and to h...

Jane and Eli Griffin became good friends when Jane moved into Eli's ward in Lindon, Utah. They received their mission calls a week apart, both to the Philippines. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they were each reassigned to California. When Eli got home six months after Jane, he didn't waste any time asking her out, and one year later, they were married.  Jane and Eli just graduated from BYU, Jane...

Laura Miller grew up in Provo, Utah, in a family of 8 kids and attended Timpview High School. She graduated from BYU in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and ASL. While raising three children, Laura and her husband Derek lived in metro Washington, D.C., for several years. Professionally, Laura has demonstrated her leadership as the financial manager, events director & fundraiser...

Kody Garrett was born and raised in Farmington, UT. He served a full-time mission in the West Virginia Charleston Mission, where he met Phoebe Brinton, his future wife. Following their missions, they were sealed in the Pocatello, ID temple. Kody and Pheobe have a precious 10-month-old daughter named Virginia, whom they love and adore. Kody is currently balancing fatherhood with his studies at Utah...

Courtney Russell is from Bakersfield, California. She is the wife of Tom, the mom of Spencer, Rebecca, Isaac, Jarred, and   Taylor, and grandma to six of the "greatest kids on the planet." She has been a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for almost 18 years. She loves gospel education, family history, and temple work. She strives to seek the Savior in every place, circumst...

Linda Winegar refers to herself as a warrior- a warrior mother, warrior wife, and warrior sister. She is passionate about arming women with their God-given gifts who, like herself, have experienced trauma from betrayal. Linda believes our gifts are the weapons we have been given to take control and fight back against evil to accelerate healing. Linda's experiences opened her eyes to the adversary'...

Lindsay Parker is a wife, mother of three (soon to be four!), personal trainer, thriving business owner, and dedicated follower of Christ. Lindsay's journey to build a family hasn't been easy. Through adoption, infertility struggles, and total reliance on Jesus Christ, she's navigated challenges with incredible strength. Lindsay's is a story of resilience, faith, family, and the healing power of J...

Marlin Sharp has a lifelong passion for filmmaking, both professionally and personally. He spent 40 years in Creative Services at BYU as a graphic designer, where he spearheaded the creation of short comedic commercials and helped to establish a filmmaking class. Marlin's interest in documentaries led him to produce over 200 productions, including a pilot for a scenic exploration show and a stake...

Tom Russell is an award-winning advertising executive, college professor, filmmaker, and disciple of Christ. Tom cared for his wife Angie and their children as she battled cancer, which eventually took her life. He was later led to an incredible woman, Courtney, through what he describes as divine intervention. She joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and they moved forward toge...

Michelle Cook was born and raised in Paradise, California as the seventh of nine children. A turning point in her life was when her father was called to be the mission president of the Independence, Missouri Mission in 1985 when she was a teenager. Michelle met her husband, Ben Cook, by being set up on a blind date, and they were married 1 1/2 years later. They have four children, and Michelle lov...

How do we receive power from our covenants as we navigate challenging circumstances? Our guest, Allyson Frankman, shares tender experiences that led her to find the answer to that question in her life, as a faithful mom and disciple of Christ. We feel honored to share this insightful episode of wisdom and hope with you. We are confident you will draw strength from her words and experiences. Allyso...

Bentley Plouzek has an enthusiasm for life. It spills out in his easy connection with people, no matter their background or beliefs. It fuels his dedication as an EMT, lifeguard manager, and disciple of Christ. When you meet Bentley, you might first see a laid-back, adventurous teenager, but look closer, and you'll find a heart overflowing with service, a mind brimming with curiosity, and a spirit...

Justin Kunz is a painter, illustrator, concept designer, and educator. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Painting from Laguna College of Art and Design and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from Brigham Young University. Justin's work is exhibited in various museums and galleries. In addition, his art can be found in books, magazines, calendars, and websites. Justin has provided visual image...

As a busy college student at BYU-Idaho, Isaac navigates life with creativity, leadership, and a strong work ethic. The oldest of four brothers, Isaac inspires his siblings with his contagious enthusiasm for life. His artistic spirit finds expression in a myriad of mediums, from design and woodworking to photography. Isaac has a deep appreciation for the natural world and can often be found outdoor...

Jason Whiting researches the love lives of couples, focusing on how deception and conflict take root in even the best of relationships. His goal is to apply social science to help couples to be more loving and authentic. You can read more about this in his book, "Love Me True."  Dr. Whiting received his PhD from Michigan State University and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He has won...

Becki Wright's life is guided by her faith in Jesus Christ, recognizing we're all on the path back to our Savior, and without reservation, He welcomes each of us to come to Him. A devoted disciple of Christ, Becki finds grace knowing she's usually figuring life out as she goes, and progress is measured in the heart. Her love for people transcends differences and celebrates the shared humanity with...

Jeff Skousen is currently serving as bishop in the Cedar Hills 8th Ward. He loves spending time outdoors with his family, camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, and riding horses. Jeff was sealed to Tricia Pinegar in 1996 and they are the parents of 5 beautiful children ages 24 – 13. They eagerly anticipate their first granddaughter later this year. Jeff served a full-time mission in the New York Roch...

Brooke Jones values family, past and present, and her identity as a child of God. She is the daughter of wonderful parents and the oldest of six children. In this episode, Brooke shares how her mother's intentional efforts have meaningfully impacted her temple worship. The influence of Brooke's grandparents has also been profound. Brooke shares lessons learned from her grandparents, Patricia and E...

Mike was born and raised in Whittier, California. Following high school, he attended college in Utah for one year. Mike then moved to Washington state to work before serving a mission in the Nebraska Omaha Mission, speaking Spanish.  Mike was the handcart captain for the 1997 Sesquicentennial Wagon Train reenactment. He walked over 1100 miles from Winter Quarters to the Salt Lake Valley. He found...

Camille Fronk Olson is a professor emeritus of ancient scripture and former department chair at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She received the Karl G. Maeser Excellence in Teaching Award, the university's highest recognition for teaching. She holds an MA in Ancient Near Eastern Studies and a PhD in the Sociology of the Middle East, both from BYU. Previous to joining the BYU faculty, she...

Megan Penrod grew up in Midway, Utah. She served a full-time mission in the Nicaragua, Managua South Mission. She graduated from Snow College and served as a temple worker in the Manti Temple during her time there. Megan and her husband, Taylor, will celebrate five years of marriage this August. Together they have three children - three-year-old twin girls and a brand new baby boy. Megan is learni...

This episode of Arise with Christ is dedicated to Ella Marie Ranson. Ella lived for 20 short months with her parents and 3 older siblings. She brought joy, laughter, excitement, and optimism. Her father, Daniel Ranson is our guest in this episode. Ella passed away from pneumonia on February 10, 2016.  Daniel shares feelings connected to Ella's passing and the hope the gospel brings into his life....

Gayle Holdman is a best-selling, award-winning author. As a shy child, she often wondered if she fit in. She dreamed of making a positive difference in the world and helping others do the same. A professional writer and designer, Gayle is also formally educated in Family Science, Human Development, and positive psychology. As a young adult, she lived in Chile as a missionary for the Church of Jesu...