Latter-day Profiles

Dr. Jenet Jacob Erickson brings a powerful voice to the conversation on faith, family, and the vital role of motherhood. As an Associate Professor of Religious Education at BYU, she has spent years researching maternal and child well-being, with her work gaining national attention in outlets such as The New York Times and The Today Show. With over 20 published articles and book chapters, and exper...

Shane Smeed, a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was serving as the president of Park University in Missouri and as the stake president of the Platte City Missouri Stake at the time of this interview. In February, Smeed accepted the position of President of Utah Tech University in Saint George, Utah. At Park University Smeed led initiatives focused on student succ...

Cindy McDavitt is a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and an active participant in the Interfaith Council, promoting understanding among diverse faiths. Married with six adult children, 21 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, family is her highest priority. Professionally, Cindy has worn many hats, from full-time mother and business owner to computer progra...

Jonathan Cutler is a seasoned real estate investor and entrepreneur with over 20 years of industry experience. He is the owner and former Director of Acquisitions at Cutler Enterprises and currently serves as the COO of The Storage Acquisition Group, which he joined in 2016. Jonathan's extensive background includes roles such as Director of Acquisition, Purchasing, and Estimating for KB Home.

Lauren Felker is a junior at Lee Summit High School in Missouri. Lauren is an active member of her Young Women's group and an aspiring broadcast journalist or doctor.

Pete Grigsby has been a dedicated on-air TV meteorologist since 1990, spending the last 23 years with KMBC in Kansas City, MO. His career also includes stints in Norfolk, VA; Evansville, IN; and Bowling Green, KY. In 2008, Pete transitioned to an administrative role with the Blue Springs School District to better balance family life, where he oversees the district's TV and radio stations and t...

Lexi Eaton Rydalch is a former professional athlete drafted by the WNBA's Seattle Storm in 2016. As a standout student-athlete for BYU's women's basketball and track teams, she became the program's second all-time leading scorer and set scoring records in the West Coast Conference. Lexi has a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in business. She loves sports psychology a...

Jeremiah J. Morgan serves as the Deputy Attorney General for the State of Missouri, overseeing the civil practice of the Missouri Attorney General's Office. With a distinguished legal career, he has clerked for the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and practiced law with Bryan Cave LLC. Morgan also served as Deputy Solicitor General and General Counsel to the Supreme Court of Missouri...

Chelsy Walker is a dedicated artist and community leader with a passion for creating and advancing the arts. With a career spanning over 20 years, her large outdoor sculptures are featured in various locations, including Park City, UT, and Overland Park, KS. A graduate of Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture, Chelsy works with materials like aluminum, bronze, and stee...

Porter Ellett, a native of Loa, Utah, has overcome significant challenges to achieve his dream of working in the NFL. After a childhood accident left him with severe nerve damage and the eventual amputation of his right arm, Ellett excelled in sports, earning accolades in high school and later serving a mission for the LDS Church. He attended BYU, where he worked as an equipment manager for the ba...

Serge and Isabelle Gaston are remarkable figures in their Paris, France, community. A seasoned finance professional, Serge serves as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for a prominent international group, overseeing finance-related activities, including bookkeeping, economic strategies, mergers, and acquisitions. His extensive career has taken him across the globe, offering him unique insights into...

Luana Freitas, originally from Macaé, Brazil, has a dynamic and culturally rich background. Growing up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with her family, she shares a unique bond with her two 16-year-old adopted sisters. Luana pursued a degree in law in Brazil and soon after moved to France to participate in an au pair program, which allowed her to travel and immerse herself in Fr...

Jean-Claude Vanaquer is a dedicated and dynamic individual, currently serving as the Institute Director for the Paris Institute. Born in the historic Champagne region of France, Jean-Claude's early life was marked by significant moves, including a pivotal migration to Australia in 1971. In Australia, his family encountered the missionaries, leading to their conversion to the gospel, a change that...

Eves Otto, a 22-year-old psychology student, hails from a town near Paris, France. A dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Eves finds profound joy and guidance in the Gospel, which has significantly shaped her life and daily decisions. Her passion for traveling and discovering new places complements his academic and spiritual pursuits, making her a well-rounded indiv...

Born in 1966 in Paris, Frédéric Loisel grew up in a non-religious but respectful French family. His musical journey began at the age of five with the cello, influenced by his professional musician parents. In 1992, Frédéric was appointed to train American musicians near Tours, an opportunity that piqued his curiosity about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Despite his initial disint...

Will Vincenzi's journey is a compelling story of transformation and faith. Born in France and raised in New Caledonia, Will faced a crisis of belief after a tragic accident claimed his younger sister's life. At twenty, a friend introduced him to the church, leading him to take missionary lessons and witness a miracle that solidified his faith. Will was baptized in August 2016, a decision that init...

Christian Euvrard is a former Director of the Paris Institute of religion. He holds an M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Paris, a master’s in sciences and theology of religions from the Catholic University of Paris, and a Ph. D. in Religious Studies from the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes at the Sorbonne. He has authored a biography of Louis A. Bertrand, one of the 1st converts in France...

Cassandra Piket is a remarkable interior designer whose life journey is a testament to resilience, faith, and dedication. Born and raised in the Netherlands to a Dutch father and French mother, Cassandra's early years were marked by the diverse cultural influences of her heritage. Her grandparents' profound faith journeys, including her French grandmother's conversion from Catholicism to The Churc...

Ryan & Heather A. Munns serve as mission leaders in the France Paris Mission. President Munns has served as mission presidency counselor, stake president, high councilor, bishopric counselor, elders quorum president, ward Young Men president, and missionary in the Switzerland Geneva Mission.  President Munns is a lawyer by profession and is a partner at the law firm Bogin, Munns and Munns. Sis...

T.C. Christensen is an American cinematographer, film director, and writer best known for his work on IMAX films and true historical movies, including Escape from Germany, 17 Miracles, Ephraim's Rescue, The Fighting Preacher, and The Cokeville Miracle. Christensen is also a member of the American Society of Cinematographers. Christensen lives with his wife, Katy where he continues to be schooled i...

David and Serena Essuman are entrepreneurs and social media influencers. David is an entrepreneur/investor and mentor who works in real estate investments, franchising, and e-commerce. David owns and manages Havoya Real Estate, a real estate brokerage firm. He graduated from BYU with a degree in Psychology. Serena was born in Italy and moved to the Canary Islands during her high school years. She...

Hal Boyd is Editor of the Deseret News. He was an associate professor of Brigham Young University’s School of Family Life and previously worked as the opinion editor and enterprise reporter for the Deseret News. He is a fellow of BYU’s Wheatley Institute, a think tank focused on fortifying family, religion, and constitutional government.

Jenalee Marshall is a seasoned graphic designer with a rich tapestry of experience. Her journey in the design world has taken her from her hometown in Utah to the picturesque landscapes of Italy, shaping her into the well-rounded person she is today. Jenalee shares her inspiring journey that led her to Brigham Young University-Idaho, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design with...

As a highly sought-after inspirational speaker and author, Dr. Jack R. Christianson has lectured and given seminars to organizations of all ages and types across the United States and Canada. He is the author of numerous inspirational books and audio recordings. Jack has been fortunate to have been a leader in large organizations in the public and private sector; including Special Assistant to the...

Gale Sears grew up in Lake Tahoe, California, and spent her high school years in Hawaii. After graduating from McKinley High School in Honolulu, she went on to receive a BA in playwriting from Brigham Young University, and an MA in theater arts from the University of Minnesota. She is an award-winning author, known for her historical accuracy and intensive research. She is the author of the bestse...