LDS Podcast "Latter-Day Lights" - Inspirational LDS Stories

How do you keep your faith when questions feel louder than answers? This Sunday, episode 2 of our 5-part “Faith to Stay” miniseries dives into the idea of “Primary vs. Secondary Questions”—a core principle from Latter-Day Lights host and founder Scott Brandley’s new book on weathering spiritual storms. Joined by returning guests—near-death survivor, Jerry Paskett, and Catholic-turned-Latter-day Sa...

This is the full streaming audiobook for Faith to Stay.  This is my gift to you. It was written to help those who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who may be struggling with their faith. Please feel free to share this with anyone who you feel could use it. For more information about Faith to Stay, or to get the Free Digital version, go to www.faithtostay.com . Enjoy!...

How do you keep your faith strong in the world we live in today? This Sunday, we kickoff a special 5-part miniseries called “Faith to Stay”, that discusses topics from Latter-Day Light's host and founder, Scott Brandley’s latest book on “strengthening faith during the storms of life.” In episode 1, past guests Sheri Ramirez, Shane Baldwin, and Dusty Smith return to the show to share their eye...

What if the darkest parts of your past were the very things God used to lead you home? On today’s episode of Latter-day Lights, we meet Becky Sheffer—a woman whose childhood was marked by addiction, neglect, trauma, and instability. But through it all, small miracles began to appear—moments that quietly pointed her toward something greater. From squatting in abandoned homes and riding across the c...

How does a parent stand back up when every corner of home echoes with grief? For EMT, educator, and loving mother Larissa Dagley, tragedy began at her teen son Cody’s shooting incident—a moment that left Cody drowning in relentless nightmares and bullying for the remainder of his life. Overwhelmed by guilt and depression, Cody took his own life almost 2 years later, plunging Larissa into a darknes...

When a father's greatest nightmare strikes his family not once but twice, can Heaven still find a way to spark hope? Idaho rancher, husband, and devoted father Eldon Buchanan returns to Latter-day Lights to share the sacred tender mercies that steadied him after losing his son to suicide: Feeling the invisible strength of his son hoisting boulders for his memorial, a climb up Mount Borah wher...

What if the worst day of your life was actually part of a divine plan to save someone else? In this powerful episode of Latter-day Lights, Tracy Jo Rollins returns to share the miraculous story of her near-fatal car crash, the traveling angels who protected her, and the unexpected calling that followed. From life-threatening injuries to divine protection, her story will leave you breathless and be...

When pillars of certainty crumble, is it possible to rebuild something even stronger in their place? When two trusted ward members announced they were leaving the Church, newly called bishop Scott Brandley was rocked to the core. Overnight, the man called to strengthen spirituality in others found himself wrestling with his own doubts, spiralling into a crisis of faith, and stripping his testimony...

Have you ever stopped to consider how many small miracles have quietly shaped your life? In this week’s episode of Latter-day Lights, we sit down with David Anderson—a husband, father of eleven, and grandfather of twenty-eight—whose life is a beautiful tapestry of tender mercies, quiet revelations, and sacred moments. From losing his mother as a baby to discovering faith as a teenager, from extrao...

When a simple curiosity of well-worn scripture leads to a full-fledged passion, can the pages of history strengthen our faith even more? For family man and dedicated Book of Mormon collector, Robert Messick, the answer is a resounding YES! In this fascinating episode of Latter-day Lights, Robert takes us on a journey through centuries of rare and unique Book of Mormon editions—from early RLDS prin...

What if your most devastating life storms are actually clearing the path to your greater purpose? From the outside, Bethany Harger was living the dream—temple marriage, young children, and a promising future. But behind closed doors, crippling depression left her bedridden while her husband battled addiction. After two divorces, custody battles across state lines, and periods of homelessness, Beth...

When years of crippling addiction tighten its grip, can a sliver of lasting change still exist? For carpenter, devoted husband, and former addict Orlando Mora, the path out of darkness was illuminated not just through sobriety and faith, but by a heaven-sent “gift of dreams.” From his first prayer of desperation to the day he opened the door to two unexpected missionaries, Orlando discovered that...

What would you do if you felt an undeniable prompting that could mean the difference between life and death? In this episode of Latter-Day Lights, Kaitlynn Smalley shares how a series of quiet but urgent promptings guided her through a sudden life-threatening medical crisis that ultimately led to a miraculous liver transplant. Through every challenge, she found herself led by an unseen hand—someti...

When the weight of financial and emotional struggles weigh down an entire community, can one visionary effort hold the power to lift them all? For mental health therapist and father of four, Anthony Hemmert's path to aiding others began with a heartfelt desire to do more than just hand out money. Together with his wife Emily, the Hemmerts founded the Marcovia Project in Honduras—a holistic no...

Have you ever felt like no matter how far you drift, something keeps pulling you back?  In today’s episode we hear the story of Melanie, who grew up without religion, found the Church, and then walked away from it for nearly 30 years.  But fortunately, through a series of miracles, she found her way back. From surviving a turbulent and abusive past to experiencing moments of profound revelation an...

When your world crumbles beneath the weight of sudden loss, can a fleeting miracle open your eyes to the closeness of Heaven? For mother, florist, and part-time mortuary hairdresser, Karen Poulsen, the unexpected passing of her beloved son Tanner tore her world apart—leaving a gaping wound that no earthly comfort could seem to fill. But in those darkest hours, she felt him through mundane yet extr...

What do you do when unexpected events take your life in a direction you never planned?  In this episode, Amy Walker shares how the sudden illness of her husband forced her to step into the role of taking care of and providing for her family. With faith and determination, she turned uncertainty into opportunity, discovering that God had a unique path for her - one that blended motherhood, disciples...

When you’ve wandered so far that rock bottom becomes your new normal, can a single moment of grace change your course forever? Husband, father of four, and RN-turned-educator Joe McCally shares how his encounters with voices of doubt throughout his childhood slowly gave way to a downward spiral of addiction, broken promises, and near-catastrophic decisions. From wrestling with tobacco, alcohol, an...

When the Lord calls you to rebuild lives beyond your wildest dreams, will you be brave enough to take the first step? Father and serial entrepreneur Patrick Sedivy recounts how a divine prompting to serve in the Czech Republic propelled him on a decade-long mission to create Cumorah Academy—one of the leading faith-driven leadership institutions in the world. Met initially with failure when an ear...

What do you do when your spiritual journey feels harder and more unfair than you expected? In this episode, Adam Harmon takes us on an introspective account of some of the difficult challenges that he faced on his mission, along with some the powerful lessons he learned along the way that ultimately helped him to find empathy, strengthen his faith, and discover his true character. Adam’s story is...

What if your darkest trials could ultimately become your brightest testimony? In this powerful episode of Latter-Day Lights, we hear the incredible story of Jenna Frandsen—a woman who transformed her life from the depths of addiction, grief, and trauma to becoming a light for others. From losing her husband and battling substance abuse to discovering her divine purpose, Jenna's journey is a t...

What do you do when the life you thought you were living is suddenly shattered? In this episode of Latter-Day Lights, we meet Melissa Rollins, a woman whose world was turned upside down when her husband of 19 years revealed he was gay. With grace, vulnerability, and unwavering faith, Melissa shares her journey of navigating heartbreak, anger, and uncertainty—all while holding on to her love for Go...

When the harrowing force of darkness takes over your very being, would you heed its warning and fortify your faith? From what first appeared as an ominous warning sign on her patriarchal blessing, devoted stay-at-home mom, Meghan Blanc, recalls her bone-chilling encounter with a demonic spirit that took over her body in a state of oppression—a life-changing event she describes as an urgent wake-up...

If you witnessed an unmistakable sign from Heaven, would you share its meaning with the world? During two consecutive late-summer nights in 2019, Ilyan Lavanway—a former Air Force veteran, author, and dedicated family man—encountered ancient symbols appearing in the sky; an awe-inspiring sight that would forever impact his perception of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. With a background marked b...

What would you do if your life was broken, and the path forward seemed impossible? As a curious and rebellious teenager, Victoria Maldonado's life spiraled into chaos, consumed by drug addiction and a series of reckless decisions that ultimately led to a harrowing arrest. Yet, even in her darkest moments, a small flame of faith flickered, tethering her to the hope of something greater.  Throu...