Mission Stories

Send us Fan Mail This episode of the Mission Stories podcast features Shawn , co-hosts Lauren and Abby, and guest Erik Peterson , nicknamed "Erik the Swede". Erik, who served in the Oslo, Norway mission , shares a powerful narrative of shifting from a "lukewarm," passive missionary to a consecrated disciple of Christ by seeking personal revelation and feasting on the word of Go...

Send us Fan Mail This episode of the Mission Stories podcast features Shawn and guest Ethan Johnson, who recently returned from the Houston South Mission. Ethan shares how his mission was a life-changing experience that transformed him from a self-described "lukewarm" member into a disciple "on fire" for the gospel. Shawn frames the discussion around the first three principles...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Mission Stories podcast , Shawn and Lauren are joined by Sister Micah Bullard to discuss Principle Two: Revelation Leads to Conversion . The conversation explores how true conversion requires a specific companion attribute: humility . Micah shares her powerful "hero's journey" from self-reliant perfectionism to a deep, joyful reliance on the A...

Send us Fan Mail A quick Christmas episode. Merry Christmas. 

Send us Fan Mail This episode of the Mission Stories podcast features Shawn and Lauren welcoming guest Garrett Baxter, who has just been set apart as "Elder Baxter" and is preparing to serve in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana mission. The discussion focuses on Principle Number One: Choosing to Serve the Lord ("Choose you this day"). Shawn lays the foundation by explaining that this...

Send us Fan Mail This episode of the Mission Stories podcast , welcomes a special guest: Shawn's son, Evan Record, who recently returned from his mission just a few days prior. Shawn mentions the joy of seeing two new faces in the studio, including Evan and a framed motivational photograph of himself with the words "Never give up". Evan, previously Elder Record, has returned excited...

Send us Fan Mail This episode of the Mission Stories podcast ,  Shawn , the host, interviews two currently serving sister missionaries: Sister Nichols (2 months out) and Sister Weiss (4 months out). Due to their strict obedience, the interview was recorded in a makeshift studio at Shawn's house. The discussion centers on the challenges of serving in Southern California, where people are often...

Send us Fan Mail This episode features Shawn interviewing return missionaries Caitlyn Sommers and his son, Evan Record, about the theme of shifting from trusting in oneself to putting trust in the Lord . The episode addresses the common missionary experience of realizing that personal talent and hard work are insufficient for gospel success. Shawn posits that many missionaries have not truly neede...

Send us Fan Mail This episode features Sister Megan Johnson, who discusses powerful principles related to revelation leading to conversion (Principle Two) and dealing with hard things (Principle Six). The podcast aims to help listeners prepare for their missions, find inspiration, and learn tools. Megan Johnson is a BYU graduate studying mathematics education and is preparing for grad school. She...

Send us Fan Mail This episode of the Mission Stories Podcast features the experience of Elder Sa'ne Thompson , who recently returned home after serving a two-year mission in Angola, Luanda, Africa. He has been home for just two weeks. The episode focuses primarily on the urgency of missionary work, with a specific emphasis on the principle that revelation leads to conversion . The Angola Miss...

Send us Fan Mail This episode features Returned Missionary Taylor Judd, who served in the Paraguay Asunción Mission. Shawn warmly welcomes Taylor, noting their long-standing friendship, though he humorously calls her to "repentance" for taking so long to appear on the podcast. Taylor served for eight months and is preparing to attend Utah State for nursing school. She shares unique detai...

Send us Fan Mail This episode features Elder Chase Lindsey, who is preparing to depart for the Scotland Ireland mission. Shawn and Chase share a unique connection rooted in their enthusiasm and faith, seeing themselves as "brothers in Christ". Their initial spark of friendship four years prior involved a debate over favorite bands and music, a playful rivalry that still persists concerni...

Send us Fan Mail This episode features guest Mandy Malm , a recently returned missionary who served in Riverside, California, speaking Spanish. The episode focuses on Principle Number 6: "You Can't Bring Me Down," which explores how developing an identity rooted in Christ enables individuals and Missionaries to overcome life's most challenging experiences.  Shawn opens the disc...

Send us Fan Mail This episode features Shawn speaking with three preparing missionaries: Avery (Philippines Cavite, Tagalog speaking), Grace (Boston, Massachusetts, Spanish speaking), and Olivia (Texas Houston East, Spanish speaking; Grace and Olivia are twin sisters). A Shawn emphasizes that this episode is valuable because the guests' journey—moving from passive participation to active fait...

Send us Fan Mail This episode features Shawn and Lauren emphasizing that the ultimate mission of the church is not just salvation, but the celestial kingdom and exaltation . The core principle discussed is that the temple is "more imperative than the mission" . While missionary work is vital, the eternal perspective places a greater focus on what individuals will do in the temple for the...

Send us Fan Mail This episode, titled "The Joseph Smith Episode," features Shawn and Lauren , aiming to prepare listeners for missions and discuss the gospel of Jesus Christ . The episode delves into two core principles through the lens of Joseph Smith's First Vision story (specifically the first 15 verses of his history): • Principle 1: Deliberately choosing how you serve . This hi...

Send us Fan Mail In this call-back episode Shawn speaks with Sister Lauren Hendricks shortly after her return from her mission, highlighting her struggle to find purpose post-mission. The episode's central principle is "The Word of God Answers Every Question," emphasizing that while scriptures may not give specific details, they provide principles that lead to answers for all of lif...

Send us Fan Mail This episode features a candid conversation with Elder Brayden Hendricks , who has just returned from his mission in England, Birmingham. Shawn, who has known Brayden and his "triplet" sister, Lauren, since high school, explores the pivotal choices that transformed Brayden from a "lukewarm" teenager into an "on fire" missionary. The central theme revo...

Send us Fan Mail This episode of the "Mission Stories Podcast" features Elder Mason Thunstrom , a returned missionary who initially served in the Chile Santiago West mission before returning home due to health challenges to serve as a full-time service missionary in Carlsbad, California. Shawn, greatly impressed by Elder Thunstrom's enthusiasm and presentation on service missions, a...

Send us Fan Mail This episode we talk with  Elder Ryan McDowell , a returned missionary who served an "unconventional" mission during the COVID-19 pandemic. The episode delves into the principle of choosing to be "hot" (committed and active) over "cold" (rejecting the spirit) or "lukewarm" (indifferent and passive) , a central theme highlighted by scriptures...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Shawn sits down with the "giddy" Thacker Jackson, who is eagerly preparing for his mission to the Georgia Atlanta North Mission, Spanish speaking , commencing in October. This conversation delves deep into the journey of mission preparation, highlighting the pivotal role of revelation leading to conversion . ◦ Consistent Gospel Study : He became an activ...

Send us Fan Mail This episode of the "Mission Stories Podcast" features a conversation with Sister Molly Baxter , a returned missionary who served in the Michigan Detroit mission, including the "8 Mile" area. Molly highlights her faithful and happy mission experience, noting that not all returned missionaries have such positive experiences. The central theme of the episode is t...

Send us Fan Mail This episode features special guest Sister Riley Stone (affectionately known as "Stony"). The core theme revolves around "Revelation and The Spirit" and how divine revelation grows faith, leads to repentance, and ultimately to "pure joy" through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The podcast aims to inspire and provide knowledge for those preparing for mi...

Send us Fan Mail This episode of Mission Stories Podcast features returned missionary Sister Emma Stanford, focusing on the theme "Revelation Leads to Conversion" . The discussion explores how God communicates through the Holy Ghost and the transformative power of discerning and acting upon that revelation. Sister Emma Stanford's Mission and Boldness: Emma served in the Arkansas Lit...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we interview Lauren for the first time. Lauren had only been home for a week when we recorded this episode. The episode delves into the transformative nature of a full-time mission , describing it as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" where distractions are set aside to focus solely on the Lord. Lauren emphasizes that there's "literally no other...