Tribe of Testimonies

As I edited this episode, I just think about how humble Roy Talk is. Sure, he's friendly and funny--but that doesn't mean he's not humble. He loves his wife, children, parents, and all his family with his whole heart (except that tiny part that is reserved for BYU Cougars, Utah Jazz, and Green Bay Packers). It's like it's bursting out of him. He's learned to love so w...

John Borrows is very well educated--academically and by the Spirit. I loved talking to him! I told him I've been thinking about faith for a while and I asked him to just comment on it. Talking about nests, birds, fish, rivers, and water brought faith a deeper meaning for me. He also has learned new meanings to commonly-held Latter-day Saint beliefs that has added dimension and connection to h...

When I first contacted Hugh Jones, I was so happy with the interesting things he had to say.  It's interesting how often I ask a question that comes into my mind that my guest has been working on, pondering on, or executing in their own life. This time the interesting conversation revolved around firming up your own testimony so that your children are able to watch you work through questions...

There's one point when I was talking to Clayton Long that I asked him what he wanted to talk about. Two things came up. First is the Gathering of Israel. He really wants to be a part of that gathering (as he is) because he knows that it will help bring the Savior back to the world. The second thing he really wanted to talk about is testimony--his own and how to start, nurture, and grow testim...

There is a great word that Summer Fox Belly teaches us today: Hunka. It has to do with relationships. She teaches us that when we are hunka, we have a familial obligation to each other, whether or not we are blood family. I loved her teaching us this. As we talked, she alluded to this in multiple ways in regards to her branch, her foster family, and friends in general. It made me feel closer to he...

I want Abraham Thomas to be another one of my best friends. I guess I keep finding the best people and the best in people. Abraham is a singer. He does it because he loves it. But more importantly because he knows that it is a gift given to him from our Father so Abraham can help bring people back to Him. It's an amazing gift. It doesn't, however, make all the hard parts in his life go a...

Michalyn Steele has a brilliant mind--and a strong testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ. I loved talking to her about how she has been able to use both her mind and her testimony to bring the world a little more light. It feels like we're family (we're both Parkers!). It was fun to hear how her passion to help her students become valuable members of society has been adding to her persona...

I believe I could rightfully say Geri Daines has a thirst for knowledge. This led her to get a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and a doctoral degree. And this led her to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Having truth as an anchor point, family as another, and the Savior has kept her steady through all sorts of difficulties. She is so proud of her siblings and her chi...

I've had a hard few days...but having Aimee Adams' clear, calm, cool demeanor and positive attitude really soothed my soul. Like balm. It's strange that the "negative" ions you find in abundance at the seashore help you find peace. Aimee seems to have harnessed that peace in her life--or at least knows how to use the peace in her life to spread peace. I find that to be a w...

Everyone has a story. That is what I have come to believe. Elliot Bryant has come to know the Savior by diligently heeding the commandments and following the prophet. It hasn't always been easy. He has had to come back to things he's learned and try again. But that's what we're all supposed to do. He works hard at fulfilling his church callings and has seen blessings in his lif...

You know, it's funny that one of the main topics Phaline Conklin shared in this conversation was "second chances." Just the day before I was listening to another podcast and they mentioned that. I thought, "Oh, I'm totally going to ask Phaline about second chances." So much of Phaline's story is moved by trying again. I'm so grateful that in this life, we ha...

"Ray of light"! That's what we shall call Donald Rodgers. He's simply delightful to be around. When he and his wife pulled into our driveway, my 4-year-old ran out to greet them. I don't think she could help hugging both of them. They give off a reassuring feeling. Donald is full of the perfect amount of mischief, gratitude, loyalty, and humility. He was so fun to be aroun...

I loved this interview! Sister Ilene Begay, translated by her son, Justin, testified again and again about how the Spirit of the Lord has been her way to know our Savior Jesus Christ. Sister Begay only speaks Navajo. She never had the opportunity to learn to read or to write. But the most important communicator to her has been the Holy Ghost. Because she has been so close to the Spirit, she has be...

A lot of this episode focuses on Andi Gooch's story of finding her birth identity. It is still ongoing. One piece of the puzzle at a time. And it's beautiful. Every piece is beautiful. Because Andi has come to know her individual worth, her divine nature, she is able to help others find theirs as well. She has been able to help people through the family history convention called Roots Te...

Admittedly, Veda knows very little about her San Carlos heritage. Hey--I think that's pretty common for actually a lot of us; we don't know everything about everything. Veda has come to her testimony through a multitude of tender mercies from the Lord, and from so many people teaching her by example how to live a Christlike life. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Veda.

Mark and I sat together with Keali'i (Kelly) and Hannah Baker for much longer than just the interview. They are so good for each other. Together they are building a wonderful life centered on their testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Kelly knows that the Atonement of Jesus Christ can change hearts, minds, and bodies. Before he went on his mission, he had never really read the Book of M...

What a fun experience! Visiting with Carmelita Thomas about her life was absolutely delightful. She was raised in Oklahoma but landed in the Cache Valley in Utah. When she joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a young adult, she promised that she wasn't going to be "wishy washy" about the Gospel. She's held true to that promise. As a valiant disciple of Chri...

There are so many other things that we could have talked about, Melvin Sam and I. But we ended up talking about conversion, marriage, children, places they've lived, and covenants. Covenants was a big thing that I have been thinking about a lot lately. Mel felt lost in the world until he truly came to know the Plan on Salvation and that he was truly a part of Heavenly Father's plan. But...

I talked to Sister LaBelle just the day before we recorded our conversation. She was both excited and nervous to share her testimony and her story. She was excited because she knows that the gathering of Israel is a priority in the world today. She was nervous because she wanted to make sure her words were right, and that she could reach those who need to be reached. But as I listened to her soft...

The Gathering of Nations! Jake Collins has a mixed heritage. And now so do his children (as his wife is also of a different tribe). I loved talking to Jake. He was full of energy. Education...then strength training....then dentistry. The Lord was in the details, as always. It was so great to hear of how Jake and his family were served by members of their ward who had their eyes and hearts open to...

As a best practice, we should be teaching our children every day Gospel principles and setting examples of how the Gospel actually works in and through our very lives. Stephanie Chadwick does this not only with the Gospel but also with her Navajo heritage. Her children have been blessed to have parents who have given them opportunities to experience how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Sai...

As I've been blessed to get to know Franklin Keel, I just imagine all the good that he's been able to do in the world. He has sought to help people with his education and abilities. I love how he tenderly talks about family and people he admires. I love his firm testimony of how Heavenly Father loves His daughters. Just hearing Franklin express that made me feel God's love for me. I...

It's rare for most of us to be given very specific instructions about what to do with our lives. Sosha Cox says it's rare for her--but when it does happen, it is VERY specific. At different times in her life, she has been directed to go on a mission, to move to Provo, and to find a child through adoption.  Perhaps those were all such huge life-changing events that the Spirit needed to be...

Brother John Beck was raised in South Carolina with a great many of his Catawba family. He had the Gospel growing up, but not necessarily perfect examples of living Gospel standards. Because he did stick with what he learned to be true, he has been led again and again to new and greater opportunities. At the end of this conversation John acknowledges that the more we are blessed, the greater the r...

I thought that when I was told by the Spirit to start a podcast that it was pretty big. Gwendena Lee-Gatewood was moved by the Spirit to run for the White Mountain Apache chairmanship. That. Is. Huge!!!!! Well, she did. She ran four years ago and won. She is coming to the end of her four-year term right now. And she's chosen to run again. I just want to hug her and let her know how much I adm...