Tribe of Testimonies

Again, my guest is a direct answer to a prayer I offered to Heavenly Father. Why? Because I really wanted to talk to someone who works with the youth of today. Ervin Trujillo is that person. On a lesser note, Ervin answered my prayer to find someone to fill in last minute. I love how vulnerable Ervin is with us about how he loves the youth, how he loves his wife, how he loves the temple, and how h...

Some family stories truly affect generations--and even people peripheral to the family. This is the legacy Travis Blue comes from, one where his ancestors have left such an impression on many lives to forgive, to live the commandments, to be giving, and to listen to the Holy Ghost. You will be delighted as Travis tells a family story about General Conference. And you will be humbled as you learn a...

Compassion. That's what I now think of when I think of my new friend, Jalynne Geddes. She's lots of beautiful things: a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, an artist, a warrior, a student, a friend. Without knowing a whole lot about each other, we instantly connected. I think that's due to her charm and ability to connect. I think a lot about connecting these days. We need people-...

You can probably guess that Brother Charles Sitting Bull is related to a famous Native American. It's true. And, actually, that relationship has helped Charles in his life's direction. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are encouraged to learn the stories of our ancestors so we can draw strength from them. Yes! Charles has drawn strength from knowing where...

I love talking with our elders. William Tso's cadence and tone just calmed my "can't be late! Gotta do a good job!" frazzled mind. And then when he shared his testimony of how he knows the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, my heart rejoiced with him. I could tell that he had learned for himself that the Gospel is true and that he really saw the value and lasting impact it wo...

As I put out the initial call to family and friends to help me find faithful Native American members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was given Rachael Brockway's name and contact information. Rachael was born in Canada but adopted by a white, middle-class Latter-day Saint family in the United States. She grew up with no Native influence. As a young adult, she found  a fi...

Darren Parry is a brave man. His first "big" to-do was running for a U.S. congressional seat? Yes! He is always out and about doing good and being the type of person other people can look to and say, "Yes, this man is a good man. Follow him." The best part of following Darren is that he's doing his darndest to follow the Savior. "History is complicated." Aren&apo...

I think I'm going to adopt Ruth as my new bestie. (She doesn't know that yet.) We just have so much in common. Not everything, but enough that I get her. And aren't you glad there isn't a second me? Yes. Well, Ruth is super awesome. She has driven all over Utah. Literally. (I want to do that.) She teaches music and finds solace in it. She takes care of her parents who take care...

How do you know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true? Tyrone Whitehorse shares his story of his personal conversion--not just going through the motions of attending church, but actually knowing the Gospel is true. He grew up at the feet of Navajo medicine people and with a grandma who was a Indian Placement program pioneer. He learned amazing values and insights from all these people who taught...

It's kind of funny how sometimes Heavenly Father gives you an opportunity and then you only kind of follow through with it and then later He gives you a second chance at that same opportunity. This interview is my second chance. Tayler Gutierrez is an amazing woman who is actively following the good things in life--especially those the Spirit guides her to. In this interview, she shares her c...

The more we learn about our spiritual gifts, the more they might surprise us. Cherisse Fisher always considered herself a pretty shy person. But, as she has grown in her testimony and gospel knowledge, the more she has become an every day missionary. She is able to share testimony to strangers who come into her life for just fractions of time. And she is sharing this gift with her family so they c...

Curtis is a friend of mine from law school. Since law school, he's worked all over the world. He's even moved his family to London for a time. He loves his family. His parents were first-generation members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their example showed him how to love family, work hard at whatever you're doing, and learn from the Holy Ghost how to direct yo...

While KeAloha Douma has done some amazing things in her life (graduating from BYU, serving a mission in France, dancing with Lamanite Generation/Living Legends, becoming Miss Indian World, conquering law school, serving her tribe as the Attorney General), she is most proud of her family. She loves her husband, children, and extended family. She cherishes the traditions who have shaped her and her...

How would your life be different if your grandparents and/or parents who were baptized members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stayed active throughout their lives instead of going inactive? It might be better. It might be worse. Or--possibly--it might have turned out exactly like Heavenly Father intended all along. Maybe. From my distant mortal perspective, it looks like Marque...

When I returned from the Washington, DC, area and found a full-time job in Salt Lake City, I was called to be a Relief Society president. I warned my bishop I wasn't hanging around to fill that calling for four or more years--I was planning on getting out within six months. Being a Relief Society president in a ward is a big job. Sheiyenne Baloo is currently her YSA (young single adult) ward...

Before we started recording, Marty asked me if it was okay to mention that he was actually considering and working toward becoming a Catholic priest. He doesn't mention it in the interview. I told him "Of course you can!" We all have different stories--don't we? Some of us are deep into a different religion before finding The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some of...

Have you ever sat in a meeting and listened to someone bear testimony in a foreign-to-you language and still felt the Spirit? If you stick around long enough, you'll be able to hear Priscilla bear her testimony in Navajo. It's beautiful. So are all the things that Priscilla shares through this conversation. She loves her Savior and Heavenly Father. She has grown closer to them through sm...

When I first contacted the Not Help Hims, I had only really intended to just interview Brother Not Help Him. But when they offered to share some of the things they have researched and learned about the Lakota way and how it directly relates to the Gospel of Jesus Christ--I was immediately willing to be their audience. This episode is not a regular interview, it is a presentation.  I hope you enjoy...

Who wants to hear straight from the innocent mouth of a recently-baptized eight-year-old? Well that's what you're going to get today! Quinton is my son. He was baptized this past weekend. He had a small baptism as far as persons present in the room. But, he had a great baptism as far as persons sharing the experience online. (You know: Covid.) He shares how an 8-year-old has daily strugg...

Growing up in upstate New York, Brittany had the chance to learn from her grandmother and father about a Peacemaker who visited their people. She also had the chance to participate in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint's pageant at the Hill Cumorah and feel the power of sacred events we cherish from the Book of Mormon. Dancing has become a spiritual gift that continues to bring he...

With both paternal and maternal family histories of heart problems, April SunShine Sanchez was bound to have them as well. However, having them begin when she was only 28 years old was terrifying, burdensome, and downright difficult. Health problems aren't for the feint of heart. [That's a terrible pun.] On the flip side, Heavenly Father has given April more grit, more endurance, more fa...

A few years ago, when I taught Church history in Sunday School, the thought came to me that we were learning so much about individuals and their stories because they demonstrated the Gospel by living it. Brother Jeffrey Not Help Him is a modern pioneer in that regard. He tests it by living it. His testimony of the Book of Mormon, of the temple, and of the plan of salvation is strong and getting st...

I am a bum. I hardly excercise. Brother Terry Goedel is the opposite of that. He is enthusiastic about hoop dancing and therefore he keeps his body in shape! Through hoop dancing, he has found a connection with our Creator, our Savior Jesus Christ. Growing up as a child of a Navy officer, he didn't have connection at all with the heritage he was born to. When he found hoop dancing, his herita...

Vanessa attended BYU straight from the Navajo Reservation. She didn't know anything about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The only religion she knew was the traditional Navajo way. While attending BYU, a series of "coincidental" events led to her eventual conversion. Vanessa talks about her conversion and the continual refining of her testimony and her relationship...

Tribe of Testimonies' second interview is with Donna Sitake (Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate). She describes how she gained her testimony as a young girl. She has continued to grow it throughout her life. She will bring joy into your life!