Maria Eckersley: Receiving the Gift of the Resurrection at Easter

When friends serving as mission leaders in Ghana encouraged Dwight and Susan Potter to submit their mission papers, they didn't hesitate. But the path that followed turned out to be very different from what they expected. In this episode, the Potters share how their willingness to say "yes" led to an unexpected and deeply meaningful journey—one they wouldn't change for anything. 1:46- A Young Missionary to Belgium 3:05- A Change of Plans 5:39- Finding What the Lord Knew All Along 10:55- The Language of Love 14:26- Miracles Have Not Ceased 30:07- Smiling Faces and Grateful Hearts  32:38- The Experience of a Senior Mission  36:03- A Window of Time 40:37- What Does It Mean to Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? "If you'd told me at any point before this that at some point in my life I would be in, like I call it, the backwoods of North Carolina where I grew up teaching people the gospel of Jesus Christ in my mission language I could never have foreseen that—never in my wildest dreams." -Dwight Potter Links: Elder Godoy's Conference Talk- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/10/54godoy?lang=eng

What would the Primary General President say to a newly called Primary leader? Why does Primary matter? How can we create "places of security" for children? We find out on this week's episode as President Susan H. Porter gives advice directly to a brand new ward primary president. 1:50- Upbringing 4:23- First and Earliest Communicators 8:15- Recognizing the Spirit 10:14- Long-term Impacts of Primary 13:30- Experiences with Elder Porter 18:08- Engaging Five Senses 20:15- Service When It's Not Convenient 23:00- Variety of Learners 25:53- Handbook Updates 31:54- Value of Councils 34:44- Power of Primary Songs 37:31- Creating Places of Security 38:43- Message to Children of the Church 39:25- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? "Heavenly Father knows you. Heavenly Father loves you and Heavenly Father needs you." President Porter's message to the children of the Church

In October 1998, Sione Havili's future looked incredibly bright. Earlier that year, he had signed a letter of intent to play football at BYU and was preparing to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New York City. But in a single moment, everything changed. A decision to take part in an act of retaliation tied to gang violence would alter the course of Sione's life forever. In this week's episode, Sione opens up about the difficult lessons that followed, and why he now believes the experience was essential to his personal growth and progression. 1:40- Two Sets of Friends 3:53- Retaliation 5:57- Extradited  9:07- The Response of Others 12:23- From NYC To SLC 13:38- Prison 17:00- High School Sweethearts 18:13- Continued Consequences 22:23- Leaving That Kid Behind 31:01- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? "We can't look back…Whenever we encounter any challenges, even if we have successes, we need to look forward."  Links:  KSL Documentary about Sione: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rwSILAXH0Y&t=745s

Years ago, Maria Eckersley found herself needing the Savior more than ever. As her husband battled pancreatic cancer, Easter became more than a holiday—it became a lifeline of hope, hope in the promises of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Instead of creating a long list of activities or traditions, Maria created what she calls a "tradition of teaching." In this episode, Maria shares how intentionally focusing her family on the gift of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ transformed her home and her gratitude for Easter.    2:42- Origin of Testimony 6:13- Salt Lake Temple Open House Celebration 9:59- A Choice to Celebrating Easter 15:18- A Tradition of Teaching 20:13- What a Connection with the Lord Does 22:08- There's Always Water 25:08- The Promises If the Resurrection is True 29:15- The Duality in Easter 34:04- Easter Through the Lens of the Book of Mormon 37:33- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?    "I think there's a lot of that commercial side that we can set down when it comes to Easter. So for me, I guess I see Christmas as a season of giving and receiving in the Savior's way and when it comes to Easter, I see Easter focused on it's all about me receiving...it literally is just His divine gift that is given to all of us. It's a time for us to celebrate that gift, to appreciate it, maybe to emulate it but it's really all about receiving and I just think there's some tenderness in that."   Links: Teaching Easter by Maria Eckersley Elder Neal A. Maxwell- "The cavity which suffering carves into our souls will one day also be the receptacle of joy."

When Corby Campbell's backflip ended in paralysis, it could have marked the end of his dreams. Instead, it became the foundation of something greater. On this week's episode, Corby and his wife, Tess—whom he met while in his wheelchair—share how love found them in unexpected circumstances, what they've learned about healing, and why they believe the Lord's purpose for Corby's life wasn't ruined in the fall—it was only just beginning.   3:13- A Story Meant To Share 7:42- The Plan Wasn't Ruined 10:57- Challenges and Potential to Improve/Overcome 21:38- Patience  23:56- Grieving Unmet Expectations 28:26- Grateful To Not Be Healed 38:22- "Everyone Is Lame" 42:50- A Default Opportunity for Service 48:13- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?    "The Savior does not heal people as often as He can and He does that on purpose." -Tess Campbell

Shirley Washenko is a survivor of sexual abuse who now shares a powerful message of hope and healing for those who have endured similar trauma. Through her own journey, she has discovered that true healing is possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. On this week's episode, Shirley testifies that the peace and restoration she has found are worth every effort and that utilizing the Atonement of Jesus Christ has the power to bless generations. 3:04- Personal Testimony 7:16- Healing Doctrines  12:24- What Is and Is Not Forgiveness 20:04- Healing Affects Generations 22:52- Digging Up the Past? 30:15- Agency and Physical Bodies 37:51- Alma the Younger 43:17- Approaching Stats Without Fear 47:13- Infuriating Unfairness 52:04- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  "You are worth it. You are worth healing and becoming your most divine, true, whole, complete self. You're worth speaking your story. Your voice really does matter. Your story really matters and your healing really matters."  Links: "Healing After Sexual Abuse"- https://www.deseretbook.com/product/P6078641.html?utm_source=ldsliving&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=13099-00001401&utm_id=13099  "Infuriating Unfairness" talk by Elder Renlund: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/25renlund?lang=eng

When the Temple Square renovation is complete, four new sculptures by artist Ben Hammond will welcome visitors to the grounds. Hammond began his career apprenticing under a sculptor known for crafting busts for the NFL Hall of Fame. Since then, his meticulous talent has led to creating Hall of Fame busts himself and sculpting a statue of Martha Hughes Cannon for the U.S. Capitol. On this week's episode, Ben shares how his life and career have been shaped—piece by piece—by the Master Sculptor.   2:03- Anatomy 7:43- The Creator 12:32- NFL Hall of Fame Busts 17:37- Uninterrupted Time With a Prophet 24:27- Temple Square Sculptures 34:29- Five Wise Virgins 38:55- Martha Hughes Cannon 45:36- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?   "I don't want to live my life in fear. I don't want to be obsessed with politics and everything that's bad in the world. I want to focus on things of an eternal nature. There's some sadness that happens when you're separated in this life but to know that I've been redeemed by Jesus Christ—nothing can happen in this life that can take that away from me unless I choose for it to happen."

What if the greatest gift of Christmas isn't something we buy, but something we become? Sharon Eubank, global humanitarian director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, shares what she's learned about meaningful giving—and how each of us can better serve and lift others this holiday season. 3:29- Character Developed in Giving and Receiving 8:19- Safeguarding Dignity 11:42- Approaching the Enormity of the World's Suffering 18:03- Joining Hands 22:56- The Power of Presence 28:40- The Salvation Army 34:33- Sparking Hope 38:53- Multiplying and Replenishing 43:22- "Love's Pure Light" 46:48- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  "If we can be the one that's handing them the can [of food] or listening to their story or reading a scripture with them or inviting them to our table to spark the hope that starts, aren't we lucky?" Links:  "Doing Small Things With Great Love" - https://www.deseretbook.com/product/PR00001103.html?cgid=books_nonfiction "Silent Night, Love's Pure Light" - https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/christmas-devotional/2018/12/silent-night-loves-pure-light?lang=eng

On October 15, 1985, Kathy Sheets returned home from her morning walk and noticed a small package on the driveway. As she reached for it, a bomb—placed by master forger Mark Hofmann in a desperate attempt to divert attention from his collapsing fraud scheme—detonated, taking her life. Kathy's daughter, Heidi Jones, struggled following her mom's passing with bitterness and deep grief but on today's episode, she shares how a decision to forgive made all the difference.  2:00- The 50-Year-Old Housewife 5:07-October 15, 1985 8:41- The Unseen Aftermath 11:18- An All-Consuming Grief 13:41- Letting Go of Bitterness  19:18- Reconciliation and Testimony 22:03- Forgiving the Unfairness of Life 27:25- The Unseen Aftermath…Again 32:06- Gaining Perspective 35:16- No Unfinished Business 38:59- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? "To apply Christ's Atonement in my life I had to be able to take that huge burden, that oppression, and lay it at the Savior's feet and leave it. Lay it and leave it."

Emily Utt has one of the most unique jobs within the Church: she spends her days inside its most sacred and historic spaces. Sometimes that means slipping on a hard hat; other times it means uncovering stories and artifacts that deepen our understanding of the faith's heritage. In this episode, Emily shares what she's learned from a career spent safeguarding holy places—and why these spaces should matter to each of us.  1:43- What Constitutes a Sacred Space?  4:49- Remembering and Connection 9:55- We are Them 16:40- A Very Cool Job 19:09- Principles of Preservation 24:47- Appropriateness and Real People 27:22- Why Spend Time in Sacred Spaces? 31:33- Kirtland Temple 37:46- Until You've Been in Their Home 44:21- Looking Forward and Looking Back 50:07- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  "I imagine every person in the world has a place that would be their waters of Mormon and how beautiful is that place, for there they came to know God."  Links: Follow Him podcast with Emily- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/followhim/id1545433056?i=100070927727 Hi Five Live with Emily- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy1wPXog1q8