How did you gain a testimony?

Today my Dad interviews me! I'm so glad I got to finish up this episode before I begin my service as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am so grateful for everyone who has listened to the podcast, and who has sent me kind inspiring messages along the way. Thank you so much for listening! And I hope you enjoy.

Today I interview Ellie Johnson! Ellie recently got home from her mission in La'ie, Hawaii serving in the temple visitor center. Ellie shares that her testimony began with incredible examples and spiritual experiences with her parents and her sisters. She shares the troubles that she faced trying to keep the spirit in her life while she felt that there were opposing examples and influences around her. She explains the struggles that she encountered aligning her will with God's, and how she ultimatley received a beautiful witness of the truth of the gospel on her mission. I hope you enjoy!

Today I interview Ashley Clark! She tells of her childhood growing up Catholic and her struggles with mental health as she started university. She explains teh strong pull that she had towards God and religion and how her now husband helped her find the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her story is filled with miracles, tender mercies, and a beautiful strong testimony. I hope you enjoy!

Today I interview Parker Horn. He shares how his parent's constant example and devotion to the church and its youth programs helped him to develop a love and respect for the gospel. However, he felt that his testimony of the church was mostly passive with little opposition until he left home for college, and started to explore more of his questions about the church. His questions only helped his testimony to begin to progress and that desire to know and understand would help his faith journey when he was serving a mission in Ecuador. Parker talks about his confusion and frustrations with his mission that eventually helped him to see with an 'eye of faith' and develop a deep personal connection with his Heavenly Father. I loved this episode and I hope you do too!!

Today I interview David Ashton. This interview is full of engaging metaphors and idioms that begin to explain the full excentric personality of Brother Ashton. He talks about his strong upbringing in the church and how his parents set up an incredible foundation for him to build off. He speaks of learning about the healing power of the atonement and about key moments in his teenage years where he felt the spirit testify to him of the truthfulness of the gospel. I have been thinking about this episode ever since recording it, it truly was so exciting to be a part of. I hope you enjoy!

Today I interview Claire Hall. Claire explains how she was the youngest of a big family and that her two older siblings chose to take rather different paths in life as it pertains to the gospel. These examples cause Claire to question what she truly believed, and those questions led her to incredible encounters with the Holy Ghost and miraculous experiences. Claire gives incredible advice to listeners and is an incredible guest on this podcast!

Today I interview Reagan Lapicola a math education student at BYU and one of my closest friends. Reagan's testimony started with a deep love for her family and a desire for them to be together forever. She comments on her rocky understanding of the scriptures and how she didn't find community with the youth in her ward. Nonetheless, Reagan testifies boldly of Christ's atoning power, that he is always waiting for you to reach out to Him and ask for His help. Reagan shares her testimony of priesthood authority, of keeping the sabbath day holy, and of the salvific nature of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Today I interview Sky Barkley a chemical engineering student at BYU and a good friend. Sky's childhood was filled with a desire to connect with a higher power and to understand her spirituality, which took her to many different churches and denominations. She was then introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through her future stepdad and began a difficult journey to gain a testimony. Through the guidance of the spirit and through fervent study of the scriptures she came to the decision that the church was true and wanted to enter into the waters of baptism. Since then, Sky has been steadily working to continue to build her testimony and be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.

Today I interview Kerry Muhlestein a professor of Ancient Scripture at BYU, Director of the BYU Egyptian Excavation Project, and my Old Testament Professor. Kerry talks about how he feels like he's had a testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints his whole life. He discusses how his parents were a great example to him, and how their fervent discipleship paved the way for Kerry to discover his own love for the scriptures. Kerry talks about his hardships reconciling his academic research and faith and advises listeners on his best strategies to use revelation to gain further understanding. I love this episode and I hope you enjoy!

Today I Interview Autumn Stephenson a student at BYU and a good friend of mine. Autumn grew up in Eagle Idaho, a town just outside of Boise. At the beginning of high school, Autumn found herself pushing down her religiosity in order to fit in with friends who disagreed with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Miracles in Autumn's life helped her to reconnect with her love for the Savior and she grew more aware of his love for her. Through going to the temple, making new friends, and feeling the spirit through music Autumn gained a testimony. Autumn tells of her experiences having her dad as her Bishop, having a brother with Down syndrome, and her scholarship at BYU. I hope you enjoy!