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!

Today I interview Emily Taylor! A Ph.D. student studying political and religious differences in families. When Emily was younger, she had to take the initiative to begin growing her testimony in a home where the gospel was often a source of contention. She eventually developed a profound testimony of God the Father through a family she met in France. Still, she struggled to gain a personal testimony of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us. This changed when Emily went to study abroad in Jerusalem and later served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Emily tells some beautiful stories about her conversion and shares insightful advice about gaining a testimony piece by piece. I hope you enjoy!

Today I interviewed Jonathan Brinley, an instructor of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University and my New Testament teacher! Brinley explains that his testimony was shaped by religious speakers and educators that he crossed paths with because of his father's occupation as a religious educator. He describes how he would feel the spirit and a yearning to come closer to Christ through their words. Jonathan's testimony was further strengthened when he moved to Dallas Texas because of his father's calling as a Mission President. Jonathan's testimony was challenged when he encountered other faiths, but he remained faithful to the eternal truths he had grown up with. Brinley shares his experience serving a mission, finding an eternal companion, and sharing general advice about the spirit and testimonies. I hope you enjoy this episode!!

Today I talk with Amaya. Amaya is a student at BYU hoping to be in the nursing program. She talks about her experience growing up in a protective household that didn't let her have very much freedom. During COVID, Amaya's family became especially religious and she felt like that religion was forced on her and she could not ask questions about it. Eventually, Amaya moved out and into a home where there were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day-Saints. She began attending church meetings, meeting with the missionaries, and eventually decided to get baptized. Amaya began to attend BYU but found the community a surprising change from what she had known at home, and she had some very difficult trials while in her first semester at BYU. Amaya talks about the guilt involved with trials inflicted on you by another person, and talks about her experience trying to feel close to God after and during those trials. Amaya's testimony is so beautiful and I hope you all enjoy this episode.

Today I interview Harrison Moore. Harrison grew up in Dallas, Texas, and had a strong testimony when he was a child because of his church environment and his parents' strong testimony. However, as Harrison grew older, he found himself doubting the gospel more and feeling like he was letting Heavenly Father down. He tells about this period of his life where he would try to be better but felt like he would always mess up and fail. When Harrison went to BYU he started to hang out with friends who encouraged him to grow closer to Heavenly Father and ponder serving a mission. His faith and testimony grew as he worked towards being a missionary. Harrison served his mission amid COVID and talks about the struggles of returning home midway through serving. Harrison also details his experience with grief as he deals with the trial of a recent death of a friend. Harrison has incredible faith and hope, and I encourage you all to listen to his advice and his story!

Today I interview Max Craft, also known as Elder Craft, because he is currently 20 months into his mission for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pocatello Idaho! Max's testimony began with an unquestioning belief in what his parent taught him and eventually grew when he made faithful friends that encouraged his spiritual growth. After COVID, Max began to slip into depression, and it was soon after this time that he began to question how God could have put him through such a painful trial. Max explains how through his support system and his desire to have a testimony he was able to develop a personal testimony of the Book of Mormon and foster the desire to serve a mission. Max gives powerful advice for how to listen to the whisperings of the spirit and bares fervent testimony of Jesus Christ.

Today I interview Kaitlyn Murry, a student at UVU studying public health and working at an autism clinic to help young children better their social skills and quality of life. Kaitlyn talks about how the foundation of her testimony was built on the example of her parents and close family who set an incredible standard for her to strive to achieve throughout her youth. She was able to keep these commitments to achieve a righteous life because of her incredible support group of church friends who helped her grow spiritually in a safe environment. Although this was helpful to her at the time, Kaitlyn realized that she needed to gain a personal testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, so that when she was in environments that weren't as spiritually encouraging, she could still maintain her standards. Kaitlyn served a mission in Gilbert Arizona and she details her experience preparing for, serving, and coming home from this mission. Kaitlyn's rhetoric and attitude toward the gospel is so inspiring! I hope you enjoy!

"Journal or record your spiritual experiences and surround yourself with peers who will uplift you" is Logan Shulz's advice for gaining a testimony. Logan recently graduated high school in Maine and is leaving on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Stockholm Sweden in July. Logan explains how his parents instilled in him a desire to "discover for himself" the truths of the gospel instead of forcing mandatory church attendance on him. This motivation to gain testimony helped him seek out spiritual experiences and a true love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Logan talks about "flipping the gratitude switch", finding a place of synergy in contention, and the miracles of journaling. His faith and dedication to the Lord's will is truly inspiring!

Today I interview John Hilton iii, a religious education professor at BYU and the author of various books and teaching courses. John talks about his experience gaining a testimony as a child was largely motivated by his desire to read and fully understand scripture. John explains how during one special EFY as a 15-year-old, John felt that the Holy Ghost had "written on his heart" that the things he was testifying of were true. That feeling of the Holy Ghost has followed him throughout his life and motivated him to make good life decisions like serving a mission in Denver, Colorado for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, choosing to be a seminary teacher, and establishing fence laws for himself surrounding dating. John's vast understanding of gospel literature helps him to give some incredible advice in this episode about feeling close to God, preparing to serve a mission, and gaining a testimony. I hope you enjoy! https://johnhiltoniii.com/Check out his website!

Today I interview Jasmin Felton. The moment I met Jasmin her lust for life and love of God was strikingly apparent. In this episode, she shares how she had a rough childhood, but God was with her every step of the way. She stumbled upon the Chuch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through fervent prayer and potent faith. Eventually, Jasmin chose to get baptized and has since served as a genuine disciple, spreading God's light and love. Jasmin describes a testimony as "what you have to show for the trials you've been through." She shares other powerful pieces of advice like how to feel closer to God and how to overcome some of the controversial issues of the church. I hope you enjoy!

Fashion decided to live her life on the covenant path and follow the gospel of Jesus Christ one night after a conversation with a friend. She had grown up in a Latter-day Saint household but soon her family shifted priorities and she was left to choose her own path. After her parents divorced and she moved to California, she found herself feeling a cognitive dissonance, because she believed in the gospel of Jesus Christ, but was not living according to its counsel. It was then that she decided to turn her life around for herself and her future family. Fashion has incredible advice for anyone who is struggling to gain a testimony. I love her and I love this episode.

Even before cancer, Carter Low possessed a fervent and pure faith. His childhood was filled with family scripture study and family home evenings, which helped him build a doctrinal foundation to build his testimony. His faith helped him to serve a mission in Houston Texas, Mandarin-speaking. On his mission, Carter was diagnosed with cancer, but that didn't slow him down. He continued to find joy in life, trust in God, and remain optimistic. He says that people would always describe him "with a smile on his face", which he credits to the Spirit.

Hunter Martinez is a recent convert to the church with a powerful testimony. Growing up in Utah, Hunter was surrounded by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and felt like an outsider. Once he went to college, he began to investigate the church without the judgment of family and friends to influence him. He felt peace and joy in church meetings but felt like he could never feel the spirit. Through others' advice and vulnerability, missionary discussions, and an eventual leap of faith, he chose to become a member of the Church. He tells about how he continued to grow his testimony and gain "spiritual momentum" by confiding in the community around him. Hunter's episode is very powerful, and such a good tool to understand what it is like for converts. I encourage you to share this episode with anyone who is sharing the gospel or is investigating the gospel.

Marianna found her testimony through "the covenants that we make with God". As the head of communications for the G20 interfaith forum, she often interacts with various other religions and faiths. It is because we have a prophet of God that has the sealing power of the priesthood that Marianna realized that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints contained the whole truth. Marianna is a highly educated and accomplished woman. She received three educational degrees, has published various books, is a professor at BYU, served as a mission leader in the Sao Paolo Brazil mission, and is the mother of 12 children. Her insights and experiences show the variety of her life experience and her wisdom. Marianna's Podcast: https://womenreadscripture.com/

Today I interview Braxton. Braxton didn't have a testimony in high school. He doubted his faith and his testimony on his mission. His social anxiety greatly affected his church attendance and his ability to serve the Lord. Yet, through his many struggles and his trials his powerful testimony of the love of Christ shines through during this episode while he tells his story. He explains how only after a devastating trial was he able to gain a testimony by teaching youth as an FSY counselor.

"When tragedy hits, you don't all the sudden have time to gain a testimony" Today I interview Hank Smith, a professor of religion at Brigham Young University. Hank's testimony began with an accidental powerful spiritual experience and an eventual growing curiosity in the gospel of Jesus Christ. His extensive education in religious text strengthened his testimony and helped him find his passion for teaching scripture to others. Hank vulnerably shares his recent experiences and how they have impacted his testimony. Brother Smith has his own podcast called "Follow Him" where they discuss the Come Follow Me chapters of the week with scriptural experts. You should give it a listen!

Serena Pemberton is the guest on this week's episode and tells us about her journey to gain a testimony. She explains how moving several times in her childhood made it difficult to fit into a ward and led to her feeling judged by the other youth. She stopped attending church and began to struggle with motivation and happiness. Her testimony finally began to grow when she went on a service trip to the Dominican Republic and felt, "the happiest I'd ever been". Attending church in the DR helped her feel the spirit in a way she never felt before and she began to think about serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She started serving in Guayaquil Ecuador and began to receive promptings that her time on the mission would be cut short.  She tells about her process for receiving personal revelation on these big life decisions and the difficulty of struggling with mental health while being a disciple of Jesus Christ. 

Nick's steps to gaining a testimony: 1. take action and the Lord will magnify your efforts 2. get on your knees, and ask Heavenly Father what he would have you do Nick Carter is a college student in Rexburg Idaho who served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fortworth Texas. He tells of his teenage years living off of the covenant path without a testimony, and later describes his undoubting faith in Jesus Christ that he developed through trials and perseverance. He gives some great advice for anyone who is struggling to get themselves on a mission or struggling to understand why they should consider going on a mission. I invite you to listen to his conversion story with an open heart and take action on the insights he shares. Nicks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicholascarter9421/

"There's a lot of preparation, and I see how much my preparation, and my understanding of the gospel, and actually living the stuff for years and years has prepared me for having a home with the gospel in it" Chelsea Romney, a psychology professor at BYU, has such a powerful testimony. Dr. Romney explains how she chose to live the gospel in the moment and start preparing herself for her future family. She details her conversion story and the path she took to decide to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Gradual, open-hearted, and personal” are the words Tyler Bills would use to describe the process of gaining her testimony. Tyler talks about the difficulty of having friends making decisions that were contrary to her standards, her struggle to receive confirmation to go on a mission, and her steady faith that eventually led to her firm testimony in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

The first episode!! Megan's a freshman at BYU preparing to serve a mission in Lima Peru! (we filmed this before she knew where she was going). She talks about how she gained a testimony through her trials by holding on to the basics until she saw the fruits of the gospel in her life. We discuss the differences in church atmosphere in different states and how your testimony can change in each stage of your life.

Hey! I'm Emilia Rabe and Im a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Growing up I had a really hard time understanding how to gain a testimony of Jesus Christ. I would see all my peers and the adults around me stand firm in their faith and they never seemed to have any doubt. I didn't understand how they had gotten to that place and the only stories' I heard seemed to be miraculous occasions that I didn't relate to. I wanted to start this podcast to interview different people and find out how they got their testimonies. Hopefully, one of you who is struggling to understand how to gain a testimony will relate to one of these stories and get some advice and encouragement on how to get closer to an understanding and belief in Jesus Christ and his gospel