Latter-day Saint MissionCast

Welcome to the Latter-day Saint MissionCast. This introduction episode will help you get started in listening to this missionary centric podcast.

Preparing to serve a mission doesn't start in the MTC. With the Church moving to being Home Centered-Church Supported, missionaries and their parents have an increasing need to prepare missionaries while they are young. With a new book from Robert Conrilles and Taylor Halverson, parents have a new tool to help them to overcome this challenge.

The final episode in our Basic Doctrine Series. This episode is on the true doctrine of Commandments. Why do we have them, and how do we teach them. With guest Scott Sorensen.

The Book of Mormon is THE teaching and study tool of Missionary Work. The Scripture Plus App is a powerful Book of Mormon Study app. Episode Guest, Jasmin Rappleye from Book of Mormon Central.

Interview with Kristen Reber about her podcast, Early Homecoming, which addresses Early Return Missionaries and the challeges they face.

The basic doctrine of Marriage and Family is central to the Plan of Salvation. The doctrine of the Eternal Family particularly challenging to teach in our modern world. In this episode we interview W. Justin Dyer to discuss the basic doctrine of the family, as well as address some of the misunderstood parts of the pre-existence, and some folk doctrines that we should avoid mingling with teaching people of the Gospel.

This is a combination-type episode of the podcast. In one part we will have a sort of "part 2" to our episode on the Basic Doctrine on Prophets and Revelation. we will also address Stephanie's new workbook, Learn Of Me, which is a great tool for missionaries. This workbook helps support the effort to keep the challenge of President Russell M. Nelson to study Jesus Christ from the Topic Guide.

What is the relationship of Ordinances and Covenants, why do they matter, and how do you teach this to others? This and more on this episode of the Latter-day Saint MissionCast podcast

Jennifer Roach was an Anglican Minister, but discovered the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and converted. This is her powerful conversion story.

What is the priesthood, and what are priesthood keys? How do we teach these to members not of our faith? What is the history of priesthood in the Church? All this and more in this episode of the Latter-day Saint MissionCast!

Prophets and Revelation is a basic doctrine of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. While fundamental to our belief system, this teaching is not found in many of the religions of the world. Our guest on this episode of the podcast is religious educator, Blake Dalton. He speaks of the importance of this doctrine, as well as the ways that we can best approach teaching this subject with others not of our faith.

Dispensation, Apostasy, and Restoration are the considered basic doctrines of the Restored Gospel. However, they are interrelated and should not be separated if they are to be considered eternal, and salvific (relating to our salvation). Learn how to best teach about the Restoration of God's Church on the Earth, and the deeper meaning of apostasy and dispensation.

- Do you sometimes wonder what is and isn't Church doctrine? - Have you heard something unsettling about Church history and wanted to know if it's true? - Do you want to deepen your study on a gospel topic but don't know where to look other than Google? This episode with guest Anthony Sweat is for you. He discusses his new book and offers great advice on how to address these important questions about Modern Day Christian Discipleship.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the means by which the Plan of Salvation is accomplished. It is a central teaching to the theology of the Restored Church of Jesus Christ, and yet, one that may be least understood. Learn what the true Doctrine is, and how to best teach it to others.

Continuing our Basic Doctrines Series of Podcasts, on this episode we are going to cover The Plan of Salvation. This interview covers the official doctrine as well as commentary by Scholar Brent Top.

Tad Callister discusses his book A Case For The Book of Mormon, which addresses critical concerns about The Book of Mormon. He also talks about his time as a mission president and the advice he would give missionaries when needing to address critical concerns about the Book of Mormon.

After serving only 8 months Jaxon Washburn made the difficult decision to come home with on an emotional health release. Learn his faithful story that is shared by many.

Do women have Priesthood authority in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Do women who serve as missionaries do so with Priesthood Power? Sometimes these questions are hard to answer to people within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, let alone to people outside of the faith. See how the answer should be a "yes!"

In this interview we meet Mack Wilberg and Ryan Murphy, the two Music Directors for The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. Find out how the Tabernacle Choir is a Missionary Organization, and get the inside scoop about their latest album!

Fundamental to sharing the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is a solid knowledge of the Doctrine of The Godhead; namely the true nature of God, The Son, The Holy Spirit, and their relationship to humankind. In part 1 of our Basic Doctrines series, we interview Robert Millet, who was a professor of many religion courses at the University level include at BYU. We discuss the true, revealed and enduring teachings about The Godhead. Each episode in this Basic Doctrines series will come with source material to official teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the various doctrines, as well as resources to support it as a "doctrine" of the church. For an introduction on what is meant by a Doctrine or what is a Policy or Practice of the church, please listen to our introductory episode with Mike Goodman by clicking here. Here is the official teaching on The Godhead from the Church's official website: There are three separate personages in the Godhead: God, the Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost (see Joseph Smith—History 1:15–20). The Father and the Son have tangible bodies of flesh and bone, and the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit (see D&C 130:22–23). They are one in purpose and doctrine. They are perfectly united in bringing to pass Heavenly Father’s divine plan of salvation. The Godhead - God the Father God the Father is the Supreme Ruler of the universe. He is the Father of our spirits (see Hebrews 12:9). He is perfect, has all power, and knows all things. He is also a God of perfect mercy, kindness, and charity. The Godhead - Jesus Christ Jesus Christ is the Firstborn of the Father in the spirit and is the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. He is Jehovah of the Old Testament and the Messiah of the New Testament. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life and made a perfect Atonement for the sins of all mankind (see Alma 7:11–13). His life is the perfect example of how all mankind should live (see John 14:6; 3 Nephi 12:48). He was the first person on this earth to be resurrected (see 1 Corinthians 15:20–22). He will come again in power and glory and will reign on the earth during the Millennium. All prayers, blessings, and priesthood ordinances should be done in the name of Jesus Christ (see 3 Nephi 18:15, 20–21). Related references: Helaman 5:12; D&C 19:23; D&C 76:22–24 The Godhead - The Holy Ghost The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a personage of spirit without a body of flesh and bones. He is often referred to as the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord, and the Comforter. The Holy Ghost bears witness of the Father and the Son, reveals the truth of all things, and sanctifies those who repent and are baptized (see Moroni 10:4–5). Related references: Galatians 5:22–23; D&C 8:2–3 Additional References or Sources on The Godhead include: The Father and the Son - A Doctrinal Exposition by the First PresidencyThe Living Christ - THE TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES Future episodes will continue to feature one of the 9 basic doctrines as outlined on the Church's official website. Please subscribe to the podcast as we interview scholars who help us to come to a greater understanding of the official teachings of the Church and its leadership. Brother Millet was Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on 30 December 1947. Served in Eastern States Mission from 1967-69. Married Shauna Sizemore in 1971; six children. Received B.S., M.S. degrees in Psychology from BYU; Ph.D. from Florida State University in Religious Studies. Worked with LDS Social Services, LDS Seminaries and Institutes, and joined BYU Religious Education faculty in 1983. Served as Ancient Scripture Department Chair and as Dean of Religious Education. (from BYU.edu)

Faith is Not Blind is a book by Elder Bruce C. and Sister Marie Hafen and published by Deseret Book. This book addresses the many ways that individuals encounter the challenges to developing faith or the language of testimony. In preparing to serve missions, while on a mission, or when someone returns from missionary service, we all encounter stages of faith progression. But how do we manage those experiences in such a way to come out the other side with greater faith? In this book, and with this interview, Elder and Sister Hafen discuss their mission, temple, and personal experiences dealing with difficult issues about how to travel the trials of faith, the challenges of life, and develop a stronger relationship with God as a result. To purchase a copy of Faith is Not Blind, by Elder and Sister Hafen, click here.

What to know how to determine doctrine or church policy? Mike Goodman helps us to learn the difference.

Dating as or with a Return Missionary is a very real part of the readjusting process for those finishing a full time mission. For those that haven't served a mission, dating a return missionary can be an adjustment, if not a unique experience. This episode is a great resource for making it through the dating process successfully. Host Nick Galieti produces and is a co-host of the Barbie Does Dating Podcast, as well as the Latter-day Saint MissionCast. In this episode we do a crossover episode between the two shows. So join host Barbie Berg, Steve Soelberg, and Nick Galieti for this crossover episode of both shows. Please visit BarbieDoesDating.com to catch up and subscribe to episodes of that podcast.

Brad Wilcox is a noted speaker and BYU Professor, a return missionary and past mission president. Brother Wilcox is also the author of a new book from Deseret Book entitled, Because of the Messiah in a Manger. This episode features his book and his mission stories from Christmas's in the field.

Zack Cordell is the Latter-day Saint Nutritionist and shares some tips on missionary nutrition as well as some insights into teaching the Word of Wisdom.

A wonderful and inspiring #LightTheWorld Holidays message from a group of Latter-day Saint Podcasters.

Ah the stories that are shared from mission companions even many years later.

Jeff was a missionary in France and Belgium from 1975–1977. He and his wife, Kathleen, are the parents of four children and twelve grandchildren. In June 2018, they completed two years of service in the Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa Mission.

A NEW New Testament? Finally! Do you find that reading New Testament English feels old, out dated, or just hard to understand? Have no fear, Thom Wayment is here. Our guest on this episode of the Latter-day Saint MissionCast is the translator of a NEW translation, a more modern translation of the New Testament Study Bible for Latter-day Saints! Brother Wayment is a professor of Classics at Brigham Young University. He joined the faculty of Religious Education in June of 2000 after completing a PhD in New Testament studies at the Claremont Graduate School, and he later joined the faculty of Comparative Arts and Letters at BYU in 2018. His recent research interests focus on Christian literary papyri, Oxyrhynchus, and the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. He served as the publications director of the Religious Studies Center from 2013 until 2018. In this episode we learn about the translation process he took, the history of the King James Version of the New Testament, and how the study hints and helps that he brings forth makes a tremendous impact on the way we study the Bible. This is great content considering the 2019 Curriculum with the Come, Follow Me - For Individuals and Families as well as Come, Follow Me - For Sunday School and Primary that will be featuring the New Testament. This is also a great resource for missionaries looking to study the gospel on or off their missions. The New Testament is our bridge to other Christian Faiths, and it contains the words of Christ. This new edition is being published by BYU and Deseret Book, released in November 2018. THE BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH Deseret Book! CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A COPY!  

This is a short special episode, a mini-episode if you will, of the Latter-day Saint MissionCast. In keeping with the spirit of the challenges made by President Nelson in the October 2018 General Conference, we will be honoring the challenge made to the Sisters in their meeting regarding a media fast. So, we will keep our comments short and make a special announcement of our own. So, check out this short episode, but stay tuned in the future for some more great episodes of the Latter-day Saint MissionCast.   Sincerely, Nick Galieti - Host and Producer

This episode of the Latter-day Saint MissionCast is a little more on the fun side. Our guest Michael Birkeland (sometimes known as Michael B), is an actor and producer, known for his roles in Singles Ward, Church Ball, The Home Teachers, and the R.M. He comes on the show to talk about his missionary service to Sacramento, California, being a parent and sending off his own children on Missions, as well as how he prayers for missionary experiences everyday. We also talk about General Conference rumors which seem to range from 2-hour church, to missionaries being able to choose their own time lengths for missions. We also talk about missionary behaving badly stories. These are those examples in so many missions where missionaries make some pretty poor decisions that are clearly against the mission rules, It happens, and while its not something we praise or glorify, it is part of what happens with full-time missionary service. To get some additional context on Michael B's life, check out his interview with Shawn Rapier on the Latter-day Lives Podcast. It goes in deep on Michael's life story, his relationship to drug abuse, and being re-baptized. His life story is powerful and a true testament to the healing power of Jesus Christ.

Reflecting on the past 6 years, by host Nick Galieti December 30th 2012 - That was the day I posted my first podcast interview ever. It was for a podcast that I no longer produce called The Good Word Podcast. It featured interviews with authors or writers who were members of the Restored Church. Since that time, I have produced podcasts for that show and for a group called FairMormon, that produces web-based content that aspires to be Faithful Answers to Critical Questions about the church. From there I then did some podcasting for LDS Perspectives, interviewing some great scholars of the Church. For the last couple years I have also done podcasting for Book of Mormon Central (The KnoWhy and Rare Possessions Podcasts). Since that first podcast episode at the end of 2012 till today, I have produced over 700 podcast episodes, a vast majority of which have been done with the hope of promoting the gospel, building faith, and now with Latter-day Saint MissionCast, to educate and inspire in the great cause of missionary work. To do the math on that for you, I have been podcasting for just about 6 years, which leaves me with an average of over 100 podcast episodes per year. This has resulted in over 1.2 million downloads of which I am aware. I don’t share this to brag or to toot my own horn, but to express to you, the listener, my deepest appreciation for your kindness and support over the years. I have received some kind emails over the years from people who have let me know that some of what I have produced helped them stay in the church, find answers to difficult questions about their faith, but this is all done with the hope that people like you can listen come closer to God. I recognize that you are giving of your precious time to listen to this podcast. And while it comes to you free in regards to money, your time has a value, and I hope that listening to this podcast is a fair exchange for your time. I have thought about the goals that I have for this podcast, and I think that it really comes down to this one overarching hope for everything I have tried to do since the beginning. I hope that people finish listening to one of my podcasts and are a better member of the Church for it. One of the benefits of working this long in podcasting is that I was able to develop contacts, and gain the trust of producers and promoters. This would allow me to have the opportunity to interview people that I might not otherwise been given the chance. This was the case with an interview that I had on the LDS Perspectives Podcast. Prior to the 2017 Christmas season I was able to interview American Idol star David Archuleta. He joined the podcast as part of the #LightTheWorld initiative. I was able to ask him many things about his public life, and service to his many communities, but I wanted to share with the listeners here on Latter-day Saint MissionCast the parts of my interview with him that focused on his mission experiences. Some of this audience may not have heard that interview, so I share a segment of that in this episode. It is my hope that listeners to this segment will feel some inspiration in his sacrifice and service. (Click here to listen to the full episode and interview with David Archuleta on LDS Perspectives)   I have interviewed, scholars, film makers, musicians, authors, and the wonderful rank and file members of the Church. I consider myself to be incredibly blessed by the associations that I have made, and the things that I have learned through podcasting. In reflecting on these things, I can see the hand of the Lord. I didn’t go to school for broadcasting, I don’t feel that I have been blessed with some definitive radio voice, perhaps I have been blessed with a face for radio, but this whole experience has come as the result of following simple promptings and putting my trust in the Lord. That was how my two-year service mission came about, that is how my two year service mission with LDS Family S...

Choosing to serve a mission or not serve a mission is a choice that many youth face in the Church today. The change in age from 19 to 18 for young men, and from 21 to 19 for young women has had an impact on the number of missionaries serving. However, many youth still struggle to decide to serve a mission at all. Chase Chesley graduating from High School, with (most of) his family. Chase Chesley is a young man who is challenged by the promising opportunities of a military career and the decision to serve a mission. After spending time as a leader of the Seminary council for his school as well as being of advanced rank in the ROTC program at his High School, Chase feels some conflict as to what path he wants to follow in his life. Many face similar challenges with the opportunities that are made available through University studies, or other avenues. Many wrestle with religious commitment and how the sacrifice the time in service at the risk of lost opportunities choosing some other path. Even for those who have considered a mission part of their life plan for most of their life have found themselves conflicted when the time to choose arrives. Following my interview with Chase, there is a shortened, edited presentation of a devotional given at the MTC in 2011 by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. I have shared this clip with my Elder's quorum in the past and I am simply taking my edit for that class and passed it on to you, the faithful Latter-day Saint MissionCast audience. I hope by sharing it that you are as inspired as I am by its message. I listen to this clip regularly on my phone. It helps me to feel re-engergized in my commitments to the gospel plan and to the Savior. Here is the full presentation of Jeffrey R. Holland's Feed My Sheep Presentation at the MTC in January 2011. (MUST WATCH!) For those that find themselves in a position of struggle with this question, or for those parents or fellow church members being around those who struggle to make this decision, this episode is an important step towards accepting the discomfort that many experience. I hope you are inspired by its message. Listen to the episode in the player above, or subscribe to our podcasts in iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Jaxon Washburn is a remarkable young man that has done a great deal of outreach work as part of being on interfaith councils, and other organizations that support religious practice. His story is unusual in that, while Jaxon was raised for the first 12 years in what he describes as a traditional Latter-day Saint household, following his mother's decision to leave the Church, he began to live a sort of double religious life studying and experiencing two different faith traditions on a regular basis. This unique experience led Jaxon to study many of the worlds religions, and, like Joseph Smith, found himself with the designs of finding out which of all the sects was the one God wanted him to align himself. Through considerable study, including listening to some past podcasts by host Nick Galieti for the FairMormon organization, Jaxon felt that he had gained a testimony of the truthfulness of the Restored Gospel, of its claims to prophetic leadership and the validity of the Book of Mormon as Scripture. Some members of the Arizona Interfaith Council - including Jaxon Washburn Jaxon came to the decision to place on hold his religious studies path in the halls of higher learning to serve a mission. In this episode he announces where he has been called, as well as some of the pilot program that he is involved with regarding language learning through the MTC. This episode features an powerful story of love, the importance of study in coming to a conversion, as well as the remarkable ways that life experience can guide us in the path that leads us back to our Heavenly Father. Jaxon (and other students) in the World Religion and Tolerance Club To learn more about the mission where Jaxon will be serving his mission - click here.

Serving a mission in Salt Lake City comes with some interesting challenges and some unique opportunities. T'Cherise Howard served her mission in the Salt Lake City, West mission, then later came back to live in Salt Lake City to attend LDS Business College. She has stayed active in church after her mission which seems to be a bigger challenge than it "used to be." So she shares some of the ways that she has stayed active and continued to share gospel messages on social media.   Please check out the Latter-day Saint MissionCast blog with weekly letters from missionaries that have been guests on the podcast and are sending back updates on how their missions are going. These letters show the work of the Lord moving forward all over the world. They share their testimonies of the Restored Gospel, stories of baptisms, and we get to see pictures of them in their respective environments. So, click here to view those letters, and stay subscribed to our social media accounts to get notices of when these letters post.

Latter-day Saint Addiction Recovery is a topic that most Missionaries and Ministers are not either comfortable or familiar enough with to suggest it as part of the path of discipleship and repentance. Due to the many misconceptions and even naivety that many have about addiction recovery in general, we continue our two-part podcast episode with Mark Miner. In this episode of the LDS MissionCast podcast, Mark and host Nick Galieti get practical about addiction recovery. Many questions are asked and answered about what to expect in a 12-step meeting, who can go, how missionaries in the field can use the program (or not) as well as other commonly held questions. We also include a definition of what constitutes a compulsive behavior that can and should be addressed in and through the program. This could include anger, codependency, and eating disorders. We also address ways that missionaries preparing to serve a mission can study from the materials provided so as to have this program as an "arrow in the quiver" for their ministering efforts. For missionaries in the field, should the need arise for the services of the Latter-day Saint Addiction Recovery Program, please address your questions to Mission Leadership to discover the best approach with your unique circumstances.

Mark Miner is a missionary with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint Addiction Recovery. Now in over 12 years of recovery, Mark's long and troubled past history that includes drugs and related crimes makes for a complex narrative in Latter-day Saint Culture. After experimenting with serious illicit drugs and serving time in prison before entering adulthood, Mark was able to become sober and serve a full-time mission where he learned Spanish. After returning home, Mark attended BYU, and through a series of events, Mark fell back into addiction through prescription pain medication. Eventually Mark hit rock bottom, robbing stores and resorting to a number of illegal choices, Mark turned himself in to authorities and decided to surrender to the mercy of God. Mark's story is a powerful example of the power of the atonement, and a sign that people can do much good in this world after having experienced intense trials. His story has inspired hundreds and was the subject of a short video produced by the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (see above). Mark's story is an example for others who have struggled with a number of issues relating to self-mastery. This podcast is a two-part episode with Part 1 being Mark's story, his experience in overcoming addiction and the path that lead him to the Savior. Part 2 is more practical application of the Addiction Recovery Program in missionary work. Mark's experience as a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Addiction Recovery missionary for over 12 years helps clarify ways that full-time missionaries can and should the 12-step-based meetings to help their investigators come unto Christ. Upon leaving prison later in life, Mark was "adopted" by famous Latter-day Saint Songwriter, Janice Kapp Perry and her Husband. They took him under their wing and became supporters of his life and renewed dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Read Janice Kapp Perry's story of her relationship with Mark Miner here.  Mark Miner is now a Real Estate Agent, is married and has a son, Ammon.  Mark Miner - Real Estate Agent For more information on LDS Addiction Recovery Services, click here to visit the official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints addiction recovery program.

Male or Female, young or old, preparing to serve or even serving a mission, the issue of overcoming pornography addiction is becoming more and more common a story. Morgan Bowser wrote an article for her blog, Slightly Sassy Vibes, that resonated with readers for a number of reasons.Morgan Bowser was first exposed to pornography at age 11, the discouraging national average. She spent years feeling as if she was not about to access the atonement, and that she might never go on a mission or enter the temple for fear that she would never be worthy. With the help of an understanding set of Bishops, Morgan was able to find her way onto a mission. Morgan Bowser is LDS. Minimalist. Advocate for Natural Products. Red-lipstick Enthusiast. Disney Lover. Essential Oil User. Homework Procrastinator. Professionaly 80's Music Jammer, and a courageous return missionary for sharing her story with us in this episode.  For anyone struggling with an addiction to pornography, please visit the resource site available from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by clicking here.

In a way, we have all been called to a Social Media Mission. But how does one go about doing that? Our two guests on this episode, Robert Walz and Dr. Jessica Zurcher, run a pilot program for the Church in Utah County. The full name of the callings they hold in the Church are to work with the Utah County Social Media Member Missionary Pilot Project. This is a multi-layered effort to develop curriculum and to test out different methods of helping members, even Return Missionaries with special language skills, the various ways that they can minister to others online and find referrals for the missionaries throughout the world. Robert Walz Bio:Robert Walz is an associate teaching professor. He received a B.A. in broadcast journalism from BYU in 1982. Walz began teaching at BYU in 2002. He started his journalism career as the weekend anchor at KIVI television in Boise, Idaho. Walz moved back to Utah in 1984, working as a reporter and anchor at KSL-Television for 15 years. He has also worked for KTVX Channel 4.  Walz is currently a reporter for Utah’s ABC 4 News. In 2004, Walz spent two days covering the destruction caused by hurricane Ivan in the Cayman Islands and the distribution of relief supplies sent by the LDS church. He did several live reports on irritable bowel syndrome and several more stories when he returned.  He also spent a week in Malawi, Africa collecting material for a project he is doing on the distribution of food to those starving due to drought in Africa. Later that year, Walz spent ten days in Peru during October following the distribution of wheelchairs by a Utah based humanitarian group. They also visited a remote village 75 miles down the Amazon River where the group built desks for a school. Part of the footage they shot aired on ABC 4 News. Dr. Jessica Zurcher Bio:Jessica Zurcher received a M.A. in Mass Communications from Brigham Young University (2011) and a B.S. from Brigham Young University-Idaho in Theatre and Speech Education, minor in English (2008). She has her Ph. D. from the University of Utah in Communications.   Her research interests include issues dealing with new media, education, and family communication—specifically, her dissertation focuses on societal perceptions of adolescent exposure to online pornography and parent-child pornography communication.  Zurcher has also worked as a co-collaborator on several research projects and is a published author in The Journal of Children and Media and Education Gerontology.  She has also presented at national communication conferences. In addition to her work in higher education, Zurcher serves as an influential educator in secondary education.  She instructs students in grades 6-12, developing and implementing curriculum for introductory and advanced theatre classes, English, film, and public speaking.  She has also taught undergraduate-level communication classes through Salt Lake Community College.  She and her husband reside in Lindon, UT and enjoy taking long walks with their two dogs, Max and Molly. Find the Social Media Mission Page on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialmediamission/Join up with the Friends In All Languages (you nee to qualify geographically):https://jx338-245941.pages.infusionsoft.net A Sample of the Videos they create for this project, specifically the video that shows the difference between the Scottish and Irish accents.

Hello, this week features a website, a youtube channel, and the creator of those web properties that provide some great resources for missionary work. Alex Balinski (or known online as Alex Ba) created the YouTube channel, Prepare to Serve, and Lifey Missions. He has some fun stories from his mission experiences in Argentina, but that wasn’t where he was first called…here now is my interview with Alex Balinski. I am going to start featuring some information on the missions from our featured guests each week, provided they served a mission. I hope that in so doing we can learn more about the many parts of the world that are apart of this great latter-day legacy of which we are all a part. In the coming weeks we have some great guests lined up to talk about some topics that we haven’t addressed on the show, another guest to talk about a world-wide pilot program being created that will provide missionary tools all around the world in scores of languages. We also have a special episode, maybe even two-part episode on the great work being done in the ARP or Addiction Recovery Program of the Church and how it can and should play a role in ministering and missionary efforts. I am also lining up a number of scholars to help us understand the gospel that we have been called to share with the world with greater power and clarity. There is so much in store for you, the faithful listeners to the LDS MissionCast. 

Ben Arkell (Guest - Left) and Nick Galieti (host - right) Hello and greetings from Cartagena, Colombia in South America. This episodes guest is Ben Arkell. He runs a few different  LDS and Missionary-based Facebook groups, including the Preach My Gospel Facebook group, and web properties like Mormon Light. He talks about how he is accounting for a dry wall installer for his day job, but how he has been able to use internet technology to spread the gospel throughout the world.  He also has some really fun stories about his own mission to Panama, something about poop eating fish (yeah, you read right). Click here to visit the Mormon Light YouTube Channel. Before I move on, I want to point out something that some of you might be missing. On our website, LDSMissionCast.com is a blog where we have letters sent in from missionaries who appeared as guests on our podcast before leaving for the missions, and are now serving missions. If you haven’t subscribed to our blog, you can do that and get the latest news from these missionaries each week. One highlight I wanted to share with you came from Elder Tanner Bennett serving in Taiwan. One week he reported that they had 14 investigators in his area, the next week 17 active investigators, he tells of a family that prayed together to find out if they should be baptized, the next week he reports that they accepted the invitation and will be baptized in a couple weeks. It is so empowering to see that in these parts of the world where the gospel is relatively young, the work is expanding and moving forward. We will be adding new missionary reports from all over the world over time. So stay locked in to the LDS MissionCast blog to read some of these fantastic stories and to see pictures of missionary work going on around the world. Music from this episode comes from our main guest, Ben Arkell’s daughter, The Piano Gal. The Piano Gal - Provided Music for this episode. We have a Latter-Day Lives segment from Shawn Rapier and the Latter-day Lives podcast with his guest entrepreneur and influencer in his own way, Jimmy Rex. Then I am going to end with a story from my short time in Cartagena Colombia and the many ways we can recognize the hand of the Lord in bringing the gospel throughout the world. Jimmy Rex - Latter-day Lives Segment guest - at Machu Picchu. I travel from time to time with my day job in the Simultaneous Interpretation industry.  This time a convention has brought me to a part of the world that is new to me. I first arrived in Bogotá, then I flew here to Cartagena where I am working for the week. I have never been to any part of South America, and I have found it to be an interesting place. New cultures, new landscapes being in the Andes Mountains it has been interesting to see their difference from the Rocky Mountains. It is summer in Utah where I live which means that it is around 75 degrees Fahrenheit at night, and around the high 90’s and low 100’s. Here, people are wearing winter jackets when it hits 72 degrees Fahrenheit. This was what I saw in the middle of January in Hawaii. Some people see 70 degrees as cold enough to wear a jacket. I was standing there in shorts, sandals, and t-shirt basking in the comfort of such a refreshing temperature. There was such a difference of experience when it came to something as simple and common as temperature. What feels incredible to me, was cold to others. Cathedral Walled City Cartagena, Colombia Sanctuary of San Pedro Claver and Church - Walled City Cartagena Clock tower - Cartagena Walled City When I told people, including my mother I was coming to Colombia, specifically Cartagena, all I heard was drugs this, cocaine, heroin, you name it. It was as if Colombia was only known for one thing to people, illegal drugs and cartels. Now, I am not so ignorant to say that such things aren’t happen. This country is also one of the worst when it comes to Child Sex trafficking.

James Goldberg (guest-left) and Nick Galieti (host-right) Have you ever wanted to know the history of the country where you have been called to serve? This weeks episode features James Goldberg here to talk about a cool new project he is working on with the Church History Department; something that can be a fun tool for those preparing or those that have come back from missions. He also shares some of his experiences serving a mission in what used to be East Germany, and teaching people who over came the religious persecutions that were in place under communist rule. He has some really fun information to share.  After that we have Kori Andrews as our guest in our Latter-day Lives segment with Shawn Rapier. For those of you that don’t listen yet to the Latter-day Lives podcast, repent! Shawn just released his 52nd episode to mark his one year mark for the Latter-day Lives podcast. His guest on that episode was Kori Andrews which some of you might know as the founder of Hi-Five Live on Facebook. Click here to listen to the full interview with Kori Andrews on Latter-day Live. Shawn Rapier (left) and Kori Andrews (right) from our Latter-day Lives segment. Congratulations to Shawn and the Latter-day Lives podcast for one year of their show. Thank you for listening to LDS MissionCast, we hope you enjoy this episode. Make sure to follow LDS MissionCast on Facebook and Instagram. Links from this episode: High Five Live on Facebook To download the Gospel Library App, click here. To read the Global History section of the Gospel Library App take the following steps: Open the App, the navigate to the Church History section. From there you will find the item titled "Global History." In that section you will find the different countries that have been covered by the project. There will be new countries added all the time.

Geoffrey Allen (via FaceTime) This week's episode is a listener generated story that involves a convert, an MTC Missionary from the Mormon.org referral center, a ministering Stake President, and so much more. This episode shows the perpetual motion that missionary work can have throughout the world. I received this email from recent convert, Geoffrey Allen, that reads: "I listened to your most recent podcast with Sister Bringhurst and loved it. At one point I thought I was going to get a good story about the MTC missionaries, but she didn't have one. I'd love to hear one, as the MTC missionaries from mormon.org played a vital role in my conversion 188 days ago. I'm still in contact with that missionary, now returned. I have an odd story that I believe is a testament to Heavenly Father's Divine Guidance and includes both MTC and field missionaries. I probably make it much longer than it needs to be, but I believe the MTC missionary who helped bring me to conversion has an exceptional story to tell that includes illness, missed missionary callings, and early returns. If you'd like to talk to her I'd be happy to ask her. She has quite the story and is a very special person. My family is lucky to have "met" her.” Sister Emma Wageman - During cancer treatment Sister Emma Wageman - Post Cancer Treatment Nick Galieti (host) and Sister Emma Wageman (guest) I exchanged a few more emails and spent some time arranging the multiple guests that we have on this show. We will first hear from the man that sent this email to me, Geoffrey Allen, to get his inspiring conversion story. Following Brother Allen, we will hear from Sister Emma Wageman, the missionary referred to in his email who has an incredible story of her own, that fills out this wonderful example of the hand of the Lord guiding this work. Finally, we will hear from Geoffrey’s Stake President, David Holland who is just one of the many people that have played a part in bringing Geoffrey into the church. It was a joy to learn of this story and I hope you are able to find inspiration in us sharing that story in this episode of the podcast. Stake President and Harvard Divinity School Professor - David F. Holland Thank you for listening to LDS MissionCast, we hope you enjoyed this episode. Make sure to followLDS MissionCast on Facebook and Instagram. Stay tuned, and thank you so much for listening to this episode of LDS MissionCast. 

Shawn Rapier and Daren Smith This weeks episode is a joint effort with our friend Shawn Rapier from the Latter-day Lives podcast. We both interview Daren Smith, a tv and film producer, a fellow sound guy (like me) and the creator of a unique way missionaries can approach their personal study of the Book Of Mormon (can you say Daily Mormon Email?). In our interview you will learn about Daren’s missionary service, as well as some of the spirit of missionary work that was part of his producing efforts on the BYUTv show - Relative Race. We also talk about his mission experiences in Washington DC, and so much more. I want to also encourage you to go to Latterdaylives.com and listen to Shawn’s interview with Daren. Each and every Monday Shawn starts your week off with great uplifting life sketches of these wonderful people who do amazing things and who happen to be members of the church. It’s like Meet the Mormons in podcast form. Daren tells some different experiences from his life that can also help to serve and inspire you. Click here to sign up for Daren Smith's Daily Mormon email list. In our Latter-day Lives segment this episode, Shawn Rapier talks with Q. Bryce Randle who is an editor and TV producer, who works with with Disney Animatioon, and worked on other shows like Yo Gabba Gabba, The Pirates of the Caribbean movies, and so much more. Bryce Randle’s full interview with the Latter Day Lives Podcast is also pretty amazing. Shawn Rapier and Q. Bryce Randle One of the overarching themes of this podcast, I hope, is that there are so many ways that we can do and support missionary work all around us, no matter where we are at. A few years back now, President Monson lowered the age that missionaries can go into the field, and I believe it was the following general conference, President Monson invited the members to donate to the missionary program of the church to support a huge surge in missionaries going out into the field. Like some of you, I felt the desire to heed the prophets call to action, but I am not a wealthy man. I am grateful to provide what I do for my family, but that leaves me with almost nothing left each month. So in order to do what I could to sustain the prophet I had the idea to write a book, and to get others to help write a book that we would sell and then use the proceeds to donate to the missionary program of the church. So we did. It took a couple years to come out, but it is out and I wanted to bring it to everyone’s attention as all the proceeds go to the missionary program of the church. The book is called D&C 4: A Lifetime of Study in Discipleship. This book features short essays from a number of scholars, historians, my bishop at the time even has an essay in there, as well as others who have some great insights into Section 4 of the D&C. While it is just 7 short verses, President Joseph Fielding Smith said that Section 4, “contains sufficient counsel and instruction for a lifetime of study...It is as broad, as high and as deep as eternity.” With that in mind each essay tackles a different approach to those 7 verses. D&C4 and the relief society, D&C 4 and the Family, there is even an essay on applying the lessons in D&C 4 to addiction recovery. There is over 200 pages on these 4 verses of scripture including the most in-depth history on the section ever written by Russell Stevenson, a previous guest on the podcast. For more information, or to buy a copy, visit 4behold.org. It makes for a great gift for a missionary preparing to serve, on a mission, or someone who has come home. There is so much more to this section that we may initially realize and I hope you decide to check it out and support the missionary program in the mean time. Thank you to Shawn for his regular contributions to this podcast, and I do hope you go check out the interview he does with Daren as well as all his other wonderful interviews at LatterdayLives.com.

Welcome to the LDS MissionCast a podcast to educate and inspire in the great cause of Missionary Work. Returning Home From a Full Time Mission Jason (left) and Julienne (right) Bringhurst - A father and daughter pair of return missionaries and guests for this episode of LDS MissionCast Missionaries go out on missions and they come home from missions. In a previous episode of the LDS MissionCast, we interviewed Kathleen Sheffield and talked about this idea of reacculturation of missionaries after coming home. Today we have our first recently returned missionary in Julienne Bringhurst. She served a mission in Omaha, Nebraska and, at the time of our interview, she had only been home for 4 weeks. As anyone who has served can tell you, 4 weeks is still in that time frame where adjusting to non-fulltime proselyting is a challenge. Julienne shares some of her favorite mission stories, as well as some of the challenges that she has faced in that reacculturation process. We also have her father Jason Bringhurst who shares what he is doing as a parent to help ease that transition as well.  Jason is also dedicated listener to the show. He shared our interview with Dusty Smith on his blog and has some insights to share as part of how he has shared the gospel online through his blog Rocky Mountain Sunshine. I kind of sprung the interview on Jason in asking him about his experience sharing our Dusty Smith podcast on his blog, and how some of that experience has informed his own brand of missionary work online. Megan Bryant, guest on our Latter-day Lives Segment Following their interview we have a Latter-day Lives segment from Shawn Rapier where he talks with comedian, and keynote speaker, Megan Bryant.   We each have different experiences coming home from full-time missionary service. Often times the missionary is changed far more than the people “back home” have changed. In that sense, time seems to take on a whole new meaning. Life takes on a new lens through which we view the people around us. When I first mentioned to some people in the missionary department of the church that I wanted to put on this podcast and get some feedback on the idea, I was told by one individual that the greatest need that the missionary department is facing right now, is keeping missionaries active upon coming home. The adjustment process is more than just changing your schedule, and daily routines. Coming home from a mission and staying active is as important as going on a mission in the first place. We should seek to find ways to do both with honor. In future episodes we will be spending a great deal of time talking about the challenges to coming home from a mission as it is so vitally important. So, stay tuned, and thank you so much for listening to this episode of LDS MissionCast. 

Ben Spackman (left-guest) and host Nick Galieti (right) discuss using the Bible as missionaries. Welcome to the LDS MissionCast a podcast to educate and inspire in the great cause of Missionary Work. This episode is hosted by Nick Galieti. Ben Spackman is an interesting type of scholar. He spent some time teaching at BYU, but has since continued his formal education towards his PH.d. His educational background is so varied that I am not sure there is anyone who has repeated his same course of study. As a result I find his insights to be good food for thought. His area of expertise deals a lot with ancient scripture. Sometimes we don’t spend much time as missionaries considering the role of ancient scripture in our lives, but we don’t always know what the Bible means or how the Bible is used in other faith traditions. I am sure we can all admit that there are good and bad ways to use the Bible in missionary work. Ben Spackman helps us to not only help us learn how to use the Bible better in our own lives, but how to understand its use by other religions, so that we might be able to better build bridges of understanding between different faiths. When we use scriptures to teach the gospel, we sometimes get confused when others don’t see the Bible the same way that we do as Latter-day Saints. Missionaries tend to follow the practice of proof texting (or prooftexting) which does very little to help teach people the true gospel of Jesus Christ. So, again, Brother Spackman is here to help us know how to better use the Bible as a teaching tool in missionary work. Links and content mentioned in this episode: Benjamin the Scribe (Ben Spackman's Patheos Blog) Ben Spackman on LDS Perspectives Podcast - Genre in the Bible Ben Spackman on LDS Perspectives Podcast - Genesis Chapter 1 Why Bible Translations Differ - BYU's Religious Educator publication Article by Grant Hardy on The King James Bible and the Future of Missionary Work - Dialogue Journal   Ben Spackman's Genre in the Bible Video Presentation:

David Geens Back on the 22nd of May, 2018, I received an email from David Geens, a listener to the podcast in Belgium. He told me a little bit about his experience in coming into the church, and how an early calling as branch mission leader in his branch in Belgium prompted him to start using social media to generate referrals for the missionaries in his mission. His successes with his approach brought on the attention of the mission president, and then on to the Area Presidency in Europe. Today, some 7 years since being baptized, Brother Geens has a calling coordinating digital missionary work for his part of the Lord’s Vineyard producing literally thousands of referrals for the missionaries each year. Click here to listen to David's Mormon Podcast (hint: Its in Dutch, so brush up to get the full effect.) In this episode he tells us his compelling conversion story, some of his experiences in the church in a small branch, and how we can follow his footsteps in generating thousands of referrals for the missionaries in our various areas of the world. It was so cool to have a Skype interview with someone on the other side of the planet, yet feel so connected in this great cause of missionary work. He also tells the story when his efforts resulted in a personal invitation to meet with Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve. Elder M. Russell Ballard and David Geens - Belgium It was incredibly rewarding for me to do this interview and to hear the nice things he was saying about our podcast. As a podcaster, we don’t always get a large audience. Its not easy. Radio stations that produce their content have a staff of people to produce a show, where most podcasters have to do on their own. So, when you add up the amount of work that goes into doing a podcast, the fact that most of us aren’t getting paid to put these together, and that we are doing this by ourselves, sometimes there arises some doubt as to if it is all worth the effort. The fact that someone in Belgium was able to hear and be inspired to reach out and share their story with us, then to hear all those nice things he was saying at the end, was such a reward for me. Its also a lesson for all of us. We really don’t know sometimes the impact of what we do, nor is seeing the results of our actions the only reason that we should be doing them. But, as was the case here, it is always a nice reward and blessing to see some good come of all the hard work. I made a new friend through the gospel of Jesus Christ that I would have not likely have met in any other way. David Geens in Salt Lake City Temple Visitors Center So, thank you so much for listening to this episode of LDS MissionCast. Remember, you can listen to this episode, or any of our past episodes at LDSMissionCast.com The Herreys were the Mormon Band that was mentioned in the interview with David. These boys were proud of their membership in the church, so much so that they inspired David's wife to get a Book of Mormon. That same book was later given to her husband, David, who then joined the church (and then joined our podcast.) This was their hit song, Diggiloo Diggiley.

Chelsea Woodruff, President of B'Nai Shalom - www.mormonsandjews.org Welcome to the LDS MissionCast a podcast to educate and inspire in the great cause of Missionary Work. In a previous episode, episode #2 of the podcast, we had on Dr. Daniel Peterson to talk about things missionaries and members should know about Islam. A good part of missionary work is meeting and building a relationship with individuals of other faiths. Today’s interview will be with Chelsea Woodruff, who is President of an organization called B’Nai Shalom, that can be found and the website mormonsandjews.org. This group was founded as a fellowshipping organization for those individuals who came into the church from a Jewish background. She helps us to learn some wonderful things about the faith traditions and teachings that have informed LDS Theology, as well as helping to correct some teachings or statements that have been perpetuated that can be hurtful to believe, let alone share with others. B'Nai Shalom on YouTube B'Nai Shalom on Facebook   Nick's reflections on this episode: In an episode of the LDS Perspectives podcast with Gale Boyd on Jewish Holy Days, I learned something that has helped me shift my way of looking at the Law of Moses. Gale spent years in Jerusalem among the people absorbing their rich cultural traditions. One of the things that she shared in that podcast is how the people interpreted what we referred to as the Law of Moses, particularly the part where we talk about an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, etc. I tried to allude to this in the interview, but felt like we didn’t really focus on this interpretation at the time, which is fine, but it is worth sharing here. The Law of Moses is often made a caricature by saying that when a person blinds someone their punishment is that they must also loose their eye site. In other words, what ever you do to someone is done back at you. While this might help deter some from doing harm to another, it somewhat misses the spirit of that law, which is what Jesus came to restore back and to fulfill when he came to Earth.   Gale shared how some of the people in Jerusalem see this law and say, if I have done something to cause you to loose your eyesight, then I promise to become your eyes. If I do something to bring injury to your livestock, I don’t harm my livestock, but I provide for that person in the way that livestock would have provided for their family, be it meat, milk, income, etc. See, the Law of Moses’s original intent was to help foster love of God and love of our neighbor. Taking this approach allows us to see the repentance process where individuals make restitution for the wrongs they have committed. This is less about revenge and justice, and more about love, redemption, and restitution. Not only are individuals sufficiently deterred from doing harm to others, but this also fosters a spirit of community, of forgiveness, and responsibility to each other--Zion. Thank you for listening to this episode of LDS MissionCast. Our numbers are growing, but we would still love for you to share this podcast with your friends or anyone you think that would enjoy it. Remember, you can listen to this episode, or any of our past episodes at LDSMissionCast.com Subscribe to our podcast at this page on any of the major podcasting platforms.

Jacob Pinkston - Episod 18 guest (LDS MissionCast) This episode is about Early Return Missionaries (ERM's), through the story of Jacob Pinkston. Jacob's story, in some ways is also a story shared by a number of missionaries who struggle with mental and emotional health issues prior to mission service, as well as navigating the expectations many feel with regards to serving a full 18 or 24 months in a proselyting mission. This is a longer interview, but we share it because it is an important story about the landscape that so many have to navigate in preparing to serve a mission. The music for this episode comes from Jordan James, our guest Jacob’s, younger brother. You can find his music and his videos on Facebook. Next episode we will an interview with a little known group you have probably never heard of--B’nai Shalom. This is a group is is a resource for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or those even investigating the church, that come from a jewish ancestry, or from one of the jewish faiths. The president of that organization will join me for a discussion you won’t want to miss. Thank you for listening each and every week. Our numbers are growing, but we would still love for you to share LDS MissionCast with your friends or anyone you think that would enjoy it. Remember, you can listen to this episode, or any of our past episodes at LDSMissionCast.com as well as subscribe to the podcast using one of many podcasting platforms or apps. Music for this episode comes from Jordan James

Russell Stevenson - Author of "For The Cause of Righteousness: A Global History of Blacks and Mormonism, 1830-2013 Welcome to the LDS MissionCast a podcast to educate and inspire in the great cause of Missionary Work. This episode is all about Race and the Mormon Church. Some of the episodes of the LDS MissionCast feature content for those preparing to serve a full-time mission, some episodes are directed towards those that have returned home, or are wanting to be more inspired in member-missionary work. Episodes like this one are unique in that we occasionally need to take the time to learn the gospel, to learn our history better, so that we can better members of the church, better ministers to those around us. On June 1st, 2018 there will be a celebration in the conference center in Salt Lake City, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1978 revelation on the Priesthood, or Official Declaration #2. This could rightly be called the restoration of the opportunity for priesthood ordination to all worthy males, and the opportunity for all people to receive all temple blessings regardless of race or color. It is common for people to feel marginalized or to hold issue with a past policy of the church that was in place, and this is certainly an issue that missionaries in the field face on a semi-regular basis. In an effort to explain or even justify this policy, it is also common for members of the church to say things about this issue that are either wrong, possibly hurtful, incorrect, you name it. So we will spend some time in this episode learning the history, and coming to some understanding of this often controversial topic. I know in the south on my mission this issue of race and the LDS Church came up on a regular basis and was something I had to face almost every week. The information that will be shared by our guest today is vitally important in our society, if we are going to be successful in building bridges and bringing souls unto Christ and His church. Our guest, Russell Stevenson, has dedicated years of his life to the study and understanding of the issues surrounding Race and the Mormon Church. He talks about how his mission experience inspired this work, and informs much of what he does in his academic studies. Other sources for this episode: Race and the Priesthood Essay @ LDS.org Black Mormon: The Story of Elijah Ables by Russell Stevenson LDS MissionCast Questions and Answers: Are Mormons Racist? Are there Black Mormons? Latter-day Lives Segment features Shawn Rapier who interviews Brittany Whiscombe, the director and producer of the upcoming "In Emma's Footsteps" movie. She tells are great story of how not all missionary stories go the storybook way. Shawn Rapier and Brittany Whiscombe in Emmas Footsteps

The LDS MissionCast is a podcast to educate and inspire members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the great cause of Missionary Work. This episode is all about Preparing to Serve a mission. In this episode of the LDS MissionCast, we interview two soon-to-be Sister Missionaries, Rae Eckton and lifelong friend, Iris Wright. Host Nick Galieti talks with them about their mission calls and how they are preparing to serve. Nick also gives them a chance to ask their own questions and get some advice on how to get the most out of their time in the MTC and in the mission field. After their interview we have a short video chat with two of the artists and editors, Mike Laughead, and Eric Jepson, for a new comic book that is coming out about missionary work, entitled "Served: A Missionary Comics Anthology." This book is a pretty fun and missionary-centric project we want to share, and help you to take part in offering support. To help with the KickStarter campaign for "Served: A Missionary Comics Anthology," click here.