All In

On New Year's Day, Britain Covey will play the biggest football game of his life thus far. He and his University of Utah teammates will play in the Rose Bowl against Ohio State, in what, win or lose, will be an incredible finish to a remarkable season. But at the end of September, he and his teammates were just a group of young men heartbroken over the loss of two of their best friends in just over 10 months. They have responded in a remarkable way and on this week’s episode, Covey discusses the faith that has carried all of them through. "I believe that there are people in the building who mock and scorn, but if they see people who smile back and hold tight, it does something to the people mocking and scorning...the Spirit touches them and they want to come and join and say, 'Why does that person have that peace?'" Show Notes  2:13- 7 Habits of Highly Effective People 4:15- Blessings of Serving a Mission 10:19- The Loss of Two Teammates 14:59- Diversity of Faith Traditions 18:34- Returned Missionary Teammates 21:24- Popping Back Up 23:33- "Old Man Covey” 26:28- Kyle Whittingham 30:50- Suicide Prevention and Conscious Kindness 37:03- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Find the full episode transcript at ldsliving.com/allin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eric Huntsman had an opportunity some of us only dream of—spending Christmas in the Holy Land. A former teacher at the BYU Jerusalem Center, Huntsman gives listeners an idea of what Christmastime in the Holy Land was like for him and his family. He also helps us dig deeper into some of the characters and traditions we celebrate at Christmas, and shares how autism has forever changed and blessed his family’s holiday season. "Christmas is a lot of fun. And we do get gifts and we do get joy giving gifts but that's just because we're following the pattern of the Magi and others who are trying to give gifts to the Baby Jesus. But most of all, 'God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son.'" Show Notes 3:22- Christmas in Bethlehem 14:26- The Mother of a Special Son 18:49- Joseph 23:11- Simeon and Anna 29:39- Sadness at Christmas 31:42- Christmas Traditions 36:00- Music at Christmas 38:57- Autism and the Holidays Find the full episode transcript at ldsliving.com/allin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A National Geographic headline in 2015 read, “How the Virgin Mary Became the World’s Most Powerful Woman.” Our world is full of people seeking power and influence, but two millennia ago it was a young girl’s choice to have faith in the Lord and become a mother that left the greatest everlasting impact on all mankind. Some may cheapen the value of a mother, but on this week’s episode, Mary Holland McCann helps us look closer at the characteristics that made Mary who she is and how the example she set for her son changed our world. “God holds a special place for a mother seeking His help.” Show Notes 2:35- One Mary 4:00- Influence and Responsibility 7:53- Fear 15:42- Submissive and Humble 20:51- Receptive to Revelation 25:28- Consistent Example 31:09- An Unintentional Tribute to Sister Patricia Holland 36:03- More Than An Instagram Bio 40:30- When a Child Suffers 45:15- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Find the full episode transcript at ldsliving.com/allin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Millions around the world have found peace within the pages of the Book of Mormon; beautiful teachings about the Prince of Peace and His atoning sacrifice calm our fears and instill hope. But the Book of Mormon also covers a great deal of contention and violence. Why were such graphic events included and what are we supposed to learn from all the accounts of war and conflict? On this week’s episode, we talk with J. David Pulsipher, PhD, who has spent the last decade exploring the answer to this question. "Some of the most beautiful parts of our world are created through conflict." 2:52- Ten Years in the Making 10:07- Contention Vs. Conflict 13:44- Standards for Engaging in Violence 22:46- The Mystery of God’s Love 30:51- Book of Mormon Examples 33:36- Assertive Love and Anti-Nephi-Lehies 39:47- Zion and Principles of Positive Peace 44:33- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Find the full episode transcript at ldsliving.com/allin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Various philosophers have often mused that there are two halves of our lives. What separates them is the period of time when we transition from a belief system to a humble inner knowing. This week’s guests, Brett and Kate McKay, are not strangers to the evolution of faith and say they have experienced significant moments of decision within their own faith. But they have also found that it is very possible to transition from the first half of life to the second with your faith intact. They believe faith shouldn’t be boring; instead, it’s very possible to stay passionate about the gospel after leaving young adulthood. “I think that there should be a certain romance and enchantment that happens with the gospel.” Show Notes: 3:46- Law School Blogger 7:14- Transitioning From the First Half of Life to the Second 11:42- Embracing Paradox 17:24- Communal and Individual Faith 22:45- The Freedom of the Covenant Path 26:01- “Maximum Marriage” 28:40- “For Those Moments When Love Falters” 33:55- A Gospel that Fills Your Soul With Enchantment 37:40- Studying It Out 39:48- Reinfusing Your Actions with Love 41:30- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Find the full episode transcript at ldsliving.com/allin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2002, President James E. Faust gave a talk during the priesthood session of general conference. He said, “Your future may not hold fame or fortune, but it can be something far more lasting and fulfilling. Remember that what we do in life echoes in eternity.” Twelve years later in 2014, Nate Checketts co-founded Rhone Apparel, an activewear company for men. He hoped that positive messages on men’s apparel could help shape the future of the little men he and his wife, Dayna, are raising. So he began adding messages on the inside of his company’s clothes, including this quote by President Faust. On today’s episode, we talk with Nate and Dayna about why they are passionate about creating a brand that teaches correct principles. "It is emotionally exhausting to try and decide whether or not you are going to serve in the church, whether or not you're going to read your scriptures that night, whether or not you're going to say a prayer. ...It is so much easier to just be fully committed to the Lord." Show Notes:  1:38- Public Figure Parents 7:02- Public Speaking and Disney Princesses 12:50- Christmas Pajamas 15:40- Messages for Men 19:02- Mental Health 25:22- Standing for Something 27:04- Teaching Correct Principles 32:06- Habits and Self-Care 38:01- Miracles 44:02- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Find the full episode transcript at ldsliving.com/allin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrea Hales felt inadequate to the task but she couldn’t deny the prompting she was feeling to start a podcast. The podcast would tell the stories of Native American Latter-day Saints and provide a platform to share their testimonies as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hales knew she didn’t grow up close to her Navajo side of the family but she felt her heart turning to her fathers and, as a result, a podcast called “Tribe of Testimonies” was born.  "It's not me, it's definitely the Lord." Show Notes 2:44- Native American Heritage 5:16- Indian Placement Program 8:53- A Part of the Book of Mormon Story 10:28- Tribe of Testimonies and Tribes in General 16:00- Hearing Him 21:08- Lessons Learned 24:40- Gathering Israel 29:10- The Lord’s Preparations 31:45- Growing Into Identity 34:27- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Find the full episode transcript at ldsliving.com/allin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richie T. Steadman once found himself in a situation he never could’ve imagined: excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was an unexpected note in the life of someone who had otherwise been a devoted member of the Church his entire life. But even while he worked toward being rebaptized, Steadman never missed a Sunday of church. In the years since, he has devoted much of his personal time and resources to giving voice to fellow Latter-day Saints on his podcast, The Cultural Hall. “The only thing I can ever be perfect in is never giving up.”  Show Notes 3:34- No Status Quo  6:02- Clarity in Church Membership 7:48- A Missionary 13:00- Excommunicated 18:03- A Decision to Stay 19:30- Zero Barrier to Entry 21:33- God’s Plan to Forgive 28:05- Enjoying the Blessings of the Gospel 29:43- Interfaith Marriage 33:19- The Cultural Hall 41:26- Walking Alongside Each Other 45:30- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Find the full episode transcript at ldsliving.com/allin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Davis and Asialene Smith, founders of the outdoor gear company Cotopaxi, were raised under very different circumstances, but their ties to parts of the world experiencing poverty are the same. What they witnessed in those struggling countries planted in them a desire to do what they can to alleviate suffering. On this episode, we talk with the Smiths about what makes their company unique and how it has allowed them make good on the promise they made to their younger selves to create change. "No matter what I give, it’s never going to be too much—it’s never going to be enough.”  Show Notes  2:07- Changed by Childhood 6:23- Shaped by a Sibling 8:46- Catholic School 10:54- Marriage Being Born Into Two Very Different Homes 14:44- Gratitude for Bolivia 18:01- Entry Into Entrepreneurship 20:40- When Someone Believes in You 25:34- Fighting Feelings of Being Underqualified 29:25- Brazil 33:50- A New Year's Resolution 38:14- Gear For Good 44:03- Refugee Thank You Notes 49:34- Buying Back First Business 54:41- Hard Work or Luck?  56:19- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Find the full episode transcript at ldsliving.com/allin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President John D. Amos, a retired nuclear power engineer, was introduced to the Church as a college student by his future wife. He knew there was something special about Michelle Amos, but he also knew he needed to seek answers for himself. So he attended early morning seminary—with high school students—for an entire year. He was even class president. On this special bonus episode, you will meet the other half of the power couple that currently leads the Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.