All In

As a little girl, Marie Vischer Elliott spent three years in a concentration camp under unimaginable conditions. She remarkably survived but her little brother, Georgie, died shortly after they were released due to what he endured in the camp. Years later, as a young mother, Marie was introduced to the gospel of Jesus Christ, which not only helped her heal from what she experienced during the war but also gave her hope of seeing her little brother again. On this week's episode, Marie's story teaches us a powerful lesson about the devastating nature of war, the transformative doctrine of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the blessings of the temple. Show Notes 2:04- Childhood Memories 6:52- Where in the World is Java?  9:40- Religious Background 12:02- The Beginning of the War 19:25- The Camp 21:39- The End of the War 25:21- Georgie 28:21- Forgiving and Forgetting 31:39- Finding The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 35:09- Freedom 37:51- No Winners in War 42:38- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March Madness is in full swing and, in 1981, Danny Ainge experienced his "one shining moment” in the NCAA Tournament when he scored with two seconds left on the clock, helping BYU advance to the Elite Eight. It was the highlight of a remarkable college basketball career, but only the beginning of his professional career in sports. Still, Ainge doesn’t take credit for his success. He insists that the Lord has placed angels—ordinary people setting an extraordinary example—along his path to help him every step of the way. In this episode, we talk about the power of positive influences in our lives that guide our paths and why Ainge believes the people we surround ourselves with have the ability to make all the difference.  “There have been angels waiting for me, directing me.” —Danny Ainge Show Notes 2:09- Love of Basketball 3:37- BYU 6:13- Decisions Decisions 8:22- A Great Wife 10:33- A Polarizing Character 18:07- Striving for Balance 21:40- Maintaining Standards 24:03- Taking a Step Back 28:47- Returning to Utah 32:32- “I Do Not Know The Meaning of All Things” 34:23- Angels Among Us 36:34- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  Links & References Danny Ainge's March Madness Buzzer Beater Danny's Twitter profile "I Hate Danny Ainge" t-shirt See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily Robison Adams remembers the feeling well—like she’d been put in a cast iron pot with the lid placed on top, unable to feel God’s presence in her life. Shaken and disoriented, she tried everything she could think of to reach Him, and yet she felt nothing. God was silent. But at her mother’s encouragement, Emily wrote down what she was experiencing through this supposed silence, and in the process she began to believe that God wasn’t silent at all—He was just being quiet, providing the necessary space for Emily to learn and grow. On this week’s episode, Emily shares some of the principles that began to shift her paradigm and renew her belief that God really does know what each of us needs. Show Notes 1:57- The Beginning of the Quiet 5:46- Reframing the Lack of Noise 12:28- People Who Listen Without Freaking Out 19:12- Rethinking Doubt 26:50- Seeking Appropriate Help 31:29- Remembering  33:41- Why Does God Sometimes Disappoint Us? 37:43- Things That Were Helpful 42:25- Likening the Scriptures 45:47- Worth the Wrestle? 49:25- What Does It Mean to Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  “Leading life with an open hand instead of a closed fist has been really helpful to me and it’s led me to a place where I’m not certain about many things at all and astonishingly, that’s the best place to be.” —Emily Robison Adams Links Divine Quietness book See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Leavitt doesn’t know if the new 988 lifeline would’ve made a difference for his sister-in-law Lizzie, whose long battle with mental illness ultimately took her life in 2014. But when Leavitt was given the opportunity to work on the legislation that ultimately led to the new easy-to-remember hotline, he viewed it as a way to not only honor Lizzie’s life but also to hopefully preserve the lives of so many who face the heartbreaking realities of suicidal thoughts. On this week’s episode, Leavitt discusses the hope that comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ, not only through the resurrection but also as we each seek to do all we can to “lift up the heads that hang down.” Show Notes 2:54- What You May Not Know About Congress 11:39- 988 Legislation 15:46- Lizzie 21:30- The Years Since 25:44- No One Size Fits All Approach 28:41- #SmileForLizzie 33:40- Great Expectations  37:02- A Societal Problem 39:32- Gratitude 42:45- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  “It’s for us to be engaged in meaningful work to help those around us.” —Ryan Leavitt Links 988 Lifeline Silent Souls Weeping by Jane Clayson Johnson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years, Liz Wixom Johnsen helped families decorate their homes as a talented interior designer. And for years, Liz dreamed of a home that was like theirs—not because of the decor, but because of the families within those walls. As a single woman, she often longed for a home life that looked different than the one she had. But she also learned that true homes come in many different shapes and sizes. And when she married a man with eight children and her home was instantly dramatically different, that knowledge became invaluable. On this week’s episode, Liz shares what she’s learned about embracing the homes—and the lives—God has prepared for each one of us. Show Notes 1:32- Home of Origin 4:37- Not Dependent on Cost 8:08- Creating a Home Around Our Lives At the Moment 11:01- A Different Blessed Life 15:25- “Our Father and Our Savior Love Broken Things” 21:22- Happiness, Your Heritage 24:35- Creation 30:06-Cheerfully Do All That Lies In Our Power 32:34- Finding a Place in a Different World 34:57- What Does It Mean to Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  “His power plus our divinity creates beauty from unorganized matter.” —Liz Wixom Johnsen Links and References Liz’s interior design company Happiness, Your Heritage “God left the world unfinished for man to work his skill upon. He left the electricity in the cloud, the oil in the earth. He left the rivers unbridged and the forests unfelled and the cities unbuilt. God gives to man the challenge of raw materials, not the ease of finished things. He leaves the pictures unpainted and the music unsung and the problems unsolved, that man might know the joys and glories of creation.” —Thomas S. Monson, “In Quest of the Abundant Life” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On March 12, 2003, 15-year-old Elizabeth Smart was found safe nine months after being abducted from her family’s home in Salt Lake City, Utah. This month marks the 20th anniversary of Elizabeth’s return home and on this week’s episode of All In, we speak with Chris Thomas who acted as spokesperson for the Smart Family throughout their entire experience in searching for Elizabeth. Show Notes 2:44- Meeting the Smarts 4:12- High Stakes 5:25- Looking Back 20 Years Later 7:22- A unique Approach 10:06- Discussing Latter-day Saint Doctrine and Culture 13:34- Viewing Media as Children of God 16:42- Acknowledging Mistakes 19:45- The Faith of Two Parents 23:44- Elizabeth’s Reaction to the Manuscript 26:03- A Miracle That Mattered to Millions 31:18- A Responsibility to Set the Record Straight 36:08- The Power of Unity and the Power of Family 41:42- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? “I think when we serve somebody—even somebody that we disagree with—that we learn to understand and respect and appreciate them and have a new love for them that tears down fences and builds bridges and brings us closer to our Heavenly Father.” —Chris Thomas Links Unexpected book link Chris Thomas's Unexpected book trailer Video: Chris and Elizabeth’s recent appearance on Nightline Video: Chris and Elizabeth’s recent appearance on Good Morning America See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wharton School of Business professor Zeke Hernandez says that statistically speaking, he shouldn't be where he is today; like the generations who came before him, he should still be living in poverty. But because of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the educational opportunities the gospel teaches us to seek after, Zeke's resume doesn't align with statistical probabilities. On this week's episode, he discusses why he is a believer that we too often place artificial barriers between our personal and professional pursuits. And it is by removing these barriers and approaching big decisions with a holistic perspective that we are able to reach our full potential. “I think God is willing to guide us as much in our professional endeavors as He is in our gospel or church or family lives.” Show Notes 2:07- A Hunger for Truth 6:56- The Gospel’s Ability To Change Lives 10:17- Blessings of a Broad Worldview 13:04- Personal Conversion 17:43- Gospel’s Influence on Secular Study 20:53- Arenas Where We Serve 28:08- Artificial Separations 31:31- Learner of Truth Vs. Producer of Truth 35:39- “I Was a Stranger” 42:57- Zekrets 47:36- What Does It Mean To Be All in the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Links Poets & Quants article See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jenny Guthrie was a freshman in college when she first "found Jesus"and her life has never been the same since. From supporting her husband in his career in Major League Baseball to being a mission leader of the Texas Houston South Mission, her relationship with Christ has been a game changer in her life. Now, she's passionate about helping young people come to know this same Jesus that she found as a young woman. She recognizes that whether new converts or lifelong members, we all have to "seek this Jesus"—but it is her testimony that when we seek Him, we find Him every single time. 1:11- Meeting Jesus and the Powerful Transformation He Brings 8:39- Meeting Jeremy 12:40- MLB Life 17:51- Supporting a Spouse Through Setbacks 20:28- Retirement 25:00- Called To Serve 34:51- A Mission Baby 40:50- 3 Tips For Preparing a Child to Serve a Mission 49:01- Missteps Are Okay 51:23- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? “As humans, we are inadequate to do God’s work but if we’ll rely and trust in Jesus…He takes crusty bread and feeds multitudes, all through His power.” Links Jeremy Guthrie’s Players Tribune retirement piece Jeremy Guthrie on serving a mission Articles about the Guthries serving as mission leaders- https://www.ldsliving.com/former-mlb-pitcher-and-recently-returned-mission-president-jeremy-guthrie-shares-sweet-message-about-the-emotions-of-serving/s/94520 https://www.deseret.com/2018/2/2/20639373/39-living-proof-that-the-lord-likes-to-work-with-the-simple-and-weak-39-former-mlb-pitcher-talks-cal https://theathletic.com/325108/2018/04/22/former-royals-pitcher-jeremy-guthrie-finds-rare-post-career-gig-president-of-a-mormon-mission/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Love is a choice—Elder Lynn G. Robbins believes this so much, he wrote a book about it. After years of counseling with couples in his church capacities, Elder Robbins has seen firsthand how Christlike love helps us develop deeper and more lasting relationships. He teaches us that being a disciple of Christ helps us form strong bonds with those we love, but only if our efforts are driven by intentional and deliberate choices. So in this Valentine's Day episode of All In, we invite you to consider the power of choice and responsibility in all of your relationships—romantic or not.   2:30- Falling Out of Love vs. Growing in Love 14:09- Greatest Happiness Found in the Home 17:45- 100 Percent Responsibility 23:39- Anger and Loud Tones 29:53- Abuse 33:41-Finances 38:48- The Greatest Sermon Christ Gave? 41:51- Happily Ever After—A Choice 46:28- Why Choose Love? 48:13- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?   “After a couple gets married, that infatuation begins to fade and if they confuse that for true love, they may wonder, ‘Where is that special feeling? Am I falling out of love?’ Their marriage is at a very critical crossroads at that point where they need to discover what true love is.”   Links and References Love Is a Choice book “Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration.” —President Gordon B. Hinckley 100 Percent Responsibility video ”Our Strengths Can Become Our Downfall” talk “A determined man finds a way; the other man finds an excuse.” —David B Haight “Choosing Whom to Marry” article “Agency and Anger” talk See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cookies, desserts, gingerbread—you name it, Tarsha Joyner can bake it. As a Food Network champ and owner of her own bake shop, Tarsha is known for her beautiful and tempting treats. But ironically, the best lessons she’s learned in life don’t come from the competitions she’s won or the business she’s built. Instead, the best knowledge Tarsha has gained in life was as a foster child when she recognized her value as a daughter of God. When she found the gospel, that knowledge only became more concrete. So while Tarsha may not give away her actual cookie recipes, on this week’s episode “Mrs. Joy” is more than willing to share her secret recipe for a happy life.   1:20- Packaging First, Product…Second? 5:55- What You Should Know About Recipes 8:03- Knowing Your Worth As a Child of God 12:42- From Foster Care to Family 15:25- Someday When You’re In Control 17:43- Mrs. Joy 20:33- Food Network 22:17- Believing in Yourself 24:28- Owning a Business 25:33- Joining the Church 33:49- Promised Blessings 35:53- Family History and Time Well Spent 41:30- What Does It Mean to Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?   “Most people are preparing for retirement and I’m preparing for eternity.” —Tarsha Joyner   Links Tarsha's TikTok Video interviews with Tarsha-  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EvZ96kzfIU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh5ZxEWn0gg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.