Come Back Podcast

Julie was raised in the church. At a young age she was the victim of sexual abuse. After her father and grandfather were arrested for abuse, she had to deal with the repercussions of everyone she knew treating her different because of the situation, including ward members. She struggled finding places to live, and eventually enlisted in the army. She met a man that became her husband, and they started taking missionary discussions together and he was baptized. Later she found out things were not what they seemed to be in her marriage, and it ended in divorce. Julie came back to Utah and found love and hope in new friends. She witnessed miracles that pushed her back to the gospel. Today, Julie's love for the gospel & the peace that radiates through her life, is evident. Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer and Senior Editor: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia

Leo started to grapple with his faith when he started uncovering information about church history that he had never heard before. It sent him down a rabbit hole of information that caused him to question everything he had ever been taught. A series of miraculous events pushed Leo back to the church, he couldn't deny God's hand in his life. Leo is back as a fully active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He uses his experience to help others stay on the covenant path with his non-profit called Uplift Community of Faith. One of the most powerful moments of the podcast episode was when I asked Leo if he has any doubts or concerns that still bother him, to which he simply replied - no. Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer and Senior Editor: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia

*DISCLAIMER* This podcast goes into some of the more in depth questions that can be challenging for church members to grapple with.* I am a huge fan of Jasmine's. Her knowledge and testimony of the gospel is incredible. I have seen several of her videos and knew that I wanted her to join the podcast and give answers to some of the tough questions that can challenge a persons testimony, and ultimately refine it to be more mature.  Questions in regards to the history of the church can ultimately lead to strength and more assurance of our testimony if we can turn to the Lord.  Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer and Senior Editor: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia

Nichelle Nelson shares her amazing story of why she chose to come back to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after exploring other religions, and being out of the church for a number of years.  Nichelle reconverted to the church without her husband, and she shares her experience of a mixed faith marriage.  You will love this story of faith & hope. "I prayed so hard for the desire to want to change. I know without a doubt I could not have done that without our savior Jesus Christ. There was another force, another power that made it possible for me to change because I, myself, could not have done that." - Nichelle Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer and Senior Editor: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia

“I had been faithful and active all my life. I held callings, served a mission, was sealed in the temple and everything that was considered “on the path”. Then, in the middle of a divorce at a young age (only 23), my husband shared his years of research against the church and I took in all of it in a few short months. Podcasts, videos, blogs, forums, articles, books, etc against the church, “proving” that the doctrine was completely false. Pretty soon, not only had I announced to my family I was leaving the church, but I didn’t even believe in God at all anymore. Religion seemed silly and naive. Something made up by well-meaning people to help others navigate the difficulties of life. But the Mormon religion seemed especially repulsive. The church felt cultish and dark and I felt relief to know better and be free from it. Then one afternoon, while thinking about my new life…the spirit led me to important questions. How would I explain to my children that our extended family was religious but we were not? If leaving the church means more money, more time on the weekends and less rules, am I taking an easier path? Did I REALLY know for sure that God wasn’t real? Could I, with my limited understanding, so easily settle a matter that has been debated for centuries by the brightest minds in history? And then I thought, if it’s not real…then you just die and nothing matters. But what if it is? IF this is real…EVERYTHING matters. I won’t know for certain either way so maybe I need to give it a chance. I decided I needed more information so I could be certain. So I searched MORE, asked MORE and Gods answers came. Slowly over the next two years I received line upon line and rebuilt my testimony like a convert learning these truths for the first time. A mentor that knew of my struggles suggested that I read "The Crucible of Doubt" by the Givens. I read it all in one day and felt a flood of spiritual reassurance and power that I hadn't felt in a long time. I knew I was onto something. So I started with the basics. If I want to know if God existed, maybe I should try praying to Him. If I want to learn about Christ, maybe I should read about Him. Read what He taught and said. I decided that I might never believe in God again fully or have a testimony like I once did but that I wanted to live my life as if it were ALL true. Just in case. My first bishop back was a huge blessing. He assigned me to teach 4 year olds in primary. It was the ABSOLUTE perfect thing my fragile spirit needed. When I wanted to go to the temple, that bishop asked me all the questions. In all of my answers I told him that I did not know. I was not sure about any of it, but that I wanted to learn and felt the temple could help me in some way. He told me that there was no better place for me to learn and gave me a recommend. With each small and unsure step I took toward Him, God blessed me with just enough of the spirit's reassurance to take me onto the next step. I studied and prayed. A lot. And I learned and learned and the spirit gave me such strong witnesses of the truths that I was slowly relearning. I learned the pattern that we are always taught in the church but are too skeptical to take literally; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. It took two years for me to gain the conviction I had lost and much much more.” Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer and Senior Editor: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia

Dusty Smith converted to the church, served a mission, and was pen pals with Elder Perry. After encountering "anti-Mormons" for the first time, he started researching church topics that he had never heard before In church history. Dusty left the church for 26 years. He spent those years doing everything he could to tear down the church. He debated In online forums with members, trying to prove the church wasn't true. After many miracles, including a priesthood blessing and a miraculous healing.. Dusty came back. One of his favorite people to debate the church with, had been putting his name on the temple prayer roll for years. Dusty says his love and prayers led to his coming back. Dusty baptized, and was sealed to his wife. Now he does everything he can to make up for his years of attacking... including having his story of redemption told by Elder Uchtdorf In conference. Dusty's message to you: "Remember, Heavenly Father love you as much as if you were the only person on the planet. No matter what happens In your life, Heavenly Father will always believe In you." Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer and Senior Editor: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia

Preston shares his story of overcoming addiction, coming back to God, and going on to run a treatment center based on gospel principals.  "It starts in the quiet moments. When you are in the quiet moments and you feel like something is missing.. and you start remembering what life was like when you had the spirit with you and you had that natural joy. I think the world is really good at distracting us, and we can stay busy most of the time if we really want to. But the things that are significant, the things that really help us align with our purpose & values, and bring us fulfillment, aren’t from this world." "I asked God if he knew who I was and if he cared about me. I got on my knees to pray and I had this overwhelming feeling of a spiritual warm blanket, hugged me. I felt God’s love. After that experience, I felt different. I had hope again. I knew God really was there. It was life changing. " Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer and Senior Editor: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia

"When I came back to the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was so humble and so broken. I didn't go to the church just wanting it to be true. I wanted to find the truth wherever it was, and I was willing to go anywhere to find it. I didn't have an agenda. I wasn't searching for a church that fit with MY ideas - I had no ideas. I knew I was wrong. I was genuinely searching for the truth and that is what made the difference for me. I was like this sponge that was just soaking everything in. I kept thinking about how different my family's lives would have been had we stayed in the church. I was filled with regret. I was also so freed, because I had so much hope. Once I found out there was a God, everything changed and there was a light inside of me. People could see it. I was so genuinely happy." -Lauren Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer and Senior Editor: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains sensitive content that may be triggering or offensive to some audiences. Parental discretion is advised.  "Let me tell you something Ashly, one of the most painful, soul ripping things that happened to me, was the day I took off my garments. I can’t even begin to tell you… did I have a testimony? Apparently I did. Because, when I took those garments off, and I still have the picture in my head of those garments laying in a heap on the floor. When I took them off I knew I wasn’t going to put them back on." After being sexually abused as a child, Cheryl dealt with many trials in her younger years. Eventually she left the church, and grew to hate it.  Cheryl experienced many small miracles that pushed her back to the church.  This is her story of coming back.  Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer and Senior Editor: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia

Portia shares her experience of growing up in a non traditional home and coming back to the church after going through teen pregnancy, drugs, adoption, getting sober, and then eventually going to prison.  Portia is an incredible person who puts her heart into sharing her story to influence for good. She helps run the "Worldwide United" page on Facebook that has over 500k members. She shares her story with missionaries at the MTC, works with recovering addicts, and many others who are trying to find their way.  Her story is one you don't want to miss.  Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer and Senior Editor: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia