Come Back Podcast

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

Jason Ruch, police officer of 16 years, SVU detective, SWAT team member, shares his story of coming back to The Church of Jesus Christ, after divorce, being excommunicated and battling alcohol.  He shares his experience of how losing his dad made his heart yearn for peace.  Jason is now married in them temple, has an incredible family and love for the gospel.  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

Jr. Taimi's life was drugs and gangs when he was just a kid. He was incarcerated for a crime he didn't commit, lost his mom while he was in prison, and experienced many other heartbreaking tragedies.  After coming home from prison, he was at the dinner table with his family and his daughter said a prayer that would change the course of his life. He knew that wherever she learned to pray like that was somewhere he wanted to be.  Jr. met with the missionaries and debated the church's teachings with them. When he learned about eternal families, and gained the knowledge that he could see his mom again, he knew he wanted to be baptized and 3 years later, he and his wife Asia were sealed in the temple.  They now run a group home in St. George, UT, & give back to kids who struggle. They say the difference in their program, is that they treat everyone who enters like children of God. 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

Jesse shares his story of coming back to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after getting sent home from his mission due to addiction. Jesse shares his powerful testimony of the gospel, and the miracles that have happened in his life.  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

Ashly shares her story of coming back to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after a heroin addiction, and multiple stays in rehab and jail.  Greg, shares his experience being with Ashly during her journey, and also his experience of losing his dad in a drowning accident at 15 years old, and how he has anchored his testimony to that experience. 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