Latter-day Saint MissionCast

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.

Nick Galieti (host-left), and Shawn Rapier (guest-right) This episode is all about "comedy" or “humor.” Shawn Rapier, regular contributor to our podcast where he interviews people to talk about their missions, and he also hosts the Latter-day Lives podcast. But some of our regular listeners may not know much about him, including the fact that he is a stand up comedian. Shawn and host Nick Galieti have become good friends over the last few months as you might see from this episode because today’s interview is really more of a conversation amongst friends, talking about our missions, but more specifically about how humor can play a role in sharing the gospel, in helping people to resolve concerns, but also times and places where humor is inappropriate. Missionary stories can be funny. There are all sorts of stories from missionary work that are hilarious. In fact, the funny parts of missionary work are part of what makes serving a mission so rewarding. But, there aren’t clear ways that we are taught or instructed on how to be or when to be funny when it comes to spiritual stuff. Who better than to teach us how and when to be funny (or when not to be funny), than a headlining stand up comedian. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy my conversation with Shawn Rapier. Some stories that are shared are an example of what to do, and what not to do. Listen to the podcast and enjoy the stories, but we also give some solid tips to help each person have a fun, but powerful mission experience. You can listen to past episodes at ldsmissioncast.com Those Mormons YouTube Channel

Nick Sales, LDS Musician and Influencer This episode is all about being an “mormon influencer.” An influencer is a term that advertising and public relations professionals use to describe people that have a certain influence over the public, be it an audience from their social media activity, youtube videos, or the occasional podcaster. There is a growing pool of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that are being missionaries, or being ambassadors of the gospel of Jesus Christ, by being an influencer. On today’s episode we have two interviews back to back with some of the young return-missionaries that are influencers, and having a positive impact on the world through their music and youtube videos. First, Kelsey Edwards and I interview Nick Sales. He is a video producer, musician and influencer that will introduce this idea of being a missionary in today’s modern internet world using social media in missionary work. Nadia Khristean - LDS Musician and Influencer. "Music for a cause"   After that interview, Kelsey interviews Nadia Khristean about how her mission to Peru inspired her post-mission career to create music with a message, or music for a cause. We will be hearing music from both of our influencers throughout this episode. In our Latter-day Lives segment from Shawn Rapier who interviews Kerry Summers who is a magician, ventriloquist, and all around entertainer, but most notably for this interview, Kerry is an Elvis Enthusiast and impersonator. He tells a super amazing story from his mission service that you will be glad to stay tuned for.   Please go listen to Kerry’s full interview on the Latter-day Lives. He has a cool story about a Book of Mormon that was given to Elivs, as well as evidence that he read it and made notes about his impressions of the Book of Mormon, go check it out.   Nick Sales - Abide With Me Tis Eventide - Music Video  Nadia Khristean (Featuring Kelsey Edwards) - See You Again - Music Video Kerry Summers - One Man Variety Show Each week LDS MissionCast shares new ways to be a mormon missionary. This is a podcast for mormon missionaries preparing to serve a mission, on a mission, or who have come home from a mission and want to continue in the spirit of missionary work. You can listen to past episodes on our podcast page, or through your favorite podcasting platform.

Kelsey Edwards (Left), Anthony Sweat (Center), Nick Galieti (right) Welcome to the LDS MissionCast, this is your host Nick Galieti. On this episode Kelsey Edwards and I sit down with BYU scholar and professor, Anthony Sweat who wrote a book called The Holy Invitation, published by Deseret Book. This is book and this interview are focused on those going to the temple for the first time prior to their mission, or even those that have gone but are looking to get more out of the experience. This is a great opportunity for missionaries preparing to leave, those on a mission, or even those that are coming home from a mission and looking to get more from their temple experience. Anthony Sweat has some great insights to share on this subject. After the interview we are going to take a week off of our Latter-day Lives segments to give you some further commentary on the subject of the temple. This week we are showcasing the music of Sara Lyn Baril. Her music can be found at http://saralynbaril.com Her music is definitely fitting for a missionary friendly music library, which means its also great for music to listen to on the sabbath day or any time you want to feel the peace and contentment of gospel music. Sara Lyn Baril - LDS Musician featured in this episode.   I received some kind comments from some listeners that felt that I need to be more willing to open up and be more personal about my own mission experiences. So, in that spirit I will, from time to time, share some thoughts that I have on missionary work, my mission experiences, in hopes that this podcast does what I hope it would, educate and inspire missionary work, bringing people unto Christ. Nick's thoughts on Sacred Silence with the temple. I went back to my journals to see back to my first temple experience on October 11th, 1997, the day before I received my mission call to Baton Rouge, LA. It would appear that two things were at play that informed the journal entry for that day, my obsession with girls and getting a girlfriend, so much so that I didn’t really offer much reflection at all on the mission call itself (yeah, really classy - don’t do what I did), and the fact that I was taught that we aren’t supposed to talk about the temple outside of the temple, so I never wrote anything about the experience, who was there, anything. We touched on the idea of sacred silence in our interview. Its an obviously sensitive subject. There are sacred experiences that we should honor in that spirit. But what are those lines that we shouldn’t cross? I want to forward my own thoughts on this matter in hopes that it can help promote the spirit of the temple as well as help us to understand that the answer is far more ambiguous than we might originally think. In the episode, I agreed with Anthony Sweat that there is a maximal point where all people engaged in living the covenants of the temple have explicitly agreed to not disclose certain parts of the temple endowment ritual. However, while there are those things that are specifically mentioned there, parts that need to remain sacred, it doesn’t mean that the rest of it remains public domain either. As in all gospel principles, but especially teachings of the temple are best understood line upon line, precept upon precept. This means that what we talk about with respect to the temple should be viewed in light of who we are speaking with, not just what is “approved” according to covenant. It is common and expected that Missionaries will talk about the plan of salvation when speaking with those being taught about the restored gospel. However, it is doubtful that the best course of action is to discuss the content of the drama depicted in the temples as part of the endowment ritual. Then again, it might be. The spirit should be the guide in these matters. Remember, it’s not that we hide it, at least no more than God has withheld many truths until we are in a position to best endure the experience t...

Dusty Smith (right) with "pen pal" Elder L. Tom Perry (left) Welcome to the LDS MissionCast. To those of you who are new listeners to our show, thank you for listening. We hope you enjoy what this podcast has to offer as education and inspiration for missionary work in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Each week we try to bring you interviews that can help you to be a better missionary, or to help you feel inspired in missionary work. This week features an interview with Dusty Smith. While that may not be a name you immediately recognize, this is a story you won’t want to miss. This story is filled with the hand of God, and is an amazing, extraordinary example of how simple acts of missionary work can have a profound impact on literally hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world. Each Thursday we are also privileged to have Shawn Rapier from the always entertaining, Latter- Shawn Rapier (left) host of Latter-day Lives Podcast, Ryan Snarr (right) guest for the Latter-day Lives segment. day Lives podcast who records a special side interview with his guests about their mission experiences, or missionary-related experiences that can make you laugh, feel nostalgic for your own mission, or just leave you feeling inspired. This week Shawn had on artist Ryan Snarr, who tells a story about the enduring relationships that can be created from serving a mission, and how rich and fulfilling those relationships can be as they extend beyond the years of missionary service. Each episode we try to feature different music or different LDS Musicians. This week we are showcasing a website and service called Music For Missionaries.net. Heather Bosshardt arranges and performs some great arrangements of the hymns. She sends you firesides in your inbox each and every week. It is FREE to missionaries while they are on their missions. This is music and spiritual messages that are sent to you each week that you can use for your own inspiration or you can share it with those being taught, or wards where you serve. Check out, www.musicformissionaries.net Videos of Dusty Smith's story:

Welcome to the episode 11 of the LDS MissionCast. Our special guest on this episode is cartoonist and illustrator, Brittany Long Olsen. She has a really cool book out called Dendo: One Year and One Half in Tokyo. This book is actually her mission journal that she kept in graphic or comic book form. Not only is it an interesting way to keep a journal but it captures the mission experience in a way that is refreshing and real. To win an autographed copy of Dendo, find the posting for this episode on Facebook (click here) and share this post on your facebook page. We will choose a winner from the people who share this episode on Facebook and make sure the LDS MissionCast page is connected to your post or we won't see it. Good luck! In our Latter-day Lives segment we have some mission stories from improv comedians, Ken and Katie Craig, who share a story from their son who is currently serving a mission in Brazil. There is both a funny story and an inspirational one as well. Listen to their full interview on the Latter-day Lives Podcast by clicking here. The last segment is a bit of a personal reflection from host, Nick Galieti, about the importance of journal keeping, and includes a tribute to mission companions. This includes a brief tribute to a mission companion, Robert Beau Clark, that passed away in 2014. Music for this episode comes from Maddy Vance, this super talented LDS Musician who is currently a freshman at BYU, but who talent is beyond her years. You can listen to her music at Maddyvance.com

This is our Trek: The Movie episode, where we feature interviews with Alan Peterson the Director and Producer of this upcoming movie being released by Deseret Book and Excel Entertainment. We also have an interview with David Howard the screen writer and Austin Grant, the lead actor and Stefania Barr lead actress from the film. This is a great family film that is the latest from the constantly growing genre of mormon cinema. Some of you might ask, “What does Trek: The Movie have to do with missionary work?" Watch the movie and listen to the podcast and you will see. We have some great mission stories and we hope to show you how film projects like this have be a platform for re-activiation efforts, or to help minister to the youth—our future missionaries. Music for this episode comes from the soundtrack of Trek The Movie and our special guest Stefania Barr's band, Shrink the Giant. The whole soundtrack features local bands from Utah which is a really cool addition to this independent film. I was at the premier last night and had a great time watching the movie, meeting the cast and crew, as well as the people from Deseret Book and Excel Entertainment who are producing this film and sound track. Nick Galieti interviews Alan Peterson, the director and producer of the film. Following that interview, Kelsey Edwards interviews David Howard the screen writer  and co-director of the film along with and Austin Grant, and Stefania Barr. The stars of Trek: The Movie. Please, please, please, take a moment to let us know how we are doing by going to our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages. Ww need your reviews on iTunes, google play and on Stitcher. In order for people to find our podcast, people need to leave reviews.

Resiliency is a trending concept in Mental Health circles and is talked about as the quality of an individual to "bounce back" from the trials and challenges, and to endure traumas. Missionaries encounter a number of factors that can impact their ability to be resilient to the many challenge that they face over the course of their missionary service. In this episode we interview therapist, Brian Murdock. Brian Murdock is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. He received an Associate of Science from Utah Valley University, A Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology at Weber State University and a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix. He is a member of EMDRIA, and Certified Therapist in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) In our Latter-day Lives Segment, Shawn Rapier interviews comedian, Josh Fonokalafi who tells a hilarious story about a unique teaching experience as a ward missionary that involves...aliens?!? For the full interview on the Latter-day Lives podcast with Josh Fonokalafi, click here. Music for this episode comes from Michael Hicks.

BYU professor of church history Casey Paul Griffiths discusses the 100 most important events in Latter-day Saint history at his Education Week class. Welcome to the episode 8 of the LDS MissionCast. This is Nick Galieti, and on this episode I interview Casey Griffiths a professor from BYU, and one of the contributing authors to the book, What You Don't Know about the 100 Most Important Events in Church History. We discuss the importance of knowing the history of the church and how our unique history can be used as a proselyting tool. After that interview we have another segment from Shawn Rapier from the Latter-day Lives podcast. Shawn interviews a hilarious comedian, Steve Soelberg, who tells a funny story from his mission when he was…shall we say, caught in an awkward moment. Music for this episode comes from Anne Britt. You can find her beautiful piano arrangements and this music on her site, http://annebrittmusic.com.   Make sure to check out the full interview with Steve Soelberg on Shawn’s podcast, Latter-day Lives.  Thank you for listening to the LDS MissionCast. We are glad that you join us each and every week.  Thank you to those who have been sharing our episodes with their friends and with those engaged in missionary work in all its forms. Please, please, please, take a moment to let us know how we are doing by sending us an email, or go to our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages. WE need your reviews on iTunes, google play and on Stitcher. In order for people to find our podcast, people need to leave reviews.

Kathleen  Sheffield has been a dance instructor at BYU since 1985. During her time at BYU she has had the opportunity to observe thousands of missionaries go and come home from serving a mission. She has studied the reacculturation that takes place after a missionary serves their time as a missionary. She is now taking that study towards earning her doctorate. We interview her about her research thus far and discuss some of the interesting challenges that missionaries face in being reacculturated back into their home life. To participate in Kathleen's survey (which you should do if you are a return missionary), take five minutes to fill out this short survey (click here). The survey ends March 22nd 2018. Shawn Rapier also interviews author of the book, The Fattest Mormon, Tyson Abaroa, about a special experience he had on his mission while serving in Santiago Chile. Click here to listen to the full interview at the Latter-day Lives podcast.