From Faith Crisis to Atonement's Embrace: Sister Riley Stone cover art

From Faith Crisis to Atonement's Embrace: Sister Riley Stone

From Faith Crisis to Atonement's Embrace: Sister Riley Stone

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This episode features special guest Sister Riley Stone (affectionately known as "Stony"). The core theme revolves around "Revelation and The Spirit" and how divine revelation grows faith, leads to repentance, and ultimately to "pure joy" through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The podcast aims to inspire and provide knowledge for those preparing for missions.

Key insights and Riley's story include:

A Journey from Faith Crisis to Conversion: Riley, from Utah, experienced a faith crisis with her family around age 12, leading to a five-year hiatus from regular church attendance.

Subtle Beginnings of Discerning the Spirit: At 14, attending EFY (now FSY), she "loved it" because she was "surrounded by the gospel of Jesus Christ". Though she didn't discern the Holy Ghost at the time, she later realized it was God's love bringing her peace and joy. This experience planted a "seed" for future missionary service.

The "Rock Bottom" and a Divine Call: At 16 or 17, Riley hit "rock bottom," feeling "miserable," "sad," and "anxious," a period where she was "compelled to be humble". In a moment of desperation, after listening to "cringey" youth albums, she heard an audible voice, not her own, command, "Riley, get on your knees and pray". This happened three times, akin to the experience in 3 Nephi 11:3-4, where people initially didn't understand the voice but eventually opened their "ears to hear it" spiritually. Riley initially resisted due to tiredness and having been distant from God.

The Transformative Prayer: Driven by a deep hunger to do the right thing and escape unhappiness (similar to Enos 4), Riley finally knelt down and sobbed. In that moment, she "knew that God loved me" for the first time in a tangible way. She felt a "burning in my bosom" and a powerful hug, realizing the Atonement of Jesus Christ covers more than just sins, but also heals pain and ache. This profound experience convinced her of God's existence, His personal love for her, and the possibility of happiness.

Acting on Revelation: This revelatory experience marked the beginning of her true conversion, leading her to consistently attend seminary and young women's activities, and begin studying scriptures. Her story illustrates the principle of Revelation 3:20, where God knocks, but individuals must "open the door" through choice and action.

Missionary Preparation and Impact: Despite her powerful conversion, Riley felt inadequate for her mission due to her long gap in church attendance and lack of basic gospel knowledge. She overcame this by "feasting upon the words of Christ" in the Book of Mormon and Preach My Gospel in the MTC. This intensive study enhanced her understanding of the Atonement and how to access it, directly confirming her personal experiences. Lauren testifies that Riley became an "amazing" missionary, notably helping an investigator named Nicole, who was at "rock bottom," to also recognize that "Revelation is what leads to our conversion," ultimately leading to Nicole's baptism and a greater understanding of repentance and the Atonement.

Advice for Future Missionaries: Riley advises listeners to prioritize experiences with the Atonement of Jesus Christ, as it provides healing and enabling power, crucial for navigating the challenges of missionary work and gaining a deeper understanding of life's purpose. The episode concludes by reaffirming that everyone has the right to receive divine revelation that will grow their faith and lead to "pure joy" through Christ's Atonement.

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