What if your child's youth nights became adventures modeled after Book of Mormon heroes?

On today’s episode of Latter-day Lights, we’re joined by Josh Chapman, a creative father of six from Ogden, Utah, who retired from his day job to create 'Nephi’s Apprentice'.

Nephi’s Apprentice is a gospel-centered program that takes life skills like compass work, tool-making, and conflict resolution, and ties them directly to the stories and examples of Nephi and other Book of Mormon heroes.

Designed to complement and work within the guidelines of the Church’s new youth programs, it’s a Scouting-style adventure reimagined to build both confidence and testimony for both young men and young women.

If you’re a parent or leader looking for ready-to-run activities that are fun, meaningful, and spiritually powerful, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

*** Please SHARE Josh's story and help us spread hope and light to others. ***

To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/iuk_U8--OYU

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To LEARN MORE about the Nephi's Apprentice program visit: https://youthforgedinfaith.com/

To READ Scott’s new book “Faith to Stay” for free, visit: https://www.faithtostay.com/

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Keep updated with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latter.day.lights/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latterdaylights

Also, if you have a faith-promoting or inspiring story, or know someone who does, please let us know by going to https://www.latterdaylights.com and reaching out to us.

#LDSPodcast #ChristianStories #LatterDayLights

What happens when years of faith-formed grit turn minutes of daily discipline into record-breaking triumphs?

This week on Latter-day Lights, Scott and Alisha welcome Guinness World Record holder, book worm, and Gospel-loving Latter-Day Saint—DonnaJean Wilde—to the show, whose once broken wrist and five-minute planking challenge sparked a decade-long journey of fitness fueled by scripture study and mindset training.

More than just a story, she unpacks the habits and “living toolboxes” that moved her from classroom to the world stage: Memorizing the Success Scrolls and inspirational quotes from The Book of Mormon, cultivating an unwavering work ethic of keeping promises, training to uplifting spiritual music, and many more valuable practices that turned seconds into minutes—and minutes into history.

Along the way, she shares the tender mercies that steadied her, the thought-transforming books that turned doubt into devotion, and the hard-won lessons that readied her for the Guinness World Records.

Stay tuned and be prepared to live like DonnaJean, inspired to build on one Christ-centered promise today until forever.

*** Please SHARE DonnaJean's story and help us spread hope and light to others. ***

To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/y4Qo8jf8oak

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To READ DonnaJean's Book, "From Minutes to Hours: I Wrote This Book While Planking," visit: https://a.co/d/2WFADXQ

To WATCH DonnaJean's planking attempt, visit: https://youtu.be/BcnAZb7z0DE?si=boBvVl-4uR1Ensqp

To WATCH DonnaJean's pushup attempt, visit: https://youtube.com/shorts/NkIt77-8oWM?si=NLIKNXkRm-jWP-Gc

To READ the 10 Success Scrolls, visit: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:71ba5e80-176b-4406-b71b-ffd1bd632bd4

To GET the Gospel Living App on Google Play, visit: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.lds.liv&pcampaignid=web_share

To GET the Gospel Living App on the App Store, visit: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gospel-living/id1245330433

To READ "I Dare You" by William Danforth, visit: https://a.co/d/jc9djRj

To READ “Train (Your Brain) Like an Olympian” by Jean François Ménard & Marie Malchelosse, visit: https://a.co/d/bi607iy

To READ “Why Not You?” by Ciara and Russell Wilson, visit: https://a.co/d/ahsQFdM

To READ Scott’s new book “Faith to Stay” for free, visit: https://www.faithtostay.com/

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Keep updated with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latter.day.lights/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latterdaylights

Also, if you have a faith-promoting or inspiring story, or know someone who does, please let us know by going to https://www.latterdaylights.com and reaching out to us.

How far can mercy reach when a decades-long double life finally unravels, shaking a ward’s trust and a family’s heart?

This week on Latter-day Lights, Scott and Alisha welcome back Martin Onken for Part Two of his story—the hope-filled conclusion to his twelve-year journey of repentance.

In part one, Martin opened up about a lonely, complicated childhood that left him hungry for love and belonging. Leaning on his relationship with God to seek out the acceptance he was lacking, he found purpose in the Church and eventually served as a bishop. In time, however, he began living a double life, entering a 30-year extramarital affair that ultimately came to light, and led to a heartbreaking disciplinary council and excommunication.

In part two, Martin shares hard-won practices that rebuilt his soul: Consistently showing up to support groups and recovery programs, listening to those who saw him past his wrongdoings, retaking missionary lessons, and reflecting on temple grounds. He shares what it was like to tell his children the truth, navigate the difficult decision to separate from his wife, find love again after heartbreak, and rebuild his trust with family, all the while patiently seeking permission to officially return to the Church.

Each of these steps nudged Martin closer to approval for rebaptism, and revealed that Heavenly Father was guiding the process all along.

By the end of this episode, you’ll feel steadier about walking your own path back to God no matter how far off you’ve strayed. Expect practical tools, compassionate perspectives, and a renewed witness that no one is too far gone for the Savior’s relentless mercy.

*** Please SHARE Martin's story and help us spread hope and light to others. ***

To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/7K4-ZboOnZQ

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To WATCH part one of Martin's story, visit: https://youtu.be/8IvvCcAoGWc

To READ Scott’s new book “Faith to Stay” for free, visit: https://www.faithtostay.com/

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Keep updated with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latter.day.lights/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latterdaylights

Also, if you have a faith-promoting or inspiring story, or know someone who does, please let us know by going to https://www.latterdaylights.com and reaching out to us.

What happens when bad choices and "small sins" spiral into life-altering consequences?

Martin Onken's raw testimony reveals how a single decision at age 16 to "sin a little" led to decades of deception and a double life that impacted countless people.

Born to Dutch-Indonesian parents who survived Japanese prisoner-of-war camps, Martin's childhood was marked by emotional disconnection and a desperate search for love.

Finding temporary solace in Catholicism, he developed a relationship with God that provided the affection his family life lacked. But everything changed when teenage Martin convinced himself that balancing sins with good deeds would keep him spiritually "in the black."

This distorted thinking created the perfect foundation for addiction and self-deception.

From a toxic first relationship to eventually becoming an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while secretly maintaining a 30-year extramarital relationship, Martin shares the painful progression of his choices with unflinching honesty.

The most powerful revelation from this first half of Martin's story isn't the depth of his deception, but the persistence of God's love.

Despite deliberately turning away from divine guidance and ignoring multiple opportunities to change course, Martin testifies that "Heavenly Father will not give up on you, no matter what you have done."

For anyone who feels beyond redemption or trapped by their own choices, Martin's journey offers a glimpse of hope.

His testimony stands as both warning about the danger of small compromises and promise that divine love remains constant, even in our darkest moments.

Join us next week for the conclusion of Martin's remarkable story of repentance, healing, and finding his way back.

*** Please SHARE Martin's story and help us spread hope and light to others. ***

To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/8IvvCcAoGWc

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To READ Scott’s new book “Faith to Stay” for free, visit: https://www.faithtostay.com/

Keep updated with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latter.day.lights/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latterdaylights

Also, if you have a faith-promoting or inspiring story, or know someone who does, please let us know by going to https://www.latterdaylights.com and reaching out to us.

#LDSPodcast #ChristianStories #LatterDayLights

What creativity sparks within when one faith-led author blends scripture, sci-fi, and service to inspire a community?

This week on Latter-day Lights, Scott and Alisha welcome back M.D. (Michael) House—novelist and president of LDSPMA—to walk us through his unlikely path from corporate finance to an anthology of stories that intentionally spread the light of the Gospel.

Michael shares eye-opening insight into all the best pieces of advice from various books and talks that inspired his writing: Why the Book of Mormon is the best book on leadership, how men and women can unlock the full power of priesthood, how to navigate the relationship between faith and AI, and how the LDS community can decipher its more helpful uses from harmful ones. At the heart of it all, Michael emphasizes how these themes converge in the mission of LDSPMA—equipping faith-driven creators to learn, collaborate, and share light—and how you can participate in the next conference.

By the end, we guarantee you’ll feel steadier about building the next big thing the Savior is nudging you to create. Walk away inspired, equipped, and ready to act on those promptings.

*** Please SHARE Michael's story and help us spread hope and light to others. ***

To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/kG5hAA35fjI

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To READ Michael's books, visit: https://www.mdhouselive.com/

To LEARN MORE about LDSPMA (keynotes, conferences, workshops, etc.) visit: https://ldspma.org/

To READ Elder Gong's talk, “Faith, Ethics, and Human Dignity in an Age of Artificial Intelligence,” visit: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/faith--ethics--and-human-dignity-in-an-age-of-artificial-intelligence--a-call-to-action

To READ “Invincible Family” by Kimberly Ells, visit: https://a.co/d/fxaX4zt

To LISTEN to Scott & Alisha's guesting on the LDSPMA Podcast, "Called to Create," visit: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1696705/episodes/17374653

To READ Scott’s book “Faith to Stay,” visit: https://www.faithtostay.com/

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Keep updated with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latter.day.lights/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latterdaylights

Also, if you have a faith-promoting or inspiring story, or know someone who does, please let us know by going to https://www.latterdaylights.com and reaching out to us.

What if the life you dreamed of for yourself never showed up—because God used it to write an even better story?

This week on Latter-Day Lights, life coach and host of “The Single LDS Woman Podcast,” Sharon Lamar, opens up about spending 30 years of her life as a single Latter-Day Saint before marrying at 52. With humor, candor, and resilient faith, Sharon unpacks the quiet heartache of unmet expectations, the societal pressures we inherit from romcoms to fairytales, and the backhanded statements from friends and acquaintances that can silently erode our worth.

Scott and Alisha join her in exploring how to rewrite that script—seeing singleness merely as an identifier, and not a verdict of one’s worth; turning marriage from the main course into the cherry on top; and partnering with Heavenly Father to create a full, abundant life by allowing Him to become a collaborator in your journey. Along the way, Sharon shares the pivotal lessons that helped her trade confusion for clarity, how “nothing has gone wrong” became her new mantra, and how love remains the ultimate answer to all obstacles.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your path still counts when it doesn’t match the picture you grew up with, Sharon’s journey will help you see that you’re not behind, you’re not broken, and you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.

*** Please SHARE Sharon's story and help us spread hope and light to others. ***

To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/Qbjalk-Ue9c

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To BOOK a session with Sharon, visit: https://www.sharonlamarcoaching.com/

To GET Sharon's "Summer Rewind Playlist," visit: https://www.sharonlamarcoaching.com/insider

To LISTEN to Sharon's podcast, "The Single LDS Woman," visit: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-single-christian-woman-faith-and/id1712937838

To READ Scott’s book “Faith to Stay,” visit: https://www.faithtostay.com/

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Keep updated with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latter.day.lights/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latterdaylights

Also, if you have a faith-promoting or inspiring story, or know someone who does, please let us know by going to https://www.latterdaylights.com and reaching out to us.

What if the perfect once-in-a-lifetime opportunity ended up being the one God meant for you to turn down?

This week on Latter-day Lights, Scott and John Brandley sit down with animator Pablo Smith to share the story of how he combined his two greatest passions in life: teaching the gospel, and animation. Having worked at legendary studios in the industry such as Nick Jr., Disney, and Dreamworks, Pablo took his skills into his own hands by independently crafting his most cherished and personal piece of work, “The Book of Mormon Graphic Novel.”

After walking away from a full-ride offer at his dream school—CalArts—to serve in the France Marseille mission on his own accord, Pablo took a risk nobody would dare to. But after numerous rejections and near-misses from several potential opportunities upon returning, Pablo walks us through how he finally got his first big break working in animation, to now channeling his talent into a doorway to the scriptures.

With this project, he helps all kinds of visual learners and readers encounter the Gospel in a format they can truly grasp, leading families toward Christ one panel at a time. Tune in to see how art and testimony meet on the page, and you might just get the spark to use your gift to serve as well.

*** Please SHARE Pablo's story and help us spread hope and light to others. ***

To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/Isr7lMlDlCE

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To READ Pablo's graphic novel for free, visit: https://bookofmormongraphicnovel.org/

To FOLLOW Pablo on Facebook, visit: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555409713770

To WATCH Pablo's graphic novel on YouTube, visit: https://www.youtube.com/@BOOKOFMORMONAGRAPHICNOVEL

To DONATE to Pablo's project, visit: https://www.venmo.com/u/pablonihah

To READ Scott’s book “Faith to Stay,” visit: https://www.faithtostay.com/

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Keep updated with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latter.day.lights/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latterdaylights

Also, if you have a faith-promoting or inspiring story, or know someone who does, please let us know by going to https://www.latterdaylights.com and reaching out to us.

What unfolds when faith-driven creators stop flying solo, and start building together?

This week on Latter-day Lights, Scott Brandley and co-host Larry Johnson sit down with publishing veteran Steve Piersanti—founder and CEO of Berrett-Koehler Publishers, and the driving force behind LDSPMA (Latter-day Saints in Publishing, Media & the Arts). Together, they retrace Steve’s path to success; from launching BYU’s Century Two journal, to rallying 45 volunteers in 2015, and growing that circle into 2,800 members united by one mission: to spread light and truth through books, film, podcasts, music, and more.

They break down the process of building a volunteer-run nonprofit—from the early challenges, to launching pitching sessions, deep-dive workshops, and Praiseworthy/Spark awards—all the while emphasizing the faith-based community that keeps LDS creators and entrepreneurs coming back every time. Scott even throws in the serendipitous conversation that inspired Latter-Day Lights itself—and why showing up in media spaces matters just as much as showing up at Church.

If you have a talent that’s waiting to be seen, this conversation may be the nudge you need to step forward, link up, and create something that makes the world a better place. Tune in to find out how LDSPMA could be the bridge between your gift and the people who need it.

*** Please SHARE Steve's story and help us spread hope and light to others. ***

To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/ob4OwpaaPKQ

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To LEARN MORE about LDSPMA (keynotes, conferences, workshops, etc.) visit: https://ldspma.org/

To VOLUNTEER at LDSPMA, visit: https://ldspma.org/volunteer/

To DONATE to LDSPMA, visit: https://ldspma.org/donate/

To LISTEN to Scott & Alisha's guesting on the LDSPMA Podcast, "Called to Create," visit: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1696705/episodes/17374653

To READ Scott’s book “Faith to Stay,” visit: https://www.faithtostay.com/

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Keep updated with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latter.day.lights/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latterdaylights

Also, if you have a faith-promoting or inspiring story, or know someone who does, please let us know by going to https://www.latterdaylights.com and reaching out to us.