How do you keep pursuing your dreams when rejection, discouragement, and life’s responsibilities seem to stand in the way?

In this week’s episode of Latter-day Lights, Scott and Darla Brandley sit down with U.S. Today’s bestselling author, Heather B. Moore, to hear how she built a full-time writing career through perseverance, prayer, and years of steady effort, despite the mountain of rejections as a new name to the publishing scene. Starting as a young mother who wrote her first manuscript at 30, Heather shares how critique groups and constant learning shaped her growth and prepared her for her first ever “pinch me” moment.

She reflects on advice to aspiring authors, meeting impossible deadlines while raising four children, the pros and cons of traditional vs. self-publishing, and learning to see closed doors as redirections rather than failures. With her first successful book series, “Out of Jerusalem,” as well as her Praiseworthy Award-winning book, “Rebekah and Isaac,” Heather’s story highlights the power of consistent effort, humility, and faith in the creative process, reminding us that when we keep showing up and stay close to the Lord, our gifts can grow in ways we never imagined.

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

To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/L-Oo9AJd2aY

-----

To READ Heather’s book series, “Out of Jerusalem,” visit: https://a.co/d/0hWacFEA

To READ Heather’s book, “Rebekah and Isaac (Women of the Covenant),” visit: https://a.co/d/065deF6S

To READ more of Heather’s work, visit: https://amzn.to/45O8phG

To LEARN MORE about Heather’s writing, visit: https://hbmoore.com/

To FOLLOW Heather on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/authorhbmoore/

To FOLLOW Heather on Facebook, visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/37783537691

To FOLLOW Heather on TikTok, visit: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherbmooreauthor

To WATCH Heather on YouTube, visit: https://www.youtube.com/@heatherbmoore

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.

What happens when everything you’ve built your life on falls apart in the blink of an eye?

In this week’s episode of Latter-day Lights, special guest Clint Huston shares his deeply personal journey from being raised in the Church and appearing to do everything “right” on the outside, to an affair that led to divorce, a battle with pornography addiction, excommunication, and the painful loss of identity that followed. Until, at his lowest moment of feeling cast off, broken, and unworthy, Christ met him with unmistakable love and began a powerful work of restoration.

Through therapy, humility, and complete surrender to the Lord, Clint began a long and winding healing journey—one that included addiction recovery, rebaptism, temple restoration, remarriage, and learning to trust God’s timing more than his own. Along the way, he discovered that grace is not earned, healing is not linear, and the covenant path is rarely a straight line.

This episode is a raw and hope-filled testimony of the Atonement, the patience of God, and the truth that no one is ever beyond Christ’s reach. If you’ve ever felt disqualified, ashamed, or afraid that you’re too far gone to be healed, Clint’s story is for you.

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

To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/dNAO7Ul5G00

-----

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.

What opportunities are possible like when faith, creativity, and technology collide later in life?

In this week’s episode of Latter-day Lights, Scott and Emily sit down once again with former Bering Sea Captain and guest, Jake Jacobsen, to explore a life-changing chapter of his journey—using AI and modern technology to bring decades-old lyrics, spiritual reflections, and life stories to life through music and video.

After spending nearly three decades navigating some of the most dangerous waters on Earth, Jake shares how long hours alone in the sea became a sacred space for songwriting, prayer, and reflection. Now, years later, those words are finding new expression through AI-assisted music, allowing him to share his testimony of Jesus Christ, the Atonement, and the covenant path with audiences around the world.

Jake opens up about the creative process behind his songs, the spiritual intentions guiding his use of artificial intelligence, why he sees this work as part of his personal mission, and his desire to preserve faith-filled stories for future generations.

This thoughtful conversation dives into big questions about creative authenticity, inspiration, and discernment in an age of rapidly advancing technology—and how tools like AI can be used intentionally to spread light, hope, and faith in Christ.

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

To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/j-BIAdsuMBA

-----

To WATCH Jake’s music and talks for LDS Leaders, “The Wheelhouse of Hope,” visit: https://www.youtube.com/@WheelhouseofHope

To WATCH Jake’s music and stories for Christian audiences, “Jake’s Wheelhouse,” visit: https://www.youtube.com/@CaptainJakesSongsandStories

To LISTEN to Jake’s song, “The Master’s Music,” visit: https://youtu.be/wnmtbM1vtP8?si=_7yKwCuwrGDLfL_4

To WATCH Jake’s first Latter-Day Lights episode, visit: https://youtu.be/k5MMS8tEB_A

To READ Jake’s book, “Chronicles of Being a Sea Captain,” visit: https://a.co/hYb6gZ5

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.

How do we build spiritual resilience and encourage the youth of today to do the same?

To celebrate the anticipated release of her latest book, “Covenant Power,” Scott and Emily sit down with author, seminary teacher, and temple ordinance worker Sharla Goettl to explore what spiritual resilience really means, and how it’s formed over time.

Drawing from her first book, “Spiritual Resilience,” and leading into three years of wrestling with promptings and reluctance, Sharla shares how patterns found in the life of Nephi reveal a practical, repeatable way to strengthen faith through action, covenant keeping, and personal revelation. Through powerful stories, the conversation also dives into the role of temple covenants in creating an environment where spiritual resilience can grow, how obedience and sacrifice unlock divine power, and why God’s “straight and narrow path” is often personalized rather than linear.

With thoughtful insights on parenting, youth, agency, and learning to act in faith before understanding the full picture, this episode offers a hopeful, grounding perspective for anyone seeking steadiness in a noisy, uncertain world.

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

To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/EKYF0dznlRg

-----

To READ Sharla's book, "Spiritual Resilience: Leading our Youth to Go and Do," visit: https://sharlagoettl.com/book-spiritual-resilience-leading-our-youth-to-go-and-do/

To READ Sharla's 2nd book, "Covenant Power: Transform Fear into Faith through the Power of Jesus Christ," visit: https://a.co/d/5vO8Pkh

To LEARN MORE about Sharla's stories, visit: https://sharlagoettl.com/

To LISTEN to Emily's song recommendation, "Leave it There" by Charles Albert Tindley, visit: https://hymnary.org/text/if_the_world_from_you_withhold_of_its_si

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.

How do you keep your faith in God when grief keeps rewriting the life you always dreamed of?

In this week’s episode of Latter-Day Lights, Scott and Emily sit down with author, mother, and Praiseworthy Award Winner Anneka Walker, to explore how faith, loss, and creativity brought about healing and renewed purpose into her journey as a writer.

When multiple miscarriages and high-risk pregnancies crushed her dreams of becoming a mother to 13 children, Anneka’s belief in God still led her to unexpected miracles—including a life-saving experience with her miracle baby, and a newfound calling to write. She reflects on how storytelling became a sacred refuge during seasons of grief, helping her process pain, preserve hope, and uplift others through wholesome romance and historical fiction.

Having received a Praiseworthy Award for her book, “The Lady Glass” from “The Enchanted Regency Romance Series,” she affirms that God was still shaping something beautiful from her broken plans, and that the stories born from her deepest grief could become a source of inspiration for countless readers.

Tune in as Scott, Emily, and Anneka discuss the power of counting blessings amidst loss, navigating doubt and criticism, creating real-life character development, and trusting that God can still write a redemptive life story, even when it doesn’t go according to plan.

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

To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/3LQn9OSZBQg

-----

To READ Anneka's Praiseworthy Award Winning book, "The Lady Glass" from "The Enchanted Regency Romance Series," visit: https://a.co/d/3sMeP9X

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.

When life feels uncertain and stakes are high on the operating table, how do we learn to trust in the Lord’s plan?

On this week’s episode of Latter-Day Lights, Scott and Emily sit down with Dr. Mark T. Saunders, a semi-retired OB/GYN whose quiet, faithful listening opened the door to dozens of sacred and miraculous stories. While conducting his routinely in-home medical visits, Mark found that his patients—often without prompting—felt compelled to share their deeply personal experiences of divine intervention, healing, and guidance from the Holy Ghost.

From a young student almost facing the loss of his leg, to near-death experiences, and unmistakable moments of revelation, Mark reflects on how these encounters strengthened his testimony that God will always a God of miracles no matter the circumstances. This conversation explores the difference between trusting in the wisdom of the world, and learning to rely fully on personal revelation, spiritual sensitivity, and the intentional direction of the Spirit.

Rooted in scripture, lived experience, and divine inspiration, this episode is an invitation to slow down, listen more closely, and rediscover what it means to place unwavering trust in the Lord—even when the path forward feels like it's coming to an end.

*** Please SHARE Dr. Saunders' story and help us spread hope and light to others. ***

To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/bihxYdh6GzM

-----

To READ Dr. Saunders' book, "Learning to Trust in The Lord," visit: https://a.co/d/0OLMSuK

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.

When depression shapes the life of the person you love the most, will your faith hold—or begin to break under the pressure?

In this week’s episode of Latter-Day Lights, Scott and Emily sit down with Amanda Harms — a counselor, mother of six, and newly minted PhD in social psychology — to share her personal journey through supporting a spouse living with chronic depression.

With mental illness and frayed communication leading to years of financial hardship, cross-country moves, spiritual denial, and seasons of uncertainty in her marriage, Amanda reflects on how compassion, understanding, and Christlike love slowly transformed the way she perceived her husband and herself.

Through stories of resilience, motherhood, and the concept of “eternal perspective,” Amanda’s journey invites listeners to consider what long-term endurance really looks like — not as a single turning point, but as years of small choices to remain faithful, present, and compassionate. It’s a reminder that while answers don’t always come quickly, the Lord walks with us through the slow, sacred process of becoming.

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

To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/GukEY_jB1-k

-----

To READ Amanda's book, "Breaking Free from the Shame of Addiction," visit: https://a.co/d/jawXlJT

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.

How does Jesus reach for us when we’re convinced we can never return back to Him?

In this week's episode of Latter-Day Lights, Tyler Christen—a returned soldier and lifelong Latter-Day Saint who spent years in and out of the Church—shares his raw, unfiltered journey through addiction, isolation, spiritual darkness, and repeated attempts to walk away from the Gospel.

From battling the temptations of pornography and party culture in the military, surviving serious car accidents, grieving a miscarriage, and experiencing terrifying demonic encounters and sleep paralysis, Tyler describes what it felt like to believe he was beyond forgiveness... Until the night he finally gave in and cried out the name of Jesus Christ.

From then on, doors began to open as Tyler found himself guided through dreams, spiritual impressions, and moments of unmistakable divine intervention that led him back to the scriptures, the temple, and a renewed sense of purpose in the Gospel. In this episode, Tyler talks about learning to recognize the Savior’s voice and his realization of being a dream interpreter—all while discovering that the gifts of the Spirit are real.

If you’ve ever questioned whether Jesus can still use you, Tyler’s story is a bold reminder that Christ’s grace can reach into the darkest places and turn a "lost cause" into a disciple on fire.

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

To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/P9csAvu5PFw

-----

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.