Come Back Podcast

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains sensitive content that may be triggering or offensive to some audiences. Parental discretion is advised. " Reading the Book of Mormon that week, I really sat down and actually studied the words of the Book of Mormon, and it was powerful. It was so powerful. It was undeniable. And I had been reading about how this genius farmer, right, we always were like, 'He's such a genius. That's how you get away with it', wrote this book out of nowhere. And as I'm reading it, I'm just like, there is no way. There is no way. I remember so many scriptures, I couldn't get enough because there were so many things, and it just felt like God was just waiting for me to open the door and he would just feed me, you know, like I was starving and he would just feed me." Come Back Team Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Cara Reed Assistant Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia Episode sponsor: Brick House Recovery

" And I see that in Thomas B. Marsh's words, where he says 'The Savior loved me, but he loved me enough to whoop me.' Basically, to put me in circumstances where I realized that I needed to come back and that I was missing something from my life." Come Back Team Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer: Trent Wardwell Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Cara Reed Assistant Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia Episode sponsor: Serve Clothing ⁠⁠⁠https://serveclothing.com/?gad_source=1

Come Back Team Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Cara Reed Assistant Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia Episode sponsor: Serve Clothing ⁠⁠⁠https://serveclothing.com/?gad_source=1

"You know what? Good people can also struggle. I am a good person and I also am a felon, and that's okay. The church is doing so well at moving towards less judgment and I feel so thankful that I get to be a part of that. Tthat I get to share my story without shame. To try and help people realize that forgiveness is all encompassing. We don't have to carry the shame. We don't have to be afraid of who we are and what our past is. I can stand at the pulpit and tell them my story, because I'm whole, I've been forgiven. Why am I gonna keep shame? Why am I gonna be embarrassed about it? Like I've overcome something." https://mikesautoshack.com/⁠⁠⁠ Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Cara Reed Assistant Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia Episode sponsor: Serve Clothing ⁠⁠⁠https://serveclothing.com/?gad_source=1

"So here I am just one after another. I was smart enough to recognize Satan should have been a little more subtle because this was way too obvious. It was clear that I was under attack and especially that my husband had just been called to be Bishop. I'm like, okay. So I had enough wisdom to step back and recognize that. It still didn't take away from the fact that I cried myself to sleep every night. I didn't know the answers to all this information that I had been overwhelmed with. And my husband could answer some of it, but not all of it. He was a new bishop and I just didn't know what to do. For the first time, my faith was really shaken." Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Cara Reed Assistant Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia

"I am so glad that I've been on both ends because to feel what it actually feels like is really cool. So many times I'd be like, 'what if I wouldn't have come back? I wouldn't have had this experience. And I wouldn't be able to associate with these people in the way that I have been.' And every time I was just so thankful that there was a desire in me that never gave up looking for Jesus. And that other people listened to the Spirit and came and found me, you know? All the time I'm like, thank you for letting me come back. I'm so glad I'm back." Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Cara Reed Assistant Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia Episode sponsor: Serve Clothing ⁠⁠⁠https://serveclothing.com/?gad_source=1 ⁠⁠https://mikesautoshack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

"Sometimes at school I would go into the bathroom when I was just having a really bad day at school and I would just close the door on the stall and pray: 'If I'm doing the right thing, I need your help.' And I just remember feeling my Heavenly Father's love just pour over me. It was tangible. You know, He's there for these hard things that we experience. He is absolutely there." https://mikesautoshack.com/⁠⁠ Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Cara Reed Assistant Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia Episode sponsor: Serve Clothing ⁠⁠https://serveclothing.com/?gad_source=1

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains sensitive content that may be triggering or offensive to some audiences. Parental discretion is advised. "The trial is going to be coming up either at the end of this year or possibly at the beginning of next year. So I'm still going to be going through this. I still have to sit through a full trial. But now I have a lot more strength and armor on me. I am preparing for it to be hard, so I just have to find strength in the Savior. I remember praying one night about forgiveness and how sometimes when you hold that stuff inside it can eat away at you. It's like poison inside of you. And I thought, 'how could I ever pray to allow forgiveness for murder? That one's too big.' So as I was praying about it, I just thought, 'All I can do is pray that the savior will carry the burden that I feel from losing someone to murder.' And in that moment that's what I did. I said, 'I don't know what this looks like, but I need you to carry this for me.' The Savior never once has let me down with asking Him to carry a burden. It doesn't matter what kind, whether it's overcoming depression, losing people or financial loss, the Savior's love is there, He carries all burdens. So I've learned through all this that he can carry anything." https://www.eventbrite.com/e/copy-of-come-back-to-christ-tickets-1209945723229?aff=oddtdtcreator⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://mikesautoshack.com/⁠⁠ Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Cara Reed Assistant Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia Episode sponsor: Serve Clothing ⁠⁠https://serveclothing.com/?gad_source=1

"Just as the Psalmist said, 'pride goeth before the fall.' And boy, did I learn that lesson. If I were to boil it down to what is the one thing that is different about me from before my crisis and after my crisis, it is that I was stripped, completely stripped, of my pride. The Lord needed to compel me to be humble. I was one of those foolish ones that needed to be compelled to be humble. I think of all the things I learned through that experience, I'd like to think that now I am a more humble person. I no longer aspire for those callings, which was a big part of who I was through most of my adult life. I now see other people in a different way. I see people with greater love and greater compassion. I just feel the love of the Savior as I look at each person. I just see people through a different lens because that pride is being stripped away." https://www.eventbrite.com/e/copy-of-come-back-to-christ-tickets-1209945723229?aff=oddtdtcreator⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://mikesautoshack.com/⁠⁠ Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Cara Reed Assistant Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia Episode Sponsor: Brick House Recovery https://brickhouserecovery.com/

"When President Nelson came out and said to repent daily, I'm like, how about hourly? Or every 15 minutes for a while. That's when I realized, after going through all of this, that I was a better cop. I had learned an empathy that I didn't know existed in me and I realized that most people are good, even when they're doing stuff that's not. I realized that a lot of people were going through things that led them to deal with us. That they were broken too and this is how they coped with being broken. I wasn't in a different place than they were. My outlet was just different than theirs. But that brokenness was still the same." Brent's Podcast: Covered With the Utah FOP https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/97-the-other-side-academy-with-dave-durocher-part-2/id1491615677?i=1000676224062 https://utahstatefop.com/10-about-the-association https://www.utahstatefop.com/images/Home-officers-in-distress/Officer-in-Distress_-The-Real-EnemyC2A0C2A0_C2A0C2A0The-Salt-Lake-Tribune.pdf https://www.eventbrite.com/e/copy-of-come-back-to-christ-tickets-1209945723229?aff=oddtdtcreator⁠ ⁠https://mikesautoshack.com/⁠ Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Cara Reed Assistant Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia Episode sponsor: Serve Clothing ⁠https://serveclothing.com/?gad_source=1

"Don't put blame on anyone else. If you've done things that are wrong, fix them. If things have been done to you that are wrong, forgive them. Which is so hard to do, depending on the situation. I've had to do that with people in my past. it's the most liberating thing that you can do to let go of that hate and let go of blaming them. Because you can blame them all you want, but it's not going to allow you to progress. And so be honest with yourself. Be honest with what you need to change and take back your power. You have all the power in the world. God has given you this free agency. You can do whatever you want with it. Why not do something amazing that brings you so much joy and happiness? And it's so liberating to let go of what everyone thinks about you. It's so liberating. I literally do whatever the heck I want, which happens to be living the gospel. And living the gospel and living the standards of the gospel has made me the most free person I've ever been in my life." https://www.eventbrite.com/e/copy-of-come-back-to-christ-tickets-1209945723229?aff=oddtdtcreator https://mikesautoshack.com/ Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Cara Reed Assistant Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia Episode sponsor: Serve Clothing https://serveclothing.com/?gad_source=1

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains sensitive content that may be triggering or offensive to some audiences. Parental discretion is advised. "I will tell you that when you give up 'the things' and trust Heavenly Father, Miracles happen. Absolute miracles happen. I always thought that supporting my family and working for my family was the best thing that I can do. I never realized that quitting my job and becoming sover was the best thing that I could do. I just thought 'I have to work, there's no way around this.' Quitting my job was terrifying! I read the Book of Mormon during that time and my bishop had given me a blessing that said my ancestors and my posterity were watching over me. So even my children's children were aware of what we were going through." https://www.eventbrite.com/e/copy-of-come-back-to-christ-tickets-1209945723229?aff=oddtdtcreator https://mikesautoshack.com/ Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Cara Reed Assistant Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia Episode sponsor: Serve Clothing https://serveclothing.com/?gad_source=1

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains sensitive content that may be triggering or offensive to some audiences. Parental discretion is advised. "One thing I had never shared with anyone about my near death experience, but now I do is, my brother said to me, 'see, Marcy, it's real.' And I knew he wasn't talking about heaven. He was talking about our temple covenants and I knew it. I just knew that is what he was talking about! And I had not told anyone this. Then my mother was in the temple on a separate occasion, and she saw my brother and he said the same thing to her. 'See, that it's real.' She told me this and I said, mom, that's one of the things that he said to me. It made me realize I need to speak to that. I need to tell people this. He wasn't talking about heaven. He wasn't talking about the spirit world. He was talking about our temple covenants." https://www.eventbrite.com/e/copy-of-come-back-to-christ-tickets-1209945723229?aff=oddtdtcreator https://mikesautoshack.com/ Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer and Senior Editor: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Cara Reed Assistant Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia

"The purpose of the gospel is to restore ourselves to God. And time and time again, Christ has taught that. He's taught that this is why He did what He did. This is the whole reason why we're doing this, is to restore you to Me. So it's about love. The expectations can come later. Once we restore that prodigal hug with the father on the road, once we find that coin, once we put that sheep on our back, then we can bring them back and talk about some expectations. But initially, that first meeting especially is so powerful because it has to be about love. I suggest this not to just church leaders, but also to parents. Just put your arms around them, love them. If that first meeting is an expression - or any type of an expression - of a failure of commitments or a failure of expectations, love can't fully enter into that person's heart. So I would say to anyone who's scared, I hope you understand the gospel is about what you're about to do. Go and see your bishop and know that God is proud of you and he's already at the end of the road waiting for you." https://www.eventbrite.com/e/copy-of-come-back-to-christ-tickets-1209945723229?aff=oddtdtcreator https://mikesautoshack.com/ Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer and Senior Editor: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Cara Reed Assistant Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia Episode sponsor: Serve Clothing https://serveclothing.com/?gad_source=1

"If you were to ask me to translate an ancient document and to organize the people and a whole religion -- I would never want that kind of authority thrust on me. I know I would misuse it, I absolutely would. So this process has really brought me to this place of grace for those who have come before in the gospel. And also, these things that I get so frustrated about or that I don't understand, they're not mine to understand right now and it's okay because it's temporary. The reality is that Christ is our savior and the gospel is real. And when we turn to Him, the peace that is there, and the love, and the understanding surpasses everything else. There is no substitute." https://www.eventbrite.com/e/come-back-to-christ-tickets-1120310471779?aff=oddtdtcreator&ref=comebackpodcast.org https://mikesautoshack.com/ Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer and Senior Editor: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Editor: Cara Reed Assistant Editor: Michelle Berger Art Director: Jeremy Garcia Episode sponsor: Serve Clothing https://serveclothing.com/?gad_source=1

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains sensitive content that may be triggering or offensive to some audiences. Parental discretion is advised. "I even had some coworkers recently who I saw at my home coming'. They're like, look, man, you are the last person I ever thought would go on a mission! No shot!' So there's those people that have those thoughts, but at the same time, all of us members could do better in the department of seeing those things and just thinking in our minds and choosing not to judge way beforehand. Instead thinking, 'you know what, I just can't wait till they come back. I cannot wait. I hope I get to pass the sacrament to them the first time they come back to church.' Because at the end of the day, none of us know the fight that someone has gone through before they walk through those doors and they sit down on those pews and they take that burden, and they hand it to Christ." https://www.eventbrite.com/e/come-back-to-christ-tickets-1120310471779?aff=oddtdtcreator&ref=comebackpodcast.org https://mikesautoshack.com/ 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 Episode sponsor: Serve Clothing https://serveclothing.com/?gad_source=1

Meet part of the Come Back team and learn how working on the podcast has strengthened our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Season 2 Finale and Merry Christmas! 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 Episode sponsor: Serve Clothing https://serveclothing.com/?gad_source=1

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains sensitive content that may be triggering or offensive to some audiences. Parental discretion is advised. "So basically, I've been to church ever since. Maybe a day or two, I've missed because I got sick but I've been going ever since. And then I was able to receive the priesthood back and then get to a point where I was able to get my temple recommend. That was another big pivotal moment. To be able to walk inside that temple,and know you're worthy enough to do it. Cause I've fought demons, I've done it, you know? And on my birthday, I went to the temple to do baptisms and confirmations by myself, just me. I just needed me. After it was all done, there's no explanation about how you feel after. You just feel relieved, you feel light, you just feel clean." 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 Episode sponsor: Serve Clothing https://serveclothing.com/?gad_source=1

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains sensitive content that may be triggering or offensive to some audiences. Parental discretion is advised. "I was driving home and I was so angry at Steven and at God and at myself and just feeling like an idiot. I was like, 'I can't do this, I'm so mad,' but my brother asked me to turn on conference and he's trying so hard on his mission. He's such a good missionary that I'm just gonna do it. So while I was driving home to our apartment in Provo to say our marriage is over, the talk that was on at that exact moment was Elder Gong's talk called 'Trust Again' and the spirit came over me so strongly and told me you can trust him again. The whole talk was about various forms of betrayal -- specifically marriage problems and pornography. A lot of trust with your spouse was talked about and the spirit spoke so strong that our marriage could be mended. So instead of driving all the way home to Provo I got off on the Lehi exit where he was watching conference with his family and I said 'okay I'm ready to talk, I am in a better place.'" 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

"Once I put the garment back on, I remember wearing them for a couple weeks, and it just felt really good. It was interesting, my perspective changed. Instead of thinking 'I can't wear this and I can't wear that,' I wanted them on! I had a burning desire to have Christ's spirit in my life and I didn't want to do a thing to change that." 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