Tribe of Testimonies

Ah...where to begin with this one. Geoff and Akasha came to my house. And they didn't use a tissue once. You might need one though. This is a tough, tough story. They lost their son out of the blue. Their son just didn't wake up one day. The baby of their family. And I'm so sorry for their loss. I asked them after we recorded how they felt this loss compared to suddenly losing someone in a car accident or some other freak accident. The loss would be as sudden, but they pointed out that this loss doesn't leave them any one to blame--which is a burden they are glad to not have. Throughout this conversation, you will hear how they are seeking many ways to heal. But their best healing comes through seeking our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ. They know that the covenants they have made in the temple are a strength to them and their other children. They know that one day they will have answers. And they also know the pain will always be with them. Their testimonies are amazing. I am so grateful for their time and their story. https://littlewisebear.org

One of a kind. Literally. Jacob is Navajo and Nigerian. No siblings. He's one of a kind. But something else that I love about Jacob is that he has dedicated his life to sharing his love of Jesus Christ. He wants people to see Jesus through his actions, speech, and works. It's interesting how sometimes I some of my guests surprise me with how deep their testimonies really are. Jacob is that way for me. He sees Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in such a way that I simply want to know Them more. I'm grateful for the time that we could spend together--you will probably feel the same as I do.

One of the first people that has sent me multiple emails is LaRue. She often sends me a note to tell me how much something someone said on Tribe of Testimonies has affected her. It's taken me a couple years to get her to agree to be a guest. I'm glad she finally accepted my invitation. She has a strong testimony. During the interview, she mentions that she hasn't always had a perfectly strong testimony. And then she talks about how she's continued to work on it. You could say that she's worked on her testimony "muscles" for years--strength training it. She's a good example of learning and relearning the basics of the Gospel. Like President Oaks just taught us at General Conference this past weekend: the basic doctrine of the Church is simple and can be tested. LaRue is a testament of the doctrine.

In a few days from the posting of this episode, a full eclipse will pass over much of the United States. In this conversation, Ira explains a Seneca story about making promises of peace during an eclipse. He is planning on doing a similar pledge with his family and friends during the eclipse. I think that's beautiful! (I wish I could be there!) But Ira is seeking ways to mend hearts, to establish love and connection with people. It seems to be a life mission at the moment. Ira also talks about tithing--one of the commandments we have that has a promise attached. He can witness the law of tithing is a blessing. In fact, it helped him return to full activity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I'd say THAT is a blessing!

The longer we talked, the more I appreciated the things Josh had to say about life and family. We talked a lot off the recording as well. There is just so much that I could appreciate about his experiences. Josh shares about some of his family's trials of mental and physical health--and the toll those have on his mental health. I can commiserate! Having to deal with others' mental health problems is a weight! But I love the ways that Josh and his wife work together to find a balance. I love the way they love their children as much as possible. I love the way Josh has found an outlet (running) that is soothing his soul and teaching him so much about Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the earth, ancestors, and so much more. (I said he almost has me convince to start running.) This is a very vulnerable and amazing conversation. I'm so grateful for Joshua Freeman.

I remember when I was a student at BYU, I saw this sweet little girl dancing at the Harold A. Cedartree powwow. She was there pretty much every year that I was. Her name is Tamera Wheeler. So, I've seen her around for a long time. She told me that she remembers me coming to her house with my friend, Sommer, to get help making regalia. Tamera has grown up now. She's lovely. And she has experienced, firsthand, the blessings of our Savior in her life. There was a time when she stopped practicing the precepts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When she decided to come back, she saw how it really did bless her life. Now she weaves all parts of her life together in hopes of pleasing our Father in Heaven and our Savior. She sees how They love her unconditionally and want her to be with Them. Her testimony is pretty powerful.

About a year ago I reached out to Brighten to ask her to be a guest. It didn't work out, so I just left if. But recently I was scrolling through old messages and saw our open conversation and I reached out to her again. This time was the right time. A year ago it wasn't. This time Brighten was not only willing to share her story and testimony, but it's even stronger and brighter than it was a year ago. She has learned so much about her divine identity through family and making family (hunka). She has learned how to deal with depression. And she has learned how to witness, experience, and identify the Atonement of Jesus Christ in her life and in others' lives. Her testimony and story are so moving and bright! Just like she is. I'm so thankful that this was the time--I think you'll feel that as well.

It feels like Kalista and I have a lot in common. We both grew up in eastern Utah. We both spent time in Washington, DC. We both have sought reconnection with our heritage. But there are a lot of things we don't have in common. I have not lived as many places as she. We are obviously from different tribes. The biggest common denominator, however, is that we both love Jesus, His Gospel, and know our divine heritage. It was fun to listen to Kalista talk about callings in different wards. It was motivating to listen to her passion to serve others. And it was humbling to learn of circumstances that I have been spared experiencing. There's a lot to learn from Kalista. I'm glad she is my friend.

Holy cow! This young lady is amazing. AH-MAZE-ING. I am so impressed with her testimony and her sweetness. She has lost a great many people in her life. She could choose to be bitter or hard. But instead she is sweet and soft. She is seeking our Savior Jesus Christ actively. She seeks to surround herself with people that live high standards and she seeks to love those who don't. Jada loves to connect with Heavenly Father through prayer and service. Her reservation branch doesn't have many active young people close to her age, but instead of griping about it, she listens to those older than her. There are so many good things about Jada. I only wish and pray the best for her.

Brother Mose was a cowboy. A bull rider, to be exact. Was. Until he got hurt. Since that injury, he's moved on with life. He doesn't do all the things that he once did. Now he does other things to improve his life and the life of those around him. He serves others. He has served as a branch president. He has served with the Boy Scouts. And he serves many, many people with the gift of family history work. It is definitely a gift of the Spirit for him. He feels drawn to it even when it isn't his assignment. His joyful demeanor was wonderful to be around. Someday I'll meet him and we can hug--because that's how I feel about him.

Some of the most powerful things that Marilyn Reed taught me were: meet people where they are (children or adults); when teaching, allow imperfection and give them the right tools and instructions; grow hope; and make connections with people, Mother Earth, and especially the Godhead. Marilyn has worked hard in all her pursuits. She has received a bachelor's and two master's degrees. And she has served in the communities in which she lives. But she also knows the power and influence of motherhood. She now serves in the Stake Relief Society and in her branch's Young Women. She is using those opportunities to love, testify, and strengthen those around her. Marilyn is doing good in this world and I want to be like that.

As I listened to Anne, I was struck with how much she LOVES family. She's a single woman. But she clings to family, including those by close blood relations, those of her Nation, those who love Jesus Christ, and those who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She started really regularly going to the temple because of the Catholic Pope. Seriously. She sees how The Book of Mormon can heal hearts, minds, and souls. She loves attending church and powwow--because both bring people together to worship our Creator. And she continues to strengthen her faith by practicing the formula we've been taught: ask a question, search for answers, and do the thing that she wonders about. It was a total joy to visit with Anne.

The spirit of Elijah is strong with Cheryl McManus. She has felt pulled to her ancestors--sometimes literally. She talks about experiences she has had with them and how their influence has been felt and blessed her life. Cheryl also talks about how, in some regards, she has felt lost because of how her mother was unable to live and cherish her own culture. That might be a lesson for all of us to learn: that where we come from and experiences we have really do matter for our own sake as well as our posterity. On the other hand, Cheryl praises her mother for her determination to move forward and to be strong. Strength is something Cheryl is proud to come from. I also love that Cheryl has a good sense of humor. A good chuckle is always worth it.

As I was listening to Sister Enas, I just kept thinking that she's doing a lot more good than she realizes. She's humble. She's kind. She's a good person to be around. I love her stories about how she came back to church and has slowly been immersing herself fully into the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She sees how the church helps us become better people and she's allowing that to happen to her. And now that she's feeling that, she is inviting other people to join her in her happiness. She has challenged us to read The Book of Mormon. AND she has challenged us to share a copy of The Book of Mormon with other people. I think I'll take that challenge!

Talking with a surfer dude was kind of fun. But he was also pretty inspiring. Mondo Hand really talked a lot about the Holy Ghost. He talked about how the Holy Ghost can help us in relationships. And he especially talked about how the Holy Ghost can help protect us. I loved that Mondo emphasized that we who have been baptized and confirmed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been blessed with that constant Companion--it's up to us to listen to Him and heed Him. Mondo talked about how as mortals, we're bound to make mistakes. That's just part of this life. But we also have the Holy Ghost to help touch our hearts and help us repent and return to our Savior and Heavenly Father. I'm really grateful for this reminder today.

I've often talked about how, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Native Americans, we have a different view than others. I have a different view than those who were raised "traditionally." And also, every tribe's "traditionally" is different. But as Carlos Reed and I talked about these things, it was very clear to me. We have been asked to leave cultural and traditional things "behind," but not those that add to the Gospel and not those that bring us closer to Jesus Christ. Carlos experienced those things personally and has witnessed those things with family and friends. His testimony is strong. And he seeks to bring others to Christ. Because of these experiences, he's seen how to be a good missionary and become a good missionary.

I think I'm going to tell the missionaries I'm no longer interested.... Well, that's didn't happen. The Holy Ghost told Sister Pam to go to church with those young missionary sisters. I'm glad she did go to church with them. Pam's spirit is so sweet and beautiful. I love at the end when she talks about what she feels as a member of the Tribe of Israel: that she's a daughter of God, that it helps her know that she can be with those she loves who have left this earth life, and that she gets to go Home one day and have all her questions answered. Maybe you have questions too. That's okay! Pam has learned that it's okay to have questions but to press forward with faith, trusting that Heavenly Father, our Savior, and the Holy Ghost are always there for her. I could just hug her!

Thanks to Carrie, Rachel, Michelle, and Olivia. These women called in to share some of their experiences with Tribe of Testimonies. I'm so grateful for their few minutes with us. My hope is that you can experience similar blessings in your life through the testimonies of my guests. I hope you have a super, wonderful, awesome day!

This very short episode is all about announcements. 1. I am planning on continuing with Tribe of Testimonies in 2024. 2. I would love if you could call in and leave a short message about what you have loved, what you have learned, who you loved listening to, etc. I would like to make a compilation episode. 3. I'm looking for new music.

This conversation was fun for me because Ann Marie asked me a question. And then we talked about it a bunch. What was the question? She asked me about how I hear the Holy Ghost. She has heard the Holy Ghost at three pivotal times in her life and has been grateful she followed those promptings. We talked about how other people have listened to promptings of the Holy Ghost and those promptings have affected her as well. Being willing vessels to do the work we're called to do is a true blessing. I think words of wisdom from General Conference have truly improved and blessed her life. She talks about a couple specific things, but I can tell it's more than she mentions. I'm so grateful for Ann Marie.