LDS Podcast "Latter-Day Lights" - Inspirational LDS Stories

When tragedy strikes not once but twice, how do you keep your faith — and your loved ones — from falling apart?

In this deeply moving episode of Latter-Day Lights, Lawrence and Melissa Stone open up about the unimaginable loss of their children due to a driving accident and miscarriage. But from the heartbreak, take us through a journey of rebuilding faith, marriage, and hope through grief. From heartache to healing and He...

What do you do when the people who were supposed to protect you… become the source of your deepest wounds?

In this unforgettable episode of Latter-Day Lights, author Calvin Bagley shares his extraordinary journey from isolation, abuse, and “no-schooling” in the Utah desert to faith, healing, and freedom. Once a boy who hid from the school bus, Calvin now helps others overcome trauma and reclaim their lives through faith, t...

What do you do when your mother’s voice is silenced—but her words refuse to be forgotten?

In this week’s episode of Latter-Day Lights, we sit down with sisters Jessie Lake and Molly Johnson, whose mother was tragically killed as a result of domestic violence.

Years later, while unpacking old boxes, they uncovered something extraordinary—eight beautifully written children’s stories she had finished before she died...

When life seems to unravel all at once, will you trust that God is still there?

In this deeply moving episode of Latter-Day Lights, Scott and Alisha sit down with lifelong Latter-Day Saint—Tiffaney Castañeda—as she shares her remarkable journey of faith through unimaginable trials and unmistakable miracles.

From her daughter’s near-fatal battle with autoimmune hepatitis, down to the sudden and unexpected passing of her youngest daugh...

Is it ever too late to come home to Heavenly Father?

When life’s pressures nearly consumed her, Aisha Jermy reached a breaking point that affected her emotionally, physically, financially, and, most importantly, spiritually. But through one unexpected encounter on an airplane, she discovered the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. And from that moment on, everything changed. In this week's episode of Latter-Day Lights, A...

What if the struggle that nearly broke you was the path God used to bring you back to His light?

Aussie mom and former maximum-security corrections officer, Jac Woodhouse, hit rock bottom in a myriad of ways—dehumanizing workplace misogyny, parting from a 15-year career, navigating her son’s serious health challenges, and fighting her own battle with suicidal ideation. It felt as though one more misstep would’ve broken the...

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 t...

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 ...

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 Go...

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 ...

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 t...

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 i...

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 ha...

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 journa...

What if you had a front-row seat to literally watch the Spirit of Elijah sweep across the earth?

In this powerful episode of Latter-day Lights, we sit down with Rachel Crump Mathews, a devoted disciple, Relief Society president, and one of the inspired leaders behind the global RootsTech conference.

What began as a temporary job over a decade ago soon became a sacred calling—one that placed Rachel on the front lin...

When Heaven hands you another chance at life, what legacy will you protect for your bloodline?

This Sunday on Latter-Day Lights, hosts Scott and Alisha welcome Joseph Smith Skeen to the show. As a direct descendant of Hyrum Smith, Joe unveils how near-death and a second chance at life became the spark that led him to safeguard his ancestor’s relics—from Alvin’s toolbox that once cradled the gold plates, to Hyrum’s bullet-s...

When decades of lies and betrayal suddenly unravel, can the atonement stitch a marriage back together?

On today’s episode of Latter-day Lights, we meet Heather and Cameron Berry—a couple whose world collapsed the instant one accidental photo exposed Cameron’s hidden, 30-year pornography addiction. In a single breath, trust was gone, and a once-steady marriage felt like moments from ending.

Yet, from inside the wre...

When trials get steep and hope runs thin, what keeps you hanging on to faith?

This Sunday, our 5-part “Faith to Stay” miniseries reaches its finale with a candid round-table discussion on “Enduring to the End.” Latter-Day Lights hosts Scott Brandley and Alisha Coakley welcome viral missionary Carter Ellis, and faith-forged father Jon Coakley—to unpack why staying aboard the gospel “ship” matters more than ever.

From Carter’s galvaniz...

When you discover ancient artifacts and petroglyphs near Nauvoo Illinois that support the Book of Mormon, do you keep it to yourself or share it?

Episode 4 of our 5-part miniseries “Faith to Stay” unearths several ancient artifacts & petroglyphs—a vivid chapter in Latter-Day Lights host & founder Scott Brandley’s new book on standing firm through spiritual storms.

This week, the Brandley family—Scott, and ...