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

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 ...

When guilt feels heavier than hope, can forgiveness still rewrite our story?

Episode 3 of our 5-part miniseries "Faith to Stay" tackles “Repentance & Forgiveness”—a burning topic in Latter-Day Lights host & founder Scott Brandley’s new book about navigating life’s fiercest spiritual storms. How are repentance and forgiveness interconnected, and how do we walk through them to achieve lasting peace?

How do you keep your faith when questions feel louder than answers?

This Sunday, episode 2 of our 5-part “Faith to Stay” miniseries dives into the idea of “Primary vs. Secondary Questions”—a core principle from Latter-Day Lights host and founder Scott Brandley’s new book on weathering spiritual storms.

Joined by returning guests—near-death survivor, Jerry Paskett, and Catholic-turned-Latter-day Saint, Dr. Fred Dod...

How do you keep your faith strong in the world we live in today?

This Sunday, we kickoff a special 5-part miniseries called “Faith to Stay”, that discusses topics from Latter-Day Light's host and founder, Scott Brandley’s latest book on “strengthening faith during the storms of life.”

In episode 1, past guests Sheri Ramirez, Shane Baldwin, and Dusty Smith return to the show to share their eye-opening insights...

What if the darkest parts of your past were the very things God used to lead you home?

On today’s episode of Latter-day Lights, we meet Becky Sheffer—a woman whose childhood was marked by addiction, neglect, trauma, and instability. But through it all, small miracles began to appear—moments that quietly pointed her toward something greater.

From squatting in abandoned homes and riding across the country in a broke...

How does a parent stand back up when every corner of home echoes with grief?

For EMT, educator, and loving mother Larissa Dagley, tragedy began at her teen son Cody’s shooting incident—a moment that left Cody drowning in relentless nightmares and bullying for the remainder of his life. Overwhelmed by guilt and depression, Cody took his own life almost 2 years later, plunging Larissa into a darkness so crushing, she feared ...