Lets Get Real with Stephen Jones
Why LDS Polygamy and Joseph Smith Historian Left and Came Back to the LDS Church (Pt One) | E0012
updated
Sister Reyna I. Aburto opens up about what it was really like working with President Nelson. From reading one of his drafts and offering feedback, to seeing how humble and kind he was, she watched revelation unfold right in front of her eyes.
She also talks about President Oaks — why his “stern” look doesn’t show how much love and compassion he actually has.
This one’s real, raw, and full of faith.
What’s it really like to sit across from a living prophet and give him feedback on his words?
In this episode of Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones, Sister Reyna I. Aburto, former Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, opens up about her deeply personal experiences with President Russell M. Nelson—moments that changed how she sees revelation, leadership, and discipleship forever.
She shares what it felt like the day President Nelson unexpectedly invited her and the other sisters of the presidency into his office to read and critique his upcoming talk—“Sisters’ Participation in the Gathering of Israel.” From his humility and love to the way he truly listened, Sister Aburto saw firsthand how revelation unfolds at the highest levels of the Church.
She also reflects on her gratitude for President Dallin H. Oaks, the tenderness behind his often “stern” demeanor, and her confidence that the Lord continues to guide His Church through inspired servants.
00:00:00 – Trailer/Intro
00:01:06 – Her First Big Assignment & Learning to Be Vulnerable at BYU Women’s Conference
00:07:38 – Inside the Room with President Nelson: A Prophet Who Asked for Feedback
00:17:49 – “Women Have the Power to Change the World”
00:25:49 – President Nelson’s Quiet Discipleship: Leading the Way Christ Would
00:32:52 – Slowing Down, Listening More, and Counseling Together in God’s Timing
00:45:46 – Witnessing Revelation Firsthand with President Nelson
00:47:56 – How President Nelson Encouraged Women to Deepen Their Discipleship
00:49:38 – Behind the Scenes: The Shift from Home Teaching to Ministering
00:56:09 – Becoming Peacemakers in a Chaotic World
01:04:58 – What It Really Means to Be Grounded in Christ
01:07:55 – How President Nelson’s Invitations Reflected the Heart of the Savior
01:12:18 – Looking Ahead: Sister Aburto’s Faith and Confidence in President Oaks
01:19:53 – A Defining Moment: The Experience That Best Shows President Nelson’s Character
Out of the blue, an unplanned meeting appeared on her calendar:
“Relief Society Presidency — President Nelson’s Office.”
What followed was one of the most humbling experiences of her life. President Nelson had already written his first message to the women of the Church as prophet, but before giving it, he handed each of them a printed draft.
Then he said:
“This is the message I’m going to give to the sisters. I want you to read it and tell me what you think.”
In this touching story, Sister Aburto shares how President Nelson’s humility and deep respect for women shaped that historic address—“Sisters’ Participation in the Gathering of Israel.”
She recalls his tenderness, openness to feedback, and genuine desire to listen to women across the world.
This powerful memory paints a portrait of a prophet who not only spoke with authority, but led with love.
In this heartfelt tribute, Reverend Dr. Amos C. Brown—a civil rights leader and one of the last living students of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—reflects on his friendship with President Nelson. Together, they led historic efforts between the NAACP and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, uniting faiths and communities that had once stood apart.
Rev. Brown shares how President Nelson turned words into action—funding education, empowering families, and bringing together the Tabernacle Choir and the choirs of Morehouse and Spelman for unforgettable moments of harmony.
This conversation is more than an interview. It’s a witness of a prophet who showed what it means to follow Christ by building bridges, not walls.
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Disclaimer:
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CREATORS AND GUESTS ALONE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF SCRIPTURE CENTRAL OR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
Sister Elaine Dalton shares real, behind-the-scenes moments with President Russell M. Nelson. She talks about those piercing blue eyes that felt like they could see right into your soul, the way he taught identity and virtue, and the simple but powerful moments that showed her he was called of God.
But at the end of the day, it’s not just about President Nelson. It’s about how he pointed her—and all of us—back to Jesus Christ.
In this powerful episode, former Young Women General President Elaine S. Dalton shares her deeply personal experiences with President Russell M. Nelson. She shares her personal glimpse into the heart of a prophet. She recalls the piercing blue eyes that seemed to see straight through to her soul, the counsel he gave about identity and virtue, and the quiet but transformative moments that confirmed for her that he was called of God.
This is more than just memories of a prophet—it is a witness of Jesus Christ. Sister Dalton testifies of the ways President Nelson pointed her, and all of us, back to the Savior, reminding us of our divine identity, the power of covenants, and the confidence we can have in Christ. Her stories pull back the curtain on what it feels like to be in the room when revelation is received, and why those moments changed her life forever.
👇 Watch the full conversation and let us know what stood out to you most.
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Disclaimer:
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CREATORS AND GUESTS ALONE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF SCRIPTURE CENTRAL OR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
He also opens up about the personal side of the prophet, like the time Nelson texted him encouragement during a health scare.
This one’s packed with behind-the-scenes stories you won’t forget.
Former Executive Director of the Temple Department, Elder Larry Y. Willson shares remarkable behind-the-scenes experiences of working closely with President Russell M. Nelson.
Elder Wilson recounts the pivotal moment when President Nelson, newly called as prophet, looked at a carefully crafted 15-year temple plan and boldly said, “I would feel better about your plan if there were another zero.” That prophetic vision transformed temple building from dozens to hundreds, reshaping the Church’s future forever.
Alongside these historic insights, Elder Wilson also shares deeply personal stories of President Nelson’s ministry—from his surprising text messages of encouragement during times of illness, to his genuine warmth and consultative leadership style in councils.
Come listen to firsthand accounts of how President Nelson balanced global leadership with individual, personal ministry.
This episode gives a rare and intimate look at how revelation, leadership, and love guided the Church during a period of historic change.
👇 Watch the full conversation and let us know what stood out to you most.
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Disclaimer:
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CREATORS AND GUESTS ALONE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF SCRIPTURE CENTRAL OR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
Skyler Sorensen opens up about his experience navigating same-sex attraction, finding a joyous temple marriage, and paving his way on the covenant path.
What Skyler thought would be his biggest trial in life actually set him up for success. Early and honest conversations with his wife, Amanda, drew them closer and prepared them for their hardest challenge yet—losing their son, Milo.
Instead of breaking them, that loss gave them a clearer view of God, family, and what the covenant path is really about.
In this episode, Skyler Sorensen—a father, content creator, and producer at Scripture Central—shares his journey through same-sex attraction, marriage, and the heartbreaking loss of his son, Milo.
He explains why same-sex attraction wasn’t his greatest trial, how (besides his Savior) his temple marriage became his greatest strength, and how grief brought unexpected clarity to his faith.
This conversation explores what it truly means to stay on the covenant path when life becomes complex, and why the gospel can be profoundly simple amidst loss.
In This Episode:
• Why Skyler believes faith is still worth choosing
• How grief can deepen, not destroy, testimony
• Why ideals matter even when we fall short
• What the balance of grace and truth looks like in real life
• How marriage and family can be both messy and divine
Skyler’s new series with Scripture Central:
Faithful Anyway: Discipleship Through Complexity
@sitdownwithsky
00:00:00 — Intro / Trailer
00:01:10 — We All Carry Life’s Complexities
00:06:27 — Opening Up About Same-Sex Attraction
00:11:25 — Wrestling With Fears About The Future
00:17:34 — Choosing The Covenant Path Anyway
00:20:25 — Meeting Amanda: Friendship, Dating, And Faith
00:31:25 — Keeping Ideals, Understanding Love in Scriptural Context
00:49:29 — Milo’s Story: Birth, Life, And Loss
01:14:28 — Facing Grief After Milo’s Death
01:26:23 — Lessons Milo Taught About God And Faith
👇 Watch the full conversation and let us know what stood out to you most.
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Disclaimer:
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CREATORS AND GUESTS ALONE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF SCRIPTURE CENTRAL OR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
But then she watched her interpreter, Shantha, pump up a soccer ball, start playing with kids, and suddenly the whole village was laughing again.
That’s when it clicked. Sometimes the real power isn’t money or programs. It’s being there, every day, bringing a little hope.
Money is an important tool, but it’s the small, human stuff that changes everything.
Sharon Eubank had a time when she felt so damaged she couldn’t pray. She was paralyzed, stuck, wondering what to do next. Then a neighbor showed up and did the simple, brave thing: “I’ll come over and pray with you every night.” Hearing a friend pray for her when you she pray for herself broke the paralysis. It changed her life.
Small, steady acts of love — showing up, praying with someone, sitting with them — can be the turning point.
She’s been in places torn apart by war and natural disasters, and yet the stories that stuck with me most weren’t about big checks or huge projects — they were about faith, dignity, and small acts of kindness that changed everything.
As Sharon put it: “It’s not money. It’s not power. It’s faith.”
This one really made me think differently about what it means to serve.
Sharon Eubank, director of Latter-day Saint Charities for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, believes that the real power to change lives comes from something much deeper.
In this episode, Sharon shares her experiences working in places devastated by war, poverty, and natural disasters. From standing at the wreckage of the Sri Lanka tsunami to learning from everyday acts of kindness in her own neighborhood, she reveals that the gospel of Jesus Christ carries a greater capacity to transform lives than money ever could.
True humanitarianism begins with listening, respecting agency, and offering dignity.
Whether you’ve wondered how you can make a difference in the world or in your own community, this conversation will help you see that the most powerful humanitarian work begins right where you live.
00:00:00 Intro / Trailer
00:01:11 Beyond Money: What Can We Really Do?
00:07:45 Sri Lanka Tsunami: Discovering Who Holds the Real Power
00:13:06 Three Women, Three Stories of Everyday Humanitarianism
00:16:28 Lesson from BYU–Idaho: Slow Down and Connect First
00:19:39 A Panhandler Who Taught Me Dignity
00:24:36 Moving Past Polarization and Finding Common Ground
00:28:51 The Women’s Shelter Lesson: Ask What They Truly Need
00:34:14 A Friend Who Helped Me Pray Again
00:36:37 Sharon’s Favorite Scripture on True Riches
00:42:50 Gustavo: The Joyful Spark of Humanitarian Work
00:45:43 How Jesus Ministered: The Pattern for Us All
00:50:09 Early Career Lessons: Confidence Through Mentorship
00:54:18 Facing Tragedies We Can’t Fix
00:59:13 What If the World Chose to Live This Principle?
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📱 Follow us on Instagram: @letsgetrealsj
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Disclaimer:
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CREATORS AND GUESTS ALONE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF SCRIPTURE CENTRAL OR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
Most people think the Word of Wisdom started because of tobacco spit and smoke filled room in The School of The Prophets.
But this little-known backstory helps us understand The Revelation from Section 89 more deeply.
Just months before the revelation, Emma nearly died giving birth. She was weak, exhausted, and struggling to survive.
That’s when the revelation came.
Watch the full episode:
youtu.be/aYlhAlgDlP0?si=P9MmgFwQcUYipL7H
Disclaimer:
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CREATORS AND GUESTS ALONE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF SCRIPTURE CENTRAL OR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
No anesthesia. Just a hand drill and a chisel.
The doctors begged him to take brandy.
He refused.
They offered wine.
He refused again.
This wasn’t for the Word of Wisdom. It didn’t even exist yet.
And it wasn’t because of some movement.
This was the heaviest drinking era in U.S. history.
Instead, he asked for one thing:
“Have my father hold me.”
What happened next says more about Joseph’s courage and his heart than most people ever hear.
Latter-day Saint historian and former atheist, Don Bradley, walks us through it.
Once an ex-LDS atheist, now a faithful Latter-day Saint and renowned Joseph Smith expert, Don Bradley shares one of the most powerful discoveries he’s ever made about Joseph’s life. This isn’t just another “Joseph Smith refused alcohol” story—it’s a window into his character and the cultural and historical context most people have never heard.
Don opens up about the heartbreaking loss of his own young son—and how that experience gave him a deeply personal window into Joseph Smith’s life, particularly Joseph’s own experiences as a child and as a father. That shared lens of love, loss, and empathy adds a profound human dimension to both the history and the man behind it.
We also explore Don’s personal faith journey—leaving the Church, the discoveries that shaped his perspective, and the path that ultimately led him back. From Church history to raw personal experiences, this conversation is real, unfiltered, and full of insights that could change the way you see Joseph Smith and the Restoration.
Help support Donnie's fundraiser for UNICEF:
gofundme.com/f/help-extend-donnies-legacy-of-love-through-unicef
Donnie's Poetry:
donniebradley.com
——————
00:00:00 Intro & Trailer
00:01:17 Don’s Upbringing, Background, and Faith Crisis
00:10:54 Early Joseph Smith Research That Shook Don’s Faith
00:20:41 The Word of Wisdom Context & Joseph Smith Refusing Alcohol
00:27:20 Familiar Stories Behind the Immediate Word of Wisdom Context
00:39:31 The Full Story of Joseph Smith’s Childhood Leg Surgery
00:57:54 A Clue: What Joseph Smith Paired With His Refusal of Alcohol
01:09:07 Losing Don’s Son, Donnie, and Honoring His Memory
01:18:19 Revelation: Was Joseph Smith Trying to Be Strong for His Father?
01:38:59 Parallels Between Donnie’s Life and Joseph Smith’s Story
01:49:29 Walking Through the Grieving Process
02:02:15 Holding On to Hope Through Loss
02:29:14 A Heartfelt Tribute to Donnie
02:36:16 How Sacrifice Shapes Our Identity
02:51:18 Donnie’s Poetry
👇 Watch the full conversation and let us know what stood out to you most.
📱 Follow us on Instagram: @letsgetrealsj
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Get help answering some of life's most challenging questions with Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones. This @scripturecentralofficial original series offers practical insights and ways to navigate life's challenges and heaviest questions.
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Disclaimer:
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CREATORS AND GUESTS ALONE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF SCRIPTURE CENTRAL OR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
Once an ex-LDS atheist, now a faithful Latter-day Saint and renowned Joseph Smith expert, Don Bradley shares one of the most powerful discoveries he’s ever made about Joseph’s life. We dig into the deeper context most people have never heard—what was going on in his family and why this moment matters way more than just a “refused alcohol” story.
It’s real, it’s raw, and it just might change the way you see Joseph Smith.
“Should I take my name off the records of the Church?”
And instead of freaking out, he just said,
“Will you do me a favor? Don’t. Not yet. Just start over. Ask yourself—who is God?”
A little while later, she had her first baby.
She came back and said,
“I believe in God.”
That experience—of creating life—did something disbelief never could.
Sometimes all it takes is a little space, a real moment, and a fresh look at who God actually is.
They went out searching for purpose, for freedom, for identity on their own terms. And for a while, it felt promising. But then, a lot of them were left realizing… is this working?
We’re more anxious, more empty, more hungry than ever. The prodigal son energy went off, tried a different life, and it fell apart. But when he finally came back, he found a Father who ran to him. No lectures. No shame. Just love. Just welcome.
David Butler walks us through what’s happening right now. Gen Z is waking up to the truth: God is better than we thought. Kinder. Stronger. More faithful. And it makes us ask: Why did I run from You in the first place?
The famine didn’t break us. It brought us back.
In this episode, I sit down with David Butler to talk about what’s really going on with today’s rising generation. Are they rebelling against faith—or are they spiritually starving for something deeper, more real, and more rooted in who God really is?
We unpack the misconceptions, the pain points, and the surprising hunger that so many young people have for truth, grace, and connection with God.
If you’ve ever wondered whether faith is dying or being reborn in a new form, this conversation is for you.
👇 Watch the full conversation and let us know what stood out to you most.
📱 Follow us on Instagram: @letsgetrealsj
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00:00:00 -Intro / Trailer
00:01:12 The God You *Think* You Know: Exposing Misconceptions
00:08:08 Who Really Belongs at Church? Sorrow vs. Guilt
00:18:01 Is Gen Z the Prodigal Son?
00:26:38 When You Get God Wrong: The Fallout of a Flawed View
00:34:19 The Character of God: Why It Changes Everything
00:38:28 Doubt and Doctrine: When Misunderstanding Feeds Disbelief
00:45:19 What Story Are You Living? The Narratives That Shape Faith
00:48:08 From Knowing *About* God to Actually Knowing Him
00:56:15 The God Gap: What Happens When We Don’t Know Him
01:06:36 God Is Reaching Everyone—Even Outside the Church
01:27:59 Getting Past Our Hang-ups to Truly Connect With God
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Get help answering some of life's most challenging questions with Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones. This @scripturecentralofficial original series offers practical insights and ways to navigate life's challenges and heaviest questions.
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Disclaimer:
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CREATORS AND GUESTS ALONE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF SCRIPTURE CENTRAL OR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
But what if they’re actually leading a spiritual comeback?
In this episode, I sit down with David Butler to talk about what young people are really searching for.
Spoiler: it’s not rebellion. It’s something deeper.
Something sacred.
We dive into the doubts, the stereotypes, and the quiet ways this generation might be rediscovering God—on their own terms.
Dr. Marcus Martins shares what it was like for his family to join the Church before the 1978 revelation and how fellowship made all the difference.
They weren’t just welcomed—they were involved. Teaching classes. Attending youth activities. Helping clean church property. They felt like they belonged.
“I looked around at all those men in suits and thought… I’m part of this.”
This is what true fellowship looks like, and the Spirit can help us remember those moments.
But that’s not what he wants to be known for.
In this conversation, Dr. Martins opens up about something far more personal and powerful: his quiet, steady choice to follow Christ, even when some questions didn’t have answers.
He didn’t stay in the Church because he ignored the hard things.
He stayed because he saw something true,something deep, in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
Something that spoke to both his spirit and his intellect.
This episode is about what it means to be a disciple, when it’s not flashy, when it’s not easy, and when faith has to walk ahead of clarity.
We talk about the difference between doubts and questions.
About how real inclusion looks in a Church that’s still growing.
And about the power of remembering the moments when the Spirit whispered, “You’re home.”
👇 Watch the full conversation and let us know what stood out to you most.
📱 Follow us on Instagram: @letsgetrealsj
🎧 Listen to the full podcast on Apple & Spotify
📹 Subscribe for more conversations that go beyond surface-level faith.
00:00:00 Intro / Trailer
00:01:03 Balancing Intellect and Faith in an “Intelligent Religion”
00:08:44 When Spiritual Manifestations Are Quiet but Real
00:18:15 Keeping the Gospel Simple: Low-Level vs. High-Level Questions
00:25:54 Connecting to God Through the Savior
00:28:03 What Repentance Really Looks Like
00:31:55 The Difference Between Doubts and Questions
00:34:00 Missionary Lessons and Fellowship That Changed Everything
00:40:03 Learning About the Priesthood Ban While Investigating
00:44:59 The Moment He Knew the Church Was True
00:57:47 Remembering Spiritual Moments and Keeping Perspective
01:09:43 The Dilemma of Speaking Up About Church Policy
01:17:53 Focusing on Eternal Things That Matter Most
01:28:25 Thoughts on Temple Changes and Sacred Ordinances
01:43:44 Understanding the New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage
01:50:34 Final Thoughts: What I’d Say to a Student I Could Only Talk to Once
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Get help answering some of life's most challenging questions with Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones. This @scripturecentralofficial original series offers practical insights and ways to navigate life's challenges and heaviest questions.
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🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications for Let's Get Real to explore life's toughest questions and strengthen your connection with God.
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Disclaimer:
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CREATORS AND GUESTS ALONE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF SCRIPTURE CENTRAL OR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
But he’d rather talk about deeper matters.
Dr. Martins chose discipleship even when some answers didn’t come.
Not out of blind belief—but because he was drawn to the depth of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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People often ask: Why does the Church have so much money? It’s a fair question.
And for the first time, Elder David A. Bednar sat down with a billionaire, Ryan Smith, at the Silicon Slopes Conference and answered it clearly. Not with spin. Not with soundbites. But with principle.
This isn't about stockpiling wealth. It’s about spiritual preparation.
I explore the Church’s real financial stewardship, what it funds, why reserves exist, and how prophetic foresight echoes the story of Joseph in Egypt. Because this isn’t just about Church finances. It’s about trust.
And the kind of people God is preparing us to become.
We all struggle. And sometimes we take that fact and either use it as a weapon against ourselves or as an excuse to stop trying. But here’s the thing: high standards and grace can exist in both situations.
You don’t have to be perfect to belong in truth. The Church doesn’t stop being true just because the people in it are messy. That’s kind of the whole point.
Dr. Kawika Allen has extensively studied scrupulosity, or religious OCD. He understands deeply something a lot of people struggle with but sometimes don’t say out loud—feeling like we’ll never measure up, even when we’re doing everything “right.”
We got into scrupulosity, perfectionism, and why so many faithful Saints silently feel broken. But this conversation doesn’t stop there—it’s also about healing, grace, and learning to believe Christ meant what He said about mercy.
Many faithful Saints silently wrestle with the same question: “Why do I still feel broken?” In this powerful episode, Dr. Kawika Allen unpacks the hidden spiritual struggle of scrupulosity—anxiety disguised as righteousness—and how it convinces even the most devoted disciples that they’re never enough.
What if the reason you feel unworthy isn’t because you’ve failed, but because you’ve been trying to earn what was never meant to be earned?
We explore the toxic grip of maladaptive perfectionism, the lies it tells, and the liberating truth that Christ’s grace meets us in our mess—not after we’ve cleaned it up.
If faith has started to feel more like a burden than a blessing, this conversation will help you rediscover the rest and relief that comes from receiving, not performing for, the Savior’s love.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:02 Why Do The Most Faithful People Feel Broken?
00:03:10 How/Why Has “Be Ye Therefore Perfect” Been Misunderstood and Weaponized?
00:06:51 What Is Scrupulosity?
00:16:37 Misconceptions That Exacerbate Scrupulosity
00:23:05 What Are Scrupulous People Yearning For?
00:26:59 What Role Does The Spirit Play?
00:29:50 The Brain Chemistry
00:31:37 Why Does This Topic Matter to Dr. Allen?
00:40:31 What Happens If We Don’t Figure This Out?
00:47:29 The Mental Health Connection
00:50:03 How Christ Can Draw Us Out of Unhealthy Habits
00:54:42 What Does Scrupulosity Look Like In Our Loved Ones?
00:59:40 Are We Loved When We’re Sinning?
01:04:32 Adaptive vs. Maladaptive Perfectionism
01:09:15 How Can We Gently Encourage Loved Ones To Make Changes?
01:13:41 Final Thoughts
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Get help answering some of life's most challenging questions with Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones. This @scripturecentralofficial original series offers practical insights and ways to navigate life's challenges and heaviest questions.
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Disclaimer:
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CREATORS AND GUESTS ALONE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF SCRIPTURE CENTRAL OR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
While serving his mission in Mexico, he fell 35 feet—an accident that left him paralyzed and shattered, both physically and spiritually.
It forced him to confront some really heavy questions.
From the age-old “Why does God let bad things happen to good people?” to deeply personal doubts, Ron ended up learning more about God than he ever could have any other way.
They teach emotional regulation, model how to treat women, and anchor identity.
Dr. Tim Rarick—BYU–Idaho professor and UN family advocate—breaks down the irreplaceable role of fathers in raising emotionally grounded boys and mature, empowered daughters.
In a culture that sidelines dads or paints them as irrelevant, this is a powerful reminder that fatherhood isn’t just biological—it’s spiritual.
When rightly bridled, that instinct becomes a gift that shapes character, models love, and provides a sense of security no institution can replicate.
Thirty years ago, The Family: A Proclamation to the World declared that fathers are to preside, provide, and protect. Today, fatherhood is mocked, minimized, or erased altogether.
We’ve gone quiet, afraid the truth is too controversial, the standard too high, the damage already done.
But Dr. Tim Rarick makes a powerful case: the world doesn’t need perfect dads, it needs present ones.
The Proclamation isn’t a list of impossible expectations. It’s a rescue plan, a reminder of who we are, and who we’re meant to become.
Because the more fathers stay silent to avoid failure, the more we contribute to the very collapse we were called to prevent.
00:00:00 Introduction/Trailer
00:01:23 Professor Tim Rarick’s Experience Advocating for Fathers at The United Nations
00:08:59 Fatherhood Failings and How to Overcome Them
00:22:01 Fatherhood As Our Divine Calling
00:27:56 Satan’s Biggest Lies about Fatherhood
00:32:33 How and Why The Family Proclamation Came to Be & President Clinton’s Moral Fall
00:37:47 The Prophetic Warnings in The Family Proclamation
00:44:46 Why Satan Focuses on Attacking The Family
00:49:24 Why The World Leans toward Moral Relativism
00:55:38 Objections to The Ideals of The Family Proclamation
01:02:01 The Importance of Fathers
01:13:46 Righteous Indignation in Fatherhood
01:19:07 Accounting for Broken Families
01:25:14 Accounting for Same-gender Attraction and Identity Questions
01:35:00 Encountering Differences at The United Nations
01:41:30 Personal Connections - Story with Professor Rarick’s Son
01:48:45 How Can Everyday Church Members Speak Up about The Eternal Family?
01:54:48 Where Are We Headed If We Don’t Change Course?
01:59:55 Keeping The Savior Tied to The Proclamation
02:03:18 No One Is Beyond Hope - The Story of Losing His Sister
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Disclaimer:
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CREATORS AND GUESTS ALONE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF SCRIPTURE CENTRAL OR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
Thirty years ago, The Family: A Proclamation to the World declared that fathers are to preside, provide, and protect. Today, fatherhood is mocked, minimized, or erased altogether.
We’ve gone quiet—afraid the truth is too controversial, the standard too high, the damage already done.
But Dr. Tim Rarick makes a powerful case: the world doesn’t need perfect dads—it needs present ones.
The Proclamation isn’t a list of impossible expectations. It’s a rescue plan, a reminder of who we are, and who we’re meant to become.
Because the more fathers stay silent to avoid failure, the more we contribute to the very collapse we were called to prevent.
BYU professor Dr. Brian Willoughby breaks down the hidden fears, mixed messages, and spiritual confusion behind modern dating and what the Restored Gospel can uniquely offer.
We discuss:
* Why marriage and family are being delayed—or avoided altogether
* The concept of “Me-Marriage” and how we can avoid it
* How our culture of individualism and “on-demand” connection is eroding real intimacy
* The quiet consequences of rejecting eternal family structures
* Why covenant sacrifice still leads to the deepest fulfillment
This conversation is a wake-up call and a message of hope. The doctrine hasn’t changed—but our culture has.
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00:00:00 Introduction/trailer
00:01:10 Why is dating harder?
00:15:19 Paralysis by Analysis with Dating Apps
00:18:33 The Divorce Lie - The Reality about Divorce Statistics
00:21:04 What Is “Me-Marriage” and How Does It Affect Families and Culture?
00:30:33 “I’m Trying To Find a Spouse. Why Isn’t It Working?”
00:35:20 What’s at Stake?
00:41:15 How to Have Confidence in Your Relationships
00:47:39 Developing The Skills to Find and Keep Good Relationships
00:56:21 How Do We Talk about Fear without Introducing Shame?
01:02:02 How Does Our Culture Get The Family and Relationship Path Wrong?
01:05:09 The Biggest Lies about Marriage
01:08:19 Considering the Long-term
01:12:32 The Cost of Marriage Rates Declining
01:16:13 The Negative Effects of Pornography on Dating and Families
01:23:28 What Do The Youth Need to Understand?
01:30:08 What Does a Healthy Covenant Relationship Look Like?
01:40:48 What’s The Role of Jesus Christ in Our Relationships?
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Get help answering some of life's most challenging questions with Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones. This @scripturecentralofficial original series offers practical insights and ways to navigate life's challenges and heaviest questions.
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🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications for Let's Get Real to explore life's toughest questions and strengthen your connection with God.
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Disclaimer:
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CREATORS AND GUESTS ALONE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF SCRIPTURE CENTRAL OR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
BYU professor Dr. Brian Willoughby breaks down the hidden fears, mixed messages, and spiritual confusion behind modern dating and what the restored gospel can uniquely offer.
We discuss:
* Why marriage and family are being delayed—or avoided altogether
* The concept of “Me-Marriage” and how we can avoid it
* How our culture of individualism and “on-demand” connection is eroding real intimacy
* The quiet consequences of rejecting eternal family structures
* Why covenant sacrifice still leads to the deepest fulfillment
This conversation is a wake-up call and a message of hope. The doctrine hasn’t changed—but our culture has.
Ron Squire was living the life he planned, until a fall left him paralyzed and full of doubt. His faith didn’t feel like enough.
But through the unlikely lens of Viktor Frankl, and a God who doesn’t waste suffering, Ron discovered something deeper: Pain isn’t punishment. It’s a privilege.
And when you stop running from it… You might just find the faith you’ve been missing.
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00:00:00 Introduction/trailer
00:01:08 The Accident
00:09:24 Getting to the Hospital and Hearing He’ll Never Walk Again
00:14:56 “As Much As I Know God Is Real, I Also Know Satan Is Real”
00:16:58 The Problem of Evil: Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
00:19:12 Darkest Moments
00:24:52 What We Misunderstand about Pain
00:34:49 Shattered Expectations for His Life
00:40:04 Ron’s Own Garden Moment
00:41:42 Reframing His Prayers
00:46:19 Deepening Our Understanding of Ourselves, the Plan, and Our Savior
00:48:46 Authors and Works That Helped Him Through
00:53:42 Transcending Physical Pain
00:55:52 Advice to Others: Processing Pain
01:00:00 Why Did God Allow This to Happen?
01:02:53 God As Our Loving Father
01:06:36 The Role Sin Plays in Bringing Us to God
01:10:00 Advice to Younger Self
01:12:28 “Would You Go Back and Change The Outcome?
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Get help answering some of life's most challenging questions with Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones. This @scripturecentralofficial original series offers practical insights and ways to navigate life's challenges and heaviest questions.
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🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications for Let's Get Real to explore life's toughest questions and strengthen your connection with God.
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Disclaimer:
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CREATORS AND GUESTS ALONE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF SCRIPTURE CENTRAL OR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
Ron Squire was living the life he planned, until a fall left him paralyzed and full of doubt. His faith didn’t feel like enough.
But through the unlikely lens of Viktor Frankl, and a God who doesn’t waste suffering, Ron discovered something deeper: Pain isn’t punishment. It’s a privilege.
And when you stop running from it… You might just find the faith you’ve been missing.
Psychologist and BYU-I professor, Dr. Jeffrey Thayne, uncovers the deeper desires shaping our beliefs. Challenging the assumption that logic alone drives our convictions, Jeffrey reveals how moral intuitions, molded by our communities and culture, hold the key to navigating faith and doubt.
Unlocking these answers can strengthen our own faith and help us better navigate relationships with those who have stepped away.
Psychologist and BYU-I professor, Dr. Jeffrey Thayne, uncovers the deeper desires shaping our beliefs. Challenging the assumption that logic alone drives our convictions, Jeffrey reveals how moral intuitions, molded by our communities and culture, hold the key to navigating faith and doubt.
Unlocking these answers can strengthen our own faith and help us better navigate relationships with those who have stepped away.
00:00:00 Introduction/Trailer
00:01:03 How Can We Come to Different Conclusions about Faith?
00:06:17 Speaking to Intuition Rather than Intellect
00:10:20 What Are Moral Tastebuds?
00:13:38 What Shapes Our Moral Tastebuds?
00:21:10 How to Persuade
00:27:26 What is Morality?
00:33:38 Different Models for Faith Crises
00:42:21 How Culture Shapes our Moral Intuitions
00:44:56 Separating Sinner from Sin
00:52:52 Why People Have Faith Crises
01:02:59 Personal Analogy of Moral Intuitions
01:06:18 Recalibrating Moral Tastebuds
01:07:38 Feeling Judged by Those with Strong Moral Tastebuds
01:15:08 What Does The World Look Like If We Apply These Principles?
01:18:22 How Can We Improve Our Communication?
01:23:11 What Can Truly Change Us?
01:26:54 Social Experiment - Following the Crowd
01:29:23 Dare to Stand Alone
01:30:52 Closer
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Get help answering some of life's most challenging questions with Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones. This @scripturecentralofficial original series offers practical insights and ways to navigate life's challenges and heaviest questions.
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🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications for Let's Get Real to explore life's toughest questions and strengthen your connection with God.
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Disclaimer:
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CREATORS AND GUESTS ALONE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF SCRIPTURE CENTRAL OR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
In this episode, I sit down with John Hilton III to unpack something that honestly shifted the way I see Christ and His sacrifice. Through scripture, prophetic teaching, and decades of study, John reveals how we may have unintentionally overlooked the crucifixion — and what that means for our faith, our worship, and how we walk through pain.
This conversation isn’t just doctrinal — it’s deeply personal. It changed how I approach the sacrament, the temple, and even how I parent through the hard stuff.
If you’ve ever felt like something was missing… if you’ve ever wondered where God is in the middle of your struggle… this might be exactly what you need.
Watch the full episode here:
youtube.com/watch?v=n8euyFfR7rs&t=154s
Drop your thoughts below — I read every single one.
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Get help answering some of life's most challenging questions with Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones. This @scripturecentralofficial original series offers practical insights and ways to navigate life's challenges and heaviest questions.
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🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications for Let's Get Real to explore life's toughest questions and strengthen your connection with God.
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Disclaimer:
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CREATORS AND GUESTS ALONE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF SCRIPTURE CENTRAL OR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
John Hilton III shares how facing Christ’s suffering can unlock a deeper connection to His love, His power, and His victory over death.
“When we love someone, we care about what’s important to them.”
Most of us celebrate the Resurrection but quietly avoid the Crucifixion. Why?
In this vulnerable and eye-opening conversation, John Hilton III shares how facing Christ’s suffering can unlock a deeper connection to His love, His power, and His victory over death.
If you’ve ever felt distant from Jesus, this episode will change how you see Him—and how you feel about your covenant connection with Him.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:01 Why Do We Focus More on Gethsemane?
00:03:48 BYU Student Survey: “Which Artwork Do You Prefer?”
00:06:20 Doctrinal Uncertainty and Misconceptions
00:09:30 Unintended Consequences of Not Using The Cross As a Symbol
00:14:36 The Stakes of Not Understanding the Crucifixion
00:19:05 More Results of BYU Student Survey
00:22:25 The Crucifixion As a Means of Drawing Closer to The Savior
00:26:26 Story - The Only Validation That Matters
00:29:15 The Crucifixion in Gospel Ordinances
00:41:22 The Crucifixion’s Role in Healing Our Own Wounds
00:46:10 Personal Insights - Moments Stephen and John Have Relied on The Savior
00:50:05 Insights from Doctrine and Covenants Section 45
00:51:34 Final Thoughts - Christ’s Final Statements on The Cross
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Get help answering some of life's most challenging questions with Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones. This @scripturecentralofficial original series offers practical insights and ways to navigate life's challenges and heaviest questions.
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🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications for Let's Get Real to explore life's toughest questions and strengthen your connection with God.
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Disclaimer:
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CREATORS AND GUESTS ALONE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF SCRIPTURE CENTRAL OR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
In this raw and eye-opening conversation, John Hilton III, author of Considering the Cross, helps us confront the discomfort, misunderstandings, and even spiritual numbness that keep us at a distance.
Through real stories and scripture, he shows how understanding Christ’s death can change how we live—and how we love.
In the midst of his crisis of faith, Austin Fife realized there were compelling reasons to doubt and compelling reasons to believe.
Ultimately, he decided that belief comes down to a choice. For him, choosing to believe renewed the excitement he felt toward the restored gospel. It opened up new doors in his life and refreshed his commitment to God.
“To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God.”
-Timothy Keller
BYU professor and researcher Jenet Erickson walks us through a quote from pastor and author, Tim Keller.
Strong, frequent spiritual experiences can help us get through those moments of doubt that inevitably creep up. The more experiences we have with God’s love, the harder it is to deny its power and influence in our lives.
In the longer conversation, Austin shares more about his experience losing his faith and returning as an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
What happens when everything you believe suddenly unravels?
Austin Fife (Light and Truth Letter) shares his deeply personal journey through faith, doubt, and rediscovery. From powerful spiritual experiences to moments of uncertainty, Austin opens up about what led him to question his beliefs—and what ultimately brought him back.
Austin shares the moment he realized he no longer believed in God, his wife’s unexpected response to that revelation, and the answers to hard questions that renewed his faith.
--
Get help answering some of life's most challenging questions with Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones. This @scripturecentralofficial original series offers practical insights and ways to navigate life's challenges and heaviest questions.
--
🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications for Let's Get Real to explore life's toughest questions and strengthen your connection with God.
---
Disclaimer:
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CREATORS AND GUESTS ALONE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF SCRIPTURE CENTRAL OR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
Austin Fife shares his deeply personal journey through faith, doubt, and rediscovery. From powerful spiritual experiences to moments of uncertainty, Austin opens up about what led him to question his beliefs—and what ultimately brought him back.
In the longer conversation, he shares the moment he realized he no longer believed in God, his wife’s unexpected response to that revelation, and the answers to hard questions that renewed his faith.


