Jaylynn never felt she truly belonged—until she found the Church. Neglected by her father and shattered by loss, she clung to faith as her anchor. First, she lost a child. Then, years later, her 14-year-old son. Grief threatened to consume her—until her second child whispered, "Jesus told me that my brother is coming." Adoption later brought healing, and a quiet prompting in the temple led to an early cancer diagnosis that saved her life. Through every storm, Jaylynn found purpose in the pain, finally seeing what her husband had always known: "There is a purpose to everything. It’s part of our story."

A Story Only God Could Write 

McKay had it all—a loving family, a childhood filled with faith, and a future mapped out in the Church. At fifteen, he boldly declared to his father, “I will go and do what the Lord hath commanded,” believing his path was set. But a handful of bad choices and a single injury during football practice sent his life spiraling in a direction he never saw coming. Alcohol. Drugs. Theft. A string of dead-end jobs. A toxic relationship. By twenty-one, the boy who once dreamed of serving God was lost in a life of addiction and regret. Then came the arrest. The cold slam of a jail cell door. The suffocating silence of maximum security. And a single question that haunted him—What made me so happy as a child? Stripped of everything, McKay found himself in the one place he never expected—face to face with the God he had abandoned. In the depths of despair, a miracle unfolded. This is the story of a man who lost himself, the darkness that nearly consumed him, and the light that led him home.

At 13, Gigi’s family discovered the Church, and her life was forever changed. The faith they embraced carried them through the impossible, and by 18, it led them from Peru to the U.S.—a journey she now sees as divinely orchestrated, much like Lehi leading his family to a promised land. But it was tragedy that defined her purpose. When her sister died, leaving two children behind, Gigi and her husband later stepped in, determined to keep the family whole. Now, as a grandmother, she pours everything into creating moments that matter. “Something that is a tragedy can be your greatest blessing,” she says, and through every storm, she clings to the truth that the Lord is always leading the way.

Jared thought he had it all figured out—until he didn’t. After rejecting his faith in high school, he questioned everything, experimenting with life beyond the values he once held. But when a challenge at work reignited his search for truth, three undeniable witnesses led him back to God. From missionary to soldier, welder to homesteader, and now a full-time creator of Christian Homestead, Jared’s journey has been anything but predictable. Through every twist, one truth remains: The Lord always follows through—even when the path is unclear.

All Krystal wanted was to be a mom. After battling infertility, she finally had her baby—but life didn’t go as planned. As her marriage crumbled, she cried out to God, Where are You? A storm raged outside, thunder echoed, and a song played: After the storm comes the miracle. She believed the miracle would save her marriage, but it didn’t. After a divorce and another failed marriage, and hitting rock bottom, she finally saw the truth—the miracle was inside her. Now happily remarried, a life coach, and at peace, Krystal’s story is one of finding unexpected miracles and watching God turn her storm into something beautiful. 

You can find Krystal at [email protected]

Matthew’s life has been anything but steady—21 moves before adulthood made sure of that. When his family left Canada for Utah, the culture shock was jarring. But the biggest change came at 15, when his mom’s battle with cancer opened his eyes to something deeper. In that moment, he didn’t just believe in God—he knew. And with that certainty came a realization: deep gratitude is the fastest way to real connection. Now a husband and father, Matthew thought he understood faith—until he met a man whose life had been spent bouncing between foster homes. Knee-deep in the mud of a construction site, he saw God in a way he never expected. Some lessons come in quiet moments. Others come covered in dirt and sweat. This is Matthew’s story—of movement, of discovery, and of the undeniable moments that turn believing into knowing.

At 15, Kelly’s life was forever changed after she attempted suicide. But a priesthood blessing brought her back to life—literally. With a deepened testimony of the gospel and the power of the priesthood, she was told, “You have a work to do.” Through the challenges of adulthood—financial struggles, a broken marriage, and family heartache—Kelly learned that true joy is found in Christ’s Atonement. “God is not a God of broken promises,” she discovered. Despite the storms, she chooses happiness, walking through life’s trials with unwavering faith.

Tyler Bastian never set out to run a school. A filmmaker and entrepreneur, he was used to telling stories—not stepping into them. But when he founded Roots Charter High School, a farm-based refuge for at-risk teens, he walked straight into a battle for their lives. Seven suicide attempts a year. Fights fueled by pain. Students who felt invisible. Then came 243—a secret code echoed in hallways and etched onto school walls, a silent reminder that meant We love you. Through the power of love, Tyler watched walls crumble and hope take root. Fights turned into friendships. Diversity became strength. And where despair once ruled, the Spirit stepped in as the healer. Now, he limps through weekends just to get back to the mission that fuels him—showing his students they are seen, they belong, and they are loved.

You can find Tyler at:

www.rootshigh.org

Instagram @teach_243

Angela’s life began with high expectations and dreams of perfection—but it soon took an unexpected turn. Toxic exposure and relentless health crises left her in a wheelchair, labeled beyond help by doctors. A broken marriage and financial ruin followed, yet through it all, Angela discovered profound truths about faith, grace, and resilience. “The Lord gives special assistance in times of special needs,” she says, reflecting on how divine miracles carried her through unimaginable pain. Even after a tragic car accident left her severely injured and abandoned once again, Angela found strength by surrendering control and trusting God’s plan. This is a story of heartbreak, hope, and the transformative power of faith—a powerful reminder that God’s love shines brightest in life’s darkest moments.

Life doesn’t come with a map, but what if the answers you seek are already written? In this episode of Anchored, your co-hosts open the pages of their lives to reveal how God’s peace—the kind that “passeth all understanding”—is guiding them through life’s hardest storms. Through raw stories of struggle and triumph, they uncover the ways God is speaking in real time, offering clarity in chaos. But the real journey begins when they dive into scripture, discovering a roadmap for navigating pain, doubt, and uncertainty. What they find isn’t just hope—it’s a guide to hearing God’s voice when you need it most. This isn’t just a conversation—it’s an invitation to see His hand in your life and embrace the peace waiting for you, no matter the storm.