As a busy college student at BYU-Idaho, Isaac navigates life with creativity, leadership, and a strong work ethic.

The oldest of four brothers, Isaac inspires his siblings with his contagious enthusiasm for life. His artistic spirit finds expression in a myriad of mediums, from design and woodworking to photography.

Isaac has a deep appreciation for the natural world and can often be found outdoors, where he enjoys biking, cliff-jumping, and casting a line into a lake.

A natural problem solver, Isaac is always seeking ways to improve the world around him, finding innovative solutions to everyday challenges. In this episode, Isaac shares how anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder have impacted his life.

Isaac loves the Lord and served him as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Colorado Denver South Mission and then transferred to a service mission in the Utah Orem Mission. His passion for life is infectious, motivating those around him to embrace their own unique talents and make a positive impact on the world.

The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation by President Russell M. Nelson

Meeting Jesus in the House of the Lord by Allen D. Haynie

The Book of Mormon, Ether 12:27

Jason Whiting researches the love lives of couples, focusing on how deception and conflict take root in even the best of relationships. His goal is to apply social science to help couples to be more loving and authentic. You can read more about this in his book, "Love Me True."

Dr. Whiting received his PhD from Michigan State University and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He has won awards for his research and writing and is currently a professor in the School of Family Life at Brigham Young University.

Find more information about Dr. Jason Whiting's work here.

How We Can Overcome a Lust-Filled World, by Jason Whiting, PhD

Hearts Pierced with Deep Wounds: Understanding Abuse in the Family, by Jason Whiting, PhD

Jeff Skousen is currently serving as bishop in the Cedar Hills 8th Ward. He loves spending time outdoors with his family, camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, and riding horses. Jeff was sealed to Tricia Pinegar in 1996 and they are the parents of 5 beautiful children ages 24 – 13. They eagerly anticipate their first granddaughter later this year. Jeff served a full-time mission in the New York Rochester Mission and later graduated from BYU with a degree in Business Management. For the past 13 years, Jeff has been running sales for Domo, a software technology company. Jeff has served in many callings in the church, including ward mission leader, elders quorum presidency member, ward young men president, stake young men president, and bishopric counselor.

Brooke Jones values family, past and present, and her identity as a child of God. She is the daughter of wonderful parents and the oldest of six children. In this episode, Brooke shares how her mother's intentional efforts have meaningfully impacted her temple worship. The influence of Brooke's grandparents has also been profound. Brooke shares lessons learned from her grandparents, Patricia and Ed Pinager.

Brooke has a special love for the Primary and takes us on a journey through its originations with its humble founder, Aurelia Spencer Rogers. Together, we learn that small and simple actions can lead to glorious outcomes.

Brooke served a mission in the Washington Tacoma mission and graduated from Ricks College and Brigham Young University. She is married to Clayton, and they currently serve in a Provo young single adult ward. They are the parents of three children. Brooke enjoys traveling, walking, riding her e-bike, backyard birding, sports, and being in nature. She enjoys teaching the gospel and strives to receive revelation and recognize miracles in her life.

Mike was born and raised in Whittier, California. Following high school, he attended college in Utah for one year. Mike then moved to Washington state to work before serving a mission in the Nebraska Omaha Mission, speaking Spanish. Mike was the handcart captain for the 1997 Sesquicentennial Wagon Train reenactment. He walked over 1100 miles from Winter Quarters to the Salt Lake Valley. He found love on the trail when he met Lindsey. They have been married for 26 years and have 4 children: McCall, McKinley, Spencer, and Ruby. Together, they seek to center their family on Christ, service, and love. Mike owns Thrive Nursery in American Fork, Utah. He is also battalion chief for the Orem City Fire Department.

Camille Fronk Olson is a professor emeritus of ancient scripture and former department chair at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She received the Karl G. Maeser Excellence in Teaching Award, the university's highest recognition for teaching. She holds an MA in Ancient Near Eastern Studies and a PhD in the Sociology of the Middle East, both from BYU. Previous to joining the BYU faculty, she was Dean of Students at LDS Business College and served on the Young Women General Board. Her published books include Women of the Old Testament; Women of the New Testament; and In the Hands of the Potter. Camille enjoys traveling, gardening, and researching stories about her ancestors. Her current church calling is teaching Sunday School for a retirement community. She is married to Paul Olson, which includes the blessing of two children and four grandchildren.

Megan Penrod grew up in Midway, Utah. She served a full-time mission in the Nicaragua, Managua South Mission. She graduated from Snow College and served as a temple worker in the Manti Temple during her time there. Megan and her husband, Taylor, will celebrate five years of marriage this August. Together they have three children - three-year-old twin girls and a brand new baby boy. Megan is learning to adapt and grow as a mother. She is developing new skills to help her manage the challenges and joys of working hand in hand with the Lord to raise her three children. She seeks to make time each day to care for herself, even if, on some days, that just means brushing her teeth. Megan's greatest desire is to be an instrument in the Lord's hands to fulfill her roles as wife, mother, and disciple of Jesus Christ.

In this conversation, Megan shares some of the day to day difficulties she encounters as a young mother as well as some health challenges she encountered during her mission. Megan feels these struggles ultimately lead her to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ as she seeks His strengthening and healing power.

News article about the Manti Temple and Live Endowment Sessions

Refill My Soul meditation app

Insight Timer meditation app

Learn more about the temple endowment here

"A Plea to My Sisters", President Nelson

President Monson's announcement of the missionary age change

This episode of Arise with Christ is dedicated to Ella Marie Ranson. Ella lived for 20 short months with her parents and 3 older siblings. She brought joy, laughter, excitement, and optimism. Her father, Daniel Ranson is our guest in this episode. Ella passed away from pneumonia on February 10, 2016.

Daniel shares feelings connected to Ella's passing and the hope the gospel brings into his life. His unconventional path to finding the church came as he sought connection to God and family. His connection to his Heavenly Father has been an anchor in his life as he tries to connect his own children to heaven.

Daniel Ranson grew up in Riverside, California, where he was first introduced to the missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Daniel is a CODA, or child of deaf adults, and grew up with American Sign Language as his first language. After joining the church at 12 years old, he moved into the home of a family from his branch, who took him in as one of their own.

He served a mission in the Idaho Pocatello Mission and was introduced to the Ricks College campus, which is now BYU-Idaho. While on campus, Daniel felt eager to attend the University, which he did following his mission. On his first day as a student, Daniel met Sarah. Seven months later they were married in the Salt Lake Temple. Daniel and Sarah are the proud parents of 8 beautiful children.

Aside from enjoying the wonderful world of accounting, Daniel is usually splitting up responsibilities with Sarah including shuttling kids from music lessons, sporting events, and campouts, in addition to frequently shooting hoops in the driveway with his kids.

Finding Personal Peace, Henry B. Eyring

Gayle Holdman is a best-selling, award-winning author. As a shy child, she often wondered if she fit in. She dreamed of making a positive difference in the world and helping others do the same.

A professional writer and designer, Gayle is also formally educated in Family Science, Human Development, and positive psychology. As a young adult, she lived in Chile as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she learned Spanish. She still speaks Spanish daily and enjoys studying many languages.

Gayle has worked creatively with the medium of stained glass for over 30 years. She started Holdman Studios with her husband, Tom Holdman. They have worked on over 200 temples for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Their most significant project to date is the Roots of Knowledge window at Utah Valley University. This work will soon be surpassed in size by their creation of the Sphere of Light stained glass structure, which will focus on humanity's highest and most noble characteristics. Although these projects have been fulfilling, the creation that has brought her the most profound satisfaction and fulfillment in her life is the family she and Tom have made together, including their three children and one son-in-law.

Gayle adores cooking, paper crafting, and studying language in her spare time. Gayle truly loves everyone she meets.

Rome Temple Visitors' Center stained glass art, Come Unto Me:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2019/03/the-stained-glass-in-the-rome-visitors-center?lang=eng

Find more of Gayle and Tom's work here:

https://www.holdmanstudios.com/

https://www.rootsofhumanity.org/

Peacemakers Needed by President Russell M. Nelson

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/04/47nelson?lang=eng

The Piece That is You by Gayle Holdman

https://thepiecethatisyou.com/

President Nelson, The Answer Is Always Jesus Christ:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/04/58nelson?lang=eng