Host Justin Barton interviews return missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ethan Coplen, who recently came home from the South Africa, Cape Town Mission, about his upbringing in Queen Creek, Arizona, his large family, football achievements, and a period of inactivity after moving out at 18. Ethan shares how a serious football injury led to a spiritual impression that redirected his life, repentance, and a decision to serve a mission. He discusses learning to rely on Jesus Christ rather than pride, the difference between reading and studying scripture, and how praying, pondering, and obedience shaped his conversion. Ethan recounts facing depression and grief after losing his sister and her children to tragedy during his mission, and explains how being “yoked” with Christ helped him endure. He closes with invitations to prospective missionaries, return missionaries, and nonmembers to seek truth and remember miracles.

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:31 Ethan Background and Football

01:33 Leaving Home and Church

04:01 Injury and Turning Point

05:57 Returning and Choosing Mission

07:10 Why Falling Away Felt Easy

09:48 Personal Relationship With God

12:00 Yoked With Christ and Miracles

14:49 Missionary Focus and Self Conversion

17:54 Reading Versus Studying

20:37 Charity Learned in the Field

23:11 Obedience Lesson and Spiritual Witness

26:56 Love Your Neighbor

28:10 Pondering and Prayer

29:34 Mission Trial and Loss

32:30 Everything to God

34:16 Hearing the Spirit

36:35 Why Suffering Happens

38:43 Bearing the Burden

40:42 Three Invitations

46:45 Change of Heart

48:18 Song of Redeeming Love

49:47 Back to Basics

52:09 Closing Testimony