"What happens when the 'gospel bubble' bursts and you’re left facing the darkest moments of your life?"

In this episode of Coming Unto Christ, Lacy Merrill joins "the couch" for a vulnerable conversation about faith, family, and finding light after a sudden divorce. From her upbringing in the small town of Snowflake to the struggle of feeling "unworthy" and "unlovable," Lacy shares how she moved from simply knowing about God to experiencing His intimate, personal love.

Discover why she compares reaching for the sacrament to the biblical woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, and how "letting go of the wheel" transformed her life. Whether you are currently in a "moment of darkness" or striving to strengthen your foundation, Lacy’s story is a powerful reminder that your worth is infinite and the Savior is always ready to carry the weight for you.

Keep climbing your mountain. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to help us continue building Zion.

From bottle-raising tigers to surviving a 3-week coma, Keith and Sierra Pimber’s story is a powerful testament to the reality of Jesus Christ.

In the Season 3 premiere of Coming Unto Christ, we sit down with the Pimbers for a vulnerable conversation about faith, trauma, and miracles. Sierra shares how she found the Savior’s comfort during a childhood marked by both exotic animals and deep family "darkness". Meanwhile, Keith opens up about the "black and white" mindset of his youth and the life-altering Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis that led to a profound, near-death encounter.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• The Power of Forgiveness: Keith reveals the specific message he received from Jesus while in a coma regarding his hatred toward his father-in-law and why letting go was the only way forward.
• Separating People from the Gospel: Sierra discusses how she maintained her testimony despite experiencing abuse from a parent in church leadership.
• Beyond the "Checkbox": How a medical crisis transformed Keith’s "routine" religion into a living, breathing relationship with God.
• Tender Mercies: Incredible stories of the "thin veil" during Keith’s hospitalization, from a mysterious temple hug to a perfectly timed Facebook post.

Are you just "checking the boxes" or truly walking with Christ? Join us for an episode that proves no matter how deep the trial, you are never truly alone.

#ComingUntoChrist #MultipleSclerosis #FaithStories #NearDeathExperience #Forgiveness

In this deeply moving episode of Coming Unto Christ, Julie Garlock returns to share her journey of faith following a tragic accident that claimed the lives of her husband, Troy, and their daughter, Elsie. Julie offers a profound testimony of how the Savior transitioned from a distant figure to her literal "breath of life" during her darkest hours.

Key Topics & Takeaways:

• Miracles Amidst Loss: Julie recounts the miraculous recovery of her daughter, Mabel, who was brought back to life and walking within four days of the accident.

• The Power of Forgiveness: Rather than "poisoning" herself with anger toward the driver, Julie chose forgiveness, viewing him as a child of God who struggled with his own "demons".

• Sitting at the Savior’s Feet: Julie explains her practice of nightly meditation, noting that while prayer is us talking to God, "meditation is God talking to us".

• Raising Your "Frequency": Discover how intentional living—including mindfulness of what we put in our bodies—can clear "foggy brain" and open a pathway to hear the Spirit more clearly.

• Authentic Relationship: Julie emphasizes that a relationship with Christ requires "work" and moving past "casual" worship to find an authentic, intentional connection.

Whether you are navigating grief or seeking to deepen your spiritual connection, Julie’s story illustrates that Jesus Christ is ready to stand before the waves of grief to ensure they do not take you under.

Dive into a profound conversation with Stacy Guthrie, a woman raised in a devout, founding Mesa family, who confesses she took her relationship with the Savior for granted, realizing He was just "always just there" until immense trials forced her to rely on Him in adulthood.

Stacy openly navigates the complex tension between church culture and true doctrine, revealing the "friction" that arises from cultural judgments—including comments she receives for wearing pants to church. A lifelong "textbook learner" who seeks knowledge, Stacy shares the transformative realization that she must be "OK with sitting in the belief instead" of constantly needing definitive answers. She advocates for members to stand and say "I believe" rather than rigidly declaring "I know" when bearing testimony.

The episode features her undeniable personal testimony (something she knows): a miraculous account of a refund check arriving precisely when her family chose to pay their mortgage and tithing after her husband lost his job, demonstrating the blessings of obedience. Stacy concludes by sharing the single, powerful message she hopes the Savior knows: "I'm trying, that I'm not perfect, but that I'm really trying. I'm not giving up".

The episode "Keep the Faith and Never Forsake" features Mason Payne, a returned missionary who met the host unexpectedly at a Bishop storehouse while serving as Elder Payne. Mason shares his journey of faith, detailing how a direct challenge ("Mason you've lost your faith") led him to pour out his soul in prayer with five specific questions. Answers came from young children bearing testimony at church and an emotional confirmation while watching the movie Breakthrough.

Mason candidly discusses the difficulties of his mission, including struggling with pride and companions in the challenging Oregon Salem Mission, which he heard was potentially the "most depressed mission in the world". His battle with addiction became so severe that he felt like a hypocrite, leading him to transfer home to serve a service mission. Despite this shift, Mason found purpose doing service work (including welding and tractor maintenance). He ultimately transferred back to the field, even receiving an unexpected assignment to serve as a Spanish-speaking missionary in his final months.

The description is riveting because Mason openly shares his ongoing daily fight against addiction, stating, "I'm fighting like heck every day to to white knuckle it". He concludes by expressing that he knows he will overcome his struggles through faith and obedience, declaring that if Jesus Christ were sitting across from him, he would be on his knees saying, "I need you to know I'm trying".

How do we move from simply knowing about Jesus Christ to truly knowing Him?

In this powerful and deeply vulnerable episode, host Leon sits down with his dear friend Jason Morris, "the best hug giver in the world", to discuss a life defined by profound spiritual turning points.

Jason shares his journey from growing up in a "gospel-centric" home to a pivotal moment as a teen where, feeling a deep spiritual void, he knelt in prayer with his Bishop and physically felt the Savior's arms hold him. This experience became an anchor for his faith, but it wasn't his last test.

Years later, Jason's life was changed in an instant when he was hit by a car going nearly 40 mph. He opens up about the harrowing accident, the long road to physical recovery , and the powerful spiritual moment his wife experienced when she finally "gave it all up" at God's feet.

Join us for a raw and uplifting conversation about grace vs. "scorecards" , the critical need for "real" vulnerability at church, and how honoring our unique stories—even the painful parts—is what truly brings us closer to Christ

This episode features Curtis, who recounts his journey from a "rebellious soul" to dedicating his life to Jesus Christ during his mission in Bolivia (1985–1987).Curtis shares how he faced "very very dark" years around age 50, when severe **financial and career trials** led him to lose "absolutely everything" except his family and testimony. He learned that committing to the gospel means accepting the trials necessary for the "polishing of the stone".The two most important lessons Curtis emphasizes are **trust in the Lord in all things** and **humility**. He also reflects on the challenge of raising a family, noting that parents must constantly rely on the Lord. Curtis concludes that our purpose is not to fix others, but to **"fix mine and be like Christ,"** encouraging listeners to embrace the commandment to "fear not," recognizing the Lord is 100% in control.

Brad Meredith's journey began in a "diligent and strict" religious home, but a move to Utah catapulted him into the "great and spacious building" of intense partying, drugs, and ultimately, homelessness. Despite an undeniable spiritual confirmation of truth experienced in a closet while friends partied, he battled addiction for another decade, enduring cycles of relapses and despair that brought him to the brink of suicide.

Discover the pivotal moment when, "sick of the struggle," Brad made a radical decision that opened a profound "conduit to God," leading him from a life consumed by substances to nearly one year of sobriety, peace, and a transformative relationship with Jesus Christ. His powerful story proves that, no matter how far gone, "it is possible for anyone" to find healing and a new life through God's love and the Atonement.

Juliana bravely shares her experiences, including sexual abuse from a very young age (4-5 years old) and the long-term impact of self-hate, anxiety, nightmares, and the trauma of court trials where she felt no one believed her. She also recounts her struggles with a heart condition (a hole in her heart and POTS). Throughout these immense difficulties, Juliana emphasizes how she leaned on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. With support from her parents and seeking professional therapy, she ultimately found healing and a way to turn her trials into blessings.

Join Leon and Jarret discuss his journey to Christ.