Still Rowing Podcast

When we put our lives in the hands of the Lord, he will lead us to people and places that will enrich our lives and help us build the kingdom. In this episode, prolific writer and former BYU professor Margaret Blair Young describes her experiences learning and telling the stories of black latter-day saints and how she has faithfully navigated difficult church history associated with blacks and the priesthood and temple ban. She also shares how she is seeing the Lord moving in Africa - particularly in the production of a new film she helped produce, Heart of Africa, about a young man from the DR Congo who turns from a revolutionary to a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To learn more about the film and where to view it, go to www.heartofafricafilm.com.

Supporting a loved one who suffers with depression can be discouraging and exhausting - especially if that individual has lost their will to live. In this episode, Amber Jackson talks about the battle both she and her husband, Ryan, have fought with depression and how the Lord and loving friends and family sustained and preserved their family amid a major depressive episode and suicide attempt.

Prevalent as it is, mental illness is still a subject that is both misunderstood and over stigmatized. Those who suffer often suffer in silence and for some, the burden can become suffocating - weakening their ability to cope with life. In this episode, Ryan Jackson - a father, husband, and talented biochemist - shares his history with depression and how a major bout this last year escalated into a suicide attempt. Through it all, he relates how the Lord preserved his life, sustained his family, and helped him find the faith to live.

We believe God loves all His children and desires that they have an equal opportunity to return to Him. But with a mere 16 million latter-day saints among billions of God's children, those who have the chance to hear the restored gospel in this life is limited. How can we claim there is only one true church when there are so many good, faithful people from myriad faith traditions and backgrounds? Do many paths lead to heaven? What is the value or benefit of receiving covenants and ordinances now versus in the life to come? If you've ever asked these questions, here are a few insights that may help connect the dots in God's great plan and the key role the Church of Jesus Christ plays in that plan.

As a young adult in the Church of Jesus Christ, serving a full-time mission is a kind of rite of passage. When a missionary returns home early, it disrupts life plans and expectations - often making it hard for both the missionary and their loved ones to adjust in a positive way. In this episode, Jaedon McQuivey shares how an accident brought him home early - twice - from his mission and how this trial has strengthened his faith in God and His unique plan for him.

We know that eventually this life will come to an end for all of us. But when you suffer from a terminal illness like breast cancer, that reality is ever-present. In this episode, Charlotte Myers shares the emotional story of her diagnosis, subsequent fear, and how faith has ultimately prevailed in her battle with cancer and propelled her to live with greater intention and purpose.

Having questions about the gospel is normal. But when those questions turn into consuming doubt and cynicism, they can destroy faith. In this episode, Dan Ellsworth describes how years of unresolved questions eventually and suddenly turned into a full-fledged faith crisis, nearly causing him to quit the church. But through patience and experimentation on the word, Dan recounts how the Lord brought him back to faith - one day at a time.More on epistemology from Dan Ellsworth:https://youtu.be/MVUjHiaUh_chttps://youtu.be/zxdul4hH5hk

Being single and childless in a family-centered faith tradition is hard. Having debilitating chronic illness is hard too. Such circumstances may cause one to question how they can contribute to the church, the community and to even question their worth. In this episode, Cari Johnson describes the painful journey of coming to peace with her circumstances as a single and chronically ill woman - learning that her value lies not in titles or completed to-do lists - but in her divine worth as a daughter of God, and how her pain has increased her faith in Christ’s ability to succor her in trials and her ability to succor others in theirs.

When someone has an addiction, the negative effects ripple out and touch many lives - especially the afflicted spouse. In this episode, Rhyll Croshaw, describes the heartache and feelings of betrayal associated with being married to an individual with sexual addiction and how heaven-sent tender mercies - made possible through Christ’s grace - helped her endure, embrace hope, and ultimately attain personal healing and a renewed, joyful marriage.Interested in learning more about Rhyll’s story and recovery process? Check it out online or in her book, cited below.What Can I Do About Me? - Rhyll Croshaw (Available at Deseret Book & Amazon)www.sal12step.orgwww.salifeline.org

Pornography and sexual addiction is a topic few people feel comfortable discussing. Those who are in the chains of this addiction may wonder if it's possible to be freed from its grip. Affected loved ones may feel equally hopeless about the possibility of healing and recovery for themselves and the person suffering from addiction. In this episode, Steven Croshaw shares how his involvement with pornography escalated and evolved into sexual addiction - taking him to dark places and behaviors. After hiding for years because of fear and shame, Steven relates how his life was "interrupted" by a loving Heavenly Father and how he was able to find hope, healing, and recovery through loving priesthood leaders and the redemptive power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.Resources:www.salifeline.orgHe Restoreth My Soul - Donald HiltonWhat Can I Do About Me? - Rhyll CroshawGood Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young Kids - Kristen Jenson