In this poignant episode of the Grief and Belief podcast, we feature Saedi Oldham, who courageously shares her son Ethan's story. Ethan passed away at 17 after battling rhabdomyosarcoma. Saedi's interview delves into her profound grief and steadfast belief in trusting in the Lord through unimaginable pain.

You'll hear about Ethan's determined personality from a young age, and the overwhelming challenges of his illness. Saedi recounts moments she felt she was warning her husband and oldest son that Ethan was dying. She describes the difficult decision to remove his breathing support and how, through prayer, she gained strength to sing to him as his heart slowly stopped. This was one of the most beautiful experiences of her life, feeling the strong presence of the Savior who greeted Ethan through the veil.

Saedi openly discusses raw grief, including bitterness, anger, and crippling anxiety, wrestling with questions like "Why did Ethan get sick? Why did Ethan die?". Despite these struggles, a powerful impression reminded her: "He is worthy of your trust". Her relationship with God has become more secure and real, finding comfort in envisioning Jesus with a smile, happy to bear our burdens alongside us.

Join us to hear Saedi's authentic testimony of how, even when life feels like screaming at the world, faith in Jesus Christ brings new depth of understanding and peace.

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Join us for a special episode of the Grief and Belief podcast featuring Sheryl Jepson. Sheryl shares her journey of grief after her brother Daniel passed away from a tragic hiking accident when she was a child, and how this experience led her to feel bound to Jesus Christ.

Sheryl offers powerful "hard truths" learned, emphasizing that the passing of a loved one is part of God's plan and the critical importance of choosing faith during trials. She highlights her parents' anchoring example of choosing faith and offering prayers of gratitude even weeks after their son's death. Her clear advice for parents: the greatest support you can offer grieving children is to choose the Savior when it is hardest.

Listen as Sheryl discusses coping, like finding an outlet in clogging (now power tap), and answers the podcast's signature question: considering her experience with grief, what does she now believe about Jesus Christ?

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This episode of the Grief and Belief podcast features a poignant conversation with Dave Morrey, who shares the story of his brother, Matthew, and his sudden passing at 38.

Dave discusses his initial "operational mode" after Matthew's death, followed by intense grief and unanswered questions. He emphasizes the importance of faith and empathy in navigating loss, contrasting ineffective attempts to "fix" grief with the power of presence.

Dave reflects on his evolving understanding of empathy and the urgency of showing love and forgiveness in the present. Ultimately, he shares his deepened belief in Jesus Christ as a result of his grief, highlighting the vital role of faith in the face of loss.

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Join us for a powerful and deeply moving episode with Jennie Taylor, sharing her profound journey of grief and belief after the loss of her husband, Major Brent Taylor, in 2018 while serving in the military. A mother of seven, Jennie faced immense challenges as a stay-at-home mom, feeling "half of me died that day". Jennie focused on "how" to manage, often feeling "incredibly afraid of the future" and "completely incapable".
A central theme is learning "line upon line, precept upon precept" from the Lord, understanding God reveals truth at our pace due to "mortal limits". She describes realizing her limits and needing to "breathe".
Through profound loss, Jennie's belief significantly deepened. She realized "just how real the Savior is, just how true the gospel is, just how close our loved ones are, just how thin the veil can be". She knows Jesus "feels our pain," "treats us with compassion," and "is enough to make up for every shortcoming". Jennie asserts she's been "very blessed by my husband's death," strengthening her testimony and capacity to become Christlike.

Resources: Major Brent Taylor Foundation

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This episode of the Grief and Belief podcast features a heartfelt interview with April Gallier, who shares her personal journey of grief and belief after the passing of her special son, Grant.

April candidly discusses her experiences surrounding Grant's life and his passing. Listeners will gain insight into April's family, including her daughter who was deeply involved in Grant's life and now works in special education.

In this moving conversation, April reflects on what she has come to believe about Jesus Christ through her experience with grief. She shares her evolving understanding of the Atonement, recognizing it as a source of strength and comfort in all aspects of life, not just for repentance. April testifies of Christ's constant presence and the power of prayer, even in difficult moments.

The hosts and April discuss creative and meaningful ways to honor and remember loved ones. Additionally, information will be provided in the episode notes for listeners who wish to contribute to efforts in Grant's memory (Amazon Wish List).

Join David and Kori as they learn from April's inspiring story of love, loss, and enduring faith in Jesus Christ.

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Welcome to another episode of the Grief and Belief podcast, featuring Stephanie Driscoll. As the wife of our previous guest, Chris Driscoll, Stephanie joins us to share her powerful perspective on their journey after the loss of their daughter, Avery. Stephanie was Avery's primary caretaker through her illness, gaining a unique view of Avery's personality and her impact. She reflects on navigating the complexities of grief while caring for a loved one and how these experiences shaped her understanding of strength during trials.

A central part of Stephanie's journey is the transformative role of the temple in her grief and healing process. She discusses how the temple, especially the initiatories, became her "happy place". Stephanie shares the touching story of Avery's Make-a-Wish to visit temples and the tremendous temple work done in Avery's honor by their community. She offers profound insights into how having loved ones on the other side changes the temple experience, sharing her personal belief in acting as an "escort" for those whose ordinance work is completed.

Resources:

On the Other Side by Brent L. Top

Change Your Questions, Change Your Life by Wendy Watson Nelson

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

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In this episode of the Grief and Belief podcast, hosts David Mickelson and Kori Andrews interview Chris Driscoll. Chris shares his personal journey of grief and belief after the passing of his sweet daughter Avery due to a brain tumor.

He discusses the profound impact of this loss and how his belief in Jesus Christ, particularly regarding temples, has been integral to his healing process. Chris offers insights into his experiences and stories, illustrating how faith has shaped his understanding and provided solace during this difficult time.

He reflects on what he now believes about Jesus Christ through the lens of his grief, emphasizing the knowledge and eternal perspective gained.

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This episode features Lizzie Andrews, daughter of Bethany Andrews, who shares her experiences with faith and hope as a young person navigating the grief of losing her father, Dan.

Lizzy shares about her dad and what made him special. She recounts her experiences with the aggressive nature of his cancer diagnosis. She shares how she dealt with anger and disappointment, and a meaningful experience at FSY that changed her perspective.

Lizzy also discusses the meaning behind a painting she created and the importance of leaning on Heavenly Father. She shares what she has come to know about Jesus Christ through her experiences. This episode offers a unique perspective on finding strength and understanding during grief.

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In this episode, we are joined by Bethany Andrews, who shares her powerful journey of grief and belief after losing her husband, Dan.

Bethany discusses the challenges of navigating loss, the role of her faith in Jesus Christ in finding relief, and the importance of community support. She recounts how her husband pursued her, a funny story about their courtship, and how she learned to lean on others, and how her children were supported during a difficult time.

She shares the details of Dan's diagnosis and passing, and the tender mercies she experienced along the way. This episode offers insights into finding hope and healing during profound grief.

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In this episode of the Grief and Belief podcast, we are joined by Mary Colton, who shares her personal journey of grief following the passing of her brother, Mark Rasmussen, after his battle with schizoaffective disorder and cancer.

Mary discusses her experience as a caregiver and her efforts to support her brother during his illness. She also delves into how her understanding of the Savior has evolved through this challenging time. Mary emphasizes the importance of finding peace and comfort in the knowledge that her brother is in a better place. She highlights how the Savior acts as a restorer and redeemer. Her insights from the grief and belief group, which she attended, add depth to the discussion.

This episode explores themes of faith, service, and finding strength in Christ during times of loss, as well as the idea that those who have passed are still looking out for and helping those who remain. Mary's story exemplifies how even in the midst of grief, a deeper connection with Jesus Christ can bring hope and healing.

Referenced Resource: A Grief Observed (Amazon link)

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