Why We Believe

In this episode of Why We Believe with host Nathan Gwilliam, discover the miraculous true stories behind gospel musician Garth Smith's sacred compositions. Each hymn arrangement carries personal testimony of divine intervention, from childhood prayers that brought angels to a bizarre 7-Eleven spiritual experience predicting adoption miracles twenty years before they happened. His music ministry emerged from choosing sacred service over Nashville fame.

Garth reveals how early morning seminary teaching sparked nationwide Christ-centered firesides blessing thousands, why infertility heartbreak prepared his family for adoption blessings beyond imagination, and how temple service as an ordinance worker expanded his testimony. His journey demonstrates that music becomes most meaningful when it points listeners toward Christ rather than applauding the performer, transforming personal struggles into ministry opportunities.

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Website: https://www.garthsmithmusic.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@garthsmithmusic2663

Professional MMA fighter Westin Wilson shares how listening to the Holy Ghost transformed his UFC career and what martial artists can teach us about spiritual discipline. From getting his first calling to teach self-defense at girls camp to receiving a prompting at a gas station that led to his UFC debut, Westin reveals how staying in tune with the Spirit opened doors he never expected.

In this episode of Why We Believe with host Nathan Gwilliam, Westin discusses three lessons from the cage that changed his faith: why your spiritual coach matters more than your technique, how small and simple repetitions build both knockouts and testimonies, and why true freedom comes through commandments rather than breaking them. After serving a mission in Rochester, New York, surviving a devastating loss in Shanghai, and building a software career alongside his fighting, Westin shows how enduring to the end means getting back up when doors slam shut. His story proves that whether you're cutting 30 pounds in three weeks or raking leaves in a suit as a missionary, God uses our disciplined efforts to prepare us for opportunities we can't yet see.

Loved this episode? Hit Follow and share it with someone who needs to hear Westin's story! Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube — your support helps us bring more inspiring conversations like this to listeners everywhere!

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-we-believe/id1751537256

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What happens when a homeless teenager eating from London trash cans encounters Latter-day Saint missionaries and transforms into an international recording artist who presents The Book of Mormon to the future King of England? Alex Boyé's journey through foster care, abandonment, and abuse became the foundation for an unshakable testimony that has taken him to stages worldwide. After his mother left for Nigeria and never returned, Alex survived eight years of homelessness and guardian abuse before discovering the Latter-day Saints church through the missionary efforts of McDonald's manager.

In this episode of Why We Believe with host Nathan Gwilliam, Alex shares how trials became his greatest gifts, the miraculous two-day healing from pornography addiction through daily Book of Mormon reading, and the divine courage required to approach royalty with scripture. His story reveals that God's refining fire burns hottest when preparing us for extraordinary purposes, and that covenant-based scripture study provides healing power beyond human capability.

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Follow Alex Boyé

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexBoyeReal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@AlexBoyeMusic/

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Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/@AlexBoyeReal/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/@AlexB2/

Email: [email protected]

What happens when a woman who considered herself "human garbage" discovers she's actually a treasure worth saving? Jen Spencer spent two decades trapped in methamphetamine addiction and homelessness, convinced God hated her as much as she hated herself. Her warped understanding of repentance left her buried under mountains of shame, believing she was born bad and beyond redemption. In this episode of Why We Believe with host Nathan Gwilliam, Jen shares the desperate prayer behind a storage unit that changed everything, the divine encounter that felt like God running toward her instead of away, and the moment she realized she'd been living in a hell of her own making through self-judgment. After 10 years of sobriety, she now leads the Turtle Shelter Project, creating over 6,000 thermal survival vests for homeless individuals. Jen's transformation reveals that no one is too broken for divine love, and sometimes our lowest moments become launching pads for missions that save thousands of lives.

Follow the Why We Believe Show:

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Website: https://turtleshelterproject.org

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/turtle-shelter-project-6aa0aa1a4/

What drives a young mother to travel alone to Romania and rescue orphaned children after watching a single TV show? Dr. Holly Joy Richardson's adoption journey began with undeniable spiritual confirmation that changed everything. After adopting 20 children from eight different countries and giving birth to four more, Holly became a fierce advocate for families while serving as a Utah state legislator. In this episode of the Why We Believe with host Nathan Gwilliam, Holly shares the divine moment that sent her to Romanian orphanages, the heartbreak of losing three daughters, and the immigration bill that tested her conviction that God sees humanity in everyone. She reveals the grief that nearly broke her faith, the deliberate choices that rebuilt her testimony stronger than before, and the political battles where she refused to separate spiritual conviction from public service. Holly's story proves that following spiritual promptings can lead to a life beyond anything we imagine possible, even when the path includes unthinkable sacrifice and loss.

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What happens when a struggling LDS musician sits down at a church piano and receives one of the most beloved sacred songs ever written? Roger Hoffman's faith journey as a BYU employee turned acclaimed LDS composer seemed impossible until divine intervention changed everything. In this episode of the Why We Believe with host Nathan Gwilliam, discover the miraculous testimony behind "Consider the Lilies" and the exact moment when both music and lyrics flowed through him at his ward's piano. Roger shares the leap of faith that led him and his wife Melanie to leave steady employment, the mysterious grocery deliveries that appeared on their doorstep, and the $50 bills that would magically appear in his pocket after church. Roger reveals the divine partnership behind decades of LDS sacred music creation, including Scripture Scouts and collaborating on "Gethsemane." His story proves that when we trust God's timing, our greatest struggles often become our most beautiful testimonies and lasting legacies.

Follow the Why We Believe Show:

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Follow Nathan Gwilliam:

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Follow Roger Hoffman:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-hoffman-97686617/

Primary Website: https://www.hoffmanhouse.com (Hoffman House Music)

Personal Website: https://www.rogerandmelaniehoffman.com

Business Email: [email protected]

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstories

What happens when a teenage science lover discovers that DNA testing can unlock family secrets and spiritual truth? In this episode of Why We Believe with Nathan Gwilliam, meet Diahan Southard, founder of Your DNA Guide, who built three successful DNA businesses while helping thousands find their birth families. Her story includes converting to the LDS Church, becoming a RootsTech speaker, and using her expertise to reunite her adopted mother with over 30 biological relatives. Diahan shares how she went from drawing blood samples at BYU to becoming an author and entrepreneur who proves faith and science work together in God's plan. This episode explores DNA testing, adoption mysteries, and faith-based entrepreneurship for anyone interested in seeing how God uses modern technology for eternal purposes.

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Diahan Southard's Social Media:

Website: Your DNA Guide: www.yourdnaguide.com 

Twitter/X: www.twitter.com/dnadiahan

Instagram: www.instagram.com/diahansouthard

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LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/diahan-southard

Your DNA Guide - The Book (goodreads.com/book/show/52270572-your-dna-guide-the-book)

When Bill Norton dropped out of high school and worked construction, no one predicted he'd become a constitutional scholar with a master's degree earned without ever getting a bachelor's. In this episode of Why We Believe with Nathan Gwilliam, Bill shares his transformation from an inactive teenager smoking cigarettes to a missionary called to study America's founding documents through direct revelation. His journey includes battling cancer, navigating divorce and remarriage through spiritual guidance, and discovering how constitutional principles actually strengthen testimony rather than compete with it, showing that God can use anyone willing to ask sincere questions and act on divine answers.

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What happens when a lifelong artist discovers something he loves even more than creating art? David Bowman thought that his whole life was laid out in front of him, an illustration career after graduating from BYU, however, one summer as an EFY counselor completely transformed his calling. In this episode of the Why We Believe with Nathan Gwilliam, David reveals the moment he realized his true calling wasn't making art but teaching teenagers about faith. He opens up about abandoning the security of his artistic path to become a seminary teacher, then later taking an even bigger leap to create the viral "DRAWN IN!" video series. David shares the touching story behind his most famous painting that helped a Sandy Hook family heal, the mission experience that taught him love can only grow through service, and the divine timing that launched his family-focused ministry just before COVID hit. His journey shows that sometimes our greatest talents are just stepping stones to our real purpose, and that following spiritual promptings can lead to impact we never imagined possible.

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bowman-74900127/

DRAWN IN! Series: https://www.davidbowmanart.com/pages/drawn-in

What happens when an Air Force kid who struggled socially becomes a 15-year missionary with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir? Michael Young shares his journey from childhood awkwardness through moving every few years to finding his voice on the world's stage. In this episode, Michael reveals the sacred experiences that come with being set apart as a missionary in the choir, performing for millions worldwide, and using music to minister to individuals. He opens up about his challenging mission in Germany, where cultural barriers made sharing the gospel difficult, yet led to a baptism on his final day that changed everything. Michael also shares the heart-wrenching story of his daughter Maggie, born after years of secondary infertility and a miraculous 76-day hospital stay during COVID. Through IVF treatments paid for by a former missionary companion, emergency deliveries, and countless prayers answered, Michael's family experienced firsthand that God's plan isn't always easy, but it's always worth it. His story shows that faith grows through both everyday steadiness and extraordinary miracles.

Follow the Why We Believe Show:

Website: whywebelieve.com

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Follow Nathan Gwilliam:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam/

Follow Michael D Young:

Twitter/X: x.com/mdybyu

Facebook: facebook.com/mdybyu

YouTube: youtube.com/@MikeDropMusic

Website: authormichaelyoung.com/about

Facebook: facebook.com/authormichaelyoung

The Tabernacle Choir Page: thetabernaclechoir.org

Vocal Coach Website: micdropauditions.wordpress.com

Sheet Music Website: thesongoftherighteous.wordpress.com