Conversations—A Mormon Channel Original

035: Elder Tad R. Callister and Sister Kathryn Callister

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:00:00 MST

Elder Tad. R. Callister is a member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of Seventy, one of the leading councils of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is joined in this conversation by his wife, Kathryn. Before his call as a general authority of the Church, Elder Callister had a career as a lawyer, simultaneously serving in many Church callings. His wife Kathryn has also served the Church and been a steadfast support. Together, the Callisters discuss their backgrounds, and offer much practical advice about raising families, living life, the influence of the gospel, along with other topics, all punctuated with stories from their experience to illustrate. Elder Callister is the author of the book The Infinite Atonement, which has become a classic resource on that topic.

034: Sister Siliva Allred and Brother Jeffrey Allred

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 06:00:00 MST

In this episode of Conversations, Heidi Swinton is host to Sister Silvia Allred of the Relief Society general presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sister Allred is joined by her husband, Jeffrey, who adds perspective to their lives of cultural diversity and inspiring experiences. Since joining the Church as a teenager in El Salvador, Sister Allred's fire of enthusiasm has never waned. The Allreds describe their courtship and marriage, and their subsequent multi-cultural and international career, punctuated with meaningful experiences and spiritual insight. Join us for this episode of Conversations on the Mormon Channel, a media outlet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

033: Elder Ronald A. Rasband and Sister Melanie Rasband

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 06:00:00 MST

In this episode of Conversations, Heidi Swinton is host to Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Rasband is joined by his wife, Melanie, who adds a charming touch to this informal discussion that provides not only an overview of their lives, but some very interesting experiences along the way. Included is valuable counsel about spiritual matters as well as practical living that can be useful to everyone. Join us for this episode of Conversations on the Mormon Channel, a media outlet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

032: Kenneth and Jeanette Howell

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 06:00:00 MST

Kenneth and Jeanette Howell are featured in this interview by Ruth Todd. The Howells are the parents of Brady Howell, one of the people who was killed when a plane crashed into the Pentagon on 9/11. Through this and the lesser tragedy of losing a home in the 1976 Teton Dam disaster, the Howells have valuable advice to offer on coping with adversity and keeping families close.

031: Rodney K. Smith

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 06:00:00 MST

Dr. Rodney K. Smith is featured in this interview by Rick Starr. Dr. Smith is an attorney, a professor, an author, and a convert to the Church. He has just completed a term as president of Southern Virginia University, a small liberal arts college in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with a Latter-day Saint environment. Dr. Smith discusses his background and career, and provides valuable counsel and philosophy gained from a lifetime of experience.

030: Virginia Hinckley Pearce

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 06:00:00 MST

Virginia Hinckley Pearce is featured in this interview by Ruth Todd. Sister Pearce is a former member of the general Young Women presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, author of several books, popular speaker, and daughter of former Church President Gordon B. Hinckley and his wife, Marjorie Pay Hinckley. In this engaging interview, Sister Pearce talks about growing up, her courtship and marriage and raising children. She also shares thoughts and stories about her parents, as well as additional insights and lots of practical advice.

029: Sister Barbara Thompson

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 06:00:00 MST

Join us for a unique episode of Conversations as host Sheri Dew interview Sister Barbara Thompson, Second Counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These two are the only single women to have served in the General Relief Society Presidency. The result is a refreshing interview with a perspective possible only with these two particular women.

028: Heidi Swinton

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 06:00:00 MST

Heidi Swinton prepared for a career in journalism and became an award-winning author. But then, while living in England, a surprise phone call left her nearly speechless. The result was an overwhelming project which took her close to the breaking point. In this interview with host Ruth Todd, Heidi Swinton tells about the weight of responsibility she felt while trying to capture the life and essence of Thomas S. Monson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sister Swinton describes the process of writing the biography of this truly remarkable man and shares some of what she learned about his life of service to others. Join us for this engaging interview with Heidi Swinton, one of a small number of people who know President Monson best, on this episode of Conversations, here on the Mormon Channel.

027: Elder Quentin L. Cook and Sister Mary Cook

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 06:00:00 MST

From the early influence of an older brother to a call from a prophet of God to serve as a modern-day Apostle, Elder Quentin L. Cook has a rich lifetime of experiences to share. Elder Cook is joined by his wife, Mary, in this informal discussion that covers their beginnings in Cache County to the present time. Along the way, the Cooks share some of their experiences and what they have learned about life, love, and finding happiness.

026: Stephanie and Christian Nielson

Fri, 7 Jan 2011 11:00:00 MST

Stephanie and Christian Nielson were a normal married couple with several children. Along with a good friend, a pilot, they were enjoying a pleasant outing in a small airplane. Then, in an instant, their lives and the lives of many others were unalterably changed. The airplane crash that day began a series of events, miracles, and human drama that continues today. Stephanie's blog is now followed by millions. What have the Nielsons learned from their difficult and continuing recovery? What has shaped their attitudes and what can we learn from their experience? Join us as host Ruth Todd interviews this amazing couple on this episode of Conversations here on the Mormon Channel.

025: Connie Gunnell

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 06:00:00 MST

Connie Gunnell’s life was suddenly and dramatically changed when her husband was tragically killed along with others in a highway accident involving a van filled with students and faculty from Utah State University. Host Ruth Todd leads Sister Gunnell through that experience and the remarkable courage and determination that followed, which led to service as a full-time missionary. Learn how unwavering faith and a testimony of the Savior have guided Sister Gunnell through both difficult and uplifting experiences to this point in her young life.

024: Stewart Glazier

Mon, 27 Dec 2010 06:00:00 MST

Stewart Glazier, now retired from the Church Educational System, has a rich and interesting background he shares in this episode of Conversations. Host Ruth Todd leads the discussion from some of Stewart’s experiences in the Holy Land and the beginning of the BYU Study Abroad program there, to an inspiring summary of 10 years spent in South America, including some of the effects of the Perpetual Education Fund. The discussion concludes with some inspiring and interesting accounts drawn from Brother Glazier’s expertise on the Mormon Pioneer Trail. Enjoy wonderful and diverse collection of experiences on this episode of Conversations.

023: Bishop H. David and Sister Barbara Burton

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 06:00:00 MST

In this episode of Conversations Sheri Dew hosts an interview with Bishop H. David Burton, the Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bishop Burton is joined in this interview by his wife, Barbara, who adds her unique and refreshing perspective. Bishop Burton talks about the tremendous growth of the Church experienced in his three-decade association with the Office of the Presiding Bishop and some of the projects for which he has provided leadership. The Burtons discuss their individual backgrounds and some of the interesting experiences from their personal lives and their service to the Church. An interesting, insightful, and faith-building interview!

022: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and Sister Patricia Holland

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 06:00:00 MST

In this episode of Conversations Sheri Dew hosts a thoughtful interview with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Holland is joined by his wife, Patricia, who adds her unique and delightful perspective. The Hollands discuss their individual backgrounds, struggling to obtain an education, and the years of presidency at BYU. They also provide insight into their philosophy of life, relate some of their individual and shared experiences, and conclude with a powerful testimony of the gospel. A faith-building and highly interesting interview!

021: Ed and Carol Brandt

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 06:00:00 MST

Ed Brandt recently retired as Director of Correlation Evaluation at Church headquarters. For many years, Ed enjoyed teaching in the Church Educational System. His extraordinary understanding and insights into the gospel led to an invitation to serve in the Correlation Department, where he has served for more than 20 years. Carol Brandt adds a dimension to the interview with supplemental comments and insights. This interview contains many gems of wisdom about raising children, studying the gospel, and enhancing marriage. It concludes with an interesting explanation of Church correlation, along with some insights about working with the General Authorities of the Church. Join us for this episode of Conversations for this unusual and enlightening interview with Ed and Carol Brandt on the Mormon Channel.

020: Elder Snow

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 06:00:00 MST

Elder Steven E. Snow, a member of the First Quorum of Seventy, is joined by his wife, Phyllis, for this episode of Conversations. Ruth Todd hosts the discussion with the Snows as they talk informally about their youth, courtship, and marriage, college education, and a surprising phone call from President Gordon B. Hinckley, which led to assignments reaching far beyond anything they had ever anticipated. The Snows provide some great advice based on what they have learned, relate experiences from their years of service, and bear a powerful testimony to the truth of the gospel. Join us on the Mormon Channel for this conversation, which will inform, uplift, and strengthen.

019: Elder Kikuchi

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 06:00:00 MST

Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi is a member of the First Quorum of Seventy and has the distinction of being the only native Japanese-born General Authority. Host Ruth Todd leads this discussion through Elder Kikuchi’s youth, how he found the Church, his calling as a General Authority, and highlights of his subsequent assignments. Elder Kikuchi led the recent effort to produce a new booklet about temples, which was sent to subscribers of the Ensign and the Liahona magazines and will be available to everyone in various languages. Join us on the Mormon Channel for this interesting and informative interview.

018: Elder Christensen

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:00:00 MST

Elder Craig C. Christensen is a member of the First Quorum of Seventy, a calling received in 2008. Host Sheri Dew guides the discussion through Elder Christensen’s early influences, his skills in athletics, and his decision to play football at BYU. Throughout a successful business career, Elder Christensen had opportunities to serve in the Church in many capacities, culminating in his call to the First Quorum of Seventy in 2008. The discussion turns to Elder Christensen’s major role in the complete redesign and release of the new LDS.org, the official website of the Church. He explains why the changes were necessary and some of the outstanding new features of the website to make it much more useful and versatile. Join us on the Mormon Channel for this informative and uplifting interview.

017: Sister Susan Easton Black

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 06:00:00 MST

In this episode of Conversations join host Ruth Todd on a delightful journey through the life of Susan Easton Black, a popular faculty member in the Department of Religion at Brigham Young University. Sister Black tells about her happy childhood and what sparked her passion for Church history. When Sister Black was a freshman at BYU, she had an unusual conversation with then-President of the Church David O. McKay. Hear her tell what happened and other events that shaped her lifelong interest in Church history and Joseph Smith. Iin this conversation with a remarkable woman, learn for yourself why classes taught by Susan Easton Black fill so quickly.

016: Elder Costa

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 06:00:00 MST

Elder Claudio R. M. Costa of the Presidency of the Seventy is joined by his wife, Margareth, in this conversation hosted by Sheri Dew. Both native Brazilians, the Costas share a unique cultural background that weaves the flavor of this interview from beginning to end. Learn how the Costas met both the Church and each other and how this team has gained continual strength ever since. This interview is rich in outstanding advice about courtship, marriage, raising children, and other practical matters. Through it all, a firm testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ is evident and powerful. There’s something to interest each listener in this outstanding conversation.

015: Sister Beck

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 06:00:00 MST

Sister Julie B. Beck has served as the Church’s General Relief Society President since March 31, 2007. The Relief Society is the worldwide organization of the Church specifically for women. Sister Beck is joined in this interview by her two daughters, Jerilyn and Heidi, who add an unusual dimension to the discussion that only close family members could provide. Host Sheri Dew guides the discussion through some excellent advice on raising a family and living a happy life, coupled with some unique insight into the Beck family home life. Learn some of the early influences that shaped Sister Beck’s life, as well as some insight into the worldwide Relief Society organization today. Join us for this heartwarming and inspiring discussion!

014: Pete Czerny

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:00:00 MST

This interview provides an overview of a journey from a childhood in East Germany during World War II to a career at the LDS Motion Picture Studio in Provo, Utah. Join us as Peter G. Czerny provides an outline of his life, including some of the hardships caused by war, and several miraculous events throughout his life that added to his early testimony that God is involved in our lives. Ruth Todd hosts the interview with insightful comments and thoughtful questions that add depth to this interesting conversation. Join us for this intriguing interview, another in this series of Conversations, here on the Mormon Channel.

013: Gary Ceran

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:00:00 MST

Early in the morning of one Christmas Eve, Gary Ceran’s life was drastically and forever altered. On this day, a terrible traffic accident took the lives of his wife and two of his children. Who was the at-fault driver of the other vehicle? What would your reaction be toward this person? How would you deal with this tragedy on a personal level? Learn the details of this riveting story on the Mormon Channel. Find the Gary Ceran episode on the Conversations series. This interview, along with the others in the series, can be accessed on demand or downloaded as a podcast to your personal listening device. Discover this and much more on The Mormon Channel. Then tell your friends about us!

012: Kitty de Ruyter-Bons

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:00:00 MST

From an idyllic childhood life on an island paradise to a concentration camp, Kitty de Ruyter-Bons had quite an adjustment to make. Join us on the Mormon Channel for this episode of Conversations as we learn this fascinating story in first person. Ruth Todd is our host as she discusses some heart-wrenching, dramatic, and surprising experiences with Kitty de Ruyter-Bons during the unusual journey of her life.

011: Kelly Ogden

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:00:00 MST

As a young boy, Kelly Ogden knew he wanted to become a teacher. But he could not have dreamed of the academic heights he would achieve and his lifelong interest in learning and teaching the setting of the holy scriptures. Ruth Todd hosts this conversation with Dr. Kelly Ogden and his wife, Marcia, as they discuss some of the Ogdens' experiences in the Holy Land, where three of their four children were born --- the most of any Latter-day Saint woman!

010: Elder M. Russell Ballard and Sister Ballard

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:00:00 MST

This episode of Conversations features an interview by host Sheri Dew with Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He is joined by his wife. They discuss their life, marriage, teachings, and ecclesiastical service.

009: Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Sister Oaks

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:00:00 MST

This episode of Conversations features an interview by host Sheri Dew with Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He is joined by his wife, Kristen. They discuss their life, marriage, teachings, and ecclesiastical service.

008: Elder Walter F. González and Sister González

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:00 MST

This episode of Conversations features an interview by host Ruth Todd with Elder Walter F. González of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife, Zulma. Elder and Sister González describe their independent conversions to the Church in Uruguay and how they later met and married. As they discuss some of their interesting experiences during a life of dedicated service for the Church, the depth of their testimonies and love of the Savior are apparent.

007: Sister Elaine S. Dalton and Brother Dalton

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:00:00 MST

This episode of Conversations features an interview by host Sheri Dew with Sister Elaine S. Dalton, general president of the Young Women organization of the Church. She is joined by her husband, Stephen E. Dalton. The Daltons discuss their background, how they met, their lives together, and practical advice for living. The Young Women program is discussed, including how it is affecting the youth of the Church today. A delightful and insightful interview.

006: Elder Richard G. Scott and His Daughter Linda Scott Mickle

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:00:00 MST

This episode of Conversations features an interview by host Sheri Dew with Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his daughter Linda Scott Mickle. Sister Mickle provides delightful insight into what it was like growing up in the Scott home, as well as insights about Elder Scott himself. Elder Scott talks about his fascinating background, the death of his wife, and his ministry as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and he provides practical advice for life that can benefit any listener. Woven throughout is a powerful testimony from a special witness of the Savior.

005: Michael F. Moody

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:00:00 MST

This episode of Conversations features an interview by host Ruth Todd with Michael F. Moody. Brother Moody served as the chairman of the Church Music Committee for 25 years. As such, he headed the project to create a new hymnbook for the Church. This interesting interview highlights Brother Moody’s background, describes the process for creating a new hymnbook, and explains why certain hymns are deleted or added. Additional highlights from Brother Moody’s life are discussed, including some of the music he has written and his feelings on the power of music in our lives.

004: Elder L. Tom Perry and Sister Perry

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:00:00 MST

In this episode of Conversations, Sheri Dew hosts an interesting interview with Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Perry is joined in this interview by his wife, Barbara, who adds her unique perspective. The Perrys discuss their individual backgrounds, how they met, their family relationships, and some of their interesting experiences both during their individual professional careers and together during their service to the Church. A delightful, insightful, and faith-building interview!

003: David R. Morris

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:00:00 MST

This conversation is with David R. Morris. David was born in California and now lives in the Salt Lake City area. His story is not unlike other stories of sacrifice for religion’s sake and yet has some very unique elements. Overall his story is one of faith and conversion and a desire that the rising generation instill faithfulness as a key character trait. The host for this conversation is Ruth Todd. Ruth Todd is a former television news anchor and is currently a radio and television personality.

002: Herbert Klopfer

Thu, 28 May 2009 12:00:00 MST

This episode of Conversations features Ruth Todd as she interviews Herbert Klopfer, who has a fascinating story of growing up as a member of the Church in East Germany during the World War II era. Brother Klopfer describes a dangerous and daring border escape and his subsequent life in the United States, where he pursued his musical interests and experienced some unique additional twists in his life. Through it all, the Church has had a great positive influence in his life, a fact which is evident throughout the interview.

001: Elder David A. Bednar and Sister Bednar

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:00:00 MST

This episode of Conversations features Sheri Dew as she hosts Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Susan. Topics include the backgrounds of each, what influences shaped the Bednars in their younger years, their insight into a variety of gospel topics, and advice on practical matters. This conversation provides the listener with insight into the lives and thinking of the Bednars in a less formal way than normally available. Become better acquainted with Elder and Sister Bednar with this unique conversation only on the Mormon Channel.