Bishop's Office

Despite examples of people serving missions around her, Jazmin wasn't sure if serving a mission was something she wanted for herself. That was until she had experiences that reminded her how grateful she is for the knowledge the gospel gives, a knowledge of eternal families. Hear how she prepared to serve, and what missionary life looks like, during a global pandemic.

Phil’s family joined the Church when he was 13, and since then he has served in various leadership positions. In this episode I ask Phil to share experiences where he has felt the Spirit, or seen the Lord’s hand, whilst serving in these callings.

Annette grew up in Clare in country South Australia. She had a happy childhood with lots of family and animals. After moving to Adelaide, the missionaries knocked on their door and began teaching the family. Hear about how she learned the Church was true and the strength the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been to her life through thick and thin.

Adam grew up as part of a strong church going family in Murray Bridge. He always wanted to serve a mission and was desperate to go overseas and maybe even learn a language. Hear about his receiving a call to serve here in Australia, in the Sydney North Mission, and the many experiences that showed him he was in the place the Lord needed him to be.

Growing up in Brazil, Fernando had dreams of playing professional soccer. At age 17 he reluctantly agreed to meet with the missionaries at the insistence of his cousin. This decision would change the trajectory of his life forever.

Like most teenagers, Olivia struggled to find herself. After falling in with the “wrong crowd” she realised she wasn’t happy and decided to change her life. Hear how she connected with the Saviour and how acting on her newfound faith helped her find her identity.

Ted was introduced to Margaret after telling a friend he needed a date to a dance. It was love at first sight and in the coming years they were married and had two children. One day the missionaries knocked on their door resulting in Margaret’s conversion, but Ted wouldn’t get baptised for another 3 years. Hear what happened in those intervening years and what changed Ted’s mind about joining the church.

Ted was introduced to Margaret after telling a friend he needed a date to a dance. It was love at first sight and in the coming years they were married and had two children. One day the missionaries knocked on their door resulting in Margaret’s conversion, but Ted wouldn’t get baptised for another 3 years. Hear what happened in those intervening years and what changed Ted’s mind about joining the church.

Even though Kristen grew up in a home without religion, when her mum drew close to the end of her battle with breast cancer she instinctively cried out to her maker for help. In the years following her mums passing Kristen would meet the man who would become her husband, but for some reason he kept disappearing for a few hours every Sunday... 

Puneet happened across the missionaries after he dropped in on an old friend in Scotland. Hear about his cross-continental journey to the church and how becoming a member has filled a void in his life.

Dallin served in the Switzerland, Zurich Mission. Hear what he learnt about the way the Spirit speaks to him and about the personal conversion that took place during those two years.

Raquel was born in a small town in the Philippines. She was introduced to the church when the missionaries knocked on her parents’ door asking for a drink of water. Hear about Raquel’s family joining the church and how this began a lifelong journey to discover truth.

Molly was raised without a faith in the home but after moving to Utah as a child she married Jeff (AKA Skip) a non-practicing member of the Church. Hear about their journey back to God, Jeff’s passing and her meeting Chris, the man who brought her down under.

Christina was raised in the Buddhist tradition in Malaysia. After losing everything when their business failed, hear about the rainy day the missionaries knocked on her door and how the gospel brought new hope.

Chani never planned on serving a mission for the Church. Hear about the moment at a young single adult convention when that all changed and how she came to know who she is, and whose she is, on her mission in Vancouver, Canada.

Scot served in the Laoag, Philippines mission. Hear about waking up covered in rat droppings and his love for the Book of Mormon and its power to change people’s hearts and lives.

John served in the Wellington, New Zealand mission. Hear about his heart felt prayer while riding his bike and the lesson he learned about being wary of pride.

Luke and Jerusha were married in 2004 and have 3 kids, Blaise, Ethan and Vienna. In this episode I speak to them about when Ethan was diagnosed with cancer as a 5 year old. Hear how the church and school communities surrounded their family and the peace that came in their darkest moments.

If you want to read more about their experience, you can visit their blog https://www.howes.com.au/ 

Dell grew up going to Sunday School and at one stage was studying to become a Nun. Hear about her search for a church based on her understanding of the bible and a strong impression that took her on a trip to New Zealand.

Oliver served his mission in Manchester, England. Hear how miserable English winters are and the night at a bus stop that changed the course of Olivers mission.

Meredith served her mission in Perth, Australia. Hear how the hearts of the West Aussies were turned towards the church and it’s missionaries and about a trip to the playground that went horribly wrong.

Federico was called to serve in the Philippines, Cebu East mission. Hear about feeling the Holy Ghost through the walls and what happened when all of the full time missionaries needed to be removed from his home stake.

Rochelle was born in Brisbane and grew up in a large family. Hear about the death of her brother in his early 20's and the ups and downs of trying to get pregnant.

Tom served his mission in Auckland, New Zealand. Hear what he learnt about the Holy Ghost, our expectations and the Lord’s timing.

Hear how Jouni’s father, an Elder in the Pentecostal church, encouraged him to make the commitment to be baptised into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

April met the missionaries after her boyfriend David, who wasn't a member at the time, sent the missionaries around to her house. Hear how one moment during a fireside a few months later created a desire in her to really know if this is the true church.

Freja served her mission on Temple Square. Hear how she learned to draw connections between the historical sites and the resorted gospel along with the power and gifts of the priesthood she felt while serving.

When John was 39 he was left paralysed after a complication from surgery. Hear about his faith in the words of a blessing that inspired him to fight to walk again.

Nathan Lawry served his mission in Sapporo, Japan. Hear about his drawing closer to the Saviour and the important role the Sapporo Temple has played in his life.

Back when I spoke to Mark about his conversion experience we also spent a few minutes talking about his mission in Vanuatu. Hear about why it was so important for him to serve and why he’s so eager to go again.

Yasmine was a young, single mum desperately praying for peace and faith in her life. Hear how that prayer was answered with a knock on the door by two missionaries with a message about eternal families.

Hear about Rich's mission in Perth and the power of unity in bringing the Holy Ghost into our lives.

Hear how at a cottage evening everything changed for Mark, in an instant.

Hear about Annelle's experiences serving in Buenos Aires, Argentina including how she learned to apply the Atonement to help deal with anxiety and depression.

Todd served his mission in Wellington, New Zealand 26 years ago. Hear how the experiences he had there have become anchors in his life.

Sam was born into the church but had a really tough childhood with divorced parents. Hear about her challenging path back and the power of her earnest desire to learn and live the gospel to change her life for the better.

Hear my conversation with Dane about his mission in Mozambique and the power of the Book of Mormon to bring us closer to Jesus Christ and change a life forever.

Hear about Judy's life changing holiday to Arkansas and one of the more unique descriptions of feeling the Holy Spirit I've encountered.

Caleb served his mission in Tahiti. Hear about him learning "pigeon French" and his experiences with the Priesthood and the Atonement.

Hear my chat with Reina; her family joining the church in Darwin and her coming back from less activity in her late teens.