As a young missionary in Chile, Elder Shayne M. Bowen and his companion were arrested by military police and placed in prison. Later in his life, another test of faith occurred with the death of a son. Despite adverse events, and perhaps because of them, Elder Shayne M. Bowen and his wife, Lynette, have developed an enduring faith over a lifetime of service, including his present calling as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is...

As a girl in a small Montana town, Karen Payne went to confession regularly at a nearby church. Her story of joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints amid opposition is one story, but a more unique aspect of her life is having ten children and watching all eight who have thus far reached missionary age serve missions for the Church-- all of this without the help of a husband who was traveling for work most of the time. This Conversations interview displays some of what she has...

Sheri Dew is known among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for her wit and engaging personality. In this episode of Conversations, Heidi Swinton interviews Sheri about her early life, her sports career, and other life experiences to date. Overcoming obstacles along the way, Sheri has become a best-selling author, currently serves as the president of a major publishing company, has served as a general officer of the Relief Society organization, and is in constant...

In his unusually long service of 23 years in the First Quorum of the Seventy, Elder Marlin K. Jensen has had many experiences that have shaped him and his wife, Kathleen. This informal interview includes experiences from his beloved rural ranch to high-profile assignments in various parts of the world, including the most recent one as Church Historian and Recorder and Elder Jensen's involvement with a milestone achievement: the publication of the Joseph Smith papers. Also included is...

This is a compelling interview with Elder Lance B. Wickman and his wife, Patricia. Elder Wickman is an emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy who currently serves as general counsel for the Church. Elder Wickman married, experienced combat duty in Vietnam, and began a family and career. Along the path of life, the Wickmans have had sobering experiences as well as powerful and uplifting ones. The Wickmans discuss war experiences, marriage, families, relationships, and much more,...

An interview with Mark Eubank, who was spent a 42-year career as a television weatherman and recently completed service as the director of the Church visitors' center in Laie, Hawaii. Mark describes his lifelong interest in the weather with anecdotes about how it has affected him and others, including his service as lead weatherman for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Mark also discusses several scriptural events relating to the weather and the role of the weather in the modern restoration of the...

Jane Clayson grew up in Sacramento, California, and attended Brigham Young University on a music scholarship. But life's experiences led her to become a prominent network news anchor, which she gave up to become what she wanted to be all along --- a wife and mother. In this episode of Conversations, Jane Clayson Johnson is joined by her husband Mark Johnson. Host Ruth Todd leads the discussion as they talk about the stress, struggles and hectic life of Jane's broadcast career, as well as some...

This fast-paced Conversations interview with professional football hall-of-famer Steve Young reflects the energy displayed throughout his life. Steve explains his growing-up years in Connecticut, his unlikely rise to become the starting quarterback for the Brigham Young University football team, then on to the struggles and ultimate triumph in professional football. He also discusses his mentors, his courtship and marriage, and his outlook on life, as well as the charitable organizations he...

Richard G. Hinckley grew up in the home of future Church President Gordon B. Hinckley and experienced all the normal activities of boyhood. His wife, Jane, grew up as the daughter of a famous tennis player. In this episode of Conversations you will hear an interesting account of their courtship, excellent advice on many aspects of life, and some unique experiences connected with their long service to the Church. Also included are explanations of the powerful influence of Elder Hinckley's...

Elder William R. Walker is a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, one of the leading councils of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Temple Department of the Church. This informal interview with Elder Walker and his wife Vicki outlines how the paths of their lives have taken them all over the world and provided learning experiences they can now share with others. Personal experiences with Presidents Gordon B. Hinckley and...

Paul V. Johnson grew up in a large family and learned how to work hard on a farm in northern Utah. His wife, Jill, grew up in a small southern Utah town. This episode of Conversations features an informal yet inspiring interview with the Johnsons, who tell how they met, the trials of a serious illness, and how Elder Johnson's interest in teaching led him into unexpected paths. Elder Johnson currently serves as the Commissioner of the Church Educational System. This interview is filled with...

This informal visit with Elder Jay E. Jensen of the Presidency of the Seventy provides rare insight into his growing-up years, his development of a testimony, his courtship and marriage, the influences that led to his career choices, and his love for the people of Latin America and the Spanish language, including his role in the publishing of the Spanish LDS edition of the scriptures. The interview is also rich with advice on how to develop a love for the scriptures and how to use them...

Become better acquainted with Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Kathy, as they discuss their childhoods, courtship, and raising a family. They also share valuable advice on building faith, service and other meaningful topics.

Sister Rosemary Wixom, the Primary general president, and her husband, Jack Wixom, are interviewed by Heidi Swinton. Topics include the Wixom's childhood, their courtship, life's experiences and service to others. Included is an explanation of Sister Wixom's call as the Primary general president and some of the memorable experiences since that time.

This interview is a Conversations series special, Ruth Todd hosts Michael Otterson, Managing Director of the Public Affairs Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In reaction to increasing media attention on the Church, ways to accurately and sensitively react to inquires about the Church are discussed. Those who are not members of the Church may also gain a better understanding of our position by listening to this interview.

Host Heidi Swinton leads Elder Ben B. Banks and his wife, Susan, through highlights of their lives as they share experiences and lessons learned that can benefit all. Included in this informal discussion are principles used in raising their family, their love of rugged outdoor activities, and candid insights into their association with members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

This episode of Conversations features Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife, Kathy. Sheri Dew is the host. The Claytons describe their formative years, how they met, and experiences relating to their many years of service to the Church and community. The interview is filled with unusually good advice on relationships and raising families, as well as personal examples about the success stemming from righteous living and hard work.

Heidi Swinton is host for this episode of Conversations featuring J. Phillip Hanks and his wife, Dawn. The Hanks have spent a lifetime of service to the Church in the United States, Samoa, Ukraine and Germany--- and had 11 children along the way. From a call as mission president at age 28 to a recent evacuation of the Samoa Temple during a tsunami, with many interesting and inspiring experiences in between, Phillip and Dawn Hanks have had a life rich in dedication that can inspire others.

This episode of Conversations features an interview with Gerald N. Lund, a former member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy and author of numerous books, including the popular Work and the Glory series, some of which were adapted and made into theatrical-released movies. Heidi Swinton hosts this interview. Elder Lund recounts his growing-up years, influences that helped him choose a career path, his courtship and marriage, and some of the unanticipated opportunities he encountered along the...

Rick Stevenson is an experienced and successful commercial film producer. Years ago, Rick came up with a bold and unusual idea requiring patience, determination and tenacity. The project is aptly named 5,000 Days, and the first film from this project features Luke and Sam, two typical Latter-day Saint brothers from Seattle whose lives were regularly documented on film over a period of 11 years, including Sam's missionary work in Chile! The changing relationship and attitudes of the...

This episode of Conversations features an interview with Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Presidency of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Hallstrom spent his boyhood and much of his adult life in Hawaii and has enjoyed full-time Church assignments in many parts of the world. His wife Diane was born and raised in Alberta, Canada. Sheri Dew hosts this interview as the Hallstroms informally discuss their courtship and marriage, describe some of the major...

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,...

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...

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...

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.