Episodes
Solange Edith Valdez Watts was born in Chile in 1964. By the time she was 8 years old, there was political turmoil in Chile and her family migrated to Australia.Her father had joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chile, but on settling in to Melbourne,
had drifted away from the Church and Solange was raised as a Catholic.
Missionaries came to visit and reignited the desire to be with the
Church, and at 18 years of age, Solange was baptized and confirmed. As a young...
Published 09/09/24
(Had some sound issues with the first version of this that I uploaded. Hopefully this one is better.) Bob Grant has an amazing story to tell. He's been a member of more churches than most people have had hot dinners. Anglican, pentecostal, SDA and JW almost, and even his Dad's own church!
He was introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by an old hunting friend, which was appropriate as Bob had been hunting around for the true Church of Jesus Christ for years. Bob's wife...
Published 09/02/24
When Craig Sandford was 11 years old, growing up in my home town of Geelong, Victoria, Australia, his family became members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was not all smooth sailing though, and his parents later left the Church and even had their names removed from the Church records. Craig was committed though, and had an unshakeable testimony and went on to serve as a missionary. Many years later, just before being called to serve as Bishop, Craig had the privilege...
Published 08/27/24
Bob Grant has an amazing story to tell. He's been a member of more churches than most people have had hot dinners. Anglican, pentecostal, SDA and JW almost, and even his Dad's own church!
He was introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by an old hunting friend, which was appropriate as Bob had been hunting around for the true Church of Jesus Christ for years. Bob's wife Wendy joins in the conversation briefly towards the end, and will soon be
interviewed to tell her...
Published 08/27/24
It was such a pleasure to interview my old friend, H. J. Brian Horsman. At almost 93 years of age, Brian is not the oldest person that I've interviewed (that was Robert (Bob) Lyon) but this is certainly the longest interview I have done. Even if you think you know Brian very well, I think there will be a few surprises here for you. Brian is somewhat a legend of the Church here in the Geelong Ward anyway. I'm pretty sure he is our oldest attending member. He was a convert back in the 1950's,...
Published 07/28/24
Murray interviews John and Nicole Stinchcombe about life growing up in post-war France and England and how they came to be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We count the Stinchombes among the early pioneers of the Church here in Australia. They are known and loved by many here in the Melbourne region.
Published 07/04/24
Betty Frew grew up in a tenement building in Scotland in the 1950's and '60's before following some extended family members and migrating with her husband to Australia.
She met her late husband, Ray, when he was 16 and she only 14, but managed to hide her relationship with him for a couple of years, as there was a catch. Not only was she too young to have a boyfriend, but Ray was a Mormon! Betty was raised in a traditional Presbyterian home and for her parents, it was quite a shock to have...
Published 05/11/24
40 years ago (1984) the Harvey family became members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Here, Robert Harvey tells his story about growing up in small towns in Australia, and eventually meeting the missionaries and being taught the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, and how his family was blessed and expanded because they became members of the Church.
Published 04/21/24
Today's interview is with my good friend, Gavin Williamson. One beautiful women brought him in to the
Church, and another beautiful women brought him back after he drifted away for a few years. I think you'll enjoy hearing his story. I did!
Published 03/30/24
Michelle's life journey is an incredible story of growing up in the Philippines and moving as a child to New Zealand and later as a young married mother to Australia. Her "fun" teenage years brought her in contact with other teenagers who happened to be from Latter-day Saint families. Michelle's naturally charming and bubbly personality shine through in this interview. I'm sure you will love her, just as all her friends and family do!
Published 03/21/24
Russ was a fascinating interviewee, and very patient with the technical difficulties I encountered! He is a wonderful story teller and has many stories to tell. I hope this episode provides an insight into life in Salt Lake City, where Russ grew up as a next door neighbour to Gordon B. Hinckley, former president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For older couples, I also hope you might be inspired to want to serve as a senior missionaries.
Brother Osguthorpe, currently...
Published 12/16/23
Murray Ceff interviews 101 year old Bob Lyon about life as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's not every day you get to listen to a 101 year old talk about his life. He lived through the Japanese bombing of Darwin in World War II, experienced miracles while serving in The Church as a Branch President, and continues to bless the lives of other just by being alive.
Published 11/21/23
Christian McOmber @MissionaryUniverse grew up in a Latter-day Saint family in Seattle, served mission for the Church in Brazil, and is a young married father of one, so far :)
His first book, a memoir of his mission in Brazil, is now available on Amazon. Search for "With your Shield or Upon It". It is a fantastic read for prospective missionaries, currently serving missionaries, returned missionaries, and anyone else who loves missionary work! Would be a beautiful Christmas present.
Published 11/14/23
Murray Ceff talk with recent convert, Milton Smith, about his journey into the Church. Milton was adopted at a young age, with his sisters into a loving and religious family, attending Pentecostal churches. His adoptive mother passed away at 47 years, and not long after, his father also died. He was then adopted, and raised by, his adoptive sister and her husband. Years later, after some searching he became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You will love hearing him...
Published 10/30/23
Tim Cabal is an actor, an artist and a 911 dispatcher, and a fascinating character to talk to. He recently played the Lord of the Vineyard in Jacob Chapter 5 of the Book of Mormon videos. I'm sure you'll enjoy listening to him.
Published 10/30/23
Sam Korinek is a young Russian Orthodox man. I am an old LDS man. We came together, Sam in Phoenix, Arizona, and I in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, to talk about our beliefs and learn from each other. We both really enjoyed our time together and hope to make a regular time to talk and learn more about our respective beliefs. We hope you enjoy the conversation!
Published 08/29/23
Sam Shaw grew up as a Latter-day Saint but went through the normal teenage years where almost everything else seemed more exciting than going to Church. Heather grew up as a Baptist, and life was not exactly smooth sailing for her either, but the Lord knew better and brought them together and to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Listen to their inspiring story!
Check out Heather's missionary resource website
https://www.shopbeethelight.com/
Published 08/15/23
All good things must come to an end. My wife and I finish our mission here in North Queensland soon and that is part of the reason for my pause in producing the next episode. So, it sounds good (I think) to say that Season 3 is starting soon!
Published 08/10/23
Yoriko Fukuji is not your typical Japanese lady, converting to Christianity and becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 17 years of age, studying abroad at Ricks College in Idaho and the Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. I think you'll love our friend like we do!
Published 07/23/23
Both the intro and outro music pieces are from todays's guest, Kyle Jacobs, of https://www.instagram.com/brother_jacobs_jams/ He is a returned missionary from the Nevada Las Vegas Mission and an accomplished author and musician. You can find his music on Spotify and YouTube by searching for Brother Jacobs Jams and his books on Amazon searching for Kyle C. Jacobs. His Connecting to Courage books are fantastic short books that link in to his songs. A great concept!
Published 07/18/23
Murray Ceff interviews Sarah Aland about her service in Chile as a missionary with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You can follow Sarah on her Instagram page @letsbegrowing
Published 07/03/23
When Kim Smaellie was young, she wanted to have 12 kids, be a stay-at-home mom, cook, sew, and can. She got married at age 19 and eventually had 7 children (who are her jewels), but God had other plans for her - she had talents that needed to be developed. In 2004, at age 35, and with 6 kids at home, she went back to school to finish her Bachelor’s Degree. In 2015 she finally finished her degree, but she felt she needed to continue and get a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health...
Published 06/23/23
Aquilar Luki and his wife Sisifo, grew up on the islands of the South Pacific in the 1950's and 60's, before meeting and getting married in New Zealand and later moving to Australia. They are a much loved couple, living and serving in the Church and their family, which is actually a pretty significant part of the Church here in Cairns. I know you will love them!
Published 06/08/23
Murray Ceff usually has other people tell their conversion stories. In
this episode he interviews the two "young" missionaries who found him
and taught him the Restored Gospel and baptized him on November 11,
1981. Since his baptism, the lives of dozens of people on both sides of
the veil, have been affected, because these two young Elders found him
and taught him about the Lord and his Church.
Published 06/06/23