Mission Stories
Get insights on having a powerful and successful full-time LDS mission. This podcast shares inspiring stories and practical principles for embracing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, overcoming challenges, and building a strong foundation for lifelong discipleship. Faith-promoting stories and lessons from real full-time LDS mission experiences to inspire and teach. Based on The Mission Prep Series by Shawn Record.
Episodes
This episode of the Mission Stories podcast features Shawn and guest Ethan Johnson, who recently returned from the Houston South Mission. Ethan shares how his mission was a life-changing experience that transformed him from a self-described "lukewarm" member into a disciple "on fire" for the gospel. Shawn frames the discussion around the first three principles of missionary work, showing how Ethan’...
In this episode of the Mission Stories podcast, Shawn and Lauren are joined by Sister Micah Bullard to discuss Principle Two: Revelation Leads to Conversion. The conversation explores how true conversion requires a specific companion attribute: humility. Micah shares her powerful "hero's journey" from self-reliant perfectionism to a deep, joyful reliance on the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
The Trap of Perf...
A quick Christmas episode. Merry Christmas.
This episode of the Mission Stories podcast features Shawn and Lauren welcoming guest Garrett Baxter, who has just been set apart as "Elder Baxter" and is preparing to serve in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana mission. The discussion focuses on Principle Number One: Choosing to Serve the Lord ("Choose you this day").
Shawn lays the foundation by explaining that this principle addresses whether a missionar...
This episode of the Mission Stories podcast, welcomes a special guest: Shawn's son, Evan Record, who recently returned from his mission just a few days prior. Shawn mentions the joy of seeing two new faces in the studio, including Evan and a framed motivational photograph of himself with the words "Never give up". Evan, previously Elder Record, has returned excited to share stories from his time as a mi...
This episode of the Mission Stories podcast, Shawn, the host, interviews two currently serving sister missionaries: Sister Nichols (2 months out) and Sister Weiss (4 months out). Due to their strict obedience, the interview was recorded in a makeshift studio at Shawn's house. The discussion centers on the challenges of serving in Southern California, where people are often "content" and "comfortabl...
This episode features Shawn interviewing return missionaries Caitlyn Sommers and his son, Evan Record, about the theme of shifting from trusting in oneself to putting trust in the Lord. The episode addresses the common missionary experience of realizing that personal talent and hard work are insufficient for gospel success.
Shawn posits that many missionaries have not truly needed to rely on God out of "true humil...
This episode features Sister Megan Johnson, who discusses powerful principles related to revelation leading to conversion (Principle Two) and dealing with hard things (Principle Six). The podcast aims to help listeners prepare for their missions, find inspiration, and learn tools.
Megan Johnson is a BYU graduate studying mathematics education and is preparing for grad school. She served from March 2020 to October 2021 ...
This episode of the Mission Stories Podcast features the experience of Elder Sa'ne Thompson, who recently returned home after serving a two-year mission in Angola, Luanda, Africa. He has been home for just two weeks.
The episode focuses primarily on the urgency of missionary work, with a specific emphasis on the principle that revelation leads to conversion.
The Angola Mission, located on the southwest coast of Afr...
This episode features Returned Missionary Taylor Judd, who served in the Paraguay Asunción Mission. Shawn warmly welcomes Taylor, noting their long-standing friendship, though he humorously calls her to "repentance" for taking so long to appear on the podcast.
Taylor served for eight months and is preparing to attend Utah State for nursing school. She shares unique details about her mission area, noting that ...
This episode features Elder Chase Lindsey, who is preparing to depart for the Scotland Ireland mission. Shawn and Chase share a unique connection rooted in their enthusiasm and faith, seeing themselves as "brothers in Christ". Their initial spark of friendship four years prior involved a debate over favorite bands and music, a playful rivalry that still persists concerning Rush, U2, and the Pogues.
The core t...
This episode features guest Mandy Malm, a recently returned missionary who served in Riverside, California, speaking Spanish. The episode focuses on Principle Number 6: "You Can't Bring Me Down," which explores how developing an identity rooted in Christ enables individuals and Missionaries to overcome life's most challenging experiences.
Shawn opens the discussion by sharing the origin of the epis...
This episode features Shawn speaking with three preparing missionaries: Avery (Philippines Cavite, Tagalog speaking), Grace (Boston, Massachusetts, Spanish speaking), and Olivia (Texas Houston East, Spanish speaking; Grace and Olivia are twin sisters). A
Shawn emphasizes that this episode is valuable because the guests' journey—moving from passive participation to active faith—is a common experience. The conversat...
This episode features Shawn and Lauren emphasizing that the ultimate mission of the church is not just salvation, but the celestial kingdom and exaltation.
The core principle discussed is that the temple is "more imperative than the mission". While missionary work is vital, the eternal perspective places a greater focus on what individuals will do in the temple for their own souls. The hosts note that church ...
This episode, titled "The Joseph Smith Episode," features Shawn and Lauren , aiming to prepare listeners for missions and discuss the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The episode delves into two core principles through the lens of Joseph Smith's First Vision story (specifically the first 15 verses of his history):
• Principle 1: Deliberately choosing how you serve. This highlights the importance of being "hot...
In this call-back episode Shawn speaks with Sister Lauren Hendricks shortly after her return from her mission, highlighting her struggle to find purpose post-mission. The episode's central principle is "The Word of God Answers Every Question," emphasizing that while scriptures may not give specific details, they provide principles that lead to answers for all of life's questions.
Key takeaways from ...
This episode features a candid conversation with Elder Brayden Hendricks, who has just returned from his mission in England, Birmingham. Shawn, who has known Brayden and his "triplet" sister, Lauren, since high school, explores the pivotal choices that transformed Brayden from a "lukewarm" teenager into an "on fire" missionary.
The central theme revolves around Principle 1: the choice to b...
This episode of the "Mission Stories Podcast" features Elder Mason Thunstrom, a returned missionary who initially served in the Chile Santiago West mission before returning home due to health challenges to serve as a full-time service missionary in Carlsbad, California. Shawn, greatly impressed by Elder Thunstrom's enthusiasm and presentation on service missions, aims to explore principles that lead to ...
This episode we talk with Elder Ryan McDowell, a returned missionary who served an "unconventional" mission during the COVID-19 pandemic. The episode delves into the principle of choosing to be "hot" (committed and active) over "cold" (rejecting the spirit) or "lukewarm" (indifferent and passive), a central theme highlighted by scriptures from Revelation and First Kings.
The epis...
In this episode, Shawn sits down with the "giddy" Thacker Jackson, who is eagerly preparing for his mission to the Georgia Atlanta North Mission, Spanish speaking, commencing in October. This conversation delves deep into the journey of mission preparation, highlighting the pivotal role of revelation leading to conversion.
◦ Consistent Gospel Study: He became an active participant in a seven-week mission prep...
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