A.J. shares his heartfelt journey with us about his struggles with mental health and returning to his faith and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
“When I got into prison the first thing I asked my family was to send me a triple combination. I had never read the Book of Mormon cover to cover. Prior to that it was piece by piece. It is hard to put into words the amount of darkness you feel while in prison that is surrounding you. You are always reminded of how horrible your decisions are, you are beaten down left and right. I religiously started reading the Book of Mormon every day, really studying it and trying to understand it and grow my own testimony. I started to notice it brought me so much comfort no matter what was going on around me. My scriptures became a guide and a light to me in such a dark place.” Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer and Senior Editor: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Art Director: Jeremy Garcia
Amanda’s journey overcoming her faith crisis and returning to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
“I just felt an overwhelming rush, a feeling of love that I had never in my whole life felt. It was a lot, it was a lot of feelings, and I just collapsed to the floor. I just felt all the weight of everything that had been going on had been lifted and I felt wrapped up in love. I knew that God was telling me that I was doing the right thing, and that I needed to take President Nelson seriously and I needed to be listening to his teachings. It is one of those things I still cling to on my bad days, because the only way to describe that experience was a complete feeling of God’s love.” — Recommended book: Faith Is Not Blind, by Bruce C. Hafen and Marie K. Hafen The Crucible of Doubt, by Terryl and Fiona Givens Recommended group on Facebook: Uplift Community of Faith — Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer and Senior Editor: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Art Director: Jeremy Garcia
Bryan Hedin shares his story of overcoming addiction and coming back to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
“We did this guided imagery meditation on the Savior my second day on the ranch – and man – I still get the chills and emotional whenever I talk about it. Because as much as I wanted to be mad at God and hold on to that resentment, I just started sobbing. And for me to cry – it’s hard for me to get to an emotional place. But when she started that amazing imagery of the Savior, and taking my wounded heart and replacing it with His heart, that is just full of love and light – I was sobbing. And during that, I had this overwhelming feeling and what I heard with my heart was the message that ‘I am still here and I have always been here, and if you meet me halfway in this thing – I got you.’” Bryan shares his story of coming back after addiction, doubts, tough questions, and suicidal thoughts. Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer and Senior Editor: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Art Director: Jeremy Garcia
Nichelle Nelson shares her story of coming back to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as her experience in a mixed faith marriage.
Nichelle Nelson shares her amazing story of why she chose to come back to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after exploring other religions, and being out of the church for a number of years. Nichelle reconverted to the church without her husband, and she shares her experience of a mixed faith marriage. You will love this story of faith & hope. “I prayed so hard for the desire to want to change. I know without a doubt I could not have done that without our savior Jesus Christ. There was another force, another power that made it possible for me to change because I, myself, could not have done that.” – Nichelle Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer and Senior Editor: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Art Director: Jeremy Garcia
Police officer of 16 years, SVU detective, and SWAT team member shares his story of coming back to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Jason Ruch, police officer of 16 years, SVU detective, SWAT team member, shares his story of coming back to The Church of Jesus Christ, after divorce, being excommunicated and battling alcohol. He shares his experience of how losing his dad made his heart yearn for peace. Jason is now married in the temple, has an incredible family and love for the gospel. Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer and Senior Editor: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Art Director: Jeremy Garcia
My story of addiction and finding love and self acceptance in coming back to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Ashly shares her story of coming back to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after a heroin addiction, and multiple stays in rehab and jail. Greg shares his experience being with Ashly during her journey, and also his experience of losing his dad in a drowning accident at 15 years old, and how he has anchored his testimony to that experience. Come Back Team: Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone Producer and Senior Editor: Lauren Rose Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson Art Director: Jeremy Garcia