Mission Stories: Latter-day Saint Missionary Stories & Mission Prep
Latter-day Saint mission stories and mission prep for future missionaries, returned missionaries, and parents. Each week, host Shawn Record shares faith-promoting conversion stories, real full-time mission experiences, and practical principles for preparing for an LDS mission, serving with power, and building lifelong discipleship. Based on The Mission Prep Series by Shawn Record.
Episodes
74 episodes
Two Feet In with God: Philippines Bacolod LDS Mission Prep Lessons – Elder Kade Uda
Elder Kade Uda shares his Philippines Bacolod Mission stories and LDS mission prep lessons on overcoming lukewarm faith, owning agency, and becoming a consecrated instrument in Christ's hands to help find the elect and invite true conversion.
LDS Conversion Story: The Football Teammate Who Opened His Mouth — From Fatherless Childhood to Baptism – LJ Webb
LJ Webb, a defensive tackle at Palomar College, joins Shawn to share a powerful witness of moving from a traumatic, fatherless childhood to discovering his true identity as a beloved son of God. Growing up in Ohio without a father, LJ was thrus...
Latter-day Saint Missionary Stories: Finding the Elect in Salt Lake City — From Self-Focus to a Mighty Change of Heart – Elder Ammon Hiatt
Shawn sits down with Ammon Hiatt (Elder Hiatt), who recently returned from serving in the Salt Lake City Mission (covering Sugar House, Bountiful, and Big Piney, Wyoming). Having attended Shawn’s mission prep class through multipl...
LDS Mission Prep: Repentance 101 — The Essential Foundation for Every Missionary – Sister Eddington, Elder Burrop, Shawn and Trent Stock
In a special teaching-focused reflection celebrating over 70 episodes of the podcast, Shawn Record dives into the single most crucial key to missionary success and personal conversion: the transformative, hopeful, and joyous power of ...
LDS Repentance Stories: From Angry Teenager to Dancing in the Streets — The True Joy of Repentance – Elder Jacob Pack
Shawn Record sits down with his longtime friend and legendary missionary companion, Elder Jacob Pack, who served in Ukraine. Their conversation centers on Principle Two: Revelation Leads to Conversion, focusing on the reality that...
LDS Conversion Stories: "What is Special About That Man?" — A Palestinian Seeker and a Nigerian Convert's Witness – Elder Chase Lindsey
Elder Chase Lindsey, recently returned from the Ireland Scotland Mission, joins Shawn to share how a missionary's willingness to "invite boldly" acts as the catalyst for gathering prepared souls. Even while temporarily home recove...
Mormon Missionary Stories: Bringing the Comforter into a Dark Room in London & the Power of Temple Square – Elder Alex Tyltin and Sister Leila Tylitina
When we align our faith with the Lord's timing, the boundaries of language, distance, and circumstance dissolve. In this powerful reunion episode, Shawn is joined by returned missionaries and husband-and-wife duo Alex Tilton (England Lon...
LDS Missionary Stories: "God, If There is a God" — The Atheist Coal Miner's Prayer in Ukraine – Sister Leila Tyltina
In this episode of Mission Stories, Shawn welcomes Olya (Leila) Tyltina, a witness to the "genesis" of the Church in Makiivka, Ukraine. Their conversation explores the profound spiritual awakening that occurred as the Iron Curta...
Latter-day Saint Conversion Story: "It's Brighter in Here" — The Visible Transformation of Leydi Castro – Sister Elle Dorney
In this episode, Shawn welcomes Sister Elle Dorney, a "happy powerhouse" who recently returned from the Austin Texas Mission. Elle’s journey is a vibrant witness of how the Holy Ghost transforms a "lukewarm" high school exp...
Mormon Missionary Stories: A News Interview in Brazil — How an Open Mouth Found 250 Listeners & Choosing Faith Over Trauma – Lauren and Chase Routson
In this episode, Shawn is joined by Lauren (Lolo) and Chase Routson, a missionary "power couple" who met while serving in the Brazil Goiânia Mission. Their narrative explores a profound spiritual transition: the move from being "acted upon" by ...
LDS Mission Prep: You Can't Do the Lord's Work the World's Way — From a "Tacoma Truck" to the Best Mission – Elder Jacob Woodward
In this conversation, Shawn is joined by Jacob Woodward, who recently returned from the Washington Tacoma Mission. Jacob shares a powerful account of moving from a state of spiritual "lukewarmness" and reactive discipleship...
Mormon Missionary Stories: Red-Hot and Bold — Setting the Stage in Hawaii & Testifying at the Christus Statue – Sister Claire Peterson
Claire Peterson from Kyle, Texas, joins Shawn to discuss her transition from a faithful but "casual" teenager to a "red-hot" missionary in the Hawaii Laie Mission. The conversation centers on Principle One: Choose Ye This Day, and the vi...
LDS Missionary Stories: "I Want to Be an Amazing Missionary" — Choosing Joy in Haiti – Sister Kay Frazier
In this conversation, Shawn is joined by guest Kay Frazier and co-host Lauren to explore the profound transition from a life of self-reliant perfectionism to a heart-centered reliance on the Atonement. Kay’s story is a mast...
LDS Mission Prep: "He'll Meet You There" — Trusting Christ in Your Inadequacy as a Missionary – Elder Thomas Harris
In this episode of the Mission Stories podcast, Shawn sits down with Thomas Harris, a missionary preparing to serve in Santiago, Chile, to discuss the vital transition from a "halted" or lukewarm state to a 10/10 com...
Mormon Missionary Stories: Russia/Kazakhstan Mission — Beyond the Russian Smile, Finding the Savior in a Soviet Block – Elder Nick Spear
In this episode of Mission Stories, Shawn sits down with Nick Spear, who served a unique and challenging mission "laboring in the country of Kazakhstan under the direction of the Russia Yekaterinburg Mission". Nick’s expe...
LDS Conversion Story: By Study and Also by Faith — The Scientist's Path to Conversion – Elder Nick Smithson
In this episode of Mission Stories, Shawn sits down with Nick Smithson, who recently returned from serving in the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission. Nick’s journey is a profound masterclass in moving from a stat...
Latter-day Saint Missionary Stories: Waking Up the Sleepers — From Casual Belief to Consecrated Disciple in Mexico – Sister Lauren Allred
Sister Lauren Allred recently returned from serving in Puebla, Mexico, carrying a fire that only comes from a deep, personal encounter with the Savior. In this episode, Shawn and Lauren explore the transition from being a "good kid" who simply ...
Mormon Missionary Stories: "Just Do It" — Swallowing Pride in the Manchester England Rain – Elder Brady Hoggan
In this episode of Mission Stories, Shawn welcomes Brady Hoggan, who recently returned from serving in the England Manchester Mission (2024–2026). The conversation explores the vital transition from possessing a "h...
LDS Mission Prep: He Had Me in His Mind — The Personal Power of Gethsemane for Missionaries – Sister Mackenzie Pyatt
In this episode, Shawn sits down with Sister Mackenzie Pyatt, who is currently in the home MTC preparing to serve in the Calgary, Canada Mission. Her story is a powerful testament to the transition from a passive, cultural "lukewa...
LDS Mission Prep: I Only Have Two Years — Finding the Fire for Missionary Work – Elder AJ Luekenga
In this episode of Mission Stories, Shawn is joined by AJ Luekenga, who served in the Bolivia Cochabamba Mission. The conversation centers on a powerful mental shift required for every missionary: graduating from the passive feeli...
Mormon Missionary Stories: "You're a Son of God and I Have a Work for You" — The Refiner's Fire in North Dakota – Elder Carson Brown
In this episode of the Mission Stories podcast, Shawn welcomes Carson Brown, a recently returned missionary who served in the North Dakota Bismarck Mission. Carson shares a powerful, vulnerable account of his journey...
LDS Missionary Stories: The Spirit of Truth in the Slums — Edification and Joy in São Paulo, Brazil – Elder Sam Warner
Sam Warner, a musician and skater from Encinitas, California, joins Shawn to reflect on the spiritual stretching he experienced while serving in the slums and favelas of São Paulo, Brazil. The core theme of this episode explores the transition ...
Mormon Missionary Stories: Finding a Family of Four — Specific Prayer and Miracles in Mexico City – Sister Anna Gray
In this episode of Mission Stories, Shawn is joined by Sister Anna Gray, who recently returned from serving in the Mexico City North Mission. Anna shares how a mission transformed her from a "routine" churchgoer in...
LDS Missionary Stories: The Field is White — Miracles, Angels, and Basketball in Peru – Megan Roberts Thomas
In this episode of the Mission Stories podcast, Shawn welcomes Megan Roberts Thomas, who served in the Trujillo Peru Mission. Once a self-described "punk kid," Megan shares her transformation into an ambitious and co...
LDS Repentance Stories: "You Are Forgiven" — Hearing the Voice of the Lord in the Wrestle of Repentance – Elder Trent Stock
In this powerful episode of the Mission Stories podcast, Shawn welcomes his best friend of 35 years, Trent Stock, to share a story decades in the making. While many episodes focus on recent returnees, this conversation dive...