Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones

Some think healing means being kind, moving on, and keeping the peace. But what if that approach is actually keeping people stuck? We’re taught to avoid discomfort. We’re taught not to make things worse. We’re taught that compassion means letting things go. But over time, the same pain keeps coming back, and the same wounds never fully heal. In this conversation, author and victim's advocate Sage Williams challenges that idea. Real healing is not about pretending the past didn’t happen. It is not about avoiding hard things. It is about bringing things into the light, telling the truth about what is there, and embracing accountability, even when it feels uncomfortable. Sometimes healing feels worse before it gets better. That does not mean something is wrong. It may mean you are finally facing what is real. We talk about why being nice can sometimes make things worse, why accountability is often misunderstood, and what it actually looks like to heal in a way that lasts. This is not the easiest path. But it might be the most honest one. Buy Sage's book:  https://www.deseretbook.com/product/6078641.html?srsltid=AfmBOor7biC4Pbce5FJ1sW5ok_bbDK9p8G4MHryQYoZTUcIJlGJpEcdP https://a.co/d/044Hl04v

Many people think faith is declining. Ben Hancock has worked behind the scenes on one of the world’s top podcasts, alongside voices like Chris Williamson of "Modern Wisdom" and interacting with some of the most influential thinkers in media. From the inside, he noticed something unexpected. Not open hostility, but a quiet dismissal of faith in certain elite circles. At the same time, he is seeing something very different on the ground, especially among young people. Not decline. A quiet return. In this episode, we explore: • What it is like being a Latter-day Saint inside high-level media circles • The gap between elite perception and lived reality • Why the “faith is dying” narrative does not tell the full story • What might actually be happening right now If you have ever wondered whether faith is really disappearing, this conversation will challenge what you think you know.

Temple changes don’t just appear overnight. They are often preceded by thoughtful conversations in leadership councils where perspectives are shared and revelation is sought. In this episode of Let’s Get Real, former Relief Society General President Jean B. Bingham offers a rare glimpse into those councils, including discussions that helped refine temple language to reduce misunderstandings and better reflect gospel truths. She also shares what it was like to work with apostles and prophets, and how revelation unfolds through careful deliberation, unity, and spiritual insight. The conversation explores how Church leaders, including President Dallin H. Oaks, have emphasized the value of women and helped deepen understanding of priesthood power in the lives of all covenant keepers. This episode offers a thoughtful look at how the Lord leads His Church, how sacred decisions are made, and why the voices and contributions of women matter.

Which chapter of scripture includes a vision of God, an attempted human sacrifice, and a phrase many believe justified a racial priesthood ban? And have we been reading it wrong? When Abraham 1 describes Pharaoh as “cursed as pertaining to the priesthood,” what did that actually mean? Was it about race? Was it restriction? Or have later generations read their own assumptions back into the text? Latter-day Saint historian, Don Bradley, explores how Abraham 1 reshapes our understanding of Abraham’s story, why he was nearly sacrificed, and what Joseph Smith may have understood about Pharaoh’s “curse” that radically challenges modern interpretations. What if the passage that has caused so much confusion and pain was never saying what we thought it was?

The prophet Brigham Young did not become controversial because he was simple. He became controversial because we stopped allowing complex people from the past to be understood as human beings. In this conversation, Dr. Dan Peterson, noted Latter-day Saint scholar and historian, helps us follow one question from beginning to end: What do we lose morally, culturally, and spiritually when we replace understanding with judgment? Brigham Young is often reduced to labels. Authoritarian. Racist. The “fall guy.” A symbol to argue over. But history is rarely that tidy. As the discussion unfolds, Brigham shifts from being a lightning rod in modern debates to a real human life shaped by faith, pressure, frontier leadership, blind spots, loyalty to Joseph Smith, and deep devotion to building Zion. But this conversation is not only about Brigham Young. It is about us. About how we judge. About how we interpret the past, and what's lost when we're quicker to judge than to understand.

What if the Bible’s most dangerous distortions don’t come from bad intentions, but from skipping its preface? Many people experience faith as exhausting. Commandments feel heavy. Scripture feels fragmented. And belief slowly collapses into rules. This conversation challenges a core assumption: that the Bible explains itself from page one. Without a restored frame of identity—without knowing who you are before being told what to do—the Bible can be misunderstood, misused, and even weaponized. This episode reframes the Old Testament through a single, often-overlooked key that changes how scripture reads, how God is understood, and why faith so often turns into burnout. If you’ve ever felt tension between obedience and relationship, this conversation may change how you read everything that comes next. If you'd like to support our content, consider making a donation. https://scripturecentral.org/donate

What if the reason you’re not seeing miracles is that your goals don’t require them? Blake Erickson details a counterintuitive principle taught in the restored gospel: God gets involved when your goals are bigger than what you can accomplish on your own. From missions and business to family, faith, and personal growth, Blake shares why “realistic” goals often keep us spiritually stagnant and how setting goals that force dependence on God changes everything. This isn’t about hustle. It’s not prosperity theology. And it’s not passive faith. It’s about aligning ambition with belief, letting go of control, and discovering why miracles tend to show up only after faith is stretched. If you’ve ever felt stuck, if you’ve wondered why effort alone isn’t enough, or if you’re trying to live your faith as a Latter-day Saint in a demanding world, this conversation will challenge how you think about goals, faith, and what it really means to “let God in.” If you'd like to support our content, consider making a donation. https://scripturecentral.org/donate

Every day, millions of people around the world are turning to FamilySearch, not because of marketing or trends, but because of something much deeper happening beneath the surface: a global movement of identity, belonging, and human connection. In this conversation with Elder Kevin S. Hamilton, former Executive Director of the Family History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we explore why 98 percent of the people who use FamilySearch are not Latter-day Saints, yet are contributing to one of the most ambitious projects in human history: building the family tree of humanity. This is not just a story about genealogy. It is a story about roots, memory, resilience, and what unfolds when technology, spirituality, and human longing intersect. Inside this episode, you will learn: • Why hundreds of millions use FamilySearch every year  • How global archives, AI tools, and more than 130 years of record gathering fuel the world’s largest family history database  • The emotional science behind family narratives and resilience  • How wars, disasters, and endangered archives have created urgent preservation efforts  • Why nonreligious users are powering a movement with profound spiritual implications  • What “gathering Israel” looks like in the digital age  • How African oral genealogies, Ukrainian archives, and worldwide records are reshaping family identity This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered: “Where do I come from?”  “Who do I belong to?”  “And why does family history matter now more than ever?” Whether you are religious or not, whether you have used FamilySearch or are hearing about it for the first time, this conversation looks at what it means to be human and why the world is suddenly flocking to discover its story. If you'd like to support our content, consider making a donation. https://scripturecentral.org/donate

Have you ever wondered how the early Saints understood the temple? Or what the Kirtland Temple dedication can teach us about Christ today? In this conversation, Don Bradley walks through some simple but powerful connections between the temple, scripture, and the Savior. He also shares openly about his time away from the Church, his involvement in the "ex-Mormon" community, and the experiences that led him back to faith. This episode isn’t dramatic or sensational — it’s just thoughtful, clear, and centered on Christ. I’m grateful for Don’s honesty and the insights he brought to this discussion.

Section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants is one of the most talked about and debated revelations in scripture. Some people say it just doesn’t sound like Joseph Smith, which has left a lot of questions about who actually wrote it. Dr. Paul Fields, an expert in stylometry — the statistical study of writing style — joins Stephen Jones to take the emotion out of the debate and look at the evidence. Using data, history, and faith, he puts this revelation to the test to find out who really wrote Section 132. What he discovered might not just answer a question about authorship. It might change the way we think about revelation itself. Knowhy: https://scripturecentral.org/knowhy/what-does-the-science-of-stylometry-indicate-about-the-authorship-of-doctrine-and-covenants-132

It blew our minds when we found out this connection President Oaks has to church history. Don Bradley—a Latter-day Saint historian who once left the Church and became an atheist, then found his way back—joins us to talk about some mind-blowing connections between Martin Harris and President Dallin H. Oaks. Don walks us through hidden pieces of Church history that show how God’s hand was moving in more people than just Joseph Smith. We talk about Martin Harris’s early revelations before the Church was even organized, the meaning behind the Feast of Tabernacles, and how those same patterns show up again with President Oaks. It’s one of those conversations that makes you realize the Restoration isn’t just a story from the past. It’s still unfolding today.

What’s it really like to sit across from a living prophet and give him feedback on his words? In this episode of Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones, Sister Reyna I. Aburto, former Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, opens up about her deeply personal experiences with President Russell M. Nelson—moments that changed how she sees revelation, leadership, and discipleship forever. She shares what it felt like the day President Nelson unexpectedly invited her and the other sisters of the presidency into his office to read and critique his upcoming talk—“Sisters’ Participation in the Gathering of Israel.” From his humility and love to the way he truly listened, Sister Aburto saw firsthand how revelation unfolds at the highest levels of the Church. She also reflects on her gratitude for President Dallin H. Oaks, the tenderness behind his often “stern” demeanor, and her confidence that the Lord continues to guide His Church through inspired servants.

What’s it really like to observe a prophet of God receiving revelation? In this powerful episode, former Young Women General President Elaine S. Dalton shares her deeply personal experiences with President Russell M. Nelson.  She shares her personal glimpse into the heart of a prophet. She recalls the piercing blue eyes that seemed to see straight through to her soul, the counsel he gave about identity and virtue, and the quiet but transformative moments that confirmed for her that he was called of God. This is more than just memories of a prophet—it is a witness of Jesus Christ. Sister Dalton testifies of the ways President Nelson pointed her, and all of us, back to the Savior, reminding us of our divine identity, the power of covenants, and the confidence we can have in Christ. Her stories pull back the curtain on what it feels like to be in the room when revelation is received, and why those moments changed her life forever.

Among many other things, President Nelson forever transformed the way we see temples. But what happens before temples are announced? Former Executive Director of the Temple Department, Elder Larry Y. Willson shares remarkable behind-the-scenes experiences of working closely with President Russell M. Nelson. Elder Wilson recounts the pivotal moment when President Nelson, newly called as prophet, looked at a carefully crafted 15-year temple plan and boldly said, “I would feel better about your plan if there were another zero.” That prophetic vision transformed temple building from dozens to hundreds, reshaping the Church’s future forever. Alongside these historic insights, Elder Wilson also shares deeply personal stories of President Nelson’s ministry—from his surprising text messages of encouragement during times of illness, to his genuine warmth and consultative leadership style in councils.  Come listen to firsthand accounts of how President Nelson balanced global leadership with individual, personal ministry. This episode gives a rare and intimate look at how revelation, leadership, and love guided the Church during a period of historic change.

What does faithfulness look like when life doesn’t go according to plan?  In this episode, Skyler Sorensen—a father, content creator, and producer at Scripture Central—shares his journey through same-sex attraction, marriage, and the heartbreaking loss of his son, Milo. He explains why same-sex attraction wasn’t his greatest trial, how (besides his Savior) his temple marriage became his greatest strength, and how grief brought unexpected clarity to his faith. This conversation explores what it truly means to stay on the covenant path when life becomes complex, and why the gospel can be profoundly simple amidst loss.  In This Episode:  • Why Skyler believes faith is still worth choosing  • How grief can deepen, not destroy, testimony  • Why ideals matter even when we fall short  • What the balance of grace and truth looks like in real life  • How marriage and family can be both messy and divine Skyler’s new series with Scripture Central: Faithful Anyway: Discipleship Through Complexity https://www.youtube.com/@sitdownwithsky

When most people think about humanitarian work, they think about money. But is there more to it?  Sharon Eubank, director of Latter-day Saint Charities, believes that the real power to change lives comes from something much deeper. In this episode, Sharon shares her experiences working in places devastated by war, poverty, and natural disasters. From standing at the wreckage of the Sri Lanka tsunami to learning from everyday acts of kindness in her own neighborhood, she reveals that the gospel of Jesus Christ carries a greater capacity to transform lives than money ever could. True humanitarianism begins with listening, respecting agency, and offering dignity.  Whether you’ve wondered how you can make a difference in the world or in your own community, this conversation will help you see that the most powerful humanitarian work begins right where you live.

What would make a 7-year-old Joseph Smith refuse alcohol before undergoing one of the most excruciating surgeries imaginable—decades before the Word of Wisdom was ever revealed? Once an ex-LDS atheist, now a faithful Latter-day Saint and renowned Joseph Smith expert, Don Bradley shares one of the most powerful discoveries he’s ever made about Joseph’s life.  This isn’t just another “Joseph Smith refused alcohol” story—it’s a window into his character and the cultural and historical context most people have never heard. Don opens up about the heartbreaking loss of his own young son—and how that experience gave him a deeply personal window into Joseph Smith’s life, particularly Joseph’s own experiences as a child and as a father. That shared lens of love, loss, and empathy adds a profound human dimension to both the history and the man behind it. We also explore Don’s personal faith journey—leaving the Church, the discoveries that shaped his perspective, and the path that ultimately led him back. From Church history to raw personal experiences, this conversation is real, unfiltered, and full of insights that could change the way you see Joseph Smith and the Restoration.

Everyone says Gen Z is leaving religion… but what if they’re actually leading a spiritual revival? In this episode of Faithful Anyway, I sit down with David Butler to talk about what’s really going on with today’s rising generation. Are they rebelling against faith—or are they spiritually starving for something deeper, more real, and more rooted in who God really is? We unpack the misconceptions, the pain points, and the surprising hunger that so many young people have for truth, grace, and connection with God. If you’ve ever wondered whether faith is dying or being reborn in a new form, this conversation is for you.

Dr. Marcus Martins made history as the first Black missionary to serve after the 1978 revelation that extended the priesthood to all worthy male members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But that’s not what he wants to be known for. In this conversation, Dr. Martins opens up about something far more personal and powerful: his quiet, steady choice to follow Christ, even when some questions didn’t have answers. He didn’t stay in the Church because he ignored the hard things. He stayed because he saw something true—something deep—in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Something that spoke to both his spirit and his intellect. This episode isn’t about rehashing history. It’s about what it means to be a disciple—when it’s not flashy, when it’s not easy, and when faith has to walk ahead of clarity. We talk about the difference between doubts and questions. About how real belonging looks in a Church that’s still growing. And about the power of remembering the moments when the Spirit whispered, “You’re home.” Listen to the full conversation and let us know what stood out to you most.

Many faithful Saints silently wrestle with the same question: “Why do I still feel broken?” In this powerful episode, Dr. Kawika Allen unpacks the hidden spiritual struggle of scrupulosity—anxiety disguised as righteousness—and how it convinces even the most devoted disciples that they’re never enough. What if the reason you feel unworthy isn’t because you’ve failed, but because you’ve been trying to earn what was never meant to be earned? We explore the toxic grip of maladaptive perfectionism, the lies it tells, and the liberating truth that Christ’s grace meets us in our mess—not after we’ve cleaned it up. If faith has started to feel more like a burden than a blessing, this conversation will help you rediscover the rest and relief that comes from receiving, not performing for, the Savior’s love.