For All The Saints With Ben Hancock

Hancock Productions
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Hey I’m Ben, I am a Christian (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) in the United Kingdom and this is my podcast, For All The Saints, where I get to have conversations each week that refresh my faith and hopefully yours too.  Conversations to Refresh Your Faith Every Monday on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and More. 

  1. 22 hrs ago

    7 Incredible Latter-day Saint Stories From Around The World (Thailand, Mongolia, Pakistan & More...) | 148

    To celebrate reaching nearly 150 episodes, this week we are reflecting on some of our favourite guests from around the world. Remembering the global growth and history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in this special episode, we revisit the powerful first hand moments and international faith insights from our global guests spanning the Philippines, Thailand, Micronesia, Denmark, Japan, Pakistan, and Mongolia. We explore the profound sacrifices, spiritual miracles, and distinct cultural perspectives of early pioneers and modern members who have dedicated their lives to building up the gospel culture in their respective nations. Some highlights from this episode include: The Early Days and Rapid Growth in the Philippines: Augusto Lim shares the remarkable history of how the church grew from a single district managed out of Hong Kong to a thriving community of over 860,000 members across dozens of stakes and missions. He reflects on his time as the very first stake president in the Philippines and how teaching the gospel in local dialects unlocked explosive growth. Miracles in the Construction of the Bangkok Thailand Temple: Anurat Kaeocha details the profound personal promptings and daily miracles he experienced as a project manager while building the Bangkok Thailand Temple. From sudden promptings to inspect a roof that prevented catastrophic flooding to stopping a potential fire, Anurat shares how listening to the Spirit protected the house of the Lord. Cultural Crosscurrents and Listening in Micronesia: Author and researcher Devan Jensen shares fascinating insights into how early saints and missionaries navigated cultural differences and the legacy of colonialism in Micronesia. He discusses the paramount importance of listening with empathy to learn from one another's distinct technical and historical backgrounds. Highlighting the Voices of Latter-day Saint Women in Asia: Dr. Felipe and Dr. Petra Chou provide a beautiful exploration of the spiritual journeys of Latter-day Saint women in the Pacific and Asia. They share the miraculous story of "Mother Sri", Srilaksana Suntarahat a member of Thai royalty who sacrificed her financial stability and status to join the church, ultimately receiving a divine manifestation that created the official Thai translation for the word priesthood. The Modern Church and the Rising Generation in Japan: Osamu Sekiguchi reflects on how much the church has evolved in Japan over the past 50 years, progressing from a time when saints met in cramped apartments to a nation blessed with multiple beautiful temples. He shares his immense pride in the tech-savvy, devoted second and third-generation youth who are pushing the church forward today. Social Hardships and Faithful Dedication in Denmark: Michelle Graabek-Wallace dives into her historical research regarding early Danish convert women, highlighting the extreme social ostracization many faced. She shares the harrowing yet inspiring account of a Danish midwife who stayed fiercely dedicated to her testimony despite losing her job, her home, and her children to foster care due to intense societal prejudice against her newfound faith. Pioneers and Modern Milestones of the Church in Pakistan: Arvee, Ham, and Nosheen discuss the profound milestone of bringing the massive FSY (For the Strength of Youth) conferences to Pakistan. They detail how these conferences have actively transformed the lives and testimonies of hundreds of Pakistani youth. Ham also shares a deeply personal childhood memory of when a visiting Elder Dallin H. Oaks came into his family home and left a lasting prophetic blessing on his life. The Miraculous Origins and First Families of Mongolia: Dr. Felipe and Dr. Petra Chou return to share the foundational stories of the church's beginnings in Mongolia. They highlight the story of Sister Onyu Altangerel, a library worker who fought for religious freedom in the country's constitution before discovering the church singing in her library, as well as "Mongolia’s First Family" who sacrificed everything to travel to Hong Kong to be sealed. Follow For All The Saints on social media for updates and inspiring content: www.instagram.com/forallthesaintspod https://www.facebook.com/forallthesaintspod/ For All The Saints episodes are released every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVDUQg_qZIU&list=UULFFf7vzrJ2LNWmp1Kl-c6K9Q https://open.spotify.com/show/3j64txm9qbGVVZOM48P4HS?si=bb31d048e05141f2 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/for-all-the-saints/id1703815271 If you have feedback or any suggestions for topics or guests, connect with Ben & Sean via hello@forallthesaints.org or DM on Instagram Conversations to Refresh Your Faith. For All The Saints podcast was established in 2023 by Ben Hancock to express his passion and desire for more dialogue around faith, religious belief, and believers' perspectives on the topics of our day. Tune into For All The Saints every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.

    52 min

  2. Jun 21

    Burnley FC & RCD Espanyol Owner Alan Pace Opens Up About Latter-day Saint Faith | 147

    Alan Pace, Chairman of Burnley Football Club and RCD Espanyol, joined me this week for an exclusive interview where we discuss not only his fascinating life across finance and sports, but his deeply reflective approach to leadership and faith. Backed by a legitimate sporting pedigree that includes serving in the executive management of Real Salt Lake, Alan brings a rare blend of Wall Street business discipline and soft-spoken spiritual conviction to the often cutthroat world of elite professional sports. It was an absolute privilege to have him on the show. In this episode, we sit down at the historic Hyde Park Stake Center in London to explore his personal journey. We discuss everything from his family's deep missionary roots in the North West of England to what it really feels like to steer a massive community asset under the relentless lens of public scrutiny. Alan opens up about his belief that he doesn't "own" a club, but rather holds it in trust for the community, and explains how constant prayer acts as his anchor when making high-stakes executive decisions. Key insights from our conversation include: Rediscovering Family Footsteps: Alan reflects on his own history with the iconic Hyde Park chapel and shares the incredible moments of synchronicity that occurred when he realized he was working in the exact same English towns where his father had served as a young missionary decades prior. The Boy Scout Philosophy of Stewardship: A look at Alan's unique leadership model, which rejects the traditional concept of sports ownership in favor of "stewardship"—a mindset rooted in a simple childhood lesson to always leave a place better than you found it. Six Missed Trains with Vincent Kompany: The story behind bringing one of football's biggest icons to Turf Moor. Alan admits he didn't initially comprehend the scale of Kompany's legacy, but details the instant connection, an epic first meeting that blew past half a dozen train schedules, and how Kompany challenged him to see voices he normally couldn't hear. Leading with a Parental Heart: An honest look at the brief but impactful tenure of Scott Parker, whose "superpower" wasn't just on-pitch tactics, but an uncanny ability to lead a squad with the genuine care, empathy, and protective instinct of a father. Weathering the Dark Side of the Beautiful Game: Alan speaks candidly about navigating intense public criticism, modern social media vitriol, and extreme fan reactions. He shares how he relies on temple attendance, silent boundaries, and sincere prayer to find clarity and inspiration when the noise gets too loud. Flip the Question on Faith: A powerful closing thought for anyone striving to live their faith in hyper-competitive, high-pressure environments. Alan challenges us to stop focusing solely on the certainty of God's love for us, and instead ask ourselves a much more demanding question: How clearly does our day-to-day behavior demonstrate our love for Him?Follow Burnley FC at: https://burnleyfootballclub.com Follow For All The Saints on social media for updates and inspiring content: www.instagram.com/forallthesaintspod https://www.facebook.com/forallthesaintspod/ For All The Saints episodes are released every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVDUQg_qZIU&list=UULFFf7vzrJ2LNWmp1Kl-c6K9Q https://open.spotify.com/show/3j64txm9qbGVVZOM48P4HS?si=bb31d048e05141f2 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/for-all-the-saints/id1703815271 If you have feedback or any suggestions for topics or guests, connect with Ben & Sean via hello@forallthesaints.org or DM on Instagram Conversations to Refresh Your Faith. For All The Saints podcast was established in 2023 by Ben Hancock to express his passion and desire for more dialogue around faith, religious belief, and believers' perspectives on the topics of our day. Tune into For All The Saints every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. Follow For All The Saints on social media for daily inspiration.

    44 min

  3. Jun 14

    Unique Friendship With Hugh Nibley & Irish Book Of Mormon Translation Miracles - Darrach Ó Duibh | 146

    Darrach Ó Duibh has such an interesting story, and I wanted to speak with him to discuss his incredible life journey and the profound, unexpected insights he gained while translating the Book of Mormon into the Irish language longhand. He’s an ancient language researcher, polyglot, and textual critic based in Ireland. Having previously worked as a bibliographic researcher for FARMS (now the Maxwell Institute) under the legendary LDS scholar Hugh Nibley, Darrach started this translation project 20 years ago while bedridden after a honeymoon car crash. Adding another dimension to his life, Darrach is also a well-respected professional mixed martial arts (MMA) referee. We explore his unique personal interactions with Hugh Nibley, his background growing up with a father in military intelligence, and the powerful textual evidence for multiple, distinct prophetic voices that only becomes visible when translating the Book of Mormon text word by word. Some highlights from this episode include: Working with Hugh Nibley: Darrach shares first hand stories from his time sitting across the desk from Hugh Nibley at BYU, including Nibley's shocking command of ancient languages, his quiet patience with students, and a legendary family story involving a moving train in Utah.Growing Up in Military Intelligence: From learning languages at six years old to witnessing his father barter with guards in Russian at Checkpoint Charlie, Darrach explains how his childhood in Germany unlocked his lifelong love for language.The Ancient Egyptian Pattern in the Text: A fascinating deep dive into the very first verses of First Nephi, Enos, Omni, Mormon, and Moroni, revealing a complex, authentic ancient narrative pattern known as the narrative infinitive or "stacking" that Joseph Smith could not have easily fabricated.Hearing Distinct Voices: Darrach details how his translation work forced him to recognize completely different linguistic registers, vocabulary, and tones between Nephi, Jacob, and Mormon, providing stunning textual evidence for the book’s authenticity.Faith, Revelation, and Suspension: A discussion on why the Lord purposely keeps archaeological and metaphysical proof in a state of suspension, allowing spiritual knowledge and true faith to flourish rather than letting it become dormant.You can find Darrach’s Irish translation of the Book of Mormon at the following link: Amazon: An Leabhar Mhórmoin: Fianaise eile ar Íosa Críost (Irish Edition)  https://www.amazon.com/Leabhar-Mh%C3%B3rmoin-Fianaise-Cr%C3%ADost-Irish/dp/B0H2W35RW4/ Follow For All The Saints on social media for updates and inspiring content: www.instagram.com/forallthesaintspod https://www.facebook.com/forallthesaintspod/ For All The Saints episodes are released every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVDUQg_qZIU&list=UULFFf7vzrJ2LNWmp1Kl-c6K9Q https://open.spotify.com/show/3j64txm9qbGVVZOM48P4HS?si=bb31d048e05141f2 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/for-all-the-saints/id1703815271 If you have feedback or any suggestions for topics or guests, connect with Ben & Sean via hello@forallthesaints.org or DM on Instagram Conversations to Refresh Your Faith. For All The Saints podcast was established in 2023 by Ben Hancock to express his passion and desire for more dialogue around faith, religious belief, and believers' perspectives on the topics of our day. Tune into For All The Saints every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. Follow For All The Saints on social media for daily inspiration.

    59 min

  4. Jun 7

    Is Modern Culture Killing The Sacred? - The Stick of Joseph & D.J Butler | 145

    I have three guests joining me on the podcast this week: Hayden and Jackson Paul, the creators behind The Stick of Joseph, a popular YouTube channel dedicated to exploring the ancient roots and cultural impact of the Book of Mormon and David J. Butler (D. John Butler), an accomplished author, attorney, and entrepreneur who serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Plain & Precious Publishing. Hayden, Jackson, and Dave were in the UK to interview biblical scholar Margaret Barker, and I had the chance to catch up with them. We dive into the true purpose of scripture, the pitfalls of living in a hyper-digital world, and how to transition from a casual religious life into a deeply prayerful, authentic relationship with God. Some highlights from this episode include: The Lens of the Book of Mormon: The guys share their perspective on why the Book of Mormon shouldn't be viewed as the "Robin to the Bible's Batman," but rather as the foundational lens through which all other scripture should be read.The Digital "Portal to Hell": A candid conversation on how the hyper-fast context shifts of modern social media are actively eroding our memory, destroying sacred time, and cheapening real-world human relationships."Be Sufficiently Humble to Aim Sufficiently Low": Practical, brick-by-brick advice on how to revive a hollow or struggling religious life using incremental improvements rather than burning out on short-lived religious fervor.An Answer to Someone's Prayer: Jackson shares a powerful, raw experience from their studio parking lot about the exact moment he chose to stop trying to "wiggle out" of the Spirit's promptings and humanized his faith for a total stranger.Governed by Ten or Ruled by a Thousand: A breakdown of how society's shift toward secularism removes self-governance, inevitably leading toward a more heavily mandated and totalitarian world.You can find more of their work at the following links: The Stick of Joseph: https://thestickofjoseph.com/ and www.youtube.com/@thestickofjoseph  Latter Daily Saints: www.youtube.com/@LatterDailySaints  Plain & Precious Publishing: https://plainandpreciouspublishing.comFollow For All The Saints on social media for updates and inspiring content: www.instagram.com/forallthesaintspod https://www.facebook.com/forallthesaintspod/ For All The Saints episodes are released every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVDUQg_qZIU&list=UULFFf7vzrJ2LNWmp1Kl-c6K9Q https://open.spotify.com/show/3j64txm9qbGVVZOM48P4HS?si=bb31d048e05141f2 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/for-all-the-saints/id1703815271 If you have feedback or any suggestions for topics or guests, connect with Ben & Sean via hello@forallthesaints.org or DM on Instagram Conversations to Refresh Your Faith. For All The Saints podcast was established in 2023 by Ben Hancock to express his passion and desire for more dialogue around faith, religious belief, and believers' perspectives on the topics of our day. Tune into For All The Saints every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. Follow For All The Saints on social media for daily inspiration.

    42 min

  5. May 31

    Huge New BYU Study Shows Religion Overwhelmingly Improves Mental Health - Loren Marks | 144

    Dr. Loren Marks is a professor in the School of Family Life at Brigham Young University and a co-director of the American Families of Faith project. He is a prominent researcher at the Wheatley Institute, focusing on the intersection of faith, marriage, and family relationships across various world religions. He has co-authored numerous articles and reports analyzing the profound impact of religious involvement on human flourishing. In this episode, Loren joins me to unpack a landmark new meta-analysis evaluating the profound relationship between faith and mental health. Our conversation dives into a decade's worth of elite medical and data-driven social science, revealing why a vibrant community and hands-on religious practices move the needle on psychological health far more than solitary belief alone. Some highlights from this episode include: A Landmark 10-to-1 Ratio: Loren breaks down the striking data compiled by research teams at Harvard and Duke, showing that out of roughly 1,000 of the most rigorous studies on religion and mental health, 961 found significant positive connections compared to just 101 negative ones. Belief vs. Living the Religion: A deep dive into why mere religious belief isn't enough to boost psychological well-being. Loren explains how a faith tradition requires active practices and a communal "three-legged stool" to truly animate mental and physical benefits. Addressing "Toxic Faith" and Hurt: A candid and empathetic discussion on the dark side of religion, how faith can be hijacked or misconstrued into unrighteous dominion, and what Loren would personally say to individuals who have been deeply wounded by a religious community. The Power of Faith in the Home: Loren highlights insights from a global 11-nation study on how practicing faith within the walls of the home—through family prayer, scripture study, and shared meals—provides a significant added benefit to individual and family resilience. A Personal Story of Exemplary Faith: A touching personal memory from Loren’s teenage years during the 1980s recession, sharing how witnessing his mother's private, late-night devotion while his father worked abroad permanently taught him that faith is tangible, real, and a relationship with a living Father. You can find more of the Wheatley Institute's research and the reports discussed at the following links: American Families of Faith Project https://americanfamiliesoffaith.byu.edu/0000019e-6a64-d21e-a7bf-6bf69b4e0000/religion-and-mental-healthBYU Wheatley Institute https://wheatley.Wheatley Institutebyu.edu/ Follow For All The Saints on social media for updates and inspiring content: www.instagram.com/forallthesaintspod https://www.facebook.com/forallthesaintspod/ For All The Saints episodes are released every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVDUQg_qZIU&list=UULFFf7vzrJ2LNWmp1Kl-c6K9Q https://open.spotify.com/show/3j64txm9qbGVVZOM48P4HS?si=bb31d048e05141f2 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/for-all-the-saints/id1703815271 If you have feedback or any suggestions for topics or guests, connect with Ben & Sean via hello@forallthesaints.org or DM on Instagram Conversations to Refresh Your Faith. For All The Saints podcast was established in 2023 by Ben Hancock to express his passion and desire for more dialogue around faith, religious belief, and believers' perspectives on the topics of our day. Tune into For All The Saints every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. Follow For All The Saints on social media for daily inspiration.

    1h 2m

  6. May 24

    Denmark: The Amazing & Surprising Latter-day Saint History - Michelle Graabek-Wallace | 143

    Michelle Graabek-Wallace (PhD, European University Institute) is a historian at the Church History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She serves as the Chair of the Global Mormon Studies Network and the Global Outreach Chair for the Mormon History Association. Her academic research focuses on global history, gender, migration, and transnational religious history, with a particular emphasis on Scandinavian cultural identity within Latter-day Saint history. I wanted to speak with Michelle to discuss her extensive research into global Church history and the fascinating, unique story of Danish Latter-day Saint converts during the 19th and 20th centuries. We explore the massive social, political, and religious shifts that opened the doors to the first missionaries in Denmark, the incredible logistics of the Scandinavian pioneer trek to Utah, and the complex journey of preserving cultural identity while embracing a global faith. Some highlights from this episode include: Denmark's Religious Freedom Awakening: Michelle explains how the political transition to a constitutional monarchy in 1849 paved the way for religious freedom, and how early friction with a local Baptist congregation inadvertently opened the doors for the first Latter-day Saint missionaries in 1850. The Translators of the Book of Mormon: A look behind the scenes at the surprisingly rapid 1851 translation of the Book of Mormon into Danish—the very first foreign language publication of the book. Michelle highlights the collaborative but occasionally tense relationship between sailor Peter O. Hansen and language teacher Miss Mathisen. Social Equality and Persecution: A deep dive into the demographics of early Danish converts, who were predominantly working-class craftspeople and rural farmers drawn to the gospel's message of social equality. Michelle shares a poignant, extreme historical account of the heavy social ostracization, job loss, and legal battles faced by early converts. The "Brain Drain" and the Swedish Rebellion: A discussion on how the massive wave of emigration to Utah created a leadership "brain drain" back in Denmark, and a humorous look at the "Swedish Rebellion" in Salt Lake City, sparked by Swedish Saints who grew tired of being lumped into a generalized "Scandinavian" identity dominated by Danish culture. World War II Isolation: A look at how the evacuation of American missionaries in 1939 forced the Danish Saints to become completely self-sufficient and financially independent for the very first time during the Nazi occupation. You can find more of Michelle’s body of work at the following links: Our Inspired Constitutions https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2023/10/united-states-and-canada-section/04-our-inspired-constitutions?lang=engMichelle Graabek-Wallace ORCID Academic Profile https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6008-1154Global Mormon Studies Steering Committee https://gms.spencergreenhalgh.com/about-gms/steering-committee/Mormon History Association Board Members https://mormonhistoryassociation.org/about-us/mha-board-members/ Follow For All The Saints on social media for updates and inspiring content: www.instagram.com/forallthesaintspod https://www.facebook.com/forallthesaintspod/ For All The Saints episodes are released every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVDUQg_qZIU&list=UULFFf7vzrJ2LNWmp1Kl-c6K9Q https://open.spotify.com/show/3j64txm9qbGVVZOM48P4HS?si=bb31d048e05141f2 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/for-all-the-saints/id1703815271 If you have feedback or any suggestions for topics or guests, connect with Ben & Sean via hello@forallthesaints.org or DM on Instagram Conversations to Refresh Your Faith. For All The Saints podcast was established in 2023 by Ben Hancock to express his passion and desire for more dialogue around faith, religious belief, and believers' perspectives on the topics of our day. Tune into For All The Saints every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. Follow For All The Saints on social media for daily inspiration.

    44 min

  7. May 17

    Helmuth Hübener: The 17-Year Old Latter-day Saint Executed For Opposing Hitler - Matt Whitaker | 142

    Matt Whitaker has been writing and directing for film and television for over 30 years. A specialist in the WWII genre, his produced screenplays include the critically acclaimed war films Saints and Soldiers and Instrument of War. In 2002, Whitaker and a film crew travelled to Germany with the last surviving member of a teenage resistance group, a powerful experience that led to the PBS documentary Truth & Conviction: The Helmuth Hübener Story. Now, his dramatic feature film, Truth & Treason, brings this incredible history to audiences across the UK. I wanted to speak with Matt to dive into the compelling history of Helmuth Hübener, the youngest person executed by the Nazi regime for opposing Adolf Hitler. As a fellow Latter-day Saint, Matt shares his 25-year journey of bringing this profound piece of history to life, the complex realities of local church leaders navigating a totalitarian state, and how recent research on Gestapo files has been changing how scholars view the Church's relationship with the Third Reich. Some highlights from this episode include: Loyalty to a Lie: Matt breaks down the incredible true story of 16-year-old Helmuth Hübener, who chose to risk everything by listening to banned BBC shortwave broadcasts to uncover the truth and launch a clandestine leaflet resistance campaign.The Words of the Leaflets: Matt reveals a crucial detail about the creative authenticity of Truth & Treason: every single sentence of anti-Nazi text typed or spoken from the resistance leaflets in the film is a direct, accurate English translation taken straight from the historical Gestapo archives.The Secret Gestapo Files: A fascinating look into additional historical research by scholar Steven Smoot and the BH Roberts Foundation, detailing a massive, Gestapo dossier that proves the Nazi regime was actively spying on and deeply suspicious of the Latter-day Saint community in Germany.The Complexity of Wartime Leadership: A nuanced discussion regarding the immense pressure faced by Hamburg Branch President Arthur Zander, exploring the difficult dual-realities of a man who was a devoted church leader but also an ardent supporter of the regime.A 25 Year Project: Matt opens up about a deeply personal spiritual experience that gave him the definitive mandate to direct this film, and how his wife's unwavering support kept the project alive through two decades of immense funding and development challenges.Truth & Treason is available on Amazon Prime Video and major UK digital platforms starting May 18 2026. Follow For All The Saints on social media for updates and inspiring content: www.instagram.com/forallthesaintspod https://www.facebook.com/forallthesaintspod/ For All The Saints episodes are released every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVDUQg_qZIU&list=UULFFf7vzrJ2LNWmp1Kl-c6K9Q https://open.spotify.com/show/3j64txm9qbGVVZOM48P4HS?si=bb31d048e05141f2 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/for-all-the-saints/id1703815271 If you have feedback or any suggestions for topics or guests, connect with Ben & Sean via hello@forallthesaints.org or DM on Instagram Conversations to Refresh Your Faith. For All The Saints podcast was established in 2023 by Ben Hancock to express his passion and desire for more dialogue around faith, religious belief, and believers' perspectives on the topics of our day. Tune into For All The Saints every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. Follow For All The Saints on social media for daily inspiration.

    56 min

  8. May 10

    Japan: The Real Reason The Church Grew When Nobody Expected It - Osamu Sekiguchi | 141

    Osamu Sekiguchi is a devoted member and leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Japan. Having served in numerous capacities—including as the Mission President of the Japan Sendai Mission and currently as the Asia North Area Family Search Manager—Osamu has a profound perspective on the spiritual and cultural evolution of the Church in the land of the rising sun. I sat down with Osamu in a Tokyo recording studio to explore the rich, and at times challenging, history of the Church in Japan. From the early 1901 mission led by Heber J. Grant to the modern era of five temples, we discuss the unique cultural hurdles Japanese saints have overcome, the incredible sacrifices made to attend the temple, and Osamu’s own personal "pioneer trek" across the United States and Europe. Some highlights from this episode include: The Early Struggles and Triumphs: Osamu recounts the history of the first Japanese mission and the "disappointment" of the early years due to language barriers and cultural differences, followed by the post-WWII resurgence of the faith.The Sacrifice for the Temple: Moving stories of early Japanese members who sold their belongings and quit their jobs just to travel to Hawaii for temple ordinances before a temple existed in Asia.A Modern Pioneer Trek: Osamu shares the gruelling yet spiritual journey of taking his family on a 110-day handcart trek from Nebraska to Salt Lake City, followed by an epic bicycle journey from New York to San Francisco.Cultural "Harmony" vs. Conversion: An insight into why conversion can be difficult in Japan, where maintaining social harmony and honouring Shinto or Buddhist traditions often takes precedence over individual religious changes.Elder Stevenson's Call to Serve: When Osamu received his mission call he did not expect to be serving during a global pandemic. His bold leadership proved to be a powerful example of inspired leadership.The Future of the Global Church: Osamu explains his vision of the Church shifting from "International" to "Global"—where the core doctrine remains the same, but local cultures (like Japanese humility and aesthetics) are embraced and celebrated.FamilySearch in Asia: A look at how technology is bridging the gap for members in countries like Korea and Mongolia to find their ancestors and preserve their heritage.Follow For All The Saints on social media for updates and inspiring content: www.instagram.com/forallthesaintspod https://www.facebook.com/forallthesaintspod/ For All The Saints episodes are released every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVDUQg_qZIU&list=UULFFf7vzrJ2LNWmp1Kl-c6K9Q https://open.spotify.com/show/3j64txm9qbGVVZOM48P4HS?si=bb31d048e05141f2 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/for-all-the-saints/id1703815271 If you have feedback or any suggestions for topics or guests, connect with Ben & Sean via hello@forallthesaints.org or DM on Instagram Conversations to Refresh Your Faith. For All The Saints podcast was established in 2023 by Ben Hancock to express his passion and desire for more dialogue around faith, religious belief, and believers' perspectives on the topics of our day. Tune into For All The Saints every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. Follow For All The Saints on social media for daily inspiration.

    1h 9m
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About

Hey I’m Ben, I am a Christian (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) in the United Kingdom and this is my podcast, For All The Saints, where I get to have conversations each week that refresh my faith and hopefully yours too.  Conversations to Refresh Your Faith Every Monday on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and More. 

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