Why We Believe

Nathan Gwilliam
  • 5.0 (52)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Why do we believe? What inspires faith, testimony, and conversion in members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints? Dive into the personal conversion stories behind faithful members of the church. Join Nathan Gwilliam, host and life-long member of the church, as he sits down with guests with unique backgrounds and perspectives to discuss the deeply personal and spiritual journeys that led them to embrace the teachings of Jesus Christ and why they believe. Through one-on-one interviews, hear firsthand accounts of the life-changing conversion stories and events that ignited and solidified these members' beliefs and personal testimonies. Gain powerful insights into the many unique paths that lead to faith and discover what continues to feed their dedication year after year. Join us each week for inspiring stories from faithful Latter-Day Saints and discuss Why We Believe.

  1. 1D AGO

    Zions Bank Former CEO Scott Anderson: Bringing Faith in Business and Beyond

    Scott Anderson's family has been building Utah since 1847, when three of his ancestors walked into the Salt Lake Valley beside Brigham Young. Their homestead site sits beneath Zions Bank Tower today. Scott went on to run that same bank for 25 years as president and CEO, growing it from $3.2 billion to nearly $100 billion in assets while steering it through 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis, and the Silicon Valley Bank panic of 2023. He chaired the American Bankers Association, served on more than 90 nonprofit boards, and has been called Utah's unelected governor. None of that is how he would describe his career. He would describe it as a lifelong attempt to answer the question the Pharaoh once asked about Joseph of Egypt: where can we find a man in whom the spirit of God is? In this episode of Why We Believe, host Nathan Gwilliam sits down with Scott to trace the faith that has run through his family for generations. Scott shares how the Polynesian people of Tahiti taught him what simple faith actually looks like during his mission there, and how studying philosophy at Columbia left his testimony stronger rather than shakier. He walks through the parable of building on a rock as his operating manual through every crisis Zions Bank ever faced. And he tells the story of a seventeen-year-old pony express rider, his own ancestor, lost in a Sierra Nevada blizzard at midnight and about to give up, until a voice told him to circle a tree and sing until sunrise. He did. He survived. Scott Anderson has been listening for that same voice ever since. Loved this episode?Hit Follow and share it with someone who needs to hear that the same faith that carried a family through a blizzard can carry them through anything. Leave a review for Why We Believe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Your support helps us bring more inspiring conversations like this to listeners everywhere! Visit WhyWeBelieve.com to download Your FREE guide on 13 Strategies to Increase Faith in Jesus Christ, to support you as you strengthen your own testimony of Jesus Christ. Follow the Why We Believe Show: Website: https://www.whywebelieve.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhyWeBelieveShow Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6T9DjmWBXJZPFyIFXUCdhm Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-we-believe/id1751537256 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-we-believe-show/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whywebelievepodcast/ Follow Nathan Gwilliam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam/ Follow Scott Anderson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ascottanderson Twitter/X: https://x.com/ascottanderson

    35 min

  2. 6D AGO

    Filmmaker Paralyzed for Life at 15. Then God Answered His Prayer (with Garrett Batty)

    Garrett Batty has spent his career turning faith-based stories into cinema, but the story that shaped him most started in a hospital bed when he was 15. A routine scoliosis surgery had dropped bone chips into his spinal cord and left him paralyzed. The doctors began training him for life in a wheelchair. Lying alone, Garrett whispered a question to his Father in Heaven and asked if a wheelchair was really the plan. Then he felt his paralyzed foot move. Forty days later, he walked out of the hospital. In this episode of Why We Believe, Garrett shares the open heart surgery he survived at six, the prayer that began his deepest faith in Christ, and why he chose faith-based filmmaking over a more lucrative path. He talks about a mission president in New York who taught him the spirit of the law, the Russian father who returned a missionary's snow cap years after the real Saratov kidnapping took place, the South African film crew who asked for 120 copies of the Book of Mormon by the final week of production, and how the Help Them See Foundation now connects mission-driven donors to faith-based stories. His witness is that Christ is in relentless pursuit of His children, leaving fingerprints in every life He has touched. Loved this episode?Hit Follow and share it with someone who needs to know that God answers prayer in the moments we feel most alone. Leave a review for Why We Believe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Your support helps us bring more inspiring conversations like this to listeners everywhere! Visit WhyWeBelieve.com to download Your FREE guide on 13 Strategies to Increase Faith in Jesus Christ, to support you as you strengthen your own testimony of Jesus Christ. Follow the Why We Believe Show: Website: https://www.whywebelieve.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhyWeBelieveShow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-we-believe-show/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whywebelievepodcast/ Follow Nathan Gwilliam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam/ Follow Garrett Batty: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrettbatty/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garrettbatty/ Help Them See Foundation: https://www.helpthemseefoundation.org/

    47 min

  3. MAY 18

    US Senator John Curtis' Story of Faith & Forgiveness

    What does a United States Senator say when asked why he believes? For John Curtis, it starts on a mountaintop in Galilee, where at 19 he went 48 hours without food or water and climbed alone to ask if God would forgive him. He walked down certain the answer was yes, and the first to say he would not recommend the method. In this episode of Why We Believe, host Nathan Gwilliam sits down with Senator John Curtis of Utah, a direct descendant of Brigham Young and former mayor of Provo. Curtis shares the story of a great-great-grandmother who chose the gospel over her oldest son, a family legacy where all eight sons served as mission presidents, and how a 30-year-old bishop in Richmond, Virginia learned that constant inspiration is the only way to lead beyond your experience. He talks about serving a mission in Taiwan, returning decades later to sit with Taiwan's president as a senator, and why a pattern from those early mission days has guided every chapter since. Loved this episode? Hit Follow and share it with someone who has wondered if their road back to faith is still open. Leave a review for Why We Believe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Your support helps us bring more inspiring conversations like this to listeners everywhere! Follow the Why We Believe Show: Website: https://www.whywebelieve.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhyWeBelieveShow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-we-believe-show/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whywebelievepodcast/ Follow Nathan Gwilliam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam/ Follow Senator John Curtis: Website: https://curtis.senate.gov YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SenatorJohnCurtis Twitter/X: https://x.com/SenJohnCurtis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/senjohncurtis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SenJohnCurtis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-r-curtis/

    42 min

  4. MAY 15

    Brett Sampson Carried Rocks in His Pockets Until the Savior Helped Him Let Go

    Brett Sampson moved 14 times before he ever left home, served a mission in Rochester, New York where the Sacred Grove was part of his assignment, and grew up to help lead one of the most dramatic transformations in Latter-day Saint education. He has served as a stake president, taught public speaking on campus for over two decades, and led University Relations at BYU-Idaho for 26 years. In this episode of Why We Believe, Brett Sampson shares how the Church became the one constant through 14 childhood moves and how the atonement of Jesus Christ became real to him in a basement bathroom on his mission. He talks about why an unfamiliar scripture came to him during the call to be a stake president, how he kept his footing on the day a beloved prophet died, and what it really means to put down the rocks of unforgiveness we carry in our pockets. Along the way, Brett teaches what it means to surrender what we cannot fix, why following the prophet steadies us in every storm, and how Christ heals more than sin. He heals the actual hurt we carry. Loved this episode? Hit Follow and share it with someone who needs to know that Christ meets us in our hardest seasons. Leave a review for Why We Believe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Your support helps us bring more inspiring conversations like this to listeners everywhere! Visit WhyWeBelieve.com to download Your FREE guide on 13 Strategies to Increase Faith in Jesus Christ, to support you as you strengthen your own testimony of Jesus Christ. Follow the Why We Believe Show: Website: https://www.whywebelieve.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhyWeBelieveShow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-we-believe-show/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whywebelievepodcast/ Follow Nathan Gwilliam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam/ Follow Brett Sampson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-sampson-1288149 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brett.sampson.10/ BYU-Idaho: https://www.byui.edu/directories/brett-sampson

    53 min

  5. MAY 12

    Because of Jesus Christ Everything Is Going to Be Okay (With Sarah Norton)

    Sarah Norton grew up in a faithful home, served in her community, and believed in Jesus Christ her whole life. But belief became something far deeper the night a stranger walked up to her outside a doctor's office, wrapped her arms around her, and said, "Everything is going to be okay." That was the first of three separate angel moments, each with an identical message sent by God at three of the darkest hours of her life. In this episode of Why We Believe, host Nathan Gwilliam sits down with his former neighbor and longtime friend to hear how Sarah survived losing her sister, her brother, and two nieces to suicide, healed from years of abuse and an eating disorder, and found her way to a life she once could not have imagined. Sarah is the founder of Your Beautiful Soul, a certified art healer and trauma integration coach who has hosted seven healing retreats and reached more than 16 million people through social media. Her story is not about perfect circumstances. It is about a God who keeps showing up, no matter how dark it gets, and a woman who learned to trust that He always will. Loved this episode? If this episode reminded you that God sees you in your hardest season, please help share it. Leave a rating and review for Why We Believe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube, add a comment with the moment from Sarah's story that meant the most to you, and don't forget to download your free guide, 13 Strategies to Increase Faith in Jesus Christ, at WhyWeBelieve.com to support you as you strengthen your own testimony of Jesus Christ. Follow the Why We Believe Show: Website: https://www.whywebelieve.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhyWeBelieveShow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-we-believe-show/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whywebelievepodcast/ Follow Nathan Gwilliam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam/ Follow Sarah Norton: Website: https://www.yourbeautifulsoul.net/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahjeannorton/

    57 min

  6. MAY 8

    David Checketts: From the Utah Jazz to the NY Knicks, a Life Guided by Faith

    What happens when the youngest CEO in NBA history finds himself kneeling by his bed in London, begging heaven to save his bleeding grandson? David W. Checketts ran some of the most recognizable sports organizations in the world. He took over the Utah Jazz at 28, led the Knicks to two NBA finals, owned the St. Louis Blues the year they won the Stanley Cup, and built Real Salt Lake from scratch. Through all of it, he served as a bishop, a stake president, and eventually walked away to spend three years leading missionaries in London for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this episode of Why We Believe, host Nathan Gwilliam sits down with David to hear how studying Jesus the Christ on his mission cast out a lifetime of fear, how his brother's tragic death taught him that Christ carries us through grief, and why a business card with three words reshaped everything he believed about prayer. His testimony is no longer belief alone. It is sure knowledge. Loved this episode?Hit Follow and share it with someone who needs to hear that expecting miracles is not optimism but a decision to trust the Lord! Leave a review forWhy We BelieveonApple Podcasts,Spotify, orYouTube. Your support helps us bring more inspiring conversations like this to listeners everywhere! Follow the Why We Believe Show: Website: https://www.whywebelieve.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhyWeBelieveShow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-we-believe-show/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whywebelievepodcast/ Follow Nathan Gwilliam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam/ Follow David W. Checketts: Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Checketts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dwchecketts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwcheck44/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/davechecketts

    49 min

  7. APR 30

    "I Went Home to Die" - Then Disney Called (with Adassa Candiani)

    What happens when a Grammy-winning artist wakes up paralyzed from the neck down the day after auditioning for Disney? Adassa Candiani couldn't walk, couldn't talk, couldn't eat. Doctors had no answers. She went home to die. The next morning, she woke up alive and got the call: she had landed the role of Dolores in Encanto. In this episode of Why We Believe, host Nathan Gwilliam sits down with the voice behind We Don't Talk About Bruno to hear how premature birth with underdeveloped lungs became Grammy-winning vocals, how her successful reggaeton career led to temple covenants, and why her husband refusing to hang up on a Disney casting director changed everything. Adassa shares what it means to live every day as your last, why your talent isn't yours, and how the Atonement turns backward lives into something better than you could ever create yourself. Loved this episode? Hit Follow and share it with someone who needs to hear that God's plan is better than perfection. Leave a review for Why We Believe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Your support helps us bring more inspiring conversations like this to listeners everywhere! Download your FREE guide, 13 Strategies to Increase Faith in Jesus Christ, at WhyWeBelieve.com to support you as you strengthen your own testimony of Jesus Christ.  Follow the Why We Believe Show - Website: https://www.whywebelieve.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhyWeBelieveShow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-we-believe-show/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whywebelievepodcast/ Follow Nathan Gwilliam - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam/ Follow Adassa Candiani - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adassa-candiani-39047769/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adassaofficial/ Website: https://www.adassa-official.com/ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@adassaofficial Facebook: https://facebook.com/adassaofficialpage Twitter/X: https://x.com/adassaofficial Linktree: https://solo.to/adassa

    1h 2m

  8. APR 23

    I Was Wrong. The Prophet Was Right. (with Brad Wilcox)

    Brad Wilcox was born on Christmas Day, spent his earliest childhood in Ethiopia, and grew up to write the most-viewed BYU devotional in history. He has served as a mission president in Chile, a member of the Young Men General Presidency, and a BYU professor whose teachings on grace have reshaped how a generation of Latter-day Saints understand the Atonement. In this episode of Why We Believe, host Nathan Gwilliam, sits down with Brad to talk about the end of scouting in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and why the fruits are already showing. They discuss why the new Eagle is a temple recommend, how bishopric involvement with the youth is changing everything, and what Brad learned from a childhood in Africa, a mission in South America, and a lifetime of teaching. Along the way, Brad teaches what grace really is, why faith is a choice rather than pretending, and how Christ does not wait for you to finish changing. He walks with you while you do. Loved this episode? Hit Follow and share it with someone who needs to know that Christ meets us right where we are. Leave a review for Why We Believe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Your support helps us bring more inspiring conversations like this to listeners everywhere! Visit WhyWeBelieve.com to download Your FREE guide on 13 Strategies to Increase Faith in Jesus Christ, to support you as you strengthen your own testimony of Jesus Christ. Follow the Why We Believe Show: Website: https://www.whywebelieve.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhyWeBelieveShow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-we-believe-show/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whywebelievepodcast/ Follow Nathan Gwilliam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam/ Follow Brad Wilcox: Church profile: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/bradley-r-wilcox Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradrwilcox/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YM1stCounselor/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/BradleyRWil

    1h 10m
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5
out of 5
52 Ratings

About

Why do we believe? What inspires faith, testimony, and conversion in members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints? Dive into the personal conversion stories behind faithful members of the church. Join Nathan Gwilliam, host and life-long member of the church, as he sits down with guests with unique backgrounds and perspectives to discuss the deeply personal and spiritual journeys that led them to embrace the teachings of Jesus Christ and why they believe. Through one-on-one interviews, hear firsthand accounts of the life-changing conversion stories and events that ignited and solidified these members' beliefs and personal testimonies. Gain powerful insights into the many unique paths that lead to faith and discover what continues to feed their dedication year after year. Join us each week for inspiring stories from faithful Latter-Day Saints and discuss Why We Believe.

Information

  • Creator
    Nathan Gwilliam
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    75
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2024 Why We Believe. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Why We Believe

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