Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones

What if poverty is not only a financial problem, but a spiritual one? President Brian Ashton explains why intelligence is widely distributed, but opportunity is not. He shares how BYU–Pathway Worldwide combines faith, education, practical skills, and employment to help people build lasting self-reliance instead of depending on temporary handouts. From students surviving on one meal a day to returned missionaries coming home with nowhere to live, this conversation reveals how poverty can limit far more than income. It can suppress hope, confidence, leadership, and divine potential. President Ashton shares why lasting change requires more than money. It requires opportunity, spiritual identity, education, work, and the belief that every person can become more than their circumstances suggest.

The woman who knew Joseph Smith better than anyone never stopped testifying that he was a prophet. So why has history remembered her almost entirely through controversy? In this episode of Let’s Get Real, historian Don Bradley takes a fresh look at Emma Smith, separating the historical record from the assumptions that have shaped her legacy for generations. Together, we explore some of the biggest questions surrounding Emma’s life: • Why didn’t Emma Smith go west with the Saints? • What did she really believe about Joseph Smith and the Restoration? • How did she navigate the challenge of plural marriage? • Why did she continue to bear a powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon? • What can Emma’s life teach us about faith when we don’t have perfect answers? Rather than reducing Emma to a symbol in modern debates, this conversation reveals a faithful, intelligent, courageous disciple whose story is far more compelling than many realize. Whether you’re wrestling with questions about Church history or simply want to better understand one of the most important women of the Restoration, this conversation offers historical context, empathy, and hope.

For years, many Latter-day Saints have looked at declining activity rates and wondered the same thing: Is the Church failing? In this episode, I sit down with BYU Studies Editor-in-Chief Justin Dyer to examine what the data actually says about retention, religiosity, mental health, and why people leave faith. What we found surprised me. While religious participation has declined dramatically across the United States, the data reveals that Latter-day Saints continue to retain active members at higher rates than nearly every other Christian denomination. The question may not be, “What’s going wrong with the Church?” but rather, “What is happening to religion, community, and identity as a whole?” We discuss the four major groups of people who leave the Church, why many never completely close the door on returning, how politics increasingly shapes religious belief, and what predicts whether someone stays connected to faith over time. We also explore a striking idea found in Doctrine and Covenants Section 1: that God foresaw the challenges of our day and provided guidance for navigating them. According to Justin’s research, the strongest predictor of whether someone remains connected to their faith isn’t simply church attendance or religious habits. It’s whether they consistently experience God in their lives. Whether you are a parent worried about a child who has left the Church, someone wrestling with questions about faith, or simply trying to understand what is happening in our culture, this conversation offers both data and hope.

"I, Nephi . . . ." We’ve all read the beginning of the Book of Mormon. Lehi is warned. Nephi is sent back. Laban is drunk. The story moves fast and feels familiar. But what if we’ve been reading it without understanding the setting it's unfolding in? In this episode, I sit down with church historian and former "ex-Mormon" atheist Don Bradley to explore a clue hiding in plain sight, one that tells us more about the "lost 116 pages" and reframes how we see the Book of Mormon's entire opening sequence - and the book itself. Not by changing its meaning, but by grounding it in its original sacred context. The beginning of the Book of Mormon isn't just happening randomly. It’s taking place during a specific moment in the Jewish calendar, a festival setting that adds layers of clarity to what’s happening and why, refocusing the story from being about Lehi's escape from Jerusalem to being about your own deliverance and the redemption of the world. Once you see it, the timing, the tension, and even the actions of key figures start to come into sharper focus. We don’t just revisit the story. We slow it down, connect the dots, and explore what was there all along. If you’ve ever felt like there’s more going on in the scriptures than what’s on the surface, this conversation will change how you read them. - - - - - - - - - - The Lost 116 Pages: Reconstructing the Book of Mormon's Missing Stories https://www.amazon.com/Lost-116-Pages-Reconstructing-Mormons/dp/158958760X "A Passover Setting for Lehi's Exodus," published in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Scripture https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/a-passover-setting-for-lehis-exodus

Most people don't walk away from their faith in a dramatic moment. They don't deconstruct overnight. They slowly stop caring. In this episode of Let’s Get Real, I sit down with David Snell from @keystonelds to talk about the quiet threat that is pulling more people away than doubt or hard questions. What happens when your faith was built on other people and they let you down? What do you do when belief stops feeling simple and starts becoming complicated? Why do so many people get stuck right there? We talk about why apathy matters more than controversy, the difference between borrowed belief and personal conviction, and how faith naturally moves through stages of simplicity and complexity. We also break down why testimony is something that must be built over time instead of relying on a single answer. This is not a conversation about easy solutions. It is about what actually holds when things get difficult. If you have ever felt your faith drifting, this episode will help you understand why and what you can do about it.

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