Can You Feel So Now?

Host Justin Barton interviews returned missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sam Niles about his mission journey and faith. Sam was assigned to the West Virginia Charleston Mission (June 2023), but an illness in February 2024 led to a service mission after he was diagnosed with cancer, had surgery, and underwent nine weeks of chemotherapy (April–June 2024) followed by recovery. Feeling physically better, he returned to West Virginia, but a remission checkup triggered a trauma response and his mission president advised him to finish as a service missionary; he completed his mission in June 2025. Sam describes moments of peace through prayer, a powerful experience of feeling a divine presence in an ER, meaningful service in the temple and community, lessons about loving others, journaling, overcoming perceived stigma, and centering multiple identities around Jesus Christ. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:23 Sam’s Background and Hobbies 01:52 Mission Call and Timeline 03:20 Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment 06:21 Chemo Struggles and Service Work 08:48 Temple Service and New Perspective 13:20 Returning to West Virginia and Trauma 15:38 Atonement and the Empty Chair Moment 20:10 Identity After Cancer and Mission Stigma 25:45 Learning Prayer and Purifying Motives 32:57 Journaling and Loving Leadership 37:16 Why Justin Started the Podcast 40:54 Final Reflections and Alma 5 Questions 48:42 Testimony and Closing

Justin Barton interviews recently returned missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sarah Kropf about serving in the Indonesia, Jakarta Mission from August 2024 to February 2026, teaching primarily in Bahasa. Sarah shares misreading her call as “Indianapolis,” then learning about Indonesia’s many languages and cultures. She describes early loneliness on Bali with only one native companion and how praying for strength to do “one more day,” focusing on small acts of gratitude, and journaling helped her endure. She discusses developing deeper trust in the Lord, relying on prayer throughout daily interactions, and using charity (Moroni 7) to overcome fear and serve others, including companions. Sarah reflects on learning to live with less, teaching Muslims and Hindus about Christ as Savior, assuming love to avoid offense, and feeling hope that “the best is yet to come,” which she plans to carry into life and a possible future in labor and delivery medicine. 00:00 Welcome And Introductions 00:34 Meet Sarah Kropf 01:19 Mission Call To Jakarta 02:44 Language And Culture 03:32 Deciding To Serve 04:40 Early Struggles In Bali 05:56 One More Day Mindset 07:38 Gratitude As A Tool 09:49 Trusting The Lord 12:42 Finding Joy In Third Area 14:06 Scripture Focus On Charity 16:23 Assume Love Theme 18:05 Choosing Not Offense 20:29 Life With Less 21:45 Grocery Store Shock 22:43 Remembering What Matters 24:19 Faith Across Religions 26:24 Christ As The Constant 29:01 Prayer In Real Time 32:13 Cultures And Companions 33:41 Calling And Core Values 36:34 Change Of Heart 39:26 Song Of Redeeming Love 40:17 Advice To Future Self 41:54 Bahasa Testimony And Farewell

Host Justin Barton interviews Mallory Lybbert about her service in the Washington Spokane Mission in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (set apart June 16, 2024; home Nov. 25, 2025) and the mission emphasis on the Doctrine of Christ—faith, repentance, baptism, the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end—along with “press forward with steadfastness in Christ.” Mallory describes initially not wanting to serve, feeling prompted to go, and being grateful for a stateside call. She shares how faith became recognizing everyday actions as faith, how prayer deepened through listening for revelation and acting on first promptings (including a lawn-mowing contact who was later baptized), and how enduring became “enjoying to the end” and giving “justice to where you are.” She discusses repentance as ongoing change, lessons on exact obedience (including Mosiah 3:1–4), facing grandparents’ deaths near the end of her mission, and bearing testimony of the Restoration, Joseph Smith, and Jesus Christ. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:23 Mallory Background and Mission Dates 01:12 Mission Theme Doctrine of Christ 02:33 Faith Before and After Mission 04:01 Deciding to Serve 05:44 Opening the Spokane Call 06:29 Patriarchal Blessing Fulfilled 08:59 Culture Shock and Early Trials 10:28 Trainer Lessons for New Missionaries 12:29 Prayer and Hearing Answers 14:58 Promptings Lead to Baptism 17:00 Enduring and Enjoying to the End 20:06 Repentance as Daily Change 22:31 Hard Moments and Wanting Home 23:25 Grief Near Mission End 25:03 Blessing and New Perspective 26:30 Feeling Christ Through Companionship 27:48 Learning Exact Obedience 29:25 Obedience After Coming Home 31:28 Mission Prep Regrets 32:19 Preach My Gospel Breakthrough 33:32 Why Doctrine of Christ Matters 34:46 Knowing God Loves You 35:56 Obedience Turning Point Story 40:51 Can You Feel Questions 43:12 Coaching Your Future Self 45:45 Testimony and Closing

Justin Barton interviews Jamie Fulmer, who grew up in Spokane, later moved to Kansas, is adopted, and loves basketball and playing violin. Jamie shares how he served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the California Los Angeles Mission ("CLAM") from August, 2023 to August, 2025, speaking Spanish after training at the Mexico City MTC. He discusses having two mission presidents who emphasized the doctrine of Christ, what he learned about Latino work ethic ("la chamba"), and how his understanding of daily repentance shifted to turning toward Jesus Christ. Jamie recounts a difficult training assignment with a companion who wanted to go home, and how prayer helped him trust the Lord. He highlights Ether 12 and describes seeing Jesus Christ in the people he served, growing in gratitude and specific prayer, recommitting to temple covenants, ministering, and preparing for future marriage and sealing, then answers Alma 5:26 questions about change of heart and the Song of Redeeming Love. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:43 Family Adoption and Hobbies 01:22 Violin on the Mission 02:25 Called to the CLAM 04:44 Spanish in Los Angeles 06:48 La Chamba Work Ethic 08:38 Repentance Reframed 10:55 Key Indicators and Sacrament 15:44 Hard Transfer as Trainer 22:38 Parents and Compassion 25:02 Ether 12 and Seeing Jesus 28:57 Prayer Growth and Specific Needs 31:55 Thy Will and Future Plans 37:53 Advice to Future Missionaries 39:34 Can You Feel So Now Questions 41:49 Time Machine Self Coaching 43:14 Spanish Testimony and Farewell

Host Justin Barton interviews return missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ethan Coplen, who recently came home from the South Africa, Cape Town Mission, about his upbringing in Queen Creek, Arizona, his large family, football achievements, and a period of inactivity after moving out at 18. Ethan shares how a serious football injury led to a spiritual impression that redirected his life, repentance, and a decision to serve a mission. He discusses learning to rely on Jesus Christ rather than pride, the difference between reading and studying scripture, and how praying, pondering, and obedience shaped his conversion. Ethan recounts facing depression and grief after losing his sister and her children to tragedy during his mission, and explains how being “yoked” with Christ helped him endure. He closes with invitations to prospective missionaries, return missionaries, and nonmembers to seek truth and remember miracles. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:31 Ethan Background and Football 01:33 Leaving Home and Church 04:01 Injury and Turning Point 05:57 Returning and Choosing Mission 07:10 Why Falling Away Felt Easy 09:48 Personal Relationship With God 12:00 Yoked With Christ and Miracles 14:49 Missionary Focus and Self Conversion 17:54 Reading Versus Studying 20:37 Charity Learned in the Field 23:11 Obedience Lesson and Spiritual Witness 26:56 Love Your Neighbor 28:10 Pondering and Prayer 29:34 Mission Trial and Loss 32:30 Everything to God 34:16 Hearing the Spirit 36:35 Why Suffering Happens 38:43 Bearing the Burden 40:42 Three Invitations 46:45 Change of Heart 48:18 Song of Redeeming Love 49:47 Back to Basics 52:09 Closing Testimony

Justin Barton interviews newly returned missionary Michael Hazel on the Can You Feel So Now podcast. Michael shares his background and explains that he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Alabama, Birmingham Mission from June 2023 to June 2025, assigned Spanish-speaking for two transfers before serving mostly in English while still using Spanish. He describes being inactive from about age 13 to 25 due to painful experiences and feeling that the Atonement didn’t apply to him, then beginning a spiritual turnaround in 2019 when someone read the Book of Mormon with him daily for 90 days. He discusses the difference between being “lukewarm” versus fully detached, how many small spiritual experiences helped him understand grace and the Atonement as constant help, and why faith and accepting God are choices rooted in agency. Michael emphasizes charity—choosing to love people who are rude, lost, or even threatening—and explains forgiving a bishop he once hated by choosing forgiveness and later feeling peace even when seeing him at the temple. He outlines how consistency comes through daily Book of Mormon study, meaningful prayer as a real conversation with Heavenly Father, and conscientiously partaking of the sacrament, and he shares views on recognizing revelation in everyday ways and repenting as simply turning toward Christ. He recounts being prompted to serve a mission later in life after a branch conference message from his stake president about covenants and bears testimony that following Jesus Christ is always the right decision. Using Alma 5:26, he describes a change of heart as visible in a person’s countenance, defines the “song of redeeming love” as a state of being, and advises his future self to remember the Lord’s tender mercies. He closes with a testimony of Jesus Christ, the reality of spiritual witness, the importance of temple worship and consecrating one’s will to God, and the joy found in the work of salvation and exaltation. 00:00 Welcome + Meet Michael Hazel (Background & Family) 01:22 Mission Call: Alabama Birmingham & Spanish-to-English Switch 03:18 Why He Left the Church (13–25) and What Brought Him Back 05:19 Lukewarm vs Detached: The Misery of Life Without God 07:05 Reading the Book of Mormon Daily: Rebuilding a Testimony 09:05 Atonement Reframed: “Wind at Your Back” + Still Small Voice 11:30 Sobriety, Agency, and Choosing Faith Over Nihilism 14:47 Charity on the Mission: Loving the “Lost” and Difficult People 19:21 Forgiveness as a Choice: Healing from a Hurtful Leader 22:56 No Gray Area: Doctrine Changes Behavior + Staying Consistent 27:15 3 Daily Anchors for Spiritual Consistency (Scriptures, Prayer, Sacrament) 29:01 Your Environment Shapes Your Spirit: Who You Spend Time With 30:42 Hearing God’s Voice: Recognizing Revelation in Small & Simple Ways 34:57 When You Can’t Feel the Spirit: Repentance as a Simple Turn to Christ 37:52 Why Serving a Mission Is Always the Right Choice (And a Life-Changing Story) 45:50 Alma 5: “Can You Feel So Now?” Change of Heart & Redeeming Love 48:33 15 Years Later: Remembering Tender Mercies When You Feel Off Track 49:44 Final Testimony: Choosing Christ, Daily Consecration, and True Joy

Podcast host Justin Barton interviews Olivia Armstrong, originally from Glenwood Springs, Colorado, now living in Provo, Utah. hobbies like reading, outdoor activities, hammocking, and thrifting. She served a Spanish-speaking mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Texas, Dallas West Mission from September 25, 2023 to March 26, 2025, sharing how mission life taught her about companionship, humility, and relying on Christ through serious prayer rather than focusing on baptisms. She discusses the challenge of adjusting after coming home, including missing her “people,” slipping into Spanish slang, and struggling to stay spiritually fed while starting a job and returning to school, emphasizing the need to fight for time with God. Olivia explains that her mission focus was building relationships and helping people know Jesus Christ is for them, regardless of whether they join the church, and reflects on a close friendship with someone she taught but did not baptize. She credits Mission President Ord with helping her keep her personality while serving, and shares a framework he taught: God’s love for us and our love for God as the foundation, leading to the Plan of Salvation and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with other topics as “details.” Olivia recounts being driven to her knees during a difficult period with a companion and finding peace and Christlike love through prayer. She describes learning an eternal perspective partly from the movie Inside Out, and contrasts religion (a way of viewing life) with God (a reciprocated relationship), recalling a strong spiritual confirmation in the temple celestial room during her first endowment. Olivia testifies that God’s love is loud and personal through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, answers the show’s Alma 5:26 theme about change of heart and the “song of redeeming love,” and offers a future reminder to herself to return to prayer and dependence on God. The episode ends with Justin inviting Olivia to bear her testimony in Spanish. 00:00 Welcome to the Can You Feel So Now Podcast + Meet Olivia Armstrong 00:36 Olivia’s Background: Colorado to Utah, Mission Call, and New Hobbies 01:18 Family Snapshot: Siblings, Mom, and Stepdad 01:44 Texas Dallas West Mission Culture: First Impressions, Humidity, and Training Shock 03:33 Learning to Be a Better Companion: Pride, Teamwork, and the ‘Triangle’ with the Lord 04:46 What the Mission Was Really About: Prayer, Growth, and Not Just Baptisms 06:21 Coming Home After the Mission: Dates, Re-Entry Whiplash, and Fighting to Stay Spiritually Fed 09:04 “These Are My People”: Relationships Deeper Than Baptism and Why Jesus Christ Is for Everyone 11:44 How Jesus Christ Became Personal: President Ord’s Pyramid (Love, Plan, Gospel, Details) 15:51 Rock-Bottom Balcony Prayer: Anxiety, Companion Struggles, and Finding Christlike Love 20:32 Turning Pain into Perspective: Trauma, Growth, and the Inside Out Lesson 24:03 Lessons from President Ord: Bringing Your Pre-Mission Self with You 24:47 Finding Your Mission Self: Hawaiian Shirt, Nikes & Authenticity 26:33 Reverence Without Losing Personality (Disciples, Agency & ‘Love Is Loud’) 30:46 How ‘Love Is Loud’ Got Refined: From Back-of-Seminary to Real Desire 33:44 Experimenting on the Word: Learning to Pray, Study & Ask for Help 34:47 Religion vs. God: Why Relationship Is the Center 36:42 First Time Prayer Felt Real: Temple Endowment & the Celestial Room 39:02 Final Message: The Atonement Is Proof God’s Love Is Loud 40:32 Change of Heart & Becoming a ‘Spiritual Giant’ Through Doubt 43:24 The Song of Redeeming Love: Hearing It in Everyday Life 45:25 Time-Machine Advice to Future Self: ‘Drive to Your Knees’ 47:04 Closing Testimony in Spanish (Wrap-Up)

In this episode of the 'Can You Feel So Now? podcast, host Justin Barton sits down with 21-year-old Carson Stubbs, fresh off his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Spokane, Washington. Carson shares his journey from drifting away from the Church as a teenager to experiencing a profound reconnection with his faith, inspired by his grandparents' mission work. He delves into his dedication to Jesus Christ, the challenges and triumphs of his mission, and how the teachings of the Book of Mormon transformed his outlook on life. Carson also recounts deeply personal moments, including the tragic loss of his brother and how his faith sustained him. The conversation touches on the power of prayer, the significance of the atonement, and the importance of continued spiritual growth to keep the faith vibrant. Carson's heartfelt testimony and experiences provide a compelling insight into the impact of a mission and the profound influence of Jesus Christ in his life. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:22 Carson's Background and Mission Experience 01:34 Struggles with Faith and Rediscovery 03:34 Mission Challenges and Personal Growth 08:36 Understanding the Atonement 20:30 Personal Trials and Spiritual Strength 25:17 Understanding the Change 25:39 Purpose of Returning to Mission 28:28 The Power of Prayer 30:33 Hearing God's Voice 32:26 Adjusting to Home Life 35:03 Future Plans and Reflections 36:38 Scriptural Inspirations 39:10 Final Thoughts and Testimony

In this episode of 'Can You Feel So Now?' host Justin Barton sits down with Isabel Crofts, a returned missionary from the Washington, Spokane Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Isabel shares her experiences, personal growth, and the challenges she faced during her mission. She discusses the influence of being a twin, adapting spontaneity within the structured mission life, and her unique role working with the Swahili-speaking population. Isabel also reflects on her change of heart, the universality of Jesus Christ's love, and how she aims to integrate these lessons into her future. Join us for an inspiring conversation about faith, service, and personal transformation. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:52 Life as a Twin 01:47 Mission Structure and Challenges 03:04 Serving the Swahili Community 05:07 Personal Growth and Faith 09:36 Understanding Jesus Christ's Role 14:00 Scriptural Inspirations 19:27 Future Aspirations and Service 22:06 Memorable People Who Make a Difference 23:42 The Power of Priesthood Blessings 25:23 Facing Hardships on a Mission 28:25 Battles Worth Fighting 29:57 Lessons from Mission Leadership 30:27 Self-Worth and Giving Your All 35:28 The Reality of Life's Challenges 38:03 Experiencing a Change of Heart 38:55 Singing the Song of Redeeming Love 40:24 Coaching Yourself Through Tough Times 41:44 Testimony in Swahili

In this episode of the 'Can You Feel So Now?' podcast, host Justin Barton sits down with recently returned missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Maycee Leavitt. Maycee shares her experiences growing up in multiple locations, her decision to serve a mission in the Washington, Spokane Mission, and the challenges and joys of her journey. She opens up about how her faith and relationship with Jesus Christ deepened through the trials she faced, both before and during her mission. Maycee discusses the transformative power of prayer, the importance of personal study, and how covenants with God have significantly impacted her life. This compelling conversation highlights the enduring lessons and spiritual growth that come from fully dedicating oneself to service and faith. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:42 Maycee's Background and Early Life 01:34 Experiences and Challenges of Moving 02:38 Mission Assignment and Initial Impressions 03:33 Developing a Relationship with the Savior 07:57 The Importance of Prayer 09:28 Specific Prayers and Their Impact 10:38 Overcoming Challenges on the Mission 16:18 Personal Growth and Attributes Developed 21:32 The Power of Words and Scripture 24:51 Mission Themes and Future Aspirations 27:19 Final Reflections and Testimony Visit our website at alma526.com . If you or someone you know and love has very recently returned from their mission and would like to record a similar conversation, please send an email to alma526rm@gmail.com and we will line it up. If you have felt a desire to make a change in your life due to anything said in this conversation, I invite you to get out and do something about it now, so that when the questions is asked, "Can You Feel So Now?", you can answer with a resounding YES! If you find value in this project and would like to support its growth, please consider contributing anything you can. Venmo: @Justin-Barton-33 last 4 of phone is 8541

In this powerful episode of the Can You Feel So Now? podcast, host Justin Barton speaks with Emma Caldwell, a young woman who has recently returned from her mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Arkansas, Bentonville Mission. Emma shares her incredible transformation from a broken childhood filled with abuse and neglect to finding strength and purpose through an adoptive family and her experiences on her mission. She delves into topics such as overcoming addiction, the importance of prayer, and finding divine purpose through trials. Emma's story is one of resilience, faith, and the unending love and guidance of God. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:39 Emma's Background and Family 01:49 Emma's Journey to Faith 07:28 Deciding to Serve a Mission 09:04 Mission Experiences and Challenges 15:29 Post-Mission Reflections and Trials 21:26 Integrating Faith into Daily Life 21:47 Scriptures That Guided My Mission 23:19 Understanding Consecration and Sacrifice 27:23 Lessons from Mission Presidents 29:50 The Power of Specific Prayer 33:32 Reflecting on Personal Growth and Faith 39:23 Testimony and Final Thoughts Visit our website at alma526.com . If you or someone you know and love has very recently returned from their mission and would like to record a similar conversation, please send an email to alma526rm@gmail.com and we will line it up. If you have felt a desire to make a change in your life due to anything said in this conversation, I invite you to get out and do something about it now, so that when the questions is asked, "Can You Feel So Now?", you can answer with a resounding YES! If you find value in this project and would like to support its growth, please consider contributing anything you can. Venmo: @Justin-Barton-33 last 4 of phone is 8541

In this episode of the 'Can You Feel So Now?' podcast, host Justin Barton speaks with Cameron Hales, a recently-returned missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Cameron, who served in the Washington, Vancouver Mission, shares his experiences dealing with the rough patches during his mission and the lessons he learned from playing rugby. He discusses the importance of pushing through hardships, how mission life has shaped his relationship with Jesus Christ, prayer, and the power of faith. Cameron also reflects on how gospel teachings and scriptural insights have influenced his life decisions and helped him navigate challenging situations. This insightful conversation offers a deep dive into the transformative power of faith and persistence. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 01:25 Connecting Rugby to Mission Experiences 03:28 Overcoming Challenges on the Mission 05:40 Lessons from Teaching and Compassion 12:20 Spiritual Insights and Personal Growth 16:56 The Power of Prayer 19:07 Turning to Prayer: Enos' Example 19:52 Personal Prayer Journey 22:34 The Role of Scriptures in Answered Prayers 24:22 Maintaining Spiritual Habits Post-Mission 27:06 Trusting the Lord's Path 30:26 Evolving Relationship with Jesus Christ 32:40 Encouragement for Future Missionaries 34:36 Reflecting on a Change of Heart 38:34 Testimony and Final Thoughts Visit our website at www.alma526.com If you or someone you know and love has very recently returned from their mission and would like to record a similar conversation, please send an email to alma526rm@gmail.com and we will line it up. If you have felt a desire to make a change in your life due to anything said in this conversation, I invite you to get out and do something about it now, so that when the questions is asked, "Can You Feel So Now?", you can answer with a resounding YES! If you find value in this project and would like to support its growth, please consider contributing anything you can. Venmo: @Justin-Barton-33 last 4 of phone is 8541