Gather In Podcast. Stories of Conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Part One.Josephine Last Whalebone—known to us simply as Josie—was born on King Island in Bass Strait during the 1940s, a small and remote island located between mainland Australia and Tasmania. Growing up in a Catholic family, Josie spent her early years on King Island before her family later moved to Tasmania. As an adult, she eventually followed her sisters to the Australian mainland, where she built a life in Melbourne, working, raising a family, and creating many lasting memories.I first met Josie about 25 years ago when missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints knocked on her door and began teaching her about their faith. Interestingly, this experience reminded Josie of an earlier time when she and her late husband, Bill, had been taught by sister missionaries while living in the Croydon area of Melbourne many years before.There was also an unexpected connection between Josie and my family. My wife had grown up on King Island, and sharing that background quickly created a strong bond between them. With a population of only a few thousand people, meeting someone else from King Island on the mainland is quite rare.This interview captures Josie’s remarkable life story, including her memories of growing up on King Island, her family experiences, and her personal faith journey. Josie has an incredible ability to recall the small details and meaningful moments from throughout her life, making this a fascinating conversation about history, family, and faith.Because of the length of the interview, it is being published in two parts.I hope you enjoy spending time listening to Josie share her life story.

10 years before he was born, Troy's mother became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His father took the older kids to a protestant Church for a while, but eventually gave up on that idea. What's it really like growing up in The Church?? Are they weird at all? Is it a cult?

Sean Rogers was raised in a big LDS family, but it's fair to say that life has not been a bed of roses for him. But Sean is one of those persistent characters who has been through more trials than most of us, and has come out smiling, with stronger faith than ever. I think you'll find my interview with him here inspiring!Sean is a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He currently serves as his Ward Mission Leader, Elders Quorum Secretary and also as a Temple Worker in Atlanta, Georgia.

Belle Boxshall was born in Northern England just before the outbreak of World War II. With her father serving in the military, her mother raised the family through those early years of hardship. As a young woman, Belle married John — a Catholic — while she was a devoted Methodist.In 1965, they made the life-changing decision to emigrate to Australia, seeking a better climate for health reasons and a brighter future for their children.Then, one day in rural South Australia, a simple knock at the door from two young missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would change the course of their lives forever. This is Belle’s incredible journey of love, sacrifice, resilience, and spiritual discovery.👉 Subscribe for more inspirational true stories.🙏 Like if you believe in second chances and divine timing.💬 Comment to share your own story of faith or migration!

Stephanie has terminal cancer, but we've managed to do this interview before life gets too uncomfortable for her. She reminisces about growing up post WWII in rural Victoria, Australia, and studying to be a nurse in Melbourne, and there meeting missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Within weeks she would become a member of the Church and within months met her future husband Neville and go onto raise her family, mainly in the Western District of Victoria. She is now staring death in the face and looks forward to reuniting with Neville, who passed away, from cancer, during the Covid epidemic of 2020.

Born in 1933 in rural Australia, Helena Mauldon (Helena Farr to many of you) has a remarkable ability to recall details from her childhood, like riding a horse four miles to school as a five year old, with her six year old brother. Her conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and attending the Footscray Ward in Melbourne happened in the mid 1950s. I'm sure you'll love Helena, like we all do.

(Had some sound issues with the first version of this that I uploaded. Hopefully this one is better.) Bob Grant has an amazing story to tell. He's been a member of more churches than most people have had hot dinners. Anglican, pentecostal, SDA and JW almost, and even his Dad's own church! He was introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by an old hunting friend, which was appropriate as Bob had been hunting around for the true Church of Jesus Christ for years. Bob's wife Wendy joins in the conversation briefly towards the end, and will soon be interviewed to tell her story of conversion from Catholicism to also become a Latter-day Saint.

It was such a pleasure to interview my old friend, H. J. Brian Horsman. At almost 93 years of age, Brian is not the oldest person that I've interviewed (that was Robert (Bob) Lyon) but this is certainly the longest interview I have done. Even if you think you know Brian very well, I think there will be a few surprises here for you. Brian is somewhat a legend of the Church here in the Geelong Ward anyway. I'm pretty sure he is our oldest attending member. He was a convert back in the 1950's, and later served as one of the early Bishops of the Ward. Brian's wife Mary passed away earlier this year, and as she was going downhill, he cared for her the entire time (with some family assistance) at home. He was determined to fulfil his duty to love and care for her to the end. That's just the type of man he is. I hope you enjoy, and learn, from this interview

Betty Frew grew up in a tenement building in Scotland in the 1950's and '60's before following some extended family members and migrating with her husband to Australia. She met her late husband, Ray, when he was 16 and she only 14, but managed to hide her relationship with him for a couple of years, as there was a catch. Not only was she too young to have a boyfriend, but Ray was a Mormon! Betty was raised in a traditional Presbyterian home and for her parents, it was quite a shock to have their daughter wanting to go to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is a story of patience and faith, determination and romance! We hope you enjoy this interview.

Today's interview is with my good friend, Gavin Williamson. One beautiful women brought him in to the Church, and another beautiful women brought him back after he drifted away for a few years. I think you'll enjoy hearing his story. I did!

Russ was a fascinating interviewee, and very patient with the technical difficulties I encountered! He is a wonderful story teller and has many stories to tell. I hope this episode provides an insight into life in Salt Lake City, where Russ grew up as a next door neighbour to Gordon B. Hinckley, former president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For older couples, I also hope you might be inspired to want to serve as a senior missionaries. Brother Osguthorpe, currently serves as a Sealer in the Provo Temple. He and his wife Lolly recently served as senior missionaries at BYU-H, they served as President and Matron of the Bismarck North Dakota Temple, he is a former General Sunday School President, and Area Seventy.The Osguthorpes served as mission leaders in South Dakota Rapid City. They are both former members of the Tabernacle Choir. Prior to full-time Church service Russ was Professor of Instructional Psychology at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He is the author of a number of books. He is also the host of the Filled With His Love podcast.

Christian McOmber @MissionaryUniverse grew up in a Latter-day Saint family in Seattle, served mission for the Church in Brazil, and is a young married father of one, so far :) His first book, a memoir of his mission in Brazil, is now available on Amazon. Search for "With your Shield or Upon It". It is a fantastic read for prospective missionaries, currently serving missionaries, returned missionaries, and anyone else who loves missionary work! Would be a beautiful Christmas present.