The Bishop's Wife

What does it look like to hold onto hope when the answer you’re praying for doesn’t come—at least not in the way you expected? In this episode, Chelsea Monahan shares her deeply personal journey through infertility and the long, tender season of waiting for motherhood, offering powerful insight into what it means to trust God in the unknown. Her story reaches beyond infertility, speaking to anyone who has ever felt they were “waiting on the Lord,” and bringing comfort to those experiencing loss, longing, or life paths that look different than planned. Released in anticipation of Mother’s Day, this episode gently redefines motherhood—not as something limited to biology, but as a calling rooted in love, nurturing, and caring for God’s children. Through her faith and experiences, Chelsea reminds us that even in the waiting, we are seen, loved, and never alone.

What does it really mean to be “perfect”? In this episode, Jamie offers a refreshing and deeply comforting perspective that challenges the pressure of perfectionism. Together, we explore how true perfection isn’t something we achieve on our own, but something made possible through the Savior. With a focus on growth, purpose, and what truly matters, this conversation invites you to let go of unrealistic expectations and embrace a more meaningful path forward—one rooted in grace, progress, and becoming whole.https://www.jamiepyattlcsw.com/ https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2014/07/young-adults/becoming-perfect-in-christ?lang=eng https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1995/10/perfection-pending?lang=eng http://churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/10/be-ye-therefore-perfect-eventually?lang=eng

Marilyn Green Faulkner shares a deeply personal and inspiring journey of lifelong learning through literature, faith, and life’s hardest moments. With warmth, humor, and heartfelt honesty, she weaves together insights from classical books, scripture, and her own experiences—including lessons learned in her darkest days. Marilyn reminds us that learning isn’t just about knowledge—it’s a path to healing, growth, and drawing closer to Jesus Christ. This conversation will leave you reflecting, encouraged, and maybe even ready to pick up a classic book and start learning again.

Lifelong learning is more than just learning from books and studying – it's learning from experiences. In this powerful episode, Tessiah Frame reveals why real spiritual growth isn't about checking boxes, but about embracing humility and the tough lessons life throws your way. She shares her story of being placed back on track after a life-or-death experience, reminding us that we are agents—not victims—with the God-given power to choose our own pathway out of any situation. Get ready to stop just doing more and start letting go of what doesn't matter so you can fully focus on what truly does. This conversation will challenge you to move beyond knowing the gospel to living it.

In June 2020, Valerie Davies received the kind of phone call that divides life into before and after—her son Tanner had been in a tragic accident and never came home. In this episode, Valerie shares what it looked like to move forward with faith through overwhelming grief, and how she survived in those early days. Just a year later, her husband was called to serve as bishop, opening a new chapter of service, stretching, and healing.Valerie reflects on how her testimony has both steadied and changed through her experiences. She speaks of the Atonement of Jesus Christ as a source of deep understanding and comfort, and of God’s grace as a gift meant to rescue and heal. Her message is fully of honesty and hope.

When Holly's husband, Jimmy, suffered heart complications and then a massive stroke, one of the reassuring feelings she had that he would not die was that he had just been called to be bishop. Even though it seemed contradictory that the Lord would call her husband to be bishop and then cause him to suffer a stroke, the belief that his calling came from God was reassuring enough for her to continue forward with faith, believing that healing would come. In this episode, Holly discusses the emotional moments from symptoms to surgery, and hospitalization through healing. Holly continues to be a steady foundation for her family and especially her husband.

Sometimes God allows doors to close so that we will look to the next open door, and through that door we find Christ. In this episode, Morgan King shares the unexpected story of being called to the Germany Frankfurt Mission—Turkish-speaking… only to discover in the MTC that she wouldn’t really be serving in Germany at all. Instead, she’d be teaching people in Turkey, mostly online, in a country where missionary work feels nearly impossible and where the Church is still small and fragile, yet energetic and growing.What happens next is a rollercoaster of faith, culture, and miracles -- truly reinforcing the saying that when one door closes, another door opens.

“When one door closes, another door opens” is a saying that has been around in various forms for centuries. To guest Shelley Hunter, this is more than just a saying, it is her life experience. And throughout her life, she has seen the Savior lead her to, and carry her through that next open door. In this episode, Shelly shares personal stories that have real-life application for all of us — no matter our age or stage in life. Looking back, Shelley knows that throughout each of these experiences, her Savior has carried her through. She has learned to trust Him. And now looking forward, she asks the question: "If I really believe that God is in charge, then how would I act differently today?"

Sister Angela Moyer shares powerful lessons shaped by many seasons of service—both giving and receiving. Currently serving with her husband as mission leaders for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Berlin, Germany, she reflects on the sacrifices that come with leaving behind family, careers, and familiar comforts. For her, those sacrifices are rooted in love: love for her family, the missionaries she serves, and the Savior, who modeled true charity. Sister Moyer reminds us that we don’t have to feel qualified to serve. When the Lord calls us, He provides a way, expands our capacity, and turns weakness into strength.

Throughout our life, our capacity to serve will fluctuate. In this episode Juliette Eames discusses how we balance different seasons of life with our desire to serve. Having gone from full-time missionary service to full-time mothering six children, she has embraced the change in what service looks like in her life. Juliette is my youngest sister who shares valuable wisdom and stories about the good and the hard of serving as a missionary, serving as a mother, and serving as the bishop's wife.

Keeping a steady feeling of power, purpose, and protection in an ever-changing, fallen world seems impossible. Yet, there is one place we can go to feel it again and again - the temple. Sister Carolyn Johnson discusses how the Sealing Ordinance provides us an eternal perspective - power; establishes our eternal identity within our family unit - purpose; and that as a family unit we can achieve eternal life - protection from a fallen world. No matter how "imperfect" our family may be, if we are covenant keepers, these blessings apply to all of us. Some of the passages referenced or researched in preparation for this episode include: Russell M. Nelson, “As We Go Forward Together,” Ensign, April 2018D. Todd Christofferson, “The Sealing Power,” General Conference, October 2023Russell M. Nelson, “The Everlasting Covenant,” Liahona, October 2022Henry B. Eyring, “Proved and Strengthened in Christ,” General Conference, October 2025Anthony & Cindy Sweat, The Holy Sealing - Uniting the Eternal Family of GodWendy Watson Nelson, Covenant Keepers - Unlocking the Miracles God Wants for YouD&C 17:8, D&C 83, D&C 84:20, D&C 128: 5, 15, 18, 24, D&C 132: 19-20, D&C 121:29

It's a strange suggestion that we might "wear" power, purpose, and protection. But when we better understand the Garment of the Holy Priesthood, or the Temple Garment, and the blessings that are offered when we wear it, then we just might recognize the blessings that come from this holy gift. Sister Heidi Richardson shares with us the increased power, purpose, and protection she feels in her life as a result of faithfully wearing the garment of the Holy Priesthood. Yet, she emphasizes that this realization did not come immediately, but has happened over time, and encourages each of us to "give yourself grace and time to come to your own understanding." This episode is a "no judgement," "only encouragement" discussion on the temple garment.

Wouldn't we all like to feel a little more help as we journey through life? Sister Kay Goodman discusses the power, purpose and protection that can come to us and where to find it, if we just knew where to look - in the temple. Sister Goodman discusses the power that comes as we strengthen our relationship with our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ when we make and keep sacred priesthood covenants. We know who we are and what is our purpose when we better understand our divine nature as children of God. We feel greater protection from the temptations of the adversary when we strive to live an obedient life.

What if Heavenly Father gave us the steps to creating a beautiful life in the very pattern of creating life itself? Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ magnificently created the universe and want us to learn from the pattern of Their creation. There is deep symbolism in each of these seven days. Join host Elizabeth Jacinto as she discusses the symbolism behind each of the seven days and how to apply them as we create our own beautiful life on earth, and as we long toward an eternal life in Heaven. Follow my Substack for more, or the essay version of this episode: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebishopswifepodcast/p/to-create-a-beautiful-life-follow?r=6jeqrw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Lauren Foulger, Director of The Humble Village, shares with us the professional strategies her team at The Humble Village implemented to create their mission statement, so that we can apply similar strategies personally — to find our own personal mission statement, our own purpose. The foundation to finding our own purpose is first understanding our divinity, and second understanding our stewardship.

Has anyone ever suggested to you the idea of determining YOUR personal mission statement? Ten years ago in an institute class, Susan Shupe asked a life changing question: “Have you asked Heavenly Father what is your personal mission statement?” In this episode we explore the importance of exploring that question, how it can guide your life, and bring you purpose. We also learn from Susan Shupe how her personal purpose has guided her throughout her life, as a teacher, a speaker at BYU Women’s Conferences, Especially For Youth (EFY) conferences, and while serving four senior couple missions with her husband. But most importantly, while sharing the love of the Savior with individuals she meets every day.

Guest: Erin Colby Episode Summary:Erin Colby joins The Bishop’s Wife podcast and discusses the women who taught her important life lessons and who inspired her. Her journey has not been "great by the ways of the world” but in small ways she has acted on inspiration and been guided by the spirit. Her influence might not have received worldly accolades in her view, however, as she discusses  directing children’s theatre for the past ten years throughout San Diego, CA, and starting a small school in Vista, California, it is clear that her impact will continue to be felt for generations. 

Guest: Elizabeth Jacinto Episode Summary:Host Elizabeth Jacinto takes us on her journey to starting The Bishop’s Wife podcast. When she was a bishop’s wife she found herself constantly asking the question, “who are the women and what can we learn from them?” Elizabeth sets the theme of the podcast as a place where women of faith share their uplifting stories. She highlights the inspiring messages from Prophet Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, explaining that we can all seek to feel the Spirit guiding us toward God’s reassuring presence, who will show us our purpose. Then turning our minds toward an example from the scriptures, she reminds us of the story of Queen Esther and the beautiful characteristics that lead to saving her people, and establishes a scripture theme: “Thou art born to the kingdom for such a time as this.” — Esther 4:14