Unlocking Divinity

In this heartfelt episode of Unlocking Divinity, Ashlyn Miner tells a vulnerable, hope-filled conversation about trusting God’s timing and finding Him in life’s waiting seasons. Ashlyn shares how a lifelong desire to serve a mission collided with unexpected foot and ankle surgeries, reshaping her timeline—and her testimony. Anchored by Isaiah 40:31, she discovered that waiting on the Lord is not passive; it is strengthening, sacred, and deeply formative.  Emma and Ashlyn reflect on the God of the Old Testament who still rescues today, pointing to Daniel’s courageous “but if not” faith and Alma’s people praying in their hearts. The message? God meets us uniquely but with the same unwavering care.  Together, they testify that divine delays are not denials, that we can “worship while we wait,” and that as we keep covenants and follow any good thought, we’re guided step by step. If you’re in a holding pattern, this episode will steady your heart: God is in the details, His goodness never runs out, and He’s got your back—today, tomorrow, and every day after. What are Ashlyn's Keys to Unlocking Divinity? Wait on the LordTrust His planContinue to write weekly emails to remember God's miracles

BYU student and volunteer EMT Anna Lemke joins Unlocking Divinity for a conversation that feels deeply personal. Anna shares how training as an EMT illuminated the character of Jesus Christ.  First responders arrive on our worst days with calm focus and lifesaving skills; likewise, the Savior steps into spiritual emergencies with perfect love and power. He can “stop the bleeding” because He has already bled for us, and He sustains us daily through what Anna calls spiritual CPR—church, prayer, and scripture study. The metaphor widens with the idea of a divine “crew”: family, friends, and the Holy Ghost sent to lift, carry, and comfort us.  One of the most moving moments comes from EMT triage training: in a mass-casualty scene, responders call, “If you can hear my voice, walk toward me.” For Anna, that’s what God is always saying—especially when life grows loud or lonely.  She also shares how she hears Him: persistent daily habits, replacing harsh self-talk with kinder truth, and stepping outside to breathe and notice grace. Remembering that we chose God before we came to earth empowers her to choose Him again, and the phrase “We’re all just walking each other home” reshapes how she loves others. Anna's strong testimony of Jesus Christ shines through the entire episode. Join us to hear her stong witness of the love of Jesus Christ.  Anna's keys to Unlocking Divinity? Hear God's voice and walk to HimBe persistent an put in the effort to have a realtionship with HimDo things that consistently bring the Spirit into your lifeMaintain positive thoughts about yourselfTake time to be mindful"Your Repentance Doesn't Burden Jesus Christ; It Brightens His Joy" by Sister Runia   https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/43runia?lang=eng

Caleb Preisler joins Unlocking Divinity for a relatable, hope-filled conversation. Fresh home from the France Lyon Mission, Caleb admits that life didn’t unfold exactly as he envisioned. He hoped to serve in the temple frequently and take on more formal service, but the realities of school, family, and a YSA calling stretched his schedule thin. Rather than give up, he learned to magnify small opportunities where he could: inviting friends to FHE and institute, showing up to support a farewell or homecoming, and offering the simple kindnesses that lift a day.  Caleb shares how he has come to know Jesus Christ primarily through service—watching his family minister, giving blessings with his dad, and doing everyday acts like shoveling driveways. He believes serving as Christ served is the most direct way to feel how the Savior loves His children. When a difficult semester left him tempted to throw in the towel, a reminder from his mission leaders brought clarity: have faith in Jesus Christ, not in the results. That perspective helped him step out of comparison, see his efforts as enough, and trust the Lord with timing and outcomes.  For Caleb, faith means actively choosing to focus on the Savior even when doubts surface. He closes with a quiet, confident testimony: Christ lives and loves us, and the steady, small and simple efforts we make—offered with faith—are exactly how we come to know Him and become like Him. Caleb's key's for Unlocking Divinity?  SmileMagnify your callingFind ways to serve where you are

BYU heptathlete Serena Mackley joins Unlocking Divinity to share how a childhood boating accident that nearly took her leg became a turning point in her faith—and the reason she sees sports as a stage for discipleship.  Growing up as one of 11 siblings, Serena learned early to hustle, commit, and love big. On the track team, her quiet consistency sparked conversations that led to a teammate’s baptism and a friend choosing to curb his swearing out of respect for her beliefs.   Serena compares discipleship to finishing a race—showing up, enduring the hard, and trusting the Coach—then extends a powerful invitation to join God’s “winning team.”   Serena also shares promises from President Russell M. Nelson’s 2017 address, including that deeper study of Jesus Christ increases our love for God’s laws and our ability to turn from sin. If you need a boost of courage, a reminder that your example matters, or a reason to recommit to small daily habits, this episode will get you lacing up again. Choose Christ. Keep going. You’re closer to the finish than you think. Sarena's keys for Unlocking Divinity? Ask yourself what little you would doDon't get distracted by social mediaSet goals and relentlessly fulfill them

Becca Moore joins Unlocking Divinity to share the Spirit-led path that brought her from a happy BYU semester to serving a mission in France. She and host Emma talk about the difference between God’s unconditional love and the earned nature of trust, the power of walking with Jesus through daily, deliberate choices, and practical ways to anchor discipleship in a busy student life. Becca keys for Unlocking Divinity? Planning your day around Christ firstRead at least one verse before schoolwork Using the We Believe app’s daily prompts Write down spiritual experiences and keep them sacred Join us this week for this heartfelt episode that invites you to put in the work of discipleship and keep trusting God—because when we do, He meets us with love and timely help.

Aliza Wilde joins Unlocking Divinity to share her stories of choosing faith in Jesus Christ. She shows that with faith the impossible can become possible as she tells how a prayer for closure led her to see her dad in a dream. She talks about her struggles to keep training her faith after the mission but how she is still able to do it and keep choosing God. What are Aliza's keys to Unlocking Divinity?  Understand how to use your faithTrain your faithKeep going with the small and simple thingsHold onto the knowledge that you want a relationship with God

Sierra John joins Unlocking Divinity this week to share that Heaven is in the details whether it be in God's perfect plan or loving nature. He truly is there and you can feel this truth echoed in Sierra's testimony. She tells deep stroies like losing her cousin shortly before she came home from her mission and wrestling with gospel truths. Sierra demonstrates how God not only hears prayers but He truly answers them! She reminds us that God truly has our back.  Her keys for unlocking divinity? - Learn how to talk to God and hear Him! - Turn to God immediately. Don't get caught in the dark. - Learn the Shepherd's voice - Surround yourself in the character of God - Turn to the Book of Mormon Tun into the week's episode to hear Sierra's powerful testimony!

Aaron Kinghorn joins host Emma Gwilliam in this episode full of laughter and faith to share his beautiful story of choosing to trust God. Aaron shares how even when we aren't always having spiritual experiences or when it seems like our path has completely changed, we can have the assurance that God still has a plan.  As Aaron tells his story, he references the Jeffery R Holland quote that says, "Some blessings come soon, some blessings come late, and some don't come until heaven, but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come." This principle is evident in Aaron's life What are Aaron's keys for Unlocking Divinity? Regularly check in on your personally spiritually defining experiencesUse these experiences as a guide for the small and simple thingsTake your questions to God and take them to the templeJoin us for this week's episode to hear how these keys have helped Aaron along his journey to continue to choose God. 

Danica Kilton, a communications disorders major at BYU, shares how prayer has been a powerful tool for her grow her relationship with Jesus Christ. Her focus on the communication shines through as she shares spoken prayer has helped her learn to lean into hard things rather than avoid them. Danica shares how speaking another language on her mission pushed her to be more intentional with her communications with God. She recounts a story from her mission where she felt the power of honest prayer push her to overcome shyness in talking with those around her. Sometimes a simple prayer can be the ray we need to keep building our pillar of faith. Join us on this week's episode to remember the power of prayer. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/04/15dushku?lang=eng

In this moving episode of Unlocking Divinity, host Emma Grace sits down with her former MTC district leader, Caleb Weyrauch, to explore faith, humility, and the power of personal revelation. Caleb recounts beginning his mission in 2022, thriving at the Ghana MTC and stepping into the Benin Cotonou Mission. Two weeks shy of finishing training, he felt a piercing impression that he wasn’t spiritually ready. He approached his mission president, who supported him but warned he might be sent home. The call came—he would return early. The aftermath was raw: the shock of plans unraveling, tears on the side of a simple missionary bed, and a heart racing with questions. Caleb chose to pray—first pouring out gratitude for the mission he’d had, then asking for help. The answer came immediately and unmistakably: a physical, soul-deep assurance—warmth, love, and lifted burdens. That moment anchored him.  Back home, Caleb met a mix of awkward questions and deep compassion. His parents, bishop, and a youth leader offered steady, Christlike support. He found strength in the scriptures—especially Ether 12:6 (witness follows trials) and D&C 98:1–3 (all things can work together for our good). His spiritual resilience comes from what he calls “the basics”: scripture study, church attendance, covenants, and temple worship—plus deliberately placing himself in environments where remembering Christ is easier. Throughout, Caleb returns to a simple refrain: the answer is always the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He bears a heartfelt testimony that God’s plan is good, that faith and repentance are pathways to peace, and that by keeping covenants and heeding the Holy Ghost, we can face uncertainty with assurance and be saved through Jesus Christ. This conversation is a tender reminder that while trials stretch us, they also prepare us to receive undeniable witnesses of God’s love.

In this heartfelt episode of Unlocking Divinity, Madison Roney, a BYU history major from Virginia who served a French-speaking mission, traces her desire to serve back to a formative visit to the Boston Temple at age 14, where a day filled with sister missionaries lit a spark that stayed with her through high school and college.  The pandemic complicated plans, and she focused on accelerating her studies—until a distinct spiritual prompting while walking home from finals cut through her doubts: Why hadn’t she served yet? Maddie describes the Lord’s voice as direct, familiar, and encouraging—never harsh—an impression that made the decision to serve feel both urgent and deeply right.   At the MTC, she and host Emma Gwilliam found themselves in a district full of people who “weren’t supposed to be there,” a reminder to Madison that God works in the details.  Her relationship with God has always been anchored in a steady sense of His love, and she most often recognizes it through small acts of service—“ministering angels”—that she records as daily miracles.  Returning home, though, felt like stepping off a high-speed bullet train. The pace, purpose, and constant revelation she experienced on the mission were suddenly different. She struggled to know when and how to ask for help again. Gradually, daily scripture study, sincere prayer, attending church, and showing up in her callings rebuilt the rhythm of revelation.   An invitation to speak at a girls camp nudged her to focus on anchoring in Jesus Christ and feeling God’s love when it feels distant—an emphasis she now carries as a BYU RA supporting 60 freshmen.  Maddie’s central message is simple and transformative: focus on Jesus Christ. Seek His character and His love in scripture and in the people around you. He is the embodiment of God’s love. When we truly feel that love, sharing it becomes natural—almost inevitable.

In the first episode of Unlocking Divinity, host Emma Gwlliam introduces herself and the heart behind the show with warmth, vulnerability, and conviction.  Raised in a Christ-believing family in Rexburg, Idaho, Emma describes how a faith-filled upbringing coexisted with seasons of mental health challenges that made it hard to feel God’s love personally. She didn’t always have clear answers, but she kept showing up—praying, studying, worshiping, and taking small steps toward Christ.   Her mission to the France Lyon Mission became a defining chapter. Emma recounts a day of discouragement that turned into a sacred encounter. For Emma, the timing was unmistakable and tender—God was in the details. After returning home, Emma started working for her dad’s podcast software company.  As she prayed about the concept of a show for young adults, the idea evolved from “everyday joy” into Unlocking Divinity—conversations that help listeners keep choosing God in real life.  She shares another personal story of spiritual redirection: feeling led away from planned enrollment at Utah State to a BYU program that, once she sat in the first class, filled her with tears and a profound assurance that she was exactly where the Lord needed her.   Emma closes by sharing her favorite scripture, 1 Nephi 17:13, and bearing testimony that Jesus Christ is our guiding light.  Whether listeners feel close to God or far, this podcast is an invitation to keep stepping toward Him, trusting that He is near, attentive, and lovingly directing the path.