Tribe of Testimonies

Latest Episodes:

Brighten Crawford-Martin - Assiniboine & Sioux Mar 12, 2024

Show notes

About a year ago I reached out to Brighten to ask her to be a guest. It didn't work out, so I just left if. But recently I was scrolling through old messages and saw our open conversation and I reached out to her again. This time was the right time. A year ago it wasn't. This time Brighten was not only willing to share her story and testimony, but it's even stronger and brighter than it was a year ago. She has learned so much about her divine identity through family and making family (hunka). She has learned how to deal with depression. And she has learned how to witness, experience, and identify the Atonement of Jesus Christ in her life and in others' lives. Her testimony and story are so moving and bright! Just like she is. I'm so thankful that this was the time--I think you'll feel that as well.

Kalista Hill - Yankton & Lakota Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

It feels like Kalista and I have a lot in common. We both grew up in eastern Utah. We both spent time in Washington, DC. We both have sought reconnection with our heritage. But there are a lot of things we don't have in common. I have not lived as many places as she. We are obviously from different tribes. The biggest common denominator, however, is that we both love Jesus, His Gospel, and know our divine heritage. It was fun to listen to Kalista talk about callings in different wards. It was motivating to listen to her passion to serve others. And it was humbling to learn of circumstances that I have been spared experiencing. There's a lot to learn from Kalista. I'm glad she is my friend.

Jada Vargas - White Mountain Apache Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

Holy cow! This young lady is amazing. AH-MAZE-ING. I am so impressed with her testimony and her sweetness. She has lost a great many people in her life. She could choose to be bitter or hard. But instead she is sweet and soft. She is seeking our Savior Jesus Christ actively. She seeks to surround herself with people that live high standards and she seeks to love those who don't. Jada loves to connect with Heavenly Father through prayer and service. Her reservation branch doesn't have many active young people close to her age, but instead of griping about it, she listens to those older than her. There are so many good things about Jada. I only wish and pray the best for her.

Emmerson Mose - Navajo Feb 20, 2024

Show notes

Brother Mose was a cowboy. A bull rider, to be exact. Was. Until he got hurt. Since that injury, he's moved on with life. He doesn't do all the things that he once did. Now he does other things to improve his life and the life of those around him. He serves others. He has served as a branch president. He has served with the Boy Scouts. And he serves many, many people with the gift of family history work. It is definitely a gift of the Spirit for him. He feels drawn to it even when it isn't his assignment. His joyful demeanor was wonderful to be around. Someday I'll meet him and we can hug--because that's how I feel about him.

Marilyn Reed - Navajo Feb 13, 2024

Show notes

Some of the most powerful things that Marilyn Reed taught me were: meet people where they are (children or adults); when teaching, allow imperfection and give them the right tools and instructions; grow hope; and make connections with people, Mother Earth, and especially the Godhead. Marilyn has worked hard in all her pursuits. She has received a bachelor's and two master's degrees. And she has served in the communities in which she lives. But she also knows the power and influence of motherhood. She now serves in the Stake Relief Society and in her branch's Young Women. She is using those opportunities to love, testify, and strengthen those around her. Marilyn is doing good in this world and I want to be like that.

Anne Wildcat - Cree & Nakoda (AB, Canada) Feb 06, 2024

Show notes

As I listened to Anne, I was struck with how much she LOVES family. She's a single woman. But she clings to family, including those by close blood relations, those of her Nation, those who love Jesus Christ, and those who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She started really regularly going to the temple because of the Catholic Pope. Seriously. She sees how The Book of Mormon can heal hearts, minds, and souls. She loves attending church and powwow--because both bring people together to worship our Creator. And she continues to strengthen her faith by practicing the formula we've been taught: ask a question, search for answers, and do the thing that she wonders about. It was a total joy to visit with Anne.

Cheryl McManus - Tobacco Plains Ktunaxa, aka Kootenay (BC, Canada) Jan 30, 2024

Show notes

The spirit of Elijah is strong with Cheryl McManus. She has felt pulled to her ancestors--sometimes literally. She talks about experiences she has had with them and how their influence has been felt and blessed her life. Cheryl also talks about how, in some regards, she has felt lost because of how her mother was unable to live and cherish her own culture. That might be a lesson for all of us to learn: that where we come from and experiences we have really do matter for our own sake as well as our posterity. On the other hand, Cheryl praises her mother for her determination to move forward and to be strong. Strength is something Cheryl is proud to come from. I also love that Cheryl has a good sense of humor. A good chuckle is always worth it.

Victoria Enas - Hopi, Mojave, & Pima Jan 23, 2024

Show notes

As I was listening to Sister Enas, I just kept thinking that she's doing a lot more good than she realizes. She's humble. She's kind. She's a good person to be around. I love her stories about how she came back to church and has slowly been immersing herself fully into the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She sees how the church helps us become better people and she's allowing that to happen to her. And now that she's feeling that, she is inviting other people to join her in her happiness. She has challenged us to read The Book of Mormon. AND she has challenged us to share a copy of The Book of Mormon with other people. I think I'll take that challenge!

Mondo Hand - Mescalero Apache & Chiricahua Apache Jan 16, 2024

Show notes

Talking with a surfer dude was kind of fun. But he was also pretty inspiring. Mondo Hand really talked a lot about the Holy Ghost. He talked about how the Holy Ghost can help us in relationships. And he especially talked about how the Holy Ghost can help protect us. I loved that Mondo emphasized that we who have been baptized and confirmed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been blessed with that constant Companion--it's up to us to listen to Him and heed Him. Mondo talked about how as mortals, we're bound to make mistakes. That's just part of this life. But we also have the Holy Ghost to help touch our hearts and help us repent and return to our Savior and Heavenly Father. I'm really grateful for this reminder today.

Carlos Reed - Ute Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

I've often talked about how, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Native Americans, we have a different view than others. I have a different view than those who were raised "traditionally." And also, every tribe's "traditionally" is different. But as Carlos Reed and I talked about these things, it was very clear to me. We have been asked to leave cultural and traditional things "behind," but not those that add to the Gospel and not those that bring us closer to Jesus Christ. Carlos experienced those things personally and has witnessed those things with family and friends. His testimony is strong. And he seeks to bring others to Christ. Because of these experiences, he's seen how to be a good missionary and become a good missionary.

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