Today I'm excited to share a conversation with Parker Halbison, a recently returned missionary who just completed two years serving in the Utah Salt Lake City Mission.

Parker's mission experience was truly unique - he served across some of the most diverse communities in Utah, spending time in three separate transfers in the Tongan stake, ministering in a Mongolian branch, and starting his mission in a YSA ward in Draper. What makes Parker's story particularly compelling is how he witnessed the gospel's power to transform not just individuals, but entire families and communities.

During our conversation, Parker shares some remarkable stories of conversion and reactivation - from a Hawaiian family who found belonging in Utah's Tongan community, to a family on the verge of divorce who was reunited through the gospel, to his own personal transformation from struggling with negativity to discovering the joy that comes through Jesus Christ.

Parker's insights about bold leadership, the importance of cultural community in missionary work, and his practical approach to staying spiritually grounded post-mission offer valuable lessons for returned missionaries, future missionaries, and anyone seeking to deepen their discipleship.

Just two weeks home from his mission, Parker is already preparing for the next phase of his covenant path - heading to BYU to study finance while planning a future in entrepreneurship, and he'll actually be speaking at our upcoming stake conference about following the Spirit.

Today I'm excited to share a conversation with Fred Zirkle - a man whose life story reads like an adventure novel.

Fred has lived in 13 states and two countries, raised a family, and built successful businesses. But his journey to where he is today wasn't conventional. After playing college football at Duke and being drafted by the New York Jets as "Mr. Irrelevant" - the very last pick in the NFL draft - Fred chose a different path. Instead of pursuing professional football, he dove into the business world, helping grow Keytronics from six employees to 1,500, and later founding Industry Pros, where he's spent nearly 40 years helping companies navigate mergers and acquisitions.

But Fred's most transformative journey began at age 31 when he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What started as a simple call about food storage turned into a complete life change. Since then, he's served a mission with his late wife Sherry, worked in the temple, and found profound meaning in service - from giving priesthood blessings to teaching Pathway students in Uganda.

Today, at 79 years old with 19 grandchildren, Fred has written a book about living a purposeful life and continues to find joy in each new day. In our conversation, we explore his business success, his spiritual journey, and the wisdom he's gained from never wasting a trial.

So let's dive into my conversation with Fred Zirkle.

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Justin Owens, our newly called Elders Quorum President here in the Layton Lakes 3rd Ward.

Now, while Justin is new to this calling, what really drew me to want to sit down with him today isn't his church responsibilities—it's the incredible work he's been doing to build brotherhood and connection among the men in our ward and community. You see, Justin has taken it upon himself to create something pretty special: a men's retreat he calls "Man Camp."

But Justin's story goes much deeper than just organizing camping trips. This is a man who has walked through some of life's toughest battles, including overcoming addiction, and has emerged with a powerful testimony of healing through Jesus Christ. His journey through recovery, including years of 12-step meetings and therapy, has given him unique insights into what men really need—authentic connection and the courage to be vulnerable with one another.

What I love about Justin is that he didn't wait for a calling or permission to start making a difference. He saw a need for men to have real, meaningful relationships—the kind where you can call someone at 2 AM if you need a blessing, or better yet, where you actually feel comfortable doing so. And he decided to do something about it.

In our conversation today, we'll dive into his mission experiences in Argentina, his personal journey of recovery, and how he's working to transform what it means to be part of an Elders Quorum. This is a conversation about brotherhood, healing, and the power of connection in building the community of Christ.

So let's jump right in with Justin Owens.