Joshua Richardson graduated from BYU with a degree in English Literature in 2020. Since then he has worked as a web designer, a substitute teacher, a pre-school SpEd. assistant, and a human service worker for Wasatch Behavioral Health. This fall he’ll be starting a master’s of social work program at UVU.

Colleen Thomas is a Chicago-area journalist. She taught early morning seminary for five years and has “graduated” like the students to the stake institute program, where she now teaches young adults with her husband, Jonathan. Just for kicks, the two of them set a goal to climb to the highest point of every state in the US. They skipped Alaska but recently celebrated finishing the other 49.

Christian Sagers is an assistant editor and staff writer. He has won multiple awards for editorial writing on politics, religion and conservative values. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in American Studies. Twitter: @C_Sagers

Jen grew up in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, graduated from the University of Utah, and served in the Italy Milan Mission. Her deepest worry about serving a mission was food—and clearly the Lord got the message. She met her favorite person on earth through the mission and she and Dave have been married for 20 years. They are the parents of four children and are raising their family in Sandy, Utah. They feel extra blessed to live so close to their parents and all of their siblings’ families. Jen loves riding her bike and hiking in the mountains just above her house. She loves traveling the world with Dave and her kids, but also equally loves staying home and wearing comfy clothes. She loves 80’s music, açaí bowls, going out with friends, and Sunday dinners with family. Jen is very involved at her children’s schools and is currently serving as a gospel doctrine teacher. She is passionate about studying the gospel and learning about Jesus Christ.

The Rev. Andrew Teal was a visiting scholar and affiliate faculty at the Maxwell Institute at BYU. He is a chaplain fellow and lecturer in theology at Pembroke College in the University of Oxford, England, and a priest of the Church of England.

Gaye Strathearn is a professor in the Department of Ancient Scripture and in the Ancient Near East Studies program at BYU. She has taught at BYU since 1995, including a year at BYU’s Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. Dr. Strathearn received her bachelor of physiotherapy from the University of Queensland (Australia, 1982), a BA and MA in Near Eastern studies from BYU (1990 and 1992), and a PhD in religion (New Testament) from the Claremont Graduate University (2004). Her research centers primarily on New Testament topics, especially those of interest to Latter-day Saints.

Laura grew up in San Jose, California, and now resides with her husband, Alan, in Sandy, Utah. She is the mother of four almost-grown children. She loves to travel and be with her family, especially if that includes the beach. After a hard, high-risk, twin pregnancy and then delivering her twins early, Laura found a strong connection to the Savior and a passion for helping others. Volunteering, serving in the community, and helping others is one of the special things in her life. She believes Heavenly Father gifts the most amazing experiences to us when we seek Him and put ourselves in these places. Studying the scriptures (especially with friends!), going to the temple and talking about Christ are some of her favorite things. She has found that gathering and talking about Jesus transforms any discussion or friendship into a sacred holy one!