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!

Jenna Knaupp is a freelance writer with a bachelor of arts in public relations from Brigham Young University. Prior to her degree, she interned with the Weidman Center for Global Leadership and University Communications at BYU. Jenna particularly enjoys writing about media effects and gospel topics. When she isn’t writing (or thinking about writing), Jenna likes going on scenic drives or learning a new Latin dance step.

Bret and JeaNette Smith served as mission president and companion of the Santo Domingo East Mission in the Dominican Republic from 2017 to 2020. They spent 32 months witnessing miracles that had nothing to do with the Covid-19 virus. They retired from their careers, Bret as a General Manager at United Technologies and JeaNette as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, to serve the mission. Bret is currently serving as a bishop of the San Jose, Spanish-speaking ward in Jacksonville, Florida. Jeanette is the author of Side by Side: Supporting a Spouse in Church Service, which she wrote the first time Bret served as a bishop. She is currently working on a novel about missionaries in the Dominican Republic. Bret and JeaNette are the parents of four married children and 12 grandchildren.