Michael David Ricks is an assistant professor of economics, an early morning seminary teacher, and a father of four young children. After graduating from East High School in Salt Lake City and serving a mission in the Chile Concepcion South Mission, he graduated in Economics from Brigham Young University. In the process, Mike discovered his three great loves: teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, conducting academic research, and the incomparable Mindee Sharp. Mike and Mindee married and moved to Michigan, where he completed his PhD. They now live in Lincoln, Nebraska, where Mike enjoys chasing little kids around the Great Plains and researching public economics by day and religious education by night.

Nichole Smith is a dedicated homeschooling mom to six children, finding joy in the daily journey of teaching them. She enjoys traveling, reading, indulging in chocolate, and creating delicious meals. Her happy place is Lake Powell, where she loves spending quality time with her family. Passionate about gospel discussions, she delights in studying General Conference talks with friends. Those who know Nichole describe her as inclusive and incredibly supportive.

Taylor Ricks is a wife, mother of nine, author, behavior analyst, scripture enthusiast, and lead chaos coordinator. She has spent time as a foster parent and volunteering with the Utah Down Syndrome Foundation to help children and families touched by Down syndrome in honor of her son Zane, whose bright spirit blesses their family in unimaginable ways. When she isn't caring for her family, she enjoys writing, dabbling in wood-working, and going on walks. She attended Utah State University to earn a bachelor's degree in family studies and earned a master’s of education in applied behavior analysis from Arizona State University. She loves sharing her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and using her background to teach and inspire families.

Mandy is the mother to 4 amazing children. She loves to do anything physically active, and loves to read, spend time with family, cook, and teach. Mandy says she is grateful for trials, because she has come to see the Hand of God and is grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows us, and knows what we need, even if we don't.

Steven T. Collis is a storyteller at heart. He is also a law professor at the University of Texas School of Law and the faculty director of Texas’s Bech-Loughlin First Amendment Center and Law and Religion Clinic. Previously, he was the Olin-Darling Research Fellow at the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford Law School and chair of the Religious Institutions and First Amendment Practice Group at Holland & Hart LLP. He is an engaging and sought-after speaker nationwide on religion and law. Steven received his MFA in creative writing from Virginia Commonwealth University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School. He is the author of Habits of a Peacemaker. He and his wife have five children and reside in Texas.

Tennisa grew up in the Salt Lake City area the daughter of a single mother, from whom she learned perseverance, independence, and to love fiercely. She was baptized at age 8 1/2 but didn't become active in church until her junior high friends invited her to attend seminary. There she grew a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and started her faith journey. One of her most joy-filled days was when she and her mother received their temple endowments together on her 21st birthday in the Atlanta, GA temple. Tennisa attended Ricks College and the University of Utah where she earned a bachelor's degree in Accounting. She has recently returned to higher education to pursue an MBA at Western Governors University. Out of college, she began working as a Senior Accountant at Deseret Book Company in January of 2000 where she still works today as the Director of Product Management. She loves her career and thrives in learning, but the role that brings Tennisa the most pride and joy is her role as a wife to Lantz for 26 years, and mom to the amazing and talented Saley, Grant, Bella, Hazel, and the dog, Bentley. Together they love to dance in the kitchen, blast music and sing during chores, travel, play games, attend each other's games and performances, and raft the Snake River near Jackson Hole, WY.

A native of the west side of the Salt Lake Valley, Saley is the oldest of 4 siblings and keeps her family JOYful! As a baby, she received the nickname “Silly Sally Saley” from her grandpa which became her manifest destiny. She is full of light, laughter, and silly antics, and knows how to find joy for herself and bring it to those around her. She found her greatest joy as she grew to know Jesus while serving as a missionary in the Columbia South Carolina Mission at the tail end of the pandemic. Saley is a student at Utah Valley University exploring all the options that life might bring and learning what it means to be responsible and independent, all while learning to manage ADHD which was diagnosed during her freshman year of college. She loves to dance in the kitchen..in the family room…at the beach…oh, and on the stage. Spending time with her besties and her family brings her joy. She also enjoys reading, traveling, hand-designing on her iPad Pro, and working in Distribution Services at Deseret Book, helping people to prepare to make sacred covenants.

Hunter Evans, a 24-year-old artist, is dedicated to creating artwork that brings others closer to Jesus Christ. Recently married to his wife Emma, he treasures their adventures together. Hunter is currently attending Utah State University, balancing his studies with his passion for art. He loves spending quality time with his family, and fly fishing rivers and streams across the west. Through his creative works, Hunter aims to inspire and uplift others. Connect with him and see his work at www.hunterevansarts.com.

Jan Pinborough has a lifelong love for words and music. As a writer and editor for the magazines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including 15 years as the managing editor of the Friend, she has written many articles and song lyrics expressing her faith in and love for the Savior and His gospel. She has served in many music callings, including on the Church’s music committee and the hymnbook and songbook committee.

Hilary Weeks began writing music at the age of 14 and has always felt creating and performing music was her path in life. Now a few decades later, the acclaimed Christian musical artist has released 12 albums with the last four all reaching the top 10 on Christian Billboard charts.