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Heidi A. Smith

Heidi A. Smith works for the Church Education System and currently teaches Institute at Ensign College. She earned a Juris Doctor and Master of Accounting from the University of Utah and received a bachelor’s degree in Deaf Studies from Utah Valley University.

John Heath

John H. Heath is fascinated by history and inspired by accounts of how Jesus Christ works through His children to restore the gospel and gather them in the latter days. At the Church History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, John works with teams across the Church to enhance their programs and publications with stories of amazing latter-day saints. He and his talented wife have five beautiful, hilarious children and three adorable granddaughters. He currently serves as the bishop of a Young Single Adult ward in Orem, Utah.

Morgan Pearson

Morgan Pearson is the host of the All In podcast, an interview-style podcast that has been downloaded over 13 million times. She previously wrote for the Deseret News where she published more than 480 stories. Her new book, All In: Exploring What It Means to Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ, shares what she has learned from interviewing over 130 people about their faith in Jesus Christ. Morgan is happiest when wearing sweatpants and will never get enough dark chocolate.

Michael Ricks

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.

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Julie Frederick

Julie is an adjunct teacher for Brigham Young University’s Ancient Scripture department. She has a master’s degree in Comparative Studies from BYU. She loves scriptural exegesis, existential discussions, and reading fantasy novels. She met her husband in a Latin class where they bonded by arguing over grammatical minutia. They have four children and live in Utah.

Nichole Smith

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.

David C. Dollahite

David C. Dollahite is Professor of Family Life at Brigham Young University where he teaches classes and conducts research on the links between religion and family life. He is Co-Director (with Dr. Loren Marks) of the American Families of Faith Project. He received the Eliza R. Snow Fellowship for his research on religion and family relationships and was an Associate Director of the School of Family Life.

Tad Walch, Deseret News

Loren D. Marks

Dr. Marks' interests cover religion and families, racial minority families, family finance, and qualitative research. He is co-director, with Dr. David Dollahite, of the American Families of Faith project through which they have interviewed 200 American couples and families of various Abrahamic faiths (including 80 adolescents). Information about the project can be found at http://AmericanFamiliesofFaith.byu.edu

David Schneider, Church News