Why Do People “Come Back” to Church? // Ashly Stone (Come Back Podcast)

Ashley Stone shares her transformative journey from drug addiction to redemption through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, emphasizing the power of faith and the Book of Mormon in her recovery. Inspired by her own comeback, she launched The Comeback podcast, where she interviews individuals who have left and returned to the church, exploring themes of faith, redemption, and the challenges of sharing the gospel online. Despite initial backlash, Ashley perseveres, highlighting the importance of personal testimony and focusing on miracles to inspire and uplift others in their spiritual journeys.

• Ashley Stone shares her journey from being a heroin addict to finding redemption and purpose through her faith in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• She credits her father’s unwavering support and the Salvation Army program as pivotal in her recovery journey.
• The discovery of a Book of Mormon bookmark during her rehabilitation was a significant spiritual moment for her, reinforcing her belief in divine guidance.
• Regular reading of the Book of Mormon has been a cornerstone in maintaining her sobriety and spiritual growth.

"I started dabbling in drugs when I was about 14, 15...I was in and out of jail, in and out of rehab, my life was completely in shambles."

• This quote highlights the depth of Ashley's struggles with addiction and the chaotic lifestyle she led before her conversion.

"I choose some random pink Bible and I open it up, and there's a Book of Mormon bookmark in the Bible."

• This moment signifies a turning point for Ashley, reinforcing her belief that she was on the right path and that divine intervention was at play.

"If you read the Book of Mormon every day, I promise you'll never go back to your old ways."

• This advice from a family friend became a daily practice for Ashley, which she credits with significantly changing her life.

• Ashley describes the gospel as a framework that provides a safe environment and sets expectations that helped her become a new person.
• She emphasizes the transformative power of the Savior's atonement and how it enabled her to overcome her addictions.
• The process of obtaining a temple recommend was a significant milestone in her spiritual journey.

"People think that the gospel is restrictive, but actually it's setting you up in a safe environment."

• This quote underscores Ashley's perspective that the gospel's guidelines are protective rather than limiting.

"It was about becoming somebody new and having a change of heart."

• Ashley emphasizes that her journey was not just about quitting bad habits but transforming into a new person through the gospel.

• Inspired by her own story and the stories of others who have returned to the church, Ashley started The Comeback Podcast.
• The podcast serves as a platform for sharing inspiring stories of faith and redemption, encouraging others who may be struggling.
• Despite initial technical challenges and criticism, Ashley persisted, driven by the positive impact the podcast had on listeners.

"I had the thought to start the podcast...even the title 'Comeback' as a double meaning of an invitation to come back as well as a comeback story."

• This quote explains the dual significance of the podcast's title and Ashley's motivation for starting it.

"We recorded the episode three times because I couldn't figure out why it wasn't saving."

• This illustrates the technical challenges Ashley faced in the beginning stages of the podcast.

• Ashley faced significant opposition and criticism initially, particularly from anti-Mormon groups.
• Over time, the criticism lessened, and the positive feedback from listeners affirmed the value of her efforts.
• The podcast has received thousands of emails from listeners, many of whom have found renewed faith and inspiration through the stories shared.

"A flood of people that were anti-Mormons coming for me...it truly did almost discourage me from doing it."

• This quote highlights the initial backlash Ashley faced, which nearly deterred her from continuing the podcast.

"This podcast has changed my life, this podcast has saved my testimony."

• The positive impact of the podcast on its listeners is evident, justifying the effort and challenges Ashley faced.

• Despite not having a background in social media, Ashley felt inspired to use these platforms to share her faith.
• She encourages others who feel prompted to share the gospel online to act on those feelings, even if they lack expertise.
• The use of social media has expanded the reach of her message, connecting with a broader audience.

"I felt prompted, I felt inspired, I'm going to do it. I'll figure it out."

• Ashley's determination to share her story despite lacking a social media background is a testament to her commitment to her faith.

"Lay members like you and I can use these inspired tools of social media."

• This quote encourages ordinary church members to utilize social media to share their personal experiences and testimonies.

• Sharing personal testimonies is powerful and does not require formal religious credentials or extensive scriptural knowledge.
• Imperfections in church leaders or individuals should not deter one from sharing their testimony, as God works through imperfect people.

"Whatever you have a testimony and that's all the credentials you need to share that testimony."

• Emphasizes the importance of personal conviction over formal qualifications in sharing one's beliefs.

"God really can work through very perfect people like I'm about as imperfect as you can get but he accomplishes his work through imperfect people."

• Highlights the idea that divine work can be accomplished through flawed individuals, underscoring the accessibility of spiritual contributions.

• Early spiritual experiences can have a lasting impact on one's faith journey.
• Childhood encounters with religious texts or feelings can form the foundation of a lifelong testimony.

"I read this children's Bible and it was like this thick children's Bible and after I finished it I had this overwhelming warm feeling in my heart."

• Describes a formative spiritual experience that created a lasting impression and a sense of divine presence.

"That was the probably the strongest I've ever felt the spirit in my entire life and I've never forgotten it."

• Illustrates the enduring nature of early spiritual experiences and their influence on one's faith.

• Peer influence and curiosity can lead individuals away from their faith.
• Temporary happiness from worldly pursuits often lacks the depth and fulfillment of spiritual joy.

"My older sister had been kind of dabbling in it and when I first found out that she was I was just destroyed over it but then it kind of it lost its scariness."

• Shows how exposure to certain behaviors can diminish their perceived danger and allure individuals into similar actions.

"The first time I drank alcohol and I had that feeling of confidence that I had been lacking as a teenage girl it that's when it was all over."

• Highlights how initial experiences with substances can lead to a cycle of seeking temporary confidence and happiness.

• Temporary joy from worldly activities is contrasted with the deeper, more lasting joy found in spiritual practices and family life.
• The gospel offers a unique, enduring joy that surpasses temporary worldly pleasures.

"My life now is a thousand times more joyful than I could have ever dreamed."

• Reflects on the profound joy and fulfillment found in spiritual life compared to temporary worldly pleasures.

"There's happiness and then there's true Joy Eternal joy that only comes through Jesus Christ."

• Emphasizes the distinction between fleeting happiness and the enduring joy offered through spiritual connection.

• The gospel narrative of creation, fall, and atonement parallels individual spiritual journeys.
• Experiencing personal challenges and falls can lead to spiritual growth and a deeper connection with Christ.

"Going from creation to fall is actually progress it's progress towards the atonement of Jesus Christ."

• Suggests that personal challenges and falls are part of the spiritual growth process leading towards redemption.

"We don't have to stay in the fall we can come back to Christ."

• Encourages individuals to seek redemption and progress spiritually despite personal challenges.

• Common reasons for leaving faith include seeking worldly happiness and encountering challenging information.
• Returning to faith often begins with small acts of faith and recognizing divine interventions.

"They exercise Just a Little Bit of Faith they take just one step like they haven't prayed in years but they offer up a prayer."

• Describes the initial steps individuals take to reconnect with their faith, often leading to transformative experiences.

"They just give it just a little bit like maybe they open the door just a little bit and then God shows up for them in all these beautiful ways."

• Highlights the importance of small acts of faith in inviting divine presence and transformation.

• Personal spiritual experiences provide undeniable evidence of faith's impact, beyond historical or doctrinal debates.
• Primary questions about the existence of God and the truth of the church form the foundation for faith, making secondary questions less significant.

"People can debate history politics practices but they cannot debate personal experiences of a changed heart."

• Asserts that personal spiritual experiences are compelling and irrefutable evidence of faith's validity.

"If we can answer the primary questions all the secondary questions will answer themselves or pale in comparison."

• Emphasizes the importance of foundational spiritual beliefs in resolving doubts and questions.

• Addressing difficult questions related to church history and practices is essential for maintaining faith.
• It's important to approach these questions with a mindset that seeks understanding and growth rather than doubt.
• Personal experiences and seeking divine guidance can provide clarity and strengthen faith.

"I was reading the Saints book... there was something in there about Joseph Smith and polygamy that really blindsided me... I knelt down and I prayed and I asked God like why did this happen."

• Encountering challenging information can be unsettling, but seeking answers through prayer and divine guidance can lead to personal resolution and understanding.

"We have no idea what the entire picture is... I saw the whole situation with new eyes and it was a testimony builder for me not a testimony detractor."

• Understanding that historical context is often incomplete can help reinterpret challenging facts and strengthen one's testimony.

• When faced with tough questions, individuals have the choice to approach them with faith or doubt.
• Confirmation bias can affect how one perceives information, so it's crucial to seek truth through spiritual means.
• A faithful approach to challenges can lead to deeper conversion and strengthened beliefs.

"You can take that question approach it with a doubtful heart... or you can take it with a faithful heart and look for reasons why that could be false."

• The attitude with which one approaches faith challenges determines whether they find doubt or deeper truth.

"As long as I approach it faithfully and I include God in on the process my testimony actually grows."

• Faithful inquiry into difficult topics can lead to personal growth and a stronger spiritual foundation.

• Personal experiences and the observable outcomes of living a faithful life can affirm one's beliefs.
• Observing the positive outcomes ("fruits") of faith in one's life and the lives of others can reinforce the decision to remain faithful.
• Respecting others' journeys, even when they leave the faith, is important, but personal observation can guide one's own choices.

"The fruits of the spirit are so evident... if I look at those two options I think I want that life."

• Observing the positive outcomes of living a gospel-centered life can reinforce the decision to remain faithful.

"Sometimes people are on their own faith journey... sometimes they leave and that is the Catalyst that brings them back to a whole another level."

• Respecting individual spiritual journeys is crucial, as leaving the faith can sometimes lead to a deeper eventual return.

• It's important to offer love and support to those who are struggling or have left the faith, without judgment.
• Open communication and understanding can help maintain relationships and provide support.
• Demonstrating the positive aspects of faith through one's own life can be a powerful influence on others.

"You live your life and let the fruits be evident in your life and stay by the tree."

• Living a life that exemplifies the positive aspects of faith can serve as a powerful example to others.

"One of the most helpful things that anybody can do is just open your arms wide and love those people."

• Offering unconditional love and support can be more impactful than judgment in helping others on their faith journey.

• The importance of compassion and patience is emphasized for both new investigators and those who have fallen away from faith.
• There is a need to treat everyone with the same kindness and understanding, regardless of their current faith status.
• The process of refinding faith is similar to finding it for the first time and deserves equal respect and support.

"We treat investigators of the church so good... but if they've already been converted and then fallen away, we don't have the same compassion and patience."

• This quote highlights the disparity in treatment between new converts and those who have left the faith, advocating for equal compassion.

• Faith crises can be approached as opportunities for growth and strengthening one's testimony.
• Encouragement to explore questions and seek answers through personal spiritual journeys.
• Support from loved ones can transform a faith crisis into a shared journey of discovery.

"His wife responded with excitement like we're going to go on this journey together to find light and truth."

• This illustrates a supportive response to a faith crisis, framing it as a positive journey rather than a negative experience.

• Initial negative feedback can be discouraging, but over time, it becomes repetitive and less impactful.
• Focusing on positive feedback and the impact of one's work can outweigh the negativity.
• The process of creation, fall, and atonement is used as a metaphor for dealing with online criticism.

"After you hear the same thing 500 times, you're like, oh gosh, they're saying the same thing again... it loses its ouchy."

• This quote describes the desensitization to negative feedback over time and the importance of focusing on positive outcomes.

• Sharing personal testimonies and conversion stories online is an effective way to spread the gospel.
• The spirit is most effectively conveyed through personal stories rather than intellectual arguments.
• The importance of standing up for one's beliefs and being different from the world is emphasized.

"Your podcast and the way in which you're doing it... is one of, if not the most effective way to do it, which is sharing your own and giving platform for others to just share their personal conversion stories."

• This highlights the effectiveness of using personal stories to share the gospel and reach others.

• Emphasizing miracles and positive experiences can help drown out negative noise and strengthen faith.
• Sharing stories of miraculous changes of heart can inspire others and foster a sense of community.

"Focus on the Miracles... when you focus on the Miracles, it's like all the noise kind of fades away."

• This quote underscores the power of focusing on positive, miraculous experiences to maintain and share faith.

• Sharing faith is a collective effort that creates a supportive community for those involved.
• Encouragement from others reinforces the impact of one's efforts and fosters a sense of belonging.

"It's a team effort... we feel like we can link arms and that there's a team and a force behind you."

• This emphasizes the communal aspect of sharing faith and the support system it creates for individuals.