Michael McLean

Songwriter, entertainer, creator of more than thirty albums and soundtracks, including 25; The Forgotten Carols; and his latest, Mission to Be Happy

Music Artist
Some famous entertainers are known by one name or one song. But Michael McLean is known for literally dozens of songs. And his songs say, sometimes almost perfectly, what all of us have felt. Because of that, chances are he’s written one just for you.

Mark Mabry

Professional photographer; attended Brooks Institute of Photography; creator, Reflections of Christ and Another Testament

Come unto Him

What happens when you try to re-create the scene of the Savior appearing to the people in the Americas? As Mark spent the last year working on his latest photography project, what he saw and felt changed his life. We believe his message about this experience will help change yours.

Amanda Dickson

Law degree, University of Utah; morning show co-host, KSL News radio (Salt Lake City); professor, U of U; author, Wake Up to a Happier Life and Change It Up

DO Get Your Hopes Up
How many times have you heard the phrase: “Don’t get your hopes up.” Well, there’s none of that here. Low hopes never helped anyone! We want you to get your hopes UP—and keep ’em way up there. Amanda believes in changing what you hope for and believing hope can change you.

Hilary Weeks

Top-selling female LDS artist; singer; songwriter; multiple Pearl Award winner; albums include If I Only Had Today and, most recent, Christmas Once Again

Music Artist
You said you can’t imagine TOFW without her; happily, you don’t have to. Hilary is not just a great songwriter and incredible performer. She is first and foremost a woman—a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister. Her humor and her testimony make every event perfect.

Emily Watts

Senior editor, Deseret Book Company; mother of five; author, Confessions of an Unbalanced Woman and I Hate It When Exercise Is the Answer

Motherhope
Do you ever have moments when you think that the entrance to motherhood ought to have a sign proclaiming, “Abandon hope, all ye who enter here”? With her trademark combination of stories and insights, Emily Watts shows just how much there is for moms to hope for (sign not included).

S. Michael Wilcox

Ph.D., University of Colorado; former institute instructor; recipient, Orton Literary Award; author, House of Glory; When Your Prayers Seem Unanswered; and What the Scriptures Teach Us about Raising a Child

It’s a Creation, Not a Gift

Though some may believe hope is a gift we either have or don’t have, Michael believes hope is something we create consciously. And he has the scripture stories to back that up. You’ll discover that hope becomes the natural emotional consequence of living key gospel principles.  

Merrilee Boyack

Law degree, Santa Clara Law School; Poway City Council member; professional life coach; author, Toss the Guilt and Catch the Joy and In Trying Times, Just Keep Trying

Your Powerful Choice
All of us have “strengthening opportunities” given to us: moments when we can choose to be strong, positive, and hopeful—or not. And that choice impacts our ability to endure and to cope.  There is power in proactively choosing a positive attitude no matter what comes our way.

Emily Freeman

Author, 21 Days Closer to Christ; The Promise of Enough; and Keepers of What Matters Most

Love Life—and See Good Days

It sounds like a great bumper sticker, doesn’t it? Did you know it’s actually a scripture in the New Testament? Based on this invitation from Peter (nearly 2,000 years ago), Emily Freeman shares a simple, but tried and true, recipe for living a more hopeful life. 

Mariama Kallon

Survivor of war-torn Sierra Leone, humanitarian beneficiary; LDS convert and public speaker; attended LDS Business College

Raised in war-torn Sierra Leone, Mariama Kallon saw many things as a young girl that might fill a person with fear and hatred. Soon after witnessing the violent murders of parents and siblings and spending her youth fleeing from rebels, she was introduced to the gospel of Jesus Christ and found hope in God and peace in a knowledge of eternal families. She was given a humanitarian kit by the Church, which became a treasured symbol of hope that she used to bless the lives of many as they again fled for their lives. After returning to her town, she was called on a mission to the Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission, and wept in gratitude to the Lord as she visited the place where her precious humanitarian kit was made. Today Mariama stands as an example of the divine purposes of humanitarian work and tells her story to numerous audiences, urging them to participate in this work.