Advertise on podcast: Hearing Our Heritage

Becky Benson Smith grew up on a farm in Carey, Idaho, with three older siblings and a little sister in a family devoted to the Lord and to His gospel. As a teenager, her family was sent on a mission to Düsseldorf, Germany, where she had wonderful experiences and even met her future husband, Steve Smith. The two got together while attending BYU, and they raised four amazing kids, Todd, Kim, Matt, and Jared. Together, they have worked hard, traveled all over the world, and served three missions to Moscow, Siberia, and Nauvoo. Becky and Steve have raised a tight-knit, righteous family anchored in their faith in Jesus Christ. And every summer, their family gathers at their cabin in McCall, which they built to bring their clan together.

This episode contains discussions of difficult life experiences, including abuse and other mature themes. These elements are included to authentically tell Tommy's story and reflect his lived experiences. Listener discretion is advised.Tommy Young is a kindhearted Marine veteran, husband, father, and grandfather. He was raised in West Virginia and went through some tough times, dealing with learning disabilities, bullying, and abuse. His siblings, however, were always there for him. They have looked out for him his entire life, making sure he knew what to do and was taken care of. After high school, and a career-ending football injury, he headed to California, where he made some great memories. Upon his return to West Virginia, he signed on with the Marines and became the top recruiter in the state. He soon welcomed his pride and joy into the world, his son, Jessie Dalton. Tommy has worked hard throughout his life to become the best version of himself. That personal growth led to him marrying Stella, his wonderful, devoted wife. His life has not always been easy, but Tommy's faith in Jesus and his positive attitude have carried him through.

Max and Nettie Nelson are two of the finest people you could ever meet. Their love has spanned more than sixty years, enduring serious hardship along the way while remaining steady through it all. Both were raised on family farms in Eastern Idaho as faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where hard work, music, family, and the gospel became central parts of their lives from a young age. Max first noticed Nettie as a teenager while attending stake conference, and after serving a mission to the Eastern Central States, the two were reunited. The happy couple were married in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1962 and eventually settled in Boise, where they raised seven children and built a home centered on faith, love, and family. Today, their posterity includes dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and their ultimate hope is that their family will continue to love each other, love the Lord, and stay true to the gospel that has guided their lives together.

Thayne Curtis is a strong and generous man who has done—and continues to do—a great deal of good in this world, quietly and without any need for recognition. He was raised in Idaho by good parents, working on the family farm with his siblings.He eventually was called on a mission to Pennsylvania, where he met his sweetheart, Cathy, as she was also serving. Together they had three wonderful kids: Lance, Jason, and Katie. He later joined the military and became a dog handler—a position he loved and one that proved to be a great blessing in his life. Because of it, his family had the opportunity to live in several places, including New Mexico, Idaho, and Alabama. Upon retiring, Thayne and Cathy settled in Boise, where he began a job as a software architect, and he has been with his company for 32 years. Far too early in her life, Cathy was diagnosed with dementia, and Thayne became her loyal, diligent caregiver through that time. He did not shirk his responsibilities and took it as an opportunity to show his dear wife an incredible amount of love before she passed away. Nowadays, Thayne is still working, building furniture, driving his Tesla, and best of all, being grandpa to his awesome grandkids. His life has taken many twists and turns, but throughout he has remained faithful to the Lord and submitted to God’s will.

Royal Jay Swenson is a hardworking, thoughtful, and deeply spiritual man whose life has been shaped by service and love for his family. He was born on July 9th, 1933, in Pocatello and grew up on a small dry farm in Eastern Idaho. There he learned the value of hard work and responsibility at a young age.Jay developed a lifelong passion for agriculture and education, which led him to attend Brigham Young University and later Utah State. He met his wife, Ann at BYU, and the two were married in 1953. Shortly after, Jay was drafted into the Korean War and was deployed to Germany for 18 months. The Swensons raised seven amazing children: Lynda, Jacquie, David, Michael, Sally, Ceci, and Jennifer. Together they navigated military service, frequent moves, and many of the various challenges of life.Throughout his career in agriculture and soil science, Jay was often at the forefront of new ideas and programs, while also serving diligently in the Church wherever his family lived.Jay is a faithful follower of Christ and that belief has shaped his entire life.

Ann Swenson is a strong, curious, and deeply faithful woman whose life has been shaped by resilience, service, and love for her family. She was born in 1933 in London, England, and grew up during World War II. Ann’s father was away for five years during the war. He had not been rescued at Dunkirk and then became a prisoner of war in Switzerland. After the war, Ann immigrated with her family to Canada and later moved to Provo, Utah to attend BYU. She married her husband, Royal Jay Swenson, in 1953, and together they raised seven amazing children while navigating frequent moves, financial challenges, and everything in between.An avid lifelong learner, Ann returned to school later in life, earning two bachelor’s degrees, becoming a registered nurse, and completing a master’s degree in social work. She’s devoted her life to caring for others—as a mother, a nurse, and a temple worker for over thirty years—and is known for the deep, constant love she has always shown her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.A devoted follower of Christ, Ann’s story is one of perseverance, faith, and creating a home where family has always come first.

Sandi Ross is a bright, beautiful, giving woman who has devoted her life to working hard and caring for her family. She grew up in Panguitch, Utah, where she enjoyed working on the farm with her dad and riding her horse, Bess.Her father tragically passed away when she was only fifteen years old, and their family moved to Salt Lake. Just before graduating high school, Sandi met and married Grant Duane Ross in 1961.Together, they raised three children, Kathy, Karla, and Kelly, and two of their seven grandchildren they owned and operated Sandi’s Drive-In in Richfield. Sandi eventually went on to work for Utah Power and sat on the executive board of the Union. She was the first female to do so and was on the board for twenty-five years.Sandi is a devout follower of Christ, and along with Duane, they visited fifty-three temples and served a temple mission to Lima, Peru.

Arlene Baldwin is a kind, loving, and resilient woman who has enjoyed a beautiful life full of rich experiences and close family ties. She’s no stranger to hardship, but no matter what she’s encountered, she’s met it with strength, optimism, and deep faith in Christ.She was born in Salt Lake City in 1931, right in the middle of the Great Depression. Her family had very little, but they made the most of what they had and shared a very strong bond. As the oldest child of six, Arlene took on responsibility early. She left high school halfway through her senior year so she could work and help give her younger siblings opportunities she didn’t have herself.At just 18 years old, Arlene met Byron Reed Baldwin while working at the Pronto Pup as a waitress. They married in 1950 and began building a wonderful life and family. Together hey raised five amazing children: Diane, Daryl, Dale, Donnie, and Deridee. Arlene was, and still is, a very involved mother, spending countless hours supporting her children in their many sports and activities, all while running the Rose Shop in Idaho Falls.Her home was busy and full of love. An accomplished artist, baker, knitter, and homemaker, Arlene has always shared her talents freely with others. Known affectionately as the “Candy Grandma”, she’s the heart of her family and a devoted matriarch to her five children, twenty grandchildren, fifty-one great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.Throughout her life, Arlene has held fast to her faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Luana Merrell grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, as the fifth of eight Brimley children. At just sixteen years old, she lost her mother and stepped into the role of raising her younger siblings. From that point on, hers became a lifetime of devoted service and care for her family.After moving to Mesa, Arizona, Luana met her husband, Loren Vaughn Merrell, and together they raised eleven children. A gifted pianist, she has shared her love of music for decades and still teaches lessons at 94 years old. She is also passionate about sewing and crafting, talents she passed down to her family.Luana and her husband served a mission in El Salvador, teaching literacy and blessing countless lives. Later, she also served a single-sister mission in McAllen, Texas. Through every season of her life, Luana has built a legacy of faith, sacrifice, positivity, and love.

Paul Ervin is is a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. He has lived a life full of grit, heart, and purpose. Born in Cincinnati in 1934, he grew up alongside three older sisters, spent his days playing baseball with friends, and working a miriad of different jobs. He stepped up early in life to help support his single mom, and eventually joined the Air Force. His time in the service took him to Texas, Alaska, and eventually to Madison, Wisconsin, where he met his wife, Francis. Together, Paul and Fran built a beautiful life together. They raised two incredible daughters— both high-level swimmers. Paul has spent the majority of his career at the Department of Transportation where his knack for solving problems really shines. He’s lived in the same home since 1965, and even after losing his beloved Fran, Paul has stayed active, grounded, and full of stories worth telling.

Robert Borg has a lifetime of amazing stories. He grew up in Idaho Falls in a log cabin built by his Norwegian-born dad.From a young age, he developed a deep interest in Native American history and culture, which has lasted throughout his life. He also has a deep love for photography and Toyota Land Cruisers.A job fighting fires in Alaska led him to Boise, Idaho, where he met Vicki Young, who soon became his wife. Together, they have six amazing kids and 22 grandkids.Robert had a very successful 20-year career with UARCO and eventually started his own business, which he still owns today.His love for the gospel is very clear, and he lives what he believes by being a friend to the friendless and offering a hand to anyone in need.

Vicki Borg is a talented interior decorator, master seamstress, and passionate patriot. But even more importantly, she is a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother.Growing up the oldest child, she took it upon herself to set the example for her siblings of responsibility and faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, which has been the foundation for her life. She worked hard in her youth and eventually graduated from Boise State University.At just 18 years old, she met Robert Borg, and the two were married in the Idaho Falls Temple. Together, they have six amazing kids, 11 granddaughters, and 11 grandsons.Vicki spent her life raising those kids and creating a beautiful life at Borg Haven, their home of 50 years.

Gerda Dwyer has been through some of the most harrowing experiences in history. As a child, she lived through WWII in Germany. She experienced bombings, losing loved ones, starvation, and the constant terrors of war. Her stories illustrate the dangers of war and dictatorship but also her and her family’s bravery and resilience.After the war, Gerda left home, met and married an American GI, and immigrated to the US on a ship with a five-month-old baby. She became a single mother after her first marriage ended and worked hard to provide for her girls, Virginia and Suzanne. She later married Dr. Jacob H. Weis, who had been a contributor to the Manhattan project and worked alongside Dr. Oppenheimer on the first A-bomb. After that marriage ended, she met and married Tom Dwyer, a kind and loving man to whom she was married for nearly 25 years. She worked for Hewlett-Packard for about 25 years as well, which eventually led her and her family to move to Boise, Idaho.She is a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loves her family more than anything.

Stephanie Nye is a lovely, kind, intelligent woman. She grew up mainly overseas in many interesting places including Libya, Switzerland to attend boarding school, and Vietnam during the war.Eventually, Stephanie landed in Boise, Idaho, where she met and married her sweetheart Brent Nye, and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together, they have four wonderful kids who, in stark contrast to Stephanie‘s childhood, were all raised in their family home of nearly fifty years.Stephanie has spent her life serving and caring for others. She is patriotic, positive, and faithful.

You might know Neal Jones better as the Singing Grandpa, the viral, lovable, hymn-singing man from TikTok. But others know Neal as teacher, brother, friend, husband, and father.Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, Neal had an idyllic childhood full of playing sports with friends, attending church, and of course singing. He eventually made his way to Bob Jones University, which led him to a career in Christian education. His decision to attend Bob Jones also let him to meet his wonderful wife, Marsha. Together they have two lovely daughters. Neal is kind and humble, and now spends his time sharing music and his beliefs with the world.