How Seeking God Completely Changed My Life!

Have you ever wondered how much effort it really takes to truly know Christ? What happens when you come from a long line of believers but struggle to make faith your own? How do you move from simply knowing about Christ to truly feeling His presence in your life? In this episode, I sit down with Blake Brandley to dive deep into these questions, exploring how personal moments of revelation and redemption can shape our faith journey.

About Blake Brandley:

Blake Brandley is not only my son-in-law but a devoted husband and father with deep roots in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Blake’s family history with the Church stretches back generations, but as he shares in this episode, faith isn’t inherited—it’s discovered through personal experience. Blake’s journey includes overcoming personal doubts and temptations, serving a mission in Chicago, and finding his own relationship with Christ.

What We Discuss In This Episode:

The Struggle of Making Faith Your Own

Blake openly shares his experience of growing up in the Church, surrounded by faith, yet not fully understanding his own relationship with Christ until later in life. His story challenges the idea that simply being part of a religious community guarantees a testimony. “Just because we come from a long line of believers doesn’t mean we truly know Christ,” Blake explains. He recounts how his first real attempt to connect with God felt like a failure, leaving him frustrated and disillusioned. This turning point ultimately led him on a journey of discovery that reshaped his entire perspective on faith.

The Power of Personal Revelation

One of the key moments Blake highlights is his quiet epiphany while reading the Book of Mormon on a city bus. “I realized that all those small experiences of feeling the Spirit had been building up, like bricks in a wall. Suddenly, it all clicked,” he says, describing the moment he finally felt the Spirit confirm the reality of Christ’s Atonement. This powerful realization was not a grand event but a series of small, meaningful experiences that accumulated into undeniable truth.

Navigating Life’s Temptations

Blake doesn’t shy away from talking about his challenges, particularly in high school when he almost walked away from the Church entirely. His honesty is both refreshing and relatable. “I was mad—I gave it my best for a month and felt like God didn’t give me anything back,” he recalls. Yet, instead of giving up entirely, Blake’s story shows how moments of doubt can lead us back to the Savior, stronger than before.

The Mission Experience: Trusting in the Lord’s Plan

Blake also recounts his time as a missionary on the south side of Chicago, where he learned to fully trust in the Lord. “It wasn’t about me converting people—it was about being a willing vessel for the Spirit,” he says, reflecting on how his perspective shifted. He realized that success in missionary work doesn’t hinge on personal effort alone, but on the Lord’s power to touch hearts and change lives.

The Depth of Christ’s Atonement

At the heart of this episode is the powerful theme of redemption. Blake shares a particularly moving moment on his mission when the concept of the Atonement became real to him. He explains how a talk by Cleon Skousen about the meaning of the Atonement helped him understand that “Christ’s sacrifice wasn’t just a one-time event—it’s ongoing, and He’s actively working to bring us back to Him.” This realization not only changed the way Blake saw his mission but also his life beyond it.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

1. Faith is not inherited: Coming from a line of believers doesn’t guarantee your own testimony—you have to work to build it.

2. Personal revelation is gradual: Sometimes the Spirit speaks in small, consistent ways rather than dramatic, life-changing events.

3. Christ is constantly working to reclaim us: The Atonement is ongoing, and Christ is actively involved in bringing us back to Him, even when we stray.

4. Missionary work is about trusting the Spirit: Conversion isn’t about us—it’s about allowing the Lord to work through us.

5. We are never alone: Even when it feels like we’re far from Christ, He’s doing everything He can to bring us back.

In this heartfelt conversation, Blake’s vulnerability and sincerity will resonate with anyone seeking to deepen their faith and strengthen their relationship with Christ. His story is a testament to the fact that faith is a personal journey, filled with moments of doubt, discovery, and, ultimately, redemption. This episode is a must-listen for anyone striving to understand how the Atonement of Christ truly changes lives.