Speakers/Workshop Descriptions
for the 2025 Nauvoo Single Adult MEGA Conference
Friday Morning Daily Theme Speaker
Ashlee Boyson
Daily Theme: "Fuel Your Fire" – Building Endurance, Resilience, & Strength for Life’s Journey
Workshop Description:
Life’s journey often brings challenges we never expected—heartache, loss, and trials that test our very foundation. The instructor of this workshop knows this firsthand. After experiencing the devastating loss of her first husband, she faced overwhelming grief, deep struggles, and moments of uncertainty. Yet, through faith in Jesus Christ, she found the strength to heal, rebuild, and eventually open her heart to love again. This workshop will focus on developing spiritual, emotional, and physical resilience to help you navigate life’s hardest moments. As we explore habits that fuel faith and keep our inner fire burning strong, you'll learn how to overcome adversity, find strength in trials, and move forward with hope. Come ready to ignite your passion, refuel your spirit, and gain the endurance to keep pressing on the path the Lord has prepared for you!
Saturday Daily Theme Speaker
Rob Rains
Daily Theme:
Be the Light! We Shine Brighter Together
Workshop Description:
Jesus Christ is the perfect example of service—whether through quiet acts of love or miracles witnessed by many. We will explore how service, both big and small, seen and unseen, individual and collective, can bring light into the lives of others and help us become more like the Savior. Through scripture, inspiring stories, and interactive discussions, we will discover how our efforts—whether a simple smile, a secret act of kindness, or a large-scale project—can truly make a difference in the world. Come prepared to be uplifted and empowered to be the light and shine together!
Workshop Speaker
David Boice
Workshop Description:
Following the Signs: A Conversion Story of Faith and Cardinals: Through a series of extraordinary experiences—including repeated and meaningful encounters with cardinals—David recognized divine patterns guiding him toward truth. In this inspiring workshop, David will recount pivotal moments from his faith journey, offering a heartfelt look at the personal revelations, challenges, and miracles that shaped his testimony. He will also discuss his YouTube channel, 52 Churches in 52 Weeks, where he chronicles his quest for spiritual truth and belonging. Whether you're seeking to strengthen your own faith, understand the power of personal revelation, or simply love hearing inspiring conversion stories, this session will leave you uplifted and filled with hope. this session will leave you uplifted and filled with hope.
Workshop Speaker
Chris and Lotus Carlson
Workshop Description:
Glow in Your Relationships!
Relationships are central to a joyful life—but building meaningful connections takes patience, effort, and Christlike love. In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore how to deepen relationships by applying gospel principles of love, forgiveness, and self-worth. We will also discuss the personal journey of healing after heartbreak, including overcoming the pain of divorce and rediscovering hope, trust, and love again. Through inspiring stories, scriptural insights, and practical tools, you’ll learn to:
-Strengthen friendships by being a light to others
-Navigate dating with faith and confidence
-Build stronger family bonds through kindness & communication
-Invite Christ into your relationships for lasting joy and unity
Whether you’re nurturing friendships, dating with purpose, or growing closer to family, this class will help you glow with love, faith, and confidence.
Workshop Speaker
Beth Conner
Workshop Description:
Shine in your Personal and Professional Life by Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals and taking inspired action-
Setting goals is easy—staying motivated and making real progress is the challenge. This interactive, gospel-centered workshop will help you set S.M.A.R.T. goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) and take inspired steps to grow spiritually, physically, financially, and emotionally.
You’ll learn to:
– Clarify your vision and align it with God’s plan
– Break dreams into achievable, Spirit-led goals
– Overcome common roadblocks with faith and resilience
– Engage in hands-on activities and group reflection
With intention and faith, you can invite divine guidance into your goals and create lasting, meaningful change. Leave with a clear action plan and renewed purpose.
Workshop Speaker
Troy Davis
Workshop Description:
Dating Principles from the Teachings of Jesus Christ
Dating in midlife can be complex, discouraging, and emotionally taxing—especially for single Latter-day Saints striving to honor their covenants. Wouldn’t it be a relief if Jesus Christ could personally guide us through it? The good news is: He already has. As 2 Nephi 32:3 reminds us, “the words of Christ will tell [us] all things what [we] should do”—and that includes navigating dating. This session explores clear, practical, and spiritually grounded dating principles drawn directly from the Savior’s teachings in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7; 3 Nephi 12–14). With fresh insights and real-life application, participants will leave with renewed hope and greater confidence in approaching dating through a Christ-centered lens.
Workshop Speaker
Barbara Gauthier
Workshop Description:
Glow with Confidence: Embracing Your Self-Worth and Identity in Christ: Are you ready to see yourself the way God sees you — full of divine potential, infinite worth, and radiant light? In today’s world, it’s easy to let comparison, criticism, and doubt dim our confidence. But true, lasting confidence doesn’t come from outward achievements or others' opinions — it comes from knowing exactly who you are and whose you are. Join us for an inspiring workshop where we’ll dive deep into discovering your divine identity in Christ. Through motivating messages, powerful scripture insights, and meaningful interactive discussions, you’ll learn how to build unshakable confidence rooted in faith rather than fear. Together, we’ll explore practical ways to overcome self-doubt, recognize the Lord’s hand in your personal journey, and step into your God-given purpose with clarity and joy. Come ready to be uplifted, encouraged, and empowered to let your light shine even brighter. When we align our view of ourselves with the Savior’s, we glow with confidence, reflect His love, and walk forward with courage, hope, and strength. This is your time to rise and shine — just as He created you to do!
Workshop Speaker
Mark Johnsen
Workshop Description:
Crop It Like It’s Hot: Grow, Cluck, and Roll into Homesteading Awesomeness
Ready to turnip your life? In Crop It Like It’s Hot, we’re digging deep (pun absolutely intended) into the basics of gardening, the magic of freeze drying your harvest, and the feather-ruffling fun of raising your own backyard chickens. Whether you're a seasoned soil slinger or you just pecked up your first packet of seeds, this workshop will have you rolling in the dirt, cracking up over chicken antics, and plotting how to build your own mini homestead paradise. We’ll cover planting tips, food preservation hacks, coop dreams, and the not-so-glamorous realities of chasing hens in your pajamas. You'll leave with practical skills, a few hilarious stories, and maybe an irresistible urge to name a chicken "Hen Solo".
Workshop Speaker
Leo Lindquist
Workshop Description:
“Glow with the Light of Freedom: Upholding the Inspired Constitution Today”
Step into the sacred light of freedom as we explore the divine inspiration behind the U.S. Constitution and the pivotal role it plays in upholding our rights and responsibilities as citizens. Drawing upon sacred scripture, the words of the Founding Fathers, and modern-day prophetic counsel, this workshop highlights how the principles of liberty and agency embedded in the Constitution reflect God’s eternal plan. We’ll examine the process by which the Founders were guided to craft this inspired document and how those eternal truths remain deeply relevant today. This workshop will empower you to take meaningful steps to support and uphold the Constitution as both citizens and disciples of Christ. Together, we’ll reflect on our personal and collective callings to preserve freedom and keep its light glowing brightly in our lives and communities. "It is highly recommended, that you read both the Declaration of Independence and the U. S. Constitution, before attending this workshop."
Workshop Speaker
Doug Mock
Workshop Description:
"Making the Most of Social Security: A Guide for Singles, Divorced, and Widowed Adults"
Deciding when and how to claim Social Security is one of the most important retirement decisions you’ll make—especially if you're single, divorced, or widowed. In this workshop, you’ll learn the key rules and strategies to help you maximize your benefits. We’ll cover how your benefit is affected by when you apply, how COLAs (Cost of Living Adjustments) work, and how spousal, survivor, and divorced-spouse benefits are calculated. You’ll also learn how benefits may be taxed, what to consider if you have other income, and why it’s important to check your earnings record. We'll also review when it makes sense to delay benefits—and when it doesn’t—and how to coordinate Social Security with other retirement income. To prepare, we recommend downloading your Social Security Statement from ssa.gov. This class will help you make confident, informed choices about your retirement.
Douglas Mock, CFP®, Everest Financial Group, LLC, Securities offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Everest Financial Group, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisory Firm. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth.
Workshop Speaker
Kimberly Jo Smith
Workshop Description:
Glowing in Faith: Trusting God's Light on Your Path: Life rarely goes exactly how we plan- but when we choose to glow in faith, we can find peace, purpose, and power even when the road ahead looks uncertain. In this inspiring workshop, we'll focus on how to trust in God's perfect timing, embrace His divine plan, and move forward with confidence and hope- even when the way isn't clear. Through uplifting discussions, scriptural insights, and heartfelt personal testimony, we will explore how to:
Recognize and follow the light of God's guidance, Overcome fear and doubt by strengthening your faith, Trust God's plan through delays, detours, and unexpected changes, and find joy, growth, and "glow" in the journey-- even when it's different from what you envisioned. Whether You are waiting on answers, seeking clarity, or simply striving to deepen your connection with God, this workshop will help you walk forward with a heart full of faith, hope and heavenly light. Come ready to be inspirited, uplifted, and empowered to glow wherever God leads you.
Workshop Speaker
Jody VanDrimmelen
Workshop Description:
"Light Cleaveth to Light: The 602 Words, 15 Prophets, Seers, and Revelators Gave Us for Achieving Successful, Happy Relationships"
Workshop Description:
Have you given up on the idea of dating because it’s just too scary to be vulnerable? Or maybe you’ve tried, only to find the dating road frustrating, discouraging, and even painful. Do you feel like you’ve told the Lord you’re willing to date—but only if He puts the right person on your porch—while you keep the blinds closed, the porch light off, and refuse to answer the door?
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and this workshop is for you. In this engaging and hope-filled session, we’ll explore a powerful 602-word message from 15 prophets, seers, and revelators that offers clear, inspired guidance for building healthy, lasting relationships. Whether you’re re-entering the dating world, actively searching, or simply seeking peace and purpose in your current stage of single life, this workshop will give you tools to move forward with faith—not fear.
Together, we’ll discuss:
--How “light cleaveth to light” applies to dating, connection, and spiritual alignment.
--What modern prophets actually say about love, relationships, and emotional safety.
--Real, actionable ways to become the kind of person who attracts and builds celestial relationships.
--How to trust God while still taking meaningful action toward your righteous desires.
Come ready to laugh, learn, and maybe even open the blinds. There’s light outside—and it’s seeking light.