Jenny Oaks Baker began playing the violin before elementary school and she has not stopped since. Her violin has taken her all around the world and given her opportunities she’d never dreamed of. But there have also been opportunities she has sought that have never come to fruition and other opportunities she didn’t even know to seek that have made her life much richer than it would have been otherwise. On this week’s episode, Jenny shares her witness that sometimes the Lord’s plans are much better than the plans we have for ourselves.

2:59- The Role of Parents
10:10- Music Education
11:41- Trusting the Lord
16:40- Choices as a Young Mom
27:36- Hard Work and Dreams
30:30- Performances Behind the Scenes
37:32- Identity and Talents
41:55- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

"It's hard to not know the future. I still want what I want and want to know what's going to happen. But the Lord provides"

Links:

Jenny’s Christmas Tour Dates and Ticket Information: https://www.jennyoaksbaker.com/upcoming-events

Jenny’s album, “The Redeemer”: https://www.deseretbook.com/product/P6002668.html

When she was just 7 years old, Ore Kaffo was abducted from her foster family—the only family she had ever known—by her birth mother. After living her entire life in England, a place that had always been happy for her, she found herself back in her home country of Nigeria. Her entire world was changed, and along with that, she struggled to make sense of her identity. As she wrestled to understand her new existence, she came to realize that she is, first and foremost, a child of God. On this week’s episode, Ore shares her remarkable story and her undeniable light.

2:17- White Nanny, Black Child
15:01- Lessons From Foster Father
18:15- Learning From Missionaries and Becoming One
29:00- Reunited
33:07- No Heroes and No Villains
40:50- Identity as Children of God
44:47- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

“It doesn’t matter if somebody is from Zibwabwe or Tokyo or Pakistan or from America, if we all identify as children of God then we are one people.”

Links:
Ore’s website: https://ore-lou.com/

For UK listeners, here’s a link to “White Nanny Black Child,” the documentary that tells Ore’s story on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81789241?s=i&trkid=258593161&vlang=en

“White Nanny Black Child” trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDiilPLxs6k&pp=ygUXd2hpdGUgY2hpbGQgYmxhY2sgbmFubnk%3D

Ore on Good Morning Britain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpZWDzdGoNA&pp=ygUXd2hpdGUgY2hpbGQgYmxhY2sgbmFubnk%3D

Olympic silver medalist Kenneth Rooks shocked the world when he worked his way from the back of the pack to become the second American to medal in the 3,000-meter steeplechase since 1984. But those who recognized Rooks’ name know that this isn’t the first time he’s come from behind. In fact, in 2023, Rooks fell in his third lap at the USA Track and Field Nationals but came back to win the race. Both races were a spectacle—incredible athletic feats—and, on today’s episode, we talk with Rooks about what he’s learned from them.

2:13- If Ye Are Prepared
7:10- Gospel Allegories in the Race
13:22- Self-Improvement Vs. Comparison
18:36- The Patience To Stick To The Game Plan
25:25- Being Coached By Ed Eyestone
32:03- Faith and Running
37:02- Pre-game Ritual
40:50- A Large Latter-day Saint Contingent
43:26- Discipline and Consistency
47:19- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

“All In doesn’t mean that you’re not going to forget sometimes. You might forget what matters most. Being all in is being able to recognize when you forget and trying to remember. …Those who are all in try to remember quickly.”

Links:

2023 USATF Nationals Race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT1ody_cpCA&t=190s

2024 Paris Olympic Race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNgzHlE3Hko

Church News article about Kenneth:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/book-of-mormon-kenneth-rooks-byu-steeplechase-olympic-silver-medal

Other links:
https://www.deseret.com/sports/2024/08/07/kenneth-rooks-latter-day-saint-silver-medalist/
https://www.deseret.com/sports/2024/08/07/byu-cougars-runner-kenneth-rooks-wins-silver-medal-in-olympics/