The episode you're about to hear originally aired on June 17th, 2020, and just revisiting it takes me back to a place in time that feels in some ways like yesterday and in others a lifetime ago.

I was staying with my parents as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and conversations

like the one you're about to hear seem to be happening everywhere. Everything felt heightened

at the time, and I'm not sure it has totally let up since. I remember, though, as I prepared

to record this episode feeling such a responsibility to get this one

right. And today, four years later, we're still working, trying to find a way to come together

and to find unity, trying to get this one right. In 2020, Juneteenth wasn't even a federally

recognized holiday in the United States, but it has been celebrated since 2021,

and today we join with people all over America in celebrating the end of slavery.

I remain grateful to Stephen Jones and Abe Mills who were willing at the time to share their experiences with me,

and hope you'll take the time to listen.

In a joint op-ed penned by President Russell M. Nelson and leaders of the NAACP earlier this month,

we read these words. Unitedly, we declare that the answers to racism,

prejudice, discrimination, and hate will not come from government or law enforcement alone.

Solutions will come as we open our hearts to those whose lives are different than our own,

as we work to build bonds of genuine friendship

and as we see each other as the brothers and sisters we are, for we are all children of a loving

God. It is our hope that over the course of the 84 episodes we have recorded, this podcast

has become a place for you to find peace and comfort

in your efforts to follow Jesus Christ.

But what was described in this op-ed for many of us is the sole-stretching work of stepping

outside of our comfort zones and having difficult conversations.

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