Kevin Odekirk

Kevin Odekirk made his Broadway debut as Marius in the hit musical Les Miserables. From Was at Lincoln Center, to Sondheim’s 75th at the Hollywood Bowl, Kevin has been privileged to perform with some of the industry’s greatest talents, including Bernadette Peters, Angela Lansbury, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Josh Groban, and many more.

Most recently, Kevin has continued his long-term partnership with the amazing Julie Andrews. As part of her eagerly awaited return to the concert stage, Kevin is one of 5 vocalists that join her in The Gift of Music, a concert that has enjoyed sold out performances from the Hollywood Bowl to London’s O2 Arena, and everywhere in between.

Look for Kevin on his two acclaimed cd’s Unheard, and Season of Hope on itunes, Spotify and everywhere music is sold.

Tyler J. Griffin

“When Heaven Feels Distant: Principles and Practices for Connecting with God”

When our lives seem off course and constantly heading downhill despite our best efforts to keep the commandments and follow the Savior, our knee-jerk response is often to question God's motives, concern, and love for us. Like the Apostles on the stormy sea of Galilee, we may wonder, "Why does the Master sleep?" Why does God seem to keep His distance when we need His guidance most? Bother Griffin will deliver a spiritually empowering Keynote address Saturday morning offering hope and perspective to those who feel isolated and distant from heaven, especially when those distant feelings are compounded by confusion, frustration, and deep hurts that spread over time. His talk will help to reaffirm and fortify faith in Christ amid the storms of life, and to help find a true sense of connection with the almighty God of the universe, who holds worlds without number in His hands, but holds you and your loved ones in His heart.

An associate teaching professor in Brigham Young University’s Department of Ancient Scripture and a highly popular BYU Education Week Speaker, Brother Griffin holds a Bachelor’s degree in electrical/computer engineering and Master’s and Doctorate degrees in instructional technology. He taught in the seminaries and institutes for fifteen years, where he also trained potential seminary teachers and developed an online home study seminary program. Tyler cofounded and co-directs the BYU VirtualScriptures.org Group, which produces immersive digital learning tools for enhancing scripture study. He and his wife, Kiplin, are the parents of ten children. He is the author of critically acclaimed “When Heaven Feels Distant” and co-author of “Millions Shall Know Brother Joseph Again” & “Come Unto Me.”

“God loves you more than your ease or comfort. God lets things happen that will build character and teach lessons. Christ is our greatest example of complete submissiveness and faith in God during times when God feels distant.” - Tyler J. Griffin

Dan Fuller

“Pearls Before Breakfast—Getting the Most out of Your Study of the Book of Mormon.” 

Brother Fuller grew up in Granada Hills, California where, as a teenager, he met the girl who would later become his wife at a stake dance. He attended UCLA for a year prior to serving a full time mission in Venezuela from 1974-1976. A year after returning from his mission, he married to his wife Diana and resumed his studies, graduating from UCLA with a Bachelor’s Degree in History in 1979, and later from BYU with a law degree in 1982. Dan and Diana have six children and many more grandchildren.

Dan has served as Elders Quorum President, High Councilor, Bishop, and as a member of the Stake Presidency in the Santa Margarita Stake. He currently teaches Gospel Doctrine in his ward, is a member of the Stake Sunday School Presidency and teaches a Church History/Doctrine and Covenants class each week to the Single Adults.

Doug & Colleen Higham - California Newport Beach Temple President & Matron

Doug and Colleen Higham are the proud parents of 12 beautiful children. They recently returned from serving as Mission President and are currently serving as the Temple President and Matron of the California Newport Beach Temple.

Michael Schreck

“The Smart Phone & Social Media Tsunami: How is it affecting me? How is it affecting my relationships?”

BIO - Michael is the CEO of a global fintech company based in Orange County. He has also co-founded/led a number of technology firms that have been acquired by IBM, SLM, and GSI. Michale launched his career at McKinsey & Company and received an MBA from Harvard and a BA from BYU. Michael and his wife are the parents of 6 children and reside in Irvine, CA. He currently serves in the Bishopric of his local Ward. 

Boad Swanson

“Snatched” An exploration of the Lords search and rescue pattern which leads to redemption and prosperity in Christ.

BIO - Boad Swanson was born and raised in Columbus Ohio. After graduating from Ohio University with a BS in Organizational Communications, he worked in DC for a member of Congress prior to serving a mission in Santiago Chile at age 26. He attended singles wards for many, many years and is now married with four kids, lives in Laguna Beach and is a Business Owner. Boad is a former Bishop and now currently teaches Seminary.

Dan Hunter

Even though the marriage may be over...you're still a family! 

Spiritual and Practical Perspectives During and After a Divorce. This workshop will cover the  Pragmatic, Spiritual & Legal Approaches The Following Issues: Custody/Parenting Time; Child & Spousal Support;  Enforcing Court Orders; Dividing Assets & Debts; and the Basics On How To Navigate The Legal System and Economical Resources.

Dan Hunter has been married to his wife Kimberly Hunter, formerly Anderson, for more than 26 years and is the father of five children. He earned his B.A. from BYU and J.D. from University of San Diego. Dan was admitted to UT bar in 1998 and admitted to CA bar 2000. He is the founder of Hunter Law Group,  a member of the Family Law Section of California State Bar, a member of American Institute of Family Law Attorneys. Dan is the recipient of many prestigious law awards including AIFLA 10 Best Attorneys from 2016-2019, AIFLA 10 Best Law Firms 2017-2019, The National Advocates Top 100 Lawyers 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018. He is a Co-Author of best selling book on Amazon "A Cup of Coffee With 10 of The Top Divorce Attorneys In The United States."

TYLER J. Griffin

“I Need a Miracle”  AND “I Need Answers and Revelation”

“I Need a Miracle!”

As we explore a selection of Christ’s miracles in the New Testament, we will look for relevant principles of how to seek our own miracles today. You will begin to see elements of your own story reflected in the stories of the sick and afflicted who were touched by the Savior’s miraculous Hand 2,000 years ago. As we better understand His interactions with them, we will be more capable of feeling His healing touch with us.

“I Need Answers and Revelation!”

Does it feel like your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling? Are you confused or perplexed with what direction your life should go? Are most of your prayers answered with silence? All of us have a deep need to hear the voice of the Lord speaking to us and giving us directions in our life. We will use a few key scripture stories to better understand principles of prayer and revelation that can be applied by all. Bring your questions and concerns with you and you will have opportunities to put some of these principles into practice as you increasingly unlock the power of prayer and revelation as you move forward on the covenant path.

Kristen Steenblik Murray

“Happiness in Your Path” 

Most people, no matter the phase in life, second guess their path, whether it be because their life looks different than they had “planned” or others share their opinions about what they have chosen to do. We can become flooded with the ideas of others and judgements from ourselves which get in the way of us feeling joy in our lives. Combining therapeutic interventions and gospel principles, Kristen will teach ways to respond to our cares, anxieties and frustrations we feel while living this earthly life so we can have increased peace, meaningful relationships and feel personal joy!  

Kristen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with extensive training and experience supporting individuals and families. Although she was one class away from her undergraduate degree in Political Science Kristen knew Social Work was where she needed to be which prompted a change. She received a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Utah where she specialized her education and training in the clinical field of Social Work. Kristen has over 10 years of clinical experience that is wide ranging from adolescent lock down residential programs in Utah, school based programs in South Central Los Angeles to her current private practice in South Orange County.

Kristen is passionate about her work and really feels she has the best job in the world. She feels blessed and thankful that her professional work has matched up with her church service, where she has served the youth of the church for the last 14 years, with 12 of those years being in the YW organization.

Kristen and her husband have 2 kids and love any chance to be out in the world exploring nature and different cultures. She has more sand in her car than one “should” but she knows that the more sand the happier her heart.

Daniel L. Rasmussen

English Workshop: But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. Matt 13:16. Are you prepared to witness the frequent miracles wrought by the hand of the Lord? 

Spanish Workshop: Pero bienaventurados vuestros ojos, porque ven; y vuestros oídos, porque oyen. MATEO 13:16.  ¿Estas preparado para presenciar los frecuentes milagros realizados por la mano del Señor?  

Daniel L. Rasmussen is a witness to the marvelous work of the Lord in these latter-days.  He seeks to follow the example of Jesus Christ and live His commandments. Brother Rasmussen has served in many callings. Among those are full-time missionary in the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission, Bishop of the Irvine Third Ward, Stake President of the Irvine California Stake and Mission President in the Peru Piura Mission. He is currently serving as a Public Affairs Director in the Newport Beach Coordinating Council.  Brother Rasmussen counts as his greatest blessing his marriage of 39 years to Shauna Inkley Rasmussen. They have four children and eight grandchildren. 

Amy Ramson, Christina West & Becca Gardner

 "Creating Quality Relationships: Improving Your Dating Experience"

Born and raised in New York, Amy has been involved with personal growth and development programs for over 40 years.  Currently, Amy is a Personal Consultant, Training Facilitator and Certified Relationship Coach at Pax Programs, Inc., a transformational development company, teaching effective communication and relationship-building skills, while integrating the inherent differences in gender.  She is known for her passion, fun, articulate and dramatic teaching style, as well as her enormous heart.  Amy was involved in the co-creation of PartnershipWorks, an educational company that developed business curriculum to help hold people accountable, design appropriate reward and appreciation systems, and demonstrate how to honor individual differences.  A Certified Integral Coach from New Ventures West, Amy coaches individuals in both their personal and professional lives.  Amy is trained in administering Hogan Assessments, the most powerful measure of personality on the market, for the purpose of leadership development and predicting performance.

A former CPA and financial analyst, Amy left the financial world to be a stay-at-home mother and raise her 3 children, Joey, AJ and Jaycee. “Understanding the differences in gender and learning relationship skills set me free. I saw immediately where I had been ineffective in my relationships with men, especially my ex-husband, to whom I was married for 20 years. I forgave myself for the mistakes in communication and behavior I made in the past. Since then, I have put this new information into practice for miraculous results with all men, including my two sons and current boyfriend of 4 years.”

Christina West has been a Licensed Workshop Leader and Certified Relationship Coach for PAX Programs, Inc. for 9 years.  She is passionate about creating partnership everywhere and exploring new ways to do so. She is known for bringing grace, joy and poignant, humorous examples to her leading and coaching. 

 Originally from the Boston area, Christina has lived in many parts of the country, including Arizona, California, Oklahoma, Utah and now in Louisville, Kentucky. She has been married to the love of her life, Andrew, for 29 years and she is the mother of 6 children, ages 15 to 27. 

 She has served as Young Women’s President, in the Relief Society Presidency, and the Stake Strengthening Marriage Teacher. Her husband has served as Bishop for 7 years, in the Stake Presidency for 7 years and currently serves as the Stake YM President as well as a High Councilor. When she is not leading workshops or coaching clients, she stays busy with yoga, running, volunteering in her community, and caring for her Old English Sheepdog or their Donkey, Muffin.

Becca Gardner is a certified trainer for internationally-renowned relationship expert, Alison Armstrong, creator of PAX, Inc. PAX is passionate about altering our society's culture by transforming the way women and men relate to themselves and each other.

Becca has been involved with Alison’s work for 25 years. She teaches these concepts in her community. Even though Becca has traveled the world, met Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama, played with baby tigers, and taught school for thirty-two years, what she loves most is being able to share this valuable information with others because of the profound impact it provides. 

When women understand men, women experience more patience and peace--they stop taking things personally. When men understand women, they are less frustrated and more appreciative of the women in their lives. Both men and women are empowered to create more productive and peaceful relationships.

Elder Marc C. Davis, Area Authority Seventy

“A Higher and Holier Way”

Elder Marc Davis Area Authority Seventy will be speaking during our special Singles Conference Sacrament Meeting.