Schedule

Friday and Saturday, March 27–28, 2026

Class Descriptions

BYU Conference Center (CONF)
Harman Continuing Education Building (HCEB)
770 E University Pkwy, Provo UT 84602
Driving and parking instructions

Thursday, March 26, 2026*
5:45–6:30 p.m. Check-in
6:30–6:50 p.m. Welcome & Opening Session
7:00–8:15 p.m. Workshops

*Workshops are optional and are an additional cost; they can be registered for when you register for the conference.

Friday, March 27, 2026
7:45–8:30 a.m.    Check-in
8:45–9:00 a.m.   Welcome & Opening Keynote: Hank Smith
10:00–10:50 a.m. Connection Activity
11:00–11:50 a.m. CLASSES 1
Akasha Balkman & Melissa Carlton, Ministering Angels: Support from Heaven and Earth
Gerrit Dirkmaat, Joseph Smith’s Testimony and Vision of the Resurrection
Carrie Moore, "Leave Me Alone!” What Teens Need Most When They Are Grieving
Robbie Taggart, The Seed Growing in the Darkness
Genevieve and Zachary Fredrickson, Beauty for Ashes: Turning Separation into Connection
11:50–1:00 p.m.    Lunch
1:10–2:00 p.m. CLASSES 2
Akasha Balkman & Melissa Carlton, Ministering Angels: Support from Heaven and Earth
Gerrit Dirkmaat, Joseph Smith’s Testimony and Vision of the Resurrection
Carrie Moore, "Leave Me Alone!” What Teens Need Most When They Are Grieving
Robbie Taggart, The Seed Growing in the Darkness
Genevieve and Zachary Fredrickson, Beauty for Ashes: Turning Separation into Connection
2:10–3:00 p.m. CLASSES 1 
David Mikelson, Leave a Record, Find Healing
Becky Beck, Finding Joy in the Mourning
Embracing God’s Peace and Healing Through Grief
Susan Walton, Coming Down from the Fortress of Isolation: Staying Connected with Others and with the Lord
Jason Clawson, Your Own Personal Garden of Gethsemane
Kelli Anderson, Healing After Traumatic Loss: Walking Through Emotional Seasons with Faith, Hope, and Healing Tools
3:00–3:20 p.m. Refreshment Break
3:30–4:20 p.m. CLASSES 2
David Mikelson, Leave a Record, Find Healing
Becky Beck, Finding Joy in the Mourning
Embracing God’s Peace and Healing Through Grief
Susan Walton, Coming Down from the Fortress of Isolation: Staying Connected with Others and with the Lord
Jason Clawson, Your Own Personal Garden of Gethsemane
Kelli Anderson, Healing After Traumatic Loss: Walking Through Emotional Seasons with Faith, Hope, and Healing Tools
4:30–5:30 p.m.  Closing Keynote: Cherie Wright
Saturday, March 28, 2026
7:45–8:30 a.m. Check-in
8:45–9:50 a.m. Opening Keynote: Troy & Deedra Russell
10:00–10:45 a.m.  General Sessions (offered once only)
Grief & Self-Care Session - Tiffany Hebb
Financial Planning for Widows - Mitch Simkins
Grieving as a Couple - Marie Ricks
Connection Activity
Hymn Sing
11:00–11:40 p.m. RealTalk Series 1
Ken Alford, God Will Fulfill All His Promises
Tanya Kimball, Stuck in Saturday…But Sunday Will Come
Matt Anderson, The Power of And
Patti Merrill, Held By Promise: Grief and the God Who Stays
Kathryn Cunningham, Seek the Miracle
Gina & Ellie Oliverson, Life After Suicide: A Mother and Daughter’s Journey Through Grief and Grace
11:50–12:30 p.m. RealTalk Series 2
Ken Alford, God Will Fulfill All His Promises
Tanya Kimball, Stuck in Saturday…But Sunday Will Come
Matt Anderson, The Power of And
Patti Merrill, Held By Promise: Grief and the God Who Stays
Kathryn Cunningham, Seek the Miracle
Gina & Ellie Oliverson, Life After Suicide: A Mother and Daughter’s Journey Through Grief and Grace
12:30–1:45 p.m.   Lunch
1:50–2:40 p.m.  CLASSES 1
Steve Eastmond, O God, Where Art Thou: When Faith is Tested in the Adversity of Loss
Kori Andrews & David Mikelson, Becoming Acquainted with Grief: How Your Journey Through Loss Can Connect You to Others and to Christ
Marie Ricks, Suicidal Loss Grief Journey
Angie Dean, Complex Grief: Understanding, Healing, and Renewal
Jordan Robertson, Picture Books That Help Young Children (12 and under) Process Grief
2:50–3:40 p.m. CLASSES 2
Steve Eastmond, O God, Where Art Thou: When Faith is Tested in the Adversity of Loss
Kori Andrews & David Mikelson, Becoming Acquainted with Grief: How Your Journey Through Loss Can Connect You to Others and to Christ
Marie Ricks, Suicidal Loss Grief Journey
Angie Dean, Complex Grief: Understanding, Healing, and Renewal
Jordan Robertson, Picture Books That Help Young Children (12 and under) Process Grief         
3:40–4:00 p.m. Snack Break
4:00–5:00 p.m. Closing Keynote: Tamara McFadden