Can You Feel So Now, Sam Niles?

Host Justin Barton interviews returned missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sam Niles about his mission journey and faith. Sam was assigned to the West Virginia Charleston Mission (June 2023), but an illness in February 2024 led to a service mission after he was diagnosed with cancer, had surgery, and underwent nine weeks of chemotherapy (April–June 2024) followed by recovery. Feeling physically better, he returned to West Virginia, but a remission checkup triggered a trauma response and his mission president advised him to finish as a service missionary; he completed his mission in June 2025. Sam describes moments of peace through prayer, a powerful experience of feeling a divine presence in an ER, meaningful service in the temple and community, lessons about loving others, journaling, overcoming perceived stigma, and centering multiple identities around Jesus Christ. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:23 Sam’s Background and Hobbies 01:52 Mission Call and Timeline 03:20 Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment 06:21 Chemo Struggles and Service Work 08:48 Temple Service and New Perspective 13:20 Returning to West Virginia and Trauma 15:38 Atonement and the Empty Chair Moment 20:10 Identity After Cancer and Mission Stigma 25:45 Learning Prayer and Purifying Motives 32:57 Journaling and Loving Leadership 37:16 Why Justin Started the Podcast 40:54 Final Reflections and Alma 5 Questions 48:42 Testimony and Closing