In this deeply moving episode of Loved, Period., host Alex Cazier sits down with the incredible President Steve Hayden, current mission president of the New Hampshire, Manchester Mission. Together, they dive into one of the most powerful yet often overlooked New Testament stories—the healing of the man possessed by Legion.
Through heartfelt reflections and personal insights, they explore Christ’s infinite power to transform our identities, no matter how lost or broken we may feel.
President Hayden shares his own journey of discovering faith as a curious 12-year-old exploring different religions, ultimately leading him to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He offers beautiful insights into the Savior’s boundless love for the outcast, reminding us that no one is ever too far gone for Christ’s redeeming embrace.
Alex brings fresh, relatable connections to the story, drawing parallels to the Prodigal Son and even Disney's Moana, illustrating how Christ crosses the horizon to find us, always ready to restore our divine identity.
💡 Key Takeaways:
✨ Christ comes immediately – Just as the man possessed by Legion ran to Jesus, the Savior was already coming for him. We are never out of reach.
✨ You are more than your struggles – Whether you feel bound by anxiety, depression, or self-doubt, you are not your demons. You are a divine child of God.
✨ Healing is transformation – When Christ makes us clean, He makes us whole. Being "healed" means being restored to your true self.
✨ The Savior sees your heart – Like Moana with Tafiti, Christ looks beyond the "crust" of our struggles and sees the divine being underneath.
📖 Scriptures Discussed:
Mark 5 – The story of Legion and Christ’s miraculous healing.
Luke 8 – A parallel account offering additional insights.
References to the Prodigal Son and Christ’s healing of lepers.
🔥 Memorable Quotes:
💬 “You don’t need to have an accurate vision of yourself—you just need faith. The Savior will restore you, even if you’ve become unrecognizable to yourself.” – President Steve Hayden
💬 “You are not your mental health diagnosis. You are not your struggle. You are so much more than that.” – Alex Cazier
💬 “I know who you are. I’ve crossed the horizon to find you.” – Moana (and Jesus, basically)
🌊 Why This Episode Matters: If you’ve ever felt unworthy, unseen, or defined by your struggles, this episode is for you. It’s a reminder that Christ doesn’t just tolerate the broken—He seeks them out. His love is immediate, transformative, and life-giving.
Links:
Lil’ Lad and His Tractor Train of Rabbits
🎧 Listen, subscribe, and share this episode with anyone who needs a reminder that they are Loved, Period. 💙
Music by Bensound.com
Artist: Benjamin Tissot
License code: SNEPQPYPGF7ATKQS