Aug 14, 2026 · 29 min · 9 segments
Meet James Butler, a Palmyra-adjacent New Yorker turned Missouri farm kid turned BYU microbiologist who somehow ended up writing 23 books and building a career in franchise development. Listen on to…
James ButlerGuest
Aaron StanderHost
Um, how has, kind of bringing this to a kind of like gospel question, just how ha- with all that entrepreneur-type spirit, how has the gospel influenced decisions that you made in li- in that kind of a career field?
I mean, I, I think it's just being in the scriptures and studying and learning.
I remember something that John Widtsoe said once, that the gospel should be studied more intensely than any other subject, and I've really tried to apply that in my life and learning, and I've read a lot of books about... from the prophets and leaders of the church.
I've also read the Book of Mormon many, many times, and the Bible as well many times.
So I think just throughout my whole life, I think there's just been a through line that I've always been studying and learning more about the gospel, trying to become a better disciple of Jesus Christ.
I think that's the main thing is just trying to become what I can, learn from Him and from His teachings.
Um, as somebody that's been trying to do my own kind of entrepreneur stuff as a, as a handyman, you would say, sure.
Um, I was thinking of, um, yeah, I haven't always, um, included kind of the gospel in jobs that I've had-
Um, but as a, as a handyman, I've tried to incorporate it more in kind of my daily actions.
Uh, do you have any specific story that you could share where you've had an experience like that, where you've received direction or help with a decision or problem that you had with?
I think, uh, in being in business, a lot of times you have a lot of pressure and stress about making decisions.
I think going to the temple and asking for guidance, I've had that happen many times where I've, um...
Um, how has, kind of bringing this to a kind of like gospel question, just how ha- with all that entrepreneur-type spirit, how has the gospel influenced decisions that you made in li- in that kind of a career field?
I mean, I, I think it's just being in the scriptures and studying and learning.
I remember something that John Widtsoe said once, that the gospel should be studied more intensely than any other subject, and I've really tried to apply that in my life and learning, and I've read a lot of books about... from the prophets and leaders of the church.
I've also read the Book of Mormon many, many times, and the Bible as well many times.
So I think just throughout my whole life, I think there's just been a through line that I've always been studying and learning more about the gospel, trying to become a better disciple of Jesus Christ.
I think that's the main thing is just trying to become what I can, learn from Him and from His teachings.
Um, as somebody that's been trying to do my own kind of entrepreneur stuff as a, as a handyman, you would say, sure.
Um, I was thinking of, um, yeah, I haven't always, um, included kind of the gospel in jobs that I've had-
Um, but as a, as a handyman, I've tried to incorporate it more in kind of my daily actions.
Uh, do you have any specific story that you could share where you've had an experience like that, where you've received direction or help with a decision or problem that you had with?
I think, uh, in being in business, a lot of times you have a lot of pressure and stress about making decisions.
I think going to the temple and asking for guidance, I've had that happen many times where I've, um...
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