Restore is our annual Faith Matters gathering—a three-day event of inspiring speakers and outstanding music, art, and community, all centered on restoring faith, belonging, and wholeness.
This year, we’ll be gathering on September 25-27 at UVU in Orem, Utah. Programming will be from 6:30-8:30pm on Thursday and from 9am-4pm Friday and Saturday.
This event sold out last year, so don’t delay!
“I've gone to Restore since 2022. Every year I have come away feeling a sense of community, belonging, and closeness to the divine. No matter where I am in my faith journey, I am confident I can find peace and joy at Restore. This year was no exception! I found peace, joy, belonging, and community. I had ideas challenged in meaningful ways while also expanding my faith. I also found improved relationships with my parents as I shared the experience with them.” —John A.
AGENDA
Thursday September 25
6:00pm — Evensong Musical Performance
6:30pm-8pm — Art Exhibition and Opening Mixer
7:30pm — Premiere of The Mormon Sex Therapist documentary, followed by a discussion and book signing with Jennifer Finlayson-Fife (books will be available to purchase at Restore)
Friday September 26
Friday will be a day to refresh and restore. We'll explore the variety of ways we can experience God's presence in the world—spiritual languages that often don't get enough attention in our faith.
9am-12pm: Friday Morning General Session
Restore Community Choir — Psalm 34
Communal Singing — "I'm Gonna Live So God Can Use Me"
Arthur C. Brooks — Happiness in Times of Chaos
Joseph Grenny — The Church of Jesus Christ of Misfit Saints: Lessons on Belonging From a Village for the Homeless
Terryl Givens — Broken Symmetry: From Creation to Atonement
Sarah Perkins Sabey — Welcome to Pentecost
James Goldberg — Spiritual Imagination: Divine Co-Creation
Esther Candari — A Brush with the Sacred: How Art Can Deepen Communion
12-2:30pm: Lunch & Breakout Sessions (Choose One)
Seating in the breakout rooms will be limited, so please arrive early to your preferred session. The art gallery and exhibitor hall will also be open during lunch and before the general session each day.
When Loved Ones Journey Away: Adventures in Peacemaking — Patrick Mason & Chad Ford
Stepping Out of Our Chapels and Into Our Communities — Kristin Andrus & Bethany Brady Spalding
Weaving with our Divine Mother: Ritual and Wisdom — Kathryn and Bob Sonntag
Creating a Church of Belonging — Chanté and Alexis Sinclair
Are the Machines Coming for Our Kids? Urgent Parenting Tips in the Age of AI — Tim Chaves, Neylan McBaine, & Medlir Mema
Polarized Pews: How Faith Can Reduce Political Tribalism — Marianne Viray and Chandra Whetstine
2:30-4:30pm: Friday Afternoon General Session
Emma Nissen — Musical performance
Lance Larsen — Seeing an Enchanted World: Wordsworth's Poetry as Prophecy
Steven Sharp Nelson — Pure Creativity: The Parable of the Unplayable Cello
The Piano Guys — Musical Performance
Mallory Everton — Divine Comedy: Humor as Wisdom
Mason Allred — The Body and Divine Presence: Experiencing God through the Senses
Thomas McConkie — The Glory of God is...
Emma Nissen & the King will come — Musical Performance
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 27
Saturday is a day to explore big ideas together, to create more belonging and acceptance, and to learn how to transcend differences and contention.
9am-12pm: Saturday Morning General Session
Sound of Ages Choir — Musical Performance
Ashly Stone — Coming Back to Christ
Ali Essig — Finding Wisdom: Embodiment and the Divine Mother in the Word of Wisdom
Jennifer Finlayson-Fife — Sexual Partners: Yearning for Communion
Larkin Swain & Aubrey Chaves — Introducing Sanctuary
Emilie de Azevedo Brown — "At This Table" Musical Performance
Batchlor Wise Johnson IV — The Power of Variety
Jen and Sam Norton — Come as You Are: Drawing Young People to Jesus
Darlene Young — Poetry
Alisha Anderson, Ben Schilaty & Steve Perry — Three Paths, One Light
12-2:30pm: Lunch & Breakout Sessions (Choose One)
Seating in the breakout rooms will be limited, so please arrive early to your preferred session. The art gallery and exhibitor hall will also be open during lunch and before the general session each day.
Stillness in the Beehive — Thomas McConkie
That We Might Have Joy — A discussion with Jennifer Finlayson-Fife
Partnership at Church: Women and Men Creating Zion Together — Amy Watkins Jensen, Ben Behunin, McArthur Krishna, & Sarah Sun Kanell
Belonging When Believing is Hard — Jody Moore
Come As You Are: Ministering to Youth & Emerging Adults — Kurt Francom with Sam and Jen Norton
Let's Talk About the Endowment — Larkin Swain, Jonathan Stapley, & Jasmin Rappleye
2:30-4:30pm: Saturday Afternoon General Session
Adassa — Musical Performance
Lisa DeLong — The Compass and The Square: Visions of Divine Pattern
Jared Halverson — Fire from Ashes: Rekindling Pentecost
Sharon McMahon — Learning to Love Our Enemies in Contentious Times
Adassa & the Restore Community Choir — “The Goodness of God”
“Restore is the perfect name for the conference—it restored my faith in the church, namely the people in the church and our collective desire for more light and knowledge than we currently have.” —Jenny Z.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT RESTORE?
Conversations that are open, honest, fascinating, inclusive, expansive, inspiring, connecting, and restoring.
A space where curiosity is valued, and wanderers and wayfarers are welcome.
Come and experience beauty to redeem pain, transformation and transcendence, and a still point.
“Every year I come I wonder how they can keep presenting such amazing and inspiring topics and speakers. But they do. I trust next year's will be just as spiritually earth shaking.” —Dorothy B.
REFUND POLICY
Full refunds are offered until September 1. From September 2-13 we can offer a 50% refund, and no refunds will be offered after September 14. You will be able to transfer your tickets to someone else if you are unable to attend.
FAQs
Where will Restore be held this year?
Utah Valley University UCCU Arena
800 W University Parkway, Orem, UT
Can I bring my kids?
Yes! While programming is geared towards adults, parents with babies and small children who need to make noise can watch from a draped off private area and a TV monitor with sound to view what is happening on stage, and balcony seats just outside the room as well. There is also a private nursing pod in the northwest corner of the arena.
What are some of the highlights of the conference?
Our keynote speakers are Sharon McMahon and Arthur Brooks
Jennifer Finlayson-Fife will be debuting and speaking about her new book That We Might Have Joy
There will be many breakout sessions to choose from this year
Art gallery stroll to view unique art curated by Esther Candari, art prints will be for available for purchase
Come relax in our peaceful contemplation area
Book signings will be held in our exhibit area
Exhibitors will be at tables ready to answer any questions about their services, products and charities
Is this just for members of the LDS church or is it open to everyone?
This event is open to everyone whether or not they are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We love our interfaith community!
How do I register?
Do you offer a pay it forward or scholarship program?
We want everyone to be able to to attend. If you need financial aid please email us at info@faithmatters.org.
Please share more about the art gallery.
The art gallery is curated by Esther Hi’ilani Candari and her team at The Compass Gallery. It will include pieces of original work and dozens of prints by a diverse array of established and rising artists of faith. All work is available for purchase and many of the artists will be working live on location so you can witness their processes and ask them questions about their work.
Tell me more about the Contemplation Area.
We will have a beautifully designed contemplation area designed to be a place to pause, drop into your hearts and experience wholeness.
Will there be exhibitors at Restore?
We will have many exhibitors including charities, booksellers, podcasts, artists, courses, retreats, therapists and more!
What hotels are nearby? Are there special attendee rates?
We have negotiated discounted hotel room rates in a nearby Orem hotel for our attendees. Simply click on their name for the link to secure. Note: rooms are based on availability
Other hotels in Provo (standard rates apply)
What are the best airport transfer and transportation options from Salt Lake International airport?
Uber
Lyft
Frontrunner and TRAX light rail between SLC airport and UVU; details here
Is there an app for the event?
Yes, our Whova app will be released 30 days prior to Restore
Will food be available at the event?
Concession stands on the South side will be open in the UCCU Arena. There is a food court at UVU and usually food trucks nearby.
Is there parking at the venue and what is the cost?
There is plenty of free parking in the parking lot by UCCU Arena. On Friday, please note that some parking lots are for employees and students only (this will be marked.) All parking is free on Saturday.
Can we save seats in-between Friday and Saturday sessions?
Please do not leave anything on the seats as the overnight cleaners will remove all items.
Where is Lost & Found?
Any lost items that are found outside of Restore event hours will be taken to UVU Lost and Found and during our event will be taken to our information desk in the UCCU Arena NW foyer.
Will ASL interpretation be provided?
Yes! Please email us at info@faithmatters.org for more details.