A Grieving Father's Climb Toward Tender Mercies: Eldon Buchanan's Story - Latter-Day Lights

LDS Podcast "Latter-Day Lights" - Inspirational LDS Stories

When a father's greatest nightmare strikes his family not once but twice, can Heaven still find a way to spark hope?
Idaho rancher, husband, and devoted father Eldon Buchanan returns to Latter-day Lights to share the sacred tender mercies that steadied him after losing his son to suicide: Feeling the invisible strength of his son hoisting boulders for his memorial, a climb up Mount Borah where the Northern Lights felt like an embrace from Heaven, and a New Year’s graveside visit where impossibly perfect snowflakes drifted down on him, as though signed by his boys’ own hands.
In this raw retelling, Eldon shows how the Savior’s love reaches through depression’s deepest shadows with quiet, unmistakable reminders: You are seen, and no child slips from His grasp.
If you—or someone you love—are wrestling with grief or suicidal despair, Eldon’s witness offers heartfelt advice and uplifting reasons to keep going: Even shattered hearts can experience miracles, and sorrow can be transformed into an unshakable testimony—that Christ never leaves His wounded ones alone.

*** Please SHARE Eldon's story and help us spread hope and light to others. ***
To WATCH this episode, visit: https://youtu.be/9IqH01jFAZc
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To WATCH Eldon's first episode on Latter-Day Lights, visit: https://youtu.be/3phtG9B-2Gk
To WATCH Eldon's second episode on Latter-Day Lights, visit: https://youtu.be/aSJ6p0aDI00

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Chapters

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. Welcoming Eldon Buchanan to the show (00:00:32)

3. Eldon in a nutshell (00:02:25)

4. Recap of Eldon’s first episode - Father’s death (00:04:28)

5. Recap of Eldon’s second episode - Personal struggles (00:05:50)

6. Eldon finds out his son Bryce passed away (00:11:15)

7. Processing Bryce’s death (00:17:00)

8. Eldon climbs Mt. Borah + drives to the dessert (00:18:40)

9. Bryce’s funeral + memorial (00:23:12)

10. Tender Mercy #1: Eldon gathers rocks with Bryce’s spirit (00:24:40)

11. Eldon climbs Mt. Borah again + meets other hikers (00:26:43)

12. Tender Mercy #2: Eldon hikes back down + sees the Northern Lights (00:33:50)

13. Tender Mercy #3: Rare New Year’s snowflakes (00:36:10)

14. Eldon meets an atheist (00:38:23)

15. On relatives deaths (00:41:40)

16. Eldon’s quiet confidence in God (00:44:12)

17. The process of grieving different people (00:46:20)

18. Eldon’s testimony (00:50:10)

19. Advice for anyone struggling with mental health (00:51:50)

20. Eldon’s suicidal thoughts after divorce (00:55:25)

21. The importance of gratitude (00:58:10)

22. Outro (01:00:50)