In this episode, we meet the brothers for the first time. 10-year-old Sam and his 8-year-old little brother, Luke, do not get along. Sam teases Luke, and Luke resents him for it. Flash forward three years, and the brothers’ relationship is more strained than ever. Luke wishes he could connect with his brother, but fears that he has “tried everything” without success.
In this episode, we get a glimpse into the brothers’ high school years, which provide them with unexpected opportunities to strengthen their bond. We also learn that Sam suffered from depression in his adolescence, probably contributing to the tension between him and Luke, who was completely unaware of Sam’s struggle. 17-year-old Sam has gained control of his depression and proudly reveals that he and 15-year-old Luke have not fought for an entire year.
In this episode, 17-year-old Luke hopes to achieve his dream of making the Brigham Young University football team. He is talented, but is it enough? Meanwhile, 19-year-old Sam is called to serve for two years as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chile. Within those two years, Chile is hit with one of the largest earthquakes in a century. The epicenter is near Concepción, where Sam lives.
In this episode, we find out what happened to 20-year-old Sam when the giant earthquake hit Chile, where he is serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We also learn whether or not 18-year-old Luke’s dream of being on the Brigham Young University football team will become reality. In what may be the best part of this episode, Sam and Luke are reunited briefly before Luke leaves for his own mission for the Church.
In this episode, we experience ups and downs with 19-year-old Luke in the Missionary Training Center, where he is preparing to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cambodia. Learning the language is challenging, and realizing the need to be humble is even harder. When he finally arrives in Cambodia, Luke is surprised by almost everything he will have to handle during the next two years.
In this episode, we venture into Cambodia with 19-year-old Luke, who has been called to serve a mission there for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As he adjusts to the Cambodian food, language, and weather, Luke discovers that the people he is teaching might know more about living like Christ than he does. What he is learning about the gospel will inspire you too.
In this episode, 20-year-old Luke continues to learn and grow in Cambodia, where he is serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Even in the face of sickness, self-doubt, and other challenges, Luke’s desire to serve Jesus Christ and the Cambodian people is stronger than ever. When he realizes that he truly loves the people more than himself, everything starts looking up.
In this episode, 20-year-old Luke is finally hitting his stride in Cambodia, where he is serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He becomes an assistant to president of his mission. He finds success in speaking the language, loving the culture, and teaching the gospel to the Cambodian people. Finally, he realizes that his efforts over the past two years have been enough.
In this episode, we catch up with 24-year-old Sam, who recently returned from his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chile. He is struggling to find how the new Sam fits in the old world. As he makes big decisions about school, career, and relationships, he gets shocking news about one of the young boys he taught and baptized in Chile.
In this episode, Sam searches for a way to help his Chilean friend Luciano, who lost his leg and arm after a terrible accident. Miraculously, and with help from generous strangers, Sam is able to raise $250,000 to change Luciano’s future. When Sam realizes anything is possible with determination, creativity, and help from God, he finally chooses a career path that excites him.
We have gotten to know Sam and Luke, and don’t worry; we will get to know them even better later in the series. In this episode, however, we finally meet one of their little brothers. Tommy Nelson is a talented pre-teen with a good sense of humor and a kind heart. He is lucky to have his brothers’ good examples to follow, but he still has to experience ups and downs of young adulthood for himself.
In this episode, teenage Tommy learns what it is like to lose. He discovers that perfection in school and sports isn’t necessary for happiness. In fact, true happiness comes from serving others. Speaking of service, Tommy also receives his call as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Where do you think he will go?
In this episode, we meet the youngest Nelson brother, Joseph. He is a fast runner, a quirky dancer, and a loyal friend. His peers call him popular, but he calls himself weird. When it comes to family relationships, though, Joseph is confident. Nothing comes between him and his brothers.
In this episode, Joseph tells us about the “the toughest year of [his] life this far.” Joseph stays true to his faith while many of his high school friends are making lifestyle choices they will regret. With his brothers growing up and his friends moving on, Joseph is learning to depend on Heavenly Father. The stronger their relationship gets, the easier Joseph finds it to ignore those who make fun and to stay confident in choosing what is right.
In this episode, we catch up with Luke when he returns from a 2-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cambodia. Though he is struggling to fit his new self into his old world, his dreams of becoming a football player and a family man are strong and sure as ever, and they are starting to come true.
In this episode—the series finale—we watch Tommy prepare for and begin his mission in the Baltic region of Europe. He discovers that the language is challenging and the people are generally uninterested in learning about the gospel. For someone who is used to seeing his hard work pay off, Tommy is struggling to find meaning in his missionary work. Just when he is ready to give up, everything changes.
