Local Podcasters Create New Scripture Study Resource for Spanish Speakers

On a Saturday morning once every month, a dining room table in Frisco, Texas, becomes a recording studio for Aaron Bujnowski and Esmeldo Miranda. Together, they host a new podcast called “Perspectivas de las Escrituras,” or “Perspectives on the Scriptures,” a discussion of holy scripture designed particularly for Spanish-speaking members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ have always been encouraged to study the Bible and other canonized scripture as families and individuals. But in October 2018, under the direction of the First Presidency, a curriculum called “Come, Follow Me” was introduced to the general membership of the Church as a way “to strengthen families and individuals through a home-centered and Church-supported plan to learn doctrine, strengthen faith, and foster greater personal worship,” said Church President Russell M. Nelson. In 2024, families, church class teachers, and members of all ages study weekly from a new consolidated manual published by the Church instead of separate ones for home and church use, and this year’s course of study is the Book of Mormon.

A Commitment to Spanish-Speaking Communities

Bujnowski, a healthcare consultant who served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ in Concepción, Chile, in the 1990s, has long noticed something: despite the many wonderful resources produced by other members of his faith that supplement his gospel learning, a similar library of materials in the Spanish language was lacking. Meanwhile, Miranda, a facilities manager for executive gyms and a native of Veracruz, Mexico, had also been pondering how to provide more opportunities for scripture discussion to Spanish speakers. A mutual friend brought them together — or rather, “I think Heavenly Father kind of [did],” said Bujnowski.

Bujnowski discussed the idea of a Spanish-language podcast with Cedar Fort Publishing & Media, the publisher of a book he and his wife Julie wrote. They supported the endeavor by providing a podcast platform on Spotify and YouTube, and episodes coincide with each weekly scripture block of study in the “Come, Follow Me” manual.

The goal of the podcast hosts is to provide brief discussions, under an hour, with guests who are “just everyday members who are reading the scriptures, who are studying ‘Come, Follow Me,’ and who have their [own] perspectives on the scriptures,” said Bujnowski. They follow the manual’s points and share their testimonies and experiences. None consider themselves experts.

Impact and Outreach

Arturo Gonzales, along with his wife Rosana, was a recent podcast guest. He said of his experience, “This is very good. We feel blessed to be part of this.” He emphasized, “It’s going to have an amazing impact on the Spanish community.”

Miranda maintains a running list of guests he would like on the program, including people of all ages and a wide range of personal experiences. “I have a broad vision of this,” he said. “I have faith that it’s going to be a lot of people who are going to listen to this. They can find connection as they identify with our guests.” 

Miranda has been thrilled with the response of a growing body of listeners so far. “We want to reach people’s hearts, [we hope] that God would touch their hearts, so they see that this is how we are living too and that they can live the same way.”

In addition to their full-time missionary service as young men, both Bujnowski and Miranda have served in many capacities in the Church of Jesus Christ, including leading congregations and teaching classes for both adults and youth. As they continue studying and discussing the scriptures in this podcast format, they appreciate all they are learning themselves as they try to help point others to Christ.

“One thing that we have tried to do [is] to make sure that Jesus Christ is of is the focus of every single episode,” said Bujnowski. “We always bring it back around to, what is our testimony of Jesus?”

As for Miranda, he follows the advice of his wise and beloved sister, who told him that working on this project helps him be mindful about others as he ponders how to include them in scripture discussion, whether as guests or listeners. And he has loved sharing his testimony of the Book of Mormon in this way. “I always tell members to look for the gospel [of Jesus Christ] in the Book of Mormon,” he said. “Don’t just look for the stories. Seek the gospel because that is what is going to move your soul. And then it’s going to teach you that this book is true.”

Bujnowski and Miranda welcome comments, suggestions, and recommendations for podcast guests (interested native or fluent Spanish speakers) as they continue to build and refine this resource for their Spanish-speaking friends all over the world. They can be reached at [email protected].

Feature photo by ChurchofJesusChrist.org