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The Sunday Blessings Podcast is hosted by Jay Hildebrandt and features stories of faith, hope, and inspiration. You'll hear extended interviews, musician & artist spotlights, and more. Sunday Blessings can be heard weekly on Sundays from 5am-5pm mountain standard time on Classy 97, Sunny 97, and Classy 97 Lite.
Sharing stories of faith, hope, and inspiration. This is the Sunday Blessings podcast. Welcome to the Sunday Blessings podcast. I'm Jay Hildebrandt, and my special guest today is Dennis Paulson. Dennis is also known as the Latter day Ninja because of his association with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and also a famous ninja.
And fun fact about Dennis too, he played Mormon, the father of Mormon, the Book of Mormon, series, produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. So we'll get into all of that. But, Dennis, welcome. It's good to have you here today. Thank you.
I'm so glad to be here. Yeah. Now for for people who may have not had the opportunity to see you on television and and know about some of your ninja accomplishments, tell us some of those accomplishments. I've been doing Ninja Warrior, activating, actively on their courses It's about 02/2017. So starting in Denver, been to Miami, Cincinnati.
And for me, yeah, it's been almost eight years. I intend to do that again this year, in in spectacular fashion. Alright. Well, and so people may have seen you on television with some of the, Ninja Warrior things. Actually, yeah.
So, that my coursework in Cincinnati was aired here locally in Southeast Idaho, on TV, and, that's led to other, great opportunities. Yeah. Film wise. Yeah. And so so there are some television things that have been done with that, but otherwise, it's just basically contests around the the country where they set this up and you, compete against other people.
Absolutely. Absolutely. That was one of my great challenges is, as as the TV show course and and for those familiar or unfamiliar, they they set up around the country at different locations. And the ninjas that almost make it or don't quite make it can go to the next city. So by the time you get to the last city, there's hundreds of ninjas just eager and on pins and needles to get on that course Yeah.
And have their have their opportunities. And you've been very successful with that. I've had a lot of fun and success with it. Yes. Yeah.
So for those who aren't quite familiar with that, these ninja courses, what what do you do? There's obstacles. They really design it and gear it to be challenging, for the ninjas mentally, physically, and and all the all the aspects of fitness, balance, grip strength, climbing, endurance, agility. So you're climbing over walls and Yes. All kinds of things.
Yeah. That's that's pretty amazing. So how did you get into this whole ninja thing in the first place? I loved the family format. I I really appreciated that all the ninjas I saw were, they were all rooting for all the other ninjas.
There wasn't the hostility of of some other sports where it smashed the other guys. It was root for the other guys. We want them to do the best. It's every ninja against the course. And for the youth, the ninja juniors, the the adults, any age, anybody who's capable, I just really like that format.
And so I I started in 02/2017 and, have been doing it ever since. And, you're an devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. And and part of this whole ninja experience, you can kinda compare to to encouraging spiritual growth and and and good values and things too. Tell us about that. Absolutely.
Absolutely. One of the great big faithful, components of of my ninja experience was, I I let it be known to the casting producers that I I had a Sunday restriction. My my caveat would be that I wouldn't compete on Sunday. I just believe that, you know, that's not what our father in heaven wanted me to do. And, of course, the challenge of faith.
They called me, the casting producer said, okay. You know, we're going into coma. And so what if we put you on Saturday night at 11:50? Could you do that? And I said, yeah.
That would be fine. I I you know, as long as I'm not running more than ten minutes into Sunday. Right? Or or Monday morning at 1AM. They they traditionally have filmed a lot, of overnight episodes for lighting Mhmm.
And and for different reasons. And so, when I told them that, basically, my option then came to test the faith, and that was, okay. I can go to Tacoma, maybe have an amazing run, and potentially compete on Sunday, if not at that course, at the next one down the line because they may be filming somewhere on Sunday as we get closer to the the big finale, Mount Midoriyama. And so Yeah. I elected to go out to Cincinnati under the understanding that it would be a raffle draw.
So it was not a guarantee. There's a long ways to go, and it was a maybe. So I I opted for that. I was like, okay. I feel good about that.
That's the long shot. Those are the things that God wants me to do. Right? So I took the long shot, drove all the way out there, went to the wrong location once I got there. Oh, no.
Changed my maps, went back to my email, and and found the actual spot. Went to the place, got there hundreds of niches around. They're all set up. They're drawing names, and they had just finished when I arrived. And I was almost devastated.
I mean, my eyes, like, started to water, you know. And that's for me, it was just so much effort. And and all the promptings, confirmations during the year that, yes, this was my year. I was gonna do a great course run. Mhmm.
You know, I was gonna make it. It was gonna be on TV. You know, all those confirmations had just fallen out. And and the bigger challenge wasn't just that because there's always another episode. There's always another season.
There's more chances. But when my confirmations and everything were challenged, that was what was really tough for me was feeling like, okay. All that stuff I believed and accepted, seemed to not be happening. And so, lo and behold, I'm headed to my car, and I bump into the casting producer on the way. And he recognizes me.
We chat. So I get offered a course run. And so just when it seemed like everything wasn't going, it it was gonna be a fun run, noncompetitive. They can, you know, break the rules or just let whoever you know? That time had passed.
So I but I was offered a a course run. And I thought, well, okay. Well, this is great. But, you know, that's obviously, you know, probably not gonna be on TV like I I felt Mhmm. Would be.
And, lo and behold, I ran the course. I didn't make it all the way through, but did did pretty good. Lots of lots of compliments, lots of fun. I did it in my suit and tie. I took on that latter day name.
And, so when when, that was done, I got my answer not too long after, when I started doing my own courses. My first one is here in Southeast Idaho around 2021. So we're you know, everybody's starting to get back on their feet from from all the challenges we had in 2020. And, they aired that, NBC here locally as part of that promotion. And so there it was.
You know, that that course run, not only was it a full run, but it was also eventually on NBC and and broadcast here, Southeast Idaho. So all that all that came to make sense. And so Mhmm. You know, it's so many stories, you know, of Right. When it's over, you think it's over, you're convinced it's over.
Yes. But everything, you know, leading to that, it's not. It's, you know Yeah. So basically, you you you rejected the Tacoma offer because it would would have had you doing something on Sunday. You took a chance on this raffle thing in Cincinnati, and you got there too late to be in the raffle.
That's correct. But they noticed you and and, did a little fun run thing, which, then, you know, was got some attention, and eventually, you set things up in Southeast Idaho and that was was broadcast. So so you're able to to get, a direction wasn't how it intended, but sometimes, if that's how how God works. Exactly. Yeah.
Mysterious ways above, beyond, you know, because the alternate. You know, and if I had got my course run-in Tacoma, it wasn't on Sunday, I'd have done great, maybe not. Yeah. So what? You know?
Another course run that was great. It was fun. It's over. But this one, really the challenges, you know, the opposition and and overcoming those obstacles is what Ninja is about anyway, you know. And and my faith is, you know, north or south, you know, neither good or bad, but you take that energy and that opposition and you it's it's amazing to see those results when you do overcome challenges, good challenges.
Right. So your faith was tested, but it all worked out for the best and Absolutely. Even more so. Yeah. It's led to film roles now and Yeah.
We'll get in that in just a second. But I'm I'm curious too about the whole ninja experience, some of the values that it teaches, the people involved in their families. Absolutely. Yeah. It's a it's a a family friendly environment where, everybody's rooting for every ninja.
It's it's it's everybody against the course. It's designed to be taxing and challenging, in in all those, key areas and aspects of athletes and individuals. Most of the competition and the effort happens long before people get on the course. So when they get up there, everybody's just like, okay. Yes.
We know you've done all this. You know? You're up there. It's your chance, like, you know, and everybody's supportive. And that's the key thing.
And and, when people fall, you always hear the, oh, you know, everybody's saying, like, oh, we really wanted that person to do so well. And so, it's very supportive. It's just such a family friendly environment. Yeah. That's what I love about it.
That's why I do it. And so you're you're putting on some local ninja events now? I do. Yeah. Here, Montana, Texas, Florida.
All over the country. All over the country. Yeah. I I basically imported a course. It's, huge.
It's above water. It looks a lot like the TV show course. And, a lot of the big ninjas that I've become friends with over the years, they'll show up and we do these big events, and we just have a blast. We've done the, the river band at the at the fireworks. They've had me down there and fill up tanks with water and invite families and everybody who's down there to give their give their shot, you know Yeah.
And see what they can do. So how did all of this lead to you getting a role in the Book of Mormon movies produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints? So surprisingly, I got an email. It was an open email to to basically everybody who they have emails for, and it's just open casting call and audition, to to record, you know, a a few minute segment. They had the the scripts, there available, and so I decided to do that.
And, it was, it was one of them was a page long, and what they wanted verbatim, and I just couldn't remember it. So I wrote it on a bunch of whiteboards, and I stuck it around where I was recording. And it it just so happened that they really liked it because, the scene is a, teaching in front of a crowd. So Mhmm. The the character is is relaying this information to all these people.
And because I couldn't, remember all the lines, I'm searching for those words, and they love that. Because I'm, like, I'm connecting with a crowd that's supposed to be there. You're you're it's like you're looking right at someone in the audience. Exactly. Finding somebody that's absolutely receptive, and their ears are perking up, and I'm finding that and then relaying that next message.
So it was very, organic. Yeah. That matched exact Mhmm. Exactly what they wanted. So super fun.
Okay. So so the, the role that you eventually played was Mormon, the father of Mormon. Mormon. Yeah. Okay.
Yeah. So I just watched that the other night, and you did a great job with your Thank you. With tell us your line that you spoke. I basically I introduced, Amaron to young Mormon. We enter into the house and and, surprised Mormon, you know, 10 year old Mormon is surprised to see that Amron's actually there to see him.
So Okay. I I basically, you know, hey, Mormon. You know, Amron's actually here to see you. Yeah. Yeah.
And we rehearsed that over and over and over, and there's so many cool things that happened. I grew up watching movies. I always wondered what was happening behind the sets and all the details and Mhmm. Being able to just participate in that. It was it was amazing.
And actually, in one spot, we had to refilm everything because one of the oil lamps caught fire. They didn't have another one that matched. Oh. So we had to go back and refilm everything so that way when the scenes and the cameras change, they wouldn't you know, somebody's gonna notice that. Like, oh, their lamp just changed colors magically.
So, it was it was interesting. It was a neat experience. And what about, I don't know, spiritually for you to be part of that that production, part of that cast right there, did you feel anything special about having a role in all of that? I did actually. Garrett w Gong, gave us some specific advice Mhmm.
On on that particular role. What to study the night before, what to pray about, some scriptures to to keep in mind, and and how to, you know, how how they had, felt impressed to to guide us on that role. What they what they were feeling on that and what to pray about, what to study. So we did that. And then so how does how does it feel to see yourself in this this movie?
And It was amazing. They actually had a release party down at the conference center in Salt Lake City. And, so a lot of actors, the producers, a bit a lot of people that were involved, we all went down there and and watched the the release, the premiere of that, and took my daughter with me. And, her expressions when she gets on the big screen Yeah. You know, for a father that's just, you know, seeing the kids light up and, you know, dad did something great and Yeah.
It's just, yeah, it's an amazing experience. Yeah. So would you would you share with us your your feelings about about your testimony of of the gospel of Jesus Christ and be as you have had these experiences, having the Lord guide you in a direction that that wasn't what you really felt it would be and then being part of this movie that meant so much to so many people. Just your general feelings about all this spiritually. That that there's so much to that question, but honestly, just as you said, it it starts with, faith in God, you know, and if we're listening by the spirit and we're speaking by the spirit and acting upon that, then, you know, whether the left hand knows what the right hand is doing, everything will come together in a way that God, God brings it forth.
And it's not always the way we we think it should be and for good reason because, you know, if if if I thought I understood my entire universe and how everything should go, that would probably ultimately be boring. Then it's exciting to to walk through these challenges of faith and, you know, my faith in the in the church and my testimony. I I grew up and was raised a member of the church. And, I've I've tried to also, share that with my children, and I've been a youth counselor in the church. And, you know, sharing that with everybody I can.
And and with the gyms, and the, PE teaching and in schools and and everywhere, you take those same values and and you you see, you know, kids and youth and families in Brighton, they they love that Mhmm. Experience. And when you do it with with a sincere love and and I think a lot of people perceive that that they're responsive to that and that's, you know, now on a on a global level, you know, with the church and sharing that to people around the world, but I get to see that in in churches and on TV and whatever medias, mediums. They, it's it's an amazing experience. Yeah.
Yeah. It's way more than I ever thought I was getting into Mhmm. Initially. So Yeah. So some people say that they they feel that they they have a mission in this life and that they have to kind of figure out what what that is.
Do you feel that God puts you on on this earth for a purpose with the the talents you have, the direction it has has gone, and how it may be going? Absolutely. I personally believe God doesn't waste anything, you know, even opposition and and things like, you know, our challenges, death, destruction. I really think he uses that to its greatest greatest ultimate use. And, I feel that, all of us here on this planet whether, you know, to what extent we we accept God and and his guidance in our lives here, it it's very interesting.
I I literally have partners and have studied with so many of the world's major religions and and our church, the LDS church. They they all meet, you know, the Jews, Muslims, the satyrs, witches, Wiccans. They meet, every so often, and they all try to figure out how to bring peace on the earth. And it's it's really impressed upon me that that, you know, all these religions, we really share so many of the same values, you know, of a creator and faith and life after our physical beings and consequences and, you know, just all these key components are really very congruent. So it's very easy to shake hands and agree.
And and even when we don't, to love and understand those who don't is probably the biggest part. You know, that's, probably the the key component of of our faith in Christ is that even when they hate you or even when it doesn't go the way or even through all the challenges, it's like, that's exactly where you're called to be for that reason to share that. You know, that's the only way to overcome that is Yeah. Patience and love and and overcoming things. So yeah.
Right. Need experience for me personally. Well, thank you, Dennis. We've been talking today with Dennis Paulson, also known as the Latter day Ninja and, role as Mormon, the father of Mormon, the Book of Mormon movies. We've enjoyed talking with you, Dennis.
I'm Jay Hildebrand. Thank you for joining us today on Sunday Blessings podcast. Thanks for listening to the Sunday Blessings podcast. If you enjoy the show, please share, subscribe, and rate the podcast. Sunday Blessings is hosted by Jay Hildebrand and is a production of Riverbend Media Group.
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