Breaking the Latter-day Saint Mold | An Interview with Ofi

Ofi (oh-fee) is an American pop rock artist from Victorville,
California, featuring frontman/vocalist/songwriter Burke "Ofi"
Laidler, bassist and backing vocalist Jessie Gomez, and Nate
Smeding on drums. Ofi left a 9-year career in the
finance/retirement industry and a beach home in Huntington Beach,
California to pursue music full time. This podcast interview was
recorded on the Renew23 East cruise in January 2023, where Kurt and
Ofi were both guests. Highlights 09:15 Ofi talks about his
upbringing and living in a mixed-faith household. 14:00 Ofi never
thought he would serve a mission but thanks to the influence of his
girlfriend at the time he ended up going to Panama City. 17:50 God
binge-watches your life like a Netflix series. You are his favorite
character. 18:45 Ofi started playing music at 14 years old. He gave
up on music till after his mission. 21:15 Ofi talks about what it
was like growing up with divorced parents, struggling with money,
and constantly moving. 24:00 Pursuing his passion for music and
also being a gospel doctrine teacher. 24:50 Ofi has a rough
background but he shares three things that have helped him maintain
his growth in the Church and his faith in Jesus Christ. Seek Jesus
Christ Study Him Stay. Choose to stay. 28:50 How can you be excited
for a Savior that you don’t know? How can you be excited for the
scriptures or the Book of Mormon if you don’t understand the value?
How can we follow a God that we don’t know? 30:30 Will my service
and faith in God stop me from following my dreams? 31:15 Ofi tells
the story of his name. His name is actually Burke. 32:45 Most-loved
songs and their meanings 34:45 Ofi was inspired by Elder Bednar’s
quote, “Thoughts to the mind. Feeling to the Heart.” That is the
best way to describe the way Ofi writes his songs. 40:00 Having
support from his wife, Samantha. She has supported his dream
despite not having any money. 42:30 Ofi shares the story of a song
that he wrote about Peter walking on water. 43:45 Ofi performs his
song “I Will Walk.” Links Ofi Band Instagram: @ofiband YouTube:
@Ofiband TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access
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