What happens when the phenomenon of UFOs and abduction experiences collides with deeply held religious belief?

In Episode 13 of Space for Faith, I sit down with author J.L. Thompson to explore one of the most unsettling—and fascinating—questions of our time:
What are these encounters, and what do they mean for faith?

Drawing from his work in Worlds Without Number, Thompson shares his research into abduction accounts, the patterns behind them, and the deeper implications they may carry. Are these purely physical events… psychological experiences… or something spiritual?

We explore:

• Common elements reported in abduction experiences

• The emotional and existential impact on experiencers

• How these encounters challenge—or reshape—belief in God

• Whether there is a deeper spiritual framework behind the phenomenon

This is not just a discussion about UFOs.
It’s a conversation about reality, fear, meaning—and where faith fits into all of it.

If you’ve ever wondered how to reconcile the unexplained with belief in God, this episode will challenge you to think more deeply.

Episode Links:

Purchase 'Worlds Without Number' on Amazon:

https://a.co/d/022HQdcT

Author J.L. Thompson's Website:

https://jamesthompson.pro/about/

Matt's Blog:

https://uapactionplan.com/

The Scriptures of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints that indicate that God created 'worlds without number':

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/moses/1?lang=eng

The Mojave Desert Family Alien Abduction Video on YouTube (Steve and Dawn Hess Story):

https://youtu.be/IjGNMiYOUdI?si=96Bmyrenj8W__gP5

In Episode 12 of Space for Faith, Matt sits down with Dustin Eskelsen — the State Director of MUFON Utah, a Field Investigator, and a key member of MUFON’s Experiencer Resource Team — for one of the most wide-ranging and insightful conversations yet.

If you’ve been curious about the UFO/UAP phenomenon, the experiencer community, or how people of faith can make sense of extraordinary encounters, this podcast is a must-listen.

Dustin brings years of investigative experience, countless field cases, and a compassionate approach to experiencers who report contact, sightings, or high-strangeness events. In this conversation, Matt and Dustin explore:

• The reality of the UAP phenomenon and why the evidence keeps pointing toward something genuine and unexplained
• Dustin’s role as State Director of MUFON Utah and the unique sightings in the region
• What the Experiencer Resource Team does and how Dustin responds to people navigating frightening, confusing, or transformative encounters
• Patterns in abduction and close-contact reports, including the themes that show up again and again

Dustin shares thoughtful guidance on how to support someone who has had an anomalous experience, and why humility is essential when dealing with the unknown. Whether you’re a believer, skeptic, or someone cautiously exploring the topic, Dustin’s experience brings clarity to a field often misunderstood.

This episode is perfect for listeners searching for:
• MUFON interviews
• UAP and UFO investigation insights
• Experiencer and abduction resources
• Faith-based perspectives on extraterrestrial life
• Utah UFO sightings
• High-strangeness stories
• Practical advice for those trying to make sense of a personal encounter
• The intersection of spirituality, science, and the anomalous

If you’re intrigued by the UAP phenomenon or you’re looking for a thoughtful, grounded conversation that bridges science, mystery, and faith, this episode offers depth, compassion, and real investigative experience from someone on the front lines.

Episode 11 – Return from Rysa: UFOs, Faith, and the Lost Tribes of Israel with Rick Nelson & Phill Wright

What happens when faith, scripture, and UFO phenomena intersect? In this thought-provoking episode of Space for Faith, Matt sits down with authors Rick Nelson and Phill Wright, creators of the Return from Rysa series—a groundbreaking exploration of how God’s plan of salvation might extend across the universe.

We dive into:

• The inspiration behind Return from Rysa and how it bridges Christianity with UFO and extraterrestrial experiences.

• A powerful parable about God’s interactions with His children on other worlds, and how the atonement of Jesus Christ applies universally.

• Scriptural insights on the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel—where they may have gone, and whether they could be hidden here on Earth… or elsewhere.

• The Book of Mormon’s warnings about secret combinations and what they mean for today’s society.

• Extraterrestrial life, disclosure, alien abduction accounts, and why faith and preparedness matter in a time of uncertainty.

Rick and Phill also share books that shaped their own journeys of faith—like The Heavenly Man and Visions of Glory—and preview their upcoming release, Return from Rysa: Book 3.

Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or just curious about how spirituality and the UFO phenomenon might connect, this episode will challenge your thinking and inspire you to prepare both spiritually and mentally for the days ahead.

👉 Learn more about Rick & Phill’s work at returnfromrysa.com.
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