Newsmakers: John Groberg looks back on his life, time in Tonga and talks about new movie
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In this edition of East Idaho Newsmakers, Nate Eaton speaks with John Groberg. Groberg was born and raised in Idaho Falls before being called to Tonga as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Groberg experienced many challenges while serving his mission. He suffered from mosquitoes, a typhoon and starvation. During his conversation with Eaton, Groberg recalls the morning he woke up and realized rats had eaten calluses off his feet. The incident could have resulted in serious infection had locals not stepped in to help.
When Groberg returned from his mission, LDS Church leaders asked him to write a book about his experience. It was called In the Eye of the Storm and later turned into the 2001 Disney film The Other Side of Heaven. He wrote a second book called The Fire of Faith, which is being adapted into a movie set to be released next year.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THE NEW MOVIE
In 1976, Groberg became a General Authority for the LDS Church and he lived and served all over the world. He was given emeritus status in 2005 and then became president of Idaho Falls Temple.
John and his wife, Jean, have ten children and many of them live in eastern Idaho.
Watch the video above for the entire conversation.
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PLAYMILL THEATRE OWNERS ROGER AND HEIDI MERRILL
RETIRING 7TH JUDICIAL TRIAL COURT ADMINISTRATOR BURT BUTLER
FARR CANDY AND ICE CREAM OWNER KEVIN CALL
MICHELLE HOLT ON THE UNIQUE PROGRAMS AT CEI AND MORE
CHUCK PORTER TALKS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF PORTER’S CRAFT, WHY HE’S CLOSING IT NOW AND WHAT’S NEXT
GREGG LOSINSKI LOOKS BACK AT HIS 34 YEAR CAREER WITH THE IDAHO DEPT. OF FISH AND GAME
HE NEARLY DIED OF A RARE DISEASE. NOW BRETT BOTELHO HOPES TO BECOME A PARALYMPIC ATHLETE.
HOW STUART EDGE WENT FROM CLEANING PORTA-POTTIES TO BECOMING A YOUTUBE STAR
THEIR DIY WEBSITE IS SO POPULAR HE QUIT HIS JOB. MEET CHRIS & JULIA MARCUM.
PISTOL IN THE PULPIT PASTOR TIM RUPP
THE MAN BEHIND THESE STUNNING PHOTOS & THE SCARY INCIDENT THAT LED HIM TO DISCOVER HIS TALENT
KELSEE FLATLAND SPEAKS OUT AFTER HER DAUGHTER DROWNS IN THE BATHTUB