DNA Testing Reveals 30 Lost Family Members and Builds Million Dollar Business

When most people take a DNA test, they expect to learn about their ethnic background or maybe connect with a distant cousin. For Diahan Southard, founder of Your DNA Guide, genetic genealogy became the foundation for a thriving business empire and the key to one of the most emotional family reunions imaginable. In this episode of Why We Believe with host Nathan Gwilliam, we explore Diahan Southard's story, which proves that through modern technology and ancient faith may look likes parallel lines, they can work together in ways that seem almost miraculous.

Diahan's credentials in the genetic genealogy field are impressive by any standard. With over 20 years of experience in DNA research, she has spoken at major conferences including RootsTech, authored multiple books on genetic genealogy, and helped thousands of people solve their most challenging family history mysteries. Her company, Your DNA Guide, has become a leading resource for people seeking to understand their DNA results and find missing relatives. But behind these professional accomplishments lies a deeply personal story of conversion, entrepreneurship, and divine guidance that shaped both her career and her faith.

The intersection of science and spirituality often creates tension for many people, but Diahan's journey demonstrates that these two forces can complement each other in remarkable ways. Her experience, as one who accepted the faith, has built multiple successful DNA businesses while witnessing countless family reunions, has given her a unique perspective on how modern genetic testing serves eternal purposes. Through her work on the Why We Believe, Diahan shares insights that resonate with anyone interested in family history research, adoption stories, or faith-based entrepreneurship.

A Science Student's Spiritual Awakening  

Diahan's path to becoming a genetic genealogy expert began during her teenage years when she developed a passion for science that would eventually lead her to Brigham Young University. However, her spiritual journey started even earlier through what she playfully calls the "flirt to convert" method. During her sophomore year of high school, she began dating a senior who was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This relationship introduced her to gospel principles and sparked countless conversations about faith, doctrine, and the nature of God.

The young missionary-minded boyfriend proved to be an excellent teacher who could answer the theological questions that had puzzled Diahan for years. Issues like infant salvation and the fate of unbaptized children had troubled her in her previous Christian faith, but the restored gospel provided satisfying answers that aligned with her understanding of God's merciful nature. These intellectual conversations planted seeds that would eventually grow into a testimony, though the conversion process took time and required personal spiritual experiences to fully take root.

The relationship ended when her boyfriend left for his mission, but the spiritual foundation had been established. Diahan received a priesthood blessing before he departed, and during that sacred moment, she felt what she describes as a thick, warm feeling covering her entirely. This spiritual manifestation marked the beginning of her personal testimony and set her on a path toward baptism. The experience taught her that conversion involves both intellectual understanding and spiritual confirmation, a principle that would later influence her approach to business and life decisions.

Building Businesses Through Divine Breadcrumbs  

After joining the Church and enrolling at BYU, Diahan never imagined she would become an entrepreneur. She was drawn to science and laboratory work, specifically joining Dr. Scott Woodward's research team was attempting to identify relationships between ancient Egyptian mummies through DNA analysis. This early exposure to genetic genealogy came when such technology was revolutionary, and the experience provided foundational skills she would later use to build her business empire.

The transition from student researcher to business owner happened gradually, almost imperceptibly. Diahan describes it as following "breadcrumbs" rather than receiving a dramatic revelation about her future career path. When the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation was purchased by Ancestry, she found herself helping colleagues who needed work. What started as assistance to friends evolved into the Genetic Genealogy Consultant Company, then eventually into Your DNA Guide. Each step seemed logical and manageable, though looking back, the progression clearly represents divine guidance.

The entrepreneurial journey required constant faith, especially during moments when traditional employment seemed more attractive than business ownership. Diahan recalls seriously considering leaving entrepreneurship for a corporate position with a major DNA testing company. The interview process went well, and the prospect of steady income without business stress was appealing. However, as the opportunity became more real, she began recognizing the freedoms that entrepreneurship provided, both personal and creative. The decision to continue building her own company came through careful consideration and prayer, ultimately leading to greater success than any corporate position could have offered.

Reuniting Families Through Genetic Detective Work  

The most emotionally significant aspect of Diahan's career involves helping people find their biological families through DNA testing. Her expertise in genetic genealogy has solved countless adoption mysteries and connected relatives separated by decades or generations. However, the case closest to her heart involved using her own skills to reunite her adopted mother with over 30 biological family members in an experience that transformed their understanding of family connections.

Diahan's mother had always known she was adopted but never expressed interest in finding her biological family. Her adoptive parents had provided such love and support that she felt no need to search for additional family connections. When DNA testing became available, Diahan convinced her mother to participate primarily for health and ethnicity information. The results revealed not just genetic background but also a growing list of DNA matches that represented actual biological relatives with names and contact information.

The detective work required to connect these DNA matches to actual family relationships showcased the technical skills Diahan had developed throughout her career. By analyzing shared DNA segments and building family trees, she was able to identify specific great-grandparents and eventually locate half-siblings. The process culminated in a family reunion where Diahan's mother met over 30 biological relatives for the first time. Watching her mother interact with people who shared her biology revealed a type of connection and belonging that neither of them had anticipated, demonstrating that DNA testing can provide more than just information about the past.

The reunion experience reinforced Diahan's belief that genetic genealogy serves purposes beyond satisfying curiosity about ancestry. The emotional impact of connecting with biological family members suggests that these relationships matter on levels deeper than most people realize. For families separated by adoption, migration, or other circumstances, DNA testing provides tools for healing and connection that previous generations could never access. This understanding motivates Diahan's continued work in the field and shapes her approach to helping clients navigate their own family discovery journeys.

Faith and Science Working in Divine Harmony  

Throughout her career, Diahan has witnessed countless examples of genetic genealogy serving what she believes are divine purposes. The technology that enables DNA testing emerged at precisely the right time in history to support the Church's missionary work and temple ordinances. Her perspective suggests that these scientific advances weren't accidental but represent part of God's plan to ensure that no family member is forgotten and that all people have opportunities for eternal ordinances.

The complexity and precision of DNA itself provides evidence of divine design that strengthens rather than challenges faith. Diahan's scientific background allows her to appreciate the intricate mechanisms that store and transmit genetic information across generations. The probability that such sophisticated systems developed randomly seems implausible when examined closely. Instead, the elegant design of genetic inheritance points toward an intelligent creator who embedded family connections into the very structure of human biology.

Working at the intersection of faith and science has also taught Diahan about the importance of asking good questions. Both spiritual growth and scientific discovery require curiosity and willingness to seek answers beyond current understanding. The skills needed for genetic genealogy research, such as careful analysis of evidence and systematic hypothesis testing, mirror the processes involved in developing and strengthening testimony. This parallel suggests that God uses scientific methodologies as tools for both temporal and spiritual discovery.

Discover Your Own Family Story Through Modern Technology  

The tools and techniques that enabled Diahan's success in genetic genealogy are now accessible to anyone interested in exploring their family history. DNA testing has become affordable and widely available, while educational resources help people interpret their results and connect with relatives. Whether you're adopted and seeking biological family, curious about ethnic heritage, or hoping to break through genealogical brick walls, genetic genealogy offers solutions that previous generations couldn't imagine.

Getting started with DNA testing and family history research involves several practical steps that can lead to meaningful discoveries:

• Choose a reputable DNA testing company and submit your sample

• Upload your results to multiple genealogy databases to maximize matches

• Learn basic genetic genealogy concepts through online courses or books

• Connect with DNA matches through messaging and family tree sharing

• Document your findings and build comprehensive family trees

• Consider working with professional genealogists for complex cases

• Join online communities and support groups for ongoing education

The most important aspect of beginning any family discovery journey involves maintaining realistic expectations while staying open to unexpected outcomes. Some people find immediate answers to long-standing questions, while others require patience and persistent research. The process often reveals family stories that are more complex or surprising than anticipated, requiring emotional preparation alongside technical knowledge. However, the potential for meaningful connections and deeper understanding of personal history makes the effort worthwhile for most participants.

Diahan Southard's experience demonstrates that pursuing our talents and spiritual promptings can lead to opportunities beyond anything we initially envision. Her journey from science student to seminary teacher to successful entrepreneur illustrates that divine guidance often comes through seemingly ordinary decisions and gradual course corrections. Whether you're interested in genetic genealogy, faith-based entrepreneurship, or simply understanding how God works through modern technology, her story offers inspiration for your own path of discovery.

If you're ready to explore your own family history or learn more about genetic genealogy, visit Your DNA Guide for educational resources and professional services. Take that DNA test you've been considering, start building your family tree, or reach out to relatives you've discovered through genetic matches. Your family story is waiting to be uncovered, and the tools to find it are available right now.

Thank you for reading this week's blog post inspired by the Why We Believe show. If you are interested in more stories like this, you can check out our other blog posts and episodes.

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