Finding Christ Through Business Trials

This week on the show, I got to speak with Jon Cheney, a remarkable entrepreneur and musician whose journey of faith was shaped by both extraordinary spiritual experiences and challenging business trials. As a tech entrepreneur who built and sold multiple companies, successful pianist, and devoted family man, Jon's story demonstrates how faith can become our anchor through life's most turbulent storms. Currently residing on a five-acre farm in West Mountain with his wife and four children, Jon balances his entrepreneurial pursuits with a deep commitment to family life and spiritual growth.

Growing up, Jon's faith journey took a unique turn when his father made a pivotal decision to leave a successful career in commercial real estate to pursue a calling to teach seminary. This decision set in motion a series of divine interventions that would shape Jon's entire perspective on faith and obedience. At age 12, during what seemed like a routine family home evening, his parents asked their children if they would be willing to do whatever the prophet asked. Little did they know this question would lead to their family's mission call to Paraguay, where Jon would spend his formative teenage years serving alongside his father, who became a mission president.

In this blog post, we'll explore how these early experiences laid the groundwork for Jon's later trials and triumphs in the business world. From witnessing powerful testimonies in Paraguay to building and nearly losing multimillion-dollar companies, Jon's story reveals how maintaining an eternal perspective can transform our greatest challenges into stepping stones toward a deeper relationship with Christ.

Foundations of Faith 

Jon's early spiritual foundation was uniquely built through a simple but profound habit – carrying a pocket-sized Book of Mormon everywhere he went from age 10. This wasn't just a casual practice; it became an integral part of his daily routine, as natural as carrying a pen or wallet. Through this consistent companionship with scripture, Jon completed multiple readings of the Book of Mormon during his youth, developing a deep familiarity with its teachings that would later serve as an anchor during life's storms.

His time in Paraguay as a mission president's son provided extraordinary opportunities for spiritual growth. At just 12 years old, he found himself teaching alongside full-time missionaries, memorizing discussions in Spanish, and bearing powerful testimony to investigators. One particularly poignant experience occurred during a late-night teaching moment around a fire, where young Jon shared the First Vision and felt an undeniable witness of its truth. These formative experiences, combined with personal interactions with visiting apostles including Elder Scott and Elder Wirthlin, created a robust foundation of faith that would prove crucial in his adult life.

The Refiner's Fire of Entrepreneurship 

When Jon's company faced a critical moment in 2018, what had begun as a promising venture with millions in investment suddenly stood on the brink of collapse. Multiple investor groups, who had committed to a crucial $5 million funding round, unexpectedly withdrew their support within the same week. This crisis forced Jon to make the heart-wrenching decision to lay off 21 out of 24 employees, leaving him with not just the weight of their livelihoods but also the responsibility of millions in investor funds that seemed at risk.

This period of trial pushed Jon into what he describes as a "quasi-depression," where the weight of responsibility and perceived failure became almost unbearable. However, it was through this crucible that he discovered a profound truth about the role of trials in our spiritual growth. The experience taught him that Christ intimately understands the pain of false accusations and the weight of others' disappointment, having experienced it Himself in the most profound way possible.

Finding Eternal Perspective 

Through his entrepreneurial trials, Jon arrived at a revolutionary understanding that transformed his approach to both business and life: all earthly challenges – whether successes or failures – are merely details in the greater story of our relationship with Christ. This perspective shift came through intense personal struggle and deep spiritual reflection, leading him to realize that our earthly roles, whether as CEOs or janitors, are simply different contexts through which we can draw closer to the Savior.

This eternal perspective became particularly crucial when, years later, Jon faced even more challenging trials including lawsuits and business transitions. Rather than being overwhelmed by these challenges, he learned to view them as opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on the Savior. President Nelson's conference talk "Come, Follow Me" became a constant companion during this period, reinforcing the truth that Christ has overcome the world so that we can find rest.

The Power of Music and Service 

Throughout his journey, Jon's musical talents provided another avenue for spiritual connection and service. As a pianist and composer, he found that dedicating his musical gifts to the Lord opened unique opportunities to touch hearts and share testimony. Whether playing in sacrament meetings or composing spiritual music, Jon discovered that when we offer our talents as instruments in God's hands, He magnifies them to bless others in ways we never imagined possible.

This divine magnification became particularly evident in his approach to musical service. Before each performance, Jon would offer a simple prayer: "Heavenly Father, please use me as an instrument to touch at least one person's life here to help them feel closer to Thee." Time and again, he witnessed the miraculous way these prayers were answered, with dozens of people approaching him after performances to share how the music had touched their hearts exactly when they needed it most. These experiences reinforced his understanding that when we dedicate our talents to the Lord's purposes, He can work through us to reach His children in profound and personal ways.

Trust in God's Greater Plan 

Jon Cheney's story reminds us that our greatest trials often become our most profound opportunities for spiritual growth. His journey from tech entrepreneur to spiritual witness demonstrates that when we maintain an eternal perspective, even our most challenging moments can strengthen our relationship with Christ. Through both business successes and failures, Jon learned that true success isn't measured by financial outcomes or business achievements, but by our relationship with the Savior and our ability to serve others.

As you reflect on Jon's experiences, consider how your own trials might be shaping your spiritual journey. How could viewing your challenges as "details" in God's greater plan change your perspective? Remember that like Jon, you have the power to transform your trials into stepping stones toward a deeper relationship with Christ.