The Chosen has become one of the most remarkable success stories in modern faith-based entertainment, and much of its journey has been marked by what creator Dallas Jenkins describes as unmistakable moments of divine intervention. One of the most significant of these moments occurred when the production gained access to film on the Motion Picture Studio South Campus in Goshen, Utah — a stunning replica of ancient Jerusalem owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In a candid conversation on the “Deseret Voices” podcast with Sheri Dew, executive vice president and chief content officer of Deseret Management Corporation, Jenkins reflected on the winding and seemingly miraculous path that led to this partnership. Before the pandemic hit in early 2020, Dew had been tasked with reviewing requests for commercial use of the Goshen set. Although she had heard of The Chosen, she had not yet watched it when she first met Jenkins. She immediately felt positive about both the man and the project he was building.

However, the process was far from smooth. The COVID-19 pandemic brought filming to a halt and stalled the approval process. Jenkins received an official rejection and began to doubt the strong spiritual impression he had felt while visiting the set. Yet his wife encouraged him to trust that God was simply leading them to the edge of the Red Sea, waiting for the right moment to part the waters.

The turning point came when a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles watched a DVD of the show. Impressed, he reached out, and within days, what had seemed impossible suddenly became reality. Jenkins received formal approval to use the Goshen set. For Sheri Dew, the entire sequence of events felt like nothing short of heavenly assistance.

Since Season 2, The Chosen has relied heavily on the Utah location to bring first-century Israel to life. As filming for the seventh and final season continues in Goshen, Jenkins remains deeply grateful for the generosity and mutual respect between his team and the LDS Church. Though Jenkins is evangelical and there are acknowledged theological differences, both sides share a common mission: making Jesus known to the world.

The results speak for themselves. In just five released seasons, The Chosen has reached more than 300 million people across over 175 countries, generating nearly a billion episode views. The series has been translated into a record 125 languages, continuing its rapid global expansion. Jenkins has repeatedly stated that the show simply could not have achieved this scale without the Goshen set.

Throughout the podcast, Jenkins emphasized humility and gratitude. He views the success of The Chosen as something far bigger than himself or any individual involved. The many “God moments” along the way — including the unlikely approval to film in Goshen — serve as constant reminders that the series is part of a larger divine purpose.

When asked about his association with the LDS Church, Jenkins expressed zero regret. He is not only willing but genuinely excited to collaborate with people of all faiths — or no faith at all — to tell the story of Jesus. He also offered heartfelt advice to Latter-day Saints and viewers everywhere: to know Jesus more intimately by diving deeper into the scriptures and cultivating a personal relationship with Christ.

As The Chosen approaches its powerful conclusion, the use of the Goshen set for key scenes in the final season carries profound meaning. What began as a risky, crowdfunded passion project has grown into a global movement that continues to touch hearts across cultural and denominational lines. Jenkins’ journey illustrates how openness, persistence, and faith can open doors that logic alone could never unlock. The story of how The Chosen came to film in Utah stands as a powerful testament to divine timing, unexpected alliances, and the unifying power of telling the greatest story ever told.