Chocolate Cake Bytes

Highly acclaimed co-host CJ and Ken take a Fall Break road trip to experience some of the Church History sites in Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania. Some of us had some new thoughts and experiences. Listen as we discuss our visit without the distractions of kids. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at  https://www...

I grew up hearing that we should "love the sinner, and hate the sin." How likely is it that we can successfully do that? And what about when the "sin" is part of the identity of the "sinner?"  Can we really extricate one from the other? Do we need to? Allision and Ken hash this out and maybe come to some conclusions. Please share this episode with someone who needs to...

Where two or three are gathered in His name, His spirit is there. ...Unless...those two or three have different ideas, understandings, or opinions. How can we make our lessons and our conversations "safe spaces" for disagreement and discussion WITHOUT creating contention? I'm not sure we found an answer, but we had fun talking about it. Share your thoughts with me at ken@chocolateca...

"Men are that they might have joy." But, "There must needs be opposition in all things." So, which is it?   Can we have both?  Or is the goal to be happy ALL THE TIME? Listen in as I figure some things out for myself. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at  https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCa...

What does having patience have to do with having courage? And what about having courage NOT to be healed? Our friend CJ is back with some interesting insights about having patience on the Lord's plans and on His timing. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at  https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeBytes https...

Our thoughts feel true to us, so we tend to believe them without really considering whether they serve us. And maybe...just maybe, they aren't right. How can we determine if a thought is "just the way it is," or if it's something that we should shift our thinking about? Am I just "lazy," "a procrastinator," or "Just not a good ministering brother?"...

It's the Church's version of "open mic night." The first Sunday of the month, members of the congregation have the opportunity to stand before everyone to share their thoughts, ideas, experiences, and beliefs. But what about when Testimony Meeting goes off the rails?  What is our obligation? To ourselves? To the rest of the members of the congregation? Join Annette and Mark as...

What is the Power of Prayer? What should we pray for? What does it mean to "counsel with the Lord in all our doings?" Should we wait for Him to "direct our paths" before taking action? And what about prayers that remove agency?  "Bless Teddy to decide to serve a mission."  And what about when my kids ask to "bless this food (that Dad made) that it will taste good...

Am I the only one who finds it difficult to not be judgmental? I understand the concept, but when it comes down to it, I see people making choices that are different than what (I think they) should, and it's easy for me to be critical. Join Fan Favorites Allison and Annette as we discuss how to not be too judgy towards others. Please like, share, subscribe, and review the podcast! Please shar...

In this episode, Fan Favorites (or Family Favorites?) Annette and Allison join in the discussion about Personal Revelation. If I have received personal revelation, what should I do with that information or knowledge? What is my obligation to share, encourage, or force you to follow my path? How do I know it's an answer from God...or if it's just my own feelings, hopes, desires, or anxiet...

Mosiah 3:19 says the Natural man is an enemy to God.  What does that mean? What is a "natural man?" I have no idea, but I have been thinking about this a lot lately. Maybe my ramblings will resonate with you. Maybe not. Give it a listen and let me know. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at  https://ww...

Annette is back! In this week's conversation, we start by considering how helpful it is to push others (and what about ourselves?) to just go through the motions. I remember hearing, "If we can just get him on a mission, he'll be fine," or "if we can get her to graduate Seminary, she'll gain a testimony." Does encouraging (or forcing, in some cases) the "rig...

Shawn Rapier is the host of the amazing Latter-day Lives podcast (http://latterdaylives.com) and is our co-host this week! What if someone you love has lost interest in the Church? What does that mean for you and for your "Eternal Family?" Shawn has eight(!) children, who all have varying levels of interest and activity in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He shares some c...

Seventeen episodes in, and I've learned a few things. And I've re-learned some things. And a few things have been reinforced. In this week's episode, I share a few random thoughts about how the conversations we've shared over the past couple of months have shaped my own perspective about Gospel Living. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email m...

How do we reconcile the  need to establish our own personal boundaries (and respect the boundaries of others) with the idea of revelation and inspiration in extending and accepting callings, assignments, and the like? New co-host and favorite sister-in-law Cindy joins old co-host and favorite daughter Allison in discussing how we can overlay boundaries with our duties as members of the Church. Ple...

What should we do when someone's choices have some impact--from negligible to immense? How you dress might affect other people's thoughts.  What is your obligation when it comes to "modesty?" How you interpret counsel from prophets or scripture might make me uncomfortable. So I should tell you when you're wrong...shouldn't I? This week we talk with Annette, the most-r...

Thanks, Ryan for the rating and review!   Sometimes I think, "What if I'm wrong about what I think?" I might be. There are people who disagree with me on nearly every subject. But what I mean is what if I'm wrong about how to go about getting answers to prayers? Or about how to pray? How to recognize revelation...or even my life's purpose? This week, I share some ideas whe...

"That's a good question."  What if in your Sunday School lessons, personal study, or family discussions, you could ask, ponder, and answer questions that made you think and feel deeply? Questions that require something beyond "Go to church, say your prayers, read your scriptures?" Ken, Mark, and Allison talk about a couple of ways that might help deepen your own gospel ins...

We are often curious about the details of someone's life:    * When is the newlywed couple going to have kids?    * Why is the recently-departed missionary home already?    * Why did that family have ANOTHER baby? Don't they know it's time to stop?    * That couple has been dating for a few weeks now. Are wedding bells in their future? And more. Our natural curiosity can prompt ques...

We have lots of opinions about a LOT of things, and sometimes my opinion (which is most certainly right!) is different from your opinion. Can we disagree without being disagreeable? Should I be invested in your opinion, and should I feel compelled to make sure you know mine? Allison and Justin join in this week's conversation to talk about whether we should share...or care. Please share this...

In a departure from the recent conversations we have been having, we are going to listen to the Valedictory speech given by my (favorite?) niece, Lexi, who teaches a powerful lesson about the importance of being kind. Because you are loved and you deserve it. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at  https://www.fa...

I was recently invited to share some thoughts on Tender Mercies on the weekly Our Turtle House digital fireside (https://youtu.be/uFFDAAiMQVs) As I thought about the Lord's tender mercies, I looked at the definition from Elder Bednar's iconic General Conference talk on Tender Mercies (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/pages/tender-mercies-of-lord?lang=eng).  It got me thinking. What ar...

We're back with Mark, and we're talking about stories. Sometimes we tell good ones, and sometimes we tell **ahem**  less  good ones. Whether it's in a testimony meeting, Sacrament meeting talk, lesson, or even in casual conversation, having good stories to tell can help change lives and bring people closer to Christ. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You c...

Every one of us has hidden challenges and problems. Some of our challenges can make it easy for us to be hidden from others.  CJ is back, sharing with us how being blind has kept him hidden from some people, and Abby is with us, telling us about how her non-traditional family situation has been one of her challenges. And we talk about how we can notice the hidden people around us and help to draw...

Carissa is back! We talk about how God answers prayers. And guess what? It's through US! Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at  https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeBytes https://www.instagram.com/chocolatecakebytes/ Check out my new podcast: The Unstuck Career podcast at https://kenwilliamscoaching.com/li...