Come Follow Me: Mental Health Insights with Dr. David T. Morgan

This week’s course of study is Christmas. Please enjoy the Christmas holiday and remember to make the Savior a focus of your worship and celebration. This episode is also the final episode in the Come, Follow Me—Mental Health Insights series. Thank you for listening. Personally, it’s been a treat for me to share my insights and to hopefully help some of you gain greater insight and motivation to i...

This week we are studying The Family: A Proclamation to the World. We’ll focus on two paragraphs that have to deal with the concepts of identity and purpose. We’ll review the essential role of understanding identity and purpose in increasing emotional resilience. We’ll talk about how knowing who we are can help us set goals and have a better sense of direction in life. We’ll discuss how understand...

This week we are studying the Articles of Faith and Official Declarations One and Two. We’ll talk about the importance of asking questions and being curious about the things in our lives. Many times, we are able to find ways forward because we are asking questions and looking for alternative solutions to problems. We’ll also talk about how belief in true principles can help us achieve greater emot...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants sections 137-138. We’ll discuss the relationship between our beliefs and our actions, and how sometimes these seem to be inconsistent with one another. We’ll review the truth that in order for effective change to happen, we need to align our beliefs more with truth. We’ll talk about the importance of developing a practice of meditation, which can be...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants sections 135-136. We’ll talk about the legacy of the prophet Joseph Smith and the blessings he brought to the world through his service. We’ll review some of his teachings that can help us improve emotional resilience. We’ll talk about the importance of understanding the meaning in our trials, and how we need not be ashamed of having mental health i...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants sections 133-134. We’ll talk about the process of change and how it is critical for us to understand our responsibility in moving forward. We’ll review the importance of trying avoid “looking back” when striving for change. We’ll discuss some of the theory regarding personal readiness for change and how individuals need to be at a certain point in t...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants sections 129-132. We’ll discuss the concept of how whatever improvement we do in this life will benefit us in the life to come. As we better understand this doctrine, we can see our trials differently and strive for greater action on a daily basis. We’ll talk about the importance of covenants in our mortal journey, and how transformation happens as...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants sections 125-128. We’ll talk about the example of Joseph Smith in terms of going through difficult things to increase emotional resilience. We’ll discuss the importance of trials in our emotional and spiritual development to become more like our Father in Heaven. We’ll review some principles that can help us perceive trials differently and have grea...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants section 124. We’ll talk about how improvement is one of the main purposes of life, and how this usually requires some sort of sacrifice and difficulty on our part. We’ll review how the Lord expects us to join with him to make something more of ourselves. We’ll discuss how mental health issues can seem like a roadblock to spiritual improvement, but t...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants sections 121-123. We’ll talk about the very challenging experiences that Joseph Smith had in the Liberty Jail, and how, like him, we might also wonder where the Lord is and if He is going to help us as promised. We’ll review the Lord’s answers to Joseph’s pleas and talk about how we can gain comfort from those promises, even in the midst of our tria...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants sections 115-120. We’ll discuss the idea of what it means to find “refuge” from the storms of life. We’ll review how the Lord always provides refuge and protection to the faithful, but sometimes this does not come in the ways that we expect. We need to look closely for His hand in our lives. We’ll also review some principles associated with the paym...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants sections 111-114. We’ll review the role of self-compassion and how this is consistent with the Savior’s example. We’ll talk about how failure is inevitable, but we can treat ourselves kindly when we do fail, as the Savior does. We’ll also talk about the role of humility in improving our mental health. We’ll review three concepts taught by President...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants sections 109-110. We’ll talk about the sacrifices that were made by the early saints to build the Kirtland temple. We’ll review how in most cases, sacrifice and diligent effort bring results that could not be obtained otherwise. We’ll discuss how the Lord expects us to do difficult things for our benefit. We’ll review the blessings that come from re...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants sections 106-108. We’ll review the role of priesthood authority in the gospel, specifically that of the Melchizedek Priesthood. We’ll talk about its origin and actual name, the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God. We’ll review how the authority and power of the Melchizedek Priesthood is available to women and men. We’ll talk about what...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants sections 102-105. One of the themes that stood out was regarding being “all in” to the gospel of Jesus Christ, what that entails, and how that can help us improve our mental health. We’ll talk about how we need to be prepared for long-term effort when trying to improve mental health, including being willing to do all things the Lord commands us. We’...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants sections 98-101. There was a theme throughout this week’s reading which had to do with avoiding contention and promoting peace. We’ll talk about the counsel the Lord has given, throughout the dispensations, to avoid conflict as much as possible. We’ll review the doctrine of forgiveness and the promises extended to those who follow this. We’ll talk a...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants sections 94-97. We’ll talk about several different themes. We’ll discuss the concept of patterns, and how the Lord has set and invited us to follow certain patterns to achieve greater happiness. We’ll review how commandments are not restrictive, but help us achieve greater happiness. We’ll talk about how adversity is not only a part of life, but can...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants section 93. We’ll talk about several different insights. We’ll review the frustration that some feel, when it takes a long time to manage mental health issues. We’ll talk about the blessings that can come from being patient and diligent, over a long time, to eventually reach a goal. We’ll discuss the importance of aligning our beliefs with truth, an...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants sections 89-92. We’ll talk about some of the promises made in the Word of Wisdom, and emphasize how increasing evidence shows a link between physical health and mental health; improving our physical health will often improve our mental health. We’ll discuss the importance of following prophetic counsel as we seek to improve our lives, and will revie...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants section 88. We’ll talk about the concept of personal responsibility and action, using our agency to improve ourselves. We’ll review the doctrine of eternal inheritance, and how the things we choose in this life will not only affect our happiness here, but our potential happiness in the world to come. Finally, we’ll review some specific suggestions i...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants sections 85-87. We’ll review some of the prophecies associated with the Second Coming of our Savior Jesus Christ, including some of the devastation and difficult things foretold. We’ll talk about principles to help manage anxiety regarding these predictions. We’ll discuss how we need to focus on the things of today, being more present and not spendi...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants section 84. We’ll talk about one of the Savior’s teachings in this section that has to do with anxiety management. We’ll review the importance of exercising our agency to change, and how this process can improve our spiritual and mental health. We’ll also discuss the concept of aligning our beliefs with truth, and how most mental health issues, at t...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants sections 81-83. We’ll talk about the blessings and talents the Lord has given to each of us, and the expectations He has as a result. We’ll review how as we magnify our talents we can improve self-concept and other mental health issues. We’ll also discuss the beneficial approach of addressing mental health issues with multiple tools, including spiri...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants sections 77-80. We’ll talk about several principles. First, we’ll review the importance of asking sincere questions and seeking for inspired answers. We’ll discuss how this is a sign of strength, not weakness. Second, we’ll talk about how improving our mental health will not just be a benefit in this life, but can help us prepare spiritually for the...

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants section 76, which is a description of the three degrees of glory. We’ll begin by talking about the amazing promises made from God to those who strive to follow Him. We’ll review some of the differences between celestial and terrestrial beings and how overcoming our trials through the Savior plays a large part. We’ll also talk about President Nelson’...