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

This week we are studying Doctrine and Covenants section one. This is considered the preface to the Lord’s revelations, and was actually given a couple of years after some of the other published revelations. We’ll talk about the concept of the law of the harvest; that we will only get out of something what we are willing to put into it. We’ll review the Lord’s counsel regarding following His direc...

This week we begin of study of the Doctrine and Covenants. We’ll talk about some of the principles taught in the Restoration Proclamation that can help with our mental and emotional well-being. We’ll discuss how the very fact that a Savior was provided and that the gospel was restored in the latter days is a testimony of God’s love and concern for us. As we better understand His love, we can more...

In this episode we’ll talk about topics related to Christmas. We’ll start with a discussion of Old Testament prophecies that Jesus Christ would be the hope of Israel, delivering them from spiritual bondage. We’ll talk about how receiving hope and comfort in this life is an active choice. We’ll also review the appearance of Gabriel to Mary, including Mary’s faithful reaction to his annunciation. We...

In this episode we’ll talk about Moroni chapter ten. We’ve finally come to the end of the Book of Mormon, and it has been a complete treat for me to study it in depth this year. We’ll talk about Moroni’s promise in verses three through five which teaches us how to gain our own testimony of the Book of Mormon. We’ll also talk about his promise that through the Holy Ghost, we can obtain access to al...

In this episode we’ll talk about Moroni chapters seven through nine. We’ll review four separate principles taught in these chapters. We’ll talk about the concept of “entering in to the rest of the Lord” and how that can affect our mental health. This invitation is for this life as well as the life to come. We’ll discuss the idea of transformation and change and how the gospel of Jesus Christ can h...

In this episode we’ll talk about Moroni chapters one through six. We’ll discuss the differences among priesthood office, priesthood, authority, and priesthood power. We’ll review how priesthood power is God’s power and is available to anyone who will make and keep a covenant with Him. We’ll talk about how Jesus Christ overcame the world through priesthood power and how we have access to that same...

In this episode we’ll talk about Ether chapters twelve through fifteen. We’ll talk about several principles, starting with the concept of repentance. We’ll review how repentance is not simply the process of being forgiven of sin, but is the mechanism by which we become like God. We’ll also talk about hope and its critical importance as we seek to improve our mental health. We will review the role...

In this episode we’ll talk about Ether chapters six through eleven. We’ll focus on the journey the Jaredites took from their home country to the promised land and compare their journey to the metaphorical journeys each of us take as we improve our mental health. We’ll talk about the importance of personal preparation and accountability. We’ll review how all change involves difficulty and effort. W...

In this episode we’ll talk about Ether chapters one through five. We’ll talk about the people of the Brother of Jared, about their start at the Tower of Babel, their journey through the wilderness, and the problems they encountered along the way. We’ll talk about the difficult things they were asked to do, and how the Lord helped them. We’ll focus on the principles of agency and accountability, sh...

In this episode we’ll talk about Mormon chapters seven through nine. These chapters contain the final words of the prophet Mormon and the initial writings of his son, the prophet Moroni. We’ll review two core concepts that are contained in Mormon’s final discourse; the ideas of identity and purpose. We’ll talk about how truly understanding our identity can help us have greater direction and purpos...

In this episode we’ll talk about Mormon chapters one through six. We’ll review the heartbreaking situation that the prophet Mormon had to endure, as he was charged to lead the unrepentant Nephites to battle. We’ll talk about Mormon’s resolve to continue to do what was right, regardless of the outcome. We’ll review the concepts of persistence as they relate to improving our mental health. We’ll als...

In this episode we’ll talk about 3 Nephi chapter twenty-seven through 4 Nephi. We’ll talk about two main themes. The first is regarding solutions to mental health issues. There are some who propose easy solutions to difficult problems. We’ll talk about how this is not helpful and not even feasible. Difficult problems require difficult solutions, and difficult solutions train us in Christlike chara...

In this episode we’ll talk about 3 Nephi chapters twenty through twenty-six. These chapters contain many of the prophecies of Isaiah that the Lord taught to the American people. We’ll talk about the history of the house of Israel and its glorious destiny. We’ll review the purpose of sorrow and difficulty in our lives; how this can prepare us for greater growth and happiness. We’ll also talk about...

In this episode we’ll talk about 3 Nephi chapters seventeen through nineteen. We’ll talk about the incredible experience the American people had when the Savior healed their sick and blessed their children. We’ll note how the Savior taught that we should all become like little children. We’ll review the idea that children often have fewer anxieties and fears than adults and talk about some of the...

In this episode we’ll talk about 3 Nephi chapters twelve through sixteen. We’ll talk about many of the principles the Savior taught to the American people and how they can help us find greater peace and happiness. We’ll review such concepts as agency, the possibility and power of change, learning to manage anxiety, and the power of living in the moment. As we better understand and apply these prin...

In this episode we’ll talk about 3 Nephi chapters one through seven. We’ll read about the faithful saints who waited for the sign of the Savior’s birth, persisting through disappointment to achieve eventual satisfaction. We’ll talk about the importance of being consistent in efforts to improve our mental health. We’ll also talk about how being committed to a positive process can have a more positi...

In this episode we’ll talk about 3 Nephi chapters one through seven. We’ll read about the faithful saints who waited for the sign of the Savior’s birth, persisting through disappointment to achieve eventual satisfaction. We’ll talk about the importance of being consistent in efforts to improve our mental health. We’ll also talk about how being committed to a positive process can have a more positi...

In this episode we’ll talk about Helaman chapters thirteen through sixteen. These chapters contain the prophecy of Samuel the Lamanite. We’ll talk about his example of tenacity as he was called to preach the gospel. We’ll review the role of tenacity in developing emotional resilience. We’ll also discuss how good mental health requires consistent effort and sacrifice, just like any good thing in li...

In this episode we’ll talk about Helaman chapters seven through twelve. These chapters have the story of the prophet Nephi, son of Helaman, and his amazing prophecy. We’ll talk about how even prophets have bad days which can lead to discouragement. One of the best solutions for such times is to develop a habit of being grateful as much as possible. We’ll discuss how the combination of gratitude an...

In this episode we’ll talk about Helaman chapters one through six. We’ll talk about some of the political problems the Nephites faced, and how this ultimately led to serious destruction through lack of preparedness. We’ll discuss how we need to have our own emotional defenses ready and strong, to deal with the trials that life poses. We’ll also talk about the power that comes from binding ourselve...

In this episode we’ll talk about Alma chapters fifty-three through sixty-three. These chapters conclude what is referred to as the “war chapters” in the Book of Mormon. We’ll talk about the importance of effective communication and how this can strengthen our relationships. We’ll discuss three key questions to ask yourself before saying something to someone else. We’ll review the power of thoughts...

In this episode we’ll talk about Alma chapters forty-three through fifty-two. These chapters are the beginning of the war chapters in the Book of Mormon. We’ll talk about the role of gospel-focused interventions for mental health, and how these have been prepared by the Lord to help all generations. We’ll review the power of our thoughts, the way our brains process information, and how we can chan...

In this episode we’ll talk about Alma chapters thirty-nine through forty-two. These chapters contain Alma’s counsel to his wayward son, Corianton. We’ll talk about how our modern culture has so much convenience, that we often look for the easy way to get things done. We’ll review how mental health improvement is completely possible, but requires consistent, diligent effort. We’ll also talk about t...

In this episode we’ll talk about Alma chapters thirty-six through thirty-eight. These chapters contain the counsel given by Alma to two of his sons, Helaman and Shiblon. We’ll talk about Alma’s process of change and how there are patterns that can help us with our own mental health progress. We’ll review the concept of small and simple things and how they are essential in moving forward. We’ll als...

In this episode we’ll talk about Alma chapters thirty-two through thirty-five. We’ll focus mostly on Alma’s teachings to the poorer class of Zoramites in Alma 32. We’ll discuss how the people found themselves in a false dilemma, believing they could not worship God. Alma helps them expand their thinking and see that they were not at stuck as they thought they were. We’ll review the concept of fals...