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

In this episode we'll talk about Acts 22-28. We continue with the missionary travels of Paul and the difficulties he experienced during this time. We'll talk about the concept that trials are not always the result of negative behavior. Sometimes trials are there to help us learn to become more like the Savior. We'll discuss the value of trials, regardless of their source, and how dilig...

In this episode we'll talk about Acts 16-21. After Peter received instruction that the gospel was to be preached to both Jew and Gentile, a massive missionary effort began within the ancient church. Paul, formerly Saul, and his associates were some of those first Christian missionaries. We'll talk about the many trials and difficulties and Paul and his cohorts went through as they tried to...

In this episode we'll talk about Acts 10-15. We'll review the theme of change and how learning to accept change is a critical piece of our spiritual and emotional development. We'll talk about the account of Cornelius, a gentile, who received a vision to seek out Peter. Peter has a vision of unclean beasts that he eventually understands is heavenly direction to preach the gospel to eve...

In this episode we'll talk about Acts 6-9. We'll focus on the story of Saul. Saul was a hater and persecutor of believers of Jesus Christ, causing damage and destruction to the church as a whole and to individual lives of members. Eventually he is visited by Jesus Christ who rebukes him and commands him to repent. Saul heeds the call and is eventually healed by Ananias, a faithful disciple...

In this episode we'll talk about Acts 1-5. We'll review the account of Ananias and Sapphira in chapter five. Their story is a cautionary tale about many things, including doing good things for the best reasons. We'll discuss how our motivation is important when we are striving to walk the covenant path. Although doing good things is commendable, we should strive to do them for noble re...

In this episode we'll talk about Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20-21. We'll talk about the Savior’s resurrection and appearance to many. We’ll review the story of the apostle Thomas, who did not believe the testimony of his cohorts that Jesus had risen. We’ll talk about the importance of faith, the need to move forward despite having immediate results, and how this relates to the...

In this episode we'll talk about Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19. We'll talk about the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. We’ll review the account of Pilate and how his best instincts were to release Jesus without punishment. But as he was influenced by the voice of the people, he delivered the Savior to His death. We’ll talk about the problems that can happen from listening...

In this episode we'll talk about Luke 22 and John 18. We'll talk about the ordinance of the sacrament and what makes it unique from other gospel ordinances. We'll discuss the idea of being "willing" to do something and how that impacts the process of change. We'll further address how being willing to change is a necessary element in making mental health progress. We'l...

In this episode we'll talk about John 14-17. We'll review how the gospel of John is often different than the other three gospels, focusing on unique events and providing deep insights for our spiritual and emotional development. We'll talk about the Savior's counsel during the Last Supper for his apostles to fear not and to have comfort. In the Savior's teachings, there are man...

In this episode we'll talk about Matthew 26, Mark 14, and John 13. We'll talk about some of the events in the Last Supper and how Jesus revealed that one of his closest associates would betray Him. We’ll discuss the importance of the question, “Lord, is it I?” and how answering this question honestly can help us improve in our spiritual and emotional resilience. We’ll also talk about the i...

In this episode we'll talk about Joseph Smith Matthew 1, Matthew 24-25, Mark 12-13, and Luke 21. We'll talk briefly about the Second Coming prophecies and how we need to heed the Lord's counsel to "fear not" and to take things a day at a time. We'll review the parable of the talents and the Savior's observation of the widow at the treasury. Both of these accounts help...

In this episode we'll talk about Matthew 21-23, Mark 11, Luke 19-20, and John 12. We'll discuss how these readings contain multiple examples of the importance of doing and not just believing only. We'll review the account of Zacchæus, a publican and Jew, who went to extra efforts to see the Savior. His effort was rewarded by the Lord. We'll discuss how our own efforts are often rew...

In this episode we'll talk about Matthew 19-20, Mark 10, and Luke 18. We'll talk about two accounts from these readings. First, we'll review the story of the blind men who sought healing from the Savior. We'll discuss how even though they were discouraged by others to continue their quest, they persisted. We'll talk about the principle of tenacity, which is a key element of emo...

In this episode we'll talk about Luke 12-17 and John 11. We'll review three separate principles. First, we'll talk about the importance of personal responsibility in our spiritual and emotional development. The Lord will rarely do for us what we can do for our ourselves, because He wants us to learn to exercise our agency in righteousness. Second, we'll discuss an oft-asked questio...

In this episode we'll talk about John 7-10. I love the gospel of John because it has unique insights and stories that are not usually found in the other gospels. We'll discuss two events the the Savior's life found in these chapters. First, we'll talk about the woman taken in adultery. We'll discuss the Savior's reaction to her behavior and how He did not condemn her. We&#3...

In this episode we'll talk about Matthew 18 and Luke 10. First we'll discuss the concept of personal liabilities and an invitation from the Savior to remove these from our lives. We'll talk about how sometimes there are things we do, or characteristics we have, that are inconsistent with staying on the covenant path, yet we resist giving them up. We'll discuss how we can make those...

In this episode we'll talk about Matthew 15 through 17 and Mark 7 through 9. We'll start by talking about how difficulties and challenges are not only part of life, but they are a necessary trial in order to help us progress. As we learn to see our challenges differently they can become grown opportunities instead of griefs. We'll review an instance in the Savior's ministry where h...

In this episode we'll talk about concepts related to Easter and the Atonement, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Instead of reviewing the scriptures from that period of the Lord's mortal ministry (which we will review at a later date), we'll discuss related concepts. We'll talk about the idea of rejuvenation and rebirth, and how the Savior can help us rise from our difficult...

In this episode we'll talk about Matthew 14, Mark 6, and John 5 and 6. We'll start by talking about the death of John the Baptist, the events that led up to that, and how this affected the Savior. We'll review how the Savior wanted to take time to grieve the death of his friend but was interrupted by crowds who wanted His attention and service. We'll discuss the concept of boundari...

In this episode we'll talk about Matthew 13 and Luke 8 and 11. We'll discuss how the scribes and pharisees were so eager to try to catch the Savior in an error, that they regularly missed opportunities for spiritual development. We'll review how we need to focus on ourselves and our own change and not focus on the behaviors of others. We'll also discuss the parable of the sower, an...

In this episode we'll talk about Matthew 11 and 12 and Luke 11. We'll discuss one of the parables in Luke 11, where one possible interpretation has to do with the process of personal change. We'll talk about how change is most effectively accomplished when previous, less effective habits and beliefs are replaced with new, more effective habits and beliefs. This process is designed to happen slowly...

In this episode we'll talk about two stories in Mark chapter 5, one well known and the other not as well. We'll discuss the healing of the daughter of Jairus and the implications this has for building faith and hope. We'll talk about how he was invited to continue to have faith and hope despite what seemed like a bleak potential outcome. We will review how this process can help with mental health...

In this episode we'll talk about Matthew 8, Luke 7, and Mark chapters 2 through four. We'll discuss two main principles from these chapters. First, we'll talk about the Savior's teaching of putting "new wine into new bottles." We'll talk about the mental health application for this idea, which is that in order to make long-term changes to our mental health, we need to change our overall ways of ho...

In this episode we'll talk about Matthew chapters 6 and 7. We'll discuss several principles from the sermon on the mount that can help us in our mental health journeys and personal improvement. Some of the main ideas discussed include the principle of acting first, and not waiting for circumstances to change before we chose to do something. We'll also talk about the importance of being present in...

In this episode we'll talk about Matthew chapter 5 and Luke chapter 6. We'll talk about an example in the Savior's live where he was being accused by the scribes and Pharisees of inappropriate behavior. We'll discuss how this is a good example of how in order to progress spiritually and emotionally, we need to keep our focus on our own issues and not those of others. We'll also talk about the beat...