Every Day Conversion

In the first verse of 1 Nephi 11, Nephi says that he was "caught away...into an exceedingly high mountain."  This comment led me to consider the similarities and characteristics that mountains and temples share - since often in the scriptures prophets had temple-like experiences at the top of mountains (i.e. Moses, Elijah, Ezekiel, Christ, John, Nephi, the Brother of Jared and others). ...

As I sat down to study today, I decided to review the notes I've made from all my personal study this week.  It's something I should do more often, and something I recommend everyone do.  This review led me to digging into a question I asked myself earlier this week in my study journal and led to some really great realizations about HOW my family and I study, and how I help my kids learn...

On the heels of my realization I shared in Episode 11, today I realized that there is a SPECIFIC REASON that 1 Nephi 10 is, well, 1 Nephi 10.  I have a feeling there is a specific reason that Nephi says what he does in between Lehi's dream and his own vision and interpretation of Lehi's dream.  It took me a few times of reading through, summarizing, and really thinking through it...but I...

What makes the Book of Mormon different?  Simple.  It was written, compiled and translated by prophets of God. That means that every. single. chapter... Every verse... Every WORD is inspired.  And that changes the way we should view it.  That is what I learned from my study of 1 Nephi 9.  Listen to the full episode now to hear me expound on this idea.  Get all the res...

In his dream, Lehi sees several different groups of people - each with distinct characteristics.  Much can be learned, both what to do and what NOT to do, by studying each of these groups.  In today's episode, we dig into each group, as well as compare these groups to the groups outlined in the Parable of the Sower in the book of Matthew.  Get all the resources mentioned in this epi...

As I read through Nephi's account of his father's vision of the tree of life, I noticed something I had never seen before.  When we talk about this vision, we always talk about the straight and narrow path, rod of iron, mists of darkness, river of water, and the great and spacious building...but there is one more aspect of this vision that had never occurred to me.  And it's the aspect t...

In today's episode I share some insights shared with me by my good friend, Jon Workman.  Jon sent me a voice memo this morning with some really neat insights regarding a few things he learned about receiving revelation as he studied the Book of Mormon.  You'll learn what those insights were, as well as a few thoughts that I had because of his insights.  I also ask a question that is...

Are you actively constrained by the Spirit in your life?  It seems there are two level levels of following the Spirit... The first is to recognize when the Spirit leaves, and use that as your indication that you should stop doing whatever it is that you're doing.  This is good and MUCH better than NOT having the Spirit in the first place and not paying attention to it.  But a BETTER...

What if the Book of Mormon isn't as miraculous as we think it is?  Serious question.  Listen to the full episode to understand what I'm asking...and what I mean by it.  It's probably not what you think... And honestly, the reason I ask the question just might make it seem MORE miraculous - at least that's what it did for me!  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at h...

The Book of Mormon was written and preserved for our day.  No where is that more evident than in the very first chapter of that book!  In today’s episode we dig into 1 Nephi 1 - including a brand new insight into what 1 Nephi is about that dramatically changed out I read it!  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom5

The culmination of a lot of events and self-reflection led to the question that the Spirit asked me this morning as I sat down for my scripture study.  And almost immediately after the question, was a piece of counsel for what I needed to do with the answer to that question.  In this episode, I share what the question and counsel was...and encourage you to ask yourself the same question,...

As I was studying the the Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith I had a realization about why I might not receive answers when I pray for them...and what I can do to GET those answers.  I discuss it in depth in this episode, but it involves asking a specific question when you the answer you seek doesn't come right away.  I share what the question is in this episode.  We also talk ab...

President Ezra Taft Benson referred to the Book of Mormon as ..."one of the most significant gifts given to the world in modern times."  Do we view the Book of Mormon that way?  Do we value it the way that we should?  In today's episode we look at the Introduction and the Testimonies of the Three and Eight Witnesses.  We'll discuss the many things that the Introduction tells us...

President Ezra Taft Benson said that "The golden question of the Book of Mormon is, 'Do you want to learn more of Christ?'" In today's episode I share what I learned as I studied the Title Page of the Book of Mormon, as well as the first chapter of Pres. Benson's book, "A Witness and a Warning."  I also share how you can get a FREE Book of Mormon bookmark to use in your studies this year.&nbs...

Before my study for this episode, I had never really considered how King Herod may have felt during the birth of Christ.  Sure, like everyone, I had known that Herod felt threatened by Christ's birth - that He he was a threat to his power, but as I studied this time, I realized there is much more we can learn from Herod and his experience within the nativity story.  Take a listen to the...

In this episode of our mini-series, "In Their Shoes", we look at the Wise Men.  These were men of means, men of faith and men willing to put their possessions where their faith was and sacrifice all.  There is much we can learn from the wise men, however many there were and wherever they were from.  Take a listen to this episode to dig deeper into these lessons.  Get all the re...

In this, the third episode in our Christmas week mini-series looking at the lives of individuals that were part of or witness to the very first Christmas, we are looking at the shepherds.  Those humble sheep herders, who were witness to the very first announcement of the Savior's birth while abiding in the fields.  There is much that we can learn from the simple and humble faith of these...

In our second installment of our Christmas week mini-series, "In Their Shoes", we look at Joseph.  We don't have any record of anything Joseph said...but as the saying goes, "actions speak louder than words."  And Joseph's actions shout from the rooftops of a man full of faith and service.  There is much we can learn from Joseph's quiet example.  Get all the resources mentioned...

This is first installment of a Christmas week series titled "In Their Shoes".  In today's episode, we're going to try to put ourselves in Mary's shoes.  What was it like to experience what she experienced?  How did she feel?  What did she think?  What must have gone through her mind as she pondered the fact that she was to be the mother of the Son of God?  We'll dig i...

As I studied chapters 8-11 in the book of Revelation, all I could think was that everything that will happen in the time leading up to the Second Coming is really intended to get us to choose a side.  Earlier in Revelation, the Savior indicated his displeasure in those that were "lukewarm." And now, the plagues, wars and other trials are causing those that will be alive during them to finally...

As we have discussed in earlier episodes, Revelation 6-7 required utilizing all the resource materials available to understand what was going on!  In today's episode we talk about the restoration of the Gospel, the gathering of the Twelve Tribes, and one of the most succinct overviews of how to return to God's presence that you can find anywhere in the scriptures.  I also share with you...

The Bible Dictionary says in its "Guidelines to Understanding" Revelation 1-3 that it "...shows clearly that the Church in that day was rapidly going into apostasy." I respectfully disagree.  Yes, that is part of it, but I think those chapters "clearly show" something very different.  I believe they show a similar pattern that Heavenly Father have always utilized throughout history to wa...

As I began my study of the Book of Revelation this week, it was easier than I expected it to be.  Part of it was that I actually applied what we talked about in Episode 125 .  I had the right mindset going into my study, I remembered a few things that we talked about in that episode about the Book of Revelation and I used the study resources that have been provided for us!  There is...

What is it about the Book of Revelation that freaks us out?  Why are we so scared of it...when Joseph Smith said that it was "one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written."? In today's episode we'll dig into why are scared of Revelation...and why we SHOULDN'T be scared of it.  I share some of the things I found and learned that helped me to feel more comfortable studying Revel...

I spent several months on my mission trying to figure out what the heck Jude 1:9 was all about.  If you don't recall, this is the verse that talks about Michael the archangel and Satan "disputing about the body of Moses." That is a fight you'd love to witness, isn't it?  But what the heck is this verse referring to?  Well, I discovered the answer in an old Ensign article...and now I...