Every Day Conversion

Sometimes you have a study session that is massively impactful.  Seemingly trivial verses hit you hard, and lead you to ponder and consider things you'd never pondered and considered before.  That is what today's episode is about.  In the books of Second and Third John, two verses occupied the whole of my study time this morning...and it was certainly a spiritual experience.  W...

There are times where the Joseph Smith Translation makes a small (but important) difference in the text. And then there are times like the examples in today's lesson, where the Joseph Smith Translation completely changes the frame of reference and with the change of a single word, can teach a doctrinally significant lesson.  When the JST changes "committeth" to "continueth" in 1 John 3, it is...

As the apostles struggled and strived to keep the early church together and on the right path, it must have been stressful.  Fighting against persecutions on the outside, as well as old beliefs and traditions on the inside.  It's no wonder that so much of the epistles in the New Testament focus on the need to live a Christlike life, rather than just proclaim a Christ-saved life.  In...

Peter's counsel to the Saints in 1 Peter 2 is great counsel for us today.  As a matter of fact, I believe it is EXACTLY the prophetic counsel that we need in society at this time.  It's simple, yet profound, and it's what's missing in much of what we see in the news, on Facebook, and just about everywhere else in the public conversations.  In today's episode we'll talk about that co...

If you're in the United States, Thanksgiving is coming up this week and so it's fitting that today's episode be about gratitude.  Yesterday, in our sacrament meeting, we had a wonderful talk given by a sister in our ward talking all about gratitude.  She titled her talk "10 Lists" and, as you might be able to guess, she shared 10 lists that we could make of things we are grateful for to...

At first glance, James' comments about faith being dead without works seems to be contrary to the idea of being saved by grace.  But is it really?  In this episode we'll dig into James' words and compare them to Paul's and see if we make sense of the possible contradictions.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/118

On Sunday, November 17, 2019, the Church held a Face to Face broadcast presided over by Elder Gerrit W. Gong.  During this event more information and details were shared about the new Children and Youth Program. In today's episode I share my thoughts on these new details and program and how we, as parents, can best support our children in it.  However, even if you don't have children, yo...

In Hebrews 9-11, Paul is explaining that Christ has ALWAYS been the way to a remission of sins - even in Old Testament times of sacrifices, burnt offerings and other ordinances.  Paul is trying to remind the Jews of his day that they are not saved by sacrifices...and they never have been.  And this is important for us to remember even today.  In this episode, we'll talk about how th...

Reading Hebrews chapter 6 led to some massive insights for me.  It changed the way I viewed the ordinances and covenants that I have made with Heavenly Father.  It changed the way that I viewed my worth in the eyes of my Heavenly Father.  Take a moment to listen to this episode and see if it changes the way YOU view your relationship with your Heavenly Father.  Get all the reso...

Today's episode is really a continuation of Episode 112: Find Out the Character of God.  After I finished recording that episode last week, I went back to my study journal and wrote down the impressions I had WHILE I was recording that episode.  And it led to a question that I now try to ask myself every single time I interact with the Gospel in any way - whether it's scripture study, fu...

For the past several days, I've been out of town at a conference for work...and it has been AMAZING! However, it also made it very difficult to get my full scripture study in each day as well as kept me from being able to attend church. ...not to mention I wasn't able to record any podcast episodes!  But there are some things I learned about how to study and feel the Spirit when you are busy...

This episode took a very different turn than I expected it too.  And it demonstrates the power of the Come, Follow Me Curriculum!  I started off studying and pondering one of the prompts for this week's readings, and by the end of recording this episode, I had ended in a very different place, and had learned some really neat things!  That's what happens when the Spirit is present in...

Paul, in talking about the Jews in Old Testament times, indicates that they were taught the Gospel just like he and the people of his time were (and as we are today).  He also says that those in ancient times were not able to benefit from the Gospel because it wasn't "mixed with faith."  That is a phrase that I really loved as I was studying this week, and in today's episode we dig into...

Several times in this week's readings, Paul has mentioned questions, and counseled Timothy and Titus to avoid them.  So what IS the role of questions in the Gospel?  Should we have questions?  If so, what type of questions should we have?  We'll talk about that in today's episode.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/110

1 Tim 6:10 is one of the most commonly quoted...or shall I say, mis quoted scriptures ever.  We often hear that money is the root of all evil...but if we actually read the scripture, it says that the LOVE of money is the root of all evil.  The issue isn't the thing (money), the issue is the LOVE of the thing.  In today's episode we'll dig into the scriptures before and after that sc...

If you're like me, when you read 1 Timothy 4 when Paul talks about the latter-day apostasy, you point to it and say,  "See!! It's happening now! It's terrible! Our society is horrible! Our culture is horrible! We're all going to hell in a hand basket!" But is that REALLY what we should be focusing on from that chapter?  I don't think it is...and in today's episode, I'll share what I thin...

In 1 Timothy 3, Paul lays out the qualifications for a bishop and a deacon...and I REALLY dug deep into those qualifications in my study.  As you may, or may not, know, I have served as a bishop...which means that I still hold the office of bishop, even though I'm not actively serving as one anymore.  So these qualifications hit close to home for me...because these are the qualifications...

It's been quite awhile since we've had a new episode...but today we're BACK!  Thank you for being patient... life has been busy and I've been trying to figure out the BEST way to keep sharing insights with you to assist in your personal and family scripture study!  ...and I THINK I've figured it out!  In today's episode I share what the new format will be, as well as some encourage...

There is a lot of evil in the world, and a lot of practices that I definitely don't want my children seeing or taking part in.  But the thing that scares me more than any of those things is them having to deal with being called "intolerant", "prejudice", etc. because of their religious convictions.  I don't know how a teen or pre-teen child can be expected to have the maturity to handle...

It seems like whenever a theological discuss breaks out, the question of whether we are saved by grace or by works always comes up.  And the discussions can become quite militant and heated!  But the comment of noted Christian writer C.S. Lewis on the matter is very insightful.  He said, "It [seems] to me like asking which blade in a pair of scissors is most necessary."   The f...

One of the major undertakings of the prophet Joseph Smith was his translation of the Bible.  As a matter of fact, he regarded it as "a branch of his calling" as a prophet.  And as you try to read and understand Romans 7, I'll bet you'll be glad he did!  In this episode we'll dig more into what the Joseph Smith Translation is, why it's important as well as looking at how it clarifies...

Romans chapter 5 is the pivotal chapter in the book of Romans.  Chapters 1-4 build up to chapter 5, and chapters 6-16 build upon the foundation laid by chapter 5.  Viewing the book of Romans in this way completely changes the way you read every chapter.  Listen to this episode to learn more about looking at Romans in this way.  Questions:   1. How does comparing Adam and C...

Paul says that he had a thorn in his side. And while he doesn’t state explicitly what that thorn was, I had a thought awhile back while talking to a friend that really resonated with me on this topic.

I had a really cool opportunity to have a conversation with a new friend of mine last night who is a Muslim. And it was an AMAZING experience and today I share some of my takeaways.

Earlier today I recorded a live study session on the Every Day Conversion Podcast Facebook page .  I was joined by my kids, Brooklynn and Cash...as well as a few cameo appearances from my youngest, Carsten.  Listen in as we discuss this week's Come, Follow Me lesson.  This really is live and unscripted...there are all sorts of distractions, just like there probably is when your fami...