Every Day Conversion

Sometimes I think the words "testimony" and "conversion" can end up being used interchangeably... But they aren't the same thing! In today's episode we'll look at what each of these words means...and the difference between them. We'll do so by reviewing Christ's conversation with Peter in the New Testament, as well as the teachings of a modern day apostle. Questions:   1. What can you do toda...

In his April 2019 General Conference address, Elder Mathias Held of the Seventy talked about how we have been given two sources of information, and that the ability to utilize BOTH sources effectively generates the most complete and accurate picture. The first of these sources is our ability to reason and our physical capacities. And the second is the Holy Ghost and our spiritual discernment. Both...

When the Savior told his disciples "I will not leave you comfortless." it was an extremely powerful promise! More so than I think we typically think! In today's episode I share why I think that is the case...and what it means for us personally regarding the blessing that the Holy Ghost can be in our lives. Questions:  1. What do you learn in John 14-16 about the mission of the Holy Ghost? 2....

What does it mean to "abide in Christ?" That's the question we ask in today's episode.  What does it mean to "abide in Christ," and how does it connect to being "perfect in Christ" and "relying wholly upon [His] merits."  The answer to those questions and the realization I had as I was recording this episode were extremely impactful for me, and I hope they will be for you as well. ...

​One of the main topics Christ focused on as He taught his disciples before His death was love.  But as I read the different things Christ taught about love, I realized that I tend to look at love in a very linear way.  In today's episode we discuss the many attributes of love that we can discern from Christ's teachings in John 13-15.  Questions:   1. How do you know when someo...

"This great and last dispensation is building steadily to its climax." That is what Elder D. Todd Christofferson said toward the end of his General Conference talk this last April. In today's episode we're reviewing Elder Christofferson's talk and talking about how he suggests that we prepare ourselves, our families and our wards and branches for the Savior's return. Questions:  1. What does...

The value of a gift or donation is not found in the amount that is given, but in the sacrifice needed to give it. When the Savior witnessed a widow giving two mites into the treasury, He used it to teach that profound lesson.  In this episode we review this story and discussing what the underlying principles and lessons that can be discerned from it. Get all the resources mentioned in this ep...

Often when we think of the parable of the ten virgins, we think of the importance of preparation.  We think of having our own testimonies and not living off the faith and testimonies of others.  But there is so much more that we can learn from the parable, including the importance of preparing or the Second Coming.  I also share one of most impactful lessons I learned from one of th...

What are you focused on? That’s the question posed in this episode. Questions: 1. What are you focused on in your life?  2. How are you finding pockets of time each day to focus on and study the Gospel? 

It can be easy to simply read the Come, Follow Me material each week with our families and discuss what is taught in a hypothetical or intellectual way.   But the true value of the Gospel is when it is applied to day to day life.  Recently, I had the opportunity to do just that with my kids, and it got me thinking about how we do do better at pointing out Gospel lessons in our daily...

As human beings we are pretty good at complicating things.  It doesn't matter what it is, the longer it is in existence or is done, it will become more and more complex.  Sometimes that's a good thing...I'll be honest, I am glad that our modes of transportation are more complex than horse and buggy.  But sometimes it can be to our detriment.  In the April 2019 General Conferenc...

When the Pharisees asked Christ whether they should pay the hated poll tax enacted by the Roman government, obviously they were trying to entrap Him (as always). But the Savior's response was simple and instructive. "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's..." But the flip side of that coin (pun intended) was His statement "...and unto God the things that are God's." In today's episode we...

The Jews thought that by killing Christ they could put an end to His influence and His kingdom on the earth.  Obviously, they were wrong.  And in the days leading up to His crucifixion, the Savior shared the Parable of the Pounds - which taught that He would leave for awhile, but would return, and would expect an accounting from His followers with regards to what He had given them. ...

If you ever thought that when Christ talked about being "meek and lowly of heart" it meant that he was going to be a "shrinking violet" and not "rock the boat" then you haven't read Matthew 23.  In this chapter Christ figuratively takes off the gloves!  He doesn't hold back in calling out the scribes and Pharisees for not living the gospel AND leading others to do the same.  In this...

There are a TON of lessons that we can draw from Christ's parables.  And yet, so many times we only draw lessons from a single side of the parable.  It's easy to look at the parables from one side - typically the "easy" or the "safe" side...but what about the other side?  Today's episode focuses on the parable of the two sons.  There are lessons to be learned from BOTH sons, an...

Nephi tells us that Satan strives to "lead us into carnal security."  And Joseph Smith described those who missed out on the Celestial Kingdom as having not been "valiant in the testimony of Jesus." So apparently we need to make sure that we are careful in living up to our gospel covenants.  And that's exactly what Sis. Becky Craven's recent General Conference talk, "Careful vs Casual" t...

When you get right down to it, the story of the rich young ruler is less about having or not having money or possessions and more about obedience and faith.  I think sometimes the young man in this story gets a bad reputation, when, in fact, he is doing many things right and the scriptures even say that Christ "...beholding him loved him...".  In this episode we talk about how this story...

When the Pharisees asked Christ about divorce and when it was, or wasn't acceptable, He responded by appropriately reframing their focus to where it should have been all along...on marriage.  He refused to play their games and instead reminded them that they should be looking for reasons and ways to have great (read: celestial) marriages, not for reasons to get out of their marriage through d...

As parents sometimes we can feel like all our work is for nought.  Like it's not even worth going to church, or doing family scriptures study, family prayer or family home evening.  But it is.  As the Lord said, "...be not weary in well doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work..."  Today's episode is encouragement for all those parents who have ever struggled to...

What would you do if you were hired to do a job for a full day and received the same pay as someone who only worked an hour?  Would you feel cheated?  Would you feel like it was unfair?  That's exactly the situation that certain laborers found themselves in in a parable told by the Savior.  And it was in response to a question posed by Peter regarding what they (the apostles) w...

We're always told that the most important part of our Sabbath worship is sacrament meeting. And that the most important part of the sacrament meeting is the ordinance of the sacrament.  In today's episode we review Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's April 2019 General Conference talk titled "Behold the Lamb of God" which discussed in-depth the purpose and meaning of the ordinance of the sacrament.&nb...

For much of His ministry, Christ kept a low profile...even asking people who witnessed miracles to not tell anyone about them.  But that all changed toward the end of His ministry.  When we get to the raising of Lazarus from the dead, it was a miracle witnessed by many people - believers and non-believers alike.  With all these people looking on Christ did what no mortal could do.&n...

The story of the ten lepers that Christ healed is a classic example of the importance of gratitude.  But when we consider some of the details of the story, we learn that it's not just about having gratitude...it's about living a life of gratitude.  It's about gratitude being in the forefront of your mind at all times.  In today's episode we dig into some of those details to really u...

Every once in awhile there is a scripture that just makes you stop and scratch your head.  Without a doubt, the parable of the unjust steward is one of those scriptures.  At first glance, it seems that the Savior is condoning the morally questionable and outright dishonest actions of a steward.  But, of course, the Savior would not encourage any sort of dishonesty or sin...so what i...

When we think about the parable of the prodigal son, we usually think about the son who took his inheritance, went to a far away country and blew it all on "riotous living."  But, as Elder Jeffrey R. Holland says, "...being caught up in this younger son's story, we can miss, if we are not careful, the account of an older son...".  In today's episode, we'll dig into the OTHER prodigal in...