Every Day Conversion

When you think about the people who have impacted and influenced your life for the better, odds are, you felt that they loved you.  Love is one of, if not the greatest motivator known to man.  In today's episode we review Elder Quentin L. Cook's April 2019 General Conference talk, "Great Love for Our Father's Children" and discuss how love can impact three areas of your life - missionary...

Christ is often referred to as "The Good Shepherd."  But that's an imagery that holds much less significance and meaning to us in our day than it did in Christ's time.  In today's episode we dig into some of the imagery that Christ uses in John 10 in talking about sheep, shepherds, sheepfolds and more.  Understanding what Christ is talking about when He gives this example helps to u...

Can you imagine having a miracle happen in your life, and NO ONE believes you when you tell them about it?  Now imagine that, not only do they not believe you, but they mercilessly interrogate you regarding how it happened.  How would you respond?  Would you stick to your story?  Would you get upset?  Defensive?  Or would you give it and change your story to appease y...

Throughout Christ's earthly ministry He never backed away from proclaiming who He was and why He had come to earth.  So for the Jews to not understand what He was saying and feign ignorance (or more often, disdain or unbelief) was honestly laughable.  In today's episode we review another one of the experiences where the Savior proclaimed that he was Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament...

It's so easy to pass judgement on those around us when they make a mistake or even consciously step off the Gospel path.  But it's safe to say that many more people have repented and returned due to love, compassion and mercy from those around them than from judgement and condemnation.  When the Savior was presented with what to do about the woman who had been taken in adultery, the scri...

In the April 2019 General Conference, Brother Tad R. Callister called the atonement of Jesus Christ "heaven's antidote."  In today's episode we review Brother Callister's full talk and discuss four points about the Savior's atonement. In doing so we also review quotes by Truman Madsen, Pres. Henry B. Eyring and Pres. George Q. Cannon as part of our study.  This is part of a weekly episod...

When we hear the phrase "love thy neighbor" today, we understand that it means to love everyone.  But it wasn't that cut and dried in Jesus' day. As a matter of fact, Gentiles were specifically excluded as being considered a "neighbor" by the rabbinical teachings of the time.  In today's episode we'll review some of those teachings, as well as Christ's parable of the good samaritan.&nbsp...

Like Martha in the New Testament, it's easy for us to be "careful and troubled about many things."  It seems like there is ALWAYS something else that needs to be done.  If we aren't careful, we can lose sight and miss out on the things that are truly "needful" in our lives.  In this episode we'll look at the story of Mary and Martha and the Savior's counsel to Martha regarding choos...

When it comes to church organization, it seems like we all pretty much understand who the prophet is and what his role is.  Same with the First Presidency.  And the Quorum of the Twelve.  But when it comes to the Seventy, it seems like a lot of people are a lot less sure about exactly who they are and what they do.  So in today's episode, we are talking about the role of the Se...

When Peter asked the Savior, "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?" I'm not sure he was prepared for the answer he received.  Christ gave a straight forward answer, then expanded on His answer with a parable.  And then, He gave a clear and unmistakable explanation of the meaning of that parable.  Christ has reiterated His commandment to forgive in this d...

There is no way to review and address all that occurred with the Savior's trial, crucifixion and burial in a 5-10 minute podcast episode.  It's impossible.  However, there IS one aspect of the final hours of the Savior's life that we can learn much from... How he faced the trials and injustices He experienced.  In today's episode we'll look at how Christ responded to those who accus...

The Garden of Gethsemane.  The place where the Savior of the world figuratively, and quite literally put the weight of the entire world and all its inhabitants on His divine shoulders and bore the burden alone.  Not even His disciples could stay away to pray with Him.  What happened there affects our lives every day of our lives...and in today's episode we're going to talk about it....

The whole reason that the Savior was in Jerusalem in the days leading up to his death and resurrection was to keep the Passover feast.  A feast that was instituted solely as a means of symbolically reminding the Jews that the Lord had delivered them out of physical bondage in Egypt, and would, at some point in the future, deliver them from spiritual bondage as well.  The symbolism and si...

What does it mean to serve the Savior?  What does it mean to have Heavenly Father honor you?  As the Savior taught in Jerusalem he addressed these questions and many more.  He seemed to be working as hard as possible to teach and prepare His followers as much as He could while he was still with them.  In today's episode we'll look at some of the things the Savior taught, and wh...

Palm Sunday.  The day that Christ triumphantly entered into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey and the people shouted "Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." - both acts fulfilling ancient prophecy.  Today we'll dig into this events, we'll look at the context around them, the prophecies fulfilled and why this event is so im...

Just like our physical muscles need to be exercised and used to keep them strong, our spiritual muscles need to be exercised in order to develop and hone them.  Elder Juan Pablo Villar discussed this exact topic in the April 2019 General Conference.  In today's episode we'll review Elder Villar's talk and discuss a few ways that you can develop and exercise your spiritual gifts.  Ge...

Our goal in this life is to achieve perfect faith.  As much as possible, to minimize our doubt and unbelief and maximize our faith.  However, the fact is, none of us have perfect faith...which means all of us have some level of doubt or unbelief.  The question is, how do we move forward despite our unbelief - relying on the faith that we DO have?  That's what the father in Matt...

The Mount of Transfiguration is a well known and little understood event in the life of Jesus Christ.  Without the benefit of modern day prophets and the understanding available through the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, much of it's significance is lost.  However, with the benefit of modern revelation, the full value and importance of this event are clear -- Priesthood authority and k...

As was to be expected, this General Conference contained many references to "home centered and church supported" Gospel learning.  Elder Rasband said the new focus would "...deepen our conversion and help us become more like Jesus Christ." And Elder Bednar said, "...as important as home-centered and Church-supported learning is for our spiritual strength and protection today, it will be even...

What an amazing General Conference this past weekend!  Now the question is, how do we review and apply what we learned over the next 6 months?  Too often when General Conference finishes, we figuratively put what we learned on the shelf and never review or apply what we learned.  In today's episode, I'll share three ways that you can continue to study and apply General Conference in...

The 189th Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is this weekend... Are you prepared?  In today's episode I share 3 things you can learn from King Benjamin's people about how to prepare for, and get the most out of conference.  No questions today...but I DO give you a suggested activity to make your conference experience more impactful!  Get all...

"Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church..." Those are the words the Savior said in response to Peter's declaration that Jesus was the promised Messiah - the Christ.  But what "rock" was Jesus talking about?  That's what we'll dig into in this episode.  Questions:   1. What is the value of having a solid and immovable foundation in the Gospel to you and your f...

Peter's response to the Savior's question, "Whom say ye that I am?" is iconic.  But just as instructive is the contrast between what OTHERS said that Jesus was and what the disciples said.  In this episode we look at the differences between the two responses and what it can teach us about our testimonies.  Questions:   1. How would you respond if Jesus asked you, "Whom say ye t...

In today’s episode I am the living example of WHY I created this podcast! Life gets busy, things happen and sometimes a podcast doesn’t get recorded! Also, an announcement of an upcoming resource...don’t miss it!

Today's episode is a little bit different.  Yesterday, I had the privilege of speaking at a stake fireside put on by the missionaries. They called it a "Why I Believe" fireside and I had the opportunity to share with those present - members and non-members my conversion story, and why I believe in the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  In today's episode, I share a small portion of what I...