Every Day Conversion

Apparently the prophecies and words of Isaiah in Isaiah 49-51 are extremely important.  Nephi quoted Isaiah 49 himself at the end of 1 Nephi, and then, he asked Jacob to quote the same scriptures in 2 Nephi 6.  I guess we should probably pay attention!  In today's episode we read about all the effort the Lord puts into trying to reach out to us and save and redeem us...and how too often, we just don't respond to his invitation.  2 Nephi 6-8 are amazing chapters, and obviously they were important to Nephi and Jacob...so they should probably warrant our attention as well!  Get all the resources mentioned in today's episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom24 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

As I studied 2 Nephi 4 this morning, I was blown away as I realized several things that I'd never realized before.  The BIGGEST thing that changed during my study this time is that I didn't read "Nephi's Psalm" in isolation.  I realized that as Nephi wrote this...he was dealing with newly becoming the leader of his family, the spiritual leader as the prophet and was struggling to keep the family and the church from tearing apart!  It was extremely insightful when I read it with that in mind.  Listen to this episode to learn more.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom23 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Satan has done a good job and completely changing the paradigm around our decisions.  I hear people say things like "there's no good choice" or that they have to choose between "the lesser of two evils."  Satan has convinced us that that is our choice...the problem is, that is NOT our choice.  Lehi clearly states that the choice is between "liberty and eternal life" and "captivity and death."  In today's episode I dig into this idea of choosing "the lesser of two evils" and, to be honest, I get a little fired up about it!  Take a listen, and let me know what you think! Get all the resources mentioned in today's episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom22 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

During my study I realized that I really wish there was a verse-by-verse commentary of the book of Isaiah, written by the prophet Nephi.  Seriously. He makes Isaiah SO MUCH easier to understand!  In this episode we look at 1 Nephi 20-22.  Chapters 20 and 21 are Nephi quoting Isaiah, and 22 is Nephi breaking down exactly what Isaiah is talking about...as well as summarizing basically all of 1 Nephi - from Chapter 8 to the end.  1 Nephi 22 is an invaluable discourse on Lehi's dream, Nephi's vision and the words of Isaiah...and I had never realized it before today!  Get all the resources mentioned in today's episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom21 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

As I read through 1 Nephi 19 today, I realized that the main theme of the entire chapter could be boiled down into 2 words... Everlasting Covenant.  That really is what the chapter is all about - so much so that I wrote that next to the chapter heading in my scriptures...  "All about the Everlasting Covenant" I also found three phrases that trigger me to think about the everlasting covenant every time I read them in the scriptures.  Listen to this episode to learn what they are.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom20 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

As I studied 1 Nephi 17, I realized that a phrase that Lord uses in 2 Nephi could adequately describe what He taught Lehi and Nephi over and over and what he tried to teach Laman and Lemuel over and over... And, quite honestly, what He tries to teach all His children throughout the scriptures and even today.  "I am able to do mine own work."  In other words, just do what I ask you to do, don't doubt me, trust the process and it'll work out like it's suppose to.  We talk about that in depth in today's episode, along with highlighting an amazing correlation to the house of Israel that I never saw before in the Book of Mormon!  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom19 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Why did Lehi even NEED the Liahona?   That's the question that started my studies today.  But, what my studies ended with was much more powerful and more applicable in my life.  And that's what I talk about in today's episode.  Listen now.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom18 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

What is the difference between Lehi and Nephi's testimonies and that of Laman and Lemuel?  I believe the answer is found in 1 Nephi 15...and it comes down to this simple phrase: "Those who pay, pay attention."  I first heard that from my friend, Jon Workman with regards to business and marketing, but I believe it applies well to Laman and Lemuel.  Then didn't work for the knowledge that Nephi gave them in 1 Nephi 15...it was just given to them.  And because of that, it didn't last. It didn't stick. It didn't sink deep into their souls.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom17 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

How do you help your children learn to receive and, more importantly, recognize revelation?  That's the question that has been on my mind for the last 24 hours.  It's easy to TELL our kids how the Spirit feels and how he speaks to us...but is that what we should be doing?  I've come to realize that taking the time to help our children learn the process of receiving revelation and recognizing it when it comes when they are young is one of the most important things we can teach them.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom16 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

This episode was a tough one to get through.  As I studied 1 Nephi 12-13, I had some great thoughts and ideas come to me with regards to what Nephi saw when the descendants of the Lamanites were "...scattered before the Gentiles and were smitten." That led me to reread the account of James S. Brown's (grandfather to former member of the First Presidency, Hugh B. Brown) interaction with the Shoshone Indian Chief, Chief Washakie, who is my wife's 6th Great Grandfather.  As I read that account, and really as I recorded this episode, I realized that I have been a witness to the fulfillment of Lehi's prophecy and promise to the children of Laman and Lemuel...and I lost it!  Fair warning - I straight up cried while recording this episode.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom15 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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).  It led to a long and interesting study of the topic that really impacted the way I view the temple and my temple experiences.  I share some of the highlights of that study in today's episode.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom14 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 how to study and receive revelation for themselves.  Take a listen to hear my thoughts.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom13 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 realized that Nephi teaches the entire Gospel of Jesus Christ in just 5 verses inside chapter 10.  It was a pretty cool realization.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom12 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom11 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom10 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 that was most influential in getting Sariah, Sam and Nephi to the tree!  I share what it is in today's episode.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom9 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 complete speculation on my part...but I think it's worth asking.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom8 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 course of action is to actively recognize when you HAVE the Spirit and what it's prompting you to do...so you don't lose it at all.  The story of Nephi and his brothers attempting to get the plates of brass is a wonderful case study in the importance of actively utilizing the Spirit.  And that's what today's episode is all about.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom7 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom6 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support