Every Day Conversion

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, and follow the same counsel.  I think you'll find it a very rewarding experience, I know I did!  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom4 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 about a principle I learned as I studied his testimony that relates to Pres. Thomas S. Monson's well-known quote, "When you're on the Lord's errand, you're entitled to the Lord's help."  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom3 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 that the Book of Mormon does, as well as the centuries of preparation that went into us having the Book of Mormon today.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom2 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/bom1 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 episode now to hear what I mean.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/134 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/133 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 shepherds.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/132 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/131 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 into that in this episode.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at: https://www.everydayconversion.com/130 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 choose a side and stop being "lukewarm."  In today's episode, we'll dig into chapters 8-11 and look at some of the highlights, as well as talk about how we can strive to understand some of the descriptions John uses.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/129 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 a really neat resource that you're going to want to have for your Gospel study as we go into 2020! Get all the resources mentioned in this episode (including that resource you'll want for 2020) here: https://www.everydayconversion.com/128  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 warn, encourage, and motivate His children.  Listen to this episode to learn more of what I mean.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/127 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 some really cool doctrine in the first few chapters of Revelation, and in this episode we dig into those.  I also go on a bit of a mini-rant about USING the study resources that we have been given...so you can listen for that too!  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/126 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 Revelation over the next few weeks.  Listen now.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/125 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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'm sharing it with you in this episode.  Listen now.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/124 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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.  We talk about living the Gospel, not taking it for granted, as well as being a parent and raising children in the Gospel.  Take a listen now.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/123 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 one of those times.  Listen to today's episode as we discuss that change and WHY it's so important.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/122 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 today's episode we dig into these differences, as well what it means to have confidence in the presence of God.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/121 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 counsel - what it is and why I believe it's so vital for us today.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/120 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 bring more joy into our lives.  In today's episode, I'll share those 10 lists with you, and encourage you to spend some time with your family this week creating your own lists.  You can get the full list of lists that are mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/119 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support