Every Day Conversion

When did Christ "become" the Savior of the world?  Was it at the Council in Heaven prior to the creation?  Or was it when He was born in Bethlehem?  Or was it when He entered the Garden of Gethsemane or was nailed to the cross?  Well, this past week in Gospel Doctrine I heard a quote from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland that changed my perspective of the answer to that very question.  In today's episode we dig into it - both Elder Holland's quote and my thoughts following it. Questions:  1. What promises have you been promised or have you been "ordained" to receive? 2. What must you do to ensure that these promises are fulfilled?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/078 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

You may have heard that Edmund Burke quote... "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." It's a profound quote...and one that immediately came to mind as I was reading the account of Pilate's interactions with the Savior, the leaders of the Jews and the multitude of people that were demanding that He be crucified.  It's almost laughable that Pilate thought that he could absolve himself of any responsibility for what was about to happen to the Jesus Christ. In today's episode we'll review this event...and look at what we can learn from it to apply in our own lives. Questions:  1. In what ways are you asked to stand up for Jesus Christ and the Gospel in your life?  2. Why is it important to stand for what is right, even if you stand alone?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/077 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Remembering is a powerful thing.  So much so that the main command or invitation of the ordinance of the sacrament is to...you got it, remember!  But Satan has done his best to try to remove this command from the sacrament all together.  In today's episode we talk about the importance of remembering.  Questions:  1. What can we learn about humility and not trusting solely in our own strengths from Peter's denial?  2. How can the Holy Ghost help us remain faithful and overcome trials and adversities in our own lives?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/076 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

When you look at the Peter of the Gospels compared to the Peter we meet in the book of Acts there is a stark difference.  In the Gospels we have Peter denying that he even KNOWS the Savior (not once, not twice...but THREE times)... In Acts we have Peter bearing testimony to thousands that Jesus is the Christ, being imprisoned by the high priest and other Jewish leaders and then facing them and not only testifying of Christ, but essentially calling them murderers!  ...and this wasn't years later when Peter had studied, matured and grown as a leader...this was less than two months later!  So why the change?  What happened in those two months?  Well, that's what we're going to discuss in today's episode.  Questions:  1. What can we learn about humility and not trusting solely in our own strengths from Peter's denial?  2. How can the Holy Ghost help us remain faithful and overcome trials and adversities in our own lives?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode

Sometimes the best way that we can serve others has nothing to do with actually serving at all...it has to do with allowing others to serve us. And that is a hard thing to do. And that's what today's episode is all about. If you struggle with accepting service from others (Like I do...), then this episode is for you!  We'll review Mary's service toward the Savior, as well as some of the context around that service. Questions:  1. When was a time in your own life that the "practical" choice wasn't actually the "right" or "best" choice?  2. Why is it important to allow others to serve us at times?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/074 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 today to strengthen and deepen your own conversion? 2. Why is it important for us to be converted before strengthening others?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/073 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 are God-given and both are vital to understanding our divine potential and successfully following the Gospel path. In today's episode we'll review more of Elder Held's talk and discuss what it means for us individually. Questions:  1. Which is harder for you? Listening to the promptings of the Spirit? Or searching things out with your rational mind?  2. How can our reasoning and physical capabilities support our spiritual discernment, and vice versa?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/072 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconvers

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. When was a time that the Spirit comforted you?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/071 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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.  Questions:  1. What does the vine and branches imagery teach you about your relationship with Christ?  2. What does it mean to you to "abide in Christ?"  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/070 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

​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 someone loves you? How do they act? Talk? 2. How has Christ shown His love for you?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/069 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

"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 Zion mean to you?  2. What can you do now - today - to help prepare the world for Christ's return?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/068 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/067 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 the missionaries that I trained on my mission.  Questions:  1. How can we ensure that our lamps are full?  2. How and what would you change if you knew the Second Coming was tomorrow?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/066 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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

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 activities.  In today's lesson I talk about a few ideas for how to do just that - apply daily experiences to what we are learning in the Gospel.  Questions:  1. What can you do to get better at identifying Gospel lessons in your daily life?  2. What is an experience that you and/or your family have had recently that you can related to a Gospel lesson? Get all the resources mentioned at https://www.everydayconversion.com/064 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 Conference, President M. Russell Ballard pled with us to not complicate things.  In today's episode we'll review Pres. Ballard's talk and look at a few of the things he said regarding pure and simple doctrine.  Questions:  1. In what ways have the changes announced in the last 18 months helped us focus more on the 2 great commandments? 2. How can you simplify your life to focus more on the 2 great commandments - both spiritually and temporally?    Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/063 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion

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 discuss both parts of that statement, and I share a great quote from Elder James E. Talmage that sheds a different light on that latter statement. Questions:  1. What does it mean to you to obey, honor and sustain the law? 2. How does realizing that our souls are "stamped with the image and superscription of God" change how we view ourselves? How does it change how we view others?   Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/062 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconvers

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.  The parable has great application for us today and we dig into it in this episode.  Questions:  1. What are you doing with the talents and abilities God has given you?  2. How can you prepare yourself, your family and the Church for Christ's second coming? Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/061 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 episode we'll dig into what it means when the Savior calls them "blind guides" and "hypocrites."  Questions:  1. Who do you guide in your life? How can you make sure you're guiding them properly? 2. What consequences can come from being - or even appearing to be - a hypocrite?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/060 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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, and we'll talk about both of them in this episode.  Questions:  1. What can we learn from the first son? How about the second son, what can we learn from him?  2. What analogies can you draw from this story for you and your family?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/059 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support