Every Day Conversion

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" talks about.  In today's episode we dig into Sis. Craven's talk as well as several different scripture references to understand more fully how important it is to be careful in living the gospel.  Questions:  1. What adjustments do you need to make to be more carefully aligned with your covenants?  2. What are the warning signs for you that you are becoming more casual? How can you make sure to recognize them sooner?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/058 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 can apply to our own life...what things we might be asked to sacrifice, and if we would be willing to do so.  Questions:  1. What in your life would be hard to give up if the Savior (or the prophet) asked you to?  2. What does this story teach about obedience and faith?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/057 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 divorce.  In today's episode we review this interaction between the Savior and the Pharisees.  I encourage you to read the other recommended scriptures and teachings of modern prophets as well to get more insight on the doctrine and teachings on eternal marriage as well.  Questions:  1. What do we learn about the Lord's view on marriage from these verses?  2. What does it mean to you when the scriptures say that those that marry "...shall be one flesh?" Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/056 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/every

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 get something out of a sacrament meeting because of a screaming child...or for whatever other reasons have struggled, wondering if what they're doing is even making a difference.  It is.  Keep going!  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/055 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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) would receive for their service.  The lessons Christ teaches in this parable are applicable to us all, and that's what we discuss in today's episode.  Questions:  1. How can you change your perspective from seeing what you don't have to being grateful for what you do have?  2. What blessings did the first laborers receive that they have overlooked? What blessings are you overlooking in your life? Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/054 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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.  Question:  1. How can we approach the ordinance of the sacrament with more reverence this week?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/053 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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.  Something that was clear evidence that He was, indeed, the Son of God.  He brought a man who had been dead for 4 days back to life.  In this episode we'll look at this event and talk about some of the things we can learn from it.  Questions:  1. What can we learn about patience and faith from this experience?  2. How does this experience influence and increase your testimony that Jesus is the "resurrection and the life?" How does that testimony impact your day to day life? Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/052 --- Support this podcas

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 understand the importance of what the grateful leper did!  Questions:  1. How does expressing gratitude affect us spiritually?  2. What additional blessings do you think the grateful leper received because of his gratitude? 3. What can you do to be more grateful in your life? Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/051 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 is He trying to teach us?  That's what we discuss in today's episode, with the assistance of some insights and wisdom from Elder James E. Talmage.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/050 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 this story...  By looking at this side of the story we can learn even more lessons from this popular and oft quoted parable.  Questions:  1. When was a time that you've felt like the prodigal son? How about the older brother?  2. How does envy and jealousy affect us spiritually?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/049 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 work, temple and family history work and home-centered, Church supported family religious observance.  Questions:  1. In what ways have you been influenced for good because of the love someone has shown you?  2. How can you develop greater love for others?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/048 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 understand exactly what He was trying to convey when He referred to Himself as the good shepherd and referred to us as His sheep.  Questions:  1. What does it mean to hear Christ's voice? 2. What can we do to make sure we hear Christ's voice in our lives?  3. What are some examples of thieves, robbers and wolves in our lives? How can we protect ourselves from them?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/047 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 your interrogators?  Today's episode is about this exact type of experience.  Christ restored the sight of a blind beggar...and yet when people found out about it, no one believed him.  There is much we can learn from this man and his reaction to the situation he found himself in.  Questions:  1. What can you learn about faith from this man's example?  2. How can our challenges and trials allow the "works of God" to "be made manifest" in our lives?  3. What can we learn about the purpose (and even benefits) of challenges and trials from Christ's statement in John 9:3-5? Get all the r

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 and thus caused feigned outrage from the Jews he was conversing with.  There are some things we can learn from this experience.  Questions: 1. Why were the Jews so upset with Christ's declaration that He was Jehovah? 2. What does it mean to "look beyond the mark" and how can we make sure that we aren't "looking beyond the mark" in our lives?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/045 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 scribes and Pharisees were attempting to trap him...but the most important and instructive part of the story is the compassion and mercy with which the Savior interacted with this woman who has committed serious transgressions.  We would do well to learn from the Savior's example.  Questions:  1. What feelings do you think the woman experienced during and after her interaction with the Savior? Have you felt any of those feelings during or after repenting in your life?  2. What do you learn about mercy and compassion from this story? Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everyd

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 episode of the podcast where we review and recap talks given in the most recent General Conference.  Questions:  1. How have you been supported in your obstacles and struggles through the atonement?  2. What spiritual gifts can you seek and pray for to help you become more like Heavenly Father?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/043 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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.  Questions:  1. Who is your neighbor? 2. In what small ways can you apply the principles of the parable of the Good Samaritan in less dramatic ways in your daily life? Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/042 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 choosing "the good part."  Questions:  1. What is something "needful" in your life that you feel like you should give more attention to?  2. What can you do to make sure to get that "needful" thing done?  3 Tips to Actually Accomplish Your "Needful" Thing: 1. Put it on the calendar - "What gets scheduled gets done." - Michael Hyatt 2. Enlist the help of those close to you 3. Define why you are doing it - connect to the emotions behind it Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/041 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 Seventy, as well as answering some of the most common questions I've heard asked about the Seventy.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/040 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 dispensation saying "...of you it is required to forgive all men." It doesn't get much clearer than that!  In this episode we'll dig into what it means to forgive, as well as when, why and how we should do it.  Questions:  1. When was a time when you experienced God's mercy and forgiveness in your life?  2. Is there someone that you need to show mercy and forgiveness to?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/039 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support