Every Day Conversion

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 accused and verbally and physically abused Him...and what we can learn from it.  Questions:  1. What can we learn about facing difficult and unfair situations from the Savior's example? 2. What other thoughts or lessons come to your mind as you ponder Christ's trial, crucifixion and burial? 3. How do you think the apostles and disciples felt during this time as they watched Christ's trial and crucifixion? Get all the resources mentioned in today's episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/038  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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.  I also share one of my favorite General Conference talks EVER.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/037 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 significance of Christ's sacrifice is astounding...and it was no doubt, missed by many during the actual events.  But for us, looking back, remembering the Passover and recognizing the symbolism of it can deepen our understanding and appreciation for the events leading up to Christ's atonement, death and resurrection.  That is what today's episode is all about.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/036 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 what we can learn from them.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/035 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 important.  James E. Talmage stated that it may not be possible for our finite minds to understand the full purpose of these events, but hopefully, this episode will help you understand them a little bit better.  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/034 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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.  Get all the resources mentioned in this video, including the link to watch, listen or read Elder Villar's talk at https://www.everydayconversion.com/033 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 Matthew 17 did beautifully when he said, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."  It is that experience that we discuss in today's episode...and there is a LOT to learn regarding faith!  Questions:  1. What do we learn about faith from this story?  2. When you experience doubt or unbelief, whether great or small, how can you still move forward with the faith that you DO have?   Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/032 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 keys are passed from those who held them previously to those called to restore the Lord's church.  Just as Peter, James and John received keys from those who held them anciently on the Mount of Transfiguration, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery had a similar experience in the Kirtland Temple in 1836.  In today's episode we talk about the significance of both these experiences.  Questions:  1. Why are the accounts of the Mount of Transfiguration and the Kirtland Temple important to us today?  2. How have you been blessed by the priesthood in your life?   Get all the resources and refere

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 more vital in the future."  How's that for clear and unmistakable!  It's safe to say that the current focus on personal and family Gospel study will not be going away...neither will the Come, Follow Me curriculum.  That's why I want to pool our collective experience and ideas to help ALL of us be more effective with our personal and family study.  More info on what that means in the episode...but the long and short is that I would love it if you'd share your insights by filling out this short questionnaire about how you and your family do Gospel study.  Get all the resources mentioned in this

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 coming days, weeks and months.  Questions:  1. What theme did you hear while listening to General Conference?  2. What is one thing you plan to do as a result of something you heard during General Conference? You can get all the resources and links mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/029 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/028 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

"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 family?  2. How does it make you feel that the Church is build on the "sure foundation" of revelation? Get all the resources and links mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/027 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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 that I am?" 2. What can you learn about strengthening your testimony from Christ's question to the disciples and Peter's reply to that question?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/026 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

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

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 shared during that fireside, as well as inviting you to consider why YOU believe.  I don't think we stop and think about that question enough in our lives, so I encourage you to listen to this episode and then ask yourself these questions... Questions: 1. Why do you believe? What experiences have you had that have gotten you to this point in your life with the testimony that you have?  2. Who has played a significant role in helping you gain the testimony that you have now? Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

It's not always easy to be a follower of Christ or a member of the Church.  Sometimes it requires faith to believe the things that are taught - even when there is doubt or you don't quite understand.  There were times in the Savior's ministry where the faith required was just too much for some of the disciples.  In today's episode we dig into one of those times, as well as draw on the wisdom of Bruce R. McConkie, M. Russell Ballard, Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Ezra Taft Benson to learn more about how to endure in such times.  Questions:  1. When you encounter something in the Gospel that you don't understand, how will you respond? 2. What can you do now to prepare you for when you, or someone you know and care about, encounter trials or questions? I mention a LOT of resources in today's episode. Get links to all of them at https://www.everydayconversion.com/023 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Christ's feeding of the 5,000 people may, at first glance seem less than exciting...at least compared to some of His other miracles.  No one was brought back to live, no eyes were opened, no ears unstopped, no hands unwithered.  But upon closer examination, a LOT can be learned from this single miracle...and things that can have an immediate and lasting impact on our lives!  Questions:  1. What talents and abilities have you been given to serve God's children and build up the Kingdom?  2. How has Heavenly Father increased and magnified your talents and abilities as you have served him? Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/022 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Sometimes answers to prayers don't come as quickly as we would like. And sometimes the answers we DO receive aren't what we were looking or hoping for.  What do we do in those situations?  How do we respond?  What do we do going forward?  The woman in today's story can teach us much about the importance of persistence, humility and faith.  Questions:  1. What role does faith and persistence play in seeking blessings from Heavenly Father?  2. What can you learn from the Canaanite woman about exercising your faith?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/021 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

Unfortunately, it's all too common in our wards and branches for someone to feel judged or excluded.  Even Jesus Christ was the recipient of judgmental church members... In today's episode, we'll dig into how the Savior responded to those who were judging and what counsel he gave to his disciples (and to us) to deal with those situations.  Questions:  1. How can you make sure you include those in your ward/branch, work, school, etc. who may feel judged or excluded? Get all the resources mentioned in this podcast at https://www.everydayconversion.com/020 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support

There are two aspects of Jesus walking on the water that we typically remember and reflect on.  First, that the Savior was walking on water... #miracle Second, that Peter WAS walking on water...but then he doubted and began to sink... #fail We use Peter's doubt as a cautionary tale - "Don't be like Peter..."  But what if there is ANOTHER lesson to be learned from this story? A lesson that highlights Peter's faith, rather than his doubt?  We discuss that exact question in today's episode.  Questions:  1. How have you had to leave your comfort zone to follow the Savior? 2. Do you, like Peter, have the faith to leave the boat, your comfort zone, and then to reach for the Savior when you begin to sink?  Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/019 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/everydayconversion/support