“This Is My Voice unto All” The theme of this lesson is to “liken the scriptures to ourselves”, which means it is about nothing less than how to study the scriptures. How do we apply the scriptures to our lives? How do we determine what to focus on, what is valuable? What is our standard… Continue Reading

“This Is My Voice unto All”   This update explores the complicated character of Emma Smith… she both supported and challenged her husband Joseph, and eventually helped found the Reorganized Church (RLDS). How can we appreciate her as her own person? As it is with Emma, so it is with all scripture… the complexity resists… Continue Reading

“The Only True and Living Church”   It is a shame we shorten this phrase to “The only true Church”, because I think “living” is a very important part of the statement. What does it mean to say the LDS Church is the “only true and living Church”? How do our Heavenly Parents interact with… Continue Reading

“The Only True and Living Church” What does “true” and “living” mean when it comes to Church and religion? How does the idea of an “only true” church fit in with God’s work of salvation and history? I propose the framing “God is at work among all religions; I am grateful to belong to mine… Continue Reading

The Restoration of the Priesthood The priesthood permeates pretty much everything we do in the LDS Church. Much of the reason to be a member is tied up in the power and authority restored through Joseph Smith, culminating in saving temple ordinances. For these reasons, this lesson is a very important one. I confess that… Continue Reading

The Restoration of the Priesthood   This episode proposes that we anchor our testimonies on hierarchies or principles rather than dominoes of presuppositions. For example, let’s take a look at the components of belief in the restoration of the priesthood: Joseph Smith had authority to act in the name of God This authority came through… Continue Reading

“The First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel”   This lesson covers topics so frequently reviewed that we risk taking them for granted. We will dig deeply into the issues of faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. What is faith? Why does it need to be in Jesus… Continue Reading

“The First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel”   Faith. Repentance. Baptism. Confirmation. These principles are so familiar they risk losing meaning altogether. This updated episode invites us all to figure out not only what these foundational principles mean, but what they mean to us. It is vital that we create safe space to discover… Continue Reading

“I Will Tell You in Your Mind and in Your Heart, by the Holy Ghost” In this lesson we will discuss a topic of vital importance. How do we interpret revelation? How do we distinguish inspiration from God and our own thoughts, feelings, and desires? Once we can identify that we are receiving a prompting… Continue Reading

“I Will Tell You in Your Mind and in Your Heart, by the Holy Ghost”   This episode update explores how we can differentiate revelation from our own thoughts, as well as the balance between individual and institutional revelation. I propose that in order to become an expert at receiving and interpreting revelation, we must… Continue Reading