What does the term “Historical Jesus” mean? Need we be scared of the Jesus of scholarship? How does the quest for the Historical Jesus differ from the Jesus Christ of faith or the man Jesus of Nazareth? In this bonus episode co-produced by Mormon Matters and Feminist Mormon Housewives, Dan, Jared, Eric and Lindsay discuss… Continue Reading

Introduction to the Old Testament We need a preliminary episode before diving in to the manual for the year. In this “Lesson 0”, I go over the manual, provide a brief but intense overview of the Old Testament, talk about issues of faith, and suggest some key resources that will aid you in understanding the… Continue Reading

 “Zion—The Pure in Heart” What exactly is Zion, and how do we achieve it? Is it something we wait for, or must we build it one brick and changed heart at a time? This final episode of the year explores the nature of Zion and how we achieve it. Class Member Reading: Doctrine and Covenants… Continue Reading

“The Family Is Ordained of God” Is there anything more important than our relationships? This lessons digs deep into the principles behind healthy relationships, with a focus on marriage and parenting. This is a “two-tone” episode… we model the type of discussion that would fit in a Sunday School environment, and then discuss some of… Continue Reading

Being Good Citizens Being a good citizen in essence means to make the world a better place. In this episode, we discuss: an overview of global and US political systems the question of why we need different views and perspectives the issue of “religious freedom” how we can make a difference as individuals, families, and… Continue Reading

“Take upon You My Whole Armor” We are supposed to put on the Armor of God… but what is the battle? This episode proposes that the battle is one for our agency (an idea that should be familiar!)–our ability to act rather than be acted upon. This episode will discuss: The components of the Armor… Continue Reading

Continuing Revelation to Latter-day Prophets The message that God speaks to us today is certainly needed and comforting, but how does it work? The lesson explores the nature of revelation and broaches the topic of what revelation we have had in the Church, and the discussion digs deeper into these and other issues including: The… Continue Reading

“Every Member a Missionary” Class Member Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 1:4–5, 30; 65; 88:81; 109:72–74; D&C 115:4–6; 123:12; Our Heritage, pages 116–17, 124–25. Additional Teacher Reading: None This lesson explores some paradoxes at the heart of effective missionary efforts. Do we seek only to share what we know, or are we also expected to learn from… Continue Reading

“Finding Joy in Temple and Family History Work“ Can we be saved through stories? This episode explores the stories we tell, as we record our own experiences, document the stories of family members, and “redeem our dead”–first by rediscovering them and keeping their stories alive and then doing their temple work. Bradley leads an informed… Continue Reading