Consecrating Your Life

She's my mom, best friend, and former second counselor of the Relief Society General Presidency! 

On this episode we talk about how the Lord placed her into this calling, what she's learned, and how we have been blessed.

We are so excited to start hosting this podcast together!!

Carol tells me some life stories including her conversion, surviving a fire as a child, and the peace that Christ has given her when her aunt recently passed away.

Traditional ways of incorporating music in our church meetings are not necessarily the best ways or the only ways. I encourage you to think outside the box (while still following the guidelines in the Church's General Handbook). 

My ward choir performed this gospel song "Soul's Anthem" by Tori Kelly and Kirk Franklin: 

https://youtu.be/xIzFBzdXEcI

A ward my mother visited had this jazzy musical arrangement of "My Heavenly Father Loves Me":

https://youtu.be/zUjXB12wCd8

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Here's a link to the General Handbook's "Music" section:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/19-music?lang=eng#title_number11

Are single people aware that it's OK to desire sex? While we know about the law of chastity and the dangers of pornography, we don't always talk about the beautiful side of our sexuality. 

My friend Janiece and I talk about sex in a positive way. We hope to open the discussion about sex to be more optimistic, and that you will seek more information about your own sexual appetites and on how to teach the rising generation about sex.

Some resources we referenced:

Fostering a Positive Perspective of Sexuality (from the Liahona, August 2020)

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2020/08/young-adults/fostering-a-positive-perspective-of-sexuality?lang=eng&adobe_mc_ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.churchofjesuschrist.org%2Fstudy%2Fliahona%2F2020%2F08%2Fyoung-adults%2Ffostering-a-positive-perspective-of-sexuality%3Flang%3Deng&adobe_mc_sdid=SDID%3D251562DDADAC5569-073B32CFBBF2B892%7CMCORGID%3D66C5485451E56AAE0A490D45%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1647997785

How, When, and Why: Talking to Your Children about Sexuality (from the Liahona, August 2020)

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2020/08/how-when-and-why-talking-to-your-children-about-sexuality?lang=eng&adobe_mc_ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.churchofjesuschrist.org%2Fstudy%2Fliahona%2F2020%2F08%2Fhow-when-and-why-talking-to-your-children-about-sexuality%3Flang%3Deng&adobe_mc_sdid=SDID%3D6487E7EA2C50B0CB-082071A1457B714C%7CMCORGID%3D66C5485451E56AAE0A490D45%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1647997618

Jeffrey R. Holland Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-holland/souls-symbols-sacraments/

David A. Bednar We Believe in Being Chaste

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2013/04/we-believe-in-being-chaste?lang=eng&adobe_mc_ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.churchofjesuschrist.org%2Fstudy%2Fgeneral-conference%2F2013%2F04%2Fwe-believe-in-being-chaste%3Flang%3Deng&adobe_mc_sdid=SDID%3D312242A86D800ADC-19C5FB570C8E43DE%7CMCORGID%3D66C5485451E56AAE0A490D45%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1647997913

Dr. John Van Epp's RAM (Relationship Attachment Model) from his book How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk

Brady was brave enough talk openly about his pornography problem. He tells his story about how it started, how he told the people that he trusts about it, how he's learned that it's his emotions that triggers the problem, and what he's learned through the repentance process. 

Brady is from Utah, served his mission in Idaho, and currently studies mechanical engineering at UVU.

If you or someone you know struggles with pornography, the following are some resources to help:

Addiction Recovery Programs:

Search on this site to find a program near you:

addictionrecovery.churchofjesuschrist.org

The Church's Addiction Recovery 12-Step Program Manual:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/addiction-recovery-program-a-guide-to-addiction-recovery-and-healing/the-12-steps?lang=eng

Podcasts:

The Leading Saints podcast episode titled "Addressing Female Pornography Use in Relief Society: An Interview with a Former YSA Relief Society Presidency."

https://leadingsaints.org/addressing-female-pornography-use-in-relief-society-an-interview-with-a-former-ysa-relief-society-presidency/

Sara Brewer's Overcome Pornography for Good podcast:

https://www.sarabrewer.com/blog/

Any podcast episode with therapist Bo Buchi as the guest. Porn addiction is one of his specialties. 

Mariana's little brother, Aaron, has down syndrome. Because of the lack of accommodation for students with special needs in Bolivia, Mariana's family eventually moved to the United States. Mariana talks about how she and her family have been blessed by Aaron.

Lots of giggling in this episode that I was not willing to edit out!

My friend Esteban happens to be gay. He tells me about the things he learned while serving as a missionary, how he has come to know the Savior, and how he helps others feel like they belong.

Tia is a rockstar!

She tells me how she became a drummer, empowering the rising generation, and about her parents' recent divorce. She is a spiritual powerhouse!!

Jim and Matt have the most unlikely friendship.

Brother Jim Olson used to work for the FBI. He had arrested a man named Matt who spent nearly 20 years in prison. While in prison, Matt went through a complete change of heart and has been striving to live a more selfless and Christlike life ever since. 

In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, I share a story of mine when my depression was so bad that I no longer wanted to live.

Some links that I mentioned are listed below.

My blog about mental health:

iwillhealthee.blogspot.com

My article about anxiety on the Church's blog:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/the-antidote-to-anxiety?lang=eng

Mom and I were on the Latter-day Saint Women Podcast:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/latter-day-saint-women-podcast/040-reyna-aburto-and-elena-aburto?lang=eng

Mom's book "Reaching for the Savior"

https://deseretbook.com/p/reaching-for-the-savior

Mom's conference talk "Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me"

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/31aburto?lang=eng