My beautiful friend Larkin came on to share her AMAZING conversion story!!

Larkin grew up in Utah as a member of the Church. As a teenager, she went through a dark period and left the Church. Eventually, she moved to Bali and Thailand to look for freedom. There, she finally found healing through the Savior Jesus Christ. 

Larkin also shares the meaning behind her tattoos, and a story of when the Lord reminded her that He does not judge people by their outward appearance. 

At just 23 years old, her story is only beginning. She has such a pure spirit about her and I'm sure you'll love her story!

Stockton came on to talk about his experience in film, working on the set of Book of Mormon videos, his humanitarian trip to Africa, and more. 

If you'd like to learn more about Humanitarian Experiences for Youth (HEFY) visit the website below:

https://www.hefy.org/

Things don't always work out the way we think they should.

Sister Bennett tells me about a time when the Lord was taking care of her without her knowing it, how God answers our individual prayers in unique ways, and how Heavenly Father has a plan for us.

Take a shot (of orange juice) every time I say the word "counsel" in this episode!

There is so much I have learned by being a leader, especially as a Relief Society President/Counselor/Secretary/Teacher in my young life. No matter what kind of calling you have, my thoughts may apply to you! 

What I would do differently next time I have a calling like those is the following:

1) Counseling with the members of the congregation instead of only counseling about them.

2) Prioritize visiting people with mental health issues.

3) As a Presidency member, I would counsel with the Relief Society teachers. 

4) Use the Church Handbook in multiple ways. Read it and counsel about it with the presidency and the members. 

5) Don't stress so much about things that go wrong. The Lord's work will continue no matter what. 

6) Constantly encourage informal get-togethers/activities. 

7) Give myself credit for what I'm doing right. 

8) Pray with all the energy of heart for love and charity.

***********************************

Julie B. Beck, BYU Women's Conference 2011

https://womensconference.byu.edu/sites/womensconference.ce.byu.edu/files/julieb_openings.pdf

The Church's General Handbook section 9.2.1.2 says that Relief Societies can counsel together, and section 8.2.1.2. says the same thing about Elder’s Quorum.

Moroni 7:48 "pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love,"

My brother Xavier (Xavi) and his wife Staci talk about how they met, their difficult first year of marriage, and how they have chosen to raise their three young boys by living righteous principles. 

Discussing agency helps us understand why God allows bad things to happen to good people. Brady tells me about some of the life lessons he's learned about choosing obedience to God over our own desires, choosing a spouse, and more!

Nick and Jennifer are the co-authors of the book, "Codependent Discipleship: Not a how-to guide," which is available on Amazon.

Codependent Discipleship: Not a how-to guide: Galieti, Nick, Roach, Jennifer: 9780578886817: Amazon.com: Books 

Codependency is a compulsive behavior that happens in relationship where one person feels like they need to fix the other. This can happen among romantic relationships or within family members or friends. This commonly happens when the other person's life is consumed by alcoholism or depression, but it can happen in other situations as well. Codependency is a behavior that is subconscious and is not a diagnosable mental health condition. 

Nick Galieti was born in Southern California and now lives in Utah. He is a broadcast and events language producer and an experienced Latter-day Saint podcast host and producer. His podcasts include Latter-day Saint MissionCast, The Good Word Podcast, and of course, Barbie does Dating. He served his mission in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He and his wife have five daughters. 

Jennifer Roach grew up in Modesto, California and currently lives in Washington state. She is a mental health and chemical dependency therapist. She received her Bachelor's degree in psychology, a masters degree in Divinity, and another Master's degree in mental health counseling. She grew up in the Baptist Church, was later ordained clergy in the Anglican church, and was converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the year 2019. She and her husband have one son.

Visit Jennifer's website for counseling and mental health resources here:

www.jenniferroachcounseling.com

Sister Seegmiller tells me about different lessons she has learned through being single with three sons, suffering with feelings of depression, and experiences which showed her that God really listens to her personal prayers. 

She quoted the following talks in this episode: 

D. Todd Christofferson's "Reflections on a Consecrated Life."

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2010/10/reflections-on-a-consecrated-life?lang=eng

Elaine S. Dalton's "He Knows You by Name." 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2005/04/he-knows-you-by-name?lang=eng

Gerrit W. Gong's "Covenant Belonging." 

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/41gong?lang=eng

My sweet friend Lexi is so amazing yet often feels like she is a terrible and inadequate person.

Lexi humbly testifies of her experience with the Savior's grace. Through her mental health struggles, she came to know what it means to be saved by grace (2 Nephi 25: 23).

****

I mention Sheri Dew's talk titled "Sweet Above All That Is Sweet" from the 2014 BYU Women's Conference.

https://womensconference.byu.edu/sites/womensconference.ce.byu.edu/files/sheri_dew.pdf

This talk is the one where David A. Bednar said it's OK to talk about the temple. :)

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/04/54bednar?lang=eng

Jeff is a young man from Australia. He talks about his difficult upbringing in an abusive home, going inactive from the Church for a while and a sudden push from the Spirit to return to church, immigrating to the U.S., and his experience as a life coach.