Every Day Conversion

Judas Iscariot is, perhaps, the greatest villain in all human history, and it's easy to paint him as a purely evil man who was motivated by a little money to betray the Savior of the world.

However, if we paint him in this light - as purely evil - we may miss many important lessons (and warnings) that can be derived from his actions.

Judas had shortcomings, and those shortcomings culminated in someone's death. And that someone happened to be the most important figure in all of human history.

So this episode is NOT trying to explain away bad choices on Judas' part...rather it's looking at how he got to the point that he could, quite literally, sell his soul to the devil.

Questions: 

1. What lessons stick out to you from Judas' actions? 

2. How does Satan try to influence and deceive you, personally? What can you do to guard yourself?

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/079

When did Christ "become" the Savior of the world? 

Was it at the Council in Heaven prior to the creation? 

Or was it when He was born in Bethlehem? 

Or was it when He entered the Garden of Gethsemane or was nailed to the cross? 

Well, this past week in Gospel Doctrine I heard a quote from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland that changed my perspective of the answer to that very question. 

In today's episode we dig into it - both Elder Holland's quote and my thoughts following it.

Questions: 

1. What promises have you been promised or have you been "ordained" to receive?

2. What must you do to ensure that these promises are fulfilled? 

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/078

You may have heard that Edmund Burke quote...

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

It's a profound quote...and one that immediately came to mind as I was reading the account of Pilate's interactions with the Savior, the leaders of the Jews and the multitude of people that were demanding that He be crucified. 

It's almost laughable that Pilate thought that he could absolve himself of any responsibility for what was about to happen to the Jesus Christ.

In today's episode we'll review this event...and look at what we can learn from it to apply in our own lives.

Questions: 

1. In what ways are you asked to stand up for Jesus Christ and the Gospel in your life? 

2. Why is it important to stand for what is right, even if you stand alone? 

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/077

Remembering is a powerful thing. 

So much so that the main command or invitation of the ordinance of the sacrament is to...you got it, remember! 

But Satan has done his best to try to remove this command from the sacrament all together. 

In today's episode we talk about the importance of remembering. 

Questions: 

1. What can we learn about humility and not trusting solely in our own strengths from Peter's denial? 

2. How can the Holy Ghost help us remain faithful and overcome trials and adversities in our own lives? 

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/076

When you look at the Peter of the Gospels compared to the Peter we meet in the book of Acts there is a stark difference. 

In the Gospels we have Peter denying that he even KNOWS the Savior (not once, not twice...but THREE times)...

In Acts we have Peter bearing testimony to thousands that Jesus is the Christ, being imprisoned by the high priest and other Jewish leaders and then facing them and not only testifying of Christ, but essentially calling them murderers! 

...and this wasn't years later when Peter had studied, matured and grown as a leader...this was less than two months later! 

So why the change? 

What happened in those two months? 

Well, that's what we're going to discuss in today's episode. 

Questions: 

1. What can we learn about humility and not trusting solely in our own strengths from Peter's denial? 

2. How can the Holy Ghost help us remain faithful and overcome trials and adversities in our own lives? 

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/075

Sometimes the best way that we can serve others has nothing to do with actually serving at all...it has to do with allowing others to serve us.

And that is a hard thing to do.

And that's what today's episode is all about.

If you struggle with accepting service from others (Like I do...), then this episode is for you! 

We'll review Mary's service toward the Savior, as well as some of the context around that service.

Questions: 

1. When was a time in your own life that the "practical" choice wasn't actually the "right" or "best" choice? 

2. Why is it important to allow others to serve us at times? 

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/074

Sometimes I think the words "testimony" and "conversion" can end up being used interchangeably...

But they aren't the same thing!

In today's episode we'll look at what each of these words means...and the difference between them.

We'll do so by reviewing Christ's conversation with Peter in the New Testament, as well as the teachings of a modern day apostle.

Questions: 

1. What can you do today to strengthen and deepen your own conversion?

2. Why is it important for us to be converted before strengthening others? 

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/073

In his April 2019 General Conference address, Elder Mathias Held of the Seventy talked about how we have been given two sources of information, and that the ability to utilize BOTH sources effectively generates the most complete and accurate picture.

The first of these sources is our ability to reason and our physical capacities.

And the second is the Holy Ghost and our spiritual discernment.

Both are God-given and both are vital to understanding our divine potential and successfully following the Gospel path.

In today's episode we'll review more of Elder Held's talk and discuss what it means for us individually.

Questions: 

1. Which is harder for you? Listening to the promptings of the Spirit? Or searching things out with your rational mind? 

2. How can our reasoning and physical capabilities support our spiritual discernment, and vice versa? 

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/072

When the Savior told his disciples "I will not leave you comfortless." it was an extremely powerful promise!

More so than I think we typically think!

In today's episode I share why I think that is the case...and what it means for us personally regarding the blessing that the Holy Ghost can be in our lives.

Questions: 

1. What do you learn in John 14-16 about the mission of the Holy Ghost?

2. When was a time that the Spirit comforted you? 

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/071

What does it mean to "abide in Christ?"

That's the question we ask in today's episode. 

What does it mean to "abide in Christ," and how does it connect to being "perfect in Christ" and "relying wholly upon [His] merits." 

The answer to those questions and the realization I had as I was recording this episode were extremely impactful for me, and I hope they will be for you as well. 

Questions: 

1. What does the vine and branches imagery teach you about your relationship with Christ? 

2. What does it mean to you to "abide in Christ?" 

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/070