Every Day Conversion

​One of the main topics Christ focused on as He taught his disciples before His death was love. 

But as I read the different things Christ taught about love, I realized that I tend to look at love in a very linear way. 

In today's episode we discuss the many attributes of love that we can discern from Christ's teachings in John 13-15. 

Questions: 

1. How do you know when someone loves you? How do they act? Talk?

2. How has Christ shown His love for you? 

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/069

"This great and last dispensation is building steadily to its climax."

That is what Elder D. Todd Christofferson said toward the end of his General Conference talk this last April.

In today's episode we're reviewing Elder Christofferson's talk and talking about how he suggests that we prepare ourselves, our families and our wards and branches for the Savior's return.

Questions: 

1. What does Zion mean to you? 

2. What can you do now - today - to help prepare the world for Christ's return? 

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/068

The value of a gift or donation is not found in the amount that is given, but in the sacrifice needed to give it.

When the Savior witnessed a widow giving two mites into the treasury, He used it to teach that profound lesson. 

In this episode we review this story and discussing what the underlying principles and lessons that can be discerned from it.

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/067

Often when we think of the parable of the ten virgins, we think of the importance of preparation. 

We think of having our own testimonies and not living off the faith and testimonies of others. 

But there is so much more that we can learn from the parable, including the importance of preparing or the Second Coming. 

I also share one of most impactful lessons I learned from one of the missionaries that I trained on my mission. 

Questions: 

1. How can we ensure that our lamps are full? 

2. How and what would you change if you knew the Second Coming was tomorrow? 

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/066

What are you focused on? That’s the question posed in this episode.

Questions:

1. What are you focused on in your life? 

2. How are you finding pockets of time each day to focus on and study the Gospel? 

It can be easy to simply read the Come, Follow Me material each week with our families and discuss what is taught in a hypothetical or intellectual way. 

 But the true value of the Gospel is when it is applied to day to day life. 

Recently, I had the opportunity to do just that with my kids, and it got me thinking about how we do do better at pointing out Gospel lessons in our daily activities. 

In today's lesson I talk about a few ideas for how to do just that - apply daily experiences to what we are learning in the Gospel. 

Questions: 

1. What can you do to get better at identifying Gospel lessons in your daily life? 

2. What is an experience that you and/or your family have had recently that you can related to a Gospel lesson?

Get all the resources mentioned at https://www.everydayconversion.com/064

As human beings we are pretty good at complicating things. 

It doesn't matter what it is, the longer it is in existence or is done, it will become more and more complex. 

Sometimes that's a good thing...I'll be honest, I am glad that our modes of transportation are more complex than horse and buggy. 

But sometimes it can be to our detriment. 

In the April 2019 General Conference, President M. Russell Ballard pled with us to not complicate things. 

In today's episode we'll review Pres. Ballard's talk and look at a few of the things he said regarding pure and simple doctrine. 

Questions: 

1. In what ways have the changes announced in the last 18 months helped us focus more on the 2 great commandments?

2. How can you simplify your life to focus more on the 2 great commandments - both spiritually and temporally?   

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/063

When the Pharisees asked Christ whether they should pay the hated poll tax enacted by the Roman government, obviously they were trying to entrap Him (as always).

But the Savior's response was simple and instructive.

"Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's..."

But the flip side of that coin (pun intended) was His statement "...and unto God the things that are God's."

In today's episode we discuss both parts of that statement, and I share a great quote from Elder James E. Talmage that sheds a different light on that latter statement.

Questions: 

1. What does it mean to you to obey, honor and sustain the law?

2. How does realizing that our souls are "stamped with the image and superscription of God" change how we view ourselves? How does it change how we view others?  

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/062

The Jews thought that by killing Christ they could put an end to His influence and His kingdom on the earth. 

Obviously, they were wrong. 

And in the days leading up to His crucifixion, the Savior shared the Parable of the Pounds - which taught that He would leave for awhile, but would return, and would expect an accounting from His followers with regards to what He had given them. 

The parable has great application for us today and we dig into it in this episode. 

Questions: 

1. What are you doing with the talents and abilities God has given you? 

2. How can you prepare yourself, your family and the Church for Christ's second coming?

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/061

If you ever thought that when Christ talked about being "meek and lowly of heart" it meant that he was going to be a "shrinking violet" and not "rock the boat" then you haven't read Matthew 23. 

In this chapter Christ figuratively takes off the gloves! 

He doesn't hold back in calling out the scribes and Pharisees for not living the gospel AND leading others to do the same. 

In this episode we'll dig into what it means when the Savior calls them "blind guides" and "hypocrites." 

Questions: 

1. Who do you guide in your life? How can you make sure you're guiding them properly?

2. What consequences can come from being - or even appearing to be - a hypocrite? 

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/060