Every Day Conversion

There are a TON of lessons that we can draw from Christ's parables. 

And yet, so many times we only draw lessons from a single side of the parable. 

It's easy to look at the parables from one side - typically the "easy" or the "safe" side...but what about the other side? 

Today's episode focuses on the parable of the two sons. 

There are lessons to be learned from BOTH sons, and we'll talk about both of them in this episode. 

Questions: 

1. What can we learn from the first son? How about the second son, what can we learn from him? 

2. What analogies can you draw from this story for you and your family? 

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/059

Nephi tells us that Satan strives to "lead us into carnal security." 

And Joseph Smith described those who missed out on the Celestial Kingdom as having not been "valiant in the testimony of Jesus."

So apparently we need to make sure that we are careful in living up to our gospel covenants. 

And that's exactly what Sis. Becky Craven's recent General Conference talk, "Careful vs Casual" talks about. 

In today's episode we dig into Sis. Craven's talk as well as several different scripture references to understand more fully how important it is to be careful in living the gospel. 

Questions: 

1. What adjustments do you need to make to be more carefully aligned with your covenants? 

2. What are the warning signs for you that you are becoming more casual? How can you make sure to recognize them sooner? 

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/058

When you get right down to it, the story of the rich young ruler is less about having or not having money or possessions and more about obedience and faith. 

I think sometimes the young man in this story gets a bad reputation, when, in fact, he is doing many things right and the scriptures even say that Christ "...beholding him loved him...". 

In this episode we talk about how this story can apply to our own life...what things we might be asked to sacrifice, and if we would be willing to do so. 

Questions: 

1. What in your life would be hard to give up if the Savior (or the prophet) asked you to? 

2. What does this story teach about obedience and faith? 

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/057

When the Pharisees asked Christ about divorce and when it was, or wasn't acceptable, He responded by appropriately reframing their focus to where it should have been all along...on marriage. 

He refused to play their games and instead reminded them that they should be looking for reasons and ways to have great (read: celestial) marriages, not for reasons to get out of their marriage through divorce. 

In today's episode we review this interaction between the Savior and the Pharisees. 

I encourage you to read the other recommended scriptures and teachings of modern prophets as well to get more insight on the doctrine and teachings on eternal marriage as well. 

Questions: 

1. What do we learn about the Lord's view on marriage from these verses? 

2. What does it mean to you when the scriptures say that those that marry "...shall be one flesh?"

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/056

As parents sometimes we can feel like all our work is for nought. 

Like it's not even worth going to church, or doing family scriptures study, family prayer or family home evening. 

But it is. 

As the Lord said, "...be not weary in well doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work..." 

Today's episode is encouragement for all those parents who have ever struggled to get something out of a sacrament meeting because of a screaming child...or for whatever other reasons have struggled, wondering if what they're doing is even making a difference. 

It is. 

Keep going! 

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/055

What would you do if you were hired to do a job for a full day and received the same pay as someone who only worked an hour? 

Would you feel cheated? 

Would you feel like it was unfair? 

That's exactly the situation that certain laborers found themselves in in a parable told by the Savior. 

And it was in response to a question posed by Peter regarding what they (the apostles) would receive for their service. 

The lessons Christ teaches in this parable are applicable to us all, and that's what we discuss in today's episode. 

Questions: 

1. How can you change your perspective from seeing what you don't have to being grateful for what you do have? 

2. What blessings did the first laborers receive that they have overlooked? What blessings are you overlooking in your life?

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/054

We're always told that the most important part of our Sabbath worship is sacrament meeting.

And that the most important part of the sacrament meeting is the ordinance of the sacrament. 

In today's episode we review Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's April 2019 General Conference talk titled "Behold the Lamb of God" which discussed in-depth the purpose and meaning of the ordinance of the sacrament. 

Question: 

1. How can we approach the ordinance of the sacrament with more reverence this week? 

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/053

For much of His ministry, Christ kept a low profile...even asking people who witnessed miracles to not tell anyone about them. 

But that all changed toward the end of His ministry. 

When we get to the raising of Lazarus from the dead, it was a miracle witnessed by many people - believers and non-believers alike. 

With all these people looking on Christ did what no mortal could do. 

Something that was clear evidence that He was, indeed, the Son of God. 

He brought a man who had been dead for 4 days back to life. 

In this episode we'll look at this event and talk about some of the things we can learn from it. 

Questions: 

1. What can we learn about patience and faith from this experience? 

2. How does this experience influence and increase your testimony that Jesus is the "resurrection and the life?" How does that testimony impact your day to day life?

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/052

The story of the ten lepers that Christ healed is a classic example of the importance of gratitude. 

But when we consider some of the details of the story, we learn that it's not just about having gratitude...it's about living a life of gratitude. 

It's about gratitude being in the forefront of your mind at all times. 

In today's episode we dig into some of those details to really understand the importance of what the grateful leper did! 

Questions: 

1. How does expressing gratitude affect us spiritually? 

2. What additional blessings do you think the grateful leper received because of his gratitude?

3. What can you do to be more grateful in your life?

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/051

Every once in awhile there is a scripture that just makes you stop and scratch your head. 

Without a doubt, the parable of the unjust steward is one of those scriptures. 

At first glance, it seems that the Savior is condoning the morally questionable and outright dishonest actions of a steward. 

But, of course, the Savior would not encourage any sort of dishonesty or sin...so what is He trying to teach us? 

That's what we discuss in today's episode, with the assistance of some insights and wisdom from Elder James E. Talmage. 

Get all the resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.everydayconversion.com/050