At this time of year, with the change in our routines, longer days, and more family around us, we might be feeling a desire to find out what is best to put our energy and focus into. Magnify's mission is to become more like the Savior and draw closer to Him, and today we wanted to remind ourselves that we can do this in any circumstance, and that can bring us the peace we are looking for. 

Patricia Holland said this, “After you have looked inward, I plead with you to look upward. The eyes that look down on yours will be those of your loving Father in Heaven who can, and will, bestow upon you all those things you hope for in righteousness. You can’t get these blessings by chasing them. Please stop running to the point of exhaustion. Be quiet; be still. Simplify.” The Lord loves effort! And when we make even small efforts to be closer to Him, we’ll find that He is there.  

Carrie's episode on stillness: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/magnify/id1643211858?i=1000662277532

Whitney's episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/magnify/id1643211858?i=1000673827823

Hilary's episode on contentment: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/magnify/id1643211858?i=1000679741732

About a month ago, we had an event called Magnify Learning Together where author Melinda Brown shared some insights about the temple from her book An Endowment of Love, and something she said has been on our minds ever since: “I believe that when we see our covenant relationships as eternal principles of loving relationships, that it’s life-changing today—not just in some distant future.” 

This served as a reminder that the temple is important to our everyday lives. We might sometimes find ourselves simply going through the motions, feeling like we’re checking a box because it’ll matter in some distant, eternal future, but when we focus on how our relationships can be strengthened through our covenants, and placing the Savior at the center of our temple experience, that can transform us and help us see the temple with a fresh perspective—and  that matters today!

Did you miss the Magnify Learning Together Zoom or in-person event with Melinda Brown? You can watch it now on YouTube! Click the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w0rE_RzXLI

Also check out the Q&A from this event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lpp__iIacPE

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In this special Magnify episode, you'll hear messages and reminders that will invigorate you to know that you are a key player in God's plan. And you're already exactly where he needs you! Sometimes it just takes a shift in perspective to see more of our divine purpose. As followers of Christ, we’re called to be His hands, speak up, and speak out, but how each of us does this will look different. As Patricia Holland said, "I am convinced of, and thrilled by, the thought that God has a will, a plan for me personally, and a plan for each and every one of you. I do believe deeply that God made each of us for an individually tailored and divine purpose. We each have a divine errand and therein lies our joy."

This episode features three stories from our past episodes. Two are names you know, and one is an ordinary, unknown woman just like all of us. All three are reminders that we are essential to God. And our unexpected, sometimes difficult, sometimes ordinary offerings can have real impact and bring us real joy.

Gaye Strathearn's episode, "How Mary Teaches Us that the Lord will Magnify Our Part"

Kaylen Nelson's episode, "Understanding Our Power, Purpose, and Potential in God's Kingdom"

Sharon Eubank's episode, "What it Takes to be an Everyday Humanitarian"

We hope this conversation will serve as a reminder to be more gentle with ourselves as we are letting the Savior mold us into who we need to be. That we don’t need to be in a rush to become better immediately, but that we can rest and find some calmness knowing we are a work in progress. In fact, this episode's guest calls it the "slow work of God."

Rachel Cope experienced a devastating medical crisis that has resulted in ongoing health struggles. And when she found out that her recovery would be a long road, Rachel tried to better understand how that slow work can become sacred. She looked to historical examples of women in Church history, which she writes about in her book The Slow Work of God. Rachel teaches Church History and Doctrine at BYU. She holds a PhD in American history with an emphasis in women’s history and religious history.

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In her very last public address, Patricia Holland said this in a worldwide devotional given to the young adults of the church: “Simplify! [God] wants us to know that the gospel is beautifully simple and simply beautiful.” She shares the most simple sequence of the gospel is to have faith, hope, and charity. She says, “Our part is to come unto Him in lowliness and simplicity, then we should worry not and fear not.” 

It’s sometimes a lot easier said than done. The Magnify podcast has previously shared how worry is not a gospel principle. And today’s guest has felt that in her own personal experience. Genny Hickman joins podcast producer Sarah Collins as she shares her story about finding hope in God’s promises and how the simplicity of the beautiful gospel has been a guiding source to her life.

“A Future Filled with Hope” worldwide devotional

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In his most recent general conference address, President Nelson said that as disciples of Jesus Christ, we have access to a different kind of confidence—a confidence that doesn’t come from what the world tells us about how to look or be or act, but that comes from having a relationship with the Lord. It's a gift that we can tap into right now! We might be wondering exactly how we can do that, and while each of us has our own path to finding confidence before the Lord, today’s guest shares that it's our covenants that are the path to our potential.

Cindy Sweat joins Brooke Walker in this episode, and she discusses five ways that she found confidence before the Lord when she stepped into new and unexpected places. She shares how these lessons were learned when she was provided an opportunity to return to school to receive her Master of Public Administration after 20 years of getting her undergraduate degree. Cindy is a teacher, a mother of 7, and a new grandmother.

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We shared a quote from Patricia Holland where she said, “my personality was created to fit precisely the mission and talents that [God] gave me.” This message has resonated with so many of us because it serves as a reminder that when we trust God to give us the energy and confidence to lean into our unique talents and abilities, we have more of His power in our lives. That power can helpe us grow in divine confidence to be our best selves.   

In this episode, guest Veeda Bybee and host Brooke Walker discuss how when we embrace who God created us to be, we feel energized. Veeda shares how this was made apparent to her when she heard a message at general conference that prompted in her a feeling to not bury her talents. Her story will inspire us to know that we don’t need to be overwhelmed or feel comparison but can be guided by our God-given gifts.

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This episode shares a powerful story that will motivate us to better see those around us through the eyes of God. Anna Rasmussen is a photographer in the suburbs of Chicago, and she had an inspirational thought while she was serving her ministering sister that led to a ward-wide photo project where she volunteered to take portraits of her entire ward. She originally set out to capture the beauty in the diversity, but what she found was unity and the ability to see others through the lens of our Heavenly Father. She shares how this taught her to love others more expansively and learn of His love for us individually.

Courtney Webb Spencer hosts this episode with photographer Anna Rasmussen. If you'd like to see the YouTube with the slideshow, click here!

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When we trust God, we can gain greater access to His power in our everyday lives. And we can be confident that He will help us increase our capacity to do things that seem miraculous. This was a lesson that was learned by Jennifer Kerns Davis when her son passed away. She knew she needed a “but if not” kind of miracle, and what she found was courage to handle the situation that was before her. This power she felt from God helped her to have confidence to trust in Him.

Brooke Walker sits down with Jennifer Kerns Davis who is a mother, a grandmother, and a connector and gatherer of all things from wildflowers to angels on both sides of the veil.

Sign up for our new event "Magnify Learning Together: Transform Your Temple Experience" by clicking the link: 

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/IIQyqWoCSVmgdHln8JXylw#/registration

A few years ago, Sister Patricia Holland passed unexpectantly. She was a powerful disciple in her own right, standing as an example and witness that God lives, that He loves us, that and keeping our focus on Him is the sure path to everlasting joy. Her daughter, Mary Alice McCann, wanted to make sure that her children and grandchildren knew what kind of blood was in their veins, so she compiled and carefully selected Sister Holland’s thoughts and teachings into a beautiful book called An Eye Single: Thoughts and Teachings from Patricia T. Holland. She joins this episode along with Michelle Torsak, executive director of content at Deseret Book, as they reflect on the powerful force for good that was Patricia T. Holland.

Order your own copy of this book here!

Don't forget to sign up for our Zoom event for Learning Together: Transform Your Temple Experience with author of An Endowment of Love Melinda Wheelright Brown. You can sign up here!