Paradigm shifts are very healthy for you. A paradigm shift is defined as “a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions”. Yet, paradigm shifts are rare. We are used to looking at things in the same way. Yet, with age and experience, perspectives can change. They seem to come in waves, as if one epiphany opens up others. Here are a few of my most recent realizations that I’d like to share with you about Prayer, Tithing, Fasting, Temple Attendance, Gospel Study, Revelation, and the Priesthood.

The Anthropic Principle:

I saw a teenage girl the other day with a tee shirt on that read, “Yes, the Universe Does Revolve Around Me!” I loved this self-confident, though somewhat exaggerated, take on life. My message today is that, if that young lady will allow the rest of mankind to join her at the center of the universe, she is correct. All together, including civilizations of mankind that live on other planets, the universe really was built for mankind. In summary, the universe, Earth, and life itself are so elegantly designed, so intricately complex, and so purposefully created to provide for every need of intelligent life, that the Creation cannot possibly be attributed to random chance. God is the Supreme Creator of our Universe.

Last week, I posted a podcast about Tribalism and how it can cause fractures in our church and world. One of the signs indicating you are practicing tribalism is whether you are developing conspiracy theories. Don’t scoff. Conspiracy theories have been with us since days of old and we find a number of them in our scriptures. Conspiracy theories were rampant in the 1960s and 70s. It was widely rumored that the assassination of John F. Kennedy was a conspiracy of political and corporate leaders. Some believed that the moon landing was a hoax. It got so bad that a public backlash against conspiracy theories occurred. But COVID changed everything and conspiracy theories have made a new appearance into public discourse. But conspiracy theories allow emotion to overrule reason in your mind and is something that should be fought against, as will be discussed.

There are certain instincts and mental tendencies that we have that get in the way of recognizing and following truth. If we are not aware of these mental barriers, they can lead us astray. This week we are going to discuss Tribalism, which is an instinct we have to give devoted loyalty to our chosen social, religious, or political groups. Tribalism served early hunter-gatherers several functions, all of which enhanced members survival. Tribalism is an instinct.

Tribalism seems to be affecting everyone to some extent. I have witnessed my friends and family change over the past several years. In regard to political issues, they have become more intractable, intolerant, and even aggressive in defense of their beliefs. Some tribes have armed themselves, stockpiling guns and ammunition to battle the other tribes, or their own government, when society breaks apart. Tribalism is real, it is fracturing our world, and, in some cases, our Church.

Besides being accurate, the teachings we receive on Sunday must also be relevant to the lives we live between Monday and Saturday. That may sound obvious to everyone… but our spiritual and temporal lives have been pulled apart for centuries and it has gotten harder to recognize the relevancy of our temporal lives to our spiritual. Our young adult members live in difficult times, and they need to find that relevancy. So whether the topic is on tithing, chastity, or prayer, the its teaching must include recognition of both the difficulties and the blessings of obedience on this side of the veil and the other side as well. Newton’s Laws tell us that for every action in the physical world there is an equal and opposite reaction. Gospel Law tells us that for every action in the physical world, there is an equally important action in the spiritual world. There are only a few precepts of the Gospel upon which you must have faith. This is one of them, but it is essential for us to understand relevancy.

I have mentioned in past podcast episodes and books that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is losing many of its young adult members to inactivity. Millennials, born between 1981 – 1995, were the first to start the exodus. But church members in the I-Generation, born between 1995 – 2012, are not far behind. It would be easiest to simply blame these generations for their lack of faith and accept their departures. However, what does that approach mean for the church in, say, 20 years as our faithful elderly members die and our younger adults leave?

What kind of experiences are being had by wavering Millennial members who attend your ward? Can you as a ward member make those experiences better? The departure of young adults from the Church has made it clear that changes are now vitally necessary. This podcast episode is structured to address these issues.

One of the blessings that the righteous are promised in the afterlife is POWER. We read of it in our scriptures, and we hear of it in our temple ordinances. Even children want to have more power over their lives. Your daughter’s “Terrible Twos” is basically your child deciding that she wants more control over her own life. As teenagers, the power struggles worsen. The best example of the “unpopular-kid-who-gets-superpowers” storyline are found in the books and movies about a young man named Harry Potter. I interview my two granddaughters so they can explain Harry and Hermione's powers. We are promised more power in the afterlife, and we can learn about those powers from what the apostles of the New Testament were given.

Today we are going to scientifically evaluate the miracles of Jesus and discuss how the Savior may have worked His miracles. We evaluate His miracles of making of wine and food, healing, walking on water, raising the dead to life, and resurrection. How might He have accomplished those miracles?

I understand that each new generation has new outlooks on the world, on God, and on the reasons for the universe. But, in the long run, it seems that people are losing their connection to their moral centers or, if you will, their consciences. Maybe each one of us needs to conduct an audit of our moral centers. What are our moral values? This episode discusses where our morals come from, Terri Schiavo, Jack Kevorkian, and the movie "Sommersby".

The first weeks of a new year are a good time to reflect on your life. After all, New Year’s resolutions are simply a form of repentance. So, I am going to ask you what I deem, The Most Important Question of Life, “What do you want?”

The question, “What do you want?” slices through all the justifications, excuses, and complaints of an indecisive person. As the saying goes, the question cuts to the chase. What do you want?

In 1943, psychologist Abraham Maslow developed the Theory of Human Motivation which came to be called Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. To answer the question, “What do you want?”, we consider these needs. I realize everyone is very, very busy. Until the day you have more time, I would like to suggest that you look for "Ethereal Moments”, or moments to step out of the world for a few seconds. Such moments are described in this episode - and may help answer, "What do I want?"