Still Rowing Podcast

The word gospel, which we often hear in the Church of Jesus Christ, is defined as the “good story” or the “good news”. Ancient and modern prophets have taught repeatedly about a great Plan of Happiness set forth in the premortal council in heaven and the peace and clarity restored gospel truths can bring. Living the restored gospel brings joy to many.And yet for some Latter-day Saints, the gospel is void of this joy. For these, membership in the church isn’t a source of peace and clarity. Instead, these individuals battle constant feelings of shame, inadequacy, and overwhelm. Something is wrong with this picture. In Still Rowing episode 43, respected author, educator and speaker Terryl Givens shares how a correct understanding and embracing of the loving Father-God Joseph Smith revealed and a shift in gospel vocabulary can help alleviate the unnecessary burden of shame some carry as Latter-day Saints. Additionally, he shares how understanding the true nature and purposes of God shed clarifying and peace giving light on our relationship to our Heavenly Father, our ultimate potential and destiny as His children, and our relationship to our fellow brothers and sisters. Interested in reading Terryl and Fiona’s book, All Things New? Click on the link below. All Things New: Rethinking Sin, Salvation, and Everything in Between https://www.amazon.com/dp/1953677002/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ACB3AWJPZSYSX6M2RFTB

Imagine if you were abused physically, mentally, and sexually as a child by your priesthood-bearing father, later incarcerated for 6 years for the accidental death of your child, and then persecuted by ward members and your priesthood leader after leaving prison. Would you still choose to love God? Would you remain a believing and active Latter-day Saint? In Still Rowing episode 42, Jennete Killpack shares her remarkable story of faith in Christ and devotion to her temple covenants despite unimaginable tragedy and loss. Her example demonstrates that we can choose faith and love for God no matter our circumstances and that the Lord is ever-present, especially in our darkest moments.

In a world full of contention and division, where do you turn for answers, for freedom, for peace? For Lindsey Ohlin it used to be politics, until an event awoke her to the stark realization that her political activities and leanings were hardening her heart towards God's children and the source of her increasing anger and anxiety. In Still Rowing Episode 41, guest Lindsey Ohlin shares how she transitioned from a tumultuous life centered on politics to a peaceful life centered in Christ. She also shares insights as to how we as Latter-day Saints can heed the Savior's call to sew peace, unity, and compassion in an increasingly divided world. Want to read Lindsey's awesome article "From Politics to Peace"? Check it out here:https://latterdaypeacestudies.org/from-politics-to-peace/?fbclid=IwAR0hGLkhSwBasNROwo12Fzu83p20bs4N3C6na_cJIZ6voWNVAYBcJQa8QKgTalk cited by Elder Eyring - Our Hearts Knit As Onehttps://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2008/10/our-hearts-knit-as-one?id=title1#title1

Host Tara McCausland muses about the challenges and blessings of producing this podcast and shares some insight about the gift of time and how we choose to spend it. Want to read a great talk about the importance of how we spend our time? Listen here: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/henry-b-eyring/child-promise/

If you’ve ever felt hopeless and broken beyond repair, Michael Gregson understands. Perceived failure and depression as a youth later drove him to alcoholism and levels of shame that led to Michael wanting to end his life. But in Michael’s darkest moments, God showed up in unexpected and powerful ways which, in time, helped restore him to a life free of addiction, love for God, and compassion for all. Want to listen to Michael’s podcast “Come Towards Delight”? Check it out here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/come-towards-delight/id1514528066

Joseph Smith, the man Latter-day Saints consider to be a prophet, was a person of complexity and depth. The truth claims members of the Church of Jesus Christ make rely heavily upon the veracity of the claims made by Joseph Smith. With that much at stake, it becomes imperative that one gain a witness that Joseph was who he said who he was, saw what he said he saw, and was truly called of God to perform a great latter-day work. In episode 39, host Tara McCausland along with guest Steven Harper - professor of Church history and doctrine at BYU - discuss 4 key points that they believe provide compelling evidence of Joseph's prophetic call including Joseph's First Vision and the varied accounts, Joseph's role in bringing forth the Book of Mormon and other scripture, and the prophet's role in restoring temple worship. Interested in learning more from Steven Harper on the subject? Check out some of work here:https://stevencraigharper.com/

Have you ever felt like you’re beyond the reach of Jesus Christ’s help and forgiveness? Do you feel you aren’t good enough or worthy of God’s love? If you answered yes to these questions, Kayden Carlos has a message for you: “You don’t have to be good enough. The Savior paid the price and through his grace, love, mercy...if we place faith in Him He will meet us where we are at and help us become what we need to be.”In Still Rowing Ep.38, Kayden Carlos relates how an introduction to alcohol at age 12 soon escalated into a full-fledged drug addiction and later led him to drug dealing. This continued till the age of 18, when after a series of life-changing events, he determined he would get clean, repent, and serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ. Through it all, Kayden testifies of God’s apparent love, His willingness to “meet him where he was at” and Christ’s ability to heal and change each of us. Want to read the Deseret News article mentioned in this episode? Click here: https://www.deseret.com/platform/amp/2016/12/1/20601523/wright-words-meet-a-former-heroin-addict-dealer-who-is-now-a-returned-lds-missionary

What role does our desire to believe play in acquiring spiritual knowledge? Is there anything we can do to foster a desire to believe? What is the difference between religiosity and spirituality? Are there stages of faith and what do they look like?In Still Rowing Podcast episode 37, CES instructor and sought after speaker Jared Halverson answers these and other questions regarding the development of spiritual knowledge, faith, and how to navigate complexity — not if but when we encounter it on our faith journey. Interested in Jared’s AWESOME Come Follow Me podcast/youtube channel Unshaken? Check them out here:Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpumfWNEXE5YbL5QMjg5agAPodcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unshaken-saints/id1535358465

Have you ever had this thought?“I’m not celestial material. I’m simply not good enough.”If this sounds familiar, perhaps a greater understanding of who the babe born in Bethlehem truly was and what He came to do will increase your faith in your eternal potential.In this episode, host Tara McCausland shares what Grace is, why and how you and I can access it, and how Grace has blessed and sanctified real people in remarkable and amazing ways. Hang in till the end for a special musical medley prepared just for you by Tara. Merry Christmas!

Why is understanding the nature of God, His Son, and the Spirit so essential to our faith and testimony? How can a greater awareness of God’s character increase our trust in Him and His Plan for us? How do we reconcile the apparently wrathful God of the Old Testament and the loving Lord we see in the New Testament? In Still Rowing episode 35, guest David Butler and host Tara McCausland discuss these and other questions to help each of us develop a greater understanding and love for the Godhead - our Father in Heaven, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.Want to watch David’s awesome weekly Come Follow Me lesson? Check it out here:https://youtu.be/CZQb6yfQUBc