Still Rowing Podcast

Many of us have friends and loved ones in the LGBTQ community. As members of the church, it may feel like uncertain and rocky terrain trying to navigate these complex issues and relationships. In this episode, Becky and Bennett Borden share their story of coming out, leaving the church and living in same-sex relationships for 20 years, and ultimately what led them back to the gospel and to each other. In addition, they share what they have learned along the way, and their thoughts on how we all might better serve the LGBT/SSA community of Latter-day Saints.

How do you view commandments and covenants? Do you see them as limiting your happiness or as the reason for your happiness? What motivates your obedience to commandments? In Still Rowing Ep.33, Eva Timothy describes growing up in Bulgaria under the shadow of communism. When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, Eva began her voracious search for truth and for God. Shortly thereafter she and her parents were among the first to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Eva shares some of her insights regarding communistic living vs covenant living and what has motivated her to choose obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She also shares how her artistic talent evolved and how she is now using this gift to testify of Christ. Want to check out Eva’s beautiful artwork? Instagram: Eva_timothyFacebook: Eva Koleva Timothy Website: http://www.illumea.com/illuminatio/portfolio.asp?dir=collection

I noticed a predominant theme throughout the Saturday sessions of this past October conference, hearing over and over the words unity and Zion. We heard on more than one occasion the solemn reminder that “if ye are not one, ye are not mine.”In this episode, host Tara McCausland shares some personal observations regarding the increasing polarization we are seeing politically and in public discourse and what we as disciples of Jesus Christ can do to help mend these social rifts, create more unity in our wards and communities, and help build a Zion people. Link to Elder Holland’s talk: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts/article/ces-devotionals/2012/01/israel-israel-god-is-calling?lang=eng

When life presents challenges, do you put your faith in outcomes or in Christ? What is the difference? In Still Rowing Ep.31, Christine and Jeff McClellan describe the traumatic birth of their daughter, Caroline; the subsequent challenges and blessings associated with raising a child with disabilities, and ultimately how it has strengthened their faith in Christ and God’s Plan for their family. Interested in listening to Jeff’s BYU devotional? Check it out here: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeff-mcclellan/thy-troubles-to-bless/Ensign article: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2020/06/what-my-daughters-disability-taught-me-about-grace?lang=eng

Can a prophet make mistakes and still be a prophet? Can the church be both true and imperfect? How is revelation received on a church level? What is the difference between doctrine and policy and why does it matter?In Still Rowing episode 30 and third installment of our Anchors of Faith series, host Tara McCausland and guest Brad Matheson discuss the need for a living prophet in today's world, how we can trust in and sustain these men we call prophets and seers, policy vs doctrine, and the blessings and complexity associated with belonging to the true and imperfect church.

We all deal with circumstances in our lives that can try our faith and test our endurance. For Angela Winter, those challenges have taken many forms: singleness, persistent health problems, and the sudden passing of her father. In Still Rowing episode 29, Angela Winter describes how focusing on her true identity as a child of God and relying on Christ has helped her maintain her sense of worth, purpose and sustained her through life’s rocky roads.

In the April 2020 Conference, President Dallin H. Oaks stated the following:“I share the conviction that has come to me from many letters and by reviewing many requests to return to the Church after name removal or apostasy. Many of our members do not fully understand this Plan of Salvation, which answers most questions about the doctrine and inspired policies of the restored Church.”Therefore, gaining an understanding and testimony of God’s Great Plan is key in anchoring our faith in Christ and His church. Why? Because only within that framework will mortality and the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ make sense. In this episode, Mindy Brown, author of Eve and Adam: Discovering the Beautiful Balance, and host Tara McCausland discuss the Fall, God’s Plan of Happiness for all, and how we can bridge the gap between the two.Interested in Mindy’s awesome book? Click here.https://deseretbook.com/p/eve-and-adam-discovering-beautiful-balance?variant_id=179985-hardcover

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ, we are invited to do many things as a part of our religious practice and observance. Some within our ranks may feel as though they must check all these metaphorical boxes in order to please God or be worthy of His love. This is especially true for those who suffer from a condition called Scrupulosity - a specific flavor of a familiar mental illness called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. In Still Rowing Podcast episode 27, practicing mental health therapist Jessica Champlin describes her own struggles with anxiety and OCD and how her personal journey navigating mental illness helped her uncover the true God of love - not the slave master her OCD-riddled mind once envisioned and resented. She also describes some lessons learned as a therapist now assisting others who suffer from similar conditions.

Raise your hand if regularly reading your scriptures is a struggle for you. Many of us have been there. Often when we think of scripture study, we roll our eyes and pass it off as the less-than-novel answer to many Sunday school questions. But what if daily scripture study really does possess the strengthening power our leaders testify it does? Would you be willing to experiment upon the word, cling tighter to the iron rod, and see if you can discover your own scripture power? Introducing “Anchors of Faith” - a new series within the Still Rowing Podcast - where, in addition to Latter-day Saints sharing stories of struggle and triumph on their faith journey, we will discuss a principle that will help anchor our faith in Christ and His Church. Join us for this awesome discussion with Cali Black of @ComeFollowMeStudy and ComefollowMeStudy.com and hear some insights about the unique blessings and power that stem from daily scripture study as well as some useful tips to help you make this a meaningful and “holy habit.”

Life is laced with challenges big and small and sometimes, when difficult circumstances arise, we may forget that God can help us with *even* this. In this bonus episode, Still Rowing host Tara McCausland describes how a recent challenge reminded her that God desires to help us in all things and that through the enabling power of the Atonement of Christ, we can find the strength and resilience to adapt to our circumstances and move forward in the strength of the Lord.Want to listen to Elder Bednar's awesome talk cited in the episode? Check it out here:https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/david-a-bednar/strength-lord/