In this incredibly insightful episode of Temple Bound, we sit down with Mark and Mandy Mathews, a Stake President and veteran Seminaries and Institutes teacher, and author of the groundbreaking book, Understanding Your Temple Experience. Mark shares the passion that drove him to write this vital guide, the heartbreak of a newly endowed student who felt "confused" by the temple endowment.

Mark explains how his book, praised by the hosts as the book they wish they had before their first temple experience, addresses the modern generation's need for greater transparency and preparation regarding sacred ordinances.

We explore how to effectively prepare for the temple, focusing on Mark's core framework: the temple is the Lord's invitation to meet with us here and now.

Key Takeaways You'll Discover:

• Preparing for God's Presence: Mark outlines the ultimate purpose of the temple: everything is a journey back to the presence of God.
• The Initiatory as Preparation: Understand the three phases of the Initiatory—washing, anointing, and clothing—as a necessary cleansing from the "blood and sins of this wicked generation" and a spiritual coronation ceremony .
• The Garment as a Sacred Symbol: Deepen your appreciation for the temple garment as a literal symbol of being "covered by Christ" and a daily affirmation of your covenants, armed with spiritual power.
• Seeing Past the "Wrapping Paper": Learn how to focus on the gifts of the endowment rather than getting distracted by the "Old Testament wrapping paper" of unfamiliar ritual and symbolism.
• The Endowment as a Vision: Mark explains why the endowment session is essentially an opportunity to receive a "visual revelation"—a sacred, personal vision of the Plan of Salvation, much like Moses and Abraham.
• Temple Marriage is the Gate: Discover the profound doctrinal truth that eternal marriage is the "gate to exaltation," unlocking the capacity to become like our Heavenly Parents and receive a "continuation of the seeds forever."
• President Nelson’s Promise: The one key takeaway Mark shares to help any sincere seeker: "Every sincere seeker of Jesus Christ will find him in the temple."

Whether you are preparing for your first temple visit or seeking to deepen your understanding after years of attendance, this episode will provide the framework, knowledge, and comfort you need to appreciate the sacred beauty and power of the house of the Lord.

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This week on Temple Bound, prepare for the most fun you've ever had listening to an episode! We welcome the incredibly talented and viral Latter-day Saint comedian and musician, Emily Pack.

Emily, known for her uplifting, positive, and hilarious ukulele songs about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints culture, shares her powerful conversion story—an arc filled with light and darkness, humor and healing.

She opens up about battling generalized anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and how mental health professionals encouraged her "Hail Mary" return to the Church, leading her to realize that true healing and purpose were found in the gospel.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

• Laughter is of the Spirit: Emily discusses how her comedy is an expression of her testimony, emphasizing that the spirit is multilingual and that humor can be a profound way to share the truth and love of Jesus Christ.
• The Power of Belonging: Hear about Emily's journey from feeling like a "ghost" who didn't belong to realizing her place as a daughter of God, particularly within the walls of the temple.
• Temple Revelations: Emily shares intimate, funny, and powerful moments of receiving personal revelation in the temple, including a moving experience with a clipboard at the veil, which brought an unexpected sense of empowerment.
• Change in the Church: The conversation dives into recent changes in Church policies and practices, like the new temple garment styles, and how they relate to the unchanging Atonement of Jesus Christ (the "trunk of the tree").
• Live Performances: The episode is bookended by Emily performing beautiful and hilarious songs, including her viral "Tank Top Garment Song" and the beautiful hymn "The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning."

Join us for a conversation that will leave you laughing and deeply moved, as Emily reminds us all that we don't have to be anything other than 100% who we are to be a loved child of God.

Listen, subscribe, and share!

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Host Will Humphreys welcomes former Primary President Lari Hunt for an inspired discussion on how even the youngest members of the Church can become powerful leaders in the work of salvation. Lari shares her journey, prompted by the direction of former General Primary President Joy D. Jones, to ignite a fire in her ward—starting with the Primary children.

This episode reveals the powerful, often-unseen potential of involving children in finding ancestors, indexing, and preparing names for temple ordinances. Lari shares incredible, faith-building experiences where children, sometimes as young as five, led adults (including their parents and ward leaders) in completing temple work.

Key Takeaways & Discussion Points:

• The Power of Peer Teaching (0:18:48): Lari emphasizes that you don't need to be a technology expert; it's often more powerful to learn alongside your child. When kids teach each other, they retain the concepts better and boost their confidence.
• A "Why" for Baptism and Beyond (0:29:18): Learn how to transfer the excitement of a child's baptism to temple and family history work, giving them a purpose (a "why") immediately after they are baptized.
• The 100 Ancestors in 100 Days Challenge (0:40:13): Hear the full, faith-promoting story of the ward-wide challenge that saw Primary children inspiring youth, adults, and even ward council members to complete 117 ordinances in the first year!
• Let the Kids Take the Wheel (0:48:20): Lari shares crucial advice on how to structure activities to let children lead the technology and the finding process, rather than the adults taking over.
• Anchor Your Testimony (0:56:25): Lari shares her powerful, multi-generational testimony of the promises and miracles that flow into your life when you put temple and family history work together.

This discussion is essential for Primary leaders, parents, and grandparents seeking spiritual inspiration and practical ways to involve their children in gathering Israel.

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Will Humphreys with author and temple educator Melinda Wheelwright Brown to discuss her powerful book, An Endowment of Love: Embracing Christ’s Covenant Way of Living and Loving. This episode is a must-listen for anyone preparing for the temple or seeking a deeper, more expansive understanding of the covenants we make.

Melinda shares the key mental shifts that can transform the way we view the temple. Learn why we should think of the core covenants, obedience, sacrifice, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, chastity, and consecration, not as rigid laws, but as eternal principles of love that bless every relationship in our lives. Discover why the endowment is a "starting point, not a finish line," and how understanding God’s love as preceding everything we do is fundamental to our covenant path.

Key Takeaways:

• Reframing the Five Laws: Learn to view laws like obedience and sacrifice as principles of loyalty, trust, commitment, and investment in every relationship.
• Temple Anxiety: Melinda offers profound insights to relieve the pressure of the first visit, emphasizing that the core message is God’s love and your belonging.
• Thinking Bigger: Discover the expansive nature of the law of chastity as reverence for life and the law of consecration as a stewardship mindset—a partnership with Christ to build Zion.

Christ's Covenant Way of Living and Loving

Melinda re-frames the five temple covenants, offering a "bigger, more expansive idea" that helps us apply them instantly to our lives outside the temple doors: DOWNLOAD WORKSHEET HERE.

This insightful discussion will help you fine-tune your vision to see all things more divinely and apply the power of the temple instantly to your daily life.

Temple Bound is in Kenya!

We’ve officially arrived! From November 2nd to 9th, we’re partnering with a local group to help members of the Church attend the temple for the very first time.

Here’s how you can be part of this incredible experience:

• Follow the Journey: Tune in to our daily podcast episodes as we share stories and updates straight from Kenya. Follow us on all social media platforms to see the impact unfold in real time.
•  Support the Mission:We’re raising funds for essential medical supplies, food, and shelter for a local orphanage. Every donation makes a direct difference here on the ground. 

 Book Giveaway Alert!

We're giving away copies of An Endowment of Love by Melinda Wheelwright Brown! Want to win and dive deeper into these concepts?

How to Enter:

1. Listen to this episode of Temple Bound.
2. Answer this question (found within the episode discussion): What two basic premises does Melinda say can relieve the pressure of not knowing what's ahead in the temple?
3. Go and follow our Instagram page (@templeboundpodcast).
4. Find the giveaway post and comment your answer and tag two friends who would love this book!

Giveaway closes November 10, 2025. Winners will be notified via Instagram DM.

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Parenting can make it hard to inspire a passion for temple worship in our kids, but today’s guest, Jacki Hanks, shares a miraculous story that completely changed her family’s culture. What started as a competitive "game" between siblings snowballed into an outpouring of faith, resulting in her family completing over 15,000 temple ordinances in a single year!

Jacki shares the pivotal moment, a flat tire turned spiritual victory that ignited their fire for temple service. Hear how they leveraged family dynamics, technology like the Get Involved App, and a competitive spirit to co-create a sustainable, powerful, and deeply spiritual family tradition. This story is an unforgettable testament to the Spirit of Elijah and the blessings of making the temple a central part of family life.

Jacki's journey from feeling like a "loser" to seeing her entire family, friends, and community rally around a massive goal will inspire you to find the "game" that works for your family.

Key Takeaways & Discussion Points

• Finding the Game: How to create engaging, co-created experiences that make temple worship fun for your children.
• The Power of Resilience: Turning setbacks (like a flat tire) into spiritual victories, denying the adversary a win.
• Gamification & Technology: Leveraging apps like FamilySearch and the Get Involved App to make indexing and family history engaging.
• Consistency is Key: Why frequent temple attendance can become a spiritual "high" that families miss when it's absent.
• Thinking Big: Setting "impossible" goals (like 15,000 ordinances) to force exponential spiritual growth.

Travel Opportunity & Humanitarian Appeal!

Temple Bound is going to Kenya! From November 2nd through the 9th, we are partnering with a local group to help members of the church attend the temple for the very first time.

How you can join this effort:

1. Follow Us Remotely: Check out our daily podcast episodes while we're over there. Follow us on all social media platforms to track our journey and see the impact.
2. Donate: We are also raising money for crucial medical supplies, food, and shelter for a local orphanage. 
3. Come With Us: We have a limited number of seats available for those who want to join this effort of sharing good overseas! Please reach out to learn more.

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In this inspiring episode of Temple Bound, host Will Humphreys talks with Isabel Dizon "Sab" about her journey of finding deeper faith and resilience after a devastating typhoon hit her family in the Philippines.

The conversation takes a powerful turn as Sab describes the terrifying moment when Typhoon Egay (Typhoon Emong) flooded their home in La Union, Philippines, in July. With water rising fast and roads blocked by fallen trees, she and her husband led their terrified children in worship and prayer to find calm amidst the chaos. They lost their home and many possessions, yet they held onto a profound sense of hope.

Key Takeaways from Sab’s Story:

• Storms as a Path to Purpose: Sab shares her powerful realization: "Sometimes God allows storms not to break us but to bring us somewhere we are meant to be."
• Letting Go and Receiving Blessings: Amidst their losses, the family decided to let go of their destroyed possessions, trusting that God would provide. They were surprised by a small but significant miracle when appliances they thought were ruined still worked.
• Compensating Blessings: After being like "nomads" for months, moving between Airbnbs and family homes just for a shower and electricity, the family moved to a new home in Manila in October. Sab highlights the peace of mind and security they now have, as well as being closer to family, as compensating blessings from God.
• Greater Confidence in Christ: Sab’s biggest takeaway from the trial is a dramatically improved confidence in Christ. She learned to trust Him more deeply, realizing that God never leaves us, even in the storm.
• The Power of Hesed: Sab discusses the Hebrew word Hesed (loving-kindness or mercy), learning that God's faithful, unfailing love was made manifest through the kindness of Will, the Temple Bound team, and others who supported her family.
• Temple Bound as a Spiritual Tool: Sab shares how working on the podcast and engaging with the messages, even as a non-member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has transformed her personal faith and deepened her relationship with Jesus Christ. She realizes the temple is us and that we are all responsible for spreading the word of Christ.

Will and Sab also discuss the nature of temples for Latter-day Saints and the opportunity for everyone to visit a temple open house to learn more about the structure and covenants that unite us all in the love of the Savior.

Join us for this deeply moving and uplifting discussion on faith, resilience, and the power of finding Jesus in the midst of life's greatest challenges. You won't want to miss it.

Temple Bound is Going to Kenya!

Will you join us? Temple Bound is heading to Kenya, Africa, November 2nd through the 9th, to help a local group of members attend the temple for the first time! We are also raising money for an orphanage to provide medical supplies, food, and shelter.

How You Can Help:

1. Follow Us: Stay connected and follow our daily journey on social media! Follow us on Instagram: @TempleBoundPodcast
2. Donate: Support our humanitarian efforts via https://www.gofundme.com/f/templebound-in-africa

Come With Us: We have a limited number of seats! Reach out to join us in sharing this good work overseas.

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Have you ever struggled with the feeling that you’re just not measuring up? In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the concept of toxic perfectionism and the freedom found in truly understanding the Savior’s commandment, "Be ye therefore perfect." Our guest Jeff Benintendi shares his intensely personal 25-year struggle with self-doubt and feeling unworthy, even while serving faithfully in the Church and as a temple worker.

Inspired by a talk from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, we explore how the adversary distorts the gospel’s ideals, turning commandments into a source of self-loathing and despair. Jeff recounts a powerful, life-changing blessing he received that instantly lifted the burden of his chronic lack of peace of conscience, opening the floodgates to finding joy in the temple and a new perspective on true worthiness.

We discuss the vital distinction between toxic perfectionism, the fruitless self-battering that Satan loves to encourage, and being perfected in Christ, a surrender to His power and a focus on His achievements over our own failures. Learn how to discern the negative, shaming whispers of the adversary from the loving, encouraging voice of the Spirit, and discover how to finally give up the impossible quest for perfect performance to embrace the joy of the Atonement.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who feels overwhelmed by the constant comparison of their "worst to everyone else's best," and who is ready to receive the peace that Christ offers.

Key Discussion Points:

• Elder Holland's sympathetic counsel on feelings of self-doubt and belonging.
• The adversary's masterful craft of turning covenants into curses and inspiration into self-loathing.
• How comparing your "worst" to others' "best" is a destructive path.
• The true meaning of the commandment to "Be ye therefore perfect" as a tribute to God and what we can achieve with Him.
• Jeff's 25-year struggle with feelings of unworthiness and the spiritual breakthrough that brought instant peace.
• Discerning between the Spirit's voice and the adversary's shaming whispers.
• Why "beating up on ourselves" is ineffective and harmful to true spiritual growth.
• The difference between toxic perfectionism (giving up the self-imposed, impossible performance) and being perfected in Christ (surrendering to the Savior's grace).

It's time to stop comparing your worst to everyone else's best. Discover the freedom in surrendering the impossible quest for perfect performance and embracing being perfected in Christ. Learn how to discern the shaming whispers of darkness from the loving voice of the Spirit, and find the joy and worthiness that are truly yours.

Temple Bound is Going to Kenya!

Will you join us? Temple Bound is heading to Kenya, Africa, November 2nd through the 9th, to help a local group of members attend the temple for the first time! We are also raising money for an orphanage to provide medical supplies, food, and shelter.

How You Can Help:

1. Follow Us: Stay connected and follow our daily journey on social media! Follow us on Instagram: @TempleBoundPodcast
2. Donate: Support our humanitarian efforts via https://www.gofundme.com/f/templebound-in-africa
3. Come With Us: We have a limited number of seats! Reach out to join us in sharing this good work overseas.

Thanks for listening! If this episode inspired you, please share it with a friend who might be contemplating temple service.

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Is Your Life TOO Busy for Temple Service? Find Out Why Bart McDonald Said YES to Being an Ordinance Worker!

Many of us believe that serving as a temple ordinance worker is a calling reserved for retirement or when life finally slows down. But what if the Lord is asking you to serve right now, in the middle of your busiest season?

In this inspiring episode of Temple Bound, host Will speaks with Bart McDonald, a business builder, father, and former bishop who accepted the invitation to serve in the temple before his life quieted down.

Bart shares his personal journey of balancing a demanding work schedule (including a company merger!), raising a family, and serving in the Church, all while finding time to serve in the temple every week. Discover how this commitment profoundly changed his schedule, marriage, discipleship, and heart, proving that making an appointment with the Lord is possible, and vital, no matter how full your plate is.

Tune in to hear Bart discuss:

• The spiritual nudge to serve in the temple that just wouldn't leave him alone
• How the Lord "parted the Red Sea of time" to provide extra energy and sanity to his busy life
• His experience as a Baptistry Coordinator and the profound insights he gained while serving side-by-side with his wife 
• The incredible spiritual power of seeing youth and pre-missionaries embrace temple service 
• How serving as an ordinance worker became "the most impactful way" he’s ever served the Lord, changing his heart and priorities
• The modern shift in temple work: The emphasis is now on spiritual preparation and impact, not perfect memorization
• A powerful, heart-searing story of a father and his 11-year-old daughter in the baptistry that illustrates the "gathering of Israel on both sides of the veil"

If you've ever thought, "I don't have time," this conversation will inspire you to take it to the Lord and find a way to serve in His house now.

Temple Bound is Going to Kenya!

Will you join us? Temple Bound is heading to Kenya, Africa, November 2nd through the 9th, to help a local group of members attend the temple for the first time! We are also raising money for an orphanage to provide medical supplies, food, and shelter.

How You Can Help:

1. Follow Us: Stay connected and follow our daily journey on social media! Follow us on Instagram: @TempleBoundPodcast
2. Donate: Support our humanitarian efforts via https://www.gofundme.com/f/templebound-in-africa
3. Come With Us: We have a limited number of seats! Reach out to join us in sharing this good work overseas.

Thanks for listening! If this episode inspired you, please share it with a friend who might be contemplating temple service.

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Feeling anxious about the Second Coming? Join host Will Humphreys and guest Rachele Bascom as they explore Elder Dale G. Renlund's talk, "Personal Preparation to Meet the Savior," and discover how preparing for Christ's return can bring peace and joy.

In this episode, they discuss the three parables Jesus shared to help us prepare for His Second Coming:

1. The Parable of the Ten Virgins: Learn how to "add drops of oil" to your lamp and avoid deception by focusing on Christ and inviting the Holy Ghost.
2. The Parable of the Talents: Understand the importance of magnifying your unique abilities and avoiding the "thief of joy"—unhealthy comparison.
3. The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats: Discover how serving others is a key way to serve God and become the leaders He wants us to be.

Rachele also shares her family's theme, "Focus on Christ," and how it has transformed their daily lives, helping them recognize the hand of God and feel more confident in their discipleship. They also discuss the power of the temple, consistency in our efforts, and how to teach children to trust the Lord and find their identity as sons and daughters of God.

Key Takeaways:

• Preparation over Fear: The goal of personal preparation is not to live in fear but to find joy and confidence in the process.
• Consistency is Effort: Consistency doesn't mean perfection; it means continually trying, getting up when you fall, and putting forth sincere effort.
• The Power of the Holy Ghost: Helping children recognize how they "feel" when exposed to different media or people can help them learn to listen to the Spirit and avoid deception.
• Service brings Joy: Deflecting focus from ourselves and serving others is one of the quickest ways to find happiness and draw closer to the Savior.
• Find Your Joy: Simplify your personal preparation by focusing on Christ, and you will find that living the gospel is a source of optimism, not anxiety.

Listen now and learn how to feel more prepared and joyful as you prepare to meet the Savior!

Learn More & Connect

• Support Temple Bound: Learn about our humanitarian trip to Kenya and how you can help! Here’s a GoFundMe link to donate medical supplies, food, and shelter for a local orphanage. >> https://www.gofundme.com/f/templebound-in-africa
• Come with Us! We have a limited number of seats available for our humanitarian trip to Kenya from November 2nd-9th.
• Follow us on social media for daily updates from our trip.

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In this episode of Temple Bound, host Will Humphreys is joined by Bishop Brock Booher and his wife, Britt, for a heartfelt conversation on the principle of sustaining—inspired by Elder Ronald A. Rasband’s General Conference talk, “Behold, I Am the Light Which Ye Shall Hold Up.”

The Boohers share personal stories, including their family’s pioneer journey to the Manti Temple, and expand the idea of what it means to be a pioneer in today’s Church. Together, they explore:

• How sustaining leaders and loved ones strengthens families and wards
• Why bishops and their families need trust, grace, and support
• The connection between seeking counsel from leaders and receiving revelation in the temple
• How living our covenants and sustaining the prophet helps us “hold up the Lord’s light”
• Practical ways the temple helps us discern truth from error

The episode also spotlights an upcoming humanitarian trip to Kenya, supporting Saints in attending the temple for the first time and raising funds for a local orphanage.

Whether you’re a new convert, lifelong member, or simply looking for inspiration, this episode will deepen your understanding of sustaining and its role in building faith legacies for generations to come.

Learn More & Connect

• Support Temple Bound: Learn about our humanitarian trip to Kenya and how you can help! Here’s a GoFundMe link to donate medical supplies, food, and shelter for a local orphanage - https://www.gofundme.com/f/templebound-in-africa
• Come with Us! We have a limited number of seats available for our humanitarian trip to Kenya from November 2nd-9th.
• Follow us on social media for daily updates from our trip.

Please leave us a review and let us know what topics you'd love to hear about next!

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