***DON’T WORRY! I WILL GO BACK TO MY USUAL FORMAT NEXT WEEK! I CHANGED THE INTRO, I’M FINE!! REALLY!! I JUST FELT THE SCRIPTURES NEEDED TO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES THIS WEEK. LOVE YOU. DON’T WORRY ABOUT ME ANY MORE.****
In this episode, I read the scriptures for the week with no commentary of my own. I also included two talks. Henry B Eyring, Finding Safety in Counsel and Virginia U Jensen Come Listen to a Prophets Voice.
For the Saints in the 1830s, Independence, Missouri, was literally the promised land. It was “the center place” of Zion (see Doctrine and Covenants 57:3)—the city of God on earth—which they were making great sacrifices to build. To them, the gathering of Saints there was an exciting and glorious prelude to the Second Coming. But their neighbors in the area saw things differently. They took issue with the claim that God had given the land to the Sai nts, and they were uncomfortable with the political, economic, and social consequences of so many people from an unfamiliar religion moving into the area so quickly. Soon concern turned into threats, and threats turned into persecution and violence. In July 1833, the Church’s printing office was destroyed, and in November the Saints were forced to abandon their homes in Jackson County, Missouri.
Joseph Smith was over 800 miles away in Kirtland, and this news took weeks to reach him. But the Lord knew what was happening, and He revealed to His Prophet principles of peace and encouragement that would comfort the Saints—principles that can also help us when we face persecution, when our righteous desires go unfulfilled, or when we need a reminder that our daily afflictions will eventually, somehow, “work together for [our] good” (Doctrine and Covenants 98:3).
See Saints, 1:171–93; “Waiting for the Word of the Lord,” Revelations in Context, 196–201
Very interesting choice of talks for us to listen to this week – from Elder Holland
I love your commentary and missed your comments on this episode!! You make connections between the scriptures and your daily life fit so perfectly. Keep it up – you are amazing and I enjoy your podcast so much 💞
I had a thought to share this with you in response to your experience with the 2nd video. I was studying in the Book of Mormon, looking for an answer to a specific question that I have. I have been blessed with 6 beautiful children that all have strengths and abilities that are beyond my teachings. However, there are a few that feel strongly against the prophets. I was praying and reading on how to share my testimony without offending after their angry, hurt response to Elder Holland’s talk to the faculty of BYU. Here is what God said to me: D&C 46: 7 Do all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil sprits or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men.” Then, as I continued to search He followed with this: 1 Nephi 16:2 And it came to pass…that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked according to the truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day wherefore the guilty taketh the truth to be hard for it cutteth them to the very center.”
Perhaps as I testify, my children may be cut to the very center because they are listening to the commandments of men, not of God, just as some of the listeners to your video were cut to the center. What God taught me is that to testify of truth is not the smooth, easy path, but it is the path to obedience.
Keep testifying, and I will too.
I have never felt more inspiration to respond to any podcast. But I feel this is necessary. The beginning of this podcast broke my heart. I have not been vocally anti vaccine but have been very much no. My husband and most of my family has it but I have refused for The sole purpose that any risks it gave me weren’t worth it. I have had Covid and I was fine. I have three young children that I don’t want to leave if I were to have some harsh reaction to the vaccine. I tend to roll my eyes at any severe push to either side of this vaccine debate. But I felt so inspired and touched by your last podcast. Too the point that I was converted. I felt fully that it was time to get my vaccine. I never once felt that you were posting propaganda, pushing an agenda, forcing your will out into the universe. I felt it was posting your beliefs and your interpretations and we, as voluntary listeners are to take it as we will. It drives me nuts that anyone can troll such simple statements but let alone members we hold to high standards. I am sorry for your heartache and you discomfort now to post as you have always done. I am a new follower but firmly believe you should continue as you have always done. If they don’t like it, they don’t have to listen. We love you. And thank you. I have found such struggle with my testimony over the last couple of years and truly feel e the light and spirit as I listen to you and your discussions on the come follow me program. Thank you!
Melanie,
I have listened to your podcast for a while now and have been deeply touched by the spirit I feel when you share your thoughts about the lesson. Never once have I tuned in to expect you to read to me, in fact, I lost my concentration several times. I need your thoughts, because when I am weak, you give me strength and I know that is in part an answer to my prayers to find that strength with different trials I have been going through. I know it is coming through you because you say just what I need to hear. I too have been on the fence about the vaccine and have been praying to know what Heavenly Father needs/wants me to do. I have had Covid and haven’t felt the need to receive the vaccine but after watching your video on Instagram last week about protecting those that can’t get vaccinated, I started thinking of my 8 sweet grandchildren that are too young and my daughter-in-laws that can’t be vaccinated…and yet I still sat on the fence…until your podcast this week. All of it finally came to me, lost humility, being prideful and not trusting He who knows all, had been consuming me. I do have a testimony of our prophet and if I do I NEED to follow him. I may not understand it all but you also reminded me that neither did Adam and Eve. I don’t want to be one of the 10 virgins that is not prepared and begging for someone to share their oil or weeded out of the vineyard. God knows what we need at this time. Anyone else see the correlation with the Come Follow Me lessons every week and what is happening in the world today?? If not, Pres. Eyring’s talk you linked along with this week should ring loud and clear if we are paying attention to the Spirit. I know it did with me. You want peace, FOLLOW HIM. You want calm, FOLLOW HIM. You want safety, FOLLOW HIM. So Please, please, please share your thoughts…we are living in Book of Mormon times when those that speak the truth are “verbally spit at and stoned.” I have been wondering who I am “playing” in the scriptures. Nephi or Laban and Lemuel? Not to add more pressure but I need you. I need to listen to the truths you have found through your years of deep study while I am finding my own strength to better hear Him. May you be blessed with continued inspiration to teach my weak soul in a way that I can learn.
God is good!
Much love!
Janet
I missed your insights stories and comments this week. I do understand why you did what you did this week and I LOVED the talks you added. Thank you for all you do.
Dear Melanie,
I LOVE you! I love your willingness to be like Nephi, like Capt. Moroni!!! Thank you for being brave and speaking out loud “truth”!!! You are such a wonderful example!!!
I was so saddened when I started your podcast this morning to hear the sadness in your voice!
I’m so sorry you have complainers! What I like to call “keyboard cowards”!!!!!!
It simply isn’t about any given “issue”, it’s about exactly what Pres. Eyring said in his talk…our level of faith as to how we perceive the direction given from our prophet as to how we CHOOSE to react.
As members of the church we should know better as to how we choose to react. Simply in a Christlike way, whether we are in agreement or not!!!
I personally feel that by changing the way you are going to do your podcast is giving in to the complainers! Please don’t give them that power!
We need to hear your personal stories, your testimony as you walk us through the weeks Come, Follow Me lesson!
I can not find adequate words to express to you how you have help me personally and also my relationship with my inactive sister!!!!!!!
I think being in the publics “eye” will always give those negative, mean, hateful people the opportunity to cowardly respond. BUT… we can choose to let them bother us or we can choose not to!!!
There are far more who love you, your podcast, your Instragram posts!!!! You bring such light into the world!!! This is your time to “shine”!!!!
Thank you for being courageous and speaking what is truth and the light of Christ!!!!
With love,
Kelli
Dear Melanie,
Thank you so much for your podcast this week! At first I was feeling disappointed that you would not be sharing your own personal insights and testimony with us. But I remember what you said, that this week, you felt inspired that the scriptures and the words of the prophets should stand on their own. That was a very powerful thought for me. As I listened to you read the words of the Doctrine and Covenants and the words of the prophets, and as I listened to the talks that you linked to your episode, I felt the spirit in such a powerful way. The spirit confirmed to me that what I was hearing was true. And it didn’t need to be added to, explained, or presented in a different way, for me to recognize it or feel like I could apply it to my life. By plain and simple things are great things about to pass. The words of our Heavenly Father and our Savior are plain, simple and precious. If we will let them sink into our hearts, they have the power to change us, guide us, and lead us back to our Savior. They are all we need. They are enough.
With that being said, please continue to share your testimony, thoughts and feelings. 🙂 Because they resonate with me on so many levels. Your experiences are inspiring and uplifting. They always invite the spirit. And they always leave me feeling lighter, more peaceful, and happier. I am grateful for all that you do to strengthen and lift others.
SHINE ON! 💕
Just the most perfect conference addresses & the perfect words for this week
Hang in there, sweet Melanie. ❤️
Melanie, I have been listening to you almost since the beginning. Your podcasts have brought the spirit and helped me so much. I’m so grateful you listen to the spirit as you prepare and do these podcasts. I’m also grateful for your comments on the vaccine. It helped me see even more the tender mercies we have had with this miracle.
Keep on keeping on. Don’t change a thing. I look forward to it every week.
Beth speaks so highly of your podcasts, that I have started listening now and again. President Eyring’s talk about following prophetic counsel was pitch perfect. It is so sad to hear the many reasons why church members are refusing to fax. We love to sing “Follow the Prophet” in Primary, but as adults, we set these words aside as we whistle a new tune: “I’ll do it my way.”
“vax”
Wow. Wow wow wow. I had to get on and just thank you for being such s diligent student of the gospel do that i could listen to that incredible talk by Elder Eyring.
I have the temptation (that I give into) to think “hmmm, I know someone who could use a listen to this,” but then that makes me a mote seeker. I pray that i can listen to that take again and again and see in me the weakness that can be corrected so i can continue to “get in deeper” and emerse myself in the gospel the way you have in your life.
I agree with the other comments here – it was heartbreaking listening to the lesson without your beautiful, real, and spirit-filled life applications.
I have listened to your podcast off and on since the end of last year and finally listened to episode 15 of season 1 and put it into practice slot 1.5 months.
I cannot tell you how the “red seas have parted” for me.
When I pray daily expressing gratitude for the book of Mormon and the power it has brought into my life i am more sincere than I’ve ever been. The Book of Mormon had brought a real power into my life.
Guess what? I’m not cured of all my weaknesses and foibles. But I’m seeing the pure doctrine opened before my eyes. It’s like the light has been on upstairs but someone had thrown a blanket over it and it was too dim to actually discern anything and now things are seen as they actually are. Every talk or scripture I read it just keeps coming back to the same thing over and over and over and it’s making so much sense in it’s simplicity.
Have faith in Christ, repent, keep the commandments. There is the access key to to His divine grace. Have faith. Repent. Grace. 🤍
Thank you for helping me make my head a happy place to be (more often).
Thanks for your kindness!! I love you!