Edified: Insights for LDS Women

Three questions I am frequently asked by listeners are, "How did you come to join the church? Why did you fall away? And what was it that made you return?" These are loaded questions! But they're also awesome questions! We've seen this quote time and again on social media and heard it on podcasts, "My story is my superpower." And you know what? I'm a believer. My stories create the tapestry of who I am today. And I love that person. Flawed? Of course. Still stubborn and prideful? Occasionally. Okay, maybe a little more often than I'd like to admit. A woman with a past riddled with mistakes and missteps? Um, yeah. But all these things have given me experience and the Lord has miraculously made them work for my good -- just as He promises He will in the scriptures. In this episode, I share how the gift of truth led me to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I've share repeatedly that I was not raised in a religious home. And that's absolutely true. Despite this fact, however, I've come to understand the powerful role my parents played in preparing me to receive and embrace the message of the gospel. They taught me tender truths very early in my upbringing that planted in my heart the seed of faith--and then they gave me the opportunities to nurture those seeds. After a great deal of reflection, I recognize just how blessed I was to be given the gift of truth by my parents--not, perhaps, in the traditional sense of religious upbringing, but in a very real sense nonetheless. I invite you to walk with me a moment and into my story--back to where my search for God and His Heaven all began. Enjoy. You can view a complete transcript of this episode by clicking on this link. 

Several weeks ago, I invited listeners to “ask me anything,” and I promised I would answer their questions in a future episode. Well, I wasn't prepared for some of the questions. One question, in particular, caught me off guard and kind of derailed me for a few weeks. This is not something I want to talk about. “Ask me anything,” I said. But what I should have said is, “You can ask me anything--anything, but that!” I've known for weeks this story was going to have to come out. And I've shared some zingers with you in this podcast. But this one is different. This one doesn't only make me uncomfortable, it makes me hurt. It requires me to open a vault I would prefer to keep locked forever. I want the experience to go away. I want it erased. Canceled. But here we are. 37 years later, it has managed to bubble its way to the surface, again. This is not a happy story. Moms and Dads, if you are listening within earshot of your children, please consider using headphones or waiting until later to listen. This contains material of a sensitive nature not appropriate for younger children and should be previewed in advance if you have teenagers who listen to the podcast.  You can download a copy of the complete transcript for this episode by clicking here. DO ONE THINGAsk me anything. Really. In my next episode, I'll be answering questions submitted by listeners. So ask away :-) RESOURCESVisit www.melindarmorgan.com to find show notes and links to all episodes. Download a copy of 5 Ways to Gain New Insights from the Scriptures.Follow me on Instagram @melinda.r.morganFollow me on Facebook @ Let's Get Edified

In this episode, I share a few of my thoughts about darkness -- physical darkness and spiritual darkness as we look at some of the principles taught in Elder Timothy J. Dyches General Conference talk, "Light Cleaveth to Light," given this past April. If you are listening for the first time, welcome! I hope you enjoy the show. And a special shout out to all our regular listeners. Thank you so much for your continued support. You can find show notes and links to the resources for this episode at www.melindarmorgan.com. You'll also find my free download of 5 ways to receive new insights from the scriptures. Be sure to check it out and let me know what you think. When Ron and I were still pretty new in our relationship, he took me to Mercer's Caverns in Calaveras County, California so I could see stalagmites and stalactites up close and in person, rather than just in pictures. Ron and I were still in the “wanting to make a good impression” phase of our relationship, and I for sure did not want to look like the coward that I am, so I willingly made the descent into the cavern.Like Elder Timothy J. Dyches' experience in Moaning Caverns, Ron and I were not prepared for the moment when our tour guide turned off the lights. All of them. I had never been in such vast darkness before. Never been in darkness so dense we couldn't see our hand in front of our fade. I didn't like it. You never know what monsters lurk in this kind of darkness. I remember what a relief it was when the tour guide finally switched the small flashlight he was carrying to the “on” position, and I was amazed by how much comfort that little light gave me. I marveled that such a tiny beam of light had the power to chase away such immense darkness. Two of my greatest fears--far greater than cellars or small spaces or being buried alive--are 1) that any of my children or my children's children might experience spiritual darkness; and 2) that I might somehow slip into spiritual darkness again. I know firsthand some of the monsters who lurk there--and I for sure never want those monsters lurking anywhere near my children!In this sense, I must confess I have a healthy fear of the dark! (Click here to view a transcript of this episode in its entirety.)DO ONE THINGReflect back on times when felt alone in the dark--when you experienced darkness so thick you could feel it. Look closely at the evidence that shows God was never far from you. The evidence is there, I promise. It might have been in the words of a family member, a kindness from a neighbor, the comfort of a friend, the beauty of a song or a verse. He was there. He was there because He knows where we go when we run away from Him. He knows where we hide.RESOURCES"Light Cleaveth to Light" Elder Timothy J. DychesVisit my website to download a free copy of "5 Ways to Experience New Insights From the Scriptures."You can also view this episode on YouTube:  "Let's Get Edified: Ep 61"

Even if our goal doesn't fall under the category of spiritual growth, there is most likely a spiritual component connected to it. For example, let's say I set a goal to become more physically fit by exercising 5 days a week. On the surface, this is a temporal goal, but the underlying principle is spiritual--treating our body as a temple and honoring it by caring for it. Another underlying principle has to do with winning the battle of spirit over flesh.Another goal might be to set aside a certain amount of money each payday. Again, on the surface, this is a temporal goal, but there is an underlying principle that is spiritual----that we free ourselves from the bondage of debt so we are free to use those funds in ways that can benefit others. Other underlying principles are the principles of provident living and self-reliance. As I have thought back to the goals I set in January, I can see that most of my temporal goals, do indeed, have a spiritual counterpart. But I also noticed something else that surprised me. Some of my goals weren't really goals. They were just action steps. In the past 3-4 months, I've come to understand some important points related to setting goals. In this episode, I share three of them.KEY POINTS#1:  Goals are about growth and becoming.  Marvin J. Ashton said this, “The direction in which we are moving is more important than where we are at the moment. Goat setting should cause us to stretch as we make our way.” I hear two important principles in this statement. 1. Goals are meant to help us move beyond where we are at the moment, and 2. Goals require effort. If our goals don't cause us to stretch or grow, can they really be considered goals? Stretching requires opposition. Resistance. If what we set as goals are merely accomplishments we hope to check off, then maybe it would be more appropriate to refer to them as items on our “To Do” list for the year. Nothing wrong with that. It's good to have a bucket list for the year.#2:  Begin with the end in mind.  In a 1984 BYU Devotional, Elder Russell M. Nelson asked the question, “What would you like said about you at your funeral? Or, if you were to write your own eulogy and you could have only three sentences, what would you want to say?”  #3:  Once we define, it's time to design & refine. We've all heard about setting SMART goals:  Specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, timely, ---- or whatever set of words your organization uses for the acronym. If you're anything like me, then you may find yourself trying so hard to make your spiritual goals “SMART,” that you lose sight of their ultimate purpose:  Becoming.As you revisit the goals you set for yourself back in January, ask yourself if they point to a desired outcome. Do they have the potential to help you grow and become a better version of yourself?“There is no growth in the comfort zone; there is no comfort in the growth zone.”  (Steve Clark)DO ONE THINGWrite down how you hope to be remembered at your funeral in only three sentences. RESOURCES"Begin With the End in Mind" Russell M. Nelson, 1984 BYU Devotional"The Word is Commitment" Marvin J. Ashton, October 1983Follow me on Instagram:  @melinda.r.morganFind me on Facebook: "Let's Get Edified"

Congratulations to Let's Get Edified for reaching the 15,000 download milestone! And we are already creeping up on 16,000. A special shout out to all you listeners! You truly are the arms and feet of this podcast. I couldn't do it without your support. Thank you.IN THIS EPISODE:If you're like me, then there are probably times when you reflect back on your parenting and wonder what part of parenting you got right. It's so much easier to recognize the times we got it wrong. But every once in a while, one of your children will share an experience in a conversation or in their testimony or in a talk or RS lesson, that makes you feel that maybe you did a better job than you think you did.This week, I've invited Audra Elkington to join me in a discussion about Elder Bednar's talk, "The Principles of My Gospel."  Many of you know Audra through her posts on Instagram @Worldwide Sisterhood. And I am totally excited to have her as my featured guest.KEY SEGMENTS:1:00  --   A spiritually defining memory shared by Raechel Duplain14:35 -- Audra talks about her time away from the church 15:44 -- What led Audra back to the gospel21:15 -- Audra shares key points from Elder Bednar's talk23:20 -- Learning by principles instead of by rules26:00 -- Let them govern themselves29:00 -- Why this message is so important right now32:25 -- What we're being asked to change or do better36:00 -- How principles of the gospel serve as our helm38:50 -- All roads in this church lead to the temple40:00 -- What Audra is doing to increase her faith in response to President Nelson's invitation from this past General Conference45:47 -- Audra shares her favorite quote from Elder Bednar's talk46:41 -- What did you hear that wasn't said?49:00 -- It's okay to be messy50:13 -- What edifies you? DO ONE THING:This week, I invite you to listen again to Elder Bednar's talk from this past General Conference. But listen with the express intent of recognizing what you hear that Elder Bednar didn't say. Write those thoughts down and ponder their meaning. What is the Spirit prompting you to learn more about or do better right now? RESOURCES:"The Principles of My Gospel" -- David A Bednar"Christ is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains" -- Russell M Nelson"Let God Prevail" -- Russell M NelsonVisit www.aworldwidesisterhood.com and check out all the fun links and products.Visit saltgathering.com  to learn more about the upcoming retreat in September. Audra and I will both be presenting, and we hope you'll be there with us! So fun to gather IN PERSON again! Follow Audra on Instagram @aworldwidesisterhood You can also follow Audra on Instagram @audraelkingtonIf you enjoy this episode, please rate and review it on iTunes/Apple Podcasts. Review and ratings are how podcasts like this get seen and grow. You'd be doing me a great favor. Thank you.I wish you a wonderful week -- and remember to do something each day that edifies you.

Something that's been on my mind quite a bit this past year has to do with why it's so important to leave judgment to the Lord and focus instead on just loving others. That's nothing new, we all know this. It's taught in the scriptures in multiple places, and it's taught from the pulpit during General Conference. Yet I felt like there was more to it that I just wasn't getting, but through a process that evolved over the course of about a year, I came to understand the “why” behind the teaching a little bit better. It all began in January 2020 when my daughters introduced me to the Ancient Enneagram. In recent years, the Enneagram has resurfaced through the vein of Christianity. Or, as one supporter put it, “They rubbed a little Bible on it and made it legit for Christians.” It's not a personality test. It's about the motives behind our behaviors and being able to recognize when our behaviors are coming from a place of stress or a place of health.The best way to understand where you fall on the circle is to read about each of them and go back to when you were a child to see how you behaved in certain situations or experiences. I couldn't do it! None of it spoke to me on a deep, personal level. It was extremely frustrating.  “I'm not there!” I told my daughter. “I don't fit anywhere in the model.”After 3-4 weeks, I asked the Lord for help. “Heavenly Father, I know this is a lame request …. It's just a stupid theory …. But would you please help me identify where I fall on this Enneagram model? It has nothing to do with my eternal salvation …. And it's likely a huge waste of your time (and mine), but I really want to understand why I cannot seem to find my core truth.”And you know how people say that if it's important to you, then it's important to the Lord? Well, this is a great example of that. The Lord knew exactly what was going to happen as He began to tutor me through the process. God knew? Of course, He did. He knows everything. But I don't, so I had no way of knowing what was coming. Turns out I was hiding. I had created many different masks as a means of emotional and mental protection. Every time I successfully peeled away one mask, I would discover yet another one. It became very important to me to identify specific events that resulted in the creation of each mask. Memories rose to the surface that I'd forgotten. And each memory involved some form of bullying--beginning at the age of 4 years old. In this episode, I relate the stories of four bullies who had a powerful impact on my life: Tammy, Sundown, JoAnna, and Melanie.Key Take-AwaysSee others. Recognize when they are hurting even if they're hiding behind a mask. And when you see them, don't worry about fixing them. That's God's job. Just love them. Forgive yourself, and love yourself. Have compassion on yourself.Forgive others. We don't know their story. Even the bullies in our lives have a story. Practice forgiving and extending compassion towards them. Doing so doesn't make you weak. It makes you Christlike.Leave judgment to the Lord.Do ONE ThingCheck out the Enneagram links in the show notes.Practice seeing others through God's eyes.Practice seeing YOURSELF through God's eyes.Remind yourself daily that you are a chosen child of God. He loves you, and he wants you with Him in His kingdom.ResourcesEnneagramEnneagram IntroductionFollow me on Instagram @melinda.r.morganFollow me on Facebook @Let's Get EdifiedVisit www.melindarmorgan.com 

We hear it and read about it in the scriptures, “The Lord chastens those whom He loves.” I am a first-hand witness of how the Lord manifests His love for His children through chastening. And I'm so grateful for that! Nearly 20 years later, Ron and I have the marriage we always dreamed of having. We love each other profoundly, and we grow more and more unified as we each strive to draw closer to the Savior. And the fact that our marriage is an eternal one is just another manifestation of the Father's love for us. And it's this love that is the focus of today's episode. And to help with this, I've asked LDS life coach Lori Holyoak to join us and to share her insights from Elder Wakolo's conference talk, “God Loves His Children.” Key Segments5:06 -- What was it about this talk?10:58 -- Three Ways God manifests His love for us13:26 -- How sending us prophets is a manifestation of God's love for us15:15 -- Lori talks about the concept of chastening and how it is a manifestation of God's love for His children17:50 -- Lori explains why the principles in Elder Wakolo's message are so important for us right now.18:36 -- What are we being asked to change or to do better?Recognize the ways God manifests His love in our life.Do some spiritual excavation.Be grateful, express our gratitude to the Lord daily.Focus on recognizing the manifestations of God's love in our life.19:38 -- Tips for helping us learn to recognize the manifestations of God's love for us individually20:58 -- Lori shares an experience she had with feeling God's love for her while at Girl's Camp.22:21 -- What did you hear that Elder Wakolo didn't say?Lori's favorite quote:  "I bring with me, love" What an amazing thought! Imagine what might happen if we took that greeting with us everywhere we went?24:01 -- Seeing the "One"24:39 -- Lori shares what edifies her.26:56 -- Change the way we see the "straight and narrow path."29:35 -- It only takes one person to change a relationship.32:45 -- The melody of marriage33:30 -- Send out the love vibe!33:53 -- Do One ThingThis week, pray daily to recognize all the ways that God's love for you personally is manifested. Take time to write it down --- Most of us don't hang out with pen and paper, so make it a point to speak them or type them into your notes application on your phone. At the end of the week, go back through your notes and see how the manifestations of God's love for you enriched and blessed you.Resources"God Loves His Children" -- Elder Taniela B. WakoloVisit Lori's website @ www.loriholyoak.comAnd be sure to follow Lori on Instagram @loriholyoakcoachingI would love to know some of the ways God has manifested His love for you. I invite you to connect with me on IG @melinda.r.morgan and to visit my website www.melindarmorgan.com. I look forward to hearing from you. Have a great week everyone, and remember to do something each day that edifies you. 

This week, I'm taking a closer look at a surprisingly heavy talk from this past General Conference. Elder Holland is traditionally known for his upbeat messages, but in April he deviated from the norm and took on a difficult discussion about some uncomfortable topics in his address, “Not as the World Giveth.” Joining me in a discussion about Elder Holland's talk is Julia Stolworthy. Julia is a mother to 3 teenagers, and wife to her favorite human. She and her husband recently celebrated their 20 year anniversary. But those 20 years weren't all sunshine and rainbows. They started down the barrel of divorce a couple of years ago, but when one of their kids began battling severe mental trauma, they dug in deeper, with more vigor than they knew they had in them. Their family underwent major changes in every facet of life. Julia and her husband were given a second chance and let me tell you, they are not wasting it! Julia's conversion to the gospel began not too many years ago, although she was born under the covenant. It was when her beliefs began to be challenged that she really started to make conscious decisions about what she believed. Today, you don't have to be around her for long before you come to the conclusion that Julia's heart belongs to the Lord. She's quirky. She's cool. She's got a heart of gold. And she's my Relief Society President. KEY POINTS:Don't confuse comfort with peace."We cannot afford our failure to put these gospel concepts and fortifying covenants to full use personally and publicly."The "Covenant of peace""In spite of frightful prophecies and unsettling scriptures declaring that peace will be taken from the earth generally ... it does not have to be taken from us individually."The world considers knowledge as power, and some have "learned" God right out of their lives.Sometimes gospel knowledge gets "to us," but not "in us.""...the help and peace we need is not the kind the world giveth...No, for the truly difficult problems we need what the scriptures call 'the powers of heaven,' and to access these powers we must live by what these same scriptures call 'principles of righteousness.'""Understanding that connection between principle and power is the one lesson the human family never seems able to learn...so says the God of heaven and earth.""Love," the verb, precedes "Love," the noun."In no case are we to be guilty of any form of abuse or unrighteous dominion or immoral coercion--not physical or emotional or ecclesiastical or any other kind.""Everyone has the right to be loved, to feel peaceful, and to find safety at home.""Pledge total loyalty in word and deed to the Lamb of God."DO ONE THING INVITATIONWrite about the gifts you have received from the Lord that bring peace to your soul. If you aren't into journaling, then consider creating a post on social media and sharing how you are accessing God's peace in your life. Most importantly, express your gratitude to the Lord for the blessings His peace brings to you. RESOURCES"Not as the World Giveth" -- Jeffrey R. Holland“Watchful Unto Prayer Continually” — David A. Bednar Life Help — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints — Click here to access resources for abuse, addiction, disability, pornography, suicide, and other issues facing our world today. 

This week it is my absolute privilege to honor a man who is one of my hugest heroes -- my dad. Given that he lived for almost a century, it is impossible to pay tribute to all the ways my dad has influenced me, my husband, and my children for good. There's just not enough time. And in truth, while I do want to honor my dad in this special Father's Day episode, I know the very thought would make him extremely uncomfortable. I've decided, instead, to share with you 7 Divine Traits All Dads (and Moms) Can Develop, and by doing so, paint a portrait for you of the kind of parent my father was.   As I begin this episode, I know there are listeners out there who have strained relationships with their father. I know there are fathers who exercise unrighteous dominion over their family. Who are verbally, emotionally, or physically abusive. And I know me sharing these 8 traits will not help to fix those relationships. Wouldn't it be marvelous if it could? I, in no way, want to minimize the harmful effects of coming from a home with abusive parents. My heart goes out to you and my spirit aches for you. This life is hard enough without the added damage caused by unhealthy or harmful family relationships. I do know there is help available, and I encourage you not to put off seeking that help. Your RS president and/or EQ president should be able to assist you in finding the best resources for your specific needs. If you are listening today and are not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, this help is available to you as well. Find someone in your neighborhood who belongs to the LDS church, and ask them to help you connect with the appropriate church leader so you can know what resources are available. 7 Divine Traits1.  Knowledge & Resourcefulness2.  Sense of Humor3.  Being Present--physically, mentally, emotionally Available4.  Compassion & Forgiveness5.  Consistency in Setting Clear Boundaries6.  Love For Spouse7.  Know Your ChildrenDo One ThingChoose one of the 7 divine traits and focus on developing it this week. If you're already pretty good at it, then crank it up a notch by raising the bar a little.Follow me on Instagram:  @melinda.r.morganVisit my new website:  www.melindarmorgan.com  Check out previous episodes of "Let's Get Edified"

In this episode, I share a personal Aha Moment I recently had  about Patriarchal Blessings. Key Ideas1.  A Patriarchal Blessing is a revelation given through the Lord's authorized agent, the Patriarch. It is God's word directly given to us for our benefit and use, and as a guide throughout our life.When moved upon by the Holy Spirit, we may desire to share a particular part of our blessing with someone in our family or a close, personal friend. But our blessing should never be made common knowledge for all to hear. 2.  We are meant to be agents who act, not agents to be acted upon. This concept led me to one of my greatest Aha Moments! Of the year so far. It was kind of “the perfect storm” for me, as far as Aha Moments go …. And when it struck, my first reaction was, “Well, duh! How did I miss THAT little golden nugget all these years … decades? Three things came together simultaneously:In my Book of Mormon study, I was reading 2nd Nephi, chapter 2. In our CFM study, I was reading D&C section 58. I had pulled out my Patriarchal Blessing and read it.  I always believed my PB was God's way of telling what would happen TO ME during my life. One passage from my Blessing said my voice would become strong in bearing my testimony of the Restored gospel of Jesus Christ, the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and the power it has to make us better. I was talking to my daughter, Raechel, about this 18 months ago, lamenting that this blessing had not occurred yet. I translated that passage into something like: I would be asked to speak at Women's Conference, or be sought after to speak at Time Out For Women or EFY or Education Week. Those were the only venues I could think of where my voice could become strong in bearing my testimony to a large audience of people. That was when Raechel suggested I start a podcast.  And although I took her advice, I overlooked a very important lesson! Until the morning of the perfect storm!3. Our Patriarchal Blessing IS an INVITATION from the Lord to ACT. The Spirit whispered to me, "Mindy, “It is not meet that I should command you in all things ….. you should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of your own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in you, wherein you are an agent unto yourself----Your Patriarchal Blessing IS THE CALL. But you need to ACT, not wait to be ACTED UPON.” This sudden realization filled me with an  incredible, enabling power. Then another little golden nugget bopped me on the noggin: My voice IS becoming strong in bearing my testimony of the truthfulness of the Restored gospel! It's happening through this podcast! I am fulfilling one of the things I was called to do in my PB--because I chose to act of my own free will on one of the invitations.  Perhaps you've known this all along. And if that's the case, I'm a little bummed that you didn't tell me about it sooner! DO ONE THINGGo through your PB and make a list of everything you are INVITED to do or become. Rewrite them as CALLINGS. Then design a plan.Resources"Your Patriarchal Blessing..." Thomas S. Monson"The Lord Blesses His Children..." Richard D. Allred"Priesthood Blessings..." James E. Faust

What happens when we exercise our faith, but the mountain isn't moved? Does this mean we lack faith, or that our faith isn't strong enough? These are just two of the questions discussed in this week's episode of Let's Get Edified. I'm so pleased to welcome back Niki Olsen, of Niki Olsen Coaching. Niki is one of my favorite guests, and she always brings us some practical tools we can implement right away. And this week is no exception! Niki will be sharing her insights from President Russell M. Nelson's talk, "Christ is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains." Faith is a topic we hear about often. It's a simple principle -- but there is nothing "simple" about its power! Faith often begins with hope, but hope alone does not build faith. Building faith requires action on our part -- consistent, daily acts that demonstrate our trust in the Lord and His plan for us. "By small and simple things, great things are come to pass." Simple, Daily Acts1. Daily prayer2. Daily repentance3. Practicing HumilityDo ONE Thing Choose one of the simple, daily acts Niki mentioned in this episode that you would like to cultivate. Record your progress as you strive to live the associated principle more fully. ResourcesVisit Niki's website:  www.nikiolsencoaching.comFollow Niki on Instagram:  @nikiolsencoaching"Christ is Risen: Faith in Him Will Move Mountains" -- President Russell M. Nelson"Evening With a General Authority," -- David A. BednarConnect with me on Instagram @melinda.r.morganAnd be sure to check out my brand new website:  www.melindarmorgan.com

This week, I am pleased and honored to welcome as my guest Dr. David T. Morgan. David is a licensed psychologist and has been in private practice for about 30 years. He received his BS, MS, and Ph.D. from Brigham Young University.  He's a sought-after speaker and recently presented at BYU Women's Conference. An avid writer, David is a regular contributor to LDS Living Magazine and has published four books, with his latest work scheduled to release in January 2022.  In this episode, David shares his thoughts on Elder Renlund's conference talk, "Infuriating Unfairness." Key Segments1.  "If there truly is a loving God, why does He allow bad things to happen to good people?" Isn’t this the granddaddy of all questions? It's the question that, no matter how thoughtful our answer, it just doesn't satisfy.2.  Quote:  “Mortal life is inherently unfair.” How can we explain the frustration of dealing with what appears to be unjust unfairness?3.  Quote:  “I declare with all my aching heart that Jesus Christ both understands unfairness and has the power to provide a remedy.”“...yet will I not forget thee….Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” (1 NE 21:15-16) -- One of my favorite scriptures.

I'm probably not the first person to raise an eyebrow when Elder S Gifford Nielsen suggested loving ourselves is the "implied" 3rd great commandment. Why is this principle of loving ourselves so important right now? I mean, this is the age of selfies and "me" time. Do we really need to love ourselves more? Aren't we supposed to forget ourselves and go to work serving and loving others? What about the claim that if we don't love ourselves, then we cannot truly love God? Elder Gifford said this:Our Heavenly Father wants us to love ourselves -- not to become prideful or self-centered, but to see ourselves as He sees us--we are His cherished children. When this truth sinks deep into our hearts, our love for God grows.This week my special guest is Brennen Eisenhut. Brennen works in the field of performance psychology, which is something I always associated with professional sports, but the principles apply in almost all areas of life. Brennen coaches individuals, groups, and company employees to help them learn, achieve, and grow in almost any aspect of their lives. In this episode, Brennen talks about the importance of loving ourselves and practicing self-compassion. Such an important concept! He also discusses the inevitable challenge of achieving that perfect balance between self-compassion and self-indulgence. Brennen also shares his thoughts on something so many of us have experienced--The "shame trap," and how we can get ourselves "unstuck" when we fall into a pattern of shame, as opposed to experiencing godly guilt that brings us closer to the Lord. Finally, Brennen will leave us with three pieces of advice to help us become better at practicing self-compassion. We can all use a little more of that, can't we!Do ONE ThingThis week, the Do ONE Thing invitation is to practice one of Brennen's tips on becoming better at practicing self-compassion:1. View mistakes like both a scientist and a loving mother.2.  The "Friend or Family Member" exercise3.  Focusing forwardResources"This is Our Time" -- S. Gifford Nielsen, April 2021"God Among Us" -- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2021Follow Brennen on Instagram:  @Brennen_Eisenhut

This week I am pleased to welcome back Becky Squire. Becky was a guest during Season One and taught us three things women have been called to do. In this episode, she shares insights from Joy D. Jones's talk, "Essential Conversations."Becky has a passion for helping others build the confidence and knowledge to positively influence the world online. She has been published in a variety of media including The Today Show and is a contributing author to the newly released book, You Are Distinct and Different. Becky is also the founding editor of Latter-day Woman Magazine.Above all, Becky enjoys studying the gospel and discussing it with others. Inside This Episode00:04 Welcome Back Becky Squire03:51 Why Becky Chose Joy D. Jones' Talk05:23 Becky Shares Key Points from Sister Jones' Talk09:08 We Cannot Wait for Conversion to "Just Happen"12:47 How Do You Teach Our Children to Recognize the Spirit15:10 Three Things We Need to Teach Our Children20:00 Comfort the Afflicted & Afflict the Comfortable26:50 Our Children's Shield of Faith30:48 The Greatest Challenge Facing Our Youth Right Now33:43 Dinner As a Family36:53 What Are We Being Asked to Do Better?39:13 Connect With BeckyDo ONE ThingConsider what essential conversations you should be having with your children--whether they are toddlers, teenagers, young adults, or adults with children of their own. Let the Holy Ghost guide your thoughts and write them down. Resources"Essential Conversations" - Joy D. JonesFollow Becky on Instagram @beckysquire and @latterdaywomanVisit beckysquire.comVisit LatterDayWomanMagazine.com

Click here for the full transcript of this episode.Mother RememberedRecently, I've been thinking about all the ways that my mom demonstrated and taught me about God's love. She was not a spiritual person, yet she believed in God. She never uttered an oral prayer, yet she prayed constantly for her children. Her house adorned no photos of Christ or religious symbols, yet she had unwavering faith in God's plan and in God's timing. The unconditional love she consistently demonstrated for me gave me hope in the possibility that maybe even God could love me unconditionally too. It wasn't until I became a mother myself that I began to understand the depth and power of my mother's love for me. One morning, during a morning walk, I pictured my mom and dad in their indescribable grief mourning the death of their first two babies. In particular, I pictured my mom lying in her hospital bed overcome by such profound feelings of loss. In my mind's eye, I pictured my four children and me (in our premortal state) kneeling around her, crying with her, and whispering words of encouragement and hope. I imagine us telling her to hold on, to not lose faith. And we reassured her that she would have the family she longed for someday. God's Perfect TimingMy mom always held to the hope that God had a plan for her. She would say, "God wouldn't take my two babies unless He had a plan for us." And that He did. Sixteen years after the loss of their second baby, my parents adopted my brother, Morgan. 18 months later, they adopted me. A few months after that, my mom found out she was pregnant with my little brother, Wes. After 20 years of marriage, in three quick years, my parents had three children. And their life was full. On December 26, 2017, my daughter, Raechel, and her husband, Devon, knelt across the altar of the temple as proxies for my mom and dad. Moments later, I knelt at the same altar and became Mom and Dad's "real" daughter for all eternity. The last time I saw my mom, I hugged her and told her I loved her. While I was gathering my things to walk out the door, I heard her call my name. When I turned around, she was walking toward me clutching her walker. “What?” I said.  She smiled and said, “I love you.” I thought it was strange because we had said, “I love you,” just a moment earlier. But I walked over to her, gave her a hug, and kissed her cheek. “I love you too, Mom,” I said. Those were our last words to each other. And still, it didn’t feel like it was enough. Do ONE ThingThis week, let us not only honor our mothers for giving us the gift of life but for those of you for whom it is not too late to do so, please tell your mom how much you love her. And make sure you tell her WHY you love her! She needs to know what part of being a mom she managed to get right. And then? Remember to say it to her often. Not just every 2nd Sunday in May. Happy Mother’s Day to you--whether you’re a mom, a grandma, an aunt, a sister, a friend, or someone who will become a mother someday, either in this life or the next. And Mom, happy Mother’s Day to you in Heaven. I miss you every day, and love you! Resources"Behold Thy Mother" Thomas S. Monson, Oct. 1973Follow me on Instagram @melinda.r.morganFollow me on Facebook @Let's Get Edified

Winning the battle of the spirit over the flesh is not easy. Some of us struggle with this our entire lives, especially those who battle addictions. The adversary knows if he can ensnare us with addiction, it will make it so much harder for us to let God prevail in our lives.In this episode, I share a very personal story about my struggle to battle addiction and the birth of what I refer to as a "Second Brain." This is the brain that shows up and encourages us to submit to the will of the natural man at the same time that our "Rational Brain" is trying to convince us to walk away from temptation and submit to the will of God. Through an incredible recent experience, I learned first-hand how fasting can help us "armor up" in the face of temptation. This episode is personal, raw, and real. No outline. No script. Just me speaking from the heart about a personal challenge I struggled with for many years, and the miracle I experienced recently that taught me I am never alone when I cry out to the Lord for help. Understanding the "Natural Man"What is the "natural man?""A person who chooses to be influenced by the passions, desires, appetites, and senses of the flesh rather than by the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Such a person can comprehend physical things but not spiritual things. All people are carnal, or mortal, because of the Fall of Adam and Eve. Each person must be born again through the Atonement of Jesus Christ to cease being a natural man." -- LDS Guide to the ScripturesCarl B Cook "Putting of the Natural Man and Becoming Saints""The natural man or woman is the mortal part of us that allows the physical, the temporal, or our own desires to overrule our inherent spiritual goodness and our desires to become like our Heavenly Parents (see Spencer W. Kimball, “Ocean Currents and Family Influences,” Ensign, November 1974). Of course, the fight will not be won immediately. It is a daily battle for each of us, and we are dependent upon God and Jesus Christ to help us change our nature."For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father. [Mosiah 3:19]Segments:6:00 -- When my "Second Brain" showed up the first time8:15 -- Telling Ron about "Second Brain"10:42 -- The night I "went away sorrowing" and stopped judging the "Rich Young Ruler" from the New Testament13:12 -- "Second Brain" started showing up a couple of weeks early15:30 -- My decision to fast for help and how that decision gave me spiritual strength17:20 -- The "Y" in the path -- A vision of what was to come if I went left at the "Y"20:41 -- Telling my non-member friend about my experience in the San Diego Temple24:12 -- Prayer of gratitude and the Lord saying, "I've got your back!"25:28 -- Fasting can help us draw on the powers of Heaven.28:00 -- The power of God is stronger.Connect with me on Instagram @melinda.r.morgan

Welcome to Edified!Is our mindset about repentance keeping us from increasing our ability to recognize and receive personal revelation?Do our beliefs about the principle of repentance limit our ability to access the power of God? In this bonus episode, I share four common myths about repentance and how these myths might be creating roadblocks that keep us from allowing God to more fully prevail in our lives. And I suggest three mindset shifts that will enable us to view repentance as a proactive principle with powerful promises designed to deepen and strengthen our connection to each member of the Godhead. Four Common Myths About Repentance:1. Repentance is only for “sinners.” (ie., I only need to repent when I sin.)2. I cannot repent more than once for the same sin.3. I must not be forgiven, because I keep remembering my past mistakes.4. When I repent, God doesn’t “forget” my sins, He just chooses not to hold them against me. Three Mindset Shifts:1. Repentance is for everyone, every day.2. Sincere daily repentance is like hitting our spiritual “reset” button.3. Daily repentance binds us to God and helps us allow our will to be “swallowed up in the will of God.”DO ONE THING -- Call to Action:Write Yourself a Letter from Jesus.What does Jesus love about me?What is one thing Jesus wants me to do better?What is one thing Jesus wants me to stop doing?What words of encouragement would Jesus say to me right now?Repentance is a principle of joy with powerfully profound promises.Resources:Kyle S. McKay, "There Must Needs Be a Christ"Stephen W. Owen, "Repentance is Always Positive"Jeffrey R. Holland, "Remember Lot's Wife"Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Best is Yet to Be"Follow me on IG: @melinda.r.morganFollow me on FB: @Edified: Insights for LDS WomenWatch this episode on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/T9gkyMRpT8o

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 46, "Learning to Trust God" with Featured Guest, Dawn HeathSeason Two FinaleAirdate:  28 MAR 2021The day I was baptized, Brother Lambert, the man who baptized me, had to repeat the ordinance three times, because I had a very stubborn knee that would not yield to submersion in the water! Little did I know that my stubborn knee foreshadowed three decades of stubbornness and a wrestle with the Spirit that did not cease until I finally learned to trust God’s love for me. To trust His plan for me, and to trust in the saving and enabling powers of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. To truly trust that God’s way is so much better than mine. This episode spotlights the principles and promises taught in President Russell M. Nelson’s talk, “Let God Prevail.” I am so excited to introduce this week’s featured guest, Dawn Heath. Like me, Dawn is a convert to the church; but unlike me, Dawn learned early on how to trust God and let Him prevail in her life. Dawn is married to Dr. Terence Heath, and together they have four children and six grandchildren. Shortly after her baptism, Dawn was called to serve a mission in the Wellington, New Zealand mission. She has served in leadership positions in pretty much every auxiliary. She taught seminary for three years, taught Sunday School, has served as Relief Society President, and multiple times as Young Women’s president. Currently, Dawn is serving as our Stake Young Women’s president. And let me tell you, she is a tremendous blessing to the families of our stake. Spend one afternoon with Dawn, and you will walk away knowing three things:  She loves the Lord. She loves the temple. And she loves the youth!I met Dawn when Ron and I moved to Cedar City, and the instant I met her, I knew she and I were going to become great friends! Today, I consider her to be one of my closest and dearest friends of all time--and my sister forever. Key Segments (Time Stamped):(7:25) -- What thoughts come to mind when you think about the phrase, "willing to let God prevail?"(15:14) -- What is our role in the work of gathering Scattered Israel?(20:40) -- How does being myopic interfere with our ability to let God prevail in our lives?(31:15) -- Six questions President Nelson asked us to consider:Are you willing to let God prevail in your life?Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life?Will you allow His words, His commandments, and His covenants to influence what you do each day?Will you allow His voice to take priority over any other?Are you willing to let whatever He needs you to do take precedence over every other ambition?Are you willing to have your will swallowed up in His?(43:20) -- What are some of the blessings President Nelson promised us if we are willing to let God prevail in our lives?(48:35) -- What edifies you?(50:20) -- Do One Thing:This week, as we prepare for General Conference, let's do everything we can to remove as many distractions as possible so we can better focus on the messages delivered by our leaders. The first episode of Season Three will air on Sunday, May 2, 2021, but following General Conference weekend, there will be a couple bonus episodes of the podcast that you for sure will not want to miss! These are messages that come straight from my heart to yours.Resources:"Let God Prevail" Russell M. NelsonFollow me on Instagram @melinda.r.morganHave a great week everyone! Until next time . . .

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 45 "3 Ways to Prepare for the Second Coming"Season 2Air Date:  21 MAR 2020Welcome to this week's episode of Edified: Insights for LDS Women. This week we take a walk through President Russell M. Nelson's message to the sisters, "Embrace the Future With Faith," from the General Women's session of General Conference, October, 2020."My dear sisters, ...you have not only the numbers but the spiritual power to change the world. .... You have all been absolutely heroic! ... You have shown that in difficult circumstances, you bravely carry on...Once again you have proven that you are literally the hope of Israel."  (Russell M. Nelson)Key Points"If ye are prepared ye shall not fear." (D&C 38:30)To teach us how we can be prepared temporally and spiritually, President Nelson used the principles Captain Moroni employed for preparing his people in the book of Alma in the Book of Mormon.1.  Create Places of SecurityHome -- first line of defenseStakes of Zion -- "a refuge from the storm"Temple -- a place of security unlike any otherAnywhere you can feel the presence of the Holy Ghost and be guided by Him2.  Prepare Your Mind to Be Faithful to GodOur spiritual foundation must be solidOur faith increases every time we exercise our faith in GodRegular immersion in the Book of Mormon -- "The Book of Mormon is our latter-day survival guide."Yoke ourselves to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ!3.  Never Stop PreparingEven when not under attack, Captain Moroni never stopped preparing his people. He never became complacent.The adversary never stops attacking, so we can never stop preparing.The more self-reliant we are--temporally, emotionally, and spiritually--the more prepared we are to thwart Satan's relentless assaults."Turbulent times are opportunities for us to thrive spiritually. They are times when our influence can be much more penetrating than in calmer times." (Nelson)DO ONE THING InvitationAnswer President Nelson's question, "What have you learned this year?" Take a moment to sit and reflect on the past year since the quarantine began last March. Write down the lessons you have learned and how your relationship to the members of the Godhead have changed throughout the year. Your answers may surprise you. Resources"Embrace the Future With Faith" -- President Russell M. NelsonFollow me on Instagram @melinda.r.morganFollow Edified on Facebook: @Edified: Insights for LDS Women Visit my website:  www.melindarmorgan.com

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 44 "Where Do I Stand With the Lord?"Season Two Airdate 14 MAR 2021Click here to view the complete transcript of this episode.If we were to die today, could we say with assurance that we are worthy to enter the Lord’s presence? “I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your words have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth? … I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands?” (Alma 5:16, 19) I don’t know about you, but every time I read the 5th chapter of Alma, I kind of cringe a little. And I wonder, “am I prepared for that day?” And there’s a part of me that believes it would be wrong and prideful to answer that question by saying, “Yes, I’m prepared right now to enter God’s presence with clean hands and a pure heart.” Why the doubt? What can we do right now that would increase our confidence in this area? In today’s episode, we will look at three minor adjustments that could make a major difference in helping us become more confident in knowing we are recommended to the Lord. Key Segments:1. View your Temple Recommend in a higher and holier way.2. Justification and sanctification3. Create a sacred space in your home.4. Redouble your effortsDO ONE THING Invitation:Implement one of the three adjustments discussed in this episode. A minor adjustment that could make a major difference.Remember, the deeper we dive, the higher we rise!Resources:"Recommended to the Lord" Elder Ronald A. Rasband"Justification and Sanctification" Elder D. Todd Christofferson"The Doctrines of Justification and Sanctification" Bruce Satterfield, Department of Religious Education, Brigham Young UniversityFollow me on Instagram @melinda.r.morganFollow on Facebook @Edified: Insights for LDS Women

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 43 "Voice of Gladness"Season 2Airdate: 07 MAR 2021Welcome to this week's episode of Edified: Insights for LDS Women. The focus of this week's episode is the message from Elder Gary E. Stevenson, "Highly Favored of the Lord." Key Segments (time stamped):1:45 -- Fear of Missing out 4:46 -- The Lure of the Great and Spacious Building was strong enough to entice many away from the Tree of Life. What did they see in that building that was so tempting they fell away?9:00 -- The Spiritual Side of Using an Abundance of Caution; what are the spiritual equivalents?Social distancing -- Do we distance ourselves from temptation?Wear a mask to protect others from anything we may transmit through the air. How do we "mask" ourselves from doing or saying or transmitting negative thoughts?Wear a mask to protect ourselves from breathing in harmful air. How do we protect ourselves from taking in harmful content on social media, the news, or society as a whole?Quarantined ourselves when we had any symptoms. How do we quarantine ourselves from symptoms of loneliness, bitterness, anger, or aggression towards others?Prepare every needful thing. How did we seek out and pay the price to keep our spiritual reservoir full? Are we now using an abundance of caution in maintaining full shelves of spiritual supplies?16:00 -- Highly Favored of the Lord; Years from now will we look back on this time during the COVID pandemic?21:50 -- A Voice of Gladness; "Shall we not go on in so great a cause?"Do ONE Thing Invitation: Consider how your faith and testimony have been strengthened this past year. Share your experience with others. What blessings have you received during this time of trial?Resources: "Highly Favored of the Lord" by Elder Gary E. Stevenson1 NE 81NE 12Alma 49D&C 128: 19, 22Past Episodes You Don't Want to Miss:Episode 42: "God Will Do Something Unimaginable" featuring guest, Cali GrimshawEpisode 41: "Broke, Not Broken"Episode 40: "Gaining Access to God's Presence"Find Edified on Social Media:Follow me on Instagram: @melinda.r.morganFollow me on Facebook: @Edified: Insights For LDS Women

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 42, "God Will Do Something Unimaginable"Season 2Air Date 28 FEB 2021Featuring Artist Cali GrimshawWhen I began the road back to the church, I told myself that I would never dare dream of someday being exalted. All I could allow myself to hope for was entrance into God’s kingdom. But you know what? God had something else in mind for me. Jesus didn’t atone for only a portion of my sins, and He didn’t pay the price for my mistakes using a 20% off coupon. He descended below it all so He could raise me up. I’m so amazed by His Grace! We don’t worship a part-time God. And we don’t place our trust in a God with limited powers. I am living proof that when we put our trust in Jesus Christ, God will do something unimaginable with us. And that’s exactly the focus of today’s episode.This week, I am happy to have as my special guest, artist Cali Grimshaw. Cali is my neighbor and friend. She is an oil painter who loves painting landscapes and has taught oil painting to others for nearly 25 years. She's also a pianist, devoted lap swimmer, mother of 3 and grandmother of 8. She enjoys writing and wrote a humor column for an on-line magazine for several years. She also wrote a curriculum and taught at the SUU Institute of Religion. She has a long history of service in the church in ward and stake positions including two stints as Ward Relief Society President. Cali was born in Monterey, California and grew up in Utah and Oregon. She has lived in Chicago, New Jersey, Salt Lake City, and now Cedar City. She loves the Oregon Coast, Zion National Park and spending time with her grandchildren in her own backyard! Cali is married to our stake Patriarch, so she has witnessed first hand how God can do something unimaginable with each of us. I asked Cali to be my guest not only because of her vast background with the gospel, but because she is an artist. Don’t let her humble demeanor fool you--I’ve seen her artwork first hand and she is incredible! I’ve also seen what she has been able to accomplish with some of her students. Her work is truly inspiring. Cali speaks the language of creation--and when I think of God doing something unimaginable with our lives, I picture Him as the Master Creator making more of us than we could ever imagine on our own. Key Segments:1. D&C 90:24 “Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good…”Question #1: How does God use adversity to bring about His purposes? 2. 2 NE 2:11 “It must needs be that there is opposition in all things …”Question #2: What blessings can come from opposition or adversity?3. Quote: “He will fulfill His promises.”Question #3: What are some of the promises that spoke to you in this talk?4. Scripture: 1 Cor 2:9 “But it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which god hath prepared for them that love him.”Question #4: Have you ever had an experience with painting where you had something specific in mind and it became so much better than you imagined? Do One Thing--Journal about a time when God used adversity to bring about something unimaginable in your life."God Will Do Something Unimaginable" by Dieter F UchtdorfFollow on IG @melinda.r.morgan

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 41 "Broke, Not Broken"Season 2Air Date: 21 FEB 2021“When we have a broken heart, we are willing to put off the natural man and yield our will to God’s will, our will being swallowed up in His; or as President Nelson described it, we are willing to ‘Let God prevail.’” (Elder L. Todd Budge)As he was pondering the relationship between putting off the natural man and having a broken heart, Elder Budge came upon a book written by a Christian horse trainer called, A Broke Heart -- not a broken heart but a “broke” heart. The author of the book explained that a wild horse that has been tamed is not broken by the process but conversely discovers the joy and freedom of becoming one with its master--a state that horse trainers refer to as being broke, not broken. The difference is subtle, yet so profound.The goal of God is to redeem us and exalt us. To accomplish this, He has set the path before us--the covenant path. All of God’s covenants are designed to unite us with Him through the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. Elder Budge was intrigued with the similarity between man and God and a horse and his trainer. So he decided to dig a little deeper to learn about the process a horse trainer uses to tame a wild horse and the parallels of how God works with us to redeem us. The horse trainer described four objectives in the training process:Establishing direction -- The goal is for the horse to move its feet in the direction the trainer wants it to go. This is done by applying pressure, and by pointing, clucking, or slapping the ground. Sometimes the horse will buck and run wild--maybe even try to jump out of the round pen. In a spiritual sense, God stands in the center of our lives and tries to get our attention--and to get our feet moving. He wants us to start moving--to trust Him. T“Giving the trainer two eyes.” The horse trainer wants the horse to give him two eyes, which is critical because when the horse does this, he leaves his hind legs--his only defense--vulnerable. This is when God has our full attention. This is when we seek His face (like we talked about in last week’s episode) or gain access to His presence. This is when we pray with full purpose of heart and real intent to know God’s will in our lives. Change direction. The Lord invites us to do this daily -- moment by moment even. Repentance is about change -- lasting change. It’s about letting God prevail in our lives -- yielding our hearts to God with a willingness to move in the direction He requires. Establish a place of rest. This takes place in the center of the pen. The horse comes to know that the closer it is to the trainer, the more rest and peace it will receive. The greatest rest we receive is the rest granted when we receive the gift of God’s grace and His atoning sacrifice in the Garden of Gethsemane. When we yoke ourselves to Christ, we are granted rest from the “yoke of bondage” caused by sin. We no longer answer the demands of justice because God’s mercy has satisfied the demands for justice on our behalf. Do One ThingGive God two eyes this week. Resources"The Ninety & Nine" -- Jeff Goodrich"Broke Hearts & Contrite Spirits -- L Todd BudgeA Broke Heart -- Whitney Cartrite HuckabeeFollow me on IG @melinda.r.morgan

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 40, "How to Gain Access to God's Presence"Season 2Air Date: 14 FEB 2021This week's Conference spotlight comes from Elder Ulisses Soares -- "Seek Christ in Every Thought." What does it mean to seek Christ in every thought? Three Questions to Consider:1. How does seeking Christ help us gain access to His presence? 2. Where do we find Christ in our thoughts? And3. How can we make sure Christ's attributes are reflected in our thoughts?Scripture References:1 Chronicles 16:11 D&C 88:83 Psalm 63:1 D&C 88:83 D&C 93:1 D&C 121:45-46 Galatians 5:22-25 Nehemiah 6Some Key Points:We gain access to Christ when we learn to do all that we do in His name. When our mind is the mind of Christ, our words the words of Christ--when His words abide in us, when our wishes are his wishes, our desires his desires, and when we see others through his eyes and love others as He does.We gain access to Christ when we think of the Sabbath as our holy place, and partaking of the Sacrament as the "Holy of Holies." The priests prepare the body of Christ for it's final resting place (within us). The deacons act as pallbearers bringing the body of Christ to "rest in peace in us." (Elder Kyle S. McKay) When we repent daily, we re-align our will to God's will. And we can learn to recognize negative thoughts before they take root. The focus of our thoughts is connected to our ability to remain in the Spirit. The challenge for each of us is to learn how to think the way Jesus thinks. It’s not about asking ourselves "What would Jesus do?" as much as it is asking, "How would Jesus think in this situation?" If we learn to think like Jesus thinks, our actions will follow His more closely. Truths about how Jesus thinks:He thinks about the will of His Father. He thinks about what is necessary to bring to pass our eternal life.He puts people above programs, problems or politics.He considers the needs of others -- always willing to leave the 99 to serve the one.He thinks about unity--unifying the family of God.His thoughts are governed by charity.There’s more I'll discover as I continue in this quest. Promised Blessings:Our ability to control our thoughts will increase significantly.Our spiritual maturity will grow at an increasing pace.Our heart will change, and we will become more like Christ.The influence of the Holy Ghost will be more intense and continuous in our life.Temptations will lose their power over us.Elder Soares added this promise: As we learn to seek Christ in every thought, "the Lord will send an added measure of His Holy Spirit to strengthen and comfort us and we may become individuals after the Lord’s own heart." Do One Thing:Focus on gaining access to the presence of God by more fully taking upon you the Name of Jesus Christ. Choose one Name of Christ to take upon you more fully this week. Here are some samples:CounselorTeacherHealerSaviorAdvocateComforterLionShepherdCreatorDelivererBread of LifeLight of the WorldLiving watersThe truthThe WayThe WordThe Rock"Seek Christ in Every Thought" -- Ulisses S. Soares"Attributes of Christ"Follow me @melinda.r.morgan

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 39, "Lasting Change, Our Gift to God"Season TwoAir Date 07 FEB 2021Download full transcript here.The “mighty change” experienced by the people of King Benjamin was their acceptance of the Law of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and their willingness to demonstrate their acceptance by repenting of their sins and entering into a covenant by being baptized and taking upon them the Name of Jesus Christ. We renew the covenants we made at baptism every week when we partake of the Sacrament. In this sense, this mighty change is still occurring within each of us. “True conversion brings a change in one’s beliefs, heart, and life to accept and conform to the will of God," (Bednar, 2012)“Knowing the gospel is true is the essence of testimony. Consistently being true to the gospel is the essence of conversion. We should know the gospel is true and be true to the gospel.” (Bednar, 2012)Repentance is so much bigger than turning away from our sins.“To repent fully is to convert completely to the Lord, Jesus Christ and to His holy work.” (Nelson, 2007)When we choose to change, we are submitting our will to the Lord’s. Our will--our agency--is the only thing that is uniquely ours to give Him. Our testimony is a gift from God to us. Repentance and full conversion is our gift to God. Repentance is about daily turning our focus back to God. It means recommitting ourselves to God--and deepening that commitment by putting off the natural man and yielding to the Spirit. And that means doing what Sister Craven said--changing our thoughts, our habits, the direction of our lives, and our hearts.Alma asks a compelling question -- “Can ye feel so now?”But what do we do when the answer to this question is “no,” or “I don’t know,” or “I’m not sure?”If asking means prayer, and seeking means searching and studying the scriptures, then what does knocking mean? And what is opened up to us when we knock?We "knock" when we honor our covenants, when we repent daily and strive to align ourselves with the attributes of Christ. We “knock” when we attend the temple, when we stand in holy places and make holy the places where we stand. We knock when we lose ourselves in the service of others and strive to put off the natural man. We knock by partaking of the Sacrament each week. “Knocking” is holding fast to the iron rod. What is opened to us as a result? Everything. We are blessed with spiritual gifts, strength to endure, increased light and expanded understanding. We partake of the fruit of the Tree of Life freely. And we gain eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God. (D&C 14:7)DO ONE THINGThe phrase, “You haven’t changed a bit!” is meant to be a compliment. But is it? We are not here to remain “the same” as we were. Everything about God’s plan involves change.Pretend you are about to attend a class reunion. What will your friends say about you? Make a mental list of how you have changed, how those changes are manifesting in your spiritual growth, and how you are “keeping the change.”Resources"Converted Unto the Lord" David A. Bednar"Repentance & Conversion" Russell M. Nelson"Keep the Change" Becky CravenFollow me @melinda.r.morgan

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEp. 38, "What is Your Angel Ministry?"Air Date: 31 JAN 2020In this week's episode, we unpack Elder Carlos A Godoy's talk, "I Believe in Angels." A key point Elder Godoy focuses on in his message is how challenging it can be for new converts or returning members to feel like they "fit in." When I joined the church, I wanted so much to be and do everything right, but in the back of my mind there was this voice of opposition that whispered, "You don't belong here." "Who are you trying to fool?"I call this "Gospel Imposter Syndrome." God needs us to serve as earthly angels with a heavenly message that will encourage, strengthen, and edified others. When you are raised in the church, you grow up knowing you are a child of God with a divine nature and worth. It literally took me YEARS to finally realize that I, too, am a daughter of God with a divine nature. Whether you are a new convert, a returning member, or someone who has just been plodding faithfully along the covenant path, there may be times when the adversary will try to convince you that you are an imposter in God’s kingdom. That you can’t possibly measure up to the stature of those around you who seem to just have it all figured out so well. Please don’t give up. Just hang in there. Recognize that those words of self-doubt are coming from the opposition that exists within all of us--because we are fallen creatures in a fallen world. But with that opposition comes an opportunity for us to exercise our agency. And how will we do that? By doing what Elder Holland taught us, “search diligently, pray always, and be believing.” Those are the building blocks of hope and faith--and faith is how we defeat doubt.Elder Godoy concluded his talk with an invitation:“If you look around carefully, you will find many in need of an angel’s help. These people may not be wearing white shirts, dresses, or any standard Sunday attire. They may be sitting alone, toward the back of the chapel or classroom, sometimes feeling as if they are invisible. Maybe their hairstyle is a little extreme or their vocabulary is different, but they are there, and they are trying…..Some may be wondering, ‘Should I keep coming back? Should I keep trying?’ Angels are needed right now: angels who are willing to leave their comfort zone to embrace them; [people who are] so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind [to describe them.]"And then he gives us this promise:“I promise that if we are willing to serve, the Lord will give us opportunities to be ministering angels. He knows who needs angelic help, and He will put them in our path. The Lord puts those who need angelic help in our path daily.”Do One ThingMake it a point to do one thing that is outside of our comfort zone. One thing that will send a message to a new convert, a less active neighbor, or someone who is returning to activity. Let’s do what we can to give them a daily dose of the good word of God. We can do that through texts, notes, visits, whatever, whenever, or however we can. Let’s step beyond the boundaries of comfort and nourish someone with angelic service or an angelic message. Carlos A. Godoy, "I Believe in Angels"Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Ministry of Angels"Dallin H. Oaks, "The Aaronic Priesthood and the Sacrament"Music: "Keys of the Moon" Be Inspired

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 37, "How to Exercise Faith When Our Boat is SinkingSeason 2 Airdate January 24, 2021How can we learn to remain calm when life’s deep waters threaten to drown us? How can we better access the peace of God during turbulent trials? These are two of the questions we’ll be exploring in this week's episode, as we take a closer look at Lisa Harkness’ talk, “Peace, Be Still.” As I pondered this message, I was led to scriptures that provide insights into how we can experience peace during turbulent times when we want to cry out “Master! The tempest is raging! How can’st Thou lie asleep?” 3 Take-Aways: 1. Jesus is in our boat. He will enter our story; meet us where we are. He was in the boat with the disciples when the storm hit. With His word, He calmed the sea. Jesus has the power to remove our trials, but oftentimes, He allows us to weather the storm so we can gain valuable experience and learn to lean in to Christ. 2. We are in HIS boat. When we are on the covenant path, we are in Christ’s boat. We know where His boat is headed. We have to trust Him to lead the way or direct the path. 3. Faith is how we dispel fear. The mighty winds create the waves that threaten to overtake us. If Jesus calms every tempest, we cannot make it to the Promised Land. So, rather than calm our internal storms, He teaches us how to have peace in the midst of them. If the disciples really knew who Jesus was, then they would have understood that he commands the elements and they obey Him. When the disciples awoke Jesus on the boat, they didn’t ask Him to calm the sea. They asked Him if he didn’t care that they were about to perish. Perhaps, like the hymn, they wondered “How can’st Thou lie asleep?”How might the disciples have handled this situation differently if they had more faith? When WE are afraid, how might WE show the Lord that we have faith & trust in Him? In 2nd NE 4, Nephi pours his heart out to the Lord asking him to deliver him from his brothers' hatred toward him. But his brothers' hatred increased, and Nephi was warned to flee. Nephi and his people created a new city, planted crops, and built a temple. Nephi didn't get what he asked for, but he got a temple. What a great source of peace!Romans 14:19 “Follow after the things which make for peace and things wherewith one may edify another.”Sacred music Meditation Reading the scriptures and listening to conference talks Walking in natureSitting by the fire with an inspirational bookGospel discussions with friends & familyDo One ThingTry this 3-step process:Identify source of concernAsk, “Is this within my sphere of control or influence?If no, give it to God. If yes, ask yourself, "What action steps do I need to take?" Write down all possible actions within your sphere of control or influence and prayerfully act on one at a time.Resources"Peace, Be Still" by Lisa HarknessFollow me on Instagram: @melinda.r.morganFollow me on Facebook: Edified: Insights for LDS WomenVisit my website: www.melindarmorgan.comMusic: "Keys of Moon" -- Be Inspired

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 36 "Waiting on the Lord" With Special Guest, Raechel DuplainSeason 2Air date: 17 JAN 2021What does it mean to wait on the Lord? What are we supposed to be doing while we're waiting? How might imposing our own time line on the Lord lead to anxiety? If God loves me, why doesn't he take away my suffering? We all understand that patience is a virtue and that being patient in our mortal experience will lead to great blessings in our life hereafter. But what are some of the promises we can expect to enjoy during this life when we wait patiently wait upon the Lord? What are we being asked to change or do better right now so that we can more fully rely on the Lord? These are some of the questions we address in this episode of Edified. This week, I am super excited to welcome back Raechel Duplain, wife, mother, corporate marketing expert and co-owner of Bright Zebra Marketing. She's also my amazing daughter. Raechel will be sharing her insights as together we unpack Elder Jeffrey R Holland's talk, "Waiting on the Lord."In the Episode:6:00 -- Waiting on the Lord is enduring to the end.7:50 -- What happens when we impose our timeline on the Lord10:56 -- Because of Covid, we are more aware of others' suffering. It was there before, but now we are more aware of it. God does not expect us to return to "normal."13:18 -- If God loved me, wouldn't He take away my suffering? 14:31 -- 1st Point: If suffering and hardships are how we learn and how we evolve, for God to take them away would stunt our growth. 16:46 -- D&C 88:64 "Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you." What is meant by, "expedient for you?"17:45 -- 2nd Point: Faith means trusting in God in good and in bad times, even if that involves suffering for a time. 18:30 -- Putting our own timeline on the Lord leads to anxiety and desperation when not getting the results we want.20:00 -- What it means to pray in the Name of Christ21:30 -- "Israel" means let God prevail; it also means "to wrestle."22:20 -- 3rd Point: We are not here to avoid suffering.24:57 -- Trusting God means being willing to endure while we wait.25:37 -- 4th Point: The path of happiness and holiness here and hereafter is a long and rocky one. It takes time and tenacity, but the reward is monumental.26:47 -- Promise: Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength and shall mount up with wings as eagles, and they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:20-3127:37 -- God can strengthen us so we're no longer weary.29:00 -- Strengthen faithmorning routineimproving personal prayersprayer journalmeditation and reflectionconversation with the Lord34:00 --If you knew every morning when you got up God was going to speak to you, how would that change your attitude about getting up a little earlier?36:10 -- Opposition gives us the traction to change and rely on the Lord. The load is what is going to hep us emerge out of this a better person. DO ONE THINGChoose ONE thing you can do to strengthen your faith while waiting on the Lord for desired blessings. Consider changing your morning routine or keeping a prayer journal.Resources"Waiting on the Lord" Jeffrey R HollandFollow Raechel on IG: @raechel.duplain"Guide to Receiving Personal Revelation" www.nikiolsencoaching.comMusic: "Keys of Moon" Be Inspired

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 35, "Opening the Heavens"Season 2 Light Where You AreAirdate January 10, 2021This week we unpack some of the principles and promises from President M. Russell Ballard's talk, "Watch Ye Therefore, and Pray Always."Click here to view the complete transcript of this episode. Inside this episode:"And then, President Ballard scooted his chair back, and with some effort he stood and approached us. He shook each of our hands, looked us in the eyes, and thanked us for our service--complimenting the meal. I’ll never forget the image of him making the effort to stand in our presence. It was such a show of respect and it immediately endeared him to me. Shortly after he stood, several others followed his example. The meeting was brief, but thoughtful and memorable, and I was struck by how short President Ballard is. And yet what a giant he appears to be when speaking from the pulpit. Aside from being awestruck and tongue-tied -- I seem to get a serious case of hero worship when in the presence of our leaders and it causes me to say silly things that I later regret. But aside from this awkwardness on my part, I was struck by the realization that I was in the presence of a prophet of God--AND, there was one degree of separation between President Ballard and Jesus Christ. When I shook his hand, I felt as though I was connecting with Deity. It MIGHT have just been hero worship …. Or it MIGHT have been the Holy Ghost bearing witness to me that President Ballard was indeed a prophet."President Ballard shared nine promised blessings that will come to us as a result of redoubling our commitment to prayer:Peace and healing to individual souls, as well as the souls of countries.The ability to move forward with more confidence,We can open the heavens to receive personal revelation,Lift us and draw us together as individuals, families, as a church, and as a world,Influence scientists and help them toward discoveries and new medications,Comfort those who’ve lost a loved one,Guide us in knowing what to do for our own personal protection,Change our own lives and we can improve and help others do the same,We will come to know how we can bless our families, neighbors, communities, and the country we live in. DO ONE THING Invitation:President Ballard’s plea was for us to redouble our commitment to prayer. Prayer is such a personal thing, but wherever we are in our spiritual journey, redoubling our commitment to prayer will open the heavens for us to receive all the promises made by President Ballard. How has prayer blessed YOUR life? I would love for you to share your stories with me in the comments on the DO ONE THING post this coming Monday on Instagram @melinda.r.morgan or share your story with me in a private DM. I would love to hear from you. Resources:"Watch Ye Therefore and Pray Always" M. Russell BallardOr click here to view on YouTubeFollow me on Instagram @melinda.r.morganVisit my website: www.melindarmorgan.comMusic for this episode: Keys of Moon--Be Inspired, Free music download

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 34 "Eyes to See" With the Hosts of Sitting With My SistersSeason 2 03 JAN 2021 AirdateThis week's episode highlights Michelle D Craig's talk, "Eyes to See," from the October General Conference. To help me do this, I invited Jamie, Kristen, and Melissa, cohosts of the Sitting With My Sisters podcast to join me as my special guests. 5:37 We're on the same team.7:30 See ourselves and others as God does.10:00 Everyone has divine potential10:58 Comparing ourselves to others can lead to enmity.13:37 Our personal progression in becoming more like Christ / What am I doing that I should stop doing? And what am I not doing that I should start doing?15:15 Someone noticed. Someone cared. 16:27 Melissa shares experience from her mission about how others saw her deeply.18:44 Mental illness is at a high right now. Understanding our worth and how God sees us can give us hope.22:13 Loving others helps us to let go of noticing their mistakes. It helps us extend grace to others.23:46 What might we do in order to change things?26:20 Some of the promised blessings of having "eyes to see."28:33 What are you hearing that hasn't been said? Or what did you hear that you didn't read?38:30 We are not meant to journey alone.40:33 DO ONE THING Invitation for the weekDO ONE THING InvitationAsk ourselves the questions that Sister Craig asked: What am I doing that I should stop doing? and, What am I NOT doing that I need to start doing?Two small and simple questions with profoundly powerful potential! Follow Melissa, Jamie, and Kristen on Instagram @SittingWithMySisters ResourcesMichelle D Craig "Eyes to See" (text)Michelle D Craig "Eyes to See" (video)Music for this episode: "Keys of the Moon" Be Inspired

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 33 "The Exquisite Gift of the Son"Season 203 JAN 2021 Airdate2020 started out much like any other year for me--I reflected on the previous year, set some new goals, revised our family budget, started a new workout schedule (me and a billion others, right?), and I thought about the dreams I’d had for the year that never became a reality--and then I beat myself up and vowed to make the new year my year for change. And wow! Little did I know what lay in store for us in 2020! Despite all my planning, I was not prepared for a global pandemic, online teaching, a toilet paper shortage, wearing a mask, and loss! So much loss!How do I celebrate and be joyful when so many around me are hurting?But this is precisely what the Christmas story is all about. When, in a world of sin and sorrow, “Joy” came to the world. The good news that Jesus, the Anointed One, came to earth to save us all from our fallen state. But before Christ came, there were two Heavenly parents who loved you and me so much, that they sent their perfect child to earth to perform a sacrifice so great and terrible that He would bleed from every pore and suffer nearly unto death. We cannot comprehend the depths of Christ’s suffering. And we cannot comprehend the depth of love our Heavenly parents have for us in giving us the gift of their Son to be our Savior and Redeemer. As parents, we experience, to some degree, a kind of love that is so profoundly powerful that we would do anything--even give our life to save our children. But can we even imagine what it would be like to watch one of our own children give their life to save their brothers and sisters? To watch them suffer and cry out in pain, to ask us if there was any other way possible to save their siblings? This is the first gift of Christmas--the gift of a child--a child who would become the Savior of all humanity. Emmanuel.Elder Matthew Holland teaches us about some of the gifts that have come to us because of “The Exquisite Gift of the Son.” He said, “All good gifts come from the Savior...He alone holds the full power and healing balm to correct every mistake, right every wrong, adjust every imperfection, mend every wound, and deliver every delayed blessing.”"Under His direction, your divine destiny will be one of unparalleled magnificence and indescribable joy--a joy so intense and so unique to you, your particular “ashes” will become beauties “beyond anything earthly.” I genuinely hurt for the loss so many have experienced in 2020. But because of the Exquisite Gift of the Son, there is One who can. I cannot describe the depths of love our Heavenly Parents have for us. I simply don’t have the words for it. But there is one word that captures perfectly the essence of that love--and that word is Jesus. Do ONE Thing InvitationThink of one thing you will do in 2021 to remain optimistic regardless of what the year may bring. Share your ONE THING in a social media post or story. Resources:"The Exquisite Gift of the Son" Elder Matthew S HollandVisit www.melindarmorgan.com to access previous episodes.Instagram: @melinda.r.morganFacebook: Edified: Insights for LDS WomenMusic: "Keys of Moon Be Inspired" free music downloadHave a wonderful week, everyone! And Happy New Year!!

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 32, "Our Journey to the Manger"Season 220 DEC 2020 AirdateEverything we do in our celebrations of the Christmas season should in some way point the way to the Savior. This holy, sacred season is the “Sabbath” of our year. A time when we set worldly cares and distractions aside and once again return to the manger bearing gifts for those we love and for our King. In 1 Nephi chapter 8 we read the account of Lehi’s Dream and about four different groups of people who were invited to “journey to the manger,” and partake of the fruit of the Tree of Life. Our journey to the manger is very much like our journey to the Tree of Life. Four Groups & Their Journey to the MangerGroup One: Christmas may be full of tradition, but members of this group never begin the journey to the manger.Group Two: Those among this group begin the journey to the manger, but the cares and distractions of the world cause them to veer off the path and onto strange roads--roads that lead anywhere BUT to the manger. They never make it to the Tree, because they did not make or keep their covenants with the Lord. Group Three: This group of people make it to the manger, but instead of falling down and worshiping the Christ Child, they hold out part of them. They hold onto worldly ideals or ideologies that conflict with their covenants. Sometimes this is only a slight deviation--perhaps imperceptible. Remember, the adversary does not care if we make covenants--what he cares about is that we don’t honor the covenants we make. Those in this group are good people with good intentions, but they are seeking the approval of the world more than the approval of God. Group Four: This group comes to the manger bearing the gifts of a broken heart and a contrite spirit to the Christ Child, and in submitting their will to the will of the Lord, they become true disciples of Christ. There is only ONE path that leads to the manger and that is the COVENANT path. If we are to be fully armed in today’s world, we cannot afford to veer off the path by even one degree. Honoring and Renewing our covenants weekly as we partake of the Sacrament is how we stay connected to the manger--it's’ how we return to it again and again. We have precious gifts to offer the world:We know why we’re here, where we came from, and what happens after this life.We have available to us every every gift, that God has made available in mortality. We know how to prepare mankind for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. We know how to build eternal families on earth.We know the way to the Messiah in the manger! How do we NOT share these gifts with the world? There are many ways to do thisInvite others to come and see or to come and helpShare the link to our Zoom Sacrament meetings.Engage in family history and temple workBe a light to the world by how we live our livesShare our light through posts on social mediaMinister to and serve our neighborsDo ONE Thing Read 1NE 8 again with in the context of the iron rod being our covenants.Look for lyrics in the Carols that speak of the 2nd Coming of the Lord.Instagram: @melinda.r.morganVisit: www.melindarmorgan.com

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 31, "The Healing Power of Jesus Christ" with Guest, Ashley LoganSeason 213 DEC 2020 Air DateIn this week's episode we are spotlighting Sister Franco's talk, "The Healing Power of Jesus Christ." To help me, I invited my daughter-in-law, Ashley Logan, to share some of her insights from Sister Franco's message. Ashley is a native Texan who graduated from Brigham Young University in 2016 with a degree in Landscape Management. She works for Intermountain Plantings as a Project Coordinator and Estimater. She & Andrew met while attending BYU and were married in 2012. Ashley and Andrew lost their daughter, Joy, to a condition known as Trisomy 18. It was a heartbreaking time for our family. Through it all, I observed how Ashley and Andrew gained strength through the enabling power of Christ's Atonement. Their faith has been such an inspiration to me. In 2019, Andrew and Ashley welcomed a healthy boy into their family, and he has just been a true light and blessing to us all. Ashley understands what it means to be broken--like the piano in Sister Franco’s talk. And she understands the enabling and enobling power of Christ’s atonement--the power that lifts us in times of sorrow and grief, heals us in our brokenness, and brings light and comfort to our dark and scary places.I asked Ashley to share how the healing power of Jesus Christ has helped her handle the grief of losing her daughter. I know all who listen to this episode will be moved by Ashley's heartfelt testimony and her witness of the saving grace of our Savior. Key Moments in this Episode:4:30 Reference to Emily Belle Freeman's book, Grace Where You Are -- God doesn't give us cancer. Mortality does.5:50 Ashley talks about her miscarriage.9:20 Ashley shares her experience with her daughter, Joy. "She was the blessing we never asked for."14:06 Broken17:40 Feeling God's power through others19:50 Angels on both sides of the veil22:12 Elder Holland's counsel to picture yourself in the Garden with Christ.24:10 We clapped for joy when the Father presented the plan of happiness.27:30 A time when my faith was lacking29:40 "What are you hearing that hasn't been said?"30:15 Kintsugi--Centuries-old art of repairing pottery with gold33:20 Welcome A.J. to our family35:08 Ashley shares what edifies her36:45 Do One Thing Invitation for the weekDo One Thing Invitation: Do some small and simple act of faith each day this week. Be purposeful about exercising our faith through acting on promptings from the Holy Ghost. Something that lights the world within you or around you. Or both. Resources:"The Healing Power of Jesus Christ" by Sister Cristina B Franco, General Conference, October, 2020Grace Where You Are by Emily Belle FreemanLearn more about Kintsugi art.Find Ashley on Instagram: @ashcaresseVisit www.melindarmorgan.com to access previous episodes.Follow me on Instagram: @melinda.r.morganFollow me on Facebook: Edified: Insights for LDS WomenMusic for this episode "Keys of Moon Be Inspired" free music download

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 30, Niki Olsen Shares 3 Gifts We Should Give Ourselves This Holiday SeasonAirdate: 06 DEC 2020Click on this link to Download complete transcript of this episode. 6:32 The difference between self care and selfish -- The oxygen mask analogy11:19 Gift #1 -- The gift of self compassion17:15 Gift #2 -- The gift of time23:16 Gift #3 -- The gift of decluttering34:52 Do One Thing Invitation for the week -- Give yourself one of the three gifts Niki suggested in this episode: Self compassion, Time, or Decluttering our mind. Visit Niki Olsen's website: www.nikiolsen.comFollow Niki on Instagram: @nikiolsencoachingVisit www.melindarmorgan.com to access previous episodes.Follow me on Instagram: @melinda.r.morganFollow me on Facebook: Edified: Insights for LDS WomenMusic for this episode "Keys of Moon Be Inspired" free music download

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 29 "Creating Oneness By Union of Feeling"Season 229 NOV 2020A few years ago, Elder Bednar taught us that the strength of a rope relies on the union of individual threads which, on their own may not be strong, but when twisted together, they become exceptionally strong. When I think about the word, unity, I think of teamwork and strength. Interestingly, by definition, the word unity means “wholeness; oneness; and the state of being one.” But it can also mean “harmony, singleness, and an absence of diversity.” That kind of catches my attention, because we’re taught that diversity is a strength and should be celebrated. A closer look, however, reveals that diversity in our roles and gifts are a necessary part of creating a union of feeling. That sounds counterintuitive at first, but not when we consider the strength that comes through the unique gifts that each of us contributes to the Lord’s work. It’s not diversity in gifts and strengths that divides us. Rather, it’s diversity in character that keeps us from becoming truly unified. So how then does diversity in our roles and gifts help us create a union of feeling?The perfect example of this is the Godhead. Each member of the Godhead has unique roles, but when it comes to character, they are the same. Perfectly unified. They are one. One in mind. One in heart. One in purpose. In a sense, we can see how their perfect unity is part of their power--that same power we are told we can obtain if we develop a union of feeling with the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. This means molding our character to theirs. It means doing all we do in the Name of Jesus Christ. It means our mind is the mind of Christ; our words are the words of Christ, and our heart is the heart of Christ. And it means our eye is single to the Glory of God.That’s a pretty tall order, isn’t it?In her conference talk, "By Union of Feeling We Obtain Power With God," Sister Sharon Eubank makes the point that our differences cause great divisions among so many and we are surrounded by opposition. In her questioning and searching, she came up with three suggestions to help us be more unified with others: 1. Have mercy -- Become free in imparting mercy to each other. Mercy is that it is a gift. It’s a gift we receive from the Lord, and it’s a gift we have the power to give to others. 2. Learn how to make our boat swing. “Swing” is something magical that occurs “when all in the boat are rowing in such perfect unison that not a single action is out of sync. Only then will it feel as if the boat is moving on its own. Only then does pain entirely give way to exultation. Good ‘swing’ feels like poetry.” 3. Learn how to clear away the bad as fast as the good can grow, and she used the allegory in Jacob 5 to illustrate this. It’s all about the messy work of caring for the vineyard. She said, “Unity doesn’t magically happen; it takes work. It’s messy, sometimes uncomfortable, and happens gradually when we clear away the bad as fast as the good can grow.” Be part of a collective force that changes the world for good. We have unlimited potential to change society. And as we seek "union of feeling," we will call down the power of God to make our efforts whole. Do One ThingCheer someone on who is trying to use their spiritual gifts to light the world. Celebrate their wins with them. Comment on their social media posts and let them know you value their light.ResourcesSharon Eubank's "By Union of Feeling"Music "Keys of Moon, Be Inspired" free music downloadFollow on IG @melinda.r.morgan

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 28, "Becoming Like Him"Season 222 NOV 2020Download the full transcript by clicking here.When it comes to becoming like Jesus, there is no fast track. It requires time and patience and effort. It requires a strong support system and mentors to help us along the way. We have the companionship of the Holy Ghost, the scriptures, the church, the priesthood, the temple, our ward family, and inspired leaders to help us. And we have our covenants that bind us to the Savior. All the scaffolds are in place to help us become more like Jesus and learn to live as celestial beings. In his talk, Elder Whiting asks, “What level of effort would we be willing to give to invite His miraculous power into our lives so that we can change our very nature?” He then reminds us that all of us are under the directive to become like Him just as Jesus became like the Father. We learned last week that Jesus wasn’t born with a fulness of glory--that fullness came line upon line. Jesus grew in wisdom and stature one step at a time. Grace for grace, until he received the fullness of the Father. Christ is the model. If we truly wish to become “as He is,” then we need to be thoughtful, deliberate, and intentional in our pursuit by gaining the very attributes of Jesus Christ. Elder Whiting gives us six things we can do to become more like our Savior:The first step is to have a desire to become like Him. We need to have a yearning to transform ourselves, one step at a time, beyond the natural man. Ask the Father what we need to work on…. “What lack I yet?” Complete the Christlike attributes activity from Chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel. Repent and be willing to change. President Nelson taught, “When we choose to repent, we choose to change. We allow the Savior to transform us into the best version of ourselves. We choose to grow spiritually and receive joy--the joy of redemption in HIm. When we choose to repent, we choose to become more like Jesus Christ.”Select an attribute of Christ that will keenly become your focus. Make this a matter of prayerful meditation and deliberate thought. “Your significant efforts to gain one attribute becomes the tide that raises all boats in the harbor.” While we are focusing on developing one attribute, others will naturally follow as a result.Record your experience and what you’re learning. You already know how I feel about this step! I honestly believe recording our impressions is one of the most important things we can do in learning to “Hear Him” better and to receive personal revelation for our lives. Do One Thing InvitationComplete the Christlike Attributes activity from Chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel. It really is a meaningful and thought-provoking exercise. It was really fun for Ron and I to do this together. We both had a good laugh, but then we came away with one area of focus that we each knew we needed to work on. Resources"Becoming Like Him" Elder Scott D. Whiting of the SeventyVisit: www.melindarmorgan.comFollow me on Instagram: @melinda.r.morganFollow me on Facebook: Edified: Insights for LDS WomenMusic: "Keys of Moon Be Inspired" free music download

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 27, "Holding Onto Light in Times of Proving"With special guest, Ellen LoganAs a teacher, it is my responsibility to assess my students so I can determine how well they are mastering the standards for 7th-grade language arts. To do this, we use a combination of formative and summative assessments. Formative assessments are frequent and informal, and they are meant to inform me if my students are prepared for the summative assessment that follows each of our units of study. In a sense, every day provides me with some form of formative assessment. The coolest thing about formative assessments is they aren’t permanent. They’re preparatory. If a student doesn’t master a particular standard the first time, we remediate and they can try again. They can do this as often as necessary--right up until the summative assessment. In a way, mortality is kind of like a series of formative assessments. Elder Bednar mentioned how 2020 has given us all an opportunity to see where we are in our spiritual and temporal preparations. It has given us a chance to see where we’re strong, and where we need some work. In this episode, I have invited a very special guest to share her thoughts with us about how our spiritual preparation can help us hold onto light during times when we feel surrounded by darkness. Ask anyone who knew Ellen when she was a baby, a toddler, a little girl, and even as a teenager, and they would say that she was warm, bubbly, happy, and just a virtual ray of sunshine wherever she was. Ellen was among the first group of sister missionaries to serve a mission after the age was lowered. She served her mission in Chile, and then came home and returned to BYU-Idaho, where she served as the Relief Society president of her student ward. Ellen is now preparing for her internship as a recreational therapist and is a nanny to my daughter, Raechel’s, son, Dax. About five years ago, Ellen was blindsided when she experienced a season of severe depression. Nobody saw it coming. What she discovered during this period of darkness was just how crucial it is to build up a store of gospel light. Ellen is the first to clarify that you can't just pray away depression. It's a real condition and often requires professional help and/or medication. But like the Parable of the Ten Virgins, which Elder Bednar discusses in his talk, Ellen found that her store of oil, or spiritual light, was a critical ingredient in helping her face unexpected darkness. Episode Chapters:7:30 Ellen shares her insights from Elder Bednar's talk.11:10 Ellen talks about her battle with depression.14:20 Ellen shares how being prepared spiritually continues to help her in her struggle with depression.18:17 Ellen gives advice to those who have a loved one battling it right now.24:50 Ellen shares more advice to those who struggle with depression28:15 Find out what edifies Ellen.DO ONE THING:Light the world by prayerfully sharing a quote from Elder Bednar’s talk with a friend or family member. If you’re on social media, then you can take this a step further by sharing a quote and bearing your testimony about the principle taught in the quote. Resources:"We Will Prove Them Herewith" - Elder David A BednarVisit www.melindarmorgan.com Follow me on Instagram @melinda.r.morganMusic: "Keys of Moon" Be InspiredHave a great week, everyone! Until next time :-)

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 25: "Light Where You Are"Season 2 Premiere01 NOV 2020Download the full transcript for this episode by clicking here.For the past several years, I have spent some time studying the relationships among light, truth, spirit, and the glory of God. Certain scripture passages that mention light always seem to capture my attention---such as those found in D&C 93 and 88, or the familiar ones found in the Book of Mormon. Yet even though I have made this a regular focus of study, I often get the feeling I’m missing something---the feeling that if I only knew how to dive a little deeper I would uncover some hidden truths or spiritual buried treasures. Come to find out, I’m not alone in this. I recently came across a BYU Devotional given by Richard Draper, Professor of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University. Turns out at one time he found some of the passages in sections 88 and 93 of the D&C a little baffling too. So I guess I’m in good company :-) The theme for Season 2 of the Edified Podcast is “Light where you are.” More specifically, looking at ways we have been invited to let our light shine in a manner that points the way to the Savior and lights both the world around us and the world within us. Between now and our April 2021 General Conference, we'll be looking at the principles taught, the invitations extended, and the blessings promised during the October General Conference. Also, we'll look at the personal applications that will help us not only be a light, but also to hold up our light for others to see. In today’s episode, I introduce the spiritual properties of light, explore how our spiritual eyes reflect heavenly light, and discuss ways we can light the world around us, or in other words “Light where we are.” Resources and Links:"Light, Truth, and Grace: Three Interrelated Principles Necessary for Exaltation" -- Richard Draper"Eye Single to the Glory of God" -- Dr. Taylor Halverson"That They May See" -- Bonnie H. Cordon"Bearers of Heavenly Light" -- Dieter F. UchtdorfDo One Thing InvitationFind a quote from this past General Conference that shares how we can be a light to the world around us and the world within us, and share it in one of the following ways:Send it in a text message to someone you minister toShare it on social media with a link to the talk it’s fromShare it on social media along with a personal storyWrite it on a card and attach it to a treat --- leave it on a doorstep or on someone’s desk at work.Even better if you can do a quote each day this week!Thank you to all of you who have written a review in iTunes and shared the link for this podcast with a friend or family member. Your shares and your reviews are what is helping this podcast to grow and reach more listeners. It’s one small way for you to “light where you are.” Have a wonderful week everyone! And welcome to Season Two!

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 26, "Adding Light to Our Gospel Study"Season 2, Ep. 208 NOV 2020Click here to view the complete transcript. In today’s episode, I share tips on how to get more out of or shed more light on our study of General Conference talks. Everything in Season 2 is about lighting the world around us and the word within us, or as I like to say, “Light where you are.” Deep Dive Into the MessageI've noticed a familiar pattern in the structure of most of the conference talks. There are often six categories that I call the “Conference Six-Pack:"PrinciplesStories Quotes (ancient &/or modern prophets)Calls to action / InvitationsPromise blessing(s)Shareable quote(s) To dive deeper, there are “Pause and Ponder Questions” I will ask myself such as:What is the lesson?Are any prophecies mentioned, and if so, what?Are there symbols or “types?"Are there warnings or admonitions?Why is this particular (story, quote, or warning) included? Why is this important? To dive even deeper, make the teachings intimate and personal:How does this lesson or principle apply to me right now?How does the symbol deepen my understanding of the topic?In what way does the story relate to my own situation?How does this prophecy change the way I view the world?What am I being admonished to do better or to do differently?How do I qualify for the blessings being promised?And FINALLY, I ask myself “What am I hearing that hasn’t been said or that I haven’t read?” Write thoughts as they come to me. 8 Traits of Gospel ScholarsAccording to Kim B Clark, “Deep Learning” involves learning of the mind, heart, body, and spirit. Learning of the mind = gaining knowledgeLearning of the heart = gaining understandingLearning of the body = learning through experience / taking actionLearning of the spirit = Becoming like Heavenly FatherKeep a gospel study journal. Here's a sample:Summarize what you readAsk questions to ponder and return to laterAsk “What do I hope to gain from this gospel study session?”Write impressions, “As I read this today, the thing that came to mind was ______.”Write a personal application, “I think the Spirit is telling me _________,” or “The Spirit is teaching me that _________,” or The Spirit is asking me to ___________.”Ask “What are you hearing that you haven't read?”Recognize the language of the Spirit. They have learned to “hear Him,” and “Live in the revelation.” Recognize opportunities for unpacking a verse or a phrase. Catalog their ideas and insights by topics/teachings. Bring in other scholars -- reliable sources -- to augment their study.Begin with prayer, inviting the Holy Ghost to teach them and expand their understanding as they study. Consistent. Carve out protected time to devote to their gospel study.

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 24 “Three Principles for Making Our Prayers More Meaningful” 27 SEPT 2020This week I’ll be sharing some expert advice from Elder David A Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve as he teaches us three principles to help our prayers become more meaningful. I’ll also debunk another myth that kept me from understanding my relationship with the Savior for years! Download the entire transcript by clicking here.Link: "Pray Always," Elder David A Bednar:Principle #1: Counsel with the Lord in all our doings. Elder Bednar said, “Meaningful morning prayer is an important element in the spiritual creation of each day and precedes the temporal creation or the actual execution of the day. Just as the temporal creation was linked to and a continuation of the spiritual creation, so meaningful morning and evening prayers are linked to and are a continuation of each other.”(Story #1)Principle #2: Prayer becomes more meaningful as we express heartfelt gratitude. Elder Bednar stated, “The most meaningful and spiritual prayers I have experienced contained many expressions of thanks and few, if any requests." Elder Bednar recommends that periodically we offer a prayer of gratitude where we ask for nothing, but just simply let our souls rejoice as we try to express our appreciation with all of our hearts. And he teaches us that "expressing gratitude more often in our prayers enlarges the conduit for revelation."Principle #3: Prayer becomes more meaningful as we pray for others with real intent and a sincere heart. We pray for the sick and the needy. We pray for those who are experiencing financial hardships. We pray for those who are mourning the loss of a loved one. It’s what we do. We pray for the needs of our family, our friends, our neighbors, and the world. Why then, if we’re already doing this so well, did Elder Bednar feel the need to include this as a principle that would help make our prayers more meaningful? I think the answer to this question lies in the phrase, “with real intent.” (Story #2)When I pray for others, I try to think in my heart about what it means to have “real intent.” What can I INTENTIONALLY do to comfort, strengthen, uplift, or brighten someone’s day? What act of service do I INTEND to offer that will let someone know that God is aware of them? This principle is a game-changer. Elder Bednar said, “...praying for others with all of the energy of our souls increases our capacity to hear and to heed the voice of the Lord.” (Story #3)Beyond all the suggestions and principles shared in the last two weeks, coming to know Jesus Christ intimately and personally is the most important thing we can do to make our prayers more meaningful.This podcast is my heart offering to the Savior, my small attempt to be a light that directs others to the true source of all light. Join me on Sunday, November 1st, for the premiere of Season 2, as I explore the topic of “light,” and what it means to “live in the revelation.” Follow on IG: @melinda.r.morganFollow on FB: Edified: Insights for LDS women.Music: "Keys of Moon, Be Inspired"Until next time . . .

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 23 Making Our Prayers More Meaningful (Giving our prayers a seismic upgrade)20 SEPT 2020We all know the benefits of prayer and the power of prayer. We know prayer is an essential part of our spiritual growth and survival--especially during difficult times when prayer can truly be our “Balm of Gilead.” Prayer nourishes our soul, and it brings us into communion with the very God of the Universe, and into His presence. And yet, prayer is so simple that even a young child can do it. Well, if you’re anything like me, sometimes, because of the simplicity of prayer, we might take it for granted or forget how vital it is to the nourishment of our souls. In short, sometimes our prayers may need a seismic upgrade. I may not be able to deliver a message of seismic proportions, but I can share a couple of ideas for how we can make our personal prayers a little more meaningful. Take a moment to think about who you’re praying to, who you’re praying through, and who is praying with you. Elder Holland and President Eyring Face to Face 3 years ago ….. https://youtu.be/VZXEtcdVcRA?t=2270Finding an appropriate balance between viewing our Heavenly Father as a loving, kind, caring, and involved Father, vs. viewing Him as the Almighty God of the Universe is something we might keep in mind as we approach our Heavenly Father in prayer. This is not suggesting in any way that our prayers should be stiff and unnatural. Not at all. They should be heartfelt, honest, and sincere. Pray with the intention of aligning your will with the Father’s. Pray in the Name of Jesus ChristWhat exactly does this mean? In the Bible Dictionary, we read, “Christians are taught to pray in Christ’s name. We pray in Christ’s name when our mind is the mind of Christ, and our wishes the wishes of Christ--when His words abide in us. We then ask for things it is possible for God to grant. Many prayers remain unanswered because they are not in Christ’s name at all; they in no way represent His mind but spring out of the selfishness of man’s heart.”I don’t know about you, but I have had to sit and really think this through. So let’s do a little unpacking.One thing we know about the mind of Jesus is that He always submitted His will to the Father, and He prayed for unity--that we would be one with him as he and the Father are one. When His words abide in us …… Well, what words would those be? To me, this suggests that we pattern our prayers to Father after the way Christ prayed to the Father. our mind is the mind of Christ when we submit our will to the Father’s. Our wishes are the wishes of Christ when we seek unity with the Father, the Son, and our fellowman. Our words are the words of Christ when we pray in the manner that he prayed. Pray with the Holy Ghost as Your PartnerRecognizing that the companionship of the Holy Ghost as we pray truly makes prayer a team effort. We are literally engaging with all three members of the Godhead when we pray in this manner. DO ONE THING InvitationThis week, as you pray, try one (or all) of the following:Remember who you’re praying to, who you’re praying through, and who is praying with you.Seek to align your will with the will of the Father.Find quiet time each day to kneel and pray vocally. Follow on IG: @melinda.r.morganFollow on FB: Edified: Insights for LDS women.Music: "Keys of Moon, Be Inspired" Until next time . . .

Episode 22 Creating an ImpactSeptember 13, 2020Today’s episode is short and sweet as we celebrate over 2500 downloads since this podcast first aired on April 28th. When I first began brainstorming ideas for this podcast, I thought about the topics that I wanted to share with listeners. I thought of my own personal struggles that have helped to strengthen my testimony and how sharing those stories with you might give you a feeling of hope and encouragement. More and more, I find myself asking the Lord what He wants me to share. Because this podcast isn’t about me. It’s about my Savior. It’s about me wanting to honor Him because of his generosity, goodness, and grace on my behalf. I never want to forget where I’ve been and how I’ve been saved. And I want so much to be a witness for Jesus Christ by standing by Him and with Him and for Him. That’s the reason I started this podcast. And now, as Season 1 is nearing its close, and I begin preparing for the launch of Season 2, I feel very strongly that I want to design and plan the content based on the topics that are most important to you. And this is where I need your help. I’m designing a brief survey that I would like very much for each of you to complete. This would only take a few minutes, and it will help me plan content that serves you better during Season 2. Please take a moment to respond to the survey. You’d be doing me a huge favor! Thank you. The adversary knows the impact women in the church can have on those around us. He knows that when we let our light shine, others will find the path that leads to the Savior. Satan knows this, so he wants us to doubt our ability to light the world by sharing what is in our hearts, as Elder Uchtdorf has encouraged us to do. But it’s not our light that lights the world--it’s the divine light of Jesus Christ. All our light needs to do is to light the path that leads to Him. The Lord wants us to bloom where we’ve been planted. What if, rather than looking for those thousand-watt light bulb opportunities, God is asking us to do our part in this great work in a smaller, yet no less significant way? Can we be willing to be the light for the “one” rather than for the “99”? The light we bring to the “one” may seem like nothing more than a 20 watt light bulb. But to someone who is batting darkness, our 20-watt light bulb might have an incredible impact. I have experienced my most precious and powerful moments of personal revelation while I was engaged in the act of praying. Prayer is an act of faith--that same faith that precedes miracles. The miracle of inspiration. The miracle of enlightenment. The miracle of peace. The miracle of forgiveness. And the miracle of joy in times of trial. “As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes more natural and instinctive on our part.” I know that this is true. There is a formality involved in prayer and that we need to keep in mind that while God is our loving, kind, and gracious Father, when we pray, we are approaching the throne of the very God of the Universe. There is a level of reverence and humility that make our conversation with the Lord special. It’s intimate and personal, but it should be and feel different than having a casual conversation with a family member or a friend. DO ONE THINGTake the 20-minute prayer challenge. Try to visualize yourself before the throne of God. I promise this one step will make your prayers a little more holy. Access the survey: http://bit.ly/EdifiedsurveyFollow on IG @melinda.r.morganFollow on FB @Edified: Insights for LDS WomenMusic: Keys

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEp 21--Modern Day Defenders of TruthJust a few short months ago, we had the privilege to hear from the Lord’s prophet, and from those called as prophets, seers, and revelators.To some, our leaders spoke words of inspiration and motivation. To others, they spoke comfort and encouragement. But to all of us, and to the world, they spoke words of truth--they stood in defense of truth and virtue. Over the past couple of years, I have felt the Spirit prompting me to be more actively engaged in sharing my testimony of the Savior with the world. And as many of you know, I have felt the call to do this through social media posts, blogging, YouTube videos, and this podcast. It didn’t take long, however, before I discovered that sharing my testimony with the world through social media opened a lot of doors to a lot of criticism. Before long, I found myself second-guessing every message before posting an inspirational thought or sharing quotes from our leaders. I would pause and ask myself who might be offended or uncomfortable with what I had to say, and little by little, I allowed the voices of opposition and the fear of criticism or ridicule to close my virtual mouth. Instead of speaking up, I played it safe, sharing only fun memes and family updates.Then one night, I watched a video clip from President Nelson that my daughter had shared on Facebook. I clicked on the “like” button, but I didn’t “share” the post. As I began to scroll down to the next post, the thought came to me, “Will you not stand with the prophet in defending truth?” And then, just as clear as ever, the former Young Women’s Theme flooded my mind. So I clicked on the “share” button, and in my post, I added, “I will stand as witnesses of God at all times, and in all things and in all places.” I had to decide if I had the courage to stand with Jesus Christ, or if, out of fear, I was going to be one of those people who hide their light under a bushel. This was an uncomfortable moment for me. But I determined then and there that if I was going to engage in this great work our prophet has invited us to engage in, then I needed to be willing to be a voice for truth, a voice for virtue, and a voice for Christ in social media. Come what may, and love it! The pattern of preparation that Moroni used to strengthen the Nephites and prepare them to defend against Lamanite aggression can be examined in four phases: REVIEW, RENEW, REMODEL & REINFORCE, and these four phases parallel counsel given to us by our prophet, President Nelson. Can’t you just see President Nelson raising the standard of liberty for all of us to see? Four things we need to do to become modern-day defenders of truth and virtue: Before we can defend truth, we first need to obtain the truth for ourselves. Before we can defend virtue, we first need to live virtuous lives. We must stand in holy places, and, “make holy the places where we stand.” We need to establish a game plan for defending our faith. In order to do this, we must be aware of the enemy’s strategies for deceiving mankind. We need to be proactive in becoming a voice for virtue. DO ONE THING InvitationPost a scripture or a quote from one of our leaders on social media. Do something each day this week to promote the cause of Christians. By doing so, we will be lighting the world around us and the world within us. Follow me on IG: @melinda.r.morganFollow me on FB: Edified: Insights for LDS women.Music: "Keys of Moon, Be Inspired" Free music download.Have a great week everyone :-)

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEp 20. "On Any Given Sunday," Reflecting on our commitment and dedication to keeping the Sabbath Day holyClick here to view the full manuscript.Chapters:3:00 Polly Knight5:50 Excerpt from journal (25 years ago)17:56 Looking back20:00 Obedience brings blessings21:40 Young mom shares her struggle23:00 My daughter's story25:47 Ask this question27:00 Keeping the Sabbath during the pandemic33:50 Advice to young moms36:32 DOT InvitationSome Key Points:The ability for us to have church at home during the last five months has been a blessing for many of us, but it has also presented some unique challenges. Like how to maintain a feeling of holiness in our homes when we are surrounded by chaos. Now that we are meeting again in our chapels, some of us are experiencing mixed emotions. We've grown comfortable holding church on our own and on our own schedule. Now is a great time to look forward to how we can rededicate ourselves to Sunday worship and recommit to honoring and keeping the Sabbath Day holy. My daughter-in-law relates, “Honestly, the Sabbath is not a delight (not in the least) unless I intentionally make it a delight. Instead of being frustrated that all four children are running in opposite directions and screaming by the end of the first hour, I have to choose to be grateful that they have healthy legs to run, strong lungs to scream, and generous and loving ward members who think they’re cute anyway.”What an amazing perspective! And it fits perfectly with President Henry B. Eyring’s advice that we can make the Sabbath a delight by expressing our gratitude to the Lord for all of our blessings.President Nelson has taught us that we don’t need a list of “do’s” and “don'ts” for keeping the Sabbath Day holy. All we need to do is ask ourselves, “What sign am I giving the Lord if I do this particular activity?” During this COVID pandemic, we have had an opportunity to give a sign to the Lord by demonstrating our desires to keep the Sabbath Day holy. No one else was looking. Just our family. No one else knows if we chose to dress in our Sunday best. No one else knows what activities we deemed appropriate on Sunday afternoons. This is a great time to reflect on how faithful we were in observing the Sabbath Day during the past 5 months. Now that we’ve become used to staying home and doing church on our own time, it might be difficult for some of us to recommit to regular church attendance. But we have a great opportunity here to begin again. To rededicate ourselves to honoring and keeping the Sabbath Day holy. The advice I always give to young mothers is to just keep swimming. Maybe you spend ¾ of your time in the foyer at church. Maybe your Sundays are hectic madness, the way mine often were. Maybe you can’t keep your child’s attention for more than five minutes when you try to have family prayer, CFM lessons, or FHE. But just keep swimming! They are picking up more than you realize! I promise you it will all be worth it. DO ONE THING Reflect on your Sabbath Day observance. What is one thing you can do better? Or one thing you aren’t doing right now, but know that you should? If you’re not sure where to start, ask the Lord to help you. He will answer. Follow on IG: @melinda.r.morganFollow on FB: Edified: Insights for LDS women.Music: "Keys of Moon, Be Inspired" Free music download.Have a great week, everyone :-)

23 AUG 2021Ep 19 "Ten Lies We Tell Ourselves" (Conclusion)In today’s episode, I confess the biggest lie of them all. This is the lie that has plagued me since my early childhood. It wasn’t until just a few years ago that I finally recognized it for the lie it is. But first, I wanted to address a couple of the lies that have been sent in by listeners. Lie #1 -- My value lies in my productivity. This lie has a close relative--a big brother, so to speak--and that’s the lie that we are saved by our works. These two lies are so closely related! One seeks to question our value as a child of God. The other seeks to question the value of Christ’s Atonement, suggesting that it isn’t enough.Affirmation: “The Lord loves effort. But our VALUE in God’s eyes does not increase or decrease based on how productive we are. Our value lies in the pure and simple truth that we are beloved children of our Heavenly Father and Mother, and their love for us is endless and eternal.”Lie #2: If I was a better mom, my kids wouldn’t have so many problems. This lie is one that the adversary works overtime on, especially for moms with older children. I imagine Eve wondered where she had gone wrong. What could she have done to be a better mom to Cain? And Sariah. I wonder how many nights she spent tormenting herself for not being a better mom to Laman and Lemuel. Our children are going to be tried and tested, not because of the mistakes we make as moms or dads, but because that is the way they will learn and grow. Opposition activates our agency, and because of that, adversity becomes the catalyst for personal growth. Affirmation: Making mistakes is part of being human. But my children are on their own spiritual journey. They will experience hardships and opposition because that is part of the Lord’s plan for sanctifying His children. Adversity has the power to sanctify my children if they will allow it to do so. The best thing I can do for my children is to encourage them to seek guidance from the Lord, and let them know my love for them is never based on their choices. LIE #3, THE GRAND DADDY OF ALL LIES! “I KNOW GOD LOVES ME, BUT I’M NOT THE KIND OF PERSON THAT HE WANTS IN HIS KINGDOM. LOVING ME DOESN’T MEAN KEEPING ME WITH HIM.”This lie led to all other lies I’ve ever told myself or believed. When you peel away all the layers and trace them back to their origins, this lie leads back to the heart of a little girl. A little girl who learned she was given up for adoption by her “real” mom. My parents told me that my birth mom loved me so much that she made the decision to give me up so I could have a family who would love me and care for me. That's when the seed of this lie was planted. Once planted, it grew roots strong and deep. Affirmation: “I am a daughter of God, and I am glorious! He created me to become like Him. God will never abandon or reject me because I am His. His love for me is both infinite and eternal, and intimate and personal.”DO ONE THING Email me, post a comment, or DM me letting me know which of the 12 affirmations resonates with you most. Share in your stories, feed, or DM someone you know who needs this affirmation. VIEW FULL TRANSCRIPT of this episode.Brad Wilcox: "After All We Can Do"Follow on IG: @melinda.r.morganFollow on FB: Edified: Insights for LDS women.Music: "Keys of Moon, Be Inspired" Free music download.

Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 18, Edified Welcomes Special Guest, Becky SquireBecky is the creator and editor of Latter-Day Woman magazine and has published in a variety of media including The Today Show, LDS Living, and Ensign Magazine. Her passion is mentoring women who feel called to influence the world online. In this episode, Becky shares the inspiration that led her to create Latter-Day Woman magazine, and she talks about three things Latter-Day Saint women have been called to do at this time. Episode Chapters4:00 Becky's blog7:45 Three things women in the church have been called to do10:00 Spiritual Gifts15:50 Latter-Day Woman Magazine21:50 Family Proclamation 25th anniversary group study33:55 How does Becky "hear HIM"?37:05 What edifies Becky?41:05 DOT Invitation for the weekVisit: beckysquire.com to check out her spiritual gifts download and to read Becky's latest blog post.Visit: latterdaywomanmagazine.com to sign up to receive the next issue of Latter-Day Woman Magazine and to subscribe to the Family Proclamation study group.Follow me:Instagram @melinda.r.morganFacebook @Edified: Insights for LDS WomenWebsite: melindarmorgan.comIf you are enjoying these episodes, please consider leaving me a review on iTunes and share this podcast with your friends and family on social media. Thank you to everyone who has shared the link and helped this podcast to grow. Your support means the world to me. Coming next week, the conclusion to "Ten Lies We Tell Ourselves." This one gets personal, you for sure don't want to miss it!Until next time . . .Have a great week, everyone :-)

08 AUG 2020Edified: Episode 17In the past couple of weeks, I’ve shared nine affirmations, and I thought it would be fun to say all nine of them and absorb how it feels to have them flow through our minds. #1 “It is true that there will always be someone more _____ than I am. But I have the seeds of godliness within me, and my journey is uniquely mine. God has called me to a work and He qualifies me for the work through the Atoning power of Jesus Christ. My gifts together with God’s grace makes me not only ENOUGH, but the perfect person to accomplish the work I am called to do.”#2 “It’s true that there are people around me who are facing greater trials than I am. But my God is limitless. He wants me to pray for others AND for the desires of my own heart. When I approach my Heavenly Father in prayer, my greatest desire is that I might align my will with His.” #3 “Experiencing sorrow and hardships are normal parts of mortality and I grow when I choose to lean into my Savior during those times. Because of his Grace, I can be happy even during times of trouble when I choose to focus my life on the Savior and on the things of eternity.”#4 “It is true I am a sinner. It’s also true that I sometimes repeat sins I’ve repented of. But my sins and my weaknesses are swallowed up in the supreme sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose atonement on my behalf is both infinite and eternal. I am both amazed by and saved by God’s grace.”#5 “My mistakes and imperfections are part of mortality and they are a necessary part of God’s plan for my progress to become like Him. God is not the author of SHAME and separation; He is the author of FORGIVENESS and UNITY through the enabling powers of Christ’s Atonement. God’s love for me is a gift freely given.”#6 “I have been given spiritual gifts and talents that are uniquely mine to share. Acts of service come in many forms. If I pray for help, the Lord will teach me how to use my gifts to lift, love, and serve others.” #7 “It’s true that I am only one person and there is a limit to how bright or far-reaching my single light can shine. But God didn’t ask me to light the world on my own. He has asked me to hold my light up “that others may see” the path to Christ --- To do my part in helping Him, the true source of all light, to light the world.” #8 “Becoming a gospel scholar doesn’t require me to spend hours a day reading my scriptures. If I consistently spend 20-30 minutes each day immersed in gospel study, and I invite the Holy Ghost to be my teacher, or my spiritual tutor, then I am on the path of a gospel scholar. The Holy Ghost can teach me all things that I need to know.”#9 “It is true that what I feel called to do requires me to spend time away from my family--time that I cannot be available for them physically or emotionally. Therefore, it is important that I designate “protected time” periods during the day and week that I will devote 100% to them. It is important that my spouse and my children know that if they need me, I will push the other “stuff” aside whenever possible to be there for them--and to be 100% present in the moment.”DOT InvitationChoose one affirmation and repeat it every morning before the day begins. If we do this consistently the affirming words will begin to feel familiar. Visit:beckysquire.comnikiolsencoaching.comFollow me:Instagram @melinda.r.morganFacebook @Edified: Insights for LDS Women

Ep 16 "Ten Lies We Tell Ourselves" Part 201-08-2020THIS WEEK'S LIES:1. I’ve gone too far, sinned too much, repeated the same sins too many times, to ever be completely forgiven. It is prideful madness for us to think, “God’s mercy and grace apply to everyone, except me." The adversary would have us believe ourselves MORE POWERFUL THAN THE INFINITE AND ETERNAL ATONING SACRIFICE OF THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD! Affirmation: “It is true I am a sinner. It’s also true that I sometimes repeat sins I’ve repented of. But my sins and my weaknesses are swallowed up in the supreme sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose atonement on my behalf is both infinite and eternal. I am both amazed by and saved by God’s grace.” 2. The Lord is disappointed in me. I’m not living up to God's expectations of me.If you look up the word, “disappoint” you’ll find these definitions:To fail to fulfill the expectations or wishes of _____;To defeat the fulfillment of (hopes, plans, etc.); thwart or frustrate.Related words: Disillusion, dumbfound, baffle, deceive, mislead, hinder, thwart God is all-knowing. He’s omniscient. He cannot be baffled or misled or deceived. The word “expectation” means “the degree of probability that something will occur.”God's Plan is not a plan of probability. Satan wants us to “hide our face” from God. That’s exactly what he told Adam and Eve to do in the Garden after they partook of the forbidden fruit. SHAME separates us from God. Godly sorrow UNITES us or RECONCILES us with God. Affirmation: “Sometimes I disappoint myself because I don’t live up to my own expectations. But my mistakes and imperfections are part of mortality and they are a necessary part of God’s plan for my progress to become like Him. God is not the author of SHAME and separation; He is the author of FORGIVENESS and UNITY through the enabling powers of Christ’s Atonement. God’s love for me is a gift freely given.”3. I wasn’t blessed with the gift of ministering. If I was, then I would instinctively know how to serve others. Ministering comes in many shapes and sizes. We minister to bring relief to others. Relief is not always defined as a “casserole.” When it comes to our perception of what it means to be a good minister, I think a common mistake we sometimes make is comparing our area of weakness to someone else’s areas of strength.Are you a stay at home mom caring for your children all day? A career mom trying your best to balance your work with home? Are you a grandma looking for ways to help support your children and bring joy to your grandchildren? You are ministering! Affirmation: “It’s true that some people seem to have a natural talent for serving others. But I have been given spiritual gifts and talents that are uniquely mine to share. Acts of service come in many forms. If I pray for help, the Lord will teach me how to use my gifts to lift, love, and serve others.” DOT InvitationThis week we will continue the invitation to recognize the voice of our inner critic and come up with an affirmation to replace a specific lie it tells us. It helps to write our affirmations down and practice saying them until they begin to sound more natural than the lie. This helps us replace our lie with a truth that will serve us in our forward progress. Follow me on IG: @melinda.r.morgan Follow me on FB: Edified: Insights for LDS Women. Visit my website: melindarmorgan.com Music for this episode: "Keys of Moon, Be Inspired" Free music download.Have a great week everyone :-)

Edified: Insights for LDS Women10 Lies We Tell Ourselves, Part 1 26 JULY 2020One way that the adversary gets us to stop our forward progress is to feed us full of lies and half-truths that make us second guess our call, our purpose, our ability, or the value of what we have to offer others. Lie #1: “I am not ____ enough” Truth: There will always be someone who is younger, older, more experienced, more educated, more accomplished, more popular, more intelligent, or more “whatever” you filled in that blank with. The LIE is when we tell ourselves that because others are more ______ than us, there is something wrong with us or lacking in us that makes us inferior as a woman. Affirmation: “I have the seeds of godliness within me. My journey is uniquely mine. God has called me to a work and He qualifies me for the work through the Atoning power of Jesus Christ. My gifts together with God’s grace makes me not only ENOUGH, but the perfect person to accomplish the work I am called to do.”Lie #2: The Lord is too busy to focus on my needs. Others need His attention way more than I do. I’m being selfish if I bother the Lord by asking for more blessings than I’ve already been given. Truth: There are people around us who are facing greater trials and hardships than we are. The LIE is when we tell ourselves the Lord is too busy to focus on our needs or that there is a quota of blessings.Affirmation: “My God is limitless. He wants me to pray for others AND for the desires of my own heart. When I approach my Heavenly Father in prayer, my greatest desire is that I might align my will with His.” Lie #3: I am not in control of my own happiness -- I cannot be happy when there is so much suffering in the world -- I will be happy when _____ happens.Truth: There is a lot of suffering in the world. It’s all around us. Some of it is beyond anything we can bear to imagine. And it breaks our hearts. Another half-truth is the idea that we will be happy when _____ happens.Saying that we’ll be happy when ______ happens, suggests that we can’t be happy if ______ DOESN’T happen. The LIE then is the suggestion that (1) our happiness depends on others’ use of their agency or (2) the assertion that we can’t be happy unless we can control our circumstances. Both of those statements are counterintuitive to the Father’s Plan of Happiness. DO ONE THING InvitationThis week’s invitation is to recognize the voice of your inner critic and come up with an affirmation to replace the lie. Write your affirmation down and practice saying it until it sounds more natural than the lie. This process of substitution might take some time, depending on how long you’ve been buying the “LIE,” but it can make a huge difference in our ability to “press forward with a perfect brightness of hope.” If you have a particular “LIE” you’ve been struggling with, please let me know. You can Direct Message me on IG @melinda.r.morgan or through Facebook @ Edified: Insights for LDS Woman. You can also contact me through email by visiting my website: melindarmorgan.com. I would love to hear from you and to feature your “LIE” in my next episode. If you are enjoying these episodes, pleaseShare this podcast with your friends and family on social media, Leave me a review on iTunes.Until next time...

17 July 2020Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEp 14: Mind-Body Bridging -- A Conversation with Niki Olsen (conclusion)This week is a continuation of last week's interview with Niki Olsen from nikiolsencoaching.com. Niki is a licensed clinical mental health counselor who teaches Mind-Body Bridging, a process that helps LDS women enrich their connection to themselves and to the members of the Godhead. Besides Niki's expertise with Mind-Body Bridging, in this episode, Niki also discusses themes such as the comparison trap, seeking personal revelation, developing empathy, and more.KEY POINTS:Mind-Body BridgingWhen our mind, body, and spirit are all united in their whole, we are connected to our Godhead and we are connected to every power that each member of our Godhead can offer us. That's pretty incredible. That's powerful.When our mind and body and our spirit become disconnected, and they're no longer working on the same team, then we are disconnected from the members of our Godhead. We're disconnected from the spirit. We're disconnected from the atoning power of our Savior. And we're disconnected from the divine power that is within us from our Father in Heaven. It's not that they leave us, it's that we block their powers from accessing us. So we are the ones that disconnect from them. RoutineRising before sunrise, during those quiet hours of the early morning, gives us an opportunity to set the tone and mood of our day. During rare periods of time when I have held to this pattern, I can honestly say my scripture study, personal prayers, and journal writing were more meaningful and filled with greater insights and inspiration. EmpathyWe don't have to have the exact same experience with someone in order to feel empathy for them. Empathy connects us with others and helps us become instruments in the Lord's hands to minister to His children.Don't second guess or doubts the thoughts that prompt you to do something kind or generous for someone else. "Never suppress a generous thought." -- Sister KimballComing Tonight on Instagram!Join Niki and I live on Instagram tonight (July 19th) at 7:00 PM. We will be diving into President Nelson's talk, "Opening the Heavens for Help." Go to @nikiolsencoaching and click on the box in her feed. Do One Thing Invitation for the WeekTry Mind-Body Bridging for free on Niki’s website. Scroll down to where you see the question, “What is Mind-Body Bridging?” Click on the link and give it a try. In today’s episode, Niki talked about the benefits of getting up early and establishing a morning routine that excites you enough that you actually WANT to get up early. If you’re a night owl like me, then this week’s invitation is for you to create a morning routine that makes you look forward to getting up earlier, and then make a commitment to go to bed at least one hour earlier than normal. Before you go . . .If you are enjoying these episodes---Please share this podcast with your friends and family on social media. Leave me a review on iTunes/Apple Podcast.Follow on Instagram @melinda.r.morganFollow on Facebook @edified: Insights for LDS WomenVisit my website: www.melindarmorgan.comMusic in this podcast, "Keys of Moon, Be Inspired."Have a great week, everyone :-)