Engaging Gospel Doctrine

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Engaging Gospel Doctrine provides supplementary resources for Latter-Day Saint Sunday School.

Jared Anderson


    • Jul 18, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 51m AVG DURATION
    • 227 EPISODES

    4.4 from 161 ratings Listeners of Engaging Gospel Doctrine that love the show mention: gospel doctrine, mormon, lds, jared, scriptures, faithful, classes, studying, engaged, church, discussions, thoughtful, thoughts, approach, brilliant, resource, totally, questions, helped, insights.



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    Latest episodes from Engaging Gospel Doctrine

    411: Looking Back and Looking Forward

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2022 40:45


    I can’t believe we have been producing Engaging Gospel Doctrine for ten years! This special episode discusses the purpose and past of the podcast as well as milestones in my own journey and process. I also discuss the future of the podcast and the Olam Institute and its projects. Olam SiteWorkplace Wellness Presentation

    411: Looking Back and Looking Forward

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2022 40:45


    I can’t believe we have been producing Engaging Gospel Doctrine for ten years! This special episode discusses the purpose and past of the podcast as well as milestones in my own journey and process. I also discuss the future of the podcast and the Olam Institute and its projects. Olam SiteWorkplace Wellness Presentation

    410: Judging Judges (June 5; Come Follow Me OT Week 19, Reissued)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2022 14:15


    The Reign of the Judges Judges is one of the most memorable books of the Bible, but also one of the darkest. We must first grapple with the moral ambiguity of these stories before we can learn from the power and courage of Deborah, the vulnerability and trust of Gideon, and appreciate Samson for the… Continue Reading

    410: Judging Judges (June 5; Come Follow Me OT Week 19, Reissued)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2022 14:15


    The Reign of the Judges Judges is one of the most memorable books of the Bible, but also one of the darkest. We must first grapple with the moral ambiguity of these stories before we can learn from the power and courage of Deborah, the vulnerability and trust of Gideon, and appreciate Samson for the… Continue Reading

    409: Deliverance and Resurrection (April 17; Old Testament Lesson 16)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2022 52:26


    Covering the Old Testament this year in Sunday School means that we get to study the Exodus, Passover, and Easter at the same time. This striking alignment invites us to explore where in our lives we are in need of Liberation (Exodus), Commemoration (Passover/Sacrament), and Resurrection (Easter). Reading: Exodus 1-17; Easter You can access my… Continue Reading

    409: Deliverance and Resurrection (April 17; Old Testament Lesson 16)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2022 52:26


    Covering the Old Testament this year in Sunday School means that we get to study the Exodus, Passover, and Easter at the same time. This striking alignment invites us to explore where in our lives we are in need of Liberation (Exodus), Commemoration (Passover/Sacrament), and Resurrection (Easter). Reading: Exodus 1-17; Easter You can access my… Continue Reading

    408: Reversals and Fortunes (Old Testament Week 12; March 20)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2022 53:55


    While Joseph seems tricky and somewhat annoying, a deeper reading of Genesis 37-50 reveals themes of accountability and reconciliation. These chapters invite us to reflect on how we can remain true to ourselves and make the best of difficult situations, and how we can live in such a way that we are ready for whatever… Continue Reading

    408: Reversals and Fortunes (Old Testament Week 12; March 20)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2022 53:55


    While Joseph seems tricky and somewhat annoying, a deeper reading of Genesis 37-50 reveals themes of accountability and reconciliation. These chapters invite us to reflect on how we can remain true to ourselves and make the best of difficult situations, and how we can live in such a way that we are ready for whatever… Continue Reading

    407: Finding Your Fit (Old Testament Lesson 10; March 6)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2022 37:32


    In these chapters we read about the inter-generational machinations and drama around the family of Rebekah and her twin sons Jacob and Esau. We are invited to reflect on marriage and family, culture, mindset, relationships, and reconciliation. Class Reading: Genesis 24-27; 28-33 Related Episodes

    esau finding your fit old testament lesson
    407: Finding Your Fit (Old Testament Lesson 10; March 6)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2022 37:32


    In these chapters we read about the inter-generational machinations and drama around the family of Rebekah and her twin sons Jacob and Esau. We are invited to reflect on marriage and family, culture, mindset, relationships, and reconciliation. Class Reading: Genesis 24-27; 28-33 Related Episodes

    esau finding your fit old testament lesson
    406: The World Who Weeps (Old Testament Lesson 6; February 6)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2022 44:22


    How do we move forward when the world feels like it is ending? How do we bear the pain of feeling the pain of the world? We learn from Noah and Enoch in this episode, who teach us lessons of preparation and compassion. Reading: Genesis 5-11; Moses 6-8 You can access my Reading Notes hereYou… Continue Reading

    weeps reading genesis old testament lesson
    406: The World Who Weeps (Old Testament Lesson 6; February 6)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2022 44:22


    How do we move forward when the world feels like it is ending? How do we bear the pain of feeling the pain of the world? We learn from Noah and Enoch in this episode, who teach us lessons of preparation and compassion. Reading: Genesis 5-11; Moses 6-8 You can access my Reading Notes hereYou… Continue Reading

    weeps reading genesis old testament lesson
    405: Fall and Freedom (Old Testament Lesson 3; January 16)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2021 55:36


    This episode grapples with the fundamental questions of human nature and purpose. How do we increase and responsibly use our agency, given human limitations? Reading: January 16: Genesis 3-4; Moses 4-5   January 9: Genesis 1-2; Moses 2-3; Abraham 4-5     You can access my Reading Notes hereYou can access my Lesson Notes here Related Episodes

    freedom old testament lesson lesson notes
    405: Fall and Freedom (Old Testament Lesson 3; January 16)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2021 55:36


    This episode grapples with the fundamental questions of human nature and purpose. How do we increase and responsibly use our agency, given human limitations? Reading: January 16: Genesis 3-4; Moses 4-5   January 9: Genesis 1-2; Moses 2-3; Abraham 4-5     You can access my Reading Notes hereYou can access my Lesson Notes here Related Episodes

    freedom old testament lesson lesson notes
    404: Perspective and Potential (Old Testament Lesson 1; January 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2021 46:50


    We have our greatest chance to progress toward our divine potential when we take seriously our human nature. This introductory episode for Come Follow Me 2022 reviews the schedule and approach of the podcast for next year, reviews the nature and approaches to scripture, explores the Old Testament and Pearl of Great Price. Class Reading:… Continue Reading

    404: Perspective and Potential (Old Testament Lesson 1; January 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2021 46:50


    We have our greatest chance to progress toward our divine potential when we take seriously our human nature. This introductory episode for Come Follow Me 2022 reviews the schedule and approach of the podcast for next year, reviews the nature and approaches to scripture, explores the Old Testament and Pearl of Great Price. Class Reading:… Continue Reading

    403: Easter (Reissued)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2021 52:32


    Celebrating Easter and resurrection is incomplete if we do not also celebrate the Holy Week, which is full of not just life and resurrection, but also disappointment, betrayal, and death. Easter invites us to increase our acceptance of death, which allows us to increase our engagement with life. We, like the women at the tomb,… Continue Reading

    403: Easter (Reissued)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2021 52:32


    Celebrating Easter and resurrection is incomplete if we do not also celebrate the Holy Week, which is full of not just life and resurrection, but also disappointment, betrayal, and death. Easter invites us to increase our acceptance of death, which allows us to increase our engagement with life. We, like the women at the tomb,… Continue Reading

    402: Easter (Come Follow Me D&C Week 14)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2021 35:02


    This is a time to celebrate renewal and resurrection. In this bonus episode I explain the purpose and contribution of Engaging Gospel Doctrine, comparing its approach to other Sunday School podcasts. There are so many great resources out there! I also reread Carol Lynn Pearson’s Holy Week, which applies the Easter message to our every… Continue Reading

    holy week sunday school carol lynn pearson
    402: Easter (Come Follow Me D&C Week 14)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2021 35:02


    This is a time to celebrate renewal and resurrection. In this bonus episode I explain the purpose and contribution of Engaging Gospel Doctrine, comparing its approach to other Sunday School podcasts. There are so many great resources out there! I also reread Carol Lynn Pearson’s Holy Week, which applies the Easter message to our every… Continue Reading

    holy week sunday school carol lynn pearson
    401: March 7; True and Living Church (Come Follow Me Week 10, Reissued)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2021 86:56


    It is a shame we shorten this phrase to “The only true Church”, because I think “living” is a very important part of the statement. What does it mean to say the LDS Church is the “only true and living Church”? How do our Heavenly Parents interact with their children? What is the relationship between… Continue Reading

    401: March 7; True and Living Church (Come Follow Me Week 10, Reissued)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2021 86:56


    It is a shame we shorten this phrase to “The only true Church”, because I think “living” is a very important part of the statement. What does it mean to say the LDS Church is the “only true and living Church”? How do our Heavenly Parents interact with their children? What is the relationship between… Continue Reading

    400: Re-Engaging Gospel Doctrine (Come Follow Me Bonus Episode)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2021 4:30


    Thank you to all of you who have continued to support the podcast! My goal is to create a library of content indexed to scripture sections so that the podcast will be useful for the foreseeable future. That said, I will also continue to produce the podcast while you continue to support it! This Bonus… Continue Reading

    400: Re-Engaging Gospel Doctrine (Come Follow Me Bonus Episode)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2021 4:30


    Thank you to all of you who have continued to support the podcast! My goal is to create a library of content indexed to scripture sections so that the podcast will be useful for the foreseeable future. That said, I will also continue to produce the podcast while you continue to support it! This Bonus… Continue Reading

    399: Dec 20; Faith, Hope, Love (Come Follow Me Week 50)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2020 111:09


    So much to discuss as we conclude our study of the Book of Mormon this year. Points we will explore this lesson: Mormon’s sublime letter on faith, hope, and charity in Moroni 7 Moroni’s promise in chapter 10–perhaps the most read section of the Book of Mormon. How do we know what is true? What does… Continue Reading

    398: Dec. 6; Remembered and Nourished (Come Follow Me Week 48)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2020 95:17


    These chapters are straightforward–Moroni, shocked he hasn’t been killed yet, shares information about the organization of the church. He introduces: The Gift of the Holy Ghost Ordination of priests and teachers The sacrament prayers Baptism and Church order This is an ideal time to discuss the question: Why do we go to Church? What is… Continue Reading

    397: Nov 22-29; An Eye of Faith (BoM Come Follow Me Week 46)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2020 84:07


    This lesson contains one of the crown jewels of the Book of Mormon–the sublime verse on weakness and strength in 12:27.   There are other gems worthy of study, discussion, and application in this chapter. We have the idea that we can be the angels whom God uses to answer prayers, and Moroni comments on how God… Continue Reading

    396: Journey to the Promised Land (BoM Come Follow Me Week 45)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2020 84:56


    In this lesson we get to discuss the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon (which made up the bulk of the plates as Joseph described them)! What is contained in the sealed portion? What can we learn from the instructions regarding how to access them? We are going to examine these chapters on several… Continue Reading

    395: Last Nephite Standing (BoM Come Follow Me Week 44)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2020 71:24


    After Mormon’s final plea to the House of Israel, Moroni takes over the record. His despair and loneliness is palpable and touching in the beginning of Mormon 8. There are several thought provoking gems in these chapters about weakness, pride, caring for the needy, and theological points about the nature of God and judgment. Moroni’s… Continue Reading

    394: The Problem of Evil (BoM Come Follow Me Week 43)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2020 107:23


    Poignantly placed after the description of the Lehite utopia, these are the darkest, most disturbing chapters in the Book of Mormon. It seems a fitting time to wrestle with the human potential for evil, the reality of the terrible things we do to each other, almost as a rule. And after reading his life’s work,… Continue Reading

    393: Utopia and Collapse (Come Follow Me, BoM Gospel Doctrine Lesson 42)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2020 114:14


    hese chapters include an account of the happiest, most righteous, productive years in all of Book of Mormon history, the model utopian society that endured almost two hundred years after Jesus’ appearance. Unfortunately,  we only read about that time period (which surpasses the time covered by Mosiah, Alma, Helaman, and 3 Nephi!) for eighteen brief… Continue Reading

    392.2: All Things Revealed (Come Follow Me, BoM Gospel Doctrine Lesson 41, Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2020 96:43


    These chapters function as a sermon and reflection about the scriptures. Jesus quotes from Isaiah 54 and Malachi 3-4. He recommends the writings of Isaiah and urges Nephi to supplement his own records. Then in a bittersweet twist, we are excluded from the climax of the story–Mormon tells us that Jesus reveals all things, that… Continue Reading

    392: Gathering and Scattering (Come Follow Me, BoM Gospel Doctrine Lesson 41)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2020 94:45


    Am I correct in concluding that these chapters fall in that category of scripture that most members read without comprehension? When we think “Isaiah chapters” 2 Nephi comes to mind, but 3 Nephi has its share as well, with some Micah thrown in. These chapters in brief talk about how in the latter days Israel… Continue Reading

    391: One by One (Come Follow Me BoM Gospel Doctrine Lesson 40)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2020 104:23


    These chapters of the Book of Mormon contain some of the most moving and tender moments in all of scripture. Jesus heals the sick, one by one. The crowd weeps with joy. Jesus blesses little children and the scene becomes ineffable. Angels minister to the children and Jesus weeps. All take the sacrament and Jesus… Continue Reading

    390: All Things New (BoM Gospel Doctrine Lesson 39)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2020 99:35


    These chapters give a literal chance to “feast upon the words of Christ” since they consist almost exclusively of Jesus’ teachings. Chapters 12-14 parallel the Sermon on the Mount and focus on issues of the happy life (Beatitudes), discipleship, the relationship of Jesus to the Law of Moses, and proper prayer and fasting. Other points… Continue Reading

    389: A Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit (BoM Gospel Doctrine Lesson 38)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2020 94:54


     Nephi 11 is one of the most familiar chapters in Mormon scripture, shared by missionaries daily in countless languages. 3 Nephi 11-28 recount the personal ministry of Christ to the Lehites. Some of the most touching and powerful chapters in the Book of Mormon are found in this section. But before that ministry, there is… Continue Reading

    388: 210: From Unity to Collapse (BoM Gospel Doctrine Lesson 36)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2020


    The beginning of 3 Nephi overflows with intense extremes as it describes the decades leading up to the appearance of Jesus to the Lehites. The sign of Jesus’ birth is given; people believe then disbelieve. A protracted war with the Gadianton robbers forces the people to prepare and unite. Society is rebuilt and then collapses.… Continue Reading

    387: Insiders and Outsiders (Come Follow Me BoM Week 36, Reissued)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2020


    These chapters are about Samuel the Lamanite posting to his wall (I know, bad joke, but some of us can relate to the stones and arrows). Samuel’s wall top preaching alternates between predictions of destruction, contrasting the Lamanite reaction to the truth, and prophesying concerning the coming of Christ. This lesson and discussion will focus… Continue Reading

    386: The Limitations of Human Nature (Come Follow Me BoM Week 35, Reissued)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2020


    Pretty much everyone is depressed in these chapters. The prophet Nephi and editor Mormon both complain about human nature and the state of wickedness of the people at this time. This is where the Lamanites become more righteous than the Nephites. Highlights will include Lessons from Lamanite and Nephite reactions to the Gadianton Robbers Book… Continue Reading

    385: Aug 24; The Beginning of the End (Come Follow Me BoM 34, Reissued)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2020


    Even with the impending ministry of Christ among the Nephites, Mormon sees this section as the beginning of the end (Hel. 2:13). Helaman is a dark book with powerful highlights. This is a bad time to be a chief judge, and a bad time for the Nephites. The Nephites expand their territory, but wars divide… Continue Reading

    384.2: Aug 9; Ethics and War (Come Follow Me BoM Week 33, Reissued)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2020


    The Book of Alma concludes with a bang as we read of wars of multiple fronts and severe internal turmoil and dissent. We can learn a great deal from the behavior of Moroni, Helaman, and their armies. And of course we can’t forget the 2000 stripling warriors and their mothers! There are several embedded letters… Continue Reading

    383.2: Aug 9; Freedom and War (Come Follow Me BoM Week 32, Reissued)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2020


    With this lesson we march into the “War chapters” of Alma. Sometimes it seems readers of the Book of Mormon don’t know quite what to do with these twenty odd chapters, but there are many important lessons and intriguing details we can glean. Reading: Alma 43-52 Highlights of this lesson include: Important themes about motivation… Continue Reading

    383: August 16; Alma (Come Follow Me Catch Up!)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2020


    For my next trick, I will work through the entirety of Alma in one episode! It was a rewarding experience to look through the longest book of the Book of Mormon in one sitting, and I saw details and patterns that I had missed before. Alma is a rich and complex book that reveals some… Continue Reading

    382.2: Laws of Reality (Come Follow Me BoM Week 31, Reissued)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2020


    This core episode puts the provocative idea of God losing godhood in the context of the Plan of Happiness and its opposite, the Plan of Damnation. Reading: Alma 39-42 You can access my Lesson Notes here.

    382.1: Laws of Reality (Come Follow Me BoM Week 31, Reissued)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2020


    These chapters are chock full of doctrinal substance touching upon the “Great Plan of Happiness”. We will explore: Resurrection and Spirit World Justice and mercy Role of this life The nature of God, including the unusual and compelling idea of a “limited God”. Reading: Alma 39-42 Look forward to an engaging discussion with Jennifer, Stefanie, Keith and Dan. You can… Continue Reading

    381: Challenge and be Challenged by the Scriptures (Bonus Episode)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2020


    In this bonus episode, I describe my process of preparing for the podcast and reading the scriptures, as well as make recommendations for scripture reading in general. I discuss literary, personal, intertextual, and historical approaches, and send scripture reading down the rabbit hole. The takeaway is that we can both find personal scripture that nourishes and… Continue Reading

    380.2: July 26; Atonement and Character (Come Follow Me BoM Week 30)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2020


    Alma’s intimate words to his sons model a way to use honest sharing about the past to better the present and future. This core episode covers Alma’s path to peace, the principle that we cannot feel greater joy than we have experienced pain, the underappreciated figure of Shiblon, and finally, challenge to the unhealthy idea… Continue Reading

    380.1: July 26; Atonement and Character (Come Follow Me BoM Week 30)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2020


    This lesson and the next provide a precious and intimate window in the family life of Alma, one of the great Book of Mormon prophets. These chapters fit into the genre of “Testament”, which records the wisdom and blessings imparted by the patriarch of a family (unfortunately, we don’t have any records of  a matriarch… Continue Reading

    379.2: July 19; Experiment upon the Word (Come Follow Me Week 29, Reissued)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2020


    This reading proves not only interesting for discussion, but can be life changing. This core episode discusses the power and importance of experimenting on the word, the distinction between belief, knowledge, and faith, and how we can experience heaven on earth. Reading: Alma 32-35 You can access the Lesson Notes here.

    379.1: July 19; Experiment upon the Word (Come Follow Me Week 29, Reissued)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2020


    Plant this Word in your Hearts How many superstars of theology can we fit into a few chapters? Truth. Prayer. Atonement. These chapters contain some of the most memorable lessons and gems in the Book of Mormon. The “experiment upon the word” in Alma 32, Amulek’s powerful sermon on the Atonement and role of this… Continue Reading

    378.2: Conversations about God (BoM Gospel Doctrine Lesson 27, Reissued)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2020


    “All Things Denote There Is a God” One of the problems with our beliefs is that they are obvious–to us. The familiar is so self-evident that often we can’t even imagine how anyone could believe anything different. Further, even if “all things denote there is a God”, we as humans are not equipped to understand… Continue Reading

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