Life with Latter-day Saints

We wanted to acknowledge current events in the United States which have opened up wide-reaching discussions on racism and perspective, and it inadvertently ended up being our entire episode of discussion. While our sphere of influence may be small, and our claim to expertise on this subject even smaller, we feel that it is important to keep discussions going, even while we are in the midst of learning, and un-learning, or when figuring it all out is sometimes uncomfortable. This is not meant to be an episode about white-fragility, but more of a call to action for us, and for others, to be introspective, reflective, and examine where we can begin. That's exactly what this podcast is all about! Sharing perspective and telling it like it is in our realm of LIFE. After all, we can't hope to really develop stronger empathy and understanding until we are all willing to listen to each other's stories and lean in. And we suspect there may be others in similar circumstances as us! So if you're learning and un-learning, observing, and feeling, and growing too, let's start together.

The Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price... and more?? How many scriptures do Latter-day Saints use, and WHY? Jon and Steph talk about their experiences with the scriptures growing up, and the culture around scriptures in every-day life! Scripture chases, memorization, and religion classes at Church universities? And what about pet-peeves and scriptures being misquoted? It's all just a regular part of LIFE when you're a Latter-day Saint! Featuring WOTD: URIM & THUMMIM Show notes: The Church's new 2020 Book of Mormon videos "Be Ye Therefore Perfect--Eventually" Elder Holland Find us on all the things: IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints Email us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com Church Instagram: @churchofjesuschrist

Let's talk about COVID-19 (because all the cool kids are doing it.) LIFE is so different now, with lock-downs, and quarantines, and economical uncertainty. How has your faith been affected during this time? OR has it changed much at all? Jon and Steph talk about how they have felt divine direction (or not) and what our days look like as we practice our faith as a family even with so much changing around us. And what do the Prophet and the Pope have to do with it? Check in and tell us what's happening in YOUR life, too! We want to hear all about it. LIFE can be challenging to navigate... here's our perspective as Latter-day Saints! Featuring WOTD: NATURAL MAN Find us on all the things: IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints Email us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com Church Instagram: @churchofjesuschrist

Jon and Steph briefly follow-up on their Self Care episode (35) and then jump into THIS week. Jon asks Steph some questions, and then she asks him the SAME questions, and they talk. It's funnier than it sounds. "This is not a gospel of fixing each other, it is a gospel of loving one another." -Danielle Adamson, RK2 Gospel Doctrine Class **SPOILER ALERT: WE RUIN THE END OF HARRY POTTER BOOKS AND MOVIES.** Do not listen to this episode if you're worried about hearing things that happen to characters in Book/Movie 7 ;) NO WOTD this week. But instead enjoy Steph's rendition of the song, "Love One Another" (Children's Songbook 136) Possibly featuring two new segments?? "Recap with Steph", and "Definitions with Jon", haha. Let us know if you like them! Answer the questions we asked each other, OR ask us something new! You can write to us here: IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints, Twitter: @latter_daylife Email us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com More information on our faith can be found HERE at ChurchofJesusChirst.org QUESTIONS WE ASKED EACH OTHER: -What would you do with a week of solitary confinement? -What is something that most people haven't done, that you have? -Which 3 Harry Potter characters would be on your zombie apocalypse team, and why? -What's the strangest skill that you would most like to learn? (turns out it really is a thing! >> Custom painted golf balls. Also see: chess-boxing, and rogue taxidermy.) -What is an ODD talent that you have? -What fad did you never really understand?

We live in a culture of "Self Care", and during this time of quarantine and sheltering-in-place it is especially important! But how is "Self Care" actually defined, and what makes it worthwhile for each of us individually? In this modern world we're in a fight for our minds. Mental and emotional wellness is key to a strong sense of self-worth and esteem. But is it possible to give yourself proper self-care and still maintain a strong membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? When there are standards and expectations of lifestyle, what does that mean for each of us personally? Jon and Steph discuss all of this and more on this week's episode of LIFE with Latter-day Saints! WOTD: Stake (of Zion) Here's a link to the new Church logo: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/new-symbol-church-of-jesus-christ Find us on all the things: IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints, Twitter: @latter_daylife Email us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com More information on our faith can be found HERE at ChurchofJesusChirst.org

What does it mean to have a 'faith crisis'? And how can we handle these doubts and still remain active members of a religion? This week Jon and Steph talk about their very real struggles of coping with various Faith crises. For anyone who has ever felt that they weren't allowed to be uncertain, or not supposed to doubt what we claim to believe within the Church (or really any life setting), this conversation is for you! Listen to find out what we have toiled with over our 30-some-odd years as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and how we have come through on the other side of questioning our Faith. Featured WOTD: CTR (Choose the Right) Elder Bednar's talk Things As They Really Are Find us on all the things: IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints, Twitter: @latter_daylife Email us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com More information on our faith can be found HERE at ChurchOfJesusChrist.org

Do you ever feel like LIFE is the audience that's throwing a bunch of rotten tomatoes your way? And all you're trying to do is find a quick and graceful exit off stage? This week Jon and Steph talk about the last couple months of LIFE and all the things being thrown our way, and how sometimes all you can do is keep going. "Just keep swimming... just keep swimming." ;) What are your main go-to habits or foundations that keep you running, even when you're low on gas? How many analogies can we pack into one episode description?? Find out with us on LIFE with Latter-day Saints! Featuring NO WOTD this week. Visit us here: IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints Email us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com -- we would love to hear about your faith experiences and life trials particular to you right now! And for more about the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we invite you to visit the official Church website.

This week Jon and Steph lighten things up as they discuss all things Mormon Cinema! What even is that, you ask?? Movies MADE by Mormons, WATCHED by Mormons, and LOVED by Mormons! *ahem* we mean Latter-day Saints ;). Listen as our hosts try to define Mormon filmmaking while delving into how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints uses film to share the gospel and its teachings with the world, and exploring the quirky movies made by Church members addressing what LIFE is like as Latter-day Saints. Featuring WOTD: APOSTACY Find us on all the things: IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints Email us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com Church Instagram: @churchofjesuschrist And here are all those songs, videos, and lists we promised: Popcorn Popping When Grandpa Comes Johnny Lingo 100 Mormon Movies

This week Jon and Steph tackle the difficult topic of Mental Health in a Church culture setting--something we have direct personal experience with! We have a candid conversation about Jon's mission experience and what it was like for him to come home early (a life trial and season of change that he has written a book about) and how mental health has been, and is now, viewed in the Church, and amongst fellow members. Listen along as we share our experiences as active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, talk about where we find hope, and how blessings STILL come, even when they're not in the way we initially expect. “Old sailing ships had periods when the wind did not blow. They were ‘dead in the water.’ But the wind will return. The sails will fill. You will come into port.” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Featured WOTD: SACRED GROVE Find us on all the things: IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints, Twitter: @latter_daylife Email us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com Church Instagram: @churchofjesuschrist Read about: Joseph Smith's First Vision NEED HELP? TALK NOW. More information on our faith can be found HERE

What does it mean when a Latter-day Saint says they have "a calling"? What are Jon and Steph's callings, and how long do they last? Find out in this week's episode all about how members serve in the Church! Featured WOTD: MOLLY MORMON & PETER PRIESTHOOD Find us on all the things: IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints, Twitter: @latter_daylife Email us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com More information on our faith can be found HERE at ChurchOfJesusChrist.org

What happens when Latter-day Saints get together for a GAME NIGHT?? Find out as Jon and Steph play a Harry Potter/Gospel mash up game with good friends Jared & Lindsey Joyner called DUMBLEDORE OR UCHTDORF? :D We can't wait to share in the hilarity with you! Extra points if you know which book from the HP series that each Dumbledore quote comes from, or if you can name all of Uchtdorf's talks. ;) We'll give you the first one: Elder Utchdorf's talk: Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear Featured WOTD: FRIENDS (from FTSOY) Find us on all the things: IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints, Twitter: @latter_daylife Email us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com As always, you can find more information at ChurchOfJesusChrist.org

This episode gets real as we discuss what it is we individual believe as people. Outside of Church and doctrine, take away all the scriptures and Bible dictionary definitions, when it comes right down to it: what do we really believe? Listen in while Jon and Steph discuss personal beliefs formed by more than just the Gosepl, and what it really looks like (and feels like) to live those beliefs on a daily basis.   Find us on all the things: IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints Email us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com As always, you can find more information at ChurchOfJesusChrist.org

We have talked about the idea of REVELATION and that Latter-day Saints believe it's possible, but how does that show up in real LIFE?? This week Jon and Steph talk about real relevant revelation happening in real-time! Try to say that three times fast. ;) As Julie B. Beck (former Relief Society General President of The Church) has said: “The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life, … It requires a conscious effort to diminish distractions, but having the Spirit of revelation makes it possible to prevail over opposition and persist in faith through difficult days and essential routine tasks. … We can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when we feel the Spirit working through us. With [personal revelation] we cannot fail; without it we cannot succeed.” (emphasis added. Excerpts from her talk, "And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit,” Ensign, May 2010, 11–12) Featured WOTD: MORMON STANDARD TIME   Find us on all the things: IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints, Twitter: @latter_daylife Email us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com As always, you can find more information at ChurchOfJesusChrist.org

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy." Exodus 20:8 -- yep, Latter-day Saints take the Ten Commandments pretty seriously, and the Sabbath Day is no exception! What is it like living in 2019 when you don't go shopping, out to eat, or work on Sundays?? It can be quite a challenge! But also a huge blessing. Listen in as Jon and Steph talk about our Sunday habits now, and how it was for us growing up. Does it take WORK to carve out a day of REST? You bet! Tell us all about your Sunday Funday--whether you grew up in a Christian religion or not. Is Sunday just another day of the week? Do you honor a Sabbath on another day beside Sunday? What makes it such a big deal? This is all about that LIFE ... with Latter-day Saints! Featured WOTD: DIET COKE (we know everyone already knows what this is, but just trust us) Find us on all the things: IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints, Twitter: @latter_daylife Email us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com As always, you can find more information at ChurchOfJesusChrist.org

You may have heard the Christian community talk about GUILT--that feeling of responsibility for doing something wrong, of never being quite good enough, whether real or imagined. Do Latter-day Saints feel it too? Oh, you bet! This week we tackle the big "G" word, talking less about doctrinal beliefs and more about perceived experience and how we have felt it deeply affect our personal lives and our friends near and far. Can Christianity as a whole be damaging? Is it the teachings, or the culture of the people, or both? This is our longest episode yet, so strap in, get comfy, and listen in with Jon and Steph as we talk all about this LIFE as Latter-day Saints. Featuring WOTD: HOME & VISITING TEACHING (now MINISTERING) Find us on all the things:IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints, Twitter: @latter_daylifeEmail us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.comFor more information on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and our beliefs, visit ChurchOfJesusChrist.org Video mentioned in the pod conversation: Pornography addiction, not just about the men. Church policy on minors being baptized when living in a household with parents of a same-sex relationship: Interview with Elder D. Todd Christofferson. Lindsey Stirling modesty criticism: Original photo from the Billboard Music Awards and response on Instagram as shared by the Deseret News.

With a sick family at home, Jon flies solo for this short episode all about family history! You may have heard it called genealogy, or you may have heard it called that thing old people do to find more old people. But whatever it's called, family history is something of which Latter-day Saints do a lot. Whether finding long-lost relatives, learning more about personal heritage, writing your own personal history, or seeing if you can join the DAR or SAR, family history has something for everyone! Featuring WOTD: FAMILY   Find us on all the things: IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints Twitter: @latter_daylife Email us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com   Find more information about youth standards and our beliefs at LDS.org! Also, check out Ancestry and Family Search to learn more about family history work!

First comes LOVE, then comes MARRIAGE! (It's what brings us together today!) Now that you know all about our eternal companion interview process ;) -- see Episode 19 on dating -- join us as we jump into discussions on what Marriage means within the Church, as well as the process of ending a marriage. Is divorce ever allowed? What happens if your spouse dies? Can you be re-married again inside the temple after a dissolution of a prior covenant? There are so many layers, and we attempt to touch on them all briefly as well as sharing our own experiences with ourselves, family, and friends entering into marriage. This will definitely be expanded on in future episodes, so make sure to write to us with all your comments and questions! Featuring WOTD: REVELATION Find us on all the things: IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints, Twitter: @latter_daylife Email us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com Find more information about youth standards and our beliefs at LDS.org!

Dating can be fun and confusing no matter how you approach it, and for Latter-day Saints it's even more unique! Explore the world of dating in a culture where the end goal is eternal companionship and you don't live together before marriage. You've gotta get creative when you don't drink and meet at bars, strive to only participate in wholesome entertainment, and try not to spend lots of money. ;) Hear about some of our first dating experiences, and what the standards are for youth in the church, and tell us about your best (and worst) experiences with dating! It's all about that LIFE. Featuring WOTD: Beehives, Mia Maids, Laurels, Deacons, Teachers, Priests (oh my!) Find us on all the things: IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints, Twitter: @latter_daylife Email us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com Find more information about youth standards and our beliefs at LDS.org!

What does it really mean for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be baptized? Can it be that different from other sects of Christianity? Do we still need to be performing baptism in our modern time? In this episode we explore one of the main ordinances of the gospel, discuss why it's so important to members, and talk about how baptism as a Latter-day Saint differs from other churches--including our own memories of baptism as 8-year-old children ;). Featuring WOTD: MORMON Find us on all the things: IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints, Twitter: @latter_daylife Email us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com You can find more information on our faith here at LDS.org!

How are everyday LIFE situations (and even big milestone moments) affected when not everybody in your family agrees on one religion? In this episode we welcome Latter-day Saint wife and mom-of-three Breanna Baker to chat with us about her experiences growing up in a mixed-faith household, and how that has played a role in her adult life and raising her own family now. From daily prayers, to baptism, to serving a mission, to being married in the temple, and blessing babies in the Church, it is all intertwined with a Latter-day Saint lifestyle--which is so much more than just a Sunday practice. Featuring WOTD: BROTHER & SISTER Find us on all the things: IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints, Twitter: @latter_daylife Email us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com You can find more information on our faith here at LDS.org!

You've seen missionaries with their white shirts and nametags, but what is serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints really like? Do you get to pick where you go? How do you know which language to learn? Are the rules the same all over the world? Jon and Steph talk about the process of preparing, applying, being called, going out to, and eventually returning home from a full-time mission. In this follow-up episode to #13 (Missionaries, Part 1) we get into more detail about the process from start to finish, share our own experiences with friends and family serving missions, and hopefully answer some of your biggest questions along the way! Featuring WOTD: KEYS (of the Priesthood) Find us on all the things: IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints, Twitter: @latter_daylife Email us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com As always, you can find more information on missions and missionary work here on the official Church website!

We've got some little guest podcasters with us this week--our kids! If you've ever wanted to know what day-to-day conversations are like in our house, this is pretty much it. ;) We ask the hard questions (you know, like math), and also talk about experiences growing up in a household where we read scriptures and sing primary songs all the time. (Oh, and Jingle Bells. All year round.) This is life with kids age six and under . . . oh man! Get in touch with us on all the things: Email: latterdaysaintlifegmail.com IG & FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints Twitter: @latter_daylife Wanna know more about members or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Click here!

Sometimes we have conversations which don't make it to the final cut. This is one of those times! It was just a little too much for the end-bloopers or to work in anywhere else, so this week you get a BONUS episode! Mostly us talking about Baby #3 (arriving in April), making weird noises, and laughing hysterically. Enjoy this six-minutes or so of just hearing our voices and see what a "normal" conversation between Steph and Jon is like. ;) IG & FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints Twitter: latter_daylife Email: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com

You always see those guys on the bikes with the white shirts and name-tags--why are there so many of them and what are they doing anyway?? Today we talk about our experiences growing up around missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and also share our own connection to missions! (Which one of us served a full-time mission? Jon, or Steph, or both??) Find us on all the things: IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints, Twitter: @latter_daylife Email us: latterdaysaintlife gmail.com As always, you can find more information on missions and missionary work here on the official Church website!

Say goodbye to 2018! Jon and Steph talk about the year in review, both with big changes in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints culture, and things we are looking forward to next year at home and in the gospel. Get in touch with us on all the things: Email: latterdaysaintlifegmail.com IG & FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints Twitter: @latter_daylife Wanna know more about members or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Click here! Or here! And here's the link to Elder Uchtdorf's talk from October 2012: Of Regrets and Resolutions

Christmas is a magical time of year, but ESPECIALLY a big deal in the Latter-day Saint community! From parties to musical broadcasts to a month of service, the Christmas season is a pumped up event of spreading the Light of Christ. Come along as we tell tales of our culture and personal experiences, and we'd love to hear from you too! IG & FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints Twitter: @latter_daylife Email: latterdaysaintlife@gmail.com Make sure to rate, review, comment, and subscribe for all the podcast awesomeness!

Ever wonder what goes on in Latter-day Saint temples? This week's episode has the info you need! Come along with Jon and Steph as they deep dive into their experiences attending the temple, and listen as they debunk some strange myths about what really happens behind temple doors. Wanna tell us something? Or ask a question? Or are lonely and need a friend? Get in touch with us on all the things: Email: latterdaysaintlifegmail.com IG & FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints Twitter: @latter_daylife Curious to know more about members, or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Click here!

Why are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ALWAYS helping people?? Do they think they're earning points into Heaven or something? Listen with us today as we discuss service, and introduce new segments, including defining some commonly used Latter-day Saint terms and phrases! Find us on IG & FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints, and on Twitter: @latter_daylife Write to us and tell us about your service experiences with Latter-day Saints! latterdaysaintlife@gmail.com As always, we appreciate your reviews and ratings and hope you will subscribe to stay up-to-date with all things LIFE... with Latter-day Saints!

Families, and holidays, and traditions, OH MY! What is it like growing up in a Latter-day Saint family around the holiday season? And how do those traditions blend when you get married? This week's special guests from Arizona, Beth Alston McDonald and Derek McDonald share their experiences with Jon on traditions both growing up and creating new ones together as adults. It might sound a lot like YOUR family, except does being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints make it any different?? Listen to episode 8 and find out! IG & FB: @lifewithlatterdaysaints Email us at: latterdaysaintlife@gmail.com Find us on Twitter at @latter_daylife

It's Thanksgiving this week! And what better way to celebrate people coming together and eating until our buttons pop, than to talk about Latter-day Saints and families. This is one of the major differences between members of the Church and the rest of world: our unique view on families. But for today, we talk about the funny parts. Start with part one now, and get ready for a crazy ride as we discuss our families and visiting cousins and crazy relatives and avoiding fights, all leading into this holiday season! We want to hear from you! Get in touch with us on all the things: Email: latterdaysaintlifegmail.com IG & FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints Twitter: @latter_daylife Wanna know more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Click here!

Whoa, it has been quite a week! We missed you all last week, sorry there wasn't an episode--being sick will do that to you. But it's okay, because we're back, and with an intense episode to make up for our absence! This episode we deep-dive into our last week (as Latter-day Saints). From devastating natural disasters to death to struggling friends to kids to more long conferences at church, we cover it all and more. Thank you for listening and supporting the podcast, we're thankful for all of you! Get in touch with us on all the things: Email: latterdaysaintlifegmail.com IG & FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints Twitter: @latter_daylife Wanna know more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Click here!

Do members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrate Halloween?? Were we allowed to go trick-or-treating as kids?? Hear about our experiences growing up--and even now!--surrounding this massive autumn holiday season. For more about The Church and what we believe, visit www.lds.org. Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Tell your friends about us, too! Find us on IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints, or on Twitter: @latter_daylife. You can also write to us at latterdaysaintlife@gmail.com

Latter-day Saints are involved in the government?! Find out what politics are like as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And, of course, we encourage you to get involved and vote in November! (United States) More information can be found here! Email us at: latterdaysaintlife@gmail.com, or find us on IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints, or Twitter: @latter_daylife.

We talk with special guest Cassady Stewart all about food, growing up in Utah, and how to eat like a Latter-day Saint! If you haven't heard of funeral potatoes, get ready to have your life changed. For info about the Word of Wisdom, click here. Or email us: latterdaysaintlife@gmail.com Find us on Facebook and Instagram: @lifewithlatterdaysaints; or Twitter: @latter_daylife

Jon and Steph discuss the big five of being members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: who, what, where, when, and why.  Question or comments? Email us at: latterdaysaintlifegmail.com Or find us on IG and FB: @LifeWithLatterDaySaints Wanna know even more? Click Here

This weekend is something big. Almost Super-Bowl status big, in Latter-Day Saint culture. 10 HOURS of CHURCH! Click to Join us in listening to General Conference this weekend. You can also stream conference on any device, so listening is available anywhere!

Once upon a time, we used to be called Mormons. Now, it's time to be who we really are: Latter-Day Saints; or, more accurately, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Why the name update, you ask? Take a listen and find out just why, and what our experiences were growing up as members of The Church.

We did it! It's happening! We're finally making the podcast! Come join Jon and Steph Alston as they talk their way through the quirky stuff that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (you know, Mormons) say and do.