Lilies and Manna

"You are hereby called to serve as a mother for the building up of the kingdom of God here on Earth." Whether or not you have formally received a mission call or have served a mission, remember: You have been called to serve, called to serve Him.. called to serve them.. in this essential mission of motherhood, for every mother a missionary.   Consider Invitation: Elder Holland's talk "Missionary Work and the Atonement" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-uk2KziLVY   *Thank you to the sponsor of today's episode: Native Scripture, the dual language Book of Mormon. Use the code MANNA15 for 15% off your Native Scripture set  https://www.nativescripture.com/ *  

In today's special two part episode, it is my hope that you will see sleepless nights in a new way, a way that will bring you closer to Jesus Christ in these exhausting hours.  It is also my hope that you will learn new practical tips and tools for this tiring stage of motherhood like I did from today's incredible guest, Lita, who you can find at https://itstimetosleepconsultant.com/ .  

Join me for this short Valentine's message where we relate the 5 love languages found in Jesus' life to times we express these same love languages in our life as mothers.  It is my hope that today and everyday, we can study and ponder on the love Jesus expressed through words of affirmation, acts of service, physical touch, quality time, and gift giving and how we as mothers reflect His life by similarly showing these various forms of love to our own precious children.

Thank you to today's episode sponsor, Cozy Confidence, the best heatless curler that saves so much time for the things that matter most! Click here.. where you can use the code liliesandmanna for 15% off your order! If improved physical fitness is one of your 2025 goals, this episode is for you. Megan Spencer is pregnancy, birth, and postpartum fitness coach whose goal is to help mothers feel strong in the ‘forever trimester' of motherhood. Join us today as we make connections to Jesus Christ and spiritual fitness, as well as share how we we can combat the common deterrents we face in sticking to our physical and spiritual goals. Megan's wisdom and encouragement is contagious and life changing, and you won't want to miss any of this special episode. For a 7 day free trial of Megan's app, or to use her code for 30% off an annual membership available through March, visit her website here!    

As I have been pondering what motherhood resolution I want to take into 2025, these three phrases kept coming to my mind from the Savior.  It is my hope that one of these phrases once said by Jesus Christ will resonates with you, and that it will become your own New Year's resolution. I hope that after listening to this episode, you can imagine Jesus Christ lovingly reminding you of this resolution throughout the year, as you seek to become a better mother and disciple of Him. Be sure to go to my new website.. liliesandmanna.com to get on my email list to be the first to hear about exciting things coming this year! 

Merry Christmas Eve!  Using Elder Maxwell's beautiful imagery of Mary and her newborn, my hope for today's short episode is that we can make connections to Mary as we remember moments with our own newborn, ultimately remembering THE newborn. 

Today's guest is one of my oldest and closest friends, Kristen Scott. Not only is she an extremely talented recording artist and Christian singer and songwriter, but her beautiful testimony of Jesus Christ and connections she finds to Jesus Christ through music and motherhood makes today's episode one of my favorites yet.    For the first time on Lilies and Manna podcast, there is a live musical number that you will not want to miss! This song is sung by Kristen and what she describes as her personal testimony of the Savior. 

Join Natalie and I as we read through her interactive and immersive children's book, "My Covenant Path with Jesus". Today we talk about the importance of helping our children understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how to walk the covenant path with Him.     Natalie's challenge: Simple is the Doctrine of Jesus Christ by President Eyring   Link to Natalie's book: My Covenant Path with Jesus https://www.acovenantchild.com/products/order-my-covenant-path-with-jesus?variant=43544111677699

Join Seth and I as we find spiritual connections to the many aspects of Thanksgiving. We hope that from the feast, to the turkey bowl, and even to the leftovers.. that those listening will look at it all with new spiritual eyes as it now reminds them of the Savior and His gospel. 

It is my hope you will never look at huge mountains of laundry the same way again, and that heartfelt desire replaces dread of tackling this chore as it now becomes a time to reflect on Jesus Christ's Atonement in everyday moments in motherhood.   Here are the references in the 'Consider' invitation for this week:   "The Infinite Atonement" by Tad Callister  "Be Ye Therefore Perfect.. Eventually" by Elder Holland "His Grace is Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox  Mark 5

How in the world can trick or treating help teach me about finding Jesus Christ in motherhood?  Find out in today's episode :) It is my promise you will never view Halloween night the same again, as it now becomes a night of reminders of ways to draw nearer to your Heavenly Father and Savior.     Consider challenge: 'Pray, He is there' by President Susan H. Porter    

Come with me on a Costco run as we find connections to General Conference. From the parking lot and food court, to the check out and receipt check, I hope you never look at a Costco trip the same again as these things can now be reminders of Jesus Christ and His gift and blessing of General Conference.

Happy Labor Day! Today I invite you to look back on your 'labor days', finding connections to Jesus Christ's Atonement in each detail of the individual births of your children. 

In today's lily episode, I invite you all to consider how a baby's due date can represent the day that Jesus Christ comes again.   Just as we do not know the day nor hour of His return, we do not know the exact day nor hour our baby will come, but there are ways we can prepare for both of these joyous days with excitement rather than fear.   As I approach my baby's due date, I hope that during this episode all mamas can relate to past and future due dates of their own babies and the connection these special days have to the day that the Savior comes again. 

In today's episode, I share how modesty is a powerful and consistent way to show our love to our Heavenly Father and Savior, to others, and to ourselves.    A special thank you to the sponsor of today's episode, HALFTEE, a company that helps women dress modestly with their incredibly comfortable and seamless layering shirts.  As shared at the end of today's episode, you can use the code MADELINE20 to get 20% off your Halftee order and here is the link! https://halftee.com/?ref=MADELINEHOYT   Invitation from today's episode: Read the talk.. “If the Savior Stood Beside Me, Would I Wear the Things I Wear?” by Carol F. McConkie https://womensconference.byu.edu/sites/womensconference.ce.byu.edu/files/carolmcconkiemodesty.pdf  

I am so excited to introduce Megan as today's guest on Lilies and Manna podcast.   Megan is the creator of the instagram account In Defense of Family (@defense_of_family), where she fearlessly and boldly defends and declares the doctrine on the family in a world that mocks and disregards these divine truths.   In today's episode you will feel of Megan's dedication to her divine role of motherhood, and ultimately feel of her deep love and commitment to Jesus Christ as we talk about ways to teach our children His eternal doctrine.   

Happy Mother's Day! In this Mother's Day Manna episode, I use one of my favorite talks to focus on parallels from Christ's life to show how His character can be found in the selfless acts mothers demonstrate in daily motherhood.  My invitation to all who listen to this episode is to watch this talk and find further connections to motherhood that they can then apply to their life, as well as recognize times that they have demonstrated the character of Christ in selfless service for their children.    Character of Christ David Bednar MTC version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6bofAYBpN8

In this special Mother's Day episode, we will be drawing upon a story from Jesus Christ's life that connects to times we give selflessly to our children even when we feel we have nothing left to give. We will talk about how it is in these moments we can feel the closest to the Savior in our service to Him through these selfless acts for our children, and times we can feel most strongly the enabling power of His Atonement in motherhood.

It can feel pretty sad and 'crumb'y after General Conference ends.. but in today's episode Seth and I talk about how we can truly keep the same incredible feeling of the Holy Ghost with us as parents in our daily lives.. just as strongly as we felt it this past weekend.   Using the manna of Jesus Christ's words in 3 Nephi, Seth and I find ways that we can feel close to our Savior after General Conference just as the people found ways to still feel close to Him after He left their physical presence.    We invite all that listen to study 3 Nephi 17-20 to find your own personal ways to feel close to the Savior each and every day moving forward after conference.

Today's episode is all about.. you guessed it.. General Conference! Seth and I talk all about ways to prepare for this weekend with young children.. which we all know can potentially bring some 'crumb'y moments trying to focus on the messages given while also calming tantrums, entertaining toddlers, cleaning messes.. etc. etc. However, we have found there can be many ways to prepare ourselves and our children to have a spiritually fulfilling General Conference weekend, not in spite of young children but because of them! Using Mosiah 2 as our guide, we find ways in which we can prepare to hear the words of the Lord just as the people in the Book of Mormon prepared to hear the words of King Benjamin. We invite those listening to also open up to Mosiah 2 this week to find personalized ways to make this weekend a sacred and personal experience with Jesus Christ for you as parents as well as for your young children.

Today's episode is so impactful and important especially as women and mothers in today's world! This episode with Amanda includes: *ways to overcome negative body image, especially in motherhood *how to avoid comparisons to other women's bodies on social media *the ultimate purpose of our bodies in His plan *how Jesus Christ can help us replace negative thoughts about our bodies and rise above the adversary's attacks *invitations of how to incorporate these truths and tips in daily life

Amanda shares her experiences of traveling the world with her husband and young daughter, while giving multiple tips and insights to help listeners' with their own travel experiences with their children. This fun episode is something I'm so excited for you all to listen to, especially to hear Amanda share what traveling has taught her about the gospel and motherhood, and ultimately Jesus Christ. 

For my 30th birthday I recorded this special episode where I share 30 things that I know for sure. It is my hope that those listening will take time to ponder on the things that you know for sure, and that you will share these things with your loved ones. I know that as we especially focus on daily testifying of the things we know for sure to our children, that one day they will be able to say of us... 'we did not doubt our mothers knew it.'

Do you ever feel that the days and weeks after Thanksgiving fill you with a sense of FOMO? Whether its a fear of missing out on a certain deal or certain product on Black Friday, do you feel like you have forgotten all that you were just grateful for and are now hyper-focused on all the things that you don't have? I sure have felt these things, which is why I am so grateful for a certain story from Jesus Christ's life that has helped remind me to instead turn to Christ in continual thanksgiving and ultimately find contentment in Him. It is my hope that this episode will help other mothers navigate a week that so drastically turns from thanksgiving and gratitude to consumerism and comparison, and that all that listen will feel inspired to be content in Christ.  

Shauna, creator of app 'Refill My Soul', joins me in today's manna episode as we talk about ways mothers can find moments of peace and connection with God even during our busy lives and schedules.    Shauna does a live meditation at the 10 minute mark specifically for mothers and I promise it will be a sacred moment in your day to feel closer to the Savior.    If you want to feel the Spirit empowering you and comforting you as a mother.. you don't want to miss this episode!   Shauna's meditations she invites you to listen to that you can find on her app 'Refill My Soul":   Intentional Living: End My Day meditation Fear 3 meditation    

Do you feel in a motherhood or spiritual slump? Do you feel mentally stuffed but spiritually hungry? Do you feel easily overstimulated or frustrated with your children? Do you wish you felt closer to Heavenly Father and the Savior?   In today's episode I talk about where I've been these past couple of weeks, and how where I've been has helped me with each of these things that I had been feeling. It is my hope that mothers who answered yes to any of these questions can feel motivated to go where I've been, and know how it can truly help drastically deepen their relationship with Him and their families. 

In today's episode, Katey and I talk about ways that we strive to fill our lamps 'drop by drop' through our daily actions that ultimately help us strengthen our personal relationships with Jesus Christ. From daily Book of Mormon reading to the daily wearing of our temple garments, we discuss ways to fill our vessels with converting drops that will truly light our way back to Him in the tumultuous world we live in. 

In today's episode, Katey and I feast upon the story of the Ten Virgins and focus on why it is essential to have the oil of personal conversion in our lamps, and how doing so creates a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus Christ.  Talks Referenced: "Abide the Day in Christ" by Sister Amy Wright  "Converted Unto the Lord" by Elder Bednar "If Ye Had Known Me" by Elder Bednar

Taylor Cutler is the creator and host of Reverently, Quietly podcast and Instagram page, where she provides guided gospel meditations to help those listening take time to ponder and focus on the things that matter most. You will find the following among many Christ centered topics in today's episode: *things Jesus said that we as mothers can relate to *comparing our homes to God's home, the temple, instead of comparing to others' picture perfect homes we see online.  *importance of feasting on the Gospel of Jesus Christ through study and meditation to help us in the hard moments of motherhood

In today's episode, we take the everyday 'crumb'y moments that we as parents go through with young children and discuss different ways we can 'think Celestial' as President Nelson counseled in His most recent General Conference address.          Talks referenced:   "Think Celestial!" -President Russell M. Nelson

Today is a special episode leading up to General Conference, focused ultimately on how prophets truly are a type and shadow of Jesus Christ. I am joined by Sara Phelps who runs the Instagram account @Iamsaraphelps, where she testifies boldly of living prophets and of Jesus Christ. Using Sheri Dew's talk "Prophets Can See Around Corners" as our guide throughout the episode, Sara shares ways we can prioritize the words from General Conference and the words from prophets in our daily lives as mothers.    Sara's invitation: D&C 1   Talks referenced: "Prophets Can See Around Corners" by Sheri Dew "Stand Forever" by Lawrence E. Corbridge "Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults with President Nelson"—May 2022 "A Living Prophet for the Latter Days" by Allen D. Haynie   A special thank you to MTC for Kids for the giveaway in today's episode!

"Abide with us." A simple plea from the disciples on the Road to Emmaus that all of us mothers can learn from as we apply the principle of 'abide' to our daily lives. Today's episode talks about ways we can recognize moments the Savior abides with us in motherhood, as well as ways that we can abide with our Savior and our children daily.   Invitations this week:  "Abide in Me, and I in You; Therefore Walk with Me" by David A Bednar  3 Nephi 17

Today's Manna episode is with Elisabeth Child, creator and host of Sword of Truth Podcast, a resource for children to learn stories from Jesus Christ's life using scriptures and songs.  Elisabeth shares her testimony of Jesus Christ, the importance of sharing stories from His life, and young children's ability to truly understand and apply His teachings. Toward the end of this episode will be a special portion for children to listen to a story from Jesus Christ's life, as well as be given an invitation to do this week as a family. (starting at 42:30)  

In today's Lily episode, we consider how the stroller can be a reminder to us of Jesus Christ and imagine ourselves in a specific story from His life. We remember ways that we can invite Him and His presence into our lives, specifically ways we can feel close to Him on our walks with our children.    Consider doing one of the following invitations this week:   Read and watch the Bible video depicting these scriptures:  Luke 24:13–33 Read or listen to the talk: The Power of Scripture by Elder Scott  Memorize a scripture and recite that to your child on your next walk  

Katie shares ways that she finds Jesus Christ in the ever changing challenges and anxieties of motherhood. Katie shares practical as well as gospel-centered ways in which she is able to remember Him and keep Him central in her life and in motherhood. Katie's Invitation: By Divine Design by Elder Rasband https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/10/by-divine-design?lang=eng

In today's episode, it is my hope to help young moms like myself who feel the struggle of going to church with children who can be loud, messy, and restless. During this episode, I share ways that moms can develop a Christ-centered mindset to help Sundays be a special and sacred experience even amidst cheerio throwing, disrupting tantrums, and hallway walkabouts.  Invitation this week: Suffer the Little Children: Luke 18:15–17 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2011-10-0064-suffer-the-little-children-to-come-unto-me?lang=eng

Madeline shares her beautiful testimony of Jesus Christ as well as special experiences she has had as a new mother.  Madeline's spiritual wisdom, love for her Savior, and insights into new motherhood is inspiring and truly will lead those listening closer to Jesus Christ, as it did for me during this interview.   

In today's episode, we focus on ways that we can show our children and our Savior that we love them by the way in which we use our phones daily. By remembering Christ centered principles as well as practical phone management tips, we as mothers can be more present for our children as well as present for promptings from the Holy Ghost to guide us in life and motherhood. 

In today's Lily episode, we consider how our phones can be a distraction from our children and Savior. Today's focus is on how the adversary uses phones and social media to distract us from our most important work, but how as we turn to the Savior He will help us take steps in becoming more present and focused on the things that matter most in life and motherhood. 

In today's episode, Shoushig shares with us her testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel. From her conversion story to her experiences of having a daughter undergo multiple open heart surgeries, Shoushig's example inspires all to deepen their own faith in Jesus Christ and rely on Him 'line upon line' in all things life and motherhood. 

In today's episode, Seth and I talk about ways we found Jesus Christ during the extremely 'crummy' and difficult moments we felt in the NICU. We also talk about manna 'crumbs' of Jesus Christ's gospel that we were able to use to help us through that time in our life, and hope that all parents can find these crumbs useful as they rely on Jesus Christ and His Atonement during the especially hard moments raising children. 

Manna Crumbs episodes are where my husband and I will talk about common 'crumby' parenthood moments and how finding 'crumbs' of Jesus Christ's gospel such as a scripture or talk can help parents turn to Jesus Christ and rely on Him during harder days of parenthood.  Today's episode we focus on the classic talk, "Come What May, and Love It" by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, and how the manna crumbs taught in this address can help us remember Jesus Christ and be strengthened during even the crummiest moments as parents.

In today's episode of Consider the Ointment Part 2, we continue to use ointment as an object to tie back Jesus Christ in motherhood. This episode's focus is on the eternal perspective of our divine role as mothers and the generations that will be blessed by our selfless service to our children. 

In this Lilies episode, we will talk about how ointment that we use on our children can tie back to Jesus Christ and His life. We will be focusing on how our time and talents are truly best spent on our children, and that as we use our individual gifts in showing our love and devotion for our children, we are truly using them to show our love and devotion for Jesus Christ. 

In this week's episode, Katey and I will be following up on last week's invitation to read Alma 37:6. We will be discussing how it truly is the small and simple things we do daily that can lead us to Jesus Christ and back to our Heavenly Father. 

In today's episode, Katey joins us to share her favorite ways to partake of the manna of Jesus Christ's gospel. We will talk about how by daily actions like scripture study and wearing temple garments can help us rise above the world as we focus on our covenants and relationship with Jesus Christ. 

In part 2 of this Lilies Episode, we will remember to drop our stones of judgement we may hold against ourselves, our children, and other women. Instead, we will focus on the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ and how He is the one perfect judge, and how He can help us become righteous judges in all areas of our life. 

In this Lilies episode, we will talk about how crayons can tie back to Jesus Christ and His life, becoming a parable for us to remember in everyday motherhood. As we see our children coloring, it can remind us of Him and His desire for us to avoid comparisons with other women and instead compare ourselves to who we can become, to our children, and ultimately to Jesus Christ. 

Manna interpreted in Hebrew means "what is it?", and so for this first episode I will be explaining the what and why behind Lilies and Manna podcast and what you can expect on each episode. 

Lilies and Manna is a podcast to help mothers find Jesus Christ and His parables in the everyday moments of motherhood. This podcast will turn mothers to true manna, Jesus Christ and His doctrine, over any other source. By feasting upon His truths focused on in this podcast, mothers can find meaning and purpose in all aspects of motherhood, as well as stand strong in today's world.