The BOM-BITES Come Follow Me Podcast

One of the best ways to build Zion in a wilderness is to “bloom where you are planted”.  This week, we'll point out 5 lessons to build Zion by blooming.  This first one is one that we all can relate to.

Lesson #2 for a Zion People helps us learn a great lesson from the majestic...sloth!

The concept of Zion is something that a lot of God's children have chased after over the last several thousand years.  It order for it to really work, there is one word that has to be involved...and it might not be what you think.

How do we as members of the church feel about “the cross”? We respect the cross.  We respect it enough not to drag it around, but to “take it up”.  It reminds me of all of the work that @johnhiltoniii has done lately helping us understand more about the importance of the cross in our lives.

D&C 55 is short, but is to a wonderful man whose life and example has impacted us in many ways...especially when we crack open the hymnbook.

People fascinate me and reading about them in the scriptures makes me want to know more about them.  D&C 52 has 34 men mentioned by name and the Lord teaches them a valuable principle about missionary work.  Oh, and #johnbytheway should appreciate this lesson.

What does it really mean to live the law of consecration today? It's not about giving everything away— it's more about willingly offering what we have to help others thrive.If you'd like to view the video that goes with podcast, click here

I mentioned back in D&C 42 that your chances of being called as a teacher in the church are very high, so it is important to learn how to teach.  It may be even more important to “learn how to learn”.If you'd like to view the video that goes with podcast, click here

I love a good watch - you guys have probably seen that, right?  The early verses in D&C 50 have what I like to call “The Parable of the fake Rolex” that is applicable to all of us.

I appreciate a good buffet just as much as the next person - especially one with lots of options to choose from.  But as one of my wise students said recently “you can't treat religion like a buffet!”.  You'll see what he meant in D&C 49:1-4.If you'd like to view the video that goes with podcast, click here

Of all the false beliefs held by the Shakers, there is one that might be the most under attack by the world because it is central to God's plan for the happiness of his children.If you'd like to view the video that goes with podcast, click here

Ah, the Shaking Quakers.  What a unique group to study about as we start off this week - and the Lord has an important message for them in D&C 49.If you'd like to view the video that goes with podcast, click here

As the Saints from the east were all moving to Ohio, the Lord gave counsel to the Kirtland Saints to help them out as they are migrating there.  One phrase from D&C 48 could have some interesting unrelated application to us.If you'd like to view the video that goes with podcast, click here

D&C 47 is kind of an obscure little section with a great message for all of us…whether it be accepting a calling that we would “rather not do” to a commandment to keep our own history.If you'd like to view the video that goes with podcast, click here

So, let's say there's a certain gift of the spirit that you would love to have - not just to make you look cool, but to really help bless and benefit others?  I've got great news...

Spiritual gifts are gifts from a loving Heavenly Father designed to benefit his children.  Everyone has them - the trick is recognizing them in ourselves and others.If you'd like to view the video that goes with podcast, click here

This weeks' study of #comefollowme has 3 awesome little sections.  Understanding the context of why they were given will really help you appreciate the content better.If you'd like to view the video that goes with podcast, click here

In this week of searching out titles of Jesus Christ, I'm picking one today that is not mentioned specifically in D&C 45 but it is eluded to all through it…along with multiple references in April 2025 General Conference.If you'd like to view the video that goes with podcast, click here

In this week of searching out titles of Jesus Christ, I'm picking one today that is not mentioned specifically in D&C 45 but it is eluded to all through it…along with multiple references in April 2025 General Conference.If you'd like to view the video that goes with podcast, click here

“Alpha and Omega” is of my favorite titles of Jesus Christ.  I think we tend to think of this one with an eternal feel to it, and rightfully so.  But what if we looked at it with a more DAILY mindset?If you'd like to view the video that goes with podcast, click here

I was told there are more than 300 titles of Jesus Christ in the scriptures.  I want to focus on 3 of them this week in D&C 45.  Today's is an amazing one that I don't think we fully grasp.  Hopefully it can help us understand this particular title just a little better.

When false reports and foolish stories are reported about the church, it is so good to have a section like D&C 45 to bring “joy” to the Saints of any age.

There are so many competing voices in the world, thank goodness the Lord knows how to counteract all of them...if we are willing to learn how to #hearhim.If you'd like to view the video that goes with podcast, click here

If I were Satan, I'd be having a heyday with the early Saints in 1831 while all the church leadership was still in process of moving to Ohio.  He is so good at deception, but we have protection so we are not easily deceived.If you'd like to view the video that goes with podcast, click here

Back in 1831, missionaries were asked to “go forth” and teach the gospel.  The problem?  Most of these guys were farmers without any professional teaching experience.  Even today, we call “teachers” in the church assuming they know how to teach.  The Lord is kind and gives the first ever “teacher training” in D&C 42.

Mt. Sinai and “The Ohio” aren't too different in the fact that the Lord took his people out of the world to establish a holy people by giving them “the law” to help them govern their lives.If you'd like to view the video that goes with podcast, click here

As dramatic as the story was for James Covel last week in sections 39-40, we learn a lot about the simple goodness of Edward Partridge from just a few verses in D&C 41.If you'd like to view the video that goes with podcast, click here

James Covel is such an interesting character study in the D&C.  In some ways, I think we are more like him than we would like to admit.If you'd like to view the video that goes with podcast, click here

The Lord commanded the early Saints to go to the Ohio “because of the enemy”.  Twice in this chapter he refers to that enemy being in “secret chambers”.  I have a couple thoughts on who that enemy might be...and it's not who you think.

When Jesus Christ reminds us that he is “the same” who did great things in the past, he means business. He can most definitely do it; we just need to have faith that he can.If you'd like to view the video that goes with podcast, click here

Ah, the mission to the Lamanites...that didn't baptize any Lamanites. But it did give Parley Pratt a chance to catch up with an old friend. Great story!If you'd like to view the video that goes with podcast, click here

As these early missionaries went out, they had all kinds of crazy experiences - some perilous, some humorous. Whatever the experience, they let God prevail!If you'd like to view the video that goes with podcast, click here

That stone wasn't rolled away so Jesus could get out—it was so we could go in. He still removes obstacles so we can see clearly.

Peace isn't always the absence of chaos—it's the presence of Christ in the chaos. That promise still holds. Especially this week.

Did you know Jesus made an Easter cameo in Kirtland? 1800 years after the Resurrection. He still shows up—and not just in scripture.

Sometimes Easter feels a little too perfect. But it's actually all about broken people finding hope. That's what makes it such good news.

I love that Jesus said even rocks would praise Him if people didn't. That's Holy Week boldness right there. So if a rock can testify… maybe we can too.

These early missionaries mentioned in D&C 30-36 set a foundation for many eventually joining the church.  I will always have a special place in my heart for one of them (see …D&C 32) because I am doing what I am doing today partly because of his desire to serve.If you'd like to view the video that goes with this podcast, click here

The Lord will often call upon the weak and ordinary things of the world to do some pretty extraordinary things.  With the help of the Lord, the small and simple can absolutely “thresh the nations”.

I love the stories of individuals in D&C 30-36.  The one in D&C 34 with young Orson Pratt is relevant to anyone who is new to the faith and has just been called to serve, but is not sure what to share.If you'd like to view the video that goes with this podcast, click here

The story of Thomas B. Marsh found in D&C 31 should give comfort to any missionary and their families as they depart from one another.If you'd like to view the video that goes with this podcast, click here

I remember hearing of missionaries talking about a program called “OYM”. I thought it sounded odd until I learned what the acronym actually meant. Pretty important in sharing the gospel!

Section 29 really introduces this concept of “the gathering” and it has really “captured the attention” of President Nelson...and he has really emphasized the importance of it in our day to help the world prepare for the Second Coming of the Savior.

The Second Coming of the Savior will be a crazy and scary time for some, but the first few verses of D&C 29 contain some hopeful, helpful, and glad messages to prepare the world for that great time.If you'd like to view the video that goes with this podcast, click here

Another aspect of the gospel that the world needs to hear is how the Fall is a crucial part of God's plan of Happiness. And I think you'll appreciate a nice take on an old familiar nursery rhyme.If you'd like to view the video that goes with this podcast, click here

One of the things that this world needs to hear to prepare for the Second Coming is that God has a perfect plan and Jesus Christ is our loving Savior.

When the Lord says “I come quickly” in 1831, it could freak out a lot of people.  The reality of it is that we are here to help prepare the world for the Second Coming...and there are some that may not understand what that means and how to do it.  Hopefully this week of studying D&C 29 can help.

Satan's greatest desire to do deceive us; so it is crucial that we understand the truths in D&C 28.If you'd like to view the video that goes with this podcast, click here

The Armor of God is a staple in Christianity.  Combine it with another foundational truth and you'll see the constant need for armoring up!If you'd like to view the video that goes with this podcast, click here

If you've ever been to Adam-ondi-Ahman, then you know what a beautiful place it is.  D&C 27 makes it even more beautiful when you learn what will take place here.If you'd like to view the video that goes with this podcast, click here

In order to keep “eye single to the glory of God”, it will require us to focus without distraction.  As we do this, I believe that is when we really unlock the power of the sacrament in our lives.