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48: He “Has Sealed His Mission and His Works with His Own Blood” (Doctrine and Covenants 135–136)

Few things could have been more discouraging for the early Saints than the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith. But although it was a somber time in Church history, the Saints showed remarkable perseverance and faith in the Lord. This week we dig into Doctrine and Covenants 135–136 to put the martyrdom in context as well as look at thoughts from early Saints that will help us see how we too can persevere through our darkest moments.

Brett and Kate McKay: Loving the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Second Half of Life

Various philosophers have often mused that there are two halves of our lives. What separates them is the period of time when we transition from a belief system to a humble inner knowing. This week’s guests, Brett and Kate McKay, are no strangers to the evolution of faith and say they have experienced significant moments of decision within their own faith. But they have also found that it is very possible to transition from the first half of life to the second with your faith intact. They believe faith shouldn’t be boring; instead, it’s very possible to stay passionate about the gospel after leaving young adulthood.

50: “We Believe” (The Articles of Faith and Official Declarations 1 and 2)

If you’re thinking, “Wait, didn’t we just finish the Doctrine and Covenants? Why are there more lessons this year?” Well, yes, we did technically finish the sections, but did you know there are three very important documents included at the end of the Doctrine and Covenants? And so this week, we’re going to study those three documents: Official Declarations 1 and 2 and the Articles of Faith. But we also have a little something extra for you that is going to set up the discussion so well for these documents and we can’t wait to share it with you. So friends, grab your scriptures and let’s dig in.

April Giauque: Escaping The Darkness of Domestic Abuse

It is difficult to ignore the similarities between April Giauque’s description of an abuser’s behavior and Satan’s efforts to wear us down: isolation, manipulation, control, despair. Regardless of whether you feel held captive in an abusive situation like April or trapped by sin or discouragement, April’s story reminds us that there is always hope through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"This Is the Gospel" Episode 67: Every Living Thing

Stories in this episode: A quest to solve the mystery of bees flying through cracks in their walls lead Kristen and Matt to discover important truths about God's laws of nature; Spencer’s childhood memories of catching bugs under yellow street lamps teaches him what it takes to recognize God’s hands in our lives.

34: "A Principle with Promise" (Doctrine and Covenants 89–92)

Has the line from the Word of Wisdom that promises we will “run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint” ever come to mind when you get out of breath while trying to get a little exercise? Or maybe you’ve faced serious health problems and wondered how that promise applies to you. In this week’s study group, we dig into the history of the Word of Wisdom and explore just what those promises mean and how the Lord keeps them—because He always does.

75: Letting the Light In

During a grueling, marathon recording of the concert film Lamb of God, cellist Nicole does what no musician working long hours ever wants to do. She asks composer and conductor Rob Gardner if they can record her difficult solo—again. In this song, called “Gethsemane," Nicole's cello represents the Savior. Rerecording pushes Nicole to her physical and emotional limits, but it is there that she not only finds the ability to depict Christ through the cello, but also learns about the Savior's ability to heal the darkness in her life.

76: Be Prepared

Stories in this episode: The sudden loss of his corporate job throws Dave into a new and sometimes confusing role at home; Jenny's once-thriving life is upended by an unwelcome diagnosis that offers her a powerful connection to some of her Church History idols.

Dean Hughes: Digging Into Polygamy and Other "Muddy" Issues

When Dean Hughes began writing his latest book, he didn't plan on writing about polygamy but the topic became impossible to ignore. At times, there are things (both past and present) that may affect our beliefs and be impossible to ignore. Dean describes these things as "muddy," but explains that there are faithful ways to approach seemingly messy aspects of our faith or our Church's history.

25: "The Lord Requireth the Heart and a Willing Mind" (Doctrine and Covenants 64–66)

Panning for gold isn’t what most people think it is. It takes time. It takes patience. And the payoff usually isn’t a large gold nugget. More often, it’s just a few tiny flecks of gold for hours and hours of work. But over time, those tiny flecks add up to something of great value. The same is true of studying Doctrine and Covenants 64–66. In these sections, the Lord is asking the Saints to be patient, to offer Him a willing heart and mind, and to work for these flecks of gold in their lives. The value of the Saints' determination and sacrifice was beyond measure to them, and it can be for us as well when we take the time to dig into these verses.