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John Welling: The Faith To Be Healed—Exploring Spiritual Blindness

John Welling is the co-founder of a non-profit whose mission is to bring sight to the blind. On this week’s episode, he discusses not only physical blindness but spiritual blindness and why he believes that God and Jesus Christ can heal both through faith and the desire to be healed.

39: "Behold, My Joy Is Full" (September 28–October 11)

You may be tempted to look at 3 Nephi 17–19 and think, “What’s there to study in just three chapters?” But these chapters are packed with a treasure trove of gospel gems, including when Christ heals the multitude, blesses the children, gives the sacrament to the people, and so much more. And so as we prepare for general conference, let’s dig into this week’s lesson, grab our colored pencils, and study these chapters like we never have before.

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Lesson Helps

Book of Mormon Lesson 6: “Free to Choose Liberty and Eternal Life”

By Ted L. Gibbons

One of the messages that the Book of Mormon sends to us across the years is that parents (particularly fathers) have an obligation to bless their children and to teach their children and to bear testimony to them. The Book of Mormon contains several chapters in which men like Lehi, Alma, Helaman, and Mormon are engaged in this work. When we read such things in this book, we must do more than believe the doctrine: we must follow the example. In fact, we will devote a lesson to this matter lesson #29 when we study Alma 36-39. This present lesson and the next will focus on what seem to be Lehi’s final admonitions to his children. Nephi tells us this of these teachings:

Anthony Sweat: Repicturing the Restoration

Our understanding of religion, whether it be scripture or history, is greatly influenced by art. The depictions we see impact not only how we picture certain passages, but also which passages we know at all. In his new book, "Repicturing the Restoration," artist Anthony Sweat felt a desire to capture some of the lesser-known parts of our Church history in hopes of expanding our understanding of the Church’s founding. Today, we talk with him about how Restoration art can change our perspective of this pivotal period.

Mauli Bonner and Paul Reeve: Understanding the History of Blacks in the Church

In 1830, the same year the Church was organized, a former slave named Peter became the first documented Black member of the Church. Nearly 200 years later, Mauli Bonner first heard Peter's story when he started exploring his own faith as a Black member of the Church. This journey led him to Paul Reeve, a professor at the University of Utah who has studied Blacks in Church history extensively. On today's episode, Mauli and Paul explain not only the importance of the stories of early Black Latter-day Saints, but also how their stories can strengthen our faith and our testimonies of the restored gospel.

Lynne Wilson: How the Savior Empowered Women

For years, Dr. Lynne Wilson has met with theologians around the world from various faith traditions. She repeatedly heard theories at these meetings that inequality between men and women stemmed from the Bible. She was adamant that inequality was not something Christ taught—instead, she believed that Jesus Christ emancipated women. So, she set out to do research to back it up. On this week’s episode, Dr. Wilson shares her research as well as her belief that there is no better place to be as a woman than in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Mauli Bonner and Paul Reeve: Understanding the History of Blacks in the Church

In 1830, the same year the Church was organized, a former slave named Peter became the first documented Black member of the Church. Nearly 200 years later, Mauli Bonner first heard Peter's story when he started exploring his own faith as a Black member of the Church. This journey led him to Paul Reeve, a professor at the University of Utah who has studied Blacks in Church history extensively. On today's episode, Mauli and Paul explain not only the importance of the stories of early Black Latter-day Saints, but also how their stories can strengthen our faith and our testimonies of the restored gospel.

John Koelliker: The Faith of a Father

John Koelliker is a young dad doing his best to care for his family while leading a growing startup as its founder and CEO. Much of the way he lives today comes from watching another dad—his own father, David Koelliker—who passed away in 2019 after battling a brain tumor for nearly a decade.

SOM Transcript - S5E9

Fun

12 Feel-Good Christmas Novels Perfect for the Holiday Season

By LDS Living

Not only does the Christmas season bring gifts, family, and lots of good food, but it usually brings colder weather and cozy days at home. Settle in with a cup of hot chocolate and one of these great Christmas novels, and truly appreciate the Christmas season.