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Porter and Carlie Ellett: The Kansas City Chiefs' Left-Hand Man and How God Led Him to a Super Bowl

When Porter Ellett was 4 years old, he fell off the back of a truck and lost the use of his arm. Then as a teenager, he decided to have that arm amputated. Today, he is known around the NFL as “Lefty,” a nickname given to him after Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid began calling Porter his “left-hand man.” On this week’s episode, Porter and his wife, Carlie, share the story of why Porter has never let having one arm stop him from achieving his dreams—and how God paved the way for him to do represent something far more meaningful than football on the sport's biggest stage.

38: “A Marvellous Work and a Wonder” (Isaiah 13–14; 24–30; 35)

If you've listened to past episodes of this podcast, you've probably heard the phrase "Jesus is coming." That's because we love to talk about the Second Coming and look forward to it with anticipation. Let's be honest, though—the events of the Second Coming, specifically those mentioned in Isaiah 13–35, can be a little frightening. But after today's discussion, you might not find them as scary as you thought. In fact, you might even be excited about that great and important day.

37: “God Is Not the Author of Confusion, but of Peace” (1 Corinthians 14-16)

Simple truths can come to the rescue in our confusing world. For example, when we hear that we will only live once, we can remember that Christ’s resurrection makes it possible for us rise again. When we hear that that we will never be good enough, we can lean on the grace of God. In this week’s lesson in 1 Corinthians 14–16, we will find more simple truths to add to our pocket to help us when the voices of the world grow loud.

Designed for Connection with Jenet Erickson

Have you ever described someone, or given a compliment that someone is fiercely independent? What if we switch that idea around? Not doing it all on your own doesn’t mean you’re failing. In times of feeling alone and overwhelmed, it can be helpful to remember that God meant us to have deep and personal connections with others. We were never meant to have to do everything on our own.

Melaney Tagg: Kindness Begins With Me

There is an old Primary song that says, “I want to be kind to everyone, for that is right, you see. So I say to myself, ‘Remember this: Kindness begins with me.'” Melaney Tagg, our guest on this week’s episode, is a living example of what this Primary song looks like in action. When she observed the contention running rampant in her county’s school board meetings, Tagg knew she couldn't stand idly by—she had to, as President Oaks put it, "seek to moderate and unify," knowing that kindness needed to begin with her.

Chris Schoebinger: The Heroes in Our Stories

For over three decades, Chris Schoebinger has been involved with book publishing. During his career, he's worked with authors like Brandon Mull on Fablehaven and Jason F. Wright on Christmas Jars. But as he brings these stories to life at work, he has also been living one of his own at home. And while that story has been full of unexpected twists and turns, it has also been full of the types of heroes he loves to read about on the written page—people like his gay son or the birth mother of his adopted child. So on this week’s episode, we talk with Chris about what makes a powerful story and why he is grateful for the way God has guided his.

Unnamed Women of the New Testament: Rhoda

Have you ever shared something personal only to have someone dismiss or not believe you? Perhaps you tried offering more explanation or information but to no avail. Well, today’s discussion includes the experience of a woman named Rhoda in the New Testament who had a spiritual witness to offer but was not taken seriously by the people around her. Rhoda’s example may have lessons for us all in how to respond in frustrating moments of others’ disbelief.

40: “Walk in the Spirit” (Galatians)

Before a child runs, they learn to walk. And before they walk, they learn to crawl. A simple, but beautiful, progression with a quiet lesson for us all. In today’s study of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, we learn how we can—and ought to be—growing in the gospel. Much like a child, our first steps in trying something new might be timid, but when we invite the Spirit, we can progress spiritually in ways we never imagined.

Brandon Pak: Worth It to Save

Brandon Pak seemed to be on the path to achieving what he’d always wanted: He was a student at Berklee College of Music, he’d opened for Pentatonix and had recently performed as a backup singer for Charlie Puth. And yet, he’d never felt more empty. So, he wandered into the church he’d attended but left as a young man. On this week's episode, we talk with Brandon about finding greater purpose than he could've imagined through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

41: “For the Perfecting of the Saints” (Ephesians)

Then-Elder Henry B. Eyring gave a landmark talk in 2002 called “Rise To Your Call” for “everyone, man or woman, girl or boy, who has been called or who will yet be”—so that means all of us. Elder Eyring wanted us to know four truths: 1. You are called of God. 2. The Lord will guide you by revelation. 3. Just as God called you and will guide you, He will magnify you. And lastly, all He asks is that you give your best effort and whole heart. Paul gives similar counsel to the Saints in Ephesus. In this week’s lesson, we get to take a closer look at callings and how we can best serve the Lord, even and especially when we feel inadequate.