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[00:00:00] INSIGHTS INTRODUCTION

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One of the things I think is great about studying Paul in this phase where he is in literal confinement is you get a feel for how to find peace amidst that type of adversity. I know most of us aren't going to face prison cell kind of confinement, but all of us experience confinement in other ways.

You know, illnesses that hold us back physically or relationships that cause strain mentally or callings that take a lot of our time. A lot of us feel confined in some way. And what Paul teaches, especially in this first chapter, is that you can thrive in those circumstances. Not just Survive it, but you can thrive and I think he's trying to teach us how so if you go through chapter one, watch for Paul's tips on how to thrive in confined circumstances and see what the spirit brings forth because for me, I thought there was a lot of beautiful application.

So if you look [00:01:00] in one, for example, one of the ways you can trust that you can thrive in hard circumstances is to remember the fact that he has not left you alone. We have leaders. to look towards. So in this verse he mentions bishops and deacons. There's some great quotes in the notes about how this is just another evidence that the priesthood was in place when the Savior put things in motion when he was living.

We have evidence of Melchizedek Priesthood with the apostles and you know others the 70s that were called and here you get references to Aaronic Priesthood offices. So you can take comfort in the fact that you're not alone in that he has people here. Built to serve with capability and the keys to serve.

So you get a piece of that in one. He also gives you a tip in three. He says, I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. I think one of the ways you can thrive in confinement is to cast your mind back. I don't think you want to. stay in the past too long. But I do think to cast your mind back to spiritual moments of closeness and connection and [00:02:00] warmth, especially in confinement that comes from hard family situations or relationships that are struggling.

I think being able to remember the good times is a gift of the Spirit. It's something that helps Paul move forward. I think you see another one in four. Always in every prayer of mine for you, all making requests with joy. Paul is one that has this remarkable stance of optimism. It's like President Nelson to me.

They're very similar tones. Joseph Smith, I think, was the same. He, he had this remarkable optimism that no matter what his circumstances were, he assumed life was going to get better. Life was going to get better, not just for him, but for all the saints. I think you get a feel from that. with Joseph in Liberty Jail.

You certainly hear it from President Nelson right now, despite his giant back injury, he's optimistic and hopeful about the future. So I think that's one way to Abide well and thrive in confinement is to trust in the goodness of God and the forward movement that's coming. Another one [00:03:00] comes in 6. It says, Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

What I like about this, this to me is Paul saying, I trust that the seeds I've planted are being well cared for, even though he can't have his hands in the soil right now. He, he planted these seeds of truth and he's trusting that even though he's in confinement, these seeds are growing. He knows the sun is still shining.

He knows rain is still falling and that there, they will be cultivated one way or the other. What I think is powerful about that is then Paul has a bit of, he has an understanding of his role in the work, I think, because he's kind of come to terms with the fact that he doesn't have to have his hands on all of it.

He, he just has to set things in motion and trust that God has a, God has a plan and he'll, he'll do his own work. He'll find a way to accomplish the needs that Paul is worried about. So Paul has this stance of confidence in Christ that I just admire. In seven, you get another one says, even as it is meat [00:04:00] for me to think this of all of you all, because I have you in my heart in as much as both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are partakers of my grace.

To me, this is Paul resting on the assurance that he has people pulling for him the same way I think when when the Lord spoke to Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail, he reminded him that he still has friends that stand by him I think this is Paul echoing that same message from the Spirit just this understanding of I'm not alone in this you You know that I'm here.

I'm not forgotten and we're We're, you know, experiencing this together, even though they're not there in cell with him. They are experiencing the pain of Paul not being able to be among them, and he takes comfort in that. I think you also trust that the grace that he is due because of his obedience will spill out into others.

In fact, that's kind of where he goes next in the chapter. So if you look at 8, he says, For God is my record, how I long greatly, or how I [00:05:00] How greatly I long after you in all the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all of judgment. That's one of the ways he takes comfort in his confinement.

He trusts that their knowledge is increasing. That they're growing in faith and wisdom and all those things he started. He knows they're increasing in that. I love the way he says it in 11. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God. This to me is Paul trusting that there will be rich fruits abounding.

But even if he's not there to see it. That there is fruit coming. I think it's the same way most of us feel about our, you know, descendants that are coming. I'm not going to see the fruit that my great granddaughters produce or my great grandsons accomplish. I won't get to see that, but I trust that it will come.

That if I, I plant myself solidly enough and I teach my own children as best I can. That the Lord will take care of that crop. That he will find a way to reach and there will be fruit [00:06:00] in my tree. That's the promise. And I also love what he says in 14. So let me read you this batch next. He says, But I would you should understand brethren that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.

This is Paul saying, I know you're worried about me, but let me show you how the gospel is actually increasing because of the confinement we're feeling. The same way when you talk to or hear the General Authority speak about COVID and the restrictions that happened with COVID and how the church increased, you know, missionary work increased.

All these things increased despite the fact that we were all confined because they found new ways to accomplish things. They found ways to meet and teach each other in you know, via zoom or other ways. So I think that's kind of Paul's message. He's like, don't, don't be shortsighted. Look at what God can do no matter what the circumstances are.

And this is 13. So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace and in other places. And many of the brethren in the Lord waxing confident by my bonds are much more bold to speak the word without fear. I don't know if this [00:07:00] means that because Paul is confined, the rest of those who are called to lead.

Are now kind of stepping into that vacuum that he, his absence creates, you know, if they're stepping into those roles, or if it's simply the fact that they see Paul as like a banner to hold up, you know, like, look what we're, we're fighting for Paul. We are fighting because this is his, he taught us this and he believes in Jesus Christ and he's stuck.

So here we are, you know, like, I, I'm not sure exactly what that verse means, but I do love that. That's the principle we see playing out over and over again in our lives. I've seen this in our family over and over again when Jason is sick and he's confined in some way. And you see the rest of the family rally.

You see blessings come that you, you didn't anticipate. You see understandings and... Leadership, rise up in your own kids in really beautiful ways. I've also seen it in simple things like my YSA class. Like I just, just this last week you guys, one of the things I struggle with is [00:08:00] often I say to the Lord like, why did you give me this calling now?

You know, I have so many other time commitments that I can't give the YSAs as much time as I feel like they deserve. They're such a good group and I, I want to be able to prepare. These great big lessons with awesome PowerPoints and all the things. And I just can't, I can't. In fact, I've been spiritually prompted not to do those things.

What I've found is if I follow those promptings and simplify and just ask good questions, stop trying to teach so much and just inspire them to teach each other. In those moments of me pulling back a little bit, they swoop in. Like, just this week, you guys, we were, we're in 3rd Nephi, and we're talking about the Savior's visit, and I was asking them, like, why, why they think the Savior invited the little children to come around him?

He didn't teach a sharing time. He didn't do a song. Like, why did he invite the little children to come first around him? And I didn't really know the answer. I was just kind of hoping that they would Come up with ideas. And they had awesome ideas. Like my, one of my YSAs, her name's Camille. She's been with me [00:09:00] from like the very beginning.

And she said, you know, I think maybe Children are sacred and pure and maybe he was creating a space around him that was holy by having them closest to him he's creating this little holy space and I'm just it's not that I mean it was a remarkably true and beautiful thought that I never would have and I I think by choosing to pull back and to allow myself to be confined to some degree I get to watch the spirit work wonders in those who are going to teach me.

I just think it's one of the most rewarding parts about this gospel, that those who are mighty often pull back so that others can step up. You know, it's what we saw with John the Baptist. It's what we saw with Peter. You just see this over this pattern over and over again, and you'll see it in Philippians one.

So he talks about that choice. And then he talks about where his heart is. So if you look in 20, he says, According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ [00:10:00] shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death.

This is where Paul's going to start, uh, a few verses about being conflicted. He's, he's torn because I think he's, he can tell it's getting close to the end. And I think he, has seen the celestial kingdom and he knows the Savior and his heart longs to be there. The same way, do you remember the apostles that were in, the Nephite apostles who were called and then he asked them what they wanted and they kind of said like, as soon as I hit a certain age, can I please come join you?

And they were eager to get to his presence all the time, as I'm sure all of us would be. And then there were three Nephites who said, we want to stay and do the work. I feel like Paul is right between them. He's, he wants both. He wants to return and be home with his Savior who he loves so dearly. And he wants to stay and do this work.

And so he's basically saying to the Lord, put me where you need me. I'll do whatever it is you need. And I just think his, [00:11:00] his heart is so pure in that he, it's good to want both those things. It's good to long for home and to long for a closeness with God, the Father and Jesus Christ. And it's really good to say, if you need me here, I'll stay.

What do you need me to do today? I think you get that feel from Paul. And so that's what he says in 23. For I am in a strait betwixt having desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. His heart is where the Savior's heart was. It always is.

Where do my people need me? Where can I serve? How can I lift and ease burdens? Where can I, where do you want me? And at this point in time, where God wants him is right here. Within this prison cell if need be, but here among the saints writing letters to help build faith. And then he has this like rallying cry, this call to action.

For me like 27 to 29 were some of my favorite verses of this [00:12:00] whole chapter. He says, only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ. This is when Paul's saying like elevate, bring yourself up. Don't wallow. Don't be sad. Don't Distracted elevate. I hear of your affairs that ye stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel and in nothing terrified by your adversaries, which is to them an evident token of the tradition, but to you of salvation and that of God for unto you is given in behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him.

but also to suffer for his sake. This is Paul saying like, we are a team here. It doesn't matter where I am or where you are. Our joy is not going to be based on our circumstances. It's going to be based on our focus. And if we all focus together, there's Power in that collaboration. That's what he's hoping for.

He's like be united with me It doesn't matter if we can be in the same physical space if our hearts are knit together We can accomplish great things because we're all on the same team under Christ. Let's let's go [00:13:00] forward

[00:13:08] PHILIPPIANS 1

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One of the things I think is great about studying Paul in this phase, where he is in literal confinement, is you get a feel for how to find peace amidst that type of adversity. I know most of us aren't going to face prison cell kind of confinement, but all of us experience confinement in other ways. You know, illnesses that hold us back physically, or relationships that cause strain mentally, or callings that...

Take a lot of our time. A lot of us feel confined in some way. And what Paul teaches, especially in this first chapter, is that you can thrive in those circumstances. Not just survive it, but you can thrive. And I think he's trying to teach us how. So if you go through chapter one, watch for Paul's tips on how to thrive in confined circumstances and see what the spirit brings forth.

Because for me, I thought there was a lot of [00:14:00] beautiful application. So if you look in one, for example, one of the ways you can trust that you can thrive in hard circumstances is to remember the fact that he has not left you alone. We have leaders to look towards. So in this verse, he mentions bishops and deacons.

There's some great quotes in the notes about How this is just another evidence that the priesthood was in place when the Savior put things in motion when he was living. We have evidence of Melchizedek Priesthood with the apostles and you know others the 70s that were called and here you get references to Aaronic Priesthood offices.

So you can take comfort in the fact that you're not alone in that he has people here built to serve with capability and the keys to serve. So you get a piece of that in one. He also gives you a tip in three. He says, I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. I think one of the ways you can thrive in confinement is to cast your mind back.

I don't think you want to stay in the past too long, but I do think to cast your mind back to spiritual moments of [00:15:00] closeness and connection and warmth, especially in confinement that comes from hard family situations or relationships that are struggling. I think being able to remember the good times.

It's a gift of the spirit. It's something that helps Paul move forward. I think you see another one in four. Always in every prayer of mine for you, all making requests with joy. Paul is one that has this remarkable stance of optimism. It's like President Nelson to me. They're very similar tones. Joseph Smith, I think was the same.

He, he had this remarkable. optimism that no matter what his circumstances were, he assumed life was going to get better. Life was going to get better, not just for him, but for all the saints. I think you get a feel from that with Joseph in Liberty Jail. You certainly hear it from President Nelson right now, despite his giant back injury, he's optimistic and hopeful about the future.

So I think that's one way to Abide well and thrive in confinement is to trust in the goodness of God and the forward movement that's [00:16:00] coming. Another one comes in six. It says, Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

What I like about this, this to me is Paul saying, I trust that the seeds I've planted are being well cared for. Even though he can't have his hands in the soil right now, he, he planted these seeds of truth and he's trusting that even though he's in confinement, These seeds are growing. He knows the sun is still shining.

He knows rain is still falling and that they're, they will be cultivated one way or the other. What I think is powerful about that is then Paul has a bit of, he has an understanding of his role in the work, I think, because he's kind of come to terms with the fact that he doesn't have to have his hands on all of it.

He, he just has to set things in motion and trust that God has. God has a plan, and he'll, he'll do his own work. He'll find a way to accomplish the needs that Paul is worried about. So Paul has this stance of confidence in Christ that I just admire. In 7 you get another one, it [00:17:00] says, Even as it is meet for me to think this of all, of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye are partakers of my grace.

To me, this is Paul resting on the assurance that he has people pulling for him the same way I think when when the Lord spoke to Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail, he reminded him that he still has friends that stand by him I think this is Paul echoing that same message from the Spirit Just this understanding of I'm not alone in this you you know that I'm here.

I'm not forgotten and we're We're, you know, experiencing this together, even though they're not there in cell with him, they are experiencing the pain of Paul not being able to be among them. And he takes comfort in that. I think you also trust that the grace that he is due because of his obedience will spill out into others.

In fact, that's kind of where he goes next in the chapter. So if you look at eight, he says, For God is my record, how I long [00:18:00] greatly or how I How greatly I long after you in all the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.

That's one of the ways he takes comfort in his confinement. He trusts that their knowledge is increasing, that they're growing in faith and wisdom and all those things he started. He knows they're increasing in that. I love the way he says it in 11. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God.

This to me is Paul. Trusting that there will be rich fruits abounding, that even if he's not there to see it, that there is fruit coming. I think it's the same way most of us feel about our, you know, descendants that are coming. I'm not going to see the fruit that my great granddaughters produce or my great grandsons accomplish.

I won't get to see that, but I trust that it will come. That if I... I plant myself solidly enough, and I teach my own children as best I can, that the Lord will take care of that crop, that he will find a way [00:19:00] to reach, and there will be fruit in my tree. That's the promise. And I also love what he says in 12, so let me read you this passage next.

He says, But I would you should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel. This is Paul saying, I know you're worried about me, but let me show you how the gospel is actually. increasing because of the confinement we're feeling.

The same way when you talk to or hear the General Authority speak about COVID and the restrictions that happened with COVID and how the church increased, you know, missionary work increased, all these things increased despite the fact that we were all confined because they found new ways to accomplish things.

They found ways to meet and teach each other in you know, via zoom or other ways. So I think that's kind of Paul's message. He's like, don't, don't be shortsighted. Look at what God can do no matter what the circumstances are. And this is 13. So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace and in other places.

And many of the brethren in the Lord waxing confident by my bonds are much more bold to speak the word without [00:20:00] fear. I don't know if this means that because Paul is confined, the rest of those who are called to lead. Are now kind of stepping into that vacuum that he, his absence creates, you know, if they're stepping into those roles, or if it's simply the fact that they see Paul as like a banner to hold up, you know, like, look what we're, we're fighting for Paul, we are fighting because this is his, he taught us this and he believes in Jesus Christ and he's stuck.

So here we are, you know, like, I, I'm not sure exactly what that verse means, but I do love that. That's the principle we see playing out over and over again in our lives. Yeah. I've seen this in our family over and over again when Jason is sick and he's confined in some way. And you see the rest of the family rally.

You see blessings come that you... You didn't anticipate you see understandings and leadership rise up in your own kids in really beautiful ways. I've also seen it in simple things like my YSA class. Like I just, just this last week, you guys, [00:21:00] one of the things I struggle with is often I say to the Lord, like, why did you give me this calling now?

You know, I have so many other time commitments that I can't give the YSAs as much time as I feel like they deserve. They're such a good group. And I, I want to be able to prepare. these great big lessons with awesome power points and all the things and I just can't. I can't. In fact, I've been spiritually prompted not to do those things.

What I've found is if I follow those promptings and simplify and just ask good questions, stop trying to teach so much and just inspire them to teach each other. In those moments of me pulling back a little bit, they swoop in. Like just this week, you guys, we were, we're in Third Nephi and we're talking about the Savior's and I was asking them like, why, why they think.

The Savior invited the little children to come around him. He didn't teach a sharing time. He didn't do a song. Like, why did he invite the little children to come first around him? And I didn't really know the answer. I was just kind of hoping that they would come up with ideas and they had awesome ideas.

Like my, one of [00:22:00] my YSAs, her name's Camille. She's been with me from like the very beginning and she said, you know, I think maybe Children are sacred and pure and maybe he was creating a space around him that was holy by having them closest to him he's creating this little holy space and I'm just It's not that I mean it was A remarkably true and beautiful thought that I never would have had, and I, I think by choosing to pull back and to allow myself to be confined to some degree, I get to watch the spirit work wonders in those who are going to teach me.

I just think it's one of the most rewarding parts about this gospel, that those who are mighty often Pull back so that others can step up. You know, it's what we saw with John the Baptist. It's what we saw with Peter. You just see this over this pattern over and over again. And then you'll see it in Philippians one.

So he talks about that choice. And then he talks about where his heart is. So if you look in 20, he says, according to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness as [00:23:00] always. So now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death.

This is where Paul's going to start. A few verses about being conflicted. He's, he's torn because I think he's, he can tell it's getting close to the end. And I think he has seen the Celestial Kingdom and he knows the Savior and his heart longs to be there. The same way, do you remember the apostles that were in, the Nephite apostles who Were called and then he asked them what they wanted and they kind of said like as soon as I hit a certain age Can I please come join you and they were eager to get to his presence all the time as I'm sure all of us would Be and then there were three Nephites who said we want to stay and do the work I feel like Paul is right between them.

He's he wants both He wants to return and be home with his Savior who he loves so dearly and he wants to stay and do this work And so he's basically saying to the Lord Put me where you need me. I'll do whatever it is you need. [00:24:00] And I just think his, his heart is so pure in that he, it's good to want both those things.

It's good to long for home and to long for a closeness with God, the Father and Jesus Christ. And it's really good to say, if you need me here, I'll stay. What do you need me to do today? I think you get that feel from Paul. And so that's what he says in 23. For I am in a strait betwixt having desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better.

Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. His heart is where the Savior's heart was. It, it, it always is. Where do my people need me? Where can I serve? How can I lift and ease burdens? Where can I, where do you want me? And at this point in time, where God wants him is right here. Within this prison cell, if need be, but here among the saints writing letters to help build faith.

And then he has this like rallying cry, this call to action for me, like 27 to [00:25:00] 29 were some of my favorite verses of this whole chapter. He says, only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ. This is when Paul is saying like, elevate, bring yourself up, don't wallow, don't be sad, don't...

get distracted, elevate. I hear of your affairs that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel, and in nothing terrified by your adversaries, which is to them an evident token of the perdition, but to you of salvation and that of God. For unto you is given in behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.

This is Paul saying like, we are a team here. It doesn't matter where I am or where you are. Our joy is not going to be based on our circumstances. It's going to be based on our focus. And if we all focus together, there's Power in that collaboration. That's what he's hoping for. He's like be united with me It doesn't matter if we can be in the same physical space if our hearts are knit together We can accomplish great things because we're all on the same [00:26:00] team under Christ.

Let's let's go forward

[00:26:09] PHILIPPIANS 2

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I think Paul's goal for these saints is that they can be like a Abednego. That they can be this bright little Zion in this very dark Babylon. Because their world isn't going to get much brighter. In fact, it's going to get darker. And he's hoping that they can come together and form this Bright, exquisite light through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

So he's gonna continue that thread of having one mind and one heart. What I like about where he goes in two is that he uses the Godhead as an example of that. Here's why I think this matters for me. Sometimes when I think about Zion like societies, It's really easy to get tripped up in this natural man tendency of ours to assume that if I'm giving away so much, if I'm giving mercy and kindness and money and time and energy, that I will be depleted somehow.

That others will increase, but that I'm depleted. And [00:27:00] when you think about the nature of the Godhead... It goes counter to that natural man tendency. Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are examples of those who gave all and lost nothing. They are abundant. They are full despite giving all. And I think that's what he's trying to help us see.

He's like, this is the divine pattern. It's not how the world works. It's how God works. You don't need to be afraid of giving up your love or your time or your energy. You will find fullness. Look at the Savior's example. So that's where he goes next. If you look in 5, Let this mind be in you. I think this is what he's talking about.

He's saying like, Start thinking the way the Savior thought about As he gives up grace, he gets grace back. That's the idea. Which also is in Christ Jesus. Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. He's not taking anything from Heavenly Father by Being glorified by going through his part of the plan of salvation and doing it so perfectly it doesn't pull glory [00:28:00] from God In fact, it increases it So if you look in the verses he says but made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men and he'd Being found in the fashion as a man.

He humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the cross This is just like what Sister Freeman taught us in conference, where she talked about the condescension of Christ. He condescends in order to ascend. That's that same pattern we've seen over and over again. That we're supposed to focus on that gift.

When he chose to give all, he brought glory to God. This is going to be kind of a silly comparison, but just this week, I was watching, there's a new Mark Rober video that came out. My kids love Mark Rober. So they pop up on my YouTube feed all the time. And there's one where he was talking about BYU and his experience at BYU.

He wanted to make the smallest Nerf gun ever, like to a micro level, you have to use a microscope to see it. And so he went back to BYU and worked with the engineers there to develop it. And the part that I really liked you guys is when he went back to his old professor. So he shows a picture of him as a student and [00:29:00] like, you know, cute little 20 year old Mark Rober and he had, he mentioned this professor that taught him what he knows about engineering or much of it.

And then they actually show that professor still teaching at BYU and how proud he is. You know, you, you see the professor be so proud of all that Mark has accomplished and that he got to help plant those seeds. And that I think is the nature of divine glory. That it is something that, that professor's glory increased as he saw Mark use the things he taught him.

And he saw all the good that Mark's doing. I don't think the professor was taking any credit really for Mark's accomplishments, but he was saying like, look, we helped set you on this path and look what you've done. I'm so proud. You could just see it in his face. And I feel like that's, that's the nature of God the Father, that his glory is fuller and richer as we all live up to our divine potential.

The same way as the Savior lived up to his divine potential perfectly, the glory increased and nothing was lost. You know, we talked about a couple times with the flame and that [00:30:00] idea of like, I can have one candle and somebody else can light from it, and my flame doesn't diminish in that transfer. That's, that's the nature of God.

That's what light does. And I love that you see that in chapter two. Then he talks about what will happen, that every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess, because the Savior accomplished what he accomplished, what Heavenly Father asked him to do. Heavenly Father gives him this name, that's what he says in 9.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name, which is above every name, that at that name of Jesus every knee should bow, and of the things in heaven, of the things in earth, and things under the earth. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the God of the, to the glory of God the Father.

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as much in my presence only, this is Paul speaking to the people again, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. What I like about this, I think sometimes we read those verses or those words and think we're supposed to be afraid [00:31:00] of divinity.

And I, although I think there is a A healthy reverence and even a godly fear that can come in the presence of God. We also know that the Savior himself encouraged us to, that this is what this life is all about, to come to know God, to be back with him. And I love this phrase, fear and trembling. To me, this is an appreciation for God.

What the Savior snatched you from. So do you remember when we were studying Alma the Younger in the Book of Mormon? And there's that experience he has when he goes dark, basically, or can't move, and he's limited, and he feels snatched. Remember, he talks about that gulf of misery and endless woe and that he felt snatched from it.

I think you get that same feel with King Lamoni's wife when she's out for a little while, and when she is revived, the first thing she talks about is her gratitude for being freed from that. Gulf of Misery and Endless Woe. Those might not be the exact words, but it's that same tone. That's what I think this means.

I think fear and trembling is when you start to gain an [00:32:00] appreciation for. What the Savior really saved you from. The experience that came to my mind as I was studying this is, um, I had a situation where we live on a mountain, and in the winter we get tons and tons of snow, and it's kind of scary sometimes to drive down the mountain on those days, especially the day after a snowstorm because the roads get really icy.

And I had this one situation where I was in my giant 12 passenger van, and I had all the kids in the car, and I was going around this curve by Potato Hill, which is this hill that's always dicey, uh, on our way down the mountain. And I'm on the curve right up above Potato Hill and I can feel that the car's not going to turn.

I can feel it in the wheel. I can feel it. I have lost contact with the ground and I know we're going to swerve into oncoming traffic. Like I just won't be able to stop it. And I'm telling you guys, I don't know how, I don't know how it happened, but somehow that car turned and I felt saved. In fact, I had to pull off to the side of the road on the little Potato Hill exit because I was so shaken.

Not [00:33:00] because... I was afraid. It was almost like I had started to appreciate what could have happened. You know, in that moment, had I not been saved by miraculous means, it terrified me to think what could have happened. That's what I think Alma the Younger saw to an eternal degree. I think it's what King Lamoni's wife saw.

They started to appreciate why you need Jesus Christ. You cannot save yourself from that fate. He is the only means of salvation. And when you appreciate. How close we are to that and you shake a little you're so profoundly grateful I think it's what Enos experienced when he has his prayer and his wrestle and he says Lord How is it done?

You know, he he knows he has sins He knows he has weaknesses and he's praying to understand and he gets an answer of you've been forgiven now Go forward and he says How is that done? I think he's someone who would understand fear and trembling because you know how close you [00:34:00] are and what you deserve And what could could have been just because of the natural man state of us and you feel snatched and that I think is Peace right?

It is a a trembling piece of, I am so grateful to be saved. That is what I think Paul is trying to get them to understand. You can work out that salvation. You can come with fear and trembling and say, I'm profoundly grateful for this gift. What, what would you have me do? That's Paul's stance. And so then he tells us, What he needs us to do.

Oh, you guys, these are some of my favorite verses. We're going to talk about them in the object lessons too. This is what he says. Um, don't murmur. Don't dispute. Same kind of thing that we hear from president Nelson lately about finding unity and seeing the nicest thing you can think of about a person.

He gives some of that advice. And then he says in 15 that you may be blameless and harmless the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation among whom you shine as lights in the world. Remember that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego reference, it's even if everyone else is [00:35:00] bowing to this false god, you will stand and you will shine out.

And then in 16, holding forth the word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I might not run in vain, neither have labored in vain. That's Paul's, he's not dying, but it kind of sounds like a dying wish or a parting wish. He said, for all my sufferings to be worth it, I just need you to shine.

I need you to take what you know so far and beam it out. You know, like in the Time After Women talk I gave where I talk about having a sequined covered soul, because it's not... Our light that we're beaming out. It's just we're with this reflective surface where people see God's light in our lives and want to know more.

And that's Paul's invitation. Shine as lights. Hold up the word. I love that. That's what you're holding up. It's like this torch of the word of God. It is bright and powerful and divides us under all the wiles of the adversary. It is this Vibrant bright sword and it will that's what he wants them to hold up not just a generic understanding of the [00:36:00] Savior But something specific his word his doctrine teaches and pulls people in It's what I felt like we heard from President Oaks when he spoke at conference because he taught the word Clearly he taught exactly what the Savior taught.

He he echoed those messages Exactly. And said, the family proclamation is real and it holds and it is eternal. And those were that's holding up the word to me and shining it out as a light. And those who are ready to let God prevail in their lives will see that light and come closer. That's what President Nelson promised.

So I think that's what you see Paul doing. And then he talks about how he has some helpers to, you know, like, let this happen. Even though Paul's confined, he has people like Timothy who will be sent out to help them in their efforts. And I just love his. Optimism, even if he can't be there, even if he can't be with them, he has tools at his disposal to help them get the light and knowledge they need.

He has the trust in God that God will help him and he has confidence that all can be well if they choose it.

[00:37:07] PHILIPPIANS 3

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[00:37:00]

You guys remember that talk from a couple conferences ago where Elder Christofferson talked about sacrifice and consecration. And how they're similar, but not the same. Sometimes we're asked to sacrifice things, to offer things. And then we're also asked to consecrate things, meaning to do good things in the name of Jesus Christ and according to his will.

I think you see both of those in this verse, or in this chapter. Because in chapter 3, Paul's going to warn about those who are going to try and teach false doctrines. There's a lot of them floating around in the Philippi area. There's people who teach about worshiping angels. There's people who teach about that you shouldn't have any physical pleasure whatsoever in the body is evil.

There's people that teach that the law of Moses needs to be brought back. Like there's all these false traditions that are creeping in. Um, and Paul's trying to pull back on some of those. So you see him teach that in the first five or six verses. I really like where he goes next though. He teaches about his history.

So he says, basically, I used to be. [00:38:00] This other man, you know, the same way he's teaching them that they're all setting down their old selves and stepping into something new, that's where he's going to go next. So he says in eight, yay, doubtless. And I count all these things, but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and to count them, but done that I may win Christ's he's been talking about his experience as a Pharisee and following all these rules of the law of Moses.

And he says all of that. is nothing compared to what I have received in exchange. I think even looking forward to what he will receive, Paul sees all these other things as nothing, so they could be set down. To me, that's Paul saying sacrifice is good and sacrifice is needed, but it is not all. Where you find the richness and the covenant connection is when you consecrate, when you choose to offer your whole self.

up. And that's what he directs us towards. So if you see in 10, he says, that I may know him, the power of his resurrection and the [00:39:00] fellowship of his suffering, being made conformable unto his death. If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead, not as though I already attained, either were already perfect, but I follow after, if that I may apprehend for that which also I am apprehended of Jesus Christ.

I know it's a bit bulky to say it all, but Paul's heart is, even if I just am resurrected, the gift, the sacrifice, the consecration, it's all worth it to me. That's how I read this. He, his connection that he feels with the savior and his trust that he will indeed be resurrected and he will indeed have this future that's enough for him.

That holds him. And I almost get this feeling of forward movement, but over and over again, the next like five verses, you're going to hear this, these pulls forward. So he says something like I follow after in 12 and then in 13, reaching forth unto those things, which are before God in 14, I pressed toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ, let us therefore in 15, as [00:40:00] many as be perfect, be thus minded, I just feel him.

It's like he's at the end of the race and he, he wants to lean into that tape. You know what I mean? You know what I mean? You've seen like an Olympic runner who is there at the very end, like they're almost horizontal. They're leaning so far over so they can get into this tape. That's Paul. It's actually what I felt like we saw with.

President Ballard at conference, you know, where he talked about how he couldn't read the teleprompter anymore And he just was gonna share his testimony of Joseph Smith and and the power of the work and Jesus Christ To me that was like watching someone leaning forward. Not that I think President Ballard is at the end of his rope or his course I think he's just saying this is my posture from here on out you guys.

I'm just gonna lean forward. I'm gonna look forward I'm gonna think forward. I think it's the same thing When you look into the Omni, it's in, uh, I wrote on my margins, Omni 126, when he says, Come unto Christ, offer your whole souls as an offering to him. Like, be all in this gospel and lean forward, [00:41:00] look forward, press toward that mark.

I also love how he phrases it in 17. He says, Brethren, be followers together of me and mark them which walk so as you have for us and in sample. He's basically, I think, teaching us the same thing we saw with conference, that we're not in this on our own. We have. examples to follow examples from the written word and scriptures and examples in the living prophets and apostles and women leaders of the church we have examples right in front of us that we can follow and try to see how they handle things it's one of the reasons i really liked that conversation with elder bednar at silicon slopes i felt like that was his message he's saying i can Let me show you how the gospel can fit in a business setting and how it flows seamlessly.

Let me show you how you can take your faith and incorporate it into work. And I just thought it was fascinating to watch. Anyway, in 19, he adds this, whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, whose mind is in earthly things. This is the counterpoint to the examples that we're following.

He's saying you can choose between either one. You can't serve two masters. You're going to have to [00:42:00] choose. You can either follow the example of Jesus Christ and his... leaders, or you can go this other way and follow those whose belly is on earthly things. In fact, there's a phrase in here that I really liked.

It says, whose mind is on earthly things for our conversation is in heaven. From whence we also look for the savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He wants us to recognize the weakness of. Earthly things. The same way Abednego, no matter how tall that tower was. Remember how big that statue was, that was all the different metals, and it's this big imposing structure, and they were, they weren't concerned.

They would not bow. Doesn't matter how glistening that tower was, they would not bow. And that's what he's trying to say. He's saying all those things end in destruction. Same way that tower with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego eventually toppled and tumbled down and broke into pieces in that vision. It's, it's like this is It will, nothing else can last, only the gospel can last.

And so he encourages us to keep our conversation in heaven. I just love that turn of phrase. He's like, don't [00:43:00] just think higher thoughts, but speak higher thoughts. Let that dominate your words and your actions. Let's think celestial. I feel like that's Paul's message. Like let's elevate. So in 21, who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things to himself.

Compared to all those earthly teachers and earthly ministers and people who are satisfying the appetites of the flesh, to have a Savior who set aside all the appetites of the flesh and every possible temptation and every pain and suffering and came off victorious, which one will you follow? You know, that's Paul's message, like, where does your heart lie?

And he encourages us to follow the Savior, to see what he accomplished and to, to demonstrate that in our own lives.

[00:43:58] PHILIPPIANS 4

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Now that Paul's told [00:44:00] us to elevate and to like keep our eyes up, you know, almost like my volleyball coach used to say in high school, she would yell from the sidelines, eyes up, eyes up, because it was really easy to get so fixated on the people around you and your feet and your like all the issues on the ground that you forgot to look up where the ball was, where the action was going to happen.

And that's what Paul's trying to get them to see. He's like, keep your eyes open. Don't get distracted and busy with the things of this world. Keep your eyes focused. Think celestial. So that's what he, where he goes in for, he says, therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for my joy and my crown. So stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

Stand fast. To me, the, that phrase is. It means to be solidly planted, to be rooted and grounded in the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Meaning, like, I can teach the same eternal doctrines that the Savior taught thousands of years ago today and still have those have power and impact in my life. That's what it means.

I think [00:45:00] that's his imitation to stand fast. And then he tries to teach them how in the rest of the chapter, because all of us want that. We hope for that. And he's going to give us the practical, like boots on the ground examples for how you pull that off. So the first one comes in five. Let your moderation be known unto all men.

The Lord is at hand to me. This is something we heard often in conference In fact as soon as conference was over I said to Jason like I don't think I take enough taxi rides How many times did you hear something that happened in a taxi or an uber or something where? They had this incredible exchange and I found myself so impressed with their devotion.

You know, I can't remember who it was that talked about when his taxi driver was the wrong driver and that he was going to turn around and take him to the right driver and he's like, oh no, it's fine. And then like two seconds later he said, and that's when I realized I was not in the wrong taxi. Like as soon as that.

The man who was driving was asking him, are you a Mormon? Like, I just think it was, that's his invitation. He says, one of the ways you can stand fast is to [00:46:00] speak up. And that's scary, you guys, especially when you're holding up doctrines that are not well accepted in the world we live in today. But remember, these are solidly planted eternal doctrines.

They, they are unchangeable. God is unchangeable. And so we can stand fast in. in that promise. What I love is I really think that the more you stand up and are vocal about what you believe, the deeper your roots go because you get used to the wind, you know, like you get used to being pushed and pulled on the surface and you grow deeper, steadier roots.

And that's what he wants you to do. So that's his first tip. Speak up. Then you see some more. When you flip the page, he says, be careful for nothing. This is in verse six, be in, but in everything. By prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. This is his way of saying like don't get lost in the thick of things Which is really good advice for every one of us because it's really hard In fact, there's a great talk from I [00:47:00] think selder christopherson.

It's in the notes where he says Yeah, but how do you actually do this? You know, how do I juggle the needs of my family and my calling and work and how do I actually? And what I loved is he said, essentially, these, this is not a quote, these are me, this is me summarizing, but he said, God has He knows your needs and he will provide what you need.

There is this peace that comes with understanding that he can take care of me. He'll find a way to help me if I move forward in faith. I also love this idea of praying with thanksgiving. So he says, Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.

Here's what I liked about this. This week I studied, there was a talk from Elder Bednar, where he talked about his wife's experience praying with thanksgiving. I wish I could remember which general authority was with them, but they had a loss either in their family or some of them passed away. Some close to them passed away and it was that day.

And so she was going to offer a prayer for that family and [00:48:00] the visiting general authority, whoever it was, I can't remember, um, said essentially try to pray only giving thanks. And Elder Renner talked about how that was such a hard thing because what she wanted to pray about was like to bless that family with whatever they needed and the comfort they would need and all those things.

And so when she challenged herself to only give this prayer of thanks, it sounded different. And I, you'll have to go on the notes to read it, but I loved what she learned. So Sister Bednar ended up showing gratitude for the atonement of Jesus Christ. She spoke of gratitude for eternal families. She spoke of gratitude for the spirit that can comfort and heal and bless.

So instead of asking for comfort and healing and blessings, she just expressed it in gratitude. What I like about that is Elder Bednar said that changed the way they pray. And I wonder if That's the intro we need to really appreciate verse seven, because seven is one of the most beautiful verses in all of the scripture.

It says, And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts [00:49:00] and your mind through Christ Jesus. I think there's a connection there, and I wish I could tell you I've figured it all out. But, I can feel the spirit trying to like, turn these cogs in my brain, that there is something to praying out of gratitude, rather than out of requests, and trusting that God will Take care of your needs.

You don't need to ask specifically for all the things on your list. You need to show gratitude for what you've been given and for the gifts that are available. And, and then I think there's a piece that comes, I think there's a piece that passes understanding because sometimes I think when I try to give Heavenly Father a grocery list of sorts of the things I need.

Then I'm assuming I know how my best way to access peace, you know, I, if you take care of Jason, if you give us a clean scan, if you, if you give me these things, I will feel peace. And what I think happens when you instead express gratitude rather than a list of what you think you want is then he can teach you what you really [00:50:00] need.

That to me is peace that passes understanding. It's, it's... good to ask for what you need. It might be even greater to not ask at all and instead express gratitude and trust that he will make all things work together for your good. I haven't, I haven't figured it out you guys. I, I certainly don't want to imply that I think it's wrong to pray and ask for what you hope for and need and desire.

I think our father in heaven loves to hear from us in all those ways. But this is an area where I felt the spirit saying, I think I need to do better. I think there's a way to tap into another understanding of prayer that is. Right under these verses, and I'm hoping to dig into it. So you'll have to let me know in the comments if you have thoughts there.

Okay, so that's six and seven, power packed verses. Then you're going to go into eight, where he teaches you how to hold on to that piece. So once you have this piece that passes understanding, then you need to know how to hold it. Otherwise, it's fleeting, right? And so that's where you have this Articles of Faith number 13 kind of verse.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are [00:51:00] just, pure, lovely, good report, virtuous. Praiseworthy. Think on these things. And of course, the JST changes that in, well, in the Articles of Faith, it changes it to seek after these things. I think that's how we hold on to peace.

I think it's how we can stay in that space. We seek after good. We seek to do good. We seek for things that are virtuous and lovely and of good report and we, we are constantly in the effort of seeking them and following after them. That's how you stay in that peace. And then nine, those things which you have both learned and received and heard and seen in me do and the God of peace shall be with you.

That's his promise. What you've seen me accomplish, what the piece you've seen me have in this prison cell and out of it, do those things. Where you've seen me serve, and me teach, and me study my scriptures, and me pay my tithes and do all those things, you do those things. I think it's what President Nelson is teaching us, too.

He's saying, it's, it's not complicated. Go and do [00:52:00] what you know to be true, and then you'll see Additional understanding come, and that's Paul's message. I love 11 and 12. He says, Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound.

Everywhere, and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. This is Paul speaking about the virtue of contentment. It's not exuberant joy, you know, he's not saying that you will be totally happy all the time. I think even in President Nelson's, you know, epic address on this, like finding joy in your focus, not in your circumstances.

I think the message is not that you'll be Radiating happiness always, but that you can be settled and you can find rest. That's his invitation is to get comfortable. What I like is I don't think there's any way that this happens automatically. I don't think any of us are born with this gift to be able to be [00:53:00] comfortable abounding or being abased.

Like I think these are things you learn the hard way. I felt this experience this week. So We have scans coming up and I went to the temple this week to get myself ready and just be like, okay, only father, if there's anything you need me to know, just let me know. And, you know, I found myself rather than getting any clear understanding about what was coming on Jason's scans, um, feeling peace and the peace I felt was not that everything's going to be just fine.

It was like. You know how to do this. If the scans come back hard, you know what to do, and you know who to turn to and what to do next. If the scans come back great, you know what to do, and you know how to use your time, and how to take your talents and put them to good use. You know what to do in either circumstance.

And the only way I could get to that state of contentment is to have experienced the last seven years of... roller coasters, you know, like, I just think that's why we're here. We're here so that we can experience that full range of emotions and hard and get to a place where [00:54:00] we are content, no matter where we are on that roller coaster.

If I'm on the top or the bottom, I just think there is. There is rest at every stage if we trust in him. That's his promise. That's the peace that can pass understanding. You just have to be grateful for the journey, as hard as it is. And that's where you get to 13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

You can literally do all things. I don't know what's coming for me. I don't know what's coming for our family. I don't know, I don't know what the next two weeks are gonna look like, let alone the next two years, and I just feel like I can make it. I feel like we can make it. I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me, because He doesn't just strengthen me at the end when I overcome whatever hurdle is in my path.

He doesn't just strengthen me at the beginning when I'm praying for hope. He strengthens me every single day through every obstacle, and it is a There is peace there. If I stay on this covenant path and I do my best to keep my covenants [00:55:00] and repent when I need to, which is often, he can give me the strength I need.

So I really, really love verse 13 and then in 18, but I have all and abound and am full. Paul is speaking from a prison cell. He's probably sitting on the ground with chains, and he says, I'm full. They wanted to send him gifts, in fact, have sent him some gifts. And he's saying, I have everything I need. It's like when you hear a missionary, if you've ever read the missionaries, like their moms write to them and say, what can I send you for Christmas?

What do you want for your birthday? And they'll write back and be like, mom, I just, I really don't need anything. In fact, maybe, maybe some ramen. Like that's, they don't need. Anything, which is amazing because they live in horrible conditions and have nothing and they are content. They are focused on what matters most and so they don't have a need for much and I Love that piece.

I love that Paul teaches that in these words So he says in 19 that the goodness and peace he [00:56:00] feels will Will overflow into their lives because of the way they've tried to take care of him. He lets himself be served The same way we're guided to let ourselves be served when things are hard. And so he lets them give him gifts and he and pay his way to some degree because he can't earn anything while he's in prison.

And he says in 19, but my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ. His God, the one he worships is the same God we worship and he will abound. He will give you what you need. He will stretch you and give you opportunities to push yourself so that you can learn how to be content in this life.

And I think Paul knows that on such a profound level that he just, he's okay. No matter what comes next, he's okay.

[00:56:50] COLOSSIANS 1

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All right, you guys, let's jump into Colossians next. So Colossae is a town that's in that Asia area. So not, not the Asia of our world, but the Asia of Paul's world. So that kind of [00:57:00] Turkey area. And he hasn't been there yet. So his words sound a little bit like the words in Romans. Remember when we were reading Romans and he really wanted to get to Rome and he wanted to be with the people.

That's kind of what you're going to get. in Colossians. He just has heard from those who are there teaching the problems that they're facing, especially these splintering groups of Christian sects that are breaking apart from the main vine. And he's worried. So he's got some words of guidance for them.

This is the Colossians to me is the one that sounds so much like DNC 88. I mean, it's not as rich and full bodied as those sections, but It's got this very clear, let me tell you about the nature of Jesus Christ and who he is to you. There is, there is a definite clarity in Colossians, and I think you'll get a feel for it.

So when you go into chapter one, he basically says a similar intro as he does in all the other chapters. You know, grace be unto you from Jesus Christ, from our Father. He represents them even though he has never Been to their town, he is representing the savior. In his words to them. He still has authority to [00:58:00] teach there.

And so in four he says, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which you have to all the saints, for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, where have you have heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come unto you as it is in all the world and bringing forth fruit as it does also in you.

That's kind of cumbersome to say, but Paul's message is a really simple one. Basically what he's saying is, The fruit of the gospel is evident in you. You can see the trueness of the gospel because of the fruits that are coming forth. What this reminds me of is the conference report. So those of you who were on the live, I had just watched the conference report when I did the live last week.

And I was on fire with that conference report. Cause you guys, if you haven't watched it, it's on the church YouTube channel. It's on that LES stream app I was telling you about, or gospel stream I think is what it's called. And you can watch, it's a 45 minute video. I, I sped it up to get through it kind of quickly, but I loved seeing the fruits.

I think that's exactly what that video is. It's showing you all the places that the gospel of Jesus Christ is at work and what [00:59:00] it is doing. Making connections, making brotherhoods, making, serving people's needs, providing welfare. Like, there are a myriad of ways that the gospel of Jesus Christ is reaching towards others and providing for their needs.

It also talks about things like temples that are being built and the new construction methods and how the Salt Lake Temple reconstruction is going. And it, you just started to see fruits. To me, that's what that whole video was. It was 45 minutes of, let me show you the fruits and the fruits are of discipleship.

When people choose to sacrifice and to consecrate, to offer tithing funds and to give their time and their energy and their talents, these are the fruits that come from it. And it is. It is like seeing this giant orchard full of fruit because it's amazing to see how how far reaching the good word of God is going and what it's accomplishing.

So go and watch that video. It's in the notes this week if you want to watch it. But that's what I think he's trying to say to the caution saints. He's saying like, I can see The goodness of who you [01:00:00] are, by the fruits I can see from here, and hear about from here, and that's powerful. And then he talks about his prayers for them, similar to what we read in the Galatians, that he wants them to gain wisdom and knowledge.

His hope for all saints is not that they will have a testimony of Paul, or a testimony of Timothy, or any of the other leaders, but that they will have a testimony that is deeply rooted. in Jesus Christ. So that's what he talks about. In 10 he says that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.

I think that should be our goal, that we all walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing. There are so many beautiful scriptures that talk about walking with God, or being in the presence of God, and seeking the face of God. I think this is his invitation. He's saying, this is the whole purpose of life, that you'll come to know God, who he is, what his character is like, what his attributes are like, like Joseph Smith taught.

That's why we're here. So live a life that you can feel confident in the presence of God. It's a process. I think that's what the Book of Mormon teaches us, that [01:01:00] we, we wax confident in the presence of God over the course of our discipleship, but that's our goal. We're not trying to, you know, make deposits in this heavenly account.

We're trying to become something. We heard that message over and over again in conference. So then he goes on to talk about how you can become. That you'll be strengthened, this inner man strengthening in 11. Strengthened with all might according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.

That's, that's Paul's version of strength with might, you know, I, I picture strength with might and I picture like this, you know, big ripped guy with heavy weights in his arms. Paul's version of strength and might is like. No, it's somebody who gives thanks. It's someone who is glorious and patient and long suffering and joyful.

It's a whole different version of what strength looks like. It's a lot closer to what we see with President Ballard or President Nelson than what you see in some, you know, show. So I just kind of love that visual. Then he talks about giving thanks to the Father. I think this patch of verses is powerful.

So in 12, giving thanks unto the [01:02:00] Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers. of the inheritance of the saints in light, who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into kingdom of his dear son. The reason I like these two verses, you guys, is we often use those terms and even similar sentences to talk about the Savior himself, that he is one who delivers and he is one who overcomes the power of darkness.

What I like about Paul's approach here is he says this is a gift from the Father. The father offered his son. The son voluntarily took that role. But this is a gift from the father. What it reminds me of is, do you remember that incredible talk from Elder Holland? I mean, I think all of us were sad not to hear from Elder Holland this conference.

But it was fun to go back this week as I was studying and see so many conference messages from Elder Holland that teach me about Jesus Christ. Pretty much every one of them does. The one that this one draw my, drew my eye to is the one called The Grandeur of God. This is when he talks about how one of the roles of the Savior when He came here was to help us recognize [01:03:00] the goodness of our Heavenly Father.

We would see in Him attributes of the Father and because of that we would Love the Father. The reason I think that's important is we talk so much about being close to Jesus and trusting in Jesus and knowing our Savior and all those things are great But it is a combined effort. It is the gift of God and I think he was trying to point that out to us I love I have a portion of the quote written in my margins It says Christ came not to improve God's view of man, but man's view of God When we know Christ, we come to know our Father in Heaven even better.

And since Jesus himself said that was the goal of this life, is that we would come to know God, I think there's power in looking through that lens, looking through the lens of the Savior so that we can see God more clearly. I just think there's power in it. You flip the page and he talks about all the things that the Savior himself has accomplished through this invitation of God the Father that he, he gave him these responsibilities and stewardships.

So for example in 16 it talks about him being the [01:04:00] creator of all things. I really like in this verse he talks about being the creator of the visible and the invisible. I don't, I don't exactly know what this means, I don't pretend to know, but I do love that there are some things that are invisible that I feel like are sourced by Jesus Christ.

He created them just as much as he created the oceans and the mountains and the plants around me. Things like the love that's in my heart that I can't measure, I can't quantify, I can't even articulate sometimes. I think he is the source of that. The visible and the invisible. So go into those verses and see what the Spirit teaches you.

I also love what he says in 17. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. This is where you get 88 vibes, right? You can see 88. 5 through 13 is what you pull out of the footnotes. And this is where you see things like that he might be in all things and through all things, the light of truth, which truth shineth.

You know those verses that we study in the Doctrine and Covenants? You can hear Paul's... message is so similar. It is the same [01:05:00] doctrine, the same revelation that came to Joseph Smith about the nature of Jesus Christ comes to Paul. Their messages are so profoundly similar. And then in 19, For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell and having made peace through the blood of his cross by him to reconcile all things unto himself by him I say whether they be things in earth or things in heaven.

And then he has this interesting phrase. So if you jump to 22, it says, In the body of his flesh, through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight. The gift of the atonement of Jesus Christ is not just that we are, that our wounds and our mistakes are filled. I think that's a beautiful promise.

But I think in addition to that, you receive a credit. It's not just that he wipes out the mistakes we've made, but you get a credit as if you had been perfect as he has been. I think on the live we were talking about this, but it's the idea of like if I had a parent who came and not only paid all the credit card and student loan [01:06:00] debt I've ever had, but also gave me a perfect credit score.

You know, like they somehow transferred their perfect credit score to mine. That's what the Savior offers. It's not just a making up for loss. It's also an adding to. That's why I think he says he presents you wholly and unblameable and unreprovable. You can be joint heirs with him because he has given you all that he has.

And that is just a monumental promise. It gets even better in 23 because this is when Paul tries to say, Now, what are you going to do with that gift? You have this great gift. Look how big it is. Now what are you going to do? If ye continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven, whereof I, Paul, am made a minister, who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church.

Paul's big pull to me is what you see in 23. Be not moved away from the hope of the [01:07:00] gospel. There will be a lot of appealing doctrines, comfortable gods, as Elder Holland would call them, that will be pushed at us, I think, in these latter days. Lots of deviations from the truth, uh, lots of alternative options or hybrids, and what he's saying is You will find hope if you stay and hold on to this true doctrine.

What has always been true and will always be true. Hold on to that hope of the gospel and be not moved. So I love 23. And then he gets a little deeper in 25 where he talks about how he is the minister of this dispensation. This is his stewardship. This time to teach both the Colossian saints and us by You know, by us reading his words, we, he is helping us come closer to Christ.

And so he talks about that mystery that the mystery of not knowing Christ is over. It reminds me of Elder Phillips talk. He's the one that lost his son, Jasper. Do you remember that? It was such a good introduction to a talk where he was like, we looked up and we're like, where's [01:08:00] Jasper? And then they have that moment that all of us parents have had where you have to go back and sheepishly find your child that you left behind.

And then he talks about how God feels about us. That God has that same feeling, but infinitely bigger, about our worth and our, who we are to Him. And so I, I think you see that in Paul's message, in 27 he says, To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

We are his work and his glory, so he cares profoundly about what happens to us, and how much pain we experience, and what we need, and how he can help, the same way Elder Phillips felt about his son, but to an eternal level.

[01:08:50] COLOSSIANS 2

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Most General Authorities, when they go traveling around, they're not going to speak a profoundly new message to every town, they're going to have similar threads, and concerns, and worries for the Saints, [01:09:00] and similar guidance for how to avoid those traps, and so you'll, feel some of that in this second chapter.

It'll sound similar to even what we just read in Philippians, because his concerns are similar about apostasy, about false doctrines that are being taught. So he encourages them to be knit. You see that in two. And then he uses that same reference point of God, the Father and Jesus Christ as evidence of what it's like to truly be knit and to not worry about.

Losing something you just want to be sure to watch the Joseph Smith translation there because it clarifies that these are two separate and distinct beings Then you go into the rest of the chapter and he talks about the warnings about beguilings that are coming their way and enticements That are coming their way and his Defense, or his antidote to those enticements, is to walk in Christ.

In fact, you see that in 6. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. Our best strategy for combating all the false doctrines that are going to be thrown at us, especially in these latter days, is, I think, to walk. To move forward in faith. To [01:10:00] take the pieces that I understand so far and work with those and let the light...

Come in around me. I think it was Elder Scott that taught that, you know, that if you don't understand exactly what to do next, take a few steps into the darkness where you feel like the spirit is pulling you and you'll find that the light moves ahead of you. That's what he's saying. Like, just go forward.

I think it's as soon as we start to stand still that we struggle. When I start to put ultimatums on God and say I will not move forward in my discipleship until you do this, until I receive this blessing, or until I hear your voice in this way, or I see this thing. When I... When I take that stance of you have to move me God, then I think we are on shaky ground because we, his gospel is one of agency.

He needs us to choose him and then light can come forward. So that's Paul's guidance. He warns about the philosophies of men, about deceits that are coming, these varying theories about what is true. And then he tries to remind them that their covenants are actually an object lesson. This [01:11:00] is, I thought this was kind of fascinating.

So he basically says like, look at the things you've been through. Your baptism is a burial with Christ. It is a, you are a living object lesson. You can look back on those things and remember them. I think it's part of the reason why ordinances are so physical, that there are things we do with our bodies and there are things we say and they have to be done in a very specific way and with specific authority.

And I think that's part of it because that is a very Visceral memory, you know, to have something that my body does and experiences is something that cements things in my brain So he says your experiences so far on the gospel path and this covenant path especially our object lessons for what the Savior was teaching your Baptism was setting down the old you and then you are rising with him and becoming something new.

Take on and put on what is new and what is good. So he talks about in 13 that they were quickened together with him. It's brought to life, that quickening is a bringing to life of this new creature. And then that they can trust in the goodness. [01:12:00] of the Savior's grace, because he says it in this most beautiful way, you guys, in verse 14, he says, blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.

So this is a very big visual, basically when there was an accusation made and someone was condemned to death, especially by crucifixion, they would take their offenses and write them down and nail them to the cross. This was the tradition of that Roman time. And so what he's saying is essentially. The Savior himself voluntarily is taking all the things that you deserve to be punished for and putting them on his own cross.

He is, he's taking all that voluntarily for us. No one else is nailing it to his cross, he is doing it himself. And I just think the visual is a powerful one to remind you of the goodness of God. Um, and then he warns about, What's coming at you, that there are going to be people who will judge you and tell you that you need to eat a certain way, that you need to celebrate certain feasts, that you need to worship [01:13:00] angels, all these false doctrines that are spreading about, spreading around in their land.

And he teaches them to set all that down and to think something higher. I really like the way he describes it in 18. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshy mind. And then you get a similar field in 23.

Which things have indeed a shoe of wisdom in will, worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body, not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh. There are many there who were teaching that you had to put aside all, everything that had to do with the body. That that was just an evil part of you and you needed to set that down.

And then they got into these weird versions of religion where you Either hurt your body or you denied yourself all joy, all physical joy. And so he was warning against that, but I really like this idea of. Not getting stuck in a fleshy mind, you know, things that make sense to me things that feel good to me of my body Setting all that down so [01:14:00] that I can focus in on something higher.

I think it's presence Nelson's message In fact, that's what I have written in my margin But this is thinking celestial Elevating your mind away from the fleshy and into something that is holy and you see a lot of that in chapter 2

[01:14:21] COLOSSIANS 3

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You guys remember that line about addiction in President Nelson's talk where he basically said, I wrote just a fraction of it in my margin, but he said, avoid anything that robs you of your agency because your obsession becomes your God. And then he talks about all kinds of things that can do that for us, like gaming and gambling and even food, that those kinds of things could become so much of our focus that we lose sight of what we really need to be doing here.

And so we're supposed to detach from all those. What I like is just like we saw last week. Paul's invitation is not just to cut off what is hurting you, to let go of the natural man, but also to consecrate your time, do good, increase in good so that [01:15:00] you can keep up. Otherwise, I think you, the natural man, and you will just slide back into whatever addictions or habits you've had in the past.

But if you're actively growing something, if you're trying to Do good and be anxiously engaged. Then I think, then you get some traction. That's the promise. Especially if you turn to the Savior's Atonement for help and relief and strength. That if you turn for what you cannot do on your own to Him, He will bless you with the strength you need to continue forward.

That's Paul's big message. So he asked them in one, if, if ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things of this earth. He's like, don't make a Pinterest board of all the things you covet in this life.

Wish, you know, all the things you wish you could be and how you wish you looked and how you wish your house looked. Set your sights on something higher. Make a spiritual Pinterest board full of what you hope to accomplish and what you want for your posterity. All those things. And set your mind there.

Focus there. Think celestial. And then he talks about in eight what you need to put off, and then [01:16:00] in ten what you need to put on. But now you also put off all these things. Anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth, lying out to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds.

He's like, don't fall into these same old traps. This was the old you. Don't go there. And then in ten, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. It's Paul's simple invitation to pray for those two things. In fact, you guys, I should tell you, one of my favorite tips, I can't remember if I told you this before, is if you ever find yourself doubting that you receive revelation, my advice to you is, say a prayer that says, what am I doing that I need to stop doing, and what am I not doing that I need to start doing.

Have that prayer in your heart as you go throughout the day, and you will receive revelation. Because I've found, the Lord is really fast to tell me things I need to set down, and where I need to pick up. I don't always get answers to like, How Jason scans are going to go or what Emily's future is or whatever on any of my kids.

I often will get answers to what I need to set down and what I need to pick up. And I think Paul knows that too. If they will [01:17:00] keep that in their prayers constantly, then they'll feel close to God and they'll continually hear his words. So then he mourns about that. He says in 12. Put on therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, vows of mercies, kindness, humbleness, and of mind, meekness, long suffering, forbearing one with another, and forgiving one another.

If any man have a quarrel against you, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. I, I think that visual of put on charity, uh, you know, it's. That same Induo word that means to put on or to clothe, you're literally putting on things to remind you to be as Christ is, taking his name upon you, putting it on you.

I just think we heard that so much in conference, this idea of how can I represent him? How can I stand as he would have me stand? And that's what Paul's trying to get them to do. What I think is really beautiful is he gives you a way to do it that's unique in this chapter. He says in 16, Let the word of [01:18:00] Christ dwell richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

There are a couple pieces in this week's study that are actual hymns that are sort of written into these verses. You just can't see it in the King James Version, but I think that's Paul's big... Pro tip he's basically saying if you want this if you seek to be free and to bring others in and have this kind of Charity a big way you can do that is by singing find ways that music can tie your hearts to one another I think it's why we see music as such a big part of our worship services Even in the temple there is music that you get to listen to as you prepare to do sacred things.

I just think there's There's power in music, and Paul knows it. And so he says, if you're struggling, seek music. We're going to talk about that in the object lessons too. But I love that verse for what it teaches me. In 17 it says, And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

And then I also love how he [01:19:00] says it in 23 and whatsoever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and, and, and not unto men, this idea of whatever you do, do it heartedly. I love, because I think it was, I think it was President Nelson's biography. I read it years ago, you guys. And I, there was a phrase in there.

I wish I. Had pulled it out, but he basically said, you don't need to scramble to get people to see you in your profession, in your education, in whatever it is. You don't need to chase after attention, hoping for opportunity. If you just do all things heartily, if you put your best effort in always, people will see you.

And that. Comforted me, especially in the earlier parts of my career, because I found myself saying like, wherever I am, I'll just do the very best. I will. It doesn't, even if this doesn't seem like a big opportunity to me, I will do the very best I can. So if I have a speaking assignment, that's in front of 15 people or speaking assignment, that's in front of 1500 people, I will do the very best I can.

Because what I found is. [01:20:00] Opportunities abound in both. You don't need more eyes, you don't need more attention, you just need to do the very best you can. And if you're living your life the way he's asked you to, opportunities will come. They're not always the ones you think you'll get or hope for, but he will find ways to get you where you need to be.

That's, that's my witness. So I love that you see that in these verses. And where he ends in 24, he says, Knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ. So in my mind, that's me saying, Maria, set down what you think you deserve from this effort, where you did the very best you could and you're hoping for this certain reward.

Yeah, you should set that down and just trust that what he knows you need and what will bless you and your family the most. We'll come your way.

[01:20:50] COLOSSIANS 4

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Paul's going to wrap up in chapter four, but he has some guidance to add. So at the end of three and the beginning of four, you see similar to what we read last week, this idea of how do you help a [01:21:00] household be strong and they need to serve each other. They need to sacrifice for each other. They need to be obedient and all those things that you see in a family.

He also gives advice to servants and masters and you see some of that at the beginning of four. This is another one of those circumstances that we studied last week where I think it's like Joseph in Egypt where he's saying. Whatever your circumstances, serve God first. Do good and serve God and he will watch out for your circumstances.

I just think it's important to understand that doesn't mean God does never start revolutions. You know, I don't think I don't think Paul is necessarily in full support of slavery that occurred at his time But what he's saying is this is our life and this is our circumstances and this is the revolution We're focused on a different kind of revolution, but I think there's a lot of cool precedent in scripture for Revolutions happening prompted by the spirit.

You see that a lot in the Book of Mormon where people are brought out of bondage and into freedom because of the Word of God. Because of their, the help that comes from God, they are able to... You know, pull themselves out of bondage situations. I think you even [01:22:00] see it in the founding of the United States.

I think the founding fathers are people who were able to separate themselves from bondage by listening and learning from the spirit. I think there's a lot of precedent for that. I just think the Lord knows his timing and in this situation, this isn't the time. This isn't the time for an uprising from the servants.

It's the time for them to serve God and do the best they can and then trust it. He'll take care of them. So I think you see some of that. I just wanted to clarify that from last week that I don't, I don't think Paul's necessarily comfortable with this. I think he's just doing the best he can given the circumstances that he has.

The guidance that he gives to the people is interesting. The saints, he asks them to pray for him and to pray for something specific. That doors will be opened so that he can utter mysteries to others. I like this, given what we've studied, what we heard in conference, that we're constantly hoping to open doors.

When I think of Opening doors for apostles and prophets. I think of things like praying that China will open, you know, some some giant door will open and although I think those are good things to pray [01:23:00] for after listening to conference. I also think there are doors like praying that the right taxi door will open, you know, that then an apostle can sit in a seat where this one family comes back to the faith that that I think is just as an effectual door.

I think. Any of those doors, we can pray for our, our leaders to have those doors be opened. And I think you see that in Paul. Just pray that doors can open so that I can teach whomever I need to teach. And then he advises them to walk in wisdom. This is in verse 5. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

I think this is Paul's guidance to constantly be expecting opportunities to be the good Samaritan. Watch for neighbors on the road to Jericho, always. Those who are without. And redeem your time. Use your time and your talents and your money and whatever you have available to you to help those who are without.

That's a big part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And so Paul urges them to watch for that. And then he gives this guidance about speech, kind of similar to what we heard from President Nelson last conference where he He [01:24:00] advised us to be cautious about what we say and to say the kindest thing we possibly can, whether the people are in front of us or if it's behind their backs.

That's what Paul is saying. Let your speech be all the way with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man. This to me, seasoned with salt, just means Salt in this time is a preservative. It's something that keeps things fresh and like it lasts for much longer and keeps it savory and yummy, like that's what salt offers.

So when he says season your words with salt, I think that's what he's inviting us to do. Let every part of your life, your work life, your social media life, your day to day life with your kids or your friends or your coworkers let it be seasoned with salt. Add parts to your day that are You know, I think it's the same as such a virtue garnishing their thoughts unceasingly, but now it's spoken.

He's saying, add what you know about the church and what is true into your everyday life. Let it spill out. You know, when people ask you how your weekend was, talk about something that happened at church, or talk about something that you've been praying about. Let your... [01:25:00] Testimony be a seasoning to every part of your life, not just something that we share with each other, but everywhere else that helps effectual doors open, I think.

And then in eight, he's talking about the servants that he's going to send out to them. And he says, whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose that he might know your estate and comfort your hearts. Paul, since he can't leave prison, is going to send leaders to take care of them and meet their needs.

And then he lists a bunch of those. I don't know most of them. There are a few that are familiar, like Luke. We know Luke. And I, you know, we know Timothy. We're going to read more about Timothy. But most of these names, not only are they hard to say, but I don't have any idea who they are. And I just found myself, ever since listening to Elder Bednar's talk and conference, where he talks about this idea of those who are unseen and the names that are not known, um, I found a new appreciation for the end of chapter four.

Because I think that's what Paul is doing. He's saying these are people who did what the Lord asked them to do without fanfare and without anyone knowing their name. They're people who walk in the path [01:26:00] of their duty, like Elder Bednar said. So I just think there's, we should take time to at least Read their names, try to say their names.

If you struggle with them, listen to them on the Gospel Library app and you can hear how they should be pronounced. But I think that's what Paul's trying to say is, these are people that matter to the Lord. And so I'm going to write their names down. And then at the very end, in 18, he reminds us to remember his bonds.

I think this is Paul. Not trying to say, hey, don't forget about me here in prison. I think he's trying to say, remember what these bonds do. They allow for the church to grow. They allow for me to be refined and strengthened. They allow for you to pray for me and see miracles that happen. These bonds are a gift in a lot of ways, even though I don't think God put them on Paul.

I think Romans put them on Paul. I just think God can work. All things. He can make all things work together for good. And I think the reason he wants us to remember that at this very last verse is because every one of us experiences some kind of bonds. Some kind of confinement or strain that feel like they are, [01:27:00] that's hemming us in.

And what he's saying is, remember what God can do with bonds. Look what he's done with me. He can do that for you as well.

[01:27:14] CREATIVE INTRO

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Hey guys, welcome back. This is the creative side of week 41. So for those of you who are watching on YouTube, or maybe just listening on the free podcast, I'm going to give you a quick preview of some of the things we do in this course. Also just to hopefully inspire you to teach creatively in whatever capacity you're teaching.

I think this week's chapters have a lot of potential. I'm going to walk you through three ideas and show you the You're gonna need for each one. And then for those of you who are watching on the full course, you just wanna keep watching this video and I will walk you through how to pull off each one some of the, you know, quotes from profits that apply, and also give you the access to the printables and the notes so that you have everything you need to pull these off in your classrooms or in your kitchens.

All right, let's get started. So first and foremost, this is game week on the chart, but since we just did a printable game last week with the [01:28:00] armor of God, I thought it would be fun to do something that involves no paper whatsoever and involves a lot of gross, gooey, Halloweeny noodles. So for this game, this is a unity game because Paul's message this week resounds with unity.

It's also what we're hearing from the prophet and the apostles today that we need to find ways to come together and to set down our differences. And who knew you could do this with a giant bowl of slimy, goopy, Halloweeny noodles. So for this one, you just need some spaghetti. I'll teach you how to diet to make it look like brains and be super cool.

But other than that, you also just need a bowl and then you need a team of players. This is not a game where they're going to go against each other. They're going to work as a team to try to accomplish something. So you need A good bunch of players. If you're playing in a seminary class, I would advise you to make a few bowls of noodles.

I would say at most you want like eight to 10 players per bowl. Any more than that. And it's just not hard enough. So anyway, so get that in place and then I'll teach you what you're going to do with it. The second one, as you may have noticed from the insights, I loved those verses that talk about [01:29:00] shining our lights out, that the light we hold up is specific.

It's a light about the word of God. And I'm going to go into all of this in more detail. When I was thinking about the word of God being a sword, you know, from last week, we learned that the sword of truth is what we hold up. It's that only offensive weapon. And then I was thinking this idea of holding up our light.

I started to combine those two in my brain and it became a lightsaber. So this week, you guys, we are making lightsabers for a very good reason. We're going to teach our kids what it means to hold up the light of Christ, especially holding up his word. So for this one, you need some very specific, um, ingredients, I guess you could call them some components.

They're not expensive, but they're pretty specific. So I'll walk you through. And in the notes, I give you links to, you can buy all of these online, or you can find them at Walmart and Home Depot. Basically it's a section of. Vinyl tubing and then a flashlight that looks like this a little dollar Flashlights and then the printable and you'll be good to go for this one.

This is one you do not want to miss So grab those supplies when you can Third one. [01:30:00] This one's the simplest of the three. Um, I really loved that verse at the end of Paul's writings where he talked about the purpose and the value of good music. What it can do for us spiritually, especially as we engage in it together.

And this week, there's been several times when the spirit kept nudging me about this app. It's, that's going to sound strange to you, but I really felt like this week I was supposed to teach you about this app, whether you're familiar with it or not, there's an app called Sacred Music and we're going to walk through what it offers.

There's been a new update that came out in the last couple months that I think makes it so much more full bodied and valuable to us and to our teenagers. And so I'm going to walk you through it. So for that one, you have no supplies. You just want to make sure you have the latest version of the Sacred Music app updated, and I'll walk you through some of the cool ways you can use it.

Okay. Gather those supplies, you guys, and then come back and we'll get started.

[01:30:51] CREATIVE WRAP UP

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All right, you guys. That's it for week 41. I hope you enjoy it. I promise there's so much to study this week. What I really liked is so much of it felt [01:31:00] familiar with what we just heard in conference. I think reading them side by side, taking your conference notes and whatever you find online.

I, myself, personally, I don't take conference notes. So I really loved finding this year. I don't know if this existed before, but if you look in the church news, they actually have a summary of each of the talks that you can print in a PDF. So it's just this tiny little portion. printed them front to back.

And I found it so helpful this week as I was studying my scriptures to go back and reference that PDF and say like, okay, who talked about covenants? Who talked about tithing? I can't remember his name. It was so helpful to use that resource. So if you need that, that you can find that in the notes as well this week, or you can just go to the church newsroom and locate it.

Just look for the printable PDF and you'll see it. But I think reading these two pieces together, rereading what you loved and heard in conference and it. Paying attention to the words of Paul and what he taught in his day. I think there's power when you combine them together. It just creates a continuity with these saints from thousands of years ago to our time today.

And I just think there's power in it. So I hope you enjoy it. If you need extra [01:32:00] help, if you're struggling with your lightsabers or you want to know how to make those spaghetti noodles, just even slimier, come join me in the live. I'll chat about the insights, especially some of the things that I forgot to say.

Um, I'll add those in and then I'll also talk about the object lessons and answer any questions you might have. So I do that 10 a. m. Monday. I'll usually be there for about an hour, sometimes a little bit less, but right around there. So Monday at 10 a. m. Mountain Time, you can find me there. But if you have other questions or there's something I missed...

Feel free to message me. You can either reply to the emails you get each week or leave a question on the YouTube comments or just on the discussion boards on the course and I'll, I'll get back to you as quick as I can. But I promise there's plenty to sink your teeth into this week. I hope you really enjoy these writings of Paul.

I think they're absolutely worth your time. So enjoy them and I will see you on Monday.