Episodes
-
LDS Come Follow Me Book of Mormon
January 29–February 4:
“I Will Prepare the Way before You”
1 Nephi 16–22
February 5–11:
“Free to Choose Liberty and Eternal Life, through the Great Mediator”
2 Nephi 1–2
Inclusive and love-centered come follow me insights.
Follow the.fourth.option on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.fourth.option/
==================================================
Bookmarks:
0:00 Intro
0:29 Liz & Ryan Giles from The Fourth Option
2:26 Finding the Liahona
8:08 What the Liahona has to do with marrying a same-sex partner
15:08 Step-by-step revelation
20:32 How are we like Laman and Lemuel when others follow God in ways we don’t understand?
24:28 Does God have favorites??
33:04 Snakes and overcomplicating the gospel
39:27 All things are possible & trust the personal revelation of others
41:12 Allowing others (including church leaders) and ourselves to have weaknesses.
50:35 A fresh take on the gathering of Israel
54:31 Recognizing and learning from weaknesses in scripture
62:18 Don’t misuse this verse to support Christian Nationalism
67:47 The wicked taketh the truth to be hard
75:02 Grace
79:31 How opposition in all things moves us towards God
==================================================
Books and Other Resources Referenced:
-Liz & Ryan’s podcast episode on Listen, Learn, & Love: https://soundcloud.com/user-818501778/episode-726-liz-and-ryan-giles-two-gay-women-same-sex-marriage-attending-church?si=fb4bf8162fd44125bb392fa8de31a433&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
-Link to ‘The Positive Gospel’ (podcast co-hosted by Liz and Ryan): https://www.youtube.com/@ThePositiveGospel
Book of Mormon for the Least of These
-Vol 1: https://amzn.to/3tISbqo
-Vol 2: https://amzn.to/3RQ3Hbo
-Vol 3: https://amzn.to/3ShBDiV
-Podcast with authors of ‘Book of Mormon for the Least of These’: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-722-margaret-olsen-hemming-fatimah-salleh-book/id1347971725?i=1000638056286
Book of Mormon Reader’s Editions:
-Grant Hardy: https://amzn.to/47jPUzK
-Replica: https://amzn.to/41Ls66u
-Rees & England: https://amzn.to/3TWvg5s
Bible Translations for Isaiah Chapters
-Robert Alter Hebrew Bible Translation: https://amzn.to/3vtj3eI
-NRSV The New Oxford Annotated Bible: https://amzn.to/48odgp7
Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that if you purchase something after clicking the link, I may receive a small commission. You do not pay any more or less as a result of using the link. All profits are donated to charity using the links is a free and easy way to support Latter-day Stonecatchers.
-
LDS Come Follow Me Book of Mormon
January 15–21:
“Come and Partake of the Fruit”
1 Nephi 6–10
January 22–28
“Armed with Righteousness and with the Power of God”
1 Nephi 11–15
Inclusive and love-centered come follow me insights.
================================================
Bookmarks:
0:00 Intro
1:02 Going back to Jerusalem
2:23 What would Ishmael and his family be giving by leaving Jerusalem?
5:47 Laman and Lemuel and others “rebel”
10:52 What did Lehi see in his dream?
12:51 What does Lehi’s dream have to do with King Josiah, Deuteronomy, and Heavenly Mother?
19:46 A lesson for us about the great and spacious building.
21:27 The the fruit and gospel of Jesus Christ should bring JOY
23:22 “Your religion is making me feel bad.” “That’s how you know it’s working.”
25:04 Is God really the same yesterday, today, and forever?
27:16 Starting with 1 Nephi 11-15 (Jan
28:23 Nephi asks what the tree means and sees Mary, the mother of Jesus
31:23 We know God loves Their children. We don’t need to be certain of everything.
34:56 The tree and its fruit are LOVE.
36:32 Is the iron rod the word of God, or the Word of God?
40:00 Is the Book of Mormon a history of Indigenous people? No.
46:03 The great and abominable church, sheep, and goats
49:44 What Christopher Columbos led by God? Please rethink this.
55:47 Building Zion
================================================
Books and Other Resources Referenced:
-In Her Image Podcast about Lehi’s Dream & Heavenly Mother: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/60-the-mother-in-lds-theology-with-dr-val-larsen-part-1/id1566494543?i=1000579820530
-Marget Barker about Josiah Reforms (BYU Devotional): https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?filename=18&article=1038&context=mi&type=additional
Book of Mormon for the Least of These
-Vol 1: https://amzn.to/3tISbqo
-Vol 2: https://amzn.to/3RQ3Hbo
-Vol 3: https://amzn.to/3ShBDiV
-Podcast with authors of ‘Book of Mormon for the Least of These’: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-722-margaret-olsen-hemming-fatimah-salleh-book/id1347971725?i=1000638056286
Book of Mormon Reader’s Editions:
-Grant Hardy: https://amzn.to/47jPUzK
-Replica: https://amzn.to/41Ls66u
-Rees & England: https://amzn.to/3TWvg5s
Bible Translations for Isaiah Chapters
-Robert Alter Hebrew Bible Translation: https://amzn.to/3vtj3eI
-NRSV The New Oxford Annotated Bible: https://amzn.to/48odgp7
Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that if you purchase something after clicking the link, I may receive a small commission. You do not pay any more or less as a result of using the link. All profits are donated to charity using the links is a free and easy way to support Latter-day Stonecatchers.
-
Missing episodes?
-
LDS Come Follow Me
Jan 1-7: Another Testament of Jesus Christ; Introductory Pages of the Book of Mormon
Jan 8-14: “I Will Go and Do”; 1 Nephi 1–5
The new year we are moving from the New Testament to the Book of Mormon as the focus of our Come Follow Me study. 1 Nephi provided some unexpected insights and lessons that I think are so applicable to us today.
Bookmarks:
0:00 Intro
1:51 The focus of this podcast
6:26 Connection (not conversion) is our goal
11:09 Historicity of the Book of Mormon?
16:07 Helpful resources
20:25 1 Nephi 1 - Scripture or journal?22:36 Nephi goes against the prosperity gospel
24:27 What does it mean that the record is “true” and “made according to my knowledge”?
25:46 The prophets came from outside Jerusalem
30:06 1 Nephi 2 “Chosen” to leave their religion, land, and temple to travel into the wilderness
35:20 Would we be Laman and Lemuel?
37:42 The prosperity gospel (let’s please stop teaching it)
40:01 How the way I view Nephi killing Laban has changed
45:57 Was Nephi justified in killing Laban? Is God Violent?
===============================================
Books and Other Resources Referenced:
Book of Mormon for the Least of These
-Vol 1: https://amzn.to/3tISbqo
-Vol 2: https://amzn.to/3RQ3Hbo
-Vol 3: https://amzn.to/3ShBDiV
-Podcast with authors of ‘Book of Mormon for the Least of These’: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-722-margaret-olsen-hemming-fatimah-salleh-book/id1347971725?i=1000638056286
Book of Mormon Reader’s Editions:
-Grant Hardy: https://amzn.to/47jPUzK
-Replica: https://amzn.to/41Ls66u
-Rees & England: https://amzn.to/3TWvg5s
Bible Translations for Isaiah Chapters
-Robert Alter Hebrew Bible Translation: https://amzn.to/3vtj3eI
-NRSV The New Oxford Annotated Bible: https://amzn.to/48odgp7
Peter Enns, The Sin of Certainty: https://amzn.to/47p73rF
Brian McLaren, A New Kind of Christianity: https://amzn.to/3TQQKku
Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that if you purchase something after clicking the link, I may receive a small commission. You do not pay any more or less as a result of using the link. All profits are donated to charity using the links is a free and easy way to support Latter-day Stonecatchers.
===============================================
Quotes Shared:
Dieter F. Uchtdorf (iron gate):
“...as good as our previous experience may be, if we stop asking questions, stop thinking, stop pondering, we can thwart the revelations of the Spirit...We can block the growth and knowledge our Heavenly Father intends for us. How often has the Holy Spirit tried to tell us something we needed to know but couldn't get past the massive iron gate of what we thought we already knew?”
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts/article/worldwide-leadership-training/2012/01/acting-on-the-truths-of-the-gospel-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng
Camille N. Johnson (personal revelation):
“"Every time someone says something that is hurtful or makes you doubt what you're doing, just remind yourself: I know how to receive personal revelation for myself and for my family."
God knows you. He knows your situation. He knows your heart. Trust in the Lord, learn to hear His voice, and then go forward with confidence and relief.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CuucFegO19u/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
-
LDS Come Follow Me 2023
October 23–29
1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon
“Be Thou an Example of the Believers”
Paul has some beautiful teachings on faith and grace. We’ll discuss what it means to have “faith unfeigned” and the two keys Paul gives to avoid a “shipwreck of faith” (or we would say in modern terms, a “faith crisis”).
Unfortunately, this letter to Timothy isn’t all good. Paul has some backwards views on women and their role in the church. (Actually, and I forgot to mention this in the podcast, this could potentially be easily explained by the fact that most biblical scholars don’t think Paul actually wrote these letters, but that they were written after his death by someone else in his name. This could explain why the misogynistic parts of 1 Timothy 2 don’t align with other things Paul said and did). But no matter who wrote them, we’ll discuss them.
==================================================
Bookmarks:
0:00 Intro
1:19 The end of the law is love
2:53 What is “faith unfeigned”?
7:01 “strong assertions” vs “faith unfeigned”
8:19 The law is only good if used “lawfully”
12:30 What does Paul mean that he is chief among sinners?
16:34 Jesus’ mercy should be a pattern for us
17:09 How to avoid shipwrecking your faith
22:22 Jesus would have all be saved. Do we doubt His ability to do that?
24:21 Doubts and angry prayers are ok!
27:29 Paul’s misogyny…
39:34 Laying good works up in store. What kind of good works?
==================================================
Books & Articles Referenced:
Adam Miller Podcast: https://faithmatters.org/stories-and-sin-a-conversation-with-adam-miller/
Original Grace: https://amzn.to/45OwS3S
The Sin of Certainty: https://amzn.to/3Q6kqq7
Richard G. Scott talk (Adam & Eve Quotes): https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1996/10/the-joy-of-living-the-great-plan-of-happiness?lang=eng
Ensign article: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2002/01/the-choice-that-began-mortality?lang=eng
The Amazon links above are affiliate links, which means you will not pay any more but Latter-day Stonecatchers will receive a small commission. All profits are donated to charity, so purchasing using the links above is a free and fantastic way to support latter-day stonecatchers and charities.
==================================================
Connect:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/latter.day.stonecatchers
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@latterdaystonecatchers
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091855963860&mibextid=LQQJ4d
Order Braclets (all profits donated to charity): https://forms.gle/gv4TQ7J5uTMoYosx8
-
LDS Come Follow Me 2023
August 28-September 3
1 Corinthians 8–13
“Ye are the body of Christ”
These chapters in 1 Corinthians contain some of my favorite teachings from Paul, particularly about the Body of Christ and Charity. We’ll also talk about the sacrament and how love is greater than knowledge.
Bookmarks:
0:00 Intro
0:37 Love is greater than knowledge
1:12 When we think we know something, we know nothing
9:42 Seek the advantage of others, rather than your own
12:33 Paul’s personal bias is showing…
18:04 The Body of Christ
21:57 The most important lesson from the Body of Christ analogy
28:06 Paul teaches about the sacrament
30:38 Who is unworthy to partake of the sacrament?
37:54 Charity never faileth
44:25 We all see through a glass darkly, so what should we do?
Faith After Doubt: https://amzn.to/3L2uqio
The Sin of Certainty: https://amzn.to/3qWu06r
Faith Matters Podcast with Peter Enns (author of The Sin of Certainty): https://faithmatters.org/the-sin-of-certainty-a-conversation-with-peter-enns/
The Universal Christ: https://amzn.to/3PlRyv6
Talks Referenced
Dallin H. Oaks saying we don’t know as much as we think we know: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/17oaks?lang=eng
Dieter F. Uchtdorf iron gate quote: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts/article/worldwide-leadership-training/2012/01/acting-on-the-truths-of-the-gospel-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng
Dieter F. Uchtdorf love quote: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2009/10/the-love-of-god?lang=eng
Thomas S. Monson love quote:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2014/04/love-the-essence-of-the-gospel?lang=eng
The Amazon links above are affiliate links, which means you will not pay any more but Latter-day Stonecatchers will receive a small commission. All profits are donated to charity, so purchasing using the links above is a free and fantastic way to support latter-day stonecatchers and charities.
-
LDS Come Follow Me 2023
August 21–27
1 Corinthians 1–7
“Be Perfectly Joined Together”
Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians includes some powerful teachings about unity in diversity and a profound, but too often misunderstood truth, that we are the temple of God. Although I don’t believe this verse has anything to do with modesty or chastity, we’ll discuss those topics as well since they are bound to come up in YW and YM this weekend. We also take on another of the clobber passages found in Paul’s writings, including a discussion of Paul’s overall s3xual ethic.
======================================================
Bookmarks:
0:00 Intro
0:17 Paul calls for for perfect unity
3:47 Aligning with Christ rather than church leaders
6:49 Why the foolish things are chosen
8:59 Paul forgetting everything but Jesus Christ
9:45 Why I don’t like the phrase “the natural man”
16:45 What does Paul mean when he says “milk before meat”?
18:42 Be careful not to build on anything but Jesus, including church leaders!
21:56 I think we’re learning the wrong things from the truth that “ye are the temple of God”
31:24 Addressing the typical lessons about our body being a temple–modesty, chastity, and word of wisdom
34:21 General principles about the law of chastity
37:34 Paul reiterates that we should align with Christ, not mortal leaders
38:44 Being peacemakers
42:17 Paul calls for the excommunication of certain people–I disagree.
44:04 Clobber passage - considering Paul’s sexual ethic
======================================================
NRSV Bible: https://amzn.to/3s2E4ei
Chastity Discussion Guide from Jennifer Finlayson-Fife: https://www.finlayson-fife.com/blog/post/chastity-discussion-guide-teachers-and-parents
latter.day.stonecatchers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latter.day.stonecatchers/
The Amazon links above are affiliate links, which means you will not pay any more but Latter-day Stonecatchers will receive a small commission. All profits are donated to charity, so purchasing using the links above is a free and fantastic way to support latter-day stonecatchers and charities.
-
LDS Come Follow Me 2023
August 14–20
Romans 7–16
“Overcome Evil with Good”
This week we continue our study of Romans, which means it’s all about grace. Paul promises that if God be for us no one can prevail against us, teaches that absolutely nothing can separate us from God’s love, and that there is nothing unclean.
======================================================
Bookmarks:
0:00 Intro
0:28 Romans 1-6 quick summary
1:07 We are dead to the law and under grace
3:13 Grace is not God’s backup plan
5:53 What does it mean to suffer with Christ?
8:54 If God be for us… (God is always for us!)
11:04 Absolutely nothing can separate us from God’s love!
14:07 Does keeping the law make us acceptable to God?
17:13 God gave us a law that nobody can keep on purpose?
22:24 Loving without hypocrisy
28:15 Is God “up there”?
30:10 Returning good for good, and good evil
34:02 The only way to fulfill the law
40:49 There is nothing unclean?
47:43 Receive each other as Christ received you
======================================================
Books Referenced
Grace is Not God’s Backup Plan: An Urgent Paraphrase of Paul’s Letter to the Romans: https://amzn.to/3KzjAjL
Universal Christ by Richard Rohr: https://amzn.to/44cF90D
Original Grace by Adam Miller: https://amzn.to/47AOCS4
NRSV Bible: https://amzn.to/3s2E4ei
The Amazon links above are affiliate links, which means you will not pay any more but Latter-day Stonecatchers will receive a small commission. All profits are donated to charity, so purchasing using the links above is a free and fantastic way to support latter-day stonecatchers and charities.
-
LDS Come Follow Me 2023
August 7–13
Romans 1–6
“The Power of God unto Salvation”
Paul’s letter to the Romans is one of my favorite books in all of scripture. It’s bursting at the seams with talk of grace, faith, and the gospel (good news), which Paul calls ‘ the power of God unto salvation’. Romans 1 also includes a few verses that are too-often-weaponized against our LGBTQ+ siblings. We’ll discuss these as well.l
======================================================
Bookmarks:
0:00 Intro
1:28 How does Paul define the gospel?
3:45 What is “God’s righteousness?”
7:06 Does Romans 1:26-27 condemn homsexuality?
14:14 Judging others is “INEXCUSABLE” according to Paul
17:14 Paul’s pointed words for those who are insiders
19:35 If “none are righteous”, what makes us right before God?
23:50 What must we do to be “counted as righteous”?
27:38 Trust in God’s grace is how we find peace
31:09 Does grace only come by our righteousness?
32:54 So can we just ignore the law?
34:22 What does it mean to walk in “a newness of life”?
======================================================
Books Referenced
A Walk in My Shoes by Ben Schilaty: https://amzn.to/45if1SJ
Grace is Not God’s Backup Plan: An Urgent Paraphrase of Paul’s Letter to the Romans: https://amzn.to/3KzjAjL
NRSV Bible: https://amzn.to/3s2E4ei
Talks or Podcasts Referenced:
Data over Dogma: Adam & Steve - What the Bible Says about Homosexuality
Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/gW6w-AOiKNM
Apple Podcast Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/ro/podcast/adam-and-steve-what-the-bible-says-about-homosexuality/id1681418502?i=1000616596254
Gospel Topics Essay ‘Same Sex Attraction’: https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/same-sex-attraction?lang=eng
Elder Ballard BYU Devotional: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/m-russell-ballard/questions-and-answers/
“After All We Can Do” phrase:
https://interpreterfoundation.org/ldsp-despite-all-we-can-do-with-daniel-o-mcclellan/
Marvin J. Ashton General Conference Talk: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1992/04/the-tongue-can-be-a-sharp-sword?lang=eng
The Amazon links above are affiliate links, which means you will not pay any more but Latter-day Stonecatchers will receive a small commission. All profits are donated to charity, so purchasing using the links above is a free and fantastic way to support latter-day stonecatchers and charities.
-
LDS Come Follow Me 2023
July 31–August 6
Acts 22–28
“A Minister and a Witness”
In these chapters we read Paul’s defense several times (given to different audiences). He testifies that he believes everything in the law and the prophets. But how do we reconcile that belief with what he teaches that goes AGAINST what is in the Hebrew Bible? Like circumcision, dietary laws, and spending time with Gentiles. I think we find the answer in Romans 14.
We’ll also talk about Paul’s shipwreck and what lessons we can take for our own lives.
Bookmarks
0:00 Intro
0:37 Paul narrowly avoids scourging by the Romans
3:13 Paul turned back over to the Jewish people
6:21 Paul before Felix
10:14 Paul’s expanded faith is considered heresy, but he believes it
11:46 Does Paul ACTUALLY believe everything in the law and prophets?
22:58 Reaction to Paul’s defense
25:38 Paul to present his defense before King Agrippa
28:26 King Agrippa decides to send Paul to Rome
30:26 Sacrament on the ship?
32:52 Shipwreck - doing good wherever you find yourself.
36:26 Does God control the entire universe?
======================================================
Grace is Not God’s Backup Plan: An Urgent Paraphrase of Paul’s Letter to the Romans
https://amzn.to/3OHfXKU
My Favorite Bible: https://amzn.to/43Sn3Re
-
LDS Come Follow Me 2023
July 17–23
Acts 10–15
“The Word of God Grew and Multiplied”
In these chapters we read of some powerful visions had by Cornelius, a Roman Centurion, and Peter. These visions and the teaching of Cornelius by Peter lead to the official opening up of the gospel to the gentiles. Peter and Paul discuss the weighty matter of whether the gentile converts should be subject to circumcision, a significant part of their religion–a discussion which has powerful parallels for us today.
Bookmarks:
0:00 Intro
0:32 Why it’s significant that Peter stayed with a tanner
2:47 Cornelius’ vision
4:16 Peter’s vision
8:17 Peter at Cornelius’ house
11:37 Jesus’ definition of righteousness
14:45 Peter teaches Cornelius about Jesus Christ
18:01 Peter convinces the Jewish believers that all should be included
21:51 Paul and Barnabas’ teaching in Antioch
25:26 More travels, teachings, and healings from Paul & Barnabas
27:15 Disciples from Jerusalem tell the believers in Antioch (wrongly) that they must be circumcised
29:48 The discussion about circumcision in Jerusalem
33:28 Trading the yoke of the law for the yoke of love and compassion
-
LDS Come Follow Me 2023
July 10–16
Acts 6–9
“What Wilt Thou Have Me to Do?”
These chapters in Acts contain one of my favorite stories. First we’ll discuss how members of the Christian movement did the right thing by making changes within the church from the bottom-up, rather than waiting for the apostles to make the change. We’ll meet (and unfortunately say goodbye to) Stephen. But first he teaches powerfully. His murder by stoning is brought about because of his teachings about the temple and the law, which is an applicable lesson for us today. Then we pick up with Philip in the desert where he meets a Eunuch from Ethiopia reading Isaiah on his way home from Jerusalem, where he was likely rejected when trying to enter the temple to worship. And we’ll meet Saul / Paul who, as we know, we’ll be instrumental in taking the gospel to the gentiles.
========================================================================
Bookmarks:
0:00 Intro
0:32 Bottom-up changes in the church
4:31 Introduction to Stephen
5:46 The two teachings that got Stephen killed
11:39 The Most High does not dwell in temples
13:46 Stephen calls them uncircumcised of heart
14:40 Stephen’s martyrdom and introduction to Saul / Paul
17:52 Philip’s preaching in Samaria
18:27 The Eunuch from Ethiopia
25:16 Kicking against the pricks?
30:43 Paul in Damascus & Ananias restores his sight
========================================================================
Artwork Links:
For God is Love from Terra & Sage: https://www.terraandsage.com/product-page/for-god-is-love-2
Love One Another original block print: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1061477157/love-one-another-block-print-christian
Current Favorite Study Bible: https://amzn.to/3romFwj
The amazon link is an affiliate link. This means that you won’t pay more, but Latter-day Stonecatchers will get a small commission. These commissions are donated to deserving charities like Lift+Love, Encircle, The Trevor Project, & LDS Affirmation.
-
LDS Come Follow Me
June 26–July 2
Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20–21
“He Is Risen”
This week for Come Follow Me we read and study the events immediately following Jesus' crucifixion and burial. We’ll discuss how women were the first to the tomb, the first to see angels, and the first to see the Risen Christ. Jesus (or angels, depending on which gospel account you read) told these women to go and tell the apostles that He was risen. We’ll talk about their tragic response to the women and how we sometimes make the same mistake in our day. We’ll also talk about the touching exchange between Jesus and Peter at the sea of Galilee. Jesus tells Peter exactly how to show love for Jesus–by feeding, loving, and caring for others.
======================================================
Bookmarks:
0:00 intro
0:48The women were at the tomb first
2:38 Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene first
8:22 Jesus tells the women to tell the apostles He is risen
12:32 Jesus’ reaction when the apostles didn’t believe the women’s testimony
19:54 The divine commission - ALL the world,, ALL people, EVERY creature
23:18 Jesus tells Peter exactly how to show his love for Him
======================================================
If you’d like to send something to Jeff at Latter-day Stonecatchers, you can use this address:
Jeff Andersen
25050 Riding Plaza
Suite 130-208
South Riding, VA 20152
-
June 12–18
Luke 22; John 18
“Not My Will, but Thine, Be Done”
In this episode, we’ll discuss some of the major teachings that Jesus shared with His disciples during His last night with them, both in the upper room where they shared the last supper, as well as in the Garden of Gethsemane. I think these are some of Jesus’ most powerful and direct teachings to His disciples.
Bookmarks:
0:00 Intro
0:51 By THIS shall all men know ye are my disciples
9:03 If ye love me, keep my commandments
14:04 Jesus is the true vine
16:36 The Last Supper and the Sacrament
28:56 The Garden of Gethsemane and the Atonement
37:54 Jesus final five word sermon
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Books Mentioned:
-The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr: https://amzn.to/460sOyF
Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that even though you pay the same amount, Latter-day Stonecatchers will receive a small commission. All profits are donated to charities including Lift+Love, encircle, the Trevor Project, and others. Using these links to make purchases is a free and easy way to support these amazing charities.
-
LDS Come Follow Me 2023
May 22 - May 28
Joseph Smith Matthew; Matthew 24-25; Mark 12-13; Luke 21
Matthew 25 contains the last 3 parables that Jesus gave during His mortal ministry. Because the Come Follow Me reading also includes some discussion of signs of the second coming, we’ll have a quick discussion about those before jumping into these final three (and extremely POWERFUL) parables that Jesus gives about what will happen when He returns. I believe these parables, especially the last two, really sum up what the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about.
Bookmarks:
0:00 Intro
0:48 Signs of the Second Coming
4:21 The Parable of the Ten Virgins
15:10 The Parable of the Talents
20:19 The Parable of the Talents is not about money
23:06 What are the talents in this parable?
27:33 The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
-
LDS Come Follow Me New Testament
May 8–14
Matthew 19–20; Mark 10; Luke 18
“What Lack I Yet?”
Once again these chapters are packed with powerful lessons and parables from Jesus. We’ll discuss his comments about marriage (which are really just about divorce) as well as his acknowledgement of sexual minorities. We’ll also analyze his response to the rich young ruler regarding his question of how to obtain eternal life and which commandments are required to be kept in order to do so.
Bookmarks
0:00 Intro
0:45 Jesus teaching about marriage
6:26 Jesus says marriage isn’t for everyone and He acknowledging sexual minorities
11:36 Suffer the little children to come unto me
12:28 The Rich Young Ruler
20:11 What do I need to do to obtain eternal life?
21:42 The camel and the eye of the needle
23:44 The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard
30:57 Jesus foretells his suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection
31:23 A request from James and John’s mother
35:05 The greatest among you will not be the greatest…
36:37 Do we help others be healed or rebuke them?
40:34 The parable of the religious leader and the publican
-
LDS Come Follow Me New Testament
May 1–7
Luke 12–17; John 11
“Rejoice with Me; for I Have Found My Sheep Which Was Lost”
This week’s come follow me reading contains 6 powerful parables with important lessons. The most well known parable in these chapters is likely The Prodigal Son, and it is one of my favorites. But the other 5 parables also have powerful lessons that are important for us to discuss and can even help us understand the Prodigal Son better. John 11 is where we read about the miraculous raising of Lazurus from the dead, but we’ll touch on some often overlooked lessons from this miracle as well.
Bookmarks:
0:00 Intro
00:53 Parable of the Wedding Feast
5:44 Who to invite to a feast
8:43 The Parable of the Great Supper
12:59 An encouraging message about giving up everything for the cross
18:49 Parable of the lost sheep and parable of the piece of silver
21:24 The Parable of the Prodigal Son
30:25 Ten Lepers Healed - The Samaritan Gives Thanks
33:19 The Kingdom of God is within you
35:12 Raising Lazarus from the Dead
-
LDS Come Follow Me
April 24–30
John 7–10
“I Am the Good Shepherd”
This week we see how Jesus both teaches and enacts the powerful principle that love is always greater than the law. He prioritizes healing over ritual, defending the accused over following the law, and tells us that He is the Good Shepherd.
Bookmarks:
0:00 Intro
0:53 Do His Will to Know it is His
3:01 Prioritize Healing Over Rituals and Ordinances
11:11 The Woman Taken in Adultery
12:31 Prioritizing Love over the Law
15:27 Being a Stonecatcher
19:13 Things some people say about the women taken in adultery
24:35 Jesus and the Father are Two Witnesses We Should Trust
28:27 Jesus Healing a Man Born Blind
31:36 Love without expectation
37:46 Jesus is the Door by which We Should Enter
42:36 Jesus is the Good Shepherd
Talks and Books Referenced:
NRSV Study Bible with Awesome Insights: https://amzn.to/43XH7TK
Faith Matters Podcast (definition of sin): https://faithmatters.org/stories-and-sin-a-conversation-with-adam-miller/
Just Mercy by Brian Stevenson (stonecatchers): https://amzn.to/3AndcXq
Dale G. Renlund Talk (stonecatchers): https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/25renlund?lang=eng
Steve Young, The Law of Love: https://amzn.to/3AkUob5
Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, although you don’t pay anything extra, Latter-day Stonecatchers receives a small percentage of the sales price. Any money received by Stonecatchers is donated to deserving charities like encircle, Lift+Love, affirmation LDS, and EJI. So using the affiliate links is a free way to support these amazing charities!
-
LDS Come Follow Me
April 17-23
Matthew 18; Luke 10
“What Shall I Do to Inherit Eternal Life?”
This lesson includes two of my favorite parables--the unmerciful servant and the good samaritan. But I think the questions that draw these teachings out from Jesus Christ help us understand even better what Jesus is teaching. But before we discuss those things, we'll talk about what (in my opinion) it really means to become like a little child. I, probably like many of you, was taught that this at least included unquestioning obedience to church authority--children just do what their parents say, no questions asked.
One of these parables even includes the answer to what we need to do to obtain eternal life. A pretty important question!
Bookmarks:
0:00 Intro
0:53 What does it mean to become like little children?
10:43 Offending little ones and millstones
16:25 The Son of Man is come to save that which was lost
19:08 How to handle offenses and how often to forgive
21:36 The parable of the unmerciful servant
27:54 What is required to obtain eternal life?
31:55 The Parable of the Good Samaritan
48:38 Mary and Martha - Choosing the Better Part
Loving God quote from Richard Rohr: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Richard-Rohr-s-Meditation--Love-God-in-What-Is-Right-in-Front-of-You.html?soid=1103098668616&aid=vsNsrT8YKQs
Information about road from Jerusalem to Jericho: https://faith.nd.edu/s/1210/faith/interior.aspx?sid=1210&gid=609&pgid=33100
NRSV Bible: https://amzn.to/3L3b7py
Cost of Discipleship: https://amzn.to/3MMoOL5
Expanding the Borders of Zion: https://amzn.to/40hbMYW
Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, although you don’t pay anything extra, Latter-day Stonecatchers receives a small percentage of the sales price. Any money received by Stonecatchers is donated to deserving charities like encircle, Lift+Love, affirmation LDS, and EJI. So using the affiliate links is a free way to support these amazing charities!
-
On this Resurrection Sunday, I want to wish you a Happy Easter. Jesus Christ lives. He is Risen. And He Loves YOU!
Please enjoy this Easter message and excuse my getting a bit emotional at the end.
Bookmarks:
0:00 Intro
0:33 Talk Begins
4:23 This Happened During Jesus’ Mortal Ministry
8:57 A Personal Lesson on Not Waiting for the Resurrection
14:34 Jesus First Act on Resurrection Morning
-
LDS Come Follow Me
March 27–April 2
Matthew 14; Mark 6; John 5–6
“Be Not Afraid”
This week instead of parables we are talking about real events, healings, and miracles that teach us profound and powerful lessons about grace, becoming Christlike and eternal life.
Bookmarks:
0:00 Intro
0:40 The Pool of Bethesda
3:55 How is the healing at the pool of Bethesda a metaphor for grace?
6:16 What does this have to do with the Sabbath?
9:58 “Sin No More”
14:08 How we honor the Father
15:33 A commandment to search the scriptures?
20:00 Feeding the 5,000 men (plus women and children!)
25:41 Peter walking on water
30:57 Are we seeking Jesus only for what He can do for us?
36:19 The Father’s will is that Jesus lose no one
38:40 Jesus is the Bread of Life
Richard Rohr on Peter Walking on Water: https://cac.org/podcasts/peter-walked-on-water-too/
- Show more
