Ep 220 S8 Matt Merrill ‘Encounter at the Empty Tomb’ Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Ep 220 S8 Matt Merrill ‘Encounter at the Empty Tomb’ Dieter F. Uchtdorf

In this episode of Thinking Celestial, Dr. Kirk Burbidge is joined by frequent guest Dr. Matthew Merrill of the Taylorsville Institute faculty to discuss President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s inspiring April 2026 General Conference message, “Encounter at the Empty Tomb.” Together they explore the profound significance of the Savior’s Resurrection, the hope and joy found in the empty tomb, and how personal encounters with Jesus Christ can transform faith, dispel doubt, and bring peace in times of uncertainty. Drawing on scripture, personal insights, and practical application, Kirk and Matt invite listeners to deepen their testimony of the living Christ and discover what the miracle of Easter means for disciples today. Review the original address here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2026/04/41uchtdorf?lang=eng [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2026/04/41uchtdorf?lang=eng]  Enjoyed our podcast? Help spread the word! Please share it on social media or pass it along to friends, family, or anyone who might find joy and inspiration in it. Your support makes all the difference! _______________ Enroll in this institute class here: https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1735301 [https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1735301]   _______________ Thinking Celestial is a "Follow the Prophet" podcast series produced by the Taylorsville Institute of Religion faculty and students at the Salt Lake Community College Redwood campus. These episodes are part of a class administered by the Taylorville Institute. If you'd like to enroll in the class and participate in future discussions and podcasts, register for the online institute today here: https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1735301 [https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1735301]    We invite you to go to https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/ and register for any class. The views, opinions, and doctrines shared in this podcast are not official doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Questions, thoughts, and suggestions for future episodes can be directed to TaylorsvilleInstitute@ChurchofJesusChrist.org   If you liked our podcast, please share it on social media or with anyone you think might love it!

Ep 219 S8 Kevin Hallstrom ‘Jesus Christ Is the Way’ Brian J. Holmes

Join Dr. Kirk Burbidge and Ensign College religion professor Kevin Hallstrom on this episode of Thinking Celestial as they explore Elder Brian J. Holmes’s inspiring General Conference message, “Jesus Christ Is the Way.” Together they discuss what it means to follow the Savior as the covenant path in a world filled with distractions and uncertainty. Drawing on scripture, prophetic counsel, and personal experiences, Brother Burbidge and Brother Hallstrom highlight how faith in Jesus Christ brings purpose, peace, and spiritual direction, helping disciples confidently move forward as they trust in Him who is truly the way, the truth, and the life. Review the original address https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2026/04/28holmes?lang=eng [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2026/04/28holmes?lang=eng]  Enjoyed our podcast? Help spread the word! Please share it on social media or pass it along to friends, family, or anyone who might find joy and inspiration in it. Your support makes all the difference! _______________ Enroll in this institute class here: https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1735301 [https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1735301]   _______________ Thinking Celestial is a "Follow the Prophet" podcast series produced by the Taylorsville Institute of Religion faculty and students at the Salt Lake Community College Redwood campus. These episodes are part of a class administered by the Taylorville Institute. If you'd like to enroll in the class and participate in future discussions and podcasts, register for the online institute today here: https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1735301 [https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1735301]    We invite you to go to https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/ and register for any class. The views, opinions, and doctrines shared in this podcast are not official doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Questions, thoughts, and suggestions for future episodes can be directed to TaylorsvilleInstitute@ChurchofJesusChrist.org   If you liked our podcast, please share it on social media or with anyone you think might love it!

Ep 218 S8 McConkie and Holland - Broken Vessel and Gethsemane's' Power

Join Dr. Kirk Burbidge on this inspiring episode of Thinking Celestial as he revisits two of the most powerful and beloved messages ever delivered in General Conference. First, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s moving address, “Like a Broken Vessel,” offers hope, compassion, and healing for those struggling with emotional, mental, and spiritual challenges. Then, listeners are invited to hear Elder Bruce R. McConkie’s final General Conference testimony, “The Purifying Power of Gethsemane,” a profound witness of the Savior’s Atonement and divine mission. Through these landmark messages, Dr. Burbidge highlights the healing power of Jesus Christ, the reality of His suffering on our behalf, and the hope available to all who turn to Him. Review the original address here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel?lang=eng [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel?lang=eng]and here https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1985/04/the-purifying-power-of-gethsemane?lang=eng [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1985/04/the-purifying-power-of-gethsemane?lang=eng]  Enjoyed our podcast? Help spread the word! Please share it on social media or pass it along to friends, family, or anyone who might find joy and inspiration in it. Your support makes all the difference! _______________ Enroll in this institute class here: https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1735301 [https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1735301]   _______________ Thinking Celestial is a "Follow the Prophet" podcast series produced by the Taylorsville Institute of Religion faculty and students at the Salt Lake Community College Redwood campus. These episodes are part of a class administered by the Taylorville Institute. If you'd like to enroll in the class and participate in future discussions and podcasts, register for the online institute today here: https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1735301 [https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1735301]    We invite you to go to https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/ and register for any class. The views, opinions, and doctrines shared in this podcast are not official doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Questions, thoughts, and suggestions for future episodes can be directed to TaylorsvilleInstitute@ChurchofJesusChrist.org   If you liked our podcast, please share it on social media or with anyone you think might love it!

Ep 217 S8 Kevin G. Brown (re-release) 'Let God Prevail' Russell M. Nelson

Join Dr. Kirk Burbidge for this special re-release of Episode 100 of Thinking Celestial, where Dr. Burbidge is joined by Kevin Brown, Associate Administrator for Seminaries and Institutes of Religion, for a thoughtful discussion on gathering Israel and embracing the full view of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Brother Brown shares inspiring experiences from his upbringing in Jamaica, his journey of faith, and his insights on helping individuals across the world gain access to the blessings of the restored gospel. Together, they explore how the Savior’s gospel creates a wide-reaching net that invites all to come unto Christ, making this timeless conversation as relevant and uplifting today as when it first aired. Review the original address here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/46nelson?lang=eng [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/46nelson?lang=eng]  Enjoyed our podcast? Help spread the word! Please share it on social media or pass it along to friends, family, or anyone who might find joy and inspiration in it. Your support makes all the difference! _______________ Enroll in this institute class here: https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1735301 [https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1735301]   _______________ Thinking Celestial is a "Follow the Prophet" podcast series produced by the Taylorsville Institute of Religion faculty and students at the Salt Lake Community College Redwood campus. These episodes are part of a class administered by the Taylorville Institute. If you'd like to enroll in the class and participate in future discussions and podcasts, register for the online institute today here: https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1735301 [https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1735301]    We invite you to go to https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/ and register for any class. The views, opinions, and doctrines shared in this podcast are not official doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Questions, thoughts, and suggestions for future episodes can be directed to TaylorsvilleInstitute@ChurchofJesusChrist.org   If you liked our podcast, please share it on social media or with anyone you think might love it!

Ep 216 S8 Part 2-David A Bednar - Evening with a General Authority - 2-5-2020

Join Dr. Kirk Burbidge on this continuation of Thinking Celestial as he presents Part 2 of An Evening with Elder David A. Bednar, exploring the divine principles of teaching, hearing, and revelation. Building on the foundation established in Part 1, Elder Bednar offers deeper insights into how the Holy Ghost teaches truth to the heart, how spiritual preparedness enhances our ability to receive revelation, and how disciples can become more attentive to the promptings of the Spirit.  Review the original address here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/collection/2020-an-evening-with-elder-david-a-bednar?lang=eng [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/collection/2020-an-evening-with-elder-david-a-bednar?lang=eng]  Enjoyed our podcast? Help spread the word! Please share it on social media or pass it along to friends, family, or anyone who might find joy and inspiration in it. Your support makes all the difference! _______________ Enroll in this institute class here: https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1735301 [https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1735301]   _______________ Thinking Celestial is a "Follow the Prophet" podcast series produced by the Taylorsville Institute of Religion faculty and students at the Salt Lake Community College Redwood campus. These episodes are part of a class administered by the Taylorville Institute. If you'd like to enroll in the class and participate in future discussions and podcasts, register for the online institute today here: https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1735301 [https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1735301]    We invite you to go to https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/ and register for any class. The views, opinions, and doctrines shared in this podcast are not official doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Questions, thoughts, and suggestions for future episodes can be directed to TaylorsvilleInstitute@ChurchofJesusChrist.org   If you liked our podcast, please share it on social media or with anyone you think might love it!