The Pursuit of Happiness”: Discussing the Constitution and Bill of Rights

The Pursuit of Happiness”: Discussing the Constitution and Bill of Rights

Leann and Melissa engage in a discussion about God’s hand in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, the purpose of government, and how to be mindful of the rights we have and ways to protect them.   Ponder Questions: Am I taking my freedom for granted? Do I know about the America 250 celebration?  Do I have plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States? Do I understand the role of government? Am I teaching these things to my children? Have we forgotten what the United States was founded on? Am I following the laws of the land? Am I informed about candidates and issues to vote on them?  Have I prayed about who to vote for? Am I speaking up? How can we keep our freedoms?   Invitation: Listen to and read the information provided by the Church. Answer the questions. Pray to know what you can do.   References: “Church Provides Discussion Guide, Resources for 5th-Sunday Lesson on Religious Freedom,” [https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-provides-discussion-guide-resources-for-5th-sunday-lesson-on-religious-freedom] Trent Troone, Church Newsroom, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, May 5, 2026 “Video introduction by President D. Todd Christofferson and Elder Quentin L. Cook,” [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/celebrating-freedom-and-agency/01?lang=eng] Celebrating the Founding of the United States and the Constitution Discussion Guide, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints D&C 101 [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/101?lang=eng]:80   Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.com If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast, where we share quotes, affirmations, questions and clips from that week’s episode throughout the week. You can also find us on YouTube: Ah-ha's, Awakenings, and Applications [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh0r5hkYIMni7s1GcP-PZJK_AGTHMjZoE]   We are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese, David and Bruce. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How Will I Impact Others Today?: Acting With Kindness

Leann and Melissa talk about the significance of our actions and give tips on how to positively impact other people.   Ponder Questions: What are the choices I am making right now that will have a lasting impact? How are my actions affecting others? Who has impacted me today? How would Christ act in this situation? Am I praying for help? Am I acknowledging others? Am I connecting with others? Am I smiling at others? Am I willing to look at things from a different perspective? Am I giving others the benefit of the doubt? Am I focusing more on relationships rather than things? Am I showing compassion to others? Who am I affecting and why? Am I seeing God’s tender mercies?   Invitation: Ask yourself,  “What will I do today that can make a positive impact on someone else?”   References: "Hearts Knit Together,” [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/15stevenson?lang=eng] Gary E. Stevenson, April 2021 General Conference "Peacemakers Needed,” [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/04/47nelson?lang=eng] Russell M. Nelson, April 2023 General Conference "Our Actions Determine Our Character,” [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2001/10/our-actions-determine-our-character?lang=eng] Wayne S. Peterson, October 2001 General Conference   Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.com If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast, where we share quotes, affirmations, questions and clips from that week’s episode throughout the week. You can also find us on YouTube: Ah-ha's, Awakenings, and Applications [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh0r5hkYIMni7s1GcP-PZJK_AGTHMjZoE]   We are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese, David and Bruce. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Lord’s Pattern: Accepting His Invitations

Leann and Melissa talk about how the Lord uses invitations as part of His work and how we can respond to those invitations and give them to others.   Ponder Questions: How has accepting His invitations strengthened me? Am I accepting the best invitations? Am I taking imperfect action? What has Christ invited you to do? What were the invitations extended during the last general conference? What invitations have I accepted, and what blessings did I receive? What invitations am I currently accepting? Am I accepting the best invitations? Why am I limiting the Lord?   Invitation: Ask yourself, “What is the Lord inviting me to do?”    References: "Christ's Atonement, Invitations to Act, and Promised Blessings," [https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/peter-m-johnson/eternal-truths-invitations-to-act-and-promised-blessings/] Peter M. Johnson, BYU Devotional, BYU Speeches, November 15, 2022 The Peter Potential: Discover the Life You Were Meant to Live [https://www.deseretbook.com/product/5120740.html?srsltid=AfmBOooTJBbSLUtxJNN7wxzTbMhEtSu8S-tffqHHgeMCK2IS2DTsgxat], Emily Belle Freeman and David Butler The Power of Everyday Missionaries: The What and How of Sharing the Gospel [https://www.deseretbook.com/product/5123020.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqWqzZyt9fJAWs5R87rvX5jxop6Pz6GN7EUIq3Ljvcs2hPelnuy], Clayton M. Christensen Throwing the Door Wide Open to More Jesus Christ in Our Lives I BYU Women's Conference 2026 [https://www.youtube.com/live/4xBznFKmyMc] Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, April 30, 2026 Remembering Wholeness: A Personal Handbook for Thriving in the 21st Century [https://www.amazon.com/Remembering-Wholeness-Personal-Handbook-Thriving/dp/1587830299], Carol Tuttle   Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.com If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast, where we share quotes, affirmations, questions and clips from that week’s episode throughout the week. You can also find us on YouTube: Ah-ha's, Awakenings, and Applications [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh0r5hkYIMni7s1GcP-PZJK_AGTHMjZoE]   We are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese, David and Bruce. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

We Grow Together: Spending Time With Family

Leann and Melissa discuss the importance of the family and ways to build closer relationships with your family members.   Ponder Questions: What does my family need to grow, thrive and bear fruit? What are the best things I can do to strengthen my family? Am I focusing on the positive? Am I telling my family why I love them?   Invitation: Ask yourself, “What is the next step to shore up my family?”   References: 423 general conference talks about the family statistic, search result from the Gospel Library [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study?lang=eng&platform=web] page, churchofjesuschrist.org [http://churchofjesuschrist.org]  "Arise and Shine Forth as Women of Light,” [https://womensconference.byu.edu/sites/womensconference.ce2.byu.edu/files/Arise%20and%20Shine%20Forth%20as%20Women%20of%20Light%20by%20Sister%20Susan%20K.%20Bednar.pdf] Susan K. Bednar, 2026 BYU Women's Conference "Families Can Be Eternal,” [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1980/10/families-can-be-eternal?lang=eng] Spencer W. Kimball, October 1980 General Conference "Seeing God's Family through the Overview Lens,” [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/33runia?lang=eng] Tamara W. Runia, October 2023 General Conference Real Love: The Truth About Finding Unconditional Love & Fulfilling Relationships [https://www.amazon.com/Real-Love-Unconditional-Fulfilling-Relationships/dp/1592400477], Greg Baer, M.D. "The Family-Centered Gospel of Jesus Christ,” [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/10/58oaks?lang=eng] Dallin H. Oaks, October 2025 General Conference “Throwing the Door Wide Open to More Jesus Christ in Our Lives I BYU Women's Conference 2026,” [https://www.youtube.com/live/4xBznFKmyMc] Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, April 30, 2026    Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.com If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast, where we share quotes, affirmations, questions and clips from that week’s episode throughout the week. You can also find us on YouTube: Ah-ha's, Awakenings, and Applications [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh0r5hkYIMni7s1GcP-PZJK_AGTHMjZoE]. We are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese, David and Bruce. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Walking With Christ: Seeking Everyday Guidance

Leann and Melissa talk about choosing Christ as your guide through challenges and the benefits of building a relationship with Him.   Ponder Questions: How have I been blessed as I walk with Christ? Am I turning to Christ? How is my relationship with Jesus Christ? What is the condition of my heart? Am I allowing Christ to teach me? Am I following my guide? Am I gaining confidence in Christ? Am I changing my prayers and praying differently? Am I reaching out and asking for Christ’s help?   Invitation:  Ask yourself, “What can I do to walk with Christ?”   References: "Walking in Covenant Relationship With Christ," [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/42freeman?lang=eng] Emily Belle Freeman, October 2023 General Conference "Choose Jesus Christ as Your Guide," [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2026/04/44rowe?lang=eng] Edward B. Rowe, April 2026 General Conference "Holy Women Fix Their Focus on Jesus Christ," [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/miscellaneous-events/2026/03/14johnson?lang=eng] Camille N. Johnson, 2026 Relief Society Devotional: A Worldwide Gathering of Women "Jesus Christ's Sacrifice Was and Is for You," [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/miscellaneous-events/2026/03/12yee?lang=eng] Kristin M. Yee, 2026 Relief Society Devotional: A Worldwide Gathering of Women "Jesus Christ Is Not Our Burden; He Is Our Relief," [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2026/04/26wunderli?lang=eng] David J. Wunderli, April 2026 General Conference Moses 6 [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/moses/6?lang=eng]:34 "I Glory in My Jesus," [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2026/04/53hall?lang=eng] Aaron T. Hall, April 2026 General Conference “Throwing the Door Wide Open to More Jesus Christ in Our Lives I BYU Women's Conference 2026,” [https://www.youtube.com/live/4xBznFKmyMc] Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, April 30, 2026  "Think Celestial!” [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/51nelson?lang=eng], Russell M. Nelson, October 2023 General Conference   Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.com If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast, where we share quotes, affirmations, questions and clips from that week’s episode throughout the week. You can also find us on YouTube: Ah-ha's, Awakenings, and Applications [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh0r5hkYIMni7s1GcP-PZJK_AGTHMjZoE]   We are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese, David and Bruce. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.