Spiritual Maintenance Plan: Strengthening Your Faith

Spiritual Maintenance Plan: Strengthening Your Faith

Leann and Melissa talk about ways to check in on our faith and improve our spiritual focus to better rely on Christ.   Ponder Questions: Am I doing the things that keep my testimony and faith strong? Am I doing the foundational daily habits? Do I know whose I am? Do I have a bedrock understanding of the gospel? Am I going to trusted sources? Am I accessing God's power by keeping my covenants? What is my goal? What is my current position on the way to my goal? What course corrections do I need to make? Am I using Jesus Christ's atonement? Am I telling myself that I am a beloved daughter or son of Heavenly Parents? Am I seeing the changes in my heart?   Invitation: Assess where you are. Ask yourself, "Where am I on the covenant path? Ask yourself, "What can I do to strengthen and be steady in my faith?"   References: "Ladder of Faith," [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/04/17kacher?lang=eng] Larry S. Kacher, April 2022 General Conference Peculiar, in a Good Way [https://www.deseretbook.com/product/5089930.html?srsltid=AfmBOooCWNPlV3Kj0-DeOUR0J9rdL2HO5GZOsywYX3BqIsLefJ2ViRtA], Mary Ellen Edmunds, pgs. 37-56 "Divine Helps for Mortality," [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/47oaks?lang=eng] Dallin H. Oaks, April 2025 General Conference "Stay on the True Course,” [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1996/04/stay-on-the-true-course?lang=eng] Carlos E. Asay, April 1996 General Conference "Good, Better, Best," [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2007/10/good-better-best?lang=eng] Dallin H. Oaks, October 2027 General Conference "Wholehearted,” [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/32craig?lang=eng] Michelle D. Craig, October 2022 General Conference “1 Samuel 17-18; 24-26; 2 Samuel 5-7 Part 2 • Bro. Mike Madsen • June 15-21 • Come, Follow Me,” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7EVLxYkeNQ] followHIM Podcast, Jun 10, 2026 D&C 64 [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/64?lang=eng]:33 Alma 32 [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/32?lang=eng] "Faith Is Not by Chance, but by Choice,” [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/10/faith-is-not-by-chance-but-by-choice?lang=eng] Neil L. Andersen, October 2015 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.

“To Make Sacred”: Exploring Consecration and Sacrifice

Leann and Melissa continue their discussion on sacrifice and consecration by discussing the difference between the two and how both eternal laws transform us.   Ponder Questions: What am I willing to sacrifice? What are my motives? What am I focusing on? What am I becoming? Am I willing to live the law of consecration?   Invitation: Do your own study and learn more about these principles. Ask yourself, “How can I consecrate more of my life to the Savior? What is Christ asking me to do?:   References: “Sacrifice,” Google AI result  “Consecration,” [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/consecration-study-guide?lang=eng] Gospel Study Guide, Topics and Questions, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  “Your Whole Souls as an Offering unto Him,” [https://www2.byui.edu/Presentations/transcripts/devotionals/1999_01_05_bednar.htm] David A. Bednar, Ricks College Devotional, January 5, 1999 “Sacrifice,” [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/sacrifice-study-guide?lang=eng] Gospel Study Guide, Topics and Questions, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints "Obedience, Consecration, and Sacrifice," [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1975/04/obedience-consecration-and-sacrifice?lang=eng] Bruce R. McConkie, April 1975 General Conference “Sacrifice and Consecration | Sections 41-44 | Come Follow Up,” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQuF_OrsYrQ] Come Follow Up, Apr 7, 2025 “Brigham Young: A Character Sketch,” B. H. Roberts, Improvement Era, June 1903, pg. 574. "Reflections On a Consecrated Life," [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2010/10/reflections-on-a-consecrated-life?lang=eng] D. Todd Cristofferson, October 2010 General Conference "Our Heartfelt All," [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/04/57uchtdorf?lang=eng] Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2022 General Conference "Consecration and Stewardship,” [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/consecration-and-stewardship?lang=eng] Church History Topics, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints   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.

Sacrifice and Consecration: Focusing on Temple Work

Melissa’s friend Carrie, joins she and Leann to talk about temple work, potential changes for the future, and how we can adapt our temple worship to be more service-oriented.   Ponder Questions: How can I consecrate my time to Him? Am I focusing on the people I am doing temple work for? What is my intention when I go to the temple? What can I sacrifice to do temple work? What is my role? Do I invite others to go to the temple with me? Am I keeping a prayer journal? Am I finding the names of my kindred dead? Am I praying and preparing to go to the temple? Am I ready to receive more?   Invitation: Ask yourself what you can change in your temple work to make it more meaningful for you.    References: "Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing," [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/family-history-and-temple-work-sealing-and-healing?lang=eng] Dale G. Renlund, April 2018 General Conference  Luke 21 [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/21?lang=eng]:2-4 “Discourse by President Lorenzo Snow,” [https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/MStar/id/36519/] The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star Vol. 61, pg. 546, August 31, 1899, BYU Library Digital Collections  "Heavenly Help to Complete Temple Work,” [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2024/04/eur-eng-local-pages/local-news-006?lang=eng] Gareth Prior and Milford Haven, Liahona, April 2024 "Sacrifice, [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2012/05/saturday-morning-session/sacrifice?lang=eng]" Dallin H. Oaks, Liahona, May 2012, pg. 22. “The Doctrine of Temple Work,” [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2003/10/the-doctrine-of-temple-work?lang=eng] David E. Sorensen, Ensign, October 2003, pgs. 56–63.  "Our Heartfelt All," [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2022/05/57uchtdorf?lang=eng] Dieter F. Uchtdorf,  Liahona, May 2022, pgs. 122-124. “Chapter 46: Endowed with Power,” [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/saints-v1/46-endowed-with-power?lang=eng] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Saints, Volume 1, The Standard of Truth, 1815–1846, 2018  "Extended Hours at the Washington D.C. Temple," [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2000/01/news-of-the-church/extended-hours-at-the-washington-d-c-temple?lang=eng] Anne J. Nielsen, Ensign, January 2000 Luke 9 [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/9?lang=eng]:24 Doctrine & Covenants 128 [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/128?lang=eng]:1   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 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.