Some people feel like if they didn’t, or couldn’t, serve as a young missionary they are less, and that they lost their opportunity to serve.

What is grace, and what role does it play in our lives? This week’s guest, Dr. Brad Wilcox, answers these and other questions as he likens grace to a scholarship--it is a gift that keeps on giving if we use and accept it. Hank, John, and Brad discuss how to deal with the Ezra Booths of our day, making it ‘us against the adversary,’ rather than ‘us against them.’ Finally, they touch on how both Edward Partridge and Newel K. Whitney felt less than qualified for their callings as bishops. What can we do as members to help lighten the bishop’s load? 

Have you ever felt pressure to raise righteous children? Or felt inadequate as you try to do so? Dr.  Robert Line continues and touches on the importance of parents teaching their children to understand the gospel. He reminds us of the fallibility of the church and its leaders and that God speaks to us through the small and simple things, once again emphasizing God’s mercy in our lives.

What is the Book of Commandments, and how does it compare to our current Doctrine and Covenants? Who was William McLellin, and what were his struggles with Church leadership? Join Dr. Robert Line as he expounds on these questions while reminding us of the eternally forgiving nature of God. The early Saints made mistakes, and so do we, but the power of repentance can wipe away all the pain of sin.

We continue with Brother S. Michael Wilcox as he uses Russian literature to expound on the power of Doctrine and Covenants 65. What does giving someone an onion have to do with being invited to the long-awaited marriage feast? As they transition to Section 66, they focus on the importance of bearing testimony--of first believing and acting on that belief--and then receiving a witness. Listen as Brother Wilcox bears his powerful testimony of the goodness of Jesus Christ’s gospel.

Have you ever struggled with forgiving others or forgiving yourself? Do you ever doubt if you can truly be forgiven? Join Hank, John, and Brother S. Michael Wilcox as they delve into Doctrine and Covenants 64 and discuss forgiveness. What did the Lord have to say about forgiveness and mercy to the early saints? Brother Wilcox teaches that a key to forgiving is to celebrate the good and forgive everything else--hatred can end only through love.

What does it mean, “This is a day of warning and not a day of many words?” How do we learn from the early Saints and choose the Kingdom of God? We continue with Dr. Wilson and learn how spiritual 72-hour kits are more critical than temporal ones to prepare the world for the Second Coming. Join us for Part II of Section 63 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

The Lord judges not by appearance, but by potential. This is true for Missouri and Zion as well. Dr. Lynne Wilson teaches how our observance of the Sabbath is important for not only building Zion but for our preparations for the Second Coming. The Saints (and us) in Kirtland and Missouri are taught by the Lord how to prepare for the Temple, Zion, and the Second Coming.

Dr. Dirkmaat continues teaching that as the difficulties persist and that the Lord commands the Saints to “be of good cheer,” and reminds us that the Savior is “in [our] midst.” We discuss where much anti-LDS literature has been discredited. Dr. Dirkmaat shares dynamic and compelling personal stories that will endow listeners with power because of and through our difficulties. If you only listen to one podcast this week, THIS IS IT. 

Have you ever felt that your efforts fall short? Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat returns and teaches how the elders are called to travel from Kirtland to Jackson County, Missouri, and, “Preach by the way.” In their month-long travels, some work harder than others and the Lord addresses this and us and encourages us to remember that our testimony of the gospel is like a “talent.” This episode encourages us to serve and teach because the Lord is with us, as with the early Saints.