There are so many conflicting messages on what it means to "wait on the Lord" that it's easy to feel confused or discouraged. Former BYU mascot and cheerleader Charlie Bird helps us understand from a gay member's perspective what it means to him to "wait on the Lord" and how he uses his faith to remain active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
We have a really fun episode for you today—We’re talking with James Goldberg about his delightful book Tales of the Chelm First Ward, which he co-wrote with his, wife Nicole Wilkes Goldberg, and his brother, Mattathias Singh.The book is a collection of fictional stories set in a Latter-day Saint ward in the imagined town of Chelm—a nod to Jewish folklore and the famous “village of fools.” The humor is wonderfully absurd but beneath the silliness is something powerful and profound.In this conversation, we explore what might be called a theology of humor. James reflects on how laughter opens us. It softens the edges of our seriousness and rigidity, and draws us closer in shared connection. He reminded us that not everything about “church culture” needs to be critiqued or stripped away—sometimes it can be embraced with lightness and joy, as part of what brings us together and helps us live in community. The idea that stayed with us most was this: maybe what makes a ward great isn’t how aligned everyone is theologically or politically, or how smoothly things run, or how polished people are in their callings. Maybe it’s just about creating a group of people who are all rooting for each other—through the everyday moments, the imperfect efforts, and the callings that stretch us. It’s about showing up with love, having each other’s backs, and learning to see one another the way God does—with patience, grace, and deep affection.We hope this episode might just help you love your ward a little more—with all its quirks and imperfections. We hope it helps you see the people around you with a little more grace, a little more humor, and a little more tenderness.And with that, here’s our conversation with James Goldberg.https://www.wayfaremagazine.org/p/tales-of-the-chelm-first-ward-introductionAffiliate link for Chelm: https://bookshop.org/a/108982/9781961471030
Justin Dyer received BA in Marriage and Family from Brigham Young University and a Master's and Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He also has expertise in statistics. Justin is a professor of religion at BYU, teaching religion and family classes, and focuses his research on religion and mental health. He has published over 70 peer-reviewed studies in scholarly journals.
The parable of the Good Samaritan is more than just a nice story—it’s an invitation. In Luke 10, the Samaritan tells the innkeeper, “Take care of him.” That’s exactly what the Savior asks of us. Who in your life needs care today? Maybe it’s a friend who’s feeling left out. Maybe it’s a family member who needs a listening ear. Maybe it’s a stranger whose day could be changed by a small act of kindness. Take the challenge today—ask the Savior to open your eyes to someone you can help. A simple act of love can be life-changing.
The Armor of God is a staple in Christianity. Combine it with another foundational truth and you’ll see the constant need for armoring up!
Today we're studying D&C 28:6 in just one minute! Grab your scriptures and let's dive into them together!
Regardless of what stage of life you're in or what community you live in, we really need to make space for each other. In this Digital Firesides Clip, author/speaker Ganel-lyn Condie reminds us to appreciate our own individual differences while embracing the diveristy that surrounds us.
Satan’s greatest desire to do deceive us; so it is crucial that we understand the truths in D&C 28.
If you had to choose one word that could change your spiritual life, what would it be? President Spencer W. Kimball once shared what he believed was the most important word in the gospel. John explores why that word appears so often in scripture, how it connects to the sacrament, and how it can keep us from falling into spiritual pride cycles. Once you know this, you’ll never see scripture study the same way again!
Being your best self isn’t about being better than someone else—it’s about choosing joy, focusing on the positive, and blocking out negativity. Becca Jackson reminds us that Satan wants to hold you back with self-doubt and discouragement, but God wants you to see your worth. So today, instead of focusing on what you lack, find what you love about yourself. Look for the good. See the sunshine. Your best self is waiting—it’s up to you to choose it.