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7 Fun Talks About the Book of Mormon by Hank Smith

fun talks book of mormon hank smith full-length talks sitting on red chair grey background

Audiences around the world are mesmerized with author/podcaster/professor Hank Smith.  His happiness, hilarious humor, and motivating insights, making him one of the most sought-after speakers in the industry!

Meet Hank

Hank Smith is the bestselling author of many books including, Be Happy: Simply Secrets to a Happier Life, Unconquerable, Living the Parables, and Look Unto Him and has quickly become a household name in Come, Follow Me curriculum with the  FollowHim Podcast (with John Bytheway).

A favorite speaker for Especially for Youth, FSY, BYU Education Week, and corporate presentations, Hank enjoys golfing, running marathons, and eating lots of ice cream (which is why he runs marathons). More than anything else, he loves being at home with his family.

Talks for the Whole Family

Because we’re studying the Book of Mormon in Come, Follow Me this year, we thought it would be fun to spotlight some of Hank’s fun Book of Mormon talks from the Our Turtle House App. These talks will keep your family entertained and inspired! Click on the picture below to open each episode directly in your Our Turtle House App.

▶ To watch or listen to these episodes, just click on the pictures below and it’ll open the episode in the Our Turtle House App.

Don’t have the Our Turtle House App? No Problem! Get your free 7-day trial here. (Cancel anytime.)

Hank Smith's full-length inspirational talk about parenting as shown on the Our Turtle House app.

©2024 copyrighted under Our Turtle House and Jumping Turtle, LLC

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8+ Episodes to Help Improve Your Relationships

In the fast-paced world we live in, where communication is often reduced to quick messages and emojis, the art of fostering deep, meaningful connections can be overlooked. One avenue for enriching and transforming relationships is through engaging with insightful talks that focus on relationship dynamics. Whether it’s a podcast, talk, or a series, the power of listening to discussions on relationships cannot be overstated.

That’s why we’ve made it easy for you. We’ve selected some of our most powerful episodes that will help you build stronger, healthier, more resilient relationships.

About the Speakers

▶ To watch or listen to these episodes, just click on the pictures below and it’ll open the episode in the Our Turtle House App.

Don’t have the Our Turtle House App? No Problem! Get your free 7-day trial here. (Cancel anyttime.)

©2024 copyrighted under Our Turtle House and Jumping Turtle, LLC

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5 Talks to Help Your Teen Know They Are Valued

It might seem impossible but…letting teens know they’re valued is a fundamental aspect of supporting their emotional, social, and cognitive development.

It lays the groundwork for a positive and resilient mindset, encouraging healthy relationships and constructive behavior.

So where do you even start!?!

Let these few talks open the doors of communication as we tell your teens they are more valued than they can ever imagine.

About the Speakers

▶ To watch or listen to these episodes, just click on the pictures below and it’ll open the episode in the Our Turtle House App.

Don’t have the Our Turtle House App? No Problem! Get your free 7-day trial here. (Cancel anyttime.)

©2024 copyrighted under Our Turtle House and Jumping Turtle, LLC

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Understanding Priesthood Power, Authority, & Godhood for Women

Misunderstandings can arise when people equate priesthood ordination with the priesthood power and authority of God.
Yet “the priesthood” is the literal power of God, and is much more multifaceted than we realize.

Wendy Bird-Reese shares four priesthood truths that will help you understand that “the heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power…as they are to men who bear the same priesthood”. As she shares the difference between “patriarchy” and “hierarchy” and “ordination vs authority and power”, you’ll see how she came to know Heavenly Father grants the priesthood to His sons AND daughters as they strive to fulfill their missions on the earth.

The following is an excerpt taken from her latest full-length talk, “Divine: Understanding Priesthood Power, Authority, & Godhood for Women“. We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section.

Misunderstandings can arise when people equate priesthood ordination with the priesthood power and authority of God.
Yet “the priesthood” is the literal power of God, and is much more multifaceted than we realize.

Wendy Bird-Reese shares four priesthood truths that will help you understand that “the heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power…as they are to men who bear the same priesthood”. As she shares the difference between “patriarchy” and “hierarchy” and “ordination vs authority and power”, you’ll see how she came to know Heavenly Father grants the priesthood to His sons AND daughters as they strive to fulfill their missions on the earth.

The following is an excerpt taken from her latest full-length talk, “Divine: Understanding Priesthood Power, Authority, & Godhood for Women“. We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section.

Wendy Bird-Reese

Last year I spoke at an FSY (For the Strength of Youth) Event. After I gave a presentation, about a half dozen beautiful girls came up to me afterwards and said what about men and the priesthood? Some had tears in their eyes and you could tell that they were really feeling a lot of deep emotion, feeling a little less valued simply because they are female. Because I only had ten minutes between when that presentation that ended and the next presentation, there wasn’t enough time to teach them much about women in the priesthood. But it did start me on a journey.

After speaking with these girls, the Spirit touched my heart and said, “You need to learn more about this, and you need to teach this better.” In doing so, I was led to discover some things that I could share. Former President Jean H. Bingham once said, “The power of God is much more than just a single entity known as the priesthood. It is the literal power of God, and as such, it is multifaceted.“

That about sums it up.

There is much more to the priesthood than we even know. However, I would like to share with you four truths that I’ve learned about the priesthood that might help these young women learn more about the priesthood and help them to see the topic with a different perspective.

In preparation for this talk, I wanted to take the pulse of some people and find out more about what people understood about priesthood. So I gave them a test. (We called it a survey, but really it was a test.) And on this test, I asked what their understanding was of the priesthood. It was given to about 400 people, mostly members of the church, evenly split between men and women, and teens and old people. Their answers were enlightening, to say the least. It highlighted a lot of areas where we can do better. in teaching and understanding the principles of the priesthood. 

However, I would like to share with you four truths that I’ve learned about the priesthood that might help these young women learn more about the priesthood and help them to see the topic with a different perspective.

Wendy Bird-Reese

Last year I spoke at an FSY (For the Strength of Youth) Event. After I gave a presentation, about a half dozen beautiful girls came up to me afterwards and said what about men and the priesthood? Some had tears in their eyes and you could tell that they were really feeling a lot of deep emotion, feeling a little less valued simply because they are female. Because I only had ten minutes between when that presentation that ended and the next presentation, there wasn’t enough time to teach them much about women in the priesthood. But it did start me on a journey.

After speaking with these girls, the Spirit touched my heart and said, “You need to learn more about this, and you need to teach this better.” In doing so, I was led to discover some things that I could share. Former President Jean H. Bingham once said, “The power of God is much more than just a single entity known as the priesthood. It is the literal power of God, and as such, it is multifaceted.“

That about sums it up.

There is much more to the priesthood than we even know. However, I would like to share with you four truths that I’ve learned about the priesthood that might help these young women learn more about the priesthood and help them to see the topic with a different perspective.

In preparation for this talk, I wanted to take the pulse of some people and find out more about what people understood about priesthood. So I gave them a test. (We called it a survey, but really it was a test.) And on this test, I asked what their understanding was of the priesthood. It was given to about 400 people, mostly members of the church, evenly split between men and women, and teens and old people. Their answers were enlightening, to say the least. It highlighted a lot of areas where we can do better. in teaching and understanding the principles of the priesthood. 

However, I would like to share with you four truths that I’ve learned about the priesthood that might help these young women learn more about the priesthood and help them to see the topic with a different perspective.

Priesthood Truth #1

There are two different priesthood governing frameworks. One is eternal, one is temporary. I’m not talking about two different priesthood offices (like the Melchizedek and the Aaronic Priesthood). I’m talking about two different governmental frameworks. One is called the “patriarchal” or the familial priesthood, and the other one is called the “hierarchal”, sometimes called administrative or ecclesiastical priesthood.

 In a 2005 General Conference talk, President Dallin H. Oaks once said, “A most important difference in the functioning of priesthood authority in the family and in the Church results from the fact that the government of the family is patriarchal, whereas the government of the Church is hierarchical. The concept of partnership functions differently in the family than in the Church.“

One is eternal. One is temporary.

I live in Provo and I work in Orem. I’ve been watching the Orem Utah temple go up and, for many months, there were scaffolding structures all over the temple. The scaffolding is a steel structure on the outside of a building. It often contains plywood, allowing workers to stand on the structure and reach different places as they build. The purpose of the scaffolding is to make it a safe, secure way for a structure to be built. However, something that’s really important about scaffolding is that once the building is built, the scaffolding goes away. It’s temporary. 

What does scaffolding have to do with the two different types of priesthood? 

Just as scaffolding is eventually taken down and put away to reveal the final completed building, so, too, will the mortal administrative functions of the church eventually fade as the eternal family comes fully into view.

Elder L. Tom Perry once said, “The church is the scaffolding for individuals and families as they engage in the most important building projects of their lives. I look to the church, the scaffold, with which I build an eternal family.“

Have you ever thought of it that way? That the priesthood is the scaffolding that helps us to build the eternal family.

In his 2015 Women’s Conference talk, Elder M. Russell Ballard stated, “Although the Church plays a pivotal role in proclaiming, announcing, and administering the necessary ordinances of salvation and exaltation, all of that, as important as it is, is really just the scaffolding being used in an infinite and eternal construction project to build, support, and strengthen the family. And just as scaffolding is eventually taken down and put away to reveal the final completed building, so too will the mortal, administrative functions of the Church eventually fade as the eternal family comes fully into view.“

That was a life changing message for me. I hope that you are capturing the vision of what that means. We are a family-centered, church-supported structure, and so is the priesthood structure as well. Eventually this scaffolding will reveal the eternal destiny of our families.

Priesthood Truth #1

There are two different priesthood governing frameworks. One is eternal, one is temporary. I’m not talking about two different priesthood offices (like the Melchizedek and the Aaronic Priesthood). I’m talking about two different governmental frameworks. One is called the “patriarchal” or the familial priesthood, and the other one is called the “hierarchal”, sometimes called administrative or ecclesiastical priesthood.

 In a 2005 General Conference talk, President Dallin H. Oaks once said, “A most important difference in the functioning of priesthood authority in the family and in the Church results from the fact that the government of the family is patriarchal, whereas the government of the Church is hierarchical. The concept of partnership functions differently in the family than in the Church.“

One is eternal. One is temporary.

I live in Provo and I work in Orem. I’ve been watching the Orem Utah temple go up and, for many months, there were scaffolding structures all over the temple. The scaffolding is a steel structure on the outside of a building. It often contains plywood, allowing workers to stand on the structure and reach different places as they build. The purpose of the scaffolding is to make it a safe, secure way for a structure to be built. However, something that’s really important about scaffolding is that once the building is built, the scaffolding goes away. It’s temporary. 

What does scaffolding have to do with the two different types of priesthood? 

Just as scaffolding is eventually taken down and put away to reveal the final completed building, so, too, will the mortal administrative functions of the church eventually fade as the eternal family comes fully into view.

Elder L. Tom Perry once said, “The church is the scaffolding for individuals and families as they engage in the most important building projects of their lives. I look to the church, the scaffold, with which I build an eternal family.“

Have you ever thought of it that way? That the priesthood is the scaffolding that helps us to build the eternal family.

In his 2015 Women’s Conference talk, Elder M. Russell Ballard stated, “Although the Church plays a pivotal role in proclaiming, announcing, and administering the necessary ordinances of salvation and exaltation, all of that, as important as it is, is really just the scaffolding being used in an infinite and eternal construction project to build, support, and strengthen the family. And just as scaffolding is eventually taken down and put away to reveal the final completed building, so too will the mortal, administrative functions of the Church eventually fade as the eternal family comes fully into view.“

That was a life changing message for me. I hope that you are capturing the vision of what that means. We are a family-centered, church-supported structure, and so is the priesthood structure as well. Eventually this scaffolding will reveal the eternal destiny of our families.

Priesthood Truth #2

Men are not the priesthood. Have you ever heard someone say, “We would like to thank the priesthood for passing the sacrament.” or  “The  priesthood will set up chairs for our activity.” These phrases are wrong. Here the word priesthood is being equated with males, right? Well, men are not the priesthood. The priesthood is God’s power. Traditionally and culturally we’ve had that in our minds and so now we get to correct that. Men are not the priesthood. Priesthood is not a gender. It’s a power.

Let’s read “Priesthood Principles” in the Church Handbook. This was really eye opening for me. It says, “The priesthood is the authority and power of God. Through the priesthood, Heavenly Father accomplishes His work “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).” Here is the powerful part, “God grants authority and power to His sons and daughters on earth to help carry out this work.“

Wait, what? Did I just read that correctly? God grants authority and power to his sons and daughters?

Yes. Maybe we need to pull this church handbook out more often. It also says, “God’s priesthood power flows to all members of the Church—female and male—as they keep the covenants they have made with Him. Members make these covenants as they receive priesthood ordinances.“

Ooh, this is getting good. 

Priesthood Truth #2

Men are not the priesthood. Have you ever heard someone say, “We would like to thank the priesthood for passing the sacrament.” or  “The  priesthood will set up chairs for our activity.” These phrases are wrong. Here the word priesthood is being equated with males, right? Well, men are not the priesthood. The priesthood is God’s power. Traditionally and culturally we’ve had that in our minds and so now we get to correct that. Men are not the priesthood. Priesthood is not a gender. It’s a power.

Let’s read “Priesthood Principles” in the Church Handbook. This was really eye opening for me. It says, “The priesthood is the authority and power of God. Through the priesthood, Heavenly Father accomplishes His work “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).” Here is the powerful part, “God grants authority and power to His sons and daughters on earth to help carry out this work.“

Wait, what? Did I just read that correctly? God grants authority and power to his sons and daughters?

Yes. Maybe we need to pull this church handbook out more often. It also says, “God’s priesthood power flows to all members of the Church—female and male—as they keep the covenants they have made with Him. Members make these covenants as they receive priesthood ordinances.“

Ooh, this is getting good. 

Priesthood Truth #3

Men and women are both endowed with the same priesthood power when they make sacred covenants with God. Elder Ballard said this, “When men and women go to the temple, they are both endowed with the same power, which by definition is priesthood power. The endowment is literally a gift of power. All who enter the house of the Lord officiate in the ordinances of the priesthood.” 

When I went through the temple, I realized I was getting an endowment and that it was a gift, but it was never explained to me, “Wendy, when you go to the temple, you’re going to receive an endowment of priesthood power; a gift of priesthood power.” I never understood that. But it’s very clear when you look into it.

President Julie B. Beck said, “The priesthood is God’s power. It is His power to create, to bless, to lead, to serve as He does…Don’t confuse the power with the keys and the offices of the priesthood. God’s power is limitless and it is shared with those who make and keep covenants.“

Priesthood Truth #3

Men and women are both endowed with the same priesthood power when they make sacred covenants with God. Elder Ballard said this, “When men and women go to the temple, they are both endowed with the same power, which by definition is priesthood power. The endowment is literally a gift of power. All who enter the house of the Lord officiate in the ordinances of the priesthood.” 

When I went through the temple, I realized I was getting an endowment and that it was a gift, but it was never explained to me, “Wendy, when you go to the temple, you’re going to receive an endowment of priesthood power; a gift of priesthood power.” I never understood that. But it’s very clear when you look into it.

President Julie B. Beck said, “The priesthood is God’s power. It is His power to create, to bless, to lead, to serve as He does…Don’t confuse the power with the keys and the offices of the priesthood. God’s power is limitless and it is shared with those who make and keep covenants.“

I want to pause here for just a minute because I want to acknowledge the real pain that a lot of our sisters are experiencing because of the hierarchical structure of our church. I acknowledge that pain and that difficulty is to turn a blind eye and to close the door to a revelation that can help us as we try and work together, especially as we look for ways to help women feel more valued and their voices heard. We can make some appropriate cultural and traditional changes. In a real way, we see some of those changes already happening. I love those changes that are happening and I anticipate that we’ll see even more. Still there are lots of ways to help women feel more valued, if we’re looking for them.

I want to pause here for just a minute because I want to acknowledge the real pain that a lot of our sisters are experiencing because of the hierarchical structure of our church. I acknowledge that pain and that difficulty is to turn a blind eye and to close the door to a revelation that can help us as we try and work together, especially as we look for ways to help women feel more valued and their voices heard. We can make some appropriate cultural and traditional changes. In a real way, we see some of those changes already happening. I love those changes that are happening and I anticipate that we’ll see even more. Still there are lots of ways to help women feel more valued, if we’re looking for them.

Let’s go back and remember what Elder Ballard said, “women and men who go to the temple are both endowed with the same [priesthood] power“.

I’d like to share with you about how I felt priesthood power in my life as a sister. I teach at a very small school, and one time I had a student come up to me, and she was in an emotional crisis. That’s the best way to describe it. She was a mess. And all I could think of was that she needed a priesthood blessing and she needed it right then. And my heart sank because I was the only person in the building, the only teacher in the building, and I knew that I could not give her a priesthood blessing but there wasn’t anyone else around. And I thought, “She really needs a blessing, what do I do?” And the thought that came to me was, “You cannot lay your hands on her head and give her a priesthood blessing as one ordained to a priesthood office, but you can bless her.” The thought came to me to take her into my office where we knelt down on the floor and I prayed. And the words came to my mind that I needed to say. I started to tell her what I felt the Spirit witnessed to me that Heaven wanted her to hear and it was powerful. And it surprised me. I wasn’t expecting it. But I knew in that moment that I was using priesthood power to bless this young woman. It was an experience that I’ll never forget.

Since that time, I’ve had many experiences like that where I felt revelation and priesthood power that heaven has shared with me so that I could bless and comfort God’s children.

I testify of President Russell M. Nelson words as he says, “The heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power flowing from their priesthood covenants as they are to men who bear the priesthood.” I have felt that. I know that is true.

Women have priesthood authority. President Dallin H. Oaks said, “While we are not accustomed to speaking of women having the authority of the priesthood in their callings, what other authority can it be? Whoever functions in an office or calling received from one who holds priesthood keys exercises priesthood authority in her or his assigned duties.“

We can do better in understanding and teaching this principle. Remember, “just as scaffolding is eventually taken down and put away to reveal the final completed building, so, too, will the mortal administrative function of the church eventually fade as the eternal family comes fully into view.“

Let’s go back and remember what Elder Ballard said, “women and men who go to the temple are both endowed with the same [priesthood] power“.

I’d like to share with you about how I felt priesthood power in my life as a sister. I teach at a very small school, and one time I had a student come up to me, and she was in an emotional crisis. That’s the best way to describe it. She was a mess. And all I could think of was that she needed a priesthood blessing and she needed it right then. And my heart sank because I was the only person in the building, the only teacher in the building, and I knew that I could not give her a priesthood blessing but there wasn’t anyone else around. And I thought, “She really needs a blessing, what do I do?” And the thought that came to me was, “You cannot lay your hands on her head and give her a priesthood blessing as one ordained to a priesthood office, but you can bless her.” The thought came to me to take her into my office where we knelt down on the floor and I prayed. And the words came to my mind that I needed to say. I started to tell her what I felt the Spirit witnessed to me that Heaven wanted her to hear and it was powerful. And it surprised me. I wasn’t expecting it. But I knew in that moment that I was using priesthood power to bless this young woman. It was an experience that I’ll never forget.

Since that time, I’ve had many experiences like that where I felt revelation and priesthood power that heaven has shared with me so that I could bless and comfort God’s children.

I testify of President Russell M. Nelson words as he says, “The heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power flowing from their priesthood covenants as they are to men who bear the priesthood.” I have felt that. I know that is true.

Women have priesthood authority. President Dallin H. Oaks said, “While we are not accustomed to speaking of women having the authority of the priesthood in their callings, what other authority can it be? Whoever functions in an office or calling received from one who holds priesthood keys exercises priesthood authority in her or his assigned duties.“

We can do better in understanding and teaching this principle. Remember, “just as scaffolding is eventually taken down and put away to reveal the final completed building, so, too, will the mortal administrative function of the church eventually fade as the eternal family comes fully into view.“

Priesthood Truth #4

“God” is an office in the priesthood and is a partnership between a man and a woman. How do I know this? Open your Gospel Library App. Search “God and Godhead” in Guide to the Scriptures. This tells us that the title of God is used to describe God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost. So therefore, God is a title, or an office in the priesthood, not a person’s name. Think of how we use the title bishop. He’s a person, right? But we refer to the bishop as his title. Same thing with God. We’re talking about a person, but it’s not his name. It’s actually a title.

In the Family Proclamation, it says, “all human beings, male and female, are created in the image of God.” So if God is a title and a partnership, that means there’s a male and female component to it. Where do we get that?

Genesis 1:26-27.  “And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness…So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.“

Bruce R. McConkie once said, “In the true Patriarchal Order, man cannot attain a fulness of joy here, or of eternal reward hereafter alone…Godhood is not for men only. It is for men and women together.” It’s a partnership: Mr. God cannot be a god without Mrs. God. Men and women cannot be exalted without each other.

In the survey I took, many of the comments I received were that men have the priesthood and women have the babies. Elder Ballard teaches us a better way of seeing that. He says, “In the eternal perspective, both the procreative power and the priesthood power are shared by husband and wife.”

Do women have a part in procreation? Yes, and so do men.
Do women have a part in the priesthood? Yes, along with men.

We both work together in procreation and in priesthood power, but we do it differently. The counterpart to motherhood is fatherhood. It is fatherhood, not priesthood. We are part of a divine plan designed by Heavenly Parents.

Want a fun challenge?

Priesthood Truth #4

“God” is an office in the priesthood and is a partnership between a man and a woman. How do I know this? Open your Gospel Library App. Search “God and Godhead” in Guide to the Scriptures. This tells us that the title of God is used to describe God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost. So therefore, God is a title, or an office in the priesthood, not a person’s name. Think of how we use the title bishop. He’s a person, right? But we refer to the bishop as his title. Same thing with God. We’re talking about a person, but it’s not his name. It’s actually a title.

In the Family Proclamation, it says, “all human beings, male and female, are created in the image of God.” So if God is a title and a partnership, that means there’s a male and female component to it. Where do we get that?

Genesis 1:26-27.  “And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness…So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.“

Bruce R. McConkie once said, “In the true Patriarchal Order, man cannot attain a fulness of joy here, or of eternal reward hereafter alone…Godhood is not for men only. It is for men and women together.” It’s a partnership: Mr. God cannot be a god without Mrs. God. Men and women cannot be exalted without each other.

In the survey I took, many of the comments I received were that men have the priesthood and women have the babies. Elder Ballard teaches us a better way of seeing that. He says, “In the eternal perspective, both the procreative power and the priesthood power are shared by husband and wife.”

Do women have a part in procreation? Yes, and so do men.
Do women have a part in the priesthood? Yes, along with men.

We both work together in procreation and in priesthood power, but we do it differently. The counterpart to motherhood is fatherhood. It is fatherhood, not priesthood. We are part of a divine plan designed by Heavenly Parents.

Want a fun challenge?

Heavenly Mother

Our Young Woman theme states “I am a beloved daughter of heavenly parents, with a divine nature and eternal destiny.” Where else do we see that we have heavenly parents? The Family Proclamation teaches that “each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents with a divine nature and destiny.” Because we know we have heavenly parents, we know have both a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother. Still there’s a lot we don’t know about Heavenly Mother. We want to fill in the blanks because we so desperately want to know more about her. This leads to a lot of speculation and, unfortunately, some of this speculation is just wrong.

I hear a lot in the classroom of kids saying we don’t know a lot about her because she’s too sacred to talk about. That is a false notion. No where does it say that she should be held in this sacred silence.

I believe that we understand our Heavenly Parents as we study the life of Jesus Christ. How does Jesus teach us about Heavenly Father? We actually don’t know a whole lot about Heavenly Father; there are very few times when we are actually told specifics. And yet, Jesus teaches us concepts of Heavenly Father as he says, “If you know me, you know my Father.” 

That being said, could it also be true that in knowing Jesus more, we learn more about our Heavenly Mother? After all, He is the product of two parents. Look at how Jesus treats women. It’s fascinating and it’s beautiful.

So what do we absolutely know about Heavenly Mother? Here are three truths.

  • She’s the divine prototype for all women.
  • As we study about her, we see the eternal role in the priesthood for all women.
  • She worked in partnership with our Father to design the great plan of salvation.

(I can just imagine seeing your faces right now.)

The title God can also refer a woman.  How do I know this? There’s this really cool article, “A Mother There: A Survey of Historical Teachings about Mother in Heaven.” These are the terms that were used by some of our past leaders in describing our Heavenly Mother:

  • Eternal Mother
  • God their Eternal Mother
  • Mother God
  • Mother
  • God the Mother

Our Heavenly Father sent his Son, but Heavenly Mother also sent her Son. That’s powerful to me. What I have learned about Mother in Heaven and about her role in the salvation of mankind leads me to also trust that she would never do anything that wasn’t in the best interest of her daughters and sons. Sometimes it’s frustrating to feel unseen, unheard or undervalued as a woman, but because I know that my Heavenly Mother was involved in the plan of salvation, I know that it is the best plan for me. 

When the angel asked Nephi, “Knowest thou the condescension of God?” Nephi answered honestly. “I know that he loveth his children, nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.” Is it possible since we just learned that God is a partnership between male and female, and that we do have a Heavenly Mother, that we could also say, “I know that they loveth their children, nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things, but I’m willing to trust.“

Heavenly Mother

Our Young Woman theme states “I am a beloved daughter of heavenly parents, with a divine nature and eternal destiny.” Where else do we see that we have heavenly parents? The Family Proclamation teaches that “each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents with a divine nature and destiny.” Because we know we have heavenly parents, we know have both a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother. Still there’s a lot we don’t know about Heavenly Mother. We want to fill in the blanks because we so desperately want to know more about her. This leads to a lot of speculation and, unfortunately, some of this speculation is just wrong.

I hear a lot in the classroom of kids saying we don’t know a lot about her because she’s too sacred to talk about. That is a false notion. No where does it say that she should be held in this sacred silence.

I believe that we understand our Heavenly Parents as we study the life of Jesus Christ. How does Jesus teach us about Heavenly Father? We actually don’t know a whole lot about Heavenly Father; there are very few times when we are actually told specifics. And yet, Jesus teaches us concepts of Heavenly Father as he says, “If you know me, you know my Father.” 

That being said, could it also be true that in knowing Jesus more, we learn more about our Heavenly Mother? After all, He is the product of two parents. Look at how Jesus treats women. It’s fascinating and it’s beautiful.

So what do we absolutely know about Heavenly Mother? Here are three truths.

  • She’s the divine prototype for all women.
  • As we study about her, we see the eternal role in the priesthood for all women.
  • She worked in partnership with our Father to design the great plan of salvation.

(I can just imagine seeing your faces right now.)

The title God can also refer a woman.  How do I know this? There’s this really cool article, “A Mother There: A Survey of Historical Teachings about Mother in Heaven.” These are the terms that were used by some of our past leaders in describing our Heavenly Mother:

  • Eternal Mother
  • God their Eternal Mother
  • Mother God
  • Mother
  • God the Mother

Our Heavenly Father sent his Son, but Heavenly Mother also sent her Son. That’s powerful to me. What I have learned about Mother in Heaven and about her role in the salvation of mankind leads me to also trust that she would never do anything that wasn’t in the best interest of her daughters and sons. Sometimes it’s frustrating to feel unseen, unheard or undervalued as a woman, but because I know that my Heavenly Mother was involved in the plan of salvation, I know that it is the best plan for me. 

When the angel asked Nephi, “Knowest thou the condescension of God?” Nephi answered honestly. “I know that he loveth his children, nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.” Is it possible since we just learned that God is a partnership between male and female, and that we do have a Heavenly Mother, that we could also say, “I know that they loveth their children, nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things, but I’m willing to trust.“

My Testimony

Ironically, when I was asked the questions about women and the priesthood, the theme for FSY was Trust in the Lord.

Can I trust? Can I trust in the Lord with all of my heart, leaning not into my own understanding, but acknowledging Him, and believing that I have a part in the priesthood power and authority that He has given to mankind on earth?  Absolutely, with all of my heart. Someday all the scaffolding will come down. Someday we’ll have a better picture of the purpose of why we were here on Earth and we’ll see things so much more clearly. I testify, until that day comes, we can trust in the Lord. We can trust that He loves His daughters and His sons equally and that we all have a part in priesthood power and authority in helping the children of God attain their highest potential. I testify of that.

My Testimony

Ironically, when I was asked the questions about women and the priesthood, the theme for FSY was Trust in the Lord.

Can I trust? Can I trust in the Lord with all of my heart, leaning not into my own understanding, but acknowledging Him, and believing that I have a part in the priesthood power and authority that He has given to mankind on earth?  Absolutely, with all of my heart. Someday all the scaffolding will come down. Someday we’ll have a better picture of the purpose of why we were here on Earth and we’ll see things so much more clearly. I testify, until that day comes, we can trust in the Lord. We can trust that He loves His daughters and His sons equally and that we all have a part in priesthood power and authority in helping the children of God attain their highest potential. I testify of that.

▶ To watch or listen to this (and dozens of other full-length talks from your favorite speakers), log in on the Our Turtle House App. Don’t have the Our Turtle House App? No Problem! Get your free 7-day trial here.

©2023 copyrighted under Our Turtle House and Jumping Turtle, LLC

▶ To watch or listen to this (and dozens of other full-length talks from your favorite speakers), log in on the Our Turtle House App. Don’t have the Our Turtle House App? No Problem! Get your free 7-day trial here.

©2023 copyrighted under Our Turtle House and Jumping Turtle, LLC

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8 Talks That Will Inspire Change, Growth, & Self-Discovery

As the leaves change their hues and the air turns crisp, fall ushers in a season of transformation and introspection. It’s the perfect time to seek inspiration and motivation to embrace change and embark on new journeys. What better way to do so than by tuning into some uplifting and insightful talks?

We’ve linked up eight of our favorite inspirational talks from the Our Turtle House App that are sure to ignite your autumn spirit and help you make the most of this beautiful season. These inspirational talks offer valuable insights to help you navigate our own journeys of change, growth, and self-discovery. Whether it’s letting go of the past, cultivating happiness, embracing the unknown, fostering resilience, or finding beauty in imperfection, these talks will remind you that autumn is not just a season; it’s a state of mind. 

So, take a few moments to listen, reflect, and be inspired to make the most of this enchanting time of year.

(Hint: If you don’t have the app, download a free 7-day trial here to listen.)

1. Don’t Limit Your Limitless God
by Al Carraway

Who is God to you? Is He a “good God” only when He gives you what you want? What about those times when you pray for something and it feels like your words fall on deaf ears?

In this inspiring talk, Al Carraway shares how to transform your view of a limiting God into a view of a limitless God. She shares her vision of a loving God who is waiting and eager to walk with you through endless spiritual discovery. You’ll come to see Him, His mission, and His love for you in a new light. Your understanding of who He is will never be the same!

Listen here.

2. Building God-fidence: Face Your Fears. Trust in Heaven.
by Eric Richards

There are plenty of things to be afraid of in this life – spiders, heights, public speaking – maybe even just raising your hand in class! So how do you build the type of confidence that not only helps you face your fears but also helps you feel more confident and sure of yourself?

Join Eric D. Richards as he talks about how to build a different type of strength that helps you see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you and gives you the spiritual strength to take on any challenge!

Listen here.

3. How Can I Help You See Your Value?
by Hank Smith

If you’re going to make an important life decision, it’s statistically made between the ages of 14-24 years old. Today Hank Smith’s purpose is to help youth recognize that:
1. They need our help.
2. They have our help.
3. They are so much more valued than they could ever imagine.

Listen here.

4. Enabled By All Means
by Meg Johnson

Whether it’s a big thing or a small thing, if that “thing” is important to us, it is important to our Heavenly Father.

Quadriplegic Meg Johnson helps us recognize all of the ways God enables us on a day-to-day basis. Though He may not always give us exactly what we ask for, we can be assured that He is always listening and He will always give us the means to accomplish what He knows is best for us.

Listen here.

5. The Main Thing: Keeping Your Eyes Focused on Christ
by John Bytheway

When Peter saw Christ walking on water, he wanted to walk on water too – and he actually did! He didn’t start to sink until he stopped focusing on the Savior. Join John Bytheway as he shares how keeping your focus on Christ will not only strengthen your faith, but will also help you weather any storm you have to face.

Listen here.

6. Joy is the Serious Business of Heaven
by Mary Ellen Edmunds

What makes you happy? Even if life feels overwhelming or out of control, there is a way to turn your frown upside down, even if your circumstances haven’t changed yet! Let Mary Ellen Edmunds help enable you to choose a little bit of happiness, each and every day.

Listen here.

7. The Promise of Encouragement
by Jason Hewlett

Did you know you have the power to change someone’s life with just a few words? There’s a catch though! Laugh and learn with comedian Jason Hewlett as he shows how you can put the COURAGE in enCOURAGE and start transforming others’ lives for the better.

Listen here.

8. Is God Disappointed in Me?
by Kurt Francom

You’ve made a mistake. Now what? As humans, we often resign ourselves to living in guilt or shame because we assume that God is disappointed in us. How different would our lives be if we were to shift our thoughts to recognize that God already knows we are imperfect humans doing exactly what His plan was designed for: learning.

Let Kurt Francom help you realize that God has never been disappointed in you. He has always been cheering you on, like any loving father does.

Listen here.

▶ To watch or listen to the talks, log in on the Our Turtle House App.

Don’t have the Our Turtle House App? No Problem! Get your free 7-day trial here.

©2023 copyrighted under Our Turtle House and Jumping Turtle, LLC

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Technology, Love, and Addressing Your Relationships

As Tammy Hill, LFMT, starts working with couples in therapy, she often goes to this one point: What is your why?

What is Your Why?

Your why is like the bullseye on a target. It’s what you’re choosing to live for, who you want to be known as. When we are living what we believe we are and who we want to be, we are living in alignment; and when we’re living aligned, we are living our whys.

Now think a little bit about your why in regards to device usage and how it’s impacting you as an individual as well as how it might be impacting your relationships with others.

Cell Phone Snubbing

Since the year 2000, 92% of the divorces in the United States include within the divorce decree that cell phone or other technology as evidence that the usage led to some type of infidelity.

Research also shows that many couples are not connecting because one or both are being “phubbed”…cell phone snubbing. Phubbing is when you are more interested in your phone than in the people who are around you. Phubbing is damaging relationships.

Cell-fishness

Several years ago, Tammy and her husband, Jeff, took a lovely trip to Washington DC. The highlight of that trip was going to Mount Vernon the home of George and Martha Washington. Their home was on the Potomac River. Next to Mount Vernon, there was a colonial restaurant. People dressed as the colonists would have been dressed served food that would have been served back in the day.

As Tammy and Jeff sat to order their meal, they observed that, at every table, at least one person was engaged in their phone. She states, “I honestly don’t think they talked to one another the entire time they ate their meal. As I sat there, I truly just felt sorrowful in my heart for so many missed opportunities as people were artificially connecting to their devices and missing the chance to connect with each other.”

One of the leading researchers on marriage in the world has found that 86% of American adults continuously check their devices for social media updates, emails, and messages. They also found that successfully married couples turn toward each other 86% of the time to accept bids for connection. Isn’t it interesting that they are the same number.

As you think about what you want to accomplish in your time and mortality (as you consider who you want to become while you’re here) which of those 86% align with who you really want to be?

Turn Towards Each Other

We encourage you to really think a little bit about your purpose in regards to device usage and how it’s impacting you as an individual as well as how it might be impacting your relationships with others. Here are two ways you can make technology work for you within your many different relationship.

Excerpt taken from: Technology, Love & Relationships by Tammy Hill.

➡️ Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/jZgE9G3WbiE

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12 Scriptures for a Healthy Relationship: Bingo Card

Whether it’s Valentines Day or a anniversary day or just another Tuesday, every day is the best day to start playing 12 Scriptures for a Healthy Relationship Bingo!

The bingo card below perfectly coordinates with Hank Smith‘s podcast miniseries 12 Scriptures for a Healthy Relationship. In this twelve-part series, Hank discusses select verses from the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants that he has found useful in strengthening his own relationships. And, while a lot of the discussion in these episodes revolve around marriage and children, the principles could be applied to any form of relationship in their life that needs a little TLC.

To Listen

These scriptures may look familiar to you; you’ve probably heard most of them before…but you’ll be AMAZED at how Hank Smith takes the familiar verses and sheds so much new insight that can help change your relationships forever! Check out some of the feedback from our listeners. 

While these episodes are great to listen to on your own, we highly recommend listening to them with a spouse, parent, adult child, friend, neighbor, or anyone else you might want to improve your relationship with.

▶ Scriptures for a Healthy Relationships are part of the Hank Helps Podcast on the Our Turtle House App. Listen to the entire series, beginning here.
Don’t have the app? No problem! Get a FREE 7-day trial here.

AND…to make the listening a bit more fun, we’ve created a bingo card for you!

TO PLAY

1. Right click to download the bingo card below.
2. Open the Our Turtle House App    
3. Click on “miniseries”.
4. Choose which episode to listen to TOGETHER. (For even more fun, take turns deciding!)
5. Mark off each scripture on your card as you go. → See if you can get BINGO together!!! Better yet…go for a full BLACKOUT! ←

ALTERNATE IDEA: Print one card off for each of you. Choose your own episodes and have a “race” to see who can get bingo first! 

Have fun!

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5 Episodes to Help You Talk About Modesty

As a parent, there are several topics that are hard to approach. Because of the many conflicting messages that our children are bombarded with, many topics seem to become “hands-off” or taboo. Yet, these are still things our children need desperately to hear. 

Like the subject of modesty.

With our ever-changing culture, how does one even begin to discuss such a sensitive topic! Better yet, how do we help our children to receive their own personal revelation that will inspire them to choose positive standards for themselves? (HINT: the way you deliver your message is usually just as important as the message itself.) 

Many of the Our Turtle House speakers have offered their insight and experience on how to help you talk with your teens. Here are five episodes to help you on your task. 

➡️ To listen, just click on the picture to open the episode in the Our Turtle House app. No app? No problem. Try it free here.

Your Armor Tells Your Story
by Jeannette Bennett

By putting on the armor of God, we are telling ourselves where we stand and testifies to others what we believe. Writer/publisher Jeanette Bennett shows us how to tell our story through the simple, everyday choices of both our outward and inward appearances.

Revelation Personal to You
by Rachel Rhien Tucker

Why would God give one answer to one person, but another answer to another person? Today Rachel Rhien Tucker shares the stories of two righteous people in the scriptures, and talks about why God gives personal revelation meant just for you.

How Can I Help You
See Your Value?
by Hank Smith

If you’re going to make an important life decision, it’s statistically made between the ages of 14-24 years old. In his new full-length talk, Hank Smith’s purpose is to help youth recognize that: 1. They need our help. 2. They have our help. 3. They are so much more valued than they could ever imagine.

Inspiring Good Relationships
and Behavior
by Brigitte & Jason Shamy

What is the cost of doing what you want to do? Today Carmen talks with Brigitte and Jason Shamy of Sexy Modest Shopping about raising children, how to inspire good behavior from your kids, and creating core memories that help them find their “way back” when they stray from the path in life.

Judging Other People
by Hank Smith

You. Your friends. Your mother-in-law…we are all a work in progress. Hank Smith reminds us why its important to not judge those we come into contact with and what to do instead.

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Digital Firesides: A Sunday Night Tradition

“Fireside” is a term often used by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to represent a small, inspirational meeting. Here, friends and families gather to listen to gospel-centered messages by prayerfully-selected speakers, followed by some form of yummy treat.

Friends + Inspiration + Treats!?! It’s no wonder everyone looks forward to firesides!

Our Turtle House Digital Firesides

When the pandemic hit in 2020, gatherings were temporarily suspended and most everything went digital. People who enjoy the social aspect of church functions lost connection with those with whom they felt rooted to. Our Turtle House saw the need for community and gathering and created Sunday evening Digital Firesides.

It’s a fireside…and it’s online digitally…so it’s a Digital Fireside!

A Sunday Evening Tradition

Digital Firesides have become a Sunday night tradition to thousands of families across the globe!  We’ve received messages from friends and neighbors who gather together to watch Digital Firesides and many more who share the events on all their social media pages. Many ward and/or youth groups even have Sunday evening “watch parties”.

So gather your group together.

We’ll do ALL of the planning, scheduling, and booking to bring the gospel-centered messages to you. The only thing you need to do is decide whether or not to provide your group’s favorite yummy treat! 

Easy. Peesy.

Join our audience as they gather virtually Sunday evenings at 6 p.m. MT on the Our Turtle House App, Facebook page, and YouTube channel to watch some of your favorite inspirational speakers. From Olympians to authors, and Institute teachers to musicians…a wide variety of popular guests join host Mark Williams as they talk about powerful topics that you, our audience, request.

▶ Have a speaker or topic you’d like to suggest? Let us know! Contact us at: turtle.link/share

Audrey Baugh spent 15 years of her professional career as an inspirational singer/songwriter and motivational speaker. Now, she happily dedicates her time writing, designing, networking, and managing the marketing content of the Our Turtle House App! Audrey is a wife, a mom, and an avid dog owner who just wants to create pretty things, inspire people, love unconditionally, and eat yummy food.
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5 Quotes on How To Trust In the Lord

We’ve all seen trust falls.

You know, the ones where people close their eyes and fold their arms, then fall backwards believing that someone is waiting there to catch them?

It takes a huge amount of courage to put your trust in someone you cannot see. It takes an even greater amount of courage to put your trust in someone you cannot see after your previous “trust fall” didn’t turn out the way that you hoped it would.

Trust in the Lord

In his latest full-length talk, “Trust in the Lord,” motivational speaker John Bytheway addresses the 2022 youth theme for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Recorded in March 2022, John creates a parable to remind us that life is not quite the “instant vending machine” we hope it might be. All too often, we find ourselves putting something into life and expecting an immediate return or a blessing. 

That’s not how the Lord intended life to be.

Instead, life is more like a “wait-and-see vending machine”…where we put in the work, the obedience, the faith and the hope, then trust that God’s promised blessings will come in the time He knows will be best for us.

Lean Not Unto Thine Own Understanding

As humans, we like to try to figure things out on our own. We like to try to make sense of things that might not make any earthly sense at all. Like Job and Joseph Smith and so many others before us, we are answer-driven. We seek for understanding for things that we simply cannot explain.

It can be difficult to wait for the Lord to give us answers, knowing that sometimes the answers might take time and some might not come at all. It takes a whole lot of courage to actively choose to “trust fall” into our Heavenly Father and His plan for us when we cannot physically see when promised blessings will eventually come out of the proverbial “vending machine”.

It’s times like these that we might find peace in the following quotes:

  • “God is more interested in our growth than in our comfort.”
  • “Can you trust God enough to say: I know you love me. How can I grow? What can I learn from this? Is there a way that I can help others who are going through something similar?”
  • “I don’t think that God causes all suffering, but He never wastes it.” (quoting Steven J. Lund)
  • “Trust in the Lord’s love for you.”
  • “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

▶ Watch or listen to John Bytheway’s full Turtle Talk here: Trust in the Lord.

Don’t have the Our Turtle House App? No Problem! Get your free 7-day trial here.

Audrey Baugh spent 15 years of her professional career as an inspirational singer/songwriter and motivational speaker. Now, she happily dedicates her time writing, designing, networking, and managing the marketing content of the Our Turtle House App! Audrey is a wife, a mom, and an avid dog owner who just wants to create pretty things, inspire people, love unconditionally, and eat yummy food.