Tag: inspirational app

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4 Talks to Help You Navigate A Faith Crisis

Navigating a faith crisis can be a challenging and deeply personal journey. It involves questioning, reevaluating, and potentially shifting perspectives.
 
Whether it’s your own personal one or the journey of a loved one, everyone’s faith journey is unique and there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
 
We’ve gathered 8 powerful fireside talks that we think will help you support yourself and your loved ones through the faith crisis they’re on. 

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.)

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

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7 Fun Talks About the Book of Mormon by Hank Smith

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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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4 Talks to Help You Navigate Through Grief

Navigating grief is a deeply personal and challenging journey that everyone experiences differently. It’s important to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, but engaging in open and supportive conversations can be helpful.

Whether you’re trying to support someone through grief or trying to understand a grief of your own, here are a few talks that will help you to approach the topic:

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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12 Scriptures for a Healthy Relationship by Hank Smith

Take me to the series

Marriage. Parenting. Neighbors. Friends. Employers. Classmates. Colleagues. Customers.

Everywhere we go, we form a bond with someone somehow. Some connections are quickly created in passing, while others, like marriage, are made to linger longer. Regardless of the status, all relationships are opportunities to grow and develop as our souls become more like our Heavenly Father.

Scriptures for a Healthy Relationship

In his latest Hank Helps miniseries, inspirational podcaster Hank Smith addresses 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.

Each episode ranges anywhere from 7-15 minutes long…the PERFECT length for listeners to fit into their already over-scheduled lives.

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.

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!

What Listeners Are Saying

***We created a focus group and let a few people access all of the episodes before they were released. Here are some of their reviews:

  • Renie: “I thoroughly enjoyed all of these episodes. Hank makes it easy to look inward because of his humility and the examples he shares. He explains why the ideas he puts forth will improve relationships both psychologically, spiritually, physically and emotionally with just the right amount of scientific studies and personal experiences. I appreciate Hank’s vulnerability and the sacred things he shares. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to enjoy this mini series.”
  • Denise: “I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to listen to this series! So many things sparked thoughts and impressions that I hadn’t had before. I was familiar with all of the scriptures, but several of them had a new light shined on them, and what a great view! I look forward to the improvements that this can make, not only in my relationships, but also in my life on a personal level.”
  • Holly: “I loved listening to these episodes! I was blown away by how simplistic but profound the thoughts expressed were. I felt extremely uplifted and enjoyed every minute of this series.”
  • Camie: I wish I could have listened to this 20 years ago when I was a young wife/mother. I would recommend this to everyone I know. I gained a lot of great information to help in all aspects of my life including interacting with family, friends, and co-workers. I have had a few relationships that I have been struggling with the last couple of month and this was very helpful, as it helped me look more inward and see how I can work on myself instead of trying to fix them.
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Make listening fun with the “12 Scriptures for a Healthy Relationship” bingo card. (Helps you both keep track of the episodes you’ve listened to.)

Print your card here for free.

Ready to Listen?

▶ Scriptures for a Healthy Relationships are an exclusive miniseries housed on the Our Turtle House App. Listen to the entire series, beginning here.

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

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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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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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What You See is What You Get: A New Talk by Hank Smith

Have you ever had a time when you looked at your situation and thought, “I wish this had never happened”?

Maybe you got a bad grade or a bad haircut. Maybe you’ve experienced loss or financial crisis. Perhaps you’ve accidentally come across a ring with possessive magical powers that some wizard is demanding you return to a far-away mountain where it can be destroyed by the fires of Doom.

Okay, probably not that last one… but you get the idea.

Life doesn’t always turn out the way you envisioned it would. Instead, you’re often thrown into circumstances that you never would have selected in the first place! While you cannot change what has already happened, you do get to choose what you’ll see in the experience.

The Choice is Up To You

Best-selling author/speaker Hank Smith recently released a new Turtle Talk talk titled What You See is What You’ll Get. This full-length talk is centered on teaching teens how to choose the way they perceive different life events.

According to Hank, “You can choose to see the good or you can choose to focus on the bad, but ultimately the choice is up to you.” Will you see the blessings and strengths that come because of what you’re experiencing? Or will you choose to focus on the pains and sorrows of it all? 

Philosopher David Thoreau described it best when he said, “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” That’s exactly what Hank is talking about when he relates the following Book of Mormon story.

Who Are You In the Story?

Once upon a time there were two brothers who lived in the same place with the same people at the same time. The younger brother, Nephi, was happy with their story and saw all the beautiful miracles and blessings that occurred within their family. The older brother, Laman, focused only on the negative side of the situation. 

Same story. Same events. Different attitudes.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of their insights:

In reading this account, it’s safe to assume that Nephi and Laman both experienced the same (or, at least, very similar) hardships, loss, and pain.

Nephi appears to be at peace; he’s content with his circumstances. He talks about the great blessings and how they had enough meat to eat and that the women were strong and didn’t murmur…

Laman? He apparently saw things through a different filter.

How is it even possible that theses two people can have the exact same experience and still see things so very differently!?!

In What You See is What You Get, Hank explains it best when he talks about the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.

When thrown into unwanted circumstances, people with a fixed mindset tend to use statements like “It’s too hard.” or “I’ll stick to what I know.” They stunt themselves by seeing absolutes and limit their beliefs in the world around them. In the end, they get nothing from the experience but bad memories, complaints, and poor attitudes.

On the other hand, those with a growth mindset are hopeful and optimistic! They see new possibilities in every challenge. Because of their focus on growth, these mindsets tend to get new opportunities and gain stronger abilities as they focus on the blessings that surround them. 

Laman = Fixed mindset.

Nephi = Growth mindset.

Now, the question is: which one are you in your story?

We encourage you all to take just watch or listen to Hank’s latest talk with your entire family and see what you can do to change what you get out of your experiences.

▶ Watch or listen to Hank Smith’s full Turtle Talk here: What You See Is What You Get.

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.
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7 Talks to Help You Create a Spirit of Inclusion

Here’s a challenge for you: scroll through your social media and see how long it takes for you to find 5 people who look different than you. 

Pretty easy, right?

Now, think of all your neighbors and see how long it takes to find someone who believes differently than you do.

Maybe a little bit harder, but still didn’t take very long, did it?

Finally, imagine that you’re standing in line at your local grocery store. How long would it take for you to find someone with a different sexual orientation or someone from a different country or even someone with a different bank account balance than you. 

These examples are just a few of the infinite ways we, as humans, can be vastly different from each other. Diversity is everywhere and what a beautiful thing it is! When we learn to accept and embrace our differences, the more we open ourselves to possibilities of love and camaraderie. 

And when we embrace each other’s uniqueness and bond in camaraderie, we ultimately create a spirit of “inclusion”.

Listed below are 7 talks that will help you embrace diversity and navigate your way into a more inclusive mindset.

Appreciating Our Differences
Dennis Schleicher, Ganel-lyn Condie, Ronell Hugh
Digital Firesides

Three talks, one link.

 Our differences are what gives us strength, and our strengths are what makes us a community. Learn how to appreciate your differences and embrace the differences of those around you.

Watch all 3 talks here on Youtube.

Love and Support to The LGBTQ+ Community
Tom Christofferson
Doing Good Podcast

The very best ways to support the LGBTQ+ in your community might not be as difficult as you may think! Learn how to break the stigma and love your fellow members more unconditionally with these simple tips from a church member’s inside perspective. 

Listen here on the app.

Bridging The Gaps
Ganel-Lyn Condie
Turtle Talks

How do you deal with the “gap: between where you are today and where you want to be? We learn to accept ourselves for where we are. Join Ganel-lyn for an inspirational perspective on how Christ can help us safely bridge the gaps in our lives.

Listen here on the app.

God Didn’t Change Me
Charlie Bird 
Digital Firesides

What is it like to “wait on the Lord” as a gay member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints? Former BYU Mascot, Charlie Bird, helps us see through the lens of a gay man’s perspective as he details his wrestle to get to a point of self-acceptance.

Watch here on Youtube.

Questions from The Closet
Charlie Bird & Ben Schilaty
Doing Good Podcast

What does being gay look like through the eyes of a BYU adjunct professor and a former BYU mascot?  Ben and Charlie talk openly about their perspective on “coming out” in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, how to apply the atonement in from a gay’s perspective, and learning to live and love unconditionally just like the Savior did. 

Listen here on the app.

▶ 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.