In this episode we’ll talk about 2 Nephi chapters three through five. These chapters contain what is often referred to as the Psalm of Nephi, which we’ll spend most of our time discussing. We’ll talk about how Nephi was having emotional struggles after the death of his father. His struggles caused him to doubt his abilities and his purpose. Yet after remembering his blessings and taking action, he was able to rise about his challenges. We’ll review the applications for mental health and emphasize how taking accountability for our mental health improvement is one of the best paths to success in ..read more

In this episode we'll talk about 2 Nephi chapters one and two. We’ll start with Lehi’s counsel to his wayward sons, Laman and Lemuel. We’ll review how he encouraged them to think about the good things the Lord had done for them, in order to strengthen their faith. Then we’ll talk about a recent and very personal story from my life, where my wife had a cancer scare. We’ll review how the Lord provided assurances and we had the chance to decrease anxiety and increase faith as we chose to belief in Him. We’ll emphasize how increasing faith is one way to help manage anxiety.  There are free wo ..read more

In this episode we'll talk about 1 Nephi chapters sixteen through twenty-two. These chapters have some amazing stories about the journey of Lehi’s family across the desert and the ocean. There was a consistent theme throughout the chapters. Many times there was a challenge presented and then a solution provided. We’ll talk about how the Lord is eager to provide miracles for us to get through our challenges, but they almost always involve effort on our part. We’ll review how making those efforts is important in our personal development.   There are free worksheets available for the invitat ..read more

In this episode we'll talk about 1 Nephi chapters eleven through fifteen. We’ll review how Nephi was confused about some of the elements of his father’s dream, and then sought divine help, receiving great knowledge as a result. We’ll contrast his approach with that of Laman and Lemuel, who sought no help, and therefore remained frustrated. We’ll discuss how these examples highlight the principle of emotional resilience known as personal competence. We’ll talk about how we are all capable of improving our mental health situations, but this has to begin with a belief that we can do something abo ..read more

In this episode we'll talk about 1 Nephi chapters six through ten. We’ll review the account of Nephi and his brethren returning to Jerusalem to retrieve Ishmael’s family, and the challenges that they faced. We’ll talk about the importance and power of forgiveness, especially as we seek for greater personal peace. We’ll discuss how the Lord, being aware of events that would happen two thousand years later, inspired Nephi to take action that would prevent future difficulty. These principles can give us comfort and help us understand our value to God, and His amazing love and concern for us. &nbs ..read more

In this episode we'll talk about 1 Nephi chapters one through five. We’ll discuss some of the history of the translation of the Book of Mormon. We’ll review the very first verse of 1 Nephi and how this reflects important principles for emotional development. We’ll talk about the value of trials and how they do not detract from the blessings the Lord gives us. We’ll further review the different perspectives of Nephi and his brothers. As we talk about these perspectives, we’ll discuss how flexible, faithful approaches to mental health challenges can result in greater emotional resilience. There ..read more

Welcome to 2024 and the beginning of our study of the Book of Mormon! I’m particularly excited for this course of study. In this episode, we’ll review some truths found in the introductory pages of the Book of Mormon. We’ll talk about Joseph Smith’s experience with the angel Moroni. The pattern of Moroni coming to Joseph multiple times and repeating the same information each time has implications for processes of personal change. We’ll also talk about how following divine counsel can help us remain safe, even if we do not understand the reasons behind the commandments.  There are free wor ..read more

In this episode we'll talk about Matthew 18 and Luke 10. First we'll discuss the concept of personal liabilities and an invitation from the Savior to remove these from our lives. We'll talk about how sometimes there are things we do, or characteristics we have, that are inconsistent with staying on the covenant path, yet we resist giving them up. We'll discuss how we can make those changes and move forward. We'll also talk about the story of Mary and Martha and how this teaches about priorities. We'll address how we only have a certain amount of emotional energy to get through each day, and th ..read more

In this episode we'll talk about Matthew 13 and Luke 8 and 11. We'll discuss how the scribes and pharisees were so eager to try to catch the Savior in an error, that they regularly missed opportunities for spiritual development. We'll review how we need to focus on ourselves and our own change and not focus on the behaviors of others. We'll also discuss the parable of the sower, and the implications it has for personal change in our lives. We'll talk about how people have to be ready and willing for change for it to be effective. We'll also discuss how comparing our degrees of change to others ..read more

In this episode we'll talk about 2 Corinthians 1-7. I find it comforting that the ancient saints struggled with many of the same problems that we do today. Sometimes we long for the "good ol' days" but it's clear that every generation has it's problems. Paul talks about the importance of seeing challenges differently. We'll discuss how flexible thinking is generally associated with better mental health outcomes. Paul teaches in these chapters about how to see the blessings in our trials, which enables us to think more flexibly about them. We'll also talk about how when we go through difficulti ..read more