Talks on Talks

In the next two episodes, we'll take a little break from discussing conference talks as we get to know the hosts of the show. This episode dives deep into the psyche of Jason Farrell. Let's learn what makes him tick!

Most people like to think they are pretty good at setting goals. Anyone who has ever heard of a SMART goal is pretty sure they know what they’re doing, right? Well, in his talk Return and Receive, Elder M. Russell Ballard his insights on how we can make the most of our temporal and spiritual goals. This episode captures our discussion on the differences between goals and plans, our methods for self-reflection and self-mastery, and how reading “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” without the context of “The Living Christ” makes no sense! Don’t forget to stick around until the end of the episode for the Virtuous, Lovely, and Good Report, where we share resources that you can use in your own talks at church. References: The talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/return-and-receive?lang=eng Chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel personal reflection exercise: “The Tentacles of Divine Providence” that will reach out to wayward children, as taught by Joseph Smith and recounted by Orson F. Whitney: https://www.lds.org/ensign/2002/09/hope-for-parents-of-wayward-children?lang=eng Chronicles of Narnia - Voyage of the Dawn Treader - https://www.amazon.com/Voyage-Dawn-Treader-Chronicles-Narnia/dp/0064405028 - "Oh, Aslan," said Lucy. "Will you tell us how to get into your country from our world?" “I shall be telling you all the time," said Aslan. "But I will not tell you how long or short the way will be; only that it lies across a river. But do not fear that, for I am the great Bridge Builder." “The Better Thing” - Author Unknown - The Detroiter 1916

What keeps me from getting closer to the Savior? How could I do better? Is there anything that I need to remove from or add to my life in order to feel the Spirit more throughout the day? Discussing Elder Andersen’s talk “Overcoming the World” was a great chance for us to do some self-analysis and determine what things in the world are holding us back. The references in this episode were coming left and right, so be sure to check out the things we talk about after listening! Thank you! Show Notes: The talk: “https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/overcoming-the-world?lang=eng” Elder Andersen on living abroad: “https://www.lds.org/ensign/2009/08/elder-neil-l-andersen-man-of-faith?lang=eng” “Moments that Matter Most” and the “Molecules of Eternity”: https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-06-012-moments-that-matter-most?lang=eng The Next Step Podcast with Brad and Jay: “https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/12-steps-to-change/id1166415997?mt=2” The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis: “https://www.amazon.com/Screwtape-Letters-C-S-Lewis/dp/0060652934” John 16:33 on overcoming the world: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Aesop’s Fable of the Goatherd: “http://fablesofaesop.com/the-goatherd-and-the-wild-goats.html” Manvotionals by Art of Manliness (Brett and Kate McKay): “https://www.amazon.com/Art-Manliness-Manvotionals-Timeless-Virtues/dp/1440312001” Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis: “https://www.amazon.com/Voyage-Dawn-Treader-Chronicles-Narnia/dp/0064405028”. Quote: “https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/41523-it-isn-t-narnia-you-know-sobbed-lucy-it-s-you-we”. Music: Homeward Bound by Jonny Easton

It’s Summer 2017! That means a whole lot of work for medical and dental students, and a whole lot of family time during the brief moments away from school. That also means there’s not a lot of time for two Average Joes to podcast, so this episode comes almost a month after the last edition of Talks on Talks. We apologize to all those who have been actively listening and expecting a new episode weekly, but it’s here now and there are more to come! In this episode we talk about Gary A. Sabin’s talk “Stand Up Inside and Be All In,” which has to be one of our favorite talks we’ve discussed so far (seriously, just listen and you’ll know how much Jason loved it). It had a little bit of everything and reminded us of a lot of other resources you can use to talk about this same concept. Hope you enjoy it! The talks: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/stand-up-inside-and-be-all-in?lang=eng Wikipedia article on “Burning the Ships”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_of_no_return Talk about the passover and applying the blessings of sacrifice by W. Christopher Waddell: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-opportunity-of-a-lifetime?lang=eng John Milton’s “When I Consider How My Light is Spent”: https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/when-i-consider-how-my-light-spent President Monson’s poem “Dare to be a Mormon”: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/f7/73/b6/f773b662b81a27a51ea5b5a1efa977fe.png Eleanor Roosevelt on looking fear in the face: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/3823-you-gain-strength-courage-and-confidence-by-every-experience-in Ryan Holiday on The Canvas Strategy: https://ryanholiday.net/the-canvas-strategy/ - Music by Jonny Easton: "Homeward Bound."

This episode has been a long time coming! After a brief hiatus, we’re back with this excellent discussion on Elder Holland’s talk “Songs Sung and Unsung.” We discuss diversity, differing perspectives on theologies, and the importance of learning how to keep things sacred. There are a mountain of show notes attached to this episode, so we hope you can dig in and enjoy all the extra content here! Show Notes: The talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/songs-sung-and-unsung?lang=eng Elder Holland’s Master’s Thesis on the Book of Mormon changes: http://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/4800/ Elder Holland on his dissertation on Mark Twain: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-holland_soul-butter-hogwash-mark-twain-frontier-religion/ Quote: Jim Rohn - “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Theologian on religious diversity - Krister Stendahl - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krister_Stendahl Church’s video on temples - “Between Heaven and Earth” - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8DF84EB9BE8345BD Article comparing social media’s ideals and mommy blogging with pornography: http://mike-thayer.com/lifestyle-porn/ Alma on prayers being in vain if we don’t care for the poor - Alma 34:28. Elder Holland’s talk on Mental Illness - Like a Broken Vessel - https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel?lang=eng The ranking of General Conference talks by complexity: http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2014/03/15/general-conference-talk-complexity-by-speaker-and-by-session/#more-10623 Face to Face Fireside with President Eyring and Elder Holland Quote from Brandon Sanderson’s “The Well of Ascension”: “Those who take lightly promises they make to those they love are people who find little lasting satisfaction in life. This is not an easy time in which to live. That does not mean that it has to be a difficult time to love” St. Augustine’s quote on evil: “Since God is the highest good, he would not allow any evil to exist in his works unless his omnipotence and goodness were such as to bring good even out of evil.” James E. Faust’s talk, The Great Imitator. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1987/10/the-great-imitator?lang=eng Music: “Homeward Bound” by Johnny Easton

These episodes just keep getting longer and longer! We think it’s worth it, though, because Elder Hales’ talk “Becoming Disciples of Our Lord Jesus Christ” had so much to discuss. We talk about Christlike attributes and how they’re all connected with one another. We also touch on how repentance plays into the mix and share a fun fact about Elder Hales getting bullied by a local paper as a high school baseball pitcher. This is not an episode to miss! The talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/becoming-a-disciple-of-our-lord-jesus-christ?lang=eng Etymology of “virtue”: http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=virtue Talk about girl in the plane crash following light (actually given by Elder L. Whitney Clayton, not Elder Christofferson): https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/choose-to-believe?lang=eng “I am an Adult Now” by Elder Marvin J. Ashton: “Too many of us fail to realize adult conduct is a process, not a status. To become a disciple of Jesus Christ, we must continue in righteousness and in His word.” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1987/04/i-am-an-adult-now?lang=eng Talk by James E. Faust on forgiveness and the amish - “The Healing Power of Forgiveness”: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/04/the-healing-power-of-forgiveness?lang=eng Story of chinese mother who refused to give away child with cerebral palsy: http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2094506/chinese-mother-who-refused-give-disabled-son-nurtures-him-all-way. Wikipedia entry on Drug Synergy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synergy#Drug_synergy. Theme Music: "Homeward Bound" by Jonny Easton

This episode covers our first ever talk from the General Women’s Session and our first ever remote interview! Our guest is Aubrey Eggett, a pre-medical student at the University of Colorado at Boulder (and Wes’ sister!). She shares with us some of the unique struggles of Young Single Adult members of the church and how Sister Bonnie H. Cordon’s talk “Trust in the Lord and Lean Not” can help those members refocus on the doctrine of Christ. References: The talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/trust-in-the-lord-and-lean-not?lang=eng Richard J. Maynes’ pottery analogy for living a Christ-centered life: (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/the-joy-of-living-a-christ-centered-life?lang=eng). Elder Bednar on believing Christ: (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/if-ye-had-known-me?lang=eng). C.S. Lewis on distracting a person contemplating Christianity: “Your business is to fix his attention on the stream.” (https://www.amazon.com/Screwtape-Letters-C-S-Lewis/dp/0060652934). Soren Kierkegaard on prayer: “The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.” (http://izquotes.com/quotes-pictures/quote-the-function-of-prayer-is-not-to-influence-god-but-rather-to-change-the-nature-of-the-one-who-soren-kierkegaard-101959.jpg) Music by Jonny Easton: “Homeward Bound.”

With episode 20 of the podcast, we’re in the double digits twice over! Thank you for sticking with us and checking out our podcast. In this episode, we talk about President Russell M. Nelson’s talks “Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives” from the April 2017 General Conference. The conversation focuses on President Nelson’s suggestions as to how we can draw Christ’s power into our lives, touching on topics like the proper understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, being vigilant to notice when we’re going down sinful paths, and the fact that praying for humility is a dangerous business! Again, thanks for listening to the podcast, and we’re excited to get into the 20s! Elder Ballard on using the full name of the church (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-importance-of-a-name?lang=eng) President Uchtdorf’s “Sleepwalking on the path of discipleship.” (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e6/98/c1/e698c1e01d3e90f0f8e8086bf1b2d5bd.jpg). “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” - Ben Franklin “Hearts will never be practical until they are made unbreakable.” - Wizard of Oz. Music by Jonny Easton - "Homeward Bound."

This talk gave us a great chance to review some of the positive things in our lives. Mark A. Bragg’s talk “Brighter and Brighter Until the Perfect Day” (April 2017) was a reminder that although things seem gloomy, there is so much to be grateful for. During this discussion, we share some of the ways we’ve been able to focus on positivity and try to figure out why it’s so darn easy to be negative all the time. We hope you enjoy the conversation! The talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/brighter-and-brighter-until-the-perfect-day?lang=eng The Last Airbender on Darkness and Light: http://imgur.com/HLe9s5e Sterling W. Sill on holding ideas in your mind: “Professor James explains that the mind is made up by what it feeds upon. He said that the mind, like the dyer’s hand, is colored by what it holds. If I hold in my hand a sponge full of purple dye, my hand becomes purple. And if I hold in my mind and heart great ideas of faith and enthusiasm, my whole personality is changed accordingly.” (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1978/04/the-poetry-of-success?lang=eng) The talk where President Eyring discusses the drunk driving member and seeing him like Christ would: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/walk-with-me?lang=eng The talk where President Nelson discusses the Atonement not being amorphous:https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/drawing-the-power-of-jesus-christ-into-our-lives?lang=eng Preach My Gospel on the Light of Christ - Chapter 4: (https://www.lds.org/manual/preach-my-gospel-a-guide-to-missionary-service/how-do-i-recognize-and-understand-the-spirit?lang=eng) The lonely woman who wrote to a neighbor to be her friend: (http://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/2187/A-Lonely-Old-Woman-Asked-Her-Neighbor-To-Be-Her-Friend-With-Heartbreaking-Note) 16 Things it Took me 50 Years to Learn by Dave Barry (https://plus.google.com/+ScottKelby/posts/EdkSeivNHvG). Music: “Homeward Bound” by Jonny Easton

This episode features the most show notes we’ve had to date, so dig in! We talked about Elder Ulisses Soares’ “Confide in God Unwaveringly” (April 2017) and there was so much to discuss. After giving a rundown of the story of Ammon and King Limhi, we talk about confidence in God and how to build the faith to withstand trials. The talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng Quote on not being in a boring sacrament meeting (from Spencer W. Kimball): https://www.lds.org/youth/article/how-to-never-have-a-boring-church-class-again?lang=eng The Second Yes: https://deseretbook.com/p/making-sense-suffering-wayne-e-brickey-1640?variant_id=111163-paperback Preach My Gospel on Diligence: “Diligence is steady, consistent, earnest, and energetic effort in doing the Lord’s work.” - https://www.lds.org/manual/preach-my-gospel-a-guide-to-missionary-service/how-do-i-develop-christlike-attributes?lang=eng Alexander Pope: “Vice is a monster of so frightful mien / As to be hated needs but to be seen; / Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, / We first endure, then pity, then embrace.” (http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/94296-vice-is-a-monster-of-so-frightful-mien-as-to) Stephen Curry on being a Christian athlete: “Being a Christian athlete doesn’t mean praying for your team to win. God doesn’t give an edge to those who pray over those who don’t; hard work does that. Being a Christian athlete means competing for Christ, in a way in which you always give your all for Him, and win or lose, you thank Him for the ability and opportunity to play. It means giving all the glory to God, no matter the outcome, because you trust in His plan for your life.” (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f9/9b/f0/f99bf0555dad87981cb35fb078742872.jpg) Theme Music: “Homeward Bound” by Jonny Easton

The discussion of Elder Renlund’s “Our Good Shepherd” (April 2017) took us all up, down, and around the concepts of sin and Christlike compassion for those who sin. We discuss the idea that healing takes time, we share a story or two of seeing those who sin as Christ would, and we take a stab at understanding what bigotry is and how to avoid it! (Hint: Bigotry does not come from the same root word as “bigote” in Spanish… which means mustache…) References: “Time is the medium through which the power of the Atonement is made manifest in our lives.” - Brad Wilcox (http://www2.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/EducationWeek/2015_07_31_Wilcox.htm). “When something is over and done with, when it has been repented of as fully as it can be repented of, when life has moved on as it should and a lot of other wonderfully good things have happened since then, it is not right to go back and open up some ancient wound that the Son of God Himself died trying to heal.” - Elder Holland (https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-holland_remember-lots-wife/). President Nelson’s quote on sustaining prophets: “Our sustaining of prophets is a personal commitment that we will do our utmost to uphold their prophetic priorities. Our sustaining is an oath-like indication that we recognize their calling as a prophet to be legitimate and binding upon us.” (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/sustaining-the-prophets?lang=eng). Story of a man who ran a marathon with the person who talked him out of committing suicide. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/24/did-man-suicidal-runs-marathon-stranger-talked-bridge/). Music by Jonny Easton - “Homeward Bound.”

This episode features Chase Bastian, our first ever guest on the show and a second-year medical student with Jason. We talk with Chase about Elder Weatherford T. Clayton’s talk “Our Father’s Glorious Plan,” and how Elder Clayton uses his years in medical practice as a lens through which he views the plan of salvation. Chase and Jason both talk about how their understanding of the plan of salvation will apply during their future as medical doctors, as well. Talking so much about death made this a slightly heavier episode than normal, but bear with us! It really helps put the plan of salvation in perspective for those who have thought much about this in the past. The talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/our-fathers-glorious-plan?lang=eng Katherine Switzer and the Boston Marathon: http://www.bnd.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/answer-man/article145892864.html Quote by Pope John Paul II: http://www.azquotes.com/picture-quotes/quote-faith-and-reason-are-like-two-wings-on-which-the-human-spirit-rises-to-the-contemplation-pope-john-paul-ii-38-54-00.jpg Music: “Homeward Bound” by Jonny Easton

In this episode, we unpack the care package talked about by Brother M. Joseph Brough in his talk “His Daily Guiding Hand” from the April 2017 General Conference. We discuss the importance of commandments, priesthood leaders, and connecting with Jesus Christ in order to make us instruments in His hands. Don’t miss Jason’s awesome mission story near the end of the episode! References: The talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/his-daily-guiding-hand?lang=eng Mike Rowe quote on getting a job and happiness: https://pics.me.me/Facebook-91e3fa.png Prom in the hospital: http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/35162881/upstate-students-bring-prom-to-teen-battling-cancer? Music: “Homeward Bound” by Jonny Easton

We’re back! Today, we get into the April 2017 General Conference to discuss President Eyring’s talk “Gathering the Family of God.” President Eyring always gives us a lot to think about, and this time we dive pretty deep into his comments linking family history work to the greater context of the plan of salvation and the light of Christ. We also focus in on President Eyring’s personal experience of doing family history and his thoughts about why technology, while helpful in family history work, will always need to be supplemented with prayer and revelation. References and Links: The talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/gathering-the-family-of-god?lang=eng Our instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talksontalks/ Wes’ VLGP: “Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or keep one.” - Robert E. Lee Jason’s VLGP: The Magic Yarn Project: http://www.themagicyarnproject.com/ Music: “Homeward Bound” by Jonny Eastman.

Since the talks from General Conference have not yet been released in their text format, we wanted to take this week to discuss the overall themes, announcements, and impressions we had during General Conference. We had some problems with the audio, but we hope you enjoy our discussion all the same! Music: Jonny Eastman