Magnify

President Nelson invited us to make time for the Lord in our everyday lives. He said, "He will lead and guide you in your personal life if you will make time for Him in your life—each and every day." We all want those promised blessings, but with such busy lives, it sometimes feels overwhelming to make time. What if we don't have to do more or be more to make it happen? Our community is participating in a "make time" challenge, and this episode dives into how Kathryn and guest Maria Eckersley took this challenge, how they were able to make the simple changes work in their everyday schedules, and what they learned in the process. "The Lord is able to fill in what you thought you needed with something better."   The Make Time for the Divine Challenge: Convert the commute: Commuting to work, driving carpool, or running errands can take up a good chunk of our time. Today for a few minutes of that time play your favorite hymn or gospel themed song. Switch the scroll: We often find ourselves spending time on your phone daily (or hourly?), scrolling. Try stopping the scroll and switching over to the gospel library for 2 minutes.  First things first: Let's put God first today, literally. Let's kneel before we stand! Before we tackle our day, let's start with a prayer. Phone a friend: We believe in Christ! Let's say so! Make a call or send a text sharing a slice of testimony or mentioning how Christ has shown up in life lately. Claim the joy! As we get ready for bed tonight, let's grab a journal or the notes app on our phone and take 2 minutes to write down how we have seen God and Christ in our lives this week. What has felt different? Links Join the challenge here! President Nelson's Talk Here! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you do a "one-word" type of challenge for the new year? Perhaps you should consider making "try" your word of 2023 as we focus in on what we can do to better grow closer to the Savior. Elder Holland, in a talk titled, "Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders among You," said that, "the great thing about the gospel is we get credit for trying, even if we don't always succeed."  "The Lord recognizes our efforts, and He loves us trying." Today's episode echoes that same sentiment from Elder Holland, and Kathryn and Katie Hughes (@thehugheshouse) discuss how we can involve the Lord in all our "tries" and use the Spirit as our guide to being better disciples. Takeaways from this episode The Spirit can motivate us to make efforts. Everyone receives the Spirit differently, and not all our efforts look the same. It takes time to listen and feel the Lord working in our lives, but he wants us to try. Sometimes we are so hard on ourselves, but we are doing good! And we can be counted on. The Lord will magnify your efforts. Small and simple invitation: Learn the language of the Spirit and how He speaks to you. Learn how the Spirit guides your life and listen to His teachings. Your desire will magnify your efforts. Links: Katie's New Year's post Elder Holland's talk See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that the inspiration for Magnify came from a scripture in Luke chapter 1 verse 46? Living as joyful and wholehearted followers of Jesus isn’t easy. We need the influence of each other to help us muster our courage. And that’s what you’ll find in the Magnify community: encouragement, strength, and inspiration to live differently and to make a difference as a disciple of Jesus Christ. "We don't always realize our power as women when we come together. We are mighty as individuals, but when we come together, we can do amazing things collectively." The mission of Magnify is to use our influence as followers of the Savior to try to make a difference in the world. Our guest today is Michelle Torsak, the Director of Content and Communities for Deseret Book, and the creator and executive producer of the Magnify podcast. She has helped to shape this vision, and we are so excited to have her here to help us kick off the new year!   Top takeaways from this episode: Learn how Magnify came from a scripture, and turned into an entire community. Women are strong when we work together. Invite your community to join Magnify! We are women who live differently by being disciples of the Savior. In the new year, you can look forward to discussions about how we can find the wholeness of our souls as faithful women.   Small and simple challenge: Go to our website and download this new year's manifesto! Share it with other women in your life and join the Instagram to share your insights and feel strengthened together with women across the community.   Links Our website Sister Patricia Holland's General Conference Talk "One Thing Is Needful" See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello and Merry Christmas to all our Magnify listeners. As we come to end of this year and the holiday season, we are so grateful we could share our manifesto with the Magnify community, which is to inspire one another to “love well.” We are women who are united in our call to love first—to always love well. The Christmas season helps us reflect on the greatest example of love, the Savior Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate love, and the gift that we want to share with others.   "Music is an old friend that helps us count our blessings."   Today, our episode is going to look a little different than the rest of this season’s. Christmas is a special time for music and storytelling, so that is exactly what we want to bring to you today! We have the pleasure of being joined by Chad and Ben Truman, of the Truman Brothers fame. Throughout this episode, we’ll hear both their own personal stories and more music to bring you the ultimate love of the season: the Spirit of our Savior Jesus Christ.   Small and Simple Challenge: Stop more often this week and breathe. Be at peace with the Savior and ask yourself "what would he do?" Take the time to feel his love and decide what gift you can give to Jesus in the new year.   Song timestamps: "The First Noel" - The Truman Brothers and Madilyn Paige [13:34-16:59] "Hark the Harold Angels Sing" - The Truman Brothers [22:13-23:23] "Oh Child" - The Truman Brothers [32:06-35:37] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If ministering sometimes feels like an assignment instead of a powerful way to connect, then perhaps we need to rethink our approach! Instead of thinking of it as an assignment, think of ministering as an invitation to help others and ourselves progress. We can do this by observing then serving, where we take time to revel in the "nothing moments" and sit and learn about one another. "Ministering is an invitation to help others progress." Emily Snyder shares her thoughts on "observe then serve," which is an idea she got from Linda K. Burton in a 2012 general conference. She wants to know how we can get into people’s homes and lives so that our connections grow deep. Her belief is that we can all be a part of one another’s progression as we learn “how not to minister” and instead become part of each other’s lives. Top Takeaways from this episode Ministering is an invitation to bring the Savior into one another's lives, not an assignment to be checked off a to-do list. Look around who is in your daily paths and decide to serve them and fulfill ministering in your every day life. Sometimes it takes humility to receive ministering and people's assumptions may prevent them from doing so. Honor the effort of people reaching out, even when their efforts miss the mark. "Nothing moments" can be created by spending time with people, and these moments help us know how to better serve. Small and simple invitation: Pray to take advantage of the invitation you have been given to minister specifically in your ward and also ask to be more open to receiving the ministering that others are doing to you. Links Linda K. Burton - "First Observe, then Serve" See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When was the last time you invited someone new to join your book club or dinner group? Or had a deep and meaningful conversation with a sister in your Relief Society? Or went out of your way to sit by someone you didn't know? It’s comfortable to be part of a familiar group! And it’s easy to gravitate to the friends we know and love. But by making our circles bigger we have the power to change the course of a life. "Be the one person for the one person that needs us most." In today's episode, our guest Brooke Romney discusses with Kathryn what it takes to find ways of connecting and making our circles into "horseshoes" in order to strengthen relationships and welcome new friendships. Brooke has been a champion for what it means to be a real friend, and she has written many times over on her blog about how connection is an essential part of our experience in life.   Top takeaways from this episode: Connection is an essential part of God's plan, and we are there to remind each other of that. Making our social circles into "horseshoes" helps people feel comfortable to come in and out of our lives when it's right for them. People are eager to share their stories and showing genuine interest can go a long way in connecting as friends. Sometimes it's important to tell Heavenly Father that you're okay with being uncomfortable in order to carry out his work. Heavenly Father is going to accomplish his purposes, but it’s up to us if we want to be a part of it.   Small and simple challenge: Get down on your knees and ask God whose life you need to be in today. It might be your mom, your kids, your sister, or your friends, but he will always direct you when you ask. Then get up and act. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever wanted to feel a deeper friendship with Jesus Christ? To not only know about Him, but to really know Him? Today's episode explores the idea that knowing the Savior and really understanding who He is takes more than being familiar with the facts about His life. And when we truly come to know Jesus Christ as not just a figure, but a friend, we are changed. "He is calling and saying, 'I've got something better.'" A few months ago, Lizzy Jensen shared that she felt a hunger to get to know the Savior. In fact, she wrote, “I want to know Him. I want to have a closer relationship with Him. I want to think like Him and act like Him.” She decided to study the Savior in a way that would foster a closer relationship with him. She calls it #SaviorSundayStudies. We were inspired by her idea to become friends with Jesus Christ—to truly know him and not just know about him. Top takeaways from this episode Getting to know the Savior takes acting as his hands and serving others around you. Sometimes, it is uncomfortable to represent the Savior, but it is always worth bringing his light to others. He is never disappointed in us, and wants us to follow him so that we can have his joy. Spending time with him will change us for the better. Small and simple suggestion Kneel down in prayer and ask the Lord to help you feel that he is calling to you and that you matter to him. Then ask how you can serve and be his hands. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes it can be hard to know how we can use our time and energy for good in the world, but Heavenly Father has given us the choice in how we can bless others around us. As we consider all our to-do lists and wanting to put our energy into every good thing around us, we must choose where to put our efforts and even consciously choose to neglect things we can let go of. In this episode, we are giving ourselves permission to restructure the to-do lists and find what will guide us to blessings ourselves and others around us.   "We can do it all, we just can't do it all at once."   This conversation was inspired by Dr. Julie Valentine's speech at a BYU Devotional in 2021. Julie chooses to bless the lives of those around her by working as an Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Research in BYU's College of Nursing. She focuses her research on forensic nursing and sexual assault victims.   Top takeaways from this episode We need to consider the stage of our lives when we are considering how we can "do it all" as women. Sometimes it's okay to ignore parts of your life and focus on what is best for you in your season. Work with your loved ones to determine what is the best use of your time and energy right now. Take time to get to know yourself and be in tune with your needs, including time to recharge. Trust that the Lord is with us and will inspire us in our pursuits to bless others around us. God sees the good we are doing.   Small and simple challenge Start a selected neglect list. Write down what you will consciously neglect and work with your family to discuss about things that are great to focus on, but will be safe to put on the back burner until you can come back for them later.   Links Dr. Julie Valentine's BYU Devotional, November 2021 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all have moments when we feel stuck. When we feel like we are not getting the answers, blessings, and direction we desire from heaven. In these moments, or even seasons of longing, relying on the Lord for peace and patience while drawing strength from our covenants can help us through. Waiting on the Lord is always worth His promised blessings, so how do we find strength through seasons of waiting? "Waiting is not a result of anything you've done wrong" Morgan Jones Pearson took to Instagram with this idea. She shares, “I know what [waiting for God] feels like. I’m a believer that we’re all waiting for something but I’m also a believer that God’s promises are always fulfilled and always worth the wait.” Today's podcast discusses how we can all be strengthened in those waiting periods by relying on the covenants and promises we've made, and look for the blessings immediately surrounding us.   Top takeaways from this episode Our covenants and promises we make to God will strengthen us, especially in times of waiting for answers to our prayers. Everyone is waiting on some promised blessing from the Lord, and in our waiting, we can learn how to draw closer to heaven. A waiting period can become a sacred, sweet, and tender moment when the Lord is brought into that season. There is no timeline or restraint for us to receive blessings. God will always follow through with his promises. While we are waiting for promised blessings, we should focus on actively exercising our faith to get through the difficult times.   Something to think about It can be easy to get down on yourself and think that you have done something wrong if you're not seeing an answer to your prayers. God never wants you to feel like you are doing something wrong, and if you've felt like an outsider to God's blessings, you are not alone. Take the time to look around at the "early harvests" or blessings that are more immediate around you.   Small and simple challenge Turn to the scriptures with a sincere question in your heart and pray for divine inspiration. It's important to really get into the scriptures when you're in your waiting period.   Links Blessings: A Law of Increasing Returns by Henry B. Eyring See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across many cultures, clapping is a way we show respect, gratitude, and encouragement. The finish line of a marathon is proof that people want to cheer one another on in their accomplishments. We all could use more clappers in our lives to encourage us in the big moments and the small. Someone to tell us to keep going, that we're doing great, and that we are loved and supported. And we can all be encouragers for others. The Savior wants us to cheer others on, and he is our greatest example of how to do that. In this episode, Kathryn and David Butler discuss what it means to be a clapper. "You can never annoy someone with a multiplicity of compliments." David Butler is constantly encouraging others through is work. If you know Dave even if it’s just through the screen, you know he’s a clapper. He’s a big fan of people! Dave is a dad, a teacher, an author, and a co-host of the popular YouTube channel, Don’t Miss This, where he encourages his listeners to better understand the scriptures.    Top takeaways from this episode The Savior wants us to show love by supporting one another--loudly and enthusiastically! When we see others the way God sees them, we'll be eager to encourage and cheer for their accomplishments Celebrating others does not take away from our own accomplishments. In fact, we receive more when we give more, which is what Dave calls "God's business model." Notice the abundance of blessings all around us, and we'll see more in ourselves and others. No matter how old or young we are, we all need to be reminded of the good we're doing and the value that our Heavenly Parents have given us.   Something to think about: God has given us the pattern in the scriptures for how he operates. He asks us to lose ourselves in order to find ourselves, and to give in order to receive. This might be counterintuitive, but the blessings we receive in return show us his great wisdom and love.   Small and simple takeaway: Speak kinder and be more uplifting to yourself. You will then be in a place to be able to do that for other people, and you'll start to gain an abundance mindset.   David's Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.