Magnify

Hilary Craner, a graphic designer, joins Kathryn Davis to discuss seeing Jesus in everyday life. They talk about the importance of recognizing Jesus in unexpected ways and reflect on missed opportunities. They also discuss the simple joys of life and the influence of 80s and 90s nostalgia.

We often wonder how to work more effectively with the Holy Ghost. We can overthink the feelings we do get. Other times, we wonder where the guiding feelings have gone. Today we're taking the questions we have regarding the Holy Spirit to our day-to-day, discovering what it means to walk more closely with our constant spiritual companion.   Brooke Walker joins Kathryn Davis as they discuss President Eyring's talk, "Our Constant Companion." Brooke is a mom, a homebody, a lover of all things brightly-colored, an experienced host of several television shows, and executive producer of Studio 5 at KSL-TV in Salt Lake City.    Don't forget to follow us on Instagram for more inspiration!   You can also get a copy of the General Conference Journal Edition to study along with us each week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s easy to fall into the belief that living the Gospel is a series of boxes to check.  A sort of list of behaviors and requirements meant to measure progress.  But the scorecard approach soon gets old and exhausting. General Young Women’s President Emily Belle Freeman challenged that perspective in her recent General Conference talk. And she shares her own personal "why" when it comes to gospel living.   Joining in this conversation with Kathryn is contributor Kaylen Nelson. Kaylen teaches religion at BYU and she considers herself a bit of a bookworm and she's a major "Swiftie". She just celebrated her first Christmas with her 1-year-old son. In this episode, Kaylen articulates her personal "why" and encourages listeners to do the same.   Want more Magnify content? Follow us on Instagram!   And don't forget to get your own copy of the General Conference Journal Edition so you can follow along these episodes! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happiness: it’s something everyone wants. A host of different voices claim to know the secret to it. In October General Conference, Elder Choi asked the question, “Do You Want to be Happy?” and it seems like the answer is obvious! YES! But he goes on to share what our part is in finding and receiving truly lasting happiness. On the Magnify podcast today is guest Janelle Gardiner. Janelle is a respiratory therapist, a professor and a world traveler. Janelle enjoys daily life with a large extended family–of 11 nephews and 6 nieces. She and Kathryn discuss the moments to hold on to when answering the question, "do you want to be happy?" Want more Magnify? Follow us on Instagram! Order the General Conference Journal Edition to follow along in your studies with the Magnify community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before we start making changes in our lives, we often feel like we have to be good enough, or that there is some kind of worthiness requirement. But we just have to take the first step! In the Oct. 2023 General Conference, Elder Costa said that, “Sometimes we may think, “I need to fix my life before I come to Jesus,” but the truth is that we come to Jesus to fix our lives through Him.”   Kathryn is joined today by Kalo Latu. Kalo has the best laugh and a true gift for “keeping it real”. Kalo teaches music at BYU and she’s a sports enthusiast and a foodie and I loved getting to know her personal story!   Don't forget to follow us on Instagram! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Merry Christmas to all our Magnify listeners! This special episode features the amazing and talented Emma Nissen. Emma is a singer and songwriter whose speciality is, "Jesus and Jazz." She performs some classic Christmas songs along with a hit of her own, "Light."   This episode also features thoughts from our Magnify contributors as they share what word has been on their hearts this Christmas season.   Don't forget to follow the Magnify Community on Instagram for more inspiration. And follow Emma on Instagram! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I think it’s safe to say — women have a tendency to look backwards over their own shoulders—in effect wondering if they are good enough, put together enough, prepared enough to meet the Savior if He came tomorrow.  This episode features Andrea Cabrera and Kathryn discussing Sister Amy Wright’s most recent address, “Abide the Day in Christ” from General Conference. Andrea is a bookworm, an electric unicycle hobbyest, and dreams to become the “Latina Oprah Winfrey.” Purchase a copy of the General Conference Journal Edition to follow along! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’d all like to open our arms wider to include others, understand each other and avoid the divisions we see in the world around us. So how do we look at others who are different from us with, as Elder Soares puts it, “the Savior’s eyes”?   "The more we treat people as sisters, the more they'll feel that sisterly love."   Today's guest is Magnify contributor Shima Baughman. Shima grew up in Iran, immigrated to the U.S. when she was little, and is now an author and law professor. This makes her an ideal person to share how we can bring more unity to our relationships inspired from Elder Soares' most recent address "Brothers and Sisters in Christ." Shima and Kathryn discuss her three spiritual takeaways.   Shima's three spiritual takeaways: Love them because he loves them. Our goal is to reach a kind of love where there is no light or differences between us. Where are are all one. Shima shares a story about helping a refugee mother and her own personal experience of being an immigrant, and how the Spirit whispered to her, "you are sisters." Picture everyone wearing white. Shima shares a thought she had while serving in the temple. We are united not only in purpose when we go to the temple, but we are physically all wearing the same thing: white. Wearing white tells a bigger story, which is that we are all united and made clean through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Divine identity creates unity. Shima shares the invitation that our prophet extended us: focus our identities on being children of God, children of the covenant, and disciples of Christ. This will bring us together more than anything. Differences can bring us closer.   Small and simple challenge: Ask Heavenly Father for ways that we can be enlightened through the Holy Ghost for ways we can improve on being united with others. One example Shima shares is to try to not treat people that are less-active or different from other ward members as less-than. Instead of inviting them to a church activity, ask them to bring something. Make them feel a part of the cause.   Study along with us by using the General Conference Journal Edition and stay up-to-date on Magnify! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you hear the story of the prodigal son and relate a little too much to feeling like there is no way back? What if we thought about the covenant path being something exciting?   "Even if we aren't all the way there, the Father will run to meet us where we are."   Magnify contributor Cristi Brazao is here to discuss Elder Uchtdorf’s recent General Conference Address “The Prodigal and the Road that Leads Home.” Cristi’s busy schedule with her four children as well as assistant professor duties has led her to some interesting spiritual reminders that she shares in this episode.   Cristi's three spiritual takeaways: His love is everlasting: The Savior and His atonement can help us wipe away the feeling that we don't deserve His love. The Lord will follow us as far as we wander, and he will rejoice when we are back. His love is bountiful for both those who have wandered, and those who strive to stay on the path. The path is exciting: In the story of the prodigal son, there are two different people who experience the path. Perhaps we can find ourselves as both the brother who leaves all behind, and the brother who stays. At different points in the story, they each felt that the path was difficult or not worth it. But the part that is exciting is that at the end, there is a feast, and it's a celebration for both! I can rejoice with angels: There are people on both sides of the veil here to cheer us on as we walk the covenant path. We need each other on the path, and by sharing our stories, we will find that we are rejoicing with angels.   Order the General Conference Journal Edition and study along with us on Magnify! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever felt like the blessings you were praying for didn’t come in the way you wanted or even at all? Perhaps in those moments, we could ask for Heavenly Father to bless us with contentment in our situation. It takes a lot of faith to find this kind of peace, but God loves us more than we can even comprehend. So how do we tap into that love?   "Hold on to those little moments of contentment and remember to do the work with gratitude and forgiveness."   Magnify contributor Hilary Craner joins Kathryn on this episode to chat about some spiritual reminders that she heard from Elder Anderson’s recent General Conference address, “Opening the Windows of Heaven.”   Hilary's three takeaways: The Lord loves us and wants to bless us more than we can even comprehend. Hilary shares how Elder Anderson talks about tithing and that the scriptures say there won't even be enough room to receive the blessings that God has in store for us. He requires so little, and He blesses us so much. She shares a story of her stillborn son and how there were many moments when the blessings were overflowing. Blessings come in different ways. We start to see that overflow of love when we recognize that not all blessings look the same. Hilary shares a story of when her husband lost his job right before Christmas, but that turned out to to be one of the greatest Christmases they had ever shared as a family. The key? Gratitude. This is God's work. God's work is to show his love for and bless His children. He asks that we sacrifice just a little for Him and share that love with others. What we receive in return is tenfold.   Order the General Conference Journal Edition and study along with us! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.