Latter-day Faith

This episode celebrates Carol Lynn Pearson's recent book, Finding Mother God: Poems to Heal the World, but does so much more. Carol Lynn and Kathryn Sonntag join LDF host Dan Wotherspoon to talk about the deep ache that not only we, but also our societies and the world, have to fully reclaim the presence and energies of the Mother (Divine Feminine, Mother Creator, Nature, Wisdom, Mother in Heaven, etc.). Yet, too often, we fail to recognize this pain, as well as all the ways things are out of balance because of her having been sidelined. The podcast episode features Carol Lynn reading several of her poems, Kathryn reading an excerpt from her writings on Mother, the cycles of life and death, and the Tree of Life, as well as extended conversations about reclaiming partnership, healing, chaos and decay, and (just a bit near the end) today's political climate. Plus more! You do not want to miss this chance to listen to these powerful women about their experiences, motivations, and all the things that propel them forward in the creative work they do.

The notion of "gifts of the spirit" is very familiar within Christianity, and perhaps even more in Mormonism as its books of scripture include two additional enumerations of the list first found in I Corinthians 12. Yet, how well do we understand the notion of gifts, especially the ones in Paul's (and other) lists? Additionally, even given our familiarity with the idea of these gifts, do we stop short of genuine exploration?  In this second of two parts of this Latter-day Faith episode, Mark Crego and host Dan Wotherspoon dive into such things, and much more. One focus throughout is a concern that through poor understanding much of the messaging about gifts of the spirit has led many to feel that they have been left out, causing them pain and doubt and feelings of unworthiness. If nothing else is taken away from this conversation, our hope is that this idea can be put to rest. Listen in! The conversation gets nerdy here and there, and you get to listen in to two people who come at matters differently, but perhaps the interaction itself will also be interesting and instructive.

The notion of "gifts of the spirit" is very familiar within Christianity, and perhaps even more in Mormonism as its books of scripture include two additional enumerations of the list first found in I Corinthians 12. Yet, how well do we understand the notion of gifts, especially the ones in Paul's (and other) lists? Additionally, even given our familiarity with the idea of these gifts, do we stop short of genuine exploration?  In this Latter-day Faith episode, Mark Crego and host Dan Wotherspoon dive into such things, and much more. One focus throughout is a concern that through poor understanding much of the messaging about gifts of the spirit has led many to feel that they have been left out, causing them pain and doubt and feelings of unworthiness. If nothing else is taken away from this conversation, our hope is that this idea can be put to rest. Listen in! The conversation gets nerdy here and there, and you get to listen in to two people who come at matters differently, but perhaps the interaction itself will also be interesting and instructive.

It's is so easy for us to sit in the proverbial catbird seat and scream for others to be accountable for their words, actions, lifestyles, etc. But what about our accountability for these same things? And to what and about what are we accountable? In what ways does the notion of accountability keep us from recognizing God's hand in our lives, and, even more so, the call and yearning of our deepest, eternal selves? This episode features a conversation between the brilliant therapist and teacher Julie de Azevedo Hanks and LDF host Dan Wotherspoon that digs deeper into the notion of accountability. The two of them overview LDS notions of accountability starting with the designated age for baptism, 8 years old, and its being referenced as the "age of accountability" on to ultimately how it is used with regard to repentance. But mostly they work to bring out the vital role it has in spiritual development (which includes all aspects of human development). Hint: even though it seems more fun to imagine no accountability to anyone or anything--living out of this kind of freedom--it's a false freedom that cannot provide the ground for genuine soul rootedness. This discussion also includes tie-ins to recent and ongoing events and rhetoric in Washington, D.C., and around the United States. What might we learn to see and do regarding these things that would reflect a more fully realized sense of accountability? Don't miss out on this discussion!

The thoughtful and brilliant Fiona and Terryl Givens have just launched a new book titled "All Things New: Rethinking Sin, Salvation, and Everything in Between." And it's terrific. In this episode, they and LDF host Dan Wotherspoon talk about the ideas in the book and how these feed into a beautiful whole, a reality we can trust and that leads us to a clearer vision of God and ourselves. When we begin from the firm foundation of God's love, and especially so if we have experienced it in direct ways not mediated though "doctrines" and well-worn lenses, we come to understand what the gospel of Jesus says about topics such as justice, repentance, worthiness, church, and so many more.  They also discuss how, interestingly, their approach in this book, grounded through close reading of scripture and great literature along with deep dives into the history of Christian formation and transmission, led them to the same sense of the Divine that mystics describe, simply coming to them through different methodologies.  It's a wonderful conversation in two parts. Don't miss it!

The thoughtful and brilliant Fiona and Terryl Givens have just launched a new book titled "All Things New: Rethinking Sin, Salvation, and Everything in Between." And it's terrific. In this episode, they and LDF host Dan Wotherspoon talk about the ideas in the book and how these feed into a beautiful whole, a reality we can trust and that leads us to a clearer vision of God and ourselves. When we begin from the firm foundation of God's love, and especially so if we have experienced it in direct ways not mediated though "doctrines" and well-worn lenses, we come to understand what the gospel of Jesus says about topics such as justice, repentance, worthiness, church, and so many more.  They also discuss how, interestingly, their approach in this book, grounded through close reading of scripture and great literature along with deep dives into the history of Christian formation and transmission, led them to the same sense of the Divine that mystics describe, simply coming to them through different methodologies.  It's a wonderful conversation in two parts. Don't miss it!

We constantly hear phrases such as "Come unto Christ" or "We mush gain a personal relationship with Jesus Christ." But when we think about these words as they are hurriedly dashed off, they really don't mean much if we've never given place for them within our own inner lives, never experienced the gifts and grounding that they are pointing toward. In an effort to add deep perspective to Jesus and our relationship with him as Christ during this Christmas season, Latter-day Faith host Dan Wotherspoon invited Phil McLemore, one of his longtime teachers and good friends, to offer insights from his own contemplative experiences with Jesus and how it is possible to come to know and see the world through his/Christ consciousness. It's a wonderful discussion that offers far far more than we can easily comprehend while still conveying a sense of the truth and beauty and boons in finding our way to these experiences.

We constantly hear phrases such as "Come unto Christ" or "We mush gain a personal relationship with Jesus Christ." But when we think about these words as they are hurriedly dashed off, they really don't mean much if we've never given place for them within our own inner lives, never experienced the gifts and grounding that they are pointing toward. In an effort to add deep perspective to Jesus and our relationship with him as Christ during this Christmas season, Latter-day Faith host Dan Wotherspoon invited Phil McLemore, one of his longtime teachers and good friends, to offer insights from his own contemplative experiences with Jesus and how it is possible to come to know and see the world through his/Christ consciousness. It's a wonderful discussion that offers far far more than we can easily comprehend while still conveying a sense of the truth and beauty and boons in finding our way to these experiences.

TW: Suicide is discussed at length in this episode. If you feel it wouldn't be healthy for you to listen in, please don't. Should you feel that no one in your life can be trusted with all that you are going through, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, 800-273-8255, or hurry to schedule an appointment with a recommended therapist. _____ Grieving a dead loved one is always difficult, but sometimes the grief process is complicated by factors that aren't typically in play when an elderly relative passes naturally and peacefully. Suicide often invokes in friends and family member feelings of guilt about "what might I have done differently" or shame because of the loved one's having chosen to end their life and how that might reflect on us. Other complicating factors can be intense feelings of anger and abandonment, shock, loneliness because of difficulty sharing what we are experiencing with others (coupled with, too often, their reticence in discussing this person's life that ended that way), and wrestling with emotions about this person's (or now our) incomplete life. Grief will often be tougher when it a death was sudden, contaminated by crime, or by our sometimes feeling relief that this person is now gone. We can easily get tangled up. This episode features three panelists, Lisa Hansen (a wonderful therapist), Jana Riess (someone who has in several instances suffered losses that are very complicated), and Latter-day Faith host, Dan Wotherspoon (who is currently struggling with four deaths in his family or close circle that have occurred in the past three and a half months, two by suicide). Our hope in presenting this discussion is that you will come away with not only great advice and perspectives but also a sense of not being alone in your own grieving or feelings that you aren't grieving the right way, that you should be past the emotions that still play out in your mind and heart, that your failing as a human being, and more.  It is a powerful episode. Please listen and share with others.

LDS general conference ended just four days ago, and we thought it important to highlight different talks and messages from it that have applicability to the Latter-day Faith emphasis on inner work/inner transformation. One such talk this conference was President Nelson's Sunday morning address, "Let God Prevail." In this episode, LDF host Dan Wotherspoon is joined by a terrific panel of Lyndsay Pulsipher, Mark Crego, and Terri Petersen to discuss the talk's messages, which can be understood many different ways, and at different levels, and especially the concepts that have deep spiritual resonance. The host and panelists selected to talk about three different but related subjects addressed in President Nelson's talk: the concept of allowing God to prevail in our lives (and the world and its history?), his very strong remarks against racist thinking and action, and the theme that he carried throughout of "gathering." It's a wonderful discussion that takes these subjects into really profound areas, and that suggests that even through there is a really obvious surface reading of his remarks in these areas, the concepts are rich and deep and empowering should we ponder them and seek to find the treasures for our own faith and personal development. You should definitely listen in!