In this episode of Thinking Celestial, Dr. Kirk Burbidge is joined by Dr. Matt Merrill to discuss Elder Michael B. Strong’s April 2025 talk, “Charity: A Sign of True Discipleship.” Together, they explore how charity is more than kindness—it's the essence of becoming a deliberate disciple of Jesus Christ. The conversation highlights how intentional acts of love, patience, and forgiveness shape our spiritual identity.

You can find the original address https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/52strong?lang=eng

Enjoyed our podcast? Help spread the word! Please share it on social media or pass it along to friends, family, or anyone who might find joy and inspiration in it. Your support makes all the difference!

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Enroll in this institute class here: https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/signup/1619566/quick

_______________

Thinking Celestial is a "Follow the Prophet" podcast series produced by the Taylorsville Institute of Religion faculty and students at the Salt Lake Community College Redwood campus.

These episodes are part of a class administered by the Taylorville Institute. If you'd like to enroll in the class and participate in future discussions and podcasts, register for the online institute today here:

https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1672352

We invite you to visit https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280 and register for any class.

The views, opinions, and doctrines shared in this podcast are not official doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Questions, thoughts, and suggestions for future episodes can be directed to TaylorsvilleInstitute@ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

If you liked our podcast, please share it on social media or with anyone you think might love it!

In this episode of Thinking Celestial, Dr. Kirk Burbidge welcomes guest Chris Nordfelt to explore Elder Gerrit W. Gong’s powerful April 2025 General Conference address, “Eternity’s Greatest Gifts.” Together, they reflect on the eternal blessings of identity, covenant belonging, and divine potential. The conversation also dives into the reality of unmet expectations—how faith can flourish even when life doesn’t unfold as hoped. With personal insights and scriptural grounding, this episode invites listeners to see beyond the present and trust in God’s perfect timing.

You can find the original address https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/45gong?lang=eng

Enjoyed our podcast? Help spread the word! Please share it on social media or pass it along to friends, family, or anyone who might find joy and inspiration in it. Your support makes all the difference!

_______________

Enroll in this institute class here: https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/signup/1619566/quick

_______________

Thinking Celestial is a "Follow the Prophet" podcast series produced by the Taylorsville Institute of Religion faculty and students at the Salt Lake Community College Redwood campus.

These episodes are part of a class administered by the Taylorville Institute. If you'd like to enroll in the class and participate in future discussions and podcasts, register for the online institute today here:

https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1672352

We invite you to visit https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280 and register for any class.

The views, opinions, and doctrines shared in this podcast are not official doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Questions, thoughts, and suggestions for future episodes can be directed to TaylorsvilleInstitute@ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

If you liked our podcast, please share it on social media or with anyone you think might love it!

In this episode, Dr. Kirk Burbidge and Bishop David Greenman dive into Elder Sergio R. Vargas’s talk, Our Heavenly Guidance System. They explore how God lovingly redirects us like a spiritual GPS. With stories from his life and and insights from the challenges he has face, Bishop Greenman highlights how listening to and sometimes not listening to promptings allow God to bless us in unique ways that peace, purpose, and connection.

You can find the original address https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/34vargas?lang=eng

Enjoyed our podcast? Help spread the word! Please share it on social media or pass it along to friends, family, or anyone who might find joy and inspiration in it. Your support makes all the difference!

_______________

Enroll in this institute class here: https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/signup/1619566/quick

_______________

Thinking Celestial is a "Follow the Prophet" podcast series produced by the Taylorsville Institute of Religion faculty and students at the Salt Lake Community College Redwood campus.

These episodes are part of a class administered by the Taylorville Institute. If you'd like to enroll in the class and participate in future discussions and podcasts, register for the online institute today here:

https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1672352

We invite you to visit https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280 and register for any class.

The views, opinions, and doctrines shared in this podcast are not official doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Questions, thoughts, and suggestions for future episodes can be directed to TaylorsvilleInstitute@ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

If you liked our podcast, please share it on social media or with anyone you think might love it!

In this inspiring episode, Dr. Kirk Burbidge and Taylorsville Institute of Religion teacher Blake Dalton dive deep into Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s April 2025 General Conference talk, “By This All Will Know That You Are My Disciples.” Together, they explore what it truly means to follow Christ in today’s world, especially as young Latter-day Saints navigating school, sports, and spiritual growth.

You can find the original address https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/27uchtdorf?lang=eng

Enjoyed our podcast? Help spread the word! Please share it on social media or pass it along to friends, family, or anyone who might find joy and inspiration in it. Your support makes all the difference!

_______________

Enroll in this institute class here: https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/signup/1619566/quick

_______________

Thinking Celestial is a "Follow the Prophet" podcast series produced by the Taylorsville Institute of Religion faculty and students at the Salt Lake Community College Redwood campus.

These episodes are part of a class administered by the Taylorville Institute. If you'd like to enroll in the class and participate in future discussions and podcasts, register for the online institute today here:

https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1672352

We invite you to visit https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280 and register for any class.

The views, opinions, and doctrines shared in this podcast are not official doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Questions, thoughts, and suggestions for future episodes can be directed to TaylorsvilleInstitute@ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

If you liked our podcast, please share it on social media or with anyone you think might love it!

In this episode, Dr. Kirk Burbidge and Institute Teacher Matt Zito unpack Elder Ulisses Soares’ April 2025 message, “Reverence for Sacred Things.” Together, they explore how cultivating reverence deepens our connection to God, transforms our worship, and invites holiness into everyday life. It’s a thoughtful conversation on standing with awe before the divine—and learning to recognize sacredness all around us.

You can find the original address https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/51soares?lang=eng

Enjoyed our podcast? Help spread the word! Please share it on social media or pass it along to friends, family, or anyone who might find joy and inspiration in it. Your support makes all the difference!

_______________

Enroll in this institute class here: https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/signup/1619566/quick

_______________

Thinking Celestial is a "Follow the Prophet" podcast series produced by the Taylorsville Institute of Religion faculty and students at the Salt Lake Community College Redwood campus.

These episodes are part of a class administered by the Taylorville Institute. If you'd like to enroll in the class and participate in future discussions and podcasts, register for the online institute today here:

https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1672352

We invite you to visit https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280 and register for any class.

The views, opinions, and doctrines shared in this podcast are not official doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Questions, thoughts, and suggestions for future episodes can be directed to TaylorsvilleInstitute@ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

If you liked our podcast, please share it on social media or with anyone you think might love it!

In this episode, Dr. Kirk Burbidge and Gary Nelson, Taylorsville Institute Director, reflect on the inspiring message from Steven D. Shumway titled “Participate to Prepare for Christ’s Return.” Together, they discuss how active participation in gospel living strengthens our spiritual readiness for the Savior’s Second Coming. Through thoughtful insights and scriptural connections, they invite listeners to consider how daily discipleship can become a meaningful preparation for eternal promises.

You can find the original address https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/42shumway?lang=eng

Enjoyed our podcast? Help spread the word! Please share it on social media or pass it along to friends, family, or anyone who might find joy and inspiration in it. Your support makes all the difference!

_______________

Enroll in this institute class here: https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/signup/1619566/quick

_______________

Thinking Celestial is a "Follow the Prophet" podcast series produced by the Taylorsville Institute of Religion faculty and students at the Salt Lake Community College Redwood campus.

These episodes are part of a class administered by the Taylorville Institute. If you'd like to enroll in the class and participate in future discussions and podcasts, register for the online institute today here:

https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1672352

We invite you to visit https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280 and register for any class.

The views, opinions, and doctrines shared in this podcast are not official doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Questions, thoughts, and suggestions for future episodes can be directed to TaylorsvilleInstitute@ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

If you liked our podcast, please share it on social media or with anyone you think might love it!

In this episode, Dr. Kirk Burbidge and Shaylie Huntington sit down to reflect on President Henry B. Eyring’s tender General Conference message, Draw Near Unto Me. Together, they explore how simple acts like prayer, scripture study, and cheerful service, can deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ, especially during life’s most uncertain seasons. It’s a heartfelt conversation about spiritual closeness, covenant connection, and the quiet ways we feel the Savior’s love.

You can find the original address https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/18eyring?lang=eng

Enjoyed our podcast? Help spread the word! Please share it on social media or pass it along to friends, family, or anyone who might find joy and inspiration in it. Your support makes all the difference!

_______________

Enroll in this institute class here: https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/signup/1619566/quick

_______________

Thinking Celestial is a "Follow the Prophet" podcast series produced by the Taylorsville Institute of Religion faculty and students at the Salt Lake Community College Redwood campus.

These episodes are part of a class administered by the Taylorville Institute. If you'd like to enroll in the class and participate in future discussions and podcasts, register for the online institute today here:

https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1672352

We invite you to visit https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280 and register for any class.

The views, opinions, and doctrines shared in this podcast are not official doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Questions, thoughts, and suggestions for future episodes can be directed to TaylorsvilleInstitute@ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

If you liked our podcast, please share it on social media or with anyone you think might love it!

In this, the first episode of season 6, Dr. Kirk Burbidge of the Taylorsville Institute and Evan Egan, a recently returned missionary, unpack Elder Hans T. Boom’s inspiring General Conference talk, True to the Faith That Our Parents Have Cherished. Kirk and Evan explore how young adults today can honor past generations by living with purpose and faith. It’s a moving discussion about legacy, identity, and the power of simple devotion.

You can find the original address https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/26boom?lang=eng

Enjoyed our podcast? Help spread the word! Please share it on social media or pass it along to friends, family, or anyone who might find joy and inspiration in it. Your support makes all the difference!

_______________

Enroll in this institute class here: https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/signup/1619566/quick

_______________

Thinking Celestial is a "Follow the Prophet" podcast series produced by the Taylorsville Institute of Religion faculty and students at the Salt Lake Community College Redwood campus.

These episodes are part of a class administered by the Taylorville Institute. If you'd like to enroll in the class and participate in future discussions and podcasts, register for the online institute today here:

https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280/classes/1672352

We invite you to visit https://myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org/institute/15280 and register for any class.

The views, opinions, and doctrines shared in this podcast are not official doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Questions, thoughts, and suggestions for future episodes can be directed to TaylorsvilleInstitute@ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

If you liked our podcast, please share it on social media or with anyone you think might love it!