There is a man whose love inspires people during this time of year. Some might say it’s a man with a white beard who delivers Christmas presents to children around the world on a sleigh pulled by reindeer. But renowned Latter-day Saint painter Greg Olsen believes it is actually the Savior of the world who inspires Santa Claus himself. On this week’s episode, we talk with the artist about how he began painting in the first place but then why he chose to paint Santa Claus in addition to his many well-known paintings of Jesus Christ.  “Done in the right way, seen from the right perspective, Santa—that tradition—does carry on the mission of Jesus. Doing unto others, giving, serving, spreading love and cheer…it’s hard to separate those two.” —Greg Olsen  Show Notes 2:09- It Takes a Village To Raise an Artist 5:24- A Prophetic Statement 20:37- A Branch Full of Good Things 23:10- Reaching Outside of the Latter-day Saint World 28:57- Santa and the Savior 32:49- We Follow What Is Good 37:13- Lost and Found 42:02- Everyone’s an Artist 45:54- What Does It Mean to Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  Greg’s website Paintings referenced in the episode: The Spirit of Christmas Story of Christmas The Nativity Lost and Found See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg Olsen: Painting the Spirit of Christmas

What does it mean to be "all in" the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter days? The answers might surprise you. All In is a brand new podcast from LDS Living where we explore this question with the help of Latter-day Saints who are striving to live their faith every day&mdash;just like you.

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There have been seasons when Sister Bonnie H. Cordon was a working mom and other seasons where she was able to choose to stay home. Today, she is a working grandmother who feels that the Lord has given her a miracle she didn’t know she needed in the form of an opportunity to lead Southern Virginia University. On this week’s episode, we discuss with President Cordon, the former Young Women general president, the Lord’s ability to direct us from season to season if we’ll just say yes. 3:26- Raised on a Farm 9:53- A Miraculous Mission Call 17:36- The Wrong Major? 20:15- Courage and Patience 23:57- Decisions Surrounding Work and Motherhood 32:20- Many Ways to Contribute 35:01- Advice to Young Working Mother 38:03- Advice to Stay-At-Home Mother 41:26- Prepared for Service in the Church 45:16- The Road to SVU 53:42- What Does it Mean To Be All In? “We say ‘What is leadership? What is power?’ And it’s really influence.” -Bonnie H. Cordon Links:  Bonnie Cordon Announced as President of SVU:  https://news.svu.edu/2023/bonnie-h-cordon-named-president-of-southern-virginia-university/ Elder Perry Helps a Young Bonnie Cordon Feed Chickens:  https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/feeding-chickens-with-elder-perry-taught-president-cordon-to-shine-her-light-so-others-may-see#:~:text=With%20a%20soaked%20leather%20shoe,Perry%2C”%20President%20Cordon%20recalled. “In the absence of experiences with God, one can doubt the existence of God. So, put yourself in a position to begin having experiences with Him.” -President Russell M. Nelson, “Come, Follow Me.”  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2019/05/46nelson?lang=eng See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonnie H. Cordon: Letting Him Direct Thy Paths

Jill Geigle has dedicated a great deal of time throughout her life to preparing children and families to face the challenges of a modern world. Specifically, she is passionate that, because all of us will come into contact with pornography at some point, we should prepare our families to be pornography-resistant rather than seeking to protect them from pornography. On this week’s episode, Jill shares with us four principles that will help you implement this preparation in your own home. 2:20- Prepared To Help Others Prepare 7:01- Talking to Children About Sex 10:32- Mistletoe Analogy/Protecting Vs. Preparing 20:30- Four Principles 23:54- Nurture Relationships 28:00- Relationship With Technology 32:05- Creating Open Communication and Eliminating Shame 37:57- Establishing Places of Security 45:05- Teach the Doctrine of Jesus Christ 51:22- What Does It Mean To Be All In? “The Doctrine of Christ is an attachment cycle that Heavenly Father has given to us. He wants us to attach to Him. We have a problem, we cry out to Him in faith and repentance and He answers us with covenants and with the Holy Ghost.” Links: Jill’s Workbook- https://www.deseretbook.com/product/6016505.html Spencer W. Kimball, “God Will Not Be Mocked” -  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1974/10/god-will-not-be-mocked?lang=eng See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jill Geigle: Preparing Pornography-Resistant Families

Although Ashley Young wasn't competing in the US Olympic Trials, her pride was evident as she stood with their daughters at the finish line ready to greet her husband, Clayton, and celebrate his qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games. On this week’s episode, the couple shares the highs and lows of their path to the Olympics, highlighting the sacrifices and moments of discouragement they've faced in pursuit of a shared dream. 1:54- The Beginning of a Dream 3:31- Man on a Mission 9:11- Meeting 10:50- A Shared Dream 17:43- The Unseen Work Required 23:18- Married as a Runner 26:31- The Mundanity of Excellence 32:24- Sharing Faith 36:40- Setbacks and Heartbreak 46:48- A Shared Faith While Training 49:43- Preparations for Paris 55:14- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? “Sometimes you have to do the mundane things just for mundanity’s sake but as they slowly shift from a checklist in your head to your heart, that’s when you really start to see the excellent outcome.” -Clayton Young Ashley's FeedYourRunner Instagram Account- https://www.instagram.com/feedyourrunner/ Clayton's Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/_clayton_young_/ Wall Street Journal article on Clayton-  https://www.wsj.com/sports/olympics/us-marathon-trials-conner-mantz-clayton-young-374a5755 New York Times article on Clayton-  https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/08/well/live/clayton-young-conner-mantz-paris-olympics.html?unlocked_article_code=1.qU0.RbiN.4x7N9_QTVMW3&smid;=url-share Clayton's new docuseries- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvmSvkyqsSg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clayton and Ashley Young: Chasing Paris 2024 Olympic Dreams Together

When Claire Nielson was 8 years old, her parents were involved in a small plane accident that left both her mom and dad badly injured, including burns that covered 80 percent of her mother’s body. Immediately following the accident, Claire’s mother, Stephanie, was barely recognizable but then Claire saw something she knew completely: Her mother’s eyes. On this week’s episode, Stephanie and Claire Nielson testify of God’s goodness even amidst the unthinkable and love’s power to conquer all things. 2:46- Growing Up Quickly 6:32- The Power of Eyes 11:40- Meant To Be Their Mom 15:31- Pulling Out the Box 20:17- Finding Healing Through Burns 24:28- The Process 28:21- Looking Away From the Mirror and Out the Window 32:57- Intentional Parenting 36:35- Bittersweet 46:12- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? “It’s the bitter and the sweet, the happy and the sad, the helping and the healing and we do both at the same time and we become more because of it.” -Claire Nielson Links:  Stephanie’s book, “Heaven Is Here”  “God Needs Mothers of All Kinds” (Previous All In Mother’s Day episode): Show notes and audio   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephanie and Claire Nielson: The Resilient Bond of a Mother and Daughter

While sitting in a class at the theological seminary he attended, Michael Huston was floored when he heard his teacher say these words: “Lament is faithfully complaining to God.” The teacher went on to say, “Lament is the way you worship to God from within pain.” Huston describes the feeling he felt that day as exhaling a breath he had been holding for a very long time. On this week’s episode, he explains why he hopes to help others find that same relief in the concept of lament. 1:51- What is Lament and Why the Interest? 9:26- Structure of Lament 12:47- Murmuring or Complaining Vs. Lament 15:17- The Necessity of Expressing Pain and Grief 18:25- Men Are That They Might Have Joy 22:12- Post 9/11—A Modern Example of Lament 27:29- The Importance of Allowing Yourself to Lament 31:05- Lament—A Sacred Offering 37:08- A Note on Lament and “Faith Crisis” 39:52- A God For All Seasons 42:06- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? “Lament, in a sense, is the most sacred of offerings. …It’s those moments when we are most vulnerable, most exposed, most uncertain, when our legs are the shakiest. We’re taking that and we’re saying, ‘God this is all I have left.’” —Michael Huston   Links & References: Michael’s book  Elder Maxwell’s talk about murmuring See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg Olsen: Painting the Spirit of Christmas

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