Awhile back I was concerned about what I might hear in my stake conference because of what was happening in the world at the time & how some leaders were reacting. Before the meeting started, I heard these words in my mind, "you can support your leaders in their mistakes as you would want to be supported in yours." I have never forgotten and it has helped me immensely.
"A prophet does not stand between you and the Savior. Rather, he stands beside you and points the way to the Savior." - Neil L. Anderson (The Prophet of God, April 2018). This helps me remember that the prophet of God is just like me and stands beside me 😁.
A fantastic episode and discussion. Thank you guys for your candor and honesty. When I was an active member I often felt the spirit. This podcast is helping me as I am getting back on the covenant path and rely on my own personal spiritual experiences instead of anyone else’s and their opinions.
I loved this episode! It was one of my favorites. Thank you Matt for sharing your testimony and experiences. Thank you Ashly and Lauren for all your hard work in making this podcast possible. So helpful and uplifting. Great job!
Thank you both! Your honesty and frankness is refreshing. I weep for those I love who have left the Church but people like you give me hope that they will return. Bless you, Matt and Ashley
Great discussion. I’m glad I found these different podcasts of latter-day Saints that have comeback. My mother and I are the only ones in my family that are still members. My sisters have gone to other faiths. I actually had a time for a while of leaving the church and doing drugs, alcohol and clubs, started selling to keep my habit expenses down and make money at the same time. I should come on the show at some point. Actually, I have a thumb drive of a get to know you talk I gave in Priesthood that someone recorded for me. I can send that to introduce myself. -The best explanation of blacks in the priesthood I have read and listen to is by John S Pennington in his book and audible and CDs. Called Mr. Mormon. -Also funny about the stigma that we worship Joseph Smith. My dad was a nonmember and whenever he would go to church we would sing some kind of song praising Joseph Smith I would just cringe because it would back up his Complaint. -Also interesting with this podcast here that brought up an experience I had with a general authority I believe it was Paul Dunn. I was in my 20s I’m 64 now so it’s been a while back. I’ve always had a habit of at concerts and talks and conferences to run up on stage and meet the people. So I was one of the first ones to run up on stage after was over just to shake his hand and say hi. And we shook hands , he looked at me and said something I just started bawling… it was like I was transparent he could just see through me with this love… I just broke down, which was a real shocker for me totally not expecting that. -anyway many blessings and much success to your podcast.
Something I've thought a lot about recently is that regardless of the worst choices & mistakes a person can make here on the earth, the Atonement of Jesus Christ applies just as much to them as it does to me. I don't have to worry about their choices & whether they were right or wrong because their repentance, forgiveness, mercy, & justice is between them & the Lord alone & He knows them way more intimately than I ever will. I need to be more concerned about myself & my relationship with my Savior.
This is so amazing! I was born and raised in the church and have been a faithful member all of my life. These truths you are sharing didn’t just come to me without a lot of struggle as well. I’m learning in my later years that no matter how long or short we have been a member of Christ’s restored church, this is part of the struggle we need to go through so we can see how God truly works with all of his children. Thank you so much for being willing to share your experiences here. Your testimony strengthens mine for sure!
Please have David Alexander on your podcast. He is a new member who has explained so many questions about the resoration. He has a podcast. Thanks for your sharing.
I agree. He spent 47 years in Evangelical Christianity looking for a current church that is the same as the church of the Bible. It would be an amazing interview.
But he had heard of us and rejected us more than once before he finally joined, so he did "come back" to finally let the Lord work with him and testify to him of the truth again!
Matt, I have never heard anyone else say that they don't need alcohol because they do enough dumb stuff on their own, that is my quote as well! Thank you for sharing your story, it was so cool. Thank you, Ahsly, for doing this podcast, I love it! It is so nice to hear that I am not the only one who has come back.
I have left the church…. But the church has never left me. Too long of a history to write out. To be honest I love the episode and it’s my first and could possibly be the last one from you I watch, because I Know Matt personally! Love that guy, served our missions together. He is awesome.
Unfortunately Father in Heaven has to work with flawed human beings to move his work forward. We need to cut our leaders some slack. I’m a temple worker and have seen policies and procedures change continuously. I feel some of the changes were not improvements. But I say ok and just follow the procedures. Not because I am blindly following a leader, but because I know the church is true, despite leaders decisions and choices that I may or may not agree with. They have been called to perform their responsibilities and it is my responsibility to do what they ask. As long as commandments are not violated, it really doesn’t matter. They will be held accountable for their actions and so will I. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences :-)
Matt , you did a wonderful job of this podcast. You come across as so honest and with a great strong testimony while acknowledging the faults that prophets and church leaders have. Thank you very much. Ashley, I knew about that part in the Saints history, and each time you mentioned that, I knew exactly what you were talking about in some of your earlier podcasts. That part in the Saints book was a tough one for me too, but this podcast is so good about prophets making mistakes while trying to do what right. Thank you both.
I love how he said we sustain leaders or others in calling but not the savior! It hit home how we sustain them through their imperfections and hope others will do likewise through our imperfections!
Thanks Matt and Ashly. It is SO important that you are so authentic and honest about your feelings and your experiences. Your testimonies are an inspiration to me and SO many others.
Fantastic discussion. It's so freeing once we come to terms with prophetic fallibility. Elisha calling bears out of the woods to maul children who were mocking him did not preclude God from performing other prophetic works in his life.
2 areas of church history that are bigger stumbling blocks I felt prompted to study 20 years ago before all the trash talk. I was prompted to read a couple books on polygamy and books on Joseph Smith. I am so glad I did because I understood it on a deeper level before the superficial attacks came from everywhere. I am grateful for that.
Wilford Woodruff said about no longer living polygamy that the Lord had shown him what would happen to the church if they did not follow the law of the land and stop the practice, that the church would be destroid, and I believe that it would have been the same about the priesthood because of the rasism among people, both in and outside of the church. How would some white people have reacted having a black bishop aso? The Lord needed the church to grow and blossom and unfortunatly that had it´s price. The Lord´s work is bigger than one individual person but He will make it right for everyone in the end.
Oh my goodness….I remember well this issue during Swiss Days. The Corner was my favorite place to eat at…I loved everyone who worked there….and I totally agree with both of you…This Stake President was/is awesome….he was also my Stake President.
It is important to have a testimony through the Holy Spirit of the Prophet ( s ) , that helps also when you realize they are not perfect ( which they never claimed in the first place ) !
I love all of your comments, I have been inactive for twenty eight years but six years ago I have come back to church, I have been stupid going out of the church, but I knew that the church is true and Joseph Smith is a true prophet, but I always knew that Joseph never had made a mistake about plural marriage,it had to be a reason for that, and this was at the back of my mind for forty five years until a new convert he has explain it, sometimes I feel like to go for a drive down along the coast about eight hundred kilometers and pay him a visit, I listen to all of he says and it's all from the Bible, and he should be on your podcast (DAVID ALEXANDER) he can clear anybody mind about church history, my question he made it simple, he is strengthening my testimony,i need to listen to him everything he says
It's impossible for us to judge past decisions without knowing what God knows about them. This actually goes for most any decisions, so we can only testify of our own knowledge, and judge ourselves.
There is nothing wrong with ANYONE who spent their life living in “a bubble”. It doesn’t make anyone who hasn’t had the opportunity to experience anything outside their immediate community less faithful or blessed or worthy of eternal life. The Holy Ghost speaks to us WHETHER OR NOT we’re privileged enough to get “outside” (I hate that word privileged btw) or to “fall” or whatnot. I loved this episode regardless and all of us are on a different path for sure. The end goal, is a spiritual witness (HOWEVER IT COMES TO US OR WHERE IT COMES TO US, bubble living or not) of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and upheld by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints here on earth or after if the opportunity never came up.
Ashley, you often mention the CES letters in a lot of your interviews. I could write a book 100 times larger than the CES letters about the Bible, it’s origins, errors and contradictions, the books that have been added and removed, and the scripture passages that have been added and removed. there is also the question of author, who wrote each book? If you’re ever interested, hit me up.
Authenticity - that one is a challenge. I'm fairly convinced that nobody is capable of truly being authentic (though we may try our very hardest to do so), fractured, fragmented, mortal beings that we are.
Could some one tell Ashley to watch the Gabriel Mariah podcast entitled President Uchtdorfs talk For Offended and inactive members of L DS Church it's so good thank you for this podcast
Ok let’s get your brain centered in regards to the Praise to the Man analogy. Most other Evangelical religions, Catholic as an example sings songs honoring Mary. So the hymn for Praise to the man is not worshipping the prophet it is honoring him. That would be a proper way to discuss it. So try that one again..
Look up Bruce Porter’s videos. He has one that explains the process on when the black members of the church were given the blessings of receiving the priesthood. He shows through scriptural references and Joseph Smith quotes. I don’t think many members know about this prophecy.
About fallibility: Some people ignored the basics when invited to study Joseph Smith’s history written by his own dictated words regarding how he acted after literally seeing God the Father and his only begotten son Jesus Christ. He said in his own words that he did not act in a manner all the time that would be “expected” of one who’d received such an answer to prayer, being called to do a work, BY the Godhead. Note: The eternal doctrine of marriage and sealings between men and women is not ever going to change, it’s doctrine since Adam that is never going to pivot unless the church falls. Gotta be careful where we draw the line on prophets’ infallible teachings, or even ADAM himself ceases to be a prophet in many people’s heads.
The "don't judge the racists from the past harshly" thing only works if nobody alive challenged those ideas. Radical abolition antislavery ideas in the USA to back to the late 1600s so this excuse falls flat. Brigham Young took extra steps to solidify racial discrimination and slavery and is fully accountable for those actions. It colors all his actions and are not removable from the rest of them.
Awhile back I was concerned about what I might hear in my stake conference because of what was happening in the world at the time & how some leaders were reacting. Before the meeting started, I heard these words in my mind, "you can support your leaders in their mistakes as you would want to be supported in yours." I have never forgotten and it has helped me immensely.
love that
Thank you for your comment! It helps me.
That is very true for me also.
"A prophet does not stand between you and the Savior. Rather, he stands beside you and points the way to the Savior." - Neil L. Anderson (The Prophet of God, April 2018). This helps me remember that the prophet of God is just like me and stands beside me 😁.
A fantastic episode and discussion. Thank you guys for your candor and honesty. When I was an active member I often felt the spirit. This podcast is helping me as I am getting back on the covenant path and rely on my own personal spiritual experiences instead of anyone else’s and their opinions.
I loved this episode! It was one of my favorites. Thank you Matt for sharing your testimony and experiences. Thank you Ashly and Lauren for all your hard work in making this podcast possible. So helpful and uplifting. Great job!
Thank you both! Your honesty and frankness is refreshing. I weep for those I love who have left the Church but people like you give me hope that they will return. Bless you, Matt and Ashley
I feel there's nothing better in the church than humble, teachable, solicitous leaders, who really care how you feel!
Great episode. Don’t ever stop doing what you’re doing with this channel. It’s one of the few channels where I feel the spirit.
Thank you
Great interview
Great discussion.
I’m glad I found these different podcasts of latter-day Saints that have comeback.
My mother and I are the only ones in my family that are still members.
My sisters have gone to other faiths.
I actually had a time for a while of leaving the church and doing drugs, alcohol and clubs, started selling to keep my habit expenses down and make money at the same time.
I should come on the show at some point. Actually, I have a thumb drive of a get to know you talk I gave in Priesthood that someone recorded for me.
I can send that to introduce myself.
-The best explanation of blacks in the priesthood I have read and listen to is by John S Pennington in his book and audible and CDs. Called Mr. Mormon. -Also funny about the stigma that we worship Joseph Smith. My dad was a nonmember and whenever he would go to church we would sing some kind of song praising Joseph Smith I would just cringe because it would back up his Complaint.
-Also interesting with this podcast here that brought up an experience I had with a general authority I believe it was Paul Dunn. I was in my 20s I’m 64 now so it’s been a while back.
I’ve always had a habit of at concerts and talks and conferences to run up on stage and meet the people. So I was one of the first ones to run up on stage after was over just to shake his hand and say hi. And we shook hands , he looked at me and said something I just started bawling… it was like I was transparent he could just see through me with this love… I just broke down, which was a real shocker for me totally not expecting that.
-anyway many blessings and much success to your podcast.
Something I've thought a lot about recently is that regardless of the worst choices & mistakes a person can make here on the earth, the Atonement of Jesus Christ applies just as much to them as it does to me. I don't have to worry about their choices & whether they were right or wrong because their repentance, forgiveness, mercy, & justice is between them & the Lord alone & He knows them way more intimately than I ever will. I need to be more concerned about myself & my relationship with my Savior.
My thoughts and feelings. Well said. Thank you.
This is so amazing! I was born and raised in the church and have been a faithful member all of my life. These truths you are sharing didn’t just come to me without a lot of struggle as well. I’m learning in my later years that no matter how long or short we have been a member of Christ’s restored church, this is part of the struggle we need to go through so we can see how God truly works with all of his children. Thank you so much for being willing to share your experiences here. Your testimony strengthens mine for sure!
Please have David Alexander on your podcast. He is a new member who has explained so many questions about the resoration. He has a podcast. Thanks for your sharing.
I agree. He spent 47 years in Evangelical Christianity looking for a current church that is the same as the church of the Bible.
It would be an amazing interview.
But he didn't come back. He just joined the Church.
But he had heard of us and rejected us more than once before he finally joined, so he did "come back" to finally let the Lord work with him and testify to him of the truth again!
Not sure why David Alexander bugs me so much.. maybe I need to give him another chance
Matt, I have never heard anyone else say that they don't need alcohol because they do enough dumb stuff on their own, that is my quote as well! Thank you for sharing your story, it was so cool. Thank you, Ahsly, for doing this podcast, I love it! It is so nice to hear that I am not the only one who has come back.
I have left the church…. But the church has never left me. Too long of a history to write out. To be honest I love the episode and it’s my first and could possibly be the last one from you I watch, because I Know Matt personally! Love that guy, served our missions together. He is awesome.
Thank you for sharing❤
Come back! We need you!
This was one of my favorite episodes to date! Such a wonderful way to describe issues with prophets past and present. "Give them Grace!"
Unfortunately Father in Heaven has to work with flawed human beings to move his work forward. We need to cut our leaders some slack. I’m a temple worker and have seen policies and procedures change continuously. I feel some of the changes were not improvements. But I say ok and just follow the procedures. Not because I am blindly following a leader, but because I know the church is true, despite leaders decisions and choices that I may or may not agree with. They have been called to perform their responsibilities and it is my responsibility to do what they ask. As long as commandments are not violated, it really doesn’t matter. They will be held accountable for their actions and so will I. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences :-)
Thank you, thank you for testifying of the Holy Ghost and the truth of the true Church of God!
Matt , you did a wonderful job of this podcast. You come across as so honest and with a great strong testimony while acknowledging the faults that prophets and church leaders have. Thank you very much.
Ashley, I knew about that part in the Saints history, and each time you mentioned that, I knew exactly what you were talking about in some of your earlier podcasts. That part in the Saints book was a tough one for me too, but this podcast is so good about prophets making mistakes while trying to do what right. Thank you both.
7:54 I love this perspective. Being born and raised in the faith, it’s hard to remember that. Even when I was in my do whatever I want stage.
Thank goodness for those who stand against the tragic proliferation of addictive, soul destroying substances within our neighborhoods.
I love how he said we sustain leaders or others in calling but not the savior! It hit home how we sustain them through their imperfections and hope others will do likewise through our imperfections!
Thanks Matt and Ashly. It is SO important that you are so authentic and honest about your feelings and your experiences. Your testimonies are an inspiration to me and SO many others.
Thank you for sharing. Your story and tesimony will help many people!
Fantastic discussion. It's so freeing once we come to terms with prophetic fallibility. Elisha calling bears out of the woods to maul children who were mocking him did not preclude God from performing other prophetic works in his life.
Ashley so do I. I cry every time we sing Praise to the Man.
Excellent discussion! Very thought provoking. Thank you.
Your my absolutely favorite podcaster!!!
2 areas of church history that are bigger stumbling blocks I felt prompted to study 20 years ago before all the trash talk. I was prompted to read a couple books on polygamy and books on Joseph Smith. I am so glad I did because I understood it on a deeper level before the superficial attacks came from everywhere. I am grateful for that.
I love this podcast… This expresses my testimony to a T
Wilford Woodruff said about no longer living polygamy that the Lord had shown him what would happen to the church if they did not follow the law of the land and stop the practice, that the church would be destroid, and I believe that it would have been the same about the priesthood because of the rasism among people, both in and outside of the church. How would some white people have reacted having a black bishop aso? The Lord needed the church to grow and blossom and unfortunatly that had it´s price. The Lord´s work is bigger than one individual person but He will make it right for everyone in the end.
Oh my goodness….I remember well this issue during Swiss Days. The Corner was my favorite place to eat at…I loved everyone who worked there….and I totally agree with both of you…This Stake President was/is awesome….he was also my Stake President.
Matt thanks for your very powerful testimony
Great episode. Thank you.
It is important to have a testimony through the Holy Spirit of the Prophet ( s ) , that helps also when you realize they are not perfect ( which they never claimed in the first place ) !
I love all of your comments, I have been inactive for twenty eight years but six years ago I have come back to church, I have been stupid going out of the church, but I knew that the church is true and Joseph Smith is a true prophet, but I always knew that Joseph never had made a mistake about plural marriage,it had to be a reason for that, and this was at the back of my mind for forty five years until a new convert he has explain it, sometimes I feel like to go for a drive down along the coast about eight hundred kilometers and pay him a visit, I listen to all of he says and it's all from the Bible, and he should be on your podcast (DAVID ALEXANDER) he can clear anybody mind about church history, my question he made it simple, he is strengthening my testimony,i need to listen to him everything he says
email ashly.comebackpodcast@gmail.com if you would like to share your story!
It's impossible for us to judge past decisions without knowing what God knows about them. This actually goes for most any decisions, so we can only testify of our own knowledge, and judge ourselves.
Favorite episode so far.
Great podcast. I appreciate the insights.
Great convo
Great discussion!❤
There is nothing wrong with ANYONE who spent their life living in “a bubble”. It doesn’t make anyone who hasn’t had the opportunity to experience anything outside their immediate community less faithful or blessed or worthy of eternal life. The Holy Ghost speaks to us WHETHER OR NOT we’re privileged enough to get “outside” (I hate that word privileged btw) or to “fall” or whatnot. I loved this episode regardless and all of us are on a different path for sure. The end goal, is a spiritual witness (HOWEVER IT COMES TO US OR WHERE IT COMES TO US, bubble living or not) of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and upheld by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints here on earth or after if the opportunity never came up.
Thank you for sharing your story God bless 😊
Brilliant! thanks
Amazing episode!
❤
Ashley, you often mention the CES letters in a lot of your interviews. I could write a book 100 times larger than the CES letters about the Bible, it’s origins, errors and contradictions, the books that have been added and removed, and the scripture passages that have been added and removed. there is also the question of author, who wrote each book? If you’re ever interested, hit me up.
Authenticity - that one is a challenge. I'm fairly convinced that nobody is capable of truly being authentic (though we may try our very hardest to do so), fractured, fragmented, mortal beings that we are.
Could some one tell Ashley to watch the Gabriel Mariah podcast entitled President Uchtdorfs talk For Offended and inactive members of L DS Church it's so good thank you for this podcast
Ok let’s get your brain centered in regards to the Praise to the Man analogy. Most other Evangelical religions, Catholic as an example sings songs honoring Mary. So the hymn for Praise to the man is not worshipping the prophet it is honoring him. That would be a proper way to discuss it. So try that one again..
Did you serve in Holbrook Az?
The next time I get called into a leadership position in the church I’m going to try saying no, because I don’t have the ability to be a leader ❤
When the Lord calls, He qualifies.
42:00 all the things you have to give up just to gain one thing....Truth. That is profound if you meme it. Truth costs something.
Are we really willing to be judged in the exact way we judge? That would only be fair wouldn't it?
Look up Bruce Porter’s videos. He has one that explains the process on when the black members of the church were given the blessings of receiving the priesthood. He shows through scriptural references and Joseph Smith quotes. I don’t think many members know about this prophecy.
ua-cam.com/video/0gOKfCnu6GM/v-deo.htmlsi=dhCpefVvoxKAcHPX
Listen to Don Bradley. His research on Joseph Smith and polygamy is satisfying.
Agreed! We are having him back on soon!
I was told the way you can tell if someone is a true prophet is if his prophecies come true 100% of the time, not perfection in his personal life.
About fallibility: Some people ignored the basics when invited to study Joseph Smith’s history written by his own dictated words regarding how he acted after literally seeing God the Father and his only begotten son Jesus Christ. He said in his own words that he did not act in a manner all the time that would be “expected” of one who’d received such an answer to prayer, being called to do a work, BY the Godhead.
Note: The eternal doctrine of marriage and sealings between men and women is not ever going to change, it’s doctrine since Adam that is never going to pivot unless the church falls. Gotta be careful where we draw the line on prophets’ infallible teachings, or even ADAM himself ceases to be a prophet in many people’s heads.
CBD oil stops pain. But this has no THC which is what makes you high.
The priesthood was withheld by Brigham because of the racial predigice of the people around him. And he let that predigice feeling was what he did
The "don't judge the racists from the past harshly" thing only works if nobody alive challenged those ideas. Radical abolition antislavery ideas in the USA to back to the late 1600s so this excuse falls flat. Brigham Young took extra steps to solidify racial discrimination and slavery and is fully accountable for those actions. It colors all his actions and are not removable from the rest of them.
❤