Sharon Eubank: Becoming the Hands of Christ at Christmas

What if the greatest gift of Christmas isn't something we buy, but something we become? Sharon Eubank, global humanitarian director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, shares what she's learned about meaningful giving—and how each of us can better serve and lift others this holiday season. 3:29- Character Developed in Giving and Receiving 8:19- Safeguarding Dignity 11:42- Approaching the Enormity of the World's Suffering 18:03- Joining Hands 22:56- The Power of Presence 28:40- The Salvation Army 34:33- Sparking Hope 38:53- Multiplying and Replenishing 43:22- "Love's Pure Light" 46:48- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  "If we can be the one that's handing them the can [of food] or listening to their story or reading a scripture with them or inviting them to our table to spark the hope that starts, aren't we lucky?" Links:  "Doing Small Things With Great Love" - https://www.deseretbook.com/product/PR00001103.html?cgid=books_nonfiction "Silent Night, Love's Pure Light" - https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/christmas-devotional/2018/12/silent-night-loves-pure-light?lang=eng

On October 15, 1985, Kathy Sheets returned home from her morning walk and noticed a small package on the driveway. As she reached for it, a bomb—placed by master forger Mark Hofmann in a desperate attempt to divert attention from his collapsing fraud scheme—detonated, taking her life. Kathy's daughter, Heidi Jones, struggled following her mom's passing with bitterness and deep grief but on today's episode, she shares how a decision to forgive made all the difference.  2:00- The 50-Year-Old Housewife 5:07-October 15, 1985 8:41- The Unseen Aftermath 11:18- An All-Consuming Grief 13:41- Letting Go of Bitterness  19:18- Reconciliation and Testimony 22:03- Forgiving the Unfairness of Life 27:25- The Unseen Aftermath…Again 32:06- Gaining Perspective 35:16- No Unfinished Business 38:59- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? "To apply Christ's Atonement in my life I had to be able to take that huge burden, that oppression, and lay it at the Savior's feet and leave it. Lay it and leave it."

Emily Utt has one of the most unique jobs within the Church: she spends her days inside its most sacred and historic spaces. Sometimes that means slipping on a hard hat; other times it means uncovering stories and artifacts that deepen our understanding of the faith's heritage. In this episode, Emily shares what she's learned from a career spent safeguarding holy places—and why these spaces should matter to each of us.  1:43- What Constitutes a Sacred Space?  4:49- Remembering and Connection 9:55- We are Them 16:40- A Very Cool Job 19:09- Principles of Preservation 24:47- Appropriateness and Real People 27:22- Why Spend Time in Sacred Spaces? 31:33- Kirtland Temple 37:46- Until You've Been in Their Home 44:21- Looking Forward and Looking Back 50:07- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  "I imagine every person in the world has a place that would be their waters of Mormon and how beautiful is that place, for there they came to know God."  Links: Follow Him podcast with Emily- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/followhim/id1545433056?i=100070927727 Hi Five Live with Emily- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy1wPXog1q8  

Mike Maughan was serving in a YSA bishopric when he heard Blake Roney, now the president of the Provo City Center Temple say, "We are not the gatekeepers, we are the welcoming committee." That single statement changed the way Mike has lived in the years since and it changed the culture of the YSA ward in which he was serving. On this week's episode, Mike discusses the transformative nature of that experience. 2:26- Freed From the Burden of Judgment 7:53- Take Them By the Hand 18:52- Application 26:01- Changing the Tune, Not the Lyrics 31:38- Never Burn a Bridge and Always Be Kind 35:37- The Power of Experience 44:08- Committing Completely 51:52- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? "Life is long and the world is small." Links: Annette Dennis- "We are commanded to love others, not to judge them. Let's lay down that heavy burden; it isn't ours to carry. Instead, we can pick up the Savior's yoke of love and compassion." https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ftsoy/2022/11/18-dennis?lang=eng "Nothing is so much calculated to lead people to forsake sin as to take them by the hand, and watch over them with tenderness. When persons manifest the least kindness and love to me, O what power it has over my mind, while the opposite course has a tendency to harrow up all the harsh feelings and depress the human mind" (History of the Church, 5:23–24). Elder Kearon's general conference talk mentioned- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/04/45kearon?lang=eng Elder S. Mark Palmer general conference talk mentioned- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/04/then-jesus-beholding-him-loved-him?lang=eng Amy Coney Barrett's Book, "Listening to the Law"- https://www.amazon.com/Listening-Law-Reflections-Court-Constitution/dp/0593421868

John Koelliker is a young dad doing his best to care for his family while leading a growing startup as its founder and CEO. Much of the way he lives today comes from watching another dad—his own father, David Koelliker—who passed away in 2019 after battling a brain tumor for nearly a decade. 2:05- Consecration and Cancer 5:45- Confidence as a Missionary 7:41- Achievable Ends 11:30- The Act of Kneeling 13:16- An Entrepreneurial Itch 15:28- And Culture 17:30- A Champion of the Underdog 19:53- Failure and Faith 21:43- The People That Give Us Wings 25:30- Sports and Work 28:28- Leadership 31:12- What Does It Mean to Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? "I think the 'Be ye therefore perfect' has always felt like such an insurmountable challenge for all of us and I think it taught me that perfection in action certainly is but perfection in intent or in your heart is something that feels a little bit more attainable." Links: "Everyone Needs a Brain Tumor" by David Koelliker- https://www.amazon.com/Everybody-Needs-Brain-Tumor-Koelliker/dp/0692993118 Leland- https://www.joinleland.com/ Kore Baseball- https://a.co/d/g3nmL7d Forbes 30 Under 30- https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2023/education?profile=leland

Growing up in Madrid, Spain, Irene Caso dreamed of becoming a television broadcaster. That dream came true when she became an anchor and news director for Univision—but God had even greater plans. In this episode, Irene shares how her faith and her family's lifelong commitment to serve the Lord have guided her through every opportunity and challenge. 2:40- A Party or the First Missionary Lesson? 9:59- A True Love for the Gospel 12:12- Choosing a Mission 18:23- Univision 21:22- Meeting Mike 23:21- A Career Change 26:51- A Growing International Church 29:52- Juggling 33:45- Working With Women 36:18- A Message to Children 37:16- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? "Isn't it wonderful that tomorrow we get a fresh opportunity to be better at that one thing we weren't so great at the day before? I'll take it." Links: Irene's "I Am a Mormon" video: I'm a Mormon, Mother, and Spanish Newscaster Quick interview with Irene: Irene Caso: How we can rely on, and help, other women in our lives

In the 1984 Summer Olympics, Rowdy Gaines captured hearts around the world—and three gold medals in the pool. But for Rowdy, his Olympic triumphs are just one chapter in a much bigger story. In this week's episode, the legendary swimmer opens up about the moments that shaped him: the discipline of elite competition, the unexpected turns of life before and after gold, and the personal journey that led him to faith and family. 3:55- Discovering an Incredible Talent 7:05- An Olympic Boycott and Four More Years 11:14- Being an Olympian 15:00- Mental Vs. Medal 16:31- Finding True Love at a Gas Station in Vegas 20:50- Judy's Conversion 23:17- Rowdy's Conversion 29:32- Guillain-Barré Syndrome 31:23- USA Swimming Community 33:10- Feeling the Lord's Love 36:46- The Olympic Spirit 39:39- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? "I never said I was perfect in swimming but one thing I was, I was consistent. …Don't worry about being perfect, just worry about being consistent. And that's what I try to work on with the gospel is just trying to work on the consistency…" Links: Video of Rowdy's Olympic Individual Medal: 1984 Olympic Games - Men's 100 Meter Freestyle westnyacktwins•152K views•11 years ago Arthur Brooks article (behind paywall): The New York Times https://www.nytimes.comScottie Scheffler raised questions about happiness and fulfillment. This ... McKay Coppins piece following President Nelson's passing: The Atlantic https://www.theatlantic.comA Prophet's Diagnosis Recent Editorial by Rowdy Gaines: https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/rowdy-gaines-i-stand-with-michael-phelps-im-fighting-too/ Grand Blanc Bishop following Michigan tragedy: Bishop of Michigan Congregation Speaks About Tragic Shooting Church Newsroom•84K views•3 weeks ago

We always hear that pioneer stories exist all around the world but on this week's episode we are thrilled to share the awe-inspiring true story of Gurcharan Singh Gill, the first Latter-day Saint convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the Sikh faith. Born in India, Gill's search for truth led him to a stake conference in the United States—a moment that would forever change his life and the lives of generations to come. 2:10- A Brief Intro to the Sikh Faith 6:40- "Gill" 10:50- Similarities and Differences 16:36- Where Did We Come From and Where Do We Go? 24:44- The Bonds of the Gospel 28:28- The Message of a Savior 31:45- Patriarchal Blessing 39:49- A Love Story 51:30- Lifelong Conversion 1:00:36- Honoring Heritage 1:09:22- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? "The whole story is a lesson to me about the beauty of simplicity of the gospel and the importance of trusting in inspiration. We don't have to figure out everything intellectually…sometimes there is no grand secret." Links:  Latter-day Sikh

Shannon Foster didn't grow up in a Latter-day Saint home where scriptures were regularly studied—and her father wasn't a member of the Church. But rather than see this as a setback, Shannon considers it one of her greatest blessings. That unique perspective has shaped her ability to relate to others and to inspire confidence in anyone seeking to better understand and love the scriptures. In this episode, Shannon shares her journey and explains why she's so passionate about helping others develop a personal, meaningful relationship with scripture—no matter their background. 1:56- A Home Without Gospel Learning 8:06- The Lord Qualifies 14:05- Compelled to Share 17:18- Scaffolding 22:50- Family Scripture Study 27:25- The Power of Families 34:31- Think Like a Coach 42:12- Imperfect Practice 46:25- What Does It Mean to Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? "I feel like I can stand in my spot and relate and say I was that girl who knew nothing about the scriptures and now I have found great power in the scriptures." Link:  The Red Headed Hostess guidebooks- https://www.deseretbook.com/category/church-resources_teaching-helps_the-red-headed-hostess/church-resources_teaching-helps_the-red-headed-hostess_guidebooks/  

Throughout history and across religious traditions, countless individuals have been honored for their holiness and devotion. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have this word in the name of our church—it is what we purport to be. But do we fully understand what that entails? Jamin and Ann Rowan recently led a study abroad trip exploring what it means to be and become a saint and on this week's episode, they share what they learned. 2:20- A Study Abroad They Couldn't Refuse 12:07- Peacemakers Needed Everywhere 22:15- The Sacrifices Saints Have Made To Follow Christ 26:34- Unreasonable Hospitality 33:55- Mission Calls Centuries Apart 38:10- Coming Back and Trying Again 39:59- Martyrs 42:41- The Magic of Real Places and Real Stories 46:23- President Hinckley's Mission Letter 52:07- Modern Latter-day Saints in Europe 57:55- The Power of Storytelling 1:04:12- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? "These differences within our families—our immediate families and within our larger human family—are what help us become like God is. We have to come in contact with people that are different than us and listen with those ears of the heart and learn to love each other better..." -Ann Rowan