Reverently, Quietly

22/01/2024

Since I am in the middle of releasing episodes on the endowment covenants, it seemed appropriate to share this interesting tidbit I learned on the app from a KnoWhy.

Check out the whole KnoWhy for more context if you are interested. I’ll link it in my story (or just search KnoWhy 396 on the web).

17/01/2024

14/01/2024

Ponder the law of obedience, one of five covenants made during the endowment ceremony in the temple.

12/01/2024

My former stake president emphasized covenants a lot, and it was weird to hear someone actually discuss the temple covenants.

Then I realized, that’s absolutely what we should be doing. We should be discussing them and thinking about them so that we can be sure we are living them.

So making these episodes was a great way for me to study them for myself. I hope they are helpful to you too.

I hope they give you opportunities to receive revelation for yourself about how to beat love your covenants.

All episode scripts are available now at rqpodcast.com. Episodes are being released weekly. The introduction is out now. Look for the episode on the Law of Obedience coming this Sunday morning!

 

09/01/2024

Months of work has gone into what was supposed to be one episode, but turned into seven... 😬. Here is the first in a seven-part series about the endowment covenants.

I had no idea what I was doing when I went through the temple the first time. I’m hoping this can be a resource for others who are receiving their own endowment, as well as those who have already received it, and want to ponder their covenants.

01/01/2024

Simple enough.

27/12/2023

This year we threw our first birthday party for Jesus this Christmas.

When I in first heard about this tradition I thought it was a little silly. But as I thought about it, I realized it could be a great way to celebrate Christmas at a level my little kids would understand.

We talked about how we can “give gifts” to Christ and we each picked something to give this next year. Mine was to better know Him. So these are some questions I have been reflecting on this week.

27/12/2023

New episode. Meditate on the words of The Living Christ, a testimony and witness from living apostles of Christ’s church on the earth today.


  

26/12/2023

What questions have you had?

I have enjoyed pondering the Christmas Story this year, especially after reading the New Testament so recently. Here are some questions that have been running through my head.

20/12/2023

New episode. Wherever you get your podcasts. I know Christmas isn’t merry for everyone all the time. So if that’s you, may you find a little peace this Christmas, if nothing else. You are loved. ♥️




  

20/12/2023

I’ve been absent from Instagram for a long while, but I’ve been working on a bunch of upcoming podcast episodes during that time. Today’s new release is a meditation on the nativity story. Might be a good way to add some pondering in your celebrations. Give it a listen if you are interested!

I’ve been thinking a lot about traditions and how to make Christmas Christ-centered rather than Santa-centered for my little kids. It’s not easy! But the Lord loves effort and I’m trying!

09/10/2023

New episode! Ponder the promises made through the Oath and Covenant of the priesthood. Link in highlights and bio.

Am I the only one who didn’t know there was a covenant associated with he priesthood??


 

09/10/2023

I just released two episodes on the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood. If you are a woman, here’s why you should listen to them!

19/09/2023

Love this phrase from the readings this week. It is a great summary of consecration. And it directly contradicts the worldly view that you should always come first before your kids, family, community, country, etc.

He who loses his life shall find it. The world has it backwards.

I know this is true because I have seen it in my own life, especially in motherhood. When I view my kids as obstacles to getting things done (putting my to do list first, not being willing to spend my time on them, trying to do things on my phone when they want to play) motherhood is hard that day.

When I put my kids first and spend my time on them (and leave my phone in another room), motherhood is easier that day.

The world is missing out.

17/09/2023

I love this quote from David O. McKay and there’s more to it that I will be posting soon. So stay tuned.

How have you benefited from meditation?

12/09/2023

Anyone else surprised by how often church leaders talk about meditation and pondering? 🙋‍♀️

07/09/2023

02/09/2023

It’s not about the meat.

A theme I’ve noticed in Paul’s writings is: Contention isn’t worth being “right.” Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.

Paul talks a lot about things that aren’t wrong but he warns against them in situations that would cause offense. (Another example is his counsel in response to the contention over circumcision…but I didn’t want to find a picture for that😂).

Every time I read a new scenario where he says “regardless of whether it is “right or “wrong,” don’t do it if it offends your brother,” I think of pronouns.

I know some people are so religiously and/or politically against transgenderism and LGBTQIA+ culture that they REFUSE to use alternate pronouns for people. And while the first amendment is still intact, they have the right to do so.

And surely we want to stand for truth. But if a person doesn’t feel love or acceptance, they don’t care what “truth” you have to offer.

Contention isn’t a very successful missionary tool. Or ministering tool. Or peacemaking tool.

I don’t know the answer to the questions that we face nowadays. But I think Paul might have some good points. And not just about meat.

31/08/2023

Pay attention to your habits: they will reveal you your values.

I recently listened to 's podcast episodes entitled "Consider the Phone," where Maddie referenced John 21:15 and challenged me to ask whether I love my phone more than Christ or my children (and more importantly, to make sure my actions and habits match my answer).

So that verse was on my mind when I read 1 Corinthians 10:22 this week.

And it reminded me of Romans 1:25.

What kinds of things do we love or serve or worship more than Christ? Our jobs? Our possessions? Immodest clothing? Political idealogies? Peer acceptance? Sports? Our phones? Leisure time? Television shows?

I won't tell you my list, and don't tell me yours. But it is something worth pondering regularly!

31/08/2023

Pay attention to your habits: they will reveal you your values.

I recently listened to ’s podcast episodes entitled “Consider the Phone,” where Maddie referenced John 21:15 and challenged me to ask whether I love my phone more than Christ or my children (and more importantly, to make sure my actions and habits match my answer).

So that verse was on my mind when I read 1 Corinthians 10:22 this week.

What kinds of things do we love more than Christ? Our jobs? Our possessions? Immodest clothing? Political idealogies? Peer acceptance? Sports? Our phones? Leisure time? Television shows?

I won’t tell you my list, and don’t tell me yours. But it is something worth pondering regularly!

27/08/2023

Have you ever had an experience that forced you to slow down and allowed you to ponder? Do you find that humility results from pain? What connection is there between humility and pondering?

Love these excerpts from Elder Hales’ talk. He also shared this quote:

Elder Orson F. Whitney wrote: “No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God, … and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire” (quoted in Improvement Era, Mar. 1966, 211).

18/08/2023

This is the first episode in a series about covenants. Available wherever you get your podcasts.



 and use 

12/08/2023

Has this pattern appeared in your life? Can you think of a time that tribulation has lead to patience?Has patience led to experience? Has experience lead to hope? Has hope lead to not being ashamed?

28/07/2023

New episodes coming tomorrow. This one is a little different: it is a guided study of your patriarchal blessing.

Was anyone else surprised to hear so much about patriarchal blessings last conference? 🙋‍♀️

Grab a fresh, markable copy of your blessing and follow along with this guided study.

And then come back here and let me know what you thought of this different format! ⬇️

Episode drops tomorrow (July 29) AM.

26/07/2023

Five ways to incorporate meditation into your gospel study:

1. Begin with Centering Meditation: Before diving into your gospel study, start with a brief centering meditation. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths. Check in with your body and identify all the sensations you can feel and all the sounds you can hear. This brings you to the present moment and creates a calm, receptive state of mind for your study.

2. Reflect on a Scripture or Quote: Choose a scripture passage or a quote that you would like to explore more deeply. Read it slowly and attentively, allowing the words to sink in. Then, close your eyes and bring the passage to mind. Meditate on its meaning, reflecting on how it applies to your life and what insights it may offer.

3. Practice Contemplative Reading: After reading a passage or studying a topic, take a moment to sit quietly and contemplate the ideas you encountered. Allow the teachings to resonate within you, and meditate on the spiritual messages or personal guidance you perceive.

4. Try a Guided Meditation: if you have a hard time focusing, sitting still, or staying present, try a guided gospel meditation that will create a space for you to ponder and provide questions to get you thinking. rqpodcast.com/meditations

5. Combine Meditation with Prayer: Merge meditation and prayer by integrating moments of silence and stillness into your prayer practice. After expressing gratitude or making requests, sit quietly in meditation, opening yourself to receive inspiration and personal revelation. Allow your mind to rest in the presence of God, listening for any promptings or insights that may arise.

24/07/2023

I heard a story (second hand) about a new mom who was up in the middle of the night with her crying baby boy. The little guy was inconsolable and the mom was at her wit’s end.

Her prayers turned from pleading with the Lord to help her baby stop crying to angrily asking why He wasn’t helping the child.

The answer came to her mind: “I am helping him. I gave him you.”

20/07/2023

07/07/2023

Last Alma 5 post, I promise!

26/06/2023

Alma 5 has a lot of questions. So it is helpful to split them up into sections and take them one at a time.

These are the sections of Alma’s speech that you can ponder in the Alma 5 meditation series at the link in my bio or wherever you get your podcasts.

20/06/2023

The sacrament ordinance is a great time to sit and think. Distractions are minimized, the spirit is usually there, and there is nothing else for you to be doing. . . unless you have small kids, then keep scrolling, this post isn't for you . . . yet 😝. One day!

Check out Reverently, Quietly on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Prime Music, or wherever else you like to listen, for a guided meditation about preparing for the sacrament. Link in highlights or bio.