This was so amazing. Steve Harper had me choked up with his testimony of Joseph Smith. For me personally, I have never heard a more powerful testimony of Joseph Smith or felt the spirit more strongly from someone bearing their testimony of Joseph Smith. I would love to see another episode with Dr. Harper. Thank you for this episode.
I've never considered myself a nerd but I love this. And I love Joseph Smith and the wonderful, gentle, strong way he lived his life. What a great man! Oh my goodness, all he went through in his shortened life. I don't know how he did all he did and generally with a smile.
Why do accounts of spiritual experiences vary? 1.Because they are sacred and we are counselled if/when a thing should be disclosed to a person or not. 2. As we mature in life and most especially the spiritual life, the Holy Ghost deepens even our own understanding of what we ourselves experienced. I share this from my own experiences and so can relate to Joseph and others having experiences of truth. 30 years ago I had a very real witness of the after life of our loved ones and the divinity of Christ. Over the intervening years I have been taught line upon line sufficient to what I needed to know for myself and my family. This continued teaching adds to my original conversion and diminishes it not one jot.
Well, if you guys are nerds, I must be one too because I have truly cherished this discussion. I learned a few things - a lot of things. Thank you very much.
I am so edified and grateful. Thank you Steve Harper for sharing your knowledge and love of Joseph’s mission with us. I am so eternally grateful for his sacrifice and dedication to the Lord. I am constantly inspired by his immense contribution to the kingdom of God in the midst of so much adversity. I owe my Savior a debt of gratitude for his life and for his perfect plan and the Infinite Atonement he paid for us.
To the woman who asked “if the Church is true, wouldn’t it have more members?” I’d have said, if Jesus Christ is the Promised Messiah to deliver Israel don’t you think more disciples would have walked with Him and His Own wouldn’t have crucified Him? Human nature tends to not “see” what truth is before them and comprehend things which they “had not supposed”-Takes Faith and humility to “Hear Him.”💖
Thank you, such a great discussion. I’ve found that it takes me a long time to share profound spiritual experiences because they mean enough to me that I don’t want to lose any those feelings by not being able to adequately describe it to someone else. Those experiences leave you with a bit of a “glow” or a overflowing heart. I love to sit with those feelings for awhile. I also don’t want to cheapen the experience by sharing it with someone who may not understand the miracle of it. I tend to hold things close to my heart until I feel extremely prompted to share. Maybe that is why Joseph Smith didn’t share his vision right away.
Wonderful insight! Thanks for sharing. I agree that being touched by the spirit in a personal way leaves one with "a glow" and I think that's a great way to describe it.
As a convert I have spent over thirty years studying the Prophet Joseph Smith, that imperfect prophet of God, and I want to testify that he was the Lord's instrument to Restore the only true and living church. I love him and believe in what he did. I love the Savior and am grateful for the Atonement. Thank you Brethren for your testimonies also.
What a gift you brethren are to the study of the D&C (and all other scriptures)! I find myself hanging n every word. My pondering of scripture has a new depth & breadth. May the Lord bless you for sharing your knowledge & testimonies of the D&C and our beloved prophet, Joseph Smith!
To know the 2 definitions of Christianity is so enlightening. So, now I know that by the 1st definition, which was only used by non-Christians in the new testament, is to be a follower of Christ of which I am. The second definition is based on Greek philosophy and later Creedances which as explained here does not define members of the Church of Jesus Christ. So, I conclude for myself, that if accused of not being a Christian, I would have to ask, "To which definition of Christianity are you referring?" That would open a nice discussion.
38:20 Steve Harper's testimony of Joseph Smith, of his humanity, character, and willingness to be an instrument in the hands of God is SO powerful and moving. I encourage everyone to take some time and listen to it.
I stumbled across your video quite by accident and I'm so happy I did! I joined the Church without a testimony of Joseph Smith - I somehow knew the Book of Mormon was true, but I wasn't so sure of the boy prophet, that is until about 5 years later when my youngest son turned 14. The Lord was patient with me and waited until I could see for myself the strength and steadfastness of Joseph Smith by allowing me to wonder what my son would have done at Joseph's age. Thank you, Steve Harper, for sharing your love of the prophet Joseph Smith.
Thank you brethren for this beautiful discussion and teaching about Joseph and the first vision. Your love for Joseph reflects what is in my own heart. He is one of my heroes.
I am so thankful God has put this technology in our hands, so we can view, listen and learn from your teachings, geared to our everyday lives. Thank you all of you for your insights into the First Vision and the Prophet Joseph Smith. It just wants me to become a more courageous person.
Such wonderful insights to the Prophet Joseph and the First Vision accounts. So looking forward to future podcasts. Thank you brethren for sharing your wisdom with all.
The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent I think this is the talk John was referring to. www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2007/10/the-only-true-god-and-jesus-christ-whom-he-hath-sent?lang=eng
Wow, that was fantastic so many great insights and ideas! That ranks up there on my favorite discussions on the Prophet Joseph Smith, along with Truman Madsen, and that’s saying something! 👍👍
From what I understand, yes, Joseph's family had a difficult life. Think of his painful bone infection and the years of crop failure his family experienced. But more specifically, I think it's talking about how so many people were nasty toward him in response to him sharing that he'd seen Jesus Christ and God the Father.
Thank you John, Hank and Steven Harper for these insights! As I listened to all of you talk about Josep's many accounts, I considered when I found out the Book of Mormon was true. I have shared my testimony of its truthfulness multiple times over the years. There is no way I would be able to tell each and every account in the exact same way. I get so excited telling my story so why would I not want to share it multiple times and with many people? How many times do we share stories or experiences and they vary depending on our mood, our audience, and our age and wisdom?
Already I have received an answer to one of my personal questions. Thanks brethren
love these
This was so amazing. Steve Harper had me choked up with his testimony of Joseph Smith. For me personally, I have never heard a more powerful testimony of Joseph Smith or felt the spirit more strongly from someone bearing their testimony of Joseph Smith. I would love to see another episode with Dr. Harper. Thank you for this episode.
Thank you 🙏
You’re very welcome 😊
I am SO glad to have found this/these podcasts!! They are brilliant!! So informative, so much food for thought, fabulous: Thank you!!
I've never considered myself a nerd but I love this. And I love Joseph Smith and the wonderful, gentle, strong way he lived his life. What a great man! Oh my goodness, all he went through in his shortened life. I don't know how he did all he did and generally with a smile.
Thanks so much for making Joseph so real!
Why do accounts of spiritual experiences vary?
1.Because they are sacred and we are counselled if/when a thing should be disclosed to a person or not.
2. As we mature in life and most especially the spiritual life, the Holy Ghost deepens even our own understanding of what we ourselves experienced.
I share this from my own experiences and so can relate to Joseph and others having experiences of truth.
30 years ago I had a very real witness of the after life of our loved ones and the divinity of Christ. Over the intervening years I have been taught line upon line sufficient to what I needed to know for myself and my family. This continued teaching adds to my original conversion and diminishes it not one jot.
Well, if you guys are nerds, I must be one too because I have truly cherished this discussion. I learned a few things - a lot of things. Thank you very much.
Absolutely phenomenal! Thank you for your knowledge, wisdom, and passion for Prophet Joseph!!
Loved this!! I kept having to pause because I took so many notes, and couldn’t write fast enough! Thanks so much for doing this!
My new favorite podcast‼️
Steve...what a beautiful and amazing testimony you shared. Thank you.
Awesome!!!!! Thank you so much!!!
I am so edified and grateful. Thank you Steve Harper for sharing your knowledge and love of Joseph’s mission with us. I am so eternally grateful for his sacrifice and dedication to the Lord. I am constantly inspired by his immense contribution to the kingdom of God in the midst of so much adversity. I owe my Savior a debt of gratitude for his life and for his perfect plan and the Infinite Atonement he paid for us.
Thanks for this great addition to our CFM studies!! 🌟 Love their insights and love the production as a whole! 🌟🌟
Wow, loved this. Thank you!
To the woman who asked “if the Church is true, wouldn’t it have more members?” I’d have said, if Jesus Christ is the Promised Messiah to deliver Israel don’t you think more disciples would have walked with Him and His Own wouldn’t have crucified Him?
Human nature tends to not “see” what truth is before them and comprehend things which they “had not supposed”-Takes Faith and humility to “Hear Him.”💖
I love these Podcasts! Thank you so much for putting them together and sharing new perspectives and insights.
Thank you, such a great discussion. I’ve found that it takes me a long time to share profound spiritual experiences because they mean enough to me that I don’t want to lose any those feelings by not being able to adequately describe it to someone else. Those experiences leave you with a bit of a “glow” or a overflowing heart. I love to sit with those feelings for awhile. I also don’t want to cheapen the experience by sharing it with someone who may not understand the miracle of it. I tend to hold things close to my heart until I feel extremely prompted to share. Maybe that is why Joseph Smith didn’t share his vision right away.
Wonderful insight! Thanks for sharing. I agree that being touched by the spirit in a personal way leaves one with "a glow" and I think that's a great way to describe it.
Loved the nerdy details and testimony shared!
As a convert I have spent over thirty years studying the Prophet Joseph Smith, that imperfect prophet of God, and I want to testify that he was the Lord's instrument to Restore the only true and living church. I love him and believe in what he did. I love the Savior and am grateful for the Atonement. Thank you Brethren for your testimonies also.
I feel like I just attended a master class on the First Vision. Thank you so much for these!
So thankful for turtle house and for this series of podcast thank you thank you
What a gift you brethren are to the study of the D&C (and all other scriptures)! I find myself hanging n every word. My pondering of scripture has a new depth & breadth. May the Lord bless you for sharing your knowledge & testimonies of the D&C and our beloved prophet, Joseph Smith!
To know the 2 definitions of Christianity is so enlightening. So, now I know that by the 1st definition, which was only used by non-Christians in the new testament, is to be a follower of Christ of which I am. The second definition is based on Greek philosophy and later Creedances which as explained here does not define members of the Church of Jesus Christ. So, I conclude for myself, that if accused of not being a Christian, I would have to ask, "To which definition of Christianity are you referring?" That would open a nice discussion.
38:20 Steve Harper's testimony of Joseph Smith, of his humanity, character, and willingness to be an instrument in the hands of God is SO powerful and moving. I encourage everyone to take some time and listen to it.
I stumbled across your video quite by accident and I'm so happy I did! I joined the Church without a testimony of Joseph Smith - I somehow knew the Book of Mormon was true, but I wasn't so sure of the boy prophet, that is until about 5 years later when my youngest son turned 14. The Lord was patient with me and waited until I could see for myself the strength and steadfastness of Joseph Smith by allowing me to wonder what my son would have done at Joseph's age. Thank you, Steve Harper, for sharing your love of the prophet Joseph Smith.
Thank you brethren for this beautiful discussion and teaching about Joseph and the first vision. Your love for Joseph reflects what is in my own heart. He is one of my heroes.
Really needed this to answer a loved one's questions. Thank you SO MUCH!
Loved this wonderful podcast.
Love these messages, thank you. Wish you had the corresponding dates for CFM manual to help at a glance what lesson it goes with.
Thank you the insights shared were wonderful!!
This is fabulous!! Thank you for your knowledge and testimonies! I am very grateful I found this video! 💝
I am impressed. I learned much and will repeat what I have learned. Thank you.
So grateful to be on the Nerdville train! Thank you for the depth shared. Well done. Testimony affirming and strengthening. I join you in marveling.
I just found you guys this morning. I love your insights and willingness to share your testimonies and knowledge. Thank you so much💛
I am so grateful for those willing to share their knowledge and testimony of that knowledge!
Loved the insight! Keep it up!
Holland's talk: Oct. 2007. Spectacular!
I would love to hear more of John Bytheway's comments. I wish he was allowed to give his insights.
I agree, he is always interrupted by Hank or edited out.
I'm definitely one of the nerds! I'm still here. 😀
Loving these! I'm still hanging in there on every word and glad you guys nerded out 😀🙏
Enjoyed the lesson. You’ve all taught in a style and at a pace that I can learn best at. No belaboring of facts here. Thank you.
I am so thankful God has put this technology in our hands, so we can view, listen and learn from your teachings, geared to our everyday lives. Thank you all of you for your insights into the First Vision and the Prophet Joseph Smith. It just wants me to become a more courageous person.
when you reference other works ( Joseph Smiths First Vision etc) could you put links down here so we can read the original documents. thanks
Those versions are in The Joseph Smith Papers. You can find them on line
Such wonderful insights to the Prophet Joseph and the First Vision accounts. So looking forward to future podcasts. Thank you brethren for sharing your wisdom with all.
Thank you my brothers for your faith, and courage to speak the truth...I feel the Spirit is with you...Keep up the good work😇
So greatful for nerdvillagers, who stills the heart with joy of Gods love
Thank you for the amazing insight, humor, and testimony.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and insights. It is invaluable to me
Wonderful lesson, thank you so much.
Can you give us the link to Elder Holland's talk you mentioned?
The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent
I think this is the talk John was referring to.
www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2007/10/the-only-true-god-and-jesus-christ-whom-he-hath-sent?lang=eng
@@chickinuggies74 Thank you!
You can find transcripts and show notes for all the Follow Him episodes at this link: followhim.co/episodes/
Wow, that was fantastic so many great insights and ideas! That ranks up there on my favorite discussions on the Prophet Joseph Smith, along with Truman Madsen, and that’s saying something! 👍👍
♥️🎉Relevant and revealing and refreshing....Thank you for this faith building discussion. Will share!!!
What does it mean when Joseph says he was persecuted since infancy? Does that mean that the Smith family never had an easy life, or something else?
From what I understand, yes, Joseph's family had a difficult life. Think of his painful bone infection and the years of crop failure his family experienced. But more specifically, I think it's talking about how so many people were nasty toward him in response to him sharing that he'd seen Jesus Christ and God the Father.
Thank you John, Hank and Steven Harper for these insights! As I listened to all of you talk about Josep's many accounts, I considered when I found out the Book of Mormon was true. I have shared my testimony of its truthfulness multiple times over the years. There is no way I would be able to tell each and every account in the exact same way.
I get so excited telling my story so why would I not want to share it multiple times and with many people? How many times do we share stories or experiences and they vary depending on our mood, our audience, and our age and wisdom?
This is wonderful! I will be watching these for the rest of the year! Thank you so much guys! ❤