As a woman, I have never felt "unseen" by the stories of men in the scriptures. I can relate to all of the stories, not just the ones about women. I enjoyed many of the insights shared by Dr. Witesman and value perspectives from different angles. However, I appreciate men who are strong who can provide protection and I think that humility is a virtue that needs to be cultivated by all people alike, not "especially" by men. But I very much value the gracious environment on the podcast where all of the hosts respect each other's opinions.
I don’t really feel slighted or worried about how I am seen as a woman. I know how God feels about me. I know the powerful relationship I have with God and the influence I have in the life of my little circle. I did enjoy the thoughts about the length of destruction that happens when women are destroyed in the name of war and power and control. Very insightful. I often think how much God wants to spare his partner from the world and their lack of knowledge and I hope my spouse will stand and protect me like that
"Where priesthood is prevalent, women and children are safe." This thought came to me...not my own thought. Thank you for another extremely insightful podcast. Listening every week from rural Pima, Arizona.
Thank you for sharing this. I will add to the thread, If we have faith, that priesthood will keep us safe, and guide our path, through the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
While I appreciate the sentiment, we live in a fallen world where bad things happen to righteous people. If we think we will avoid heartache because we are around righteous priesthood holders, we may he disappointed. In the end, everything will be ok though. Maybe that’s what you mean.
I was listening to this week's episode on my way to work yesterday and I was moved by Dr Eva Witesman's experience adopting her daughter. It was such a beautiful account and reminded me how grateful I am for my experience as a birthmother. On my way home from work I tried to listen to the podcast again but instead of hearing your words a poem formed in my head and I wrote it down immediately. I am by Jenna Nuttall I am a birth mother determined to make this right a teammate with this child Love before first sight Bonded together Willing to fight I know where they came from And who they deserve to be I am a birth mother for all eternity.
My wife and I listen to these wonderful Come Follow Me episodes as we drive around on assignment here in the Chile Rancagua Mission. We love the young elders and hermanas, these beautiful mountain valleys full of orchards and vineyards, and we love the spirit that these episodes bring to our journeys. We REALLY need more senior couples here, including one to replace us in the mission offices (we leave in January 2025). Anyone out there? John and Hank, and your guests, God bless you.
When I heard you say "sexual assault," I literally threw down my dishrag and yelled, "YES! YES! Thank you, Lord, YES!" For so long, I have needed not to feel invisible. I'm a Latter-Day Saint who was sexually abused by her parents as a child. I hoped, but never believed I would actually hear sexual abuse acknowledged on Follow Him. This last October, I pitched a book about healing from sexual abuse to Deseret Book. The reason they gave at that time was the audience simply isn't ready. The moms and grandmas of the church simply aren't ready to talk about sexual abuse. The Lord is on the move, because I think that is changing. My stake presidency has been listening to me and gave me the opportunity to speak to each of the wards in our stake about the fact this happened to me and how Christ has delivered me through it. I was feeling pretty overwhelmed about how people would receive me. This emboldens me SO MUCH. Thank you Sister Witesman, thank you. And thank you Brother Smith and Brother Bytheway. The Lord is on the move!!!!
@@starlingwarrior wow, so exciting. I've been praying for those that have been "prisoners of abuse" to be freed for a long time. And I've been praying it because the Lord has wanted me to pray for it. So excited that it's starting to happen .. 🙏 ❤
Awesome insights! Definitely need to have Dr Witesman back. I am so glad that she discussed woman and priesthood and the roles of both genders. I wish more members spent the time to understand these important topics. Thank you!
This concept of Power WITH versus Power Over is amazing and so applicable in so many conversations, contexts and choices (even just in the last few days! 🤯 ) Thank you for this episode. Wow.
I wish she clarified the importance of “power over,” as that is a huge part of society and safety. Men give their lives on almost every page of the scriptures protect their wives and children. That power is “power over” to fight their enemies. To keep society safe, men have “power over” as well.
Thank you so much for this! We lose too many members because they can't see the role and the place of women in the Church and with the Priesthood. I think we are getting better at understanding and explaining it as the Restoration continues, and Dr. Witesman did a beautiful job of demonstrating that the doctrine is right there in the Book of Mormon.
This is my favorite episode of this podcast I have ever listened to. I really appreciate Dr. witesman not being afraid to speak very directly about important issues that are still relevant today. This was beautiful.
I have listened to a lot of your podcasts. I absolutely love them, but this episode especially resonated with me. Thank you for sharing God's message in so many different ways. What a blessing!
Thank you so much Dr. Witesman! I am so grateful that you had us stop and ponder the impacts unrighteous dominion, unrighteous abuses of agency, and violence has on women and children. It felt validating and healing to sit with this, talk about it loud, and have these unfortunate experiences recognized rather than glossed over. Thank you! And thank you Hank Smith and John Bytheway for inviting her on the show and for being able to not only tolerate this conversation, but welcome it. It is difficult to talk about and sit with, but so often women and children who have been perpetrated against get disenfranchised when this section gets glossed over. Grateful for today's discussion.
The men of the Book of Mormon gave their lives on almost every page to protect their families, women and children. The few times women and children are mentioned being massacred should bring to light how often men died to protect them and how successful they were. Let’s not think that men are expendable and immune from the horrors of war. They are typically alone in facing them.
Thanks for this comment. Grateful for this insight. You are very right about the sacrifices men make in protecting their families and that men often suffer alone. @@cameron3525
Really appreciate her candor and honesty in discussing this very sensitive subject. Struck a powerful chord with me. Her message if adhered to will be a blessing to men and society. I firmly believe that if we as Latter Day Saints men learn to desist from exercising power over our wives, daughters and children in general our access to God’s power will be tremendously increased.
I am so grateful for a safe priesthood honoring men in my life as a child, especially my dear Grandpa! My childhood was unsafe, but those priesthood bearing men taught me that safety was possible. They helped me trust in Heavenly Father and Jesus. I'm so grateful for this life-changing blessing. I feel so seen by Sister Witesman. She is a great advocate for the safety of women and children!❤
3 месяца назад+4
Excellent! Loved how your comments on "power" and the atrocities against women and children especially at times of war, and in far too many relationships. Your comments also helped me see Sister Camille Johnson's new global imitative on women and children as profoundly important. Thank you for sharing your understanding of scripture and spiritual wisdom.
I am listening from Wolverhampton, Birmingham stake, England and every week my car becomes a holy place as I listen to this pod cast on my work commute, I have another hour in my commuting week if you would like to fill it 😂 Thank you so much for helping to continue my spiritual education 😊
Many thanks! I appreciate all the guests AND as a person that has had some big questions about womens roles and value in the gospel, church and heaven - the perspective shift makes all the different. Im grateful for shifts from diving more into the BOM, watching The Chosen, viewing this podcast, listening to conference and diving deeper in pres. Nelsons decades of talks. Thank you!
Thank you so much Eva for your insights! So valued. I come from an abusive background myself. It has affected my entire life. I have learned a lot from it and I have come to know my Savior through the healing. My one concern I want to share is that so often we as women want to point out where we’ve been forgotten… and justly so…That we need to be careful not to swing too far and forget the good men too. For example, in our comments about how the women and children suffered, which they did terribly! The men suffered, too, just in different ways. I guess my point is that we make sure to bring up our men as well as our women they need it as well. We have four sons and three daughters, and my heart of hope goes out to them each. I know you feel the same way just sometimes our men are getting made out to all be the bad Guys. Once again, I cherish all of your insights, and how you open my eyes to new views into the Scriptures!
Thank you for this and all of your other episodes. My husband and I have listened to them on many morning walks in California since you began. We love Shannon and Steve and their family and know this podcast was inspired by God. We now listen from Copenhagen Denmark as we serve as full time missionaries. These messages uplift us and help strengthen our testimonies of our Savior Jesus Christ. We enjoyed having Eva on the podcast and her insights to likening the scriptures to our day. Thank you, all of you. We love Jesus Christ and strive to follow Him every day.
I love these podcasts. I have come to know the Savior in such tender terms through the testimonies of your guests each week. Thank you for the time and effort these require. I love this service and the discussions offered each week. These examinations have improved my parenting and teaching the gospel in my home and circle of friends and family. Listening from Rural Oregon as I do the dishes or weed my garden.
Dr. Witesman's depth of wisdom and understanding is a jolt of powerful truth that struck my soul like lightning!! I'm an instant fan, and this episode rocketed to my personal top 5 favorites list. Please BRING HER BACK early and often!
Thank you so much for shedding light to how all these happen today. I have been feeling distant from how church discussions seem to be quiet about the genocide happening today but it’s been in the scriptures all this time. Thank you for reminding us of our responsibility to serve especially the women and children
Thank you from the bottom of my heart! You took a scripture that was so painful and gave me a new perspective! I have listened three times so far and am encouraging my friends and family to listen as well! Thank you for the time and effort you put into preparing this lesson!❤ Sandy, utah
Thank you for asking how we (the church) can help women feel safe... MORE than half of the women in the church are single and the church doesn't understand them. Their needs, including their feelings of safety, are not being meet. If you took a survey, you would find that most single Sisters don't feel respected nor do they have callings which leads to feelings of not being wanted, not belonging, that they are just burdens etc. Dismissing singles is the same as not caring for the poor and needy or the least of these.... there will never be a Zion people as long as singles are not respected, overlooked, dismissed, not wanted, gossip about, put down, not understood, bullied etc.
I’m sorry to break it to you, but “feeling safe” is arbitrary and not a good measure of success. The more you learn about the world and about the devil, the more fear you would have. There will always be evil out there that we could be afraid of. The important thing is being prepared and living righteously so when we die we will receive our reward. The church’s purpose doesn’t have anything to due with making people feel safe.
Wow. What an episode. The last 10 minutes of part 1 through the first 20 minutes of part 2 were paradigm shifting for me. I wish I could fit the entire show notes in my margins!
Listen to the words of the sealing when children are sealed to parents in the temple and you’ll hear how God, our Father, can do something that isn’t what we might assume to be reality. Every time I hear it I’m amazed. This is how He will, with our Savior Jesus Christ, heal and make all things new. There are beautiful things to come to the faithful. ♥️
We had a young man in a Sealing session tell us that when he heard the child to parent sealing, it healed his heart--that he had never felt on the same level as his "natural born" siblings. But when he listened to the promises given to him when he was an adoptive baby being sealed to his parents, it healed his heart and he felt he was equal to his siblings for the first time in his life.
I'm don't really recall you folks ever having a bad episode, but Eva was one of the very best. I rarely listen to an episode twice, but this one was a two-timer. The only thing that she was wrong about was that she wasn't an ancient scripture expert. I thought she covered Adam and Eve, the Preexistence and Melchizedek as well as anyone I've ever heard and those are about as ancient as you can get! Thanks for a really great spiritual feast!
Watching from the Texas Hill Country. I think all your guests have hit home runs, but Doctor Witesman truly hit it out of the park for my wife and me. First, it was inspiring to see that someone with a professional life outside the religion departments has been able to do such a deep gospel in her "spare" time. Second, I don't know how you mange to find guests whose scholarship and insights match up so well with the study assignment for a particular week. Definitley an episode to print and study often. Would that all "feminists" could teach the principles as well as she does.
I'm writing this during my second listen to this interview with Dr Witesman. She blew my mind with her insights! The part that really impressed me was her experience in the temple with their daughter. I follow astronomy and physics channels and I hear a lot of stuff about parallel universes and multi universes that I think to most people seem to be sci-fi than serious science. But the first time I heard about them, I nearly fell out of my chair. It seemed that they were describing how God sees all things past, present and future before Him and just what the Spirit World is (a parallel universe?), and multi universes just have to be the creations of all those who have gone on to eternal exaltation. I thought I was the only one in the world who was thinking this, but Dr Witesman just had an experience to show this is true! Thank you for sharing this! I love having my mind blown like this!
I am in my 80s and the Book of Mormon is my favorite book. I was vaguely aware of not many women being mentioned by name in that greatest of all books. I didn't realize it was only six, but the Lord is in charge and there must be a good reason for that. Two possible reasons come to mind: it might protect women from being maligned by Book of Mormon critics, and we live in a day when righteous male role models are SO badly needed. I have served a mission and worked professionally at two different universities for 40 years. My worst experiences in both places was with women who exercised unrighteous dominion. I am very aware of the attacks on women and children, today, but in this current day and age, boys and men, such as our veterans are among the highest at risk for suicide. The attacks on our good men and boys and the lack of fathers and good male role models in America is very alarming. Unchaste women are sleeping around and bringing children into the world over and over. Women advocates have become very vocal, but we also need those who speak up for the good men in our Church and in our world.
If you’ve been watching recent episodes of The Chosen, look at this episode and through the lens of the questions those characters grapple with… while Ramah is a fictional character, those Nephite believers-women and children -absolutely were real people, and those Nephite men had to be feeling so much of what Thomas and the other disciples portrayed so powerfully. It’s a remarkable coincidence (?) that these episodes became available just when we as a Church are studying this part of the Book of Mormon.
Amen, Sister, regarding Alma 14:8 and the crimes against the women and children. Thank you for speaking to this! I am a survivor of a crime against women. It has been forty-one years, and though I am an active and engaged individual, one who tries to reach out to others and one who has overcome, that crime still affects me daily. So, as you speak about the families of these women and how they were impacted, it does truly ripple out to many generations. It is, indeed, as you stated, "...an attack on the peace making power of women..." It is an uphill battle of trying to use our God-given gift of being a peacemaker, while all the time having to look over our shoulder, because we are prey.
I wanted to add that I just had, what I consider, a possible near-miss last week. I will be re-instating measures I have taken, in the past, to protect myself.
Thank you for this message. I needed it in 2 ways. One was I had been thinking about why this chapter was included and also trying to figure out why Alma said these things to this people/Zeezrom. Thanks for clearing it up for me. The second reason is because my spouse recently received a very demanding calling, and I was expected to give up my current calling, which I love. The thought has been very hard for me, and I've asked to remain until/unless I feel it's too much. Thank you for the reminder that I can and must take it to the Lord so He can help me. There's no need for me to try and push this aside. Thanks!
Loved this episode so much! Thank you Eva for emphasizing the fact that we need to not skip over this ugly scene in The book of Mormon because unfortunately yes it still does happen today.. Beautiful strength
I love this session today! I loved the story of adoption, I am a firm believer that people who adopt children into their family agreed to have them come to their family before this earth. Also, I thought it was important to address the issue of the women and children and their safety today in our times. I also liked the parallel to Melchizedek and what happened in the Book of Mormon.
I wonder if Amulek had family and friends that were burned in the fire and he was made to watch? We know he wanted to use God power to stop it. What he must have felt. He had to trust Heavenly Father and stand on his faith. He is a great example of what we have to do when tragedy hit❤
I'm often uncomfortable when I hear modern vernacular and focus framing gospel topics. I love the blessing of priesthood as a sheltering protection of all under the covenant. Also, it's not important to have many women listed by name in the Book of Mormon, is it? Reknown and public recognition are anathema to priesthood power.
I've been a faithful participant in this miraculous podcast from the beginning, listening from just south of Fort Worth,Texas. Thank you, Hank, John, and Eva for another priceless episode. 🤍😃🙏🏼👍🏼
This is a beautiful podcast. I love your thoughts about how we must protect the most vulnerable and about the importance of women to a community and culture. Thanks for also sharing Sister Johnson's comments. this is such a timely message. It breaks my heart to learn what is happening in so many areas of the world that is so devastating to the women, the children, and the family
I love how the abuse of women & children have been discussed in this episode, the Lord condemn this act but often it's a taboo topic so it's refreshing to hear it from scripture scholars perspective. 😊❤
It is important to remember that women and children are not the only ones who are mistreated and exploited. Men are abused just as much, but our culture tends to ignore that. In fact, innocent men are often treated like abusers in our court system. This active prejudice against men has affected several incredible men that I know personally. Abuse in all forms against anyone is wrong. Both men and women can be victims and/or perpetrators of abuse. It's important that we don't highlight one aspect of the problem over another, but address it as a whole so no one is excluded.
You and your husband have a personal relationship with the Lord so that when the path changed, or rather, when your daughter's mother's path changed, you were guided to change also.
This was really good. One little nit though: she talks about her “wrestle” over church doctrine practice and how she finally became ok with it after much labor. So is there any way she can help less diligent members come up to speed with less labor? Maybe instead of speaking cryptically and euphemistically about how hard everything was to accept just state what the original concern was and how it got resolved (granted this may not be the right forum for it).
I have long pondered on the ideas of political and economic philosophy and their role in a righteous society. I haven't understood the fervor behind capitalism and the vilification of socialism. I eventually came to the conclusion that the philosophies by which we build our societies are not what's important, it is the "power" behind those philosophies. Whenever the idea of a righteous leader who views him/herself as a servant comes up (as in your discussion today), it brings it all back to mind. We have many examples of socialism going wrong because the people look out only for themselves and fail to put their brother before greed and power, but what I feel a lot of people don't see is the absolute brokenness of our capitalistic society today that has occurred as a direct result of greed and the hunger for power. It isn't the system that determines a fair and equitable society, it's the people and where their heart is.
Men do have to step up but Women have to raise their sons to respect women and raise their daughters to not let males in their lives that can't possibly respect them most of all teach Jesus Christ and their covenant relationship with Him and Heavenly Father We can't leave it to others
Psychological abuse is also a huge reality for many women which has lasting generational impacts. Children grow up in an altered reality and don’t learn how to trust or how to relate properly with the world.
Great podcast. I like the parallel between Alma 15 and D&C 121. How long must I need to endure this trial in life? I know that you are really there and really lovest me.
I will probably get some dislike comments for this, but I'm going to ask anyway. Alma 13:28 states: But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear,..... It seems that in order to not be tempted more than you can bear, one has to watch and pray as opposed to in Corinthians where it says: God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able... The BOM seems to give If you pray then you won't be tempted more than you can endure, where as the Bible says that you won't be tempted more than you can endure no stipulations. Any thoughts?
Sister Lili DeHoyos Anderson spoke a bit about this on her podcast as she was covering these same chapters. I’m going to put it in my own words, but what I took away from it was that if we hold onto our faith, then because of Christ, we can bear what we are to asked to bear. We can overcome temptations when we allow ourselves to be, but there is protection available to us all if we ask and turn to God. Also, many times the Lord will grant us our righteous desires if we but ask, and we must ask. Yes, I used to think God would never tempt us beyond our ability to overcome, but God never tempts us; the adversary does. It was a wonderful podcast and I’d recommend it!
I totally agree with her about the crimes against women and children, and atrocities committed against them. But, it almost sounds like she’s saying, “Hey, Heavenly Father, you made a mistake by not putting more stories about women in your INSPIRED scriptures, that YOU brought forth in the latter-days.” M just saying we have to be careful being critical with scriptures.
Really? I feel like this episode was a great testament to how our struggles with doctrine can bring us closer to God. Her insights are absolutely incredible and I haven't heard anything so far that doesn't fit with the doctrine taught by the Brethren.
This was truly a beautiful discussion. Has anyone found any other works of Dr Witesman other than the BYU Devotional? I would love to learn from her more! (I have Googled) Grapevine, TX
As a woman, I have never felt "unseen" by the stories of men in the scriptures. I can relate to all of the stories, not just the ones about women. I enjoyed many of the insights shared by Dr. Witesman and value perspectives from different angles. However, I appreciate men who are strong who can provide protection and I think that humility is a virtue that needs to be cultivated by all people alike, not "especially" by men. But I very much value the gracious environment on the podcast where all of the hosts respect each other's opinions.
I don’t really feel slighted or worried about how I am seen as a woman. I know how God feels about me. I know the powerful relationship I have with God and the influence I have in the life of my little circle.
I did enjoy the thoughts about the length of destruction that happens when women are destroyed in the name of war and power and control. Very insightful.
I often think how much God wants to spare his partner from the world and their lack of knowledge and I hope my spouse will stand and protect me like that
"Where priesthood is prevalent, women and children are safe." This thought came to me...not my own thought. Thank you for another extremely insightful podcast. Listening every week from rural Pima, Arizona.
Where “righteous “ priesthood is present…….
Thank you for sharing this. I will add to the thread, If we have faith, that priesthood will keep us safe, and guide our path, through the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
While I appreciate the sentiment, we live in a fallen world where bad things happen to righteous people. If we think we will avoid heartache because we are around righteous priesthood holders, we may he disappointed. In the end, everything will be ok though. Maybe that’s what you mean.
I was listening to this week's episode on my way to work yesterday and I was moved by Dr Eva Witesman's experience adopting her daughter. It was such a beautiful account and reminded me how grateful I am for my experience as a birthmother. On my way home from work I tried to listen to the podcast again but instead of hearing your words a poem formed in my head and I wrote it down immediately.
I am
by Jenna Nuttall
I am a birth mother
determined to make this right
a teammate with this child
Love before first sight
Bonded together
Willing to fight
I know where they came from
And who they deserve to be
I am a birth mother
for all eternity.
This is beautiful.
Thank you for that beautiful, precious poem from your heart. I know just who to share it with.
Love Eva's instructive message ❤️😇🙏🏻
My wife and I listen to these wonderful Come Follow Me episodes as we drive around on assignment here in the Chile Rancagua Mission. We love the young elders and hermanas, these beautiful mountain valleys full of orchards and vineyards, and we love the spirit that these episodes bring to our journeys. We REALLY need more senior couples here, including one to replace us in the mission offices (we leave in January 2025). Anyone out there? John and Hank, and your guests, God bless you.
When I heard you say "sexual assault," I literally threw down my dishrag and yelled, "YES! YES! Thank you, Lord, YES!" For so long, I have needed not to feel invisible. I'm a Latter-Day Saint who was sexually abused by her parents as a child. I hoped, but never believed I would actually hear sexual abuse acknowledged on Follow Him.
This last October, I pitched a book about healing from sexual abuse to Deseret Book. The reason they gave at that time was the audience simply isn't ready. The moms and grandmas of the church simply aren't ready to talk about sexual abuse.
The Lord is on the move, because I think that is changing. My stake presidency has been listening to me and gave me the opportunity to speak to each of the wards in our stake about the fact this happened to me and how Christ has delivered me through it. I was feeling pretty overwhelmed about how people would receive me. This emboldens me SO MUCH. Thank you Sister Witesman, thank you. And thank you Brother Smith and Brother Bytheway. The Lord is on the move!!!!
I'm giving the first talk this Sunday. This was obviously a tender mercy for me. Thank you ❤
@@starlingwarrior wow, so exciting. I've been praying for those that have been "prisoners of abuse" to be freed for a long time. And I've been praying it because the Lord has wanted me to pray for it. So excited that it's starting to happen .. 🙏 ❤
I am so sorry you had to experience that. God bless you, dear sister. You are a survivor! 🙏
@@starlingwarrioryou will bless and help so many others heal
Utah’s not ready to talk about it, the rest of us are (I’m only somewhat joking). Keep sharing your story sister :)
Awesome insights! Definitely need to have Dr Witesman back. I am so glad that she discussed woman and priesthood and the roles of both genders. I wish more members spent the time to understand these important topics. Thank you!
I love your pod cast every week. Please invite Dr. Witesman again. I have felt so much happiness in the gospel for me personally. Thank you.
Wow! I love the adoption story. Incredible principles learned here.
This concept of Power WITH versus Power Over is amazing and so applicable in so many conversations, contexts and choices (even just in the last few days! 🤯 )
Thank you for this episode. Wow.
I wish she clarified the importance of “power over,” as that is a huge part of society and safety. Men give their lives on almost every page of the scriptures protect their wives and children. That power is “power over” to fight their enemies. To keep society safe, men have “power over” as well.
Thank you so much for this! We lose too many members because they can't see the role and the place of women in the Church and with the Priesthood. I think we are getting better at understanding and explaining it as the Restoration continues, and Dr. Witesman did a beautiful job of demonstrating that the doctrine is right there in the Book of Mormon.
I "happened" to listen this as I drove to the Louisville Kentucky Temple from my home in English, Indiana.
This is my favorite episode of this podcast I have ever listened to. I really appreciate Dr. witesman not being afraid to speak very directly about important issues that are still relevant today. This was beautiful.
I have listened to a lot of your podcasts. I absolutely love them, but this episode especially resonated with me. Thank you for sharing God's message in so many different ways. What a blessing!
Thank you so much Dr. Witesman! I am so grateful that you had us stop and ponder the impacts unrighteous dominion, unrighteous abuses of agency, and violence has on women and children. It felt validating and healing to sit with this, talk about it loud, and have these unfortunate experiences recognized rather than glossed over. Thank you! And thank you Hank Smith and John Bytheway for inviting her on the show and for being able to not only tolerate this conversation, but welcome it. It is difficult to talk about and sit with, but so often women and children who have been perpetrated against get disenfranchised when this section gets glossed over. Grateful for today's discussion.
I agree! I'm so grateful to John and Hank for honoring women and children by embracing this important topic!
The men of the Book of Mormon gave their lives on almost every page to protect their families, women and children. The few times women and children are mentioned being massacred should bring to light how often men died to protect them and how successful they were. Let’s not think that men are expendable and immune from the horrors of war. They are typically alone in facing them.
Thanks for this comment. Grateful for this insight. You are very right about the sacrifices men make in protecting their families and that men often suffer alone. @@cameron3525
Really appreciate her candor and honesty in discussing this very sensitive subject. Struck a powerful chord with me. Her message if adhered to will be a blessing to men and society. I firmly believe that if we as Latter Day Saints men learn to desist from exercising power over our wives, daughters and children in general our access to God’s power will be tremendously increased.
I am so grateful for a safe priesthood honoring men in my life as a child, especially my dear Grandpa! My childhood was unsafe, but those priesthood bearing men taught me that safety was possible. They helped me trust in Heavenly Father and Jesus. I'm so grateful for this life-changing blessing.
I feel so seen by Sister Witesman. She is a great advocate for the safety of women and children!❤
Excellent! Loved how your comments on "power" and the atrocities against women and children especially at times of war, and in far too many relationships. Your comments also helped me see Sister Camille Johnson's new global imitative on women and children as profoundly important. Thank you for sharing your understanding of scripture and spiritual wisdom.
I am listening from Wolverhampton, Birmingham stake, England and every week my car becomes a holy place as I listen to this pod cast on my work commute, I have another hour in my commuting week if you would like to fill it 😂 Thank you so much for helping to continue my spiritual education 😊
Check out "Unshaken Saints" with your extra hour.
Dr. Witesman is one of the absolute best! I was so excited to see that she was the guest for this week’s lesson.
Many thanks! I appreciate all the guests AND as a person that has had some big questions about womens roles and value in the gospel, church and heaven - the perspective shift makes all the different. Im grateful for shifts from diving more into the BOM, watching The Chosen, viewing this podcast, listening to conference and diving deeper in pres. Nelsons decades of talks. Thank you!
Thank you so much Eva for your insights! So valued. I come from an abusive background myself. It has affected my entire life. I have learned a lot from it and I have come to know my Savior through the healing. My one concern I want to share is that so often we as women want to point out where we’ve been forgotten… and justly so…That we need to be careful not to swing too far and forget the good men too. For example, in our comments about how the women and children suffered, which they did terribly! The men suffered, too, just in different ways. I guess my point is that we make sure to bring up our men as well as our women they need it as well. We have four sons and three daughters, and my heart of hope goes out to them each. I know you feel the same way just sometimes our men are getting made out to all be the bad Guys.
Once again, I cherish all of your insights, and how you open my eyes to new views into the Scriptures!
After watching this lesson, I looked up the 2017 devotional given by Dr. Wiseman. Loved it! Her message was so powerful.
Thank you for this and all of your other episodes.
My husband and I have listened to them on many morning walks in California since you began. We love Shannon and Steve and their family and know this podcast was inspired by God. We now listen from Copenhagen Denmark as we serve as full time missionaries. These messages uplift us and help strengthen our testimonies of our Savior Jesus Christ. We enjoyed having Eva on the podcast and her insights to likening the scriptures to our day. Thank you, all of you. We love Jesus Christ and strive to follow Him every day.
Her explanation of the "heiarchy" of church leaders is the best explanation/ discourse on the priesthood that I've ever heard!
I love these podcasts. I have come to know the Savior in such tender terms through the testimonies of your guests each week. Thank you for the time and effort these require. I love this service and the discussions offered each week. These examinations have improved my parenting and teaching the gospel in my home and circle of friends and family. Listening from Rural Oregon as I do the dishes or weed my garden.
Dr. Witesman's depth of wisdom and understanding is a jolt of powerful truth that struck my soul like lightning!! I'm an instant fan, and this episode rocketed to my personal top 5 favorites list. Please BRING HER BACK early and often!
Thank you so much for shedding light to how all these happen today. I have been feeling distant from how church discussions seem to be quiet about the genocide happening today but it’s been in the scriptures all this time. Thank you for reminding us of our responsibility to serve especially the women and children
Thank you from the bottom of my heart! You took a scripture that was so painful and gave me a new perspective! I have listened three times so far and am encouraging my friends and family to listen as well! Thank you for the time and effort you put into preparing this lesson!❤ Sandy, utah
This part was so wonderful!!! It is such a blessing to have such beautiful insights into these scriptures that I love!! Thanks to you all!!
Thank you for asking how we (the church) can help women feel safe... MORE than half of the women in the church are single and the church doesn't understand them. Their needs, including their feelings of safety, are not being meet. If you took a survey, you would find that most single Sisters don't feel respected nor do they have callings which leads to feelings of not being wanted, not belonging, that they are just burdens etc. Dismissing singles is the same as not caring for the poor and needy or the least of these.... there will never be a Zion people as long as singles are not respected, overlooked, dismissed, not wanted, gossip about, put down, not understood, bullied etc.
I’m sorry to break it to you, but “feeling safe” is arbitrary and not a good measure of success. The more you learn about the world and about the devil, the more fear you would have. There will always be evil out there that we could be afraid of. The important thing is being prepared and living righteously so when we die we will receive our reward.
The church’s purpose doesn’t have anything to due with making people feel safe.
Wow. What an episode. The last 10 minutes of part 1 through the first 20 minutes of part 2 were paradigm shifting for me. I wish I could fit the entire show notes in my margins!
Me too!
Listen to the words of the sealing when children are sealed to parents in the temple and you’ll hear how God, our Father, can do something that isn’t what we might assume to be reality. Every time I hear it I’m amazed. This is how He will, with our Savior Jesus Christ, heal and make all things new. There are beautiful things to come to the faithful. ♥️
We had a young man in a Sealing session tell us that when he heard the child to parent sealing, it healed his heart--that he had never felt on the same level as his "natural born" siblings. But when he listened to the promises given to him when he was an adoptive baby being sealed to his parents, it healed his heart and he felt he was equal to his siblings for the first time in his life.
Outstanding! I can't wait to watch part 2.
I'm don't really recall you folks ever having a bad episode, but Eva was one of the very best. I rarely listen to an episode twice, but this one was a two-timer. The only thing that she was wrong about was that she wasn't an ancient scripture expert. I thought she covered Adam and Eve, the Preexistence and Melchizedek as well as anyone I've ever heard and those are about as ancient as you can get! Thanks for a really great spiritual feast!
So glad I can covenant directly with my Heavenly Father. 😭🧡
Watching from the Texas Hill Country. I think all your guests have hit home runs, but Doctor Witesman truly hit it out of the park for my wife and me. First, it was inspiring to see that someone with a professional life outside the religion departments has been able to do such a deep gospel in her "spare" time. Second, I don't know how you mange to find guests whose scholarship and insights match up so well with the study assignment for a particular week. Definitley an episode to print and study often. Would that all "feminists" could teach the principles as well as she does.
I'm writing this during my second listen to this interview with Dr Witesman. She blew my mind with her insights! The part that really impressed me was her experience in the temple with their daughter. I follow astronomy and physics channels and I hear a lot of stuff about parallel universes and multi universes that I think to most people seem to be sci-fi than serious science. But the first time I heard about them, I nearly fell out of my chair. It seemed that they were describing how God sees all things past, present and future before Him and just what the Spirit World is (a parallel universe?), and multi universes just have to be the creations of all those who have gone on to eternal exaltation. I thought I was the only one in the world who was thinking this, but Dr Witesman just had an experience to show this is true! Thank you for sharing this! I love having my mind blown like this!
I am in my 80s and the Book of Mormon is my favorite book. I was vaguely aware of not many women being mentioned by name in that greatest of all books. I didn't realize it was only six, but the Lord is in charge and there must be a good reason for that. Two possible reasons come to mind: it might protect women from being maligned by Book of Mormon critics, and we live in a day when righteous male role models are SO badly needed. I have served a mission and worked professionally at two different universities for 40 years. My worst experiences in both places was with women who exercised unrighteous dominion. I am very aware of the attacks on women and children, today, but in this current day and age, boys and men, such as our veterans are among the highest at risk for suicide. The attacks on our good men and boys and the lack of fathers and good male role models in America is very alarming. Unchaste women are sleeping around and bringing children into the world over and over. Women advocates have become very vocal, but we also need those who speak up for the good men in our Church and in our world.
If you’ve been watching recent episodes of The Chosen, look at this episode and through the lens of the questions those characters grapple with… while Ramah is a fictional character, those Nephite believers-women and children -absolutely were real people, and those Nephite men had to be feeling so much of what Thomas and the other disciples portrayed so powerfully.
It’s a remarkable coincidence (?) that these episodes became available just when we as a Church are studying this part of the Book of Mormon.
Amen, Sister, regarding Alma 14:8 and the crimes against the women and children. Thank you for speaking to this! I am a survivor of a crime against women. It has been forty-one years, and though I am an active and engaged individual, one who tries to reach out to others and one who has overcome, that crime still affects me daily. So, as you speak about the families of these women and how they were impacted, it does truly ripple out to many generations. It is, indeed, as you stated, "...an attack on the peace making power of women..." It is an uphill battle of trying to use our God-given gift of being a peacemaker, while all the time having to look over our shoulder, because we are prey.
I wanted to add that I just had, what I consider, a possible near-miss last week. I will be re-instating measures I have taken, in the past, to protect myself.
What an incredible episode! It resonated on so many different levels.
Thanks for a beautiful lesson ❤
Thank you for this message. I needed it in 2 ways. One was I had been thinking about why this chapter was included and also trying to figure out why Alma said these things to this people/Zeezrom. Thanks for clearing it up for me.
The second reason is because my spouse recently received a very demanding calling, and I was expected to give up my current calling, which I love. The thought has been very hard for me, and I've asked to remain until/unless I feel it's too much. Thank you for the reminder that I can and must take it to the Lord so He can help me. There's no need for me to try and push this aside. Thanks!
Loved this episode so much! Thank you Eva for emphasizing the fact that we need to not skip over this ugly scene in The book of Mormon because unfortunately yes it still does happen today.. Beautiful strength
Listening from Wichita Kansas!
Thank you! Listening from Brazil 😊
Thank you for your inspiring podcasts. Following from Anchorage AK!
I love this session today! I loved the story of adoption, I am a firm believer that people who adopt children into their family agreed to have them come to their family before this earth. Also, I thought it was important to address the issue of the women and children and their safety today in our times. I also liked the parallel to Melchizedek and what happened in the Book of Mormon.
I wonder if Amulek had family and friends that were burned in the fire and he was made to watch? We know he wanted to use God power to stop it. What he must have felt. He had to trust Heavenly Father and stand on his faith. He is a great example of what we have to do when tragedy hit❤
I'm often uncomfortable when I hear modern vernacular and focus framing gospel topics. I love the blessing of priesthood as a sheltering protection of all under the covenant. Also, it's not important to have many women listed by name in the Book of Mormon, is it? Reknown and public recognition are anathema to priesthood power.
I've been a faithful participant in this miraculous podcast from the beginning, listening from just south of Fort Worth,Texas. Thank you, Hank, John, and Eva for another priceless episode. 🤍😃🙏🏼👍🏼
This is a beautiful podcast. I love your thoughts about how we must protect the most vulnerable and about the importance of women to a community and culture. Thanks for also sharing Sister Johnson's comments. this is such a timely message. It breaks my heart to learn what is happening in so many areas of the world that is so devastating to the women, the children, and the family
Ditto for us! Except Arizona!
I love how the abuse of women & children have been discussed in this episode, the Lord condemn this act but often it's a taboo topic so it's refreshing to hear it from scripture scholars perspective. 😊❤
Thx!
Thank you
Thank you for another outstanding episode! Listening from Springfield, VA, just south of Washington DC.
It is important to remember that women and children are not the only ones who are mistreated and exploited. Men are abused just as much, but our culture tends to ignore that. In fact, innocent men are often treated like abusers in our court system. This active prejudice against men has affected several incredible men that I know personally. Abuse in all forms against anyone is wrong. Both men and women can be victims and/or perpetrators of abuse. It's important that we don't highlight one aspect of the problem over another, but address it as a whole so no one is excluded.
Great lesson! Hi from NYC!
You and your husband have a personal relationship with the Lord so that when the path changed, or rather, when your daughter's mother's path changed, you were guided to change also.
President Hinckley said there's no power in the priesthood without service
This was really good. One little nit though: she talks about her “wrestle” over church doctrine practice and how she finally became ok with it after much labor. So is there any way she can help less diligent members come up to speed with less labor? Maybe instead of speaking cryptically and euphemistically about how hard everything was to accept just state what the original concern was and how it got resolved (granted this may not be the right forum for it).
I have long pondered on the ideas of political and economic philosophy and their role in a righteous society. I haven't understood the fervor behind capitalism and the vilification of socialism. I eventually came to the conclusion that the philosophies by which we build our societies are not what's important, it is the "power" behind those philosophies. Whenever the idea of a righteous leader who views him/herself as a servant comes up (as in your discussion today), it brings it all back to mind. We have many examples of socialism going wrong because the people look out only for themselves and fail to put their brother before greed and power, but what I feel a lot of people don't see is the absolute brokenness of our capitalistic society today that has occurred as a direct result of greed and the hunger for power. It isn't the system that determines a fair and equitable society, it's the people and where their heart is.
Men do have to step up but Women have to raise their sons to respect women and raise their daughters to not let males in their lives that can't possibly respect them most of all teach Jesus Christ and their covenant relationship with Him and Heavenly Father We can't leave it to others
Psychological abuse is also a huge reality for many women which has lasting generational impacts. Children grow up in an altered reality and don’t learn how to trust or how to relate properly with the world.
I need her quotes about being a woman and having concerns around min 24!
Can you share her talk with us ?
From Lyman Wyoming 🧡
From Western Washington. Did she ever move to Washington DC??
Great podcast. I like the parallel between Alma 15 and D&C 121. How long must I need to endure this trial in life? I know that you are really there and really lovest me.
Could anyone provide the source for the idea of the Lord playing 5D chess? I believe it was said by a past guest....
It’s a very common phrase. Too man occurrences for decades to single them out.
I will probably get some dislike comments for this, but I'm going to ask anyway. Alma 13:28 states:
But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear,.....
It seems that in order to not be tempted more than you can bear, one has to watch and pray as opposed to in Corinthians where it says:
God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able...
The BOM seems to give If you pray then you won't be tempted more than you can endure, where as the Bible says that you won't be tempted more than you can endure no stipulations.
Any thoughts?
Sister Lili DeHoyos Anderson spoke a bit about this on her podcast as she was covering these same chapters. I’m going to put it in my own words, but what I took away from it was that if we hold onto our faith, then because of Christ, we can bear what we are to asked to bear. We can overcome temptations when we allow ourselves to be, but there is protection available to us all if we ask and turn to God. Also, many times the Lord will grant us our righteous desires if we but ask, and we must ask.
Yes, I used to think God would never tempt us beyond our ability to overcome, but God never tempts us; the adversary does.
It was a wonderful podcast and I’d recommend it!
💙
Quantum theory explains foreordination and agency. Multiple possibilities exist at the same time. God, knowing us, can anticipate our choices
I totally agree with her about the crimes against women and children, and atrocities committed against them. But, it almost sounds like she’s saying, “Hey, Heavenly Father, you made a mistake by not putting more stories about women in your INSPIRED scriptures, that YOU brought forth in the latter-days.” M just saying we have to be careful being critical with scriptures.
I wasn't a fan of the woke vibes throughout this episode. But it's good to be exposed to ideas from all directions.
I don't think this was woke. She offers great observations and connections to our time.
Really? I feel like this episode was a great testament to how our struggles with doctrine can bring us closer to God. Her insights are absolutely incredible and I haven't heard anything so far that doesn't fit with the doctrine taught by the Brethren.
Ah. I was about 15 minutes from the end when I wrote my comment. I can see what you mean.
What are the woke vibes you were getting? 🤔
I’m a man and has never been woke, and I assure you she’s been a mouthpiece for God in this episode.
23:20 ❤
This was truly a beautiful discussion. Has anyone found any other works of Dr Witesman other than the BYU Devotional? I would love to learn from her more! (I have Googled)
Grapevine, TX