
Hosted by Melanie Wellman Stroud · EN

This week, I'm in Doctrine & Covenants 129–132, discussing how blessings from God come through obedience. I share some real-life chaos, then dive into family history, temple work, and powerful stories about ancestors and eternal families—and how all of it brings us hope, help, and joy. Here's a link to receive the podcasts and other content directly in your inbox. You'll love it. Trust me. SUBSTACK LINK

I'm in Doctrine and Covenants 124—"A House unto My Name." I recap the Saints' move to Nauvoo, why the Lord urgently needed a temple, and how faithful discipleship (taking counsel, staying humble, keeping the Spirit) helps us endure. I talk about being doers of the word, not hearers only; welcoming strangers like the people of Quincy did; and practical ways to serve—yes, including finding refugee and local needs on JustServe.org. I also touch on Nauvoo ordinances, baptisms for the dead, and making temple work part of daily discipleship. At the end, I invite you to pray about one specific thing you'll do this week—and then go do it. Follow me on Substack to get this sent directly to your inbox each week. And if you haven't bought my book about the power of the Book of Mormon, which includes a simple five-step method to getting the most out of your study, you can buy it here. Yipee! Feasting on the Words of Christ

In this episode, I dive into Doctrine and Covenants 115–120 and talk about what it really means when the Lord says, "His sacrifice shall be more sacred unto me than his increase." I share stories from early Church history—like Saints who gave up everything for their faith—and what we can learn from their examples today. I talk about obedience, tithing, staying loyal to the Prophet, and how the Lord sees and honors our efforts, even when we fall. This one is about faith, sacrifice, and choosing to shine on—even when it's hard.

In D&C 111–114, I talk about how the Lord truly "orders all things for our good," even when life feels messy or distracting. I share what I learned from Thomas B. Marsh's story—how quickly we can lose the Spirit through pride or anger, and how repentance brings us back. I also share personal experiences where the Lord provided for me in simple, miraculous ways, reminding me that He's always aware of us. This episode is about trusting God, keeping the Holy Ghost close, and strengthening our testimonies every single day. Follow me on Substack to receive these podcasts and transcripts directly in your inbox. https://substack.com/@melaniestroud/note/p-175067456?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=6jc14

In my first episode, I process the prophet's passing and recent heartbreak, then share how Alma 12–14, guarding the Spirit, and a call to virtue softened my heart. I discuss why repentance matters, how peace returns, and why I'm finally starting this channel. Here's a link to my Substack account. Click over there to get involved. https://open.substack.com/pub/melanie... I don't know what happened from my phone to here - something went wacky. I wasn't using some crazy filter to erase my face. I will work that out for next time. Sorry! If you'd like to read the book I talked about, Feasting on the Words of Christ you can get it here. Shine on!

In this episode, I share lessons from Zion's Camp in Doctrine and Covenants 103–105 and how they apply to our lives today. We talk about trials of faith, unity, and the need to be spiritually prepared through temple covenants. I also reflect on my own struggles with starting new projects, the importance of sharing the gospel in everyday moments, and Elder Bednar's reminder to ask: Who's on the Lord's side?

In this week's study of Doctrine & Covenants 102–105 ("After much tribulation cometh the blessings"), I walk through why the first high council was organized and the loving purpose of membership councils, then trace Zion's Camp and what it taught the Saints—and us—about obedience, timing, and building Zion through righteousness. I share stories like Reddick Allred's steady faith and 22-year-old Nathan Baldwin's instant obedience, plus a modern example of following prophetic counsel even when it's hard. My personal takeaway: I want to be the one who turns west the moment the Spirit whispers. Also…watch for my new joy project (on YouTube!)—I'm finally acting on that nudge. Check out my book, "Feasting on the Words of Christ," where I share a simple, five-step method for receiving answers to your prayers through the scriptures. You're really going to love it!

In this episode covering Doctrine and Covenants 94–97, I talk about how the Lord gives us patterns—whether in building temples or in building our lives—and how following His plan brings blessings we can’t find in the world’s way of doing things. I share a listener’s touching review about the power of the Book of Mormon, insights on the Lord being in the details, and lessons from Joseph Smith’s insistence on building the Lord’s house His way. We discuss chastening as a sign of God’s love, Hyrum Smith’s eagerness to begin the Lord’s work, and how temples and Zion invite us to become pure in heart. Most of all, this episode reminds us that the Lord wants to refine, bless, and multiply us when we humbly follow Him. See Saints, 1:169–70; “A House for Our God,” Revelations in Context, 165–73. Below is the talk I referenced, The Lord’s Strange Act by Rex C Reeve. https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/rex-c-reeve-sr/lords-strange-act/

This week I’m diving into Doctrine and Covenants 93—“Receive of His Fulness.” I talk about Elder Renlund’s message on “Infuriating Unfairness” and the importance of being stone-catchers instead of stone-throwers, share some powerful listener stories about following the prophet, and explore how we grow grace by grace, just like the Savior did. We’ll look at what it means to climb the ladder of exaltation one step at a time, how light and truth fill our lives as we keep the commandments, and why setting our own homes in order really matters. I hope this episode reminds you that you are a child of God with divine potential and that little by little, you can receive of His fulness. From the manual: “When you climb up a ladder,” Joseph Smith taught, “you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 268). Sometimes that ladder of exaltation seems impossibly high , but we were born to climb to the top. Whatever limitations we may see in ourselves, Heavenly Father and His Son see something glorious in us, something godlike. Just as Jesus Christ “was in the beginning with the Father,” so “ye were also” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:21, 23). Just as He “continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness,” so also “you shall receive grace for grace” (verses 13, 20). The restored gospel teaches us about the true nature of God, and so it also teaches us about ourselves and what we can become. Despite the efforts of the “wicked one” (verse 39)—and despite what you feel you may lack—you are a literal child of God with the potential to “in due time receive of his fulness” (verse 19). https://youtu.be/3mzj-gBeAZg?si=2JS0EzsTV4gm4bkB https://youtu.be/JBX-InLxObI?si=F-5cI1YIb6x3UeAD https://youtu.be/tMRm1NfpQYQ?si=FECvAJzW-_fBCuAy https://youtu.be/VZljNTyemcU?si=LL_Bz98ayO9-pNN1 Check out my book, "Feasting on the Words of Christ," where I share a simple, five-step method for receiving answers to your prayers through the scriptures. You're really going to love it!

In this episode, I continue with Doctrine & Covenants 88 and move into sections 89–92, “A Principle with a Promise.” I share the wrestle I had over releasing this episode that talks about the vaccine, why I ultimately felt impressed to publish it, and how it ties into following the prophet and learning by faith. We’ll look at what it means to submit our will to God, seek answers in the scriptures, and embrace the Word of Wisdom as both temporal counsel and spiritual promise. “… the submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. The many other things we “give,” brothers and sisters, are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us. However, when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours to give!” “Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father” Swallowed up in the Will of the Father Alan Jackson - Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus "Seek Learning By Faith," Elder David A. Bednar The Power of Sustaining Faith - Elder Eyring Synonyms for Sustain assist defend help aid approve back comfort confirm endorse support uphold validate verify lend a hand stand by stick up for Antonyms of sustain hinder obstruct condemn contradict deny disagree disapprove discourage disprove ignore invalidate oppose refuse reject Melanie's Video about the Vaccine Check out my book, "Feasting on the Words of Christ," where I share a simple, five-step method for receiving answers to your prayers through the scriptures. You're really going to love it!