Podcast Summary: Don't Miss This Study

Episode: GOD’S LOVE LANGUAGE
Hosts: Emily Freeman & David Butler
Date: August 25, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Emily Freeman and David Butler explore sections 94–97 of the Doctrine and Covenants, focusing on the themes of God's "love language"—particularly how divine chastening is an act of love—and the critical role of temples both historically and in personal spiritual growth. They connect the Saints’ struggles in Missouri with God's command and encouragement to build temples, diving deep into how sacrifice, chastening, and following divine patterns bless lives. Throughout, they draw modern parallels, sharing stories and personal reflections that make these scriptural moments immediate and relevant for listeners.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Context: Trials Amidst Commandment

• Saints in Missouri faced extreme hardship—being driven from their homes while simultaneously commanded to build the temple.
• God’s Unfailing Encouragement: Despite temporal struggles, God’s repeated call to build His house is not ignorance, but provision. Dave reflects, “It almost could seem... the Lord seems a little bit callous... but I think you’ll see he’s encouraging the solution for them in this.”
  (01:00)

2. God’s Love Language: Chastening as Care

• Chastening = Love: Doctrine & Covenants 95:1 introduces the theme: “Whom I love, I also chasten...”
  Dave tells a story about Joseph Fielding Smith, likening God’s correction to “scaring the hell out” of us—removing what keeps heaven from entering our lives.

  “If I scare the hell out of you, there will be room for heaven to move in.” — Dave Butler (04:10)

• Reasons for Hesitation: Grace unpacks the reasons the Saints may have been slow: fear, feeling unqualified, financial concerns, or believing “maybe it doesn’t need to be that big of a rush.” (05:27)
• Chastening as Protection:

  “He’s like, I’m trying to protect you from your own decisions... I’m chastening you because you are withholding or blocking some of the power I’m trying to pour into your life.” — Dave Butler (08:12)

• God Doesn’t Give Up: Correction is evidence of God’s dedication.

  “If I didn’t love you, I would give up on you... But section 95 is him saying, I will not give up on you.” — Grace Freeman (08:36)

3. Purpose & Blessings of the Temple (D&C 94–97)

• Verses with Meaning:
  • D&C 95:4: The temple prepares apostles to “prune my vineyard for the last time.”
    “I want you to be a part of this rescue mission… prepare a place where I can teach you and arm you and empower you...” — Dave Butler (09:32)
  • D&C 95:8: The temple is for endowment with “power from on high.”
  • D&C 97:13–16: Temples are places of thanksgiving, instruction, glory, and God’s presence—applicable to “people in all their several callings and offices.”
• Worth the Sacrifice:

  “It is worth everything you have to do, whatever that is, to get into the temple… Because the promises he described [are] still true today.” — Grace Freeman (13:23)

4. The Temple as a Pattern for Living

• The Word “Pattern”:
  • God gives a “pattern of living” for both buildings and lives.
  • “Shall I build a life for my God out of logs? No, I have a better plan than that—a plan for a life of the Lord given by himself.” — Dave Butler (15:41)
• Temple = Template:
  • The process of building the temple teaches Saints (and us) how to build holy lives:
    • Be dedicated “from the foundation” (D&C 94:6)
    • Be “wholly dedicated unto the Lord” (D&C 94:7)
    • Keep life/personal “space” pure (D&C 94:8)
• God’s Intentionality:

  “If this is how specific and careful God is with a building, then why would God not be that careful with a life and with a heart?” — Grace Freeman (19:01)

5. Acting with Faith: “Grab a Shovel and Start Digging”

• Hyrum Smith's Example: After the June revelation, Hyrum Smith immediately began digging for the temple’s foundation before plans were drawn.
• It’s important “just to start”—sometimes God guides us more as we move.

  “If you want more revelation in your life, the first thing you need to start doing is moving… just go grab a shovel, just start…” — Grace Freeman paraphrasing Elder Bednar (22:37)

6. Supporting the Work: The Example of John Johnson

• John Johnson (ancestor of Grace) sold his home and farm so that the Kirtland Temple land could be bought—showcasing the ripple effect of sacrifice.

  “Somebody who says, ‘I’m going to offer a little,’ God says, ‘I will bless that with blessings… not just on you, but on your generations to come.’” — Dave Butler (25:23)

• God builds His kingdom, and us, “with helpers”—those willing to make small yet significant sacrifices.

7. Priestly Patterns in Loss and Suffering

• Missouri Saints’ Suffering:
  Despite atrocity (loss of homes, mob violence, etc.), God’s instructions (D&C 97) remain—build the temple for spiritual resilience.
• Edward Partridge’s Meekness:
  When persecuted, he responded with Christlike “Father, forgive them…” spirit, demonstrating the power in living gospel patterns.
  “God taught a pattern... of the way to live a life is not revenge... let me show you a pattern of sacrifice…” — Dave Butler (27:40)
• Zion as a People, Not a Place:
  God claims and accepts the broken, contrite, covenant-keeping Saints.

  “I hope you know that he claims you… I accept you wholeheartedly in all your brokenness, in all your sadness, in all your disappointment… I claim you as mine.” — Grace Freeman (29:40)

8. God’s Foresight & the Modern Parallel

• God’s Preparation:
  Even before the Saints knew their needs, God was preparing “a way of escape” (see D&C 97).
• Moving Story from Maui:
  After devastating fires, a boy said his greatest desire was for a temple on Maui. Three weeks later, a temple was announced.

  “In the midst of that... there is another voice that says... we need a temple because we need the strength of God and the power of God.” — Dave Butler (31:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Chastening:
  “If I scare the hell out of you, there will be room for heaven to move in.” – Dave Butler (04:10)
• On God’s Motivation:
  “If I didn’t love you, I would give up on you... But section 95 is him saying, I will not give up on you.” – Grace Freeman (08:36)
• On Building for God:
  “Shall I build a life for my God out of logs? No, I have a better plan than that.” – Dave Butler (15:41)
• On Acting in Faith:
  “If you want more revelation in your life, the first thing you need to start doing is moving... just go grab a shovel.” – Grace Freeman (22:37)
• On Being Claimed by God:
  “I accept you wholeheartedly in all your brokenness... I claim you as mine.” – Grace Freeman (29:40)
• Modern Miracles:
  “Three weeks later, at general conference, President Nelson announced a temple in Maui... God says, oh, I know your story.” – Dave Butler (32:38)

Important Timestamps

• 01:00: Introduction to Saints’ struggles and dual command to build the temple
• 04:00: Chastening as an expression of love (Joseph Fielding Smith story)
• 08:36: God’s correction is rooted in love—not control
• 09:32: The blessings and reasons for building the temple
• 13:23: The personal impact and worth of temple sacrifice
• 15:41: The pattern (template) of building for God vs. ourselves
• 19:01: Applying building “patterns” to heart and life
• 22:37: Hyrum Smith’s example and the “just start” principle
• 25:23: John Johnson’s legacy—small offerings, multiplied blessings
• 27:40: Pattern of Christlike response during persecution (Edward Partridge)
• 29:40: God claiming His people in brokenness—what Zion truly means
• 31:20: Maui fire story and modern fulfillment of temple promises
• 32:38: God’s foreknowledge and understanding of our stories

Final Thoughts

Emily and Dave wrap up by encouraging listeners to see the temple not just as a building but as both a pattern and a promise for constructing sanctified lives. They conclude that God’s “love language” is persistent, patient, and always points His people toward blessings—even (and especially) through correction and sacrifice. For today’s listeners, these promises and patterns are as urgent and relevant as ever.