Don’t Miss This Study: “IN ALL THINGS”

Hosts: Emily (Grace) Freeman & David Butler
Episode Date: August 4, 2025
Scripture Focus: Doctrine & Covenants Section 88

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the deeply beloved Section 88 of the Doctrine & Covenants, a chapter famed for its expansive teachings on light, law, comfort, and practical discipleship. Emily Freeman and David Butler unpack how this section, often called “the olive leaf,” offers peace, hope, and actionable steps for spiritual growth in chaotic times. They emphasize how God’s light is “in all things” and show how Section 88 turns grand spiritual ideas into everyday practicality.

Key Discussion Points

1. Setting the Stage: Section 88 as “The Olive Leaf” (02:25-04:43)

• Section 88 is introduced as a universal favorite—“one of the goodies” (02:25).
• It follows Section 87, which was about war and chaos; Section 88 is offered as a “symbol of peace, plucked from the tree of paradise” (03:12).
  • “Yes, there is a reality to the fact that there is evil in the world ... But this one is meant to bring peace...” – Dave (03:23)
• The contrast between war (Section 87) and peace (Section 88) establishes the context for seeking God’s comfort amidst life’s battles.

2. God’s Light as the Source of Comfort and Understanding (06:33-09:37)

• Section 88 repeatedly references “light” as a metaphor for God’s presence, truth, law, and love.
• Grace’s Highlight (08:08):
  • “That light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space... It’s in all things and giveth light to all things...” – Dave
• Grace’s Reflection (06:33):
  • “If that is your situation right now, that’s my situation. I want to reread this chapter over and over and say, where is the comfort going to come in? And from minute one, it's going to start with this explanation of light...” – Grace

3. The Inclusivity and Reach of God’s Light (09:37-10:52)

• “He descended below all things so that he could comprehend all things that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth” – Grace (09:39)
• Light can reach even those who feel “too far gone;” Christ’s atonement ensures no one is out of reach.

4. Light Quickeneth and Cleanses (10:52-14:12)

• Discussion about feeling spiritually “blah” or lifeless—light “quickens” (brings alive) spiritual vitality.
• Application:
  • “I love that Jesus turned water to wine at the wedding ... He brought the life back into the party.” – Dave (11:48)
• Light is also associated with sanctification and cleansing—no matter how “messy” or “unclean” one feels, God’s light can purify.

5. Approaching Scripture and Prayer with Honesty (12:42-14:12)

• Encouragement to approach scripture and prayer by openly listing “what you need” or where you feel spiritually—“Write down really honestly, where are you at?” – Grace (13:30)
• Identifying personal needs makes it easier to see how God answers them in the text.

6. What Light Does & Overcomes (14:12-17:44)

• The hosts challenge listeners to study what light does (e.g., provides direction, warmth, guidance, protection) and what it overcomes (e.g., worry, loneliness, lostness).
• Verse 41 as a Core Theme:
  • “He’s above all things, in all things, through all things ... wherever you may be. It’s available and he understands and can be a solution for all and a help for all things.” – Dave (15:49)

Practical “How-To’s” for Receiving and Sharing Light

7. How Do We Experience the Light? (17:44-22:28)

• Section 88 is both “majestic” and “practical”—the strategies are for daily living.
• Grace’s Insight:
  • “God thinks eternally and sees every day ... He’s not too big for your everyday life, and you’re not too small for eternity.” (17:44)
• Key practice: “Draw near unto me, and I will draw near unto you” (63: 24:50).
• We control how much light we receive—like turning up the spiritual UV.

8. Light Shared Through Relationships (18:26-22:28)

• Verse 44’s Lesson:
  • “And they give light to each other in their times and in their seasons, in their minutes, in their hours...” – Grace (18:26)
  • Sharing God’s light is often accomplished through the people God carefully orchestrates into our lives.
• Notable Story: Grace tells how she felt placed by God beside a young woman at an Indiana Holiday Inn—a moving example of God’s “precise human orbits.” (20:54-22:28)
• Quote:
  • “He who carefully placed the stars in the sky also carefully places people in our lives...” – Neal A. Maxwell (20:26)

9. God Invites Us to Participate in Building (22:28-27:58)

• We’re called to be both receivers and sharers of light—God enlists us as “builders.”
• Agency and Effort: God is “not playing hard to get” (25:12); a small effort to draw near to God is met by His multiplying grace.

10. Making Space for the Presence of God (28:07-31:09)

• Sanctification = Setting Apart
  • “You have to sanctify yourselves ... make room for such an experience to happen.” – Dave (28:07)
• Practical spiritual growth sometimes requires “pruning” distractions, not just adding more tasks.
• Grace’s analogy: Pruning in gardening produces better fruit, just as making space in life allows us to see God more clearly.

11. Holy Habits: Establishing “Houses” of God (31:09-36:55)

• Organize, Prepare, Establish:
  • “Prepare every needful thing. Establish a house ... a house of prayer, a house of faith, a house of learning.” – Dave (32:06)
• Make prayer and spiritual routines regular by organizing your time and space (“Establish a house of prayer”).
• Practical Challenge: Set a time each day for intentional prayer (34:14).

Memorable Quotes & Moments

“He who carefully placed the stars in the sky also carefully places people in our lives. And if he is that careful about the eternities, why would he not be that careful with our souls?” – Neal A. Maxwell, referenced by Grace (20:26)

“Draw near unto me, and I will draw near unto you. ... God’s not playing hard to get.” – Dave (24:50)

“Sometimes light is more like a seed and it just grows gradually.” – Dave (40:29)

“If I’m making all my choices based in fear, that is not my heart and that is not God speaking to me. That is what will fail me: if I’m listening to fear more than I’m listening to Him.” – Grace (41:00-42:04)

“All it takes is a little, and then just let it keep compounding, you know, itself ... Faith and light are going to compound themselves. And you have to be aware that fear and destructive habits are going to do the same.” – Dave (42:39-43:50)

Other Timestamps & Highlights

• [06:33] Grace’s favorite verse: The light that “enlightens your eyes” (v.11)
• [11:48] Dave: The parable of Jesus turning water to wine illustrates restoring spiritual vitality
• [18:26] Grace: The importance of “giving light to each other”
• [20:26] Neal A. Maxwell quote
• [24:50] “Draw near unto me…”: practical advice for receiving light
• [31:09] Pruning as spiritual discipline
• [34:14] The “establish a house of prayer” challenge and practical examples
• [41:00] The danger of listening to fear, not faith
• [44:03] Majestic and practical build-up to the Second Coming

Final Insights

• Agency & Inheritance: God honors agency—no one is forced, but all can inherit celestial glory by choosing His light (37:45).
• Seasons & Gradual Growth: Spiritual progress often happens, “in their times and in their seasons” (39:23).
• Light as Compound Growth: Faith and light amplify themselves, as do fear and negativity—choose your direction intentionally (42:39-43:50).
• Anticipate Good Things, Experience Them Now: The “Second Coming” promises are not just for the future; light and God’s presence are available “in all things” today (45:01).

Summary

Section 88 is both an invitation and a practical manual for experiencing God’s light and peace amid life’s chaos. Freeman and Butler passionately encourage honest engagement with scripture, deliberate spiritual habits, and the dual role of receiving and giving light. They highlight that God’s presence is already in “all things,” accessible right where we are, whatever the circumstances, and that we play a vital part in sharing it with each other. The episode is a call to approach God intentionally, to prune away distractions, and to organize our lives to receive and reflect His light—today, in all things, and especially for each other.