Don't Miss This Study – "WE BELIEVE"

Hosts: Emily (Grace) Freeman & David Butler
Date: December 1, 2025

Episode Overview

In this festive December episode, Emily Freeman and David Butler dive into the Articles of Faith, reflecting on the theme of belief—timely for the Christmas season and as a foundation for their upcoming scripture study of the Old Testament. They unpack the power of belief, the central principles of faith, and discuss how the Articles of Faith and the Official Declarations (1 & 2) together illustrate the continuing journey of personal and communal revelation.

The episode is rich in practical insights—how to engage with the Articles of Faith for yourself, in teaching settings, and how to approach complex moments in Church history by anchoring in faith and God's unfolding plan.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. The Spirit of Believing and Preparing for the Old Testament (00:20–03:05)

• The hosts share their excitement for the season and express the desire to "simplify spirituality" for busy listeners (00:46).
• Quote:
  “One of our goals...is to just simplify spirituality. Everybody has really busy things and a lot of things to think about, but they want spirituality in their lives, and we want to simplify that.” – Dave (01:20)
• Encouragement to prepare for next year's study by gathering journals, daily devotionals, and using their tools for personal and family spiritual growth.

2. The Meaning of "Believe" and the Power of Belief (05:30–08:17)

• David shares the etymology of "believe," explaining it means to give one’s whole heart.
  • “Believe actually means with all your heart.” – Dave (05:30)
• Anecdote about being asked "What do you believe?" at Cheesecake Factory, realizing how defining core beliefs matters in moments of witness (06:41).
• The importance of being able to articulate your beliefs simply and authentically.

3. The Articles of Faith: A Journey Through God's Plan (10:25–20:13)

• Emily suggests a teaching exercise: if someone asked you what you believe (like at the Cheesecake Factory), what would you say?
  • “That's a really good lesson tip...What would you say? Or...build your articles of faith.” – Grace (10:03)
• David emphasizes that the Articles of Faith start with faith in God and elaborate on what that faith looks like in practice:
  • “Above all else, I believe in God...I believe that there is a Father in heaven who sees more and knows more and can do more. And he’s watching over my life with really tender care.” – Dave (10:25)
• The progression of the Articles of Faith is likened to a journey—from belief, through atonement, ordinances, church structure, and finally personal transformation.
  • “It starts at the very beginning…If you want to live a life with me, this is what it's going to look like.” – Grace (13:05)

4. Making the Articles Personal & Foundational (13:05–16:17)

• Discussion about why the Articles of Faith matter beyond primary (children’s church classes).
• The importance of internalizing these statements so that they're more than just childhood memory work—they frame a lived journey with Christ.

5. Walking Through the Articles of Faith: An Explanatory Sequence (14:58–18:21)

• The Articles are sequential—each answers a natural question from the last:
  • #1 – Believe in God (the journey begins)
  • #2 – The problem of sin and inherited fall
  • #3 – The solution through Jesus Christ
  • #4–#5 – Access through faith, repentance, ordinances, and authority
• “The more you start asking the natural questions that go along with each article of faith, the more the next verse answers the question.” – Grace (18:21)
• The last Article (#13) expresses the kind of people believers become through this path.

6. Articles of Faith as a List of Gifts (20:13–22:04)

• David lists the gifts revealed in the Articles: the Savior, priesthood, spiritual gifts, scripture, continual revelation, and more.
• The Articles reflect what God has and continues to bestow for our growth and hope.

7. Official Declaration 1: The End of Plural Marriage & Learning about Divine Guidance (24:35–32:38)

• Transition from foundational beliefs to the practical outworking in Church history, focusing on plural marriage.
• Grace reads Wilford Woodruff’s assurance:
  “We believe the Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as president of this church to lead you astray.” (25:00)
• David distinguishes between mistakes leaders make and leading people astray:
  • “There is a difference between making mistakes and leading people astray…He will not let them lead us astray from that [Christ].” – Dave (26:05)
• Recognition that God allows for the "messiness of mortality," but ultimately,
  “Almighty God decreed…that the devil should not thwart it. … He does not win.” – Dave (30:08)

8. Official Declaration 2: The End of the Priesthood Ban & Revelation Continues (32:38–39:44)

• The declaration lifted the ban on black men holding the priesthood; context given about the Church’s lack of knowing its origin.
• Emphasis on the Restoration’s central theme of unity and opposition to contention (34:00).
• “We don’t know how it started, but we do know how it ended.” – Dave (36:30)
• Grace notes how the Declarations model different ways God gives revelation, sometimes over time and after much wrestling.
  • “God didn't stop speaking after Joseph died.” – Grace (37:30)
  • “Both of the official declarations, the revelation came in very different ways and came in very different timetables.” – Grace (38:05)

9. Living with Unanswered Questions and Promised Hope (39:44–42:33)

• Dave highlights a powerful promise for all awaiting fulfillment:
  • “He has heard your prayers and by revelation has confirmed the long promised day has come. … Anybody who sits in a question...that line is coming for you.” – Dave (41:40)
• In the meantime, while waiting for promises, believers are invited to act in faith, trust God, and participate in building Zion.
  • “God is going to win and we get to be a part of it. In the meantime. That is something we believe.” – Dave (42:23)

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Believe actually means with all your heart.” – Dave (05:30)
• "Above all else, I believe in God…He’s watching over my life with really tender care.” – Dave (10:25)
• “The more you start asking the natural questions… the more the next verse answers the question.” – Grace (18:21)
• “We believe the Lord will never permit me or any other man…to lead you astray.” – Grace quoting Woodruff (25:00)
• "God didn't stop speaking after Joseph died." – Grace (37:30)
• "We don't know how it started, but we do know how it ended." – Dave (36:30)
• “He has heard your prayers and by revelation has confirmed the long promised day has come.” – Dave (41:40)
• "God is going to win and we get to be a part of it." – Dave (42:23)

Notable Moments & Insights

• The comparison between the Article of Faith’s as a personal creed and as an actual family teaching/teaching tool.
• The hosts' vulnerability about not knowing all the answers—and the comfort in coming back to the basics of belief.
• The recognition that God's revelations are ongoing and tailored for each generation's problems.
• The insightful application of waiting for "the long-promised day" to personal life struggles and unanswered prayers.

Important Episode Timestamps

• 00:20–03:05 — Advent energy, simplifying spirituality, prepping study materials
• 05:30–08:17 — The meaning and power of "believe"
• 10:25–20:13 — Building your own Articles of Faith; their sequence and narrative
• 24:35–32:38 — Official Declaration 1: The challenge of ending plural marriage
• 32:38–39:44 — Official Declaration 2: The end of the priesthood ban and the process of receiving revelation
• 39:44–42:33 — Living with unanswered questions, trusting in promised fulfillment

Tone, Style & Invitation

Friendly, honest, and profound, with an emphasis on community, real-life application, and gratitude in the midst of spiritual messiness. Listeners are encouraged to revisit and personalize their beliefs while allowing space for both certainty and uncertainty.

For More:
Follow at Don't Miss This Study or on Instagram: @dontmissthisstudy, @thisweeksgrace, @mrdavebutler.

This summary covers the main teaching points, reflections, and memorable moments while providing context for the scriptural and historical discussion of belief and ongoing revelation.