Building Zion Podcast

What if the scriptures are far richer than we’ve been taught? In this episode, we explore symbolism — the language of God — and how learning it transforms our understanding of the scriptures, our covenants, and our personal relationship with the Savior. Using the Parable of the Good Samaritan as a powerful example, we move from the beautiful surface-level lesson of compassion to a deeper layer that reveals Christ as our Good Samaritan on the dangerous road of mortality. We also discuss the crimson worm of Psalm 22, the symbolic power of the number 40, and practical ways to begin seeing with spiritual eyes. If you’re ready to make the scriptures come alive and better understand your role in building Zion, this episode is for you. To schedule an Emotional Release Process with me, click on the link: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

In this vulnerable and faith-filled episode, I share the sacred personal stories of how God used birds — and other ordinary things — to speak to me during pivotal moments in my spiritual journey. From my very first “bird tap” on my birthday to a full flock answering my doubts and a winter bird confirming our land purchase, these experiences taught me how to truly see with spiritual eyes and hear the Lord’s personal guidance. Whether you’re just beginning to recognize God’s hand in your life or you’ve been walking with Him for years, this episode will encourage you to open your spiritual senses and trust that He speaks to you in ways tailored to your heart. Key Topics • The beginning of spiritual awakening and seeing with spiritual eyes • How God speaks through everyday objects, animals, songs, and moments • My personal “bird stories” and the powerful confirmations they brought • Moving forward in faith even when fear and doubt are present • Building a Zion-centered life through obedience and personal revelation • A gentle warning about putting God in a box vs. staying open to His will. Timestamps • 00:00 – Welcome & recap of last week’s episode • 02:45 – Why I rarely share these sacred experiences • 06:10 – The Birthday Tap: My first powerful bird story (B.I.R.D.) • 12:30 – The Quilt & Second Confirmation • 19:45 – The Flock That Answered My Deepts Doubts • 25:10 – The Winter Bird and the Land • 31:50 – Learning to See and Hear Spiritually • 38:20 – Elder Jeffrey R. Holland quote & closing testimony • 44:15 – Final encouragement & prayerful invitation Key Takeaways • God knows you personally and delights in speaking to you in intimate, unmistakable ways. • Ordinary things (birds, quilts, songs, conversations) can become sacred channels of revelation. • Spiritual eyes and ears grow stronger with time, patience, and practice. • Faith means moving forward even when fear is present. • “Thy will be done” keeps our hearts open to however He chooses to answer. • These personal experiences are foundational to building Zion in our homes and communities. To schedule an Emotional Release Session with me, click here: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

What if one of the clearest signs you’re being born again is learning to see life through spiritual eyes? In this episode, Ashley shares powerful personal stories of divine protection, answered prayers, and tender mercies that taught her to recognize God’s hand instead of coincidence. Discover how shifting from natural eyes to spiritual vision transforms your relationship with Christ and helps you build Zion one heart at a time. To schedule an Emotional Release Process with me, click the link: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

Do you ever catch yourself saying, “That’s just how I was born”? In this episode, we explore how God calls us higher than our natural tendencies and weaknesses. Discover why our struggles are not random but part of a divine plan to help us become like Him. Through the power of the Atonement, Christ meets us in our weakest moments and turns them into strength. This isn’t just about personal growth — it’s about building Zion, one transformed heart at a time. Learn how overcoming weakness prepares us to gather Israel and strengthen the Lord’s kingdom. To schedule an Emotional Release Session, click the link: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

In this powerful episode, we explore what it really means to be “born again”—moving from a church-centered life of routines and checklists to a deeply personal, Christ-centered relationship with the Savior. Even when we’re doing all the “right” things—attending church, praying, studying scriptures—many still feel a lingering distance from God. Why? Because closeness isn’t found by doing more, but by removing what’s keeping us far. Discover five practical keys to genuine intimacy with God: • Dropping the mask and praying with raw honesty • Learning to sit in silence and listen • Turning scriptures into a living conversation • Pursuing obedience from love, not performance • Choosing connection daily, even when you don’t feel like it If you’ve been thirsting for more but feel stuck in spiritual routines, this episode will help you rediscover your first love and experience the fruit of the Tree of Life. The Savior is closer than you think—He’s just waiting for you to draw near. To schedule an Emotional Release Session, click on the link below: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

In this episode, we explore the transformative journey from a church-centered life to a Christ-centered one—and what it really means to be spiritually reborn. Drawing from President David O. McKay’s powerful vision of those who have “truly been born again,” Lehi’s dream of the Tree of Life, and key scriptures like Ether 12, 2 Nephi 33, and Alma 33, we discuss how the fruit of the tree represents the pure love of God (charity) and how we reach it through the iron rod: scriptures, prophetic words, and personal revelation. We examine why many of us stay stuck in checklist Christianity—like the Pharisees or Laman and Lemuel—and how a deep, personal relationship with “my Jesus” (2 Nephi 33:6) changes everything. Believing in Christ is not the same as believing Christ—trusting He will heal, redeem, and provide for you personally. I share a vulnerable story from our family’s recent move into our long-awaited home: the faith-filled journey, the unexpected loss of our largest client right after closing, and the tender miracle that came just days later—evidence that Christ-centered trust brings peace amid trials. Ultimately, this spiritual rebirth bridges the gap between rules and relationship, grounding us in truth while opening the door to greater revelation. When we combine a solid church foundation with a reborn heart, we become of one mind and one heart—building Zion together. If you’re craving the pure love of God and wondering how to move beyond the checklist into a living relationship with the Savior, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways: • The essential role of personal revelation • Overcoming the lies that keep us from believing Christ can work in our lives • Why both Church and Christ-centered living matter • Practical hope for facing trials with trust Scripture Highlights: Lehi’s Dream, Ether 12:34, 2 Nephi 33:6, Alma 33:20, President Ezra Taft Benson on being Born of God. To schedule an Emotional Release Process with me, click the link and it will take you to my schedule: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

We often learn to identify ourself by our hobbies, occupations, failures, successes, traumas, or by what others identify us as. But do those identities always serve us or are they really us? When those identities start to create tension in our life, God is often inviting us to upgrade our identity to one that is more in alignment with who we really are. There is one identity though, that should never change. One that we should center all other identities around. To schedule an Emotional Release Process with me, click on the link below. https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

Life is hard. God wants us to transform and grow. That growth comes from allowing ourself to become a new creature. Learning to sit in the tension, and work through our emotions, beliefs, and shadows allows for that transformation. Clink on the link below to schedule an Emotional Release Session: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

To often we get caught up in checklists and black and white thinking. However, as we mature in our faith we start to realize that the gospel isn’t as black and white as we thought. When we learn that we can hold two opposite truths at the same time, we stop warring within ourselves. If you’d like to schedule an emotional release session with me, click the link below: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

In our mirroring episode, we talk about how naturally reflecting someone’s energy, body language, tone, or emotions can really deepen your connection with them. We got into why it works (mirror neurons, rapport-building, all that good stuff), shared some real-life stories, and looked at when it’s super helpful like in relationships, parenting, or even tough conversations and when it can backfire if you’re mirroring the wrong things. To schedule an Emotional Release Process with me, click the link for my schedule: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

Have you ever been triggered by someone else’s behavior or something they have said? We all have. These are times that they are actually mirroring to us something inside ourselves that we have suppressed. These are times we can pull those characteristics out of ourselves and bring them to the light. Shadow work allows us to see those characteristics we have hidden or rejected inside of ourselves. They allow us to bring them to the light and love those aspects of ourselves and use them for good. If you would like to schedule an Emotional Release Session with me, click the link below. https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

Continuing from last weeks episode, we have a simple meditation that will help you meet and accept any part of you that you have rejected or suppressed. This powerful tool, will open your heart to the gift that part plays in your life. This creates that oneness inside of ourselves. To schedule an Emotional Release Session with me, click the link below: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

How many times have you heard that we need to overcome the natural man? How do we do that though? Too often we think that entails suppressing or rejecting parts of ourselves. But this isn’t the pattern Christ teaches on how to overcome though. Shadow work is the sacred journey of turning inward to embrace the hidden, repressed parts of your soul—known as the shadow. Rooted in Carl Jung’s psychology and embraced by many spiritual paths, it involves gently uncovering the fears, wounds, emotions, and aspects of yourself that you once rejected or buried. These shadow pieces often shape your triggers, patterns, and relationships from the unconscious. Through shadow work, you bring them into the light with compassion, heal old wounds, and integrate them with love. Rather than fighting your darkness, you transform it. By welcoming every part of your being, you move toward greater wholeness, authenticity, inner peace, and spiritual awakening. To schedule an Emotional Release Process with me, click the link: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

God honors agency. If we don’t ask we will not receive. But are we asking the right questions? Sometimes we ask for things but that isn’t really what we want. Getting clear on what we want and why opens up more blessings. Check out this episode as we learn how to get really clear on what we want and how to ask God more. To schedule an Emotional Release Session with me, click the link below. https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

Have you ever prayed and prayed for a specific outcome and then felt defeated when God doesn’t bless you with that specific thing? If so, there is a chance you might be trying to unintentionally control God. Faith is trusting that God will provide what is of the most worth to us, it is trusting that He has our best interest at heart even when we don’t get what we think we need. To schedule an Emotional Release Session with me, click on the link and it will take you to my schedule: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

Have you ever prayed and prayed for something and it just feels like the heaven’s are closed to you? Sometimes we are praying for the end result, but the Lord needs us to take several steps before we can get to the end result. If revelation has ever felt hard, try this technique taught in this episode. To schedule an Emotional Release Session with me, click the link and it will take you to my schedule: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

Have you ever binge eaten, binge watched, over cleaned, over exercised, or over worked? If so, you’re probably buffering from life and avoiding your emotions. But guess what, we ALL do it! We all buffer! Buffering though, causes us to block God, as we turn to other sources for peace and comfort in our lives. This episode looks at our buffers, with gentleness and compassion. But also teaches tools to help overcome those times we want to buffer, so that we can fully feel our emotions and progress in life. So that we can better hear God and use the atonement daily. To schedule an Emotional Release Process with me, click on the link and it will take you to my schedule: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

Have you ever prayed and prayed to increase your financial situation or to connect more with your kids? These are things we have stewardship over. When we recognize that God is over everything, we can turn to Him to see how we can be better stewards over all that He has given us. In this episode we explore ownership vs stewardship mentality. We talk about being accountable for what we do with our stewardship, and how trauma and limiting beliefs can cause us not to step into our stewardship. We also talk about the blessings that come from being wise stewards. If you would like to schedule an Emotional Release Process with me, click the link below: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

Our beliefs, shape our reality and our behavior, and we can start to see life through the lenses of those beliefs. It can also shape how we hear the Lord. Come with me this week as we talk about how our trauma can affect our lives, how it shows up as an adult, and how we can heal. If you would like to schedule an Emotional Release Process with me, click the link below and it will take you to my schedule: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

Have you ever reacted in a way that isn’t normal for you? There is a good chance that you were responding from a younger version of yourself. God will give us multiple opportunities for growth and to choose the Atonement. These opportunities, when taken, bring about healing and peace in our lives. Join me this week as we explore inner child work and how to take our triggers to the next level. To schedule an Emotional Release Session with me, click the link: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

The heart holds the blueprints for the lives we desire, our hopes, and dreams. The Lord Requires the heart. The heart is central to everything we do. But when we block the heart, we block those dreams. Explore with me how a blocked heart can affect our belief systems, our relationships, our health, and our ability to receive revelation. If you are interested in scheduling an Emotional Release Process, click on the link below. https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

Learning to feel our emotions and allow them to flow through us enhances our relationships and our lives. Being emotionally mature means that we can show up better and increases our agency. All emotions have a softer form and a more intense form. If we can recognize them in their soft form, then we don’t have to wait for them to come back in their more intense form. All emotions are beautiful, with messages to help lead and guide us in our lives. The more we work with all our emotions, the happier we will feel. To schedule an Emotional Release Process with me, click the link below. https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

We have been taught to suppress and reject our emotions. However our emotions are part of who we are and this mortal experience. God is a God of emotions. If we want to be like Him, we too need to learn how to process our emotions.  Our emotions are meant to serve us. They hold messages for us, to guide us in our lives. One of the most Christ like things we can do, is learn to sit in our emotions so that we can sit with others in their emotion’s.  Part of building Zion, is to be of one mind and heart. Our hearts hold our emotional center. Part of being one is listening to both our intellectual self and our emotional self.  To schedule an Emotional Release Process click the link below and it will take you to my schedule: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

Have you ever considered how your body can actually affect revelation? We have been taught that one of the main reasons for coming to Earth is to get a body. But have you ever considered, what is so special about this body? Join this weeks episode as we talk about the importance of our physical body, how to build a Relationship with our bodies, how to create Zion within ourselves, and how to put our bodies in an open and receiving position so we can better hear the Spirit in our lives. 

To schedule an Emotional Release Process with me clink the link:  https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

Have you ever desperately needed an answer from the Lord but have felt like the heaven’s were closed to you? 

 I use to believe that revelation was like a light switch. Either God was taking to me or He wasn’t. It wasn’t until I discovered that revelation is more like to sun always shining, and it was my responsibility to receive the revelation that everything changed for me. Join me as we walk through the many ways we can block the sun/revelation in our own lives.  To schedule an Emotional Release Session, click the link: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

Do you ever wonder if your prayers are reaching heaven? Have you ever felt like you were suppose to do something, and wondered if that prompting was from the Lord or just your own thoughts? What if I was to tell you that there is a way to gain confidence in your ability to know that those promptings are from the Lord and not just your own thoughts. Revelation doesn't always come naturally. It takes work and practice. Here in this episode we go over practical ways to practice revelation in your everyday life. By practicing revelation daily, we can gain confidence in our ability to Hear the Lord.    To schedule an Emotional Release Session, click the link: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

We fought an entire war in heaven over agency, and yet, the only thing we talk about is that we fought a war over it. We came to this earth to practice agency. Agency is a Godly trait. Listen in on how to practice agency, how to gain more agency, how to use its power, and to become agents unto the Lord. 

 To schedule an Emotional Release Session, click the link: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

Have you ever found yourself saying something or reacting in a way that isn’t normally you? Many of us can get triggered and start operating from a younger version of ourselves that formed beliefs. These beliefs have caused us to act in certain ways, which may not always serve us. Listen in as we learn how to heal those limiting beliefs and find the gold we all hold within us. 
 To schedule an Emotional Release Session, click the link: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process


Many people begin the New Year by setting goals or picking a word. All of these are fun ways to find purpose in the upcoming year. In this episode, we look at another way of approaching the year. This way invites the Lord into our Year.  To schedule an Emotional Release Session, click the link: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

Have you ever not accomplished your New Year's Resolution? If not, maybe it's time to try following the patterns laid out for us in the temple. The Lord teaches us how to set and create goals in our lives. We are creators. We are meant to create in our lives.  To schedule an Emotional Release Session, click the link: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process

In this episode the host shares a personal story of childhood neglect and how a simple red tablecloth came to symbolize love and safety. They explore the purpose of Zion as a spiritual and physical refuge in the last days, explain why God allows purification, and introduce future episodes focused on practical gospel tools to purify the heart and build Zion, one heart and one mind at a time.

Host Ashley Parker reveals a surprising shift: Christ is waiting for us to build Zion before His return, and Zion must begin in our hearts. She explores Enoch’s example, modern revelations, and Church history to show that Zion is both a people and a place and that spiritual preparation matters first. Ashley shares her personal journey learning to hear God, committing to spiritual growth, and encouraging listeners to align their hearts and minds with God so communities can become places of refuge and welcome for the Savior. To schedule an Emotional Release Session, click the link: https://calendly.com/smashly85/emotional-release-process