The Timely Teachings Podcast

Elder Gerrit W. Gong's message offers a hopeful path forward for Artificial Intelligence (AI), drawing on his unique background in Silicon Valley and his role as a faith leader. He highlighted AI's public emergence with ChatGPT's rapid adoption and its promise of new possibilities, while emphasizing the need to align AI with enduring faith-based principles. Elder Gong presented three core calls to action: first, that AI is a tool and cannot be God, as its morality is human-sourced and it lacks the capacity for divine truth or authentic relationships; second, to intentionally use AI for good, fostering our core "I-It-They-Thou" relationships (with self, nature, others, and the Divine); and third, to collaborate across faith, civic, and technology sectors to ensure AI’s moral compass is guided by all, promoting safe and trustworthy AI. He also proposed a "Faith Community AI Evaluation" to ensure respectful portrayal of faith and integration of ethical principles.

In Episode 9, I am excited to share some incredible insights from a message given by Elder Dallin H. Oaks a few days ago. He recently spoke about Easter, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and why both are crucial to our faith. I’m particularly excited about this episode because we get to celebrate the ENTIRE WEEK OF EASTER!  Not just Easter Sunday.    Watch Elder Oaks' complete message: https://youtu.be/CzPZ9PRE0WE?si=1X3zcKtpHGDlWJ6f    

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf and his family were uprooted twice during his youth, becoming refugees each time. The upheaval was challenging—local residents in their new towns viewed them as “less than,” and he endured teasing and ridicule for his accent. In a February 2025 Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults, he emphasizes that life’s deepest questions may not yield quick or easy answers, but they are worth seeking through faith, patience, and consistent effort. He reminds us that seemingly small and simple actions—like daily prayer, scripture study, church attendance, and paying tithes—gradually connect into a grand divine design, even if we can’t see it yet. Sharing personal experiences from his youth, he illustrates how God can turn life’s challenges and “random dots” into opportunities for growth, leading us along the path we’re meant to take. He assures us that sometimes the Lord allows multiple “right choices,” with the real key being to remain faithful to gospel principles. Ultimately, Elder Uchtdorf encourages us to trust in God’s love and wisdom despite life’s uncertainties and worldly pressures, promising that the Lord never abandons His children and will guide them toward eternal joy.

In Episode 7, I decided to ask a simple question. What do prophets have to say about Christmas in 2024 and gifts?  We have wonderful teachings shared by Luke, Matthew, Nephi, Samuel, and Isaiah about this topic, for example, but what about teaching of today, here in December 2024?  

Here, in Episode 6, I decided to reflect on the recent October 2024 sessions of General Conference. I’m always so excited when Conference comes around! Twice a year, we get to learn, listen, and be lifted as we worship together and unite around our Savior, Jesus Christ… literally live and worldwide. So, how many references to Christ were actually included in these fantastic messages? Can I even begin to list them all?  Let’s highlight just 12 references. And I’ll try to do so in just one breadth…  

Summary of recent messages from The First Presidency.

Talk about Timely Teachings! I started this podcast two days ago, and a day later, Elder David A. Bednar gave an informative and direct message about "Artificial Intelligence.”  I’ve listened to his message several times and it is so very worth a careful study. I’ve already made some adjustments based on his council, and I’ll continue to intentionally adjusting as I learn along the way.  And for those who have and are willing to provide feedback and suggestions, thank you! In Episode #4, we’ll examine what Elder Bednar taught yesterday. He expressed concern that we should avoid skipping the necessary work in our studies of gospel messages. So please consider this podcast a brief primer, or prompter, in anticipation of personally studying the messages shared in more depth and directly from the sources, namely Prophets, Seers, and Revelators. His message is only about 35 minutes long and very worth every minute. 

In Episode 3 we’ll be looking at Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s message about "The Rising Generation". Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf recently shared a message from the October 2024 General Conference Leadership meeting titled "The Rising Generation." This message emphasizes the importance of strengthening the rising generation by focusing on three key needs: belief, belonging, and becoming.  

Welcome!  As you know, we have easy access to what prophets of old have shared for thousands of years.  But what about things they shared last year, or even last month, or even just a few days ago.  This podcast will highlight the very most recent teachings, especially those that are relevant to our time. This episode focuses on a recent teaching from Elder Neil L. Andersen, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  Hope you enjoy!

President Nelson recently introduced us to the word hesed. It’s a Hebrew word with no direct English translation. It's often translated as "mercy," but it encompasses so much more. It refers to the deep, abiding, and covenantal love that God has for each of us, especially those who choose to enter into covenants with Him and His Son, Jesus Christ.