Thinking Celestial - A ”Follow The Prophet” Series Podcast
This podcast series is produced at the Taylorsville Utah Institute of Religion at Salt Lake Community College Redwood Campus. Student-hosted podcasts include various guests exploring a variety of gospel topics. Each episode seeks to help listeners find ways to fulfill President Russell M. Nelson’s October 2023 charge to ”Think Celestial.”
Episodes
In this inspiring episode, Dr. Kirk Burbidge and Taylorsville Institute of Religion teacher Blake Dalton dive deep into Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s April 2025 General Conference talk, “By This All Will Know That You Are My Disciples.” Together, they explore what it truly means to follow Christ in today’s world, especially as young Latter-day Saints navigating school, sports, and spiritual growth.
You can find the original address h...
In this episode, Dr. Kirk Burbidge and Bishop David Greenman dive into Elder Sergio R. Vargas’s talk, Our Heavenly Guidance System. They explore how God lovingly redirects us like a spiritual GPS. With stories from his life and and insights from the challenges he has face, Bishop Greenman highlights how listening to and sometimes not listening to promptings allow God to bless us in unique ways that peace, purpose, and connection.
In this episode, Dr. Kirk Burbidge and Institute Teacher Matt Zito unpack Elder Ulisses Soares’ April 2025 message, “Reverence for Sacred Things.” Together, they explore how cultivating reverence deepens our connection to God, transforms our worship, and invites holiness into everyday life. It’s a thoughtful conversation on standing with awe before the divine—and learning to recognize sacredness all around us.
In this episode, Dr. Kirk Burbidge and Gary Nelson, Taylorsville Institute Director, reflect on the inspiring message from Steven D. Shumway titled “Participate to Prepare for Christ’s Return.” Together, they discuss how active participation in gospel living strengthens our spiritual readiness for the Savior’s Second Coming. Through thoughtful insights and scriptural connections, they invite listeners to consider how daily disciple...
In this episode, Dr. Kirk Burbidge and Shaylie Huntington sit down to reflect on President Henry B. Eyring’s tender General Conference message, Draw Near Unto Me. Together, they explore how simple acts like prayer, scripture study, and cheerful service, can deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ, especially during life’s most uncertain seasons. It’s a heartfelt conversation about spiritual closeness, covenant connection, and th...
In this, the first episode of season 6, Dr. Kirk Burbidge of the Taylorsville Institute and Evan Egan, a recently returned missionary, unpack Elder Hans T. Boom’s inspiring General Conference talk, True to the Faith That Our Parents Have Cherished. Kirk and Evan explore how young adults today can honor past generations by living with purpose and faith. It’s a moving discussion about legacy, identity, and the power of simple devoti...
Dr. Kirk Burbidge of the Taylorsville Institute of Religion goes solo to end season 5 and shares a tender reflection on Bishop Gérald Caussé’s April 2025 General Conference talk, “Compensating Blessings.” As he discusses the Savior’s power to meet us in our unmet needs, he opens up about losing his father young and how God has filled that void through loving relationships, a multiplicity of "Fathers" and the grace of the Atonement...
In this episode, Dr. Kirk Burbidge and Brother Daryl Olschewski of Hunter High Seminary unpack Elder Scott D. Whiting’s April 2025 General Conference talk, “Beware the Second Temptation.” They explore how the urge to spiritually “hide” after making mistakes can deepen shame and hinder healing. Drawing on scriptural insights Brother Olschewski's personal experiences, they emphasize turning toward God and following the Savior instea...
In this episode, Dr. Kirk and Shauni Burbidge reflect on Elder Ronald A. Rasband’s April 2025 General Conference address, "Right Before our Eyes," sharing their joy in seeing their children worship in the temple. Through tender stories and spiritual insights, they highlight how temple worship deepens family bonds, invites heaven’s perspective, and inspires a commitment to be “temple-worthy at all times.”
In this thoughtful and refreshingly honest episode, Dr. Kirk Burbidge of the Taylorsville Institute of Religion sits down with institute student and vibrant YSA, Stephanie Vandorfy, to explore the powerful General Conference message “Harden Not Your Heart” by Elder Christopher H. Kim from the April, 2025 General Conference.
You can find the original address https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/54kim...
In this episode, Dr. Kirk Burbidge and Maleek Kennedy dive into missions, the power of institute, and the message behind Elder John A. McCune’s talk, "Joy Through Covenant Discipleship." They discuss how making and keeping sacred covenants strengthens our relationship with God, deepens our joy, and broadens our eternal perspective. As we embrace covenant discipleship, we access spiritual power and begin to see how God—despite our ...
Dr. Kirk Burbidge and LDSSA Council member Ryan Hougaard discuss Elder David A. Bednar’s powerful message, “The Times of Restitution of All Things”. They explore how the Restoration is an ongoing miracle that empowers covenant disciples to move God’s work forward today. With insights on priesthood keys, the Book of Mormon, and our role in this dispensation, this episode invites every listener to see themselves in the unfolding Res...
In this episode, LDSSA President Bailey Mortensen sits down with Dr. Kirk Burbidge for a heartfelt conversation on preparing for the Second Coming—not with fear, but with faith and confidence. She reflects on how the gospel provides deep and lasting peace, even for a young single adult navigating the uncertainties of life while striving to honor her discipleship. Together, they explore Elder Dale G. Renlund’s April 2025 General Con...
In this uplifting episode, Dr. Kirk Burbidge welcomes Jessie Barrus, SLCC student and LDSSA student council member, to discuss the hope and understanding that come as we grow together, both as individuals and as a Church. Drawing on Elder Ronald A. Rasband’s April 2025 General Conference talk, “Right Before Our Eyes,” they explore how we can better recognize the Lord’s hand in everyday life and find strength in steady discipleship...
Ethan Baggley joins Dr. Kirk Burbidge to explore the cunning tactics of the adversary, drawing insights from Elder Marion G. Romney’s 1971 talk, “Satan—The Great Deceiver.” Together, they unpack the contrast between inward-facing lives marked by pride and self-focus, and outward-facing discipleship rooted in humility and service. They highlight the fatal flaw in Satan’s plan—its denial of agency—and share the empowering hope that ...
At the Taylorsville Institute, Brother Kadin Pully joins Dr. Kirk Burbidge for a thoughtful discussion on the transformative power of making the Savior our "why." Together, they explore the inspired counsel shared in Elder Ricardo P. Giménez’s April 2025 general conference address, “My Love for the Savior Is My 'Why.'” Their conversation centers on how anchoring our decisions, discipleship, and daily efforts in love for Jesus Chris...
Dr. Matt Merrill joins Dr. Kirk Burbidge in an enriching discussion about what it truly means to draw near unto the Savior and recognize His guiding hand in our daily lives. Together, they delve into the principles of discipleship, exploring how intentional faith and personal revelation can deepen our relationship with Christ. Their conversation is anchored in President Henry B. Eyring’s April 2025 general conference talk, Draw Ne...
Brother Blake Dalton, the newest addition to the Taylorsville Institute faculty, joins Dr. Kirk Burbidge for a thoughtful discussion on the childlike joy that should accompany our discipleship in Christ. Together, they explored the profound insights shared in President Jeffrey R. Holland’s April 2025 general conference address, As a Little Child, reflecting on how embracing humility, faith, and pure-hearted enthusiasm strengthens ...
In this episode, Dr. Kirk Burbidge and Taylorsville Institute student Breanna Simms explore the divine help available in life's challenges and how our Heavenly Father often places solutions within the very trials we face. Their discussion centers on President Dallin H. Oaks' April 2025 general conference talk, Divine Helps for Mortality, uncovering its profound insights on recognizing and receiving God's assistance.
In this episode, Dr. Kirk Burbidge and Jamie Gandy explore the profound impact of Pioneer Trek, sharing inspiring examples of faith and resilience. They discuss how the Savior stands as the ultimate rescuer, drawing from insights in Elder Quentin L. Cook's April 2025 address, The Atonement of Jesus Christ Provides the Ultimate Rescue.
You can find the original address https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/20...
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