PODCAST MOVED!!!

We've moved! We have a new layout with a new bloghost! Now you can find us at http://popcorn.willowrise.com/

Come check out our new site - but don't worry, we're continuing our series the same as before!
From there, we can get you the new iTunes link once we have it if you prefer using iTunes.

You better hurry, we've already started posting on the new site!

#19 - RoMaNcE! ...and the Gospel

John Bytheway's awesome quote about satan's tactics (I know satan isn't capitalized - he doesn't really merit it in my eyes).

Bruce C. Hafen, “The Gospel and Romantic Love,” New Era, Feb. 2002, 10

Okay, so we've started our trivia tradition today... if you want to hear the question, you'll have to listen to the podcast! Put your answer in the comments. We'll let you know next podcast if you're right.

Happy popcorning! (We really don't want to have that be our tagline, so you guys better put some suggestions in the comments!)

#18 - How Do I Love Thee? Part 2

Continuing (and concluding) the talk by Elder Holland.

And also, we need your help. We need a good tag line for our podcast! We talk about that at the end of this episode. Leave your suggestions in the comments, and maybe when we get a list, we'll make one of those cool blog polls to have everyone vote!

Anyway, we'd love to hear your comments, insights, criticisms, ventings, insults - okay not your insults, but tell us your thoughts!

#17 - How Do I Love Thee? Part 1

This is a great talk. Everyone read it! Or you can listen to us read it... as long as you don't mind us talking about cookies we're going to make, that you have no access to. Still, listen, comment, and enjoy!

http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=1618


Here's the real deal, though only a sample. It's worth watching!

#16 - Pornography: Part 4

See links on part 3 for references, since this is just a continuation - or concluding, of the Pornography subject.

Pornography is one of the worst enemies of dating and marriage. It corrupts the mind before there is a chance for a lasting relationship to even occur.

Just stay away from it - all forms of it!

- Chas

#15 - Pornography: Part 3

This is the last of the pornography and morality section. I know this is not everyone's favorite subject, but it's so important to recognize the danger of this horrible malady.

#14 - Pornography: Part 2

Click Here to Listen

I know it looks like we're going on and on about this, but we've been trying to shorten the length of our podcasts. If it goes over 30 minutes, we split it into two podcasts. There are really only two talks about pornography, but they take three podcasts of twenty minutes each to read both talks - especially with our little tangents in between!

Here's a link to Elder Oak's talk:

Dallin H. Oaks, "Pornography," Liahona, May 2005, 87-90

#13 Pornography, part 1

We discuss pornography as a continuation of the morality discussion. Mainly, in this episode, we read:
Thomas S. Monson, “Pornography—the Deadly Carrier,” Ensign, Nov. 1979, 66

#12 Morality, part 2

In this podcast, we read the second half of the talk, Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments, by Jeffrey R. Holland.

#11 - Morality, part 1

Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments, by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Spencer W. Kimball:
"Another error into which some transgressors fall, because of the availability of God's forgiveness, is the illusion that they are somehow stronger for having committed sin and then lived through the period of repentance. This simply is not true. That man who resists temptation and lives without sin is far better off than the man who has fallen, no matter how repentant the latter may be. The reformed transgressor, it is true, may be more understanding of one who falls into the same sin, and to that extent perhaps more helpful in the latter's regeneration. But his sin and repentance have certainly not made him stronger than the consistently righteous person."
Miracle of Forgiveness, pg 357

Questionarriage

Questionarriage

I've been ignoring all the marriage questionnaires on Facebook for awhile, but then Jenni and I decided it might make a good Valentines podcast, so we collected a few such questionnaires and recorded ourselves answering the questions on them for the podcast.

By the way, you can now find this podcast on iTunes if you search the iTunes store for "Popcorn and Podcasting."

#10 - Kissy Face!

John Bytheway, “What Do Kisses Mean?” New Era, Oct. 2004, 39

Bruce Monson, “Speaking of Kissing,” New Era, June 2001, 32

Counsel from the Prophet

“The Lord has made us attractive one to another for a great purpose. But this very attraction becomes as a powder keg unless it is kept under control. It is beautiful when handled in the right way. It is deadly if it gets out of hand.
“It is for this reason that the Church counsels against early dating. This rule is not designed to hurt you in any way. It is designed to help you, and it will do so if you will observe it.
“Steady dating at an early age leads so often to tragedy. Studies have shown that the longer a boy and girl date one another, the more likely they are to get into trouble.
“It is better, my friends, to date a variety of companions until you are ready to marry. Have a wonderful time, but stay away from familiarity. Keep your hands to yourself. It may not be easy, but it is possible” (New Era, Jan. 2001, 13).
—President Gordon B. Hinckley



The Facts
by Bruce Monson

I recently completed a doctoral dissertation that examined factors that help young people stay morally clean. I used data supplied by LDS and non-LDS juniors in two different high schools. One of the most crucial factors in staying morally clean for these young people was choosing to wait until age 16 to date. While about 70 percent of those who did not date until they were 16 had avoided immoral behavior, more than 80 percent of those who reported dating before age 16 had become sexually involved enough to require a bishop’s help for repentance.
The same kind of statistics held true for those teens who had steady dating partners. Of the 308 11th graders surveyed, 95 reported having a current boyfriend or girlfriend. Of those 95, only six had never been involved in making out (or kissing for a long time), and more than half of them had transgressed the laws of chastity. For all of the students polled, not dating until 16, avoiding steady dating, attending church weekly, and having close relationships with parents and family were important factors in keeping themselves morally clean.
As a seminary teacher, I have occasionally seen young people trying to fit their actions into the letter of Church guidelines while missing the spirit of this counsel. If young people are going to avoid dating until they are 16, and avoid exclusive dating relationships in high school after 16, they should also avoid what might be considered exclusive boyfriend/girlfriend relationships before 16.
Gospel topics: marriage, morality, standards


To learn more about dating, kissing, and showing love, read the following articles in the Gospel Library at www.lds.org: “That We May Touch Heaven” (Ensign, Nov. 1990) by President Thomas S. Monson, “Love Takes Time” (Ensign, Nov. 1975) by Elder Marvin J. Ashton, and “Speaking of Kissing” (New Era, June 2001) by Bruce Monson.

#9 - Breaking Up

In this episode we share the talk:
M. Gawain Wells, “Breaking Up without Going to Pieces: When Dating Doesn’t End in Marriage,” Ensign, June 1982, 58

As well as the following quotes:

Sheri Dew:
There Is Power in the Atonement of Jesus Christ
Until I was in my thirties, I thought the Atonement was basically for sinners--meaning that it allowed us to repent. But then I suffered a heartbreaking personal loss and began to learn that there was so much more to this sublime doctrine.
My solution initially to my heartbreak was to exercise so much faith that the Lord would have to give me what I wanted--which was a husband. Believe me, if fasting and prayer and temple attendance automatically resulted in a husband, I'd have one.
Well, the Lord hasn't even yet given me a husband; but He did heal my heart. And in doing so, He taught me that He not only paid the price for sin but compensated for all of the pain we experience in life. He taught me that because of His Atonement, we have access to His grace, or enabling power--power that frees us from sin; power to be healed emotionally, physically, and spiritually; power to "loose the bands of death" (Alma 7:12); power to turn weakness into strength (see Ether 12:27); and power to receive salvation through faith on His name (see Mosiah 3:19). It is because of the Atonement that, if we build our foundation on Christ, the devil can have no power over us (see Helaman 5:12).
BYU Speech, 9 December 2003


Of All Things
Rx for Loneliness
Gordon B. Hinckley:
“To you … who wish to be married I say this, Do not give up hope. And do not give up trying. But do give up being obsessed with it. The chances are that if you forget about it and become anxiously engaged in other activities, the prospects will brighten immeasurably. …
“Let us face the fact that in this life some of you will marry, some of you may not. For those of you who do, it must be a total commitment, without reservation. It must involve total and unequivocal loyalty. It must be a covenant for eternity, a companionship that will require constant attention and nurturing.
“For those who do not marry, this fact of life must be faced squarely. But continuous single status is not without opportunity, challenge, or generous recompense.
“I believe that for most of us the best medicine for loneliness is work and service in behalf of others.”
—President Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Conversation with Single Adults,” Ensign, Mar. 1997, 60–61.
“Of All Things,” New Era, Oct. 2004, 42

Elder Wirthlin's Last Testimony

As most of you may know, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin passed away recently. Every time an apostle passes away, I always go back and listen to or watch their last conference talk. I think Elder Wirthlin's message is a powerful last testimony, and I think his message is well needed.

If you'd like to hear his whole talk, click here. Otherwise, here's a video SethAdamSmith put on Youtube of the highlights from his talk.

#8 - Shipbuilding 101

We read two talks for this one:

Susan W. Tanner, Make Dating Smooth Sailing, New Era Oct 2004

Brad Wilcox, “Marriage Prep 101,” New Era, Oct 1999

#7 "The Simple Truths from Heaven—The Lord’s Pattern" Elder Earl C. Tingey

WARNING! This is our longest podcast yet - 1 hour. Get comfy!

"Please do not reject this counsel. Try not to delay marriage where opportunity is available. Do not seek for perfection in a companion. Generally, perfection does not exist. Remember, you are not perfect. Instead seek for a husband or wife who will grow with you to perfection."

"Do not delay having a family. Be willing to sacrifice and rear a family with all of the resulting challenges, knowing that in the process you will have wonderful memories that fortify and sustain your family for years to come."

"I know that my counsel to you tonight is very weighty. For some, it would appear impossible to obtain. But please have faith, and join that faith with works. The Lord is aware of you as individuals and of your particular circumstances. He will bless you. He will assist you in bringing to pass that which is right and which you righteously desire. Please have faith."

Click here to read this talk on lds.org

#6 I Know Someone Who Likes You

In this episode, we continue the Becoming the Right One conversation and move on to talk about how to get someone to notice that you like them.

The first talk we read is:

"I Have No Friends," by John Bytheway

Then we read this idea list from the New Era:

Have a Heart

Letting that special someone in your life know you love them isn’t always easy, but it’s important. Here are a few ways you can show him or her your love without ever saying a word. And even if you aren’t in love, you can use these ideas to tell your family and friends you care about them, too.

• Give them a “heart attack.” Cut out paper hearts, and tape them to their door or car. On the hearts, you could write little notes of appreciation.

• Make them an “I love you” book. Without your loved ones knowing, give sheets of paper to their friends and family and have them write a letter to your loved ones or a list of the things they like best about them. Make a cover, gather the pages, and staple the sheets together like a book.

• Leave some candy or a flower and a nice note where they will find it.

“Of All Things,” New Era, Oct. 2004, 42

#5 - Becoming the Right One

"Whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction." God will grant unto us, according to our will, the things which we desire (see Alma 29:1–5).

Elder Gerald N. Lund, Ensign May 2002.

Elder Gerald N. Lund:

“It was our privilege at that time to be living across the street from Elder F. Enzio Busche, now an emeritus Seventy, and his wife. One day Elder Busche taught our high priests quorum, and he cited a scripture in the book of Alma where Alma longs to have the voice of an angel. Then Alma immediately repents of those feelings, and in verse four makes a remarkable statement. He suggests that we have to be careful what we desire, for the Lord grants unto us the desires of our heart. And then came what was to me almost a stunning statement: "Whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction." God will grant unto us, according to our will, the things which we desire (see Alma 29:1–5).
“I went home that day—and it's not that I felt any of my desires were wrong—but in that moment I realized that those desires were mine. That day I began to try to let the Lord know that what I'd like to do is fulfill His desires. Even then, I thought I really meant it, but I came to know that that's an easy thing to say and a difficult thing to do. As Elder Maxwell said yesterday, only when we truly yield our hearts to God can He begin to accelerate the purification and the sanctification and the perfecting process (see Hel. 3:35). We have found in the three years that have come since that time that the Lord has set our feet on different paths than we expected, and this one is the latest.”
Elder Gerald N. Lund, Ensign May 2002.

"Living Worthy of the Girl You Will Someday Marry" Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, May 1998, 49

#4 - Dating Ideas

"When you are old enough, you ought to start dating. It is good for young men and young women to learn to know and to appreciate one another. It is good for you to go to games and dances and picnics, to do all of the young things. We encourage our young people to date. We encourage you to set high standards of dating."

Boyd K. Packer, “You’re in the Driver’s Seat,” Liahona, Jun 2004, 27

Our Date Idea List:

Go Shopping for an upcoming B-day
Dollar Movie
Jam Session
Take a Walk
Go somewhere local that you've never been
Make Valentines (or Halloween Costumes, Easter Eggs or Ornaments)
Coloring or making homemade coloring books
Make a treat
Play with clay/playdoh
Play a board game
Go to a museum
Go to the zoo
Make a home radio show (or podcast!)
Read a book together
Make Dinner or Cookies for a neighbor
Invite someone over for dinner
Snowball fight Sledding
Snow bombing war (make snow cities and bomb back and forth)
Make little snowmen and put them on a semi-busy road
Visit Grandparents
Do Genealogy
Go to the Temple
Go Ice Skating


Link to Mikey's Date Idea List

#3 - Sweet 16 and Never Dated

“My beloved young people, you should be serious-minded. Life is not wholly for fun and frolic. It is a most serious business. You will do well to grow up as children, associating with both girls and boys for those first years. When you get in the teenage years, your social associations should still be general acquaintance with both boys and girls. Any dating or pairing off in social contacts should be postponed until at least the age of 16 or older, and even then there should be much judgment used in selections and in the seriousness.

“Young people should still limit the close contacts for several years, since the boy will be going on his mission when he is 19 years old. There should be limited contacts and certainly no approach to the intimate relationships involving sex. There must never be any sex of any kind prior to marriage”

“Marriage—The Proper Way,” New Era, Feb. 1976, p. 5

Links:
Group Acivities: A Basis for Wise Dating
Idea List: The Do's of Dating

Spencer W. Kimball:
“Every boy should have been saving money for his mission and be free from any and all entanglements so he will be worthy. When he is returned from his mission … , he should feel free to begin to get acquainted and to date. When he has found the right young woman, there should be a proper temple marriage. One can have all the blessings if he is in control and takes the experiences in proper turn: first some limited, social, get-acquainted contacts, then his mission, then his courting, then his temple marriage and his schooling and his family, then his life’s work. In any other sequence he could run into difficulty”
Spencer W. Kimball, “Marriage—The Proper Way,” p. 5

Hugh W. Pinnock:
"Choose your friends carefully. Associate with young men and young women who are straight and who will assist you to be responsible. Help your friends decide to go on missions, to attend Church meetings, and to enjoy righteous activities. You who are sixteen and older and are dating, make sure the girls you date are just as good when you return them to their homes as when you picked them up."
Hugh W. Pinnock, “Your Personal Checklist for a Successful Eternal Flight,” Ensign, Nov 1993, 40

George P. Lee:
“Every young man and young woman should pray before going out on a date.”
George P. Lee, “Staying Unspotted from the World,” Ensign, May 1978, 27

#2 - Underage Dating

"Do not date until you are at least 16 years old. Dating before then can lead to immorality, limit the number of other young people you meet, and deprive you of experiences that will help you choose an eternal partner."

“Dating,” For the Strength of Youth: Fulfilling Our Duty to God, 24

#1 - Welcome to Popcorn and Podcasting!

Welcome!

In this first episode, Chas and Jenni introduce themselves, and explain the intent of the Popcorn and Podcasting program.

Enjoy!