The Scriptures Are Real
Kerry Muhlestein
The Scriptures Are Real (TSAR) with Kerry Muhlestein is a podcast where we look at elements of the scriptures that have become real to us. We interview both experts (people with language, archaeological, historical backgrounds, etc.), and lay folks, and explore times when the scriptures became real to them. This is done from the viewpoint of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We believe that there is real power in the scriptures and that as they become more real we can better apply them to our lives and draw more power from them.
If you listen to this podcast you will learn all kinds of interesting background information that will help you understand and learn more from the scriptures. We believe it will allow you to add real power to your life.
My gratitude to my co-host Lamar Newmeyer. Also to my friend Rich Nicholls, who composed the introductory music.
If you listen to this podcast you will learn all kinds of interesting background information that will help you understand and learn more from the scriptures. We believe it will allow you to add real power to your life.
My gratitude to my co-host Lamar Newmeyer. Also to my friend Rich Nicholls, who composed the introductory music.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 14, 2024 • 58min
Helping Those Who Doubt: The Argument for Christ and Modern Day Anti Christs with Andrew Skinner (Alma 30-31)
Andrew Skinner, a scholar on the Book of Mormon, dives into the anti-Christs like Korihor and their modern-day relevance. He examines the recurring nature of anti-faith rhetoric and how to counter it using teachings from Alma. The discussion also covers the struggle with doubt and the importance of personal revelation. Skinner emphasizes the transformative power of faith amidst trials, highlighting how belief can bring joy even in adversity, urging listeners to remain steadfast against contemporary ideological challenges.
Jul 7, 2024 • 1h
Turning Weapons of War Into Weapons of Peace: Learning from the Anti-Nephi-Lehi Story (Alma 23-29)
Email at thescripturesarereal@gmail.com to learn about our amazing Church History Tour in October.In this episode Kerry and Lori Denning explore the few verses of King Anti-Nephi-Lehi's speech and what we can learn from it. Neither was expecting that there was so much richness in that speech, but it became such a rich discussion that they didn't move on to other material. They discussed the transformation that took place for that group of people, and what it might look like for us. They also delve into the notion of turning weapons of war into weapons of peace. We are grateful for our sponsors, and for our producer, BJ Muhlestein, and for Rich Nicholls, who composed and plays the music for the podcast.
Jun 30, 2024 • 1h 2min
S3 E 50 Scriptural Guide to Helping Loved Ones and Others in(to) the Gospel (Alma 12-22 2nd episode)
In this episode John Hilton and Kerry discuss principles this block of scripture teaches us that will help us bring others to God through Christ, whether they are already members of the Church or not. They look at principles that help spread the Gospel, or help spread the Gospel inside of us and our loved ones, whatever their current spiritual state.We are grateful for our sponsors, who make the podcast possible. We are also grateful for our producer, BJ Muhlestein, and for Rich Nicholls, who composed and plays the music for the podcast.
Jun 30, 2024 • 58min
S3 E 49 Inside King Lamoni with his actor Ben Lomu (Alma 17-22 1st episode)
We would love to have you join us for a Church History tour this October. Email us at thescripturesarereal@gmail.comIn this episode Ben Lomu, who played King Lamoni in the Book of Mormon Movies, helps us think through some of the things Lamoni must have thought and experienced. He also helps us think through what Ammon, Aaron, Abish, and others must have gone through. All of this helps us better understand this famous story and how it might be applied in our lives and how it might help us help those we love.We are grateful for our sponsors who make the podcast possible. We are also grateful for our producer, BJ Muhlestein, and for Rich Nicholls, who composed and plays the music for the podcast.
Jun 23, 2024 • 1h 8min
S3E 48 Where Are You God? Hard Book of Mormon Teachings on Terrible Things in Our Lives (Alma 13-16)
Consider joining us at TSAR.website to get more thoughts on this week's reading, especially Alma 13, which we don't cover very much in this episode. In this episode Kylie Turley and Kerry talk about the horrific story of burning women and children at Ammonihah. The delve into the possibility that Amulek's family was part of the martyrs. They talk about how, either way, this would have affected Amulek, who had brought these people to believe and then watched them suffer for it. They use this to discuss hard things that happen to the best of people, and how we can wonder where God is during those times. They look to the Book of Mormon chapters for answers to those tough questions. We are grateful for our sponsors, and for our producer, BJ Muhlestein, and for Rich Nicholls, who composed and plays the music for the podcast.
Jun 16, 2024 • 1h 4min
S3 E47 Failed Successfully: how this Book of Mormon Principle Can Change Your Life (Alma8-12)
To get even more on this powerful block of scripture, consider going to TSAR.website and joining to listen to Kerry's Daily Bread shorts on Alma 8-12.In this episode Jan Martin and Kerry discuss some of the principles from Alma and Amulek's powerful sermons. They talk about the importance of working to bear multiple witnesses. They talk about the need to learn how to fail successfully, and how that propels Alma towards Amulek and the sermons they preach together. They also talk about the way these men teach us to choose eternal life. They share insights about how Alma's own experiences colored how he taught and implored the people of Ammonihah. We are grateful for our sponsors and for our producer, BJ Muhlestein, and for Rich Nicholls, who composed and plays the music for the podcast.
Jun 9, 2024 • 1h 17min
S3 E46 The Path to Spiritual Rebirth Revealed with Andrew Skinner (Alma 5-7)
Go to TSAR.website to access the incredible content Kerry spoke of in the podcast.In this episode Kerry and Andy explore the profound and piercing questions raised by Alma the Younger in Alma 5. They go through Alma's past, and how it got him to where he could understand and ask those questions. They also discuss the way Alma's questions help us become truly reborn, and the role that Christ and His atoning blood play in that. They focus on how real this can be for all of us and how we can make rebirth a continual part of our lives.We are grateful for our sponsors, and for our producer, BJ Muhlestein, and for Rich Nicholls, who composed and plays the music for the podcast.
6 snips
Jun 2, 2024 • 1h 25min
S3 E45 Hidden Religious Politics and What You Never Realized about Nephite Kingship, Christ and Your Sins
Expert in Nephite kingship and society, Daniel Belnap, reveals hidden religious politics in Nephite culture. Discusses merging Mulekite and Nephite societies through Davidic kingship, impact on Book of Mosiah, and ties to sins, Christ, and forgiveness.
May 26, 2024 • 59min
S3E44 Can you Overpower Christ's Desire to Forgive You?
In this episode Aaron Shumway and Kerry discuss the powerful story of those who struggle with sin and being forgiven in several Book of Mormon stories, such as the church in Alma the Elder's day and the story of Alma the Younger. They discuss what this has to do with us in our lives, and the Savior's unrelenting, unending desire and ability to forgive us. They draw lessons from the power of the stories of forgiveness that are incredibly relevant for us today.We are grateful for our sponsors, and for our produce, BJ Muhlestein, and to Rich Nicholls, who composed and plays the music for the podcast
May 19, 2024 • 49min
S3 E43 Melinda Brown on the Power of Truly Being in Covenant (week of May 20)
For more lectures and other events, join sparcproject.org In this episode Kerry and Melinda Brown discuss what happens to Alma's community as they make a covenant with Christ. They show an inclusio in Mosiah 18 that helps us better understand the chapter. They look at what we covenant at baptism and explore what that really means, and how it happens for us today. They also discuss the importance of sacred places. They tie all of this into what it means to be on the covenant path. We are grateful for our sponsor, Lisa Spice, and other anonymous donors. We are also grateful for our amazing producer, BJ Muhlestein, and for Rich Nicholls, who composed and plays the music for the podcast.
