Thinking Celestial - A ”Follow The Prophet” Series Podcast · SLCC Institute of Religion

Ep 175 S7 Emily Wolfley ‘Humble Souls at Altars Kneel’ Jeremy R. Jaggi

·35 min·2 clips

God does not use shame as a tool to change people.

1. "Thinking Celestial - A Follow The Prophet Series Podcast" reviews Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi's talk "Humble Souls at Altars Kneel" with Emily Wolfley. 2. Host Brother Burbage introduces Emily Wolfley, a former student, and says the podcast is produced by students and faculty at SLCC Redwood Campus Institute. 3. The episode asks why Institute, sacrament worship, and covenant renewal matter for an ordinary Latter-day Saint life in North Pole, Alaska. 4. Emily says she found the show by hearing names like Daryl Olszewski, Dan Smith, Steve Rose, and Ben Moody. 5. She describes Institute as a break from large lecture classes and as a smaller, discussion-based setting that felt restful. 6. She and the host discuss online Institute classes in Fairbanks, Utah, Utah State, and the website myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org. 7. Brother Burbage highlights the talk's blurb about making and honoring covenants to gain "mercy, protection, sanctification, healing, and rest." 8. Emily points to the Hill Air Force Base chaplain story and the detail that the large wooden altar stays in place for Latter-day Saint services. 9. The conversation treats that altar as a symbol of Christ rather than temple imagery or other institutional symbols. 10. Emily links weekly sacrament to "new beginnings" that are offered repeatedly rather than once. 11. She says anxiety and panic disorder made her sensitive to perfectionism, especially when she felt she had to overcome problems alone. 12. The host connects that to "scrupulosity" and to the idea that "the idea that he already is" can replace self-condemnation. 13. Emily brings in Adam and Eve's fig leaves as a picture of human attempts to cover weakness without the Savior. 14. She cites Karen Horney's "tyranny of the should" and Michelle D. Craig's "divine discontent" as useful language for distinguishing God-given growth from shame. 15. Emily says her abusive childhood shaped a fear of correction and made God feel like another source of punishment. 16. She argues that God's character is "gentle and good" and that he wants connection, not shame-driven compliance. 17. The tone stays conversational and reflective, with Brother Burbage asking follow-up questions and Emily answering with personal examples. 18. The format moves between conference commentary, scripture references, and lived experience, including sock-tying, parenting, and occupational therapy. 19. People who like Latter-day Saint scripture study, covenant theology, and candid personal reflection would likely benefit from this episode. 20. People looking for a short, purely academic review without personal testimony may skip it.

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