Trusting Myself Over Outside Voices: General Conference, the CES Letter & Finding My Beliefs - A Personal Reflection

About this episode

Brynne reflects on her personal beliefs and the influence of external voices during General Conference.

In this episode recorded on Easter Sunday during general conference, I share why I didn't actively watch. I didn't want to do mental gymnastics sifting through what resonated versus what didn't. I talk about my aunt's advice to focus on who she wants to be rather than combating others' beliefs. I share how I get most frustrated when I disagree with something but haven't formulated what I do believe yet. I reread the CES letter (anti-Mormon literature) and it didn't ruffle my feathers this time like it did before when doubt felt debilitating. What I thought was Satan was actually my brain trying to protect me from uncertainty. I'm questioning whether we're acted upon by external forces or if the power is already within us, believing in universal collective energy. I encourage you to focus on what you do want to believe rather than proving what you don't. Brynne’s Social: Facebook: @Brynne Erickson - my public page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573316550355 Instagram: @brynne_erickson https://www.instagram.com/brynne_erickson/ Threads: @brynne_erickson https://www.threads.com/@brynne_erickson?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Chapters 00:00 Reflections on Easter and General…

People in this episode

Host: Brynne Erickson

Topics covered

• personal beliefs
• self-discovery
• faith
• doubt
• external influences
• collective energy

Keywords

• trusting myself
• beliefs
• mental gymnastics
• doubt
• self-discovery
• CES letter
• Easter
• General Conference

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: CES letter

More episodes of MIDDLE GROUND - Real Conversations on Faith, Identity & Becoming — Through Brynne's LDS Lens of Curiosity, Love and Doubt

• My Faith Journey, My Family, and Why Your Worth Was Never Up for Debate: Brynne Erickson Interviewed · June 8, 2026 · 53 min
• Choosing Yourself AND Family in a Mixed-Faith Marriage: Faith Expansion & Finding Your Voice — Heather Campbell · May 25, 2026 · 46 min
• You Don't Quit, You Start Again: Being Your Own Cheerleader Through Every Season — A Pep Talk · May 19, 2026 · 4 min
• You're Not Beyond Help: Whole Person Change After Addiction & Homelessness — Jackie & Jeff · May 11, 2026 · 1h 2m
• Feelings Are Information, Not Identity: Processing Emotions Without Shame · May 5, 2026 · 5 min
• You Are Enough Right Now: Faith, Perfection & The Spark of Christ Within — Jennifer Roskelly · April 27, 2026 · 57 min