When Power Fantasy Animes Becomes Weak

Artist: Samantha Brooks

Isekai, the genre of anime and manga where characters are transported to, reborn, or trapped in a different world, has exploded in popularity over the past decade. Popular animes like Digimon, Moonlit Fantasy, and Failure Frame. While the concept offers vast creative potential—allowing for diverse world-building, unique magic systems, and character development—the genre has also become synonymous with a particular narrative crutch: the overpowered (OP) protagonist.

At first glance, the allure of an overpowered hero in an isekai setting is easy to understand. Who wouldn’t want to escape the mundanity of the real world for a life where you’re instantly stronger, smarter, and more capable than everyone around you? The thrill of seeing an ordinary character suddenly wield god-like abilities and effortlessly overcome challenges can be immensely satisfying. However, as this trope becomes increasingly prevalent, it’s starting to wear thin, turning what was once a compelling fantasy into a repetitive and uninspired narrative device.

The Appeal of the OP Protagonist

To understand why the overpowered isekai trope became so popular, we need to consider its roots in wish fulfillment. Many isekai stories begin with a protagonist who, in their original world, is either unremarkable, downtrodden, or struggling with some personal issue. Upon being transported to a new world, they’re often granted immense power, typically in the form of magic, combat prowess, or a unique skill set that makes them virtually unbeatable.

This transformation taps into a deep-seated desire for empowerment. It’s a fantasy that resonates with many viewers, especially those who may feel powerless or overlooked in their own lives. The OP protagonist doesn’t just survive in the new world—they thrive, conquering all obstacles with ease. For a while, this formula worked brilliantly. Shows like Sword Art Online and No Game No Life captivated audiences with their larger-than-life heroes who could bend the rules of their respective worlds to their will.

The Narrative Dangers of Overpowered Protagonists

However, as the trope has become more widespread, it’s led to a glut of isekai series that rely on the same basic premise: an invincible protagonist who faces no real threats or challenges. While the power fantasy remains intact, the narrative depth often suffers as a result.

One of the biggest issues with overpowered protagonists is that they can make the story predictable and boring. If the hero can solve every problem with a flick of their wrist or a single well-placed punch, where’s the tension? Where’s the drama? Conflict is the engine that drives a story forward, but when the protagonist is too powerful, conflict becomes meaningless. The stakes are non-existent, and the plot becomes a series of increasingly outlandish scenarios designed solely to showcase the hero’s abilities, rather than explore the world or develop the characters.

Moreover, OP protagonists can stifle character development. In many of these series, the hero’s journey is less about growth and more about spectacle. There’s little room for the protagonist to learn, adapt, or struggle in a meaningful way. They start off powerful and remain powerful, with few, if any, moments of vulnerability. This lack of development can make the character feel flat and one-dimensional, reducing them to little more than a vessel for the audience’s power fantasies.

The Diminishing Returns of Power Fantasy

As more and more isekai series adopt the overpowered protagonist trope, the novelty has started to wear off. What was once a fresh and exciting concept has become overused, leading to a sense of fatigue among viewers. Audiences are beginning to crave more nuanced stories—ones where the protagonist isn’t an all-powerful deity, but rather a flawed, relatable character who grows and changes over time.

In response to this growing fatigue, some isekai series have begun to subvert or challenge the OP trope. Shows like Re:Zero and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime introduce protagonists who, while powerful, also face significant challenges and consequences. These series remind us that strength alone doesn’t make a character interesting; it’s how they use that strength, and how they confront the world around them, that truly matters.

The Future of Isekai

The overpowered isekai trope is becoming inherently bad. its overuse has led to a saturation of the genre with stories that lack depth and originality. To keep isekai fresh and engaging, creators need to move beyond the simple power fantasy and explore the full potential of the genre—by crafting complex characters, building intricate worlds, and, most importantly, by allowing their protagonists to struggle, grow, and occasionally fail, like Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash.

As the isekai genre continues to evolve, there’s hope that we’ll see a shift away from the overpowered protagonist trope and towards more balanced, character-driven narratives. After all, the best stories aren’t just about watching a hero win—they’re about watching them learn, adapt, and ultimately, become someone greater than they were before.

LDS Geeks Podcast #25: Disney Songs (Part One)

It's our 25th podcast episode! Not like we're ever too serious, but Russell and I thought of something fun to start off our discussion of Disney songs we love. This time it's about songs that came out in our first 25 years of life (just to fit into the theme of the 25th episode). Enjoy!

--Spencer

Listen to Episode 25 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Check out Spencer's recent blog posts: click here

Check out Russell's recent blog posts: click here

Show Notes:

    25th Episode Statistics

    Spencer's Recommendation: Jeremy Camp

Check out Jeremy Camp on Spotify 

I Still Believe is available for streaming on Hulu with Live TV 

    Russell's Recommendation: Disney's Recess

Available for streaming on Disney+

    "I2I" from A Goofy Movie 

    "Go the Distance" from Hercules

    "I'll Make a Man Out of You" from Mulan

 

3 Versions of The Lightning Thief

Fair warning for anyone who absolutely hates the movie adaptations of Percy Jackson.

While the movie adaptations of “The Lightning Thief” and “Sea of Monsters” don’t get the same hate as Avatar (there is no movie in Ba Sing Se) they are almost universally disliked by diehard fans of the Percy Jackson fandom. Now that I’ve read the first book (working on “Sea of Monsters”) and watched the Disney Plus and movie adaptations, I wanted to compare and contrast the three versions of “The Lightning Thief”.

After recently rewatching the series and the movie and rereading the book, I picked seven scenes that take place in all three versions and picked my favorite presentation of each. Make sure you let me know your favorites too.

Percy Jackson vs. the Fury

Disney Plus Show - The book and the movie both had build-up towards Mrs. Dodds attacking Percy that kind of distracted me from the intensity of the moment. However, in the Disney Plus series, there was no need for taking Percy away from the group. The fury simply attacked Percy and let the mist obscure things for the rest of the group, throwing us quickly into the action.

Capture the Flag

Movie Adaptation - This is where I get controversial. Like many things in the movie, this scene had some major modifications from the source material. I like that Percy was opposed to Annabeth at first. It gave some solid grounding to their rivalry and makes the change in their relationship even more of a contrast. Although, I will say that the lack of Clarise made things confusing for me in the sequel.

Auntie Em's Garden Gnome Emporium

Original Book Material - I feel like the movie and the show both took away the mystery and intrigue of Medusa. The show gave away her identity so quickly and the movie made her a mindless monster. The book kept her a mystery until right before it was almost too late. We still got her tragic backstory and we still got an awesome fight scene, but she remained a mystery right through the end.

The Lotus Casino

Movie Adaptation - First off, this whole scene is set to Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” so for years I always think fondly of this scene when I hear the song play on Spotify. I also liked that everyone had their weakness. In the show and book, they mostly stayed alert and together, while losing track of time, but in the movie adaptation our trio got individually tempted and not just distracted. Plus, I don’t know how you can hate on their epic escape.

The Underworld and Hades

Original Book Material - I loved the mystique of dropping below the shop, the detail of the underworld groups, Tartarus, and confronting Hades. Because the movie chose not to include Kronos (probably in case a sequel wasn’t ordered) we didn’t get any mention of Tartarus or the pit. And there was a lot of talking and exposition in this scene that wouldn’t have been interesting in the show. 

Percy Ascending to Olympus 

Original Book Material - Definitely didn’t care for the movie bringing Percy’s mom to Olympus. Nor did I care for the deadline passing in the show, so I preferred the original material bringing Percy to Olympus alone and talking to Zeus. I loved the internal dialogue Percy had, deliberating about how his father felt about him and vice versa. It hit on a very central theme: Family and family dysfunction. The show has done a great job expanding on this, but for this scene the book did it best.

Luke's Betrayal

Original Book Material - Again I’m going to default to the original source material. In the movie, we honestly didn’t even get a great explanation as to why and how Luke framed Percy (I’ll get to that another time). In the Disney Plus series, Annabeth’s saving Percy kind of took away from the dramatic betrayal. Another close encounter with death made the drama of Percy Jackson’s life more exciting again.

As announced at D23, season two of Percy Jackson and the Olympians is supposed to come out in 2025. While we wait, I plan to finish off “Sea of Monsters” and see how far I get through the books. But I think it’s safe to say you’ll see more Riordan content from me in the next several months. 

Animes Like Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash

Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash is a unique entry in the isekai (Protagonists from our world is taken to a different, magical world) genre that stands out for its realistic portrayal of a group of people transported to a mysterious world. Unlike many other anime where the protagonists quickly adapt to their new surroundings with overpowered abilities or immense knowledge, Grimgar takes a slower, more contemplative approach. The characters struggle with the harsh realities of survival, including learning to fight, facing the trauma of killing for the first time, and dealing with the loss of their friends. The series is visually stunning, with a watercolor-like art style that emphasizes the fragility and beauty of the world the characters are trying to survive in. The story is as much about emotional and psychological growth as it is about adventure and combat.

The premise of Grimgar is simple yet profound: a group of strangers awakens in a strange, RPG-like world with no memory of their previous lives. They band together out of necessity, forming a party to take on various tasks, but quickly realize that survival is neither easy nor guaranteed. As they grapple with the harshness of their new reality, they form bonds, grow as individuals, and face the dangers of their world together. The anime’s focus on the psychological and emotional aspects of survival, coupled with its slow pacing and deep character development, make it a standout in the genre.

If you enjoyed Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash for its deep emotional resonance, realistic depiction of survival, and strong character development, here are other anime that offer similar themes and experiences.

Made in Abyss

Made in Abyss shares a lot of thematic similarities with Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash, particularly in how it handles the harsh realities of its world. The story follows Riko, a young girl, and her robot companion, Reg, as they descend into the Abyss, a mysterious and dangerous chasm. Each layer of the Abyss presents new, terrifying challenges that push the characters to their limits both physically and mentally.

Like Grimgar, Made in Abyss is visually stunning, with an art style that contrasts the beauty of the world with its underlying darkness. The emotional depth and psychological trauma experienced by the characters as they venture deeper into the unknown echo the struggles faced by Haruhiro and his party in Grimgar. The series’ ability to blend adventure, horror, and heartfelt moments makes it a must-watch for fans of Grimgar.

Log Horizon

 

Log Horizon is another isekai anime that, like Grimgar, focuses on the struggles of adapting to life in a new world. The series follows Shiroe, a strategist and his companions who are trapped in the MMORPG Elder Tale. Unlike Grimgar, Log Horizon delves into the political and social aspects of being stuck in a game world, exploring how the characters build a society, manage resources, and deal with the challenges of living in a world with its own rules and systems.

While Log Horizon has a more optimistic and less gritty tone compared to Grimgar, it shares the theme of survival in an unfamiliar environment. The series also offers strong character development and a focus on strategy and teamwork, making it a compelling watch for those who enjoyed the group dynamics in Grimgar.

The Rising of the Shield Hero

The Rising of the Shield Hero is another isekai anime that delves deep into the struggles of a protagonist thrust into a harsh and unforgiving world. The story follows Naofumi Iwatani, who is summoned to a parallel world as one of four heroes tasked with defending the realm. However, unlike the other heroes, Naofumi is betrayed, falsely accused of crimes, and shunned by society. With his reputation in tatters and only a shield as his weapon, he must find a way to survive and grow stronger.

Similar to Grimgar, The Rising of the Shield Hero focuses on themes of resilience, survival, and emotional growth. Naofumi’s journey is marked by a sense of isolation and the need to build trust and relationships from the ground up. The series also emphasizes the psychological toll of his experiences, making it a compelling watch for fans of the darker, more realistic aspects of Grimgar.

Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash is a standout anime for its realistic portrayal of survival, emotional depth, and strong character development. The anime listed above—Made in Abyss, Log Horizon, and The Rising of the Shield Hero—all share some of these elements, offering different takes on the themes of survival, teamwork, and emotional growth. Whether you’re drawn to the psychological struggles, the intricate world-building, or the strong group dynamics, these series are sure to resonate with fans of Grimgar and provide new, compelling experiences in the world of anime.

Get to Know Your Geeks: Favorite Narnians

I recently finished re-reading (and rewatching) The Chronicle of Narnia. It's been one of my favorites for about fifteen years now, since I was first shown Prince Caspian at a college movie night. They're always good movies and books that I could watch and read on repeat to boost my mood. So for this post I asked some of our team to pick their favorite Narnian (which unfortunately rules out my favorite protagonist, Shasta/Cor). With such an inspiring series, I hope you're able to glean some inspiration from our favorites.

--Spencer

Aslan 

I couldn't decide between Aslan and Edmund for they are the best characters in the series. However, without Aslan, Edmund's redemption would be meaningless. Therefore, in this post I will highlight why Aslan is the best character. 

As any fan of Narnia knows Aslan is symbolic of Jesus Christ. They share striking parallels that underscore their roles as symbols of divine intervention, sacrifice, and redemption in their respective narratives. Both figures are depicted as powerful yet benevolent leaders who offer profound guidance and protection to their followers. Aslan, like Jesus, embodies the ultimate moral authority, representing the highest virtues of courage, wisdom, and selflessness. His actions in The Chronicles of Narnia, such as his sacrificial death and subsequent resurrection, echo Jesus's life.

The symbolism surrounding Aslan is deeply rooted in Christian theology. Aslan’s death in Edmund’s place and his resurrection are direct allegories to Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection, signifying themes of atonement and the triumph of good over evil. Through these similarities, Aslan serves not only as a central figure in Narnia’s lore but also as a literary reflection of the profound spiritual and moral teachings of Christianity. The reason I believe that The Chronicles of Narnia is successful is thanks to Aslan similitude to Jesus Christ.

--Michael

Reepicheep is my favorite because he is an embodiment of “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass.” Despite being small in stature, he used his talents to fight for Aslan and always kept his eyes on the goal of one day entering Aslan’s country. I loved the interaction between Reepicheep and Aslan in the film version of Prince Caspian when it almost appears that Aslan will not be giving Reepicheep back his tail. At the sight of Reepicheep’s squadron of mice willing to cut their own tails off, Aslan restores Reepicheep’s own tail. It is sweet to see Reepicheep’s own loyalty to Aslan and see his desire fulfilled in being allowed to enter Aslan’s country, no longer needing his rapier, and the subsequently greet the seven friends of Narnia into that same country. He is loyal, he is fearless, he is a talented fighter and chess player, what more could you hope to find in a mouse!

--Russell

It's a struggle to decide on my favorite Narnian. Depending on the day it could shift between Reepicheep, Eustace, and Lucy (especially the movie versions) but for today I landed on Puddleglum. He's probably the biggest reason I'm still upset that The Silver Chair never got adapted for the movies. While the kids frequently described him as a "wet blanket", he stated multiple times that he was more optimistic than most Marshwiggles. Despite his apparent pessimism and his perceived negativity, I relate to Puddleglum a lot.

He came across as a pessimist compared to Eustace and Jill, but he never faltered in his commitment to see the quest through and find Prince Rilian. Imperfect as he was, Puddleglum tried to follow Aslan's signs despite the grievances of his traveling companions. True he made some mistakes, like going to the giants' castle, but he demonstrated faith in Aslan's words despite his mistakes and even though he didn't know the outcome. He readily accepted that following Aslan's direction didn't mean their journey would go smoothly, just that they'd get where they needed to be. In effect, he was willing to die on that quest if it meant listening to Aslan. And of course he was the one who finally stood up to the Lady of the Green Kirtle and put his fate in Aslan's paws regardless of the outcome. "I’m on Aslan’s side even if there isn’t any Aslan to lead it. I’m going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn’t any Narnia."

Honestly, I probably come across a lot like him. Sometimes I have to verbalize my anxieties in order to stay optimistic (my wife has noted this many times) and sometimes I can get pretty down despite my faith and my words. But I'm on Aslan's side too. 

Also, did I mention that he was portrayed by Tom Baker in the 1990 BBC adaptation of The Silver Chair? The Fourth Doctor himself! Legendary!

--Spencer

Friday Creature Feature - Grysk

As I’m finishing up the Thrawn trilogy, I keep thinking of what I want to write about the books. I considered writing a view of each book. I thought about podcasting about them. I still haven’t figured out how I want to delve into them, but I’m liable to re-read them before Ahsoka season two comes out (if I have enough time) so I’ll save discussion of those books for another day. Instead, today I’ve got a creature feature about one of the main antagonists of Chiss, Thrawn’s people: The Grysk.

What’s known about the Grysk is shrouded in myth, but it’s clear they’re a nomadic warrior species from the Unknown Regions. According to Thrawn, they were a big enough threat for both the Chiss and the Empire. They’re a sentient species that kind of remind me of living skeletons. According to myth the Grysk were a vast horde set on overwhelming their victims through sheer numbers, but Thrawn suspected their unfamiliar tactics in battle were what led them to victory, not numbers.

By the time of the Clone Wars, the Grysk were already observing and strategizing against the Galactic Republic, long before it was the Galactic Empire. After Thrawn had climbed the ranks of the Imperial Navy, there were multiple missions he went on that ended up showing Grysk involvement. The most extensive was chronicled in "Thrawn: Treason” and it showed the Chiss Ascendency teaming up with the crew of the Chimaera to stop a Grysk plot. But even after Thrawn’s alliance stopped the advance of the Grysk invasion, he still suspected the invasion of the Grysk was only delayed, not prevented.

While the on-screen events of the Star Wars universe tend to take priority as top-tier canon, with the books being of secondary importance, I’m somewhat doubtful we’ll see the Grysk on-screen any time soon… unless that’s what we’re building up to with Ahsoka… I mean, Thrawn, Ahsoka, and Sabine were last seen in the “Far Galaxy”. Sounds like that’s even further than the Unknown Regions--maybe the Grysk have expanded that direction too. Hard to say exactly, but with Thrawn as the villain it would be the perfect to bring in a new non-Imperial antagonist. Let’s bring those Skeletors into the television/movie content!

Stay tuned! Depending on how far in advance they tell us the premiere date for Ahsoka season two, I might be back with a Thrawn Binge List (a la Ahsoka).

Grysk ship

LDS Geeks Podcast #24: Second Doctor Villains

Technical difficulties aside (hopefully you can't hear them too much) we had fun revisiting the Second Doctor's foes across his time in the TARDIS. Let us know which Second Doctor villains you'd have added to our list. 

--Spencer

Scripture Hero Spotlight: Captain Moroni

Flashback: 2010, my first area and first companion on my mission. Elder Call’s favorite scripture (his family scripture) was Alma 44:4

“Now ye see that this is the true faith of God; yea, ye see that God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are faithful unto him, and unto our faith, and our religion; and never will the Lord suffer that we shall be destroyed except we should fall into transgression and deny our faith.”

It’s a wonderfully inspirational scripture and I’m reminded of it and my time with Elder Call whenever I see a “444” on a license plate, a patient’s chart, or anything else. Despite how solemn this scripture describes faith and testimony, I also have ingrained into my mind the Moroni voice that my trainer would use when reciting this scripture.

Silly missionary anecdotes aside, I’m grateful to have studied the military career of Captain Moroni this month in our Come Follow Me lessons. He wasn’t a prophet, like Alma or Helaman, but he’s a wonderful example of stalwart faith in action. So as we finish up Moroni’s story and the Book of Alma, I want to highlight a couple lessons learned from the Nephite captain.

A Man of Conviction

“And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.” (Alma 46:12)

The example of Alma 44:4 could be an example of this as well, but there are so many instances of Moroni demonstrating his faith and conviction as a Nephite leader. The Title of Liberty and boldly sharing his testimony, despite the opinions of the king-men, is inspirational for those of us living in the latter-days. Social media and the internet only make it easier to be intimidated by what seems to be popular opinion–even if it’s not the popular opinion, it’s usually still shouted loudly enough to seem that way. Bearing simple testimony, as Moroni did on his rent coat, can be more impactful than all the loud voices screaming on the internet.

A Man of Faith

“Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God.” (Alma 48:7)

Not only did Moroni live his faith and convictions, but he taught them to his people. He was a military captain but he was also a teacher in the faith. He knew that despite the physical wars they were engaged in, the more important war was for their souls. In fact, aren’t most of the war chapters frequently taken as allegories for the spiritual warfare we face on a day-to-day basis? Decades ago, President Packer said, “The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior.” (General Conference, October 1986) I truly believe that if we internalize the gospel and are “trying to be like Jesus” there would be no wars (or at least fewer) and Captain Moroni’s job would have been obsolete.

A Man of Strength 

“Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.” (Alma 48:17)

I love Captain Moroni as an example of strength against the power of the devil. On my mission, we talked about being hell-shakers and I’ve thought of that often in the years since. Captain Moroni is one of the few mortal individuals in scripture or otherwise described to have faith so great to impact the adversary’s power. While becoming perfect sometimes seems unachievable (because we can’t be perfect in this life) the example of Captain Moroni gives me hope that the amount of faith to be a hell-shaker is attainable in this life. That’s a “short-term” goal I can shoot for.

A Man of Service

“Now behold, Helaman and his brethren were no less serviceable unto the people than was Moroni; for they did preach the word of God, and they did baptize unto repentance all men whosoever would hearken unto their words.” (Alma 48:19)

This scripture talks about Helaman and the spiritual leaders being “no less serviceable” than Moroni, but that statement also works in reverse. Sometimes I’ve felt that I’ll never match the strength and spirituality of powerful spiritual leaders who have impacted me–Elder Holland, my mission president, and more. Stories like this help to remind me that I don’t need to be in the spotlight to make a difference in the spiritual lives of the people around me.

A Man of Passion

“And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart. I, Pahoran, do not seek for power, save only to retain my judgment-seat that I may preserve the rights and the liberty of my people. My soul standeth fast in that liberty in the which God hath made us free.” (Alma 61:9)

A few years ago I wrote about Moroni’s letter to Pahoran, so I won’t rewrite that lesson here (just the link). Suffice it to say that I admire Captain Moroni’s passion for protecting his people from harm, physically and spiritually. Even when I overstep and make mistakes, they can be used for the benefit of those around me. Moroni never wanted to bully his way into getting what he wanted, but he did speak boldly and fiercely for the right. 

Heading into the fall season and the last portion of the Book of Mormon, I look forward to reading the pivotal visit of the Savior in 3 Nephi and the final lessons from Mormon and Moroni. For right now, I’ll bask in the lessons I’ve learned from the Captain himself.

Stripling Warriors: Momma's Boys

I grew up in the Los Angeles area and as such had the opportunity to frequent the Los Angeles Temple and its visitor center often. The visitor center has been changed and undergone some major upgrades since that time with a plethora of interactive media and family history experiences, but when I went, there were 2 pieces of technology that stuck out to me. One was the statues in front where a button could be pushed and a story or series of scriptures would be shared. The other was a large theater where you could request a church film or Living Scripture movie be played. My favorite Living Scripture movie to request was the story of Helaman and the stripling warriors. Given the fact that this story is included in this week’s study of Come Follow Me, I thought it appropriate to reflect on the film and the scriptural story it portrays.

Admittedly, as a child, the movie of the Stripling Warriors was my favorite because it had the most action. That being said, this story became one of my favorites and I can still remember being able to share about Helaman and his sons with a fellow member of my stake while on a bus ride to youth conference. He asked me what my favorite scripture story was and I pointed him to the story of Helaman and his sons. During high school, I had a t-shirt given to me that had the phrase “Stripling Warriors are Momma’s boys” which I loved to wear in public places such as Disneyland (back when I lived only a half an hour away and could go without having to take out a personal loan). It was a surefire way to get noticed by other members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Of course I had to be careful that “stripling” was read correctly or else it became a little awkward…

The sons of Helaman were indeed “momma’s boys.” I love that they credit their mothers for their faith. In Alma 56: 47-48, we read: 

“Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.”

These young men were taught the gospel of Jesus Christ by their mothers and as result, were firm in their belief that the Lord was in control, regardless of the outcome of the battle.

Back to the Living Scriptures movie. Yes there was fighting and action and it was so cool to see the Stripling Warriors win, but as I reflect back on the film, a couple of things stand out to me that are different from the scriptural account. 

First, as they were fleeing from a speedy march from the Lamanites, Helaman was in the back of the army in an effort to head off the Lamanites should they come upon the rear of his army. Wow! He was willing to take on a whole army with only one other guy if he thought he could slow down the advance of the Lamanites and give his boys a better chance of escape. 

Second, the Stripling Warriors helped out each other. The stronger warriors protected those who were weaker. This reminds me of a teaching from Doctrine and Covenants 84:106: 

“And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit, let him take with him him that is weak, that he may be edified in all meekness, that he may become strong also.”

This verse has often been applied to ministering or missionary companionships, but I think it can be applied to marriages, friendships and pretty much any relationship we have. Recently, my wife was not feeling well so I was responsible for attempting to take care of my daughter. This experience was taxing on me and later that day, my wife took care of my daughter so I could recover.

Lastly, I loved Helaman’s reaction upon learning that all of the Stripling Warriors were alive. He dropped to his knees and while it was not an uttered prayer, I imagine him giving thanks to the Lord for sparing his army. I love the idea of being grateful under any circumstances. In 2020, President Nelson shared a video around Thanksgiving highlighting the importance of gratitude and then proceeded to pray a prayer of gratitude. It was a great example to me of the importance of expressing thanks to Heavenly Father.

It has been a long time since I have seen the Living Scriptures account of the Stripling Warriors, but I think it is fair to say that it started me on the path that led to a lifelong love of this wonderful scriptural account. I hope you enjoy your Come Follow Me study this week!

Link to President Nelson’s talk and prayer

6 Pokemon You Forgot Could Talk

Pokemon are known to speak their name only (or maybe that's just in the anime, not the games–I'm not clear on that). Team Rocket’s Meowth is unique among Pokemon in his ability to speak with humans. If you recall from "Go West Young Meowth" it was not an easy task. Conversely, there are a number of other Pokemon who have spoken human speech with little or no problem. Most of them were mythical or legendary Pokemon, but it’s still no small thing. I won’t count Pokémon who communicate telepathically, like Mewtwo or Lugia, or Pokemon pretending to be human (like Zorua/Zoroark). Obviously, Meowth would fit here, so I’m going to skip right past him, but here are some Pokemon that have been known to speak our language over the years.

Gastly (“The Ghost of Maiden's Peak”)

Maybe this Gastly was using some ghostly power to communicate through a mix of speech and telepathy, but by all accounts this Gastly was able to speak to Ash, Misty, Brock, and Team Rocket. Though, since this Gastly also made illusions to outwit the trainers, it’s entirely possible that his human speech was an illusion too.

Slowking (“The Power of One”)

Various Pokedex entries in the games describe Slowking as a Pokemon with “incredible intellect and intuition” so perhaps it’s because of his intellect that the Slowking on Shamouti Island had learned to communicate with humans. That being said, the island seemed pretty desolate, which leaves me with one question: Who did he learn to speak from?

Murkrow (Gold/Silver/Crystal and HeartGold/SoulSilver)

It’s a small one but when taking down the Team Rocket HQ in Mahogany Town, the player encounters a Murkrow that blurts out the password to the generator room. Could just be parroting human speech like Chatot (before Chatot existed), but it still technically counts.

Manaphy (“Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea”)

To be fair, Manaphy’s speech was very limited. But as this mythical Pokemon bonded with May, it was able to learn a handful of words, enough to say “happy” and “love you”. But that Manaphy was freshly hatched from an egg, so I imagine as it matured it would probably gain a much bigger vocabulary. 

Hoopa (“Hoopa and the Clash of Ages”)

Like Manaphy, Hoopa didn’t seem to have a full grasp of language and speaking. Instead, Hoopa was heard to say repetitive phrases and words, both in Confined Form and in Unbound Form. All the same, Hoopa was able to communicate well enough with Ash and his friends, even when consumed by anger.

Rotom ("Pokemon The Series: Sun & Moon")

I debated on whether to include Rotom in this list, but technically we had a Rotom talking throughout the anime in Alola. To be fair, that was because of Rotom's ability to bond with technology. Ash's Rotom Dex frequently spoke to him and his friends. Rotom on its own... probably not so much. I'd say it was more because of the Pokedex's audio features and Rotom's use of it, but all the same it kind of fits in this list.

I’m sure I missed a few talking Pokemon, but these are the ones I’ve watched at least. From Bulbapedia, it seems Arceus spoke as well in “Arceus and the Jewel of Life”–as the creator of all Pokemon I’m not surprised–but I’ve yet to watch that movie… kind of got stuck part-way through the Sinnoh anime. But who else have I missed? Maybe when I’ve finally watched the Arceus movie I’ll write about that too. For now, I’m going to continue working my way through the Alola anime on Hulu.