- Ed Week, Brad Wilcox, testimony; experience, study, spirit.
- Primary prgm, sang this song,
- the chorus took on added meaning as I thought about the 3 kinds of testimony,
I know it thru experiences
I know it thru study
I know it thru the Spirit
Our prophet began this last Oct General Conference with these words:
"As Latter-day Saints, we have become accustomed to thinking of “church” as something that happens in our meetinghouses, supported by what happens at home. We need an adjustment to this pattern. It is time for a home-centered Church, supported by what takes place inside our branch, ward, and stake buildings...
6. (Elder Bangerter) As parents in Zion, we have a sacred duty to awaken within our children passion and commitment to the joy, light, and truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. While raising our children, we establish traditions within our home and we build patterns of communication and behavior within our family relationships. In doing so, the traditions we establish should ingrain strong, unwavering characteristics of goodness in our children that will infuse them with strength to confront the challenges of life.
- sacred duty (why)
-awaken passion, commitment
-find joy, light and truth of the gospel
-build patterns of communication and behavior
-ingrain strong, unwavering characteristics of goodness
-infuse children with strength to confront life's challenges
"Moses well understood the fundamental need for constant teaching. He counseled, “And thou shalt teach [these words] diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”9"
- Constant teaching (is a fundamental need)- Teach God's word diligently- Talk about God's word in your house, as you go about your day, when go to bed and when get up in the morning
Why do we want to increase the quality of our study of the gospel in our homes?:
2.(Pres. Nelson) For many years, Church leaders have been working on an integrated curriculum to strengthen families and individuals through a home-centered and Church-supported plan to learn doctrine, strengthen faith, and foster greater personal worship. Our efforts over these recent years to hallow the Sabbath—to make it a delight and a personal sign to God of our love for Him—will be augmented by the adjustments we will now introduce.
-strengthen you and your family
-help you learn doctrine
-help you strengthen faith
-help you experience greater personal worship
-help you hallow the Sabbath and feel like it is a delight
Augmented definition: "swell, increase, make greater" implies we have to have something first to make greater; whatever is in our "home church" already.
-have a powerful influence on your daily personal and family religious observance
-promote deep and lasting conversion
-ponder the relationship between "conversion and healing" and what "deep and lasting conversion" might mean for you if you are in need of physical, mental, or spiritual healing (search "be converted, be healed"in scriptures search bar and find several scriptures that connect the two)
"We are confident that members will be blessed in extraordinary ways...As individuals and families engage in family councils, family history, ministering, service, personal worship, and joyful family time, the Sabbath day will truly be a delight...The announcements made today will result in profound blessings for those who enthusiastically embrace the adjustments and seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost. We will become closer to our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
- blessed in extraordinary ways
- Sabbath truly a delight
- profound blessings
- closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
(Member testimony) "I bear my testimony … that I know it was inspired by the Lord so that the consistent and effective study of the principles and doctrines contained in the scriptures brings more faith, testimony, and light to the families … in an increasingly fallen world.”
-more faith, testimony and light
(Elder Bangerter) "Every parent faces moments of frustration and varying levels of determination and strength while raising children. However, when parents exercise faith by teaching children candidly, lovingly and doing all they can to help them along the way, they receive greater hope that the seeds being sown will take root within the hearts and minds of their children.
-receive greater hope that sown seeds will take root in the hearts and minds of your children"The things we talk of, the things we preach and teach - determine the things that will happen among us. As we establish wholesome traditions that teach the doctrine of Christ, the Holy Spirit bears witness of the truthfulness of our message and nourishes the seeds of the gospel that are planted deep in the hearts of our children by our efforts all along the way."
- The Spirit will bear witness to the truth and nourish gospel seeds
(Pres. Nelson) "The new home-centered, Church-supported integrated curriculum has the potential to unleash the power of families, as each family follows through conscientiously and carefully to transform their home into a sanctuary of faith. I promise that as you diligently work to remodel your home into a center of gospel learning, over time your Sabbath days will truly be a delight. Your children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior’s teachings, and the influence of the adversary in your life and in your home will decrease. Changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining."
- the power of families be will be unleashed
- conscientiously and carefully transform your home into a sanctuary of faith
- make your home a center of gospel learning = Sabbath will be a delight
- children will be excited to learn and live the Savior's teaching
- Satan's influence will decrease
- changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining
Do you believe these promises are possible? Remember this scriptures:
There is no room for fear in these holy places of God or in the hearts of His children. Why? Because of love. God loves us—always—and we love Him. Our love of God counters all fears, and His love abounds in holy places.
Think about it. When we are tentative in our commitments to the Lord, when we stray from His path leading to life eternal, when we question or doubt our significance in His divine design, when we allow fear to open the door to all its companions—discouragement, anger, frustration, disappointment—the Spirit leaves us, and we are without the Lord. If you know what that is like, you know it is not a good place to be.
In contrast, when we stand in holy places, we can feel God’s love, and “perfect love casteth out all fear.”16
The next promise is “Be not troubled.”17 No matter how much wickedness and chaos fill the earth, we are promised by our daily faithfulness in Jesus Christ the “peace of God, which passeth all understanding.”18
If we actively trust in the Lord and His ways, if we are engaged in His work, we will not fear the trends of the world or be troubled by them. I plead with you to set aside worldly influences and pressures and seek spirituality in your daily life. Love what the Lord loves—which includes His commandments, His holy houses, our sacred covenants with Him, the sacrament each Sabbath day, our communication through prayer—and you will not be troubled.
The last point: trust the Lord and His promises. I know that all His promises will be fulfilled...
“For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.”21
This is why we should not be troubled by the turmoil of today, by those in the great and spacious building, by those who scoff at honest effort and dedicated service to the Lord Jesus Christ.
-fear limits perspective
-dispel fear by:
standing with the prophet
loving Christ and His gospel
desiring to always have His Spirit
standing in Holy Places where you will feel God's love
trusting in the Lord and His ways
being engaged in His work
seeking spirituality in your daily life
loving what the Lord loves:
His commandments, the temple, your covenants, the Sacrament, prayer
trusting in the Lord and His promises
(my "A" vs "C" story)
Do we sometimes do that to each other? Are we afraid we may be mocked or shamed if we try to be "too good"? Is it really bad thing to be a "molly mormon" or "peter priesthood"?
A recent Tribune article states that there are members now, who proclaim that they are neither all in or all out and that is just fine. "Do you intend to keep all of Father's commandments?" they might sarcastically ask...
Rev 3 says, "15 I know thy aworks, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art alukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will bspue thee out of my mouth.
"To receive personal revelation, we must place priority on living the gospel and encouraging faithfulness and spirituality in others as well as ourselves."
What is my part?
(Pres. Eyring)"Part of the Lord’s current sharing of knowledge relates to accelerating His pouring out eternal truth on the heads and into the hearts of His people. He has made clear that the daughters of Heavenly Father will play a primary role in that miraculous acceleration. One evidence of the miracle is His leading His living prophet to put far greater emphasis on gospel instruction in the home and within the family."
-A miraculous acceleration of the pouring out of eternal truth on God's daughters.
"...the Lord foresaw these exciting changes, which are now occurring. In the proclamation, He gave sisters charge to be the principal gospel educators in the family in these words: “Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.”2 This includes the nurture of gospel truth and knowledge."
- You are the principle gospel educator in your family
-Treasure up words of life = given you in the very hour
-Take more time to pray, ponder, meditate on spiritual matters = knowledge of truth poured out upon you
(Pres. Eyring)"My testimony is that the Savior is putting His name in your hearts. For many of you, your faith in Him is increasing. You are feeling more hope and optimism. And you are feeling the pure love of Christ for others and for yourself.
I bear you my witness that the Savior knows and loves you. He knows your name as you know His. He knows your troubles. He has experienced them. By His Atonement, He has overcome the world. By your being willing to take His name upon you, you will lift the burdens of countless others. And you will find in time that you know the Savior better and that you love Him more. His name will be in your heart and fixed in your memory. It is the name by which you will be called. I so witness, with gratitude for His loving-kindness to me, to my loved ones, and to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
My invitation to you is that you ponder the what and why of the important change that is coming in January, believe the promises, cast out all fear, and that you pray for a desire, if you are unsure, to be a significant partner with the Savior in preparing your families for His return through your personal and family gospel experience, study, and witness of the Spirit.
(Read excerpt from ensign testimony) "As I listened to the prophet testify of Jesus Christ, something began to swell inside me. It was His name, growing bigger and bigger until it filled me up with light. I found myself repeating a simple kind of prayer in my heart: "I love Him, I love Him. I love Him." I pray that when the Lord looks on my heart He'll see His name emblazoned there, clear and bright."
Please sing the chorus with me as I play the song I played at the beginning once again.
(Chorus:)
I know Jesus loves me, I know it, I know it, I know it.
I know I love Him, too, I’ll show it, I’ll show it, I’ll show it,
I’ll try to be all that He wants me to be
Because I know Jesus loves me.
(1st verse:)
I see it in smiles of my fam’ly and friends,
In kind deeds they show me again and again.
I feel it when kneeling to rev’rently pray,
I see all the blessings He sends my way
(Repeat Chorus)
(2nd verse:)
So often I have a warm feeling inside
A sweet, happy feeling I cannot hide
That helps me to feel Jesus’s love every day.
He blesses and helps me so many ways.
(Repeat chorus)
- Primary prgm, sang this song,
- the chorus took on added meaning as I thought about the 3 kinds of testimony,
I know it thru experiences
I know it thru study
I know it thru the Spirit
Our prophet began this last Oct General Conference with these words:
"As Latter-day Saints, we have become accustomed to thinking of “church” as something that happens in our meetinghouses, supported by what happens at home. We need an adjustment to this pattern. It is time for a home-centered Church, supported by what takes place inside our branch, ward, and stake buildings...
The long-standing objective of the Church is to assist all members to increase their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and in His Atonement, to assist them in making and keeping their covenants with God, and to strengthen and seal their families. In this complex world today, this is not easy. The adversary is increasing his attacks on faith and upon us and our families at an exponential rate. To survive spiritually, we need counter strategies and proactive plans. Accordingly, we now want to put in place organizational adjustments that will further fortify our members and their families.
For many years, Church leaders have been working on an integrated curriculum to strengthen families and individuals through a home-centered and Church-supported plan to learn doctrine, strengthen faith, and foster greater personal worship. Our efforts over these recent years to hallow the Sabbath—to make it a delight and a personal sign to God of our love for Him—will be augmented by the adjustments we will now introduce.
This morning we will announce a new balance and connection between gospel instruction in the home and in the Church. We are each responsible for our individual spiritual growth. And scriptures make it clear that parents have the primary responsibility to teach the doctrine to their children.2 It is the responsibility of the Church to assist each member in the divinely defined goal of increasing his or her gospel knowledge...
My dear brothers and sisters, I know that God lives! Jesus is the Christ! This is His Church that He directs by prophecy and revelation to His humble servants. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
(Pass our paper)
Based on his opening remarks, take a minute and draw a picture that somehow illustrates to you what Home-centered and Church supported gospel learning looks like vs. Church-center and home supported.
Based on his opening remarks, take a minute and draw a picture that somehow illustrates to you what Home-centered and Church supported gospel learning looks like vs. Church-center and home supported.
Share analogies
My picture - Plate of food vs. supplements
- draw analogies; what's on your plate. Processed? Freeze-dried? Home-grown? Home-made? Where do you get your spiritual nutrition? How often? etc.
My picture - Plate of food vs. supplements
- draw analogies; what's on your plate. Processed? Freeze-dried? Home-grown? Home-made? Where do you get your spiritual nutrition? How often? etc.
WHAT have we been asked to do?
- sacred duty (why)
-awaken passion, commitment
-find joy, light and truth of the gospel
-build patterns of communication and behavior
-ingrain strong, unwavering characteristics of goodness
-infuse children with strength to confront life's challenges
"Moses well understood the fundamental need for constant teaching. He counseled, “And thou shalt teach [these words] diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”9"
Why do we want to increase the quality of our study of the gospel in our homes?:
1. (P. Nelson) - The long-standing objective of the Church is to assist all members to increase their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and in His Atonement, to assist them in making and keeping their covenants with God, and to strengthen and seal their families. In this complex world today, this is not easy. The adversary is increasing his attacks on faith and upon us and our families at an exponential rate. To survive spiritually, we need counterstrategies and proactive plans. Accordingly, we now want to put in place organizational adjustments that will further fortify our members and their families."
-help you increase faith in Christ
-help you make and keep your covenants with God
-help your family be stronger/sealed
-help you survive spiritually
-help give you counter strategies to Satan's attacks
-help you be proactive in your planning instead of reacting to spiritual disasters
Notice he said the church is putting in place things that will "fortify" you (supplement analogy) Definition: "strengthen (a place) with defensive works so as to protect it against attack"
2.(Pres. Nelson) For many years, Church leaders have been working on an integrated curriculum to strengthen families and individuals through a home-centered and Church-supported plan to learn doctrine, strengthen faith, and foster greater personal worship. Our efforts over these recent years to hallow the Sabbath—to make it a delight and a personal sign to God of our love for Him—will be augmented by the adjustments we will now introduce.
-strengthen you and your family
-help you learn doctrine
-help you strengthen faith
-help you experience greater personal worship
-help you hallow the Sabbath and feel like it is a delight
Augmented definition: "swell, increase, make greater" implies we have to have something first to make greater; whatever is in our "home church" already.
3. (Elder Cook) "President Nelson has acknowledged with gratitude how much is being accomplished as a result of your faithfulness to previous invitations. He and the entire leadership of the Church desire to bring greater gospel joy—to parents, children, youth, singles, the elderly, new converts, and those people the missionaries are teaching—through a home-centered, Church-supported, balanced effort. The purposes and blessings associated with this adjustment and other recent changes include the following:
- Deepening conversion to Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthening faith in Them.
- Strengthening individuals and families through home-centered, Church-supported curriculum that contributes to joyful gospel living.
- Honoring the Sabbath day, with a focus on the ordinance of the sacrament.
- Helping all of Heavenly Father’s children on both sides of the veil through missionary work and receiving ordinances and covenants and blessings of the temple.President Nelson, from his initial address to the members of the Church in January, has exhorted us to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ by walking the covenant path.-help you prepare for the Second Coming of Christ (if prepared not fear)
-help you walk/stay on the covenant path
"World conditions increasingly require deepening individual conversion to and strengthening faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and His Atonement. The Lord has prepared us, line upon line, for the perilous times that we now face."-additional preparation for the perilous times we now face."The adjustment announced this morning is yet another example of guidance for the challenges of our day.-additional guidance to help you with today's challenges (added to Sabbath Day;quorums;ministering; fh service)
What are the promises we received for following the prophet?
"The new home-centered and Church-supported curriculum needs to influence more powerfully family religious observance and behavior and personal religious observance and behavior. We know the spiritual impact and the deep and lasting conversion that can be achieved in the home setting. Years ago, a study established that for young men and women the influence of the Holy Ghost most often accompanies individual scripture study and prayer in the home. Our purpose is to balance the Church and the home experiences in a way that will greatly increase faith and spirituality and deepen conversion to Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
-have a powerful influence on your daily personal and family religious observance
-promote deep and lasting conversion
-ponder the relationship between "conversion and healing" and what "deep and lasting conversion" might mean for you if you are in need of physical, mental, or spiritual healing (search "be converted, be healed"in scriptures search bar and find several scriptures that connect the two)
"We are confident that members will be blessed in extraordinary ways...As individuals and families engage in family councils, family history, ministering, service, personal worship, and joyful family time, the Sabbath day will truly be a delight...The announcements made today will result in profound blessings for those who enthusiastically embrace the adjustments and seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost. We will become closer to our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
- blessed in extraordinary ways
- Sabbath truly a delight
- profound blessings
- closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
(Member testimony) "I bear my testimony … that I know it was inspired by the Lord so that the consistent and effective study of the principles and doctrines contained in the scriptures brings more faith, testimony, and light to the families … in an increasingly fallen world.”
-more faith, testimony and light
(Elder Bangerter) "Every parent faces moments of frustration and varying levels of determination and strength while raising children. However, when parents exercise faith by teaching children candidly, lovingly and doing all they can to help them along the way, they receive greater hope that the seeds being sown will take root within the hearts and minds of their children.
-receive greater hope that sown seeds will take root in the hearts and minds of your children"The things we talk of, the things we preach and teach - determine the things that will happen among us. As we establish wholesome traditions that teach the doctrine of Christ, the Holy Spirit bears witness of the truthfulness of our message and nourishes the seeds of the gospel that are planted deep in the hearts of our children by our efforts all along the way."
- The Spirit will bear witness to the truth and nourish gospel seeds
(Pres. Nelson) "The new home-centered, Church-supported integrated curriculum has the potential to unleash the power of families, as each family follows through conscientiously and carefully to transform their home into a sanctuary of faith. I promise that as you diligently work to remodel your home into a center of gospel learning, over time your Sabbath days will truly be a delight. Your children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior’s teachings, and the influence of the adversary in your life and in your home will decrease. Changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining."
- the power of families be will be unleashed
- conscientiously and carefully transform your home into a sanctuary of faith
- make your home a center of gospel learning = Sabbath will be a delight
- children will be excited to learn and live the Savior's teaching
- Satan's influence will decrease
- changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining
Do you believe these promises are possible? Remember this scriptures:
Ether 12:
12 For if there be no afaith among the children of men God can do no bmiracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.
Moroni 7:35 And now, my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will show unto you, with apower and great glory at the last bday, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased?
36 Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he awithheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?
37 Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that amiracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of bunbelief, and all is vain.
38 For no man can be saved, according to the words of Christ, save they shall have faith in his name; wherefore, if these things have ceased, then has faith ceased also; and awful is the state of man, for they are as though there had been no redemption made.
39 But behold, my beloved brethren, I judge better things of you, for I judge that ye have faith in Christ because of your meekness; for if ye have not faith in him then ye are not afit to be numbered among the people of his church.
What if you feel some fear about these changes?
(Elder Rasband) "Since ancient times, fear has limited the perspective of God’s children...How is fear dispelled? ...
When we listen to President Russell M. Nelson, when we hearken to his counsel, we are standing with a prophet of God.
Remember the words of Joseph Smith: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!”11
Jesus Christ lives. Our love for Him and His gospel dispels fear.
(Elder Rasband) "Since ancient times, fear has limited the perspective of God’s children...How is fear dispelled? ...
When we listen to President Russell M. Nelson, when we hearken to his counsel, we are standing with a prophet of God.
Remember the words of Joseph Smith: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!”11
Jesus Christ lives. Our love for Him and His gospel dispels fear.
Our desire to “always have his Spirit”12 with us will push fear aside for a more eternal view of our mortal lives. President Nelson has cautioned, “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”13
The Lord said, regarding the scourges that would cover the land and would harden the hearts of many, “My disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved.”14
And then this divine counsel: “Be not troubled, for, when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled.”15
...When we stand in holy places—our righteous homes, our dedicated chapels, the consecrated temples—we feel the Spirit of the Lord with us. We find answers to questions that trouble us or the peace to simply set them aside. That is the Spirit in action...There is no room for fear in these holy places of God or in the hearts of His children. Why? Because of love. God loves us—always—and we love Him. Our love of God counters all fears, and His love abounds in holy places.
Think about it. When we are tentative in our commitments to the Lord, when we stray from His path leading to life eternal, when we question or doubt our significance in His divine design, when we allow fear to open the door to all its companions—discouragement, anger, frustration, disappointment—the Spirit leaves us, and we are without the Lord. If you know what that is like, you know it is not a good place to be.
In contrast, when we stand in holy places, we can feel God’s love, and “perfect love casteth out all fear.”16
The next promise is “Be not troubled.”17 No matter how much wickedness and chaos fill the earth, we are promised by our daily faithfulness in Jesus Christ the “peace of God, which passeth all understanding.”18
If we actively trust in the Lord and His ways, if we are engaged in His work, we will not fear the trends of the world or be troubled by them. I plead with you to set aside worldly influences and pressures and seek spirituality in your daily life. Love what the Lord loves—which includes His commandments, His holy houses, our sacred covenants with Him, the sacrament each Sabbath day, our communication through prayer—and you will not be troubled.
The last point: trust the Lord and His promises. I know that all His promises will be fulfilled...
“For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.”21
This is why we should not be troubled by the turmoil of today, by those in the great and spacious building, by those who scoff at honest effort and dedicated service to the Lord Jesus Christ.
-fear limits perspective
-dispel fear by:
standing with the prophet
loving Christ and His gospel
desiring to always have His Spirit
standing in Holy Places where you will feel God's love
trusting in the Lord and His ways
being engaged in His work
seeking spirituality in your daily life
loving what the Lord loves:
His commandments, the temple, your covenants, the Sacrament, prayer
trusting in the Lord and His promises
(my "A" vs "C" story)
Do we sometimes do that to each other? Are we afraid we may be mocked or shamed if we try to be "too good"? Is it really bad thing to be a "molly mormon" or "peter priesthood"?
A recent Tribune article states that there are members now, who proclaim that they are neither all in or all out and that is just fine. "Do you intend to keep all of Father's commandments?" they might sarcastically ask...
Rev 3 says, "15 I know thy aworks, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art alukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will bspue thee out of my mouth.
"To receive personal revelation, we must place priority on living the gospel and encouraging faithfulness and spirituality in others as well as ourselves."
What is my part?
(Pres. Eyring)"Part of the Lord’s current sharing of knowledge relates to accelerating His pouring out eternal truth on the heads and into the hearts of His people. He has made clear that the daughters of Heavenly Father will play a primary role in that miraculous acceleration. One evidence of the miracle is His leading His living prophet to put far greater emphasis on gospel instruction in the home and within the family."
-A miraculous acceleration of the pouring out of eternal truth on God's daughters.
"...the Lord foresaw these exciting changes, which are now occurring. In the proclamation, He gave sisters charge to be the principal gospel educators in the family in these words: “Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.”2 This includes the nurture of gospel truth and knowledge."
- You are the principle gospel educator in your family
"Why, then, does a daughter of God in a united and equal relationship receive the primary responsibility to nourish with the most important nutrient all must receive, a knowledge of truth coming from heaven? As nearly as I can see, that has been the Lord’s way since families were created in this world.
- Most important nutrient on your family's spiritual plate is the knowledge of truth coming from heaven.
"In addition to prayer, serious study of the scriptures will be part of your growing power to nurture. Here is the promise: “Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.”6
So you will take more time to pray, to ponder, and to meditate on spiritual matters. You will have knowledge of truth poured out upon you and grow in your power to nurture others in your family.
- Serious study of the scriptures = growing power to nurture-Treasure up words of life = given you in the very hour
-Take more time to pray, ponder, meditate on spiritual matters = knowledge of truth poured out upon you
"For sisters in every stage of life’s journey, in every family situation, and across every culture, the Savior is your perfect example of how you will play a major part in His move to place greater emphasis on gospel learning in the home and family.
You will bring your inherent feeling of charity into changes in activities and practices in your family. That will bring greater spiritual growth. When you pray with and for family members, you will feel your and the Savior’s love for them. That will become more and more your spiritual gift as you seek it. Your family members will feel it as you pray with greater faith.
"When the family gathers to read scriptures aloud, you will already have read them and prayed over them to prepare yourself. You will have found moments to pray for the Spirit to enlighten your mind. Then, when it is your turn to read, family members will feel your love for God and for His word. They will be nurtured by Him and by His Spirit.
The same outpouring can come in any family gathering if you pray and plan for it. It may take effort and time, but it will bring miracles."
- prepare for family scripture study: read/pray in advance
- pray for enlightenment
-share your love for God and His word
-pray and plan for other family gatherings
- time and effort = miracles
"...each of you, ... will be a major part of a miracle of gospel learning and living that will hasten the gathering of Israel and will prepare God’s family for the glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- you will be a major part of a miracle
- gospel learning and living will hasten the gathering and prepare us for the return of Jesus.
(Pres. Nelson) "Please teach those whom you love what you are learning from the scriptures. Teach them how to turn to the Savior for His healing and cleansing power when they sin. And teach them how to draw upon His strengthening power every day of their lives."
- teach what you are learning: how to heal, be cleansed, find daily strength and power
"My dear sisters, we need you! We “need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom, and your voices.”4 We simply cannot gather Israel without you.
I love you and thank you and now bless you with the ability to leave the world behind as you assist in this crucial and urgent work. Together we can do all that our Heavenly Father needs us to do to prepare the world for the Second Coming of His Beloved Son.
Jesus is the Christ. This is His Church. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
-leave the world behind and assist in the crucial and urgent work of gathering Israel
- these are the things we need to do to prepare for the Second Coming
- these are the things we need to do to prepare for the Second Coming
(Pres. Nelson) "I invite you to read the Book of Mormon between now and the end of the year. As impossible as that may seem with all you are trying to manage in your life, if you will accept this invitation with full purpose of heart, the Lord will help you find a way to achieve it. And, as you prayerfully study, I promise that the heavens will open for you. The Lord will bless you with increased inspiration and revelation.
-read the Book of Mormon
-the Lord will help you achieve it
-prayerfully study and the heavens will open for you
- you will receive increased inspiration and revelation
- modern day Liahona, new writings
- modern day Liahona, new writings
As you read, I would encourage you to mark each verse that speaks of or refers to the Savior. Then, be intentional about talking of Christ, rejoicing in Christ, and preaching of Christ with your families and friends.2 You and they will be drawn closer to the Savior through this process. And changes, even miracles, will begin to happen.
-mark each verse related to the Savior.
- be intentional about talking, rejoicing and preaching of Christ
- you and they will be closer to Christ
-changes and miracles will begin to happen
I bear you my witness that the Savior knows and loves you. He knows your name as you know His. He knows your troubles. He has experienced them. By His Atonement, He has overcome the world. By your being willing to take His name upon you, you will lift the burdens of countless others. And you will find in time that you know the Savior better and that you love Him more. His name will be in your heart and fixed in your memory. It is the name by which you will be called. I so witness, with gratitude for His loving-kindness to me, to my loved ones, and to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
My invitation to you is that you ponder the what and why of the important change that is coming in January, believe the promises, cast out all fear, and that you pray for a desire, if you are unsure, to be a significant partner with the Savior in preparing your families for His return through your personal and family gospel experience, study, and witness of the Spirit.
(Read excerpt from ensign testimony) "As I listened to the prophet testify of Jesus Christ, something began to swell inside me. It was His name, growing bigger and bigger until it filled me up with light. I found myself repeating a simple kind of prayer in my heart: "I love Him, I love Him. I love Him." I pray that when the Lord looks on my heart He'll see His name emblazoned there, clear and bright."
Please sing the chorus with me as I play the song I played at the beginning once again.
(Chorus:)
I know Jesus loves me, I know it, I know it, I know it.
I know I love Him, too, I’ll show it, I’ll show it, I’ll show it,
I’ll try to be all that He wants me to be
Because I know Jesus loves me.
(1st verse:)
I see it in smiles of my fam’ly and friends,
In kind deeds they show me again and again.
I feel it when kneeling to rev’rently pray,
I see all the blessings He sends my way
(Repeat Chorus)
(2nd verse:)
So often I have a warm feeling inside
A sweet, happy feeling I cannot hide
That helps me to feel Jesus’s love every day.
He blesses and helps me so many ways.
(Repeat chorus)
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