[family proclamation]

 

[the importance of families]

 

[MIGHTY!]

 

"I am he who spake in righteousness, mighty to save."

D&C 133:47

Jesus Christ is MIGHTY to save us! 

 The words in this coloring page are synonyms for mighty.

[why temples?]

This will be a part of my youth Sunday School lesson for D&C 94-97. We'll talk about some of the reasons we have temples.

The word answers in clockwise order are:

ministry

theory

principle

doctrine

pure

heart

see God

endow

power

salvation

thanksgiving

presence

come

glory

instruction 

[live together in love]

 

I was rereading Elder Holland's talk "The Ministry of Reconciliation" from October 2018 General Conference to prepare for my upcoming Sunday School lesson on Doctrine & Covenants 64-66. Such a powerful talk about forgiving and healing.

Forgiving others doesn't mean that we continue in an abusive relationship, etc. It just means that we acknowledge that every single person on earth is imperfect, will make mistakes, and needs mercy and forgiveness. Let God be the Judge as He is Omniscience. He knows how to judge righteously, perfectly. He knows our hearts. He is the only one who knows how responsible we are for our actions. We just don't know the whole story. What if Hitler had some sort of brain damage that made him the way he is? A simple hard blow to the head can do that. We don't know what makes a person the way they are. We just don't.

Let God judge.

Over and over again in the scriptures, we are told that God is merciful. That gives me hope as I need mercy. I mess up all the time despite my best intentions. 

If we want mercy, we need to be merciful.

When you can love the sinners yet not condone the sin, you feel a weight lifted off your soul. Love will flood into your heart.

It's not easy to forgive sometimes. We can ask for God's help when forgiveness is beyond our ability.

Elder Holland:

"He (Jesus Christ) did not say, "You are not allowed to feel true pain or real sorrow from the shattering experiences you have had at the hand of another." Nor did He say, "In order to forgive fully, you have to reenter a toxic relationship or return to an abusive, destructive circumstance".

But notwithstanding even the most terrible offenses that might come to us, we can rise above our pain only when we put our feet onto the path of true healing. That path is the forgiving one walked by Jesus of Nazareth, who calls out to each of us, “Come, follow me.” 

"The Healer of every wound, He who rights every wrong, asks us to labor with Him in the daunting task of peacemaking in a world that won’t find it any other way."

"...I ask us to be peacemakers—to love peace, to seek peace, to create peace, to cherish peace. I make that appeal in the name of the Prince of Peace, who knows everything about being “wounded in the house of [His] friends” but who still found the strength to forgive and forget—and to heal—and be happy."

For my youth Sunday School, I made 3" peace dove badges for everyone and "quote collage" scripture bookmarks. 

I basically just printed it all on cardstock and I happen to have a 3" circle cutter so that was perfect. 

I printed instructions on how to fold a paper crane as the white dove is one of the symbols of peace. (I know cranes are not doves but close enough. :) In Japan, paper cranes are peace symbols.) When Jesus was baptized, a dove descended on Him, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, PEACE...

I will give all this plus some origami paper to my class one week prior to our class with a homework assignment that they need to immediately forgive someone who "sins against them" that week. Each time they choose to forgive instead of getting mad, they can make a paper crane to remind them of how they brought peace to the world. 

In class, we'll have a discussion on forgiveness and peace and hopefully, they'll have a personal experience to share with the class.

[invite the Spirit into your life]

 

[start TODAY to increase your faith]

 

[Sunday School Lesson D&C 49 & 50]

 

24 DOWN 49:2 they desire to know the truth _____________   _____________________, but not all

8 DOWN 49:7 the hour and the day __________   __________________   ________________________

4 DOWN 49:12 the beginning and the ____________________

25 ACROSS, 20 DOWN 49:15 whoso forbiddeth to ___________________ is not ordained of God, for marriage is _________________________   _______________   ___________________ unto man

27 DOWN, 37 ACROSS 49:19 for the use of man for __________ and for ________________, and that he might have in abundance

9 DOWN, 1 ACROSS 49:21 wo be unto man that ________________________   ___________________ or that _________________________   _______________________ and hath no need

35 ACROSS 49:27 I will go before you and be your _______________________; and I will be in your midst

6 DOWN, 30 ACROSS 50:3 Satan hath sought to ________________________ you, that he might ____________________________ you

17 DOWN, 2 DOWN, 11 ACROSS 50:7 there are hypocrites among you, who have ______________________   ___________________, which has given _________   ______________________   __________________; but behold such shall be __________________________

22 DOWN, 14 ACROSS 50:16 nevertheless, I will be merciful unto you; he that is __________________ among you hereafter shall be ________________   _______________________

26 ACROSS, 13 ACROSS, 2 ACROSS 50:22 he that preacheth and he that receiveth, __________________ one another, and both are ___________________ and ____________________ together

34 ACROSS, 7 ACROSS 50:23 that which __________________   ______________   __________________ is not of God, and is ___________________________

16 DOWN 50:24 that which is of God is _______________________

21 ACROSS 50:32 and it shall be given unto you, ____________   __________   ___________   _____________

10 DOWN 50:35 __________________   __________    __________________________ all things which are not ordained of him (God)

18 ACROSS, 28 DOWN 50:40 Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must ______________   __________   __________________ and in the knowledge of the _____________________

29 ACROSS, 33 DOWN, 12 ACROSS 50:41 __________________   _______________, little children, for you are ________________________, and I have _______________________ the world

23 DOWN, 3 ACROSS, 15 ACROSS 50:44 Wherefore, I am _________   ________________   _______________, and I am ___________   ___________   ____________, and ______   ____________   ______   _____________.

32 DOWN 50:44 He that buildeth upon this ____________________ shall never fall.

31 DOWN 50:45 And the day cometh that you shall hear my voice and _______________   ____________, and know that I am.

19 DOWN, 36 ACROSS 50:46 ___________________, therefore, that ye may ________   _________________.

This took a long time to do so I'm hoping someone else can use it too. :)

I gave my youth Sunday School class some homework prior to our lesson.

TO BE PREPARED FOR OUR NEXT LESSON, PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING “HOMEWORK” 😊

1. Study D&C 49 and 50.

2. Do the crossword puzzle. The numbers that are typed in BOLD show the scripture verse where you will find the answer. Some answers have more than one word.

3. Look up “Grace” in the Bible Dictionary, page 697.

4. Look up “Hypocrite” in the Bible Dictionary, page 705.

5. Go to merriam-webster.com (an online dictionary) and look up these two words and write down their definitions on the crossword puzzle page:

DECEIVE                 RECLAIM

6. Ponder how you are “growing in grace and in the knowledge of the truth”.

7. Optional: color the flower.

See you on May 16^th.  😊

[grow in grace]

 

Grace

A word that occurs frequently in the New Testament, especially in the writings of Paul. The main idea of the word is divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ.

It is through the grace of the Lord Jesus, made possible by His atoning sacrifice, that mankind will be raised in immortality, every person receiving his body from the grave in a condition of everlasting life. It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts.

Divine grace is needed by every soul in consequence of the Fall of Adam and also because of man’s weaknesses and shortcomings. However, grace cannot suffice without total effort on the part of the recipient. Hence the explanation, “It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Ne. 25:23). It is truly the grace of Jesus Christ that makes salvation possible. This principle is expressed in Jesus’ parable of the vine and the branches (John 15:1–11). See also John 1:12–17; Eph. 2:8–9; Philip. 4:13; D&C 93:11–14.

(Source: ChurchofJesusChrist.org, Bible Dictionary)

[brooding, bored, bothered]

 

[great things await you]

 

As I was studying Doctrine & Covenants 45 today, I kept thinking how often we focus on the scary prophecies about the last days. I have noticed in my studies though that the prophecies are very different for the saints than for the wicked. Over and over again we are told not to fear or to be troubled. There are some amazing promises to the saints in D&C 45. I hope that we learn to focus on the positive promises to the saints instead of on the calamities. 

Just prior to the warnings of D&C 45, the Lord shares the many things His power will do. The power we receive through our covenant keeping. Things like "enemies may not have power over you", "preserved in all things", "enabled to keep my laws", "every bond may be broken wherewith the enemy seeketh to destroy my people", "to do many miracles"... God's enabling power is real and we have access to it. If we truly believe the scriptures, we need not fear the last days.

For the first time, I thought of the fig tree parable in quite a new light: something about temples and what we see there. Think about it... I'm not sure if I'm right but still kind of cool. :)

[remove the debris]

 

I continue to use my General Conference journal. This page is not that exciting but it will help me to remember President Nelson's words.

[if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear]

 

If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.

D&C 38:30

Many people live in fear right now so for this week's Sunday School lesson I thought to concentrate on what will bring peace in these troubled times.

I'm so grateful to know where I can find peace when the world is in turmoil. Jesus Christ is not called the Prince of Peace for nothing.

[D&C 37-40 handout]

 

1.  it remaineth with me to do with him as seemeth _____  _________ (40:3)

2.  …let every man __________________ for himself until I come (37:4)

3.  I have looked upon thy works and I ____________ _____________ (39:7)

4.  I will be merciful unto __________  _____________________ (38:14)

5.  mine eyes are upon you. I am in your __________________ (38:7)

6.  The same which ___________________ _______ things (38:2)

7.  if ye are ____________________ ye shall not fear (38:30)

8.  be ye strong from henceforth, ______________  _________ (38:15)

9.  I will be _____________  _____________ and go before thy face (39:12)

10. beware of ____________________ (38:39)

11. treasure up _______________________ (38:30)

A puzzle for Doctrine & Covenants chapters 37 - 40.

The answer is "GO TO THE OHIO". (See D&C 37)

I don't think the "the" in the sentence is a mistake. In a later chapter, the Lord says "people in Ohio". I was puzzled by the "the" so I did some research. 

Ohio means "great river" in the Iroquois language. 

In Kirtland, a great river of knowledge and power flowed from Heaven to the early Saints as they received their endowments. You'll gain added insight if you search scriptures about "living water" and "river".

[study journal]

 

When I study the gospel, I like to keep a study journal. I'm a very visual person so pictures help me remember things.

I purchased a new notebook just for General Conference. 

In Relief Society, we will be discussing Elder Teixeira's talk so I started my journaling with his talk. I had to leave some pages empty at the beginning of the notebook for President Nelson's messages. The prophet's message needs to be the first in the notebook in my humble opinion. 

Anyways, this kind of journaling makes studying more fun and for sure you'll remember things better than if you just read. 

[April 2021 General Conference]

 

[the whole armor of God]

Made these for my youth Sunday School lesson on Doctrine & Covenants 27 & 28. Hopefully, someone else can use them too.

[D&C 20-22]

 

[your worth]

 

A Lamborghini is just "stuff". Your spirit is eternal and worth more than you can imagine. The Father of your spirit is God, the Heavenly King, the Creator of "worlds without number". You also have a Heavenly Mother. You are of royal lineage. You are an eternal being whose destiny is beyond amazing. Every single person you meet out there in the world is a literal son or daughter of God.

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God."

Romans 8:16

[D&C 14:2 Come Follow Me lesson handouts]

I'm teaching 11- and 12-year-olds in Sunday School at the moment. We have been in complete Covid-19 lockdown for a while now so it's quite miserable for everyone. Online lessons just aren't the same as in-person either. I wanted to do something special and fun for the upcoming third Sunday lesson. I had seen these kinds of "instruction drawings" on Pinterest and thought to make these handouts for the kids.

 The first photos are what they will look like once the kids have finished drawing them as per instructions. The bottom ones are the actual handouts I will be mailing to them with the instruction not to open the envelope until the exact time of our online lesson. We will talk about how the scriptures are like the seed that grows into a tree and bears fruit. Or like a two-edged sword. Or like rain and snow that water the earth and allows us to grow food. Etc.

These handouts took a while to make so I hope someone else can use them as well. :)

The snowflake instructions are only for half of the snowflake. The kids have to mirror the drawing to the other side making it a bit more challenging. 

The mouths need to be drawn. 

THE SNOWFLAKE AND RAINDROP:

FROM SEED TO FRUIT (PEAR AND APPLE):

A TWO-EDGED SWORD:

A LAMP:

Here are the drawing instructions:

LAMP:

1L  2↙  4D  2↘  20D  2↙  7D  6R  7U  2↖  1↙  8D  3L  7U  2↗  1↘  1↗  20U  1↖  1↙  1↖  5U  2R  5D  1↘  1↗  5U  1R  4D  1↙  5U  1R  2↖  1L

 

PEAR:

1↗  3R  1↘  2R  2↙  3L  2↖  1L  1U  1L  3D  1L  1↙  2D  1↙  1D  1↙  1D  2↙  3D  3↘  7R  3↗  3U  2↖  1U  1↖  1U  1↖  2U  1↖  1L  2U

 

APPLE:

2↗  2R  2↘  1R  1↙  5L  1↖  1↙  1U  1L  4D  2↖  3L  3↙  6D  4↘  3R  1↗  1R  1↘  3R  4↗  6U  3↖  3L  2↙  3U

 

SWORD:

2↖  2↙  4R  2U  4L  6D  1L  2D  6R  2U  5L  4↗  4D  4↖  2↗   6R  2U  12L  2D  6R  2U  28U

 2↙  +    2↘           26D  +  26D      (these are done to the left and to the right)

 

SNOWFLAKE:

1L  2D  1L  1U  1L  2D  1R  1D  1R  3D  1L  1U  1L  1U  1L  1U  1L  1U  1L  1U  1L  2D  1R  1D  1R  1D  1R  1D  1R  1D  2L  1U  1L  1U  2L  1D  1R  1D  2L  1D  2R  1D  1L  1D  2R  1U  1R  1U  2R  1D  1L  1D  1L  1D  1L  1D  1L  2D  1R  1U  1R  1U  1R  1U  1R  1U  1R  1U  1R  3D  1L  1D  1L  2D  1R  1U  1R  2D  1R

 

RAINDROP:

4↙  1D  1↙  1D  1↙  1D  1↙  6D  3↘  1R  1↘  4R  1↗  1R  3↗  6U  1↖  1U  1↖  1U  1↖  1U  4↖

[Don't worry about me. I don't exist.]

 

"Satan would prefer that we forgot he exists - or that we at least fail to recognize his attempts to influence us."

..."ask the Lord to help you see how Satan may be tempting you."

Doctrine & Covenants 2021

Come Follow Me - for Individuals and Families

page 24

[I could not deny it]

 

[pray for our nations, for our leaders]

As the world continues to be in commotion, I treasure wise words from wise people. I need these reminders. We all do.

"The Savior taught us to not limit who we pray for. He said, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."

On the cross... He practiced what He taught when He prayed, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

Sincerely praying for those who may be considered our enemies demonstrates our belief that God can change our hearts and the hearts of others.

...Prayer will lift us and draw us together as individuals, as families... and as a world. Prayer will influence scientists and help them toward discoveries of vaccines and medications that will end this pandemic. Prayer will comfort those who have lost a loved one. It will guide us in knowing what to do for our own personal protection.

...How great is the power of prayer.

...Let us remember and appreciate the power of prayer."

M. Russell Ballard (an Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)

October 2020

You can listen to his talk here: link to the talk

Prayer has been a source of strength and inspiration to me. If you have let your faith falter or have forgotten how to communicate with your Father in Heaven, I invite you to exercise some faith and see for yourself the power of a sincere, honest, from the heart prayer. I promise you that God listens and He will communicate with you in return. Finding quiet times to listen, searching the scriptures, doing good for others will aid in hearing that communication. Love you all!