As a fairly new primary president, I gave the assignment to myself and my counselors to read over the words to the songs for the program, and to write their thoughts and feelings concerning the messages of the songs. I know that this will be a great help to my dear counselor whom I've asked to write the program. For anyone else who is interested, I have decided to add a post to my blog. Maybe some of the ideas will help you in your own program or talks. HSS
Thoughts Concerning 2012 Primary Program Songs:
As a Child of God
I am thankful for parents who taught me the gospel. I am thankful that I grew up in a home where we were taught to love and to serve one another. I’m thankful for family prayer and that I could feel my parents’ testimonies and love for the Lord and for me as they prayed. I am thankful that I was baptized when I was eight-years-old and that I received the Gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy ghost helped guide me while I was a child in my parents’ home, and He has guided me in rearing my own family.
The Wise Man and the Foolish Man
Jesus told the story of the wise man and the foolish man. Living in California, we have seen houses slide down off their sandy foundations. After fires, rainstorms, and flooding, homes have been lost. House built on granite or other solid rock foundations are more secure. Recently in Highland, many beautiful homes were destroyed because they were built in zones where flooding was likely to occur.
When Jesus talks about building our houses on rock foundations, He means that we must build our testimonies upon Him and His restored gospel, and the Rock of Revelation. In Helaman 5:12, Helaman says to his sons, "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." Jesus is the true and sure foundation.
Nephi’s Courage
Nephi 3:7—“And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.”
Nephi did not know in advance what would happen when he went back to Jerusalem to get the plates. But Nephi believed that his father Lehi was a prophet, and he knew the commandment to get the plates came from God. So Nephi went, not knowing beforehand what he would do. (See Nephi 4:6)
Even though Laman and Lemuel laughed at Nephi because he was going to build a boat, Nephi was able to continue with his plans and obtain revelation from God on how to build the boat. He knew that God would help him and that he could do it because God commanded him to.
We can be like Nephi. We can learn to rely on the prophet and put our trust in the words he gives us. We can be obedient to our parents, and the Lord will bless us because of our faith and obedience. Our testimonies will become stronger as we do the things which we know are right.
Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
I love to hear about Jesus’s life. I love to hear how he blessed and healed so many people. I know that he loved the little children, and He told the people to suffer the children to come unto Him. He also said that we need to become like little children in order to return to Him. We know that He blessed the children in His homeland during His earth-life and the children of the Nephites and Lamanites after his resurrection. I know that he loves and blesses all of his children still today.
Choose the Right
(Also see Primary song There’s a Right Way to Live and Be Happy.)
We are all born with the Light of Christ, and it is given unto us to know right from wrong. The power of the Holy Ghost is also a gift to all of Heavenly Father’s children who are seeking after truth and righteousness. And when we become members of the Church through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism and confirmation, we receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. He can be our constant companion if we choose to do what’s right.
We have been blessed to know right from wrong, and we have the Holy Ghost to help us to be faithful and obedient. Heavenly Father will bless us through the Holy Ghost to feel peaceful and happy when we do what is right.
Even when things go wrong in our lives, we need to keep choosing the right.
I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus
If I want to be like Jesus, I need to get to know what He is like. I need to read stories about Him. I need to treat people with love and kindness like He did. I need to follow what He said were the first two great commandments.
Mark 12: 29-31: “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
I need to listen to His prophets and follow His commandments. John 14:15: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” I need to show my love for Him by serving my fellowman. John 13:35: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Jesus Once Was a Little Child
It is good to know that Jesus was a little Child. He had to grow from grace to grace like all of us do. He was tempted, but he didn’t heed temptation. He was mocked, scourged, spit upon, and crucified, but he did not retaliate or show anger or hatred.
In Hebrews 5:8 we read, “Though He were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which He suffered.” I try to remember to be more like Jesus by being obedient and by being like a little child, both meek and submissive. He always did those things which pleased His Father, and I am striving to do those things which will please my earthly parents, Jesus, and my Heavenly Parents. I love Him.
Stand for the Right
Our prophet speaks for the Lord. Jesus told us in the Doctrine and Covenants section 1 verse 38, “Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.” If we follow the words and council of our prophet, we will not go astray. If we stand for the right, we will not fall for the things that are wrong. We need to listen to our prophet at conference time, and we need to read his words and follow his counsel. The Lord will bless us if we do.
When I am Baptized
I love seeing rainbows. The rainbow was the sign of the covenant that the Lord made with Noah that the entire earth would never be flooded again. In Noah’s day, the earth was baptized with water. That was part of its needed purification. The rainbow also reminds me that I need to be baptized just like Adam and Eve were and just like Jesus was. When I was baptized, everything that I had done or thought that was wrong, was washed away. Each week when I partake of the sacrament worthily, with a pure and honest heart, my wrongs are washed away again. I can be clean and pure all the time because of the atonement of Jesus Christ. The light that shines through a prism of water produces a beautiful rainbow. The Light that flows into me as a disciple of Jesus Christ creates in me a beautiful tapestry as I follow His commandments and do His will. I want to stay clean and pure and have Light in my life.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
Daily Quotes
4-13-11
Posting my feelings about cancer on Facebook won't change anything. I hope that faith, prayers, and advances in modern medicine will someday. While it is such a debilitating disease, and we all share in our desire to see its end, those who have suffered through it are often blessed in ways that we can't begin to comprehend. I don't believe that cancer patients have their hopes and dreams and wishes snuffed out by the disease. They are way stronger than that! My experience is not that they only have one selfish dream, of themselves licking the cancer, but they have many hope and dreams for the happiness and welfare of all those they love. I can't begin to imagine that I can speak for someone who has, or has had cancer, because I don't. But I know that their cancer doesn't make them stop being who they are.
4-22-11
So appropriate for Earth Day to be on Good Friday. Thank you, Jesus, for this beautiful world we enjoy and for the gift of the Resurrection!
7-12-11
I did not know when I wrote these words that my sister would pass away on the same day. How fitting that she could go on Good Friday.
4-23-11
My sister's long battle with cancer is finally over, and she won. She endured to the end. I will miss her, but I know that because of Jesus Christ she is whole in spirit now, and she will be whole again in the flesh in the Resurrection. Happy Easter, everyone. ♥ ♥ ♥
4-29-11
A new sadness and a new gladness. Yesterday's gone, but a glorious future lays ahead for all of us. Kathy's funeral yesterday was beautiful. So wonderful to see family and friends. My new prayer should be my sister's, that I will endure to the end.
Kathy not only endured; she prevailed.
"Enduring is merely surviving the fear and the dangers of life. Prevailing is overcoming that fear and those dangers. To prevail is to triumph." (k-12 English lesson)
6-10-11
The point isn't trying to get away with doing the least that you can; the point is learning to do the best that you can.
7-10-11
We all have our quirks; we all have our problems. But if we all tried to be more loving and accepting and less judgmental and offish, the world would spin ever more nicely on its axis and follow its orbit with greater ease.
7-11-11
We need to be a little bit more discriminatory in our non-discrimination.
7-12-11
When the dark of night overtakes you, look to the source of all light, Jesus Christ. He will again carry you through to the light of day.
7-13-11
I hope that I will die gracefully when the time comes; but, even more so, I hope that I will learn to live graciously.
7-18-11
No one has a corner on pain or sorrow. If you are mourning the loss of a loved one, someone else is mourning the same loss or another one. If you are struggling with a financial burden, so is your neighbor. If you are struggling with an illness, so are many others around you. If you want to improve your lot, start by offering relieve to another. You will be immediately lifted.
7-19-11
Thank you to all the folk musicians who write and sing the music that speaks to my soul.
7-24-11
I stepped out of the car, and my glasses steamed up.
While waiting on the Lord, we must not put our lives o hold. We shouldn't wait to make the improvements that we want to see in our lives. We can begin now by asking, "Lord, what would You have me do?" Then we need to follow through and do it. (HSS)
7-25-11
We talked to this Apollo team member at Johnson's Space Center today. He was visiting for the 40th anniversary, and we got to listen to him talk about working on the Apollo capsule. He is a very humble man about his part in it all, but we are thankful for the behind-the-scenes people. They are always important.
7-27-11
Despite local residents claims that Houston is hot and humid, we think Houston is pretty cool.
7-29-11
I'm not interested in chasing fabricated rainbows for non-existent pots of gold. (HSS)
7-30-11
While it is true that God created us initially, he did not mean for us to stay in our infant condition. Within us are the seeds of godhood. One of the greatest gifts we have is agency or the freedom to choose. Each day we can redefine and recreate ourselves by the choices that we make, by our thoughts and our actions. To say that we are the way we are because God made us that way seems to be more of a copout than saying the devil made me do it.
8-2-11
I think that cat's should teach self-defense. They are masters at "circle, twist, and run."
8-3-11
You know YOU'RE from Grammarville if you don't like seeing a possessive determiner taking the place of a you are contraction.
8-4-11
We must always remember that when things seem too good to be true, they are!
8-5-11
Don't mess with the momma bear.
Reverse discrimination: Do unto others anything bad that has ever been done to you by whomever.
8-13-11
(Revised from another post) This is for all the wonderful students beginning a new year of school: If you see someone who is struggling, or someone who is being bullied, or someone who is not well-accepted because he or she dresses differently or talks differently, or someone who just seems shy--PLEASE step up. Say hi and smile at them in the hallway. You never know what someone is facing in his or her life outside of school. Your kindness might make a BIG difference in someone's life! Friendship begins with a smile.
8-14-11
I love my family. A special thanks to my children for teaching me how to be a mom. It's taking me many years, but I'm happy with the privilege that I've been given to be yours.
8-17-11
Heading to bed. Thanks to Jenae Terrill for inviting Christine M. Stevenson and me to come watch their puppies being born. There were already some born before we got there, but we got to witness the live birth of a puppy! The next two were stillborn. They were just too underdeveloped. Nine puppies so far. The mother is still delivering.
8-18-11
Awesome evening. It's not every day that I get to see new life entering the world.
8-19-11
I am real. I don't live in cyberspace. I knew most of you before Facebook existed.
8-20-11
God is allowed with our children everywhere they go. No politically correct measures can limit God's presence. Like always, we need to invite Him into our lives. Bad things, unfortunately, do happen and always have. God allows agency. It's too bad that He has been abandoned by so many people, but, if we are true to Him, He will never abandon us.
8-30-11
I'd like to encourage everyone to come up with his or her own status for just one day. Copy and repost if you agree.
By the way, this is not a repost.
9-4-11
I will get through this present struggle. I will get through this present. Struggle. I will get through this. Present struggle. Just give me the present, would you?
11-16-11
Acting superior by pretending to be magnanimous does not prove you believe in equality.
True understanding must stem from having in place a deep-rooted belief system that although we are all children of God, He knows and loves us better than we do ourselves, and although He knows that obedience to His laws is what will bring us happiness, He will not personally impose discipleship. While He must certainly expect that His children also not impose obedience on each other, He most certainly does not condone the repealing of His laws.
12-7-11
Remember that the Good Samaritan took the injured person to an inn, not to his own home. Do what you can to help others, but remember that your family comes first.
Posting my feelings about cancer on Facebook won't change anything. I hope that faith, prayers, and advances in modern medicine will someday. While it is such a debilitating disease, and we all share in our desire to see its end, those who have suffered through it are often blessed in ways that we can't begin to comprehend. I don't believe that cancer patients have their hopes and dreams and wishes snuffed out by the disease. They are way stronger than that! My experience is not that they only have one selfish dream, of themselves licking the cancer, but they have many hope and dreams for the happiness and welfare of all those they love. I can't begin to imagine that I can speak for someone who has, or has had cancer, because I don't. But I know that their cancer doesn't make them stop being who they are.
4-22-11
So appropriate for Earth Day to be on Good Friday. Thank you, Jesus, for this beautiful world we enjoy and for the gift of the Resurrection!
7-12-11
I did not know when I wrote these words that my sister would pass away on the same day. How fitting that she could go on Good Friday.
4-23-11
My sister's long battle with cancer is finally over, and she won. She endured to the end. I will miss her, but I know that because of Jesus Christ she is whole in spirit now, and she will be whole again in the flesh in the Resurrection. Happy Easter, everyone. ♥ ♥ ♥
4-29-11
A new sadness and a new gladness. Yesterday's gone, but a glorious future lays ahead for all of us. Kathy's funeral yesterday was beautiful. So wonderful to see family and friends. My new prayer should be my sister's, that I will endure to the end.
Kathy not only endured; she prevailed.
"Enduring is merely surviving the fear and the dangers of life. Prevailing is overcoming that fear and those dangers. To prevail is to triumph." (k-12 English lesson)
6-10-11
The point isn't trying to get away with doing the least that you can; the point is learning to do the best that you can.
7-10-11
We all have our quirks; we all have our problems. But if we all tried to be more loving and accepting and less judgmental and offish, the world would spin ever more nicely on its axis and follow its orbit with greater ease.
7-11-11
We need to be a little bit more discriminatory in our non-discrimination.
7-12-11
When the dark of night overtakes you, look to the source of all light, Jesus Christ. He will again carry you through to the light of day.
7-13-11
I hope that I will die gracefully when the time comes; but, even more so, I hope that I will learn to live graciously.
7-18-11
No one has a corner on pain or sorrow. If you are mourning the loss of a loved one, someone else is mourning the same loss or another one. If you are struggling with a financial burden, so is your neighbor. If you are struggling with an illness, so are many others around you. If you want to improve your lot, start by offering relieve to another. You will be immediately lifted.
7-19-11
Thank you to all the folk musicians who write and sing the music that speaks to my soul.
7-24-11
I stepped out of the car, and my glasses steamed up.
While waiting on the Lord, we must not put our lives o hold. We shouldn't wait to make the improvements that we want to see in our lives. We can begin now by asking, "Lord, what would You have me do?" Then we need to follow through and do it. (HSS)
7-25-11
We talked to this Apollo team member at Johnson's Space Center today. He was visiting for the 40th anniversary, and we got to listen to him talk about working on the Apollo capsule. He is a very humble man about his part in it all, but we are thankful for the behind-the-scenes people. They are always important.
7-27-11
Despite local residents claims that Houston is hot and humid, we think Houston is pretty cool.
7-29-11
I'm not interested in chasing fabricated rainbows for non-existent pots of gold. (HSS)
7-30-11
While it is true that God created us initially, he did not mean for us to stay in our infant condition. Within us are the seeds of godhood. One of the greatest gifts we have is agency or the freedom to choose. Each day we can redefine and recreate ourselves by the choices that we make, by our thoughts and our actions. To say that we are the way we are because God made us that way seems to be more of a copout than saying the devil made me do it.
8-2-11
I think that cat's should teach self-defense. They are masters at "circle, twist, and run."
8-3-11
You know YOU'RE from Grammarville if you don't like seeing a possessive determiner taking the place of a you are contraction.
8-4-11
We must always remember that when things seem too good to be true, they are!
8-5-11
Don't mess with the momma bear.
Reverse discrimination: Do unto others anything bad that has ever been done to you by whomever.
8-13-11
(Revised from another post) This is for all the wonderful students beginning a new year of school: If you see someone who is struggling, or someone who is being bullied, or someone who is not well-accepted because he or she dresses differently or talks differently, or someone who just seems shy--PLEASE step up. Say hi and smile at them in the hallway. You never know what someone is facing in his or her life outside of school. Your kindness might make a BIG difference in someone's life! Friendship begins with a smile.
8-14-11
I love my family. A special thanks to my children for teaching me how to be a mom. It's taking me many years, but I'm happy with the privilege that I've been given to be yours.
8-17-11
Heading to bed. Thanks to Jenae Terrill for inviting Christine M. Stevenson and me to come watch their puppies being born. There were already some born before we got there, but we got to witness the live birth of a puppy! The next two were stillborn. They were just too underdeveloped. Nine puppies so far. The mother is still delivering.
8-18-11
Awesome evening. It's not every day that I get to see new life entering the world.
8-19-11
I am real. I don't live in cyberspace. I knew most of you before Facebook existed.
8-20-11
God is allowed with our children everywhere they go. No politically correct measures can limit God's presence. Like always, we need to invite Him into our lives. Bad things, unfortunately, do happen and always have. God allows agency. It's too bad that He has been abandoned by so many people, but, if we are true to Him, He will never abandon us.
8-30-11
I'd like to encourage everyone to come up with his or her own status for just one day. Copy and repost if you agree.
By the way, this is not a repost.
9-4-11
I will get through this present struggle. I will get through this present. Struggle. I will get through this. Present struggle. Just give me the present, would you?
11-16-11
Acting superior by pretending to be magnanimous does not prove you believe in equality.
True understanding must stem from having in place a deep-rooted belief system that although we are all children of God, He knows and loves us better than we do ourselves, and although He knows that obedience to His laws is what will bring us happiness, He will not personally impose discipleship. While He must certainly expect that His children also not impose obedience on each other, He most certainly does not condone the repealing of His laws.
12-7-11
Remember that the Good Samaritan took the injured person to an inn, not to his own home. Do what you can to help others, but remember that your family comes first.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Discrimination, Some Cry
Acting superior by pretending to be magnanimous does not prove you believe in equality.
True understanding must stem from having in place a deep-rooted belief system that although we are all children of God, He knows and loves us better than we do ourselves, and although He knows that obedience to His laws is what will bring us happiness, He will not personally impose discipleship. While He must certainly expect that His children also not impose obedience on each other, He most certainly does not condone the repealing of His laws.
True understanding must stem from having in place a deep-rooted belief system that although we are all children of God, He knows and loves us better than we do ourselves, and although He knows that obedience to His laws is what will bring us happiness, He will not personally impose discipleship. While He must certainly expect that His children also not impose obedience on each other, He most certainly does not condone the repealing of His laws.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Mormons are Christians
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chvz6ptT-ik
I wrote this blog in response to the video whose link is above this.
As a Latter-day Saint (Mormon), I would like to let you know that I would rather be considered a member of a cult than to be grouped with Dr. Jeffress.
Now, to clarify, Latter-day Saints do not belong to a cult. When one speaks of "Historical Christianity", please note that Latter-day Saints believe, as Joseph Smith stated, in the same organization that existed in the primitive Church: namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. We believe that the authority to administer the ordinances of the gospel, as recorded in the New Testament, has been restored again to the earth in our day. We belief that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church.
When we look at Christianity, there have been true followers of Jesus on the earth since his lifetime, and even since Adam and Eve. But to say that Catholics, Mormons, Hindus, Muslims, etc. belong to a cult is one of the most extreme judgments that I have heard, especially when Dr. Jeffress's only leg to stand on is his call upon historic Christianity. I do believe that Catholics have Southern Baptists beat in this point. Guess what! Even Latter-day Saints do. The Southern Baptist Church was not organized until 1845 when it broke with the Northern Baptist Church over the issue of slavery.
Christians are those who believe in the doctrines of Christ and who follow His teachings. The Lord told us that by their fruits you shall know them. This can be applied to all of God's children. If their works are good, they are good, and they do not belong to a cult.
If you ever have questions concerning what I believe, you may ask me, or you may visit Mormon.org. Thanks.
I wrote this blog in response to the video whose link is above this.
As a Latter-day Saint (Mormon), I would like to let you know that I would rather be considered a member of a cult than to be grouped with Dr. Jeffress.
Now, to clarify, Latter-day Saints do not belong to a cult. When one speaks of "Historical Christianity", please note that Latter-day Saints believe, as Joseph Smith stated, in the same organization that existed in the primitive Church: namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. We believe that the authority to administer the ordinances of the gospel, as recorded in the New Testament, has been restored again to the earth in our day. We belief that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church.
When we look at Christianity, there have been true followers of Jesus on the earth since his lifetime, and even since Adam and Eve. But to say that Catholics, Mormons, Hindus, Muslims, etc. belong to a cult is one of the most extreme judgments that I have heard, especially when Dr. Jeffress's only leg to stand on is his call upon historic Christianity. I do believe that Catholics have Southern Baptists beat in this point. Guess what! Even Latter-day Saints do. The Southern Baptist Church was not organized until 1845 when it broke with the Northern Baptist Church over the issue of slavery.
Christians are those who believe in the doctrines of Christ and who follow His teachings. The Lord told us that by their fruits you shall know them. This can be applied to all of God's children. If their works are good, they are good, and they do not belong to a cult.
If you ever have questions concerning what I believe, you may ask me, or you may visit Mormon.org. Thanks.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
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My Parents are Missionaries
My father and mother have served three full-time missions together. Prior to that, Dad served a mission in Germany and numerous stake missions.
My parents served in Yerevan, Armenia. They helped so many people there. Dad helped get heaters working and did all kinds of physical labor service. They both loved and served the people. But their visas never came through, and so they were transferred to Kharkov, Ukraine. There they continued to serve and love the people of that country.
For their next mission, they were called to oversee the building of the Kiev Temple. Unfortunately, that did not happen during their mission, but took another ten years. Once they met a man who told them of a senior couple who'd been called to oversee the building of a temple in Ukraine, but who had failed in their assignment. My mother said, "Oh? That would be us!" Did they fail? Of course not. They weren't in Kiev to help prepare a temple for the people, but to help prepare the people for a temple.
Their last mission was to Samara, Russia.
They have numerous stories. They touched thousands of lives. That's the way with missionary work and it's ripple effect. Dad was in mission presidencies. They suffered extremely cold conditions and had meager amounts of food, and they traded their comfortable big home for small apartments.
I'm proud of my parents and the example that they've set for me and for the legacy they've given to our family. Dad was (and still is) self-employed and he's exhausted all of his savings to serve the Lord. Between each mission, he'd earn enough money to go serve again. Now nearly 82, he still is working. (1-25-13 He turned 83 last November.)
They have been temple workers for many years. Mom is sad that her current health won't allow her to serve in the temple, and hopes to be able to return again. (1-25-13 Lately, they are both serving one day a week, no longer two.)
One of the greatest blessing of my parents life was attending the Kiev Temple Dedication. In the ceremonies prior to the dedication, they were able to visit with people from the four different mission areas where they served. The people were so happy to see them, and my parents were blessed by the love and gratitude they were shown.
God loves us. He loves all of his children. What a blessing it is that as members of His Church; we can serve each other at home and abroad. I'm thankful for missionaries and for missions. I hope that Bob and I will have the opportunity to serve together as well. (We have done so as stake and ward missionaries in the past. 1-25-13 I have been called as a ward missionary again.)
27 September 2017:
Dad, I wrote this first in September 2011. I am so thankful for the example that you and Mom set for me in serving in the Church and loving Heavenly Father and all His children. I need to do better in serving. I’ve enjoyed the time that I serve in the California Redlands Mission office. And I am again a ward missionary. 6th time now I think. I know there is an added boldness that comes with the assignment to teach and share the gospel, and I often see Mom’s and your personality shining through when I share the gospel. I love you so much. I miss Mom. I know you miss her more. I’m sure that she is happy in the service that she is doing there helping to strengthen our families. I love you.
http://tinyurl.com/aqhjwdm
Dad, I wrote this first in September 2011. I am so thankful for the example that you and Mom set for me in serving in the Church and loving Heavenly Father and all His children. I need to do better in serving. I’ve enjoyed the time that I serve in the California Redlands Mission office. And I am again a ward missionary. 6th time now I think. I know there is an added boldness that comes with the assignment to teach and share the gospel, and I often see Mom’s and your personality shining through when I share the gospel. I love you so much. I miss Mom. I know you miss her more. I’m sure that she is happy in the service that she is doing there helping to strengthen our families. I love you.
http://tinyurl.com/aqhjwdm
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Thoughts on Primary Program Songs 2011
Thoughts inspired by Primary Program Songs:
“If I Listen with My Heart”
Jesus loves me just as much as the children he blessed when He was living here on earth.
Jesus loves me just as much as the children that He blessed during His visit to the Nephites.
Jesus blesses me with His love every day! I can read His words in the scriptures and feel a testimony that they are true. This brings me comfort and peace.
I can follow the counsel of my parents and church leaders and, especially, the prophet. When I do this, I know Jesus is pleased.
Jesus speaks to me through the Holy Ghost, and I can feel His love for me every day. I am never alone. Jesus will always love me, and He will always help me.
“I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus.”
What can I do to be like Jesus?
I can learn about Jesus by reading in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon.
Jesus was kind to everyone; even to the people who were mean to Him.
I can be like Jesus by obeying my parents and being nice to my brothers and sisters.
I can be like Jesus be listening when the Spirit tells me to do something kind, and then do it.
What nice things can I do for my family?
What nice things can I do for my neighbors and my friends at school?
“Stand for the Right”
We can learn what Heavenly Father wants us to do by reading the words of the prophets and by listening to what they say.
Many prophets’ words are recorded in the scriptures. That’s a great blessing. If we listen to the Holy Ghost and follow these teachings, we will be happy.
We are even more blessed to have a prophet on the earth today: President Thomas S. Monson. We can listen to the words he has for us at general conference twice a year. We can also listen to the words of the Apostles. We can gain inspiration and direction that will help us currently, in the world today.
We can read their messages in The Friend and other church magazines each month.
President Wilford Woodruff said:
The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty. (Concerning the Manifesto, Doctrine and Covenants, Official Declaration 1)
If I follow the prophet, then I will be on solid ground, and I will stay on the path that leads me back to Heavenly Father and Jesus.
How can I get on the right path?
“The Fourth Article of Faith”
We learn in the Book of Mormon what the Doctrine of Christ means. It is also found in “The Fourth Article of Faith.” (Recite it.)
Nephi asked us if that’s all we need to do. Then he answered, No, we must continue to keep the commandments every day of our lives.
2 Nephi 31: 20
Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
“I Will Follow God’s Plan for Me”
I lived with Heavenly Father before I came to earth. He wanted me to come to earth to receive a mortal body and to learn to be obedient.
He planned for me to be born to a family with parents who would believe in His Son Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father wants me to be happy. He knows that I can be happy if I follow his plan for me:
I must believe in Heavenly Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ, and I must seek to have the Holy Ghost as my companion; I need to repent when I do things that are wrong; I need to be baptized and then partake of the sacrament worthily each week.
I need to be a loving family member and a good neighbor; I need to be honest and school and at work.
I need to do my best to keep the commandments.
I need to do my best at school and get a good education.
If I trust in Heavenly Father and seek His help every day through prayer and scripture study and through service, I know that I will be happy while I live my life on earth. And then some day, I will return to live with Heavenly Father.
“The Lord Gave Me a Temple”
The Apostle Paul taught us that our bodies are temples and that we must keep them clean.
Jesus revealed Doctrine and Covenants Section 89 to Joseph Smith. This Word of Wisdom tells us how to care for our bodies so that we can stay healthy.
I will eat healthful foods and get the rest and exercise that I should. I will also drink water.
I will stay away from anything that can be addictive or cause me harm.
President Gordon B. Hinckley told us that we should not tattoo our bodies. Some people already have tattoos before they join the church or understand that they should not. That’s okay. Jesus loves everyone. But because the prophet told us not to tattoo our bodies, we need to follow that commandment, and we will be blessed for our obedience.
We also need to keep our minds and our spirits clean and pure.
How can I keep my mind and spirit clean and pure?
I can choose to listen to good music.
I can turn off the television when there is something on that makes me feel uncomfortable and I know that the Holy Ghost doesn’t want me to watch.
I can read good books.
I can read The Friend and learn about other children who are trying to do what is right just like I am.
I can read or listen to the scriptures on my own, and I can read the scriptures with my family.
I can sing a primary song or a hymn when I want to chase an unwanted thought away. That’s what President Packer does.
I know that pornography is dangerous. If one of my friends wants to show me something inappropriate, I will say no, and I will let my parents know right away.
As I take care of my own temple, my body, I will prepare to enter The Holy Temple. I need be clean both inside and out, so that I can.
“I Love to See the Temple”
The temple is a beautiful building. We are blessed to have the Redlands Temple so close to home. It’s spires point high into the air, reminding us to look upward and seek inspiration from our Heavenly Father.
My parents go to the temple so that they can be better parents. They go there to feel the Spirit and to seek answers to their prayers.
My parents were married in the temple (or are preparing to be sealed in the temple) so that we can be a forever family.
When I go with my family to the temple grounds, I feel peace, and I feel Heavenly Father’s love for me. It is a special and sacred place.
I am preparing now to go to the temple someday.
I’ll be baptized when I am 8 years old, and then if I live the commandments, I can go to the temple when I am 12 years old to receive baptism for other people who are no longer on earth.
I will receive my endowment before I go on my mission. An endowment includes many gifts from Heavenly Father than will endow me with power from on high. This will help me to be a better missionary and, someday, a better husband and father.
I will receive my endowment either before I go on a mission or before I get married. I want to be married in the temple, so I can gain the promises of the temple sealing. When I kneel at the altar with my husband, I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus will be pleased that I followed their plan for me and I was true to my goals.
I know that the temple is a blessing to our family. No matter what else happens in this life, if we are faithful, we can be together forever.
“I Hope They Call Me on a Mission”
Every since Joseph Smith helped to restore the true Church of Jesus Christ, there have been missionaries here on earth who teach the gospel and administer the ordinances to those ready to receive it. Samuel Smith, Joseph’s brother was the first member to be called on a mission.
My family would not be members of the church if it weren’t for the missionaries who taught________________.
President Spencer W. Kimball said that every member should be a missionary. I can be a missionary now by being a good example to my friends and be inviting them to Primary, (to Church, to Cub Scouts, or to Achievement Days.)
I am preparing to be a full-time missionary someday by saying my personal prayers every morning and every night.
I am preparing by helping my family have Family Home Evening. Sometimes we even read from Preach My Gospel.
I am preparing by memorizing The Articles of Faith.
I love the gospel, and I know that the Church is true. I want the rest of Heavenly Father’s children to know this, too. That is why I am preparing to be a missionary today.
I know that to be a good missionary, I need to find out for myself if the Book of Mormon is true and if Joseph Smith was truly God’s prophet. I need to know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that my Heavenly Father loves me. I am so thankful that we can all know these things by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Moroni 10:3-5
Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
I am thankful that Joseph Smith was true to his assignment from Heavenly Father.
“Praise to the Man”
How was Joseph Smith a Hero? Joseph Smith was true to his testimony and safe-guarded the Church so that I can have the restored gospel in my life. He sealed his testimony with his own blood.
Joseph Smith was a prophet. He spoke to Heavenly Father and Jesus in the Sacred Grove.
Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God.
Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood by John the Baptist.
Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood by the Apostles Peter, James, and John.
The Keys of the Priesthood were given to Joseph Smith to govern the affairs of Heavenly Father’s kingdom here on earth during this dispensation.
Joseph Smith was true to the Heavenly Father’s plan for him. He will receive eternal glory with all the other true prophets of God.
No matter how many people mock Joseph Smith and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I am thankful for God’s prophet and his part in restoring the truth in our day.
I know that his testimony is true through the power of the Holy Ghost.
I also will be true to Heavenly Father’s plan for me.
“If I Listen with My Heart”
Jesus loves me just as much as the children he blessed when He was living here on earth.
Jesus loves me just as much as the children that He blessed during His visit to the Nephites.
Jesus blesses me with His love every day! I can read His words in the scriptures and feel a testimony that they are true. This brings me comfort and peace.
I can follow the counsel of my parents and church leaders and, especially, the prophet. When I do this, I know Jesus is pleased.
Jesus speaks to me through the Holy Ghost, and I can feel His love for me every day. I am never alone. Jesus will always love me, and He will always help me.
“I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus.”
What can I do to be like Jesus?
I can learn about Jesus by reading in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon.
Jesus was kind to everyone; even to the people who were mean to Him.
I can be like Jesus by obeying my parents and being nice to my brothers and sisters.
I can be like Jesus be listening when the Spirit tells me to do something kind, and then do it.
What nice things can I do for my family?
What nice things can I do for my neighbors and my friends at school?
“Stand for the Right”
We can learn what Heavenly Father wants us to do by reading the words of the prophets and by listening to what they say.
Many prophets’ words are recorded in the scriptures. That’s a great blessing. If we listen to the Holy Ghost and follow these teachings, we will be happy.
We are even more blessed to have a prophet on the earth today: President Thomas S. Monson. We can listen to the words he has for us at general conference twice a year. We can also listen to the words of the Apostles. We can gain inspiration and direction that will help us currently, in the world today.
We can read their messages in The Friend and other church magazines each month.
President Wilford Woodruff said:
The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty. (Concerning the Manifesto, Doctrine and Covenants, Official Declaration 1)
If I follow the prophet, then I will be on solid ground, and I will stay on the path that leads me back to Heavenly Father and Jesus.
How can I get on the right path?
“The Fourth Article of Faith”
We learn in the Book of Mormon what the Doctrine of Christ means. It is also found in “The Fourth Article of Faith.” (Recite it.)
Nephi asked us if that’s all we need to do. Then he answered, No, we must continue to keep the commandments every day of our lives.
2 Nephi 31: 20
Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
“I Will Follow God’s Plan for Me”
I lived with Heavenly Father before I came to earth. He wanted me to come to earth to receive a mortal body and to learn to be obedient.
He planned for me to be born to a family with parents who would believe in His Son Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father wants me to be happy. He knows that I can be happy if I follow his plan for me:
I must believe in Heavenly Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ, and I must seek to have the Holy Ghost as my companion; I need to repent when I do things that are wrong; I need to be baptized and then partake of the sacrament worthily each week.
I need to be a loving family member and a good neighbor; I need to be honest and school and at work.
I need to do my best to keep the commandments.
I need to do my best at school and get a good education.
If I trust in Heavenly Father and seek His help every day through prayer and scripture study and through service, I know that I will be happy while I live my life on earth. And then some day, I will return to live with Heavenly Father.
“The Lord Gave Me a Temple”
The Apostle Paul taught us that our bodies are temples and that we must keep them clean.
Jesus revealed Doctrine and Covenants Section 89 to Joseph Smith. This Word of Wisdom tells us how to care for our bodies so that we can stay healthy.
I will eat healthful foods and get the rest and exercise that I should. I will also drink water.
I will stay away from anything that can be addictive or cause me harm.
President Gordon B. Hinckley told us that we should not tattoo our bodies. Some people already have tattoos before they join the church or understand that they should not. That’s okay. Jesus loves everyone. But because the prophet told us not to tattoo our bodies, we need to follow that commandment, and we will be blessed for our obedience.
We also need to keep our minds and our spirits clean and pure.
How can I keep my mind and spirit clean and pure?
I can choose to listen to good music.
I can turn off the television when there is something on that makes me feel uncomfortable and I know that the Holy Ghost doesn’t want me to watch.
I can read good books.
I can read The Friend and learn about other children who are trying to do what is right just like I am.
I can read or listen to the scriptures on my own, and I can read the scriptures with my family.
I can sing a primary song or a hymn when I want to chase an unwanted thought away. That’s what President Packer does.
I know that pornography is dangerous. If one of my friends wants to show me something inappropriate, I will say no, and I will let my parents know right away.
As I take care of my own temple, my body, I will prepare to enter The Holy Temple. I need be clean both inside and out, so that I can.
“I Love to See the Temple”
The temple is a beautiful building. We are blessed to have the Redlands Temple so close to home. It’s spires point high into the air, reminding us to look upward and seek inspiration from our Heavenly Father.
My parents go to the temple so that they can be better parents. They go there to feel the Spirit and to seek answers to their prayers.
My parents were married in the temple (or are preparing to be sealed in the temple) so that we can be a forever family.
When I go with my family to the temple grounds, I feel peace, and I feel Heavenly Father’s love for me. It is a special and sacred place.
I am preparing now to go to the temple someday.
I’ll be baptized when I am 8 years old, and then if I live the commandments, I can go to the temple when I am 12 years old to receive baptism for other people who are no longer on earth.
I will receive my endowment before I go on my mission. An endowment includes many gifts from Heavenly Father than will endow me with power from on high. This will help me to be a better missionary and, someday, a better husband and father.
I will receive my endowment either before I go on a mission or before I get married. I want to be married in the temple, so I can gain the promises of the temple sealing. When I kneel at the altar with my husband, I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus will be pleased that I followed their plan for me and I was true to my goals.
I know that the temple is a blessing to our family. No matter what else happens in this life, if we are faithful, we can be together forever.
“I Hope They Call Me on a Mission”
Every since Joseph Smith helped to restore the true Church of Jesus Christ, there have been missionaries here on earth who teach the gospel and administer the ordinances to those ready to receive it. Samuel Smith, Joseph’s brother was the first member to be called on a mission.
My family would not be members of the church if it weren’t for the missionaries who taught________________.
President Spencer W. Kimball said that every member should be a missionary. I can be a missionary now by being a good example to my friends and be inviting them to Primary, (to Church, to Cub Scouts, or to Achievement Days.)
I am preparing to be a full-time missionary someday by saying my personal prayers every morning and every night.
I am preparing by helping my family have Family Home Evening. Sometimes we even read from Preach My Gospel.
I am preparing by memorizing The Articles of Faith.
I love the gospel, and I know that the Church is true. I want the rest of Heavenly Father’s children to know this, too. That is why I am preparing to be a missionary today.
I know that to be a good missionary, I need to find out for myself if the Book of Mormon is true and if Joseph Smith was truly God’s prophet. I need to know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that my Heavenly Father loves me. I am so thankful that we can all know these things by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Moroni 10:3-5
Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
I am thankful that Joseph Smith was true to his assignment from Heavenly Father.
“Praise to the Man”
How was Joseph Smith a Hero? Joseph Smith was true to his testimony and safe-guarded the Church so that I can have the restored gospel in my life. He sealed his testimony with his own blood.
Joseph Smith was a prophet. He spoke to Heavenly Father and Jesus in the Sacred Grove.
Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God.
Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood by John the Baptist.
Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood by the Apostles Peter, James, and John.
The Keys of the Priesthood were given to Joseph Smith to govern the affairs of Heavenly Father’s kingdom here on earth during this dispensation.
Joseph Smith was true to the Heavenly Father’s plan for him. He will receive eternal glory with all the other true prophets of God.
No matter how many people mock Joseph Smith and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I am thankful for God’s prophet and his part in restoring the truth in our day.
I know that his testimony is true through the power of the Holy Ghost.
I also will be true to Heavenly Father’s plan for me.
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