Strong Armor

Primary Lesson 19, Manual 5 - "The Saints Are Taught to Recognize Good and Evil"

2013-05-24T23:25:00.001-07:00

Here's my handout for church this Sunday to go with Lesson 19 . I'm posting it on Friday instead of waiting until Saturday night or Sunday morning LOL.

This is an object lesson that I will be using. The basic idea of it is from the manual but I added the questions/examples in the beginning and also changed some of the wording so that my younger kids could better understand.

Which would you rather have— an imitation item or the real thing?

Would you rather have a cheap fake flower or a beautiful fresh rose? Would you rather have a valuable diamond ring or a fake ring that will fall apart soon? Would you rather snack on a real apple or a plastic one? Would you rather have a true friend or a person who pretends to be your friend?

Imitations are often of poorer quality or less value than the real things they imitate. Satan is a counterfeiter. He tries to deceive us with bad imitations of good things Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have given us. He does this because he wants us to follow him instead of Heavenly Father and Jesus.

Here are some examples of Satan’s imitations:

Things of God vs Satan’s Imitations

Uplifting music or movies vs Degrading music or movies

Scriptures and good books vs Bad books

Love between husband and wife vs Immorality

Doing our best vs Trying to be better than others

Satan tries to convince us that his imitations are just as good as or even better than the things of God. While it may be easy to tell the difference between the imitation item and the real item at times, some of Satan’s imitations are more difficult to tell apart. We want to learn how to recognize some of Satan’s imitations to avoid being deceived.

Here’s a scripture reference from Moroni 7 to help you know whether something comes from Heavenly Father versus Satan :

16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

Refinance with No Added Fees

2013-05-22T18:51:00.000-07:00

I had to share my recent great experience with my blog readers. Keep in mind that I don't get any kickback for putting this blurb on here - my motives are pure and I just want to pass a good deal along. I blog to spread ideas and happiness, not to make money.

We just refinanced our mortgage and had a great experience (low rate, awesome service, efficient). I usually dread having to do all the paperwork associated with things like this, but this was relatively painless which was a delight to me.

I HIGHLY recommend Shane Denny with First National Bank if you want to refinance or get a new home mortgage. He can do business in any U.S. state. We've known Shane for over 20 years and he is honest, smart, and gets the job done quickly and correctly. Plus he has a great sense of humor and wonderful personality (a definite bonus). I did a lot of research and met with various lenders when we decided to refinance, and Shane had the best rates and best pricing so we were thrilled to get a great deal and do business with someone so trustworthy.

If you mention you were referred by me (Pam), he will waive his fees, like he did for us, which saved us a TON of money. Sure, you still have to pay for your title, escrow and that normal stuff, but there are no added fees like most lenders throw in. Again, I make no money off of this, I am just trying to share the joy, save you some time, and get you a good deal.

Here's his contact info:
E. Shane Denny
Loan Officer
First National Bank
NMLSR# 315211
Office: (801) 890-1786
Cell: (801) 592-0369 (call or text)
sdenny@fnbmtg.com

Understanding Your Patriarchal Blessing - Worksheet

2013-05-20T07:33:00.000-07:00

Here's a chart to use that goes with THIS LESSON about Patriarchal Blessings.

Law of Consecration - Primary Lesson

2013-05-19T09:21:00.001-07:00

I am a big believer in the Law of Consecration. My friends and family know that I believe that everything we have been given is from God - our time, talents and material blessings. Since everything belongs to God and comes from Him, it is our obligation to handle those blessings according to His will. We are all on earth here together to help each other and share. (The hard part comes when some people take advantage of others but I figure that is their problem, not mine).

Here's a Primary lesson that teaches on this subject. The Lord Reveals the Law of Consecration.

I made this worksheet to go along with the lesson.

Here is an example of the worksheet filled in with some answers in case you want an example to look at.

Here's a game that we will play to introduce the lesson:

Play the game “I Don’t Need It—Would You Like It?” to help the children understand the concept of sharing their excess with others. Give each child a piece of paper and a pencil, and have the children list food, clothing, shelter, money, and books and games on their papers. The object of the game is for each child to obtain all the items on the list by either picking the items from the container or receiving them from another child.

Pass the container of papers to a child and have him or her choose a paper, read it, and put it back into the container. Have the child circle the named item on his or her paper. Then pass the container to the next child. When all the children have had a turn, begin again with the first child and have him or her pick another paper.

If on a subsequent turn a child picks an item that is already circled on his or her list, he or she turns to the child on the left and says, “I don’t need it—would you like it?” Then the child sitting to the left can circle that item on his or her list. If that child already has the item circled, he or she asks the question of the next child to the left. Continue until someone is able to circle the item.

Play the game until each child has circled every item on the list.

Here is a game sheet to help the kids log in their answers. My class is pretty young so I don't want to waste lesson time making them write these things down.

Here are the words that go in the container.

I'm also planning to show a General Conference video of President Monson talking in April 1991 (mentioned in the lesson). It is from the talk called "A Royal Priesthood" and the story I am using is at 16:00 minutes.

Here are the words in the story but I will show the video on an iPad. Words and video on on THIS LINK.

When I was a deacon, I loved baseball; in fact, I still do. I had a fielder’s glove inscribed with the name “Mel Ott.” He was the Darryl Strawberry of my day. My friends and I would play ball in a small alleyway behind the houses where we lived. The quarters were cramped but all right, provided you hit straight away to center field. However, if you hit the ball to the right of center, disaster was at the door. Here lived a lady who would watch us play, and as soon as the ball rolled to her porch her English setter would retrieve the ball and present it to Mrs. Shinas as she opened the door. Into her house Mrs. Shinas would return and add the ball to the many she had previously confiscated. She was our nemesis, the destroyer of our fun—even the bane of our existence. None of us had a good word for Mrs. Shinas, but we had plenty of bad words for her. The windows of her house received more special soap treatment on Halloween than did any other. None of us would speak to Mrs. Shinas, and she never spoke to us. She was hampered by a stiff leg which impaired her walking and must have caused her great pain. She and her husband had no children, lived secluded lives, and rarely came out of their house.

This private war continued for some time—perhaps two years—and then an inspired thaw melted the ice of winter and brought a springtime of good feelings to the stalemate. One night as I performed my daily task of hand-watering our front lawn, holding the nozzle of the hose in hand as was the style at that time, I noticed that Mrs. Shinas’s lawn was dry and turning brown. I honestly don’t know what came over me, but I took a few more minutes and, with our hose, watered her lawn. This I did each night, and then when autumn came, I hosed her lawn free of leaves as I did ours and stacked the leaves in piles at the street’s edge to be burned or gathered. During the entire summer I had not seen Mrs. Shinas. We had long since given up playing ball in the alley. We had run out of baseballs and had no money to buy more.

Then early one evening, her front door opened, and Mrs. Shinas beckoned for me to jump the small fence and come to her front porch. This I did, and as I approached her, Mrs. Shinas invited me into her living room, where I was asked to sit in a comfortable chair. She went to the kitchen and returned with a large box filled with baseballs and softballs, representing several seasons of her confiscation efforts. The filled box was presented to me; however, the treasure was not to be found in the gift, but rather in her voice. I saw for the first time a smile come across the face of Mrs. Shinas, and she said, “Tommy, I want you to have these baseballs, and I want to thank you for being kind to me.” I expressed my own gratitude to her and walked from her home a better boy than when I entered. No longer were we enemies. Now we were friends. The Golden Rule had again succeeded.

Patriarchal Blessings - Talk by James E. Faust

2013-05-18T13:33:00.000-07:00

James E. Faust was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this fireside address was given at Brigham Young University on 30 March 1980. Also published in New Era, Nov. 2005

These firesides generate quite a bit of warmth. I can feel it clear down here. We’ve been delighted by that beautiful musical number. We are honored by the presence of President and Sister Oaks; Dr. Russell M. Nelson, one of the regional representatives; the stake presidencies; and all of you. I am most honored to be with my beloved wife, Ruth, who to me is the most important person in all the world.

This evening I wish to speak about one of the most important blessings available to worthy members of the Church. I speak of patriarchal blessings. My chief reason for speaking upon this subject is that patriarchal blessings verify the divinity of Christ and the truthfulness of the Church. These sacred blessings also strengthen the personal testimonies of those worthy persons who are the recipients of such blessings, provided those recipients live so as to merit the blessings pronounced therein. A patriarchal blessing is a very unique and remarkable privilege that can come to the faithful members of the Church having sufficient maturity to understand the nature and the importance of such blessings. These privileged blessings are a powerful witness of the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ in bringing exaltation to each of us. Like many blessings, they must be requested by the person or by the family of the one desiring the blessing. The responsibility for a patriarchal blessing rests primarily upon the individual and family.

Our testimonies can be strengthened and fortified and our lives given greater purpose every time we read and reread our patriarchal blessings. By their very nature, all blessings are qualified and conditional, regardless of whether the blessing specifically spells out the qualification or not. Each blessing is absolutely qualified and given upon the condition of the faithfulness of the recipient of the blessing.

We now have stakes of Zion in a great many countries of the world, and most stakes have at least one patriarch. This growth greatly extends the privilege of having patriarchal blessings to many people in many lands.

The Patriarchs

I wish to pay tribute to the faithful men holding this great calling and ordination. They are often among the most humble and faithful of our brethren. These chosen men live lives that entitle them to the inspiration of heaven. Patriarchs are privileged to impart blessings directly rather than just solicit blessings to the individual, for the patriarchs are entitled to speak authoritatively for the Lord. The office of patriarch is one of the great separate priesthood offices of the Melchizedek Priesthood. The patriarchal office is one of blessing, not of administration, nor of counseling. It is a sacred, spiritual calling that usually will be the remainder of the patriarch’s life. Our patriarchs give total devotion to their callings and do all they can to live in faith and worthiness so that each blessing is inspired

As each patriarch receives the spirit of his calling and devotes himself to it, his calling becomes beautiful, sacred, spiritual, and fulfilling.

The Blessing

When moved upon by the Holy Spirit, the patriarch makes an inspired declaration of the lineage of the recipient together with such blessings, spiritual gifts, promises, advice, admonition, and warnings as the patriarch feels inspired to give. It is in essence a prophetic utterance. Generally, one patriarchal blessing is adequate, and second patriarchal blessings are not encouraged. If a worthy member has an important reason for desiring a second patriarchal blessing, the member may discuss it with his or her bishop.

The giving of additional patriarchal blessings may have been more common in the past. My grandmother, Maude Wetzel Faust, was challenged like most mothers with the raising of her children. She made an offhanded remark that the children were driving her crazy. My grandfather took her to the stake patriarch who blessed her that her “reason would never be dethroned.” The blessing was literally fulfilled. She died at eighty-seven years of age, and she was joking with the nurses on the way to the operating room where she died from a ruptured appendix.

Patriarchal blessings should be read humbly and prayerfully and frequently. A patriarchal blessing is very personal, but may be shared with family members. A patriarchal blessing is a sacred guideline of counsel, promises, and information from the Lord. However, a person should not expect that the blessing will detail all that will happen to him or her, or be an answer to all questions. The omission of the blessing of a great event in life such as a mission or marriage does not mean it will not happen. My own blessing is short and is limited to perhaps three quarters of one page on one side, yet it has been completely adequate and perfect for me.

President Heber J. Grant tells of the length of a patriarchal blessing he received: “That patriarch put his hands upon my head and bestowed upon me a little blessing that would perhaps be about one third of a typewritten page. That blessing foretold my life to the present moment” (James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5 vols. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 196575], 5:152).

When Are Patriarchal Blessings Fulfilled?

Elder John A. Widtsoe had the following to say:

It should always be kept in mind that the realization of the promises made may come in this life or the future life. Men have stumbled at times because promised blessings have not occurred in this life. They have failed to remember that, in the gospel, life with all its activities continues forever and that the labors of earth may be continued in heaven. Besides, the giver of the blessings, the Lord, reserves the right to have them become active in our lives as suits his divine purposes. We and our blessings are in the hands of the Lord, but there is a general testimony that when the gospel law has been obeyed, the promised blessings have been realized. [Evidences and Reconciliations (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1960),p. 75].

This was well illustrated in my father’s patriarchal blessing. He was told in his blessing that he would be blessed with “many beautiful daughters.” He and my mother became the parents of five sons. There were no daughters born to them, but of course they treated the wives of their sons as daughters. This last summer when we had a family reunion, I saw my father’s granddaughters moving about tending to the food and ministering to the young children and the elderly, and the realization came to me that Father’s blessing had been literally fulfilled; he has, indeed, many beautiful daughters. The patriarch who gave my father his blessing had spiritual vision to see beyond this life. There was a disappearance of the dividing line between time and eternity. The patriarch has no blessing of his own to give; the blessing is the Lord’s to give. God knows our spirits; he knows our strengths and weaknesses. He knows our capabilities and our potential. Our patriarchal blessings indicate what the Lord expects of us and what our potential can be. Our blessings can encourage us when we are discouraged, strengthen us when we are fearful, comfort us when we sorrow, give us courage when we are filled with anxiety, lift us up when we are weak in spirit.

Father’s Blessings

Elder John A. Widtsoe stated: “Every father, having children born to him under the covenant, is to them a patriarch, and he has the right to bless his posterity in the authority of the priesthood which he holds” (Evidences and Reconciliations, p. 72).

There are those who feel that the order of governing in families by the parents, under the influence of the priesthood held by the father and fully shared by the mother, should be changed. The patriarchy and the patriarchs of the Church are being attacked. We know that the gospel always has been and always will be operated through families.

Since early biblical times order has been brought into the house of

Israel

through the family units. The family unit was the organization that had inherently and internally the natural love, the concern, and the blood ties to bring a governing peace and stability to the prophets of God.

The same is true today for substantially the same reasons. No other unit of society can provide an effective substitute for the natural ties of love and affection inherent in families.

The natural leaders of the family unit are the parents, standing side by side as equals in their loving guidance of their children. Each parent brings a separate enriching influence. The patriarchal order is a righteous priesthood order in which that influence is dominant in family affairs. Whatever diminishes the family order is destructive to the family unity, the family life, and the family progress.

The patriarchal order does not just involve men. It involves equally and fully the women of the family in their joint and separate activities. It also blesses the wives and children and their descendants as they come together in family functions and activities.

Our great work in genealogy research and temple work centers around the ancient promise of the hearts of the children being turned to their fathers in order that all of the blessings of the Lord may be offered to Abraham’s seed.

Genealogical ancestry or blood lines are of importance because our lineage is a chain or linkage through which many of our blessings flow. This began with father Abraham: “I give unto thee a promise that this right [meaning the right to receive the gospel and the priesthood] shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee” (Abr. 2:11). This teaching has been reconfirmed in our day and time through this statement found in the Doctrine and Covenants: “Thus saith the Lord unto you, with whom the priesthood hath continued through the lineage of your fathers--For ye are lawful heirs, according to the flesh, . . . Your life and the priesthood have remained, and must needs remain through you and your lineage” (D&C 86:810).

President John Taylor made the following statement concerning a father’s privilege to give a patriarchal blessing: “Every father, after he has received his patriarchal blessing, is a patriarch to his own family, which blessings will be just as legal as those conferred by any patriarch to the Church: in fact it is his right; and a patriarch in blessing of children can only bless as his mouthpiece” (The Gospel Kingdom, ed. G. Homer Durham [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1943], p. 146).

President Joseph Fielding Smith affirmed the statement of President Taylor with just one qualification, namely, that the father must hold the Melchizedek Priesthood. President Smith also added that “a father will be better qualified to give such blessings if he has been to the temple and had his wife and children sealed to him” (Answers to Gospel Questions, ed. Joseph Fielding Smith, Jr., 5 vols. [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 195766], 3:199200).

The First Presidency has issued the following policy statement:

Certainly we should give new and additional emphasis to the role of the father in giving blessings to children in the family. We think we should generally leave to the ordained patriarchs in the stakes the responsibility of declaring lineage in connection with an official patriarchal blessing, but still we could leave unlocked the door so that any father who felt inspired to pronounce the lineage in connection with a father’s blessing he was giving to his children should not be prevented from doing so. We should urge and encourage fathers to give a father’s blessing to their children on such occasions as their going into the military, or away from home, to school, or on missions, and on other appropriate occasions. The father’s blessing may be recorded and preserved in family records, but in contrast to a blessing given by one of the ordained patriarchs, it is not to be preserved in the archives of the Church. [General Handbook of Instructions, p. 50]

Adoption into the House of Israel

There are many coming into the Church in this day and time who are not of the blood lineage of a specific tribe of Jacob. Indeed, I am fully aware that there could be some within the sound of my voice who fall into this category. No one need assume that he or she will be denied any blessing by reason of not being of the blood lineage of Israel.

Paul makes repeated references to adoption into the house of Israel through faith: “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (

Rom.

8:9). And again: “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises” (

Rom.

9:4).

King Benjamin refers to the faithful as “the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters” thus being able to be “spiritually begotten . . . through faith,” and thus coming into the family of Christ through a spiritual birth (Mosiah 5:7).

It really makes no difference if the blessings of the house of Israel come through the lineage or through the spirit of adoption. Elder John A. Widtsoe stated, “Whether this lineage is of blood or of adoption does not matter” (Evidences and Reconciliations, pp. 7277).

In Abraham we are told, “And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father” (Abr. 2:10).

Lineage

Since families are of mixed lineage, it occasionally happens that members of the same family have blessings declaring them to be of different lineage. There has been an intermixture of the tribes one with another. One child may be of Ephraim, another in the same family of Manasseh, Judah, or one of the other tribes. The blood of one tribe, therefore, may be dominant in one child and the blood of another tribe dominant in another child, so children from the same parents could belong to different tribes.

The house of Israel, in the original sense, meant the literal blood descendants of the house of Jacob. The Lord said to Abraham, “I give unto thee a promise that this right [meaning the right to receive the gospel and the priesthood] shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee” (Abr. 2:11). By seed we mean the heirs of the body. In our time the Lord has said, “Thus sayeth the Lord unto you, with whom the priesthood hath continued through the lineage of your fathers--for ye are lawful heirs, according to the flesh, . . . Your life and priesthood have remained, and must needs remain through you and your lineage” (D&C 86:810).

Believing Gentiles, even though not of the blood lines or genealogical ancestry of Israel, become adopted into the house of

Israel

. King Benjamin refers to the faithful becoming “the children of Christ, his sons and his daughters; spiritually begotten . . . through faith.” Thus they are born again into the family of Christ. (See Mosiah 5:7.)

Joseph Smith taught that when “the Holy Ghost falls upon one of the literal seed of Abraham, it is calm and serene; . . . while the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile, is to purge out the old blood, and make him actually of the seed of Abraham. That man that has none of the blood of Abraham (naturally) must have a new creation by the Holy Ghost.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, ed. Joseph Fielding Smith [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1972], pp. 149150.)

I witness that there is here in this great hall an assemblage of thousands of future leaders of the Church who were called out of the world, having been chosen by the Lord before the foundations of the world under the same promise as that which came to Jeremiah and Abraham:

Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;

And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good, and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born. [Abr. 3:22, 23]

You who are here at this great university have come under this great promise, and you have come here to receive secular and spiritual learning. Having become more learned in the wisdom of the heavens and of the earth, thus enabling us to become a light unto the world, what if we hide that light under a bushel basket? What if we do not stay in the course the Lord wants us to be in, and to which the Lord may have called us before the foundations of the world? As the Lord told Saul, you are chosen vessels unto him, to bear his name “before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Seek to live worthy of the blessings pronounced upon you by the patriarchs and by your own fathers.

I received my own patriarchal blessing when I was but a boy of twelve. From that short blessing I learned something about my responsibilities and my labors in establishing the kingdom.

I pray that we will live worthily and seek the blessings that are promised us by the Lord through our family patriarchs and through our ordained patriarchs, and that we will strive to help conditions and circumstances so that these great promises can be realized.

I love the Lord. I love his holy work. I have come to love this work more than life itself. I know that it is true. I shall never know with more certainty than I do now. I have also come to know something of the Savior, and as one of his witnesses, I invoke the blessings of Almighty God upon each of you and pray that you will be sustained and built up and strengthened, and that he will watch over you and wrap his arms around you. I say this in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

About Patriarchal Blessings

2013-05-18T13:26:00.000-07:00

“About Patriarchal Blessings,” New Era, Mar. 2004, 32

Many members of the Church begin thinking about receiving their patriarchal blessings during their teenage years. The following information can help you understand and prepare to receive your patriarchal blessing.

What is a patriarchal blessing?

A patriarchal blessing has two main purposes. First, the patriarch will be inspired to declare your lineage—the tribe of Israel to which you belong. Second, guided by the spirit of prophecy, the patriarch will pronounce blessings and may also provide promises, cautions, or admonitions that apply specifically to you. Your patriarchal blessing may point out certain things you are capable of achieving and blessings you can receive if you exercise faith and live righteously.

Why is lineage important?

Every member of the Church belongs to one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Those who aren’t literal descendants are “adopted” into the house of Israel through baptism. Knowing your lineage can be a helpful guide in your life, because belonging to one of the twelve tribes brings the blessings and missions specific to each tribe. The blessings Jacob gave his sons (the heads of each of the tribes) can be found in Genesis 49.

Who may give a patriarchal blessing?

Patriarch is actually an office in the Melchizedek Priesthood, just like elder or high priest, and a patriarch is called and ordained specifically to give patriarchal blessings. You will receive your blessing from the patriarch in your stake or one nearby if your stake doesn’t have a patriarch. If you live where there are no stake patriarchs, your bishop or branch president will know how to help you make arrangements to receive a blessing. If you are a direct descendant of someone who is a patriarch (such as your grandfather), you may receive your blessing from him even if he doesn’t live in your stake.

Who may receive a patriarchal blessing?

All worthy members of the Church are entitled to and should receive a patriarchal blessing regardless of how long they have been members.

How old do I have to be for a blessing?

There is no set age. You should be old enough to appreciate the sacred nature of the blessing.

How is the blessing given?

The patriarch will place his hands on your head and give the blessing through inspiration. It will be revealed direction for you. The blessing will then be transcribed so that you can have a written copy to study throughout your life. The Church will also keep a copy of your blessing in case you ever lose yours.

How do I get a patriarchal blessing?

Make an appointment for an interview with your bishop. He will determine your readiness and worthiness and either give you a recommend or help you prepare to receive one. After receiving your recommend, you may contact the patriarch to schedule an appointment. Ask your bishop or the patriarch who may accompany you to your blessing, such as your parents. And bring your recommend to the appointment.

How do I know if I’m ready?

The desire to receive a patriarchal blessing should come from a desire to know and live God’s will for you. Curiosity or pressure from others isn’t the right reason to get a blessing. The bishop will help determine if you are ready for the blessing.

How can I prepare?

You should do everything possible to draw closer to the Lord. Prayer, fasting, scripture study, meditation, and repentance can help. Concerns about worldly things should be left behind for such a sacred occasion.

What should I wear?

You should wear Sunday clothes.

When will the promises in my blessing be fulfilled?

Occasionally patriarchal blessings reveal things from our pre-earth life. But mostly they are guides for present and future living. Because blessings are eternal in nature, they may include possibilities beyond mortal life.

Will all the promises in my blessing be fulfilled?

All blessings are based on your faithfulness and the Lord’s timing. Blessings may also be fulfilled in a variety of ways throughout your life, depending on your growth, capacity, and circumstances.

Should I let others read my blessing?

Your blessing is personal, between you and Heavenly Father. You might share your blessing with family members or others who are close to you. But blessings should be guarded and never compared with those of others.
A patriarchal blessing can be of great value throughout your life. Preparing for and living worthy of the promises in your blessing can bring you closer to your Heavenly Father in this life and help you return to Him in the next.

A Star to Follow

“A patriarchal blessing from an ordained patriarch can give us a star to follow, which is a personal revelation from God to each individual. If we follow this star, we are less likely to stumble and be misled. Our patriarchal blessing will be an anchor to our souls, and if we are worthy, neither death nor the devil can deprive us of the blessings pronounced. They are blessings we can enjoy now and forever.”
—President James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, “Priesthood Blessings,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 63.

A Blessing Fulfilled

“Sometimes someone will worry because a promise made in a patriarchal blessing is not yet fulfilled. … That does not mean that the blessing will go unfulfilled. It is well to know that things happen in the Lord’s due time, not always in ours. Things of an eternal nature have no boundaries. From the premortal existence to our existence beyond the veils of death, our life is an eternal life.”
—President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Stake Patriarch,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 45.

Church Humor - Bishopric Pun

2013-05-14T22:01:00.003-07:00

Here's a little humor for any of my LDS blog readers out there....

Since it was Mother's Day, my husband taught my Primary lesson on Sunday and I was able to just sit and listen. It was about Edward Partridge who was called as the first bishop.

Here's the conversation:

HUBBY: Who was the first bishop in the church?

BOY: I know, I know. BISHOP RICK

Okay, I'll admit that I had to pretend I needed a drink of water and I went out in the hallway to let my laughter out. Best part was that the boy was completely serious! Get it, "Bishopric" and "Bishop Rick!" It still makes me laugh!

"I lov my ant"

2013-05-14T21:43:00.003-07:00

I just came across this fun picture of a school assignment that my niece wrote around five years ago after a visit to our home. I love looking at her creative spelling that is super typical for kindergarten and first grade. Now she writes and spells like a pro (and she still loves me). Sweet things like this are treasures to me.

Teacher Appreciation - Donuts, Popcorn, Dips (Printables)

2013-05-05T09:33:00.002-07:00

For Teacher Appreciation, we put out treats and snacks for the teachers and staff several times during the week.

One of the days we are putting out a bunch of DIPS. Veggies & hummus, crackers & artichoke dip, chips & salsa, etc. We have several teachers who don't like to eat sugar and junk-food so I am trying to offer some healthier snacks that are still yummy. I'll put this graphic up on an easel. I printed it at Costco as an 8x10 picture and it looks awesome!

We have a great connection for delicious donuts at an extremely discounted price so we'll have donuts one of the mornings. This is the 8x10 picture that I'll display with the donuts. Of course most of my stuff involves cheesy puns.

I know the teachers will absolutely love popcorn day tomorrow. At Costco, they sell different types of popcorn in bags. I think they just started selling these in the past few months and they are super popular. One of the popcorn bags is "Sweet and Salty" (kettle corn) and is addictive! They also offer a "Nearly Naked" popcorn that is just popcorn, healthy coconut oil, and sea salt. Yummy and fairly healthy. The third kind of popcorn is not remotely healthy but is incredibly delicious. It is "Chicago Style" which is a mix of cheese popcorn and caramel popcorn. I am not a huge fan of the cheesy popcorn but it is delicious as a mix. I first had this when we visited Chicago several years back. Here's the picture/poster I am displaying with the popcorn.

Whatever we do, the teachers are just thrilled. They love to feel appreciated and valued. And I love that they put up with all my puns and themed treats and goodies. :)

I used Stampin' Up's My Digital Studio along with some generic graphics from Microsoft to make these signs.

PS Here are some additional signs that I made for my sister-in-law's school. I changed the popcorn one to included different flavors. She got a local bakery to donate cookies for all the teachers. I think she put out some candy with the last poster.

Primary Lesson 16, Manual 5 - Strengthening Feelings of Unity and Love

2013-05-04T22:35:00.000-07:00

Here's a worksheet to go with Lesson 16: The Saints Gather to Kirtland Ohio. Click HERE to read the entire lesson.

Did you think to pray?

2013-05-04T20:45:00.000-07:00

Here are some handouts that I made for a friend who teaches the Young Women at church.

Six per page:

This is the link to the lesson.

Teacher Appreciation Quotes for IKEA Frames

2013-05-04T18:06:00.002-07:00

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up and I am in charge of doing cute, fun stuff for the 70+ teachers at our elementary school.

Well, I LOVE LOVE LOVE these IKEA frames for $0.99.

I've used them myself a ton for parties, showers, wedding receptions, etc. and I knew the teachers would find good uses for them too. And for $0.99, that is just a screaming deal. IKEA rocks that way.

So I designed some cute pictures to go in the frame. The frame fits a 4x6 inch picture and I develop my pictures at Costco for $0.13 plus tax.

I made one picture that says "Please Sign-in Here" and did it in our school's color theme with the school mascot on it (not pictured due to privacy concerns). The teachers can use those signs for Back to School Night, Open House, Parent Teacher Conferences, etc. Practical, yet cute and the total cost of frame and 2 pictures is less than $1.50 per teacher.

Then I made a bunch of quotes so that the teachers could display them on their desk for everyday use. I did a variety of color themes and will let the teachers pick one each (first come, first served). They could also put family pictures or something else and it is double sided so you can display two pics at once.

I used Stampin' Up's My Digital Studio graphics to design them. They have a cool program you can use to design cards, invitations, etc. I highly recommend it and no, I don't sell Stampin' Up and I do not get paid to say that LOL. I designed my pics on PowerPoint (which I'm addicted to) and just inserted graphics from the Stampin' Up package I purchased.

I know the teachers are going to love these. You can also use this same concept, with different quotes obviously, for Mother's Day, Young Women, birthdays, baptisms, etc. Have fun with it!

See THIS POST for how I used these IKEA frames for a wedding reception.

Vietnam War Project

2013-04-28T22:10:00.001-07:00

My junior high age son did an awesome "scrapbook" project on the Vietnam War. He did a thorough job in his research but I would still double check the facts if you are looking for official information and we took a lot of the pictures off of google so some of them may be copyrighted. I know other students may be tempted, but please don't copy the report because that would be cheating, right?

I helped him with the layout and graphics (thank you Stampin' Up for the great background pages) but the thoughts and writings are his own. The pretend newspaper article is something that really happened to our family in July 2008 in Washington D.C. but I changed the names since I don't put our private info "out there." I highly recommend that everyone takes their children to Washington D.C. at some point in their childhood if they can pull it off. Best trip of our lives.

I sure wish I had really studied this war earlier in my life (or paid more attention in school). I wonder if the war was too "raw" and controversial to discuss since it ended when I was in elementary school. I had so many Vietnamese students at my high school whose parents had escaped from Vietnam after the war. We called them "boat people" since they arrived on boats and I honestly didn't give much thought as to why they wanted to come to America. In hindsight, I wish I had been more sensitive and compassionate to their plight, or the plight of their parents.

Enjoy!

The Prophet Receives Revelation for the Church - Primary Lesson 15, Manual 5

2013-04-28T08:17:00.000-07:00

Here's a handout that I made to go with my Primary Lesson today. I chose to include the story from the last General Conference that President Monson shared about when he was a little boy and started a forest fire because I thought the kids would remember the lesson. Click HERE to read President Monson's complete talk called "Obedience Brings Blessings."

Click HERE to read the entire Primary lesson called "The Prophet Receives Revelation for the Church."

I am personally so grateful to have a living prophet on the earth today who receives revelation from God.

I agree with President Dieter F. Uchtdorf who said, "Because Heavenly Father loves His children, He has not left them to walk through this mortal life without direction and guidance. That is why He pleads so earnestly with us through His prophets. Just as we want what is best for our loved ones, Heavenly Father wants what is best for us."

Click HERE to watch a video about why we need living prophets. As God's children, it makes perfect sense to me that He would send prophets to earth to guide us. This is one of the reasons I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contains the fullness of the gospel. There are lots of great churches and religions out there, but to contain the fullness of the gospel, we need a living prophet and also the priesthood authority from God to perform ordinances such as baptism. Logically and spiritually this makes perfect sense to me. I dearly love and appreciate President Thomas S. Monson as he serves as a living prophet on this earth.

General Conference - April 2013

2013-04-16T21:31:00.001-07:00

My friend's teenager daughter designed this artistic creation based on the General Conference talks. I loved it and asked her if I could share it on my blog. I think I'll invite my kids do something like this next time. I think it's frame-worthy!

Click HERE for General Conference information.

Burdens, Backgrounds and Battles

2013-04-13T23:00:00.000-07:00

Visiting Teaching - April 2013

2013-04-07T22:27:00.001-07:00

Click HERE to read this month's Visiting Teaching Message about temple covenants.

Enjoy this handouts!

You Can Make a Difference and Take a Stand Against Bullying

2013-04-07T09:36:00.001-07:00

Love this feel good story. Chy Johnson is a girl with special needs due to a brain disorder. She was being bullied at high school in Queen Creek, AZ and a group of football players jumped in and stood up for her. I am so proud of those boys who went the extra mile and saved this girl from a horrible high school experience. They ate lunch with her, walked her to class and became her friends. No one messed with her after that and she felt loved, safe and happy. Their example has spread through the school and inspired others to change their attitudes. Kudos to Carson Jones, the head of the football team and a member of the church. Chy's mom calls these boys "Angels in Disguise."

Click HERE to hear a story about this in the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is at minute 39:30 on the video.

General Conference April 2013 - You're invited!

2013-04-06T07:26:00.003-07:00

Click HERE to watch General Conference. I am grateful that the whole world has the chance to listen to living prophets speak to us each Spring and Fall at General Conference.

You can watch the different sessions of General Conference on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. - Noon and then from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Mountain Time.

I already have my note sheets ready to go!

Quote - No Matter What Your Past Has Been, Your Future is Spotless

2013-03-30T18:19:00.001-07:00

This is one of my all-time favorite quotes. It has provided a lot of hope for me. I thought it was fitting to put it on my blog at Easter time since Jesus Christ is the reason our future can be spotless.

Easter Handout - Jesus Died that You Might Live

2013-03-30T07:25:00.002-07:00

Here's a handout I made for my friend to give to her class at church. I think I'll make the same thing for my class of Primary children :)

Pretzel Day

2013-03-28T10:37:00.002-07:00

I love being in charge of Teacher Appreciation at my local elementary school. Next week I am doing a "Pretzel Bar" for the teachers. We'll have a variety of pretzel mixes for the teachers to munch on and a playful poem to tie it all together.

Here's the poem I wrote to go with the pretzel theme:

Here are the recipes I am using:

Spicy Pretzels

5 oz (4 cups) mini pretzels

2 tsp melted butter

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp garlic powder w/parsley

1 tsp salt (I will leave it out – too much salt for me)

350 degrees. Toss pretzels with butter and spread in pan. Bake for 5 minutes. Add rest of ingredients and toss. Bake for 2 more minutes. Let cool before storing in airtight container.

Cinnamon Super Pretzels

2/3 c. canola oil

½ c. sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

1 lb pretzels

300 degrees. 30 minutes. Stir twice. Let cool before storing in airtight container.

Taco Pretzels

4 c pretzels

½ c canola oil

3 tsp taco seasoning

½ tsp garlic powder

Mix all together in bowl and then put on cookies sheet. Cook 60-70 minutes at 200 degrees. Stir every 20 minutes. Let cool before storing in airtight container.

Sweet Pretzels

5 Cups Rice Chex

4 Cups Pretzels

1 Cup Milk Chocolate Chips

1/2 Peanut Butter

1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

2 Cups Powdered Sugar

Pour the rice chex and pretzels into a large bowl. Add the sugar to a large freezer bag and line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Set everything aside. Add the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, stir. Return to the microwave in 30 second intervals until mixture is smooth, then add the vanilla. Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the chex and pretzels and stir until well combined. Add the mixture to your freezer bag and shake well. Pour the mixture onto your lined cookie sheet and allow to cool completely.

From this blog: http://www.diaryofajewell.com/pretzel-puppy-chow/

Chocolate Pretzels

1 bag pretzel sticks

12 oz bag white chocolate melts

Sprinkles

Put pretzel sticks in a single layer on a wax paper covered cookie sheet. Melt white chocolate in microwave. Use a ziplock bag with a little hole cut in the corner or a spoon to drizzle chocolate over the pretzels. Quickly put sprinkles on so they stick to the chocolate. Let cool in fridge until chocolate is hardened.

Teacher Appreciation Ideas

2013-03-24T15:42:00.002-07:00

Teacher Appreciation Week will be May 6-10, 2013. I'm in charge of making cute little handouts to go in the teacher mailboxes each day that week. I thought I'd share my ideas in case anyone wants to use them.

You may wonder why there are two handouts stuck together. Well, I designed them so that I could send them to Costco (or whatever photo place) and print them as 4x6 pics and then just cut them in half and attach them to the candy. It seemed a lot easier and more affordable than printing them on my printer at home.

This handout goes with "Caramel Apple Sugar Babies" candies. They are surprisingly yummy but probably terrible for your teeth!

I bought some mini "Three Musketeers" bars right after Valentine's Day that were strawberry flavored with dark chocolate around them. Quite tasty! You could also use this handout with chocolate covered strawberries, strawberry licorice, or any strawberry flavored item.

I also bought some individual size "Reese's Pieces" candies and will attach this saying to it. Another cute idea would be buying the pieces in bulk and putting them in a cute little container or bag. I think Reese's Pieces are an under-appreciated candy. If they were good enough for ET, they are good enough for the teachers, right? (NOTE: When I went to Costco to get these printed, the first graphic below wasn't very bright orange so I designed a second one that is brighter and matches the Reese's Pieces packaging. Feel free to use either one).

Here's a handout I made to go with a little baggy of Hershey's kisses.

I will do a few more fun things but I thought I'd share what I designed already. I'll post more ideas

Gethsemane Song

2013-03-24T11:20:00.002-07:00

This is my new favorite song. It brings tears to my eyes when I hear my Primary kids sing this at church.

Gethsemane

Jesus climbed the hill
To the garden still
His steps were heavy and slow
Love and a prayer
Took Him there
To the place only He could go

Gethsemane
Jesus loves me
So He went willingly
To Gethsemane

He felt all that was sad, wicked or bad
All the pain we would ever know
While His friends were asleep
He fought to keep
His promise made long ago

Gethsemane
Jesus loves me
So He went willingly
To Gethsemane

The hardest thing That ever was done
The greatest pain that ever was known
The biggest battle that ever was won
This was done by Jesus.
The fight was won by Jesus.

Gethsemane
Jesus loves me
So he gave His gift to me
In Gethsemane

Gethsemane
Jesus loves me
So he gives His gift to me
From Gethsemane

Click HERE to hear the song on YouTube.

Primary - Memory Matching Game about the Organization of the LDS Church

2013-03-24T11:13:00.002-07:00

I created this fun memory matching game for my Primary class to go with Primary Manual 5, Lesson 11 (click HERE for complete lesson). I printed the pages out and then attached them to 3x5 notecards. I played it with my son and he absolutely loved it. I know my Primary class will have fun when we play it later today. (PS I searched and searched the internet and couldn't find a picture of Peter Whitmer Jr. on his own so I had to use a group shot)