"My Law to Govern My Church"

 Come, Follow Me: April 19-25 - Doctrine & Covenants 41-44

The phrase "my law to govern my church" comes from Doctrine and Covenants 42:59.  The church was being established in Kirtland, Ohio and numerous converts were flocking to the area.  In earlier revelations, the members had been told by the Lord that the law would be given in Ohio, and these sections are the fulfilment of that promise.

Doctrine and Covenants 41
"He that receiveth my law and doeth it, the same is my disciple.”

It's fairly simple - hear and receive the law, and then follow it. And if you choose not to follow it, verse 5 says you "shall be cast out".  Of course, there is always the 


Doctrine and Covenants 42
God’s laws govern His Church and can govern our lives.

Doctrine and the accompanying principles teach us the path to follow.  President Nelson has called it the Covenant Path and I think that is a good description of the idea that we are making a promise to follow and the guidance is given on where to go.  No one is forced to make the choice, and as you see in the world today you are free to leave the path at anytime.  But following that path will lead us to the "Tree of Life" and exaltation.

"I am called to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ"

 Come, Follow Me, April 5-11

We have all been called to preach the gospel, and we all have the opportunity to do our part and know that we will be led and guided by the Lord.

And your whole labor shall be in Zion, with all your soul, from henceforth; yea, you shall ever open your mouth in my cause, not fearing what man can do, for I am with you. (D&C 30:11)

It's nice to know that we are not alone when we are sharing something so personal with others.  There are many examples of those who have gone before us as well, and how we can be guided in the work that we do.  President Russell M. Nelson and Sister Wendy Nelson spoke at the Worldwide Devotional for Youth on June 3rd, 2018 in a talk called "Hope of Israel".  President Nelson shared the following:

I promise you that if you will sincerely and persistently do the spiritual work needed to develop the crucial, spiritual skill of learning how to hear the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, you will have all the direction you will ever need in your life. You will be given answers to your questions in the Lord’s own way and in His own time.

"Open your mouth to declare my gospel"

Come, Follow Me - April 5–11. Doctrine and Covenants 30–36

A great lesson on missionary work and the importance of sharing the gospel. The lesson shares the idea that, "If you know enough to to accept the restored gospel by baptism, you know enough to share it with others."  And it's true that once you have a testimony of the gospel and have decided to join the church through baptism, you can certainly share that with friends and family, and really with everyone around you  

Therefore, thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back, for the laborer is worthy of his hire.

Missionary work and sharing the gospel help us to do our part in establishing Zion and preparing the world for the second coming.  I am grateful for the opportunity I had to serve as a full time missionary in Sao Paulo, Brazil and I am grateful that I have the opportunity today to share my testimony with those around me   

“Come and Partake of the Fruit” - Come Follow Me

“Come and Partake of the Fruit”

Come Follow Me

January 13-19

The Armour of God - Come Follow Me

This week's Come Follow Me lesson is on Ephesians - "For the Perfecting of the Saints".  It covers the epistle Paul wrote to the Ephesians and focuses on keeping the church holy.

It begins with a discussion on predestination, and what role that plays in our mortal life here on earth:

Although no one is predestined to be saved or not saved, modern revelation teaches that some were chosen or “foreordained” in the premortal world to fulfill certain responsibilities here on earth. This includes the responsibility that all Latter-day Saints have to share the gospel and help all of God’s children on both sides of the veil come to Christ.

One of the key passage of Ephesians talks about the armor of god.  In the 90's, as part of Seminary the Church of Jesus Christ produced a video that related the armor of god to modern day situations.  It was pretty well done:

“Thy Faith Hath Made Thee Whole” - Come Follow Me

“Thy Faith Hath Made Thee Whole”

Come Follow Me

March 4-10

This week the readings are Matthew 8-9 and Mark 2-5, and the chapters focus on the healing miracles performed by the Savior. 

“He Taught Them as One Having Authority” - Come Follow Me

“He Taught Them as One Having Authority”

Come Follow Me

February 25-March 3

"The Sermon on the Mount is one of the best-known discourses in Christianity. The Savior taught with rich images, such as a city set on a hill, lilies of the field, and wolves disguised as sheep. But the Sermon on the Mount is far more than a beautiful speech. The power of the Savior’s teachings to His disciples can change our lives, especially when we live by them. Then His words become more than words; they become a sure foundation for life that, like the wise man’s house, can withstand the world’s winds and floods"

This week's study chapters are Matthew 6-7, a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount.  There are probably more memorable teachings in these to chapters than in just about any pair in the scriptures.  "Judge not", "straight is the gate", "forgive men their trespasses", "the light of the body is the eye", "no man can serve to masters", "seek ye first the kingdom of God", and "by their fruits ye shall know them" are just a few of the sayings that so many of us use and think of in our daily lives.

"Blessed are Ye" - Come Follow Me

February 18–24
Matthew 5; Luke 6

“Blessed Are Ye”

"Everybody wants to be happy, but not everyone looks for happiness in the same places. Some search for it in worldly power and position, others in wealth or in satisfying physical appetites. Jesus Christ came to teach the way to lasting happiness, to teach what it truly means to be blessed."

The two chapters for the reading are similar - both cover the Sermon on the Mount and have a strong focus on Christ coming to fulfill the law, not just replace it, and in doing so the law becomes more elevated.  It's interesting that recent changes in the church have been talked about in a similar manner, and I think it is logical to think that there will be a continual refinement of the law as we fulfill the requirements of the lesser laws.

In Primary this week I plan to start teaching "I Feel My Savior's Love" and "Love At Home".  My plan for the program is to have the two songs sung together, most likely one verse of each one.  We'll see how it goes tomorrow!

"Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord"

Today was Week 5 for the Come Follow Me program, and the theme was "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord".  In Primary today, I selected "Baptism" as our focus song.  I had originally just been thinking of using it today to talk about baptism, but after singing it I think we might make it a part of our Primary Program in the fall. 

The children have been enjoying singing "Come, Follow Me" each week, or at least the first verse.  My plan was to try and add a verse each month so they are familiar with most of them by the end of the year.  I think in the Primary Program we will end up singing 2-3 and then the congregation will join in on a few verses at the end of the program.

We also practiced "Scripture Power" today.  I'd like to have them learn it well enough to sing in Sacrament Meeting on March 10th.  If it doesn't seem like they have it down, we might end up singing something from last year's program that they know pretty well.  We will see how the next few weeks go.

I'm enjoying the new 20 minutes of singing.  It really isn't a change from what I have been doing in the past, but for some reason it feels different.  Today finally felt like a good balance between old songs and new songs in Jr. Primary, and I've been mixing in some "Wiggle Songs" between the new songs and it seems to be working well. 

Come, Follow Me - We Are Responsible for Our Own Learning

Come, Follow Me 

We Are Responsible for Our Own Learning

New Testament Lesson 1

December 30 - January 6

The first lesson of the new year and the new program!  This lesson serves as an introduction to the new program that was introduced in the October 2018 General Conference, and begins a new year of home-centered gospel study.  It also will be our first lesson as part of the new 2 hour block for church tomorrow. 

The intro states the following:

The purpose of Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families is to help you come unto Christ and become more deeply converted to His gospel. This resource can help you understand the scriptures and find in them the spiritual strength you and your family need. Then, in your Church classes, you will be prepared to share insights and encourage your fellow Saints in their efforts to follow Christ.

A helpful set of resources can be found here.   It includes a link to a video that talks about the importance of taking sacred things seriously and the value of keeping a journal.

2019 Primary Hand-outs - Week 1

This year I am planning to put together a weekly handout to distribute to the Primary Children each week to give them some guidance on what songs we will be learning and what songs they can work on together as a family during the week.  This is my sample for Week 1:

We will be learning "Come Follow Me" during Primary Music time on January 6th.  I will be giving these out this Sunday (Dec 30th) so they will have the week to practice the song.  The other songs are suggestions that go along with the topic for the week that we are encouraged to study individually and as a family, under the topic "We are responsible for our own learning".

I also plan to post on Facebook in our ward page about the songs we will be singing, with links to the music either on LDS.org or on YouTube.  Hopefully this is helpful to families this year as they study the gospel together!

What has President Monson taught Aaronic Priesthood holders?

The question for the Aaronic Priesthood lesson, “What has President Monson taught Aaronic Priesthood holders?”, and the associated content is something I have thought about putting together for President Hinckley. The suggestion is to use the last few General Conference addresses by President Monson to the Priesthood Session:

“Come, All Ye Sons of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013

“See Others as They May Become,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 68–71

“Willing and Worthy to Serve,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 66–69

“Dare to Stand Alone,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 60–67

I always enjoy the talk by the Prophet at the Priesthood Session, and think that looking at them over the last 20-30 years you would certainly see patterns and areas of focus that repeat themselves and also demonstrate how to best prepare for the future.

There are two video resources for this lesson.  The first is “A Priesthood Duty” and the focus is on missionary work:

 

The second is called “Dare to Stand Alone” and tells the story of an experience President Monson had at boot camp when he followed the advice of an old Primary song:

Dare to be a Mormon;

Dare to stand alone.

Dare to have a purpose firm;

Dare to make it known.

 

Questions for May

The lesson plans for the Aaronic Priesthood in “Come Follow Me” for the month of May include the following questions:

• Why is it important to study the scriptures? (Duty to God)
• Why is it important to listen to and follow the living prophets?
• How do I receive personal revelation?
• How can I make my prayers more meaningful?
• How can I strengthen my testimony?
• What has President Monson taught Aaronic Priesthood holders?
• How can a patriarchal blessing help me?

The focus is on Prophets and Revelation, and it seems pretty easy to get conversations going on either topic without much prompting.  One of the things I am enjoying this year is that the lesson topic/question itself often starts enough of a conversation to get through a good deal of material simply by asking it as it is written in the lesson outline.

I also like that the topics are updated with recent conference talks, to include the April 2013 General Conference.  I was surprised to see one of the talks as a reference just a few weeks after it was given in conference!  It helps to integrate the most recent messages, and also gives an opportunity to learn more about the speaker.

How Can I Strengthen My Testimony?

 

The question for the lesson this week is “How can I strengthen my testimony?” and begins with the following thought:

A testimony is a spiritual witness of the truth given by the Holy Ghost. As members of the Church, we have sacred opportunity and responsibility to obtain our own testimonies. If we seek a testimony through study, prayer, and living the gospel, the Holy Ghost will help us know for ourselves that the gospel is true.

The scriptures for the lesson include the following:

John 7:16–17 (If we do the Lord’s will, we will gain a testimony)

1 Corinthians 2:9–13; Alma 5:45–46; D&C 8:2–3 (The Holy Ghost testifies of truth)

James 1:5; 1 Nephi 10:17–19; 15:11; 3 Nephi 18:20; Moroni 10:3–5 (To obtain a testimony, we must ask and seek for one)

Mosiah 26:3; Alma 12:11 (Obstacles to obtaining a testimony)

D&C 9:7–9 (We must study for ourselves before we ask)

 

 

The talk “Can Ye Feel So Now?” by Elder Quentin L. Cook is also suggested: