Come Follow Me Study Guide on the Topic of Grace from D&C 106-108 (Sept 28)

    This blogpost features a study guide and a half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for  September 22-28,  which includes Doctrine and Covenants 106-108.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks. 

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GRACE
  My husband and I just received challenging new callings that seem very daunting and this is a topic that's very near and dear to our hearts right now.    

QUESTIONS TO PONDER/ASK:  

What is grace? {here's a good summary}

How do YOU define grace? 

How have you been CHANGED by grace? 
 

QUOTES ABOUT GRACE:

#1  “The Savior’s gift of grace to us is not necessarily limited in time to ‘after’ all we can do. We may receive his grace before, during and after the time when we expend our own efforts”
 (Bruce C. Hafen, The Broken Heart: Applying the Atonement to Life’s Experiences [1989], 155–56)

#2 “So grace is not a booster engine that kicks in once our fuel supply is exhausted. Rather, it is our constant energy source. It is not the light at the end of the tunnel but the light that moves us through the tunnel. Grace is not achieved somewhere down the road. It is received right here and right now. It is not a finishing touch; it is the Finisher’s touch.” Elder Brad Wilcox

#3  "...every one of us aspires to a more Christlike life than we often succeed in living. If we admit that honestly and are trying to improve, we are not hypocrites; we are human. May we refuse to let our own mortal follies, and the inevitable shortcomings of even the best men and women around us, make us cynical about the truths of the gospel, the truthfulness of the Church, our hope for our future, or the possibility of godliness. If we persevere, then somewhere in eternity our refinement will be finished and complete—which is the New Testament meaning of perfection.

I testify of that grand destiny, made available to us by the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, who Himself continued “from grace to grace” until in His immortality He received a perfect fulness of celestial glory. I testify that in this and every hour He is, with nail-scarred hands, extending to us that same grace, holding on to us and encouraging us, refusing to let us go until we are safely home in the embrace of Heavenly Parents."  President Jeffrey R. Holland

#4 “The miracle of the Atonement is not just that we can be cleansed and consoled but that we can be transformed.” Elder Brad Wilcox

#5 “God’s grace is sufficient. Jesus’s grace is sufficient. It is enough. It is all we need. Don’t quit. Keep trying. Don’t look for escapes and excuses. Look for the Lord and His perfect strength. Don’t search for someone to blame. Search for someone to help you. Seek Christ, and, as you do, you will feel the enabling power and divine help we call His amazing grace.” Elder Brad Wilcox

#6 “Thus, the enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement helps us to see and to do and to become good in ways that we could never recognize or accomplish with our limited mortal capacity. I testify and witness that the enabling power of the Savior’s Atonement is real.”
Elder David A. Bednar

#7 “In all of these cases there should never be just two options: perfection or giving up. When learning the piano, are the only options performing at Carnegie Hall or quitting? No. Growth and development take time. Learning takes time. When we understand grace, we understand that God is long-suffering, that change is a process, and that repentance is a pattern in our lives. When we understand grace, we understand that the blessings of Christ’s Atonement are continuous and His strength is perfect in our weakness. When we understand grace, we can, as it says in the Doctrine and Covenants, “continue in patience until [we] are perfected”.  Elder Brad Wilcox

#8  "Another element of God’s grace is the opening of the windows of heaven, through which God pours out blessings of power and strength, enabling us to achieve things that otherwise would be far beyond our reach. It is by God’s amazing grace that His children can overcome the undercurrents and quicksands of the deceiver, rise above sin, and “be perfect[ed] in Christ.”

Though we all have weaknesses, we can overcome them. Indeed it is by the grace of God that, if we humble ourselves and have faith, weak things can become strong."  Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

#9  "When our earnest efforts fall short of our aspirations due to circumstances beyond our control, the Lord still accepts the desires of our hearts as a worthy offering."  Elder Gerald Causse

TALKS ABOUT GRACE
"His Grace is Sufficient" by Elder Brad Wilcox
"Compensating Grace" by Elder Gerald Causse 
"In the Strength of the Lord" by Elder David Bednar
"Am I Good Enough? Will I Make it?" by Elder J. Devn Cornish
"The Gift of Grace" by Elder Dieter Uchtdorf 
"Be Ye Therefore Perfect--Eventually" by President Jeffrey R. Holland


ANALOGY ABOUT GRACE
from "His Grace is Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox

Christ’s arrangement with us is similar to a mom providing music lessons for her child. Mom pays the piano teacher. How many know what I am talking about? Because Mom pays the debt in full, she can turn to her child and ask for something. What is it? Practice! Does the child’s practice pay the piano teacher? No. Does the child’s practice repay Mom for paying the piano teacher? No. Practicing is how the child shows appreciation for Mom’s incredible gift. It is how he takes advantage of the amazing opportunity Mom is giving him to live his life at a higher level. Mom’s joy is found not in getting repaid but in seeing her gift used—seeing her child improve. And so she continues to call for practice, practice, practice.

If the child sees Mom’s requirement of practice as being too overbearing (“Gosh, Mom, why do I need to practice? None of the other kids have to practice! I’m just going to be a professional baseball player anyway!”), perhaps it is because he doesn’t yet see with mom’s eyes. He doesn’t see how much better his life could be if he would choose to live on a higher plane.

“But Brother Wilcox, don’t you realize how hard it is to practice? I’m just not very good at the piano. I hit a lot of wrong notes. It takes me forever to get it right.” Now wait. Isn’t that all part of the learning process? When a young pianist hits a wrong note, we don’t say he is not worthy to keep practicing. We don’t expect him to be flawless. We just expect him to keep trying. Perfection may be his ultimate goal, but for now we can be content with progress in the right direction. Why is this perspective so easy to see in the context of learning piano but so hard to see in the context of learning heaven?

In all of these cases there should never be just two options: perfection or giving up. When learning the piano, are the only options performing at Carnegie Hall or quitting? No. Growth and development take time. Learning takes time. When we understand grace, we understand that God is long-suffering, that change is a process, and that repentance is a pattern in our lives. When we understand grace, we understand that the blessings of Christ’s Atonement are continuous and His strength is perfect in our weakness (see 2 Corinthians 12:9). When we understand grace, we can, as it says in the Doctrine and Covenants, “continue in patience until [we] are perfected” (D&C 67:13).

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FILL IN THE BLANK SCRIPTURES ABOUT GRACE

Doctrine and Covenants 106:8
"And I will give him grace and ______________ wherewith he may __________; and if he continue to be a faithful witness and a light unto the church I have prepared a _____________ for him in the mansions of my Father. Even so. Amen."  


2 Nephi 25:23
"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be ____________ to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are ____________, after all we can do."  


Philippians 4:13
"I can do _________ things through _____________ which strengtheneth me."  


Moroni 10:32-33
"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny youselvs of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all you might, mind and strenth, then  is his grace __________________ for you, that by his grace ye may be ______________ in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the _______________  of _________."      

Ether 12:27
"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is ___________ for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they ________________ themselves before me, and have ___________ in me, then will I make weak things become ______________ unto them."


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AN ORIGINAL ACTIVITY SHEET (PRINTABLE) 

These activity sheets are designed to print double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom or home setting.   I have no children at home, nor do I have a calling working with youth, so I copy these to be handed out with the sacrament programs each week.  Kids, teens, and adults enjoy them...especially when it's a word search! 

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY SHEET LINK (in case it's not showing below)

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Have fun learning the gospel together!


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Study Guide on Being a Peacemaker and An Original CFM Activity Sheet for D&C 102-105 (Sept 21 )

    This blogpost features a half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for  September 15-21,  which includes Doctrine and Covenants 102-105.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks. 

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STUDY GUIDE ON BEING A PEACEMAKER

ARTICLES ON BEING A PEACEMAKER 

Peacemakers Needed by President Nelson (Apr 2023)

Following Christ (section III) by President Oaks (Oct 2024)

Following Jesus: Being a Peacemaker by Elder Andersen (Apr 2022) 


SCRIPTURES:

D&C 105:38-40
 "And again I say unto you, sue for peace, not only to the people that have smitten you, but also to all people. And lift up an ensign of peace, and make a proclamation of peace unto the ends of the earth. And make proposals for peace unto those who have smitten you, according to the voice of the Spirit which is in you, and all things shall work together for your good."

Matthew 25:40
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Matthew 5:9, 44
9 "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
44 "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"

QUESTIONS TO PONDER 

1. How Christ is the perfect example of being a peacemaker. 

2. How can I find and share  peace in a world filled with turmoil?  

3. How can we be peacemakers in the contentious society we live in?

"HOW CAN I BE A PEACEMAKER?" VIDEO CLIP (WITH VISUALS) FROM PRESIDENT NELSON https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqM7LFOIXBs

ORIGINAL COME FOLLOW ME ACTIVITY SHEET

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY SHEET LINK (in case it's not showing below)


FOR KIDS
I Can Be A Peacemaker When...

A VIDEO FOR KIDS: A STORY ABOUT RESOLVING CONTENTION





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Be sure to come back every week and check for more Come, Follow Me resources.  

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Finding Peace in Christ Study Guide and an Original Activity Sheet for D&C 98-101 (Sept 14)

   This blogpost features a half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for  September 8-14,  which includes Doctrine and Covenants 98-101.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks. 

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FINDING PEACE IN CHRIST 

"Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God." D&C 101:16

One of the things I love to do is hike. Because we lived at sea level for so many years, though, we sometimes get a little intimidated by hiking in the mountains. One day we were trying a new trail that had a pretty significant incline early on in the hike. I was ready to turn around and find a flatter trail, when we came across a group coming down the mountain. I stopped and asked one of them if it was worth the effort to continue on, and his answer surprised me. Instead of a yes or no, he simply said, “You can hear the sounds of peace.”

To be honest, at that point in the hike, the only sound I could hear was my own heavy breathing and I certainly wasn’t feeling very peaceful! But something about that comment inspired us to keep going.

Although the trail didn’t get easier for a while, I noticed that when I shifted my focus from thinking “this is so hard” to listening for the “sounds of peace,” my entire experience changed.

Later, I reflected on that moment and realized it taught me something profound about peace. I used to think peace was just something that fell upon you in quiet, perfect moments. And while that can happen, the more life experiences I have, the more I’ve come to believe that peace is most often something we must actively seek and choose, especially in hard times.

I want to explore that idea a little more.

Elder Waddell (source) taught us in a general conference talk several years ago that, “Peace of mind, peace of conscience, and peace of heart are not determined by our ability to avoid trials, sorrow, or heartache. Despite our sincere pleas, not every storm will change course, not every infirmity will be healed, and we may not fully understand every doctrine, principle, or practice taught by prophets, seers, and revelators. Nevertheless, we have been promised peace–but with a condition....The peace we all seek requires more than {just} a desire. It requires us to act—by learning of Him, by listening to His words, and by walking with Him. We may not have the ability to control all that happens around us, but we can control how we apply the pattern for peace that the Lord has provided—a pattern that makes it easy to think often about Jesus.”

When I look back at different times in my life when I desperately needed peace, I see how different those situations looked on the surface.

There were times when I was making big decisions, or caught in conflict, or facing a huge trial. Other times it was more internal—moments of doubt, guilt, anxiety, or just feeling overwhelmed by life.

In the New Testament, Jesus says:

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

I love that verse—but I’ll be honest: not letting my heart be troubled is easier said than done!

So what is this pattern for peace, and how do we live it and apply it in all the different situations?

Elder Waddell quotes the Savior directly:

“Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.” D&C 19:23

Learn. Listen. Walk. A simple pattern—with a powerful promise.

As part of my reflections on peace while preparing this, I decided to look back at a couple of experiences in my life where I sought for and received peace and see how that pattern came into play.

One of the biggest experiences was when several years ago my husband and I were preparing talks on the topic of the “Worth of Souls” to share in sacrament meeting. It was a busy season in our lives with 5 young kids at home, so taking time to dive into a gospel topic took a very deliberate effort on our parts. I had a couple hours while everyone was at their various activities, so I turned off my phone and ended up having one of the most memorable spiritual experiences of my life when I read these words from Elder Uchtdorf: 

 “The most powerful Being in the universe is the Father of your spirit. He knows you. He loves you with a perfect love. God sees you not only as a mortal being on a small planet who lives for a brief season—He sees you as His child. He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He wants you to know that you matter to Him.” 
President Dieter Uchtdorf, “You Matter to Him,” General Conference, October 2011

I had read them before, but this time the words hit me differently and I became overwhelmed with an immeasurable peace and reassurance that I was a child of God and that the worth of my soul was indeed great. I was overcome with an unmistakable feeling that God was keenly aware of me personally, as well as my family. My heart was touched and I packed up my talk that day with a deep sense of calm and gratitude for God’s love in my life. 

Although it was meant to be preparation for a talk, in reality that experience instead became a much needed spiritual preparation for the storm that was about to befall our family. Within a few hours of that powerful, yet very personal spiritual experience, we received the news that our sixteen-year-old son, Spencer, didn’t have mono like we thought, but actually had leukemia. Further tests showed that his leukemia was aggressive and would require many months of fully in-hospital treatment. A few days after our son’s diagnosis, my husband was very unexpectedly laid off from his job.

In a matter of days, our world was turned upside down. But somehow, amid the chaos, we still felt peace—because of that quiet experience I’d had just before the storm hit. I knew deep down inside that whatever happened-- it would be okay. Not that we wouldn’t experience fear, or that we’d enjoy every moment along the way, but that whether our son lived or died or whether my husband found a job soon or not, that God was in the details and that in the end it would be alright. And it was. I had learned of Christ, I had listened, and when it came time to walk with Him, we found those sounds of peace throughout that journey.

Our son is now 30 years old, and that experience still reminds me that peace is not about circumstances—it’s about Christ.

Thankfully, not all my experiences with seeking peace have been that dramatic. More often than not, my need for peace comes in the middle of everyday chaos—when there’s too much to do and not enough time, or when I feel inadequate or stretched thin.

But the pattern still applies in those moments. Learn. Listen. Walk.

Sometimes it can feel like too much. Like how can I take the time to learn, listen, and walk when I already feel too stretched? How can I possibly fit in one more thing? It’s those times in life when I feel like Christ has invited me to think outside the box. Why not do scripture study in the car? Or during my morning workout? Why not pray in the shower when my phone is put away and no one bothers me? Those are things I’m doing anyway and changing the focus from just me to me and Christ can absolutely change the trajectory of my day.

And while sometimes that may feel like “checking a box,” it’s better than not doing it at all. And I’ve learned that He honors even small efforts.

In my personal experience, I think the listening part of the pattern is the hardest. It requires me to quiet my mind, put down my phone, and push past the noise of life and self-doubt—so I can hear those sounds of peace. The temple is a great place to do that. So is being out in nature. But, even in those quiet places, it takes effort. If I’m not deliberately trying to quiet my mind to listen, the noise in my brain can easily drown out the sounds of peace.

In the Old Testament, Isaiah calls Christ the Prince of Peace. And it is through Him that we find the peace our souls long for.

Just like that steep mountain trail, peace often requires us to keep climbing—but if we stay the course, we’ll hear the sounds of peace. Not just in stillness, but in the midst of the struggle.

And those sounds—His peace—can carry us through anything.

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PEACE IN CHRIST MUSIC VIDEO



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ORIGINAL ACTIVITY PAGE 

These activity sheets are designed to print double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom or home setting.   I have no children at home, nor do I have a calling working with youth, so I copy these to be handed out with the sacrament programs each week.  Kids, teens, and adults enjoy them...especially when it's a word search! 

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY SHEET LINK (in case it's not showing below)

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Be sure to come back every week for a new Come, Follow Me activity page and other resources. 

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Come Follow Me Printable Activity Sheet for D&C 94-97 (Sept 7)

   This blogpost features a half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for  September 1-7,  which includes Doctrine and Covenants 94-97.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks. 
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AN ORIGINAL PRINTABLE ACTIVITY PAGE 

These activity sheets are designed to print double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom or home setting.   I have no children at home, nor do I have a calling working with youth, so I copy these to be handed out with the sacrament programs each week.  Kids, teens, and adults enjoy them! 

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY SHEET LINK (in case it's not showing below)

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Be sure to come back every week for a new Come, Follow Me activity sheet and maybe a  study guide!  

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Receiving Light and Truth CFM Study Guide and An Original Activity Sheet D&C 93 (Aug 31)

  This blogpost features a study guide and a  half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for  August 25-31,  which includes Doctrine and Covenants 93.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

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 Receiving Light and Truth

 There are several verses that mention "light and truth" in Doctrine and Covenants 93, but the one that stood out to me was: 

"The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth."  D&C 93:36

Light lends itself well to many gospel analogies, but my favorite are when compared to hope and/or truth.  To me, it just makes it easier to understand these concepts to compare it with something as familiar as light.  

Twice, our family has traveled to see a solar eclipse in totality and twice I've been in awe at the power the light has to dispel the darkness, even when it's only a tiny sliver.  I've thought of that power many times in my life when  I feel like hope and truth are feeling elusive for whatever reason.    

I love this quote from Elder Uchtdorf:  

“Night is nothing more than a shadow.

Even in the darkest of nights, the sun does not cease to radiate its light. It continues to shine as bright as ever. But half of the earth is in darkness.

The absence of light causes darkness.

When the darkness of night falls, we do not despair and worry that the sun is extinguished. We do not postulate that the sun is not there or is dead. We understand that we are in a shadow, that the earth will continue to rotate, and that eventually the rays of the sun will reach us once again.

Darkness is not an indication that there is no light. Most often, it simply means we’re not in the right place to receive the light….”

It reminds me, that just because I happen to be standing in a shadow in my life's journey, that the sun still shines.  God's love is just as real as it ever was and I just need keep on moving toward whatever sliver of light I can see!   

ARTICLES 
“Bearers of Heavenly Light” by Elder Uchtdorf 
"Walk in God's Light" For the Strength of Youth
"My Thoughts on Light and Hope" 

SCRIPTURES ABOUT LIGHT 

John 8:12:  “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in [the] darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

D&C 84:45:  "For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ."

D&C 93:36 "The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth." 

Matthew 6:22:  "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light."

Matthew 5:16:  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

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."

TEACH ME TO WALK IN THE LIGHT / LOVE ONE ANOTHER MEDLEY

 AN ORIGINAL CFM ACTIVITY SHEET
THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY SHEET LINK (in case it's not showing below)


PATTERNS OF LIGHT VIDEO SERIES BY ELDER BEDNAR
Part 1 
Part 2 
Part 3 

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Be sure to come back every week for more Come, Follow Me resources.  

Have fun learning the gospel together! 


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WORD OF WISDOM: Printable CFM Activity Sheet on D&C 89-92 (Aug 24)

 This blogpost features a half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for  August 18-24,  which includes Doctrine and Covenants 89-92.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks. 
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AN ORIGINAL PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET

These activity sheets are designed to print double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom or home setting.   I have no children at home, nor do I have a calling working with youth, so I copy these to be handed out with the sacrament programs each week.  Kids, teens, and adults enjoy them...especially when it's a word search! 

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY SHEET LINK (in case it's not showing below)



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Be sure to check back here every week for more CFM resources!

Enjoy learning the gospel together! 

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Seeking Learning and Wisdom and a CFM Activity Sheet for D&C 88 (Aug 17)

  This blogpost features some of my life experiences about seeking learning by study and  faith, including a half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for  August 11-17,  which includes Doctrine and Covenants 88.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

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SEEK LEARNING AND WISDOM, BY STUDY AND FAITH

I've tried to make these two verses in the Doctrine and Covenants  a sort of mantra for my life.  

D&C 88:118-119 
And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.  Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;

This is a bit embarrassing to admit, but there's not a single item listed in these scriptures that comes naturally to me. I daresay that I would even consider most of these traits my weaknesses and  I've had to deliberately work to incorporate them into my life.  But I'd like to think that over the course of my life, I've lived Ether 12:27 many times over (see below) and made some of them my strengths.  

 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.  Ether 12:27

Organizing myself and establishing a house of order is probably something I'll be struggling with my whole life, but one of the areas which I've managed to turn into a strength is to "seek diligently out of the best books and to seek learning, even by study and also by faith."  I used to feel guilty when I took the time to read and when I did read, I would read fluffy things that didn't enrich me, because those were books I could read quickly.   At some point I realized  that I was a better parent/ friend / human when I learned about the world by reading good books and I have definitely  gained much wisdom through life experiences, but even more by reading the words of others.   

TOO MUCH INFORMATION

 In this day and age we are inundated with far more information than we could ever use and one of the greatest challenges we face when seeking wisdom and learning is sorting through this bombardment of information and determining what is of value to our lives and what isn’t worth our time. Seeking wisdom in this overload of information can be a little like searching for the proverbial needle in a haystack unless we can find connections that make it more meaningful. 

LEARNING THROUGH LIFE EXPERIENCES IS EFFECTIVE, BUT OFTEN EXTRA PAINFUL   

Sometimes we make those meaningful connections during our studies and sometimes they come to us through painful life experiences. For instance take this experience from when I was a young child about 4 years old. I did not yet have my own bike and I begged my dad to take me for a ride on his bike. He was reluctant, but after much begging eventually put me up on the crossbar of his bike, carefully held on to me with one arm and steered with the other and took me for a short ride. Although the distance we traveled was not far, it was long enough for me to weary of holding my legs up and for me to let my foot dangle into the spokes of the bike, breaking my leg in the process.

Fast forward a couple of years when the pain of the broken bone had been forgotten and I once again begged my dad to take me for a ride on his bike. My begging skills must have been pretty persuasive, because a little while later we found ourselves reliving the past--right down to the foot in the spoke and the broken bone--although this time it was my collarbone instead of my leg. Two broken bones was enough though and finally we made the connection that two people on a bicycle built for one is a recipe for pain.

This example, though painful to learn, was relatively insignificant in the way of life lessons. While physical safety is important, lessons of eternal nature are far more important in the long run. As with lessons about how to avoid broken bones, we can learn these eternal lessons in a variety of ways. Real life experiences are among the most powerful ways to learn a lesson, unfortunately (and fortunately) there are only so many life experiences one person can have and we must turn to other sources to continue our search for the meaningful connections that lead to wisdom. We must open our hearts in faith and seek them by learning from the words of others, . 

LEARNING--CONNECTIONS -- WISDOM

Most scientific discoveries were made when some scientist put two ideas together and connected them into something bigger. Benjamin Franklin made the connection that lightning and electricity were related and through that connection has saved countless buildings from destruction over the years with his simple but important invention of the lightning rod.

Not too many years after Benjamin Franklin’s earth-shaking connection, an even greater connection was made by a young boy who happened to be studying the Bible in the spring of 1820. He was the kind of young man who didn’t just read the scriptures; he had an inclination to feast upon them, to study them, and to ponder them in his heart. One day he read a passage of scripture from the book of James:

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed” (James 1:5–6).

Joseph described his reaction in the following words: “Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. … I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God”.

Joseph’s inspired ability to make this connection led him into the Sacred Grove. From thence, he became an instrument in the hands of God in bringing forth modern scriptures, in restoring the true church of Jesus Christ and the gospel in its fulness, and in restoring the power to perform eternal ordinances which enable us to return into the presence of a loving Heavenly Father. Joseph Smith’s connection not only shook the earth, it opened the heavens!

MAKING A WEAK THING INTO A STRENGTH THROUGH LEARNING

While our son  was in the hospital for months on end several years ago, I had the unique opportunity to devote more of my time than I normally could have at home, to reading and to personal study. During that time, the hospital room truly became my Sacred Grove and I was led to devote much of my study time to reading Ensign articles, parts of the Old and New Testaments and the Book of Mormon in its entirety. 

Though that time  was very difficult, it was hard not to feel God’s peace through these experiences and I was so grateful for that  time in a lonely hospital room when I feel like that weakness of mine, truly became a strength.

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SOME QUOTES ABOUT LEARNING

“If we let ourselves, we shall always be waiting for some distraction or other to end before we can really get down to our work. The only people who achieve much are those who want knowledge so badly that they seek it while the conditions are still unfavorable. Favorable conditions never come.” 

― C.S. Lewis

“The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you.” 

― B.B. King

“We learn to do by doing.” 

― Spencer W. Kimball

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” 

― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

“Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.” 

― Edmund Burke

“Education is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in the world's work, and the power to appreciate life.” 

― Brigham Young

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PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET (AN ORIGINAL)
These activity sheets are designed to print double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom or home setting.  

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY SHEET LINK (in case it's not showing below)

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If you like what you see here, be sure to come back every week for more Come, Follow Me thoughts and teaching ideas.  I wouldn't mind if you left me a comment too.  I spend a lot of time on these each week and a little feedback goes a long way to keeping me going!  

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Why Recording Our Spiritual Impressions Matters and a Come, Follow Me Activity Page for D&C 85-87 (August 10)

 This blogpost features some study resources and a  half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for  August 4-10,  which includes Doctrine and Covenants 85-87.  I have focused mostly on why we should keep a record.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

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WHY RECORDING OUR SPIRITUAL IMPRESSIONS MAKES A DIFFERENCE 

Isn't it interesting that you can talk to  three different people who were all present at the same event and you'll get three different recollections of the specifics of that experience?   It's a fascinating phenomenon that I see in action every time I have a conversation with a sibling about something that happened while we were younger.  Sometimes our accounts will be pretty similar, but other times I am 100% convinced that one or the other of us has a faulty memory.  Probably them, right?   :) 
 
LEARNING INCREASES WHEN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BRAIN ARE ENGAGED
On a slightly different note, have you ever noticed that the more ways you learn something, the better you remember it?   For instance, if your teacher just got up and talked endlessly about whatever subject they're teaching (something that perhaps happens a bit too frequently at church), you likely would forget most of what they said.  But, if they talked about it, then let you try something hands-on that demonstrated the concept, then asked a thought provoking question and gave you time to ponder and write down an answer, then showed a video of a related concept, ....you would likely remember it much better, because you've had the opportunity to engage  different parts of your brain.    Even just one alternate form of teaching besides just talking is hugely valuable for imprinting those memories!  

I feel like that's how life is too.  

When I have an experience, I may or may not remember it in much detail.  However, when I have an experience,  then share it with someone, or write it down, I am much more likely to remember it.  That's one of the reasons why I've been an avid journal keeper for much of my life.  When I was young, it was in notebooks, then I went through a scrapbooking phase, and now it's mostly on our family blog.  Yes, I still keep one of those!   

I think all these reasons are why I was drawn to the section of this week's Come, Follow Me lesson entitled:  "The Lord wants me to 'keep a history,'"  and the scripture that that phrase comes from.  

 Doctrine and Covenants 85:1-2  It is the duty of the Lord’s clerk, whom he has appointed, to keep a history, and a general church record of all things that transpire in Zion, and of all those who consecrate properties, and receive inheritances legally from the bishop;   And also their manner of life, their faith, and works; and also of the apostates who apostatize after receiving their inheritances.

I think it's interesting that the revelation to keep a history was received so early in the  church's existence.  It proved to be prescient though, since it became a part of the church's fabric long before anyone but God could have known how widespread the church would one day be.   One of my many callings over the last several years has been that of ward historian.   To be honest, I wasn't that excited about it when I first received the calling, but I have since grown to have a testimony of the value of it.  The act of reflecting and gathering a history, one year, one organization, one miracle, one ward at a time is something that has the potential to be of great value to a ward and to the church as a whole.    

Similarly, when we take the time to record the important events of our lives, we are leaving a legacy for our families that could otherwise easily be forgotten.  I know I regret not writing down more of my Dad's stories before he passed away a couple years ago.  Now I am left wondering about the accuracy of my memories of an experience that I wasn't a part of, but that he had verbally shared with us.  It's better than not knowing about it at all, but how much better would it have been to have it in written form, either by his own hand or written by someone else with his stamp of approval?   

ARTICULATING EXPERIENCES HELPS US REMEMBER THEM BETTER

Over the years, I have sometimes taken the time to write about a spiritual experience I've had.   Though it is challenging trying to articulate the feelings that accompanied such an experience, I think there's great value to trying.  It's the exact same concept of teaching to engage different parts of your students' brains. Sorting through my feelings enough to give them words, is something that cements the experience more fully into my spirit and also makes it easier to share, should I feel inspired to do so.    

"Generations are affected by the choices we make. Share your testimony with your family; encourage them to remember how they felt when they recognized the Spirit in their lives and to record those feelings in journals and personal histories so that their own words may, when needed, bring to their remembrance how good the Lord has been to them."  Elder Rasband 

DIFFERENT WAYS TO RECORD
Over the course of my life, I've had different promptings about what the best way to record those experiences are and honestly, the details of it don't matter.  Whether you're jotting in a notebook, using Google Drive, making notes on your phone, keeping a blog, or keeping a detailed scrapbook...it doesn't matter.  What matters is getting it down.   If you think it's something that you'll want to share with your family someday or reference in a talk, you'll want to organize it in a way that can be found, but other than that, it's just finding what works for you.    Lately, I am finding that Google Drive is very helpful for me in that way.  I have different folders in my Drive for talks, lessons, and personal experiences. I've even typed up a few special journal entries to gather them in one place.    I attach key words to them, so I can locate them quickly if desired.  This easy access to them from any device I'm using has proven very helpful to me.  I can usually find what I'm looking for within 1 minute of searching.   

What about you?  How do you record your spiritual impressions?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!    

TALKS/ARTICLES TO STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Lest Thou Forget by Elder Rasband (Oct 2016)
Spiritually Defining Memories by Elder Andersen (Apr 2020)
5 Unique Ways to Record and Remember Revelation by Bentlee Rice (from church website, Feb 2020)

ORIGINAL PRINTABLE ACTIVITY PAGE 

These activity sheets are designed to print double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom or home setting.  

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY SHEET LINK (in case it's not showing below)



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Be sure to come back each week and check out my latest Come, Follow Me post. 

Enjoy learning the gospel together! 

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What is the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood? Lesson Plan, Resources, and a CFM Activity Sheet for D&C 84 (August 3)

 This blogpost features a lesson plan about teaching about the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood, along with some resources and an original activity sheet to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for  July 28-August 3,  which includes Doctrine and Covenants 84.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

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WHAT IS THE OATH AND COVENANT OF THE PRIESTHOOD?
This lesson plan was designed to teach to a mixed group of males and females or just to females.  It  will likely be way too much information for one lesson, so prayerfully adjust it to the attention span and understanding of your group. 

DISCUSSION STARTER:  

ASK YOUR STUDENTS TO NAME SOME THINGS WITH WORLDLY POWER:  
Some potential examples could be:  waterfalls, certain people, tornado, superheroes, fast cars, dams, hurricanes, etc.  There are no wrong answers.

ASK:  HOW DO PEOPLE OF THE WORLD GAIN POWER?   
 By having lots of money, by being loud, by stepping on people's toes, by being charismatic speakers, etc. 


SHOW PICTURE OF THE PLANET EARTH--

READ THIS QUOTE:
 “Brothers and sisters, the power by which the heavens and earth were and are created is the priesthood…Not only is the priesthood the power by which the heavens and the earth were created, but it is also the power the Savior used in His mortal ministry to perform miracles, to bless and heal the sick, to bring the dead to life, and, as our Father’s Only Begotten Son, to endure the unbearable pain of Gethsemane and Calvary—thus fulfilling the laws of justice with mercy and providing an infinite Atonement…The same priesthood power that created worlds, galaxies, and the universe can and should be part of our lives to succor, strengthen, and bless our families, our friends, and our neighbors—in other words, to do the things that the Savior would do if He were ministering among us today.” M. Russell Ballard


WRITE THE FOLLOWING WORDS ON THE BOARD: 
Motherhood
Fatherhood
Childhood
Neighborhood

ASK:   WHAT DO YOU THINK THE SUFFIX "HOOD" MEANS?  

ANSWER (in case no one knows): Hood = Added as a suffix to a word it shows a current condition or state. 

RELATE TO THE WORDS ON THE BOARD:  

Motherhood = A condition or state of being a Mother
Fatherhood = A condition or state of being a Father
Childhood = A condition or state of being a child
Neighborhood = The condition or state of being neighbors in a proximity

ASK:  CONSIDERING THIS, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE WORD PRIESTHOOD MEANS?  

ANSWER: The quality or state of being a Priest.

ASK: WHAT IS A PRIEST?   

LOOK UP: “Priest” in the Bible Dictionary and read the first sentence together.

DISCUSS THE CONCEPT:   Priests are mediators between us and God. Through their various (and very organized) duties, they help save us.

RELATE IT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEFINITION: 
Priesthood = The condition or state of being mediators between man and God and helping save us.

READ QUOTE: 
“We are not accustomed to speaking of women having the authority of the priesthood in their Church callings, but what other authority can it be? When a woman—young or old—is set apart to preach the gospel as a full-time missionary, she is given priesthood authority to perform a priesthood function. The same is true when a woman is set apart to function as an officer or teacher in a Church organization under the direction of one who holds the keys of the priesthood. Whoever functions in an office or calling received from one who holds priesthood keys exercises priesthood authority in performing her or his assigned duties.” Dallin H. Oaks 

READ ABOUT THE OATH AND COVENANT OF THE PRIESTHOOD in the scriptures:  

Doctrine and Covenants 84:35-40 (Oath and the Covenant)

 And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;  For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him. And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.  Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.

WATCH THIS ~4 MINUTE VIDEO ABOUT THE OATH AND COVENANT OF THE PRIESTHOOD AND HOW IT APPLIES TO MEN AND WOMEN (or if your group is too young, then summarize it) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAPACYiU-DQ&t=18s


READ THIS QUOTE:  
“A man may open the drapes so the warm sunlight comes into the room, but the man does not own the sun or the light or the warmth it brings. The blessings of the priesthood are infinitely greater than the one who is asked to administer the gift.” Neil L. Andersen

SUMMARIZE A FEW CONCEPTS OF THE OATH AND COVENANT:  

We receive the holy priesthood by an “oath and covenant.” This means that Heavenly Father gives us His oath (guarantee) that we can have the power and blessings of the priesthood if we covenant (promise) with Him to do certain things. “Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of [the] Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved” (D&C 84:40).  Elder Paul B. Pieper taught: “It is interesting that in the oath and covenant of the priesthood , the Lord uses the verbs obtain and receive. He does not use the verb ordain. It is in the temple that men and women—together—obtain and receive the blessings and power of both the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods”. In verse 38, it says that we can obtain ALL that the Father hath and that is a promise to men and women! 

HARK  BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THE LESSON AND TALK ABOUT HOW THE PRIESTHOOD HELPS US BECOME POWERFUL IN GOD'S EYES:   

FINISH UP WITH THIS QUOTE 
"...We must each walk through life on our own, we don’t have to do it alone. Four principles explain why:

First, God wants a powerful people.

Second, He gives His power to those who are faithful.

Third, we have a sacred obligation to seek after the power of God and then to use that power as He directs.

Fourth, when we have the power of God with us, nothing is impossible.

I repeat, God wants a powerful people. Ammon taught that “a man may have great power given him from God”, and Nephi prophesied that we of the latter days would be “armed with . . . the power of God in great glory”.  There are many evidences that God wants a powerful people. This is one reason that at baptism we become eligible to receive “the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost”  and the privilege of constant access to the third member of the Godhead.  This is one reason that 12-year-old boys may be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood, which holds “the key of the ministering of angels” .This is one reason every worthy adult may go to the temple, from which he or she emerges surrounded and protected by God’s power.  God wants a powerful people. No one better understands that Satan is real and that he has power. No one better understands that none of us is smart enough or resilient enough to spar with Satan and survive spiritually."  Sheri Dew

 AN ORIGINAL PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY SHEET LINK (in case it's not showing below)


These activity sheets are designed to print double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom or home setting.   I have no children at home, nor do I have a calling working with youth, so I copy these to be handed out with the sacrament programs each week.  Kids, teens, and adults enjoy them...especially when it's a word search! 


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Make sure to bookmark this site and come back each week and check out my Come, Follow Me resources and activity sheets!  

Enjoy learning the gospel together!

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Come, Follow Me Teaching Resources, An Analogy, and a Personal Story about Service Based on D&C 81-83 (July 27)

 This blogpost features some resources, an analogy, and a personal story to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for  July 21-27,  which includes Doctrine and Covenants 81-83.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

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CHRISTLIKE SERVICE 

This is a topic that's near and dear to my heart, because I've been blessed many times over by people selflessly giving Christlike service to our family.   I've gathered some of my favorite talks, quotes, and shared a personal story that you may find helpful if you are preparing a lesson or talk on the topic of service.  These resources are  based on the two sections in the Come, Follow Me manual this week, entitled:  "The Savior has given me much and requires much of me," and "thou wilt do the greatest good unto thy fellow beings."     

THE BEATING HEART - LOVE/SERVICE ANALOGY
One function of the heart is to beat oxygen rich blood to the entire body, but another, equally important function, is to receive blood so it can be oxygenated again. The heart only works when it is giving and receiving blood effectively.

Service is much the same way.   We all would like to live in a state where we are endlessly giving selfless acts of service to others, but that's not how our lives generally go.  Sometimes we need, literally need like our bodies need oxygen, to be open to receiving service from others.    

Being on the receiving end of service can be humbling, but it should absolutely not be viewed as weakness.  Just as our hearts can't function without receiving blood to be re-oxygenated, we go through seasons of life, when we need to allow others to share their oxygen with us.    Being on the receiving end of service, has made me appreciate the small and simple efforts all the more.   I am one who often gets caught up in wanting my service to be big or "pretty", and I sometimes let that desire for perfection hold me back.   Now I realize that it’s better to reach out and do something...anything...no matter how small and imperfect my efforts might be, because a heart that's starving for oxygen (or a person who's in the middle of a heartbreaking trial) just needs something/anything to know that they are loved and not forgotten.   

 MY PERSONAL STORY ABOUT RECEIVING SERVICE: 

As any of you longtime followers knows, when our oldest son was in the hospital with an aggressive form of leukemia, we had the blessing of being on the receiving end of many hours of loving service. People brought us meals, mowed our lawn, gave our kids rides, etc. Those were all beautiful, unglamorous acts of service that very much lit up our world and made it so we could keep our heads above water in what was otherwise a very upside down and difficult time for our family. 

He was 16 when he was diagnosed and his cancer was aggressive enough that he lived full-time in the hospital for months on end. This meant no school, no seminary, no sports...just long days and nights in the hospital where he was often stir-crazy, miserable with the side effects of his treatments, and mostly just deeply deeply lonely.

But there was one bright spot in his weeks… Every Sunday his entire priest's quorum jumped into cars for the third hour of church, drove the 10-miles to the hospital, brought us the sacrament, and had the priest’s quorum lesson with him in his hospital room. They did this week after week, for months on end….adding extra time onto their busy Sundays.   They were a light not only to us, but to the doctors and nurses who were amazed at these well-dressed teens that showed up every Sunday to give Spencer a small moment of almost normalcy each week. We never would have asked for anyone to make that sacrifice for us, but that’s a huge part of what made it all the more meaningful. Those Young Men and their leaders recognized that what Spence needed more than signed cards wishing him to get well soon, was light, friendship,and, more than anything else, the feeling that he still belonged somewhere. 

I think often at what a powerful lesson those young men leaders taught those boys. Instead of just hearing about Christ’s example and about how good it is to serve, they lived it. They sacrificed their time and ministered to the one. Sometimes we get these grand notions of trying to change the world, but I’m here to say that there is no “world” as a single entity--there are only 6 billion individuals in the world having individual experiences. And those young men absolutely changed Spencer’s world and ours. Our testimonies were strengthened because of their love and service.

That’s what service is all about….it’s about LOVE and action for the one! Jesus didn’t wait around to serve only those he deemed worthy. He didn’t seek to do it in front of an audience. Or wait until it was more convenient for Him. He took what he had--sometimes just some spit and some mud--and he loved. He listened. He healed. He got messy. And in those boys' cases (one of whom is now our son-in-law), they added on time to their already long Sundays to show a peer that he wasn't forgotten!  

SCRIPTURES TO READ:  

  "And in doing these things thou wilt do the greatest good unto thy fellow beings, and wilt promote the glory of him who is your Lord.  Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees."  Doctrine and Covenants 81:4-5 

"For of him unto whom much is given much is required;" Doctrine and Covenants 82:3

 “When you are in the service of your fellow being, you are in the service of our God” Mosiah 2:17

“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40
 
  “Love thy neighbor as thyself”. Matthew 22:37-39


QUOTES: 
 “To help us better love one another, I would like to suggest four words to remember: “First observe, then serve.”  Linda Burton

“Christ did not just speak about love; He showed it each day of His life. He did not remove Himself from the crowd. Being amidst the people, Jesus reached out to the one. He rescued the lost. He didn’t just teach a class about reaching out in love and then delegate the actual work to others. He not only taught but also showed us how to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”  Elder Uchtdorf

 “. . . Having charity and caring for one another is not simply a good idea. It is not simply one more item in a seemingly infinite list of things we ought to consider doing. It is at the core of the gospel—an indispensable, essential, foundational element.” Elder Uchtdorf

TALKS TO STUDY
"First Observe, Then Serve" by Linda K. Burton (one of my favorite talks ever on service)
"You Are My Hands" by Elder Uchtdorf

ORIGINAL CFM PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET 

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY SHEET LINK (in case it's not showing below)




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Be sure to bookmark this site and come back every week for more Come, Follow Me resources!  

Enjoy learning the Gospel together! 

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