Dec 14 -20 : Moroni 10

Moroni 10

Where are we? Moroni is alone, hiding. Moroni's people, the believers and his family are not with him. Gone. Perished.

Moroni is finishing his fathers work of compiling one record from 1,000 years of history.

V3

What’s Moroni asking us to do in this verse?

3 things. Read, Remember, Ponder.

What’s another way of saying ponder? Study it out in your mind?

Remember the grace of God. How good he has been to you? Why would he ask us to do this?

What does the grace of God look like? What sort of things might we be remembering when he asks us to do this?

Examples of mercy from the BOM, other people’s lives, our own lives.

-Mercy is generally associated with repentance and the atonement. So we are remembering how patient & forgiving he is with us.

-But I think it is more than that. I think it is also about how indebted to him we are. Mosiah 2:21, 4:6, 19-21. I think these verses tie in perfectly with what I believe Moroni is asking us to remember about God. He has given us all we have. More than we deserve. If we pray for something that is good he will grant it to us.

V4

What’s Moroni asking us to do in this verse?

Ask God if it is true or not.

Before I open up a bit more for Sharing I had a thought I wanted to share about answers to prayers. It started last week with the questions Sarah asked. I couldn’t find the specific question, but I think it was the collection of questions that got me thinking.

Often we pray for answers to prayers. A few weeks ago we looked at ways in which God answered the brother of Jared’s prayers and reminded ourselves that these are ways he answers our prayers. But while we often pray for very specific things, how often do we pray for our prayers to be answered in a specific way?

Indeed we probably don’t ask because we figure it would be impolite or too prideful to ask as we may think we know know better than God how He should respond.

So don’t be surprised when our prayers are not answered in a way you didn’t expect because

1) You probably didn’t ask how that blessing was to be delivered (like when we select standard delivery or express delivery at checkout).

2) You don’t know what is planned for you.

3) If God is trying to answer our prayer through another, they may not be responding, like the line is engaged, and He & I are having to be patient until Mr A N Other finally responds.

Okay, so here’s the question we’ll probably finish on.

How has the Holy Ghost manifested the truth of the Book of Mormon to [you]?

Matt

Myself

V30

What’s Moroni asking us to do in this verse?

Come unto Christ.

How?

Lay hold upon every good gift.

V31

What’s Moroni asking us to do in this verse?

Once you have received your answer as per V29, missionary work, Gather Israel, Build the church as part of the restoration. Bring others to Christ through covenants.

V32

What’s Moroni asking us to do in this verse?

Come unto Christ (again). Avoid uncleanliness (again). Love God. Echoes of Mosiah 2:17

V33

What’s Moroni promising us in this verse?

Then you will be perfected, sanctified, made holy, because of, or rather THANKS TO Christ.

Here are some of the questions from the manual.

What examples of the Lords Mercy come to mind as you review the last years study of the book of mormon?

How has the promise in The Book of Mormon changed you life (assuming it has)?

What experiences have you had with this?

How has the Holy Ghost manifested the truth of the Book of Mormon to me?

How can you help someone else seek their own witness?

I didn't wan't this all to be about me, which is why I put a request out there. I did receive a witness. Before I go on to it though I wanted to develop a point from last weeks lesson that part of Sarah's lesson placed in my mind. Moroni 10-4-5 are verses about praying and receiving answers.

Sarah asked the following question.

It got me thinking about how so often we ask for things, but rarely do we ask for our prayers to be answered in a certain way. So don't be surprised by how God answers your prayers.

And so it was for me when I prayed about The Book of Mormon. I may have shared this story with the ward once before in my 18 years here in Stretford!!!!!! 18 years. Does anyone know when I stated praying about The Book of Mormon. Like REALLY started praying to know if it was true?

Next year we are going into Doctrine & Covenants. No doubt there will be a lot of church history. But where does all that start? The same place Moroni finishes. The hill Cumorah.

Oct 12 - 18 : 3 Nephi 20-26

Initial thoughts, Oh no! Old testament chapters & language. Time to get the chocolates.....and the cinnamon swirls..... and the giant bag of crisps.

Comparison with Isaiah 54 & Malachi 3 & 4, but His teaching didn't just come from OT prophets, in other chapters have been comparable to NT teachings.

I'm fine with admitting old testament stuff is not my forte. In fact, I'd call it a weakness. But I have put in the effort, I have personally received many great insights. I doubt I'll share them all with you, but hopefully I have some main content that will not only be interesting for you, but maybe delicious to you.

I do like to start off by summarising the content of the chapters we have read and then historically I would ask the class if they had any insights they would like to share which may steer the lesson in a particular direction.

Summary of the reading

20:1-9 He feeds the people bread & wine (the sacrament) the people were filled with he spirit. It is proposed the bread & wine were provided miraculously by the saviour. Generally he provides miraculously.

13 scattered shall be gathered

Those who do not repent shall be cut off and the sword of justice shall hang over them

Shall establish a new Jerusalem

Christ reminds the house of Israel (of which we all are) that he has made covenants

21:1-10 A sign of the gathering, 

21:11+ Don't repent and be cut off.

21:29 Ahead & at the rear, Moses & exodus reference, you/we are not alone.

22 is the Isaiah 54 chapter. Zion, the new Jerusalem, shall be established, imagery of enlarging stakes, no weapon formed against thee shall prosper, no unhallowed hand shall stop the work from progressing.

23:1-5 Commandment to search the scriptures & Isaiah.

23:6-14 The importance of record keeping. Cannot prove prophecies are fulfilled unless the prophecy is recorded & the fulfilling of the prophecy is recorded.

24:2 Refiners Fire reference.

24:7-12 tithing verses

25: Elijah shall return.

26:1-10 Jesus teaches the people all things from the beginning. 

26:11 Mormon interjects for a few verses to say he only included in the BOM the things he was commanded.

26:13 Sacrament, teaching children, healing of sick & raised a man from the dead. The disciples taught & baptised.

26:16+ sounds a lot like Acts of the New Testament. Jesus is now gone, the disciples now go out preaching.

Personal Insights

General

• Who is speaking in these chapters?
• Doesn't that make it worth investing in trying to understand?

Chapter 20

• He generally provides miraculously. Link to Malachi, prove me now herewith (3 Nephi 24:10)
• The new Jerusalem, or gathering not necessarily a geographical place.
• The Lord is gathering those who are willing to let God prevail in their lives.
• https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/46nelson
• AOF #10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

Chapter 21

• v1-10 The gathering commences when these words are spread. When was that? Publication of the Book of Mormon?
• Interpretation, of Israel. Let God prevail. According to a couple of Hebrew Scholars. Let God help you. Are you going to let God help you? Refinement, growth, all that stuff is uncomfortable.
• What does the gathering of Israel look like. Ref pres Nelsons talk. Helping someone make & keep their covenants. Either side of the veil. “When we speak of gathering Israel on both sides of the veil, we are referring, of course, to missionary, temple, and family history work. We are also referring to building faith and testimony in the hearts of those with whom we live, work, and serve. Anytime we do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—to make and keep their covenants with God, we are helping to gather Israel.”
• https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/46nelson
• What part are you playing in this process? Are you watching others do the gathering or are you helping? During this current climate, should we stop gathering? Reminds me of a talk by President Uchtdorf, Are you sleeping through the restoration. The title of the talk says it all.
• President Nelson, "we have been charged to assist the Lord with this pivotal work".
• What is another word we use regularly that describes the gathering? The restoration. Today we use the term restoration because on the timeline & context of things that makes more sense. But for pre-apostasy saints, the restoration won't mean much, but the idea of an ultimate gathering after a scattering means more to them.
• 21:10 Blew me away. What does marred mean in this context? Martyrdom. Even if Joseph smith was a fraud, he prophesied his own death!

Chapter22

• Chapter 21 & 22, what's the difference between WILL & SHALL. Old paper copy, chapter heading says SHALL. Gospel library app (& presumably latest edition) says WILL.
• v17 No weapon formed against thee shall prosper, sounds a lot like, no unhallowed hand shall stop the work from progressing. In a strange twist, which could be described as miraculous & potentially prophecy fulfilling, during the world wide pandemic, which is causing significant damage directly and indirectly to individuals, families, communities, nations & governments, it has been reported that while missionary work may not be what it used to be, it has not slowed down but has accelerated.

Chapter 23

• Conversation to Nephi about Samuel. Did you write the prophecies of Samuel, because you know they came true?
• It is kind of a funny story & unfortunate for Nephi, but what can we learn about the importance of record keeping?
• If these can come true, so can all these major promises.

Chapter 24

• v2 refers to the Refiners Fire. I feel like this was a theme of General Conference. Elder Holland talked about it when he kinda quoted Elder Maxwell when he suggested sometimes we pray to be perfected but ask that we experience no difficulties along the way. Does anyone feel refined?
• What impurities do you have? What do you need to do to remove them?
• Is refinement different to purification? I don’t think this is talking about repentance (possibly the atonement). Repentance is overcoming sin, this refinement is enduring & overcoming challenges either well or just at all.
• v2-4 Through Him, we are refined, and become even more good (better) and are able to offer up good gifts.
• Matt 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? 
• Plug for self reliance. Emotional Resilience course states "All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable"
• We are refined, for what purpose? To learn how give. Charity is the pure love of Christ. The 1st two commandments are to love God & our neighbour. How do we love? We serve

Chapter 25

• After learning from President Nelsons talk, about the gathering happening on both sides of the veil, you can understand why the saviour would mention Elijah or rather, why Mormon would include it in the final draft.
• Consider asking the class…Why would a reference to Elijah be relevant intermingled with chapters relating to the gathering?

Chapter 26

• v11 This verse implies there are words that could be written that prove the existence of God, but God does not want us to read them, but would rather try our faith. The Nephites had them because they saw the saviour & witnessed all the miracles he did while he visited with them, they no longer had faith but knowledge.

What are the covenants?

20:13. 29 gather them, give them Jerusalem, the promised land.

Therefore what? What are you doing or going to do to be part of the gathering of Israel, building of Zion, part of the restoration? How will you help others make & keep covenants?

Sept 14 -20 : 3 Nephi 8-11

Did anyone watch The Testaments Video?

Chapter 8: Signs of his death, great destruction.

Chapter 9: Voice heard in the darkness.

Chapter 10: The voice continues. Explaining the destruction that has taken place. A reminder that He continues to gather his chicks.

Chapter 11: The saviour Appears & invites all to repent & be baptised.

Did anyone have any insights into this weeks reading they are willing to discuss?

Here are a few things that caught my attention.

And there began to be great doubtings and disputations among the people, notwithstanding so many signs had been given. (3 Nephi 8:4)

Another verse we can liken to ourselves. Is this anything like it is today? Or is today different?

I don't know if we are days or years away from the second coming, but signs ha e been given. I'd like to think if the sun set & it did not go dark many people would consider it a sign, but I suspect it would be explained away by science or/and hardheartedness.

Another example of the forgiving nature of the saviour. Though at this point he did just destroy 1,000's so a little mercy might be expected!

How often I have gathered you. 10:5-6

Ho often has the saviour gathered you back?

How often we should be prepared to do the same & forgive others? It's hard, especially with repeat offenders. It's easier with your children, but I've not been a parent of a teenager yet. Relative to the Saviour, do we behave like little children or do we behave like teenagers?

What might happen if a chick chose not to gather when called?

For everyone in this zoom call now, we have all strayed many times over our life, but the fact that you are here, joining in, implies you are returning, repentant, and looking for salvation.

Have any of you sinned, repented, been gathered again like a chick, then after time sinned again? In these verses I don’t think the saviour is necessarily only referring to the pride cycle which can manifest itself over months or years but is also referring to our own internal struggles.

There are many questions in the manual. Many are easy to answer like ‘What brings light?’. But you will get more out of your study if you answer the harder ones like ‘How has Jesus Christ been a light in your life?’.

Troy & I saying a prayer amidst the chaos of his latest significant accident then reporting back to me later the Jesus did help him.

When I am in the sorrows of sin, I’m not perfect, none of us are, I do often look to Christ, like Peter sinking/drowning in the water. I know the steps of repentance have the power to save.

Most instances of the light of Christ have been in the numerous church meetings I have been in or in the quiet moments reflecting on questions like this. They tend not to be busts of sunshine but twinkles of the stars.

Something I just noticed is the word ‘reflection’. You cannot have a reflection without some light source. You can't reflect in darkness.

Finally. The most significant chapter in the Book of Mormon.

Many studies around these verses tend to focus on the voice in chapter 11. How does the message in chapters 9 & 10 differ from the voice in chapter 11?

The prophets have been testifying of this moment for 100's of years. And now those prophecies had been fulfilled. All the signs leading up to this point had also been fulfilled but even back then there would have been 'wise' men who explained away the night without darkness etc.

This one, will have been undeniable. A voice everyone heard and a man descending out of heaven.

The voice says "Behold my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name - hear ye him".

Interesting choice of words. "Why not just behold my son, hear him?"

Verse 10: I am Jesus Christ. The prophets were right, here I am.

Verse 11: I I have done everything my father & your father has asked me to do, including taking upon myself the sins of the world.

Verse 14: Come and touch me so you may know I am real & that these marks are further proof the prophets were right, I was killed.

Verses 21-28: Calls for Nephi and gives him authority to baptise. Then gave the authority to others. Then taught the conditions for baptism & how to Baptise.

Verses 29-30: Be one, don't be contentious.

Verses 31-33: Repent & believe & be saved & inherit the kingdom of

Verse 34: Don't believe & be dammed.

Verses 35-36: Repeating that the godhead are one.

Verses 37-38: Repetition

Verse 40: Do not alter what I have told you.

Verse 41: Go tell everyone what I have said.

Of all the things he could have said 1st, why do you think he taught what he did?

According to the 4th article of faith what are the 1st principles & ordinances of the Gospel?

Faith v14: Come forth...that ye may know

Repentance v23, v38: Repent

Baptism v23, v33, v38: 

Gift of the Holy Ghost: v35, 

Next weeks study is 12-16

Incidentally, I think you will find many similarities between these next chapters and those recorded in the Bible of Jesus Ministry. Why would he teach the people in America any different?

May 25 - 31

Mosiah 29 - Alma 4

Underline the questions from the manual?

Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing

What was the state of Gods people in Zarahamla before Alma came 'back' from the land of Nephi?

You can tell Mosiah had given the matter of the Kingdom much thought.

Mosiah 29:31, 38 With a king some of the responsibility for your sins lands on the king. With an elected government, the people are more accountable. The people chose this. Very similar to the two options from the pre-mortal existence.

One line that is almost invisible. Alma 1:24. There were those that had their names blotted out. Presumably for apostasy. But it says there were also many that withdrew themselves from among [the church of God]. Many people just slipped away. This is most common these days.

One of the reasons I don't like the book of Alma is because it is full of war and contention.

Alma 4:3-4 I just can't imagine people thinking like this today. I'm afflicted, therefore it my be the judgement of God upon me and I must repent. People today are more likely to curse God if they experience afflictions and turn away.

Alma 4:9 The believers began to persecute those that did not, and the pride of those the belonged to the church exceeded that of those that did not!!!

What is priestcraft? Men preaching and setting themselves up for a light to the world that they may get gain and praise of the world;

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/priestcraft?lang=eng

Questions from the manual this week.

Have you noticed religious rights being threatened in your nation or community? What do you learn from the way the Nephites responded to this threat?

How can you, like the Nephites, make sure that your voice is included in “the voice of the people”?

are there other ways you can be a positive influence in your community?

Why might people have found Nehor’s teachings enticing?

How can you be more like the people of God? Do you notice any “priestcraft” in your own service?

how would you describe the attitude that “humble followers of God” have toward riches and prosperity? What do you feel inspired to change about your own attitude?

What impresses you about his approach to helping his people? 

Lesson Plan

I was going to start this lesson by explaining that there has been something about this study of the book of mormon that has been different to all other years I have studied it. At 1st I couldn't figure out what it was, but after a bit of thought I figured it out. It's all the study aids I've been using to compliment the Come Follow Me material. The Book of Mormon videos produced by the church, the podcasts and you tube videos. They have all helped to put additional context around what's going on in each chapter. Podcasts & you tube have been around for over a decade now, but I don't think they have been used to help do as much good as they are today.

What I thought I'd do is a quick two min summary of the movements of the last 500 years of the Nephites from the time they arrived in the promised land.

It wasn't long after they arrived that Lehi died. Nephi's brothers were angry with Nephi, again, so he took his side of the family and left to establish a new nation. This became known as the land of Nephi. But then, many years and generations later the Lamanites, again, attacked the Nephites and invaded the land of Nephi, so the people of Nephi fled (Omni 1:12) and wondered looking for somewhere new to settle.

This is where it gets interesting, because in their search they discovered the land of Zarahemla (Omni 1:14). Their descendants too had come from Jerusalem (Omni 1:15), but they had  no records to remind them of their creator (Omni 1:17). The Nephites joined the people of Zarahemla (Omni 1:19).

After a while a man called Zeniff (200-187 BC) lead a group to a the land of their inheritance, the Land of Nephi, now inhabited by Lamanites (Mosiah 9). The Laminate King granted them the land, with a plan to let them prosper, fix up the city, then put them in captivity. Zeniff's son was king Noah, that didn't go well. Noah's son was Limhi. It was Limhi that was met by the scout Ammon who had left Zarahemla to look for Zeniff's people, the people Limhi was now king over.

Ammon helps Limhi and his people return to Zarahemla (Mosiah 22).

While Noah was king, Alma started a following and they left the land of Nephi, established the city of Helam, before long they are persecuted by the laminates too and then managed to escape bondage and make it to the land of Zarahemla (Mosiah 24).

By the time they got to Zarahemla king Benjamin had passed away and Mosiah II was their king.

Last week we learned about Alma (the son of Alma the high priest) & the sons of King Mosiah and how after their 'conversion' Mosiah's sons went on missions to preach to the laminates.

And this is where we start this weeks reading.

Mosiah, getting old now has a problem. He can't give the kingdom to his sons as they are away serving missions and he can't give it to anyone else for fear of causing contention. We don't have time to read all of Chapter 29 but as I read it it became clear King Mosiah had given a lot of thought and prayer with regards to what to do. Basically he concludes Monarch's are not as good as elected leadership. Mosiah 29:39 describes the ability to take more responsibility as liberty.

[Read] Mosiah 29:31, 38 & 39.

[Question] Do these ideas remind you of anything? The war in heaven? The opportunity to grow.

Out of interest I googled how many nations have elected leaders. It was hard to work out but clear the vast majority do. So this is clearly a popular way of governing people.

Peter to share some thoughts on King Mosiah II (King Benjamin's son).

So the People elect Alma, the younger, to be the chief Judge. The chief Judge being like the Prime Minister. Elected leader of the nation. Rather than a Monarch born or battled into the role. Note; Alma was already the High Priest, like the president of the church, so he was already a busy man (Mosiah 29:42).

About a year later King Mosiah passed away and Alma, Alma's dad, also passed away. Leaving Alma, the younger in charge of the church and the governance of the people (Mosiah 29:45-46).

It didn't take long before more contentions came. A man named Nehor starts threatening the church & teaching falsehoods (Alma 1:2-6). He is challenged by a man named Gideon. (Anyone remember what Gideon did? Almost killed King Noah but spared his life to se to the approaching Lamanites & helped King Limhi and the people escape the land of Nephi.) Nehor slays Gideon (Alma 1:7-9), so Gideon must have been considered quite a thereat. But the people take him and he is judged and sentenced to death (Alma 1:10-14).

But it isn't long before a man called Amlici started teaching similar to what Nehor was teaching. Except he was keen to reestablish kings and like any man full of pride, he was suggesting that would be himself (Alma 2:2).

[Read] Alma 2:5-7

[Question] What did the people do? Voted for good. They could see Amlici was trouble.

Here are tree questions from the manual.

[Question] Have you noticed religious rights being threatened in your nation or community?

What about going to church? Hopefully most people understand that this is for our own safety. But, we do have ways to continue to meet. We've not been told we cannot practice our religion, we just can't physically meet.

I think we are very lucky here. We, the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, can worship without restrictions.

[Question] How can you, like the Nephites, make sure that your voice is included in “the voice of the people”?

Vote.
Write.
Teach/Preach.
Support/Promote.

[Question] Are there other ways you can be a positive influence in your community?

Depends on how you define community. Youth group, class room, office, neighbourhood, Sports/Running Club, Women's Institute, religious group, home!, local FB group, ward what's app group, 

Be a good example, always.
Create a Podcast.
Clap on Thursday's, keep to the rules/guidelines.
Lots of people have been helping make PPE for the NHS and other services.
Donate

Church at Home (Week 11)

May 24th

We watched the churches latest you tube video and discussed forgiveness. Fortunately daddy had something to say sorry for giving them an opportunity for them to forgive me!

https://youtu.be/6aBU-wSjuPQ

Church at Home (Week 10)

May 17th

Hymn: 104 

Prayer: Erica

Announcements: Troy’s Birthday

Sacrament Hymn: 

The Sacrament:

Mosiah 18-24

Video: 

Video: Alma baptising the people who followed him:

Picture: Discuss what baptism is and colour picture.

Closing Hymn:

Starting to get complacent with my record keeping.

Also trying to keep the Sunday lessons real simple. I'm not great at teaching kids. Much prefer teaching Adults. I've been loosing their attention. Also, the ward has started a weekly Primary singing time a and a ward service on Zoom. So to do a 2 hours home service followed by two more sessions at various points in the day is a bit much for the young ones.

Church at Home (Week 9)

May 10th

Hymn: 

Prayer:

Announcements: 

Sacrament Hymn: 

The Sacrament:

Mosiah 11-17

Video

-Abinadi was a prophet sent to teach a wicked king he was bad & try to convince him to change.

-The king didn’t like being told he was bad & that he wasn’t keeping the commandments, so he put Abninadi in prison.

-He gave Abinadi one last chance to take back what he said about the king, that he was bad, or else he will be punished.

-Abinadi knew the king was bad and could not take back what he said. To suggest the king was good would be a lie.

-Abinadi shocked many of the guards of king Noah. One man listened very carefully, his name was Alma.

Alma wanted to save Abinadi, but king Noah got his guards to chase after Alma.

Do you know what a commandment is?

Do you know any commandments?

Do you keep the commandments?

Can you think of an example of a commandment you know?

Church at Home (Week 8)

May 3rd

Hymn: 

Prayer:

Announcements: 

Sacrament Hymn: 

The Sacrament:

Mosiah 7-10

Chapter 7: Ammon looks for & finds some people that left the land that he was concerned about. The find Limhi, son of Noah, son of Zenniff. Ammon teaches Limhi and reminds him of God and Limhi get hope that him & his people will escape bondage.

Chapter 8: Ammon continues to teach Limhi and teaches him about Prophets & Seers.

Chapter 9: Record of Zenniff. The 1st guy to leave Zahahemla. Limhi was one of his descendants. Zenniff wants to go back to the land the Nephites fled many years before. Possibly believing he could beat the Lamanites in battle to obtain it. They obtain the land unaware the Lamanites would plan of benefiting from them, but not before being eaten themselves.

Chapter 10: More examples of the people of Zenniff slowly forgetting God.

https://youtu.be/BxUaPxXESYI

Talk about how we can do difficult things with Gods help.

Sometimes in life we need to do something we think we can’t do or we find ourselves in a situation that is really hard to cope with.

King Limhi’s people were in trouble, so he shared a story to help them have faith.

God has helped his children throughout history. Some of these examples are in the scriptures.

The story Limhi shared was of Moses. But there are others. Have we learned about anyone in the scriptures that needed Gods help?

Moses paring the Red Sea.

https://youtu.be/rzcYLCYItuc

https://youtu.be/q88TGKPDTvs

https://youtu.be/3MyUo87l5TE

Nephi

https://youtu.be/3vGOW_6uX6c

Samuel the Lamanite.m

https://youtu.be/5DgMBvEsqzs

https://youtu.be/wSzXi6J1CZI

David & Goliath

Church at Home (Week 7)

April 26th

Hymn: love one another 

Prayer:

Announcements: 

Sacrament Hymn:

The Sacrament:

https://youtu.be/48c9so61MAA

Mosiah 4:9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

Mosiah 4:19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?

God has given us everything we have. Can you name something God has given us.

Mosiah 5:15 I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his

Possible Activity

Draw a small heart on the board. Invite the children to share ways they can be kind to others. Each time they share, erase the heart and draw a bigger one. Testify that our love for others grows as we are kind to them. Give the children paper hearts, and invite them to draw on the hearts ways they can show love and be kind.

No 5 year olds

Learn a little about king banjamin,

Sing Along Video: Book of Mormon stories

Close

Church at Home (Week 6)

We have go into a routine now.

The morning is relaxed, unlike Sundays where we need to be at church for 10am.

We wake when the kids reach the point of helplessness. We don't rush breakfast or getting dressed. We might do our hair.

We don't allow regular TV but we are putting on Latter Day Kids you tube videos before church to distract then and invite the spirit.

We wait for our youngest to be put down for a nap. That then gives us 1-2 hours.

This week we mustn't forget hymnbooks.

Opening Hymn: Love One Another

Prayer:

Announcements: We are still doing church at home!

Sacrament Hymn:

The Sacrament:

Lesson

Who was king Benjamin? He was a good king. What are kings? What do kings do? If you were a king, what would you do? If you could make up on rule, what would it be? Maybe we can consider applying it.

King Benjamin didn't some of the things 'normal' kings do. He worked. He didn't want the people to work hard to pay for a fancy lifestyle for him. He worked hard so that he could give the best possible lifestyle for his people. He was a good king who knew Jesus and taught His teachings.

King Benjamin Children's Video

Compare King Benjamin's gathering to general conference.

Consider the following 6min video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojYK5c5zUIw

Story of President Monson & baseball & Maze activity.
Mosiah 2:17 when ye are in the service of your fellow beings (other people) ye are only in the service of your God. Also, to serve God, we need to serve our fellow beings (other people).
Why do people do nice things?
What nice thing can you do to serve God?

Give the kids something to colour.

Song: Book Of Mormon Stories

April 13 - 19 : Mosiah 1-3

King Benjamins address is one of my favourite talks/sermons in the Book of Mormon.

The thing I love the most about King Benjamin is that he is a king who worked among the people. He did so, so that he was not supported by them, but to show that he was supporting them. He wanted their life to be burdensome as little as possible.

I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne (Mosiah 2:14)

Another item I noticed was in chapter 1 of Mosiah. The initial verses of the book again teach about the importance of the plates. The importance of having the word. For this message to be repeated again, and yet we are still early in the Book of Mormon. It shows how much value the ancients placed in these.

Church at Home (Week 5) - Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday

In the run up to easter, we asked our eldest, 4yo, what easter was about. You could guess his answer. "Chocolate". As parents we looked at each other, hardly surprised at the reply but hopeful that we might have got a more meaningful reply. We knew we had a bit of work to do.

Sunday Service

April 12th - Easter Sunday

Hymn: He is risen. https://youtu.be/kCJtfBR7T9E

Prayer:

Announcements: It’s Easter Sunday

Sacrament Hymn:

The Sacrament:

Ask the kids about Easter

What has Easter got to do with Jesus?

What symbols do we often see at Easter?

Eggs/bunnies - new life

Lamb - the Saviour

Hot Cross Buns - The cross Jesus was crucified on

Egg or stone rolling - rolling away of the stone of the tomb

What do you know about Jesus? What sort of things did he do?

Video

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/video/inspirational-messages/2011-03-007-his-sacred-name-an-easter-declaration

Jesus did good things but many people were afraid of what he did and what he taught. He taught something different to the custom and so others didn’t like being told they were wrong.

2  children’s videos from app

Pictures to colour & maze for Troy.

Sing Along Video: Hosanna

Close

A few days later, I asked our eldest again about easter. While he still mentioned chocolate, he did give us jumbles up reply about Jesus being alive. We could ask for too much more than that. Something went in to the point where he was able to repeat it back to us.

Church at Home (Week 4) - General Conference

General Conference

General conference at hame has become quite normal now. So in terms of logistics, it was much like any other general conference weekend. The only difference for up, practically, was that our kids were 6 months older since the last one, so hopefully, a little more reverent.

We didn't expect them to sit through all of the sessions with us, nor all of any sessions. But we did expect then this year, to sit through some of any session and if they wanted to sit with us and listen we had some activities for them. But they were also free to play in other rooms if they wanted. But we made it clear to them, that mummy & daddy wanted to watch this.

This year, we were still heavily distracted, however we did manage to watch every session.

Normally I would start listening in the car too and from work. But now that I am working from home. This option is not really available to me. So I have yet to re-listed to it.

There has been some chatter about the second coming. The situation we find ourselves in with the pandemic is making people think it is the end of the world and talk more about the second coming. So there is a heightened sense of awareness about this subject. For me, I heard pretty much every speaker refer to it. That in itself must be a sign.

Church at Home (Week 3)

Today we all got dressed up for home church. As before, started 'church' as soon as we put our youngest down for a nap.

Opening Prayer
Announcements: were I explained what's going on
Song: To Think About Jesus (71)
Sacrament
Video: President Nelson Invitation
Family Prayer
Video: Diego (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKF_C75VFFs)
Testimony from Daddy
Video: Enos from adult lesson
Video: From primary lesson
Video: 'Enos prayed'
Colouring
Closing Prayer
Primary song: A Child Prayer (12-13)
Primary song: Easter Hosanna (68-69)
Other Bible Videos: Possibly easter videos

Reverence was a bit better this week.

The schedule evolved once we started the meeting. The video with president Nelson and family prayer was added after after we started.

We have spent some time making Sundays different to the other days of the week. We just need to make sure we continue to make some time for church related discussion throughout the week.

March 23-29 : Enos-Words of Mormon

Not had much time to study this week. Been at home this week 'home schooling' the kids.

However, I have come across a few good points.

I noted that we ofter associate Enos having a result with God. This is not what the scriptures say.

Verse 2 says "I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God..." Before God. As in infant of Him. In his presence.

He didn't wrestle with God.

Also, Enos refers to his parents teaching. Kinda like how Nephi mentions his parents. These parents have taught their kids well. In the case of Enos. It seems he was taught well but did not necessarily have a testimony of his own. Eventually, the teaching of his parents started to mean something to him. And he prayed.

Church at Home (Week 2)

This week we will do things slightly differently. Mainly, make more of the primary aspect of our service.

So this week I will show the olive tree allegory video but then after we will discuss the similarities of this tree and Lehi's vision which my eldest by remembers.

https://youtu.be/fPstB_6jiAs

I think my eldest is still to young to understand any of the metaphors but we can give it a go. We can draw a tree on a chalkboard and talk about the roots, trunk, branches, fruit and the fact that it needs nurturing.

A thought I did just have is that because we are focusing on the Sunday worship aspect in our home, we have taken the focus off the rest of the week. That said, it has been a crazy week.

Opening Prayer
Announcements: were I explained what's going on
Song: I feel my Saviours Love
Sacrament
Video of Olive Tree Alegory from You Tube
Primary song: Wise Man & Foolish Man
Primary song: Dare to be Right
Primary song: A Child’s Prayer
Closing Prayer

A report of this weeks meeting.

As per last week. We held our meeting while our youngest was sleeping.

The kids were still irreverent at times.
We set the mood by playing church videos from you tube on TV.
The kids liked the latter day kids video.
We made things more interactive by drawing pictures of trees.
We are now binge watching latter day kids videos.
Isn’t technology marvellous.

We can read & listen to the primary songs.
We can watch church content on TV
We can access any of the scriptures right away. Including the sacrament prayers.
I can update this blog on the go.