Stories of Christ: Story 41

The 10 Virgins

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41	15-Dec	Parable of the ten virgins	⃝ Got Oil	Preparedness	NT 47	Matt 25:1-13	The Ten Virgins	Ten Virgins	We must fill our lamps, Ask "Got Oil?"	Seek the Lord Early CS 108
							Sanctify Yourselves

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Quote/Principle

This parable is often quoted to help us remember that it is imperative that we daily fill our lamps so we are spiritually prepared for all things.

As the wise virgins emphasized properly, each of us must “buy for ourselves.” These inspired women were not describing a business transaction; rather, they were emphasizing our individual responsibility to keep our lamp of testimony burning and to obtain an ample supply of the oil of conversion. This precious oil is acquired one drop at a time—“line upon line [and] precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30), patiently and persistently. No shortcut is available; no last-minute flurry of preparation is possible. “Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom” (D&C 33:17).

David A. Bednar, Converted Unto the Lord, Oct 2012 General Conference

Ornament

This ornament was made from a Mormonade that teaches of Spiritual Preparedness.

Stories of Christ: Story 39

The Widow's Mite

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Scripture Reader

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39

13-Dec

Widow's Mite

Taiwan One Coin

Sacrifice/Tithing

NT 45

Mark 12:41-44

Jesus Teaches about the Widows Mite

Love God

Widow's Mite

Because I Have Been Given Much HB 219

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Quote/Principle

The quotation below is about tithing, which in our day is much like what the widow was giving in her day.  It is a principle with amazing blessings.

Be assured that these blessings are poured out equally upon rich and poor alike. As the hymn says, it is “sacrifice [that] brings forth the blessings of heaven,” not the sum of our contributions. Members who freely give a full 10 percent of their annual income receive all of the promised blessings of tithing, whether the amount is a widow’s mite or a king’s ransom.

Robert D. Hales, Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings, Oct 2002 General Conference

Ornament

This was given to us by my parents.  It has a Taiwanese coin in the middle.  This represents the Widow's Mite.

Stories of Christ: Story 37

Mary and Martha

The video, quote and ornament all focus on one teaching that can be learned from this story.  Start by reading it from the scriptures.

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37

11-Dec

Mary & Martha

⃝ Clock

Priorities

Luke 10:38-42

Moments That Matter Most

Christ in the Home of Mary and Martha

We must use the time we have wisely and put the Lord's work first.

Choose the Right Way CS 160

The video, quote and ornament all focus on one teaching that can be learned from this story.  Start by reading it from the scriptures.

Video

Quote/Principle

President Uchtdorf teaches us to prioritize and do that which matters most.

“My dear brothers and sisters, we would do well to slow down a little, proceed at the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most. Let us be mindful of the foundational precepts our Heavenly Father has given to His children that will establish the basis of a rich and fruitful mortal life with promises of eternal happiness. They will teach us to do “all these things … in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that [we] should run faster than [we have] strength. [But] it is expedient that [we] should be diligent, [and] thereby … win the prize.” “Brothers and sisters, diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world. That is why “we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ,… that [we] may know to what source [we] may look for a remission of [our] sins.” In the complexity, confusion, and rush of modern living, this is the “more excellent way.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Of Things That Matter Most, Ensign Magazine November 2010

Ornament

We must use our time in pursuit of that which matters most.

Stories of Christ: Story 36

Christ and the Rich Young Ruler

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36

10-Dec

Christ and the Rich Young Ruler

Sewing Needle

Doing

NT 42

Matt 19:16-26

The Rich Young Ruler

fit through the eye of the needle by doing

Do As I'm Doing

Video

Quote/Principle

The Lord will give us specific counsel and direction.  Will we be willing to follow it.

Let's consider the New Testament account of the rich young ruler. He was a righteous young man who was already keeping the Ten Commandments, but he wanted to become better. His goal was eternal life. When he met the Savior, he asked, "What lack I yet?" Jesus answered immediately, giving counsel that was intended specifically for the rich young man. "Jesus said unto him, if thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast,, and give to the poor, and come and follow me." The young man was stunned; he had never considered such a sacrifice. He was humble enough to ask the Lord but not faithful enough to follow the divine counsel he was given. We must be willing to act when we receive an answer.

Larry R. Lawrence; October 2015, General Conference

Ornament

Easier to fit a camel through the eye of a needle.

Stories of Christ: Story 34

Pharisees vs Publican

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34

8-Dec

Pharisees Vs Publicans

Black and White

Pride

NT 38

Luke 18: 9-14

Pharisees vs Publican

Two extremes what kind of man will I be?

Be Thou Humble HB 130

Video

President Hunter explains the the story and ends with the quote below.

Quote/Principle

Humility vs Pride.  Stop and ponder which describes you?

Humility is an attribute of godliness possessed by true Saints. It is easy to understand why a proud man fails. He is content to rely upon himself only. This is evident in those who seek social position or who push others aside to gain position in fields of business, government, education, sports, or other endeavors. Our genuine concern should be for the success of others. The proud man shuts himself off from God, and when he does he no longer lives in the light. ... From the beginning of time there have been those with pride and others who have followed divine admonition to be humble. History bears record that those who have exalted themselves have been abased, but the humble have been exalted. On every busy street there are Pharisees and publicans. It may be that one of them bears our name. Howard W. Hunter; April 1984, General Conference

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There are two sides what kind of person will I be, with God or against Him.

Stories of Christ: Story 26

Christ walks on water

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26

30-Nov

Walking on the Water

⃝ Footprint

Focus/ Priorities

NT 29

Matt 14:22-23

Wherefore Didst Thou Doubt?

Jesus rescuing Peter

The footprint of the Lord who walked on water.

Abide with Me HB 166

Video

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This story helps us remember how important it is to have our priorities correct, to keep our focus on the Savior.

Peter chose to believe in Jesus. He asked Jesus if he could come to Him, and he really did walk on the water. But when he began to pay more attention to what was happening around him, “the wind boisterous,” he began to sink. What are the winds boisterous in our lives? What are the things that distract us from the Savior, that turn our hearts and our minds away from Him? It may be thinking more about pleasing our friends or other people than we do about pleasing God. It may be the loud and confusing voices we hear on TV, in videos, in music. Sometimes we just don’t care. Our hearts are hard. There will always be distractions, winds boisterous, but if we choose to turn to the Lord, to believe in Him, to follow Him, we can increase our faith. When Peter began to sink, he turned to the Lord and cried out, “Lord, save me,” and Jesus immediately “stretched forth his hand, and caught him.” He will do that for you. He will do that for each one of us.

Patricia P. Pinegar, Increase in Faith, April 1994, General Conference

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Stories of Christ: Story 13

Jesus chooses His Apostles

Jesus asks men to follow Him, they chose to leave their nets and follow Him.

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13	17-Nov	Jesus Chooses His Apostles	⃝ Fish	Follow Him, leave nets behind	NT 18	Luke 5:1-11; 6:12-16	Follow Me, I Will Make You Fishers of Men		The Lord invited them to be Fisher's of men.	Come Follow Me HB 116
						Matthew 4:18-22

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Quote/Principle

We must follow the example of the early apostles and leave our nets and follow the Lord.

“Have you ever wondered what it must have been like to have lived in the days of the Savior? If you had been there, would you have heeded His call “Follow me”? Perhaps a more realistic question might be, “If the Savior were to call you today, would you be just as willing to leave your nets and follow Him?” I am confident that many would. But for some, it may not be such an easy decision. Some have discovered that nets, by their very nature, are sometimes not so easy to leave….

“Nets are generally defined as devices for capturing something. In a more narrow but more important sense, we might define a net as anything that entices or prevents us from following the call of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. Nets in this context can be our work, our hobbies, our pleasures, and, above all else, our temptations and sins. In short, a net can be anything that pulls us away from our relationship with our Heavenly Father or from His restored Church…. As Jesus the Christ stood on the shores of the Sea of Galilee 2,000 years ago, so stands He today, issuing the same call He gave to those faithful fishermen and now to all who will hear His voice: “Follow me!” We have nets that must be tended and nets that must be mended. But when the Master of ocean, earth, and sky calls to us, “Follow me,” we should leave the entangling, worldly nets behind and follow His footsteps.”

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Follow Me, May 2002 Ensign Magazine

Ornament

They left their nets and jobs as fishermen and became fishers of men.