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.

Order

Date

Story

Ornament

Principle taught

Scripture Reader

Scripture Reference

Video

Picture

Why that Ornament

Song

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 18

Sermon on the Mount: Our Foundation

Order

Date

Story

Ornament

Principle taught

Scripture Reader

Scripture Reference

Video

Picture

Why that Ornament

Song

18	22-Nov	Sermon on the Mount (4)	Home	Enduring Trials		Matt 6:19-21	Build on the Rock of Our Redeemer		Our home must be built upon the Rock of our Redeemer.	The Wise Man and the Foolish Man. CS 281
						Matt 7: -27	Sermon on the Mount: Treasures in Heaven

Videos

The video of President Eyring has him discussing the importance of building on the Rock of our Redeemer because it will keep us safe through the storms of life.  The Bible video is the last segment of the Sermon on the mount.  It touches on many teaching including not judging, the golden rule, and asking and finding.  The last section is the parable of the wise and foolish man. 

Quote/Principle

The principle I chose to focus on is building upon the rock of the gospel and being strong through the storms of the world and the challenges that will come.

Our journey through life has periods of both good times and bad. Each presents different challenges. How we learn to adjust to the changes which come along depends on the foundation on which we build. The gospel of our Lord and Savior provides a sure and solid foundation. It is constructed piece by piece as we gain knowledge of the Lord’s eternal plan for His children. The Savior is the Master Teacher. We follow Him.

Elder L. Tom Perry, Finding Lasting Peace and Building Eternal Families, October 2014 General Conference

Ornament

We must build our house upon the rock of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Gratitude

Gratitude: THANKS

D&C 59:7

Command:

Everything give thanks                                            1 Thes. 5:18

In all things                                                              Mosiah 26: 39

Ungratefulness offends God                                   D&C 59:21

Reasons to Thank the Lord:

Thanks when merry                                                D&C 136:28

Thanks to God for all creations                               Psalms 147:7-8

Thanks that He created us                                     Psalms 100:3-4

Thanks for all His works of righteousness              Alma 26:8

Thanks for Atonement                                            Alma 24:10

Thanks for day to day life                                        Mosiah 2:19-21

Promise that all will work for good                          D&C 98: 1-3

Examples

Jesus Thanks God for Miracle of Lazarus              John 11:41

10 Lepers                                                                Luke 17:12-19

Brother of Jaren Sings praises on boat                  Ether 6:9

Anit-Neph-Lehi’s thanks for missionaries                Alma 24:7-8

Paul giving thanks for members                             1 Thes 2:13

Daniel’s Thanks for Dream Interpretation               Daniel 2:23

Temple is a place of Thanksgiving                          D&C 97:13

Blessed beyond compare                                       D&C 78:19

Prayer + Thanks = Lifted up at last day                  Alma 37:37

We have so much for which to give thanks. First and foremost, we are thankful for our Savior Jesus Christ. Under the plan of the Father, He created the world. Through His prophets, He revealed the plan of salvation with its accompanying commandments and ordinances. He came into mortality to teach and show us the way. He suffered and paid the price for our sins if we would repent. He gave up His life, and He conquered death and rose from the grave that we all will live again.                      

When we give thanks in all things, we see hardships and adversities in the context of the purpose of life. We are sent here to be tested. There must be opposition in all things. We are meant to learn and grow through that opposition, through meeting our challenges, and through teaching others to do the same. 

Dallin H. Oaks; 2003 General Conference

The Lord wants you to have a spirit of gratitude in all you do and say. Live with a spirit of thanksgiving and you will have greater happiness and satisfaction in life. Even in your most difficult times, you can find much to be grateful for. Doing so will strengthen and bless you.

                                For the Strength of Youth Booklet

Our Father in Heaven commands us to be thankful in all things, and He requires that we give thanks for the blessings we receive. We know that all of His commandments are intended to make us happy. So to be happy, we must have a grateful heart . . . We must ask in prayer that God, by the power of the Holy Ghost, will help us see our blessings clearly. He can help us be grateful for blessings we take for granted. Giving thanks in prayer can allow us to see the magnitude of these blessings and all of our other blessings and so receive the gift of a more grateful heart. 

       Henry B. Eyring “The Choice to Be Grateful,” Ensign, Dec. 2011

Choice and Accountability

Choice and Accountability: CA

2 Nephi 2:27

Choose Today:                                       Moses 6:33, Joshua 24:15

Every Man chose for himself:                  D&C 37:4

Created to Act                                         2 Nephi 2:14

Need opposition for true agency             Moses 6:56; 2 Nephi 2:16      

Reason to rejoice                                    2 Nephi 10:23

Allows us to prove ourselves                  Abraham 3:25

Cannot serve two masters                      Matthew 6:24

Principle of Agency is Eternal:

Satan Sought to Destroy                         Moses 4:3

Lost 3^rd Part of hosts of heaven              D&C 29:36

In Garden of Eden                                  Moses 7:32

When we came into this world, we brought with us from our heavenly home this God-given gift and privilege which we call our agency. It gives us the right and power to make decisions and to choose. Agency is an eternal law. President Brigham Young, speaking of our agency, taught: “This is a law which has always existed from all eternity, and will continue to exist throughout all the eternities to come. Every intelligent being must have the power of choice.”

                Wolfgang H. Paul, April 2006, General Conference

Perfect Example of use of Agency; Jesus Christ:

Christ chose to follow Father’s will:         Matthew 26:39

Throughout His life our Savior showed us how to use our agency. As a boy in Jerusalem, He deliberately chose to “be about [His] Father’s business.” (Luke 2:49) In His ministry, He obediently chose “to do the will of [His] Father.”(3 Nephi 27:13) In Gethsemane, He chose to suffer all things, saying, “Not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.”(Luke 22:42-43)  On the cross, He chose to love His enemies, praying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”(Luke 23:34) And then, so that He could finally demonstrate that He was choosing for Himself, He was left alone. “[Father,] why hast thou forsaken me?” He asked. (Mark 15:34) At last, He exercised His agency to act, enduring to the end, until He could say, “It is finished.”(John 19:30)

                Robert D. Hales; October 2010, General Conference

Accountability essential part of Agency:

Accountability at Judgement Day           D&C 101:78

Bring upon us own condemnation          Alma 3:19; Helaman 14:30

Anxiously engaged in good                    D&C 58:27-29

By His perfect live, [Christ] taught us that when we choose to do the will of our Heavenly Father, our agency is preserved, our opportunities increase, and we progress . . . it is helpful to remember that the opposite is also true: when we don’t keep the commandments or follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost, our opportunities are reduced; our abilities to act and progress are diminished. Robert D. Hales; October 2010, General Conf.

What are we doing with our agency? Are we drawing close to God, or away from him? Are we satisfied and happy in what we are doing with this God-given endowment? Can we improve in the use of it?

Think carefully about the promises and benefits available to us by using our free agency in obeying and keeping God’s laws, as against failure to do so.  May God bless us all that we will have the desire and courage to exercise our free agency in righteousness and in truth.                   Delbert L. Stapley; April 1975 General Conf. 

Be of Good Cheer

Be of Good Cheer: GC

1 Thessalonians 5:16

Command:

D&C 25:13; 2Ne 2:25; Phillip 4:4

Reasons:

Savior overcame to world                                 John 16:33

Opportunity to have children                            Ps 127:4-5

We have agency                                               2 Ne 10:23

We are not forsaken                                         D&C 61:36

We will be lead                                                 D&C 78:18

How to find:

Wickedness ≠ Happiness                                 Alma 41:10

Do what we know is right                                 John 13:17

Find wisdom & understanding                          Prov. 3:13

Trust in the Lord                                               Prov 16:20

Through our Labor                                           Ecl 5:18

Testimony given through grace                        2 Cor 1:12

Merry Heart                                                      Prov 15:13

Bear record of Christ                                        D&C 68:6

Keep commandments                                       Alma 8:15

Lord Lead along                                                D&C 78:18-19

What does it mean to be of good cheer? It means having hope, not getting discouraged, not losing faith, and living life joyfully…It means facing life with confidence.  The gospel of Jesus Christ gives us the strength and the eternal perspective to face what is coming with good cheer.               Elder Adhemar Damiani, April 2005 General Conf.

Good cheer is a state of mind or mood that promotes happiness or joy… With God’s help, good cheer permits us to rise above the depressing present or difficult circumstances.  It is a process of positive reassurance and reinforcement.  It is sunshine when clouds block the light... Being of good cheer makes it possible for us to turn all of our sunsets into sunrises.

The major responsibility for good cheer lies with the individual.”                            Elder Marvin J. Ashton, April 1986 General Conf.

I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure.  Through the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and or our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments.  There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us.  My beloved brother and sisters, fear not.  Be of good cheer.  The future is as bright as your faith.

                Thomas S. Monson, April 2009 General Conf.

In these days, being of good cheer is part of being valiant in the testimony of Jesus…

Because Christ had overcome the world, the Atonement was about to be accomplished! Death would be irrevocably defeated!  Satan would have failed to stop the unfolding plan of salvation!  All mankind would be given—through the grace of God—immortality!  Additionally, for those who would earn it, there would be the richness of eternal life!  These were among the resplendent realities and the fundamental facts which justified the Twelve’s being of good cheer—not their grim, temporary circumstances!  The precious perspectives of the gospel give us this gospel gladness!       

 Neal A. Maxwell, October 1982 General Conf.