Stories of Christ: Story 47

Jesus Appears to the Nephites

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47	21-Dec	Appearance to Nephites	Book of Mormon	Family/Children	B of M 43 - 47	3 Ne 17:5-24	My Joy is Full	Jesus Christ Visits the America's	The Lord visited specifically with the Nephite children.	I am a Child of God HB
						3 Ne 11:1-15		Jesus Christ Appears to the Nephites

Video

Quote/Principle

This is a parenting principle taught in the appearance of Jesus to the Nephites and how he can help us protect our children in today's world.

Remember that before the Savior’s appearance, there were tempests, earthquakes, fires, and three days of profound darkness (see 3 Nephi 8). I have often thought about the children who experienced these events. And I can only imagine the fear and concern in the hearts of the parents. And then the Savior appeared and commanded the multitude “that their little children should be brought” to Him (3 Nephi 17:11). How eager those parents must have been to bring their children to the Savior. And then they watched as the Savior wept over their children, blessed them one by one, prayed unto the Father for them, and called down angels to minister unto them (see 3 Nephi 17:21, 24). This account reminds us that it is the Savior who is the great protector, the ultimate teacher, and the eternal source of love and healing. As the darkness of this day surrounds us, we are also commanded to bring our children to the Savior, and as Elder Ballard has reminded us, “we are the ones God has appointed to encircle today’s children with love and the fire of faith and an understanding of who they are” Margaret S. Liffereth, Behold Your Little Ones, Oct 2006, General Conference

Ornament

The ornament is a small Book of Mormon which is put in the branches of the tree.

Stories of Christ: Story 40

The Great Commandments

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40

14-Dec

Great Commandments

"Love"

Love Lord and Neighbor

Matt 22:34-40 Mark 12:28-34

The Greatest Commandment

Love God and your Neighbor.

Kindness Begins with Me CS145

Video

Quote/Principle

Love is such an important part of the gospel.  I also think President Uchtdorf's talk from this years Christmas devotional has some good quotes tying love into Christmas.

Our eternal progression leans heavily on the degree to which we love… We can best demonstrate our love to God by keeping His commandments. And we can show our love to God and neighbor by charitable acts of service… If we are obedient to the commandment of love, there will be no disputations, contention, nor hatred between nor among us. We will not speak ill of one another but will treat each other with kindness and respect, realizing that each of us is a child of God… Given the purpose of our existence, if we do not love God and neighbor, whatever else we do will be of little eternal consequence.

Robert F. Orton, The First and Great Commandment, Oct 2001 General Conference

Ornament

The great commandments are encompassed in the word LOVE.

Stories of Christ: Story 33

Parables of the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Lost Son

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33	7-Dec	Parables of the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Lost Son	Compass	There is always a way home.	NT 36	Luke 15:3-10	Jesus Declares the Parable of the Lost Sheep,	The Lost Lamb	We can always find a way back. Theteachings of Christ are a compass	Listen, Listen CS 107
							Prodigal Son

Video

The first video is the parable of the Lost Sheep, the second in the parable of the Prodigal Son.

Quote/Principle

When we are lost we can find our way home.  

“Now, if for any reason you individually or as a family have lost your way, then you need only apply the Savior’s teachings from Luke, chapter 15, to correct your course. Here the Savior tells of the effort of a shepherd searching for his lost sheep, of a woman searching for a lost coin, and of the welcome received by the prodigal son returning home. Why did Jesus teach these parables? He wanted us to know that none of us will ever be so lost that we cannot find our way again through His Atonement and His teachings. As you seek to live the gospel and doctrine of Christ, the Holy Ghost will guide you and your family. You will have a spiritual GPS to tell you always where you are and where you are going.”

M. Russell Ballard, That the Lost May be Found, Ensign Magazine May 2012

Ornament

A compass leads us in the correct direction.  The Living the Gospel and relying on the Spirit will lead us back home to our father.

Stories of Christ: Story 31

The Good Samaritan

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31

5-Dec

Parable of Good Samaritan

Heart

Service

NT 35

Luke 10:25-37

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

The Good Samaritan

A heart full of Good Samaritanism is always needed.

Give Said the Little Stream CS 236

Video

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“Good Samaritanism is contagious. Providing in the Lord’s way humbles the rich, it exalts the poor, and sanctifies both (see D&C 104:15–18). The giver helps those in need by sharing what he has received. The receiver accepts the offering with gratitude. As the receiver rises to his full potential, he then is able to reach out to help others. “Good Samaritanism starts in the home as parents teach children by example and precept. Acts of assistance, kindness, and concern among family members reinforce the desire to “go, and do thou likewise.”... “To help relieve suffering is to cultivate a Christlike character. We are charged, as were those who listened at the feet of the Savior 2,000 years ago, to “go, and do thou likewise.” The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that it is our responsibility “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church or in any other, or in no church at all, wherever he finds them” (Times and Seasons, 15 Mar. 1842, 732). “May we be generous with our time and liberal in our contributions for the care of those who suffer. May we commit to the principles of Good Samaritanism and be ever mindful of the need to “go, and do thou likewise,” I pray in the holy name of Jesus Christ, amen."

David Burton, Go and Do Thou Likewise, May 1997, Ensign Magazine

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