Stories of Christ: Story 49

A Review

Order

Date

Story

Ornament

Principle taught

Scripture Reader

Scripture Reference

Video

Picture

Why that Ornament

Song

49

23-Dec

Review

Christmas Tree

Witness of Christ

NT 55

Acts 1:8-11

For God so Loved the World

The Ascension of Christ

The needles on a tree point upward reminding us to look up and forward to His return. Witnessing to others that he will return.

The Church of Jesus Christ CS 77

Video

These videos are a great review of many of the stories of Christ visited over the past few weeks.  The first is narrated by scriptures, the second is a music video to O Holy Night 

Quote/Principle

Our responsibility is to share the teachings and stories we have learned with others, to be a witness of Jesus Christ.  To do this we must be converted to Him.

We serve as witnesses of Jesus Christ through our baptism, our membership in his Church, our partaking of the sacrament, and our prayers and other actions in his name. But our duty to be witnesses of Jesus Christ requires more than this, and I fear that some of us fall short. Latter-day Saints can become so preoccupied with our own agendas that we can forget to witness and testify of Christ… How do members become witnesses? The original Apostles were eyewitnesses to the ministry and resurrection of the Savior. He told them, “Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” However, he cautioned them that their witnessing would be after they had received the Holy Ghost. An eyewitness was not enough. Even the witness and testimony of the original Apostles had to be rooted in the testimony of the Holy Ghost.

Dallin H. Oaks, Witnesses of Christ, Oct 1990, General Conference

Ornament

The needles of the tree point upward to heaven.  This can remind us to look up, remember the lessons of Jesus Christ, witness of them to those around us, and prepare for the coming of Christ.

Stories of Christ: Story 25

Jesus Feeds the 5,000

Order

Date

Story

Ornament

Principle taught

Scripture Reader

Scripture Reference

Video

Picture

Why that Ornament

Song

25

29-Nov

Feeds 5000

Flags

Missionary Work

NT 28 & 30

Matt 14:14-21

The Feeding of the 5,000

Loaves and Fishes Miracle

Missionary work to all the world

I Hope They Call Me on a Mission CS 169

Video

Quote/Principle

This quote ties in the miracle of feeding the 5,000 with missionary work, our responsibility to help others find the bread of life.

“Today, some may think the miracle of the loaves and fishes is only an ancient story and is not relevant in our day. In so doing, they miss the point of this miraculous story and do not understand the significance of the “bread of life”… “Knowing that Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life—the way by which all can receive eternal life—we have an important responsibility. We should seek to help people come to Him and partake of His word, like the people who were filled with the loaves and fishes. Our friends may not know they are hungry in spirit. They may try to consume many things to satisfy their spiritual hunger, and as a result, they may feel frustrated and lost. Let us help them know how they can be spiritually filled—by coming unto Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life.”

Elder Won Kong You, Lessons from the New Testament: Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, Ensign, March 2007

Ornaments

The flags from multiple countries represent the work of the Lord going to all the earth.

Abrahamic Covenant

Abrahamic Covenant: AC

Psalms 33:12

Covenant:                              JST, Genesis 17:8-12; Abraham 2:8-11

Blessings of Abraham promised to others:

Isaac                                                       Genesis 26:3-5 & 24

Jacob/Israel:                                           Genesis 35:9-12

Joseph of Egypt:                                     JST Genesis 48:11

Joseph Smith                                          D&C 132:30-31

Latter-Day descendants:                         D&C 110:12; 1 Nephi 15:18

Descendants of Lehi                              1 Nephi 15:14

Responsibility:

All world be blessed through seed:        Acts 3:25

Must obey as Abraham:                         John 8:39

Gathered and Remembered:                  2 Nephi 29:14

Chosen People:                                      Psalms 33:12

Faithful use of Priesthood:                      D&C 84:33-35

Lose blessings if not righteous:              Romans 9:6-8

Lord will remember His covenant:

Moses leading people out of Egypt:       Psalms 105:1-45

Gospel to house of Israel                        3 Nephi 16:11-12   

The covenant God made with Abraham and later reaffirmed with Isaac and Jacob is of transcendent significance.  It contained several promises, including:

·         Jesus the Christ would be born through Abraham’s lineage.

·         Abraham’s posterity would be numerous, entitled to an eternal increase, and also entitled to bear the priesthood.

·         Abraham would become a father of many nations.

·         Certain lands would be inherited by his posterity.

·         All nations of the earth would be blessed by his seed.

·         And that covenant would be everlasting—even through “a thousand generations.”

  Russel M Nelson October 2011 General Conf.

The man Elias brings back “the gospel of Abraham,” the great Abrahamic covenant whereby the faithful receive promises of eternal increase, promises that through celestial marriage their eternal posterity shall be as numerous as the sands upon the seashore or as the stars in heaven for multitude.  Elias gives the promise—received of old by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—that in modern men and in their seed all generations shall be blessed.  And we are now offering the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to all who will receive them.                 

                                  Bruce R. McConkie, April 1983 General Conf.

Ours is the responsibility to help fulfill the Abrahamic covenant.  Ours is the seed foreordained and prepared to bless all people of the world.                                Russell M. Nelson October 2011 General Conf.

A major part of the covenant with Abraham is the promise that through Abraham and his seed all the families of the earth would be blessed.  Paul explains that the Lord Jesus Christ was born into the world through Abraham’s lineage, and since Jesus is the Savior for all mankind, all are thus blessed through Abraham’s seed… Furthermore, the descendants of Abraham bear the holy priesthood and minister the gospel to all nations.

 Robert J. Matthews, Ensign December 1980