Stories of Christ: Story 42

Parable of the Talents

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42

16-Dec

Parable of Talents

Bag with coins

Develop Gifts

NT 48

Matt 25:14-30

The Parable of the Talents

The Lord gives us each a bag of talents, we must develop them.

I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go HB 270

Video

Quote/Principle

We each are responsible to develop the talents and gifts God has given us.  Sometimes this means activity searching and praying to know what they are.

The Lord entrusts all of His servants, including every priesthood holder, with spiritual talents. The Lord, who endows us with these talents, tells us: “I believe you can. I believe you can.” While we are not all equal in experience, aptitude, and strength, we have different opportunities to employ these spiritual gifts, and we will all be accountable for the use of the gifts and opportunities given to us.

James E. Faust, I Believe I Can, I Knew I Could, October 2002, General Conference

Ornament

This bag is filled with chocolate coins.  The coins usually don't last past Christmas ☺

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

Video

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 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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Stories of Christ: Story 30

The Good Shepherd

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30

Dec 4

Good Shepherd and Other Sheep

Sheep

Know Christ's Voice

NT 40

John 10:1-18

Good Shepherd

We must listen to the shepherds voice.

The First Noel

Video

Quote/Principle

I have seen lambs lost in a moving herd of sheep. A great chorus of voices rises from the herd, but each lamb listens for the one voice that can guide it. The Savior used this ageless example in the allegory of the Good Shepherd. "The sheep hear his voice: ... and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, ... for they know not the voice of strangers." From among the chorus of voices we hear in mortality, we must recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd, who calls us to follow him toward our heavenly home.

Dallin H. Oaks; April 1989, General conference

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Stories of Christ: Story 29

Forgive 70 times 7

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29

3-Dec

Forgive 70 times 7 Parable as well

"Peace"

Forgive others

70 Times 7

Peace comes from forgiving

Lord I would Follow Thee HB 220

Video

Christ tells Peter to forgive a person 70 X 7 times.  He then relates a parable to help explain.

Quote/Principle

Forgiveness brings peace.  We have been commanded to forgive others, God will take care of the justice.

Those of you who can multiply know that 70 x 7 = 490! What a large number! Did Jesus really mean that Peter should forgive a person 490 times? … Elder James E. Talmage, and Apostle in our time, tells us that Jesus meant that Peter --and all of us-- should be willing to always forgive. Why is forgiving others so important? When Jesus told Peter to forgive seventy times seven, was he thinking only of the person being forgiven, or was he thinking of Peter, too? Would forgiving others help Peter feel peace? Yes! Jesus knew that Peter would be blessed with a feeling of peace each time he truly forgave someone. Forgiving brings peace to those who forgive as well as to those who are forgiven. Jesus taught that we should forgive and be kind to one another, and he set the example for us.

Judy Edwards, Sharing Time: I Forgive You; September 1994, Ensign

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Forgiving others brings peace into our lives.

Stories of Christ: Story 24

Jesus Forgives a Woman

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24

28-Nov

Jesus Forgives a Woman

"Joy"

Repentance

NT 26

Luke 7:36-50

Come unto Me Starting at 4:17

Repentance brings PEACE

Sweet is the Peace HB 14

Video

This video is a Seminary video that teaches why we should come unto Christ.  Starting at 4 minutes 17 seconds is the story of the woman who washes Christ's feet with her tears and dries them with her hair.  He then teaches those with him of love and forgiveness.

Quote/Principle

Jesus Christ wants to forgive us.  He wants us to come unto Him.

“There are many degrees of personal worthiness and righteousness. Yet repentance is a blessing to all of us. We each need to feel the Savior’s arms of mercy through the forgiveness of our sins. “I am amazed at the Savior’s encircling arms of mercy and love for the repentant, no matter how selfish the forsaken sin. I testify that the Savior is able and eager to forgive our sins. Except for the sins of those few who choose perdition after having known a fullness, there is no sin that cannot be forgiven. What a marvelous privilege for each of us to turn away from our sins and to come unto Christ. Divine forgiveness is one of the sweetest fruits of the gospel, removing guilt and pain from our hearts and replacing them with joy and peace of conscience”

Elder Neil L. Anderson “Repent … That I May Heal You,” Oct 2009, General Conference

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Forgiveness brings JOY!