Stories of Christ: Story 44

The Garden of Gethsemane

Order

Date

Story

Ornament

Principle taught

Scripture Reader

Scripture Reference

Video

Picture

Why that Ornament

Song

44	18-Dec	Gethsemane	Tree	Atonement	NT 51	Matt 26:36-45	The Savior Suffers in Gethsemane	Jesus Praying in Gethsemane	Garden of Gethsemane was full of trees	He Sent His Son CS 34
						D&C 19:16-19

Video

Quote/Principle

There in the quiet isolation of the Garden of Gethsemane, He knelt among the gnarled olive trees, and in some incredible way that none of us can fully comprehend, the Savior took upon Himself the sins of the world. Even though His life was pure and free of sin, He paid the ultimate penalty for sin—yours, mine, and everyone who has ever lived. His mental, emotional, and spiritual anguish were so great they caused Him to bleed from every pore (see Luke 22:44; D&C 19:18). And yet Jesus suffered willingly so that we might all have the opportunity to be washed clean—through having faith in Him, repenting of our sins, being baptized by proper priesthood authority, receiving the purifying gift of the Holy Ghost by confirmation, and accepting all other essential ordinances. Without the Atonement of the Lord, none of these blessings would be available to us, and we could not become worthy and prepared to return to dwell in the presence of God.

M. Russell Ballard, The Atonement and the Value of One Soul, April 2004, General Conference

Ornament

This tree represents one of the many that surrounded Jesus as he suffered for our sins and heartaches.  What a miracle.

Stories of Christ: Story 33

Parables of the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Lost Son

Order

Date

Story

Ornament

Principle taught

Scripture Reader

Scripture Reference

Video

Picture

Why that Ornament

Song

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.