Stories of Christ: Story 48

Apostles see the Risen Lord

Order

Date

Story

Ornament

Principle taught

Scripture Reader

Scripture Reference

Video

Picture

Why that Ornament

Song

48	22-Dec	Apostles see Risen Lord	⃝ Fire	Holy Ghost		Luke 24:13-32	Christ Appears on the Road to Emmaus	Christ Appears on the Road to Emmaus	Do our hearts burn within us?	The Still, Small Voice CS 106
						John 20: 24-29	Doubting Thomas

Video

The first video is of Christ appearing on the road to Emmaus.  The second is His appearance to the apostle Thomas.

Quote/Principle

As we follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ our hearts will burn within us and we will know the truthfulness of the gospel.

“In our walks along the road called life, in our study of the words of Luke and the other Gospel writers, we too rejoice in those treasured moments with the Lord. And in seeking to live in accordance with his commandments, and in studying his word, we might say, as the two disciples said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32). Our hearts do burn and ever shall, so long as we do the will of the Lord, so long as we read Luke, and the others, with an eye and a heart single to the glory of our God and the miracle of his Son.”

Neal E. Lambert and Richard H. Cracroft, The Powerful Voices of the Gospels, New Era Magazine, January 1973

Ornament

Our hearts can burn with the spirit.

Stories of Christ: Story 27

Peter Testifies of Christ

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Date

Story

Ornament

Principle taught

Scripture Reader

Scripture Reference

Video

Picture

Why that Ornament

Song

27

1-Dec

Peter Testifies of Christ

CHRIST

Testimony

NT 32

Matt 16:13-17

Thou Art the Christ

We must receive a testimony of CHRIST through the spirit.

I Lived in Heaven CS 4

Video

Quote/Principle

This is a great opportunity to bear your testimony of Jesus Christ to your children.  Explain how the spirit works in your life and how he can also testify to them of the divinity of Christ.

One of the greatest things about our Heavenly Father’s plan for His children is that each of us can know the truth of that plan for ourselves. That revealed knowledge does not come from books, from scientific proof, or from intellectual pondering. As with the Apostle Peter, we can receive that knowledge directly from our Heavenly Father through the witness of the Holy Ghost.

Dallin H. Oaks, Testimony, April 2008 General Conference

Ornament

Stories of Christ: Story 5

Presentation of Christ Child at the Temple

Video
This video illustrates Simeon testifying of the Savior at the temple.

Quote/Principle
The principle that I wanted to present was how a testimony of Christ and His divinity can be ours through the Holy Ghost.  The quote by Dallin H. Oaks helps highlight this principle in relation to the story of Christ being presented at the temple.

In obedience to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought the infant Jesus to the temple at Jerusalem after forty days, to present him to the Lord. There, two aged and spiritual temple workers received a witness of his identity and testified of him. Simeon, who had known by revelation from the Holy ghost that he should not taste of death until he had seen the Messiah, took the infant in his arms and testified to his divine mission. Anna, whom the scripture called "a prophetess", recognized the Messiah "and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem." Anna and Simeon were eyewitnesses to the infant, but their knowledge of his divine mission came through the witness of the Holy Ghost.

Dallin H. Oaks, October 1990 General Conference

Ornament

This ornament is a picture taken directly from the video.  Not too creative, but what else would work?

Stories of Christ: Story 4

The Shepherds

Order

Date

Topic

Ornament

Principle taught

Scripture Reader

Scripture Reference

Video

Picture

Why that Ornament

Song

4	8-Nov	Announcement to the Shepherds	Angel	Follow Promptings	NT 5	Luke 2:8-18	Shepherds Learn of the Birth of Christ	The Announcement of Christ's Birth	Angel proclaimed the birth to the Shepherds.	Far Far Away on Judea's Plains
							A Light Unto All

Videos

Quote/Principle

The principle for today is following the promptings of the spirit.  This quote helps us recognize that the Shepherds with haste responded after the Angel came.  We too must respond with haste when the Spirit directs.

“Like the shepherds, we must respond immediately, with haste, whenever the Spirit speaks to us. In the words of President Thomas S. Monson, we must “never, never, never postpone following a prompting.” Sometimes after heeding a prompting, we cannot clearly see why we have been guided by the Spirit to act in a certain way. But often, like the shepherds, we see miracles occur, and our faithful response to a prompting is confirmed. We can then take opportunities to share our joy and our witness with others. Doing so can strengthen others’ faith and hope, further confirming our own testimonies and bringing us closer to the Savior and His ways.

Elder Patrick Kearon, Come, Let Us Adore Him, Ensign Magazine December 2011

Ornament

The Angel Proclaiming to the Shepherds the Savior was born.

Scripture Study

Scripture Study:  SS

John 5:39

What is Scripture?

Bible, Book of Mormon                           A of F 1:8

From God through Holy Ghost                2 Peter 1:20-21

Word of God; His voice                           D&C 18:34-36

Why Scriptures Written:

Benefit of posterity:                                 Abraham 1:31; 2 Ne 4:15

Believe in Christ                                      John 20:31

Remember Lord’s doings in all lands     1 Nephi 19:18, 22-23

Lead people to do right                           Alma 31:5

To help us remember                             Mosiah 1:5

Give wisdom, doctrine, correction          2 Timothy 3:15-17 JST

Search to verify truth                              Acts 17:11

Tell all things to do                                  2 Nephi 32:

Mediate = Observe = Success                Joshua 1:8

Give Instruction                                       D&C 33:16

Contain fullness of gospel                       D&C 42:12

Not be deceived                                      JS-Matt 1:37

Sever from devil, Lead to Christ             Helaman 3:29

Continue to receive                                 A of F 1:9

Light to our path                                      Psalms 119:105

Promise:                Introduction of BoM (last 2 para) & Moroni 10:3-5

"One of the most sacred purposes for which the scriptures were written was to make it possible for all to know Christ. The scriptures teach and testify of Jesus Christ. They teach us much that we need to know and to do to return to the presence of the Savior.

                L. Lionel Kendrick, April 1993 General Conference

Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high.  They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

  Richard G. Scott, October 2011 General Conference

The years have taught me that if we will energetically pursue this worthy personal goal [of scripture study] in a determined and conscientious manner, we shall indeed find answers to our problems and peace in our hearts. We shall experience the Holy Ghost broadening our understanding, find new insights, witness an unfolding pattern of all scripture; and the doctrines of the Lord shall come to have more meaning to us than we ever thought possible. As a consequence, we shall have greater wisdom with which to guide ourselves and our families.”                                           

Spencer W. Kimball, Sept 1975, Ensign

Reading and studying the scriptures continues to build our faith, helps us resist temptation, and allows us to grow closer to Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

                Vicki F. Matsumori, April 2007 General Conference

To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship.  It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort and be a source of motivation for needed change.  

Richard G. Scott, October 2011, General Conference

Holy Ghost

Holy Ghost:  HG

John 14:26

Purposes of the Holy Ghost:

Truth of All things                                     Moroni 10:5

Testifies of Christ                                     1 Cor. 12:3 & 3 Ne 28:11

Sanctifies after Baptism                           3 Ne 27:20

Holy Spirit of Promise                              D&C 132:7

Through the instrumentality of the Holy Ghost, His Spirit comforts those who mourn, teaches and testifies to those who thirst for the truth, purifies the brokenhearted who would be clean, and warns of dangers which lie ahead.   

                          Spencer J. Condie, October 1993, General Conf.

How the Holy Ghost speaks to us:

Heart and Mind                                        D&C 8:2

Brings Joy, peace                                    Romans 15:13

Leads to do Good                                    D&C 11:12

Enlighten Mind, Fill soul with Joy              D&C 11:13

Speaks quietly                                         1 Kings 19:11-12

Line upon Line                                         Isaiah 28:10

Fruit of the Spirit                                      Galatians 5:22-23

Knowledge                                              D&C 121:26            

How to receive the Holy Ghost:

Keep commandments and love God         John 14:21

Ask                                                          D&C 88:63 & Matt7:7

Fast and Pray                                          Alma 5:46

Hearken to Spirit- leads to covenants       D&C 84:46-48

Charity and Virtue                                    D&C 121: 45-46                      

We become so accustomed to learning through our physical senses—by sight and sound and smell, by taste and touch—that some of us seem to learn in no other way.         But there are spiritual things that are not registered that way at all. Some things we simply feel, not as we feel something we touch, but as we feel something we feel.    There are things, spiritual things that are registered in our minds and recorded in our memories as pure knowledge. A knowledge of “things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass.” (D&C 88:79; see also D&C 93:24, and Jacob 4:13.) As surely as we know about material things, we can come to know of spiritual things.                             

                                Boyd K. Packer; April 1977 General Conference

As you appropriately seek for and apply unto the spirit of revelation, I promise you will “walk in the light of the Lord. Sometimes the spirit of revelation will operate immediately and intensely, other times subtly and gradually, and often so delicately you may not even consciously recognize it. But regardless of the pattern whereby this blessing is received, the light it provides will illuminate and enlarge your soul, enlighten your understanding, and direct and protect you and your family.                     

David A. Bednar, April 2011 General Conference

These four words—“Receive the Holy Ghost”—are not a passive pronouncement; rather, they constitute a priesthood injunction—an authoritative admonition to act and not simply to be acted upon. The Holy Ghost does not become operative in our lives merely because hands are placed upon our heads and those four important words are spoken. As we receive this ordinance, each of us accepts a sacred and ongoing responsibility to desire, to seek, to work, and to so live that we indeed “receive the Holy Ghost” and its attendant spiritual gifts.                                                               David A. Bednar, Oct 2010 General Conference

The most valuable inspiration will be for you to know what God would have you do. If it is to pay tithing or to visit a grieving friend, you should do it. Whatever it is, do it. When you demonstrate your willingness to obey, the Spirit will send you more impressions of what God would have you do for Him. 

As you obey, the impressions from the Spirit will come more frequently, becoming closer and closer to constant companionship. Your power to choose the right will increase.

Henry B. Eyring, Oct 2015 General Conference