The Mouths of Babes
I don't know about you, but Fast Sunday seems to be a day that many of our primary children look forward too. It is like an impromptu primary program each month. They don't have a specific order, but they all flock to the microphone to share their testimonies. Testimonies that come from their hearts, not scripted out, though there are times that it seems that way.
This morning was one of those Sacrament Meetings. I am a little out of practice and have to get used to my new responsibility of raising and lowering the podium. I also need to make sure the steps are available for the small children approaching the podium. I missed it the first few times, but the Bishop covered for me.
At one point, our usual bearers had come to the podium. I believe I have mentioned the family that repeats a scripture or an article of faith. Today followed that pattern, except today the youngest member of the family boldly approached the podium with his big brother. Normally, this small member approaches the podium, but does not say a word. At first, it appeared that we were going to experience the same routine. Then his big brother whispered in his hear and he repeated the first article of faith. Upon reciting the article of faith, his brother prompted him to close in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Upon saying the word Amen, this small child, who still spends the last two hours of the block in the nursery, suddenly chastised his brother. He did not want to talk about the articles of faith, he wanted to bear his testimony. He looked at his brother and said, " No, testimony my family." He then turned to the microphone and told us how he loves his family, Jesus, and knows that they love him as well.
WOW! The witness was so strong. This small children who stand before us each month telling us how much they love their families, how much their families love them...etc. It is their testimony. Love. Family. Jesus Christ. They hear these words all the time and I have often wondered if they are just repeating what they hear. However, today I realized that they do have testimonies. They testify of one of the strongest building blocks of the plan of salvation, the family.
I am grateful for their boldness, their willingness to testify of what they believe, what they feel, and what they know. God loves us. We are part of his family. There is such power in those words. We are his offspring.
I had a hard time thinking of other things through out the meeting. I started loosing focus again. Then about 10 minutes later, I looked to the right to see the Bishop's youngest son coming to the stand. He turned 2 this year. Someone else was bearing their testimony. I thought this small babe was coming to see his father. When he reached the stand, he turned and defiantly told his mother that he was going to bear his testimony. He climbed in to one of the chairs on the stand waited his turn with grin on his face that went from ear to ear.
While he waited, Dad tried his best to get him to come sit with us, but to no a vale. As soon as the bearer was done, the bishop quickly jumped to the floor and started moving the steps to the podium so he son could bear his testimony. The small one pushed his father away and said, "I can do it Bishop." He boldly stood and testified how much he loved Jesus, his family, and he was happy. He closed in Christ name and said "Amen", which was echoed loudly by his fellow nursery friend who said, "Amen ....."
It was a wonderful meeting. I love my family. I am grateful for my children's willingness to obey, though they do not always comprehend. I am blessed with a loving companion who I love more and more each day. I know my parents love me. I find joy in the love that is had between my siblings and myself. I know that our elder brother sacrificed himself for us, that we might understand his love for us. This I know.
This morning was one of those Sacrament Meetings. I am a little out of practice and have to get used to my new responsibility of raising and lowering the podium. I also need to make sure the steps are available for the small children approaching the podium. I missed it the first few times, but the Bishop covered for me.
At one point, our usual bearers had come to the podium. I believe I have mentioned the family that repeats a scripture or an article of faith. Today followed that pattern, except today the youngest member of the family boldly approached the podium with his big brother. Normally, this small member approaches the podium, but does not say a word. At first, it appeared that we were going to experience the same routine. Then his big brother whispered in his hear and he repeated the first article of faith. Upon reciting the article of faith, his brother prompted him to close in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Upon saying the word Amen, this small child, who still spends the last two hours of the block in the nursery, suddenly chastised his brother. He did not want to talk about the articles of faith, he wanted to bear his testimony. He looked at his brother and said, " No, testimony my family." He then turned to the microphone and told us how he loves his family, Jesus, and knows that they love him as well.
WOW! The witness was so strong. This small children who stand before us each month telling us how much they love their families, how much their families love them...etc. It is their testimony. Love. Family. Jesus Christ. They hear these words all the time and I have often wondered if they are just repeating what they hear. However, today I realized that they do have testimonies. They testify of one of the strongest building blocks of the plan of salvation, the family.
I am grateful for their boldness, their willingness to testify of what they believe, what they feel, and what they know. God loves us. We are part of his family. There is such power in those words. We are his offspring.
I had a hard time thinking of other things through out the meeting. I started loosing focus again. Then about 10 minutes later, I looked to the right to see the Bishop's youngest son coming to the stand. He turned 2 this year. Someone else was bearing their testimony. I thought this small babe was coming to see his father. When he reached the stand, he turned and defiantly told his mother that he was going to bear his testimony. He climbed in to one of the chairs on the stand waited his turn with grin on his face that went from ear to ear.
While he waited, Dad tried his best to get him to come sit with us, but to no a vale. As soon as the bearer was done, the bishop quickly jumped to the floor and started moving the steps to the podium so he son could bear his testimony. The small one pushed his father away and said, "I can do it Bishop." He boldly stood and testified how much he loved Jesus, his family, and he was happy. He closed in Christ name and said "Amen", which was echoed loudly by his fellow nursery friend who said, "Amen ....."
It was a wonderful meeting. I love my family. I am grateful for my children's willingness to obey, though they do not always comprehend. I am blessed with a loving companion who I love more and more each day. I know my parents love me. I find joy in the love that is had between my siblings and myself. I know that our elder brother sacrificed himself for us, that we might understand his love for us. This I know.
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