Saving
Strange how I have been thinking about this weeks message all week, now that I sit down, I am blank. What should I say/type? Am I getting old? (no comment is required there) Not that you would comment, as no one commented or sent me comments last week.
So here we go from the hip.
A few weeks ago, we had a discussion in PEC (priesthood executive committee) about the need for better teaching in the home. Not just with Home Teachers, but teaching period. As we discussed ideas, it was amazing to me how many people feel like what they have to contribute is not worth sharing, they don't think any one would find it valuable, or they just don't know how or what to teach about. How many of you have been in that boat? How many of you have pondered, prayed, and studied for a lesson or thought, but when you stood up to say it, it just did not come out how it played out in your mind? I don't think we should see any hands in the laps here. I know this happens to me all the time. Today was a good example. My weekly blog is an even better example.
Any who, we decided that a good way to help would be to share, discuss, or provide a lesson for Home Teachers and Priesthood holders to teach in their homes. We will do this each week in opening exercises of Priesthood. The thoughts would come from the First Presidency's message.
Yep, this week was my opportunity to do that.
I am sure that what I share today will not play out as it does in my mind, but here it goes. How many of you have read it? I was not surprised to see the President Eyring's thoughts were very similar to the talk he shared in Priesthood Session, "Eternal Families" vs "Hope of Eternal Family Love". As I read the message and re-read the talk, my mind was filled with so many thoughts.
I have been reading in Alma 26 as of late. Ammon talks over and over again about Saving the Lamanites. (here are my thoughts) I have found myself questioning what they are Saving them from? Who are they Saving them from? What does it mean to Save them? Yes, I know pretty basic questions right?
As I read the message, re-read the Priesthood talk, then President Uchtdorf's talk from Priesthood, and then re-read chapter 26, it all came together.
"...Every major Decision should be based on the effect it will have on a family to qualify for life with Heavenly Father ans Jesus Christ."
"...Every priesthood effort and every priesthood ordinance is intended to help Heavenly Father's children be changed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ to become members of perfected family units. It follows that "the great work of every man is to believe the gospel, to keep the commandments, and to create and perfect an eternal family unit," and to help others do the same."
"..Families are not just meant to make thinks run more smoothly here on earth and to be cast off when we get to heaven. Rather they are the order of heaven. They are an echo of a celestial pattern and an emulation of God's eternal family."
This is what the sons of Mosiah, Alma, Amulek, and every missionary effort that has ever been carried out is all about. Finding families, instilling or teaching them about the celestial pattern, and helping them make changes in their lives to get there. This is what they were Saving: Family.
That being said, it is understood that in today's world, not every family fits, models, or pattern's after the that celestial vision. (remember what I said about playing out the way we envisioned it?) That is OK. President Eyring addresses this as well. "A prophet of God once offered me counsel that gives me peace. I was worried that the choices of others might make it impossible for our family to be together forever. He said, 'You are worrying about the wrong problem. You just live worthy of the celestial kingdom, and the family arrangements will be more wonderful than you can imagine."
That is what is most important. We need to focus on what we are doing, in the family arrangement we have right now, and making sure we are doing our part to achieve the eternal plan. Start where you are. Move forward from there. It is not a race. It is a destination. We hope that all will make choices that will get them there as well.
I sum it up with 1 Nephi 1:1 "I, (your name), having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father;..." This applies to you, whether you think it does or not. Everyone of is born of "goodly parents". We are the offspring of a Heavenly Father and Mother. If we are willing to put forth the effort, He is willing to teach us all that knows. We just have to put of the natural man and turn to Him. Don't ever forget who you are, where you come from, and who you represent.
Nope, not the way it played out, but my vocabulary is rather limited, so that is what you get.
It has been a good week.
The Queen and I spent the week scrambling around in preparation of girl's camp, the Queen more so than myself. In the end, we did not think we had enough backpacks, tents, tent parts, sleeping bags, or such. We begged, borrowed, and purchased different supplies. Then we went camping, hauled it all in, survived, and hauled it all out. I count it as a success. I hope she did as well.
The Professor hit week 2. She is digging in and doing her best to make this new class exciting. She has been hearing good reports from parents. That has to be a good sign. She thinks the parents are still in the Honeymoon stage, but the kids are coming down from the high and returning to normal.
Tall Man and Ehl-Bo joined us for dinner today. It was so nice to see them. They have been working hard on sets, practices, and improving themselves. We were glad to see them making it. We look forward to seeing the production next weekend.
SnackPack did a little work, did a little play, and caught some Z's somewhere in between it all. Report are that the camping trip was fun, the temple trips were a joy, and the food was well worth it. He has another week of adventure planned in the days to come. We hope they are just as productive.
That is it for our week. Hope yours was just as productive.
Later
So here we go from the hip.
A few weeks ago, we had a discussion in PEC (priesthood executive committee) about the need for better teaching in the home. Not just with Home Teachers, but teaching period. As we discussed ideas, it was amazing to me how many people feel like what they have to contribute is not worth sharing, they don't think any one would find it valuable, or they just don't know how or what to teach about. How many of you have been in that boat? How many of you have pondered, prayed, and studied for a lesson or thought, but when you stood up to say it, it just did not come out how it played out in your mind? I don't think we should see any hands in the laps here. I know this happens to me all the time. Today was a good example. My weekly blog is an even better example.
Any who, we decided that a good way to help would be to share, discuss, or provide a lesson for Home Teachers and Priesthood holders to teach in their homes. We will do this each week in opening exercises of Priesthood. The thoughts would come from the First Presidency's message.
Yep, this week was my opportunity to do that.
I am sure that what I share today will not play out as it does in my mind, but here it goes. How many of you have read it? I was not surprised to see the President Eyring's thoughts were very similar to the talk he shared in Priesthood Session, "Eternal Families" vs "Hope of Eternal Family Love". As I read the message and re-read the talk, my mind was filled with so many thoughts.
I have been reading in Alma 26 as of late. Ammon talks over and over again about Saving the Lamanites. (here are my thoughts) I have found myself questioning what they are Saving them from? Who are they Saving them from? What does it mean to Save them? Yes, I know pretty basic questions right?
As I read the message, re-read the Priesthood talk, then President Uchtdorf's talk from Priesthood, and then re-read chapter 26, it all came together.
"...Every major Decision should be based on the effect it will have on a family to qualify for life with Heavenly Father ans Jesus Christ."
"...Every priesthood effort and every priesthood ordinance is intended to help Heavenly Father's children be changed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ to become members of perfected family units. It follows that "the great work of every man is to believe the gospel, to keep the commandments, and to create and perfect an eternal family unit," and to help others do the same."
"..Families are not just meant to make thinks run more smoothly here on earth and to be cast off when we get to heaven. Rather they are the order of heaven. They are an echo of a celestial pattern and an emulation of God's eternal family."
This is what the sons of Mosiah, Alma, Amulek, and every missionary effort that has ever been carried out is all about. Finding families, instilling or teaching them about the celestial pattern, and helping them make changes in their lives to get there. This is what they were Saving: Family.
That being said, it is understood that in today's world, not every family fits, models, or pattern's after the that celestial vision. (remember what I said about playing out the way we envisioned it?) That is OK. President Eyring addresses this as well. "A prophet of God once offered me counsel that gives me peace. I was worried that the choices of others might make it impossible for our family to be together forever. He said, 'You are worrying about the wrong problem. You just live worthy of the celestial kingdom, and the family arrangements will be more wonderful than you can imagine."
That is what is most important. We need to focus on what we are doing, in the family arrangement we have right now, and making sure we are doing our part to achieve the eternal plan. Start where you are. Move forward from there. It is not a race. It is a destination. We hope that all will make choices that will get them there as well.
I sum it up with 1 Nephi 1:1 "I, (your name), having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father;..." This applies to you, whether you think it does or not. Everyone of is born of "goodly parents". We are the offspring of a Heavenly Father and Mother. If we are willing to put forth the effort, He is willing to teach us all that knows. We just have to put of the natural man and turn to Him. Don't ever forget who you are, where you come from, and who you represent.
Nope, not the way it played out, but my vocabulary is rather limited, so that is what you get.
It has been a good week.
The Queen and I spent the week scrambling around in preparation of girl's camp, the Queen more so than myself. In the end, we did not think we had enough backpacks, tents, tent parts, sleeping bags, or such. We begged, borrowed, and purchased different supplies. Then we went camping, hauled it all in, survived, and hauled it all out. I count it as a success. I hope she did as well.
The Professor hit week 2. She is digging in and doing her best to make this new class exciting. She has been hearing good reports from parents. That has to be a good sign. She thinks the parents are still in the Honeymoon stage, but the kids are coming down from the high and returning to normal.
Tall Man and Ehl-Bo joined us for dinner today. It was so nice to see them. They have been working hard on sets, practices, and improving themselves. We were glad to see them making it. We look forward to seeing the production next weekend.
SnackPack did a little work, did a little play, and caught some Z's somewhere in between it all. Report are that the camping trip was fun, the temple trips were a joy, and the food was well worth it. He has another week of adventure planned in the days to come. We hope they are just as productive.
That is it for our week. Hope yours was just as productive.
Later
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