Sunday Happenings

Lesson: Watching With All Perseverance, Elder Bednar, May 2010 Ensign
Instructor: We want to thank Sister Geist for filling in this week, she did a great job!

"Recently I was driving my car as drops of rain from a thunderstorm began to fall on the windshield. On the side of the road, an electronic sign displayed a timely warning: “Standing Water Ahead.” The surface on which I was driving appeared to be quite safe. But this vital information enabled me to prepare for a potential hazard I had not expected and could not yet see. As I continued toward my destination, I slowed down and watched carefully for additional signs of danger.
Early warning signals are evident in many aspects of our lives. For example, a fever can be a first symptom of sickness or disease. Various financial and labor market indicators are used to forecast future trends in local and national economies. And depending upon the area of the world in which we live, we may receive flood, avalanche, hurricane, tsunami, tornado, or winter storm warnings."

Elder Bednar taught about "Three Components of a Spiritual Early Warning System" that will help parents strengthen the testimonies of their children and bring the closer to the Savior.

1. Reading and Talking about the Book of Mormon:

• Contains the fullness of the Gospel
• 2 Ne. 25:4- "My soul delighteth in the plainness unto my people, that they may learn"....plain means instruction that is clear and easily understood
• The Book of Mormon is the most correct book on earth because it centers on the truth
• The unique combination of the two factors-- a focus on the Savior and the plainness of the teachings -- powerfully invites the confirming witness of the third member of the Godhead, even the Holy Ghost.
• The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that by abiding by the precepts found in The Book of Mormon would help us "get nearer to God" than any other book.
• Helps us resist temptation
• Children and Youth may not fully understand all of the words and stories..."but they certainly can feel the "familiar spirit"!
• Have you had experiences with the Book of Mormon that have brought you closer to the Savior? What about your children?

2. Bearing Testimony Spontaneously:

• Be aware of opportunities where you could bear testimony to your children
• Naturally occurring family conversations at dinner
• Testimonies do not always need to begin with "I'd bear you my testimony."
• Could be as simple as, "I know I was blessed with inspiration at work today" or "The truth in this scripture always has been a powerful source of direction for me"
• Traveling in a car or bus
• While answering questions chidren my have...during discussions
• When have you been able to bear your testimony to your children?

3. Inviting Children to Act:

• James 1:22: We should be, "doers of the word, and not hearers only."
• Parents have the sacred responsibility to help children to act and to seek learning by faith.
• Giving a man a fish feeds him for one meal. Teaching a man to fish feeds him for a lifetime.
• What are some times you have been able to help your children choose to act in righteous decisions?

Elder Bednar concluded by saying, "I bear witness that parents who consistently read and talk about the Book of Mormon with their children, who share testimony spontaneously with their children, and who invite children as gospel learners to act and not merely be acted upon will be blessed with eyes that can see afar off (see Moses 6:27) and with ears that can hear the sound of the trumpet (see Ezekiel 33:2–16). The spiritual discernment and inspiration you will receive from the combination of these three holy habits will enable you to stand as watchmen on the tower for your families—”watching … with all perseverance” (Ephesians 6:18)—to the blessing of your immediate family and your future posterity. I so promise and testify in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen."

Family Home Evening Ideas:

Sharing Time: I Feel Reverent When I Read the Scriptures

Sharing Time: Study the Book of Mormon

LDS Living FHE Lesson: Choose the Right

LDS Living FHE Lesson: The Book of Mormon

Prepared not Scared Blog: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and he is a God of Miracles, P.S. she has some fun Halloween Ideas she posts during the week!