Dear Family and Friends
This has been another long long week. I feel like somehow it id the week that i have my chemotherapy that the week is the longest. My weeks here lately just seem to blend right into one and then another. This usually takes place without my knowledge or my permission:) not that my permission was ever needed in these cases at any time before.
Shoot, there are some nights when I awake in the night only to look at my phone to realize that it is 11:45 pm instead of 11:45 am. ... and the day did not pass away when I was sleeping. Other days when I have tried to stay awake until 8 pm but have fallen asleep right away I slept all night, thinking that I had a good night’s rest.
As it turned out I got up on time only to fall back to sleep before I needed to leave for work. I am so grateful for alarms. I am such a mess these days. I think I have written my blog only to find out that it was not even started or that it was all done and I forgot to press the publish button to get it out there to you.
So, I am hoping that I will do better for you this week:) Maybe if i can get this one out on time i can begin a new pattern for myself. If i can stay awake long enough to get it done for you and get it published too:) I really do try not to make the same mistake twice. Oh no, already my plan has failed.
I just got reminded that I need to drive my granddaughter to town. She needs to go shopping and the store hours only work with or schedules today. I will be back hopefully tonight, it is really hard to get anything done after work because i am usually so very tired. This part comes from our Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:
1. There are many principles to find in 3 Nephi 12–16. Some are highlighted in this outline, but you may find others. Let Heavenly Father, through His Spirit, teach you what you need right now.
I was watching an episode of Peppa Pig with my grandchildren, when in the episode Peppa and her friends were trying to run away from their shadows. Mr Rabbit told them that they could never run away from their shadows. He told them that their shadows will always be with them. Just as the Holy Ghost can always be with you and your family members ad friends.
The reason I bring this up to you is actually for more than a reason. First thing that came to my mind as I was watching this episode was that my preschool class would love this episode. The next thing that came to me was that we want to Always be in places where the Holy Ghost will be with us. This next part comes directly to you from our Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families:
2. Like Jesus’s disciples who gathered at the mount in Galilee, the people who gathered at the temple at Bountiful had lived under the law of Moses. They had followed it because it pointed their souls to Christ (see Jacob 4:5), and now Christ stood before them, declaring a higher law. But even those of us who have never lived the law of Moses can recognize that the standard Jesus set for His disciples is a much higher law. “I would that ye should be perfect,” He declared (3 Nephi 12:48). If this makes you feel inadequate, remember that Jesus also said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (3 Nephi 12:3). This higher law is an invitation—another way of saying “Come unto me and be ye saved” (3 Nephi 12:20). Like the law of Moses, this law points us to Christ—the only One who can save and perfect us. “Behold,” He said, “I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live” (3 Nephi 15:9).
In our lesson today we are learning more about the characteristics of Christ. So, basically becoming more like Him is for us to emulate Christ like attributes. My preschoolers are so pure and so willing and eager to learn. You and your family members and friends should choose to be like those little preschoolers.
They should never try to chase their shadows [the Holy Ghost]away [by going into place where the Holy Ghost would not go, or participating in activities which the Holy Ghost would not participate in]or speaking in a manner in which the Holy Ghost would not like . you and your family members and friends should always try to do your best every day and do all that you can do to keep the Holy Ghost close to you.
Speaking of preschoolers. How are you doing with your counting skills? Oh, you say that you are up to par on your counting skills. If not just ask your preschooler to help you out. You need to get together with your family members and friends. And get out a piece of your wonderful poster board. Now get ready to write!!!
Do your family members and friends like to talk about the things that they have learned each week from their scripture reading sessions? You may want to turn on your counting skills and write the numbers 12-16 right across the top of your poster board. Next you will ask each one to go on a search with you:)
You and your family members and friends will need to search through these chapters looking for a verse that has meaning to each one of them and then write the verse number underneath the corresponding chapter number on the board. This way you will have a written record for future study of these important gospel gems.
Twelve Thirteen Fourteen Fifteen Sixteen
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
3 Nephi 12–14
The Savior’s teachings show me how to be a true disciple.
There are many truths, words of counsel, and warnings in 3 Nephi 12–14. Here’s one way to study and apply what the Savior taught in these chapters: Pick a group of verses, and see if you can summarize what the verses teach in one sentence that begins with “True disciples of Jesus Christ …” For example, a summary of 3 Nephi 14:1–5 might be “True disciples of Jesus Christ are not judgmental.” You might want to choose a verse from these chapters that is especially meaningful to you and memorize it or copy it and place it where you will see it often. Ponder how you can apply what you learn to your personal efforts to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ.
See also Matthew 5–7; Luke 6:20–49.
3 Nephi 12–14
The Savior’s teachings show us how to be true disciples.
For the following activity you may want to consider writing on your poster board the incomplete phrases, including some references like the following: 3 Nephi 12:3–16, 38–44; 13:1–8, 19–24; and or there may be other passages which you have found in your own personal study that you would care to share with your family members and friends.
I have only put into my chart the first verse of the first passage. You and your family members and friends may choose to add more rows to your chart to include more teachings / attributes of Jesus Christ,
Scripture passages “True disciples of Jesus Christ …”
3 Nephi 12:3–16,
blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. “True disciples of Jesus Christ …”mourn with those who mourn.
3 Nephi 12: 38–44
3 Nephi 13:1–8,
3 Nephi 13:19–24
3 Nephi 14:21–27
You will find in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families suggests that we should be summarizing the passages in 3 Nephi 12–14. In summarizing the passages within these chapters we are to complete the phrase “True disciples of Jesus Christ …”
You and your family members and friends might choose a passage to read either individually or as a group. In this way you could suggest a way to simply complete the phrase which you have written on your poster board. You complete this phrase based on what those verses have taught you in your search.
You should be sure to encourage your family members and friends to make certain that each one of them write down in their journal just what they will commit to do to follow Jesus Christ, their Savior, more closely and more faithfully simply because of what they have learned from these versus during this week!!!
You may want to consider asking one of your family members and / or friends to study Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s message “Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 40–42) before you and your family members and friends meet together in your family study group next week.
Doing this before you meet together will help them to be able to share insights that help them understand this verse. This might also help your family members and friends to better understand the Savior’s words in 3 Nephi 12:48.
You might want to read this verse together then you can ask one or more of them to share their thoughts with the group. This next part comes directly to you from our Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families:
3. Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
3 Nephi 12:1–2; 15:23–24; 16:1–6
Blessed are those who believe without seeing.
Compared to the total number of God’s children, very few have seen the Savior and heard His voice, as the people at Bountiful did. Most of us are more like the people described in 3 Nephi 12:2; 15:23; and 16:4–6. What promises are made to such people in these verses? How have these promises been fulfilled in your life?
See also John 20:26–29; 2 Nephi 26:12–13; Alma 32:16–18.
3 Nephi 12:21–30
Our thoughts lead to actions.
Just how close do you and your family members and friends feel that your thoughts and our actions are??? You will need to get out your poster board again
Making a chart seems to almost always help people to see better what is right there. Your discussion could begin right here with this chart on your poster board.
Passages Actions We Want to Avoid Thoughts or Emotions That Lead to Them
3 Nephi 12:21
thou shalt not kill, and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment of God; Anger
3 Nephi 12:22
whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of his judgment.
3 Nephi 12: 27
3 Nephi 12: 28
3 Nephi 12: 29
3 Nephi 12: 30
You and your family members and friends could work together or in small groups to read through the following verses 3 Nephi 12:21–30. You could discuss how controlling our thoughts, leads us to controlling our actions. Search through these verses to fill in the table which you have created on your poster board.
You should then ask your family members and friends if they can think of some other things that you could each add to the list. You are trying to think of some actions and thought that you could add to your list under each of the headings on your chart. The next thing for you to do would be to take on some questions. Are you ready???
What other actions and thoughts could you or your family members and friends add to the lists? How can we “suffer none of these things to enter into '' our hearts? (3 Nephi 12:29).
29 Behold, I give unto you a commandment, that ye suffer none of these things to enter into your heart;
How can we drive them out when they do enter? After reading President Ezra Taft Benson’s counsel you might create a new table.
We can control our thoughts.
President Ezra Taft Benson taught:
“The mind has been likened to a stage on which only one act at a time can be performed. From one side of the wings the Lord, who loves you, is trying to put on the stage of your mind that which will bless you. From the other side of the wings the devil, who hates you, is trying to put on the stage of your mind that which will curse you.
“You are the stage manager—you are the one who decides which thought will occupy the stage. … You will be what you think about—what you consistently allow to occupy the stage of your mind. …
“If thoughts make us what we are, and we are to be like Christ, we must think Christlike thoughts” (“Think on Christ,” Ensign, Apr. 1984, 10–11).
The new table could have the headings Christ Like Actions We Want to Develop and Thoughts That Lead to Them. u so hope that you and your family members and friends will enjoy making the charts and filling them in together. Be sure to share with your little family study group how you find your answers for filling in your chart.
Passages Christlike Actions We Want to Develop Thoughts That Lead to Them
3 Nephi 12:21
Love one another Kind thoughts
3 Nephi 12:22
3 Nephi 12: 27
3 Nephi 12: 28
3 Nephi 12: 29
3 Nephi 12: 30
You may have noticed that my charts are a little different and you and your family members and friends can choose the one that works for your family study group. This next part comes directly to you from our Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families:
4. Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
3 Nephi 12:21–30; 13:1–8, 16–18; 14:21–23
Righteous acts are not enough; my heart must also be pure.
One theme you might notice in these chapters is the Savior’s invitation to live a higher law—to be righteous not only in our outward actions but also in our hearts. Look for this theme when the Savior speaks of contention (3 Nephi 12:21–26), immorality (3 Nephi 12:27–30), prayer (3 Nephi 13:5–8), and fasting (3 Nephi 13:16–18). What other examples can you find? What can you do to purify the desires of your heart rather than focus on outward actions only?
3 Nephi 13:1–8, 16–18
Our service and worship must be done for the right reasons.
To begin your discussion of this section you might choose to read together with your family members and friends the following verses 1–2 and 16. After you've finished your reading of these verses you will want to share the following definition of hypocrites: “Pretenders; the Greek word [used in the New Testament] means ‘a play actor,’ or ‘one who … exaggerates a part’” (Matthew 6:2, footnote a).
It might be fun for your family members and friends to pretend or act like they are giving some things to those who are poor and/or needy or fasting for them. You know in studying 3 Nephi 13 you will see this as a food time for you and your family members and friends to search themselves as to the reason why they do good work for others.
Here are a few more questions for you and your family members and friends to answer together: Why is pretending or acting a good metaphor for hypocrisy? How can we make sure our service, prayer, and fasting are sincere and free from hypocrisy? What are the good works that are mentioned in 3 Nephi 13:1–8 and 16–18?
After you and your family members and friends have found out what good works are mentioned in the following passages: 3 Nephi 13:1–8 and 16–18
Verses Good works Found
3 Nephi 13:1-4
ye should do alms unto the poor
3 Nephi 13:5-8
3 Nephi 13:16-18
You and your family members and friends should use this time to discuss together the good works that you have written on your poster board chart. Next you can answer the following questions: what motives might lead a person to do these things or other things God asks us to do?
What would we say to someone who asks us why we do good things? Make sure to encourage your family members and friends to ponder their personal reasons for doing good works like those we have been studying this week.
How can we purify our motives? This next part comes directly to you from our Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families:
5. Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
3 Nephi 14:7–11
If I seek “good things” from Heavenly Father, I will receive.
President Russell M. Nelson said: “Does God really want to speak to you? Yes! … Oh, there is so much more that your Father in Heaven wants you to know” (“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 95). As you read the Lord’s invitation in 3 Nephi 14:7–11 to ask, seek, and knock, ponder what “good things” He might want you to ask for. The following additional scriptures may help you understand how to ask, seek, and knock. They may also help explain why some prayers are not answered the way you expect: Isaiah 55:8–9; Helaman 10:5; Moroni 7:26–27, 33, 37; and Doctrine and Covenants 9:7–9.
3 Nephi 14:7–11
If we seek “good things” from Heavenly Father, we will receive.
Are you ready to make another chart? Okay, then get out your poster board. Remember that the Lord has invited you and your family members and friends [and all of the rest of His children as well] to asl. Seek, and to knock. In order to help you and your family members and friends to better understand this invitation from the Lord,
This invitation includes the following: to seek, to ask, to knock, it may be a good thing to explore these words -- what do they mean? What does each word imply about what the Lord invites each one of us to do? What does each word imply about what the Lord invites us to do?
How do we ask, seek, and knock? How have the promises in 3 Nephi 14:7–8 been fulfilled in our lives? You and your family members and friends could also review President Russell M. Nelson’s counsel: you and your family members and friends will be looking for the questions he asks and the invitations he gives.
God wants to speak to you.
President Russell M. Nelson said:
“What will your seeking open for you? What wisdom do you lack? What do you feel an urgent need to know or understand? Follow the example of the Prophet Joseph. Find a quiet place where you can regularly go. Humble yourself before God. Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father. Turn to Him for answers and for comfort.
“Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. …
“Does God really want to speak to you? Yes! … I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation. …
“Oh, there is so much more that your Father in Heaven wants you to know” (“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 95).
Remember to give your family study group time to ponder and write down their answers to his questions in their journals as well as their plans to act on his invitations. This next section is full of questions:) You and your family members and friends might consider reviewing some of the following scriptures together:
Isaiah 55:8–9; Helaman 10:4–5; 3 Nephi 18:20; and Doctrine and Covenants 9:7–9; 88:64. Reviewing these scripture passages could help you and your family members and friends to answer these questions: Are you or any member of your family study group.uncertain about what the Savior meant when He said,
“Every one that asketh, receiveth” (3 Nephi 14:8). Why do some prayers seem to go unanswered, and why do we sometimes get answers we don’t want? Make sure to encourage the members of your family study group to share what they find. How might these insights affect how we pray?
I want you and your family members and friends to think about or you might rather try to imagine what it would be like to hear the Savior, Jesus Christ, Himself actually praying for you and for each one of them. What a sight, right??? We will be learning about some people who actually had this very sacred experience.
Be sure to read 3 Nephi 17–19. When you say your family prayers, do you pray for your family members and friends? U have learned over the years that it is most important for you to pray for one another and let them hear you praying for them and their needs. This next part comes directly to you from our Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families:
Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Family Home Evening
As you read the scriptures with your family, the Spirit can help you know what principles to emphasize and discuss in order to meet the needs of your family. Here are some ideas.
3 Nephi 12:48
How does Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s message “Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 40–42) help us understand the Savior’s words in this verse? You could also find help in Moroni 10:32–33.
3 Nephi 12:9, 38–42; 14:3–5, 12
How do these verses apply to interactions among family members? Perhaps your family could set some goals together to live by these principles more faithfully.
3 Nephi 13:19–21
These verses could prompt a discussion about what your family treasures. Are there some treasures on earth that are keeping you from laying up treasures in heaven? You could reinforce this point by leading the family on a treasure hunt to find things in your home that remind your family members of treasures with eternal value.
3 Nephi 14:7–11
Younger children might enjoy a game, inspired by 3 Nephi 14:8–9, in which they ask for something and receive something entirely different. What did the Savior want us to know about our Father in Heaven when He shared this example?
3 Nephi 14:15–20
What “good fruit” helps us know that Joseph Smith, or the current President of the Church, is a true prophet?
3 Nephi 14:24–27
Think of ways you could help your family visualize the parable in these verses. Perhaps family members could draw pictures, do actions, or build things on solid and sandy foundations.
For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.
Suggested song: “The Wise Man and the Foolish Man,” Children’s Songbook, 281.\
I love this song. I am going to teach it to my preschoolers this week. There are some really cute activities that we can do with this song that I think they will all enjoy. They get so excited when I tell them that we have a new song and even more excited when I tell them we are going to have a story or movie about Jesus Christ
Well here we are down at the bottom of the last page of our lesson, we have no teaching help or any personal scripture study help for this lesson but we surely do have a lot of important teachings that we have learned during this week. I think these truths should be written in our journals for future reference and study.
Please remember who you and your family members and friends are. You are each a child of God, no matter what your age is I hope and
pray that your and your family and friends are all healthy and doing well and that you continue to do so every day!!
Remember to keep up with our lessons. I am glad that I am able to share these wonderful lessons with a few of you Until my next post please remember to stay safe and keep up with your reading in the Book of Mormon. Remember that there is truly great power in this special sacred book.
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