The Sermon on the Mount: My CTR 5 Lesson

The following four precepts were the lesson topics: Golden Rule, Your Treasure is where your Heart is, Prayer, and Wise man & Foolish man. I was planning to bring a box of my treasures, but I forgot the box at home. I almost ditched that part of the lesson, but I thought to draw a treasure chest on the black board to have a good discussion. The children were impressed by my drawing. 

I told the children a story that the person, who sealed my wife and I, shared at my wedding. He said that after buying land he learned that a gigantic rock made excavation difficult. Consulting architects, he had them design his house with the rock as the foundation. The property was in California. When the 1989 earthquake came, all of the houses around fell apart except his, since his house had a rock foundation. I asked a child about what the rock represents, and he said that it is the courage to be righteous.

The treasures in my box were the following: a stone from Delta Stone products, a fabric elephant keychain, miniature art mannequin, a wooden box from Jamaica, a ceramic pot, and an appointment paper from my sealing. I felt a little emotional, telling Jessica about my treasures. The stone from Delta Stone Products represents that I treasure God's guidance in my education and career. The fabric elephant is from Thailand representing my treasure of family. The miniature art mannequin represents my talent, hobbies, childhood, and upbringing; which I treasure. The wood carven Jamaican box represents my missionary service. The ceramic pot was made by a high school friend expressing my friends are a treasure of mine. The appointment paper represents the  treasure of my marriage. Health is another treasure, but I could not think of a good item to represent it. Hints of my treasures are all over my apartment. 

3 March 2019

Last night I picked up Jessica at the Portland Airport, going to sleep late again. Although I woke up about 5:45 AM, getting about six hours of sleep, I chose to schedule blog posts and prepare my primary lesson. 

I had four parts to my lesson this time instead of two compared to last time. My co-teacher had a substitute, who was very helpful, expounding on the lesson. 

The following four precepts were the lesson topics: Golden Rule, Your Treasure is where your Heart is, Prayer, and Wise man & Foolish man. I was planning to bring a box of my treasures, but I forgot the box at home. I almost ditched that part of the lesson, but I thought to draw a treasure chest on the black board to have a good discussion. The children were impressed by my drawing. 

I told the children a story that the person, who sealed my wife and I, shared at my wedding. He said that after buying land he learned that a gigantic rock made excavation difficult. Consulting architects, he had them design his house with the rock as the foundation. The property was in California. When the 1989 earthquake came, all of the houses around fell apart except his, since his house had a rock foundation. I asked a child about what the rock represents, and he said that it is the courage to be righteous.

The treasures in my box were the following: a stone from Delta Stone products, a fabric elephant keychain, miniature art mannequin, a wooden box from Jamaica, a ceramic pot, and an appointment paper from my sealing. I felt a little emotional, telling Jessica about my treasures. The stone from Delta Stone Products represents that I treasure God's guidance in my education and career. The fabric elephant is from Thailand representing my treasure of family. The miniature art mannequin represents my talent, hobbies, childhood, and upbringing; which I treasure. The wood carven Jamaican box represents my missionary service. The ceramic pot was made by a high school friend expressing my friends are a treasure of mine. The appointment paper represents the  treasure of my marriage. Health is another treasure, but I could not think of a good item to represent it. Hints of my treasures are all over my apartment. 

After church I drew for about forty minutes. Hands are difficult. I am not afraid of them, but I can't figure out how to get the right proportion currently. I developed the faces a lot more of the lion and the mage.

The True Application of Faith

I finished reading Alma 58 this morning. Chapter 58 of Alma in the Book of Mormon is a great chapter to learn the true application of faith.

Helamen and his troops were not supported well by their nation due to pride. They were far from the safe capitol. Not being informed of the situation, they had to fend for themselves. Their small army feared the numerous armies of the Lamanites. 

"Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people.Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him. And we did take courage with our small force which we had received, and were fixed with a determination to conquer our enemies, and to maintain our lands, and our possessions, and our wives, and our children, and the cause of our liberty." (Alma 58:10-12)

Helamen and his armies now had knowledge and an assurance that their endeavors will succeed. This is faith. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (JST, Hebrews 11:1) Assurance comes from revelation. Trust in your faith, and continually cultivate it to maintain  the fruits of hope. Read the whole chapter for full context.