How Christ is my light

How might you help your family visualize what they read about light in these verses? You could let family members take turns shining a light in a dark room and sharing how the Savior is the Light of their lives. Then, as you read John 1:4–10, family members might have additional insight into John’s testimony of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

Before reading John 1:4–10

Jesus Christ is my light because I would not have power to improve my life without him. There would be no morals and nothing to place faith in.

"In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not." (John 1:4–10)

After reading John 1:4–10

Jesus Christ created the Earth, establishing life thereon, yet life does not know him. He has a purpose and plan for them.

Wisdom from a Youth Family History Teacher

A youth spoke in Sacrament, reflecting on his calling last year as a Family History Teacher. He said that family history is like a treasure hunt.

In his residence there is a scary picture of an mysterious old lady. No one in the family knew who she was. They found after some research that she is the youth's great, great, great, great, grandmother, and another treasure that they discovered is that she is the sister of John Taylor. John Taylor was the third prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." (3 Nephi 25:6)

Another note is that learning family history protects you from bad influences.

Let us turn our hearts to our fathers. Heavenly Father's plan for the salvation of the human family requires every child of God to be discovered. 

Testimonies of God's Personal Relationship with Individuals

God does provide. Heavenly Father cares about the little things in our lives.   
A sister had a pair of earrings that couples with her wedding ring. She lost them twice. The pair of earrings are a very dear momento. She could only found them by God's guidance and prayer. One experience is almost unbelievable. She was out with her children at a park, and she found them under a rock; not damaged.
A valiant in a testimony of Christ can be a quiet assurance.
A sister murmured the higher expectations of "Come, follow me." She sees that her change of heart is an evidence of the Holy Ghost's influence. She is excited about the new "Come, follow me" program for a home centered church. 
You know what you need to do. Don't resist it.

The Coming Forth of 'The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ' By the Gift and Power of God

The Book of Mormon only could have be translated by the gift and power of God   
One night as a youth, Joseph Smith prayed on behalf of his welfare, and Moroni, an angel & prophet of the Book of Mormon appeared to him, telling about the ancient record engraved an golden plates, which was abridged by his father Mormon. 

Seer stone will reveal images to the faithful/chosen. Joseph Smith found one personally in a well before given one by an angel. It was described as a tool to learn how to receive revelation. He translated the Book of Mormon by seer stones and the Urim and Thummim.   

"To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world. To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful." (D&C 46:13-14)    

Joseph Smith's Translation   
about 8 pages a day   
He did not:   

• edit it.   
• cross reference.   
• ask where he left off
• know the contents of the literature, asking his wife "Were there walls around Jerusalem?"   
• know some of the words, spelling them letter by letter.   

He could barely write, not being educated much. 
What would you say if someone questioned you and Joseph's means of translation?   
I would say that God does not work the way man does. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, a true record.    
   
   

three v. eight witnesses   

angel | in person   

shown book and inscriptions, & artifacts | hefted it   

spiritual | physical   

   
Knowledge v. hearken   
People may not live according to their knowledge.   
   
The three witness are David Whitmer, Martin Harris, and Oliver Cowdery; all excommunicated  & left the church. Martin & Oliver returned to the Church. When David Whitmer heard rumors that he denied his witness, he published a document affirming his witness.   
   
   
The Book of Mormon answers all the questions of a student.   
   
The Book of Mormon is the keystone of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It clarifies the atonement of Christ, the plan of Salvation, and the gospel.

The Fruit of Fearing man v. God

Jessica and I reviewed the suggestion of "fearing not" from 'Come, follow me.' I realized that fearing man and God have opposite affect. The fear of man begets odd actions, but true fear of God inspires righteousness and meekness.

The Humble Circumstances of Christ's Birth

As you read Luke 2:1–7, what do you notice about the humble circumstances of His birth? Try to identify a detail or insight in this story that you hadn’t noticed before. 

She gave birth alone with no mention of family otherthan her husband, having no nurse, doctor, or midwife.

What do you learn about the Savior from the circumstances of His birth? 

Joseph & Mary were self reliant.

How do these insights affect your feelings toward Him?

Their attitude is admirable.

Sacrament - 13 January 2019

Article Faith 9   

9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

Prophet Russel M. Nelson is revealing new and great things today, a call to change hearts. It is not about the details.   

Ministering; no more home teaching   

   

Personal Scripture Study   

He could not write his talk because his love for the word is too great.   

God speaks to man through the scriptures   

scripture from Mosiah in the Book of Mormon - "What have ye to boast?" Words for hot-headed teenger   

D&C 111:5 - "Concern not yourselves about your debts, for I will give you power to pay them." Words for a man troubled with his finances.   

Be consistent.   

God truly inspired the transcription of the scriptures,   

   

Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost - January 12, 2019

Our "Come, follow me" study pondered the visitations of the angel Gabriel to Mary & Joseph. I thought that one verse in the quotation of his conversation with Mary was particularly comforting for her & for the long term. 

 "Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:34 & 35)

The angel's words of 'the power of the Highest, holy thing, of God' should have consoled her, for she was pregnant before her marriage. She may have felt guilty. Her marriage was not elaborate, for Joseph "minded to put her away privily." (Matthew 1:19) Gabriel's words were definitely inspired by the Holy Ghost. "Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ." (2 Nephi 32:3)

Come, follow me. - January 7, 2019

Do you find yourself waiting for a blessing? 

Yes.

What do you feel the Lord expects of you while you wait?

Patience & do my best.

What other messages might the Lord have for you in this story?

Patience yields wisdom by pondering.

Second Institute Class

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only source of light in the world.   

Everything good comes from God.  

 

Don't let the past define your future, a fruit of forgiveness.   

A woman sued the Church for a sexual assault experience with a leader of the church. The teacher testifies of the need forgiveness, for he and his siblings were sexually abused for years as a child, but he would be thrilled if he would see his abusers in the celestial kingdom.   

A student related. How would you feel if a drug addict or an alcoholic in the Celestial Kingdom? Would you not be thrilled?   

   

3 AM is the time that President Nelson reads the scriptures, talking about how he pulled out a flashlight to continue, when the power went out. That is the time that he finds that God speaks to him. He encouraged the audience of mission presidents to find the time and place that God speaks to them.   

   

Joseph Smith Papers many accounts of the first vision, a more complete understanding of his experience.

Ancestry DNA Kit guidance

Our gift to John & Mercedes were Ancestry DNA Kits. Jessica had them open them at the same time. John prepared his specimen first, since Mercedes ate some melon recently after we opened gifts. An individual must wait thirty minutes after putting any substances in their mouth before filling the valve with saliva. One needs to create an account with ancestry.com before delivering the sample. I don't know if ancestry.com allowed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to sign in with an LDS.org account previously, but we thought so.  After failing to sign in with Mercedes' LDS.org account, we let John set her up with an account at ancestry.com. There are a few questions to answer, and the identification number needs to be produced to match the specimen with the account. It was simple for them to prepare, and the results will come back in six to eight weeks.