My Gospel Study in October 2009

Among other things, my gospel study in October included the following:

2009 Outline for Sharing Time and the Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation
October Theme (and weekly gospel principles): "The Family: a Proclamation to the World" teaches me about families.

October Scripture: "The family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children" ("Proclamation," paragraph 1).

Chapter 41: Becoming Saviors on Mount Zion

General Conference Addresses April 2009

Richard G. Scott, “Temple Worship: The Source of Strength and Power in Times of Need,” Ensign, May 2009, 43–45

When a temple is conveniently nearby, small things may interrupt your plans to go to the temple. Set specific goals, considering your circumstances, of when you can and will participate in temple ordinances. Then do not allow anything to interfere with that plan. This pattern will guarantee that those who live in the shadow of a temple will be as blessed as are those who plan far ahead and make a long trip to the temple.

I encourage you to establish your own goal of how frequently you will avail yourself of the ordinances offered in our operating temples. What is there that is more important than attending and participating in the ordinances of the temple? What activity could have a greater impact and provide more joy and profound happiness for a couple than worshipping together in the temple?

*Talk includes an excellent list of suggestions on how to gain more benefit from temple attendance.

Russell M. Nelson, “Lessons from the Lord’s Prayers,” Ensign, May 2009, 46–49

Thus, the Lord’s Prayer serves as a pattern to follow and not as a piece to memorize and recite repetitively. The Master simply wants us to pray for God’s help while we strive constantly to resist evil and live righteously.

We too can pray for unity. We can pray to be of one heart and one mind with the Lord’s anointed and with our loved ones. We can pray for mutual understanding and respect between ourselves and our neighbors. If we really care for others, we should pray for them.“Pray one for another … ,” taught James, for “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

Richard C. Edgley, “This Is Your Phone Call,” Ensign, May 2009, 53–55

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “We Are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come Down,” Ensign, May 2009, 59–62

We cannot and we must not allow ourselves to get distracted from our sacred duty. We cannot and we must not lose focus on the things that matter most.

*I shared some of my thoughts after reading this talk here.

Henry B. Eyring, “‘Man Down!’,” Ensign, May 2009, 63–66

The Ensign, October 2009

The Friend, October 2009

Caldecott Books in October

Here are the Caldecott Medal Winner books I read during the month of October. I have to confess, I actually only read A Story A Story to the Ant Bug, and she thought it was just okay. I wasn't too interested in the other two, and I didn't think she would be either, but I probably should have given her the option. Now that she is in preschool everyday we have lost some of our regular reading time, so I need to work on making that more of a priority.

1951: The Egg Tree by Katherine Milhous
1971: A Story A Story, retold and illustrated by Gail E. Haley
1998: Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinsky

Scripture of the Week: Galations 5:13

“By love serve one another.”
Galations 5:13

President Monson's talk from this past General Conference was one that really touched me and has left me pondering how to apply his teachings. Titled, What Have I Done for Someone Today?, President Monson encouraged us all to ask ourselves that question daily and do something to help another person. His talk was the subject of our FHE lesson tonight, and I also drew a lot of ideas from this lesson at The Family Home Evening Spot.

I shared the story of Dr. McConnell and the question his father asked him every night: "And what did you do for someone today?" Then we discussed President Monson's birthday wish, and how primary children all over the world responded to his hope. We decided to start our own warm fuzzy jar, which we will work on filling up this month as we find ways to serve others. To start us off tonight we drew pictures and wrote a letter to family members who live far away.

Scripture of the Week: Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

In the last month my entire family has been sick with something. Nothing terribly serious (mostly coughs and runny noses and some fevers and ear infections) but enough to be annoyed by all the sickness. So I saw this great lesson on staying healthy at Family Home Evening Planner and decided it was just what we needed tonight.

I gathered each of the items pictured above and used them as props to discuss the following ways that we can work at staying healthy.

Hand soap--wash hands with soap and water, rub the soap all over the hand surface for as long as it takes to sing the ABC song (this included a demonstration!).

Hand sanitizer--rub a dime sized amount of cleanser all over the hand surface until it evaporates (this also included a demonstration and practice run!).

Toy food--eat healthy, nutritious foods and limit sweets.

Toy dishes--don't share dishes, food, or drinks.

Medicine--use medicine as needed (but only when Mom or Dad give it!). Keep a supply on hand for emergencies.

Pillow--get enough sleep.

Tissue--use a tissue to cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, or use your arm and not your hands (another demonstration and practice run).

We also talked about the importance of getting regular exercise, but I didin't have an object for that.

I chose this scripture for the week to remind us of the additional strength that we can receive from the Lord. I certainly want to "run and not be weary"!

Scripture of the Week: 3 Nephi 13: 23-30

"Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin;
And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith."
3 Nephi 13:28-30

For Family Home Evening tonight we celebrated the birthday of our Sweet Bee, but we still had a brief lesson. We chose a scripture to discuss that has her name in it! We talked about the meaning behind the scripture and listened to the beautiful arrangement of Consider the Lilies performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. If you like that song, you might be interested to read a little background on how it was written.

Recently Read: Specials

Specials by Scott Westerfeld

I had to read this third book in the series, to finally get some closure to the story. Thankfully, most of the details got wrapped up nicely. This series is an interesting take on a futuristic world.

Scripture of the Week: D&C 4:4

"For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;"
D&C 4:4

This scripture was chosen to go along with our Family Home Evening lesson on missionary work (specifically ways that we can be missionaries now). We played a game that I created for a Sharing Time last year, and ended the evening off with some silly magic tricks from Dad and Grandpa.