Brightening My Light

photo by Lenda Sar I found some notes to a baptism talk I forgot I gave back in May for one of my Primary girls. (In fact, it was my first baptism talk, as the rest have all been about the Holy Ghost.) She really loves the song "When I Am Baptized," so I found scripture stories and symbolism related to the lyrics. As the notes were minimal and it was months ago, I did my best to reconstruct the talk here. "I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain" [I briefly reviewed the story of Noah and the ark]. The rain washed away all the wickedness from the earth so it could start anew. After the water dried up, God put a rainbow in the sky to represent the covenant He made to never flood the earth again, and the beauty that results from being clean. Just as a rainbow appears after every rain to remind us of this promise, repenting and taking the sacrament every week renews the covenants we made at baptism and reminds us of God's promise to always forgive

Last month, I was asked yet again to speak on the Holy Ghost at an investigator baptism on February 11. It would be the third time, in addition to numerous church talks on the same subject . Also, the baptism was of the parents and oldest children of a family, so I had to consider the varying ages. I was trying to think of what I could say that I hadn't already said to make it more meaningful. It then came to me that I should share how the Holy Ghost can help each family member specifically. I found scripture verses for the Spirit's role relevant to each person. Family member:  second oldest daughter Trial: bullying issues at school Spirit's relevant role : Comforting us Scripture : 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 , John 14: 16-18 Family member:  oldest daughter Trial:  boy problems Spirit's relevant role : Helping us feel God's love Scripture :  1 John 3:16 , Romans 5:5 Family member:  mother Trial:  parenting Spirit's relevant role : Revealing to us everyt

ldsclipart.com The children chose their themes and wrote their speaking parts, with some help from the Sharing Time manual and their parents. Aiyana (6yo): October Prayer is reverent communication between God and Me. I can pray to God, and he hears me. When I get scared I pray to God to keep me safe. At night I say my bedtime prayers. From reading scriptures, they have taught me how to pray. I have learned that God may not answer my prayers right away, but He does when the time is right. Through my prayers I have developed a strong bond with God. I love going to church whenever I can. Cameron (10yo): June The theme for the month of June was “The first principles and ordinances of the gospel make it possible for me to live with God again.” We talked about faith in Jesus Christ leads us to love Him, trust Him, and keep His commandments. The next week we learned that repentance brings forgiveness. On the third week, we talked about when we are baptized we make a covena

My talk today to introduce the Primary presentation. The purpose of the Primary presentation is for the children to share what they've learned throughout the year in Sharing Time. Each child picked a monthly theme and wrote their understanding and testimony of it. The other part of the program is the music. The songs teach gospel doctrine, make it easier to remember and learn the doctrine, and invite the Spirit to testify of the truth of the doctrine. This year's theme was "I know the scriptures are true," and the accompanying scripture was "For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them" ( 2 Nephi 4:15 ). The letter in the manual from the Primary General Presidency states: The scriptures are the word of God. As you prayerfully read the scriptures and apply the principles taught in them and in this outline, you will be spiritually prepared to teach the gospel of  Jesus Christ  to the children in your Primary. You will also

My lesson from last month's Primary activity on family history: Elder Allan F. Packer said , "Temple and family history work is part of living the gospel at home. It should be a family activity far more than a Church activity." Elder Bednar explained , Many of you may think family history work is to be performed primarily by older people. But I know of no age limit described in the scriptures or guidelines announced by Church leaders restricting this important service to mature adults. . . .   It is no coincidence that FamilySearch and other tools have come forth at a time when young people are so familiar with a wide range of information and communication technologies. Your fingers have been trained to text and tweet to accelerate and advance the work of the Lord—not just to communicate quickly with your friends. The skills and aptitude evident among many young people today are a preparation to contribute to the work of salvation. . . .   I promise you will be

I came across this song yesterday and fell in love with the poetic lyrics: Take Time to Be Holy (Dickman) Music for Choirs ,  Submitted Music (2007-2011) Take time to be Holy, speak oft with thy Lord. Abide in Him always and feed on His word. Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak, Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek. Take time to be holy, the world rushes on. Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone; By looking to Jesus like Him thou shalt be; Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see. Take time to be holy, let Him be thy guide And run not before Him whatever betide. In joy or in sorrow still follow thy Lord, And looking to Jesus still trust in His word. Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul. Each thought and each motive beneath His control; Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love, Thou soon shall be fitted for service above. Thou soon shall be fitted for service above. Text:   William