Personal Progress Virtue 3 Value Experience

December 23, 2015 – Jan. 4, 2016

Personal Progress Virtue 3 Value Experience

Read Alma chapter 5.  Make a list of the questions Alma asks.  Answer the questions for yourself, and make a list of the things you can and will do to prepare yourself to be pure and worthy to enter the temple and receive all the blessings our Heavenly Father has promised His beloved daughters.

List of the questions Alma asks. 

1. And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, you that belong to this church, have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? I can do better at that.
2. Yea, and have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards them? I can do better at that.
3. And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell?  I can do better at that.
4. And now I ask of you, my brethren, were they destroyed?  No
5. And again I ask, were the bands of death broken, and the chains of hell which encircled them about, were they loosed?  yes
6. And now I ask of you on what conditions are they saved? Faith and Repentance
7. Yea, what grounds had they to hope for salvation? Because of Jesus Christ
8. What is the cause of their being loosed from the bands of death, yea, and also the chains of hell?  Because of Jesus Christ
9. Behold, I can tell you—did not my father Alma believe in the words which were delivered by the mouth of Abinadi? yes
10. And was he not a holy prophet? yes
11. Did he not speak the words of God, and my father Alma believe them? yes
12. And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? yes
13. Have ye received his image in your countenances? I hope so.
14. Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?  yes
15. Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? yes
16. Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?  yes
17.  I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?  yes
18. Or do ye imagine to yourselves that ye can lie unto the Lord in that day, and say—Lord, our works have been righteous works upon the face of the earth—and that he will save you?  No
19.  Or otherwise, can ye imagine yourselves brought before the tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse, having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect remembrance of all your wickedness, yea, a remembrance that ye have set at defiance the commandments of God?  I hope that my repentance will be sufficient so that I don’t have guilt and remorse.  I hope that I will know that I have been cleansed by the power of the atonement.
20. I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I hope so.  I am striving for that.
21. I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?  I hope so.  I am striving for that.
22. I say unto you, can ye think of being saved when you have yielded yourselves to become subjects to the devil?  No
23. And now I ask of you, my brethren, how will any of you feel, if ye shall stand before the bar of God, having your garments stained with blood and all manner of filthiness? I would feel ashamed.
24. Behold, what will these things testify against you?  They would testify that I am not worthy.
25. Behold will they not testify that ye are murderers, yea, and also that ye are guilty of all manner of wickedness?  yes
26. Behold, my brethren, do ye suppose that such an one can have a place to sit down in the kingdom of God, with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob, and also all the holy prophets, whose garments are cleansed and are spotless, pure and white?  No
27. And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?  Yes I can feel that.  I try to stay worthy of that at all times.
28. Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God?  I can do better at that.
29. Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? I can do better at that.
30. That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?  I can do better at that.
31. Behold, are ye stripped of pride?  I can do better at that.
32. Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? I can do better at that.
33. And again I say unto you, is there one among you that doth make a mock of his brother, or that heapeth upon him persecutions?  I can do better at not mocking.  I don’t think I heap persecutions on anyone.
34. And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye?  I do my best to be a sheep of the good shepherd because I know if I am not in his fold then I am in the fold of the devil.
35. Behold, I say unto you, that the devil is your shepherd, and ye are of his fold; and now, who can deny this?  I don’t deny it.  
36. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself?  I believe that he had his testimony from above.
37.  And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety? By revelation.
38. And now my beloved brethren, I say unto you, can ye withstand these sayings; yea, can ye lay aside these things, and trample the Holy One under your feet; yea, can ye be puffed up in the pride of your hearts; yea, will ye still persist in the wearing of costly apparel and setting your hearts upon the vain things of the world, upon your riches? No
39. Yea, will ye persist in supposing that ye are better one than another; yea, will ye persist in the persecution of your brethren, who humble themselves and do walk after the holy order of God, wherewith they have been brought into this church, having been sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and they do bring forth works which are meet for repentance— No
40. Yea, and will you persist in turning your backs upon the poor, and the needy, and in withholding your substance from them? No
41. For the names of the righteous shall be written in the book of life, and unto them will I grant an inheritance at my right hand. And now, my brethren, what have ye to say against this?  Nothing to say against it.
42. For what shepherd is there among you having many sheep doth not watch over them, that the wolves enter not and devour his flock? I know that the Lord places shepherds to watch over me.  They are my local and general church leaders.  I will listen to their counsel so that wolves will not destroy me.
43. And behold, if a wolf enter his flock doth he not drive him out?  I will do my best not to allow a wolf to enter my life and if I notice that one has entered, I will drive it out.

List of things I can and will do to prepare myself to be pure and worthy to enter the temple and receive all the blessing our Heavenly Father has promised His beloved daughters.

• Fast
• Pray every day, at least twice a day
• Keep my testimony bright.
• Be worthy of the Holy Ghost and keep the spirit of revelation in me.
• Repent every day
• Don’t take offense
• Forgive quickly
• Assume the best in others
• Look for the good in others
• Bring forth good fruit
• Be humble
• Don’t set my heart upon riches
• Come out from the wicked and be separate.  Touch not their unclean things.
• Hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd and allow myself to be brought into his fold.
• Do not allow a ravenous wolf to enter into my life.

Personal Progress Virtue Value Experience #2

Dec. 22, 2015

Personal Progress Virtue Value Experience #2

Read the following scripture references and identify the promised blessings: John 14:26–27; 15:26; 2 Nephi 32:1–5; and Doctrine and Covenants 45:57–59; 88:3–4; 121:45–46.In your journal record what you have learned, and write about a time when you felt the guidance of the Holy Ghost.

• In John 14:26-27 I am promised that the Comforter, or the Holy Ghost, will teach me all things and bring all things to my remembrance.  It will also bring peace, calm my troubled heart and not let it be afraid.
• In John 15:26 I am promised that the Comforter will testify of Christ.
• In 2 Nephi 32:1-5 I am promised that after I receive the Holy Ghost I can speak with the tongue of angels, which are the words of Christ.  If I feast on the words of Christ they will tell me all things what I should do.  I need to ask and knock so I can understand the words.
• In Doctrine and Covenants 45:57-59 I am promised that if I take the Holy Spirit for my guide I will not be deceived or hewn down and cast into the fire at the last day.  The earth will be given to me for an inheritance, I shall wax strong and my children shall grow up without sin unto salvation.  The Lord will be in my midst and his glory shall be upon me and he will be my king and lawgiver.  I imagine that if I don’t qualify for those blessings than Satan will be my lawgiver.  That is a scary thought.
• In Doctrine and Covenants 88:3-4 I learn that the Comforter that I was given when I was baptized is the same comforter that the Lord gave unto is disciples in Bible times.  It is the promise of eternal life and the glory of the celestial kingdom.
• In Doctrine and Covenants 121:45-46 I learn that if I am full of charity towards all men, let virtue garnish my thoughts at all times then my confidence will grow strong in the presence of God, the doctrine of the priesthood will distil upon my soul, the Holy Ghost shall be my constant companion, and my dominion shall be everlasting and without compulsory means it shall flow unto me forever and ever.

I have felt the guidance of the Holy Ghost each time it has been my turn to teach a combined young women lesson, which is every three months.  I have known what the Lord wanted me to teach to those sweet young women.  The topics have varied greatly, but I knew the Lord was guiding me to what He wanted me to teach them.  It has been a great blessing in my life.   I have also felt the Holy Ghost testify to me of the love that Heavenly Father has for them.  It has increased my love for them as I have felt that.

Personal Progress Individual Worth value experience #1

December 21, 2015

Personal Progress Individual Worth value experience #1

Write in your journal how these scriptures teach you that Heavenly Father knows me, loves me, and is mindful of you.

• In Psalm 8:4-6 I learn that I have been crowned with glory and honor, that I have been given dominion, or been entrusted, over the works of His hands.
• In Jeremiah 1:5 I learn that the Lord knew me and sanctified me before I was even born.  He knows my talents and abilities better than I know my children and their talents and abilities.  He gave me a mission to fulfil.
• In John 13:34 I learn that Heavenly Father loves me and that he loves all His children so He wants me to treat then as He would if He were here.
• In Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 I learn that my worth is great in the sign of God.  It is the devil who tempts me with feelings of low self-worth; it is him who tempts me to feel like I’m not talented enough or skinny enough, etc.
• In Abraham 3:22-23 I learn that Heavenly Father stood with interacted and talked with His spirit children before they were born.  He saw that they were good, so I am good.  He created an earth for me and his other spirits to dwell on.
• In Joseph Smith – History 1:1-20 I learn that a contentious spirit is not conducive to sharing the gospel. Joseph Smith recognized the hypocrisy of the religious sects his in time, “so that all their good feelings one for another, if they ever had any, were entirely lost in a strife of words and a contest about opinions”.  I learn that I can go to God with my questions and my problems with a sincere heart and He will liberally answer my prayers and he will not get mad at me for asking.  Heavenly Father knows what is happening in my life.  He knows my name and the things I am struggling with.  He is more powerful than Satan and can release me from Satan’s power.

Merry Christmas from The Sanders Family

Christmas 2015

Our family is growing older and is moving on to a new phase in life.  It has been exciting. 

Tilly:  I turned four years old a few weeks ago.  My favorite things this year were swimming this summer and learning to ride my bike without training wheels.  I stay home with my Mom while the big kids go to school.  I like to go to the park and read books with Mom.  I am excited to go to preschool next fall.

Marlee:  I am six years old.  This year I had fun when I got to watch movies and start piano lessons.  My favorite things are my stuffed unicorn, coloring, reading, and getting presents.  In school my favorite subject is art.  My teacher told my Mom that I am a math whiz.  I got to sing in the Gilbert Youth Chorus during the spring and I got to play soccer during the fall.  I am looking forward to Christmas. 

Karalee:  I am nine years old.  This year I got to play volleyball, soccer and take piano lessons.  I might be able to play basketball next year.  I like sports.  My favorite sport is soccer.  In school I like all subjects.  I really like playing at recess.  I had fun going to sea world and universal studios with my family this year.  It was a fun vacation because we got to stay at my cousin’s house.  I love being in activity days at church.  I am looking forward to playing basketball next year.

Bryant:  I am eleven.  I played basketball during the spring and I played soccer this fall.  I also take piano lessons from my mom.  My favorite things to do are, reading and playing video games.  Math is my favorite subject at school, mostly because it is easy.  I got to play in a whiffle ball league during lunch time with the other 6th graders who signed up.  My favorite vacation this year was camping at Bear Canyon Lake with my family and lots of our friends.  We got to go kayaking.  I am looking forward to junior high and becoming a deacon next year.   

Spencer:  I am fourteen.  This year I got to play co-ed soccer, flag football and basketball for my school.  In football we got to go to the playoffs.  We made it to the semi-finals.  In school I am learning Latin, which I don’t like, and I sing in the choir, which I like.  I think it is pretty cool that I am now taller than my Mom.  I am 5’10”.  I still play the piano and have enjoyed learning some current pop songs this year.  I like to read, play sports, and play video games.  My favorite trip this year was when I got to go to Rocky Point, Mexico during fall break.  It was cool to skim board, ride on the banana boat, and to see sting rays while I was snorkeling.  I am excited to go to mountain man rendezvous and on a stake pioneer trek next year.

Mindy:  I have hesitated to write a Christmas letter this year.  There have certainly been many good, fun, blessed things that have happened in our family…but it has also been a growing year with several hard challenges.  I have not known quite how to express how I’ve felt.  Then I came across this scripture that sums up my feelings for this year, “…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” (Alma 58:11).  I am grateful to have felt the hand of the Lord during both the good times and the hard times this year.  I enjoy keeping up with the kids and their activities and I’m glad I still have Tilly at home with me for another 1 ½ years.  This year I enjoyed date nights with Chad, playing volleyball on Tuesday nights, accompanying various musical numbers, working with the young women in the ward, and vacationing with my family.  I am looking forward to a trip with Chad at the end of this month in celebration of our 15th wedding anniversary. 

Chad:  This year I officially got old.  I injured myself playing flag football in March and didn’t get better like I wanted to.  I ended up with meniscus surgery in October and everyone keeps telling me I am not young anymore.  We had a great time on our family vacations this year in California, Rocky Point, and camping up at Bear Canyon Lake.  I enjoyed playing sports up until my knee surgery so now I enjoy watching my kids play sports.  I am serving in the Elders Quorum presidency and my job continues to keep me pretty busy as well.  Life is good and we have been very blessed this year.

Nativity script in English and Spanish

Nativity

(ENTER JOSEPH AND MARY)

Luke 2

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; …

 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

(ENTER BABY JESUS)

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

(ENTER SHEPARDS AND ANGEL)

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

(ENTER MULTITUDE OF ANGELS)

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

(ENTER 3 WISEMEN)

Matthew 2

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

11 ¶And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, andfrankincense, and myrrh.

We gather each year at Christmas to hear this story of Jesus. We give gifts in remembrance of the Wise Men and their gifts to the Christ child, but more importantly to celebrate the gift given by our Father in Heaven.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” -John 3:16

(EVERYONE SING SILENT NIGHT) 

Spanish version (stage cues are still in English)

Enter Joseph and Mary

Lucas 2:

 1 Y aconteció en aquellos días que salió un edicto de parte de Augusto César, que toda la tierra fuese empadronada.

 3 E iban todos para ser empadronados, cada uno a su ciudad.

 4 Entonces subió José de Galilea, de la ciudad de Nazaret, a Judea, a la ciudad de David, que se llama Belén….

 5 para ser empadronado con María, su mujer, desposadacon él, la que estaba encinta.

Enter Baby Jesus

 6 Y aconteció que estando ellos allí, se cumplieron los días en que ella había de dar a luz.

 7 Y dio a luz a su hijo primogénito, y lo envolvió en pañales y lo acostó en un pesebre, porque no había lugar para ellos en el mesón.

Enter Shepherds and Angel

8 Y había pastores en la misma región, que velaban y guardaban las vigilias de la noche sobre sus rebaños.

 9 Y he aquí, se les presentó un ángel del Señor, y la gloria del Señor los rodeó de resplandor; y tuvieron gran temor.

 10 Pero el ángel les dijo: No temáis, porque he aquí os doy nuevas de gran gozo, que serán para todo el pueblo:

 11 que os ha nacido hoy, en la ciudad de David, unSalvador, que es CRISTO el Señor.

 12 Y esto os servirá de señal: Hallaréis al niño envuelto en pañales, acostado en un pesebre.

Enter multitude of Angels

13 Y repentinamente apareció con el ángel una multitud de las huestes celestiales, que alababan a Dios y decían:

 14 ¡Gloria a Dios en las alturas,y en la tierra paz, buena voluntad para con los hombres!

 15 Y aconteció que cuando los ángeles se fueron de ellos al cielo, los pastores se dijeron los unos a los otros: Pasemos, pues, hasta Belén, y veamos esto que ha sucedido y que el Señor nos ha manifestado.

 16 Y vinieron deprisa y hallaron a María, y a José, y al niño acostado en el pesebre.

 17 Y al verlo, dieron a conocer lo que se les había dicho acerca del niño.

 18 Y todos los que oyeron se maravillaron de lo que los pastores les decían.

Enter 3 wisemen

Mateo 2:

1 Y cuando Jesús nació en Belén de Judea en los días del rey Herodes, he aquí, unos magos vinieron del oriente aJerusalén,

 2 diciendo: ¿Dónde está el Rey de los judíos que ha nacido? Porque su estrella hemos visto en el oriente y venimos a adorarle.

 11 Y cuando entraron en la casa, vieron al niño con su madre María, y postrándose, le adoraron; y abriendo sus tesoros, le ofrecieron presentes: oro, e incienso y mirra.

Entonces nos reunimos cada ano en Navidad para escuchar esta historia de Jesus.  Damos regalos en recuerdo de los Reses Magos y sus regalos al nino Jesus, pero lo mas importante para celebrar el don dado por nuestro Padre Celestial.

Juan 3:16 Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo que ha dado a su Hijo Unigénito, para que todo aquel que en él cree no se pierda, mas tenga vida eterna.

Everyone sing Noche de Luz

Personal Progress - Individual Worth value experience #2

October 29, 2015

Personal Progress Individual Worth value experience #2

Patriarchal blessings are given to worthy members of the Church by ordained patriarchs.  Some reasons why I got my patriarchal blessings is so I could know what lineage in the house of Israel I was in and so I could receive personal counsel from the Lord to me.  As I study my patriarchal blessing and follow the counsel it contains, it provides guidance, comfort, and protection.  When I was in college, my original major was dental hygiene.  During my first semester of biology I realized that I didn’t like, nor had I ever liked biology or science and so I knew I needed to pick a new major.  I prayed and read my patriarchal blessing as I chose a new major.  My blessing guided me to choose an education degree since it said I had the qualities of a great teacher.  My blessing has helped me feel important to Heavenly Father.  It helps me know that I am His daughter and that I have worth because He wants to guide me back to Him. 

To receive a patriarchal blessing you should be prepared.  Here are ways that will help you be prepared.

1. Be a worthy, baptized member of the Church.
2. Have a desire to receive a blessing.
3. Understand the promises in the blessing given to Abraham.
4. Be mature enough to appreciate the blessing you will receive.
5. Go to the bishop for an interview and receive a recommend from him.
6. Soon after your interview with the bishop, make an appointment with the patriarch assigned to your stake.
7. Prepare yourself by studying the scriptures, fasting, and praying.
8. Pray for the patriarch to be inspired.

Personal Progress - Faith Value Project

October 21, 2015

For my Faith Value Project I was asked to read Alma 32:28-43.  Then to think of faith as a seed as I help plant, care for, and harvest a vegetable garden.  Then to record in my journal how I can nourish, care for, and strengthen my faith. 

My garden experience: I planted a pumpkin patch earlier this year.  I prepared the ground, nourished the seed and weeded the garden.  I was excited about the garden and looked forward to letting my children pick their own pumpkin around Halloween time.  The plants grew, they flowered, but they didn’t produce fruit.  I think all of the plants were male plants.  Next time I will need to select better seeds.

How to Nourish, Care for, and Strengthen Faith:

v  Give place that a seed may be planted in your heart

v  Seek a good seed

v  Prepare the ground

v  Do not cast the seed out by unbelief

v  Do not resist the Spirit of the Lord

v  Feel

v  Say within yourself it is a good seed

v  Let it enlarge your soul

v  Let it enlighten your understanding

v  Let it be delicious to you

v  Let it swell, sprout, and grow

v  If a seed growth it is good

v  If it growth not, behold it is not good, therefore cast it away

v  Discern the light, whatsoever is light is good

v  Nourish the growing seedling with great care that it may get root

v  Think about the seedling

v  Do not neglect the seedling

v  Protect the seedling from danger

v  Look forward to the fruit thereof

v  Be diligent

v  Have patience

v  Have faith

v  Pluck the fruit

v  Feast upon the fruit

v  Be filled

v  Wait for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you