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TRYING THE VIRTUE OF THE WORD OF GOD
As I contemplate the Savior, I couldn’t help but ponder on my testimony of Jesus Christ and where it took root – how have I been won over to his Gospel? I feel that I need to write and testify of the Book of Mormon because that was the instrument that brought my soul unto Christ. I love the Book of Mormon. The power and influence that this great book, and the remarkable men and women tucked inside its pages, has had upon my life and testimony of the Savior, is immeasurable – there truly are no adequate words, but I’m going to do my best to share! Elder Mark…
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BUILD A CHRIST-CENTERED HOME FROM THE TEACHINGS OF OUR ‘FATHERS’
Have you ever thought that one of the key factors in building a Christ-centered home is to make your family ‘peculiar’ (a holy family/people), by raising your standards based on the teachings of inspired prophets? Looking at history, Israel’s failure to honor the teachings and example of its fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob brought on tribes (a family) separating and scattering. By us as Latter-day saints not adhering to every word of inspired prophets are our children leaving too? Have you lost some of your family? One of my favorite sites to begin learning what the prophets have said on topics such as birth control, education, food, counseling, parenting, laughter,…
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ONE VERSE AT A TIME
I have always been drawn to different methods of education that strengthen family bonds. Recently as I have studied more in depth the patriarchal order—a son following his righteous father—I could not help but love this way of reading scriptures together as a family … one verse at a time. Isn’t it natural for children to look up to their father as an example—seeking his approval and acceptance? Research has found that the attention of every child—no matter the age—is more focused when a father reads every other verse in the Scriptures, and children try to emulate his reading. They also will wait for their turn in hopes that a…
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MAKE EVERY MINUTE COUNTS
For almost the last 6 months we have tried to “turn to the fathers” in obeying a beautiful teaching we learned. Not many people like Brigham Young, but for me and my house we love him. One of his teachings that we have begun to pay closer attention to with exactness is about using our time wisely, how every single hour is accountable for, and we will have to report on our time used someday. Brigham said: “Time is given to you; and when this is spent to the best possible advantage for promoting truth upon the earth, it is placed to our account, and blessed are you; but when…
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TURNING THE HEARTS OF OUR CHILDREN
Walking around cemeteries has become a cherished thing we do as a family. The Spirit is overwhelmingly strong and the peace found there fills you up and stays long after. Our favorite part is the names on the headstones. While walking through we try to read everyone that catches our eye–a lot of times we’ll stop and talk about a name we saw that may have been unusual or even one that is common, and why they may have been named that. Sometimes we’ll discuss the special engravings or pictures on the headstones and wonder what their story was. These conversations are absolutely priceless. The importance of teaching the following…
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HOW MUCH DO I HATE SIN?
A good friend of mine and a wise scholar once made the statement that one of the biggest problems in society is parents who don’t hate sin. The apathy toward sin then contributes to the equally sinful and rampant lack of discipline. I remember agreeing wholeheartedly, but thinking that this didn’t apply to me–of course I hate sin! And I moved on. A few weeks ago, we found ourselves ill-prepared and in a bit of a bind–being hungry and two hours away from our home. We decided it’d be fun to stop at a popular homestyle restaurant that we had never been to as a family. We had been seated,…