Book of Mormon & Holy Bible:  

Activity Day Girls (Latter-day Saint Youth) Search the Scriptures for Answers to Life’s Questions

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths, The Mormon Church) each serve within the Church today just as the Saints in the meridian of time did during Christ’s ministry. Latter-day Saints are likewise called of God through inspiration, and are set apart to their respective callings.

Currently, I have a spiritual responsibility–or inspired calling–in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  to support family and Church efforts to teach the gospel to young girls between the ages of eight and twelve years old, and to help them see the hand of the Lord in their lives as they apply its amazing precepts and discover their missions to know and to glorify Him.

These are very formative years and these girls come from a diversity of Latter-day Saint (nicknamed “Mormon”) families.  I’ve grown to love them as we have met bi-weekly to share everything from cultural arts’ nights, microwave-cake-cooking demos, mini-talent shows to intimate conversations about the Savior, Jesus Christ, eternal marriage, motherhood, real beauty and spiritual makeovers, loyalty in friendship, and more.

Together we have experienced and shared babysitting; caroling; serving the needy; making sandwich wraps; weaving bracelets; praying with and for one another; learning etiquette; diving into the scriptures and diving into the pool; using telescopic lenses to observe the sun (while discussing the “Son”, the Light of the World); attending patriotic concerts; writing letters of gratitude…. We’ve enjoyed making a Sweetheart’s dinner for our Bishopric (lay leaders of our ward or congregation, called of God, consisting of a Bishop, overseer or pastor, and his two counselors) and their spouses, visiting holy LDS temples, taking photos together, stuffing s’mores down, baking cookies for unexpected deliveries, learning chinese jumprope, sharing testimonies, and many other activities–building unity, life-skills and a love for gospel living.

Yesterday, my co-leader and friend, Teresa, and the girls gathered in our local clubhouse for our meeting. Our theme was Digging for Gold: Treasures in The Book of Mormon and The Bible.  After the rounds of hugs, news minutes and highlights, prayer and catch-up, the girls and us settled into a circular gathering on the couches and floor.  We talked about the everyday challenges and questions that surface in their lives–Math, homework, confronting bullies, having confidence, learning to balance (swim meets, karate, school, Church, homework, their Faith in God program wherein they grow spiritually by studying, reading scriptures, praying, serving), etc..  Then, we testified that what matters to us matters to the Lord, citing a recent story shared in a General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ just a few days before (This LDS or Mormon Conference is magnificent global gathering of members and friends of all faiths who are interested to hear the words of living prophet and apostles, and other inspired Church leaders, male and female).

The LDS (“Mormon”) General Conference story referenced was of a tired man biking home, hungry and with little in his pocket; he asked the Lord if he might find a quarter that he might eat something and arrive home pleasantly to meet the needs of  his loved ones there. Submissively, he waited on the Lord, and was willing to accept a “Yes” or a “No” in response to his specific request.  Just as he arrived at the door of Kentucky Fried, and directly across on the road, his eyes caught sight of a quarter. He picked up the coin and was able to purchase, as he tells the story, one piece of chicken, which he gratefully and slowly savored. In similar fashion, we bore witness to these sweet LDS girls, that Heavenly Father knew each of their hearts and concerns and would respond to their prayers. One way they would receive such answers, we testified, would be as they dug for gold in His word–a virtual spiritual treasury filled with “precious jewels of truth” as Elder Scott, apostle of Jesus Christ, declared recently.

Next, Teresa and I shared passages–real flecks of gold, real nuggets, from The Book of Mormon and The Holy Bible that opened our eyes and helped us deal with real life issues. Teresa spoke of the principle of “fleeing” when peer pressure becomes great, just as Joseph in Egypt did, rather than lingering to see the outcomes when we are placed in situations that are compromising us spiritually or emotionally.

We shared a few other personal examples from the Word–including The Bible and The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.  I mentioned that the Lord can even address a snowstorm concern in His word!  Who would have thought we’d even find that word in the scriptures!  He knows all, even something as simple as my wonderment while sitting on my bed waiting for a family member to return home in a blizzard; this loved one was coming through an area where an accident, mentioned on the news, had just occurred, involving scores of cars.  I prayed for peace and then happened to pick up the set of scriptures close by, on the nightstand. I flipped open to a verse in Proverbs about a virtuous woman –the words struck me unexpectedly–didn’t I already have this chapter memorized?–how had I missed this verse?–

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household.

“If the Lord would find a way to answer that question for me,” I testified, “He will do the same for each of you.” “And how much more will He provide for larger questions about life, about God, about bearing and balancing your demands? ”  I spoke of their homework, their desires to balance, the stresses of school, and asked if that was unlike The Book of Mormon passage that described others who had “burdens on their backs” (Mosiah 24:14). There’s more to the backpack than papers; there are expectations, challenging classes, desires to learn what our talents are, how we might use them.  We then expounded that scripture–what did the Lord do for those so burdened in ancient America?  He “eased the burdens on their back” so that they could not feel them.  Surely this was a delectable nugget that the girls could take in, enjoy, and hold onto in their lives. He cares about their burdens, their spiritual and physical backpacks.

We were now ready for an exercise in faith. We invited each girl–Megan, Amelia, Ahlia, Sadie, KK, Mia, Sarah, Camree, and Julia–to think of a question they had for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  Each came up with their own. I marveled as I heard these young girls share their questions:

Why is there a living prophet?

Did Jesus Christ die again after His resurrection? Or was that the last time?

Are there more scriptures that were written besides The Bible and Book of Mormon?

How can I increase my confidence?

Was Lehi the only one who partook of the fruit of the tree in his vision of the Tree of Life?

How many years did the Savior live?

We guided each girl to the Topical Guide, Bible Dictionary, and Book of Mormon Index. They prayed that Heavenly Father would help them unlock their treasures, help them find the gold nuggets, tailored for them. They searched as we assisted. They read various passages and within twenty minutes or so of engaging in this exercise, each girl had received a personal answer from the scriptures to her question.

We went around the circle, and each one shared their responses, citing a scripture that had now become their own treasure. The words of the living apostle of Jesus Christ, Elder Richard Scott in  the October 2011 LDS (Mormon) General Conference witnessing that the scriptures can be and are the repository of verses that will become our treasured and “enduring friends,” spiritual gold that will not fade or “be weakened with the passage of time,” had been borne out in a cozy clubhouse room with a group of wonderful 9-12-year old girls known by God and Jesus Christ.

We love you, girls. We love you, Jesus Christ. We invite all who read this to seek His Word and to come unto Him, and to learn about His re-established Church.

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Is Your Radio Tuned to the Right Frequency? A Biblical Reflection

Bible Verse:

Proverbs 2:1-5, “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after
knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.”

In my apartment I have a replica of an antique table top radio that was once a gift that I had given to my mother. My father kept the radio in his house after my mother passed, and upon his passing I was able to obtain the radio and now have it in my possession as a precious keepsake. Although the radio may appear to be antique, inside of its case are modern electronic components that allow it to be turned on and tuned in to some of my favorite radio stations.

However, to hear the signal that I desire, I must be actively involved – I cannot just wish it so. Instead, I have to physically get up, go over to the radio, turn it on, set it to AM or FM, and turn the tuning knob until I find the location on the dial corresponding to the station that I wish to listen to.

When attempting to tune the receiver to get it centered on the correct frequency, I find that if I move the tuning knob just a little too much to the right or to the left, the result is a lot of unwanted static and background noise. Although I may still be able to discern the station that I have selected, the listening experience is not as clear and interference-free as it would be with the station perfectly tuned to its frequency.

Just as radio waves (and TV and wireless communication signals) fill the atmosphere around us, invisible to the eye, undetectable to the ear, unnoticed to the passer-by, so also does the Holy Spirit surround us all.

This life is an individual journey in which we each face our own trials, temptations, difficulties, and heartaches. At times it may seem that we are all alone and that there is no one who cares. Our Heavenly Father has promised that He would never leave us nor forsake us. He has promised that He would send us One who would be a comforter, guide, and constant companion. However, in order to receive the blessings of the constant companionship of this One and to learn from Him, we need to have our “radio” turned on and “tuned in” to the correct frequency in order to hear His voice as He guides, leads, and directs our path, and teaches us the truth of all things. In John 14:26 we read, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you”.

Just as a radio will not automatically turn itself on and perfectly tune to the station that we desire to listen to without some interaction on our part, it is only through the renewing of our hearts and minds that we are able to turn on our spiritual “radio” and use its tuning knob, which is our faithfulness and obedience, to tune to the exact frequency wherein we will be able to clearly hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. As we continue to keep ourselves “in tune” with our Heavenly Father, through our faithfulness and obedience, our “radio” will continue to give a clear and undistorted signal; however, if we lose focus and begin to move the tuning knob a little to the left or a little to the right, we will become distracted by the cares of the world and will end up listening to a lot of static and distortion. We may also need to adjust the volume control so as to drown out the noises of the world and focus only on the Still Small Voice as He speaks to us.

Is your “radio” turned on, and is it tuned perfectly to the correct frequency? Solomon gave this wise counsel as recorded in Proverbs 2:1-5, “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.”

I leave you these humble thoughts in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Amen.

See Keith’s Mormon.org profile.

12And there was but little alteration in the affairs of the people, save it were the people began to be more hardened in iniquity, and do more and more of that which was contrary to the commandments of God, in the eighty and ninth year of the reign of the judges.

13But it came to pass in the ninetieth year of the reign of the judges, there were great signs given unto the people, and wonders; and the words of the prophets began to be fulfilled.

14And angels did appear unto men, wise men, and did declare unto them glad tidings of great joy; thus in this year the scriptures began to be fulfilled.

Satan is evil: totally and always. He ever seeks to defeat the gospel plan and ‘destroy the souls of men.’ (Doctrine and Covenants 10:27.) . . .

It’s no surprise that the vision of who God and Jesus Christ really are, becomes blurry as conceptions of Him fade into the background of secularist thought. The adversary is real, and his tactic works from both ends of the belief spectrum: If he blurs the reality of God as a glorified personal Father, and then denies the reality of Satan as one who creates that distortion to keep us from sensing our divine identity, he accomplishes his goal of dwarfing our sense of purpose and our hope of an inconceivably glorious destiny.

A nationwide survey of adults’ spiritual beliefs suggests that Americans who consider themselves to be Christian have a diverse set of beliefs – but many of those beliefs are contradictory or, at least, inconsistent.

Views on Spiritual Beings

The Barna survey asked questions about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Satan, and demons.

All 1,871 self-described Christians were asked about their perception of God. In total, three-quarters (78%) said he is the “all-powerful, all-knowing Creator of the universe who rules the world today.” The remaining one-quarter chose other descriptions of God – depictions that are not consistent with biblical teaching (e.g., everyone is god, god refers to the realization of human potential, etc.).

For the other survey items a four-point opinion scale was used to measure people’s reactions to statements about each spiritual entity.

Four out of ten Christians (40%) strongly agreed that Satan “is not a living being but is a symbol of evil.” An additional two out of ten Christians (19%) said they “agree somewhat” with that perspective. A minority of Christians indicated that they believe Satan is real by disagreeing with the statement: one-quarter (26%) disagreed strongly and about one-tenth (9%) disagreed somewhat. The remaining 8% were not sure what they believe about the existence of Satan (Barna).

Mormon Beliefs: Satan is Real

Mormons believe in the reality of Satan. He is real spirit personage who gave up his right to come to earth because of an overwhelming craving to be the king of kings–the one worshipped on the throne. He sought to overthrow the Savior and the Father in a council before birth, in a pre-earth life. In the words of one Mormon leader (apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ):

Satan is irrevocably committed to countering and overcoming the influence of the Spirit of Christ upon men (Marion G. Romney, Conference Report, Apr. 1971, p. 24; or Ensign, June 1971, p. 36).

 

20Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.

The Lord Jesus Christ knows the desires of our hearts and responds to those like no other. With answers to complex problems strewn along our paths like hedges of roses on a summer day, the Lord delights in answering our prayers and supplying our need, as each day demands.  His request for us to obey His commands is the most unselfish of all for it is a spiritual shortcut to our happiness, and He knows that.  It’s us who may be slow to comprehend that until we comply long enough to feel the sweet embrace to which this modern scripture speaks.

The invitation to find obedience “a quest and not an irritation” is extended once again to each of us by a late prophet of God (you may refer to him as “Mormon prophet”; the fullname is prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Savior’s true and living Church on earth. We invite you to learn more of its message:

Be true to your convictions. You know what is right, and you know what is wrong. You know when you are doing the proper thing. You know when you are giving strength to the right cause. Be loyal. Be faithful. Be true. (Gordon B. Hinckley, Stand a Little Taller, 16.)

 

12And according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart. Behold I say unto you that this is all true.

The conversion process transforms from the inside out; only the Spirit of God can open our spiritual eyes to see the truths of the gospel. Some try to defer to their pastors or radio talk shows for answers only He can truly give. While others may be inspired to help us in our quest, we need to go directly to God for confirmation of our beliefs, for we alone are responsible for our daily walk which hinges on our very conception of God, Jesus Christ, and His teachings.

This passage in the Book of Mormon speaks to the conversion, the change of desires, that a real transformation brings.Once we know of the truth of a book of scripture, of a principle, of an ordinance, we are behooved to comply with and apply it, that our hearts may continue to increase in love and our minds in truth. In the words of a late Mormon prophet, beloved and true, we read:

There is no miracle like the miracle of conversion. It is the greatest proccess by wich those with responsive hearts listen to the teachings and testimonies of missionaries and change their lives, leaving the past behind them, and moving forward into a new life. There is no miracle quite like it in all the world (Gordan B. Hinckley, Stand a Little Taller, 30).

When visiting a single friend in Salt Lake recently, I was intrigued by a magnet that adorned her refrigerator. Simply made, it was a photograph attached to a magnetic strip, and it showed a familiar sight—a green road sign with white letters. This one, however, proclaimed “Hope, 1 Mile.”

My friend explained that shortly after her divorce she and her daughter had taken a road trip and had run across this sign.

“I couldn’t resist getting out and taking a picture,” she said. “It was nice to know that hope was just ahead.”

At a time when she was down and discouraged, feeling that her foundations were shaken, this simple sign reminded her that hope for better times and for promised blessings could still shine brightly. Even when days seem the darkest and most impossible, the scriptures teach us that there are ways that hope can be felt—if not in the moment—just “one mile” down the road.

In Romans 4:23 and 24, we read that Abraham’s example of hope and faith was not for “his sake alone…but for us also.”

Earlier in this same chapter of Romans, in verse 13, we are reminded that Abraham received certain promises that he would be the father of nations, not through the law, but “through the righteousness of faith.”

Remember, Abraham was old when the prophecy was given that his descendants would be as the sand of the sea. Both he and his wife, Sarah, were beyond what should have been their childbearing years. If he had looked at this matter logically, or as the scriptures say, “through the law,” he could have felt hopeless, thinking that it would be impossible to have the blessings promised him because he was much too old to have a child.

However, as Romans 4:18 says, Abraham was someone “who against hope, believed in hope.” The passage goes on describe Abraham further as, “being not weak in faith,” saying, “he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb:”

In other words, Abraham didn’t falter in his faith. He didn’t give up; he didn’t think his body was “dead,” even though his age would seem to prohibit the slightest chance of bringing even one child into the world, let alone an entire nation.

Rather than being discouraged by what was true about his physical circumstances, Abraham was certain that the Lord could fulfill his promises, regardless of the situation. The scriptures say that Abraham, “staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” (Romans 4:21)

For many who have faced disappointments in relationships, failed businesses or difficulties in overcoming personal challenges and addictions, it may seem too late; we may feel that our time has passed, or that we have somehow missed our opportunity to have certain blessings in our lives.

In fact, each of us may have times of discouragement and despair, times that we feel are “against hope.” At these times, we need to know that hope may, indeed, lie just “one mile” ahead. For my friend, a simple road sign helped to remind her that hope could still be accessed; all she needed to do was hold on a little longer and proceed in faith, trusting that Heavenly Father can, indeed, fulfill every promise.

For each of us, even when the road seems roughest, there are spiritual road signs that can point the way to find increased hope, just ahead. What do some of those signs tell us?

Press forward. Even when times seem the toughest, we will find that hope will increase as we move forward rather than “wallowing in the mire.” In the Book of Mormon, in 2 Nephi 31:20, we are told that we are to continue moving forward even after we have “entered into the strait and narrow path.” In fact, the scripture says to “press” forward with “steadfastness” and reminds us that that steadfastness should be “in Christ.” Also in this verse, we are told to hang on to a “perfect brightness of hope,” a “love of God and of all men,” and to read our scriptures diligently (“feasting upon the words of Christ”). We are promised that if we will do so, if we will keep moving forward—regardless of the circumstances that may come our way—we will have eternal life.

Enjoy the ride. When we find ourselves mired in situations that seem completely hopeless, sometimes it is difficult to see the eternal significance of our trials and to understand that it is those very situations that can bring hope, “against hope.” Again, in Romans, we are given some interesting insight into this process. Romans 5:3-4 says, ” …we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.” In other words, the very situations that try our patience and test our hope also teach us that our Heavenly Father does keep his promises and seeks to bless us. If Abraham had been blessed with children when it seemed logical, “by the law,” he would have had no need to exercise hope. Like Abraham, as we learn to rely on God, and, yes, even to glory in our tribulations, we will find that our experiences will help strengthen our faith and hope.

Be not ashamed. Romans 5:5 tells us, “hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” In other words, if we love God and make our hearts a fit abode for the Holy Ghost, we have the kind of hope that lifts our hearts and makes us unashamed of our situations and our trials.

Seek for the Comforter. As noted above, the Holy Ghost will not only free us from shame, but can also fill us with increased love and hope. In Moroni 8:26, we read that we are to have “meekness and lowliness of heart” after which “cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer.” Meekness allows the Comforter to enter our lives, while diligent prayer will allow the Comforter to continue with us and to fill our hearts with hope.

Believe in God. In Ether 12:4, another powerful passage reminds us that we can always have hope—hope not only for a better world, but even for a place at the right hand of God—if we will but believe what our Heavenly Father has told us. “Wherefore, whoso believeth in God, might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast.”

Indeed, each of us has times—and some of us, even now—when we may be faced with situations and circumstances that seem completely hopeless. Yet, we can turn to the scriptures and find that hope lies just ahead. Indeed, if we will proceed with a steadfastness in Christ, glory in our tribulations, be not ashamed, seek for the Comforter and believe in God—in other words, if, like Abraham, we will “against hope, hope”—we can have the blessings promised to us just as surely as did Abraham, for “after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” (Hebrews 6:15)

The spiritual road signs surely lead to hope, “which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.” (Hebrews 6:19)

Cecily M. is a freelance writer in Gilbert, Arizona.

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The other day I read the story in the Book of Mormon about the Lord commanding Nephi to build a boat. I sang the song in my head as I read the chapter then smiled and closed the book.

The next day when I opened my scriptures to continue reading, I heard a conversation in my head.

“Nephi, I want you to build a boat.”

I wasn’t there, but I assume Nephi’s answer was something like, “You want me to what? Build a boat. A boat? Lord, I don’t know how to build a boat.”

“I know that, Nephi. Go and build a boat.”

“I don’t know how.”

“I will teach you. Now, go and build a boat.”

“I will.”

There could have been a little less back and forth in the real conversation, but the important part is Nephi saying, “I don’t know how… but I will.”

I’ve heard and read the story a million times. I just don’t know why I never made the connection until now. Lacking the technical skills and the know how, Nephi pushed away his worries, concerns and fears, and committed to building a boat.

I immediately thought of all the things I’m asked to do in my life that I feel so completely inadequate.

Bringing up good, righteous children, my calling, dealing with daily challenges or life-long trials. Heavenly Father has asked me to do it all, and sometimes…most of the time, I don’t know how. I finally figured out that I need to finish the sentence: “I don’t know how, but I will.”

We all know it’s not that simple.

Nephi himself said he “did go into the mount oft, and (he) did pray oft unto the Lord” (1 Ne. 18:3). To me, that means that God didn’t just hand him blueprints and say, “Go for it.” It was a long, step-by-step process where I’m sure Nephi thought once or twice, “I’m not quite sure where he’s going with this, but OK.”

Especially since he did not “build the ship after the manner of men; but (he) did build it after the manner which the Lord had shown unto (him)” (1 Ne. 18:2).

How many times have I thought this about raising a family in this day and age not after the manner of men? Or trials I don’t know how to get through on my own? My point here is that God asks all of us to build a boat. Even multiple boats at times. And when he asks us, we need to be ready with the reply, “I don’t know how, but I will.”

That is the first step. After that, he will teach us.

Stacy N.

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Hi I’m Melissa, and I’m a Latter-day Saint (aka “Mormon”)…..

I was going crazy, and I felt like my six children were pushing me along the journey.

Cries of “Mom, he touched me,” “Mom, she took my…” “Mom, he won’t give me…” “MOOOOOM!” skittered unendingly around our home. My appeals to “please be kind” and “get along” seemed to flutter about unheard.

I prayed earnestly for help because something had to change.

Then, one morning while reading the Book of Mormon I stumbled over a scripture in Mosiah. In chapter four King Benjamin, a righteous leader, teaches his people how to find peace and happiness in life and I found my answer.

“And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another.” (Mosiah 4:14)

“That sounds great,” I thought, “but how?” King Benjamin had an answer for me.

“But ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another.” (Mosiah 4:15)

Those words were like magic. It struck me that although I had begged my children to be nice and stop fighting, I hadn’t taught them HOW to “love one another and to serve one another.”

Our family made three very specific King Benjamin approved changes that made a big difference.

Setting a parental pattern

My husband and I realized that a new atmosphere at home had to start with us. If we wanted our children to love and respect each other, we had to show them how.

We started simply. At dinner we asked each child to share a favorite part of their day. Everyone else was expected to stop talking and listen. It took patience and practice, but pretty soon kids were taking an interest in each other’s daily activities. It was great. We were making progress.

We also more often spoke positively about our kids in front of our kids. We praised them when they shared with each other or cooperated in a game. We thanked them when they put someone else’s desires before their own. The kids basked in these loving words and tried to earn them more often. They even dished them out to each other.

Serving each other

Our second step was to provide more opportunities to serve each other. We asked older children to help younger children with difficult tasks like reading books or tying shoes. We also expected younger children to serve. We assigned them to take a drink or a treat to a child who was studying and or urged them to cheer loudest at a soccer game.

We began praying about specific needs for our children in family prayer. We asked for Heavenly Father to help them with tests and sports and friends and sadness. The kids caught on quickly and started regularly praying for each other. They became more aware of each other’s needs and feelings through this simple service.

Team up to serve together

Finally, we talked repeatedly about our family “team.” Each family member is essential to our team and when we all work together we can do anything. We got our team to tackle service opportunities all around us.

We teamed up for service at home. Instead of assigning each child a chore after dinner or on Saturday afternoon, we paired them together to give them a chance to work as a team. Although they sometimes argued, they more often laughed and the work got done faster too.

We teamed up for other service as well. We cleaned our local church building, made cookies for friends, visited widows and worked in neighbor’s yards all as a team. We clustered around the table to write missionaries and I employed my team to help deliver church handouts. It was fabulous. Our family bonds strengthened and our love for each other increased.

I have to admit that King Benjamin has not solved all of our squabbles. My kids still bicker more often than I like. But our home has become a much more peaceful and loving place thanks to an ancient, Nephite king.