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Handmade Gospel Book for Youth – Part 3

This is the third part of the gospel book I’m making for my daughter who will be twelve next summer. You can also see part one, and part two.

Divine Nature

This book is, generally, following the pattern of the young women’s values. So, naturally, after faith is Divine Nature. Additionally, in this section, are a few of the standards from For the Strength of the Youth that I felt could be grouped with Divine Nature.

Divine Nature 1

A few thoughts and explanation of Divine Nature

A few thoughts and explanation of Divine Nature

These pages are all about Divine Nature. Personally, I think that it can be a little bit tough to really understand what it means. It isn’t as obvious as something like faith or knowledge. Divine nature is understanding that we are children of God.

I wanted Tiger to understand that She is a daughter of God. No one can ever change that about her. It isn’t some kind of fleeting interest or hobby. It is her make-up. She is, always has been, and always will be a daughter of God.

I shared a personal experience – from when she was a baby. I was feeling overwhelmed with motherhood (she was only about a week old). I was overwhelmed with joy, emotions, and the responsibility that was before me. I prayed for comfort and guidance, and was reminded that though Tiger had been born to me, she was actually a daughter of God – my spiritual sister. I had a spiritual witness of her divine origins, and wanted her to know of this in detail.

Daughter of God

Daughter of God

Sometimes it is easy to forget this amazing truth.

Divine Nature II

A cute Poem and Picture of Tiger

A cute Poem and Picture of Tiger

For the next layout of pages, I found a cute poem – Who I really Am, by Cindy Maybon. I also drew a picture of Tanner, influenced by a picture I found online, but can’t find the link to now…

Entertainment and Media I

Advice about choosing entertainment and media.

Advice about choosing entertainment and media.

I felt that the standard entertainment and media would be good as a part of the Divine Nature group. I guess that it is because entertainment and media have a strong effect on us.

I wanted Tiger to understand that entertainment and media are not bad, but they are powerful, so we must be wise. I told her a story that I once heard at a youth conference when I was a youth (the story was told by one of the men in our stake presidency). He related a story of a woman who had gone into a coma for some reason, and before she was totally conscious, she started speaking, but no one could understand her. It turns out she was speaking Ancient Greek. Yet she hadn’t learned the language. She was actually reciting the words of a poem in Ancient Greek. The Doctors and her family were stunned. Finally, they made the connection. For years, she had been a housekeeper for a professor of Classical Languages/Literature. She must have overheard him recite the poem. And now, in her coma, she could recite it perfectly.

The point of the story was the power of our brains: to consume and keep information. Even though we aren’t the best at recalling information, once we consume something, it is stored away somewhere in our brains. I remember having a strong reaction to this story when I was a youth – realizing that I needed to be more careful about what I was choosing to listen to and watch. I didn’t want to fill my brain with trash!

Entertainment and Media II

Tips on how to CTR when it comes to entertainment and media.

Tips on how to CTR when it comes to entertainment and media.

...More tips...

…More tips…

...and more tips...

…and more tips…

...finally more tips.

…finally more tips.

For this layout, I wrote down tips that will help Tiger Choose The Right when it came to choosing entertainment and media. I found the list here at lds.org.

Family I

About Families

About Families

For the next subject, I chose family. It also seemed to fit in with Divine Nature. On these pages, I drew a cute little design, then wrote about all of the family that she has and loves her (which is a lot!). I also told her how much I regret that I didn’t spend more time cultivating my relationship with Sean before he passed away. I encouraged her to build her relationship with her siblings, to spend time with them, and to be forgiving of all of us. I know that our greatest joys and happiness will come in the walls of our homes – with our families.

Family II

Love this!

Love this!

Finally, for the last layout of the Divine Nature section, I found and wrote this quote by Joseph F. Smith. It was fun to make. :) I also drew little drawings of the members of our family on the following page.

***
So…that’s it for this update. You can find more in the section for Individual Worth. I’m really happy about this book so far. I can’t wait to give it to her

14 Comments
by chococatania on December 6, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in 12 Year Old Gospel Book, Children, Family, Motherhood, Young Women's
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Posted by chococatania on December 6, 2012

http://thatgoodpart.wordpress.com/2012/12/06/handmade-gospel-book-for-youth-part-3/

Handmade Gospel Book for Youth – Part 2

This is the second part of the gospel book I’m making for my daughter who will be twelve next summer. You can see part one here.

Faith

For the second major part of this book, I concentrated on Faith. Before starting this group, I studied a little bit about faith – what I wanted my daughter to understand about it. I tried to remember that she is turning 12 – I wanted to gear it toward her age. I also found a few of the standards from For the Strength of the Youth that could be grouped with Faith.

Faith I

A few thoughts about Faith.


These pages speak about faith in general terms. I thought back to when I was twelve. I couldn’t remember what I thought or knew about faith. I’m pretty sure that when I thought of faith, I thought of the object lesson where someone falls backwards – hoping that their friend will catch them.

I quoted Alma 32:21, and encouraged Tiger to memorize it. Then, I explained a little bit about the scripture. Finally, I encouraged her to do what she could to cultivate her faith.

Faith II

An Illustration of Alma’s lesson on a seed of faith.

In this layout, I wanted to help Tiger understand Alma 32, where Alma likens faith to a seed. I included eight steps: Experiment upon the word, plant a seed in your heart, a good seed will swell, the seed will sprout if it is good, the seed will grow and knowledge replaces faith, exercise more faith to nurture your testimony, if you neglect the tree it dies, and diligence brings for fruit.

The Plan of Salvation

Illustrated Plan of Salvation Part One

Illustration of the Plan of Salvation – Part Two

Illustrated plan of Salvation – Part three

Illustrated Plan of Salvation – Part Four

The Next four layouts (eight pages) are all about the plan of salvation. I had fun with this. In fact, when I was working on this, it spawned the idea I had to do a scripture study series on the Plan of Salvation. I felt compelled to teach about this divine plan because when we understand it, we can be on a path that will help us to better understand our own specific purposes on this earth.

Sabbath Day

Sabbath Day Importance and Activity Ideas


In this layout, I included my own feelings about the Sabbath day. I also wrote down some good ideas of things to do on a Sabbath day.

Sacrament Meeting

My Favorite Sacrament Hymn and Thoughts on Sacrament Meeting


Sabbath day and Sacrament Meeting are closely related, but I wanted the two to have their own complete layouts. In this layout, about Sacrament meeting, I shared with my daughter a powerful experience I had at a baptism – and how that translated into my increased understanding of sacrament meeting. I also included the lyrics to one of my all-time favorite sacrament hymns: Jesus Once of Humble Birth.

Gratitude Challenge

The Gratitude Challenge: The ten places on earth and Modern-day Inventions I’m grateful for.

The Gratitude Challenge the ten physical abilities, material possessions, things about today, foods, and things about the gospel I’m grateful for … plus a scripture.

I took the gratitude challenge and included it in this layout. Fun!

More on Gratitude

Ways to have gratitude in your heart.


I feel like gratitude is important, so I used it for two layouts (four pages total). In this layout, I included a quote from President Monson: “To express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven.”

On the next page, I wrote a fun list of things to do that will help us to have gratitude in our hearts.

Go Forward with Faith

Encouragement to press forward with faith.

On this layout, I drew a cute picture that was heavily inspired (read: basically copied) by Judy Kaufman. Then, on the next page, I wrote a page about pressing forward with faith. It is kind of like a letter/note. I included this inspiring quote: “To help you become all that the Lord wants you to become, kneel each morning and night in prayer to your Father in Heaven. Express to Him your gratitude and the desires of your heart. He is the source of all wisdom. He will answer your prayers. His answers will seldom come while you are on your knees praying. Even when you may plead for an immediate response. Rather, He will prompt you in the quiet moments when the Spirit can most effectively touch your mind and heart. You should find quiet times to recognize when you are being instructed and strengthened. Be thankful that God lets you struggle for a long time before that answer comes.” – Richard G. Scott.

This quote was basically the inspiration for the entire layout.

***
So – that’s it for faith. Check in later, for the next section based on Divine Nature.

5 Comments
by chococatania on October 28, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in 12 Year Old Gospel Book, Children, Family, Motherhood
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Posted by chococatania on October 28, 2012

http://thatgoodpart.wordpress.com/2012/10/28/handmade-gospel-book-for-youth-part-2/

Handmade Gospel and Art Book for My 12-Year-Old – About and Introduction (Part 1)

I didn’t really know how to title this post, so sorry it is pretty awkward.

My oldest daughter will be 12 next July. I know that seems like it is far away, but I know that it will be here before I know it.

A few years ago, I read (somewhere) that Bruce R. McConkie would give his grandchildren a set of his own scriptures. I don’t know where I heard that or if it is even true, but I remember thinking I want to do something special for my kids when they are twelve. It is an exciting time. In the LDS church, when kids are 12, they “graduate” from primary and begin to attend Young Men’s or Young Women’s. It is a pretty exciting time. At first I was thinking, maybe I’d give them my scriptures, but I haven’t felt compelled to do that…So, I thought of some other ideas, and inspiration struck: I have decided to make my daughter a book for her 12th birthday. This is a pretty special book – it is handwritten and hand-drawn. I’ve decided that I will share what I’ve done – in case it is something that you might like to do for your children.

The Physical Journal
First of all, I bought a journal. I bought a Moleskine – the 5″x8 1/4″ size. I wanted it to be big enough for me to write in, but not overly huge. I also wanted it to be something that looked nice, and I like the look of Moleskine journals. You, of course, could do whatever you wanted.

After choosing the Journal, I counted out how many layouts I would need. Since this is for the Moleskine, I found that I’d need 53/54 layouts. I will give ideas on these, so if you choose to make a book with more or fewer pages, you can adjust accordingly.

The Basic Plan
As I contemplated the basic plan of the book, I felt like I wanted Tiger to have a good idea of young woman’s and the standards that would be expected of her. I decided to use the personal progress values and the standards from For the Strength of the Youth as an outline. The book that I’m creating has ten major parts:

  • Introductory Pages
  • Faith
  • Divine Nature
  • Individual Worth
  • Knowledge
  • Choice and Accountability
  • Good Works
  • Integrity
  • Virtue
  • Concluding Pages

I will continue to create blog posts that will show samples from each section throughout the year.

***
I have to say – I’m so excited about this book. I have enjoyed sharing my testimony on various subjects with my daughter, and I’m glad that I’m thinking about this now. I know that I need to be thinking about Personal Progress and the things that my children are doing so that I can better prepare them to enter into the temple. I know that the benefits of Young Women’s and Seminary are really obvious when they are emphasized in the home. In fact, I feel funny writing it because Personal Progress and Seminary were designed to help families – not the other way around. Sometimes we forget this and figure that our children are doing their own thing in Young Women’s or in Activity Days. In fact, our children need us. The Church should be supplementing the family, not the other way around. It is nice to really think about the programs of the church and integrate them in our family life so that it is more than just a “church program.”

All of that being said, sometimes kids don’t want to listen to their parents. This is where church is helpful. And, this is where the book idea is helpful. Essentially, I’ll be giving my daughter a book full of “sermons” and testimonies. And she will have access to them at any time. She will be able to read them when she needs comfort or when her heart is open to it. She will be able to really think about these subjects. I feel like this book will help overcome the natural tendency for things to “go in one ear and out the other.”

So, that’s about the book…And here is the first part of the Book.

Introduction

The contents of this portion of the book include:

  • Title Page
  • Letter to child
  • The Young Woman’s Theme
  • The Young Woman’s Motto

Title Page and Letter

So, the first two pages, I will admit, I haven’t done yet. As far as the title page goes, I’m not sure what I’m calling this book yet. I figure that as I work on this project, it will come to me. I may simply title it her name. I don’t know.

And with her letter – my daughter’s birthday isn’t until next summer. I figure that I want the letter I write to her to be current. I will write the letter last. But I have set aside these pages for these specific purposes.

Young Woman’s Theme

The Young Woman’s theme – My thoughts and impressions for my daughter.

I love the Young Woman’s theme. If there is anything I want my daughters to know – it is what the young women recite every week in the theme: they are daughters of their Heavenly Father, and He Loves them. Sometimes, it is hard to remember that we are daughters of God. I admit that there are times that I forget this amazing fact. So, this layout is a list of 5 hints that will help my daughter to remember that She is a daughter of God, and that He loves her. In the list, I included Pray often, Read Your Scriptures, Keep a Journal, Notice the World Around You (especially nature), Ask for a Priesthood Blessing.

Oh – and I decorated this page with a cute beach scene. Sometimes the drawings on the page correlate to the message. Other times, I just did anything that seemed cute.

The Young Woman’s Motto

A fun layout depicting the Young Women’s Motto and Logo.

For the next spread, I wrote the Young Women’s Motto with colorful lettering. I also drew a “cartoon-y” picture of Tiger. On the next page, you can see the logo and text. Here I included a personal story when I had to stand for truth and righteousness. My experience happened while I was in college. It was nice to take the chance to share my experience with my daughter.

***
So, that is the first section. Stay tuned for the rest of the book – I will update it throughout the year – as I create it. I wasn’t originally going to post this on my blog, but I kept thinking that it may be an idea that another may benefit from. So, I hope it does. I feel so excited to make this and give it to my daughter. And – yes – I’m planning on making one for each of them. Have you done something like this? If so, what are some of the things you included? Or what would you like to see?

6 Comments
by chococatania on October 28, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in 12 Year Old Gospel Book, Children, Family
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Posted by chococatania on October 28, 2012

http://thatgoodpart.wordpress.com/2012/10/28/handmade-gospel-and-art-book-for-my-12-year-old-about-and-introduction-part-1/

FHE – Faith

Last night, homey taught FHE. He taught a simple lesson on Faith.

He referred to Alma 32 where Alma taught that having faith is like planting a seed. It requires work. It requires an experiment. It requires us taking a chance.

But, our chance will be rewarded. We will know whether or not that seed is good. It will either grow or it will not grow. Faith is worth that chance.

As we spoke about faith, our two older daughters have the “standard” answers down pat. But I had this feeling, like I really needed to probe a little bit more. I’ve had that feeling a lot lately. As they get older, I can see that they know what they are supposed to say. But I want that to begin to transition into them saying what they believe.

So we talked about that. Homey shared a time when he really started to feel his faith grow into a testimony. It was when he was fourteen and he went to EFY. I told the girls that sometimes, when my faith is being confirmed by the Spirit, I feel enlightened – like everything just makes sense. We encouraged them to do the things that would help them to cultivate their faith and testimony.

We talked about how, if you plant a seed, and it begins to grow, it is good. But, if you don’t take care of it, then it will die. If our plant dies because of our negligence, then it is foolish to blame the seed. Likewise, if our testimony dies because of negligence, it is foolish to say that the gospel isn’t true. The gospel didn’t fail us. We failed in nurturing our testimony. The girls seemed to understand this concept (it helps that we have dying basil plants on our back porch!). We talked about the things that they need to do if they want to feel more of the Spirit in their lives.

Anyways. FHE wasn’t anything crazy or spectacular. I’m still pretty down and out – getting better, but I still get tired and am not contributing as much as normal. So, Homey had to go it alone. Plus, Tiger had a volleyball game, so we got a late start. But the discussion on faith was the perfect thing…

I’m not sure what the girls took from FHE, but I had my own thoughts. Again, I realized that we are nearing a threshold. They are getting older. Tiger will be a young woman next year. I felt impressed that there is much I need to keep teaching them. And I won’t be able to do it the same way that I teach Sasquatch and Rex (the three year old and one-year-old, respectively). I will need to be more attentive and flexible. I will need to open up a discourse for my daughters. I will need to be able to be the kind of parent that they can trust, but without being too “friendly” or permissive. There is a lot to learn, but I am hopeful.

Since my kids were really little, I’ve had the thought that what I did with them as a child would lay the groundwork for what our lives would be like when they became teenagers. That time is nearing. I know that I need to improve. I want our home to be filled with love, acceptance, and kindness. I want it to be a place where they feel free to grow and learn. I want them to develop their own testimonies. I want them to learn to love the scriptures. I want them to develop their own relationships with the Savior. I feel a heavy burden as their teenage years near, but I am also really comforted. We have instituted the practice of FHE. We speak openly about the gospel and scriptures. We pray together. I know that these small and simple things will bring to pass great things for the lives of every member of our family.

Anyways…a simple FHE. We had no special activity or treat. And that’s totally okay. We did have the Spirit – that is the key ingredient. :) I’m amazed at how much FHE teaches me.

What did you do for FHE? As you prepare and execute FHE, what are some of the things that you learn? How does FHE help you?

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by chococatania on September 11, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Children, Family, Family Home Evening, FHE Chronicles 2012, Motherhood
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Posted by chococatania on September 11, 2012

http://thatgoodpart.wordpress.com/2012/09/11/fhe-faith/

Counting Down ‘Til Christmas

I love Christmas more, now as an adult, than I did as a kid! I think that it is because Christmas is more meaningful to me. I know that at Christmas we celebrate the Savior, and I have a testimony that Jesus Christ truly is my Savior.

I also think that Christmas is more fun for me now because I’m a mom. I love making Christmas-time fun. I love watching my kids suffer with excitement! I also have had so much joy in teaching the gospel to my children, and Christmas-time is a wonderful time to teach them to have fun and be spiritual.

Anyways…In our home, we do a few “Advent” Calendars…

There are a lot of good ideas all over the internet for interesting advent calendars, and I won’t waste your time repeating many of them (that we do in our home). But I will share with you my favorite of our advent calendars…

I will be the first to admit that this isn’t the cutest advent calendar I’ve ever seen. There are so many creative and beautiful ones. I like them a lot. However, this advent has substance. It is Christ centered. It is our Messiah Advent.

The overall idea: Each night you open a package which has an ornament, and hang the ornament on the tree (this part is fun for kids). Attached to the package is a small envelope with a scripture (or a few scriptures). These are the scriptures that we read as our family scripture study. The scriptures are a series of scriptures based on Handel’s Messiah and some scriptures that I compiled form the Book of Mormon that correspond with the themes in Handel’s Messiah.

Here’s how I made it…

First I collected 24 ornaments. Do this however you want. I actually made my ornaments out of polymer clay. We have various symbols of Chrismtas: a wreath, Christmas tree, Angel, etc. You can buy these ornaments, too. It doesn’t really matter what you decide. I love the ornament idea because we use these same ornaments and packaging year after year.

Second
I also attach an envelope with a scripture assignment inside of it to the gift/ornament.
Each of these envelopes have a scripture assignment. This is our scripture reading for the month of December. These scriptures are compiled – from Handel’s Messiah, and other scriptures from the Book of Mormon based on the structure of the Messiah. You can find a list of the scriptures and the day to read them here.

Third I attach the ornament package plus envelope to a cute knit garland using a mini-clothespin.

The kids love this because they get to “open” a present every night. I love it because we focus on the mission and role of the Savior in our lives. This activity helps promote family bonding and understanding of the true meaning of Christmas.

So…try it out!

***
If you are interested, I included a series of blog posts on the scriptures that I compiled for this advent calendar. You can read them here.

What are some of your favorite family Christmas traditions? What do you do to keep Christmas Christ-centered?

2 Comments
by chococatania on November 30, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Children, Family, General tips for home, If Handel had been a Mormon
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Posted by chococatania on November 30, 2011

http://thatgoodpart.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/counting-down-til-christmas/

Chad Lewis, Life, and The Book of Mormon

Last night, I went to a fireside where Chad Lewis was speaking.

Fly Eagles Fly...

Oddly enough, I went to it now that I live in Arki-land, not when I actually lived in PA.

I have to say, the fireside was excellent. He said something about his dad that really stuck out to me:

He loved life enough to get after it.

I’ve been thinking about that phrase, and it reminds me of the scripture in the Book of Mormon:

” 24 And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death which has been spoken of by Amulek, which is the temporal death; nevertheless there was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead.” – Alma 12:24

I love that the Book of Mormon teaches us this truth: that our mortal lives are temporary – and there is a purpose to them: we need to prepare to meet God. I think that Chad Lewis’s dad must have understood this concept – this life is a probation. It is a time to prepare to meet God, and, as Chad explained, his dad got after it.

What a good example.

I haven’t always been the best at this. Here I am, 33 years old. I know that I still have a lot of life ahead of me, but I find myself wondering what I’ve done so far. And I wonder if what I have done really matters. Currently, I’m a stay-at-home-mom. Sometimes, it is difficult to remember that even though I’m not running marathons or climbing mountains, I’m raising children, and that’s exactly what I should be doing now. It is my life, I need to love it enough to get after it.

On Friday, it will be the birthday of my late brother, Sean.

Sean-o...Football Pictures all Around!

He passed away in June, and the more time passes, the stranger it gets. I am grateful for the gospel, though. I know that He is okay. He’s learning about the gospel, and He is surrounded by family. His life has been a lesson to me, and I keep hoping that I can learn from it, so that his death isn’t in vain. I mean, it would be meaningless if Sean passed away without anyone learning anything…Is this making sense? Not sure. I’ve been trying to live life more meaningfully, yet I’m also still kind of trudging through life – letting the adversary get me feeling depressed by all that I’m not doing.

It seems like Chad Lewis summed up what I began to learn in June of this year, when Sean passed – Love Life enough to Get After It. – or, as Amulek says: Prepare to meet God.

So…It’s like my new goal, my new life-mantra. I’m going to be happy each day – happy to be alive, happy to be healthy, happy to be preparing to meet God and thank Him for my blessings, personally. I’m going to admire the world around me – and the beautiful seasons here. (Yes! Even Winter! Even the Cold!). I’m going to take more pictures and give more prayers of gratitude. And when things get hard, I’m going to get after them.

For now, I’m going to jump off of the internet, and jump in Puddles with my two year old.

Puddle Jumping

She really knows how to get after it.

4 Comments
by chococatania on October 27, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Alma, Book of Mormon, Book of Mormon Forum, Children, Family, Insights, Life Lessons, Motherhood

Posted by chococatania on October 27, 2011

http://thatgoodpart.wordpress.com/2011/10/27/chad-lewis-life-and-the-book-of-mormon/

The Book of Mormon and Families

In my mind, two thing that are distinctive characteristics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or, the Mormons) are our emphasis on family and the Book of Mormon.

We (Mormons) believe that families are central to Heavenly Father’s plan. This isn’t some new invention, either. Families have been central to Heavenly Father’s plan since Adam and Eve. Not surprisingly, Satan has done what he can to destroy families since Adam and Eve.

I have not had the best of luck when it comes to “family” – compared to the ideal. I was born out of wedlock and didn’t know my biological father for the first 31 years of my life. My mom married, and her husband adopted me (I consider him my father, and I love him as if he’s my father). When I was ten, they divorced. My mom remarried when I was 11 and then divorced again when I was 15. She remarried a third time when I was 15 (later that year). It has been interesting. Meanwhile, My dad remarried when I was 11. This last year, my step-mom (after 22 years) called it quits. I have also experienced a marriage, divorce, and another marriage of my own.

Most of the problems that I have faced have been associated with my family.

The greatest blessings I have experienced have been associated with my family.

Family is important.

I know that I am not the only one in the world who comes from a “broken” family. In fact, I recognize that I have been greatly blessed in many ways. Despite the divorces, my family has always had monetary means, my father has been a big part of my life, and I even found my biological father. So – I’ve been blessed, but I know how much pain and sadness can come from these relationship that should be filled with Love.

In The Family: A Proclamation to the World, we are taught:

“Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is where the Book of Mormon fits in. We believe that the Book of Mormon is another witness of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon helps us to learn who Jesus Christ is and allows the Spirit to fill our lives. The Book of Mormon tells us what the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ are. The Book of Mormon is a powerful key in achieving happiness in family life.

The Famlily: A Proclamation teaches:

Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”

We can get scriptural examples of each of these principles in the Book of Mormon.

  • Faith
    • “And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.” – Alma 32:21

      Faith can help us in our families – as we endure trials together – we can use this opportunity to express faith together. Faith is required in our lives as we raise our children – we don’t have a perfect knowledge as parents, but rely on the Lord. This kind of faith will help us to overcome marital struggles, and other difficulties. Faith in Christ is paramount in a successful – happy – family.

  • Prayer
    • The Savior, himself, taught:
      “Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed.” – 3 Nephi 18:21

  • Repentance and Forgiveness
    • This is completely necessary in our families. If we don’t repent (and if we don’t forgive), then instead of living in happiness, our families will live in anger and pain. Jesus taught:
      “Go thy way unto thy brother, and first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I will receive you.” – 3 Nephi 12:24

  • Respect
    • Sometimes respecting each other can be hard to do – especially within the family. Nephi is an amazing example of respecting his family members – even though his brothers mocked him, bound him, and even tried to kill him, he continues to love and respect them. After the Lord prompted Nephi to shock Laman and Lemuel, they tried to worship him. Instead, Nephi says:
      “…And they fell down before me, and were about to worship me, but I would not suffer them, saying: I am thy brother, yea, even thy younger brother; wherefore, worship the Lord thy God, and honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God shall give thee.” – 1 Nephi 17:55

      Nephi respects the Lord, and won’t let Laman and Lemuel worship anyone other than the Lord. Nephi respects his brothers. He refuses their worshipping. Nephi respects his parents, and he urges his brothers to do the same.

  • Love and Commapassion

    • Charity and compassion are closely related, which is why I’m including them together. Charity is the Pure Love of Christ – and it never fails. So, if our family is based on Charity, and Charity is felt in our homes, then – our homes will be solidly anchored in Christ and will not fail. Learn more about charity:

      ” 45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

      46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

      47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.” – Moroni 7:45

  • Work
    • After escaping the Lamanites, Nephi and his people inhabited a new land. There, they kept the commandments and began to prosper. Nephi relates:
      “And the Lord was with us; and we did prosper exceedingly; for we did sow seed, and we did reap again in abundance. And we began to raise flocks, and herds, and animals of every kind.
      …
      15 And I did teach my people to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance.

      And I, Nephi, did build a temple; and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomon save it were not built of so many precious things; for they were not to be found upon the land, wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomon’s temple. But the manner of the construction was like unto the temple of Solomon; and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine.

      And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cause my people to be industrious, and to labor with their hands.
      …
      And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.” – 2 Nephi 5:11, 15-17, 27

      We can live after a manner of happiness by following the same pattern of righteousness and work.

  • Wholesome Recreational Activities
    • We don’t get many recorded examples of “wholesome recreational activities” in the Book of Mormon. It seems like the times when they were righteous may span hundreds of years, but are represented by only a few pages in the Book of Mormon. Instead, it seems that the Book of Mormon records more recreational activities that were not wholesome, and the negative consequences that follow.

Through the Book of Mormon, we can get a stronger influence of Christ in our lives. We can learn more about the principles that will help us to have successful marriages and families. There are so many wonderful examples that are not included in this blog post. What are some good “family” examples that you can think of from the Book of Mormon?

***
If you haven’t read the Book of Mormon, I encourage you to do so. Read it online here. You can also request a free Book of Mormon here. Check out some other great blog posts in the Book of Mormon Forum.

4 Comments
by chococatania on October 18, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Book of Mormon, Book of Mormon Forum, Children, Family, Insights, Marriage, Motherhood
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Posted by chococatania on October 18, 2011

http://thatgoodpart.wordpress.com/2011/10/18/the-book-of-mormon-and-families/

We Talk of Christ: Your Spiritual Personal History

One common misconception about the Book of Mormon is that it was written by Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is actually a collection of testimonies and histories written by ancient prophets. Nephi, one of the ancient prophets who helped author the Book of Mormon, explains:

” 26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” – 2 Nephi 25:26

The prophets recorded their testimonies and experiences so that their children would know where to find remission for their sins.

I have to admit, I’ve always loved this scripture. In the past, I’ve always loved it because of the first half – where it says “we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ.” Recently, however, I’ve started to notice the latter portion of the verse: “And we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know…” I have four children, and am in the thick of motherhood. I have a testimony, and one of my greatest concerns is the development of the testimonies of my children. I want them to know Christ and how they can receive a remission of their sins.

Of course, in helping my children to develop their own testimonies, I can point them to the scriptures, and I do. This is accomplished through Family Home Evening, Family Scripture Study, Family Prayer, and church attendance. I love these moments that we spend together, but I’ve been feeling like I want to do something to really share my testimony with them.

So – in the spirit of Family History – and keeping a personal history, I have decided to begin keeping my spiritual personal history.

A quick digression (even though this post seems like it has been a complete digression). I have done a bit of family history work, and while I’ve felt a connection to the ancestors that I’ve done work for, I don’t really know any of them. I don’t have journals or stories. Well, let me take that back. I have one short personal history – of my great-grandmother. In her history, she doesn’t tell much about her testimony or life. She relates a few things – where she was born, the names of her siblings, the name of the store her father owned. Then, she spends a long time telling about the time she had a tapeworm! GROSS! I have always thought that this personal history is kind of funny. Of all the things that she wanted her posterity to know – she related the tapeworm story?!

My tape-wormy great-grandma, (post tape-worm) and her husband (my great-grandpa)

Now, I have to wonder – what kind of legacy am I leaving? What will my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren know about me? (I haven’t had tape-worms, so that’s out…)

I do keep journals. And they are embarrassing. I have at least 4 journals from my teenage years. Every entry mentions a different boy. Or two. (I thought I wasn’t boy-crazy!) As I’ve gotten older, my journals are marginally better, but they are still more about the troubles I have faced.

On another note, when I read Nephi’s words, I feel close to him. I feel like the selections he has included in the scriptures help me to understand a part of his Spiritual Development. I can see why he says that his soul delights in the scriptures – throughout his experiences prior, he has used his knowledge of the scriptures as a source of courage. Nephi’s courage was based on Moses’ courage. We see this development through the record he has kept.

While I don’t claim to be a scripture writer, I have thought that it would be a good idea to keep a Spiritual Personal History. I am making one copy for each of my children. I do not plan on giving these to my children until they are older. (I’m thinking that when they go to the temple they will get it).

So here’s what to do:

  • Determine how you would like to record your spiritual personal history.
    • By hand – I have decided to write my history by hand. I like handwriting. It is just a crazy thing. Although, I admit there are times I wish I was typing it. Typing would be faster.
    • Word Processing – this is a simple and quick (not to mention neat) way to record your personal spiritual history. Plus, there are many websites where you can import your word document and have it printed as a book. If you have a lot of kids this may be the way to go!
  • Begin reading through old journals. – This is where you will start getting your content. I got my first journal when I was eight. I’m looking for entries where I record my testimony or any spiritual experience. Unfortunately, I didn’t record many of these.
  • As you read through your journal, think of how your testimony began to develop at that time. – For example: as a fifteen year-old, my testimony came from spiritual experiences like girls’ camp. Even though I wasn’t a sober-minded 15 year old girl, I did love the way that the Spirit felt. In my spiritual personal history, I explain this – by giving specific examples on how I felt my testimony growing during that period.
    • As you go through this, it is really great to see how our testimonies truly come line upon line.
  • Consider including actual journal entries -in the words that you used at that time in your life. – This will help to show how your testimony developed over time.
  • Consider including your Patriarchal Blessing – and also the events that surrounded your receiving it.
  • This personal history is not meant to be every single spiritual experience you’ve had. Instead, like the Book of Mormon, it is an abridgment of your testimony – how it developed over the years.
  • As you consider what to include, remember Nephi’s words: “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” This is what you are doing – writing your testimony so that your children will know what source they out to look to for a remission of their sins. They will read your words and know that you knew.

So, I encourage you to begin your own spiritual personal history! And if you’ve already done so, comment here with a few hints/tips!

***
For more blog posts about the Book of Mormon, head over to the Book of Mormon Forum.

7 Comments
by chococatania on October 12, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in 2 Nephi, Book of Mormon, Book of Mormon Forum, Children, Family, General tips for home, Insights, Motherhood
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Posted by chococatania on October 12, 2011

http://thatgoodpart.wordpress.com/2011/10/12/recording-your-spiritual-personal-history/

If We Do Not Doubt: Visiting Teaching Message Oct 2011

This month, the visiting teaching message comes from the Book of Mormon: The righteous examples of the mothers of the Stripling Warriors. (Alma 53;56-58)

Farewell My Stripling Warrior, Del Parson, 1999

These women raised a generation of young men who were “men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and walk uprightly before him,” (Alma 53:21). These young men helped to defend their liberty and the liberty of their fathers. And when I say young men, I mean, young men – they had never gone to war before. They were youth.

Here is another verse describing these youth:

” 20 And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.” – Alma 53:20

This example is noteworthy because it will help us as we raise our children in trying circumstances. Sister Beck explains:

The mothers of Helaman’s warriors lived in times not unlike our own. Their circumstances were difficult and dangerous, and youth were being called upon to defend physical and spiritual liberty. Today we live in a world where we ‘wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places’ (Ephesians 6:12).” – Julie B. Beck

I’ve been thinking about the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child” a lot lately. I don’t disagree with it, but I worry – what if you don’t really agree with the culture of the village. I kind of feel like our village is getting more tolerant of sin and judgmental against righteousness. I’m not sure that I am completely comfortable with the village. Or, at the very least, I will be careful on what kind of village I choose to be a part of. There is a lot of good in the world, I truly believe this. Yet, there is also a sense of permissiveness that I don’t really think is all that great for families. We are raising our children in relatively difficult times.

Sometimes, raising children in an increasingly difficult world feels a little discouraging, but Sister Beck reminds us we don’t need to be discouraged. Our strength comes from the atonement of Jesus Christ – especially as we keep the covenants we have made. As we keep our covenants, we teach children to keep covenants and be righteous.

A few years ago, I was feeling especially overwhelmed about my responsibility in raising children in this environment. I mean, there is so much blatant wickedness around us. And I also know that I need to love others. We are to tolerate others without tolerating sin. This is something that I feel like I’m able to do, but it seems difficult to teach my children to distinguish between the two. Anyways…I was feeling so overwhelmed with everything, and I remember reading the scriptures and feeling touched by this verse:

” 28 But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering;

29 Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest.” – Alma 13:28-29

Later, I went to the temple. At the temple, we make covenants for ourselves, pray, worship, and provide ordinances such as baptism for family members who have passed on without the opportunity to do so for themselves. We are encouraged to go often, and for good reason…When attending the temple during my time of discouragement, I learned this:

In this generation, we have the duty to do temple work. Sometimes, this duty feels very overwhelming in and of itself. Yet, in this responsibility, we find our blessing. As we do the duty of going to the temple, we are reminded of the covenants we have made, and strength that comes from covenant keeping infuses our life.

So…in other words…our responsibility IS our blessing.

As we keep our covenants, we teach our children to keep theirs, and we can emulate the examples of the mothers of the Stripling warriors, and hopefully have similar results:

” 21 Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them.” – Alma 57:21

I truly hope the legacy that I leave with my children is like that of the mothers of the stripling warriors. I know that the Atonement of Christ and the covenants I’ve made with him will help me in this endeavor.

***
If you are reading this blog, and are not familiar with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you can find out more about the temple here.

If you would like to read more great blog posts about the Book of Mormon, check out the Book of Mormon Forum.

6 Comments
by chococatania on October 6, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Alma, Book of Mormon, Book of Mormon Forum, Children, Family, Goals, Insights, Motherhood
Tagged , ,

Posted by chococatania on October 6, 2011

http://thatgoodpart.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/if-we-do-not-doubt-visiting-teaching-message-oct-2011/

What Am I Teaching? (Enos 1:1-3)

Recently, the following has been a really favorite scripture of mine:

” 1 Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man—for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord—and blessed be the name of my God for it—

2 And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins.

3 Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart.” = Enos 1:1-3

I love this scripture block because we get an insight on how to be an effective and great parent. Kind of – I guess. Here, Enos tells us that Jacob was just, and that he taught his son in his language and in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

I just realized, I’ve written about this before. But, it is still relevant in my life, as I’m still a parent!

The thing about Jacob and Enos, Jacob’s teaching was effective enough to have an impact on Enos. While Enos is on his own, Jacob’s words sunk deep into Enos’s heart – causing Enos’s soul to hunger. Consequently, Enos “wrestled before God.” This brought upon a change of heart and commitment to the Lord. We can see that Jacob’s teaching and parenting had a big impact, positively, on Enos.

So – here’s the thing, it makes me ask, What am I teaching my children? What do I want to be teaching my children?

There are times when I’m teaching my children things that aren’t great. I teach them (through example) to eat too many sweets. I may also be teaching them to be impatient. There are times, when I teach them to be a slob! Anyways – these things are important to know, but I don’t want to dwell on them.

I want to think about what I am teaching them.

  • I am teaching them how to pray.
  • I am teaching them how to read the scriptures. I hope that they will also learn to love them.
  • I am teaching them to serve the Lord.
  • I am teaching them that motherhood is important.
  • I am teaching them that Christ is our Savior.
  • I am teaching them that they are beloved daughters (and a beloved son!) of God.

I hope to teach them so much more, too. I hope to teach them to be creative, kind, happy, active. I hope to teach them to be curious, hard-working, compassionate, and balanced. I hope to teach them that they have power within them – to be the kind of people that Heavenly Father sees. I hope they learn to stay true to themselves while true to the Lord.

I hope that they will learn how to be truly happy.

What are you teaching your children, or those children that you influence?

2 Comments
by chococatania on September 26, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Book of Mormon, Children, Enos, Family, Insights, Motherhood
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Posted by chococatania on September 26, 2011

http://thatgoodpart.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/what-am-i-teaching-enos-11-3/

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