Courage

Courage

“In order for us to make the correct decisions, courage is needed—the courage to say no when we should, the courage to say yes when that is appropriate, the courage to do the right thing because it is right. …

“… Inner courage also includes doing the right thing even though we may be afraid, defending our beliefs at the risk of being ridiculed, and maintaining those beliefs even when threatened with a loss of friends or of social status. …

“… As we move forward, striving to live as we should, we will surely receive help from the Lord and can find comfort in His words.”

President Thomas S. Monson, “Be Strong and of a Good Courage,” Ensign, May 2014, 66, 67, 69.

Symbols of the Atonement

Symbols of the Atonement

“Olive trees are special in the Holy Land. The olive branch is universally regarded as a symbol of peace. This tree provides food, light, heat, lumber, ointments, and medicine. It is now, as it was then, crucial to life in Israel. It is not a deciduous tree, but everbearing—always green. Even if the tree is chopped down, life will spring from its roots, suggesting everlasting life. Jewish tradition often refers to the olive tree as the tree of life. To me it seems to prefigure the Resurrection.

“Jesus came to the base of the Mount of Olives to effect the first component of the Atonement. This He did at the Garden of Gethsemane. The word Gethsemane comes from two Hebrew roots: gath, meaning ‘press,’ and shemen, meaning ‘oil,’ especially that of the olive.

“There olives had been pressed under the weight of great stone wheels to squeeze precious oil from the olives. So the Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane was literally pressed under the weight of the sins of the world. He sweated great drops of blood—His life’s ‘oil’—which issued from every pore. (See Luke 22:44; D&C 19:18.)

“… Remember, just as the body of the olive, which was pressed for the oil that gave light, so the Savior was pressed. From every pore oozed the lifeblood of our Redeemer. Throughout the joyous days of your mission, when your cup of gladness runs over, remember His cup of bitterness which made it possible. And when sore trials come upon you, remember Gethsemane.”

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Why This Holy Land?” Ensign, Dec. 1989, 17–18.

Because we are being constantly exposed to the world’s definition of success and greatness, it is understandable that we might frequently find ourselves making comparisons between what we are and what others are, or seem to be, and also between what we have and what others have. … We often allow unfair and improper comparisons to destroy our happiness when they cause us to feel unfulfilled or inadequate or unsuccessful. Sometimes, because of these feelings, we are led into error, and we dwell on our failures while ignoring aspects of our lives that may contain elements of true greatness. …

To those who are doing the commonplace work of the world but are wondering about the value of their accomplishments; to those who are the workhorses of this Church, who are furthering the work of the Lord in so many quiet but significant ways; to those who are the salt of the earth and the strength of the world and the backbone of each nation—to you we would simply express our admiration. If you endure to the end, and if you are valiant in the testimony of Jesus, you will achieve true greatness and will live in the presence of our Father in Heaven.

• FEBRUARY 2016
• TRUE GREATNESS

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UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

True Greatness

By President Howard W. Hunter (1907–95)

Fourteenth President of the Church

From “True Greatness,” Ensign, May 1982, 19–20.

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The Lord Blesses Our Efforts

The Lord Blesses Our Efforts

“Any calling we receive in the Lord’s kingdom requires more than our human judgment and our personal powers. Those calls require help from the Lord, which will come. …

“… I testify that He has called you and me into His service knowing our capacities and the help we will need. He will bless our efforts beyond our fondest expectations as we give our all in His service.”

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, “You Are Not Alone in the Work,” Ensign, Nov. 2015, 80, 83.

Raise our Hands

Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that when we raise our hands during a gospel discussion, we “signify to the Holy Ghost [our] willingness to learn.” 
 “Participation allows individuals to experience being led by the Spirit” (“To Learn and to Teach More Effectively” [Brigham Young University Education Week devotional, Aug. 21, 2007], 5,speeches.byu.edu).

Group Discussion

• FEBRUARY 2016
• CONDUCTING A WELL-TUNED GROUP DISCUSSION

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Conducting a Well-Tuned Group Discussion

By Dustin West

Seminaries and Institutes

When you lead a gospel discussion, it might be helpful to think of yourself as a conductor of an orchestra. Those you are teaching are not the audience listening to the concert. They are in the orchestra, playing their parts to create music. The conductor coordinates the musicians, brings out the best in each, and helps their music become an inspiring work of art.

Teach people, not lessons. Those you teach will be more willing to participate in discussions when they feel that you care more about them than getting through the lesson. Learners want to feel that you have prepared yourself to fortify and increase their faith in the Lord, rather than just present facts. Learners who feel loved by their teacher and by other class members will be more willing to share insights and experiences.

To the Teacher: “Can I Fit It All In?”

The lesson materials, the chapters of scripture, the insights you gained as you studied—it’s all so good, but your hours of study often can’t be replicated in a designated period of time. Your task is not to share all you learned but to direct the class time in such a way that learners discover truths for themselves—much as you did in your own preparation. Pray for help, and the Holy Ghost will teach you what to focus on. As you focus on a few truths, you can allow for a more meaningful discussion that penetrates deeper into the hearts of those you teach.

In our day we may fall into a self-satisfied routine of gospel living. We tell ourselves, “I go to church, I pay my tithing, I live the Word of Wisdom—I’m doing just fine.”

A Parable of Repentance

Without realizing it, we may fall into the same trap as the Pharisees and Sadducees, ignoring those sins that don’t show to the outside world.

Luke recounts a parable from the Savior that should cause us to think carefully about our own lives. In the parable, a Pharisee praying at the temple thought he had no need to change. Like those to whom the Savior spoke the parable, the Pharisee “trusted in [himself] that [he was] righteous” (Luke 18:9). He recited all his goodness: he fasted twice a week and paid tithing. In his pride he felt he had nothing left to work on.

“God, I thank thee,” he said, “that I am not as other men are” (Luke 18:11).

“Standing afar off” was a publican—a tax collector who was much despised in that day. Unlike the self-congratulatory Pharisee, the publican “smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13). Which one received Jesus’s approval?

Contrasting the two attitudes, Jesus said, “I tell you, this man [the publican] went down to his house justified rather than the other.” Then the Savior added, “For every one that exalteth himself [like the Pharisee] shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself [like the publican] shall be exalted” (Luke 18:14).

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The publican recognized his need for change, for repentance. Unfortunately, the Pharisee was blind to his need for improvement. Where are we in our willingness to repent and become what the Savior wants us to be?

...In evaluating our need for repentance, we might ask, “Am I impatient, negative, fearful, critical, self-centered, controlling, light-minded, lustful, cynical, or lazy?” This is far from an exhaustive list, but it’s easy to see that no one escapes entirely the weaknesses of the natural man or woman.

...No worldly self-help program or makeover can do this. We cannot make the necessary changes to sanctify ourselves without Christ. Only He can reach deep enough to change us in ways we need to change.

• FEBRUARY 2016
• THE NEW TESTAMENT’S MESSAGE OF REPENTANCE

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The New Testament’s Message of Repentance

By Elder Larry Y. Wilson

Solving Problems

 “I believe that the busy person … can solve … problems better and more quickly in the house of the Lord than anywhere else,” said Elder John A. Widtsoe (1872–1952) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “At the most unexpected moments, in or out of the temple will come … , as a revelation, the solution [to] the problems that vex [our lives].”

John A. Widtsoe, “Temple Worship,” Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine, Apr. 1921, 63–64, quoted in David B. Haight, “Temples and Work Therein,” Ensign, Nov. 1990, 61.

Praying for Others

Praying for Others

“Petitioning Heavenly Father for the blessings we desire in our personal lives is good and proper. However, praying earnestly for others … is also an important element of meaningful prayer. Just as expressing gratitude more often in our prayers enlarges the conduit for revelation, so praying for others with all of the energy of our souls increases our capacity to hear and to heed the voice of the Lord.”

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Pray Always,”Ensign, Nov. 2008, 43.

Read It Again

Read It Again

“[The Book of Mormon] provides a spiritual and tangible witness of the truthfulness of the Restoration. When was the last time that you read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover? Read it again. It will increase your faith.”

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Faith Is Not by Chance, but by Choice,” Ensign, Nov. 2015, 67.

Primary Music Resources

friend.lds.org
Click "Music in the Friend" and look for the "I Can Play It!" series if you want sheet music and audio files of simplified Primary songs. New this year, the Friend site also features music videos with beautiful pictures and captions for the sharing time songs.

primary.lds.org

The "Leader Resources" page contains a section on music callings. There are videos from recent leadership training broadcasts that share ideas for teaching music to children.

Faith is a gift of God

 “Faith is a gift of God bestowed as a reward for personal righteousness. It is always given when righteousness is present, and the greater the measure of obedience to God’s laws the greater will be the endowment of faith.”

Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. (1966), 264.

• FEBRUARY 2016
• WHAT CAN THE BOOK OF MORMON TEACH US ABOUT HAPPINESS?

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What Can the Book of Mormon Teach Us about Happiness?

By Hank R. Smith

Instructor of Religious Education, Brigham Young University

Maintaining Uplifting Associations

“The quantity and quality of a person’s social connections—friendships, relationships with family members, closeness to neighbors, etc.—is so closely related to well-being and personal happiness the two can practically be equated.”

Christine Carter, “Happiness Is Being Socially Connected,” Oct. 31, 2008, greatergood.berkeley.edu.

Aligning Actions with Beliefs

Accomplishing Hard Work

Focusing on the Temple

Sharing What We Have

Belonging to a Family

“Happiness in marriage and parenthood can exceed a thousand times any other happiness.”

James E. Faust, “The Enriching of Marriage,” Ensign, Nov. 1977, 11.

Being a Peacemaker

 We must be sure we make a great effort to not do or say anything that brings a spirit of contention into our workplaces, schools, and homes. Instead we must do all we can to foster a love of God in our own hearts.

“Impatience … is a symptom of selfishness. It is a trait of the self-absorbed. It arises from the all-too-prevalent condition called ‘center of the universe’ syndrome, which leads people to believe that the world revolves around them and that all others are just supporting cast in the grand theater of mortality in which only they have the starring role.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Continue in Patience,” Ensign, May 2010, 57.

Scriptures can calm an agitated soul

“Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one’s ability to overcome the challenges of life. They have potent power to heal emotional challenges when there is faith in the Savior” (Richard G. Scott, “The Power of Scripture,” Ensign, Nov. 2011, 6).

Forgiveness: The Essence of the Gospel

Forgiveness: The Essence of the Gospel

“A spirit of forgiveness and an attitude of love and compassion toward those who may have wronged us is of the very essence of the gospel ofJesus Christ. Each of us has need of this spirit. The whole world has need of it. The Lord taught it. He exemplified it as none other has exemplified it.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008), “Of You It Is Required to Forgive,” Ensign, June 1991, 2.

Meeting The Lord's Standards

Meeting the Lord’s Standards

“Sisters, Satan has raised a Korihor-like banner in our day. … What are some of his tools? Seductive romance novels, TV soap operas, married women and old boyfriends connecting on social media, and pornography. … We cannot play with Satan’s fiery darts and not get burned. …

“When we are involved in watching, reading, or experiencing anything that is below our Heavenly Father’s standards, it weakens us. Regardless of our age, if what we look at, read, listen to, or choose to do does not meet the Lord’s standards in For the Strength of Youth, turn it off, rip it up, throw it out, and slam the door.”

Linda S. Reeves, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, “Worthy of Our Promised Blessings,” Ensign, Nov. 2015, 10.

Storms in Life

We can’t always control the storms that life puts in our path. Sometimes things simply don’t go our way. We may feel shaken and blown about by the turbulence of disappointment, doubt, fear, sadness, or stress.

During those times, it is easy to get caught up in everything that is going wrong and to make our troubles the center of our thoughts. The temptation is to focus on the trials we are facing instead of on the Savior and our testimony of truth.

But that is not the best way to navigate through our challenges in life.

Just as an experienced pilot keeps his focus not on the storm but on the center of the runway and the correct touchdown point, so too should we keep our focus on the center of our faith—our Savior, His gospel, and the plan of our Heavenly Father—and on our ultimate goal—to return safely to our heavenly destination. We should trust God and make staying on the track of discipleship the focus of our efforts. We should keep our eyes, heart, and mind focused on living the way we know we should.

Showing our faith and trust in Heavenly Father by joyfully keeping His commandments will bring us happiness and glory. And if we stay on the path, we will get through any turbulence—no matter how strong it may appear—and return safely to our heavenly home...

The more we obsess about our difficulties, our struggles, our doubts, and our fears, the more difficult things can become. But the more we focus on our final heavenly destination and on the joys of following the disciple’s path—loving God, serving our neighbor—the more likely we are to successfully navigate through times of trouble and turbulence.

• FEBRUARY 2016
• LANDING SAFELY IN TURBULENCE

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FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE

Landing Safely in Turbulence

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

Help with Family History

"If you look beyond the bonds of time and mortality and help those who cannot help themselves, you will be blessed with more closeness and joy in your family and with the divine protection afforded those who are faithful in His service.

Quentin L. Cook