Personal Sacrament Meeting Talk Jan. 2010

Pardon the interruption. This doesn't have to do with Primary but I do want it on record one day for my little chickies pictured above.

Brothers and Sisters, it’s a pleasure to be here with you this Sabbath day. I want to tell my parents I love them and thank you for always being there for us. I’m just going to come right out and say it, it might be a little sacrilege, it might be a little un-American but it’s who I am. I dislike hotdogs. I don’t even remember the last time I had a hotdog. I refuse to cook hotdogs for any of my family and whenever a family member eats a hotdog, I make sure to give looks of horror and disapproval, if not vocal gagging sounds. When someone told me what was in a hot dog, they changed my life. They proclaimed truth. They proclaimed knowledge of very important value. It’s changed the way I eat and live. It may sound like I’m babbling, but I do have message to share this day, and it’s my prayer that the spirit will be with us and that we can grow closer to God by it’s divine power.

A person spoke up and told me about hot dogs. It changed me. How often do we share messages that can change the lives of others? The Bishop asked my husband and I to speak on “Proclaiming the Gospel”. The word “proclaim” is situated in an interesting spot in the topical guide, coincidence- I think not- between the words “proceed” and “procrastination”. Do we proceed and go forward sharing our testimonies often, or do we procrastinate sharing our beliefs?

I was born and raised in Sparks. Home means NV to me. My husband and I met at BYU. It was at the Black Student Union and my roommate and I were debating whether I should go after Joe- who was gaunt and starving looking or another guy who was meatier but had different sized eyes. The choice was fairly easy. I was 200 pounds lighter with a dashing personality he couldn’t refuse and snagged him right up. I had dated quite a bit but Joe was the first guy I met that just could not talk about anything other than his mission. He was obsessed. He served in Dallas TX… God bless Texas! Spanish and English speaking. He talked about the different families they taught, he talked about his love of Mexican food, he talked about the weather and dogs trying to kill him in the ghettos, he talked and talked and talked… and I actually listened. I’m pretty attention deficit and bore easily, yet his love for the gospel enthralled me. He even continued his mission a few months after his 2 years were up, because he loved proclaiming God’s truth to others. Besides his stunning good looks and rock hard biceps this was what attracted me most to him. He was a man of God. He was worthy of the sacred priesthood he held. He made the world a better place by proclaiming the gospel. And he does so to this day!

I want to break up the word “proclaim” into 3 parts. Declare, Preach, and Publish as found in the topical guide.

First, Declare. We have a popular phrase we like to quote in our house. It’s by the Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown himself and is slightly modified. “Girl…Say it loud, say it proud.” Declare. State it - whether it’s in your home, school, testimony meeting, the grocery store or King’s Chinese Buffet. Abinadi didn’t shrink before King Noah, he told it like it was. Mosiah 12:33 “I know if ye keep the commandments of God ye shall be saved.” Same chapter 12 verses 25 and 26 “Have ye taught this people that they should observe to do all these things for to keep these commandments? I say unto you Nay; for if ye had, the Lord would not have caused me to come forth and to prophesy evil concerning this people.” He declared this most important truth in Mosiah 15:1 “I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people.” The modern day apostles don’t beat around the bush either, in the document The Living Christ they say “We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.”

Now there is a small clause with this that should make sense, D&C 11:21 “Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men.” What is your testimony? What do you know to be true? Do you have to be a scriptorian and know the family histories line by line in the book of Numbers? This scripture isn’t meant to scare anyone off, but just before you go declaring the word of God make sure you know who Joseph Smith is and that we don’t go boozing around town as part of the word of wisdom, young adults aren’t forced to go to BYU, etc. Except for my girls, you will bleed blue.

Preach on sister. No really, the second part of my talk is about just that “Preaching”. First we declare, then we preach and further expound. How important is it to preach? Jonah 3:2 “Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee…” And Jonah didn’t and he was swallowed by a whale and had to live inside it for 3 days. The apostle Paul probably echoed Jonah’s sentiments when he stated “…Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:16 We have been told by President Spencer W. Kimball, “Every member a missionary.” We have resources all around us to help. The scriptures, modern day revelation, prayer… to be used often, daily, not sparingly…even a book called “Preach my Gospel.” One scripture that is a theme within this book is D&C 112:28 “But purify your hearts before me; and then go ye into all the world, and preach my gospel unto every creature who has not received it.” Do we as members take the place of missionaries? Absolutely not!!!! We don’t have discussions on our own and baptize in the pond in the backyard. Missionaries have been called and set apart by God to specifically preach the gospel as ordained servants. But we can sure open our mouths to our neighbors and friends or complete strangers and teach and testify. Opening mouths is only one part, we need to remember actions speak louder than words. Follow Christ, do as He did.

Thirdly, I chose to focus on the word publish. When is the last time you wrote down your testimony? Will generations to come have a record of what you believed in? Isaiah 52:7 “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” I never served a mission. I wanted to, but my husband said if I left he wouldn’t wait for me. I’m smart, I thought Ok, we’ll just serve one together! So while I’ve never had that official experience I have published my testimony and through the miracles of God and the internet, people in 208 different countries can witness that I know that Jesus Christ lives. From Ireland to Nigeria to the Cayman Islands, Sofia Lykes has said it loud and said it proud. I bring this up not to toot my own horn,because really... I am nothing!!... but to just state that if we wish to share and humbly ask God for help, He will help!

I know my daughters Christina and Maria know this – Mommy loves you very much. You are my angels. You are perfection. You are heaven here on this earth. We share our testimonies together weekly in Family Home Evening. I also know that one day I’m going to be on the other side of the veil and I don’t want there to ever be a question to their children or the world for that matter that I know Heavenly Father loves us all. That Jesus Christ atoned for our sins and sicknesses. I declare, preach, publish. I proclaim we will one glorious day be resurrected and stand before our maker.

My son is also proclaiming the gospel. I am often asked how many children I have. I have 3. I don’t skirt around the question, even though I know sometimes it makes others uncomfortable. Our son died of SIDS almost 5 months ago now. His life and death serve a very important purpose and God’s will always be done. We don’t see it as a trial or great tragedy, it’s part of the plan and we’ll be reunited in the resurrection. Besides, I know his sweet perfect spirit is very close by me each day. The veil is thin. I would really be remiss if I didn’t thank you all for the wonderful support and charity you have shown us in our hour of need. Words will never do justice for the gratitude that is in my heart. Food, prayers, visits, hugs, listening ears, Kleenex, an outstanding and amazing visiting teacher, a home teacher who shoveled our snow… you name it, it was given. And we are eternally grateful. May you be blessed with heaven’s highest blessings for mourning with those that mourn. We are very humbled to be part of such an outstanding ward family. And to be led by such fine priesthood leaders like the bishopric. (Small insert to blog readers- you too are wonderful, I don't know where I'd be without all your prayers and love so THANK YOU!!!)

I’ve been told often that now I really have a reason to work hard since my son is waiting for me, but this is absolutely false. I valued being sealed to him when he was alive just as much as now. I’ve always had a reason to work hard and that is because I love my Savior. I love my God. I desire nothing more than to enter into Their presence and have Them say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” What are the desires of our heart? Do we desire others to have a part of this glorious gospel and happiness?

Don’t be discouraged, we may not convert by the 1,000’s every week and that’s OK. In Isaiah 27 verses 12 and 13 “…ye shall be gathered one by one… they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem.” Never judge a person, just share. Listen to the Holy Ghost. President Lee says it much more eloquently- “The Gospel of Jesus Christ was not intended just for a continent or a segment of the earth. The gospel is intended for every soul that walks the earth, they are all children of God… Our responsibility is to bring to the world the message of truth, to show the world that within the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ are to be found the solutions to very problem that afflicts mankind… No matter where they live, whether they are rich or poor, no matter what their station in life, their color or their background, they are loved by us and we desire to help them to achieve their highest expectations…”

We never know when we will be called to proclaim the gospel. I bear solemn testimony we must be ready at all times to witness the divinity of Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church on this earth, this day. We must declare, we must preach and we must publish. Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need? We must proclaim the change that the world needs. We must help gather His children and keep them safe. All things are possible with God through the Atonement of His Son. Of this I bear testimony of, in the name of my Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ Amen.

LDS Primary Follow the Prophet Song Helps and Ideas (CS p.110-11)

GAK 506

* School of the Prophets - Make a large poster board school. Have neat rows of different pictures of prophets. Maybe 10? Have children come up and choose a prophet to either sing a certain verse or have a "way" attached on how to sing. (Like an opera singer, super soft, sing while moving your arms in small circles, etc.)

* Choose a friend to be the prophet at the front. He/she does motions and everyone follows them while singing.

* Have a poster board. Cut 2 slits, one at the bottom and one on top. Have a picture of Enoch the prophet and the City of Zion, attach on a ribbon, thread the ribbon through the slits and tape the ribbon ends together. Make it so Enoch can move up and down. As the children sing robustly, have Enoch rise up to heaven! See where singing can get you!!

* Have a large sack and picture of Nephi. For each verse the children learn, put an arrow in the sack. Every time you see a child trying really hard or singing nicely, put an arrow in the sack! See how many arrows you can get! On the bottom of your picture have the words, “I will go, I will sing!!!”

* Make necklaces for the children. Have little papers with pictures to help remind them of the different prophets they are singing about. For example, you can have a picture of different plants for Adam, an Ark for Noah, a penny for Enoch because there was no poor in Zion, an ear for Samuel because he heard God speak his name… etc.

* Encourage older children to think of another prophet and write a verse for that prophet to share with the primary. This can fulfill a faith in God requirement under Developing Talents.

March 2010 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by Michael Dawes 9/2009
All time favorite prophet: Jonah. Because really. He was swallowed by a whale. How about you??

Monthly Theme: God speaks through Prophets.
Monthly Scripture: Luke 1:70 "He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began."

Week 1 Prophets are called by God.

* When a phone rings, what can you do? You can answer or ignore. Have someone (like the bishop) call you on your cell phone and have a child answer. What would have happened if you ignored the call? Heavenly Father doesn’t use cell phones to call His prophets, He uses His voice, the Holy Ghost and sometimes angels! The Lord called many prophets to leave what they were doing and then follow him.

Have a presidency member outside the primary room door. Throughout primary, have them call your cell phone and let a child answer. They will give the child hints about a certain prophet. Have the child share the hints with the primary and then guess what prophet the call is about!

* On the chalk board have the words PROPHET, MY JOB, and MY CALL. Have a bag for the children to draw a word out of to describe the names and different jobs of the prophets (ancient AND modern) and act it out. Then have the primary come up with the responsibilities/ duties/how the prophet was called to list under MY CALL.

For example: Amos- Amos 7:14-16 “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit; And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel. Now therefore hear thou the word of the Lord…”

Act out: Picking fruit

* “Role Call” -Take role call and have the children answer you when you say their name. Have them think about what they would say if the Savior called them by name. Put up a picture of Christ and have them share. Prophets were often called by name, by the Savior. Have 6 different prophets and their names written largely on strips of paper. Have speaking bubbles (like the ones in cartoons) with the prophet’s response. Try to have pictures of the prophets if possible. Have the children match the names and responses of the prophets up front on the chalkboard.

If there is time, have the children draw a cartoon of the story of one of their favorite prophets. There are also lots of cartoon prophet examples found in the Friend magazine!!

* “Calling On…” This is a game of finishing the story. Children will pass around a cell phone. You start off the story of a prophet by saying how He was called, then pass the cell phone to another child and have them add whatever they know about that prophet. They pass it on to another friend who can add and so on. No one should have the phone for more than 1 minute, thus giving lots of children the chance to participate. Ask the children what prophets they would like to talk about! Have a GAK close by!

* Learn the 5^th Article of Faith song SPARKLE style. This is for SENIOR PRIMARY. To play sparkle each person will have to say one word in the article of faith, if they don’t know the word, then they are out. Then the last person says, SPARKLE! You keep on going until everyone is out except for 2 people, then they are the article of faith sparkle stars!!

Have the article of faith posted on the board and let them practice a couple of times with the words up. Go to each child up and down each row. Then take it down!! Have the children stand, if they can’t think of a word they sit and are out. So first child says, We… second child says believe… 3^rd child says that… 4^th child says a… 5^th child says Bubba Gump, he/she got it wrong so they sit and the 6^th child says man… If other children shout out, they have to sit. Always encourage good listening and good manners.

Week 2 Prophets testify of Jesus Christ.

* Reader’s theatre posted HERE.

Week 3 There is safety in following the prophet.

* Prophet Safety Jeopardy

Personal opinion: I never (yes…never) had competitions in Primary. I never did teams or boys vs. girls. I always had the primary work as a family of friends, getting as many points as we could alll together. The world has too many divisions. I’m for being unified and working together. But to each his own, just food for thought. I’ll step off the soapbox and encourage you to alter the following any way you like. DON’T BE LAZY. DON’T CUT AND PASTE this unless you are going to study the questions, prepare, ponder and pray if this is what the Lord wants for your primary this week.

Categories and questions:

Warning!!! Danger up ahead!!!

100 This prophet warned the people and they didn’t listen. He and his family were kept safe in an arc while the earth was completely flooded.

200 Read Mosiah 17:9-10 Abinadi warned this evil King, but was stilled burned by fire. He sealed his testimony with his own blood.

300 How does following the word of wisdom, revelation given to Joseph Smith, keep us from danger?

400 Jacob warned the Nephites of “… every kind of sin, telling them the awful consequences of them.” (Jacob 3:12) Name 3 sins and the results that can happen from making those bad choices.

Hear my Words, Learn of Christ

100 Sing Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus (CS p.36)

200 Show GAK The Prophet Isaiah Foretells Christ’s Birth. Who is this prophet?

300 Spencer W. Kimball said this quote. Fill in the blank “ The ……… prophets, from Adam to Malachi are testifying of the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. Jesus Christ was the God of the ………, and it was He who conversed with Abraham and Moses.” (Ensign, May 1977, p.76) (Answer: Old Testament)

400 What does the prophet Nephi teach you about Christ? (Encourage Senior Primary to find actual scriptures!)

Stay on the Path

100 This prophet saw a strait and narrow path leading to the tree of life. Who is the prophet or prophets and what can you do to stay on the path?

200 Sing We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet (Hymns p.19)

300 Read Mosiah 2:36-37 What can we do to have the Holy Ghost with us to guide us in wisdom’s paths?

400 DOUBLE JEOPARDY! DOUBLE POINTS!!! Name your favorite prophet and something that prophet has taught you to keep you safe.

Buckle Up with Modern Day Apostles

100 President Eyring has said, “Now, here is my counsel to children. The Lord gave you a commandment with a promise: “Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” It is the only one of the Ten Commandments with a promise.”(Ensign Nov. 2009 p.72) How can you show honor to your parents or adults in your life?

200 Show a picture of the first presidency. Name these 3 men.

300 Where do we read the words of modern day apostles?

400 Sing last verse of Follow the Prophet. (CS p. 111)

Final Jeopardy Category: Safety in Following the Prophets

Final Jeopardy Question: What is something you learned today and/or can bear testimony of?

* Bring in an umbrella stroller with a seat belt. Have a demonstration where a stuffed animal is placed inside without the safety belt and pushed. Try again with the safety belt on. Prophets keep us safe by securing us in the knowledge that Christ lives and strapping us in the strength of His revelations.

* Have a large paper drawing of a child. Hang it up and add things to make it safe like a helmet, knee pads, band aids, a coat, sunscreen, sunglasses… etc. On each of the safety items have questions, songs and scriptures having to do with prophets.

Week 4 God speaks through prophets.

* Bring in 4 pictures, 2 copies of each picture. Have the children match the pictures. Are the matches the same? Read D&C 1:38, “What I the Lord have spoken I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, IT IS THE SAME.” Now have a sign “voice of the Lord” and “voice of my servants”… according to the scripture are these 2 a match and the same?

* Have a large world map or globe. Have a bunch of small pictures (I would do 10-15) of different prophets. Let the children come up, name and tell different things about that prophet and then place him on the map. Maybe get some pictures of modern day prophets and where they served their missions.

Have there been prophets in every single country on earth?

Can most places today hear the words of prophets and if so how?

What do the prophets of old and of today say?

If the children could go anywhere in the world, where would they go and what would they say about prophets?

* Ask for a volunteer. Whisper something into the child’s ear and then have them tell it to the primary. Invite another child to come up and do the same. Just as you spoke through your primary friends, God speaks through prophets. Read Jeremiah 1:5-7, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.”

* Sing Latter-day Prophets (CS p.134) and give each child (in their chairs) a picture from the GAK. When they hear their prophet they stand then sit down! Collect the pictures and try again with different friends!

March 2010 Primary Sharing Time LDS Reader's Theater

March 2010 Week 2: Prophets testify of Jesus Christ.

Tips for a successful readers theater:

* choose your readers carefully!!!!, remember most Sunbeams can't read so don't get upset if you hand them the part and they're holding it upside down looking at you oddly

* Have plenty of scripts!! At least one for each part. Highlight the parts according to each script so it's easier for the children to follow and know when they're speaking.

* Give them a few minutes to look over their part, sing some songs while doing so.

* Bring in SIMPLE props or costumes. Ties for the modern day apostles. Shawl for Anna. Just go easy, you want their attention focused on the message and doctrine of the play!!!

* Have a script for yourself to follow to help prompt. Be familiar with it so you can direct the children in what they need to do, especially the non-speaking parts.

* Pace yourself. You only have 15ish minutes, don't try to squeeze too much in too little time.
* Italicized words are NOT TO BE READ

* Some preventative preparation: Pray, pray, pray... and pray some more that it will go smoothly and that the spirit will be there (throughout the week before)

Lunch With The Prophets: A Reader's Theater

By Sofia Lykes

List of Characters

Narrator 1

Narrator 2

Narrator 3

Waiter

Nephi

Jacob

Anna

Joseph Smith

President Hinckley & 12 Apostles

President Monson

Props

Table and Chairs, table cloth, vase, scriptures on plates for each narrator

3 Menus

Simple costumes and/or name signs for the prophets

A towel for the waiter to put on his arm

Doll for Anna

Picture of Jesus Living Christ Document

>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

Narrator 1: Boy, I sure am hungry!

Narrator 2: Me too! A big juicy hamburger, french fries and a fruit salad sounds sooooooooooooooo good right about now.

Narrator 3: No way, try pizza with a big glob of ranch to dip it in. That’s what really sounds good!

Narrator 1: You guys, I’m not talking about food hungry! I’m talking about spirit hungry!!

Narrator 2: Huh?

Narrator 3: What?

Narrator 1: My spirit needs a good feeding by the Holy Ghost. I came to church today to learn about Jesus Christ, and I’m really excited!!

Waiter: (Brings narrators to a table that is set nicely with a tablecloth and vase of flowers, gives them their plates with scriptures) Why hello good friends, welcome and have a seat. Today we will be serving lunch with the prophets! (passes out menus) Go ahead and take a look at your menu and when you’re ready to choose a prophet, let me know!!

Narrator 1: This is awesome!!

Narrator 2: My menu says “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”i

Waiter: Why yes my friend, that’s from the bible… Amos Chapter 3 Verse 7.

Narrator 3: Oh man! There isn’t any pizza on this menu!

Narrator 1: No pizza, but Nephi sounds way more awesome than that!

Waiter: Nephi it is!!

Nephi: “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.”ii

Narrator 2: What does remission mean? That’s a really big word!

Waiter: Can anyone in the primary answer? (call on someone in the audience) That’s right! It’s like getting your sins forgiven.

Narrator 3: Who is Nephi talking about when he says we… we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ….

Narrator 1: He is talking about the prophets! Prophets testify of Jesus Christ. Hmmmm… Jacob sounds good right about now!

Waiter: Jacob, Nephi’s younger brother it is!

(Jacob and Nephi high five, then they high five someone in the audience)

Jacob: “For, for this intent have we written these things, that they may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming; and not only we ourselves had a hope of his glory, but also all the holy prophets which were before us."iii

Narrator 2: All the holy prophets before you!?!?

Jacob: “Behold, they believed in Christ and worshiped the Father in his name, and also we worship the Father in his name." iv

Narrator 3: That’s deep man.

Narrator 1: My spirit is being filled! I was hungry and I’m being fed! I’m so happy to be at church! I’m so grateful for the prophets. How would we know anything without them and their words?

Waiter: We wouldn’t! Their words are super important! It says in D&C Chapter 1 Verse 38, “Whether by mine own voice of the voice of my servants, it is the same.”v

Narrator 2: So the words of the prophets are the same as Heavenly Fathers?

Narrator 1: You got it! Woah… a girl prophet? What is this on the menu… Anna?

Waiter: Can all the girls raise their hands? Yes!! Thank you!! Hands down. The prophetess Anna it is! She was very old and a widow and did not depart from the temple. She served God with fastings and prayers night and day! Her story is in Luke chapter 2. vi

Anna: (Waves. Holds up 2 fingers.)

Waiter: Well, when Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to the temple, Anna the prophetess was there and she said of Jesus….

Anna: (maybe holding up a baby doll) “of Him to all…that look for redemption in Jerusalem.”

Narrator 2: Boy! There are just so many prophets to choose from! We could be here all day getting fed!

Narrator 1: From ancient prophets, to modern day prophets… Prophets teach us about…

(hold up a picture of Jesus and have primary children answer)

Waiter: The prophets make it quite simple and quite clear. From Joseph Smith –

Joseph Smith: “When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other – This is my beloved Son, Hear Him!" vii

Waiter: To President Hinckley and the 12 apostles…

President Hinckley and 12 Apostles: (Holding up The Living Christ document) He lives!!

Narrator 1: To President Monson, our current Prophet…

President Monson: “How grateful we are that the heavens are indeed open, that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored, and that the Church is founded on the rock of revelation. We are a blessed people, with apostles and prophets upon the earth today… I bear testimony to you that this work is true, that our Savior lives, and that He guides and directs His Church here upon the earth. I leave with you my witness and my testimony that God our Eternal Father lives and loves us. He is indeed our Father, and He is personal and real." viii

ALL: Prophets testify of Jesus Christ!!!

i Amos 3:7

ii 2 Nephi 25:26

iii Jacob 4:4

iv Jacob 4:5

v D&C 1:38

vi Luke 2:36-38

vii Joseph Smith History 1:17

viii Nov. 2009 Ensign, Closing Remarks, Monson, pg. 110