November 30, 2016

Visiting Teaching December 2016


VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE Family Joy Is Found in Righteousness

God “established families to bring us happiness, to help us learn correct principles in a loving atmosphere, and to prepare us for eternal life.”1 Of God’s “great plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8), President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said: “His plan declares that men and women are ‘that they might have joy’ [2 Nephi 2:25]. That joy comes when we choose to live in harmony with God’s eternal plan.”2
A Christ-centered home provides the greatest opportunities for success. Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles describes it as a place “where the gospel is taught, covenants are kept, and love abounds,” where families can live “an obedient life” and become “firmly rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ.”3
President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, said: “We can decide that we will do all we can to bring down the powers of heaven into [our] family.” And we’re most likely to promote love, service, obedience, and happiness in our homes by “[our children’s] hearing the word of God and then trying it in faith. If they do, their natures will be changed in a way that produces the happiness they seek.”4
Christ-Centered Homes
We have role models of Christ-centered homes in the scriptures. After his father, Lehi, died, Nephi took his family and others who believed in the warnings and the revelations of God and who hearkened to Nephi’s words away from the land of the Lamanites. In this new place, the Nephites could keep the judgments, statutes, and commandments of the Lord in all things, according to the law of Moses (see 2 Nephi 5:6–10). Yet even among the Nephites, some eventually became disobedient.
And while our family members can sometimes drift away from righteousness like the Nephites did, Elder Scott said that a Christ-centered home still “provides the greatest assurance for peace and refuge in our homes.” He acknowledged that “there will still be plenty of challenges or heartaches, but even in the midst of turmoil, we can enjoy inner peace and profound happiness.”5
Additional Scriptures

Faith, Family, Relief What could we do to live more righteously within our families?

“Within Families”

cji
12/1/16

The core of the Gospel
centers on the Family
eternal and forever
parents – children
brothers – sisters
mothers – fathers
eternal and forever
therefore to be found
in eternal love bound
the core of the Gospel
of Jesus Christ forever!


Copyright © 2016 – cji

Home Teaching Message December 2016


FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE Peace in This Life


First Counselor in the First Presidency

To all of us who have come into mortality, the Savior said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33). Yet He gave this wonderful promise to His disciples during His mortal ministry: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you” (John 14:27). It is a comfort to know that this promise of personal peace continues for all of His disciples today.  Some of us live in beautiful and peaceful surroundings, yet we are experiencing inner turmoil. Others feel peace and perfect serenity in the midst of great personal loss, tragedy, and continuing trials.  You may have seen the miracle of peace on the face of a disciple of Jesus Christ or heard it in his or her words. I have seen it many times. Sometimes it has been in a hospital room where a family is gathered around a servant of God who is near death.

I remember visiting a woman in the hospital a few days before she died of cancer. I had brought my two young daughters to accompany me because this sweet sister had once been their Primary teacher.  Her family members were gathered around her bed, wishing to be with her in her final moments on earth. I was surprised as she sat up in the bed. She reached out to my daughters and introduced them both, one by one, to each member of her family. She spoke as if my daughters were royalty being presented at the court of a queen. She found a way to say something about the way each person in the room was a disciple of the Savior. I still remember the strength, the tenderness, and the love in her voice. And I recall being surprised at her cheerful smile even as she knew her time in life was short.
She had received priesthood blessings of comfort, yet she gave us all a living testimony that the Lord’s promise of peace is true: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). She had accepted His invitation, as we all can, whatever our trials and troubles: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28–29).
It is only through following the Savior that any of us can find peace and serenity in the trials that will come to all of us.
The sacramental prayers help us to know how to find that peace amidst the tribulations of life. As we partake of the sacrament, we can determine to be faithful to our covenants to follow Him.
We each promise to remember the Savior. You can choose to remember Him in the way that best draws your heart to Him. Sometimes for me, it is to see Him in my mind kneeling in the Garden of Gethsemane or to see Him calling Lazarus to come forth from the tomb. As I do, I feel a closeness to Him and a gratitude that brings peace to my heart.

You also promise to keep His commandments. You promise to take His name upon you and to be His witness. He promises that as you keep your covenants with Him, the Holy Spirit will be with you. (See D&C 20:77, 79.)
This brings peace in at least two ways. The Holy Ghost cleanses us from sin because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. And the Holy Ghost can give us the peace that comes from having God’s approval and the hope of eternal life.
The Apostle Paul spoke of this wonderful blessing: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith” (Galatians 5:22). When heavenly messengers heralded the birth of the Savior, they declared, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace” (Luke 2:14; emphasis added). I bear my testimony as a witness of Jesus Christ that the Father and His Beloved Son can send the Spirit to allow us to find peace in this life, whatever tests may come to us and to those we love.
Teaching from This Message
President Eyring teaches that the sacramental prayers can help us know how to find peace during our trials. They remind us that as we keep our covenants, we have God’s promise that the Holy Ghost will be with us. Consider asking those you teach how having the Holy Ghost with us can help us have peace. You could also share your thoughts or an experience of how the Holy Ghost helped you feel peace in a trial. You might encourage those you teach to ponder this message during the sacramentthis week.

Youth How Will You Remember the Savior This Week?


President Eyring encourages us to “choose to remember [the Savior] in the way that best draws your heart to Him.”
How do you “always remember Him” throughout the week (see D&C 20:77, 79)?
Do you have favorite scriptures about the Savior? You could mark a different scripture each day this week and share it with someone.
Do you sing a hymn or another uplifting song in your mind when you’re feeling down? Maybe choose one that is specifically about the Savior this week.
Do you ponder the Savior’s life and atoning sacrifice during the sacrament every week? You could prepare for the sacrament by recalling your choices throughout the week to always remember the Savior and repenting of the times when you struggled to.
Do you pray for chances to share the gospel each day? Try to have a gospel discussion this week that focuses on the Savior. You could bear your testimony of the Savior during family home evening or talk to a friend at school about an experience you had at church.
Make a goal to remember the Savior in a special way this week. Tell a parent, a sibling, a leader, or a friend about your goal. At the end of the week, tell them what happened. You will both feel the peace and happiness that President Eyring talked about.

Children Come unto Christ

The Savior has promised us peace when we “come unto [Him]” (Matthew 11:28). This means following His example and trying to stay close to Him. Cut out this card and hang it where you’ll see it often. What are other ways you can come unto Christ?
·         Be reverent during the sacrament.
·         Choose to be kind and not judge others.
·         Read about the Savior in the scriptures.

“Sleeping Soundly”

cji
12/1/16

Checking on the infant sleeping
seemingly without cares/concerns
knowing more than we’ll ever know
wherein the future and of the past
able to find peace with knowledge
understanding Salvation’s Plan
that Father and His Son in control
transcending all of the evil powers
finding peace in this life an example
commanded to be as little children
we too are entitled to this peace
sleeping soundly exercising faith
what we know to be true is true
our mortal probation one of trust
to be without cares or concerns
except to be found worthy always
obedient in all things commanded
as checking on the infant sleeping
we too will be found in this life!


Copyright © 2016 – cji

November 29, 2016

"To Do Good Always"


“To Do Good Always”

cji
11/30/16

Being grateful for prayer answered
usually for the moment only to forget
returning to old habits and isolation
while commanded to obedience
most who willingly obey it’s easier
without watch guard or oversight
to do good always means much
for without idle time to thus abuse
one is anxiously engaged always
learning to be in service to Father
doing His will till it becomes ours
while many rejoiced in happiness
in the recent past many swore
cursing God and our nation
those who prayers answered
need to be grateful in more prayer
seeking out Father’s will do to
being grateful for prayer blessed!


3 John 1:11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.


Copyright © 2016 – cji

"Kindred's All"


“Kindred’s All”

cji
11/29/16

From is if be Adam
definitely from Moses
we’re all related some
however records unknown
yet to be linked again
within each day to begin
our family tree’s grown
till all the work is done
definitely from Moses
once all from Adam!

"We're all creations of Heavenly Father - each to their own kind - each someday to be eternal!' cji 11/29/16


Copyright © 2016 – cji

November 28, 2016

"Wells Without Water"


“Wells Without Water”

cji
11/29/16

Much like the fig tree
there are many lacking
dry, empty, without feelings
all to what avail unproductive
scattered as the chaff about
lacking meaning or substance
seeing as if the desert mirage
rushing to the site deceived
whether are we so found
magnifying our callings
or merely vacant alone
wells without water!

2 Peter 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.


Copyright © 2016 – cji

November 27, 2016

"Withstand the Evil Day"




“Withstand the Evil Day”

cji
11/28/16

A Godless society lives in evil
their moral code is set in stone
their belief system based on…
creatio-ex-niliho put simply
therefore nothing to live for
as only in the end to die/gone
nothing equals nothing zero
one cannot create anything
thus without hope or faith
they’ve no need of morals
anything goes anything at all
while for those who do believe
instructions given to be obeyed
keeping all of the Commandments
prevailing in the love of Savior
his Father and our Father
eternally and forever – ever
withstanding the evil day!

(the Lord said, “Lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, … taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (D&C 27:15, 17;)

Copyright © 2016 – cji


November 26, 2016

"God is in Heaven"

“God is in Heaven”

cji
11/27/16

Recorded throughout the Scriptures
who and where God’s resides forever
the Father and the Son with families
eternal and forever waiting for us;

Do we harken and seek to do thus
bringing our obedience and families
eternal ties never ever to sever
fully understanding the Scriptures;

We hear God is in heaven to know
with a physical body bone and flesh
on His right hand sits our Savior
having given us our instructions;

Our lives in constant construction
modified daily by our behavior
through our repentance to refresh
with each Sabbath Day to grow!

Copyright © 2016 – cji


Ecclesiastes or, the Preacher
Chapter 5
God is in heaven—A fool’s voice is known by a multitude of words—Keep your vows—Riches and wealth are the gift of God.
 1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
 2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
 3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.
 4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
 5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
 6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
 7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.
 8 ¶If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
 9 ¶Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.
 10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
 11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?
 12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
 13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
 14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
 15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.
 16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
 17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.
 18 ¶Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
 19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

 20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

November 25, 2016

"Passing Time"


“Passing Time”

cji
11/26/16

Like the hermit in the valley
unable to see over the brush
wondering aimless thoughts
adrift within a maze of self
passing time with the earth
talking with the trees and bees
embracing the flowers alive
hearing the singing fowls
splashing in the streams
passing time wondering
why like the hermit lonely
forever knowing so much
within feelings all about!


Copyright © 2016 – cji

November 24, 2016

"Then and Now" (Epilogue)


(Epilogue:
cji
11/25/16
We’ll return again to share
maybe at the Christmas time
or even for the new year
lest you forget in your plenty
others have or had very little
much like today many need
most to do without back then
grateful for family and shelter!)


Copyright © 2016 – cji