What we do for the benefit of our children benefits the WHOLE family

We borrowed my Mom's paint for our space derby.  Since we still had it we made PRAYER ROCKS for Family Home Evening.

Now I have a prayer rock by my bed reminding me of the importance of prayer.  When we hold Family Home Evenings, Family scripture study, attend sacrament meeting as a family or any other things for the benefits of our children it benefits the whole family.

What a blessing!

Upcoming

May 10th- Mother's Day

May 17th - Ward Conference, 2nd Ward

May 25th- Memorial Day

June 6th- Stake Baptism 10:30 a.m.

FRIEND TO FRIEND.... 

On April 5th and 6th we were able to listen to General Conference.  We were able to hear our prophet and other church leaders tell us the things Heavenly Father wants us to know.  If we listen and obey to these leaders, we will be happy.  In the May issue of the Friend we can read about four of the talks that were given in conference.

Elder Bednar talks about how as a young boy he accidentally broke a window in a store near his home.  The glass shattered and set off the security alarm.  Elder Bednar thought he would have to go to prison.  He was so scared that he hid under his bed until his parents calmed him down and he apologized to the store owner.  Elder Bednar told this story to teach that all of us are scared sometimes, but when we look to Jesus Christ and follow Him, we can feel peace instead of fear.

Sister Linda K. Burton told the story of a family who moved into a new house.  The yard didn't have a fence around it.  The father put stakes in the corner of the yard and tied strings around the stakes to mark the edge of the yard.  He told his children that if they stayed inside the boundaries, they would be safe.  The children listened to their dad, even when a ball rolled past the string.  They were safe and happy!

Bishop Gérald Caussé spoke about three men who lived in a village in Africa.  When it was time for a district conference, they walked for two weeks through muddy roads to get to the meeting. They brought tithing from people in their village to give to Church leaders.  They stayed for a week so that they could take the sacrament before heading home again, carrying boxes of copies of the Book of Mormon on their heads to bring to their village.  What sacrifices are we willing to make to live the gospel?

Elder Ulisses Soares told the story of a boy who followed the example of Captain Moroni.  The boy saw his classmates looking at bad pictures on their cell phones.  He had to make a quick decision.  He was filled with courage and told his friends that what they were doing was not right.  Most of his classmates made fun of him, but one friend decided to stop looking at the pictures.  Elder Soares said we can be strong like Captain Moroni and stand up for our testimony of truth.

Be sure to read "Show and Tell Conference Edition"  to see what other Primary children around the country thought of April conference.

May Sharing Time

Week 1- My faith in Jesus Christ is strengthed when I obey
Show a picture of Jesus Christ and say together the 4th article of faith and invite the children to name the first principles and ordinances of the gospel.  Count on your fingers as you say each principle and ordinance of the gospel.  Help the children memorize the article of faith.  Sing the song, "Faith" and invite the children to act out ways they can obey.  Share an experience that has strengthed your faith in Jesus Christ.

Week 2- I can repent
Explain that because of Jesus Christ, when we do something wrong, we can repent which means to stop sinning and turn to God.  Explain that repentance includes feeling sorry, asking for forgiveness, righting the wrong and not repeating it.  Discuss the steps and how the Savior can help us.  Express gratitude for the opportunity Jesus Christ has given us to repent.

Week 3- When I am baptized I make a covenant with God.
To demonstrate what a promise is, invite two people to the front.  Have the first child say "I promise to lend you my book if you promise to return it." Have the second one agree and link arms.  Explain that a covenant is a two-way promise between us and God.  Write on one side of the board "God promises" and on the other side "We promise." Explain that when we are baptized we make promises to God & he makes promises to us.  Have pieces of paper with the following promises: Take upon us the name of Jesus Christ, Always remember him, Keep the commandments, Have his spirit to be with us, Return to live with him.  Put the pieces in a container and then have the child draw out each promise and read it.  Ask them, "Who is making this promise, God or us?" Write the promise on the board under the correct heading.  Review the promises & testify the importance of the baptismal covenant.

Week 4- When I am baptized I receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
Show a picture of somebody being confirmed and ask the children what is happening? Ask "What is the gift of the Holy Ghost?"  Emphasize the gift of the Holy Ghost is the right to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.  Sing " The Holy Ghost." Invite the children to share experiences of how the Holy Ghost helped them.  Invite a Melchizedek Priesthood holder to come in and talk about the Priesthood & how does somebody receive the Holy Ghost.

Ward Conference

Ward Conference dates are as follows:

1st Ward - April 19th 9:00 a.m.
2nd Ward - May 17th 12:30 p.m.
3rd Ward - June 14th 1:00 p.m.
4th Ward - July 19th 9:00 a.m.
5th Ward - August 16th 11:00 a.m.
Stake Conference Sept 19-20
7th Ward - October 18th 9:00 a.m.

During Ward Conference we will be spotlighting the new Stake Presidency, this will take place of talks that Sunday so there will be no need to assign them.  We look forward to this chance to bear our testimony to the children that these great men were called of God.

 The Stake Presidency wants to emphasize the sacrament, it's importance and how we can make it a more spiritual experience.  They have asked a member of the Stake Primary Presidency to present the sharing time.  There will be one song that accompanies that.  It will be led by Sis Stettler but we’d appreciate your pianist playing.  We will inform you in advance what song so will have preparation time.  The remainder of singing time will be carried out by your chorister.

Payson Temple Openhouse

The Payson temple openhouse will be April 24th- May 25th. The temple department extends the following invitation:

“We really encourage all to take advantage of this spectacular opportunity,” Hiskey said. “Please bring your families. You won’t be disappointed. It will be a wonderful opportunity to visit with your children about the temple.”

Tickets are now available and can be made by phone tel:(855)-537-2000 or at https://templeopenhouse.lds.org/. They go fast so please check your calendars and set a date.

Friend To Friend

Our Heavenly Father has given us tools to build a strong testimony.  Some of those tools are:

SCRIPTURE STUDY - The scriptures are one way that Heavenly Father speaks to us.  We should read the scriptures, think about them, and then do that the Spirit teaches us.  Making time to read the scriptures is very important!  It's more important than television or video games!
PRAYER - Heavenly Father wants us to talk to him often.  He wants us to share our thoughts and feelings with him.  We wants to hear about everything!  We need to pray morning and night.
GOING TO THE TEMPLE - The temple is the most peaceful place on earth.  We can all either get a temple recommend or set a goal to get one someday.  Make time to be in and around the temple.
FAMILY HOME EVENING - We should set aside a night each week for our family to be at home together.  We shouldn't let sports, homework, or anything else become more important than this time together.  Family home evening should be a safe, happy time when we can talk with each other, share testimonies, and have fun!

Read "TESTIMONY TOOLBOX" in the April edition of the Friend magazine to see the blessings that Heavenly Father has promised us as we do these things.

Stake Auxiliary Training

Auxiliary Training will be Thursday April 16th, 7 pm at the Stake Center.  We will be presenting the training material made available by the General Primary Board.

They emphasized teaching in the way the Savior did.  "Reflect for a moment on what you know about the Savior.  What do you notice about His way of teaching and leading?  How did He help others learn, grow spiritually and become converted to His gospel?"

Please join us and bring your scriptures.  Primary Presidencies, the Music leader and Bishopric counselor are invited to attend.

It will also be a great opportunity for us to hear from our new Stake Presidency.

See you all there!

Stake Primary Presidency.