The First Presidency 2017 Christmas Message

First Presidency Sends 2017 Christmas Message

• 30 NOVEMBER 2017

Statues of shepherds are seen in the foreground and background, with Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus in the reflecting pond in front of the Salt Lake Temple, November 25, 2017. Photo by Valerie Johnson.

“As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this Christmas season, our hope is that the light and testimony of the Savior’s divine mission … will be reflected in our thoughts, our words, and our actions.” —The First Presidency

Following is the 2017 Christmas message from the First Presidency of the Church:

2017 Christmas Message

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this Christmas season, our hope is that the light and testimony of the Savior’s divine mission as the Redeemer of all mankind will come into our hearts and be reflected in our thoughts, our words, and our actions.

May each of us be blessed at this joyous season of the year as we acknowledge with sincere gratitude the Father’s incomparable gift to us of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Master.

The First Presidency

The Salt Lake Temple reflection is seen in the Main Street Plaza reflection pond in Salt Lake City on Friday, November 24, 2017. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.

Let's learn new words...from the Book of Mormon

So I had an idea this morning, my son who is 18 months is learning words, like the sounds words make when I say car, book, no, yes, etc. and he repeats back. I decided to create a chart and flash cards to help him understand what the word looks like and the word itself. Of course he is not old enough to write legibly on paper, but it helps to associate the object to the word that we are trying to learn. I also had an idea of teaching words from the Book of Mormon, so here's the link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w6LwUMHXeRQzOF0jAFGHEb9jkSYwxd3iNlhhtafoz5E/edit?usp=sharing

Light the World: in 25 ways in 25 days

#LightTheWorld in 25 ways in 25 days
My church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) has come out with a new theme for the Christmas season "Light the World". They have created an advent calendar of how we can light the world in people's lives! My little family & I will be posting every day on the blog and what we can do for that day based on the scripture we get! Here is the link & the advent calendar, I hope you enjoy it!

https://www.mormon.org/christmas/25-ways-25-days-calendar

Getting my little family to read and pray together

Today I have noticed for the second time, my son likes to do what I do in the morning first is to read the scriptures. I've decided since he has done this with me in the morning, why not make it a daily thing! Having daily family scripture and prayer chart. Currently my husband and I are trying to teach our son to put his hands together to pray.

Here is the link for the daily scripture and prayer chart I made:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/18Mgj4E8nk2aNl5TnWKpKdTx5qb3yzHGVraabzikPhqw/edit?usp=sharing

Here's one that is more detailed:
http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/2010/03/free-download-more-fhe-goodies.html

The Prophets call to read The Book of Mormon!

I exhort you to read The Book of Mormon! It has blessed my life and has made it bright!!

The Power of the Book of Mormon

By President Thomas S. Monson

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I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day.

My dear brothers and sisters, I greet you most warmly as we are met again in a great general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Before I begin my formal message today, I would like to announce five new temples which will be built in the following locations: Brasília, Brazil; greater Manila, Philippines, area; Nairobi, Kenya; Pocatello, Idaho, USA; and Saratoga Springs, Utah, USA.

This morning I speak about the power of the Book of Mormon and the critical need we have as members of this Church to study, ponder, and apply its teachings in our lives. The importance of having a firm and sure testimony of the Book of Mormon cannot be overstated.

We live in a time of great trouble and wickedness. What will protect us from the sin and evil so prevalent in the world today? I maintain that a strong testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His gospel will help see us through to safety. If you are not reading the Book of Mormon each day, please do so. If you will read it prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, the Holy Ghost will manifest its truth to you. If it is true—and I solemnly testify that it is—then Joseph Smith was a prophet who saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Because the Book of Mormon is true, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s Church on the earth, and the holy priesthood of God has been restored for the benefit and blessing of His children.

If you do not have a firm testimony of these things, do that which is necessary to obtain one. It is essential for you to have your own testimony in these difficult times, for the testimonies of others will carry you only so far. However, once obtained, a testimony needs to be kept vital and alive through continued obedience to the commandments of God and through daily prayer and scripture study.

My dear associates in the work of the Lord, I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day. As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives. I so testify with all my heart in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.