Last week, we learned that the Lord will strengthen us as we are called to serve and do His work. That it doesn't matter if we are a brand new convert or have been a member all of our lives, we are to "lift up our voice" and share the gospel.
This week, we are going to learn about how God blesses us as we gather. That we are strengthened as we are "one" and the blessings that come as we prepare for the Lord's coming.
Throughout this blog post you will find images I create daily, which I am offering as free printables. As well as insights and links to resources to help with individual, family and even class room study. Remember to check back throughout the week as more printables and resources are added daily.
Day 1:
What Faith the early Saints had to leave their homes and gather with fellow Saints. I had family members who traveled from overseas, even leaving family to gather.
We are not asked to leave our homes to gather, but we are asked to leave the things of the “world” behind. Which can take quite a bit of faith as well.
As I was studying I loved how a lesson manual pointed out that their are two types of gathering, spiritual gathering and physical gathering, “The spiritual gathering of Israel occurs as people learn the gospel, come unto Christ, are baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and keep their covenants. In this way they are gathered from the world into the Church, or the kingdom of God on earth.
Physical gathering. The physical gathering of Israel occurs as Church members come together in a particular location or in the stakes of Zion throughout the world.” (“Lesson 12: ‘The Gathering of My People’” Doctrine and Covenants and Church History: Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual (1999), 63–68)
I loved this explanation! What are your thoughts?
Here’s the link:
Day 2:
Priorities.... understanding who we are, helps us to accept and even flourish in the priorities that our Heavenly Father has for us, at certain times in our lives. I think of Joseph’s endeavor in translating the Bible, he was told by the Lord to put it on hold, because the lord had something else for him to be devoting his time and efforts to at that time. Which was gathering and strengthening the church.
I think that throughout our lives there might be moments when we are asked to put something on hold, even something that is important, because the Lord has something else for us to do at that moment.
Maybe it’s something small, like putting cleaning or work on hold to sit and listen to a child. Maybe it’s being released from a calling you love, because the Lord has need of your somewhere else. Maybe it’s putting college on hold, so you can go and serve the Lord for two years. There could be a lot of maybes 😊 The point is, we will obtain blessings when we priorities the will of the Lord. It might be that the things required of us are difficult, but blessings come to those who place their faith in the Lord. Look at the Saints who faithfully gathered to Ohio. It was difficult and they gave much sacrifice, but what awaited them were the blessings of a temple and the continuation of priesthood keys being restored. ♥️
Ponder on your life where have you seen that you’ve had to align your priorities with the Lord’s priorities for you?
I found a gem of a talk... here’s the link:
Day 3:
One thing is for sure we will experience challenges and temptations. The adversary is trying constantly to catch us off guard, to get us off balance & to cause fear to enter our hearts!
I love this scripture because, daily preparation and faith is the key to overcoming the adversary and fear!
So how do we prepare, I think by keeping our focus on Christ! He invites us to learn of Him, we do that as we study about His life and study his words in the scriptures. He taught us how to submit to our Father’s will because of our love for Him. He taught us to love and serve all we meet. Following our Savior, prepares us for all that comes at us! ♥️
What are your thoughts, how has preparation helped you overcome fear?
Lot's of great prodcasts!!
Follow Him Part 1 and Part 2 (listen to the testimony at the end, it's great!)
Day 4:
What are we willing to sacrifice for the Lord and His gospel? The early Saints made great faith filled sacrifices, because of their love for the Lord and His gospel! My heart is full of so much appreciation for them!♥️
We discussed as a family some of the sacrifices that we make. One of my kids brought out a great point! Something that might be a sacrifice to someone, might not be a sacrifice to someone else. That’s why sacrifices are pretty personal. I love that this quote says that sacrifice demonstrates pure love. 💕 We can show our pure love for Christ through the things we sacrifice 😊
Here’s a great article:
Day 5:
One thing I have found that can be difficult is, living in this mortal world, but putting off the cares of the world. There are so many things that can be tugging at us at any given moment, & a lot of these things are not bad or wrong. I think that where we run into trouble is when we start to put any of these things that tug at us, before our God and the things He wants us to do.
Our example in this week’s study is James Covel. The Lord desired for Him to do His work among the Saints and move to Ohio. But he let some of the cares of the world tug at him and he rejected the calling.
What kind of things might prevent us from fully engaging in the Lord’s work? Is it work, money, lifestyle, processions, being too busy with things that hold no eternal value, the list could go on and on. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to study and ponder these questions. Reflecting on these things helps me to evaluate my own life and determine what things I need to change to be better aligned with my Father in Heaven and His will.
I found a great talk, here’s the link:
Day 6:
Do you know where the word “stakes” came from? I found a great article from President Benson that talks about it! (See link below) It also talks about strengthening the Stakes of Zion! This week in our study we read about strengthening the church.
We strengthen the church by strengthening our stakes, we strengthen our stakes by strengthening our homes and looking out for our each other in our stakes.
It’s one reason I love ministering! Ministering gives us the opportunity to look out and reach out to each other. We can build friendships and get to know new people. Ministering invites us to love our brothers and sisters and minister to each other the way the Savior would.
I also love that we have callings!! My own testimony is strengthened when I serve and teach those I’ve been called to serve and teach. Today, I saw an image of a stick figure women holding out a hand and helping up another stick figure woman. We are to lift each other up. By lifting we strengthen ♥️
Here’s the link to that President Benson article:
Remember to check back throughout the week. You could also follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
Here are some activities and lessons that could go with this week's study:
Some fun lessons and activity keeping the commandments
Another activity about "Be one"
"If ye are prepared ye shall not fear"
"If ye are prepared ye shall not fear"
Here are some links to some of the past Come, Follow Me posts:
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