The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Kuala Lumpur District Primary Activity Day ~ Faith in God 31 March 2018

Sister YoungHee went back to Korea last year, new District Primary Presidency had been called. Sister Claire is our new Kuala Lumpur District Primary President and Sister Leeza with Sister Vivian are the counsellors.

This year, District Primary Presidency organised the Primary Activity Day this year as well, and based on the Faith in God program too. The event was organised at PJ Chapel Sacrament Hall, from 10.00am to 12.30pm.

Our family woke up early and completed our household chores, and Annabelle brought her violin for the Talent Show for their individual performance and exhibition. Issac have advanced to Young Man last year, thus only Annabelle will participate this year Primary Activity Day.

We reached PJ Chapel earlier around 9.20am, we had our breakfast at the nearest coffee shop, just next to the UOB Bank. Initially we have invited total about 10 children, eventually only 6 children turned up. It’s still fine, we just proceed to our program!

Program started with the welcome remarks by Sister Claire and she introduced all the attendees, the children together with their parents.

The opening song is Scripture Power, and the opening prayer was offered by Sister Adeline.

We have some ice breaking games after that, which Sis Leeza assigned me for one ice breaking game. Due to the attendance of the children, thus we invited their parents to join in as well.

We had 2 ice breaking games, Line Up game and the Name game. It took us about only 20 minutes for the games.

After which, there were short talks about Practice Good Nutrition and Good Health by Madeline Schow from KL Branch and Practice Grooming including Modest Dress by Adeline Hill from KL Branch.

Activity No. 1 : Serving Others #4 – Plan, prepare, and serve a nutritious meal. At this activity, the children would able to learn how to make sushi rolls or kimbap by Sister Ee from Cheras Branch.

All the ingredients that needed to do the kimbap: casserole rice or sushi rice, seaweed sheets, sushi vinegar, canned tuna mixed with mayo, canned tuna mixed with chili, crab sticks, egg or tamago sheets, Japanese original mayo.

We need a sushi mat for making the sushi roll. Cover with the cling film on top of the sushi mat.

Press rice in a thin, even layer on the sheet of seaweed, leaving 5cm gap on the edge furthest away.

Place the fillings in a row at the base. tuck and roll pressing lightly. Roll back and forth a few times. Remove the sushi mat and plastic.

Cut into slices with a sharp knife. Wet the blade with some water to stop the rice sticking as cutting.

All the parents and children were enjoying making the sushi roll/kimbap, all of us having fun learning how to make and eating as well!

We have a break after the sushi rolls making session, Sister Jennifer taught the children some exercise – the Banana exercise song!

The actions are so cute and fun too! All of the children and parents were enjoying the exercise.

Activity No. 2 - Talent Show presented by the children ^^. There were quite a few children participate, and their performance were great!

Annabelle with her Violin performance.

Madeline Schow with her Piano piece.

Adeline Hill with her Piano piece.

Jozef Kiefer Salingujay showcase his art piece.

Michael Vancott with his origami art pieces.

Schumacher singing together with the Kuala Lumpur District Primary Presidency

It was around 12.00 noon that the activity came to an end. President Royce Tai was given a closing remarks. He expressed his appreciation for the great job which the District Primary Presidency had done for the children of the district.

He too, shared about his own experience of how listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost saves him and his family from danger.

We were singing ‘I am a Child of God’ as our closing song of the activity, and closing prayer was offered by Annabelle.

Sister Claire prepared some gifts for all the boys and girls whom attended the Primary Activity Day. A small notebook.

After which we were having a lunch, the kids really enjoyed themselves. The event ended around 12.30pm. Alvin and Issac have to leave before 12.00 noon as Issac have the art class at Citta Mall to catch. Anyhow, our family had a great day in the Church ^^

Book of Mormon Stories Teaches about Jesus Christ

Learning & Living the Gospel #6 ~ Tell a story from the Book of Mormon that teaches about faith in Jesus Christ. Share your testimony of the Savior.

For this activity there were two goals, that is first – sharing a Book of Mormon story and second – sharing your testimony of the Savior.

Our lesson started by telling the story of journey of Lehi’s family to the promised land. We actually split the lessons to few days as there are so many stories from the Book of Mormon.

It was not difficult to think of a Book of Mormon story, as we read the Book of Mormon, we will go on many adventures…We have been travelled in the wilderness with Lehi and Sariah’s family and watch Nephi build a boat.

We also met many prophets such as how King Benjamin teaches his people, how Alma baptizes many people, how Ammon being a good example to others, seeing Alma teaches how to pray, and how is Captain Moroni’s Flag, how Samuel teaches about Jesus Christ, Jesus Visits the Nephites, how Jared and his brother travel to the promised land, Mormon writes on the golden plates, and Moroni’s special promises.

All of the prophets in the Book of Mormon taught about Jesus. Some of them even saw Him. In fact, that’s why Heavenly Father gave us this special book: to help people everywhere learn more about Jesus!

Identifying how it teaches faith in Jesus Christ was a challenge, but we were helping each other to recognize that from every story from the Book of Mormon and it all worked out well.

Sharing your testimony of the Savior is more challenging. It can be frustrating to know what to say even if you feel like you do have a testimony, and feel confident in sharing them with your family members or your friends.

I shared to both Issac and Annabelle that they all did have a testimony of the Savior, but that the "knowing that you know" takes time and effort, that their testimonies would keep growing. Testimonies are like beautiful plants. They grow a little at a time, and they need care and protection.

When you know something is true, you have a testimony of that truth. The Holy Ghost helps you understand the truth in your mind and gives you feelings of peace, happiness, light, or warmth in your heart.

The feeling in your heart that Heavenly father lives and that Jesus is the Christ is called a testimony. A testimony is gained little by little, just as a building is built brick by brick. We can compare gaining a testimony to constructing a building.

For example, one brick could stand for having a testimony of the importance of attending church; another brick, a testimony of the Book of Mormon; and yet another brick, a testimony of prayer.

Our testimonies are often strengthened by our experiences. Just as a plant grows when it receives water and sunlight, your testimony grows stronger as you make good choices.

Then I gave some of examples on how I had learned about the Savior in my life through personal experiences such as an answer to prayer, His love for me and my family, the blessings of follow His commandments such as paying tithing, etc.  Then I bore my testimony of the Savior.

This was really helpful for both and they were able to identify in their minds personal experiences that had strengthened their testimony of the Savior as well. 

Annabelle shared her testimony about a time which she felt and knew that Jesus was protecting her while the shampoo got into her eyes during she was taking her bath. She prayed silently to Heavenly Father. After, she can feel that her eyes no more pain and she washed away the shampoo quickly.

Issac shared his testimony about how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ answered his prayer during when he had been pushed and hurt his knees before his cross country race during he was in Primary 4. Heavenly Father answered his prayer and eventually he completed his race at 20th position and he got himself a medal.

 

When we took turns sharing our testimonies of the savior they were able to share beautiful thoughts and it was a sweet experience.

 

Prayer Sandwich

Learning and Living the Gospel #5 ~ Give an opening and a closing prayer in family home evening or at Primary. Share your feelings about how prayer protects us and helps us to stay close to Heavenly Father and the Savior.

For this activity, the children were learning about the prayer.

We had actually learned a little bit about prayer during we had our lesson on Joseph Smith’s First Vision.

We learned about how Heavenly Father answers our sincere prayer, just like what Joseph Smith’s prayer.

This lesson we talked about the Lord’s Prayer. I saw this message on February issue of Friends Magazine early this year, so I decided to teach or share this important lesson of how Jesus Christ teach us to pray.

I know it is the Lord’s hand that made me saw this message from the First Presidency, President Henry B. Erying. At the point of time I was preparing the lesson, He inspired me to come across the article.

When Jesus Christ lived on earth, His disciples noticed that He prayed often to His Heavenly Father. They asked Him to teach them how to pray. The prayer He gave is sometimes called the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus Prayed:

We don’t often use these exact words when we pray. But the words of this prayer are a perfect example of what we should ask Heavenly Father for.

After which, I give them the Prayer Sandwich which I found it in the previous Friend Magazine too, teach the kids what to say when they pray.

Well, they can begin their prayers by saying, “Dear Heavenly Father,” and end them by saying, “In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

What they say in the middle is our choices, just like choosing what goes in a sandwich. Choose the pieces they would like to in their sandwich. Write the things they would like to pray for next to them.

Then can say “I thank Thee” for blessings, talk about their worries, ask for blessings, or pray about questions.

Both of them started to write their prayers. I just laughed out loud when I saw Annabelle’s prayer! She loves the sandwich so much, that she wrote there:

“ Dear Heavenly Father, I thank thee that I can eat this sandwich for breakfast and bless it, so that I could be strong and healthy. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

I know it is not a good manner and appropriate to laugh at my daughter’s prayer, but I just cannot help it. But I do know Heavenly Father and Jesus must be smiling lovingly to this little girl of theirs.

Issac’s prayer really warmed my heart, “Dear Heavenly Father, I thank thee for this day that I have a good day because I have found two books today and I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

It is just a simple and purely give thanks prayers that he managed to find two books for himself… I love this boy of mine.

Then, we discuss about how prayer protects and helps us stay close to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Both of them wrote into the worksheet about what are the experiences they have on how prayers help them and protects them.

Annabelle shared and wrote about a time which she felt and knew that Jesus was protecting her while the shampoo got into her eyes during she was taking her bath. She prayed silently to Heavenly Father. After, she can feel that her eyes no more pain and she washed away the shampoo quickly.

Issac shared and wrote about how he prayed for the wisdom and knowledge before he took his exam. And, most of the time he can answer the questions,not scored 100% but at least he knows some of the unfamiliar topics.

I just wanted them to think when is the time, their prayers had been answered and helped to develop their own testimonies of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. So that, they would have the strong testimonies when they grow up.

I know that God the Father live. He hears and answers our prayers.

Living the Word of Wisdom is My Choice

Learning & Living the Gospel #7 ~ Read D&C 89.Discuss how Heavenly Father blesses us when we faithfully live the Word of Wisdom. Help plan and conduct an activity to teach the Word of Wisdom to others.

We started our lesson by watch video embedded above about the Word of Wisdom. It is a video featured a man describes his commitment to follow God’s commandment to care for the body He has given us.

Later we talked about the story of Daniel in the Old Testament as an example of living the law of health.

The King of Babylon wanted to conduct an experiment on choice children of Israel to see what might happen if he nourished them for three years.

Daniel was able to abstain from the kings meat and wine and Daniel received wisdom and visions. He became a choice and beloved advisor to the king.

After which, we sat down and read Doctrine and Covenants 89 as a family. Each of us read a verse and identify those things we should and should not do to live the law of health.

We discussed the blessings as well. The Word of Wisdom is a law of physical and spiritual health. It is a natural law and will offer the same blessings to anyone who will follow it - Health, Wisdom, Strength and Protection.

In the end of the lesson, we kind of sharing ways we can improve living the Word of Wisdom.

Frankly, this is a good and kind of ‘reminder’ lesson to all of us about living the Word of Wisdom.

I love the man in the video saying, “The Lord wants us to take care of our bodies. There’s some things that we shouldn’t do, not drinking tea and coffee or alcohol and not smoking. But He’s also provided instruction for things that we should do, eating fruits and vegetables and grains and taking care of our bodies.”

Personal Thoughts:

I used to be a heavy coffee drinker. My records were 6 to 8 mugs a day. And Yes! it is a big mug and not a cup! I started this ‘coffee ritual’ since I was in the high school, burning mid night oils through the study time and exams.

I continued the ritual to my early working life being a designer, and most of the time preparing the proposal drawings, presentations to the clients. It had never stop and till one extend, I was drinking coffee just like water.

The most challenge things for me before became the member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was none other the Word of Wisdom. Friends and colleagues were so surprised that one day I would stop drinking coffee.

Whenever asked about why I don’t drink coffee or tea, I find it is a great opportunity to talk about my faith and the Word of Wisdom.

Most people like to focus on the restrictions mentioned in the Word of Wisdom. Specifically, not drinking coffee, tea, or alcohol, nor using tobacco products or other harmful drugs.

It is quite weird for them that none of their Christian friends can not drink or use these items. Instead, I share with them on the things which the Lord highlighted for us that we should do, such as partake the fruits and vegetables, grains and take care of our body.

Sometimes I would queried or wondered why the Lord asked us not to take or drink those items, but I know it is the wisdom in Him that asked us to do it.

I have been blessed to live the Word of Wisdom in faith and joyfully hope for the blessings promised as I live this mortal life.