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Showing posts with label Preparing for the Priesthood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Preparing for the Priesthood. Show all posts

Monday, September 18, 2017

The Family : A Proclamation to the World

Preparing for the Priesthood #5 ~ Read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” Make a list of things you can do to help strengthen your family and make a happy home. Share the list with your parents or Primary leader.

IMG_6189At first, I was thinking like it must be quite a tough message or lesson to ask the children to read this “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”.

After last year, we attended the District Primary Activity Day in Preparing for the Priesthood and Young Women. From there, Sister Yang talked about how the children can do to help strengthen the family and make a happy home.

So, what’s the best way to strengthen family and help create a happy home?

“The Family: A Proclamation to the World” has the answer!

IMG_6187This important document describes why families are so important in Heavenly Father’s plan and what exactly we can do to strengthen our family relationships. It also explains explains exactly how we can be happier in our families.

There’s no secret recipe – just the basic principles of the gospel we’ve been taught all along: “Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriage and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”

We made the lists and things that kids can do to help strengthen our family and make a happy home.

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We know that families lie at the center of our Heavenly Father’s plan. We are part of that eternal unit that requires our work and best effort on our part. Continue building lasting, loving relationships for all family members.

IMG_6188Be certain that we bring warmth, kindness, understanding, consideration, and a strong love to our eternal family.

Listen to one another, be united, work together, play together, pray together, study together. Live celestial principles together, serve the Lord together.

In a world of turmoil and uncertainty, it is more important than ever to make our families the center of our lives. But all the effort we put into strengthening our family will ultimately make us – and them – happier.

Monday, September 11, 2017

Deacon Power

Preparing for the Priesthood #3 ~ Talk with the deacon quorum presidency about the role of the deacons quorum. Write in your journal how you can serve the Lord as a member of a deacons quorum.

IMG_5984Again, this lesson and activity is to strengthen whatever we have learned before this.

Due to our Puchong Branch do not have the deacon quorum presidency, we just learned and talk about the role of the deacons quorum, by reading through the Church Handbook.

A Priesthood Quorum is an organized group of brethren who hold the same priesthood office.

The Primary Purposes of the Deacon Quorum is:

  1. To Serve Others
  2. Build Unity and Brotherhood
  3. Instruct Members in Doctrines, Principles, and Duties.

We discussed again on How Can You Serve the Lord as a Member of a Deacons Quorum. It can be done by the followings:

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Overall these first 3 lessons of the “Preparing for the Priesthood” gave an introduction for Issac and me to know more about the Aaronic Priesthood, the responsibilities of the Aaronic Priesthood Holder and how they serve to the Lord in Invite All to Come unto Christ.

This lessons and activities have given Issac opportunities to understand more about his future responsibilities as a Priesthood Holder! Red heart Soon to be!

We would be having 2 Priesthoods in the house!

Monday, September 4, 2017

Fulfilling My Duty to God

Preparing for the Priesthood #2 ~ Read D&C 20:57-60 and Aaronic Priesthood: Fulfilling Our Duty to God [Deacon], page 7. Discuss with a parent or leader the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood and what it means to do your duty to God.

IMG_5944This is the second lesson for Issac for the Preparing for the Priesthood session. It is about what is the duty of the Aaronic Priesthood.

Issac needs to learn about the scripture to understand more about his duty as the deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood.

Well, I must say the topics under this “Preparing for the Priesthood” is quite ‘heavy’ and ‘serious’ matters to talk about.

Doctrine and Covenants 20:57-60 is about the duty or authority of the lesser priesthood, the Aaronic Priesthood:

IMG_5945Priests, teachers, and deacons hold the Aaronic Priesthood. Priests may baptize new members and bless the sacrament. They also help the elders.

Teachers may help get the sacrament ready and go home teaching. They are to help Church members live righteously.

Deacons may pass the sacrament, act as ushers, and collect fast offerings. They are to help keep Church buildings and grounds in good condition and to serve as messengers for priesthood leaders.

It is actually quite the same scripture as the previous lesson and Doctrine and Covenants 107:20.

Then we discussed about the Purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood, as stated in the Church Handbook:

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Lastly we discussed about What It Means to Do Your Duty to God?

IMG_5946“You are a son of God. He has restored His priesthood in our day, and He has entrusted you with that priesthood.”

“All priesthood holders have a common call from the Lord: “Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence" (D&C 107:99).”

“But where can you go to learn about this duty? The first place to look should be the scriptures. Specifically, you’ll want to study the sections in the Doctrine and Covenants where the duties of the Aaronic Priesthood are outlined in Doctrine and Covenants 20:46-60, 20:72-79 and Doctrine and Covenants 84:111.”

It can be divided the Aaronic Priesthood responsibilities into 3 sections:

  1. Administer Priesthood Ordinances
  2. Serves Others
  3. Invite All to Come unto Christ

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“The Lord has promised that as you fulfil your priesthood duties, you will be sanctified by the Spirit, you will become the elect of God, and eventually you will receive all that the Father has (see D&C 84:33–38).”

“Your service as a priesthood holder will bring great blessings to those you serve.”

I know it is quite a lot to learn about all these duties of an Aaronic Priesthood for Issac, but I just make it simple and it is still an introductory to him. He will learn more when he is ready to receive his Aaronic Priesthood. Red heart

Monday, August 28, 2017

The Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood

Preparing for the Priesthood #1 ~ Learn about the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood (see D&C 13, 107:20, and Joseph Smith–History 1:68-73).

IMG_5900Today activity day would be only Issac alone as he will be soon entering in 12 years old and become a young man.

This is the first lesson of the Preparing for the Priesthood, and it is all bout how the priesthood have been restored.

Well, there are total 3 scriptures that Issac need to learn and study. It is all about the Aaronic Priesthood.

Doctrine and Covenants 13 and Joseph Smith-History 1:68-73 are the actual events on how the Aaronic Priesthood have been restored:

IMG_5901One day in May 1829, while Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were translating the Book of Mormon, they read something about baptism. Desiring to know more about this ordinance, they went into the woods and prayed about it.

In answer to Joseph and Oliver’s prayer, an angel from heaven appeared to them. It was John the Baptist, who had baptized Jesus long ago.

John gave Joseph and Oliver the Aaronic Priesthood. Priests in the Aaronic Priesthood have power and authority from God to baptize people.

IMG_5902John the Baptist told Joseph and Oliver to baptize each other. After Joseph baptized Oliver, covering him completely with water, Oliver baptized Joseph in the same way, just as Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.

Some days later three other angels visited Joseph and Oliver. Peter, James, and John, Apostles of Jesus long ago, gave Joseph and Oliver the Melchizedek Priesthood.

Joseph and Oliver were filled with the Spirit of the Holy Ghost after they were baptized. They knew for a certainty that the Church of Jesus Christ would soon be re-established on the earth.

IMG_5904Whereby the Doctrine and Covenants 107:20 is about the duty or authority of the lesser priesthood, the Aaronic Priesthood:

Priests, teachers, and deacons hold the Aaronic Priesthood. Priests may baptize new members and bless the sacrament. They also help the elders.

Teachers may help get the sacrament ready and go home teaching. They are to help Church members live righteously.

Deacons may pass the sacrament, act as ushers, and collect fast offerings. They are to help keep Church buildings and grounds in good condition and to serve as messengers for priesthood leaders.

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I did not prepare much activities for this lesson, as I thought it is important for Issac to know the related scriptures as he would receive his Aaronic Priesthood when he is 12…

Sunday, April 23, 2017

LDS Kuala Lumpur District Preparing for the Priesthood & Young Women Activity Day 23 Apr 2017

It was the intention from the District Presidency to hold this program early this year. The message had been conveyed through emails to the respective Branch Primary Presidency, District Young Men Presidency, District Young Women Presidency and all the Branch Presidency.

The main purpose of this plan is to activate this wonderful Church program for children. As the District know our children are the future of our Church, especially. local children are the future of the Church in Malaysia.

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President Tolman counselled to hold this program in 2 levels:

First, each time when a child becomes 11 years old, District Primary Presidency holds the program for the child at PJ Chapel on the 4th Sunday with the support of of District Presidency and District Young Men or Young Women Presidency. In this District level, each assigned District Leader leads each activity of the program concisely, so that the total time of the program is one hour. Also, at least one of Branch Presidency, Primary Presidency, Primary Activity Day Leader, Young Men or Young Women Presidency, and the Child’s parents are invited.

After that, before the child’s 12 years old birthday, Branch Primary Presidency holds the meeting again more specifically based on the previous one’s format with the support of Branch Presidency and Branch Young Men and or Young Women Presidency. In this Branch level, each Branch Primary Presidency may separate each activity of the program, and or hold several times for the child under the Branch’s circumstances.

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With this note addressed to all, the District Primary Presidency President Sister Yang was preparing and coordinating with the respective presidency to organise this program. And, finally it is to be held on today at PJ Chapel. The invitation cards and program paper were emailed and delivered to each Branch Primary President early this month.

Due to our return flight schedule, we are initially would be late for this program, because it will be started from 3.00pm – 4.30pm at PJ Chapel. Thus, I messaged to Sister Yang that, we would be late as we would able to be there at 4.00pm. It was really so kind of Sister Yang that, she asked the District Presidency to postpone the program to 4.00pm – 5.30pm. So that, Issac able to attend.

Once we touched down at KLIA2, Daddy drove to PJ Chapel. It was around 3.30pm when we reached there. We changed to our Sunday best, then just in time attended the program at 4.00pm.

It started with opening song, which Sister Andie Boyd played the piano and her mother Sister Kelly Boyd as the chorister. After the opening prayer, Sister Yang introducing this program and the children and parents whom attended the activity.

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There are total 5 children: Colin Hawkes and his parents, Andie Boyd and her parents from KL Branch; Zerline Chua and her parents from Klang Branch; Vijhay Shanmuganathan from Cheras Branch and our Issac from Puchong Branch.

It was really sweet and thoughtful of Sister Yang that, she prepared a goodie bag inclusive of a small journal book for all the  boys and girls. There are a little introduction for each child: their family members, their favourite scripture and church song, their specialty, their hobby and other interests.

We had a combined Boys’ and Girls’ Activities for Importance of a good education is and how it can help strengthen them, conducted by Sister Claire Lim. Then follow by our family who perform the song, “I Am a Child of God”.

Sister Yang talked about “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”, and how the children can do to help strengthen the family and make a happy home.

After which, the class split to Boys Activities and Girls’ Activity, which conducting by President Royce Tai. There were about 3 topics which shared by the Priesthood Brothers.

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First, it is important that the boys learn about the Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood.

Second, the boys need to know the role of the Deacon Quorum and how they can serve the Lord.

Third, the boys also need to know the purpose of the Aaronic Priesthood and what it means to fulfilling their duty to God.

We were joining the Boys’ Activities, thus I am not too sure on how the Young Women conducted their activities.

President Tolman did give a talk to our 2 soon-to-be Young Man and encourage them to be the children that Heavenly Father wants them to be.

The girls were joining back after they completed their activities, and President Tolman giving the final remarks and mentioned that they are the leaders in the Church in the future.

We were blessed that our Church have this program for the children, to prepare them from young, spiritual strong to face the world when they are older.

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Personally, I feel the love of the District Presidency and all the Auxiliary love for the children. They spent their time and efforts in organising this program, even though it is just 5 of them. And, the Priesthood Brethren and Sisters whom attend the program were more than that. It showed how the children are so important in the Kingdom of God.

I am clearly remember that during the time every child’s parents were asked to introduce their child, Daddy was a little bit in tears when talked about how Issac with his pure soul have strengthen our family in his small ways.

Even though today our family are really tired, but both Daddy and Mummy felt really spiritual up-lifted after seeing and witnessed how the District really take care and how they train our children.