Finding Joy in Christ

Finding Joy in Christ

by President Steven J. Lund

This is a talk by President Steven J. Lund whom is the Church Young Men General President. He shared about his youngest son Tanner Christian Lund, taught him and his wife Sister Kalleen Lund a timeless lesson in finding joy in Christ shortly before cancer claimed his young life.

One Sunday, 12 years old Tanner climbed out of bed and dressed himself and prepared himself to go to the Church to fulfil the assignment to pass the sacrament. His mother assured him it was not necessary as someone else in the Church could do that for Tanner, while he should stay home and rest.

“Yes,” he said, “but … I see how people look at me when I pass the sacrament. I think it helps them.”

“It seemed that every eye in the chapel was on him, moved by his struggle as he did his simple part. Somehow Tanner expressed a silent sermon as he solemnly, haltingly moved from row to row—his bald head moist with perspiration—representing the Savior in the way that deacons do. His once indomitable deacon’s body was itself a little bruised, broken, and torn, willingly suffering to serve by bearing the emblems of the Savior’s Atonement into our lives.”

Tanner’s commitment to serve the Lord and others signalled an “unspoken miracle.” He answered the call to “enlist in God’s battalions and join in the work of salvation and exaltation.”

The sacramental symbols point to the gift of the Redeemer.

“We contemplate the bread that He once broke — and the bread the priests before us are, in turn, now breaking. We think of the meaning of  the liquid, consecrated then and now, as the sacrament prayers solemnly pass from the mouths of young priests into our hearts and into the heavens, renewing covenants that connect us, in that moment, to the very powers of Christ’s salvation.”

“The Savior’s mission has always and forever been to serve His Father by saving His children.

And the surest way to find joy in this life is to join Christ in helping others.”

And this lead to the Children and Youth program which inspired by this.

“All Children and Youth activities and all Children and Youth teachings are about helping  young people become more like Jesus by joining with Him in His work of salvation and exaltation.”

Basically, the Children and Youth program was based on the scripture Luke 2:52,

“Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”

It focus on 4 aspects or areas which is:

Spiritual “Favour with God” – You can grow spiritually by showing your love for God and your willingness to live the gospel.

Social “Favour with…man”. You can grow socially by showing love to all people.

Physically “Grew in stature”. You can learn to work and take care of your body, your mental health, and God’s creation.

Intellectually “Grew in Wisdom”. You can study in school, learn new skills, and improve your talents.

President Lund mentioned that,

“Our youth cannot wait for the world to right itself before they come to know the Savior. Some are making decisions even now that they would not make if they understood their true identities—and His.”

“Moms and dads, your sons need you to support them now as passionately as ever you have in the past when they have been about lesser things like badges and pins.”

My heart was sunken when I listened and read these sentences, as I am not so upkeep with the goals that both children need to set for 4 of the areas above. It is so difficult to ask and check on them to set goals. They seems like not motivated at all for doing it. Sigh…

President Lund ended his talk by talk to the youth,

“And to you of the rising generation, I testify, as one who knows, that you are beloved sons and daughters of God and He has a work for you to do.”

“As you rise to the majesty of your stations, with all of your hearts, might, mind, and strength, you will come to love God and keep your covenants and trust in His priesthood as you work to bless others, beginning in your own homes.”

“I pray that you will strive, with redoubled energy worthy of this time, to serve, exercise faith, repent, and improve each day, to qualify to receive temple blessings and the enduring joy that comes only through the gospel of Jesus Christ…”

I have been inspired to do it myself as I started my physical goal to get fitness and I hope by doing so, able to motivate them doing the same for their own.

I know that if I continue to do and work by example to them, it will craft into their mind and remind themselves that their mother was doing it and they will do it one day in the near future.

I am grateful for the gospel in my life, and keep doing it and applying it, by small and simple things, are great things brought to pass.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Puchong Branch Open House

Today is our Puchong branch open house. I woke up early in the morning to prepare the necessary exhibits for Relief Society Room. We were asked to exhibit something that about Motherhood and Personal Development.

It was quite a last minute that we have to gather sisters testimonies throughout the week over the phone. Sister Annie and Sister Amy helped me to coordinate and gather as much as possible for me to type it and print it out. I managed to laminate it before I went to church.

We have planned to share the testimonies of the sisters and separate it to 4 sections: Motherhood and Family, Self-Reliance, Mission and Gospel Living and Personal Development. We invite the sisters to share their testimony about these 3 areas that the Church or the gospel have change their life.

At the Motherhood and Family section, Sister Annie helped to invite the sisters to send me their profile photo, photo together with the children, couple photo with their husband and a family group photo. I bought some cheap decorative wall stickers from Mr. DIY shop and modified the frame photos with the sisters’ photos. It turned out quite nice!

At the Self-Reliance section, Sister Amy helped to gather the testimonies of the sisters whom had attended Personal Finances for Self-Reliance class which Church organised.

At the Personal Development section, we invited the sisters whom attended the Harmon Grant Keyboard to share about their testimonies after learning the new skill and serve in the Church.

There is a corner of a display rack that we displayed all the art pieces or art work by the sisters. Sister Annie contributed a lot. She loves anything related to the art. She brought a lot of artwork and indeed lighten up the empty space!

We did prepare some bookmarks for the visitors to take away as well. And a corner displaying our past Relief Society activities.

Other than Relief Society Room, there was Elders Quorum Room where the theme was Fatherhood and balancing responsibilities. There were about the Priesthood duties and Sacrament Meeting and the Missionary work.

President Augustin together with Brother Lim were explaining to a visitor about Family Proclamation.

As for the Primary Room, Sister Jennifer prepared the works and testimonies of our Primary children as well. Friends magazines, and introducing our Primary Come Follow Me program to the visitors as well.

As for the Youth and Young Adults, they were very creative and innovative in organizing their room in such a short time.

There were about Young Men, Young Women and Young Single Adults organizations, not forgetting about the Seminary and Institute Program. They were promoting the FSY Conference also at the same time!

The Family History Room were filled up all sorts of family trees and information about how we can help to do family history works and the importance of it to the Church. Temples photos were displayed also at the same time.

Last but not least the ‘International Food’ at the kitchen! There were all sorts of food, from Malaysia, Vietnamese, Philippines, Italian and so on! I was too late to snap the photos of the food!

Overall today open house manage to invite about 15 visitors and ended up with good spirits!

Annabelle Primary Advancement Gift

Today Sister Jennifer gave a nicely wrap paper bag to me and asked me to pass to Annabelle.

She told me that she took sometime to make this small beautiful box full of surprises for Annabelle, as a farewell gift for her as Primary advancement gift.

I am so touched with her love towards every Primary child that under her care.

It is very thoughtful of her to do such a memorable book for Annabelle.

Annabelle opened it and she love it so much!

Availability : In Stock!

I was browsing the Church online store and something indeed caught my eyes. I still remember that yesterday when I checking on the New Testament 2019 Come, Follow Me – for Primary manual for teaching younger and older children in Primary class this year, it stated that only can be delivered after 31 March. Today it have been in stock!

Immediately in my heart I know that the Lord have made it easy for me! I was thinking of getting one of this Primary manual for Sister Sylvia.

Last two Sundays, 27 January 2019, during Relief Society class, Sister Sylvia did ask and check with me on how to use the new manual New Testament 2019 Come, Follow Me – for Individuals and Families to teach her children.

At that point of time I shared with her how I use the manual to teach both Issac and Annabelle at home. Then, at that Sunday night I was thinking that my children are much much more older than her kids. She might need more children resources than the individuals and families manual.

After I searched around in our Church website and Gospel Library app, later the next day on Monday I WhatsApp her how she could do it. I messaged her to go to the Come, Follow Me for Primary in the Gospel Library app. As that is the teacher manual which they use to teach the children on every Sunday, but I think it is no harm that she can read through the contents, because it have many ideas to teach younger children and older children.

As Melvis and Sonia considered younger children, I suggested to Sister Sylvia that she can use the ideas to teach them. She may not need to teach all, but spread it out every night at a fix time, suggested may be after dinner 8.30pm – 8.45pm, that she can have some activities with her children.

I told her that it is OK that only 15 minutes. Younger children would love some interactive activities such as stories, watch videos, drawing, role play or object. I suggested to her that she can try all these out.

Another resources, would be go to Church website. Under the Resources for Teaching Children, lesson helps by topic. She can search for the related colouring pages or activities under those topics.

I messaged Sister Sylvia that it would be a bit troublesome for her, as she might need to do some research online and print out the materials, but I assuring her that I know that her family will be blessed if she follow this Come, Follow Me program.

I messaged her that she can get the help from the Primary teachers if she need their input or help on this, I think they will gladly to help her out too!

Sister Sylvia later messaged me that she is very appreciate on the ideas that I shared with her.

It has been 2 weeks passed since our WhatsApp messages, I was keeping in my mind about this and how I can make it easier for her? May be a Primary manual would be helpful and hands on for her. Thus, I was looking at our Church online store, can I purchase the manual and give to her as a gift.

For days, the item is not available till yesterday, I was thinking and praying in my heart that, if the Lord might make it easier for me and no need to wait till after 31 March 2019. I can able to minister her. I was really glad that Sister Sylvia took the effort to ask on how to teach her children which is very awesome! I hope that my suggestions is helpful for her.

Today the Lord is make it possible for me to minister Sister Sylvia! I have ordered 3 Primary manuals just in case I can still share with other sisters whom have the children in the Primary.

I know that the Lord will make a way for us if we sincerely come unto Him and serve Him and labour in His kingdom. I really hope by my new calling as Relief Society President, I can reach out to more sisters and help them strengthen their homes and families, and stay on the covenant path.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Puchong Branch Primary Activity Day ~ The Museums Adventure

Developing Talents #5 ~ Visit an art museum or attend a concert, play, or other cultural event. Share your experience with your family or activity day group.

It is June and we have another Faith in God Activity Day again for our Valiant children in the Puchong branch.

The date was set early to be today after consideration of the school holiday together with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri public holidays which is going to start this weekend and the week after next.

Some families might have planned to be travelled during these holiday seasons, and the children might not be around.

Issac, Annabelle and I woke up early as we need to complete the household chores before we gone out.

I had prepared some finger foods such as nuggets, cocktail sausages and hard boiled eggs for the group. Sister E Chin helped me last evening as we also bought some sushi from Aeon IOI Mall.

We drove to the Four Points Hotel to fetch Sister Jennifer and Miguel. I stopped by the bus stop in front of IOI Mall to meet with Sister Sylvia and she would followed our car from behind. We headed to the National Museum.

We arrived there around 10.00am. Sister Vivian’s family already there, her husband Brother Earnest gave the opening prayer and blessed the food.

Some of us did not manage to have breakfast before we came, and while waiting for Sister Jing Jing’s family to join us, we were having a little feast at the car park. The children were so brilliant! They just makeshift picnic table near the car park area.

I just brought out the sushi rolls, chicken nuggets, cocktail sausages, and the hard boiled eggs. All the children and adults having some food at the car park, before we went to the museums.

We choose the National Museum because it provides a good overview of the nation’s rich historical and cultural heritage. The children can know more about our country rich heritage through this visit.

Besides National Museum, we would be visiting another 2 small museums which are being in the same compound: Malay-World Ethology Museum and Orang Asli Crafts Museum.

Malay Wold Ethology Museum showcase on the traditional arts, clothing and jewellery, traditional games, etc. Orang Asli Crafts Museum showcase their handicrafts, wood carvings and masks.

We hope by this activity, our children would discover ‘gems’ and gain a better appreciation towards arts and culture which heritage from our forefathers and ancestors.

Here were our 2 priesthood whom watched over us during this activity: Brother Earnest and Brother Adrian.

We first visit the Malay-World Ethology Museum. It is located within the grounds of the National Museum and we can see both with the same ticket together with the Orang Asli Crafts Museum which is on the lower ground floor of the Ethology Museum building.

There are 2 types of admission charges – Malaysians and Foreigners, to visit both Malay World Ethology Museum and Orang Asli Crafts Museum with the same ticket: For Malaysians: Adult RM2.00, Seniors and Disabled Persons RM1.00 and Children under 12 is Free. For Foreigners: Adult RM5.00, Children aged 6 – 12 years RM2.00 and Children below 6 years is Free.

The Malay-World Ethology Museum has some interesting exhibits and the children can learn about the Malay world which might new to them. The gallery focuses on the diversity of Malay society and culture in Malaysia through a highly aesthetic collections of artefacts, such as traditional arts, clothing and jewellery, traditional games and weaponry.

The first thing the children saw once they entered the museum was the making of Wau Bulan by a mannequin. It was so kind of Sister Jing Jing to be tour guide of the day in explaining to the children how the process of the making of the kite.

The Wayang-Kulit or Shadow-Play also one of the attractions to the children too. There are wayang-kulit figures and the theatre too. It looks so fascinating to see a real one, not only for the kids the adults too are excited!

The gallery is portrayed by dioramas of a Malay wedding dais. Among the fascinating collections on display are the Cik Siti Wan Kembang dress and the wedding dais of Perak.

Various crafts, cultural activities, games, handicrafts and cottage industries are explained through the exhibits such as Malay clothing, weaponry ranging from Kris and spears to firearms, wood carving, silver and metal work, congkak, gasing and so on.

We were having group photo at the entrance space with the children. After which we visited to the Orang Asli Crafts Museum just at the lower ground floor.

Orang Asli Craft Museum showcases the arts and handicrafts of the Orang Asli people, the aboriginal communities who dwell mostly in rural areas across the Malaysian Peninsula.

The Orang Asli are famed for their handicrafts, particularly the wood carving skills by the Mah Meri and Jah Hut tribes who like to carve masks and figures and these are highly valued by collectors.

The Orang Asli Crafts Museum is an ethology museum featuring the heritage of the Orang Asli craft in Peninsular, particularly those of the Mah Meri tribe.

Most of collected crafts were valued based on the Orang Asli’s way of life; their culture and beliefs; their myths and legends; as well as crafts with carvings and motifs that have intrinsic meaning.

Our children’s favourite carved statues is ‘The Spirit of Mother and Baby’. They are fascinating with the statues, and want to take photos with the famous wood carving.

Suddenly all the children started to ask funny funny questions to their mothers! It made us feeling funny as well!

In addition to statues and masks, there are small Sepili figures used in the traditional medicine system of the Jah Hut.

Blowpipes and ornate bamboo containers for holding blowpipe darts, hunting and fishing traps.

Containers made from screw pine, rattan baskets and trays, palm leaf ornaments and spiritual decorations.

Musical instruments, native clothing and pouches made from leaves and bamboo.

And the coffins which made from bamboo and hang it on the trees too!

There are so many interesting facts to get to know for the children! This basket design is cool! Annabelle and Issac thought the inspirations must be come from the King of fruits - durian!

Finally the children settled down by sitting on the floor and watching a video clip about the life of Orang Asli in their habitats. Everyone were tired.

We roughly spent around 30 minutes for each museum. At last, we completed the Malay-World Ethology Museum and Orang Asli Crafts Museum.

By the time we came to the National Museum, all the children were restless especially the younger children. The ticket price for the National Museum is the same as the prior both museums.

Basically, we just visited the ground floor galleries which are Prehistory Gallery and The Malay Kingdoms Gallery.

The Prehistory Gallery displays the results of historical research and archaeological excavations.

The Malay Kingdoms Gallery traces the development of early settlements, the emergence of Malay kingdoms and sultanates, the coming of Islam and importance of Malacca as a trading centre.

The younger children were getting restless and tired. As it was approaching 12 noon, we decided to end our museum trip by a closing prayer.

I handed out the assignments – journal to both Miguel and Jeneelyn. They just need to write down what are their feelings after this visit in the worksheets, and they can pass up by the following Sunday.

As for the children that did not manage to attend the outing today, we encourage the parents to bring them out for a date. It is not necessary have to visit these museums that we visited today, but anything that relates to art, concert, play or cultural experiences.

It can be happened during their own family trips, whereby they visit other countries’ museums, attend a cultural dance show, go to cultural village and so on.

For example, if going to Malacca, they can visit Baba & Nyonya Heritage house or Straits Chinese Jewellery Museum; if going to Penang, they can visit Penang Peranakan Museum or Khoo Kongsi; if going to Bali, they can watch a Kecak Dance show which it is only can be seen there. Anything about art and culture…They can plan it out with their kids!

We left the National Museum around 12.30pm. All of the parents and children were having fun and  quite an educative trip for all of us, including the adults too!

Even we miss some of the children whom did not manage to join this activity, it’s considered a big accomplishment to me because this is the first time I am in charge of such a scale of Primary Activity Day Outing!