SCHEDULE
Home
FB
2024
2023
2022
2021
Act. Index 2024
SCHEDULE
Home
FB
2024
2023
2022
2021
Act. Index 2024
I can know for myself.
From Come, Follow Me:
How have you “experimented” upon the word of God and come to know that “the word is good”? (Alma 32:28).
“Alma’s classic discussion on faith, as recorded in the 32nd chapter of Alma in the Book of Mormon, is a series of choices to ensure the development and the preservation of our faith. Alma gave us a directive to choose. His were words of action initiated by choosing. He used the words awake, arouse, experiment, exercise, desire, work, and plant. Then Alma explained that if we make these choices and do not cast the seed out by unbelief, then ‘it will begin to swell within [our] breasts’ (Alma 32:28).
“Yes, faith is a choice, and it must be sought after and developed. Thus, we are responsible for our own faith. We are also responsible for our lack of faith. The choice is yours.” Richard C. Edgley, Faith—the Choice Is Yours
Consider how recording your thoughts and impressions becomes part of your personal history. “You can highlight verses, follow cross-references, take notes, and store all of these materials in a private, personalized online study notebook.” See Using Study Tools on ChurchofJesusChrist.org which includes two “how to” videos.
See also:
Read and study "The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles.” You may want to audio or video record your own family taking turns reading each paragraph of it.
Consider also recording and preserving your personal testimony of Jesus Christ on FamilySearch Memories.
Help young children write what they feel. Consider scanning or taking a photo of hand-written testimonies to preserve in Memories on FamilySearch.
My testimony of Jesus Christ grows as I nourish it.
From Come, Follow Me:
Read together Alma 32:27–28. Talk about what it means to “give place” (verse 27) for the word of God in our hearts.
"What is the taproot that will anchor a child in the wind?...a taproot is the first and largest root that springs from a seed. It grows downward and provides stability. Plants with taproots tend to be drought tolerant and can even store reserves of food, making them self-sufficient and resilient…
"I believe that the taproot that will anchor our children in the wind is helping them to see themselves in the great plan of salvation, as the Anti-Nephi-Lehies did. When children know who they are, where they came from, why they are here, and where they are going, their lives take on a sense of purpose, enabling them to grasp tightly to truth.
Helping our children be grounded in truth must become a priority for all of us—not only fathers and mothers but also grandparents, aunts, uncles, leaders, and teachers.
How does family history relate to this idea of anchoring to the taproot of our Heavenly Father's plan? Let's go to the tree that grows from the taproot. Consider the beautiful painting by Annie Henrie Nader titled Turning the Hearts.
The artist said the tree represents the tree of life and the fruit of the gospel. She states, ‘It also represents a family tree,’ and ‘the fruit embodies those precious pieces of information we pass down through ... generations.’
When I first saw this painting, I thought, 'I want to do that!' I want to stand under that beautiful tree and pick those precious pieces of fruit from its branches to pass down to my children and grandchildren. I want them to see themselves surrounding that tree. I want them to turn their hearts to their roots. I want them to know their progenitors—their positive attributes and their struggles. Where did their ancestors get the strength to endure? What are their stories of exercising faith in Jesus Christ that enabled them to live Heavenly Father's plan.
I love family history! I love learning my ancestors' stories. Those stories create a connection." Rosemary Wixom, Temples, Taproots, and Family Trees
Here are Sister Wixom's ideas (paraphrased with added references):
"To know these pieces of information about our immediate family members who have gone before is one step, but to climb into the branches of our family tree and discover names of those who are waiting for their saving ordinances is another step. In Annie Henrie Nader's painting, passing the fruit may also represent discovering names of ancestors and performing their ordinances. We can do it as a family. As we pass the fruit, we not only see ourselves in the plan of salvation, but we also offer salvation to those who have gone before. Both are important elements of family history." Rosemary Wixom, Temples, Taproots, and Family Trees
I can pray to Heavenly Father anytime, about anything.
From Come, Follow Me:
Share with each other experiences when Heavenly Father heard your prayers.
“Think of your own life. Over the years, I have listened to thousands of profoundly spiritual experiences from Latter-day Saints all across the world, confirming to me beyond any question that God knows and loves each of us and that He eagerly desires to reveal Himself to us. These experiences may come at pivotal times in our lives or in what may at first seem as uneventful happenings, but they are always accompanied by an exceptionally strong spiritual confirmation of the love of God.
Remembering these spiritually defining experiences takes us to our knees, declaring as did the Prophet Joseph: “What I received was from heaven. I know it, and I know that God knows that I know it.” (see Joseph Smith—History 1).” Neil L. Anderson, Spiritually Defining Memories
Plan a time to verbally share with your family the spiritual experiences you have had, and invite family members to share theirs also. This might be a “gathering” type setting where you are not audio recording.
Consider creating a collection of your spiritual experiences, and the spiritual experiences of your family members that they would like to share. This book can be a meaningful gift for family members.
You may also record your spiritual experiences using the Memories Audio app or the "Record My Story" feature on FamilySearch Discovery.
Consider keeping a written journal of God's hand in your life and in the lives of your family members. You can also record journal entries using the FamilySearch Memories Audio app or the "Record My Story" feature on FamilySearch Discovery.
"When our children were very small, I started to write down a few things about what happened every day...so that my children could have the memory someday when they would need it ... Before I would write, I would ponder this question: 'Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?' ...I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done. More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance—even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened." Henry B. Eyring, O Remember, Remember
Take turns writing about how the Lord has worked wonders in your family. Share the opportunity of being scribe. Younger children can "write" with their artwork. See The Benefits and Blessings of Keeping A Family Journal.
Write (or audio-record) one story about your life as you study each Come, Follow Me lesson these ideas: