Today we finally had our annual Primary program which usually happens Sept-November, but due to the hurricane, it kept getting postponed. We settled on today’s date keeping in mind that we had a brand new singing time instructor starting in November. The program went well and the kids did a great job. I helped the singing time leader hold up the binders/posters and there was one that was just loose papers with the chorus being intermixed… so that was a bit comical, but it all worked out. I also forgot to turn a page once because I was too busy looking at all the cute kids’ faces. I totally missed Harvey’s speaking part because I was busy helping the singing time leader get the last things set up (they were the first group to speak). Andy was able to watch the broadcast from work and told me he was spoke about two of his words clearly enough to understand. He’s improved in his speech a lot, but we still have a bit to go.
Due to our Primary being a bit chaotic with the hurricane and changing singing time teachers three times in two months our moto for prepping for the program was simplicity. I had all the kids that wanted a speaking part have their parents email me their response to “Who is your favorite person from the Book of Mormon and how did they bring you closer to Jesus Christ as you learned about them?” It was so fun to hear their responses. They ranged from “I like Nephi because he was courageous and is cute in all the pictures, to personal stories of faith that they experienced because of learning about these people. Harvey’s was: Ammon is my favorite because he had strength from God.
Beverly’s was: Mormon is my favorite person because he gave us the Book of Mormon so we can learn and have faith in Christ.
Maverick’s was: Nephi is my favorite Book of Mormon person because he was obedient and got the brass plates from Laban. It brings me closer to Jesus Christ because the brass plates are scripture and I love to read about Jesus Christ in the scriptures.
Max’s was: My favorite person from the Book of Mormon is the brother of Jared, because he was very faithful and had enough faith to see Jesus Christ.
I couldn’t agree with them more. Our bishop shared that his favorite is Moroni because after getting the plates from his dad, Mormon, he protected and continued to write down essential ordinances and doctrine, ensuring that we would have them in our day, fully knowing that his own generation would not profit from his work. I too am grateful to all of the prophets of the Book of Mormon as well as the Bible and our latter-day leaders. I am grateful for the comfort that their words brings as well as their guidance and warnings. I have seen those warnings in my own life and because I have heeded them, I have seen the protection over my life and my family’s. I love reading about Enos’s story. When he was hunting in the woods, he was obviously carrying a heavy spiritual weight to have him brought to his knees to pray all day and all night. He sought for forgiveness and for a witness of his own that God was mindful of him. His answer came with such a conviction that it lead him to pray for his family, friends, and even his enemies. This day and night lead to a true conversion not just of his mind, but of his life. He then went forward with faith to act on the things he had heard and felt. I think that takes courage and conviction. Sometimes I know the things I should change in my life, but the task to do so seems daunting or maybe not as appealing as my current habits, but as I do make those small and simple changes, I am left with greater things than what I initially sacrificed (free time, certain shows that brought my spirit down, etc). I have really enjoyed reading the Book of Mormon again this year and despite having read it many times before this year, I walked away learning and feeling even more convicted. It truly is a book for our days. I see so many scriptures that seem so poignant to what I experience in my life. It is very easy for me to “liken” it to my own experience. It has also been an absolute joy to see my kids and the Primary children learn about this book and these people.
We finally got around to gingerbread houses. The kids had a blast and it tickled me to see Harvey be more capable of doing his own gingerbread house this year (I did glue the houses together for him before hand so he wouldn’t struggle too much with that part).
