1. Song: Prayer by:
2. Read this parable: A merchant man seeking precious jewels found at last the perfect pearl. He had the finest craftsman carve a superb jewel box and line it with blue velvet. He put his pearl of great price on display so others could share his treasure. He watched as people came to see it. Soon he turned away in sorrow. It was the box they admired, not the pearl. (if you have a way to illustrate this by using a special box that you might have and while reading this put a pearl ( or a reasonable facsimile )
3.read poem:
We are all blind, until we see
That in the [universal] plan
Nothing is worth the making if
It does not make the man.
Why build these [buildings] glorious,
If man unbuilded goes?
In vain we build the [world], unless
The builder also grows.
(Edwin Markham, "Man-Making," in Masterpieces of Religious Verse, ed. James Dalton Morrison (1948), 419.)
4. A scripture chase :
Matt. 3:11.
Matt. 3:13.
Matt. 3:1617.
Matt. 4:4.
Matt. 4:7.
Matt. 4:10.
Acts 4:13.
Matt. 28:19.
John 14:26.
Luke 24:49.
Acts 2:38.
Acts 19:2.
Acts 19:5.
Acts 19:6.
Moses 6:6566.
1 Ne. 10:17
D&C 13.
D&C 27:1213.
D&C 35:56.
D&C 39:23.
Acts 2:38.
Acts 2:39.
2 Ne. 31:13.
2 Ne. 32:25.
John 14:1617.
3 Ne. 9:20.
John 14:27.
The Lord drew upon scriptures for protection, let us do likewise.
6. (read):
"Too many of us are like those whom the Lord said "[came] with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, . . . [and] at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not."
Imagine that: "And they knew it not." It is not unusual for one to have received the gift and not really know it.
I fear this supernal gift is being obscured by programs and activities and schedules and so many meetings. There are so many places to go, so many things to do in this noisy world. We can be too busy to pay attention to the promptings of the Spirit.
The voice of the Spirit is a still, small voice--a voice that is felt rather than heard. It is a spiritual voice that comes into the mind as a thought put into your heart.
All over the world ordinary men, women, and children, not completely aware that they have the gift, bless their families, teach, preach, and minister by the Spirit within them.
In every language, the Spirit of God--the Holy Ghost--guides, or can guide, every member of the Church. Everyone is invited to come and repent and be baptized and receive of this sacred gift. It is awakened with prayer and cultivated "by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel". (Boyd K. Packer )
7. Put questions strips in the box, and pass around these questions that you print out and make strips of :
.......................................................
A.
What in our lives can be smothered through transgression and neglect?
.......................................................
A.
answer: THE SPIRIT
.......................................................
B.
Can the tempter--the adversary--use the same channels of the mind and heart that the Holy Ghost uses to inspire us to evil, to laziness, to contention, even to acts of darkness? Can he take over our thoughts and lead us to mischief?
.......................................................
B.
answer: YES HE CAN
.......................................................
C.
What do you have that can help you out of the adversarys clutches?
.......................................................
C.
answer: Agency. "But each of us has agency; ever and always light presides over darkness". (Boyd K. Packer )
.......................................................
D.
How can we learn to sort out the difference between promptings and temptations:
.......................................................
D. Answer:
The priesthood is structured to ensure an unbroken line of authority to baptize and confer the Holy Ghost. Always nearby are leaders and teachers called and set apart to teach and to correct us. We can learn to sort out the promptings from the temptations and follow the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.
.......................................................
8. (read)
It is a glorious time to live! No matter what trials await us, we can find the answer to that question, "What shall we do?" We, and those we love, will be guided and corrected and protected, and we will be comforted.
Despite opposition, the Church will flourish; and despite persecution, it will grow.
Jesus said: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
As surely as I know that I am here and you are there, I know that Jesus is the Christ. He lives! I know the gift of the Holy Ghost, a sacred spiritual power, can be a constant companion to every soul who will receive it. I pray that the witness of the Holy Ghost will confirm this testimony to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.(Boyd K. Packer)
9. Add your testimony
10. Song: Prayer: Desert:
great family home evening recipes can be found here
APRIL 2000 CONFERENCE LESSON 3
