First Presidency Puzzle

I came across this puzzle of the First Presidency (created by Regan Ashford) on Sugardoodle.net and thought it looked simple and fun. Enjoy!

You're Never Alone

Covenants for Priesthood Holders

I have been meaning to write this post for a while now and I am finally here with the last set of covenants - those made by priesthood holders.

The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood:

Priesthood holders covenant to:

• Receive in good faith and with honest intent both the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods (see D&C 84:33).
• Magnify callings by fulfilling all responsibilities associated with the priesthood offices they are called to.
• Teach the word of God and labor with all their might to advance the Lord’s purposes (see Jacob 1:19).
• Obtain a knowledge of the gospel (see D&C 107:31).
• Give service by comforting and strengthening the Saints of God (see Mosiah 18:8–9).
• Be obedient and “give diligent heed to the words of eternal life” (D&C 84:43).
• Listen to and follow revelation from the Lord. “Live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God” (v. 44). See also Elder Carlos E. Asay, in Conference Report, Oct. 1985, 56–58; or Ensign, Nov. 1985, 43–44.

Worthy priesthood holders receive these promises:

1. Be “sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies” (D&C 84:33).
2. “Become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham” (v. 34).
3. Become members of “the church and kingdom, and the elect of God” (v. 34).
4. Receive the Father’s kingdom and “all that my Father hath shall be given unto him” (v. 38).
5. Receive of the Father’s fulness and glory and become “gods, even the sons of God” (D&C 76:58).
6. Are warned that anyone who rejects this covenant and “altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come” (D&C 84:41). President Marion G. Romney of the First Presidency made the following comment about D&C 84:41: “I don’t think he is talking here necessarily about the unpardonable sin, but I am saying that those of us who receive this priesthood and understand what it is about and fail to magnify our callings will lose something we cannot recover hereafter” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1974, 116; or Ensign, May 1974, 80).

My Other Posts on Covenants:

Covenants for All Members: It's Time for a Review
Temple Covenants

A Blessing from the Priesthood and a Week at Girl's Camp

I posted this experience previously but I thought it would fit nicely with this post. My husband and I had just moved into a new ward. We had only been married for about 4 months or so. We were excited to start our family and to be living in a new place. We quickly received callings. I was called as the Assistant Camp Director for the Young Women. I was excited by the calling. A few weeks after moving into the ward and receiving our callings I got pregnant and I became quite sick.

I was put in charge of doing all of the shopping for our week long excursion with the Laurels. It was to be a long shopping trip. I was just in the beginning stages of sickness but I remember it took all of my will power to handle rows and rows of foods and smells while in the midst of excited and squeally teenage girls, all the while trying to keep my stomach where it should be. That afternoon was exhausting.

Things only got worse. I got sicker as time went on and as girl's camp drew nearer. I wasn't sure if I would be able to make it and if I did I wasn't sure if I would be any help while we were there. I was not very far along so I wanted to keep the news to myself but because of the circumstances I ended up telling the YW's President and the Camp Director that I was pregnant and sick. Telling them helped a lot and I ended up deciding that I was going to go, sick or not. I felt like I was supposed to.

The morning we were to leave I asked my husband for a blessing. Before I walked out the door to my week long girl's camp and pregnancy adventure I had already lost-my-cookies three times. I just knew it was going to be a long week.

Something extraordinary happened that week. I felt better that week than I had in a long time. I only threw up once the whole week. I had more energy. I had a better appetite. I could keep almost everything down. I felt amazing...well amazing for that point in pregnancy. I still had a few moments here and there. I still stayed in bed a little longer in the mornings. I still munched on things quite often. I didn't join the other's on the hike or playing kickball. But...I was there and was okay. The difference was night and day.

On the way home from our adventure the car had to be stopped and I had to step out and the fun began once again. When we made it back to our town I went straight for the bushes and the fun began again. When I got home the fun continued for several more months. I was blessed that week by the power of the priesthood to be filled with the strength, health, and peace I needed to fulfill my calling and to enjoy it.

I know that the priesthood is real. I know that we all can receive the blessings that priesthood has to offer. I know that throughout that week the Power of Priesthood took a great role. I was blessed with strength and health. I was blessed to be able to receive those things for a time by the priesthood.

I am so grateful to have a worthy and loving priesthood holder in my home and to be surrounded by many other great men who hold the priesthood. The blessings of the priesthood can strengthen, uplift, and bless us all. We can receive comfort, guidance, and healing from the priesthood. We are blessed with sacred ordinances because of the priesthood. The priesthood is the power of God on the earth today. It is real. I know that we all have access to the blessings of the priesthood and that through our faith those blessings can strengthen and direct us in our lives.

The Women in Our Lives

Gospel Art Family Scripture Study

Well, those of you who have been following my blog for a while have seen the several ideas, thoughts, and directions I have gone in hopes to find the perfect scripture study method for our young family. Each of them stuck for a time but have since dwindled away. Our scripture studies have gradually changed and now we are on a whole new method - Gospel Art Family Scripture Study.

So far it has been wonderful (not always perfect but it works). I enjoyed doing some of our previous styles and we may go back to them later but for now this is what we are up to when it comes to family scripture study. It couldn't be much simpler. We are simply going through the entire Gospel Art Book, page by page. The front of the book has verses already selected to go along with each picture and we just narrow it down to a small selection and read straight from the scriptures. We often read only a few verses and just simply tell the rest of the story.

Our little boy is just about 2 1/2 now and it is so fun to see him come to know many of the great leaders and prophets of the scriptures. He can recognize so many of them now like Adam and Eve, Noah, Jonah, Daniel, David and Goliath, etc. The time spent doing our little scripture study is very little (1-5 minutes, depending on the day) but the pay off is great!

When we finish the whole book we may go back through again and reinforce the things we have learned and learn in greater detail about each picture and it's great message. The visual that each picture presents truly helps the scriptures to come alive.

You can read more about the Gospel Art book and how to get one as well as browse the pictures it contains by taking a peek at a previous post HERE.