Saturday, June 07, 2025
Teaching Children of Jesus
“Thou Art the Christ”:
Teaching Our Children to Believe, Belong, and Become
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| They brought their little children - by Walter Rane |
By John Fisher (assisted by AI)
Introduction:
In a world filled with distraction, doubt, and digital noise, Sister Amy A. Wright’s April 2025 General Conference message, “Thou Art the Christ,” reminds us that nothing matters more than teaching children to know, follow, and become like Jesus Christ. As First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, Sister Wright offers powerful insights on how belief, belonging, and becoming form the foundation of lifelong discipleship—and how we can help children walk that path with purpose and joy.
Summary of the Talk:
Sister Wright begins with a touching story about her son Eli, whose passion for law—and for the Lawgiver, Jesus Christ—grew from a young age. His courageous testimony of Christ in a secular law school interview, and the unexpected outcome, set the stage for the talk’s central message: children must be taught to believe in Jesus, belong to His Church, and become like Him.
1. Believe – Children need more than just stories about Christ; they need to see, hear, and feel His presence in their daily lives. Testimonies, sacred images, and experiences with the Holy Ghost help children truly know Jesus Christ.
"I invite you to ponder what this can look like in the life of young children. Do they hear testimonies of Jesus Christ and His gospel? Do they see reverential, worshipful images of His ministry and godhood? Do they feel and recognize the Holy Ghost testifying of His reality and divinity? Do they know of His message and mission?"
2. Belong – Through covenantal belonging, such as baptism and Church membership, children are strengthened by sacred promises and community support. Parents and leaders play a vital role in preparing them for that path.
"How can we help children make and keep sacred covenants? In the Come, Follow Me manual, in appendix A and B, we find conversation starters and lessons that will empower families and support teachers and leaders in their sacred responsibility to prepare children for a lifetime on God’s covenant path."
3. Become – Children are not passive disciples. They are invited to act, to lead, to testify, and to grow into the likeness of Christ. We must guide them with love and give them opportunities to serve and shine.
"When we tell our children we love them, are we also telling them that their Father in Heaven and Savior Jesus Christ love them? Our love may comfort and inspire, but Their love can sanctify, exalt, and heal."
Five Inspiring Quotes from the Talk:
1. “The archetype of morality I strive to pattern my life from is that of Jesus Christ.”
2. “We want our children to believe in Jesus Christ, belong to Jesus Christ and His Church through covenant, and strive to become like Jesus Christ.”
3. “As Jesus Christ becomes the focus of our lives, what we desire, and how we desire it, is forever altered.”
4. “Without Jesus Christ there is no power to change, no purpose to aspire to, and no reconciliation of the travails of life.”
5. “This Jesus … [is] a glorified, omnipotent, resurrected, exalted, worshipful, powerful Only Begotten Son of God, who is mighty to save.”
Conclusion and Suggestions for Follow-up:
Sister Wright’s message is a clarion call to parents, teachers, and leaders: start now. Don’t wait to help children develop a relationship with Jesus Christ. Begin with small but meaningful actions:
• Share your personal testimony of the Savior regularly.
• Display reverent images of Jesus in your home.
• Read from the scriptures as a family, focusing on His words and works.
• Use the Come, Follow Me manual (Appendices A and B) to create simple, Christ-centered lessons.
• Give children meaningful roles in family home evenings, sacrament talks, and service opportunities.
Let us teach our children not only about Christ but to truly know Him. In doing so, we fulfill our divine responsibility and give them the greatest gift possible: the Light of the World.
Keywords:
Jesus Christ, children, discipleship, covenant, faith
Hashtags:
#ThouArtTheChrist #ComeFollowMe #FaithInJesus #PrimaryPurpose #ChristCenteredHome
Reference:
Wright, A. A. (2025, April). Thou Art the Christ. General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/32wright?lang=eng
Labels: children, covenant, discipleship, faith, Jesus Christ
Saturday, December 07, 2024
Second Coming
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| The Second Coming by Harry Anderson |
Preparing the World for the Savior's Return
by John Fisher
In his October 2024 General Conference address, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again," President Russell M. Nelson emphasizes the urgency of preparing for the Savior's Second Coming. He highlights the accelerated construction of temples worldwide as a divine directive to gather Israel on both sides of the veil and to ready the world for the Lord's return. President Nelson calls upon individuals to prioritize their discipleship, engage in regular temple worship, and deepen their understanding of Jesus Christ's Atonement. He assures that sincere seekers will find the Savior in the temple, receive answers to their deepest questions, and experience profound joy through His gospel.
Summary
President Nelson described the majesty and urgency of the Lord's work in our time, highlighting the unprecedented pace of temple construction. He explained that temples are being built at the Lord's instruction because their blessings are essential for gathering Israel on both sides of the veil. Furthermore, temples prepare a covenant people to help ready the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. President Nelson urged saints to recognize the sacred significance of this moment in hastening the Lord's work.
Quotes
Concluding his message, President Nelson testifies of the Savior's imminent return and the joy that awaits the righteous. He invites all to rededicate their lives to Jesus Christ, actively participate in gathering Israel, and prepare the world for the Second Coming. He affirms that as individuals fully turn their hearts to the Savior, they will witness the Lord hastening His work and experience the best that is yet to come.
Promises for Temple Attendance
President Russell M. Nelson has extended several promises to those who engage in temple worship and uphold their covenants:
Miracles in Your Life: "I promise you that the Lord will bring the miracles He knows you need as you make sacrifices to serve and worship in His temples."
Safety Amid Upheaval: "Whenever any kind of upheaval occurs in your life, the safest place to be spiritually is living inside your temple covenants!"
Personal Revelation and Protection: "Nothing will protect you more as you encounter the world’s mists of darkness. Nothing will bolster your testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement or help you understand God’s magnificent plan more. Nothing will soothe your spirit more during times of pain. Nothing will open the heavens more. Nothing!"
Spiritual Strength and Guidance: "As you marry in the temple and return repeatedly, you will be strengthened and guided in your decisions."
Increased Access to Divine Power: "Each person who makes covenants in baptismal fonts and temples—and keeps them—has increased access to the power of Jesus Christ."
These promises underscore the profound spiritual benefits of regular temple attendance and faithful covenant keeping.
Reference:
Nelson, R. M. (2024, October). The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again. General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved from https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/10/57nelson?lang=eng
Hashtags: #SecondComing #TempleWorship #FollowChrist #Atonement #GatherIsrael
Labels: atonement, discipleship, gathering Israel, Russell M. Nelson, Second Coming, temple worship
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