Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Transcription

1 The Seco River Primary is a special place! This year in Primary our theme is I Know the Scripture are True. The scripture for the year is found in the Book of Mormon, second Nephi 4 verse 15: For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them. We have spent the year learning about scripture stories and scripture heroes. We ve also learned many facts about our scriptures. For example, in our church we have four books of scripture: the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. Did you know there are 15 books inside of the Book of Mormon? We worked on memorizing the names of the books inside our scriptures you ll hear more about that today! In the scriptures we can find out more about subjects by turning to the Topical Guide or Bible Dictionary. There are also maps, charts, and pictures that can help us understand. But. Knowing ABOUT the scriptures is not the same thing as Knowing the Scriptures are TRUE. On top of learning about the scriptures, this year the Seco River Primary has been learning how to KNOW for ourselves that the scriptures are true. The songs, scriptures, and testimony we share today are ALL steps in coming to KNOW the scriptures are true. Scripture Power Reading the scriptures can bring us power! The book of Joshua has many scriptures about the power and strength of the scriptures: Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:7 and 9 The scriptures also have metaphors that can make complex gospel ideas easier to understand. A good example of this is the familiar metaphor of putting on the whole armor of God, which can be found in Ephesians chapter 6. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

2 TEACHER SUNBEAMS TEACHER Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. The scriptures can be powerful and help us to be strong. But they also bring us peace. The next song explains how the scriptures can whisper to our hearts in quiet ways that can fill our souls with peace. If I Listen with My Heart The sunbeams are good at listening with their hearts. Through the Spirit even young children can learn of their Savior s love through the scriptures. I m Lila Jesus loves me! I m Ben Jesus loves me! Etc. This summer, the Seco River Primary accepted the challenge to memorize all the books of scripture! (14) kids memorized them all. But the whole Primary learned the books of the Book of Mormon as part of a special song that we want to sing with you! Books of Book of Mormon This year we studied the Book of Mormon in class. We also learned stories about scripture heroes from the Book of Mormon. The CTR 4 class learned about scripture heroes. Sariah Mormon Nephi Alma Lehi Captain Moroni Abish Abinadi We learned WHO is in the scriptures, but we also learned HOW to read the scriptures. Here are a few ways to make scripture study better: Start with a prayer. Use the maps and charts. Look for lists! Look up hard words. Ponder. Draw pictures to understand and remember.

3 Apply the scriptures to our lives. Show gratitude for the scriptures. In second Nephi chapter 32 verse 3 we are commanded to feast upon the words of Christ. This means we should read seriously! The song Search, Ponder, and Pray teaches a simple pattern for HOW to study the scriptures. Search, Ponder, and Pray Joseph Smith studied the scriptures so he would know what to do. He followed the same pattern of scripture study that we are learning about! When Joseph Smith was searching the scriptures he came across James 1:5 which says: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Joseph Smith s example of curiosity and faith is a good example for each one of us. He searched the scriptures and prayed with faith for answers. Joseph Smith also recorded revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. He wrote the Articles of Faith, which are also part of the scriptures! We study and learn the Articles of Faith in Primary, too. I am grateful for all that Joseph Smith did to make it possible for me to read The Book of Mormon today. This year we learned the song Praise to the Man, about Joseph Smith. It is one of our favorites! Praise to the Man Because the gospel was restored, we know more about Heavenly Father s plan! The scriptures teach us about Heavenly Father s plan. Sometimes we call this plan the Plan of Salvation. Learning about this plan can help us answer big questions like: Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here? And: What will happen to me after I die? Heavenly Father s plan is to make and keep covenants, starting with baptism and followed by temple covenants. Understanding His plan can help us know how much Jesus loves us. He wants us to return to him someday. Families are an important part of Heavenly Father s plan. We also read about families in the scriptures, like Adam and Even, Abraham and Sarah, and Lehi and Sariah. The scriptures teach about this plan in Moses, chapter 1 verse 39: For behold, this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the

4 immortality and eternal life of man. I Will Follow God s Plan I can follow God s plan for me. I can choose the right! I can be honest with Heavenly Father, others, and myself. I can use the names of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ reverently. I can honor my parents and do my part to strengthen my family. I can read and watch things that are good. I can seek good friends and treat others kindly. I can live worthy to go to the temple and do my part to have an eternal family. The scriptures are written by God s prophets and they are the word of God. We have prophets today. D and C section 1 verse 38 teaches What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. That is why it s important to listen to the prophets in General Conference. This year in April, President Monson gave a short and powerful talk. The youth of our ward were challenged to memorize the whole talk. I watched my brother and sister work on it Stand for the Right The scriptures teach us about temples built in different times. In Exodus we can read about a temple built by Moses. In Second Nephi we can read about a temple built by Nephi. In the Doctrine and Covenants, we can learn about the temple built in the latterdays, by Joseph Smith. We read about temples in all of the standards works. Doctrine and Covenants section 88 verse 119 records the instruction to build a temple: Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God. Our temple is the Los Angeles temple. It was built in 1957 and dedicated by David O. McKay. There is a beautiful statue of Christ that I can visit and lights at Christmas. I look forward to going inside someday. Temples are a place to learn more about God.

5 Temples are a place to feel the Holy Spirit. Temples are a place for covenants. Temples are a place where families can be sealed together. I Love to See the Temple All year we have been learning ABOUT the scriptures. But the music, stories, and feelings in Primary have helped us come closer to KNOWING the scriptures are true. At the end of the Book of Mormon is a challenge and promise from the prophet Moroni. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. Everyone, young and old, can and seek and find a personal testimony of the scriptures. I KNOW the scriptures are true. In the name of Jesus Christ... Amen.