Articles of Faith Sharing time

Articles of Faith Sharing time

November 2012 Week 3

 

President Spencer W. Kimball told about a Primary boy who was a good missionary.  A man on a train asked the boy about the Mormon Church. The boy recited all of the Articles of Faith. The man was so impressed that this young boy knew what he believed that he went to Salt Lake City to learn more about the Church” (taken from http://www.lds.org/manual/2012-outline-for-sharing-time/november?lang=eng&query="articles+of+faith"  So today we are going to learn the meanings behind “these thirteen brief statements known as the Articles of Faith, which summarize some of the basic doctrines of the Church.” http://www.lds.org/friend/1996/10/honesty?lang=eng&query="articles+of+faith I have a bag filled with train cars that have numbers that match a train around the Primary wall. We will pull a picture or more from the cargo of the train that matches and learn about the Article of Faith. Let’s see how many trains we can get before time runs out!

 

This is the back of the train with the picture. I cut a slit in the train car the size of the picture and then taped a gallon bag on the back. Then I taped the end of the bag half way up so the bag wouldn't show and the picture would stick out of the train car.

First Article of Faith- Picture of the First Vision from Gospel Art Kit 403 inside the train car http://mormonchannel.org/sites/default/files/PI-02-first-vision-01_0.jpg "There are three separate persons in the Godhead: God, the Eternal Father; his Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost. We believe in each of them (A of F 1:1). From latter-day revelation we learn that the Father and the Son have tangible bodies of flesh and bone and that the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit, without flesh and bone (D&C 130:22–23). These three persons are one in perfect unity and harmony of purpose and doctrine" (taken from  John 17:21–23; 2 Ne. 31:21; 3 Ne. 11:27, 36). and http://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/god-godhead?lang=eng&query="there+are+three+separate+persons+in+the+godhead%3a+god+the+eternal+father+his+son+jesus+christ+and+the+holy+ghost.+we+believe+in+each+of+them+(a+of"

Second Article of Faith- picture of Adam and Eve in the Garden. From Gospel Art Kit 101 inside the train car http://www.lds.org/images/Manuals/tchg-pix.nfo:o:10c.jpg "To transgress means to break a law or a rule. When we do something wrong, we transgress. When Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden, Heavenly Father commanded them to not eat fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve were tempted by Satan and ate the fruit. Heavenly Father cast Adam and Eve out of the garden because they transgressed. All of Heavenly Father’s children are given the agency to choose right or wrong.” We should choose the right but are able to repent if we make a mistake. “But Heavenly Father does not make us repent for the bad choices that others make. We are responsible for our own actions.” http://www.lds.org/friend/2011/02/article-of-faith-2?lang=eng&query="adam+and+eve"

Third Article of Faith- picture of Christ’s Atonement from Primary picture packet 2-52 inside the train car http://mormonchannel.org/sites/default/files/QA-18-christ.jpg “Jesus Christ came to earth to live as a mortal man. He suffered and died for us. His suffering is called the Atonement. Jesus was resurrected and came to life again. Because of what Jesus did for us, we all can live forever with Heavenly Father.” http://www.lds.org/friend/2011/03/article-of-faith-3?lang=eng&query="article+of+faith+3"

Fourth Article of Faith- pictures of Jesus Christ http://www.whymormonism.org/files/2009/09/jesus-mormon.jpg , Praying child from Primary picture  packet 1-9, Baptism from Primary picture packet 3-13, Confirmation from Primary picture packet 1-12 (all inside train car) “Faith is hope for things that we cannot see but are true. We believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and we trust Him to help and guide us.” http://www.lds.org/friend/2011/04/article-of-faith-4?lang=eng&query="article+of+faith+4 “Repentance frees us of our mistakes and sins and lets us progress to return to Heavenly Father.” http://www.lds.org/friend/2009/06/foundation-for-happiness?lang=eng&query="repentance"  “Baptism is the first step in becoming a member of Jesus Christ’s Church. We can be baptized when we are eight years old. At age eight, we are old enough to know the difference between right and wrong” The gift of the Holy Ghost is given to us by a priesthood holder after we are baptized. The Holy Ghost prompts us to choose the right, comforts us, and helps us understand eternal truths.” http://www.lds.org/friend/2011/04/article-of-faith-4?lang=eng&query="article+of+faith+4"

Fifth Article of Faith- picture of Bishop and Young woman from Gospel Art Kit 119 inside the train car  “Heavenly Father has given men the authority to do His work on earth. This authority is called the priesthood…. Members of the Church can be called to serve in their ward or branch. When a bishop needs to fill a calling in his ward, he ponders and prays about who should be called. When he receives confirmation from Heavenly Father that the person is the right one for the calling, that person is called and set apart by priesthood authority.” http://www.lds.org/friend/2011/05/article-of-faith-5?lang=eng&query="article+of+faith+5"

Sixth Article of Faith- picture of meetinghouse inside the train car http://lifebeforelife.org/files/2011/05/chapel.jpg   “Apostles and prophets who lived long ago led the Church and taught people about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Today prophets and apostles also lead Jesus Christ’s Church. The Church today is organized the same way Jesus organized His Church when He was on the earth.” http://www.lds.org/friend/2011/06/article-of-faith-6?lang=eng&query="article+of+faith+6"

Seventh Article of Faith- Missionaries picture from Primary picture packet 3-69 inside the train car http://www.meetmormonmissionaries.org/files/2009/04/missionary-visit.jpg  “Some of the blessings we receive from Heavenly Father are spiritual gifts. These gifts are given to those who are obedient and worthy to receive them.” Missionaries have the gift to speak tongues or other languages and the prophet receive revelation for us to follow and we can even our own personal revelation or guidance. Taken from http://www.lds.org/friend/2011/07/article-of-faith-7?lang=eng&query="article+of+faith+7"

Eighth Article of Faith- picture of scriptures inside the train car. http://www.lds.org/topic/book-of-mormon/images/mormons-books.jpg  “The scriptures are a record of the teachings of the prophets.. We believe and follow the teachings in four books of scripture: the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.” http://www.lds.org/friend/2011/08/article-of-faith-8?lang=eng&query="article+of+faith+8"

Ninth Article of Faith- picture of prophet President Monson inside the train car http://www.lds.org/images/Magazines/global/MonsonTS_96_rgb.jpg   “Reveal means to tell or show something. Heavenly Father reveals important truths to His prophets on the earth… Prophets who lived long ago wrote down the things that God revealed. These records are our scriptures. Today we have a living prophet—President Thomas S. Monson.” http://www.lds.org/friend/2011/09/article-of-faith-9?lang=eng&query="article+of+faith+9"
 

Tenth Article of Faith- picture of the earth Primary packet picture 1- inside the train car http://lifebeforelife.org/files/2011/05/chapel.jpg  inside the train car “A tribe is a big family of people. The Ten Tribes are families who descended from Jacob in the Old Testament, who was also called Israel. Missionaries go all over the world to help teach people about the gospel of Jesus Christ. When people accept the gospel, they are gathered into Jesus Christ’s Church. Jesus will come to live with us again and be our King. He will bring peace to the earth, and the earth will be more beautiful than it is now.” http://www.lds.org/friend/2011/09/article-of-faith-10?lang=eng&query="article+of+faith+10"

Eleventh Article of Faith- picture of children Primary packet 2-70  inside the train car
 “People worship God in many different ways. Not everyone is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But we are all children of Heavenly Father and He loves each one of us. He wants us to love one another… and show respect for others’ beliefs.”  http://www.lds.org/friend/2011/10/article-of-faith-11?lang=eng&query="article+of+faith+11"

Twelfth Article of Faith- Small flag from home country(America!!!) and/or small paper crown inside train car
“We believe it is right to follow the leaders and obey the laws of the country and city where we live. It is important to Heavenly Father that we are good citizens.” http://www.lds.org/friend/2011/11/article-of-faith-12?lang=eng&query="article+of+faith+12"

Thirteenth Article of Faith- picture of Jesus Christ with children inside train car http://www.jollyjenn.com/IKnowMySaviorLives.jpg or http://mormonyouth.org/files/2008/07/jesus-christ-children-mormon.jpg  “Everything that is good in this world is part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We should follow the teachings of Jesus and try to be better and more like Him. When we keep our promises, tell the truth, and help others, we are following the teachings of Jesus.” http://www.lds.org/friend/2011/12/article-of-faith-13?lang=eng&query="article+of+faith+13"

I hope we will learn the articles of Faith so we may have a similar experience as the boy in the story. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

 Train cars from: http://www.qacps.k12.md.us/ces/clipart/Carson%20Dellosa%20Clipart/Carson%20Dellosa%20Learning%20Themes/Images/Color%20Images/Transportation/TRAIN_CABOOSE.jpg

Train engine from: http://www.clker.com/cliparts/V/p/U/k/3/Y/loco-train-md.png

You can find a copy of the file named "Sharing time- Articles of Faith train" at my Skydrive: https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=976904c8bfc9a79e&sc=documents&id=976904C8BFC9A79E%21105)

Priesthood Keys Sharing time

Priesthood Keys Bless Us All Sharing Time

October 2012 Week 3 theme

 

Show some keys. What are these? Keys, right?!

“With a set of keys, you can do a lot of things that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to do—enter buildings, drive cars, and open trunks, among other things.  Keys, basically, mean authority and access. The same is true of priesthood keys.  They control access to the blessings and ordinances of the priesthood.  These keys are mentioned frequently in the Church, but we may not always understand them…” https://www.lds.org/new-era/2012/05/priesthood-keys?lang=eng

I have some locks that need to be unlocked with the correct priesthood keys. Some locks look different, don’t they?  That is because …“There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic… The Melchizedek Priesthood, which is “after the Order of the Son of God” [Jesus Christ], is the greater of these. It also holds “the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church”” http://www.lds.org/topics/melchizedek-priesthood?lang=eng  That is why there are special links on these locks because the Melchizedek Priesthood better links us to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  Let’s match the priesthood keys with the correct priesthood and unlock the “spiritual blessings of the church. Remember that “Although the authority of the priesthood is bestowed only on worthy male members of the Church, the blessings of the priesthood are available to all—men, women, and children.” http://www.lds.org/topics/priesthood?lang=eng&query="blessings+of+the+priesthood"

(Have a bag filled with keys that have various responsibilities of the priesthood on them.)

The keys are found on the skydrive link below. They are colored with markers

(Have a child choose a key and read the priesthood duty. Then have the children figure out if this is a key of the Aaronic Priesthood or Melchizedek Priesthood.)

Locks can be found on the skydrive at the end of the lesson. I have the top of the lock fastened with a brad so that it hinges open. I also cut a slit in the keyhole for the key to fit in.

Then try a lock to see if the duty matches the picture on the back. (I used the top of some banker boxes and put the lock one side and the picture on the other. The  Melchizedek links are tin foil.) If not a match, try another corresponding priesthood lock andlook at picture on the back. Have a child put the key in the matching hole, unlock the lock and discuss briefly the picture on the back.)

Melchizedek Priesthood keys and locks

Key - Confirm a member of the church and confer the Holy Ghost

Matching picture on back- Picture packet picture 1-12 (girl being confirmed a member of the church) could use http://www.skepticalthayne.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/gift-holy-ghost-mormon.jpg

“Worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holders place their hands upon the head of an individual and call him or her by name. Then, by the authority of the holy priesthood and in the name of the Savior, the individual is confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and this important phrase is uttered: “Receive the Holy Ghost.”” http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/receive-the-holy-ghost?lang=eng&query="melchizedek+priesthood The Holy Ghost is definitely a blessing in our lives.
 

Key - Bless the sick

Matching picture on back- Primary packet 1-40-(sick boy receiving blessing) could use http://www.mormonwiki.com/wiki/images/thumb/8/8d/Priesthood_Blessing.jpg/300px-Priesthood_Blessing.jpg

“A blessing is given by a Melchizedek Priesthood holder, by the laying on of hands and by inspiration, to one who is sick or otherwise in need of special counsel, comfort, or healing.  If the blessing is for the sick, consecrated oil is used” http://www.lds.org/topics/priesthood-blessing?lang=eng  Many times, by the power of the priesthood, the person receives a blessing and is healed from his or her sickness.

Key – Eternal marriage and sealing families together

Matching picture on back- (sealing room and alter) could use http://www.moroni10.com/LDS/Temple_Tour/SLC_Temple_Sealing_Room.jpg

“Marriage, however, can be eternal only when authorized priesthood holders perform the sealing ordinance in sacred temples” http://www.lds.org/manual/preach-my-gospel-a-guide-to-missionary-service/what-do-i-study-and-teach/lesson-5-laws-and-ordinances?lang=eng&query="laws+and+ordinances “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven… (Matt 16:19).  So with the Melchizedek Priesthood keys, we are able to have the blessing of being sealed or bound to our spouses and families now and forever.
 

Key - Bless babies

Matching picture on back- Primary packet 3-21 or  could use https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/gospel-library/manual/37108/37108_all_028_01-blessing.jpg

“The father, if he holds the Melchizedek Priesthood and is worthy, or another person who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood, holds the baby in his arms, assisted by others who must also hold the Melchizedek Priesthood, and says a prayer. In the prayer, he addresses our Father in Heaven,… and gives the baby a name that is chosen by the parents. He then blesses the baby as the Holy Ghost inspires him.” Chapter 21: Ordinances,” Gospel Fundamentals, 115 http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=11d4cb7a29c20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=e1fa5f74db46c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

Aaronic Priesthood keys and locks

Key - Baptize people into the church

Matching picture on back- Primary packet- 1-11 or http://www.mormonwiki.com/File:Bautismo2.jpg

“Only a person who has the [Aaronic or higher] priesthood can baptize others.  The person who is baptizing calls the one to be baptized by name and says a short prayer. He then puts the person being baptized completely under the water and brings him or her out of the water again.” Chapter 21: Ordinances,” Gospel Fundamentals, 115 http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=11d4cb7a29c20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=e1fa5f74db46c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD Baptism is a sacred ordinance that can only performed by priesthood keys and it is a blessing to be a member of the true church.

Key - Be a home teacher

Matching picture- (Home teaching) Gospel art kit 614 or https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOiVOnjQcYs8wLAEHTLsdWR5cmSLB-36Nto1booo_bIqZyJkV23sYdN8sB5NQB_JxYILB6l6_4lh0FuzxMwQMbQkULNN6PUB1pv1OCIgSugFL2HPd57me8bkcvUkUnprLnA_CGL-yy-M/s1600/8.jpg

“The bishop of each ward in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints assigns priesthood holders as home teachers to visit the homes of members every month. They go in pairs; often a youth holding the Aaronic Priesthood accompanies an adult holding the Melchizedek Priesthood.” http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1997/10/home-teaching-a-divine-service?lang=eng  These home teachers visit members in the home, and teach, help, challenge, care for and comfort them. Both the person being visited and those teaching receive blessings.

Key - Prepare, bless and pass the sacrament

Matching picture- (Passing the sacrament) Primary packet- 1-8 or http://store.lds.org/images/estore/products/eng/993_62021000_p_600.jpg

The ordinance of the sacrament is administered by keys of the Aaronic Priesthood. “[The Deacon at 12 years of age] passes the sacrament… [The teacher at 14 years of age] prepares the sacrament.  The honor of administering the sacrament is given to the priests [at 16 years of age], who offer the sacramental prayers.” June 2012 Liahona “Your Aaronic Priesthood Duties” http://www.lds.org/liahona/2012/06/your-aaronic-priesthood-duties?lang=eng&query="home+teacher" We have the blessing every week to partake of the sacrament.

CONCLUSION

These same important priesthood keys that were on the earth when Jesus Christ lived and eventually given to Joseph Smith, are still on the earth today so we can have those special ordinances performed that lead us back to our Heavenly Father. I hope we will honor the priesthood and live worthy of its blessings. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

      (You can find a copy of the file named "Sharing time- The Keys of the Priesthood" at my Skydrive for the keys and locks: https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=976904c8bfc9a79e&sc=documents&id=976904C8BFC9A79E%21105)