Duty to God

My next lesson in Relief Society is about the organization of the priesthood, which is part of the reason why I'm posting about priesthood and why I will be studying it for the next little while. I am aware that Grant will be 12 before I know it, and I also realize that he is learning a lot about the priesthood even at age 3. And I am married to someone who holds the priesthood and my daughter will be marrying someone who can hold the priesthood.
There is a new Duty to God program coming out. It sounds like it focuses on helping young men understand their responsibilities and also become better men. Advancing in the priesthood is something that we may consider just a given, but I need to learn more about it so I can appreciate it more. There are people in Relief Society who have sons, or son-in-laws, grandsons, husbands, brothers, etc and women need to learn about the priesthood so we can support it.
Here is an excellent talk by the YM President called The Magnificent Aaronic Priesthood that sort of outlines the new program. I really really like the format of the program and can't wait to get a book- first you learn about a principle and develop a testimony about it (kind of like what I'm doing to teach this lesson) then you make plans to act on what you've learned, and finally you share your experience with others. Sounds like a great teaching model!

The Power of the Priesthood

"The ultimate end of all activity in the Church is that a man and his wife and their children might be happy at home, protected by the principles and laws of the gospel, sealed safely in the covenants of the everlasting priesthood. Every law and principle and power, every belief, every ordinance and ordination, every covenant, every sermon and every sacrament, every counsel and correction, the sealings, the calls, the releases, the service-- all these have as their ultimate purpose the perfection of the individual and the family..."
President Packer's talk "The Power of the Priesthood"

The Atonement

I am teaching Relief Society on Sunday. I've been thinking about this lesson since early May since I didn't teach that month due to stake conference. I remember one time when I was younger, before I was married, wanting to know more about the atonement. I tried to study it, but never felt like i learned too much. I went about it all wrong. I've been reading about the life of Christ in the book of John and also trying to read from the Book of Mormon each day and writing my thoughts. I am almost finished, so I'm reading about Moroni. Reading the scriptures and praying is teaching more about the atonement than anything I've done so far. I have loved studying this lesson. It's opening my eyes! I hope that on Sunday I can help the sisters feel the Spirit and learn more about the atonement. I sometimes think the best way to learn is to hear testimonies of others, so hopefully others are willing to share.

Stories of Jesus

What a powerful talk. I knew I liked it the first time I heard it, but after rereading it, I am amazed at how much I missed! :) I am looking forward to reading all the scriptures that were referenced so I can be familiar enough with the stories of Jesus that I can tell them to Grant and Kadri.

Quote from Elder Anderson's talk

"We hold in our arms the rising generation. They come to this earth with important responsibilities and great spiritual capacities. We cannot be casual in how we prepare them. Our challenge as parents and teachers is not to create a spiritual core in their souls but rather to fan the flame of their spiritual core already aglow with the fire of their premortal faith."

That is comforting to know, but it also reminds me of my duty to teach my children!