Primary 68 - Our Goden Calves

Children, 

At times we think that we need to make "gods" or "helpers" to substitute for what the Savior "can't" do. We want to fulfill His promises our way because we may think He, the God of heaven and earth, needs our help. "After all, all", say we in our hearts, "He can't do His promised blessings". Children, do not seek to school God because you think He doesn't know something. He knows everything.

There is nothing that the Savior and Father can't do. When the Children of Israel had all that they had it seems that old habits die super hard. When Moses left for further light and knowledge, he was gone too long (by Israel's standard) and that led to people looking for solutions where Heavenly Father could have led them to the same light and knowledge that Moses was looking for.

This is not exclusive to our ancestors. At times, we are like Israel (the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree) we think that we need to help Father with our lives, our skills, talents, money, resources must help God because He is slow to respond or doesn't seem to hear our prayers. 

Brothers and sisters, heaven needs no help. While you and heaven working together is part of the equation, it's important to realize the fundamentals of faith, prayer, and dependence and how it leads us to where we need to be each step of our lives. What heaven has given us is enough. When we create idols to self-medicate or self-motivate and build our esteem, strength, and faith, these are crutches that keep us from the better blessings. 

Sometimes life asks us to wait for the blessings like Abraham who was asked to wait 100 years for a blessing of a son. He tried to help Jehovah by offering his man-servant then his non-covenant son Ishmael. God needed no help. He did the promise His way.

When Israel created their "crutch" it showed Jehovah they were not ready for the promised land. Complaints about water, food, delay of travel, etc, led to making promises and covenants but not keeping them. It doesn't do well if you make a promise or covenant and do not keep it.

You and we have made covenants as children of baptism and have been given a constant companion, the Holy Ghost, for our whole lives. That is our start. Keep your covenants. When you feel you are becoming reliant on crutches that take you from the spirit of the Savior or the spirit of the Sabbath, think about the course you are on and how you may need to correct it. Is this an idol that pulls you away from the Spirit or a token that draws you to the Spirit like a picture of the Savior or your favorite temple? We want you to prepare yourselves for promises that will be yours. Be patient. Even Joseph had to wait in jail for a while before his release. We hope you learn a ton this year from the scriptures. We love and pray for you guys.

Brother Keller and Bingham

Challenges 
1) Read Exodus 35-40, Leviticus 1, 16, 19
2) What are you putting before the Lord? Write down your thoughts and what you can do to keep the Lord first?

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