Primary 88 - That old serpent apostasy
Children,
We live in a great time in the church. We have the gospel. We have living prophets that teach us and guide us. We can attend church and live our religion. We can go to temples and do the work to unite our families. What a blessed time if we take advantage of it.
There was a time when the members of the church turned away from the prophets and the Lord. Isaiah 30:9-11 says,
9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord:
10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
11 Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.
They turn their hearts and desires away from the Lord. They didn’t want to see the light that would shine on their inequity. They wanted to live their lives how they wanted to in the darkness that only Satan can bring. And that darkness was called the apostasy.
Our Father in Heaven doesn’t want us to live in darkness or the shadows. So he created a way for the gospel to be restored. Isaiah 29:14 says:
14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
The Lord’s ways are not man’s ways. Instead of going to an educated man of the world, he called a young boy named Joseph Smith to restore the light of the gospel back to earth.
Because of Joseph smith’s willingness to learn the will of the Lord and to act on the directions of the Holy Ghost we have the gospel today. It is up to us to take advantage of the light of the gospel. The more we consume the gospel's teachings and strive to make it part of our lives the brighter we can help the light of the gospel shine forth in the world.
Let us strive to be the light of Christ. Let us drive to act in ways that will bring others to Christ. Let us work to build each other up and help each other with your service and kindness. Let us follow and honor all those that have come before us to give us the opportunities we are blessed with today.
All too often class weeds invade the garden and rooms get dirty in our homes. The same goes for sin attempting to find our weaknesses. When we are vigilant in being alert we will have to face when it it is a little like a weed. Think of weeds as something a child of God will always need to watch for and keep out. Like a small child fighting weeds, we must also realize if sin is big and we are small we must get help.
Now you must be asking why we are bringing this up. When we sin in any fashion, it is apostasy, rebellion, granted, a small one. Do you think the apostasy happened all at once? No. It was a day at a time; a sin at a time; a weed at a time. Isaiah saw this and prophesied of it and warned Israel and Judah that this was coming.
The prophet Nephi asked us to "liken the scriptures unto ourselves" (2Nephi 11:2). If you see yourself disliking the scriptures or prophets or pray less or dread fasting, wake up and see what you are doing. Satan that old serpent wants you to do exactly that. You are better and stronger than that. Seek to be diligent and mindful. Be actively engaged in good things. Avoid wickedness. You are great kids. Have a great week.
We love and pray for you guys. We are blessed to teach and learn from you.
Challenges
1) Read Isaiah 40-49
2) in a journal write down how you can take advantage of the restored gospel. How can you strengthen your testimony and bring forth a light of the gospel? Then go through the week and record your experiences as you do so.
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