Quotes from Teaching the Savior's Way:

The goal of every gospel teacher—every parent, every formally called teacher, every home teacher and visiting teacher, and every follower of Christ—is to teach the pure doctrine of the gospel, by the Spirit, in order to help God’s children build their faith in the Savior and become more like Him.

There are many things to teach about in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ—principles, commandments, prophecies, and scripture stories. But all of these are branches of the same tree, for they all have one purpose: to help all people come unto Christ and be perfected in Him (see Jarom 1:11; Moroni 10:32). So no matter what you are teaching, remember that you are really teaching about Jesus Christ and how to become like Him. The Holy Ghost can help you learn to recognize truths about the Savior and His redeeming power in each gospel principle, commandment, and prophetic teaching (see Jacob 7:10–11).

Are you teaching about sacrifice? Consider exploring with learners how the sacrifices we make point our souls to the Savior’s “great and last sacrifice” (Alma 34:10). Are you teaching about unity? Consider discussing the unity Jesus Christ achieved with His Father and His invitation for us to be one with Them (see John 17). See every gospel topic as an opportunity to teach and learn about Jesus Christ.

Every commandment also provides this opportunity. Don’t just focus on the laws of the gospel—learn also about the Lawgiver. If you discuss the Word of Wisdom and stop at the dos and don’ts of healthy living, you miss the opportunity to ponder how deeply Jesus Christ must care about us—both our spiritual and physical well-being—to give us this law. Focus on how willing and anxious the Savior is to bless us with His power to help us live His laws. Every commandment He gives us reveals something about His mind and will and heart—find joy in discovering this together!

Steven Muir

I have thought about Laman and Lemuel lately and the time they lived, and why their attitude may have been the way it was. They lived in the post-era of a miracle, Jerusalem was saved by the Lord from the Assyrian army but still, Isaiah and many prophets had come and were preaching repentance or the destruction of Jerusalem would happen.

The Lord had led away Lehi and his family before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian Army. I don’t know for sure, but I would imagine Lamen and Lemuel thought they were being faithful, believing the Lord would save Jerusalem and their people again. Laman and Lemuel did leave with their family, leaving behind all their possessions, which was an act of faith and obedience, but murmured and complained, never seeking answers from the Lord to gain their own testimonies along their journey. And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father. And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them. 1 Nephi 2:12

As we consistently choose to be obedient to the commandments, covenants, and the Lord's prophets, we choose to be like our Savior and we choose to grow in light and understanding of the Will of God.

“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” Hebrews 5:8-9

President Joseph Fielding Smith taught,“Obedience is the first law of heaven.” President Harold B. Lee later taught, “The safety of the church lies in the members keeping the commandments… As they keep the commandments, blessings will come.” President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “The happiness of the Latter-day Saints, the peace of the Latter-day Saints, the progress of the Latter-day Saints, the prosperity of the Latter-day Saints, and the eternal salvation and exaltation of this people lie in walking in obedience to the counsels of God.

As we are obedient to our Savior and His prophets, following His example, seeking understanding and constant change through repentance, we will be the Lord's people, Individually, as a family, as a ward, and as a stake.

“Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come. …

“The Spirit of truth is of God. …

“And no man receiveth a fullness unless he keepeth his commandments.

“He that keepeth [God’s] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.”

D&C 93:24,26-28

The Savior is real and He is leading his church through His prophets and apostles. He not only is our example but our advocate and our Redeemer. I know there is safety and happiness as we follow His counsel and direction.

Love,

Sister Jennifer Bang, 1st Counselor in the Stake Relief Society Presidency

Missionaries Called-

• Mari Ashton- Solon, Nevada Las Vegas Mission, Spanish Speaking

• Riley Chapman- Kirtland, California Santa Rosa Mission, English Speaking

• Leann Clark- Hiram, Idaho Idaho Falls Mission, English Speaking

• Rachel Potter- Chardon, Japan Kobe Mission, Japanese Speaking

• Aaron Sears- Hiram, Florida Orlando Mission, English Speaking

Missionaries Returning-

• Benson Mowrey- Solon, New Mexico Farmington Mission

• Allyson Moffitt- Solon, Alaska Anchorage Mission

• Annie Weight- Kirtland, Russia Moscow Mission

We are excited to announce that the theme for the Nativity Exhibit this year will once again be "Behold, the Savior of the World."

We will begin collecting nativity sets for the display beginning Sunday, October 16 through Sunday, October 30. You can personally bring your nativity set(s) directly to the Historic Kirtland Visitors Center or you can coordinate with your ward nativity exhibit representatives to have the nativity sets from your ward brought to the center together.

The Nativity Exhibit will open from Sunday, November 27 through Saturday, December 31. More details are forthcoming.

Kirtland Stake Nativity Committee