Thomas S. Monson
The First Presidency: (left to right) Henry B. Eyring, Thomas S. Monson, Dieter F. Uchtdorf.
Thomas S. Monson Named
16th Church President
SALT LAKE CITY 4 February 2008 Thomas S. Monson is the new president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it was announced today at a news conference in the Church Office Building. President Monson, 80, succeeds President Gordon B. Hinckley, who died 27 January 2008.
The new world leader of the Church has called to serve with him in the First Presidency, the top governing body of the 13-million-member faith, President Henry B. Eyring, 74, first counselor, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 67, second counselor.
At the press conference, President Monson spoke of President Hinckley’s dedication and love for the people, and signaled “no abrupt changes” for the course of the Church.
The new Church leader also paid tribute to the many hallmarks of President Hinckley’s administration, including the building of temples and the creation of the Perpetual Education Fund, a program for providing loans to young Church members so they can pay for their education. President Monson called the Perpetual Education Fund “a miracle.”
When asked by a reporter about his own desire to reach out to the poor and the needy, President Monson said he learned it from his mother. He grew up watching her help young men, with meals and encouragement, coming to the West of the United States looking for employment during the Depression.
One way that this attribute became part of his life was in the way he served the 84 widows in his congregation while he was a young bishop and for decades afterward. He said that they all asked him to speak at their funerals, assignments he was happy to accept notwithstanding heavy travel and other commitments.
Responding to a reporter’s question about the Church’s openness in working with other churches and groups, President Monson said: “We should not be sequestered in a little cage. We should eliminate the weakness of the one standing alone and substitute it with the strength of working together to make this a better world.”
“I believe in that spirit,” he said.
Both counselors acknowledged their new leader’s commitment to people.
“I’ve come to know of his goodness,” said President Eyring.
President Uchtdorf said, “I know of his heart, his soul, his commitment, his wonderful love for the people.”
It was also announced that President Boyd K. Packer, 83, is the new president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Jenny Hatch
Paul and the boys made me a wonderful supper last saturday for my birthday. The girls and I went to the movies and it was just a nice day overall. Jenny Hatch
Pushed Birth has an overview of the push for midwives movement.
“Nevermind that you haven’t heard the candidates debating a woman’s “right to choose” where, how, and with whom she gives birth. Activists are thrusting the issue onto the political agenda anyway, from all sides of the ideological spectrum. Last week in Chicago, a nonpartisan coalition of consumer advocates launched The Big Push for Midwives campaign to license certified professional midwives in every state. Currently these trained midwives, whose competency in caring for normal birth is supported by rigorous study, cannot obtain a license in several states, which forces them to practice underground, which isn’t good for anybody.”
For those of you curious about how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints hands over the keys of Church Presidency, Please refer to this article hosted on the churchs web site.
Guests including government, political, business and faith leaders wait for the start of today’s funeral service. Link to the funeral services for Gordon B. Hinckley Jenny Hatch
Below is a series of videos, article links, and other insights into the life of President Gordon B. Hinckley
The lesson I get to teach on sunday is perhaps the most important in the manual. I am looking forward to covering the material with the 12 and 13 year olds in my class. We always have a spirit filled discussion. Jenny Hatch The Atonement of Jesus Christ
Note to the teacher
The Atonement of Jesus Christ is at the center of the gospel. Through the Atonement, we have the opportunity to repent and gain exaltation. Giving class members an understanding of the Atonement is a challenging assignment that can only be fulfilled with the help of the Spirit. As with all lessons, seek direction from the Spirit as you prepare and teach this lesson (see Teaching—No Greater Call, 13).
Suggested Lesson Development Jesus Christ Gave His Life for Us
Story
Using your own words, relate the following true story:
On a cold, wintry day in 1982, an airplane crashed into a bridge in Washington, D.C., and landed in the Potomac River. Most of the people on the plane were killed immediately, but six people got out of the plane and hung on to its tail while two men in a helicopter threw them a life preserver. The water was very cold, and it was hard
Jesus Blessing the Children
to hang on to the plane. The rescuers were afraid that the passengers might lose their grip and drown before they could be pulled out and carried to safety. The rescuers noticed that one man seemed to be more alert than the others, so they lowered the life preserver to him. But every time they did this, he passed the life preserver to someone else so the other person could be rescued first. When the other five people were safe, the helicopter went back for the man, but he was gone. (See Roger Rosenblatt, “The Man in the Water,” Time, 25 Jan. 1982, 86; see also Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, May 1983, 56.) Discussion
• What do you think of this man’s actions? What might you have done in this situation? What Christlike qualities did this man demonstrate? Picture presentation
Display the four pictures of Jesus Christ. Explain that the man in the river did a great thing when he selflessly gave his own life to save the lives of five other people. But Jesus Christ did an even greater thing: he gave his life to save the spiritual lives of everyone on earth. This lesson will discuss Jesus Christ’s role as our Savior. We Need a Savior
Discussion
Ask class members to review what they remember about the Fall from the previous lesson.
Remind class members that because Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, both spiritual and physical death came into the world.
• What happens in physical death? (A person’s body is separated from his or her spirit.)
• What happens in spiritual death? (A person is separated from Heavenly Father.)
Explain that without a Savior, both physical death and spiritual death would be permanent. After death our bodies and spirits would be separated forever, and we would be unable to live with Heavenly Father again. But just as the Fall was part of Heavenly Father’s plan, Heavenly Father also planned for us to have a Savior who would overcome both physical and spiritual death. Jesus Christ Was Chosen to Be Our Savior
Scripture discussion
Have one or more class members read aloud John 1:1–3, 14 and Moses 4:2 (you may need to explain that “the Word” in John 1 is used as a name for Jesus Christ). Remind class members that Jesus Christ was with Heavenly Father before the earth was created and that he was chosen in the premortal world to create the earth and become our Savior.
• How was Jesus’ existence on earth different from everyone else’s? Why are these differences important?
Answers may vary, but bring out that Jesus was the Only Begotten Son of Heavenly Father (Heavenly Father was the father of Jesus’ physical body as well as his spirit) and that he was the only person to lead a sinless life on earth. Explain that these two qualities—his Godhood and his sinlessness—were necessary to enable Christ to atone for our sins and be our Savior.
• What does the word atone mean? (As used in the scriptures, to atone is to “correct or overcome the consequences of sin” and make “at one” people who have been separated [see “Atonement,” Bible Dictionary, 617].)
• How does Jesus Christ’s Atonement help us become “at one” with Heavenly Father?
Refer to the four pictures shown earlier in the lesson. Explain that eternal law, or justice, requires that whoever violates a law must be punished. Through his suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and his death on the cross, Jesus Christ took upon himself the punishment for the sins of everyone who ever lived on the earth. Because of this Atonement, we can repent of our sins, be freed from guilt, and be worthy to dwell with Heavenly Father again.
Because of Jesus Christ We Can Be Saved If We Repent Video presentation
Show the video segment “The Mediator.” If the videocassette is not available, read or tell the story in the fourth enrichment activity. Before you start the video or tell the story, you may need to explain that a debtor is someone who borrows or owes money, and a creditor is someone who lends money.
Discussion
After you have shown the video or shared the story, explain that this story is a parable symbolizing our relationship with our Savior.
• Who does the debtor represent? (Each of us.)
• What does the creditor represent? (The laws of justice.)
• Who does the debtor’s friend represent? (Jesus Christ.)
Explain that when we agreed to come to earth and receive bodies, we knew that we would sometimes make wrong decisions. Our sins are like the debt of the man in the story. The laws of justice demand that our sins be paid for if we are to return to live with Heavenly Father again. Because Jesus was sinless and the Only Begotten Son of Heavenly Father, he was the only one who could atone for our sins and satisfy justice.
• In the story, the mediator (the debtor’s friend) said he would become the debtor’s new creditor. The debt would be repaid on his terms. What terms has Christ set for us? In other words, what must we do to receive all the blessings of Christ’s Atonement? Scripture discussion
To help class members find the answer, have three class members each read aloud one of the following scriptures: John 3:16, 2 Nephi 9:21–22, and Doctrine and Covenants 19:16.
Explain that because of Christ’s Atonement for us, we are unconditionally saved from physical death. Everyone will be resurrected. But in order to be saved from spiritual death and be with Heavenly Father again, we must believe in Christ, follow and obey him, and repent of our sins.
• What will happen to us if we do not repent of our sins? (See D&C 19:17–18; we will have to suffer for our own sins.)
• What would have happened to the debtor in the story if his friend had not offered to help him? (He would have gone to prison and had all his possessions taken away.) What would happen to us if Jesus Christ had not atoned for us? (See 2 Nephi 9:7–9; we would not be resurrected, and our sins in this life would keep us out of the presence of Heavenly Father forever.)
• How do you feel, knowing that Jesus Christ has paid the price for your sins? (Invite class members to answer this question to themselves if they do not wish to share their feelings with the class.) Testimony
Testify of the Savior’s love for each class member, which he showed by atoning for our sins. Express your gratitude for his Atonement.
Urge class members to follow Jesus Christ and repent of their sins so they may receive the full blessings of Christ’s Atonement.
