I think serving as the Ward Communications Specialist has been one of my very favorite callings. Typically I miss out on all the ward news- I guess I just don't have friends who are very gossipy! It seems like I'm the last person to find out someone's son was in a terrible accident or someone's baby came early. At least putting the announcements in the weekly email and bulletin part of the program kept me up on what all the auxiliaries were doing.
Our ward folds the programs hot dog style (long and lean) rather than hamburger style (short and squat). It's so unique, I had to keep that but I did increase the font to as large as possible so it could be read without glasses. The programs used to have the birthdays for the whole month but it took up so much room, I reduced it to just the upcoming week. I also took out the full address for missionaries from our ward. After polling parents, they said everyone sends emails. However, I did add them to the bulletin board where I posted weekly letters from them.
My sister Katrina did their ward's program and she always had a kid's corner. She also hid a CTR ring somewhere in the program and I had a lot of fun doing that. Every now and again during sacrament meeting I would get a text from someone struggling to find it- or telling me it was way too easy to find and to make it harder next time. The kids could do a maze, word find, color a picture, find hidden objects, unscramble words or even draw the second half of a picture. They usually coordinated with the topic being taught that day or the time of year. To be honest, I saw more teenagers and adults actually doing them but I'm glad I included the kid's corner nonetheless. My hope was that the program would reflect our congregation and children are an important part of our ward family.
I loved scouring the internet for new artwork! My favorite part was a small section at the bottom of the bulletin I called Did You Know? It was here that I took an opportunity to kind of bear my testimony or share a little tidbit which helped me to feel the Spirit and I wanted to pass along. Recently it came to my attention the current bishopric was struggling to remember who has spoken in church and the previous bishopric didn't write it down. It was a great excuse to pull out those old programs and I decided to record the images and Did You Know? so I can look back on those more easily. Sometimes there wasn't room for them and in looking at my files some of my cover pages are missing but I've included what I have. I'm also including pictures of the bulletin boards I created. Enjoy!
The bulletin board had been long neglected and so I ripped off all the old embellishments and removed all the old staples. I kind of likes it just fresh and clean so I decided to do a plain black background asking a simple question: How do you define your faith? I receive Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day and over time I collected many that had made me rethink gospel concepts. Words like atone, dissemble, upbraid, parable, adversity, quorum, and diligent. My hope was that this would be a place that someone pacing the halls with a fussy baby or someone who was late to church could still glean some gospel insight.
February 24, 2019
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If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Matthew 17: 20-21 |
Did You Know? Members of the church are entitled to FREE accounts at several Family History sites such as Ancestry.com, FindMyPast.com, MyHeritage.com, American Ancestors and Geneanet. That's a $900 annual value. The worth of souls is great indeed! Find a genealogy expert in the Family History Library.
March 10, 2019
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| Jesus in the Synagogue at Nazareth by Greg K. Olsen |
Did You Know? If you feel the sacrament bread is extra savory, it’s not just because you are fasting today. The tradition of baking homemade bread for the sacrament began decades ago by Carl Johnson. During one YW activity, he taught the girls how to make the bread. Since Brother Johnson departed our ward, various young women have carried on the tradition.
March 17, 2019
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| Shouting Hosanna by Minerva Teichert |
Did You Know? You may be related to the noisy family a few rows ahead of you! Go to https://www.relativefinder.org/#/groups/24245/join and select “Crystal Lake 1st Ward”. This will connect any work done on your family tree with others in the ward. No connections? Time to visit the Family History Library and find your kindred dead so you can find your kindred alive.
March 24, 2019
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| Jesus Blessing Jarius's Daughter (Christ Raising the Daughter of Jarius) by Greg K. Olsen |
Did You Know? On March 9, President Russel M. Nelson became the first leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to have a formal audience with the head of the Roman Catholic Church. President Nelson gifted Pope Francis a copy of the proclamation on the family and a Lladro Christus and their discussion centered on shared beliefs.
March 31, 2019
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| Healing at the Pool of Bethesda by Carl Bloch |
Did You Know? Because it is always twice a year, General Conference is a great time to change air and drinking filters, change batteries in smoke detectors, and to either winterize or spring clean. It’s also a great time to clean out and update food storage not to mention those 72 hour kits and car emergency supplies!
My Easter bulletin board was actually pretty simple- these are all things we have on cards that we hang up throughout Holy Week.
April 14, 2019
Did You Know? At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington DC, a guard serves as sentinel 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Rain or shine, this is done in honor of those men “known but to God” who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Guards do not wear insignia, so as to not outrank the Unknowns. To serve as sentinel and “walk the mat” is considered one of the highest military honors.
In our temples, the same ceremonial clothing is worn by all. “There is no insignia or rank. The highest apostle and the newest member are indistinguishable when dressed in the same way. ” (see ChurchofChrist.org “Sacred Temple Clothing”)
To serve as sentinel for the Lord’s Second Coming and “walk the straight and narrow” is considered one of our highest honors.
April 21, 2019
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| It was unthinkable, impossible, unfathomable, unprecedented. A single act that changed history, destiny. He was a carpenter, a teacher, an outcast, a leader. Yet He did what no carpenter, teacher, outcast or leader had ever done. Like all who preceded Him, He lived and He died but unlike all who preceded Him, He rose from the dead. He lived again. He lives and because he lives, we all will live again. Because of Him, death has no sting; the grave no victory. We can start again and again and again. Because of Him, guilt becomes peace, regret becomes relief, despair becomes hope. Because of Him, we have second chances, clean slates, new beginnings. There is no such thing as the end, because of Him. #becauseofhim |
Did You Know? In his book Jesus the Christ, James E Talmadge writes, “...the veil of the temple which hung between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies was rent from top to bottom, and the interior, which none but the high priest had been permitted to see, was thrown open to common gaze. It was the rending of Judaism, the consummation of the Mosaic dispensation, and the inauguration of Christianity under apostolic administration.
April 28, 2019
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| Chicago Temple Fountain by Scott Jarvie |
Did You Know? Rather than hunting down a member of the bishopric, you can pay your tithing online! Log on to ChurchofJesusChrist.org and scroll down to Quick Links. Select Online Donations and your information will be automatically populated. You can also check your donation history and print out statements.
May 5, 2019
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| Christus by Bertel Thorvaldsen |
Did You Know? Of the 10 women in the Relief Society Presidency and Board:
6 have experienced financial problems
4 have experienced infertility
6 have family that identify as LGBTQ+
9 have family with addictions
2 are battling chronic illness
2 have experienced divorce
1 is a stepmom
7 have loved ones incarcerated
1 has experienced death of a spouse
All have been affected by depression or anxiety
8 have lived internationally
4 are stay-at-home moms
9 are community leaders
4 hold a graduate degree
9 work outside the home
May 12, 2019
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| Living Water (Jesus and the Samaritan Woman) by Simon Dewey |
Did You Know? After the completion of the English translation of the Book of Mormon in 1830, the next translation was into Danish in 1851. This was followed by French, Welsh, German, and Italian in 1952. Another complete translation was not done until 1855- Hawaiian.
Of all the boards I did, this one was far and away my favorite because it received the most attention. I worked with the Ward Clerk to get a list of everyone who had served a mission and then contacted each individual to verify the exact location (I only had a list of countries). Then I marked them on this map and put a challenge to match the member with their mission. I thought it would take weeks, maybe even months for everyone to figure it out! By the end of the day it was done (I'm told by just two guys playing hooky from Elder's Quorum). Week after week I would find a crowd of people just looking at this map and the Mission President and his wife even admired it when they were in the building for interviews. It was really cool to see all the places in the world just the people from our ward have served.
May 26, 2019
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| The Servant by Yongsung Kim |
Did You Know? The closest German translation for the English word “charity” is “nachstenliebe” or “next love”.
Consider Matthew 22: 36- 40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Thus we see that our first love should be our Heavenly Father. Our nachsenliebe, or our “next love” should be for our fellowman.
*Incidentally, there is no word for love in Klingon. The closet translations are “unhate” or “honor”
June 2, 2019
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| The Hand of God by Yongsung Kim |
Did You Know? Every morning when we open our eyes, the incoming light scorches away the top layer of our retina. We literally get to see the world with new eyes every day. How we perceive our world is a different matter entirely.
Consider Alma 33: 22 ...then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, and that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last judgement day, according to their works.
Thus we see it is up to us to seek Christ and view the world as he does.
June 9, 2019
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| Covered Wagon Pioneers, Madonna at Dawn by Minerva Teichert |
Did You Know? Pioneer William Clayton not only penned the hymn Come, Come Ye Saints, but he is a contributor to the modern-day odometer. Brigham Young assigned Clayton to record the number of miles the Saints traveled every day. Initially, this was accomplished tying a red flag to the spoke of a wagon wheel and then computing the day’s distance by multiplying the wheel’s circumference. This quickly became tiring and so Clayton consulted with apostle and mathematician Orson Pratt. A set of cogs that counted wheel rotations was built by company carpenter Appleton Milo Harmon and was called a “roadometer.”
June 16, 2019
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| Moses Calls Aaron to the Ministry by Harry Anderson |
Did You Know? The Salt Lake temple façade is full of gospel symbolism, including the priesthood. The three spires on the east side represent the Melchizedek priesthood and are a little higher than the three spires on the west, that represent the Aaronic priesthood. All four corners of the temple have winding stairwells containing windows. The east stairwells have five floors of windows, which represent the offices of the Melchizedek priesthood: Elder, High Priest, Patriarch, Seventy and Apostle. The stairwells on the west side have only four floors of windows, with the top level just solid stone. These represent the offices of the Aaronic priesthood: Deacon, Teacher, Priest and Bishop.
June 23, 2019
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| O Jerusalem by Greg Olsen |
Did You Know? Adolph Haag sickened and died while serving a mission in Palestine in 1892. Not long after, Alexander Clark arrived but contracted smallpox and also died in 1895. Their bodies could not be shipped home and they were laid to rest in an obscure area north of Jerusalem. For nearly a century, the young men rested in their graves while upheaval, political intrigue and wars raged in Palestine. During a relatively peaceful moment, the Church asked permission to build a center for semester abroad students. The request was denied. Jewish law required that the presence of a church be physically evident for several decades before permission to build in Jerusalem could be granted. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a very new religion. Jerusalem officials were invited to the overgrown cemetery in Haifa to see the graves of Adolph and Alexander, the faintly etched writing on the stones still readable. The graves provided proof that the Church had been physically present before the turn of the century. Permission was granted. The BYU Jerusalem Center was constructed prominently next to the Mount of Olives and attracted 70,000 tourists a year. Advertising wasn’t necessary. Both Jews and Arabs called it the “Mormon University” and included it on tour agendas. The Jerusalem Center introduced the gospel without preaching a word.
Wrinkled Missionaries by Phyllis Gunderson pgs. 27-28
June 30, 2019
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| Jehovah Created the Earth by Walter Rane |
Did You Know? Shin’ichi Suzuki was a Japanese violinist who wanted to bring beauty to the lives of children through music. His country had been devastated by World War II and while Japan was rebuilding, Suzuki developed an innovative approach to teaching music. Suzuki noted that babies learn to speak before they learn to read. He felt that if an instrument were scaled to child-size, and the lessons broken down into small enough steps, anyone could learn to play an instrument. Suzuki believed that music would help children to develop good moral character. He said, “Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline and endurance. They get a beautiful heart.” Today the Suzuki Method is an internationally known music curriculum for a panoply of instruments. Young violinists begin by learning Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and finish with the ability to play Mozart concertos.
July 7, 2019
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| Family of Lehi Camped in the Promised Land by Gary L. Kapp |
Did You Know? "It is not by chance or coincidence that we have the Bible today," said Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. "Men like John Wycliffe, the courageous William Tyndale, and Johannes Gutenburg were prompted against much opposition to translate the Bible into language people could understand and to publish it in books people could read. I believe even the scholars of King James had spiritual promptings in their translation work." The unique skills possessed by those who translated the King James Bible were at their apex during this time. The translators were all learned biblical scholars and linguists. It would be really difficult today to gather 50 scholars with the knowledge of ancient languages possessed by these men. Lancelot Andrewes was typical of those selected. He had command of 15 languages. Considered one of the most learned men in England, he was also a spiritual leader. He was royal chaplain to Queen Elizabeth and King James. His sermons left listeners wanting more. In fact, King James slept with Andrewes sermons under his pillow.
August 2011 Ensign pgs. 41-42
July 14, 2019
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| Pioneer Temple by Clayton Vance |
Did You Know? Although the original Nauvoo temple was topped by an angel, it was never supposed to be Moroni. The idea of using the Book of Mormon prophet actually came from sculptor Cyrus Dallin, who was not a member of the church. Tasked by President Wilford Woodruff to create something for the central spire of the Salt Lake Temple, Dallin vigorously researched the church and determined his angel to be Moroni announcing the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (see Revelations 14:6). Dallin stated that his experience with the project, "brought me nearer to God than anything I ever did. It seemed to me that I came to know what it means to commune with angels from heaven." Not all statues of the angel Moroni face east. Although the majority do face easterly, temples throughout the world have angels facing in all directions (see 3dtemples for infographic). Due to earthquakes, some have shifted the direction they face. There are 6 models of angel Moroni used on all temples- all with a trumpet but some include gold plates or a scroll. Several temples have no angel such as Oakland, CA, Laie, HI and Paris, France.
July 21, 2019
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| The Prodigal Son by Clark Kelley Price |
Did You Know? Hebrew is alphanumeric meaning every word has a numeric value. When Christ tells Peter he must forgive not just 7 times, but 70 times 7, that number equals 490. This is the numerical value of the Hebrew word “tamim” which means “complete,” “perfect,” or “finished.” A person who can’t forgive will always live an imperfect, and incomplete life that lacks a true understanding of the “finished” works of Christ. 490 is also the value of the Hebrew phrase, “Let your heart be perfect” (1 Kings 8:61). Forgiving helps to make us complete and is key to perfecting our heart.
But there are some even deeper connections. The words nativity and Bethlehem both individually add up to 490. This makes perfect sense since Jesus was born so that we might be forgiven. Forgiveness is associated with bread in the Lord’s prayer, ”Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Just like a person can’t live without their daily bread, an individual can’t survive spiritually without forgiveness. All of us need to learn to forgive and be forgiven.
Quoted from Infusion with Rabbi Jason
July 28, 2019
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| The Widows' Mite by James Christensen |
Did You Know? The inventors of the tater tot were members of the church! F. Nephi and Golden Grigg found a use for leftover potato scraps from making French fries by shredding them, and adding flour and seasoning. Initially, tater tots were not well-received so the low price was raised to make them seem more classy. They are now a staple of any American lunchroom and can be found throughout the world. The Griggs also founded the company Ore Ida which is a syllabic abbreviation of the first few letters of Oregon and Idaho. Love your tater tots? Ontario, Oregon (where their invention took place) is hosting a tater tot festival in 2020 that will include a tater tot eating contest.
August 4, 2019
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| Christ Calling Peter & Andrew by James T. Harwood |
Did You Know? Your oven and refrigerator are probably Jewish. Built into them is something called “Sabbath mode” which helps observant Jews to use them within the guidelines of Sabbath day worship. According to Halakha, raw food may not be cooked on the Sabbath, but food that is already cooked may be warmed. Your oven can be programmed to stay on for 72 hours, overriding the automatic shut off of 12 hours. When a refrigerator is opened, typically an internal light turns on and the compressor engages as the temperature rises. Sabbath mode keeps the light off and does not engage the compressor, even when the door is opened.
August 11, 2019
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| Jonah on the Beach at Nineveh by Daniel A. Lewis |
Did You Know? Over the past year, members of the church have submitted 45,000+ suggestions for a revised hymn book. One song in particular tops the list- Come, Thou Font of Every Blessing. Originally a part of our hymn book , it was removed in the 1985 revision because it was not well known at the time. Tabernacle Choir conductor & director Mack Wilburg wrote an iconic arrangement, bringing the hymn back to the fore. Look for Come, Thou Font of Every Blessing to return with this newest revision!
August 18, 2019
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Brothers and Sisters, how can we become the men and women--the Christ-like servants--the Lord needs us to be? How can we find answers to questions that perplex us? If Joseph Smith’s transcendent experience in the Sacred Grove teaches us anything, it is that the heavens are open and that God speaks to His children. ~President Russell M. Nelson April 2018 General Conference |
Did You Know? The effects of spiritual practice appear to be more than just the result of enhanced focus and concentration. Ken Pargement of Bowling Green State University instructed one group of people who suffer migraines to meditate 20 minutes each day repeating a spiritual affirmation, such as “God is good. God is peace. God is love.” The other group used a nonspiritual mantra: “Grass is green. Sand is soft.” The spiritual meditators had fewer headaches and more tolerance of pain than those who had focused on the neutral phrases.
Why People Who Pray Are Healthier Than Those Who Don’t by Richard Shiffman
August 25, 2019
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| Conversion of Alma the Younger by Gary L. Kapp |
Did You Know? The Yale University coat of arms contains a field of blue with an open book inscribed with the Hebrew words “Urim & Thummim.” A Urim & Thummim was an object included in the breastplate of Aaron, the High Priest, in the Old Testament. There are various interpretations of the Hebrew words such as “lights and perfection”, “revelation and truth” and “to teach and be true.” At the time Yale began using it on their coat of arms, it was commonly thought to mean “light and truth.” A Urim & Thummim was also used by the prophet Joseph Smith to translate the Book of Mormon into English.
September 1, 2019
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If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou are in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea; If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies call upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father & mother & brethren & sisters; & if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, & of thine offspring, & thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, & shall say, My father, my father, why can’t you stay with us? O my father, what are the men going to do with you? & if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, & thou be dragged to prison, & thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb; And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, & the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, & all the elements combine to hedge up the way; & above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, & shall be for thy good. Doctrine & Covenants 122: 5-7 |
Did You Know? On February 27, 1833 Joseph Smith received revelation recorded as Doctrine and Covenants 89 and known as the Word of Wisdom. Since that time, numerous substances have become a part of mainstream society and it can be difficult to gauge whether they are permissible or not. A recent New Era article offers clarification. Among those substances which are considered addictive and/or harmful to the body, add: vaping, e-cigarettes, mocha, latte, macchiato, green tea, iced tea, marijuana and opioids. It is noted the latter two items should be avoided as they are habit forming although they are permissible if prescribed by a physician for a specific medical purpose. Additionally, drinks with names that include cafe, caffe, espresso or anything ending in -ccino usually have coffee in them and are against the Word of Wisdom.
Vaping, Coffee, Tea, and Marijuana August 2019 New Era
September 8, 2019
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| Jesus Washing Peter’s Feet by Ford Madox Brown |
Did You Know? While another word for “humble” may be “teachable”, its opposite is hubris. Defined as “excessive pride or self-confidence,” examples of hubris are everywhere from the Titanic to the Edsel to Fyre Festival. Hubris is a common theme in literature as well. In his famous epic Paradise Lost, John Milton wrote about the fall of Satan when his hubris made him try to take over Heaven. Although he fails, his pride endures stating, “Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav’n.”
September 22, 2019
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| Moses and the Burning Bush by Arnold Friberg And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off they shoes from off they feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; Exodus 3: 2-8 |
Did You Know? Running out of patience as you work and pray for righteous blessings? Consider that after 40 years of wandering in the desert, Moses died within sight of the Promised Land on Mount Nebo. Christ was presented at the temple 40 days after his birth to Mary, according to the law of Moses. There he was met by Simeon (a name meaning obedient or listening), who was told by revelation he would not die until he had met the Savior. Christ was also met by the prophetess Anna who was “of a great age” who gave thanks and “spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” Let these examples of patience inspire you to hang on! The wait is worth it.
This was another fun one to put together. I was inspired by the animated movie Coco and used Dia de los Muertos colors and designs to put this one together. Unfortunately, my idea of filling up the "ofrenda" with pictures of ancestors never really caught on. Even though I offered to print photos myself if they were emailed or texted to me, only a couple of people responded and put up a picture.
September 29, 2019
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The Tree of Life by Greg Olsen Behold, I have dreamed a dream; or, in other words, I have seen a vision. 1 Nephi 8:2 |
Did You Know? Not only do we read about dreams in the scriptures such as Pharaoh’s dream interpreted by Joseph and Lehi’s dream interpreted by Nephi, but many modern inventions and discoveries were the result of dreams. Dimitri Mendeleyev dreamt of the periodic table of the elements, James Watson dreamt of the double helix, and Larry Page literally dreamt up the idea for Google. Anxiety is the most common emotion in remembered dreams with being chased, falling and appearing in public underdressed the most recurring themes. Want to take control of your dreams? Throughout the day say to yourself, “Is this a dream?” and you will do likewise when you are dreaming.
October 13, 2019
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Forgiven by Yongsung Kim They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heart it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even until the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. John 8: 4-11 |
Did You Know? Granite Mountain is home to 35 billion images of genealogical information, mostly stored on 2.4 million rolls of microfilm. Materials key to church operations, leadership & history are also stored there. Some 675 feet of granite rock guard the tunnels from above and reinforced entrance doors weighing 9-14 tons each are able to withstand a nuclear blast. It is one of the most secure locations in the country along with Fort Knox, the Federal Reserve Bank in New York, the Pentagon, CIA Headquarters, & Area 51.
October 20, 2019
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Rescue of the Lost Lamb by Minerva K. Teichert What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. Luke 15:4-5 |
Did You Know? More than 99% of our genes are exactly the same from one person to the next. The diversity we see within the human population--including traits like eye color, height and blood type--is due to genetic differences that account for less than 1%
October 27, 2019
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Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5: 3-9 |
Did You Know? Surnames did not come into use until around the 11th Century in Europe. There are four general groups of surnames: those based on occupation (like Baker or Weaver), those based on place names or geographical features (such as Goodland or Hill), names coming from nicknames or appearance (like Wild or Little), and those that are patronymic, meaning based upon the father’s name (such as McAndrew, meaning “son of Andrew” or Johnson meaning “son of John” or “kin of John”).
November 3, 2019
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Almighty God, wilt Thou hallow it and sanctify it. May Thy presence be felt here, and may Thy Holy Spirit abide constantly within its walls. May all who enter feel of that Spirit and know that they are in holy precincts. May it be a place of refuge from the cares of the world, a house of peace and love. May its rooms and halls be hallowed to those who shall walk here. May faith increase in the hearts of all who come, and may knowledge of Thine eternal plan grow in the minds of those who here serve, be they workers, or patrons. May gratitude well up in the hearts of Thy faithful saints throughout the earth, and may the dead beyond the veil rejoice over what will here be accomplished to their eternal blessing. Chicago Temple Dedicatory Prayer 9 August 1985 |
Did You Know? Mood markings in the hymns such as Prayerfully or Resolutely suggest the general feeling or spirit of a hymn. The most common mood marking in our hymn book is Fervently at 29 with Joyfully a close second at 27. There’s a string of hymns to be sung Joyfully between #70 and #73. Only one hymn in the entire hymn book is meant to be sung Humbly-- #116 Come, Follow Me.
This is another bulletin board idea that was better in theory than practice. I imagined this board filled up with leaves but really only the Primary kids wrote down something and pinned it up. Most of them put something like "I'm thankful for Minecraft." Perhaps my hopes were a little too high with this one.
November 10, 2019
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And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. Luke 17: 12-19 |
Did You Know? As noted last week, the most common mood marking in our hymn book is Fervently at 29 with Joyfully a close second at 27. Interestingly enough, the most common mood marking in the Children’s Songbook for those squirmy kiddos is Reverently at 25 with Cheerfully second at 19. There are just 2 children’s hymns to be sung With commitment: I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus and I Hope They Call Me on a Mission. Only the children have songs to be sung Playfully, Happily and Gratefully, among others.
November 17, 2019
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| Agony in the Garden by Franz Schwarz |
Did You Know? We’ve already noted that the hymn Come, Follow Me is the only one with a mood marking of Humbly. See if you can find the hymns with the unique mood markings of Confidently, Tenderly, Enthusiastically, Smoothly, Reflectively, Meekly, With exultation, Thankfully, With motion, Broadly and With contemplation. These are all unique mood markings assigned to only 1 hymn!
November 24, 2019
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| He took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. Notice that the Savior gave thanks for what they had- and a miracle followed: And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. Matthew 15:36-38 & President Thomas S Monson |
Did You Know? The word deacon is derived from the ancient Greek word diakonos meaning “waiter” or one who serves food and drink. Merriam Webster further defines deacon as a Mormon in the lowest grade of the Aaronic priesthood. Perhaps these young men who pass the sacrament may seem less significant than say, those seated on the stand, but feeding a congregation has great significance. In the New Testament, Christ is often found feeding those around him. Aside from the feeding of the 5,000 and then the 4,000 he also broke bread with his apostles at the Last Supper. Following Christ’s death and resurrection, disciples had agape feasts or love feasts where they ate together and sought to strengthen the bonds and spirit of harmony, goodwill, and congeniality, as well as to forgive past disputes and instead increase in love for one another.
December 1, 2019
Did You Know? The gospels do not tell us how many wise men visited the Christ child. Although 3 gifts are mentioned, the number of men presenting them is not. We are also not told why they were considered wise- if they were scholars, astronomers or rabbis.
December 8, 2019
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| Seeing Shepherds by Daniel Bonnell |
December 15, 2019
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| Be It Unto Me by Liz Lemon Swindle |
Did You Know? The Christmas of 1914 after the outbreak of World War I made the record books. Not because of the battles fought, but because of the temporary truce formed between opposing nations. The phenomenon took different forms across the western front but most accounts begin with carol singing from the trenches on Christmas Eve. Private Albert Morens of the Second Queens Regiment recalled it was "a beautiful moonlit night, frost on the ground, white almost everywhere." Graham Williams of Fifth London Rifle Brigade gave further details, "First the Germans would sing one of their carols and then we would sing one of ours, until we started up O Come, All Ye Faithful immediately joined in singing the same hymn to the Latin words Adeste Fideles. And I thought, well, this is really a most extraordinary thing- the two nations singing in the middle of a war. The next day some soldiers exchanged gifts of cigarettes, food, buttons and hats.
December 22, 2019
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| Simeon Reverencing the Christ Child by Greg Olsen |
Mary Did You Know? One frequently misquoted portion of Luke 2 is verse 8, And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. But the verse does not say flocks, plural, but flock, singular. One scholar explained the significance, "There was near Bethlehem, on the road to Jerusalem, a tower known as Migdal Eder, or the watchtower of the flock. Here was the station where shepherds watched the flock destined for sacrifice in the temple... It was a settled conviction among the Jews that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, and equally beautiful that he was to be revealed from Migdal Eder. The beautiful significance of the revelation of the infant Christ to shepherds watching the flock destined for sacrifice needs no comment." The flock mentioned in the scripture, then, apparently was the one used for temple sacrifices, and the shepherds thus had responsibility for the most important flock in the region.
Gerald N Lund, Selected Writings of Gerald N Lund: Gospel Scholars Series p. 144
December 29, 2019
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| Golden Rule by Norman Rockwell |
Did You Know? The Julian calendar was introduced in 46 BC by Roman general and statesman Julius Caesar while the Gregorian calendar was not introduced until 1582 AD by Pope Gregory XIII. Though nearly identical, the biggest difference is the way leap years are added. The Julian calendar adds too many and so over time it has fallen behind the Gregorian calendar. While largely Catholic countries such as France and Spain were quick to make the switch, Protestant leaning countries took their time. All told, it took over 300 years for the world to follow the same calendar and the changeover created some odd dates such as February 30. When the US made the switch in 1752, 11 days were shaved off of September. Benjamin Franklin wrote, "It is pleasant for an old man to be able to go to bed on September 2 and not have to get up until September 14." 2020 is a leap year. If you have a job that pays hourly, you have an edge up on those who are salaried and not compensated for the extra day. Frederic, the apprentice pirate in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance discovers he is bound to serve until his 21st birthday (that is, when he turns 88 years old) rather than his 21st year. Happy New Year Ward family!!!
January 5, 2020
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Joseph Smith’s First Vision in stained glass, Palmyra NY Temple by Tom & Gayle Holdman In all recorded religious history there is nothing to compare with it. The New Testament recounts the baptism of Jesus when the voice of God was heard and the Holy Ghost descended in the form of a dove. At the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James & John saw the Lord transfigured before them. They heard the voice of the Father, but they did not see him. Why did both the Father and the Son come to a boy, a mere lad? For one thing, they came to usher in the greatest gospel dispensation of all time, when all previous dispensations should be gathered and brought together in one. Gordon B. Hinkley |
Did You Know? A hymn is a religious song or poem of praise to God sung during Christian worship, typically by the whole congregation. The term hymn is derived from the Greek hymnos “festive song or ode in praise of gods or heroes.” We are admonished in Colossians 3:16 to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Only 168 of our 358 hymn contributors are LDS. The first hymnal compiled by Emma Smith had only words, no music. Of those 90 original hymns, only 26 made it into the 1985 hymnal. By comparison, even our current hymnal is very small. Many are twice as large!
January 12, 2020
Did You Know? Still on the sidelines when it comes to singing those congregational hymns? Here are some surprising benefits of singing: strengthens the immune system, improves posture, helps stop snoring & sleep apnea, a natural anti-depressant, lowers stress levels, improves mental alertness, can widen your circle of friends, boosts confidence, broadens communication skills, and increases your ability to appreciate other singers. Grab a hymn book, clear your throat and lend your beautiful voice to this ward choir!
January 19, 2020
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| Precious Above All by Annie Henrie And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desireable to make one happy. And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen. 2 Nephi 8: 10-11 |
Did You Know? Opinions vary as to what is the sweetest fruit on earth. Many consider mangoes to be sweetest above all but other contend figs win out as they are the most sugar-dense. An entire mango has around 23 grams of sugar, give or take. However, about 3-4 figs fits in a cup which have a grand total of around 32 grams of sugar- much higher! Consider the fact a glazed donut has just 12 grams of sugar.
January 26, 2020
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| Jesus Christ Visits the Americas by John Scott |
Did You Know? This week's passing of Elder Clayton Christensen even made headlines on CNN. Aside from a illustrious career, he was well known for sharing the gospel to all- including the business magnates and world leaders who frequented his Harvard office. Elder Christensen even played matchmaker when he introduced Jane Clayson Johnson to her husband Mark W. Johnson. Mark was a convert to the gospel who was taught and led by Elder Christensen.
February 2, 2020
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| Nephi's Broken Bow by Jeremy Winborg |
Did You Know? When using a bow and arrow, archers utilize their dominant eye. Because of this, it is usually their non-dominant arm steadily holding the weight of the bow- a great example of turning a weakness into a strength. While Lehi and his family tarried in the wilderness, wooden bows lost their springs but Nephi’s bow which was “made of fine steel” actually broke. Perhaps this is a commentary on the amount of hunting they had to do to survive or maybe Nephi’s natural strength, which is referred to many times in the Book of Mormon. Regardless, he turns this weakness into a strength by gathering stones for his sling and creating a new bow and arrows. As an avid archer and hunter, this skill served him and his family well.
February 9, 2020
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| The Desires of My Heart by Walter Rane |
February 16, 2020
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| First Vision by Jorge Coco Santangelo |
Did You Know? Nephi wrote “great are the words of Isaiah.” Isaiah’s writings are ubiquitous as they can be found in the Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon and Doctrine & Covenants. The Savior himself quoted Isaiah. Not only was he a prolific writer and poet, Isaiah was the last prophet to address assembled Israel before the diaspora.
February 23, 2020
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| Nephi and the Liahona by Jorge Coco Santangelo |
Did You Know? Temple baptismal fonts are designed based on the “sea” of Solomon’s temple which rested on the back of 12 oxen. They have been made of many different materials: marble, brass, bronze, fiberglass made to look like stone, etc. The font of the Mesa, Arizona temple is finished in terra cotta tile.
March 1, 2020
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| Lead Kindly Light by Simon Dewey |
Did You Know? Consider the defensive tactics of Musk Oxen. When predators move in, the oxen form a protective ring around their young--the newest and most vulnerable members of the herd. As long as the oxen maintain that ring, the wolves will almost always give up the hunt. They’re no match for the 800 lb adults. Now consider the baptismal font in the temple. There they are, in a defensive ring. Who are they defending? The youngest, most vulnerable members of the herd: the person being baptized in the font.
David Snell thirdhour.org
March 8, 2020
Did You Know? If you start your Sunday morning with Music & the Spoken Word, you’re not alone. In 1926, it was broadcast by 30 radio stations. Today it is carried by 2000 radio, television stations, and cable networks and streamed live on the internet around the world each week. It is the longest-running national radio program carried continuously on a network, now 90+ years old.
While I had some hits, I definitely had some misses and I hope when we return to church I'll be able to go back to this calling and keep working on refining it. I loved having a calling where it was done before Sunday (I dropped off printed and folded programs on Friday evenings). There's so much stress in getting everyone ready and out the door it was nice to not have a lesson to worry about. I'm also fairly sensitive to criticism- especially when I know I've given my all to a calling- and this one doesn't get a lot of criticism which was nice.
