"...the army of Helaman had some advantages over the Lamanites that had nothing to do with numbers or military skill. They chose Helaman, a prophet, to lead them (Alma 53:19); "they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them" (Alma 56:47); and they had "exceeding faith in that which they had been taught." As a result, they were protected by "the miraculous power of God" (Alma 57:26).
How do mothers teach their children to not doubt that they can be delivered by God in the battles they face in today's world? When Julie B Beck was serving as Relief society General President, she spoke of what mothers need to know and do to help their children have "stripling warrior faith:"
They Did Not Doubt—Joseph Brickey
"The responsibility mothers have today has never required more vigilance. More than at any time in the history of the world, we need mothers who know. Children are being born into a world where they "wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12). However, mothers need not fear. When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children." Julie B. Beck, Mothers Who Know, General Conference October 2007
Preserve Testimonies in Writing
How do we assure that our children and grandchildren know how we feel about the gospel of Jesus Christ? Have we recorded our testimonies and those of other living relatives to give our posterity the strength of our conviction?
Elder Christofferson states, "'And we write according to our prophecies' suggests the wisdom of making a permanent record of our testimony of Christ. We understand that the testimonies we bear are 'recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over [us]' (D&C 62:3). Our own descendants and others may look upon and rejoice over our witness of Christ written or recorded for their benefit." Becoming a Witness of Christ, Ensign, Mar. 2008
Write your testimony down. You may want to help young children write what they feel.
Consider scanning or taking a photo of hand-written testimonies to preserve in Memories on FamilySearch. You can also type directly into a document in memories. See instructions in The Family History Guide here.
Audio-Record Testimonies
To create an opportunity for those you love to be influenced by your testimony now and in the future, modern technology has provided an incredible way to preserve a hand-written document by uploading it as a photo (see above), and you can also record your personal witness of Jesus Christ on FamilySearch using the FamilySearch Memories Audio app or the Record My Story feature on FamilySearch Discovery. You can also share these items with others in FamilySearch via text, email, etc. by tapping the "Share" symbol. Check out this feature on the MyHeritage app: New: Audio Recordings for Interviewing your Relatives. Also check out Add Audio to Your Family Tree at Ancestry! Recording can be done individually or in a family or other setting. Your testimony may contain the very words that will help family members strengthen their own testimonies!
Sharing in many ways and circumstances will leave no question about what you know and love. What a blessing for generations to come to hear your voice sharing the messages you want them to remember! Children and grandchildren can also read and record your words. As they do, they are also hearing you share what means the most to you. Read more here.
See more ideas from 2020: Week #4, Week #6, Week 18, and Week 26.
The Testimonies of Ancestors
One idea is to create a physical booklet or an online collection of inspirational stories of your ancestors and others that describe great faith, courage and perseverance. Consider a collection of creating a collection of the stories of the first converts in your family lines. You could include photos, a list of related stories and video links. See the information above to preserve your stories and photos. Share these stories with those you love. Extended family members may want to contribute also. One mother and her family all contribute to a volume of "bedtime stories" each year. Watch this video to hear how these stories have strengthened them.
How have storytellers influenced you? What are some of the stories that have changed your life and how are you preserving and passing them on? Three generations of storytellers join the Gathering Series hosts, Scott & Angelle Anderson to discuss the benefits of storytelling, and the blessings in store as you discover, share, and preserve your stories.
Write questions to encourage the sharing of faith-building feelings and experiences on slips of paper and place in a basket. Each member could write one question (or a parent or group leader could have the questions prepared ahead of time). Simplify for younger children. For example:
What is a favorite scripture that helped develop your testimony?
What counsel from the prophets did you follow to strengthen your testimony?
Share a time when someone's testimony strengthened yours.
What was a time when you especially felt the love of the Savior in your life?
Share a story of an ancestor's faith that has helped you in your life?
How have your parents or others taught you gospel truths?
In what ways can you show your gratitude for the life, teachings, and atonement of Jesus Christ?
Take turns drawing one slip from the basket and sharing your feelings and gratitude for the Lord's hand in your lives (see also O Remember, Remember, Henry B. Eyring, General Conference October 2007: watch a video clip here). This experience could be audio- or video-recorded.
Alma 53:10–17
From Come, Follow Me :
The Anti-Nephi-Lehies covenanted not to shed blood. What covenants have we made with God? What do we read in Alma 53:10–17 [and 18-22] that inspires us to be more faithful to our covenants?
Just as the Book of Mormon stripling warriors chose the prophet as their leader, modern-day "stripling warriors" (both young women and young men) are led by a prophet and he has issued this call to action:
"My dear extraordinary youth, you were sent to earth at this precise time, the most crucial time in the history of the world, to help gather Israel. There is nothing happening on this earth right now that is more important than that. There is nothing of greater consequence. Absolutely nothing. This gathering should mean everything to you. This is the mission for which you were sent to earth. So my question to you is 'Are you willing to enlist in the youth battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel?' ... So, now I am inviting every young woman and every young man between the ages of 12 and 18 in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to enlist in the youth battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel…Anytime you do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—take a step toward making covenants with God and receiving their essential baptismal and temple ordinances, you are helping to gather Israel. It is as simple as that. As you pray about this sacrifice of time, you will be guided to know both what you can give up that week and what you can do instead to help gather Israel." Hope of Israel, President Russell M. Nelson and Sister Wendy W. Nelson Worldwide Youth Devotional, June 3 2018
The Family History Guide offers step-by-step guidance for any part of family history which is "gathering Israel" on both sides of the veil. There are eight projects listed in the FamilySearch tab drop-down menu, and each has goals and choices to make doing family history easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable. For additional family history activity ideas, see The Family History Guide activities for families, individuals, youth, and children, the BYU Family History Technology Lab, and the In-home and Online Activities on FamilySearch. See also the many activities found in the Come, Follow Me Companion. Select the best activities for you and your family. Decide as individuals and as families how you will answer the prophet's call to action, and go for it!
Your Personal History
Write (or audio-record) one story about your life as you study each Come, Follow Me lesson to have 52 by the end of the year and add it to your FamilySearch memories to preserve it. Use your own questions, those from (or inspired by) Come, Follow Me, or the #52 Stories Project. See below for ideas:
What blessings have you received from following the prophet?
How has your mother taught you to have faith in Jesus Christ?
Share times when you have been protected by the miraculous power of God.
How are you involved in gathering Israel and how are you being blessed because of it?
