Flashcards - and Memorization!
Hermanes Grose, McBride, Merrill, and Crandall
Missionaries on title page Sister Smith and McMaster
How good are you at memorizing something like scriptures? I for one am not very good. I believe it takes me extra time than most people. And I have to go over and over what I am memorizing in order to retain it. I’m sure it is good for my brain though. Yet, what is better than challenging our brain is what Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has explained about memorizing scripture. He said, “Great power can come from memorizing scriptures. To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship.” I like the idea of forging a powerful new friendship with the words of God. This will be a relationship that helps us to be spiritually stronger. It can give us power as we instantly recall a passage that brings to our mind’s inspiration, strength, direction, and comfort. Memorizing a scripture can offer us a deeper level of understanding and obedience.
President Quinn and I recently decided to invite our missionaries, young and senior, to memorize “The Living Christ” a scriptural document. “’The Living Christ’ is a collective testimony given by 15 prophets, seers, and revelators to commemorate the 2,000th anniversary of the Lord's birth. All 15 who signed that declaration had been called as ‘special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world.’” (churchofjesuschrist.org) Memorizing this, we believe, will help to deepen our missionaries relationship with the Savior. There is great power in this scriptural document. Those who have written it and signed it have apostolic witness of the Savior.
President Quinn and I daily remind our missionaries of the importance of being lifelong disciples of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Walking the covenant path with Christ is the way to go through life with conviction, confidence, and courage. This relationship with Christ brings us joy despite our challenges.
Elder Grambo, Ritchie, Everett, and Dougal
To aid our missionaries in memorizing I took an idea from my friend, Colette Goodman, who made flashcards for some young women in my stake in Illinois. Over the past two weeks, while missionaries waited for their interview with the president, I cut up the paper and they punched holes in each card. We labeled all the cards with the name of each missionary. President Quinn and I would like them to memorize it by the time we go to the Oakland Temple in December for our Christmas temple trip. After memorizing the document, the missionaries will be able to sign a board and receive a fun prize.
Sister Quinn
At the top of each card is a flower. Each flower is unique. Each is mathematically patterned and colorfully designed. This is a great reminder that all things testify of Christ. Christ who is the creator of the world. We invite you to join us in memorizing this beautiful testimony of Christ by Christmas! Please see the copy below.
Flashcard #3
Elder Branson and Beard - Sister Hansen, Gabrielson, and Baird
Here below is the beautiful and sacred document of “The Living Christ.”
THE LIVING CHRIST
THE TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.
He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.
He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.
We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.
He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).
Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:
“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).
Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).
We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of … apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).
We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.
We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.
THE FIRST PRESIDENCY
Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, James E. Faust
THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE
Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, David B. Haight, Neil A. Maxwell, Russel M. Nelson, Dallin H Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Joseph B. Wirthlin, Richard G. Scott, Robert D Hales, Jeffery R. Holland, Henry B. Eyring
Signed by these men on January 1, 2000
The Savior, Jesus Christ
