In other news; our first family book club was this weekend. We discussed the book "Bad Guys of the Book Mormon" by Dennis Gaunt. It was a FANTASTIC book. We all loved it and can't recommend it enough. Kotten Kandy said, "This book taught me a lot of lessons and I was surprised that I learned so much from the bad guys. I probably learned more from the bad guys than the good guys." Key Lime Pie said, "It was a very good book. My favorite chapter was the Laman and Lemuel chapter because they are whiny and funny." Scott used the book in his testimony on fast Sunday. He commented time and time again how much he loved the book. I thought that Amalickiah was the worst of the bad guys in the Book of Mormon. He is EVIL! But we can sure learn from him. This book is great for adults and teenagers alike! :-)
Finally; my baby is growing up too quickly. She gave her first talk on Sunday. She was excited (and a bit nervous) but she did a fantastic job. She wrote the talk completely by herself, and was amazing! Her talk was about Choice and Accountability. I am including her talk here. (Keep in mind; we did not proof-read it for spelling or punctuation.) This is completely her. And it was delightful! I'm proud of my Kotten Kandy!
Kotten Kandy's Talk:
Good morning Brothers and
sisters, this morning you made a choice to come to church today and now your
consequence is having to sit through my talk, I am truly sorry for that!
What
is choice and accountability? Choice? We all know what a choice is right? An
act or instance of choosing. Accountability? What is accountability, this one
was a little trickier for me, we have all heard it but what is it?
Accountability is taking responsibility for a choice that you have made.
Making
choices can be hard sometimes, one time I had to pick one class out of 20! They
were all good classes and they all had something I wanted to learn in them.
Choices can also be easy, like what shirt you are going to wear today, blue or
green???
James
E. Faust said… quote "Sometimes we
make poor choices. . . . Unfortunately, some of our poor choices are
irreversible, but many are not. Often we can change course and get back on the
right track. Getting back on the right track may involve the principles of
repentance. . . . Learning by experience has value, but the 'school of hard
knocks' is deserving of its name. Progression comes faster and easier by
learning from our parents, those who love us, and our teachers. We can also
learn from the mistakes of others, observing the consequences of their wrong
choices." End of quote
Repentance
is really important with making choices, sometimes you make really bad choices
and you have to repent. Sometimes you
can’t repent, and you will be stuck with those choices the rest of your life.
Like the class I chose. I chose one and I am stuck with all that I learned from
that class for the rest of my life.
You
have to be very careful when you make choices. James E. Faust said quote "In this life we have to make many
choices. Some are very important choices. Some are not. Many of our choices are
between good and evil. The choices we make, however, determine to a large
extent our happiness or our unhappiness, because we have to live with the
consequences of our choices." End of quote
Consequences. When you make a
choice it is always followed by a consequence, good or bad. The consequence
dosen’t always have to be drastic but a
choice is always followed by a consequence. If I had chosen a class that
was too high for me I would have been rushing all over the place trying to
figure out what this something meant. Or if I had chosen one too easy I would
have been bored to tears!
Another
thing goes along with making choices besides consequences, ACCOUNTABILITY!
James E. Faust said, quote "In our society today I
see so many people who blame others for their failures. I have observed that
those who accept personal responsibility for their actions are more successful
than those who blame their shortcomings and lack of accomplishments on someone
else.” End of quote
I admit I am guilty for that one
I much rather blame what I did
on my sister or my dogs. Wouldn’t it be simpler to just admit to it than having
to lie and then keep track of your lie? When you aren’t being accountable you
are lying and also being disrespectful. Not only to the person you are telling
the lie to but to yourself and the person or dog J,
that you are blaming it on.
When do we get to be accountable? Doctrine and Covenants 20: 71 says … quote “No one can
be received into the church of Christ unless he has arrived unto the years of
accountability before God, and is capable of repentance.” End of quote. When you turn
eight you have the choice to get baptized. If you do get baptized you take on a
huge responsibility you get to make choices and be responsible for them a.k.a
accountability.
Dallin H. Oaks says here… quote "Consider
how we use our time in the choices we make in viewing television, playing video
games, surfing the Internet, or reading books or magazines. Of course it is
good to view wholesome entertainment or to obtain interesting information. But
not everything of that sort is worth the portion of our life we give to obtain
it. Some things are better, and others are best. When the Lord told us to seek
learning, He said, 'Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom' (D&C
88:118)." End of quote
Our
choices can be in what we do with our time. My dad and mom always say to me
“Use your time wisely!” That phrase has helped use my time wisely and
helped me spend it wisely.
Dieter
F. Utchdorf said… quote "You are to do the choosing here and now during
this exciting and wonderful time on earth. Moral agency, the freedom to choose,
is certainly one of God's greatest gifts next to life itself. We have the
honorable right to choose; therefore, we need to choose the right. This is not
always easy.” End of quote
I know that Jesus Christ lives and suffered and died for
us! I know that Joseph Smith is a true Prophet and that President Tomas S.
Monson is too. I know that our leaders, teachers and parents help us and teach
us and that they are influenced by the Holy Spirit! I know that what we choose
is important and that Heavenly father Loves us and wants us to do our best! I
know that the Book of Mormon is true! And I know that my Family loves me! I
know that the Priesthood it powerful and that this is the true church of God!
In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
That collection is impressive! wow!
ReplyDeleteI am hugely impressed with Katia's talk. I can only wish that the youth that speak in our ward put that much effort into it. It was extremely thoughtful, doctrinally correct, and witty. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteKatia,
ReplyDeleteYour talk is both thoughtful and instructive. It doesn't even sound like a twelve year old could have written it - unless that twelve year old is my Grand daughter - the one I got to help bring into this world twelve years ago! She can do most anything...
Love YOU, Kiddo,
Mil
Awesome talk!!
ReplyDeleteI'm proud of you too!
ReplyDelete