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When I pray I can thank Heavenly Father for my blessings. Jesus Christ is my Savior. His Atonement is one of my greatest blessings. I am grateful for the plan of salvation. I could not live with Heavenly Father or my family again without Jesus Christ.

When I thank Heavenly Father for Jesus, my love for Jesus grows.

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Spencer W. Kimball was a prophet. He wrote a special letter to children in 1979 about how we can show we love Jesus Christ by keeping the commandments. This is what he wrote:

Dear Boys and Girls,

Each one of you is special in our sight, and we know you are precious to our Heavenly Father and to His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. How fortunate you are to belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to live in this very special time when the gospel is in its fulness here upon the earth.

You also live in a difficult time, and you will be tested perhaps more than any other generation who ever lived. You must learn to choose the right, for there is an evil one who will tempt you to make wrong choices. Some people you meet will be agents for Satan and teach wickedness and tempt you to make mistakes. When you are tempted and sometimes make mistakes, remember that there is a way to do better and be better, and that is through repentance and keeping the commandments. Boys and girls, keep yourselves clean and free from sin, for “… there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God.” (1 Ne. 15:34.)

The most important thing I can say to you is to live the commandments of our Heavenly Father. You will learn about them by listening to and being obedient to the counsel of your parents. You can also learn the principles of the gospel by studying the scriptures, attending church meetings, and sharing these principles with others. Pray often to our Father in Heaven who can be a sustaining influence and who will guide you in the many choices you must make.

My dear young friends, use your leisure time effectively and learn to work. Great things will happen to you; skills will be learned and goals accomplished only as you work and manage your time effectively. Choose wisely the things you listen to and read, or watch on television, for they will influence how you think and act. Select only music and books that will elevate your thoughts and help you to do better and think better. Likewise, be careful in choosing your activities and close friends, for they, too, will influence the kind of person you become.

Show your love for our Heavenly Father through caring and sharing. Reach out to others, share the gospel, and let them be attracted to your way of life by the good example you set. Show your love for our Heavenly Father by obeying the loving counsel of your parents and honoring them by the way you live.

The Savior loves you. Recall with me how He commanded the little ones to be brought to Him, and then how He knelt with them and blessed them! “…The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father.” (3 Ne. 17:16.) Following the prayer, Jesus wept. Then He blessed each little child and wept again. Boys and girls, we hope you realize the depth of love and breadth of concern that our Savior has for you, and that we have for you also. We thank God for a Savior who suffered the little children to come unto Him.

The leaders of the Church love you and pray for you and are concerned about you. We plead with you to be true and honest with yourself, with your family, and with our Heavenly Father.

Spencer W. Kimball (Spencer W. Kimball, “The Savior Loves You ..” Friend, Aug 1979, 6)

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More than 2,000 years ago Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. Joseph tried to find a place for them at an inn, but there was no room. They found a stable where Mary could give birth.

This was the first Christmas. There were no large family gatherings. There were no decorations. There were no brightly wrapped presents. But there were carols and singing and rejoicing. The angels in heaven joined in a great chorus of rejoicing and praise at the birth of the Son of God (see Luke 2:13–14). Heavenly Father gave us a great gift. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ.

Jesus gave us the gift of the Atonement and eternal life. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. He gave the gift of a perfect example for us to follow. He showed us the gift of love and taught us to love one another.

We can also give gifts of service and love. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). We can show our love for Jesus by keeping His commandments and serving others, not just at Christmastime but throughout the year.

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In 2 Nephi 26 we learn that God manifests “himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith. ” (2 Ne 26: 13)

This scripture teaches us that God will work miracles for every person or nation according to their faith. We must have faith to receive miracles.

Elder Spencer W. Kimball said, “We do have miracles today—beyond imagination! … What kinds of miracles do we have? All kinds—revelations, visions, tongues, healings, special guidance and direction, evil spirits cast out. Where are they recorded? In the records of the Church, in journals, in news and magazine articles and in the minds and memories of many people.”

Elder Oaks taught: “[T]he Lord works miracles in response to the faith of His children. No denomination—not even the restored Church—has a monopoly on the blessings of the Lord. He loves and blesses all of His children.” Any person with faith in Jesus Christ can experience a miracle.

God does not always perform miracles when we ask for them. He knows everything and will only allow miracles to happen when they are best for us. When we ask for miracles, we should ask humbly and in faith. We know Heavenly Father can perform miracles. He will perform miracles when it’s best for us.

Miracles can happen when we have faith. I come to Primary so that my faith will grow. I love Heavenly Father and am grateful for His miracles.

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This is a story about when Jesus showed the people he had power over death. The story is found in the scriptures in Luke 10 and John 11. This is an easy-to-read version from New Testament Stories:

A man named Lazarus lived in Bethany. He lived with his sisters, Mary and Martha. They loved Jesus very much.

Lazarus became very sick. Jesus was teaching in another town. Mary and Martha sent a man to tell Jesus Lazarus was sick. Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters.

Jesus wanted to help Lazarus. Jesus asked his disciples to go with him. The disciples were afraid. Bethany was near Jerusalem. Some of the people in Jerusalem wanted to kill Jesus. The disciples did not want Jesus to go near Jerusalem again.

Jesus told his disciples Lazarus was dead. Jesus would bring him back to life. His miracle would help the disciples know Jesus was the Savior. Jesus went to Bethany.

Lazarus had been dead four days. Martha went to meet Jesus. She said Lazarus would not have died if Jesus had been there. Jesus told Martha Lazarus would live again. Jesus asked Martha if she believed him. Martha said yes. She knew Jesus was the Savior.

Then Martha left Jesus. She went to get her sister Mary. Mary went to meet Jesus. Many people went with her. Mary knelt at Jesus’ feet. She was crying. The people with her were crying too. Jesus cried. The people said that he loved Lazarus very much.

They took Jesus to the cave where Lazarus was buried. There was a stone in front of the cave. Jesus told the people to move the stone.

Jesus looked up. He prayed to Heavenly Father. He thanked Heavenly Father for hearing his prayers. He asked Heavenly Father to help the people believe in him. He wanted the people to know he was the Savior.

Then Jesus spoke in a loud voice. He told Lazarus to come out of the cave. Lazarus came out. He was alive again. The people saw the miracle. They knew Jesus was the Savior. They believed in him. (“Chapter 37: Jesus Brings Lazarus Back to Life,” New Testament Stories, 102)

I know that Jesus Christ has power over death because he brought Lazarus back from the dead.

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Jesus came to earth, the Son of God, with power over life and death. He healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind, caused the lame to walk, and the dead to rise. He was the man of miracles who “went about doing good.” (Acts 10:38.)

“So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee. … And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

“When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. …

“Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

“And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.” (John 4:46–47, 50–51.)

This, the second miracle wrought by the Master, was followed by other miracles of healing.

Christ healed by the power of God which was within Him. That power He gave to His chosen disciples, saying, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 16:19.)

That same power has been restored in this generation. It came through the laying on of hands by Peter, James, and John, who received it from the Lord Himself. It was bestowed upon Joseph Smith, the prophet of this dispensation. Its presence is among us. Many of you acquainted with the history of the Church are familiar with the account related by Wilford Woodruff concerning the events of July 22, 1839. It is worthy of repetition. Nauvoo at that time was an unhealthy and swampy place. There was much of sickness. Joseph was among those who were afflicted. But being filled with the Spirit, he rose from his bed and went out among the sick, healing them and raising them. He then crossed the river to the settlement in Montrose, Iowa. I read now from the account of Elder Woodruff:

“The first house he visited was that occupied by Elder Brigham Young, the president of the quorum of the twelve, who lay sick. Joseph healed him, then he arose and accompanied the Prophet on his visit to others who were in the same condition. They visited Elder W. Woodruff, also Elders Orson Pratt and John Taylor, all of whom were living in Montrose. They also accompanied him. The next place they visited was the home of Elijah Fordham, who was supposed to be about breathing his last. When the company entered the room the Prophet of God walked up to the dying man, and took hold of his right hand and spoke to him; but Brother Fordham was unable to speak, his eyes were set in his head like glass, and he seemed entirely unconscious of all around him. Joseph held his hand and looked into his eyes in silence for a length of time. A change in the countenance of Brother Fordham was soon perceptible to all present. His sight returned, and upon Joseph asking him if he knew him, he, in a low whisper, answered, ‘Yes.’ Joseph asked him if he had faith to be healed. He answered, ‘I fear it is too late; if you had come sooner I think I would have been healed.’ The Prophet said, ‘Do you believe in Jesus Christ?’ He answered in a feeble voice, ‘I do.’ Joseph then stood erect, still holding his hand in silence several moments; then he spoke in a very loud voice, saying: ‘Brother Fordham, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to arise from this bed and be made whole.’ His voice was like the voice of God, and not of man. It seemed as though the house shook to its very foundations. Brother Fordham arose from his bed and was immediately made whole. His feet were bound in poultices, which he kicked off, then putting on his clothes, he ate a bowl of bread and milk, and followed the Prophet into the street.” (As quoted in Joseph Fielding Smith, Essentials in Church History, rev. ed. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1979, pp. 223–24.)

Declared James of old: “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

“And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (James 5:14–15.)

That power to heal the sick is still among us. It is the power of the priesthood of God. It is the authority held by the elders of this Church.

(SOURCE: Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Healing Power of Christ,” Ensign, Nov 1988, 52)

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One night, a man named Nicodemus came to Jesus and said “Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him” (John 3:2)

Jesus performed many miracles. The first miracle we know of was when he turned water to wine at the wedding. He healed many sick people. He cast out devils. He healed a withered hand. He healed a person who couldn’t talk. He fed thousands of people. He walked on water. He made blind men see.

The most important miracle Jesus performs was for you and me. It is the miracle of the Atonement. He suffered at Gethsemane and on the cross for my sins and your sins. Because of Jesus Christ, we may be forgiven when we make wrong choices.

Jesus performs many miracles today. He answers people’s prayers. He stll heals the sick. He has power over death and sin. He restored his church to Earth.

I am grateful God sent Jesus Christ.

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One day a lawyer asked Jesus Christ, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” The Savior asked what the lawyer thought that the law said he needed to do, and the lawyer replied, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”

“Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live,” Jesus said.

“Who is my neighbour?” the man asked.

Jesus answered by telling him a parable.

A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when thieves attacked him. They took his clothes, beat him, and left him near death.

When a Jewish priest came down the road and saw the wounded man, he crossed to the other side of the road to avoid him and continued his journey.

Next a Levite, also a citizen of Judah, approached. He looked at the wounded man, then he, too, crossed the road and went on his way without helping the man.

Finally a man from Samaria came along the road. The Jews and the Samaritans were bitter enemies, but the Samaritan saw that the injured man needed help. He bandaged the man’s wounds, put him on his pack animal, took him to an inn, and cared for the injured man there. When the Samaritan left the next day, he paid the innkeeper to look after the man until he got better. He promised that if caring for the man cost more, he would pay the innkeeper the next time he was there.

“Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?” Jesus asked the lawyer.

When the lawyer said, “He that shewed mercy on him.” Jesus said, “Go, and do thou likewise.” (See Luke 10:25–37.)

We should each follow Jesus Christ’s example by loving and caring for one another. As we do, we will know that Jesus’ teachings are true and our faith in Him will grow.

(Source: “The Good Samaritan,” Friend, May 1999, 39)

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This weeks’ Primary theme is Jesus went about doing good. Our former prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckely, talked about a missionary who followed Jesus and “went about doing good”:

It was said by the Apostle Peter long ago that Jesus went about doing good. As His ambassadors, missionaries in our generation have gone and continue to go throughout the world doing good in the true spirit of the Master. Let me describe one of them. He is typical of so many others who sincerely desire to serve the Lord.

He came from California and grew up in an ordinary sort of way, not a member of the Church. He became acquainted with a girl who was a member of the Church. He was so impressed with her that, on learning that she was a member of the Church, he wished to know more. Latter-day Saint students at the university taught him the gospel while he was completing a difficult scholastic program. He was baptized. Then, working nights and summers, he saved money enough to sustain him, if he spent it with care, for a period of eighteen months as a missionary. He was called to Guatemala. He was a handsome young man with a brilliant mind and a wonderful education in a highly technical field. I met him in the Guatemala City Temple. He grasped my hand warmly. I asked, “Are you happy?”

“Oh yes, so very happy,” he responded. I asked where he was working as a missionary. He said, “Out among the Lamanites, the native people of Guatemala. It is a very small place where there is much hardship, but the people are wonderful, and I love them.”

As I have thought of that tall and handsome young man, gifted and educated, working among the Indians of Guatemala in a jungle village, I have remembered the words of Samuel the Lamanite:

“Yea, I say unto you, that in the latter times the promises of the Lord have been extended to our brethren, the Lamanites; and notwithstanding the many afflictions which they shall have, and notwithstanding they shall be driven to and fro upon the face of the earth, and be hunted, and shall be smitten and scattered abroad, having no place for refuge, the Lord shall be merciful unto them.

“And this is according to the prophecy, that they shall again be brought to the true knowledge, which is the knowledge of their Redeemer, and their great and true shepherd, and be numbered among his sheep.” (Hel. 15:12–13.)

This young missionary, with his associates, was bringing to those among whom he walked “the true knowledge, which is the knowledge of their Redeemer, and their great and true shepherd,” that they might be numbered among His sheep.

This particular young man received no letters from his parents, no money, no encouragement. He had sufficient money, which he had saved, to support himself for eighteen months. Because his mission was ending when we were lengthening missions from eighteen months to twenty-four, he had the option of remaining an additional six months. He asked his mission president with emotion, “Is there some way I can get help to stay another six months to work among these people I have come to love so much?” A person was found to help pay for his expenses, and the missionary was able to serve a full twenty-four months.

There are others like him, thousands today working in many lands, who, in the spirit of the Lord, are going about doing great good.

I want to be like Jesus and missionaries who go about doing good.

(SOURCE:
Gordon B. Hinckley, “Giving Ourselves to the Service of the Lord,” Tambuli, Aug 1987, 2)

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This is a picture of what Jesus Christ might look like. He is the Son of God. Hebrews chapter 5 verse 8 reads: “Though [Jesus Christ] were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;”

Jesus came to Earth to help us. He showed us how to be obedient by his example.

Jesus never told a lie. Jesus was never mean. Jesus treated his parents respectfully. He was happy with the blessings he had. Jesus never took anything that wasn’t his. Jesus lived a pure life. He always made good choices. He obeyed Heavenly Father’s commandments.

I want to be like Jesus. I can follow Jesus’ example and obey Heavenly Father, too.

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