It is once again time for a new post. Once again, I have learned alot over the last two weeks since the last update. In my Life Skills class, I learned about Personal Finances and Family Relationships. In my Book of Mormon class, we studied Mosiah 4-Alma 7 (yes, that IS a lot of chapters). There is amazing things in those chapters.

First off, for my Life Skills class, we talked about how to be financially stable and in what ways to be financially stable. We talked about how being financially stable brings peace into the home.  Some of the ways to become financially stable is: Pay an honest tithing, spend less than you earn, live within your means, grow a garden, use a budget, get an education, and teach children early.

The only things that you should go in to debt is for: a modest home, education, a modest car. We should not go into debt for any other reason. We should have enough money in our savings account to cover for unexpected expenses. It is also suggested that you keep out cash, just in case you are unable to have access to your accounts. It is also a good idea to put a portion of each paycheck into  your savings account.

This week we talked about family relationships. We talked about how important families are and how we need to treat our family members with love, kindness and compassion.

One of the things we studies was "The Family: A Proclamation to the World". It is amazing that although it was written 20 years ago, the things that are contained in the Proclamation, are things that we are fighting for now. Throughout the world the sacredness of families are increasingly being threatened. Views on the family are increasingly being changed. What once was considered the norm just a few years ago, is now becoming more and more a rarity.

One of the things that struck me this week was a quote from President Eyring from his talk "Help Them On Their Way Home".  This talk is about the importance of teaching small children. One of the things he said was, "In those precious years the Lord helps families by calling Primary Workers to help strengthen children spiritually". My current callings in my ward are as a Primary Worker over the 4 year olds and as a Cub Scout Leader over the 9 year olds. This quote made me realize that I am more than just a teacher. I have a vital role in helping the children I teach to lay a foundation of faith, that will last them throughout their lives. That is a big responsibility.

One of the things I learned as I studied for my Book of Mormon class was from Elder Oaks. We were studying about Taking Upon Us the Name of Christ. Elder Oaks brought to my attention, "It is significant that when we partake of the Sacrament, we do not witness that we take upon us the name of Christ, we witness that we are WILLING to take upon us the name of Christ. The fact that we only witness to our willingness suggests that something else must also happen before we actually take upon us that sacred name. The willingness to take upon His name, means we are willing to take upon us the authority of Jesus Christ. This means that when we partake of the Sacrament, we witness our willingness to participate in the sacred ordinances of the temple, and to receive the highest blessings available".

I never noticed that in the Sacrament prayers that it said "willing". I always just thought that it said/meant that we WERE taking upon ourselves His name. I also never realized that when we partake of the Sacrament, that we are taking upon ourselves willingness to participate in temple work. It goes to show you how important temples and temple work actually is.

Something else that was brought to my attention this week, that is often overlooked, is what happened with King Mosiah and his people. When he was getting ready to appoint a new king, he made a proposal to his people instead. He suggested, that instead of appointing another king, he suggested to appoint judges, chosen by the people, instead.

He suggested this for several reasons. One reason he suggested this because, if an unrighteous king was made ruler, then he would drag all of his people down with him into sin. He brought up the account of King Noah, and how wicked of a king he was and how he destroyed his people. "How much iniquity doth one wicked king cause".

Another reason he suggest that the people appoint judges instead of kings is because "it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right. When the day comes when a majority of the people choose inequity, then their iniquities shall be answered upon their heads".

With election season upon us, this is a great lesson on why it is so important for us to partake in our voting privilege. Our church leaders urge us to go out and vote. They encourage us to vote for the candidates that most closely resembles our ideals. Voting is one of the ways we raise our voices. It is how the "voice of the people" is made known. If we don't vote, then our "voice" won't be heard, nor will it be counted.

There was so many things that I learned over the last few weeks, I was only able to write about a small portion of them. I hope you enjoyed this post. I will be back to write again soon.