Our Door is Always Open...

Do you recognize this?





It's our backdoor. The door that used to have a "Los Primos" sign on it. The door that we slid open and closed a bajillion times during our family reunion. The door that kept the heat and noise and spilled food on the outside and coolness, other noise, and more food on the inside. The door that until a few minutes ago had fingerprints on both sides. Lots and lots and lots of fingerprints. Tiny and not so tiny fingerprints. YOUR fingerprints.

Grandpa has been hinting for the past week that we needed to clean the door , so I decided that I would surprise him and do it this morning. I got out my Windex and sprayed, and after just a few wipes with a rag I began to miss those fingerprints. I wished I had taken a picture of them before they began to disappear.

Those fingerprints remind me of how wonderful it was to have ALL 10 of our children and ALL 15.3 of our grandchildren HERE. In our home. With us. Those fingerprints represented so many moments of joy. I loved those fingerprints and I miss them, but not as much as I miss each of you. Our times together aren't nearly as often as Grandpa and I would like. And yet, they occur more often than they might have if we still lived even further apart.

So this morning, as I wiped them away, I thanked Heavenly Father for having a family who love to be together and who make the sacrifices necessary to be together from time to time. I thanked Him for the love we share and for His restored gospel that binds us and guides us. I asked Him to help us become better each day and work together to become an eternal family, together FOREVER.

I look forward to having you return again and again, knowing that those fingerprints will once again decorate our door.

I love you!

Grandma

THE HOLY GHOST HELPS US KNOW THE TRUTH

Many years after Lehi and his family left Jerusalem, a wicked man named Noah became king of the Nephites. While he was king he taught the Nephite people to be sinful. The Lord sent a prophet named Abinadi to preach to the Nephites. Abinadi told the Nephites that Heavenly Father wanted them to repent.

King Noah had Abinadi arrested and then Abinadi was brought before wicked King Noah and his priests. Abinadi taught them Jesus Christ’s teachings and told them his message was true. They did not want to listen, but the Lord blessed Abinadi, and no one could harm him until he had given the message he had been commanded to give. King Noah and most of the priests refused to believe Abinadi’s words. They did not want to repent of their wickedness. Instead, they wanted to kill Abinadi.


One of the priests, named Alma, believed Abinadi. The Holy Ghost let Alma know that Abinadi was telling the truth. Alma begged King Noah to let Abinadi go. That made King Noah even more angry and he ordered Alma to leave. He sent his servants to kill Alma, but Alma escaped and hid. He stayed hidden and safe for many days. When Abinadi finished telling King Noah what he had been commanded to say, King Noah had Abinadi killed.

While Alma was hiding, he wrote down what he had been taught by Abinadi. Alma knew these teachings were true. He repented of all his sins and began to obey the commandments. Alma became a great missionary by sharing the truths he knew with others.

Do you know how Alma knew that Abinadi’s words were true?

We can find the answer in the Book of Mormon, in Moroni 10:5.

"And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

The Holy Ghost helped Alma know that Abinadi spoke the truth.

Here is a link to making these door hangers. You can print, color, cut, and hang them on your bedroom doorknob to remind you.

Did you know that you can feel the Holy Ghost during a Primary lesson, a family home evening lesson, a prayer, or any other time when you are being taught the truth?

Many people get this feeling when they are reading or hearing the scriptures or the words of the living prophets. The Holy Ghost does not usually communicate with us in words that we can hear with our ears. Instead, he gives us a good feeling about what is true.

Because the Holy Ghost has only a spirit body, he is sometimes called the Spirit. You might hear people pray to have the Spirit with them. They are asking to have the Holy Ghost with them. His presence helps us feel close to Heavenly Father, understand his commandments, and choose the right.

Although the Holy Ghost can give anyone a good feeling when he hears the truth, following baptism a person can receive a special gift when he is confirmed a member of the Church. That gift is the gift of the Holy Ghost, which means that that person can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost all the time if he lives righteously.


Kylie, Jared, and Tyler have received the gift of the Holy Ghost. You might ask them what it felt like when they were confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and received this gift. And you can ask them how they have used this gift since they received it. You can also ask your parents because they received this gift many years ago.

One day while I was on my mission in Brasil, my companion and I visited a woman in our ward who was very ill and needed a priesthood blessing. We wanted to find the elders and ask them to give her a blessing, but we didn't know where they were. We didn't have phone except at our apartment which was far away, and neither did they. We didn't have a car because we traveled by bus or taxi, and our area was very large. My companion and I prayed. We asked for Heavenly Father to help us find the elders as quickly as possible. The Holy Ghost helped us know which bus to take and we found the other missionaries in a very short time, and returned with them to give the woman a blessing.

I know that the Holy Ghost is real and that He will help you know what is true when you are obedient and when you ask. I know that the gift of the Holy Ghost is a very special blessing that each of can receive. I would love to hear how the Holy Ghost has helped you.

I love you!

Heavenly Father Helps Us Obey His Commandments

Do these things:
*Clap your hands 3 times
*Turn around once and then back the other way
*Blink your right eye, then your left, then both
*Touch your toes

If you did all those things, thank you for obeying. What does it mean to obey?

It means to be do what you are asked to do.

Nephi was very obedient. We learned last week about how he obeyed the Lord and got the brass plates. The Book of Mormon tells of several things Nephi did because he was obedient. One of my favorites is when the Lord asked him to build a ship for his family to cross the ocean and go to the promised land (the American continent.) Nephi didn't know how to build a ship. He didn't have the tools he needed to build ship.

Nephi knew that the Lord would help him to obey, so he asked for help to find the supplies he needed to make the tools. The Lord answered his prayer, and he taught Nephi how to build the ship in a manner different from how other men had built them. The ship he built was very sturdy.

Heavenly Father and Jesus helped Nephi because they loved him and wanted to help his family be happy. They love each of you and they want you to be happy. They give us commandments to obey because they love us. Obeying the commandments brings us happiness.

Here's another story about how Heavenly Father helped a young girl obey the commandment to keep the Sabbath day hol:

Ma-ling had a little food stand on the street near the river. Every day she would sell her rice and fish to the people who stopped at her shop. Each night as she returned to her home on the houseboat and counted the money she had earned, she would sigh and shake her head, for it was barely enough to buy rice for her family and fish to sell the next day.

One day Ma-ling met the missionaries, and they taught her the gospel. They taught her about Heavenly Father’s commandments and about keeping the Sabbath day holy. Ma-ling talked to Heavenly Father in prayer and promised him that she would not open her stand on Sunday anymore. She wanted to keep the Sabbath day holy and not work on Sunday.

From that time on, each night as Ma-ling counted her money, she found she had more money than ever before. She was able to buy more food to share with her family, and she was able to buy more fish to sell. Heavenly Father blessed Ma-ling because she kept the Sabbath day holy. Ma-ling was happy because she obeyed the commandments.

What commandment did Ma-ling obey? How did Heavenly Father help her?

Can you name a commandment that you can obey now?

What can you do if you need Heavenly Father's help to be obedient?

Sometimes it is hard to be obedient, but you can always pray and ask Heavenly Father to help. I know that He will answer your prayers and will help you find the way to obey.

I love you!

The Book of Mormon

In our lesson Sunday, we told our class members about how Nephi and his brothers got the brass plates from Laban. You can read about it in I Nephi 3 & 4. Here's what you can read and see in Book of Mormon Stories. It's an amazing story about how Nephi and Sam trusted God and knew they could do whatever he commanded them to do, as long as they had faith and obeyed

Lehi told Nephi that the Lord wanted him and his brothers to go back to Jerusalem. They were to get the brass plates from a man named Laban.

1 Nephi 3:2–4



The brass plates were important records. They told about Lehi’s forefathers and contained the words of God revealed through the prophets.

1 Nephi 3:3, 1 Nephi 3:20


Laman and Lemuel did not want to return to get the brass plates. They said it would be too hard to do. They did not have faith in the Lord.

1 Nephi 3:5



Nephi wanted to obey the Lord. He knew the Lord would help him and his brothers get the brass plates from Laban.

1 Nephi 3:7


Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi traveled back to Jerusalem to get the brass plates.

1 Nephi 3:9



Laman went to Laban and asked him for the plates.

1 Nephi 3:11–12



Laban was angry and would not give Laman the brass plates. Laban wanted to kill Laman, but Laman escaped.

1 Nephi 3:13–14




Laman told his brothers what had happened. He was afraid and wanted to give up and go back to their father in the wilderness.

1 Nephi 3:14



Nephi said they could not return without the brass plates. He told his brothers to have more faith in the Lord and they would be able to get the brass plates.

1 Nephi 3:15–16



Nephi and his brothers went to their old home in Jerusalem and gathered their gold and silver to exchange for the plates.

1 Nephi 3:22



They showed Laban their riches and offered to trade them for the plates. When Laban saw their gold and silver, he wanted it for himself and threw them out.

1 Nephi 3:24–25


Laban told his men to kill Lehi’s sons. Nephi and his brothers ran and hid in a cave. Laban kept their gold and silver.

1 Nephi 3:25–27



Laman and Lemuel were angry with Nephi. They beat Nephi and Sam with a stick.

1 Nephi 3:28



An angel appeared and told Laman and Lemuel to stop. He said the Lord would help them get the plates. He also said Nephi would become a leader over his brothers.

1 Nephi 3:29


Nephi told his brothers to have faith in the Lord and not be afraid of Laban and his men. Nephi encouraged his brothers to go back to Jerusalem.

1 Nephi 4:1–4



That night Nephi’s brothers hid outside the city wall while Nephi sneaked inside. He walked toward Laban’s house.

1 Nephi 4:5



As Nephi got close to Laban’s house, he saw a drunk man lying on the ground. It was Laban.

1 Nephi 4:6–8



Nephi saw Laban’s sword and picked it up. The Holy Ghost told Nephi to kill Laban, but Nephi did not want to kill him.

1 Nephi 4:9–10



The Holy Ghost again told Nephi to kill Laban so Nephi could get the brass plates. Lehi’s family needed the plates so they could learn the gospel.

1 Nephi 4:12, 1 Nephi 4:16–17



Nephi obeyed the Holy Ghost and killed Laban. Nephi then put on Laban’s clothes and armor.

1 Nephi 4:18–19



Nephi went into Laban’s house and was met by Zoram, Laban’s servant. Nephi looked and sounded just like Laban.

1 Nephi 4:20



He told Zoram to get the brass plates. Zoram thought Nephi was Laban, so he gave him the plates. Nephi told Zoram to follow him.

1 Nephi 4:21, 1 Nephi 4:24–25



Laman, Lemuel, and Sam saw Nephi coming and were scared; they thought he was Laban. They started to run away but stopped when Nephi called to them.

1 Nephi 4:28–29


Then Zoram realized that Nephi was not Laban, and he tried to run. Nephi caught Zoram and promised not to harm him if he would go with Nephi into the wilderness.

1 Nephi 4:30–33

Zoram agreed. Nephi and his brothers took Zoram and the brass plates and returned to Lehi and Sariah.

1 Nephi 4:35, 1 Nephi 4:38

Why do you think it was so important to get the brass plates?

You can play a game to find out. Get all your family or a bunch of friends to stand in a circle. Whisper a sentence into the ear of the person next to you and have them whisper to the next person, etc. When it gets to the last person have him/her say itoutloud. It will probably be different from what you first whispered.

That shows how important it is to have God's words written so that they can't be changed. The words on the brass plates - and in our scriptures - were Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's teachings and were written by prophets. We can read them and remember them because they are written down.

This story is told in the Primary song, "Nephi's Courage", which you probably know. Here are the words, written by Bill and Lisa Hansen:

1. The Lord commanded Nephi to go and get the plates
From the wicked Laban inside the city gates.
Laman and Lemuel were both afraid to try.
Nephi was courageous. This was his reply:

2. The Lord commanded Nephi to go and build a boat.
Nephi’s older brothers believed it would not float.
Laughing and mocking, they said he should not try.
Nephi was courageous. This was his reply:

3. The Lord gives us commandments and asks us to obey.
Sometimes I am tempted to choose another way.
When I’m discouraged, and think I cannot try,
I will be courageous, and I will reply:

Chorus
“I will go; I will do the thing the Lord commands.
I know the Lord provides a way; he wants me to obey.
I will go; I will do the thing the Lord commands.
I know the Lord provides a way; he wants me to obey.”
Words and music: Bill N. Hansen Jr., b. 1952, and Lisa T. Hansen, b. 1958

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!!!!!

Grandpa and I were visiting his mother in Colorado for Mother's Day so we didn't teach a lesson in primary yesterday. This post is going to be about my mother. I want you to know about my mom because each of you has a very special MOM.

My mother's name is Barbra Laney Jensen. She was a very dedicated mother. She had 9 children!!!!!!!!! Can you imagine if you had 8 siblings (ask your parents what that word means if you don't already know :)? Well, that's how many I had. Four brothers and four sisters. And most of the time we got along, but not always. With that many siblings, there was always at least one that I wanted to play with or talk with or do something with.

Our mom and dad taught us what was right. They taught to be honest, to work, to share, to help others, and to be happy. They taught us in Family Home Evening, around the dinner table, when we were in the car, and in personal conversations. I didn't as many personal conversations as I wanted because I shared my parents with 8 other kids. So sometimes my mom would come help me when I was doing the dishes (no dishwasher :) or folding the laundry. I would get so excited to have my mother's undivided attention. My mom knew that I really strongly disliked matching socks, so whenever she had time she would fold those so I didn't have to. That's the kind of understanding mom she was.

My mom and dad taught me about the gospel of Jesus Christ. They taught me the commandments and helped me understand them so that after I was baptized I knew how to be obedient and how to repent when I made mistakes. They taught me that I showed my respect for them by doing what they asked me to do and by talking with them. They taught me to love them even when they spanked me or grounded me. They taught me that they did this because they loved me. That's a hard thing to teach to a child, but I knew it was true because they loved me so much.

Their best teachings were their examples. I never saw them do something that they told me not to do. They told me to keep the Sabbath Day holy and they kept it holy. They told me to dress modestly and they always were modest. They taught me not to talk badly about other people and they didn't gossip. They taught me to be grateful for what I had, and they did the same. They taught me to pay the first 10% of what I earned as tithing, and explained how they learned the importance of this principle. When I disobeyed they always gave me a consequence so that I would learn that obedience brings blessings and disobedience brings unpleasant consequences.

When I became an adult, my mom became one of my best friends. I will always remember helping her paint her home, walking around the mall parking lot with her, and helping her organize her slides. Your parents and I may tell you stories about your Grandma Jensenand her game-playing skills. She was fun to play games with, and she always hinted that perhaps she was cheating just so she could win. I don't think anyone ever actually proved it, but it was a lot of fun to tease her.


Some of you might remember Grandma and some of you never met her. I hope your mom and dad will tell you about their experiences with her so that you will know what a wonderful woman you are related to. And you will know that she is one of the people who I am trying to become like. She was one of the most Christlike people I've ever met, and I was lucky enough to be raised by her. She and my Dad were a very successful team.

You have a great heritage, and I want you to always remember that. I love you VERY VERY MUCH! In fact, you have lots and lots of grandmas and great-grandmas who love you!

The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon

Today we talked with our class about how we received the Book of Mormon. We started by telling them that long ago some fathers kept histories of their families, which they passed to their sons to continue writing their histories. Some of these fathers were prophets, like Mormon who gathered all the histories of his people and then copied the most important parts onto thin sheets of gold, which we now call gold plates.

We gave each of our class members an empty tin can and a nail and told them to write their initials on the bottom of the can so that they could get a feel for what the ancient prophets did. We told them to turn their cans upside down so that the sharp edges couldn't hurt them - This was a FUN activity.

Then we talked about Mormon giving the plates to his son, Moroni, who later built a stone box in which he buried the plates. This was becaue Heavenly Father knew that what was written on the gold plates would be important many years later, to US. We sang "The Golden Plates" and talked about why Mormon used gold plates. It's because he knew they would last a long time.
Next we told our class about Moroni appearing to Joseph Smith 3 times in the night, and once again the next day, to tell him about the gold plates. Each time Moroni gave Joseph Smith the same mesage. Why do you think Moroni appeared to him so many times?
It was becaue the message was so very important and he wanted Joseph to learn it and remember. We told about how Joseph was told to tell his father about all he had seen and heard, and how his father told him that he believed him and felt it was from God. Later that day Joseph went to the Hill Cumorah and recognized the spot where he had been told the plates were buried. Angel Moroni appeared to him again and told him to return each year for 4 years. Every time he did, he found Moroni waiting to teach him what Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ wanted him to know.

After 4 years he took the plates out of the stone box Moroni had buried them, and began to translate them. A special tool, called the Urim and Thummim (like special glasses that would help him understand what the writings meant in his language) was also in the stone box to help him. When the translation was completed, the book was printed and is called The Book of Mormon.

Here are some pictures you can color and cut out to tell the story to someone else:
Do you have a copy of this great book? Do you read it or have someone read it to you?
I know that the Book of Mormon contains the words of ancient prophets and that it is a true book. I know that when you read it you will feel how much Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you. You will learn what you need to do to be happy.

I love you!

Jesus Christ Made It Possible for Us to Live Forever

Last Sunday was Easter and Grandpa taught our class:
When Jesus was resurrected, he became immortal, and he also made it possible for all of us to be resurrected and become immortal. This means that after we have been resurrected, we will never die again. We can live with our families forever.

He showed his hand to the children and then said:
When we lived with Heavenly Father before we were born we were called spirits. We could move (He moved the fingers on his hand) and think and learn.
When our spirits came to live on earth, we were given earthly bodies. (He put on a glove.) We could still move (He moved his fingers in the glove) and think and learn, but Heavenly Father gave us wonderful bodies to have and take care of.

When we die, the body must separate from the spirit (He took off the glove). The body cannot move by itself (He pointed at the glove) but the spirit is still alive.

When we are resurrected, the body becomes perfect and is once again united with the spirit (He put the glove back on his hand). After we are resurrected, we can never die again. That means that the spirit and the body can never be separated.

Because Jesus Christ loves each of us very much, he died for us. Jesus was the first person to be resurrected. Because of what he did for us, we will be resurrected and may live again with Heavenly Father. When we think of Easter, we should think about the first Easter and remember the love that Jesus Christ has for us. He gave his life for us. He was resurrected. Now he lives in heaven with his Heavenly Father.

Jesus Christ’s resurrection is so wonderful that each year we celebrate Easter to show him how grateful we are for what he did for us.

You might want to print this off:


We gave each of our kids a paper with that, and each one drew a picture of him/herself inside the circle and wrote "Jesus Christ loves me" on the paper below.

I want you to know that I know that Jesus Christ loves each of you and that He lives. We will live again because of Him. And when we are obedient we are showing Him that we love Him.

I love you!
Grandma