January Presidency Message

I am taking thoughts from President Uchtdorf’s First Presidency Message from the Ensign this month as well as from the January Sharing Time Manual.  President Uchtdorf reminds us of an old proverb that says, “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago…the second best time is now.”  He also says, “In ancient Rome, Janus was the god of beginnings. He was often depicted with two faces—one looking back on the past, the other looking forward to the future. Some languages name the month of January after him because the beginning of the year was a time for reflection as well as planning.” 

We have a new start, a beginning, a fresh perspective with this New Year.  This reminds us of our Savior and Redeemer who gives us new life through His atonement and our covenants with Him (week 2 of Sharing Time this January).  Let us prayerfully consider how we can become better sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.  Psalms 82:6 teaches, “I have said, Ye are gods:  and all of you are children of the most High.”  We teach this principal as outlined in our Sharing Time Manual for January (week 2).  It is through trying to be like our Savior Jesus Christ and following his example, we become the children our Father wants us to be (weeks 3-4 Sharing time this January). 

SO….how can YOU be more like our Savior?  This month’s First Presidency Message encourages us to, “Consider setting some goals in two or three areas of your life, such as physical health, spiritual health, and friendships, for example. What successes would you like to have in these areas this year? As you prayerfully think of some goals, make sure they are attainable but will require you to grow.”  We also encourage you to set a few goals to become more like our Savior and thus the sons and daughters of God our Heavenly Father wants us to be.  Your example will shine for the children in your Primary and they will learn from your example.

Thank you for your service and willingness to serve in God’s kingdom.  Recently I read a sign that said, “One day we will realize that the small things in life were really the big things.”  The small people we teach and set examples for are the greatest in God’s kingdom.  We pray that you and we will be worthy of the great blessing the Lord has given us and the responsibilities He has given us in serving them in His kingdom.