“Being Where We Should Be,” Friend, August 2016, 32–33
Being Where We Should Be
When I was 11 years old, I lived in Manti, Utah, USA. At the beginning of the year, my Primary teacher brought to our class a small, beautiful hatchet.
“Whoever comes to Primary the most this year gets to keep the hatchet,” she said. Right then I decided to come every week. And I did. At the end of the year, I got the hatchet!
Soon my 12th birthday came. I was ordained a deacon. Around this time, my family moved to Madison, Wisconsin, USA. I missed my friends but wanted to make new ones. Madison was much bigger than Manti. My new school was large. There weren’t many members of the Church. One day some popular kids invited me to a party. But the party was on the same night as a Church activity. I had learned from my experience in Primary that good things happen when I am faithful in attending my Church meetings. So I thanked them for inviting me and explained why I couldn’t come.
I am glad I went to the Church activity. The next day, everyone at school was talking about the party. Some kids had been drinking alcohol, they had damaged some furniture, and everyone who went got in a lot of trouble! I was so grateful that I had been where I needed to be.
I am thankful that I went to Primary and youth activities and other Church meetings as I was growing up. I learned important lessons about the gospel there. I was protected from temptation and sin. And I had fun at the activities.
Heavenly Father strengthens our faith and blesses us when we try to be where we should be and do what we should do.
In Doctrine and Covenants 88:63, Jesus said, “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you.”
As we attend our Church meetings, including sacrament meeting, we draw closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We learn important truths to guide our decisions throughout the week, even when we are not at church or surrounded by others who share our beliefs. When you live righteously, the Holy Ghost will help you know where you need to be and what you need to do.
Draw Near unto Jesus
At church, we learn how to make good choices and become better followers of Jesus. Fill in the blanks to help the children in the pictures know what to do.
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“Be ye ______________________ one to another” (Ephesians 4:32).
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“Blessed are the ____________________________________” (Matthew 5:9).
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“When ye are in the _________________________ of your fellow beings ye are only in the _________________________ of your God” (Mosiah 2:17).
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“If there is anything _________________________, lovely, or of good report or ______________________________, we seek after these things” (Articles of Faith 1:13).