FHE and 14 Fundumentals

Tonight, we took Elder Costa's words to action and taught Pres. Benson's Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet.

We cut out each point and gave each family member 1 or 2 strips to draw their idea of what was said. Then, in order of number, we had each family member read and talk about what they had drawn. DH and I added to their ideas from Pres. Benson's talk.

Okay, and so what we felt as a family was, THE SPIRIT!

It was AMAZING!!! By # 11, we stopped and asked the family what feelings they felt? Peace, happiness were the feelings most easily recognized. We asked them if they knew what they were feeling...and yes, two of our children exclaimed, "The Spirit!"

DH shared a short testimony to wrap up FHE and then our 7 year old wanted to share her testimony (and she is shy as a church mouse). It was a testimony of following living prophets. Another daughter shared hers, I shared mine and then my 7 year old shared again. She was so full of the spirit she wanted to keep sharing (reminds me of reading in the Book of Mormon how when the Spirit filled hearts, testimonies could not be kept quiet).

So, what I want to share tonight is that I know for myself that when we follow the words and counsel from the messages of living prophets and the messages at conference, our families are blessed...with increase of testimony.

Here are the 14 points from Pres. Benson:

1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.
5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
6. The prophet does not have to say “Thus Saith the Lord,” to give us scripture.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may advise on civic matters.
11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.
14. The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.