Below is a video for Young Men in the Mormon Church. The video talks about the important need for Young Men to be a Priesthood man and fulfilling your Duty to God. The Video is called “Becoming a priesthood man: Priesthood duty”.
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My two kids started a paper route just a few months ago. It has been great to have them learn how to work and that work does pay off. They are enjoying the money they are making and at the same time, they are learning how much a dollar is worth. The one down side of doing a paper route is that you have to work every day, including Sunday. I really would rather not have them work on Sunday but a paper route is not one of those jobs that gives you a choice. So, we do the paper route on Sunday and we try to keep our minds on the Sabbath. One morning I decided to turn on the radio to see if there was any uplifting music playing at the early hour of 5:00am. I bounced around the radio dial looking for something other than rock and roll and country music. I didn’t find anything. Then, I came across Mix 103. It is a local radio station and I was surprised to hear a “Mormon” song. I was a little shocked. We don’t live in a predominantly Mormon city so I was curious. We listened to the station all morning on the route and heard many inspiring stories and beautiful hymns. Some of the comments made during the program I could tell were specifically LDS topics. They mentioned the Book of Mormon and many scriptures from the Mormon Standard Works which includes the Bible, Doctrine and Covenants, Perl of Great Price, and the Book of Mormon. But, there were other messages that were just uplifting and positive with no reference to any specific religion.

I enjoyed it so much that I was determined to contact my local radio station, Mix 103, and let them know that I appreciated the programming of “Sounds of Sunday“. Every Sunday for several weeks I remembered that I wanted to call the radio station but each week I kept forgetting. Well, this morning I called and offered my thanks for such great programming for Sunday Morning. I also decided to go the “The Sounds of Sunday” website and thank them for what they were doing. I received wonderful feedback from both institutions. The radio station even mentioned that they are thinking of playing “the sounds of Sunday” all the way till noon.

So, now, every Sunday morning when we are on our paper route, I turn my radio to 102.9 and listen to some beautiful Sunday music so that our little LDS Family can prepare ourselves to participate in the Sunday services at Church later in the day.

“BYUtv is trying to promote good in the world by making this video go viral, and there is no better time than during the Christmas season! This month, BYUtv partnered with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to provide a unique way to celebrate the season with one of the world’s most beloved musical compositions, Handel’s Messiah.

After you watch the Choir’s video below, BYUtv challenges you to spread this unique Christmas message by sharing it! Post it on your Facebook wall, embed it in your blog, or send it in a holiday e-mail to help spread the spirit of the season.”

FAMILY HOME EVENING

www.ayearoffhe.blogspot.com – FHE

www.fheinasnap.blogspot.com -FHE

www.fheplanner.blogspot.com – FHE -link to – www.youpublish.com

www.sugardoodle.net – all auxiliaries, much stuff

www.theideadoor.com – all auxiliaries, much stuff

PRIMARY

www.christysclipart.com – Primary music, Primary, YW, RS

www.emmasplacetobe.blogspot.com – all auxiliaries, handouts

www.jackandjillofalltrades.blogspot.com – YW, Primary, celebrations

www.latterdaychatter.blogspot.com – all auxiliaries lesson aides, cute handouts

www.ldsactivitydayideas.blogspot.com – activity days

www.sugardoodle.net – all auxiliaries, much stuff

www.theideadoor.com – all auxiliaries, much stuff

www.wendy’sactivities.blogspot.com – activity days

PRIMARY MUSIC

www.basicprimarymusic.blogspot.com

www.beehivemessages.blogspot.com – Primary music, YW girl’s camp

www.christysclipart.com – Primary music, Primary, YW, RS

www.emmasplacetobe.blogspot.com – all auxiliaries, handouts

www.jollyjenn.com

www.primarysingingtimeideas.blogspot.com

www.primarysingingtimewithmatilda.blogspot.com

www.thechildrensing.blogspot.com

PRINTABLES – DIGITAL PAPER

www.pinkigloodesigns.blogspot.com – digital paper

www.steadfast-and-immovable.blogspot.com – YW handouts, digital scrapbooking

www.summertimedesigns.blogspot.com – digital paper

RELIEF SOCIETY

www.christysclipart.com – Primary music, Primary, YW, RS

www.emmasplacetobe.blogspot.com – all auxiliaries, handouts

www.enrichmentcottage.com – RS activities, crafts, recipes, homemaking, humor

www.sugardoodle.net – all auxiliaries, much stuff

www.theideadoor.com – all auxiliaries, much stuff

SELF RELIANCE

www.plentyofpicnics.blogspot.com – self reliance, storage, bible stories

www.preparednotscared.blogspot.com -preparedness, planners

www.sugardoodle.net – all auxiliaries, much stuff

www.theideadoor.com – all auxiliaries, much stuff

VISITING TEACHING

www.alittletipsy.com – YW, VT, gifts, tutorials

www.emmasplacetobe.blogspot.com – all auxiliaries, handouts

www.latterdaychatter.blogspot.com – all auxiliaries lesson aides, cute handouts

www.ldshandouts.blogspot.com – YW, VT

www.sugardoodle.net – all auxiliaries, much stuff

www.theideadoor.com – all auxiliaries, much stuff

www.visitingteachingblog.blogspot.com – VT

www.visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com – VT

www.visitingteachingtips.blogspot.com – VT

YOUNG WOMAN

www.alittletipsy.com – YW, VT, gifts, tutorials

www.beehivemessages.blogspot.com – Primary music, YW girl’s camp

www.christysclipart.com – Primary music, Primary, YW, RS

www.emmasplacetobe.blogspot.com – all auxiliaries, handouts

www.jackandjillofalltrades.blogspot.com – YW, Primary, celebrations

www.jillsldsyw.blogspot.com – YW

www.latterdaychatter.blogspot.com – all auxiliaries lesson aides, cute handouts

www.ldshandouts.blogspot.com – YW, VT

www.papercakesandicing.blogspot.com – YW lesson aides $$

www.steadfast-and-immovable.blogspot.com – YW handouts, digital scrapbooking

www.sugardoodle.net – all auxiliaries, much stuff

www.theideadoor.com – all auxiliaries, much stuff

OTHER – CRAFTS / SEWING

www.alittletipsy.com – YW, VT, gifts, tutorials

www.controllingmychaos.com – recipe cards, crafts

www.deckthehalls-christmas.blogspot.com – craft ideas

www.enrichmentcottage.com – RS activities, crafts, recipes, homemaking, humor

www.jackandjillofalltrades.blogspot.com – YW, Primary, celebrations

www.makingitfun.blogspot.com – sewing, tutorials

www.mormonchic.com – gospel, recipes, mommy, style, crafty, healthy, deals

www.plentyofpicnics.blogspot.com – self reliance, storage, Bible stories

www.preparednotscared.blogspot.com -preparedness, planners

www.skiptomylou.org – crafts, recipes, teacher appreciation

www.sugardoodle.net – all auxiliaries, much stuff

www.thecottagehome.blogspot.com – sewing tutorial

www.theideaattic.blogspot.com

www.theideadoor.com – all auxiliaries, much stuff

www.thequiltingdiaries.blogspot.com – quilting ideas

www.threebears.wordpress.com – sewing tutorials

OTHER – MISCELLANEOUS

www.christmasintheair.blogspot.com – Christmas stories

www.educationaltoysplanet.com – wooden toys

www.etsy.com – shopping

www.executivehomemaker.com – kids, parties, holidays, gifts

www.family.go.com – Disney site

www.lds.about.com – 150 wrappers for Life Savers

www.mormonchic.com – gospel, recipes, mommy, style, crafty, healthy, deals

www.mycreativestirrings.blogspot.com – ideas

www.partiesandholidays.blogspot.com – lots and lots of ideas

www.room-mom101.blogspot.com – lots and lots of ideas

www.skiptomylou.org – crafts, recipes, teacher appreciation

www.wonderwoman.blogspot.com

ALL AUXILLIARIES

www.emmasplacetobe.blogspot.com – all auxiliaries, handouts

www.jackandjillofalltrades.blogspot.com –  YW, Primary, celebrations

www.latterdaychatter.blogspot.com – all auxiliaries lesson aides, cute handouts

www.lds.com.about – clip art, visuals

www.ldshandouts.blogspot.com – YW, VT

www.mormonshare.com – all auxiliaries, clip art, activities, primary talks

www.plentyofpicnics.blogspot.com – self reliance, storage, Bible stories

www.sugardoodle.net – all auxiliaries, much stuff

www.theideadoor.com – all auxiliaries, much stuff

Not only was it a very fun time to sing with 100 men, but both of my boys were able to pass off one of their requirements for their Duty To God program.

My son that is a Teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood was able to pass off a requirement that states, “Sing the National Anthem alone or in a group. Explain its origin to parents / leaders.”.

My son that is a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood completed the following requirement, “Sing with a church, school, or community choir.”

It was a nice “guys night out” event. We were able to spend some valuable time together learning the song and singing it before a huge audience.

Below is a video of our 100 Man Choir.

For those of you that would rather watch it on YouTube, you can follow this link.

Please remember the Christmas Story this year.

When driving to Burley, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect and my kids definitely had low expectations. I was a little hesitant because it was $10.00 per seat. Yikes! A family of 6, which we are, had to spend $60.00 to get into the theater. Ouch! I wish they had some sort of family discount or something.

As the music started I could tell that our kids were thinking it was going to be two long hours of boring dancing. After the first routine filled with dancers and awesome singers, all of the kids were on the front of their seats with big grins. I could see that they were going to enjoy the show. Each act was exciting and fun to watch. All of the performers looked like they were having a blast and the music was of the highest quality.

By intermission, I was getting a tug at my arm with the request to buy the CD’s they were offering in the foyer. Of course, another 15 to 20 bucks for the CD. So we passed since the tickets were so expensive.

I am so glad that we went. We always want to encourage our kids to be involved in music and dance. The show just gave them a glimpse of what they could do if they followed through with some of their training. I think our kids renewed their commitment to piano, clogging, singing, and dance. I hope they see the potential and look at these great role models up on stage and say, “I want to be just like that guy or girl”.

After the show, one of the performers walked down the isle and stopped at our row. He shook each of our kids hands and asked their names. He genuinely showed interest in our kids and remembered their names as they left. I think that was a special moment in each of their lives. It sure impressed me.

The other great thing about this visit to Burley was that we saw a number of other LDS Families that were there with their kids. I really felt like we were in good company with the families that we saw in attendance. They are all striving to do the same as we were, encourage our kids to be involved in singing and dance. I felt like we were at the right place, at the right time.

The little kids are so cute when they walk up to the “big” microphone and say their little memorized sentence or two. They also sing several songs that tie all of the little talks together nicely. My two daughters did a really good job. They had their parts memorized and were able to talk loudly and distinctly into the microphone. I was very proud of their participation in the program.

There were a couple of songs that they sang, that I had never heard before. I tried to find them in the Primary Song Book but they weren’t there. I asked my wife and found them in the list of music found in “The Friend” magazine.  The two songs that I didn’t recognize were, “The Family is of God” and “My Eternal Family”.

The whole program reminded me of a number of things that our family still needs to focus on.  It is hard not to smile while watching these little children speak and sing.

Thanks to my great parents and also their parents who knew the influence of good music and encouraged it in their homes. And I have in turn encouraged it in my home. It is a delight to have my piano constantly in use. (Since I’ve been sitting here, Will has played a Christmas song, the Entertainer, Fall For You and is now playing the Mario Brothers theme song). Sometimes it gets pretty loud and even obnoxious, but I try to never tell the kids they can’t play the piano. I have asked them to choose different songs sometimes. Piano music has become a constant sound at our house. I hope the kids enjoy it as much as I do.