Steph
A Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit- Bruce D. Porter
General Conference Oct. 2007
Those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit are willing to do anything and everything that God asks of them, and will follow Him.Prayer:
Scripture: “And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart . . . , him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost” 3 Nephi 9:19–20.
Song: “I Will Follow God’s Plan For Me”
Lesson:
Cut two semi-circular arrows. When put together they should form a circle as well as point to each other. Label one instruction and the other practice.
Show a picture of a famous basketball player to your family. Tell them to imagine that the famous ball player is coming to their home. He is coming to teach them everything he knows about basketball: dribbling, passing, shooting, blocking, and much more.
They watch him carefully and listen to everything he says. But that is not enough. He tells them that they have to practice everything he teaches them. So they begin to practice every day. He agrees to come and watch them practice. When he sees something they need to improve on, he stops them and gives more instruction. Then they practice again.
This continues day after day. He gives them the help they need, and they practice diligently each move he teaches them. Put up the arrow labeled instruction. The first step in becoming good at something is receiving instruction from someone who is already experienced. Put up the next arrow, labeled practice, to form a circle. The second part of becoming good at something is to practice what we have been taught. As we practice we receive more instruction to make us even better. Then we practice what we have learned. This is a cycle which repeats itself over and over.
We need to practice the things Heavenly Father has asked us to do, to show him we will follow Him always. Following His instructions shows Him that we have a broken heart and contrite spirit. The more we practice doing what is right and turning our will to the Savior the happier we will be. When we listen to and are obedient to everything He asks then we have turned our heart over to Him. When we make mistakes, and we all will, part of having a broken heart and contrite spirit is also using the atonement in our lives and repenting. We need to humble ourselves before the Lord and repent of our wrong doings. He will forgive us because He has promised us He will and because He loves us.
As in all things, the Savior’s life offers us the perfect example: though Jesus of Nazareth was utterly without sin, He walked through life with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, as manifested by His submission to the will of the Father. “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” John 6:38. To His disciples He said, “Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart” Matthew 11:29. And when the time came to pay the ultimate sacrifice entailed in the Atonement, Christ shrank not to partake of the bitter cup but submitted completely to His Father’s will.
The Savior’s perfect submission to the Eternal Father is the very essence of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Christ’s example teaches us that a broken heart is an eternal attribute of godliness. When our hearts are broken, we are completely open to the Spirit of God and recognize our dependence on Him for all that we have and all that we are.
Questions:
1 How can we submit our will to the Father? (follow the promptings of the spirit, repent, be humble, obey the commandments, etc)
2 What can we do to help gain strength to have a broken heart and contrite spirit? (pray)
3 How can we help others want to follow the Savior’s instructions? (be a good example, share the gospel, etc.)
Activity:
Set up an obstacle course using chairs, tables, broomsticks, or other items. Select someone to walk blindfolded from one end of the obstacle course to the other. If he touches any obstacles he must start over, but someone will give him verbal directions through the course. Let each family member try the obstacle course. Explain that when we are obedient to the verbal directions given we will make it to the end of the obstacle course and will be happy. Apply this to our mortal life and in the end will get to live with Heavenly Father again.
Refreshment:
Zucchini Bread
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3 eggs
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 cups zucchini, grated
1 cup walnuts, chopped
Grease well large 8x4-inch loaf pan or 2 small 7x3-inch loaf pans. Set aside. In large bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon. Set aside. In separate mixing bowl, beat eggs until light and foamy. Add oil, sugar, vanilla, and zucchini; mix well. Add flour mixture and mix just until moist. (Overmixing causes tunnels and a coarse texture.) Fold in nuts. Pour into prepared pan or pans. (Pans should be about two-thirds full.) Bake at 325 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes for large loaf or 35 minutes for small loaves, or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Do not overbake. Serves 10 to 12
