I have to share this story, even though it didn't happen to me, it is such a beautiful story from my dear neighbor Lavon. She is one of the best Primary teachers I have ever seen. She loves those kids so much and thinks about them all the time. She puts so much into her calling because of her great love for the kids. Every few months our teachers are asked to present a Sharing Time lesson for the whole group and this is the part that usually gets Lavon a little worked up. She does such a good job, but she really lets herself get nervous about the whole thing. She usually starts preparing a few months in advance. That is what made this experience so special.
Lavon was given the topic of the Sacrament. She immediately remembered a lesson her father had given years ago in one of his church callings. Her mother had made beautiful visual aides to go along with the lesson and she was so excited to recreate all of that for the primary children. The lesson was on how to take the sacrament, especially focusing on what hand to use and why we do that. So Lavon started researching and couldn't find any information from a prophet or the scriptures or even in the Bishop's Handbook about how to take the sacrament. This put her in a stupor of thought. This stupor was so strong that she actually lost all her desire to do this lesson. Then she called the bishop to ask him what he knew about that. He said something that turned everything around for her. He said something to the effect of, "The Lord isn't as concerned about HOW you take the sacrament as He is with WHY you are taking the sacrament."
Lavon quickly figured out that this was the lesson she needed to prepare for the lesson- focusing on why we do this each week and what it means to us. As soon as she figured this out, the inspiration for her lesson came pouring in. She knew how much the Lord loved His children. He was very specific with her as to what lesson she should share, she could feel His inspiration and love as she put everything together for the children.
She prepared a beautiful lesson, it covered such basic, but essential facts about the sacrament and she was so excited to share it. Unfortunately, her husband is ill and she needs to stay home with him, so she has asked me to share the lesson for her. I am hoping the Lord's blessings will be with me and I can do half as good as Lavon would have done. Her spirit is so full after this experience and I am so grateful she shared this with me. The Lord wanted the children to learn what was most important and He let her know that very personally. And she listened to that council. What a wonderful neighbor. How lucky I am to have been given the chance to share in this wonderful experience.
