The Visiting Teaching Message for June reads about how we are disciples of Jesus Christ as we minister to others. Taking inspiration from the following quote, I made a decoder and bookmark that is meant to illustrate how we need to first observe, and then serve:
Linda K. Burton, Relief Society general president, taught: “With practice, each of us can become more like the Savior as we serve God’s children. To help us better [minister to] one another, I would like to suggest four words to remember: ‘First observe, then serve.’ … As we do so, we are keeping covenants, and our service, like President Monson’s, will be evidence of our discipleship.”
One side of the bookmark is filled with dots of color that don’t look like much until we look closer (with the decoder tag) and clearly observe what is written upon it. It is the same with how we perceive the needs of those around us – unless we don our spiritual glasses and look for opportunities to serve we may not recognize the soul crying out for help, the brother or sister in need of comfort or assistance.
The back side of the bookmark has the quote from Sister Burton, a discussion question, and the following poem (written by myself):
We cannot serve without seeing first the need that someone holds.
Through prayer and Christlike vision we can serve with love thats bold.
Discernment is a gift that allows opportunity to act
to bless and do for others as we’ve promised in covenant.
The decoder tag represents our making an effort to notice the needs of those around us – to observe with Christlike love and interest the lives that we cross every day. It’s also like prayer, which enhances our ability to recognize opportunities to serve others, and gives us courage to step out of our comfort zones to bless lives and rescue souls.
To make this bookmark you will need the following:
- white cardstock
- color printer
- red cellophane
- string
- hole punch
- scissors
- glue stick
You can download the free printable here.
I also made an alternative “scrambled message” in the following languages:
I can’t even take it – SO COOL!!
Thanks, Rebecca! 🙂
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Thank you so much for your clever and unique aids. I have loved so many of your ideas. I really miss you while you took time off last year. Thanks for being so wonderful to share your ideas.
Sonja
Thank you, Sonja.
Love the creativity! Thanks for sharing.
Wow! Such a creative idea. Thank you for sharing!!!
just wondering how you were able to design it. i visit with a hispanic lady and would like to make the bookmark “hidden message” in spanish for her.
btw, that is so amazing! thank you 🙂
I’ve added the scrambled message in Spanish and French at the bottom of the post. I hope it’s helpful for you!
THANK YOU!!!!
I just love your idea and I would like to use this. But I’m from Brazil and most of the women that I visit don’t speak English.
Is there any chance I could translate this to Portuguese and you send me the file?
Thank you so much!
Sorry it’s taken me awhile, but I’ve added a Portuguese scrambled message at the bottom of the post.
Thank you so much!
Wow – simply wonderful. I hope my sisters will love this as much as I do. Thank you!!!
COMO FAÇO PARA VER A VERSÃO EM PORTUGUÊS?
I just added a link to the scrambled bookmark in Portuguese at the bottom of the post.
WOW this is amazing, Thank you so much this makes VT more meaningful and fun!!
this is brilliant! thanks a million x
What an amazing idea…can’t wait to use it for VT. I also teach school, and would love to use this idea for my students. May I ask, how were you able to make the hidden message part?
This is such a unique idea. Wish I had seen it in June for my message that month. I love your work! (Please continue.)