This visiting teaching idea comes from Elder Richard G. Scott’s talk in the last General Conference, entitled, “He Lives! All Glory to His Name!” I was very touched by Elder Scott’s testimony of Jesus Christ. It made me want to work harder to know my Savior, and to understand the resurrection and atonement.
Elder Scott said, “…as you remember the Resurrection and the price paid and the gift given through the Atonement, ponder what the scriptures teach of those sacred events. Your personal witness of their reality will be strengthened. They must be more than principles you memorize. They must be woven into the very fiber of your being as a powerful bulwark against the rising tide of abomination that infects our world. ”
With that quote in mind, I made a paper woven heart basket. The words on the woven strips refer to this quote:
“I energetically encourage you to establish a personal study plan to better understand and appreciate the incomparable, eternal, infinite consequences of Jesus Christ’s perfect fulfillment of His divinely appointed calling as our Savior and Redeemer. Profound personal pondering of the scriptures accompanied by searching, heartfelt prayer will fortify your understanding of and appreciation for His priceless Atonement. Another powerful way to learn of Jesus Christ and His Atonement is through consistent temple attendance.”
I believe as we do those things: profound personal scripture study, searching heartfelt prayer, and consistent temple attendance, the principles learned regarding the atonement will become woven into our hearts and minds.
To get started with your woven basket, download the printable file here in English and here in Spanish. Print on white and/or colored paper.
Fold the paper in half, where indicated.
Cut the folded paper, through both layers, on the dotted lines.
Weave the basket by going through and around the strips of paper. Shown here – going through.
Shown here – going around.
After going through one more time, scoot the first woven strip up to the top and begin on the second strip, this time going around first. Continue until all three strips are woven, and voila!
You have a woven heart basket that you can add a ribbon handle to, fill with goodies, or give as is. You could also print out one more quote from Elder Scott’s talk to place inside. I love this one:
“Your understanding of the Atonement and the insight it provides for your life will greatly enhance your productive use of all of the knowledge, experience, and skills you acquire in mortal life. …There is an imperative need for each of us to strengthen our understanding of the significance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ so that it will become an unshakable foundation upon which to build our lives. As the world becomes more devoid of foundational standards and as honor, virtue, and purity are increasingly cast aside in the pursuit of appetite, our understanding of and faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ will provide strength and capacity needed for a successful life. It will also bring confidence in times of trial and peace in moments of turmoil.
NOTE: I updated the printable file, so it looks a little different than the photos. I had the top quotes in the wrong order.
You can download this post in Spanish here.
Here is my board setup for today, as we sang both verses of “The Holy Ghost” (CS 105). We completed building our little comforter with the discovery questions, and sang through the song enough times to be pretty familiar with it. Next week I’ll set the board up the same way, and have the children pull items down a few at a time, until they can sing the whole thing without visual prompts.
