Author Archives: Joyce Anderson

About Joyce Anderson

Joyce is a mother, wife, sister, school teacher, Bulgarian speaker, conservative, lover of good music, social media junky and a two time culinary arts Grand Champion bread baker. She and the family reside in a remote mountain community where great discoveries have been made. When not changing the world, she enjoys the occasional bowl of chips and salsa. She can be found at: http://pinterest.com/TheAtomicMom

Mourning With Those That Mourn

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These are just some thoughts that I’ve had swirling in my head for a while now, but with the release of the new Church Handbook today, I’ve seen a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth on the socials from people who style themselves as LGBT “allies” in anticipation of what they think the new Handbook will say.

One tweet said, “We need to mourn with our LGBT friends that mourn today and not remind them of the commandments” (???????)

There was another tweet about the supposed harm the Church does when it makes clear policy and doctrinal statements regarding the Law of Chastity, moral behavior, marriage and family relationships. I’ve seen it called “spiritual violence”.

Needless to say, it’s a full sack cloth and ashes day for some.

Continue reading →

What I Learned In Primary: I Am Blessed When I Obey

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Teaching the CTR-7s in our Primary continues to be a fun calling.  These kids are excited for their baptisms, and to follow the Savior, Jesus Christ.  Today we learned about our choices and how they determine the way our life will go.

Every day, all day, is a series of choices.  We choose to wake up on time, we choose to eat breakfast. We choose to do homework, read the scriptures, watch TV, or be helpful in our homes.  Sometimes we make good choices, sometimes we make bad choices, and mistakes.  No matter what we choose, there will be a consequence or reaction to our choices.  Apparently this week everyone had their TV and video games taken away at some point.  They were all able to earn their privileges back, but they are learning.

And he hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence. (2 Nephi 1: 20). Continue reading →

What I Learned in Primary: The Covenant Path

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I teach the CTR-7 Primary class in my ward. I’ve taught this class several times over the years, and these 7 year olds turning 8 are always a hoot.

Today’s lesson was on Lehi’s Vision of the Tree of Life.  I let the kids tell the story.  Here were some of their observations:

7 year old boy:  “I would go to the Great and Spacious Building…..and PUNCH IT!

Me: “Why does’t this building have a foundation?”  7 year old boy, “Because the devil can’t build Legos!”

8 year old girl:  “I would throw the fruit at the people on the path!”  “Why?”  “Because so they could have a snack!”

7 year old boy, “You better be careful around that water!  You could drown!”

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Church Music: I Will Walk With Jesus, and Go & Do

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In the Face to Face broadcast back in November, two new songs were introduced which go along with the new Children and Youth programs in the Church. Normally, I am not a fan of what I call “church pop”, but these songs are really good and have brought a very strong spirit into our home as we’ve listened to them. And as an FYI — there is an entire album of songs that go with this year’s youth program found by following THIS LINK.

We started learning I Will Walk With Jesus in Primary today. It was raining on my face is all, I was not weepy or anything — primary kids are the best! I am really starting to understand at a deeper level why Pres. Nelson talks about walking the “Covenant Path” so much. We need to walk that path, we need to teach our children to walk that path at very young ages, because the world they are going to live in will try and take them in so many ways off of that sacred path.

The song for the youth (kids age 11-18) is called Go & Do and is the youth theme for the year, based off of 1 Nephi 3: 7. . In the official video the song is sung by David Archuleta. This song also talks about walking with Christ. Do you see the theme of walking the covenant path and walking that path with Jesus Christ? What a great message for our kids. What an invitation for all of us.

Christmas Music: The Nutcracker Ballet

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Last year when I had more time, I shared some of my favorite Christmas music every day in December. Life is a bit more hectic this year, and I’m only getting to thinking about Christmas this week, and even then, it’s very passive thoughts. If anyone wants to come wrap presents, let me know …

One of my favorite memories of childhood Christmas time is dressing up in our Sunday best, piling in the station wagon with all of our cousins and Grandparents, and driving over to Grady Gammage Auditorium in Tempe, Arizona. Every year Ballet West would come thru town and perform the Nutcracker Ballet. We went every year. Gammage was magical, the Nutcracker was magical, and planted in my childhood heart a love of Russian classical music.

This weekend we’re going to watch the Nutcracker with our kids, on the TV, as we’re far away from Arizona, Gammage and have no station wagon to pile into. Enjoy this performance of the Bolshoi from last year.