Talk talk

Each month a different church class takes care of the weekly Primary opening exercise assignments of talk, scripture, Article of Faith and prayer. I really need to peek in on Elise's class when they make those assignments. Is she piping up with an "Oooh, pick me, pick me! I want to do the talk!"? Or is it more, "OK, if no one else will, I guess I'll give the talk"? Because either way, it seems like she gives the talk A LOT.


I'm grateful for the chance to work with her on these little speeches, however. I learn so much in the process of boiling down gospel truths to the essence a child can understand. Recently the assigned topic of "Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer" had me scratching my head. It's a fundamental truth, but how to explain it? Here's what we came up with:



Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. It is important for us to know what those words mean.


Sometimes we use the word "redeem" when talking about buying items. We redeem coupons to help make it easier to pay for something. We turn in the coupon to the cashier, so the cost is less. We also redeem, or turn in, movie tickets so we can see the show.


These uses of the word "redeem" give us a glimpse of what it means to be a Redeemer. Heavenly Father has set requirements to be able to come back to Heaven. The scriptures tell us, "No unclean thing can enter in."


Jesus Christ's atonement allows us to fully repent. Sometimes it is so hard. When we have done all we can, he steps in and makes up the difference. He redeemed, or turned in his life, to make our price easier to pay.


He is a Savior because he saves us and helps us return to Heavenly Father.



Elise ended by reading from the hymn "I Know my Redeemer Lives." I hope she'll remember hearing that sentence many times from her mother's lips. What an incredible stewardship we have as parents.