Clear as a Bell
I recently downloaded the Hallelujah Chorus to my cell phone. After playing it a few times while trying to figure out the logistics of using it for a ring tone, I realized that my 4-year-old son, Jesse, had been listening to the song. As I watched him, he began to sing with great emotion, “Jalapeno! Jalapeno!” It was difficult not to laugh as I realized he had heard the words a little differently than they were written, but the message was as clear as a bell.
Amanda Murphy
Louisburg, Kansas
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Always Watching
Last Christmas , my then 3-year-old niece, Leah, participated in our annual Christmas Eve nativity pageant . Her baby brother, Luke, got to play the role of Baby Jesus. A few weeks later in January, Leah's father was preparing his oldest child, 8-year-old Dallin, for his upcoming baptism, and demonstrated to all the children what happens during a baptism and how it is performed. The next day, Leah's mom walked through the family room and saw Leah holding little Luke's hand in the same manner. She pretended to baptize him in “the name of Baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger,” then said: “Now, don't be scared, Luke," as she dipped him backwards.
Kimberley Stewart
Washington, D.C.
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A Class to Remember
Many years ago before the Church's block plan, Primary was held during the week. I taught a class full of very rowdy young boys. My young daughter, having overheard my stories about the boys locking themselves inside sports lockers and swinging from the stage curtains, told my husband that I was teaching the “Violent B” class.
Susan Beyer
Santa Rosa, California
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Setting the Record Straight
Be careful what you tell your Primary class! As a child growing up in the Holladay area near Salt Lake City, I had the great blessing of being in President Monson's ward and stake. Because of a friendship my father had with him, he was asked to conduct my temple wedding in 1975. Recently I was talking to my class of 10-year-olds, explaining to them that President Monson will always be a very special prophet to me because he married me in the temple. After a few minutes, one of the students in the class asked: "So, you are one of President Monson's wives?" I then immediately went about setting the record straight!
Barbara Butterworth
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A Child's Nativity
I had fun teaching 2 1/2-year-old Jennifer the story of Jesus' birth. We practiced well all day so she could impress her Papa when he got home from work. When he returned that evening, we all went together to the nativity scene. I pointed to the woman and asked, "Who is that?" Ever so sweetly, she replied, "Mary." Then I pointed to the baby and asked her to name him. Softly, she said, "Baby Jesus." Finally I pointed to the man and asked, "And who is this?" Without a blink, Jennifer replied: "Joseph ... Smith."
Shannon Ryland
Edmonds, Washington
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Santa Clause
A friend in our ward plays the part of Santa Claus every year and has a very authentic costume. After visiting one of the families in our ward, one of the children approached his parents and said, "I know who it was that was just here: Brother Gillman.” The mother told him not to say anything to his smaller brothers and sisters because it might ruin their Christmas. “Don't worry, Mom,” the boy said. “I won't say a word, but isn't it something that Santa Claus lives in our ward?"
Robert Hart
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