There is safety in following the prophet

Miriam's been trying to give a talk in primary for three months now. We were on the schedule in January but it was our first week back from our trip to Utah and we didn't get a reminder email so we completely spaced it. So we were put on the schedule for February, except the day that we were scheduled for ended up being the special stake conference. So we were put on the schedule for March and...we're so ready for this.

When I told Miriam her topic she asked for a paper, went into her bedroom, and emerged a few minutes later with this:

She's a good little writer. We just have to convince her to write across the paper rather than in columns. 

The transcription of what she wrote is below:

The saftye for foloing the prophet is choosing the right. Choosing the right is serving and helping and being babtisde and keeping the commandments. hWen you choos the right you feel happy. You feel the spirit and love. And God will be hppy to. We are blesst when we folo the prophet. I am excited for genarol confrints so that I can hear presadent Montsen. In the name of Jesas Christ a men.

Here is the translation of what she wrote, along with a quote to bulk it up a bit:

The safety for following the prophet is choosing the right. Choosing the right is serving and helping and being baptised and keeping the commandments. When you choose the right you feel happy. You feel the spirit and love and God will be happy, too. We are blessed when we follow the prophet.  

President Monson said, “If you want to see the light of heaven, if you want to feel the inspiration of Almighty God, if you want to have that feeling within your bosom that your Heavenly Father is guiding you, then follow the prophets of God. When you follow the prophet, you will be in safe territory.” 

I am excited for General Conference so that I can hear President Monson speak.  

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

It's short and sweet—and a little Markov-chain-y but she did it by herself so it'll do. She's already practiced saying it aloud a billion times. The quote is from the first presidency message in the January 2015 Ensign, in case you were wondering.

I mentioned today was a rough day with the kids, right? We discussed their behaviour at the dinner table and again brought up the idea of escalation versus deescalation. Our goal, as peacemakers, is to deescalate any given situation. We went over several situations in our home that were not dealt with well and discussed how we could deal with them better.

Then Andrew said, "So, what's the plan for tonight?'

"Pyjamas and bed," Rachel grumbled, getting up to clear her plate.

"No, I mean, what's the plan, really? We need to work on your science fair project. We're almost finished," Andrew said.

"I need to do some yoga because I don't want to go for a walk in the rain," I said.

"We also need to..." Miriam said.

"Would you just stop it, Miriam?!" Rachel snapped, slamming her dishes in the sink.

"What? I just..."

"Just stop! Ugh! It's so annoying when you do that!" Rachel said, kicking closed the cupboard holding the plastic kid dishes.

"Oh, that? I didn't put those away today. Benjamin did. So if they're messy..." Miriam started to say.

"Not that, Meme. Just...ugh. Why do you always have to do that?! I hate it!"

"Rachel," I said, "What are you talking about? Your sister hasn't even really said anything yet. You're escalating the situation here. You're inviting conflict where there shouldn't have been any. Why don't we let Miriam finish what she was going to say?"

"I was going to say," Miriam said nervously. "We also need to work on my talk. You said you'd help me find a scripture or a quote, Mom."

I gave Rachel my best stern face: lips pinched together, eyebrows raised meaningfully.

"Oh. Sorry," Rachel said. "I just thought she was going to repeat what Dad said. She does that a lot. When you or Dad tell me to do something she just repeats it like she's the boss and it's really annoying."

"And I've talked to her about that," I said. "But that's not what she was going to do this time. You needed to let her finish talking before you judged what she was saying."

That was my entire day. It was exhausting. I'm so glad that there are days that aren't like this because if every day was like this I would just never get out of bed. Conflict management gives me a headache.

Blessed are the peacemakers. For reals.