Sunday, December 5, 2010
Today in Relief Society, 5 Dec. 2010
Today, Sis. Brown had a wonderful idea. She gave us each a hymn book. She said she was going to give us time to bear our testimonies, especially relating things that happened around Christmastime in past years that strengthened our testimonies. In between each person, we sang a Christmas hymn. It was lovely and fun, and very spiritual. Thank you to all who bore their testimonies. Merry Christmas!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sunday lessons/ Today in RS
I am no longer going to continue doing a recap of every week's lesson on here, I will do the first Sunday presidency messages, but all of the lessons for the second,third, and fourth weeks are available in the book, or in the Ensign/Online.
This Sunday, Sis. Sue Brown gave our presidency message, and it was on sustaining one another in our callings. She had Jenga blocks, and had us each come up and take a block, telling about how we felt sustained in one of our previous or current callings. Then, she had us stack up the Jenga blocks the correct way. After, we talked about how when you don't sustain someone in their calling, it weakens our ward family, and started pulling out blocks. We talked about how not doing what you are asked by your auxiliary presidencies, not accepting assignments, criticizing others;especially those in callings we've previously held, and not showing up to planned activities are all things that could weaken our tower, but how the Lord is the center block on each level of our tower, just as He is the center of all of our wards and He will NOT let our wards fall apart. This is His church, and we are all here to glorify Him by supporting one another. It was a very powerful lesson, and we thank Sis. Brown for coming up with it!
This Sunday, Sis. Sue Brown gave our presidency message, and it was on sustaining one another in our callings. She had Jenga blocks, and had us each come up and take a block, telling about how we felt sustained in one of our previous or current callings. Then, she had us stack up the Jenga blocks the correct way. After, we talked about how when you don't sustain someone in their calling, it weakens our ward family, and started pulling out blocks. We talked about how not doing what you are asked by your auxiliary presidencies, not accepting assignments, criticizing others;especially those in callings we've previously held, and not showing up to planned activities are all things that could weaken our tower, but how the Lord is the center block on each level of our tower, just as He is the center of all of our wards and He will NOT let our wards fall apart. This is His church, and we are all here to glorify Him by supporting one another. It was a very powerful lesson, and we thank Sis. Brown for coming up with it!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Today in Relief Society, 5 Sept. 2010
Today the RS lesson was taught by yours truly. The lesson was on how each of us matters. I call it "The Celestial Butterfly Effect."
Is anyone familiar with the story of Saul’s conversion in Acts 9? Saul had received a vision. In his vision, Christ spoke to him, and caused him to go blind. There is another important person in that story, one that is often forgotten. His name was Ananias. Ananias received a vision that Saul, the notorious killer of Christians, would need his help in converting to a life of following Christ. Ananias was concerned that if he went to Saul, Saul would have him killed. But, Ananias was obedient and went to Saul, laid his hands on Saul’s head and using the priesthood, caused him to “receive sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 9:17) Saul was healed, and immediately baptized. Within a few days he began preaching the gospel of Christ. Saul soon became Paul, an Apostle of Christ. Heavenly Father helped Paul to teach the world. But first, he helped Ananias to teach Paul. One man, helping another, helped thousands even millions.
In 1963, Edward Lorenz presented a theory to the New York Academy of Science. Simply stated, his theory was that: A butterfly flapping its wings would set molecules of air in motion, which would move other molecules of air, each moving more molecules of air. Eventually this motion would be capable of starting a hurricane on the other side of the globe. Edward Lorenz was literally laughed off the stage of the conference. The idea was ridiculous they said. Preposterous, the stuff of science fiction. More than thirty years later, physics professors worldwide came to the conclusion that this “butterfly effect” was authentic, accurate, and viable. While the butterfly does not "cause" the hurricane in the sense of providing the energy for the hurricane, it does "cause" it in the sense that the flap of its wings is an essential part of the initial conditions resulting in a hurricane, and without that flap that particular hurricane could not have existed. Science has proven that the butterfly effect can engage with the first movement of any form of matter, even people. (Andy Andrews “The Butterfly Effect:How Your Life Matters.” )
So what does this butterfly effect mean to us? It means that our lives, our actions, our failures to act effects every other person on the planet. President Gordon B. Hinckley, in his talk entitled “Pillars of Truth“ in the January 1994 Ensign said; “While here, we have learning to gain, work to do, service to give. We are here with a marvelous inheritance, a divine endowment. How different this world would be if every person realized that all of his actions have eternal consequences. How much more satisfying our years may be if in our accumulation of knowledge, in our relationships with others, in our business affairs, in our courtship and marriage, and in our family rearing, we recognize that we form each day the stuff of which eternity is made. . .Sisters, life is forever. Live each day as if you were going to live eternally, for you surely shall.”
The decisions we make and the actions we take, have eternal consequences, a celestial butterfly effect, if you will. This principle is also taught in Matthew 18:18, “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” This means that every single one of us is important. Every one of our lives has meaning, each of us a purpose, and all of us can be a force for good.
President Hinckley, in his talk, give us seven pillars of truth. “Each is an eternal verity, proved out of the experience of generations, bearing the endorsement of the word of the Lord.” By learning and living these pillars of truth, we can each cause a hurricane of righteousness. President Hinckley says “...Sisters, you will never be happy if you go through life thinking only of yourself. Get lost in the best cause in the world—the cause of the Lord. The work of the quorums, and of the auxiliary organizations, temple work, welfare service work, missionary work. You will bless your own life as you bless the lives of others.” The butterfly effect of goodness.
1. God Lives, and the Door of Heaven Is Open. “As we go forward in our lives, let us never forget to pray. God lives. He is near. He is real. He is our Father. He is accessible to us. He is the author of eternal truth, the Master of the universe. The handle is ready, and the door can be opened to His abundance. ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.’ (James 1:5) ”
Imagine the good that could be done, if you every single day, got down on your knees and prayed for those around you. What if you implored Heavenly Father for every one else’s needs before your own? You might not ever know the result of such requests for another person, but think about the effect it would have on you. The love that would grow, the softening of your own heart, making it, in turn easier for you serve others.
Life Is Forever. “We are not chance creations in a universe of disorder. We lived before we were born. We were God’s sons and daughters who shouted for joy. We knew our Father; He planned our future. We graduated from that life and matriculated in this. The statement is simple; the implications are profound. Life is a mission, not just the sputtering of a candle between a chance lighting and a gust of wind that blows it out forever.”
What would you change if you knew that each action you took lasted forever? Would you make an extra effort to be a little kinder, to try a little harder, to do a little more? Don’t waste time worrying about what exactly you should be doing in this life. Decide to do something, and do it! Elder John H. Groberg of the First Quorum of the Seventy said, “In our quest to discover our callings in life, the first and most fundamental thing we must do is to follow the Savior. Learn of him. Learn what he did, then do it. The things that he did, even though they occurred nearly 2,000 years ago, have universal application. (There’s that butterfly effect again!) Now this may seem pretty general to you, but it is the basis of all else. You will have to do this by personally studying the scriptures and his life and personally becoming acquainted with him.”
The Kingdom of God Is Here. “We are citizens in the greatest kingdom on earth—a kingdom not directed by the wisdom of men but led by the Lord Jesus Christ. Its presence is real. Its destiny is certain. . . Sisters, where will you find better association than in the Relief Society, whose motto is ‘Charity Never Faileth’ and whose mission is to bless the poor and bind up the wounds of the sick and the lonely, to bring gladness into the hearts of the women of the Church, and to increase their skill as homemakers?Active membership in the Church is as an anchor in the storms of life we all face. The kingdom is here. Cling to this truth.”
It may seem that you are asked to do more than your share. You may feel like you are working harder than every one else. Good! How can you learn and grow and be a force for good if you are sitting in your comfort zone, just letting things happen instead of making them happen? Do you want to get caught in the wake of someone else’s storm, or do you want to be your own force of nature? My grandmother has two scriptures she loved to quote at us when we were not feeling like we wanted to help “build up the Kingdom.” Doctrine and Covenants 42:42. “Thou shalt not be aidle; for he that is idle shall not eat the bbread nor wear the garments of the claborer”. and 1 Corinthians 3:8 “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own areward according to his own labour.”
The Family Is Divine. “I am satisfied that nothing will assure greater success in the hazardous undertaking of parenthood than a program of family life that comes from the marvelous teaching of the gospel. . . In such a home, parents are loved and not dreaded; they are appreciated and not feared. And children are regarded as gifts of the Lord, to be cared for, nurtured, encouraged, and directed. There may be an occasional disagreement; there may be small quarrels. But if there is prayer in the family, and love, and consideration, there will be a residue of affection that will bind forever and a loyalty that will always guide.”
I think every one of us knows the widespread effect one harsh word, one hurt feeling, or one little quarrel can have on our families. I also believe that we have all witnessed miracles occur in our own homes through the kind actions and deeds we offer one another.
Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice. “I am going to apply one aspect only of this great truth and will do so to the Lord’s counsel and promise in matters of health, the Word of Wisdom. I remember a report from the American Medical Association to the effect that heavy smokers die seven years before they would if they did not smoke. Seven years of life. That’s as long as many persons spend in high school and college. Seven years—time enough to become a doctor, an architect, an engineer, a lawyer. Seven years in which to enjoy the sunrise and the sunset, the hills and the valleys, the lakes and the seas, the love of our children, the friendship of wonderful people we may know. What a statistical promise confirming the word of the Lord that the destroying angel shall pass by those who walk in obedience and will not slay them. The Lord has given us a key to health and happiness—and has given it with a promise. It is a pillar of eternal wisdom. It is better to obey than to rationalize and sacrifice.”
We can imagine the long reaching effects of this concept. We as members of the Church are known around the world for our willingness to “sacrifice” the use of tobacco and caffeine. But what truly is remarkable to people is when we don’t act as if it is a sacrifice. If I complain to my friends daily about the fact that I can’t have a cup of coffee, they will have a much less positive view of the word of wisdom, the church, and the gospel of Christ. But if I am happy to be obedient, the eternal consequences of that obedience include not only better health, but a more positive view of the church for everyone I know, and everyone they know.
The Lord Is Bound. “May I suggest that in my judgment, no person who is a member of this church and has taken upon himself the covenants incident to membership can reasonably expect the blessings of the Lord upon his efforts unless being willing to bear his share of the burden of the Lord’s kingdom. Pay your tithes that you may be worthy of the Lord’s blessings. I will not promise that you will become wealthy. But I bear testimony that the Lord does reward generously in one way or another those who keep His commandments. And I assure you that no investment counselor to whom you may go can promise you as the Lord has promised: ‘I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.’ (D&C 82:10.) The Lord honors His covenants.”
What kind of effect do we have when we consider ourselves bound by our covenants? Does not living up to our covenants have some “eternal consequences,” as President Hinckley put it?
He That Loseth His Life Shall Find It. “While riding on an airplane, I picked up a magazine and read a description of the moral bankruptcy into which the world is falling. The author gave as the dominant reason for this decay an attitude that is characterized by the question, What’s in it for me? The Savior put it this way: ‘He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.’ ” (Matt. 10:39.)
If you live your life only to help yourself get ahead, you are lost. You have missed the point. If you do all you can to build up the Kingdom of God, to live as He does, to be a good example of a disciple of Christ, you will never be forgotten. The world may not know your name, no one may remember you 10, 100, 1,000 years from now, but something of you will live forever. Everything you do matters. Every action you take, not just to you, or your family, or your business, or your hometown, or your country. Everything you do matters to all of us forever. There are eternal consequences, good and bad. You are important. You make a difference.
To illustrate these Eternal Consequences I want to tell you about Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. Does anyone know who he is? Does anyone know why his name is important?
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was a 34 year old school teacher. But on July 2,1863 Chamberlain did made one decision, that is significant to each one of us in this room, every member of our ward, every one who lives in the United States, every single person on the planet.
Chamberlain was a Colonel in the Union Army. He commanded a group of approximately one thousand men, who stood on the front lines in a battle outside a little town known as Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Chamberlain had been ordered to hold the line. He couldn’t withdraw, even though they were woefully outnumbered. The Confederate Army charged his men numerous times. In the fourth assault, Chamberlain was hit by a single bullet and knocked to the ground from the force of the shot. The bullet hit his belt buckle. He miraculously was not wounded. The rebels almost made it through the line. On the fifth charge, the Union Army did not have time to reload as the rebels tried to over take them. They had to resort to swinging their rifles at each other, and flat out brawling with fists. After the five attacks, the Union was down to eighty men left in the battle. The Confederates on the other hand had been reinforced, and were charging again with double their original numbers. As if that weren’t bad enough, Colonel Chamberlain learned that his men were down to 1 or 2 bullets each. They had no ammunition, no troops, and no chance. Chamberlain is quoted as saying “I had, deep within me, the inability to do nothing. When I am faced with the choice of doing nothing or doing something, I will always choose to act.” He made a split second decision. The one that changed the course of history. He ordered his men to “fix bayonets and charge!” All eighty of them, against four hundred Confederate soldiers, culminating in a dramatic downhill bayonet charge that is one of the most well-known actions at Gettysburg and in the Civil War. When the Confederate troops saw this, many of them threw down their loaded weapons, turned and ran. It’s an amazing story of courage and determination. But, here’s what we need to consider. Historians have determined that had Chamberlain not charged that day, the south would have won the battle of Gettysburg. Had the rebels won at Gettysburg, they undoubtedly would have won the Civil war. If that had happened, we would now be split into a territorially fragmented continent resembling Europe. North America would likely be split into nine to thirteen separate countries! Which means, when Hitler swept across Europe, there would not have existed a United States to withstand him. When Hirohito invaded the islands of the South Pacific, there would not have been a country big enough, strong enough, populous enough, or wealthy enough to fight and win two wars on two fronts at the same time. The United States of America, and the world exists, as it does today because of one 34 year old schoolteacher and one decision he made 200 years ago. Colonel Joshua Chamberlain is an example of the butterfly effect. One man who made one move that certainly had eternal consequences that affect us still today. Each of us is no less an example of the butterfly effect. Everything we do matters. Each of our lives has purpose, meaning. How far forward would we need to go in our lives to show the difference each of us can make? (Story courtesy of “The Butterfly Effect: How Your Life Matters” By Andy Andrews.) There are generations of spirits not yet born, whose lives will be shaped, whose futures will be affected by the actions you take today, and each day forward. You have been created in God’s image. You have been sent here in order that you might make a difference. Like President Hinckley said “...life is forever. Live each day as if you were going to live eternally, for you surely shall.”
It is my testimony that the Lord has given us each many gifts and talents to use while here on earth. I know that these gifts can be used to make a difference and to do good. I know that the Lord loves each of us and wants us to be happy. I know that the church is true because it is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that there is a true prophet on the earth and that he also loves each of us. I am thankful to be a member of the church and to have the gospel to guide me. I know that families can be together forever and that each of our actions has eternal consequences.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Dede B.
Is anyone familiar with the story of Saul’s conversion in Acts 9? Saul had received a vision. In his vision, Christ spoke to him, and caused him to go blind. There is another important person in that story, one that is often forgotten. His name was Ananias. Ananias received a vision that Saul, the notorious killer of Christians, would need his help in converting to a life of following Christ. Ananias was concerned that if he went to Saul, Saul would have him killed. But, Ananias was obedient and went to Saul, laid his hands on Saul’s head and using the priesthood, caused him to “receive sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 9:17) Saul was healed, and immediately baptized. Within a few days he began preaching the gospel of Christ. Saul soon became Paul, an Apostle of Christ. Heavenly Father helped Paul to teach the world. But first, he helped Ananias to teach Paul. One man, helping another, helped thousands even millions.
In 1963, Edward Lorenz presented a theory to the New York Academy of Science. Simply stated, his theory was that: A butterfly flapping its wings would set molecules of air in motion, which would move other molecules of air, each moving more molecules of air. Eventually this motion would be capable of starting a hurricane on the other side of the globe. Edward Lorenz was literally laughed off the stage of the conference. The idea was ridiculous they said. Preposterous, the stuff of science fiction. More than thirty years later, physics professors worldwide came to the conclusion that this “butterfly effect” was authentic, accurate, and viable. While the butterfly does not "cause" the hurricane in the sense of providing the energy for the hurricane, it does "cause" it in the sense that the flap of its wings is an essential part of the initial conditions resulting in a hurricane, and without that flap that particular hurricane could not have existed. Science has proven that the butterfly effect can engage with the first movement of any form of matter, even people. (Andy Andrews “The Butterfly Effect:How Your Life Matters.” )
So what does this butterfly effect mean to us? It means that our lives, our actions, our failures to act effects every other person on the planet. President Gordon B. Hinckley, in his talk entitled “Pillars of Truth“ in the January 1994 Ensign said; “While here, we have learning to gain, work to do, service to give. We are here with a marvelous inheritance, a divine endowment. How different this world would be if every person realized that all of his actions have eternal consequences. How much more satisfying our years may be if in our accumulation of knowledge, in our relationships with others, in our business affairs, in our courtship and marriage, and in our family rearing, we recognize that we form each day the stuff of which eternity is made. . .Sisters, life is forever. Live each day as if you were going to live eternally, for you surely shall.”
The decisions we make and the actions we take, have eternal consequences, a celestial butterfly effect, if you will. This principle is also taught in Matthew 18:18, “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” This means that every single one of us is important. Every one of our lives has meaning, each of us a purpose, and all of us can be a force for good.
President Hinckley, in his talk, give us seven pillars of truth. “Each is an eternal verity, proved out of the experience of generations, bearing the endorsement of the word of the Lord.” By learning and living these pillars of truth, we can each cause a hurricane of righteousness. President Hinckley says “...Sisters, you will never be happy if you go through life thinking only of yourself. Get lost in the best cause in the world—the cause of the Lord. The work of the quorums, and of the auxiliary organizations, temple work, welfare service work, missionary work. You will bless your own life as you bless the lives of others.” The butterfly effect of goodness.
1. God Lives, and the Door of Heaven Is Open. “As we go forward in our lives, let us never forget to pray. God lives. He is near. He is real. He is our Father. He is accessible to us. He is the author of eternal truth, the Master of the universe. The handle is ready, and the door can be opened to His abundance. ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.’ (James 1:5) ”
Imagine the good that could be done, if you every single day, got down on your knees and prayed for those around you. What if you implored Heavenly Father for every one else’s needs before your own? You might not ever know the result of such requests for another person, but think about the effect it would have on you. The love that would grow, the softening of your own heart, making it, in turn easier for you serve others.
Life Is Forever. “We are not chance creations in a universe of disorder. We lived before we were born. We were God’s sons and daughters who shouted for joy. We knew our Father; He planned our future. We graduated from that life and matriculated in this. The statement is simple; the implications are profound. Life is a mission, not just the sputtering of a candle between a chance lighting and a gust of wind that blows it out forever.”
What would you change if you knew that each action you took lasted forever? Would you make an extra effort to be a little kinder, to try a little harder, to do a little more? Don’t waste time worrying about what exactly you should be doing in this life. Decide to do something, and do it! Elder John H. Groberg of the First Quorum of the Seventy said, “In our quest to discover our callings in life, the first and most fundamental thing we must do is to follow the Savior. Learn of him. Learn what he did, then do it. The things that he did, even though they occurred nearly 2,000 years ago, have universal application. (There’s that butterfly effect again!) Now this may seem pretty general to you, but it is the basis of all else. You will have to do this by personally studying the scriptures and his life and personally becoming acquainted with him.”
The Kingdom of God Is Here. “We are citizens in the greatest kingdom on earth—a kingdom not directed by the wisdom of men but led by the Lord Jesus Christ. Its presence is real. Its destiny is certain. . . Sisters, where will you find better association than in the Relief Society, whose motto is ‘Charity Never Faileth’ and whose mission is to bless the poor and bind up the wounds of the sick and the lonely, to bring gladness into the hearts of the women of the Church, and to increase their skill as homemakers?Active membership in the Church is as an anchor in the storms of life we all face. The kingdom is here. Cling to this truth.”
It may seem that you are asked to do more than your share. You may feel like you are working harder than every one else. Good! How can you learn and grow and be a force for good if you are sitting in your comfort zone, just letting things happen instead of making them happen? Do you want to get caught in the wake of someone else’s storm, or do you want to be your own force of nature? My grandmother has two scriptures she loved to quote at us when we were not feeling like we wanted to help “build up the Kingdom.” Doctrine and Covenants 42:42. “Thou shalt not be aidle; for he that is idle shall not eat the bbread nor wear the garments of the claborer”. and 1 Corinthians 3:8 “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own areward according to his own labour.”
The Family Is Divine. “I am satisfied that nothing will assure greater success in the hazardous undertaking of parenthood than a program of family life that comes from the marvelous teaching of the gospel. . . In such a home, parents are loved and not dreaded; they are appreciated and not feared. And children are regarded as gifts of the Lord, to be cared for, nurtured, encouraged, and directed. There may be an occasional disagreement; there may be small quarrels. But if there is prayer in the family, and love, and consideration, there will be a residue of affection that will bind forever and a loyalty that will always guide.”
I think every one of us knows the widespread effect one harsh word, one hurt feeling, or one little quarrel can have on our families. I also believe that we have all witnessed miracles occur in our own homes through the kind actions and deeds we offer one another.
Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice. “I am going to apply one aspect only of this great truth and will do so to the Lord’s counsel and promise in matters of health, the Word of Wisdom. I remember a report from the American Medical Association to the effect that heavy smokers die seven years before they would if they did not smoke. Seven years of life. That’s as long as many persons spend in high school and college. Seven years—time enough to become a doctor, an architect, an engineer, a lawyer. Seven years in which to enjoy the sunrise and the sunset, the hills and the valleys, the lakes and the seas, the love of our children, the friendship of wonderful people we may know. What a statistical promise confirming the word of the Lord that the destroying angel shall pass by those who walk in obedience and will not slay them. The Lord has given us a key to health and happiness—and has given it with a promise. It is a pillar of eternal wisdom. It is better to obey than to rationalize and sacrifice.”
We can imagine the long reaching effects of this concept. We as members of the Church are known around the world for our willingness to “sacrifice” the use of tobacco and caffeine. But what truly is remarkable to people is when we don’t act as if it is a sacrifice. If I complain to my friends daily about the fact that I can’t have a cup of coffee, they will have a much less positive view of the word of wisdom, the church, and the gospel of Christ. But if I am happy to be obedient, the eternal consequences of that obedience include not only better health, but a more positive view of the church for everyone I know, and everyone they know.
The Lord Is Bound. “May I suggest that in my judgment, no person who is a member of this church and has taken upon himself the covenants incident to membership can reasonably expect the blessings of the Lord upon his efforts unless being willing to bear his share of the burden of the Lord’s kingdom. Pay your tithes that you may be worthy of the Lord’s blessings. I will not promise that you will become wealthy. But I bear testimony that the Lord does reward generously in one way or another those who keep His commandments. And I assure you that no investment counselor to whom you may go can promise you as the Lord has promised: ‘I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.’ (D&C 82:10.) The Lord honors His covenants.”
What kind of effect do we have when we consider ourselves bound by our covenants? Does not living up to our covenants have some “eternal consequences,” as President Hinckley put it?
He That Loseth His Life Shall Find It. “While riding on an airplane, I picked up a magazine and read a description of the moral bankruptcy into which the world is falling. The author gave as the dominant reason for this decay an attitude that is characterized by the question, What’s in it for me? The Savior put it this way: ‘He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.’ ” (Matt. 10:39.)
If you live your life only to help yourself get ahead, you are lost. You have missed the point. If you do all you can to build up the Kingdom of God, to live as He does, to be a good example of a disciple of Christ, you will never be forgotten. The world may not know your name, no one may remember you 10, 100, 1,000 years from now, but something of you will live forever. Everything you do matters. Every action you take, not just to you, or your family, or your business, or your hometown, or your country. Everything you do matters to all of us forever. There are eternal consequences, good and bad. You are important. You make a difference.
To illustrate these Eternal Consequences I want to tell you about Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. Does anyone know who he is? Does anyone know why his name is important?
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was a 34 year old school teacher. But on July 2,1863 Chamberlain did made one decision, that is significant to each one of us in this room, every member of our ward, every one who lives in the United States, every single person on the planet.
Chamberlain was a Colonel in the Union Army. He commanded a group of approximately one thousand men, who stood on the front lines in a battle outside a little town known as Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Chamberlain had been ordered to hold the line. He couldn’t withdraw, even though they were woefully outnumbered. The Confederate Army charged his men numerous times. In the fourth assault, Chamberlain was hit by a single bullet and knocked to the ground from the force of the shot. The bullet hit his belt buckle. He miraculously was not wounded. The rebels almost made it through the line. On the fifth charge, the Union Army did not have time to reload as the rebels tried to over take them. They had to resort to swinging their rifles at each other, and flat out brawling with fists. After the five attacks, the Union was down to eighty men left in the battle. The Confederates on the other hand had been reinforced, and were charging again with double their original numbers. As if that weren’t bad enough, Colonel Chamberlain learned that his men were down to 1 or 2 bullets each. They had no ammunition, no troops, and no chance. Chamberlain is quoted as saying “I had, deep within me, the inability to do nothing. When I am faced with the choice of doing nothing or doing something, I will always choose to act.” He made a split second decision. The one that changed the course of history. He ordered his men to “fix bayonets and charge!” All eighty of them, against four hundred Confederate soldiers, culminating in a dramatic downhill bayonet charge that is one of the most well-known actions at Gettysburg and in the Civil War. When the Confederate troops saw this, many of them threw down their loaded weapons, turned and ran. It’s an amazing story of courage and determination. But, here’s what we need to consider. Historians have determined that had Chamberlain not charged that day, the south would have won the battle of Gettysburg. Had the rebels won at Gettysburg, they undoubtedly would have won the Civil war. If that had happened, we would now be split into a territorially fragmented continent resembling Europe. North America would likely be split into nine to thirteen separate countries! Which means, when Hitler swept across Europe, there would not have existed a United States to withstand him. When Hirohito invaded the islands of the South Pacific, there would not have been a country big enough, strong enough, populous enough, or wealthy enough to fight and win two wars on two fronts at the same time. The United States of America, and the world exists, as it does today because of one 34 year old schoolteacher and one decision he made 200 years ago. Colonel Joshua Chamberlain is an example of the butterfly effect. One man who made one move that certainly had eternal consequences that affect us still today. Each of us is no less an example of the butterfly effect. Everything we do matters. Each of our lives has purpose, meaning. How far forward would we need to go in our lives to show the difference each of us can make? (Story courtesy of “The Butterfly Effect: How Your Life Matters” By Andy Andrews.) There are generations of spirits not yet born, whose lives will be shaped, whose futures will be affected by the actions you take today, and each day forward. You have been created in God’s image. You have been sent here in order that you might make a difference. Like President Hinckley said “...life is forever. Live each day as if you were going to live eternally, for you surely shall.”
It is my testimony that the Lord has given us each many gifts and talents to use while here on earth. I know that these gifts can be used to make a difference and to do good. I know that the Lord loves each of us and wants us to be happy. I know that the church is true because it is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that there is a true prophet on the earth and that he also loves each of us. I am thankful to be a member of the church and to have the gospel to guide me. I know that families can be together forever and that each of our actions has eternal consequences.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Dede B.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
RS Lesson 29 Aug 2010
Our meeting today was combined with the priesthood, under the direction of the Bishop. The Bishop gave a presentation on "How we can learn, grow together, and progress as a ward family."
Bishop Bonham first reminded us of the challenge Bishop Heintz issued a few years ago for every family to read the Book of Mormon. The Bishop then asked us to recall the spirit that was felt, and the good that came to each of us by following the Bishop's council. After witnessing miracles occur in the ward because of the priesthood and the faith of our ward, the Bishop prayed to know what we can now do to progress as a ward.
The Bishop said that after he'd received his answer, it became obvious to him in the hymns, talks, and lessons in the past few weeks. They have all had a common theme of obedience, repentance, and putting our pride aside. With that in mind, the Bishop issued a new challenge, with the promise that heeding this council will "lead to great blessings and exciting times for us as a ward."
The challenge the Bishop issued is two fold. The first part being for each family/individual to study the Book of Mormon, as well as "Preach My Gospel." The point was made that there is a difference between "studying" and "reading." The Bishop counseled us to find something in these books that is appropriate for our families and use that to help us know how to help each other grow and progress so that we can each better serve the Lord, as well as strengthen our ward.
We are not to sit back or hide from the work or responsibilities. We need to reach out- we can and have done so many good works for so many people. Each of us, no matter our circumstances or limitations, has made covenants to serve. We do have a significant number of members in our ward, as well as non members living in our boundaries, struggling with health issues, financial issues, spiritual issues, etc. Next week will be a ward fast for those people. The Bishop admonished us to use the priesthood daily. Offer blessings to those you home teach, and even non members as appropriate. The Lord would have us be diligent in our callings, in our responsibilities, and to bring the priesthood into the lives of all of those around us.
The second part of the challenge is for each family/individual to have the missionaries into their home each month. We have been blessed to have missionaries assigned to our ward. Having them in your home can and will bring great peace, as well as the Spirit. They can come visit you and bring a message. You don't have to feed them, though there are certainly numerous opportunities to do so. The Bishop promised each of us that if we have the missionaries in our homes, they will bring with them something that the Lord has sent them to give you. You don't need to worry about your home not being clean enough, your food not being "good" enough, or feeling uncomfortable with the individual missionaries. Bro. Romney from the Forks ward gave several ideas on ways to help make sure the missionaries can get into each home, as well as further missionary work in the ward boundaries.
1. Give/arrange rides
2. Invite others into your home with the missionaries. Single sisters, those who live a great distance from town, etc.
3. Arrange for a priesthood holder or extra sisters to be in the home of a single sister with the Elders.
4. Make yourself available to teach with the Elders.
5. Become familiar with the lessons so that you will be comfortable being asked to serve.
6. Diligence- work your heart out.
Bro. Romney made a great statement that the "great joy (of helping bring others to the gospel) never gets old."
We need to be open to working with whomever the Lord places in our path. This includes missionaries you don't particularly like, non members, ward members you might disagree with, etc.
The Bishop closed by expressing his love and appreciation for each of us, and by saying that he KNOWS that this is the Church of Jesus Christ, and we better serve Him when we serve and love each other.
Put your shoulder to the wheel! Dede B.
(On a side note, that song always makes me smile because, as a child I HONESTLY thought the chorus went " We all have work, come on you jerk... =) )
Bishop Bonham first reminded us of the challenge Bishop Heintz issued a few years ago for every family to read the Book of Mormon. The Bishop then asked us to recall the spirit that was felt, and the good that came to each of us by following the Bishop's council. After witnessing miracles occur in the ward because of the priesthood and the faith of our ward, the Bishop prayed to know what we can now do to progress as a ward.
The Bishop said that after he'd received his answer, it became obvious to him in the hymns, talks, and lessons in the past few weeks. They have all had a common theme of obedience, repentance, and putting our pride aside. With that in mind, the Bishop issued a new challenge, with the promise that heeding this council will "lead to great blessings and exciting times for us as a ward."
The challenge the Bishop issued is two fold. The first part being for each family/individual to study the Book of Mormon, as well as "Preach My Gospel." The point was made that there is a difference between "studying" and "reading." The Bishop counseled us to find something in these books that is appropriate for our families and use that to help us know how to help each other grow and progress so that we can each better serve the Lord, as well as strengthen our ward.
We are not to sit back or hide from the work or responsibilities. We need to reach out- we can and have done so many good works for so many people. Each of us, no matter our circumstances or limitations, has made covenants to serve. We do have a significant number of members in our ward, as well as non members living in our boundaries, struggling with health issues, financial issues, spiritual issues, etc. Next week will be a ward fast for those people. The Bishop admonished us to use the priesthood daily. Offer blessings to those you home teach, and even non members as appropriate. The Lord would have us be diligent in our callings, in our responsibilities, and to bring the priesthood into the lives of all of those around us.
The second part of the challenge is for each family/individual to have the missionaries into their home each month. We have been blessed to have missionaries assigned to our ward. Having them in your home can and will bring great peace, as well as the Spirit. They can come visit you and bring a message. You don't have to feed them, though there are certainly numerous opportunities to do so. The Bishop promised each of us that if we have the missionaries in our homes, they will bring with them something that the Lord has sent them to give you. You don't need to worry about your home not being clean enough, your food not being "good" enough, or feeling uncomfortable with the individual missionaries. Bro. Romney from the Forks ward gave several ideas on ways to help make sure the missionaries can get into each home, as well as further missionary work in the ward boundaries.
1. Give/arrange rides
2. Invite others into your home with the missionaries. Single sisters, those who live a great distance from town, etc.
3. Arrange for a priesthood holder or extra sisters to be in the home of a single sister with the Elders.
4. Make yourself available to teach with the Elders.
5. Become familiar with the lessons so that you will be comfortable being asked to serve.
6. Diligence- work your heart out.
Bro. Romney made a great statement that the "great joy (of helping bring others to the gospel) never gets old."
We need to be open to working with whomever the Lord places in our path. This includes missionaries you don't particularly like, non members, ward members you might disagree with, etc.
The Bishop closed by expressing his love and appreciation for each of us, and by saying that he KNOWS that this is the Church of Jesus Christ, and we better serve Him when we serve and love each other.
Put your shoulder to the wheel! Dede B.
(On a side note, that song always makes me smile because, as a child I HONESTLY thought the chorus went " We all have work, come on you jerk... =) )
Sunday, August 22, 2010
RS Lesson 22 Aug 2010
Our lesson was taught by Sis. Carol Heintz, and was based on a talk by Elder Robert D. Hales, entitled "Our Duty to God: The Mission of Parents and Leaders to the Rising Generation."
The talk starts off by addressing and "encourage parents and all who are called to lead and serve the youth of this world. The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that we have “an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation” (D&C 123:11)."
For all of us, doing our duty to God as parents and leaders begins with leading by example—consistently and diligently living gospel principles at home. This takes daily determination and diligence. For youth, there is no substitute for seeing the gospel lived in our daily lives. The stripling warriors did not have to wonder what their parents believed. They said, “We do not doubt our mothers knew it” (see Alma 56:47–48). Do our children know what we know? For parents, as you drive or walk children to school or their various activities, do you use the time to talk with them about their hopes and dreams and fears and joys? Do you take the time to have them take the earplugs from their MP3 players and all the other devices so that they can hear you and feel of your love? "The more I live, the more I recognize that the teaching moments in my youth, especially those provided by my parents, have shaped my life and made me who I am."
Sis. Heintz told a story about her brother, who at age 12, wanted a rifle in the worst way. When he finally received one, it was not the one he wanted. As an adult, he realized that what was important was not the gift itself, it was the rite of passage his Father was giving him. Another brother told of fishing with Dad. Usually dad would go off one way, leaving him to find his own fishing spot. Once, they were out on a boat, making it impossible for them to go off in separate directions. They sat in the boat all afternoon, and he said that that day was the best time he ever had with his Dad. He was able to talk and be heard, learn and get to know Dad as a person.
Elder Hales continues,stating: "For our interactions with youth to truly touch their hearts, we have to pay attention to them just as we would pay attention to a trusted adult colleague or close friend. Most important is asking them questions, letting them talk, and then being willing to listen—yes, listen and listen some more—even hearken with spiritual ears! Several years ago I was reading the newspaper when one of my young grandsons snuggled up to me. As I read, I was delighted to hear his sweet voice chattering on in the background. Imagine my surprise when, a few moments later, he pushed himself between me and the paper. Taking my face in his hands and pressing his nose up to mine, he asked, “Grandpa! Are you in there?”
Mother, Father, are you in there? Grandpa, Grandma, are you there? Being there means understanding the hearts of our youth and connecting with them. And connecting with them means not just conversing with them but doing things with them too."
"Recently I heard a mother recount how she had helped her first three daughters complete their Personal Progress requirements by doing what was expected—staying informed and signing off projects. Then she tenderly explained, tears flowing down her cheek, “Recently I have been working with my fourth daughter by actually doing her projects with her. It has made all the difference in our lives and our relationship. But oh, what sadness I feel when I realize what I lost by not doing this with my other three daughters.” The saddest words of tongue and pen are those that say, “It might have been!”
Adult members of the Church should understand that Personal Progress and Duty to God requirements are not just lengthy lists of items to check off. They are personal goals set by each young man and young woman to help them become worthy to receive temple ordinances, serve missions, enter into eternal marriage, and enjoy exaltation. But let it be understood: for young men and young women to try to accomplish these goals alone would be a great loss and tragedy!
Fathers, mothers, and leaders of youth, we urge you to participate in Personal Progress and Duty to God with your children and with the youth. Not only will they grow; you will grow too. And just as importantly, you will grow together in a bond of faith and friendship that will allow you to strengthen each other and stay on the gospel path forever, to indeed be an eternal family."
"In these perilous times it is not enough for our youth to merely know. They must do. Wholehearted participation in ordinances, quorums and auxiliaries, inspired programs, and fortifying activities helps youth put on the whole armor of God. Will we help them put on that armor so they can withstand the fiery darts of the adversary? To truly choose the Lord’s way, they must know His way. And to truly know His way, we must teach and lead them to act, to participate, to do.
The greatest missionary work we will ever do will be in our homes. Our homes, quorums, and classes are part of the mission field. Our children and grandchildren are our most important investigators.
The greatest family history work that we will do will be within our own homes. It is the spiritual preparation of our children in the rising generation that will, through their obedience, ensure the eternal preservation and perpetuation of our families for the coming generations.
The greatest rescue, the greatest activation will be in our homes. If someone in your family is wandering in strange paths, you are a rescuer, engaged in the greatest rescue effort the Church has ever known. I testify from personal experience: There is no failure except in giving up. It is never too early or too late to begin. Do not worry about what has happened in the past. Pick up the phone. Write a note. Make a visit. Extend the invitation to come home. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed. Your child is Heavenly Father’s child. You are about His work. He has promised to gather His children, and He is with you.
The greatest faith we have will be within our homes as we remain strong in the trials and tribulations of parenthood. To a small group of mothers, President Monson recently said, “Sometimes we are too quick to judge the effect of our successes and failures.” May I add, don’t look at today’s trials as eternal. Heavenly Father does His work in the long term. “There is much which lieth in futurity,” the Prophet Joseph Smith said. “Therefore, . . . let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed” (D&C 123:15, 17)."
The Church profits from the youth. We need to have higher expectations of these choice spirits. A sister recounted a story of a visiting general authority, staying with the family of a stake president. The stake president and his wife gave up their bedroom, staying on the couch, so that the general authority could have the privacy and comfort of the master bedroom. In the middle of the night, the stake president's toddler son came into mom and dad's room to find a stranger in the bed. He said "you're not my dad." The general authority admitted that no, he wasn't The child asked "Did my father say it was ok for you to be here?" The general authority said yes, that the child's father had given his permission for him to be there. The child said "ok," and snuggled up to the general authority and went right back to sleep. The point of telling this story here is that; Our father has asked us to be there. For our own families, and for each other. By being there, by providing comfort and love to "even these the least of my brethren," we are better able to teach this rising generation by example. First we learn a gospel principle, then we act on it, then we have to share what we have learned. If we do this, we can be a force for good in every circumstance. Sis. Heintz summed it up beautifully by saying "A righteous person is righteous all their lives."
Are you "there" for your children? For the youth you work with, serve, and teach? For each other? Dede B.
The talk starts off by addressing and "encourage parents and all who are called to lead and serve the youth of this world. The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that we have “an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation” (D&C 123:11)."
For all of us, doing our duty to God as parents and leaders begins with leading by example—consistently and diligently living gospel principles at home. This takes daily determination and diligence. For youth, there is no substitute for seeing the gospel lived in our daily lives. The stripling warriors did not have to wonder what their parents believed. They said, “We do not doubt our mothers knew it” (see Alma 56:47–48). Do our children know what we know? For parents, as you drive or walk children to school or their various activities, do you use the time to talk with them about their hopes and dreams and fears and joys? Do you take the time to have them take the earplugs from their MP3 players and all the other devices so that they can hear you and feel of your love? "The more I live, the more I recognize that the teaching moments in my youth, especially those provided by my parents, have shaped my life and made me who I am."
Sis. Heintz told a story about her brother, who at age 12, wanted a rifle in the worst way. When he finally received one, it was not the one he wanted. As an adult, he realized that what was important was not the gift itself, it was the rite of passage his Father was giving him. Another brother told of fishing with Dad. Usually dad would go off one way, leaving him to find his own fishing spot. Once, they were out on a boat, making it impossible for them to go off in separate directions. They sat in the boat all afternoon, and he said that that day was the best time he ever had with his Dad. He was able to talk and be heard, learn and get to know Dad as a person.
Elder Hales continues,stating: "For our interactions with youth to truly touch their hearts, we have to pay attention to them just as we would pay attention to a trusted adult colleague or close friend. Most important is asking them questions, letting them talk, and then being willing to listen—yes, listen and listen some more—even hearken with spiritual ears! Several years ago I was reading the newspaper when one of my young grandsons snuggled up to me. As I read, I was delighted to hear his sweet voice chattering on in the background. Imagine my surprise when, a few moments later, he pushed himself between me and the paper. Taking my face in his hands and pressing his nose up to mine, he asked, “Grandpa! Are you in there?”
Mother, Father, are you in there? Grandpa, Grandma, are you there? Being there means understanding the hearts of our youth and connecting with them. And connecting with them means not just conversing with them but doing things with them too."
"Recently I heard a mother recount how she had helped her first three daughters complete their Personal Progress requirements by doing what was expected—staying informed and signing off projects. Then she tenderly explained, tears flowing down her cheek, “Recently I have been working with my fourth daughter by actually doing her projects with her. It has made all the difference in our lives and our relationship. But oh, what sadness I feel when I realize what I lost by not doing this with my other three daughters.” The saddest words of tongue and pen are those that say, “It might have been!”
Adult members of the Church should understand that Personal Progress and Duty to God requirements are not just lengthy lists of items to check off. They are personal goals set by each young man and young woman to help them become worthy to receive temple ordinances, serve missions, enter into eternal marriage, and enjoy exaltation. But let it be understood: for young men and young women to try to accomplish these goals alone would be a great loss and tragedy!
Fathers, mothers, and leaders of youth, we urge you to participate in Personal Progress and Duty to God with your children and with the youth. Not only will they grow; you will grow too. And just as importantly, you will grow together in a bond of faith and friendship that will allow you to strengthen each other and stay on the gospel path forever, to indeed be an eternal family."
"In these perilous times it is not enough for our youth to merely know. They must do. Wholehearted participation in ordinances, quorums and auxiliaries, inspired programs, and fortifying activities helps youth put on the whole armor of God. Will we help them put on that armor so they can withstand the fiery darts of the adversary? To truly choose the Lord’s way, they must know His way. And to truly know His way, we must teach and lead them to act, to participate, to do.
The greatest missionary work we will ever do will be in our homes. Our homes, quorums, and classes are part of the mission field. Our children and grandchildren are our most important investigators.
The greatest family history work that we will do will be within our own homes. It is the spiritual preparation of our children in the rising generation that will, through their obedience, ensure the eternal preservation and perpetuation of our families for the coming generations.
The greatest rescue, the greatest activation will be in our homes. If someone in your family is wandering in strange paths, you are a rescuer, engaged in the greatest rescue effort the Church has ever known. I testify from personal experience: There is no failure except in giving up. It is never too early or too late to begin. Do not worry about what has happened in the past. Pick up the phone. Write a note. Make a visit. Extend the invitation to come home. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed. Your child is Heavenly Father’s child. You are about His work. He has promised to gather His children, and He is with you.
The greatest faith we have will be within our homes as we remain strong in the trials and tribulations of parenthood. To a small group of mothers, President Monson recently said, “Sometimes we are too quick to judge the effect of our successes and failures.” May I add, don’t look at today’s trials as eternal. Heavenly Father does His work in the long term. “There is much which lieth in futurity,” the Prophet Joseph Smith said. “Therefore, . . . let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed” (D&C 123:15, 17)."
The Church profits from the youth. We need to have higher expectations of these choice spirits. A sister recounted a story of a visiting general authority, staying with the family of a stake president. The stake president and his wife gave up their bedroom, staying on the couch, so that the general authority could have the privacy and comfort of the master bedroom. In the middle of the night, the stake president's toddler son came into mom and dad's room to find a stranger in the bed. He said "you're not my dad." The general authority admitted that no, he wasn't The child asked "Did my father say it was ok for you to be here?" The general authority said yes, that the child's father had given his permission for him to be there. The child said "ok," and snuggled up to the general authority and went right back to sleep. The point of telling this story here is that; Our father has asked us to be there. For our own families, and for each other. By being there, by providing comfort and love to "even these the least of my brethren," we are better able to teach this rising generation by example. First we learn a gospel principle, then we act on it, then we have to share what we have learned. If we do this, we can be a force for good in every circumstance. Sis. Heintz summed it up beautifully by saying "A righteous person is righteous all their lives."
Are you "there" for your children? For the youth you work with, serve, and teach? For each other? Dede B.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
RS Lesson 15 Aug 2010
Our lesson was taught by Sis. Nicky Newell, and was Ch.16; The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times, from the Gospel Principles book.
When Christ established His church, He personally instructed and directed its leader. He, in turn, received His instructions from His Father in Heaven. Before Jesus ascended into heaven after His resurrection, He told His Apostles, "I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:20) He continued to guide them from heaven, He sent the Holy Ghost to be a comforter and revelator to them. The Holy Ghost doesn't just teach us He reminds us of what we already know. The organization of His church can seem confusing, and it probably was to those who followed Him while He was on earth. But, there is no reason for us to be confused, because in the scriptures we have it all there for us!
The ordinances and principles of the gospel cannot be administered and taught without the priesthood. The Father gave this authority to Jesus Christ, who in turn ordained His Apostles and gave them the power and authority of the priesthood. Heavenly Father's kingdom is a kingdom of order. To keep it in order men must be ordained, following proper priesthood authority. (John 15:16.) That there might be order in His church, Jesus gave greatest responsibility and authority to the Twelve Apostles. Jesus also ordained other officers with specific duties to perform. The Church of Jesus Christ was a carefully organized unit. The Bible does not tell us everything about the priesthood or the organization and government of the Church. However, enough of the Bible has been preserved to show the beauty and perfection of the Church organization. The New Testament shows that this Church organization was intended to continue. Jesus set a pattern for twelve Apostles to govern the Church. it seemed clear that the organization was to continue as He had established it.
The Apostles taught two basic principles: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance. After one has faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and as the Redeemer, and repents of their sins, they received two ordinances: baptism by immersion following the example of Christ, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 19: 1-6) Jesus has provided for everyone to hear the gospel, whether on earth or after death. (See 1 Peter 3:18-20)
All faithful members of the church were and are entitled to receive gifts of the Spirit. These are given according to their individual needs, capacities, and assignments. Spiritual gifts always exist in the true Church of Jesus Christ. Jesus told His disciples that these signs or spiritual gifts always follow them that believe. (Mark 16:17-18)
Throughout history, evil people have tried to destroy the work of God. This happened while the Apostles were still alive and supervising the young, growing Church. Church members were killed for their beliefs. One by one, the Apostles were killed or otherwise taken from the earth. Because of wickedness and apostasy, the apostolic authority and priesthood were also taken from the earth. The organization that Jesus Christ had established no longer existed. The period of time when the true Church no longer existed on earth is called the Great Apostasy.
John the Revelator foresaw the time when the gospel would be restored. (Revelation 14:6)
What blessings have come to you because the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth? Dede B.
When Christ established His church, He personally instructed and directed its leader. He, in turn, received His instructions from His Father in Heaven. Before Jesus ascended into heaven after His resurrection, He told His Apostles, "I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:20) He continued to guide them from heaven, He sent the Holy Ghost to be a comforter and revelator to them. The Holy Ghost doesn't just teach us He reminds us of what we already know. The organization of His church can seem confusing, and it probably was to those who followed Him while He was on earth. But, there is no reason for us to be confused, because in the scriptures we have it all there for us!
The ordinances and principles of the gospel cannot be administered and taught without the priesthood. The Father gave this authority to Jesus Christ, who in turn ordained His Apostles and gave them the power and authority of the priesthood. Heavenly Father's kingdom is a kingdom of order. To keep it in order men must be ordained, following proper priesthood authority. (John 15:16.) That there might be order in His church, Jesus gave greatest responsibility and authority to the Twelve Apostles. Jesus also ordained other officers with specific duties to perform. The Church of Jesus Christ was a carefully organized unit. The Bible does not tell us everything about the priesthood or the organization and government of the Church. However, enough of the Bible has been preserved to show the beauty and perfection of the Church organization. The New Testament shows that this Church organization was intended to continue. Jesus set a pattern for twelve Apostles to govern the Church. it seemed clear that the organization was to continue as He had established it.
The Apostles taught two basic principles: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance. After one has faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and as the Redeemer, and repents of their sins, they received two ordinances: baptism by immersion following the example of Christ, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 19: 1-6) Jesus has provided for everyone to hear the gospel, whether on earth or after death. (See 1 Peter 3:18-20)
All faithful members of the church were and are entitled to receive gifts of the Spirit. These are given according to their individual needs, capacities, and assignments. Spiritual gifts always exist in the true Church of Jesus Christ. Jesus told His disciples that these signs or spiritual gifts always follow them that believe. (Mark 16:17-18)
Throughout history, evil people have tried to destroy the work of God. This happened while the Apostles were still alive and supervising the young, growing Church. Church members were killed for their beliefs. One by one, the Apostles were killed or otherwise taken from the earth. Because of wickedness and apostasy, the apostolic authority and priesthood were also taken from the earth. The organization that Jesus Christ had established no longer existed. The period of time when the true Church no longer existed on earth is called the Great Apostasy.
John the Revelator foresaw the time when the gospel would be restored. (Revelation 14:6)
What blessings have come to you because the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth? Dede B.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
RS Lesson 8 Aug 2010
Ok, first off, there are some changes in the RS presidency. The new presidency consists of; Sue Brown- President, Wendy Bonham- 1st Counselor, Dede Bessey- 2nd Counselor, and Margaret McAllister- Secretary.
Now, on to the lesson.
Our lesson, Ch. 15 of the Gospel Principles manual; entitled "The Lord's Covenant People" was taught by Sis. Susan Klippel.
Sis. Klippel started by saying that when she thinks of the word "Covenant" she is reminded of the story of Zoram. Zoram was Laban's servant. He made an oath to come with Nephi, Laman, and Lemuel into the wilderness, and to remain with them. On his word, Nephi, Laman, and Lemuel said their "fears did cease concerning him." (1 Nephi 4:37) Just because Zoram promised something, the brothers took him at his word, took him into their camp, accepted him into their family, and no longer feared him causing them to be discovered and therefore killed. That was quite the promise.
A covenant is a promise between man and God. It is a commitment. The new fourth verse of the Primary song "I Am A Child of God" says; "Celestial glory SHALL be mine, if I can but endure." Shall be mine, not could be mine, not might be mine, not "if the Lord keeps up His end." SHALL be mine, IF I can but endure. If there is a break in a covenant, we know from which side it had to have come. The Lord has told us that He "is bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." (D&C 82:10) We make covenants because we want the blessings that are promised. We, as Latter-day Saints, have been given an understanding of what these blessings are. The manual says "From the beginning, the Lord has made covenants with His children on earth. When His people make covenants (or promises) with Him, they know what He expects of them and what blessings they may expect from Him.
We each make individual covenants with the Lord. These include; baptism, taking of the sacrament, temple ordinances. For each covenant we make, we are given a promise. For example, when we partake of the sacrament, we promise to take His name upon ourselves, to remember Him, to obey His commandments. We are promised that the Holy Spirit will be with us.
The Lord also made covenants with Abraham. Sis. Klippel asked us "Why did the Lord choose Abraham?" The answer that I liked the most was "because Abraham chose Him!" In the Abrahamic covenant, the Lord promised Abraham;
1. That he would have numberless descendants.
2. That all of these descendants would be entitled to receive the gospel.
3. The blessings of the priesthood.
4. All of the ordinances of exaltation.
5. That through these descendants ALL the families of the earth would be blessed.
6. This covenant would be established with all generations of Abraham's children.
Abraham, in return, promised the Lord that he would;
1. Be righteous.
2. Carry the gospel to all nations.
The blood descendants of Abraham are not the only people whom God calls His covenant people. Two groups of people are included in the covenant made with Abraham. 1) Abraham's righteous blood descendants and 2) those adopted into his lineage by accepting and living the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Abraham 2:10, and 2 Nephi 30:2)
This means that each of us, when we are baptized into the church enters into the covenant the Lord made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Along with the blessings we receive as the Lord's covenant people, we have great responsibilities. The opportunity to preach the gospel to all the world belongs only to the Lord's church and His covenant people.
The fulness of the gospel is called the new and everlasting covenant. It includes the covenants made at baptism, during the sacrament, in the temple, and at any other time. When we accept the new and everlasting covenant, we agree to repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, receive our endowments, receive the covenant of marriage in the temple, and follow and obey Christ to the end of our lives. As we keep our covenants, our Heavenly Father promises us that we will receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom. (D&C 132:20-24) The greatness of that promise is hard for mortals to understand. The commandments He fives are for our benefit, and as we are faithful, we may forever share the blessings and beauties of heaven and earth. We may live in His presence and partake of His love, compassion, power, greatness, knowledge, wisdom, glory, and dominions.
What does being the Lord's covenant people have to do with us? What are our responsibilities today? Are you keeping the covenants you have made, so that "celestial glory SHALL be" yours? Dede B.
Now, on to the lesson.
Our lesson, Ch. 15 of the Gospel Principles manual; entitled "The Lord's Covenant People" was taught by Sis. Susan Klippel.
Sis. Klippel started by saying that when she thinks of the word "Covenant" she is reminded of the story of Zoram. Zoram was Laban's servant. He made an oath to come with Nephi, Laman, and Lemuel into the wilderness, and to remain with them. On his word, Nephi, Laman, and Lemuel said their "fears did cease concerning him." (1 Nephi 4:37) Just because Zoram promised something, the brothers took him at his word, took him into their camp, accepted him into their family, and no longer feared him causing them to be discovered and therefore killed. That was quite the promise.
A covenant is a promise between man and God. It is a commitment. The new fourth verse of the Primary song "I Am A Child of God" says; "Celestial glory SHALL be mine, if I can but endure." Shall be mine, not could be mine, not might be mine, not "if the Lord keeps up His end." SHALL be mine, IF I can but endure. If there is a break in a covenant, we know from which side it had to have come. The Lord has told us that He "is bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." (D&C 82:10) We make covenants because we want the blessings that are promised. We, as Latter-day Saints, have been given an understanding of what these blessings are. The manual says "From the beginning, the Lord has made covenants with His children on earth. When His people make covenants (or promises) with Him, they know what He expects of them and what blessings they may expect from Him.
We each make individual covenants with the Lord. These include; baptism, taking of the sacrament, temple ordinances. For each covenant we make, we are given a promise. For example, when we partake of the sacrament, we promise to take His name upon ourselves, to remember Him, to obey His commandments. We are promised that the Holy Spirit will be with us.
The Lord also made covenants with Abraham. Sis. Klippel asked us "Why did the Lord choose Abraham?" The answer that I liked the most was "because Abraham chose Him!" In the Abrahamic covenant, the Lord promised Abraham;
1. That he would have numberless descendants.
2. That all of these descendants would be entitled to receive the gospel.
3. The blessings of the priesthood.
4. All of the ordinances of exaltation.
5. That through these descendants ALL the families of the earth would be blessed.
6. This covenant would be established with all generations of Abraham's children.
Abraham, in return, promised the Lord that he would;
1. Be righteous.
2. Carry the gospel to all nations.
The blood descendants of Abraham are not the only people whom God calls His covenant people. Two groups of people are included in the covenant made with Abraham. 1) Abraham's righteous blood descendants and 2) those adopted into his lineage by accepting and living the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Abraham 2:10, and 2 Nephi 30:2)
This means that each of us, when we are baptized into the church enters into the covenant the Lord made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Along with the blessings we receive as the Lord's covenant people, we have great responsibilities. The opportunity to preach the gospel to all the world belongs only to the Lord's church and His covenant people.
The fulness of the gospel is called the new and everlasting covenant. It includes the covenants made at baptism, during the sacrament, in the temple, and at any other time. When we accept the new and everlasting covenant, we agree to repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, receive our endowments, receive the covenant of marriage in the temple, and follow and obey Christ to the end of our lives. As we keep our covenants, our Heavenly Father promises us that we will receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom. (D&C 132:20-24) The greatness of that promise is hard for mortals to understand. The commandments He fives are for our benefit, and as we are faithful, we may forever share the blessings and beauties of heaven and earth. We may live in His presence and partake of His love, compassion, power, greatness, knowledge, wisdom, glory, and dominions.
What does being the Lord's covenant people have to do with us? What are our responsibilities today? Are you keeping the covenants you have made, so that "celestial glory SHALL be" yours? Dede B.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
RS Lesson 1 Aug 2010
Our lesson was taught by Sis. Sue Brown, and was based on the article "Those Who Are Different" By Elder Marlin K. Jensen Of the Seventy from the current issue of the Ensign.
Sis. Brown started with this parable; You look out across your big yard and decide you would like to have some fresh eggs. You build a coop, you purchase some chickens, you wait. When the eggs come, they are all different sizes and colors. You see the differences on the outside, but when you start cracking them you notice something. They are all basically the same inside.
Sis. Brown asked us to look at the people on each side of us. Can we find similarities between them and ourselves? We can obviously see differences.
Matthew 18:12 speaks of the Savior's teaching about the shepherd who had one sheep go astray. The Savior asks “Doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?” Elder Jensen says "As a priesthood leader, I had always thought of myself for many years as the shepherd—the one out searching for the lost sheep. But in a moment of reflection, it came to me that in some way or another we are all that one lost sheep. We all have our failings, and our lives vary in some ways from the ideal. We are all different! This is a humbling but helpful recognition." Have you ever felt like a lost sheep?
Sis. Brown said that there are several reasons we might feel like a lost sheep, or even a black sheep. She discussed a few of those with us.
1. Unfulfilled expectations my exist.
We are private about those things we struggle with. We might think that everyone else can see these things, or that everyone knows our shortcomings, but in truth, we generally look for the good in each other and what you might consider your shortcoming may be what endears you to me, or I might not have even noticed it at all! Sharing these things might help others to grow. We all have that in common- we can learn from each other and buoy each other up. Also, if we turn our trials over to the Savior, he can turn them into a lesson. Matthew 5:48 says "Be ye therefore perfect," not "go and try to have a good day." The Savior doesn't lower his expectations based on our personal struggles and challenges. He orders us to be as perfect as we can.
2. Having to keep all the commandments in order to receive spiritual gifts seems impossible. D&C 46:9 says
"For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me..."
Elder Jensen says; "It is also helpful to remember that in teaching the ideal, the Savior recognized that the ideal isn’t always immediately attainable. In speaking of spiritual gifts—those wonderful endowments of the Holy Ghost—the Savior said, “They are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments.” Having to keep all the commandments in order to enjoy spiritual gifts seems an impossibly high standard, but thankfully the Savior adds that spiritual gifts are also given for the benefit of “him that seeketh so to do” (D&C 46:9; emphasis added). Seeking to keep all the commandments—even if we sometimes fall short of the ideal—is something within the power of each of us and is acceptable to our Heavenly Father."
Our spiritual gifts may be identical to those around us, but they manifest differently because WE are different.
It is not WHAT you do when you interact with those that are different from you that matters. It is what you are willing to do. It is that you are willing to act as a steward for our Heavenly Father. The person you are interacting with may or may not remember the act, but they will remember what they were loved by God's servant.
It is ok to ask for help. People need to be needed. We all need the opportunities to grow that are given through service. Especially in service to those who may be difficult to serve because of their differences. We need to follow the example of service of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who "... doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw call men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation." (2 Nephi 26:24) The atonement was voluntary, so that He could know our infirmities and overcome each of our challenges.
He knows our "yolks." He knows us and strengthens us in the ways we need strengthening. He also challenges us in the ways we need challenging.
If we help each other and not only accept each other's differences, but celebrate and rejoice in them, we will become a stronger ward family, a stronger Church, and stronger as individuals.
What challenges have you overcome or helped another to overcome today? Dede B.
Sis. Brown started with this parable; You look out across your big yard and decide you would like to have some fresh eggs. You build a coop, you purchase some chickens, you wait. When the eggs come, they are all different sizes and colors. You see the differences on the outside, but when you start cracking them you notice something. They are all basically the same inside.
Sis. Brown asked us to look at the people on each side of us. Can we find similarities between them and ourselves? We can obviously see differences.
Matthew 18:12 speaks of the Savior's teaching about the shepherd who had one sheep go astray. The Savior asks “Doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?” Elder Jensen says "As a priesthood leader, I had always thought of myself for many years as the shepherd—the one out searching for the lost sheep. But in a moment of reflection, it came to me that in some way or another we are all that one lost sheep. We all have our failings, and our lives vary in some ways from the ideal. We are all different! This is a humbling but helpful recognition." Have you ever felt like a lost sheep?
Sis. Brown said that there are several reasons we might feel like a lost sheep, or even a black sheep. She discussed a few of those with us.
1. Unfulfilled expectations my exist.
We are private about those things we struggle with. We might think that everyone else can see these things, or that everyone knows our shortcomings, but in truth, we generally look for the good in each other and what you might consider your shortcoming may be what endears you to me, or I might not have even noticed it at all! Sharing these things might help others to grow. We all have that in common- we can learn from each other and buoy each other up. Also, if we turn our trials over to the Savior, he can turn them into a lesson. Matthew 5:48 says "Be ye therefore perfect," not "go and try to have a good day." The Savior doesn't lower his expectations based on our personal struggles and challenges. He orders us to be as perfect as we can.
2. Having to keep all the commandments in order to receive spiritual gifts seems impossible. D&C 46:9 says
"For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me..."
Elder Jensen says; "It is also helpful to remember that in teaching the ideal, the Savior recognized that the ideal isn’t always immediately attainable. In speaking of spiritual gifts—those wonderful endowments of the Holy Ghost—the Savior said, “They are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments.” Having to keep all the commandments in order to enjoy spiritual gifts seems an impossibly high standard, but thankfully the Savior adds that spiritual gifts are also given for the benefit of “him that seeketh so to do” (D&C 46:9; emphasis added). Seeking to keep all the commandments—even if we sometimes fall short of the ideal—is something within the power of each of us and is acceptable to our Heavenly Father."
Our spiritual gifts may be identical to those around us, but they manifest differently because WE are different.
It is not WHAT you do when you interact with those that are different from you that matters. It is what you are willing to do. It is that you are willing to act as a steward for our Heavenly Father. The person you are interacting with may or may not remember the act, but they will remember what they were loved by God's servant.
It is ok to ask for help. People need to be needed. We all need the opportunities to grow that are given through service. Especially in service to those who may be difficult to serve because of their differences. We need to follow the example of service of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who "... doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw call men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation." (2 Nephi 26:24) The atonement was voluntary, so that He could know our infirmities and overcome each of our challenges.
He knows our "yolks." He knows us and strengthens us in the ways we need strengthening. He also challenges us in the ways we need challenging.
If we help each other and not only accept each other's differences, but celebrate and rejoice in them, we will become a stronger ward family, a stronger Church, and stronger as individuals.
What challenges have you overcome or helped another to overcome today? Dede B.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
RS Lesson 25 July 2010
Today's lesson was taught by Carol Heintz, and was taken from two different talks; "Mothers Teaching Children in the Home"
By Elder L. Tom Perry Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and "Mother Told Me" By Elder Bradley D. Foster Of the Seventy, both found in the May 2010 Ensign.
Sis. Heintz started with a story from Elder Foster's talk; "My good friend Don Pearson shared an experience that highlights this influence. One night his four-year-old son asked him to read a bedtime story. Eric had picked out his favorite book: The Ballooning Adventures of Paddy Pork, a story about a family who lived on the isles of the sea and traveled from island to island by hot-air balloon. It was a picture book that had no words, so Brother Pearson made up words to the story.
“Paddy is in a hot-air balloon. He is landing on an island now. He is dropping a line over the side of the balloon.”
Eric stopped him. “Dad, that is not a line. It’s a rope.”
Brother Pearson looked at Eric and back at the picture book, and then he continued: “Paddy is getting out of the balloon and climbing down the tree. Oh no! His coat is caught on a limb!”
Again Eric stopped him. “Dad, that’s not a coat. It’s a jacket.”
By now Brother Pearson was somewhat perplexed. He said, “Eric, there are no words in this book, just pictures. Why do you insist that it’s a jacket?”
Eric answered, “Because Mother told me.”
His father closed the book and said, “Eric, who do you think is the last word, the ultimate authority in this house?”
This time Eric thought carefully before he answered, “You are, Dad.”
Brother Pearson beamed at his son. What an exceptional answer! “How did you know that?”
Eric quickly responded, “Mother told me.” '
Sis. Heintz was one of the first teachers of "mother training" or "mother education" through the Church. She said that she could never use all the material she studied and prepared for the class, but her family got the benefit of the leftovers. About this, Elder Perry says that "Our teaching in the home prepares us to teach more effectively at church, and our teaching at church helps us to teach more effectively at home. "
Sis. Heintz continued with Elder Foster's talk telling the following story. Before I relate the story however, I think it bears mentioning, that halfway through this story, Sis. Heintz got choked up and was not able to control her coughing to continue. Immediately, her daughter, Susan Klippel, hopped up and offered to finish the lesson. The timing could not have been better to perfectly illustrate the lesson, which is the effect mothers have on their children and in their homes. It was a beautiful, poignant demonstration of love, respect, and the effect of a mother's teachings. Here is the story,
On one particularly hot spring day, I was helping with the roundup by riding at the back of the herd as it moved down the dusty road toward the corral. My job was to gather any calves that had wandered from the road. The pace was slow and provided me some time to think.
Because it was so hot, the little calves kept running off into the trees to find shade. My thoughts turned to the youth of the Church who are sometimes distracted from the strait and narrow path. I also thought about those who have left the Church or who may feel that the Church has left their hearts while they were distracted. I thought to myself that a distraction doesn’t have to be evil to be effective—sometimes it can just be shade.
After several hours of gathering up stray calves and with sweat running down my face, I yelled to the calves in frustration, “Just follow your mothers! They know where they’re going! They’ve been down this road before!” Their mothers knew that even though the road was hot and dusty now, the end would be better than the beginning.
As soon as we got the herd into the corral, we noticed that three of the cows were pacing nervously at the gate. They could not find their calves and seemed to sense they were back on the road somewhere. One of the cowboys asked me what we should do. I said, “I bet I know where those calves are. Back a quarter of a mile [0.4 km] or so, there’s a stand of trees. I’m sure we’ll find them there.”
Sure enough, just as I had suspected, we found our lost calves taking a nap in the shade. Our approach startled them, and they resisted our efforts to round them up. They were frightened because we were not their mothers! The more we tried to push them toward the corral, the more stubborn they became. Finally I said to the cowboys, “I’m sorry. I know better than this. Let’s ride back and let their mothers out of the corral. The cows will come and get their calves, and the calves will follow their mothers.” I was right. The mother cows knew exactly where to go to find their calves, and they led them back to the corral, as I had expected. In a world where everyone is granted agency, some of our loved ones may stray for a season. But we can never give up. We must always go back for them—we must never stop trying."
Elder L. Tom Perry's talk concludes by saying "God bless you wonderful mothers [and fathers] in Zion. He has entrusted to your care His eternal children. As parents we partner, even join, with God in bringing to pass His work and glory among His children. It is our sacred duty to do our very best."
As mothers we do the best we can, and then we ask the Lord's help, in raising the children we have been blessed with. I thank each and one of you for your example of love and kindness to me, and your helping raise me as a mother, and raise my children. Dede B.
By Elder L. Tom Perry Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and "Mother Told Me" By Elder Bradley D. Foster Of the Seventy, both found in the May 2010 Ensign.
Sis. Heintz started with a story from Elder Foster's talk; "My good friend Don Pearson shared an experience that highlights this influence. One night his four-year-old son asked him to read a bedtime story. Eric had picked out his favorite book: The Ballooning Adventures of Paddy Pork, a story about a family who lived on the isles of the sea and traveled from island to island by hot-air balloon. It was a picture book that had no words, so Brother Pearson made up words to the story.
“Paddy is in a hot-air balloon. He is landing on an island now. He is dropping a line over the side of the balloon.”
Eric stopped him. “Dad, that is not a line. It’s a rope.”
Brother Pearson looked at Eric and back at the picture book, and then he continued: “Paddy is getting out of the balloon and climbing down the tree. Oh no! His coat is caught on a limb!”
Again Eric stopped him. “Dad, that’s not a coat. It’s a jacket.”
By now Brother Pearson was somewhat perplexed. He said, “Eric, there are no words in this book, just pictures. Why do you insist that it’s a jacket?”
Eric answered, “Because Mother told me.”
His father closed the book and said, “Eric, who do you think is the last word, the ultimate authority in this house?”
This time Eric thought carefully before he answered, “You are, Dad.”
Brother Pearson beamed at his son. What an exceptional answer! “How did you know that?”
Eric quickly responded, “Mother told me.” '
Sis. Heintz was one of the first teachers of "mother training" or "mother education" through the Church. She said that she could never use all the material she studied and prepared for the class, but her family got the benefit of the leftovers. About this, Elder Perry says that "Our teaching in the home prepares us to teach more effectively at church, and our teaching at church helps us to teach more effectively at home. "
Sis. Heintz continued with Elder Foster's talk telling the following story. Before I relate the story however, I think it bears mentioning, that halfway through this story, Sis. Heintz got choked up and was not able to control her coughing to continue. Immediately, her daughter, Susan Klippel, hopped up and offered to finish the lesson. The timing could not have been better to perfectly illustrate the lesson, which is the effect mothers have on their children and in their homes. It was a beautiful, poignant demonstration of love, respect, and the effect of a mother's teachings. Here is the story,
On one particularly hot spring day, I was helping with the roundup by riding at the back of the herd as it moved down the dusty road toward the corral. My job was to gather any calves that had wandered from the road. The pace was slow and provided me some time to think.
Because it was so hot, the little calves kept running off into the trees to find shade. My thoughts turned to the youth of the Church who are sometimes distracted from the strait and narrow path. I also thought about those who have left the Church or who may feel that the Church has left their hearts while they were distracted. I thought to myself that a distraction doesn’t have to be evil to be effective—sometimes it can just be shade.
After several hours of gathering up stray calves and with sweat running down my face, I yelled to the calves in frustration, “Just follow your mothers! They know where they’re going! They’ve been down this road before!” Their mothers knew that even though the road was hot and dusty now, the end would be better than the beginning.
As soon as we got the herd into the corral, we noticed that three of the cows were pacing nervously at the gate. They could not find their calves and seemed to sense they were back on the road somewhere. One of the cowboys asked me what we should do. I said, “I bet I know where those calves are. Back a quarter of a mile [0.4 km] or so, there’s a stand of trees. I’m sure we’ll find them there.”
Sure enough, just as I had suspected, we found our lost calves taking a nap in the shade. Our approach startled them, and they resisted our efforts to round them up. They were frightened because we were not their mothers! The more we tried to push them toward the corral, the more stubborn they became. Finally I said to the cowboys, “I’m sorry. I know better than this. Let’s ride back and let their mothers out of the corral. The cows will come and get their calves, and the calves will follow their mothers.” I was right. The mother cows knew exactly where to go to find their calves, and they led them back to the corral, as I had expected. In a world where everyone is granted agency, some of our loved ones may stray for a season. But we can never give up. We must always go back for them—we must never stop trying."
Elder L. Tom Perry's talk concludes by saying "God bless you wonderful mothers [and fathers] in Zion. He has entrusted to your care His eternal children. As parents we partner, even join, with God in bringing to pass His work and glory among His children. It is our sacred duty to do our very best."
As mothers we do the best we can, and then we ask the Lord's help, in raising the children we have been blessed with. I thank each and one of you for your example of love and kindness to me, and your helping raise me as a mother, and raise my children. Dede B.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
RS Lesson 18 July 2010
I was still gone out of town for this lesson, so everything here comes directly from the manual.
The lesson this week is from Ch. 14 of the Gospel Principles Manual, entitled "Priesthood Organization."
There are two divisions of the priesthood, the Aaronic and the Melchizedek. How did they get their names?
"The first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood...because Melchizedek was such a great high priest. Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God. But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of His name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood." (D&C 107: 2-4)
The lesser priesthood is called the Aaronic Priesthood because it was conferred on Aaron and his sons throughout all their generations. Those who hold the AAronic priesthood have authority to administer the outward ordinances of the sacrament and baptism. Those holding the Melchizedek Priesthood have the power and authority to lead the Church and direct the preaching of the gospel in all parts of the world. They administer all the spiritual work of the church. They direct the work done in the temples; they preside over wards , branches, stakes, and missions. The Lord's chosen prophet, the President of the Church, is the presiding high priest over the Melchizedek Priesthood.
What are the offices and duties of the Aaronic Priesthood? When the Aaronic Priesthood is conferred upon a man or boy, he is ordained to an office in that priesthood. The offices in the Aaronic Priesthood are deacon, teacher, priest, and bishop. Each offices carries duties and responsibilities.
Deacon- a young man who has been baptized and confirmed a member of the Church and is worthy may be ordained to the office of deacon when he is 12 years old. The deacons are usually assigned to pass the sacrament, keep Church buildings and grounds in good order, act as messengers for priesthood leaders, and fulfill special assignments such as collecting fast offerings.
Teacher- A worthy young man may be ordained a teacher when he is 14 years old or older. Teaches have all the duties, rights, and powers of the office of deacon plus additional ones. Teachers are to help Church members live the commandments. To help fulfill this responsibility, they are usually assigned to serve as home teachers. Teachers also prepared the bread and water for the sacrament service.
Priest- a worthy young man may be ordained a priest when he is 16 years or older. Priests have all the duties, rights, and powers of the offices of deacon and teacher plus some additional ones. A priest may baptize. He may also administer the sacrament. He may ordain other priests, teachers, and deacons. A priest may take charge of meetings when there is no Melchizedek Priesthood holder present.
Bishop- a bishop is ordained and set apart to preside over the Aaronic Priesthood in a ward. He is the president of the Priests quorum. When he is acting in this office, a bishop deals primarily with temporal matters, such as finances, records, and directing care for the poor and needy. A bishop is also ordained a high priest so he can preside over all the members in the ward.
What are the duties and offices of the Melchizedek Priesthood?
The offices of the Melchizedek Priesthood are elder, high priest, patriarch, Seventy, and Apostle. Those ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood retain all the duties, rights, and powers of the Aaronic Priesthood as well.
Elders- Elders are called to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the Church. All Melchizedek Priesthood holders are elders. They have the authority to bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. Elders should conduct meetings of the Church as they are led by the Holy Ghost. Elders may administer to the sick and bless little children. Elders may preside over Church meetings when there are no High Priests present.
High Priest- A High Priest is given the authority to officiate in the Church and aminister spiritual things. Stake presidnets, mission presidents, high councilors, bishops, and other leaders of the Church are ordained high priests.
Patriarch- Patriarchs are ordained by General Authorities, or by stake presidents when they are authorized by the Council of the Twelve., to give patriarchal blessings to members of the Church. These blessings give us some understanding of our callings on earth. They are the word of the Lord personally to us. Patriarchs are also ordained High Priests.
Seventy- Seventies are special witnesses of Jesus Christ to the world and assist in building up and regulated the Church under the direction of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Apostle- An Apostle is a special witness of the name of Jesus Christ in all the world. The Apostles administer the affairs of the Church. Those who are ordained to the office of Apostle are usually set apart as members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Each one is given all the keys of the kingdom of God on earth, but only the senior Apostle who is the President of the Church, actively exercises all of the keys. They others act under his discretion
The Lord has instructed that the holders of the priesthood be organized into quorums. A quorum is a body of brethren holding the same priesthood office.
There are three quorums of the Aaronic Priesthood;
The Deacons quorum, which consists of up to12 deacons. (If there are more than 12 deacons in a ward, they can be divided into 2 or more quorums.)
The Teachers quorum, which consists of up to 24 teachers.
The Priests quorum, which consists of up to 48 priests.
At the general Church level, the members of the First Presidency form a quorum, as do the Twelve Apostles. The Seventies are also organized into quorums.
At the local Church level, Melchizedek Priesthood bearers are organized into the following quorums:
The Elders quorum consists of up to 96 elders.
The High Priest quorum includes all high priests residing within the boundaries of a stake. The high priests in each ward are organized into a group with a group leader.
If a priesthood quorum functions properly, the members of the quorum are encouraged, blessed, fellowshipped, and taught the gospel by their leaders. Even thoguh a man may be released from Church callings, such as teacher, quorum president, etc his membership in his quorum does not change. Membership in a quorum of the priesthood should be regarded as a sacred privilege.
All organizations in the Church work under the direction of priesthood leaders and help them carry out the work of the Lord. For examples, the presidencies in a ward's Relief Society, Young Women, Young Men, Primary, and Sunday School organizations serve under the direction of the bishopric. These organizations are called auxiliaries to the priesthood.
What role can we as women have as individuals in helping the priesthood's leadership be successful? Dede B.
The lesson this week is from Ch. 14 of the Gospel Principles Manual, entitled "Priesthood Organization."
There are two divisions of the priesthood, the Aaronic and the Melchizedek. How did they get their names?
"The first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood...because Melchizedek was such a great high priest. Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God. But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of His name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood." (D&C 107: 2-4)
The lesser priesthood is called the Aaronic Priesthood because it was conferred on Aaron and his sons throughout all their generations. Those who hold the AAronic priesthood have authority to administer the outward ordinances of the sacrament and baptism. Those holding the Melchizedek Priesthood have the power and authority to lead the Church and direct the preaching of the gospel in all parts of the world. They administer all the spiritual work of the church. They direct the work done in the temples; they preside over wards , branches, stakes, and missions. The Lord's chosen prophet, the President of the Church, is the presiding high priest over the Melchizedek Priesthood.
What are the offices and duties of the Aaronic Priesthood? When the Aaronic Priesthood is conferred upon a man or boy, he is ordained to an office in that priesthood. The offices in the Aaronic Priesthood are deacon, teacher, priest, and bishop. Each offices carries duties and responsibilities.
Deacon- a young man who has been baptized and confirmed a member of the Church and is worthy may be ordained to the office of deacon when he is 12 years old. The deacons are usually assigned to pass the sacrament, keep Church buildings and grounds in good order, act as messengers for priesthood leaders, and fulfill special assignments such as collecting fast offerings.
Teacher- A worthy young man may be ordained a teacher when he is 14 years old or older. Teaches have all the duties, rights, and powers of the office of deacon plus additional ones. Teachers are to help Church members live the commandments. To help fulfill this responsibility, they are usually assigned to serve as home teachers. Teachers also prepared the bread and water for the sacrament service.
Priest- a worthy young man may be ordained a priest when he is 16 years or older. Priests have all the duties, rights, and powers of the offices of deacon and teacher plus some additional ones. A priest may baptize. He may also administer the sacrament. He may ordain other priests, teachers, and deacons. A priest may take charge of meetings when there is no Melchizedek Priesthood holder present.
Bishop- a bishop is ordained and set apart to preside over the Aaronic Priesthood in a ward. He is the president of the Priests quorum. When he is acting in this office, a bishop deals primarily with temporal matters, such as finances, records, and directing care for the poor and needy. A bishop is also ordained a high priest so he can preside over all the members in the ward.
What are the duties and offices of the Melchizedek Priesthood?
The offices of the Melchizedek Priesthood are elder, high priest, patriarch, Seventy, and Apostle. Those ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood retain all the duties, rights, and powers of the Aaronic Priesthood as well.
Elders- Elders are called to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the Church. All Melchizedek Priesthood holders are elders. They have the authority to bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. Elders should conduct meetings of the Church as they are led by the Holy Ghost. Elders may administer to the sick and bless little children. Elders may preside over Church meetings when there are no High Priests present.
High Priest- A High Priest is given the authority to officiate in the Church and aminister spiritual things. Stake presidnets, mission presidents, high councilors, bishops, and other leaders of the Church are ordained high priests.
Patriarch- Patriarchs are ordained by General Authorities, or by stake presidents when they are authorized by the Council of the Twelve., to give patriarchal blessings to members of the Church. These blessings give us some understanding of our callings on earth. They are the word of the Lord personally to us. Patriarchs are also ordained High Priests.
Seventy- Seventies are special witnesses of Jesus Christ to the world and assist in building up and regulated the Church under the direction of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Apostle- An Apostle is a special witness of the name of Jesus Christ in all the world. The Apostles administer the affairs of the Church. Those who are ordained to the office of Apostle are usually set apart as members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Each one is given all the keys of the kingdom of God on earth, but only the senior Apostle who is the President of the Church, actively exercises all of the keys. They others act under his discretion
The Lord has instructed that the holders of the priesthood be organized into quorums. A quorum is a body of brethren holding the same priesthood office.
There are three quorums of the Aaronic Priesthood;
The Deacons quorum, which consists of up to12 deacons. (If there are more than 12 deacons in a ward, they can be divided into 2 or more quorums.)
The Teachers quorum, which consists of up to 24 teachers.
The Priests quorum, which consists of up to 48 priests.
At the general Church level, the members of the First Presidency form a quorum, as do the Twelve Apostles. The Seventies are also organized into quorums.
At the local Church level, Melchizedek Priesthood bearers are organized into the following quorums:
The Elders quorum consists of up to 96 elders.
The High Priest quorum includes all high priests residing within the boundaries of a stake. The high priests in each ward are organized into a group with a group leader.
If a priesthood quorum functions properly, the members of the quorum are encouraged, blessed, fellowshipped, and taught the gospel by their leaders. Even thoguh a man may be released from Church callings, such as teacher, quorum president, etc his membership in his quorum does not change. Membership in a quorum of the priesthood should be regarded as a sacred privilege.
All organizations in the Church work under the direction of priesthood leaders and help them carry out the work of the Lord. For examples, the presidencies in a ward's Relief Society, Young Women, Young Men, Primary, and Sunday School organizations serve under the direction of the bishopric. These organizations are called auxiliaries to the priesthood.
What role can we as women have as individuals in helping the priesthood's leadership be successful? Dede B.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
RS Lesson 11 July 2010
Sorry I have been slacking on keeping the lessons updated. I was out of town for this lesson, but here is what I got from the manual.
The lesson was Ch. 13 of the Gospel Principles manual, entitled "The Priesthood."
The priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God. Through the priesthood He created and governs the heavens and the earth. Our Heavenly Father delegates His priesthood power to worthy male members of the church. The priesthood enables them to act in God's name for the salvation of the human family. We must have priesthood authority to act in the name of God when performing the sacred ordinances of the gospel, such as baptism, confirmation, administration of the sacrament, and temple marriage. If a man does not have the priesthood, even though he may be sincere, the Lord will not recognize ordinances he performs. Another reason the priesthood is needed on the earth is so we can understand the will of the Lord and carry out His purposes. God reveals His will to His authorized priesthood representative on the earth, the prophet.
The Lord has prepared an orderly way for His priesthood to be given to His sons on earth. A worthy male member of the Church receives the priesthood "by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof." (Articles of Faith 1:5) This is the same way men received the priesthood long ago, even in the days of Moses. Men cannot buy and sell the power and authority of the priesthood. Nor can they take this authority upon themselves.
The priesthood should be used to bless the lives of our Heavenly Father's children here on earth. Priesthood holders should preside in love and kindness. The Lord has told us that the power of the priesthood cannot be controlled except in righteousness. (See D&C 121:36)
The Lord has promised great blessings to righteous priesthood holders who use the priesthood to bless others. President David O. Mckay promised every man who uses the priesthood in righteousness that he "will find his life sweetened, his discernment sharpened to decide quickly between right and wrong, his feelings tender and compassionate, yet his spirit strong and valiant in defense of right; he will find the priesthood a never failing source of happiness- a well of living water springing up unto eternal life. "
Have you seen the blessings of the priesthood in your life? Dede B.
The lesson was Ch. 13 of the Gospel Principles manual, entitled "The Priesthood."
The priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God. Through the priesthood He created and governs the heavens and the earth. Our Heavenly Father delegates His priesthood power to worthy male members of the church. The priesthood enables them to act in God's name for the salvation of the human family. We must have priesthood authority to act in the name of God when performing the sacred ordinances of the gospel, such as baptism, confirmation, administration of the sacrament, and temple marriage. If a man does not have the priesthood, even though he may be sincere, the Lord will not recognize ordinances he performs. Another reason the priesthood is needed on the earth is so we can understand the will of the Lord and carry out His purposes. God reveals His will to His authorized priesthood representative on the earth, the prophet.
The Lord has prepared an orderly way for His priesthood to be given to His sons on earth. A worthy male member of the Church receives the priesthood "by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof." (Articles of Faith 1:5) This is the same way men received the priesthood long ago, even in the days of Moses. Men cannot buy and sell the power and authority of the priesthood. Nor can they take this authority upon themselves.
The priesthood should be used to bless the lives of our Heavenly Father's children here on earth. Priesthood holders should preside in love and kindness. The Lord has told us that the power of the priesthood cannot be controlled except in righteousness. (See D&C 121:36)
The Lord has promised great blessings to righteous priesthood holders who use the priesthood to bless others. President David O. Mckay promised every man who uses the priesthood in righteousness that he "will find his life sweetened, his discernment sharpened to decide quickly between right and wrong, his feelings tender and compassionate, yet his spirit strong and valiant in defense of right; he will find the priesthood a never failing source of happiness- a well of living water springing up unto eternal life. "
Have you seen the blessings of the priesthood in your life? Dede B.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Today in Relief Society, 4 July 2010
Happy 4th of July! Sacrament meeting had some lovely testimonies on freedom, independence, and service; as well as a lovely closing hymn of all 3 verses of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Our lesson was taught by Wendy Bonham, and it was about using our time wisely.
Sis. Bonham started out by expressing her appreciation for the testimonies borne. She said that the testimonies helped her realize more clearly that everyone is here for different reasons, and everyone has had different experiences.
She then read this cute little article; (Barbara Stockwell, “Mirthright: It Takes Only Thirty Minutes a Day …,”Ensign, Jul 1982, 71)
"A few weeks ago I read an article about the importance of studying scriptures, so I set my alarm for thirty minutes earlier every day. Then I remembered I should write in my journal every day, so I stayed up a half-hour later each night.
Then last week in Relief Society we were admonished to exercise daily to keep our bodies fit, so I got up a little earlier each day to jog. Later in the week, I read a magazine article that promised me beautiful skin in only fifteen minutes a day, and another one said that a half-hour a day of meditation could change my life. A self-help book told me I should spend at least thirty minutes a day visualizing my desires and repeating positive affirmations. I had to get up earlier to do this.
Still, I was able to squeeze other activities into my already heavily scheduled day. I learned to do the pelvic tilt to relieve my lower back pain while driving to work. And I did my isometric exercises while at my desk. I cut my lunch hour in half in order to read the Ensign. In only half an hour a day I was able to finish it before the next one came … except for the conference issue. For that I had to stay up a little at night and read, after my goal planning was done.
Another woman’s magazine said I could give myself professional nail care in only ten minutes a day. It also suggested that a foot soak after work would do wonders to relieve tiredness. I tried to do that while I was preparing dinner, but I got so relaxed I kept dropping the carrot sticks in the gravy. Dinner would have to be delayed a little, and that would push bedtime back about a half-hour. But it was all worth it; I was becoming a new woman.
I learned in a class on success that the only way to make it in life is to write a “to do” list each night and then review it every morning to set priorities for the day. It only takes a few minutes and saves a lot of time in the long run. And did you know that if you spend only an extra forty-five minutes a day on housework you never have to get bogged down in spring cleaning?
It is marvelous how many things can be done in such a short time, and I would feel negligent if I said I couldn’t find those few minutes. After all, is a few minutes a day for all that improvement too much to ask? I can always set the alarm a little earlier.
But last night as I was setting the alarm after my prayers I realized it was time to get up and jog. Maybe I should make out a new schedule—it will only take a few minutes. … "
We are all very busy, but we need to make the effort to better use our precious time to serve the Lord. Sis. Bonham shared with us that when she was set apart in the RS presidency, she was told to "use my own experiences to teach." She thought at the time it was because her experiences had made her wise. She told us that from preparing this lesson, she now realizes that the reasons she needs to share her experiences is so that the rest of us sisters can help her navigate through her personal journey.
Sis. Bonham was in a plane crash 5 years ago. She was one of only two survivors. Sis. Bonham said that in order to deal with it she became numb. The 13 that died were amazing people. They used their time well, serving others, doctoring throughout the world. One was a Bishop, with 8 children, the youngest only 5 months old. Sis. Bonham began to feel a heaviness about herself. She felt that she needed to make her life more worthwhile. She needed to live up to the standards of those who had died. In order to do this, she became a volunteer. She started the Special Olympic program here in Clallam county. She still runs this program. She became a volunteer mediator for the county. She continues to take care of ailing parents and grandparents, while helping with her 7 grandchildren and various callings. She does all of these things to try to better use her time. Recently, she began feeling overwhelmed. She felt she could not do all the things she had to do. She had budgeted her time to the minute, and a few urgently important things came up that required her time. Sis Bonham realized that just like a financial budget, we need to add cushion time to our budget in case of emergencies.
Sis. Bonham then asked two questions;
1. What is the task(s) we are given to accomplish with this time Heavenly Father has given us?
2. How can we best use our time to accomplish the task for which it is given?
I will leave it to you to answer these two questions for yourself, as every one has different reasons and experiences.
I would suggest that we pray to keep in mind the task(s) that Heavenly Father has given us. Each of us can learn from each other's experiences. The Lord has put us all together that we might learn and grow from one another. What can you do today to better use your time? Dede B.
Our lesson was taught by Wendy Bonham, and it was about using our time wisely.
Sis. Bonham started out by expressing her appreciation for the testimonies borne. She said that the testimonies helped her realize more clearly that everyone is here for different reasons, and everyone has had different experiences.
She then read this cute little article; (Barbara Stockwell, “Mirthright: It Takes Only Thirty Minutes a Day …,”Ensign, Jul 1982, 71)
"A few weeks ago I read an article about the importance of studying scriptures, so I set my alarm for thirty minutes earlier every day. Then I remembered I should write in my journal every day, so I stayed up a half-hour later each night.
Then last week in Relief Society we were admonished to exercise daily to keep our bodies fit, so I got up a little earlier each day to jog. Later in the week, I read a magazine article that promised me beautiful skin in only fifteen minutes a day, and another one said that a half-hour a day of meditation could change my life. A self-help book told me I should spend at least thirty minutes a day visualizing my desires and repeating positive affirmations. I had to get up earlier to do this.
Still, I was able to squeeze other activities into my already heavily scheduled day. I learned to do the pelvic tilt to relieve my lower back pain while driving to work. And I did my isometric exercises while at my desk. I cut my lunch hour in half in order to read the Ensign. In only half an hour a day I was able to finish it before the next one came … except for the conference issue. For that I had to stay up a little at night and read, after my goal planning was done.
Another woman’s magazine said I could give myself professional nail care in only ten minutes a day. It also suggested that a foot soak after work would do wonders to relieve tiredness. I tried to do that while I was preparing dinner, but I got so relaxed I kept dropping the carrot sticks in the gravy. Dinner would have to be delayed a little, and that would push bedtime back about a half-hour. But it was all worth it; I was becoming a new woman.
I learned in a class on success that the only way to make it in life is to write a “to do” list each night and then review it every morning to set priorities for the day. It only takes a few minutes and saves a lot of time in the long run. And did you know that if you spend only an extra forty-five minutes a day on housework you never have to get bogged down in spring cleaning?
It is marvelous how many things can be done in such a short time, and I would feel negligent if I said I couldn’t find those few minutes. After all, is a few minutes a day for all that improvement too much to ask? I can always set the alarm a little earlier.
But last night as I was setting the alarm after my prayers I realized it was time to get up and jog. Maybe I should make out a new schedule—it will only take a few minutes. … "
We are all very busy, but we need to make the effort to better use our precious time to serve the Lord. Sis. Bonham shared with us that when she was set apart in the RS presidency, she was told to "use my own experiences to teach." She thought at the time it was because her experiences had made her wise. She told us that from preparing this lesson, she now realizes that the reasons she needs to share her experiences is so that the rest of us sisters can help her navigate through her personal journey.
Sis. Bonham was in a plane crash 5 years ago. She was one of only two survivors. Sis. Bonham said that in order to deal with it she became numb. The 13 that died were amazing people. They used their time well, serving others, doctoring throughout the world. One was a Bishop, with 8 children, the youngest only 5 months old. Sis. Bonham began to feel a heaviness about herself. She felt that she needed to make her life more worthwhile. She needed to live up to the standards of those who had died. In order to do this, she became a volunteer. She started the Special Olympic program here in Clallam county. She still runs this program. She became a volunteer mediator for the county. She continues to take care of ailing parents and grandparents, while helping with her 7 grandchildren and various callings. She does all of these things to try to better use her time. Recently, she began feeling overwhelmed. She felt she could not do all the things she had to do. She had budgeted her time to the minute, and a few urgently important things came up that required her time. Sis Bonham realized that just like a financial budget, we need to add cushion time to our budget in case of emergencies.
Sis. Bonham then asked two questions;
1. What is the task(s) we are given to accomplish with this time Heavenly Father has given us?
2. How can we best use our time to accomplish the task for which it is given?
I will leave it to you to answer these two questions for yourself, as every one has different reasons and experiences.
I would suggest that we pray to keep in mind the task(s) that Heavenly Father has given us. Each of us can learn from each other's experiences. The Lord has put us all together that we might learn and grow from one another. What can you do today to better use your time? Dede B.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Today in Relief Society, 27 June 2010
Sis. Carol Heintz (who is NOT stranded in England!!) gave our lesson, based on Jeffrey R. Holland's October 2009 General Conference talk "Safety for the Soul."
When you read this talk at lds.org, the very first line says " I want it absolutely clear when I stand before the judgment bar of God that I declared to the world . . . that the Book of Mormon is true." I love it! I think it is amazing that we have an entire church full of people willing to stand up and declare such things. I love that we live in a country where we have the freedom to do so. I love that this man, and many others like him, is such a fine example of bravery, devotion, and spirituality.
Elder Holland states that prophecies regarding the "end of days" always focus on natural disasters including floods, earthquakes, and famine. "But there is one kind of latter-day destruction that has always sounded to me more personal than public, more individual than collective—a warning, perhaps more applicable inside the Church than outside it. The Savior warned that in the last days even those of the covenant, the very elect, could be deceived by the enemy of truth. If we think of this as a form of spiritual destruction, it may cast light on another latter-day prophecy. Think of the heart as the figurative center of our faith, the poetic location of our loyalties and our values; then consider Jesus’s declaration that in the last days 'men’s hearts [shall fail] them.' (Luke 21:26.) "
We are given protections against this "enemy of truth." We have the Book of Mormon, we only need read it. We have the voice of our Prophet, we only need head it! Elder Holland continues; "The encouraging thing, of course, is that our Father in Heaven knows all of these latter-day dangers, these troubles of the heart and soul, and has given counsel and protections regarding them. In light of that, it has always been significant to me that the Book of Mormon, one of the Lord’s powerful keystones3 in this counteroffensive against latter-day ills, begins with a great parable of life, an extended allegory of hope versus fear, of light versus darkness, of salvation versus destruction—an allegory of which Sister Ann M. Dibb (Second Councilor in the General Young Women's Presidency) spoke so movingly this morning." The story he refers to is told here,
"A number of years ago, a one-inch article in my local newspaper caught my attention, and I have remembered it ever since: “Four people were killed and seven workers were rescued after clinging for more than an hour to the underside of a 125-foot-high [38-m] bridge in St. Catharines, Ontario, [Canada,] after the scaffolding they were working on collapsed” (“News Capsules,” Deseret News, June 9, 1993, A2). I was, and I continue to be, fascinated by this brief story. Shortly after reading this account, I called a family friend who lived in St. Catharines. She explained that the workers had been painting the Garden City Skyway bridge for about a year and were two weeks short of completing the project when the accident happened. After the accident, officials were asked why these men did not have any safety equipment. The answer was simple: they had the equipment; they just chose not to wear it. After the scaffolding gave way, the survivors held on to a one-inch lip of steel girder and stood on an eight-inch ledge of steel for over an hour until rescue teams could reach them. One survivor related that as he clung to the bridge, he thought a lot about his family. He said, “I just thank the Lord for me being here today. … It was pretty scary, I tell you” (in Rick Bogacz, “Skyway Horror,” Standard, June 9, 1993). There are many lessons to be learned and comparisons to be made from this incident. While most of us will never face such a dramatic, life-or-death situation, many of us feel that we are going through a scary time in our personal lives."
Our Heavenly Father has given us all of the safety equipment we need in order to make it through this mortal probation. Are we using it to it's full capacity, or are we barely holding on to that one-inch lip after a major incident? We have the chance to make full use of that equipment at any time, even if we are hanging on by a ledge. As the lyrics to one of my favorite songs go "First ya gotta read it, then ya gotta head it, never know when you're gonna need it! Just as old Elijah said to Jezebel, You better start to learn your lessons well!" (Learn your lessons well, Godspell) Are you reading and heading? Dede B.
When you read this talk at lds.org, the very first line says " I want it absolutely clear when I stand before the judgment bar of God that I declared to the world . . . that the Book of Mormon is true." I love it! I think it is amazing that we have an entire church full of people willing to stand up and declare such things. I love that we live in a country where we have the freedom to do so. I love that this man, and many others like him, is such a fine example of bravery, devotion, and spirituality.
Elder Holland states that prophecies regarding the "end of days" always focus on natural disasters including floods, earthquakes, and famine. "But there is one kind of latter-day destruction that has always sounded to me more personal than public, more individual than collective—a warning, perhaps more applicable inside the Church than outside it. The Savior warned that in the last days even those of the covenant, the very elect, could be deceived by the enemy of truth. If we think of this as a form of spiritual destruction, it may cast light on another latter-day prophecy. Think of the heart as the figurative center of our faith, the poetic location of our loyalties and our values; then consider Jesus’s declaration that in the last days 'men’s hearts [shall fail] them.' (Luke 21:26.) "
We are given protections against this "enemy of truth." We have the Book of Mormon, we only need read it. We have the voice of our Prophet, we only need head it! Elder Holland continues; "The encouraging thing, of course, is that our Father in Heaven knows all of these latter-day dangers, these troubles of the heart and soul, and has given counsel and protections regarding them. In light of that, it has always been significant to me that the Book of Mormon, one of the Lord’s powerful keystones3 in this counteroffensive against latter-day ills, begins with a great parable of life, an extended allegory of hope versus fear, of light versus darkness, of salvation versus destruction—an allegory of which Sister Ann M. Dibb (Second Councilor in the General Young Women's Presidency) spoke so movingly this morning." The story he refers to is told here,
"A number of years ago, a one-inch article in my local newspaper caught my attention, and I have remembered it ever since: “Four people were killed and seven workers were rescued after clinging for more than an hour to the underside of a 125-foot-high [38-m] bridge in St. Catharines, Ontario, [Canada,] after the scaffolding they were working on collapsed” (“News Capsules,” Deseret News, June 9, 1993, A2). I was, and I continue to be, fascinated by this brief story. Shortly after reading this account, I called a family friend who lived in St. Catharines. She explained that the workers had been painting the Garden City Skyway bridge for about a year and were two weeks short of completing the project when the accident happened. After the accident, officials were asked why these men did not have any safety equipment. The answer was simple: they had the equipment; they just chose not to wear it. After the scaffolding gave way, the survivors held on to a one-inch lip of steel girder and stood on an eight-inch ledge of steel for over an hour until rescue teams could reach them. One survivor related that as he clung to the bridge, he thought a lot about his family. He said, “I just thank the Lord for me being here today. … It was pretty scary, I tell you” (in Rick Bogacz, “Skyway Horror,” Standard, June 9, 1993). There are many lessons to be learned and comparisons to be made from this incident. While most of us will never face such a dramatic, life-or-death situation, many of us feel that we are going through a scary time in our personal lives."
Our Heavenly Father has given us all of the safety equipment we need in order to make it through this mortal probation. Are we using it to it's full capacity, or are we barely holding on to that one-inch lip after a major incident? We have the chance to make full use of that equipment at any time, even if we are hanging on by a ledge. As the lyrics to one of my favorite songs go "First ya gotta read it, then ya gotta head it, never know when you're gonna need it! Just as old Elijah said to Jezebel, You better start to learn your lessons well!" (Learn your lessons well, Godspell) Are you reading and heading? Dede B.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Today in Relief Society, 20 June 2010
Our guest teacher this week, Valerie Shaw, gave an excellent lesson from chapter 12 of our Gospel Principles book, entitled "The Atonement."
Sis. Shaw showed us a little gadget off of a piece of machinery. Finally we figured out that it was a gas filter off an old tractor. She then asked us to explain how it works. When we couldn't, she asked us if we thought it was possible that we could know what something is but not know what it does exactly. She then showed us the owner's manual. The instructions were there, but not extremely easy for us to understand. What a great metaphor for the Atonement! Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve has said; "I believe that no matter how diligently you try, you cannot with your human mind fully comprehend the eternal significance of the Atonement nor fully understand how it was accomplished. We can only appreciate in the smallest measure what it cost the Savior in pain, anguish, and suffering or how difficult it was for our Father in Heaven to see His Son experience the incomparable challenge of His Atonement. Even so, you should conscientiously study the Atonement to understand it as well as you can. You can learn what is needful to live His commandments, to enjoy peace and happiness in mortal life. You can qualify, with obedient family members, to live with Him and your Father in Heaven forever."
Sis. Shaw then told us a story from her teen years. She told us that her father had told her once that if her car was not working correctly that she needed to get under the car and tap on the gas filter. One night her car started acting up, so she pulled over and did as her Dad had taught her. Did she know how it worked? No. Did she understand the mechanics of it? No. Did she just know that her Father had given her instructions and she should trust in his words? Yes. The Atonement works the same way. We don't understand the mechanics of Christ's sacrifice, we can't comprehend how it all works, but we have the Father's guidance, and an "owner's manual" (The Book of Mormon.) A lot of what we as Latter-day Saints understand about the Atonement, we have learned from the Book of Mormon. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve has said that Christ and the Atonement constitutes the principal theme of the Book of Mormon. Then, quoting Joseph Smith, he said; "all things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to the Atonement of Jesus Christ."
The Atonement is the most important event that has ever occurred in the history of mankind. Because the Fall of Adam brought not only physical death, but spiritual death into the world, the Atonement of Christ was necessary in order for us to be able to live again with our Heavenly Father. Without the Atonement, our spirits and bodies would be separated permanently from each other. Our wise and loving Heavenly Father prepared a wonderful merciful plan to save us from both physical and spiritual death. By providing us a Savior, we can be ransomed from our sins and from death.
Because Christ is literally the only Begotten son of our Father in Heaven, He is the only person who could atone for our sins. Because He has an immortal Father, He is the only one who had power over death. Christ atoned for our sins not just by dying, but also through the pain he suffered in the garden of Gethsemane. We can not comprehend the weight He bore, causing Him to bleed from every pore. What love He has for each of us to not only endure such pain, but to do it willingly, knowing He could make it stop at any moment. The Savior tells us, "For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer...even as I." (D&C 19:16-17.)
A parable told by President Boyd K. Packer of the Council of the Twelve about mercy and justice illustrates why it is necessary that Christ act as our mediator in order to fulfill both the law of mercy and that of justice. (Ensign May 1977, 54-55.)
How can we show gratitude for the gift of the Atonement? Dede B.
Sis. Shaw showed us a little gadget off of a piece of machinery. Finally we figured out that it was a gas filter off an old tractor. She then asked us to explain how it works. When we couldn't, she asked us if we thought it was possible that we could know what something is but not know what it does exactly. She then showed us the owner's manual. The instructions were there, but not extremely easy for us to understand. What a great metaphor for the Atonement! Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve has said; "I believe that no matter how diligently you try, you cannot with your human mind fully comprehend the eternal significance of the Atonement nor fully understand how it was accomplished. We can only appreciate in the smallest measure what it cost the Savior in pain, anguish, and suffering or how difficult it was for our Father in Heaven to see His Son experience the incomparable challenge of His Atonement. Even so, you should conscientiously study the Atonement to understand it as well as you can. You can learn what is needful to live His commandments, to enjoy peace and happiness in mortal life. You can qualify, with obedient family members, to live with Him and your Father in Heaven forever."
Sis. Shaw then told us a story from her teen years. She told us that her father had told her once that if her car was not working correctly that she needed to get under the car and tap on the gas filter. One night her car started acting up, so she pulled over and did as her Dad had taught her. Did she know how it worked? No. Did she understand the mechanics of it? No. Did she just know that her Father had given her instructions and she should trust in his words? Yes. The Atonement works the same way. We don't understand the mechanics of Christ's sacrifice, we can't comprehend how it all works, but we have the Father's guidance, and an "owner's manual" (The Book of Mormon.) A lot of what we as Latter-day Saints understand about the Atonement, we have learned from the Book of Mormon. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve has said that Christ and the Atonement constitutes the principal theme of the Book of Mormon. Then, quoting Joseph Smith, he said; "all things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to the Atonement of Jesus Christ."
The Atonement is the most important event that has ever occurred in the history of mankind. Because the Fall of Adam brought not only physical death, but spiritual death into the world, the Atonement of Christ was necessary in order for us to be able to live again with our Heavenly Father. Without the Atonement, our spirits and bodies would be separated permanently from each other. Our wise and loving Heavenly Father prepared a wonderful merciful plan to save us from both physical and spiritual death. By providing us a Savior, we can be ransomed from our sins and from death.
Because Christ is literally the only Begotten son of our Father in Heaven, He is the only person who could atone for our sins. Because He has an immortal Father, He is the only one who had power over death. Christ atoned for our sins not just by dying, but also through the pain he suffered in the garden of Gethsemane. We can not comprehend the weight He bore, causing Him to bleed from every pore. What love He has for each of us to not only endure such pain, but to do it willingly, knowing He could make it stop at any moment. The Savior tells us, "For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer...even as I." (D&C 19:16-17.)
A parable told by President Boyd K. Packer of the Council of the Twelve about mercy and justice illustrates why it is necessary that Christ act as our mediator in order to fulfill both the law of mercy and that of justice. (Ensign May 1977, 54-55.)
How can we show gratitude for the gift of the Atonement? Dede B.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Today in Relief Society, 13 June 2010
Today we had a guest teacher, Natalie Krumbah. Her lesson was Ch. 11 in the Gospel Principles book, entitled "The Life of Christ." All of the prophets from Adam on foretold of the birth of a Savior. Adam learned that the Savior's name would be Jesus Christ (Moses 6:51-52.) Enoch saw that Jesus would die upon the cross and be resurrected (Moses 7:55-56.) Noah and Moses also testified of him. (Moses 1:11; 8:23-24.) Isaiah foretold of His life 800 years before the Savior was born (Isaiah 53:3-5,7.)
Nephi saw a vision of the Savior's future birth and mission (1 Nephi 11:18-21.) The list goes on. . . Sis. Krumbah asked with all of these separate witnesses, how can one doubt the divinity of Christ's life and mission?
Jesus was the only begotten of the Father. This means He is literally the only person on earth to have been born of a mortal mother and an immortal Father. He inherited divine powers from His Father. From His mother He inherited mortality. This was necessary for our redemption. He had to be able to die for the remission of our sins, and He also had to have the power to take up His body again after dying.
He led a perfect life. He set a perfect example for us to follow. There are many stories we can tell from the Savior's life, but my personal favorite is found in Luke 18:16 "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little achildren to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." For many generations, the father in the home was not expected to be affectionate, or to spend any time with his children. The father provided the essentials and the mother provided the nurturing. So to me, for the Savior of all mankind to tell His disciples to allow the children to come to Him, for Him to minister and show love to these "insignificant" little ones, for our Messiah and Redeemer to take time from his expectedly busy schedule to just visit with children is amazing to me. He set a perfect example for us in every way, but this particular example touches me.
He taught us how to love and serve one another. He spent His life serving others. With His ability to perform miracles, Christ could have only catered to the wealthy, the famous, and the beloved. But instead He spent His time amongst the lame, the deaf, the poor and downtrodden. He loved others with all His heart. He even loved those who sinned against him and were unrepentant. And He still loves us now. He died for us just as He died for those he lived amongst.
He organized the only true church. Jesus wanted His gospel taught to people all over the earth. In these latter days, He has provided us with the authority to act in His name and to teach, baptize, and perform other ordinances in His name.
He redeemed us from our sins and saved us from death. Jesus was condemned to die because He testified that He is the son of God. The night before His crucifixion, He went to the garden of Gethsemane. There he was weighed down by deep sorrow and He wept as He prayed. He asked his Father to remove "this cup...nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Even suffering such enormous pain and sorrow, pain and agony, that he bled from every pore as He took upon Himself literally every sin of mankind, He was obedient to the will of His Father. As our Savior and Redeemer, He has felt every sorrow, every amount of suffering, every pain, sickness, infirmity, and sin of every single person who will EVER live. No mortal person can comprehend just how great this burden was.
His sacrifice showed His love for His Father and for us. Jesus taught "Greater man hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) He willingly and humbly went through the sorrow in Gethsemane and the suffering on the cross so we could receive all the blessings of the plan of salvation. What are your feelings as you ponder the Savior's sacrifice for you?
May each of you come to know your Savior as intimately as He knows you. Have a good week! Dede B.
Nephi saw a vision of the Savior's future birth and mission (1 Nephi 11:18-21.) The list goes on. . . Sis. Krumbah asked with all of these separate witnesses, how can one doubt the divinity of Christ's life and mission?
Jesus was the only begotten of the Father. This means He is literally the only person on earth to have been born of a mortal mother and an immortal Father. He inherited divine powers from His Father. From His mother He inherited mortality. This was necessary for our redemption. He had to be able to die for the remission of our sins, and He also had to have the power to take up His body again after dying.
He led a perfect life. He set a perfect example for us to follow. There are many stories we can tell from the Savior's life, but my personal favorite is found in Luke 18:16 "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little achildren to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." For many generations, the father in the home was not expected to be affectionate, or to spend any time with his children. The father provided the essentials and the mother provided the nurturing. So to me, for the Savior of all mankind to tell His disciples to allow the children to come to Him, for Him to minister and show love to these "insignificant" little ones, for our Messiah and Redeemer to take time from his expectedly busy schedule to just visit with children is amazing to me. He set a perfect example for us in every way, but this particular example touches me.
He taught us how to love and serve one another. He spent His life serving others. With His ability to perform miracles, Christ could have only catered to the wealthy, the famous, and the beloved. But instead He spent His time amongst the lame, the deaf, the poor and downtrodden. He loved others with all His heart. He even loved those who sinned against him and were unrepentant. And He still loves us now. He died for us just as He died for those he lived amongst.
He organized the only true church. Jesus wanted His gospel taught to people all over the earth. In these latter days, He has provided us with the authority to act in His name and to teach, baptize, and perform other ordinances in His name.
He redeemed us from our sins and saved us from death. Jesus was condemned to die because He testified that He is the son of God. The night before His crucifixion, He went to the garden of Gethsemane. There he was weighed down by deep sorrow and He wept as He prayed. He asked his Father to remove "this cup...nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Even suffering such enormous pain and sorrow, pain and agony, that he bled from every pore as He took upon Himself literally every sin of mankind, He was obedient to the will of His Father. As our Savior and Redeemer, He has felt every sorrow, every amount of suffering, every pain, sickness, infirmity, and sin of every single person who will EVER live. No mortal person can comprehend just how great this burden was.
His sacrifice showed His love for His Father and for us. Jesus taught "Greater man hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) He willingly and humbly went through the sorrow in Gethsemane and the suffering on the cross so we could receive all the blessings of the plan of salvation. What are your feelings as you ponder the Savior's sacrifice for you?
May each of you come to know your Savior as intimately as He knows you. Have a good week! Dede B.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Tri-ward activity Sunday
There is a Tri-Ward activity to give us all a chance to say
good-bye and give hugs to all the families that are moving out of the area
this month and next.
The families are: Lindes, Ferrins, Hills, Squires, Howells, Lusters, McEwans and Prices.
It is this Sunday —June 13th — from 6:00-7:30 at the church.
It is a potluck dessert gathering.
good-bye and give hugs to all the families that are moving out of the area
this month and next.
The families are: Lindes, Ferrins, Hills, Squires, Howells, Lusters, McEwans and Prices.
It is this Sunday —June 13th — from 6:00-7:30 at the church.
It is a potluck dessert gathering.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Relief Society Lesson 6 June 2010
Sis. Brown taught a lesson on using the scriptures to receive personal revelation. I had to nurse the baby, so I was not in RS for most of the lesson, though there was a hand out. If you missed the lesson, please let myself or Sis. Brown know and we will get you a copy of the hand out! Hope to have a better synopsis next week for you! Dede B.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Today in Relief Society, 30 May 2010
Today the Bishop conducted a combined RS/Priesthood meeting. To begin, the Bishop had Bro. Brown read the following quote;
"The need today for Christlike love is as great as or perhaps even greater than when the Savior walked on this earth. As shepherds we must understand that we should nurture each one of our sheep to bring them to Christ, which is the purpose of all we do in this Church. . . As we stay in tune with the needs of the people, we can strengthen them and help them overcome their challenges, so they will remain steadfast in the way which will lead them back to our Heavenly Father's presence and help them endure to the end." Ulisses Soares, "Feed My Sheep," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 98
He then asked how can we strengthen and help our ward family overcome their challenges, especially those who are not joining us on a regular basis?
Bishop Bonham then had President Shaw give us a list of fundamental, basic things we should do every day to strengthen our own foundation. These included; prayer and scripture study (both individual and family,) paying a full tithe, going to the temple regularly, keeping our baptismal covenants, and keeping the spirit in our home. By following this list and nurturing our own testimonies, we can better serve and nurture those around us.
It was brought up that it is important to remember not to beat yourself up when you can't meet all of your own expectations in accomplishing the items on this list.
The Bishop then said; "We are constantly striving to better understand the needs of the ward and it's members and to be in tune with the spirit to know how to serve it/them better." With that in mind, there were several resources discussed to better serve and nurture our ward, the members, our families, and ourselves. The list we came up with included the following;
Extended family- don't assume what their response will be to your inquiries.
Visiting Teachers/Home Teachers- allow others the opportunity to serve. When they ask what they can do to help, don't automatically say "nothing, I'm fine." They can not address your needs if they do not know what they are.
Relief Society sisters and Priesthood brethren- a ward is a family. Just like in any family, the more effort you put into the relationship, the stronger your bond will be. Work to build friendships in and outside of the church.
The Internet- there are a LOT of spiritually uplifting and helpful web sites available. The church now has numerous web sites to help nurture it's members and others. www.lds.org , www.mormon.org , www.combatingpornography.org , www.familysearch.org , www.mormonmessages.org , radio.lds.org to name a few. There are also unlimited blogs and family web sites available. Also, social networking sites can be a tool in reaching out to members.
In conclusion, the Bishop stated that "We [as a ward] need to fight together, help each other, and support each other" as we strive to build the kingdom.
Have you done any good in the world today? Dede B.
"The need today for Christlike love is as great as or perhaps even greater than when the Savior walked on this earth. As shepherds we must understand that we should nurture each one of our sheep to bring them to Christ, which is the purpose of all we do in this Church. . . As we stay in tune with the needs of the people, we can strengthen them and help them overcome their challenges, so they will remain steadfast in the way which will lead them back to our Heavenly Father's presence and help them endure to the end." Ulisses Soares, "Feed My Sheep," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 98
He then asked how can we strengthen and help our ward family overcome their challenges, especially those who are not joining us on a regular basis?
Bishop Bonham then had President Shaw give us a list of fundamental, basic things we should do every day to strengthen our own foundation. These included; prayer and scripture study (both individual and family,) paying a full tithe, going to the temple regularly, keeping our baptismal covenants, and keeping the spirit in our home. By following this list and nurturing our own testimonies, we can better serve and nurture those around us.
It was brought up that it is important to remember not to beat yourself up when you can't meet all of your own expectations in accomplishing the items on this list.
The Bishop then said; "We are constantly striving to better understand the needs of the ward and it's members and to be in tune with the spirit to know how to serve it/them better." With that in mind, there were several resources discussed to better serve and nurture our ward, the members, our families, and ourselves. The list we came up with included the following;
Extended family- don't assume what their response will be to your inquiries.
Visiting Teachers/Home Teachers- allow others the opportunity to serve. When they ask what they can do to help, don't automatically say "nothing, I'm fine." They can not address your needs if they do not know what they are.
Relief Society sisters and Priesthood brethren- a ward is a family. Just like in any family, the more effort you put into the relationship, the stronger your bond will be. Work to build friendships in and outside of the church.
The Internet- there are a LOT of spiritually uplifting and helpful web sites available. The church now has numerous web sites to help nurture it's members and others. www.lds.org , www.mormon.org , www.combatingpornography.org , www.familysearch.org , www.mormonmessages.org , radio.lds.org to name a few. There are also unlimited blogs and family web sites available. Also, social networking sites can be a tool in reaching out to members.
In conclusion, the Bishop stated that "We [as a ward] need to fight together, help each other, and support each other" as we strive to build the kingdom.
Have you done any good in the world today? Dede B.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Relief Society Lesson 23 May 2010
Our lesson was taught by Sis. Heintz, and was based on President Eyring's October 2009 talk "Our Perfect Example."
Moroni 7:48 says “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."
All of us have different circumstances and problems. We all want to become better, smarter, more than we are. And, we all can. Through living the gospel of Jesus Christ, our perfect example, we can become more like our Savior.
President Eyring recalled an experience of listening to a group of children singing "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus." Many of us are familiar with the lyrics;
I’m trying to be like Jesus; I’m following in his ways.
I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,
“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught."
President Eyring said of the experience; "It seemed to me that they were not just singing; they were declaring their determination. Jesus Christ was their example. To be like Him was their fixed goal. And their eager looks and their shining eyes convinced me that they had no doubts. They expected to succeed. They believed that the instruction of the Savior to be perfect was not a hope but a command. And they were sure He had prepared the way."
What strikes me about this song, is the title...I'm TRYING to be like Jesus. None of us is capable of perfection. Our Heavenly Father made us that way. If we were able to be perfect on our own there would be no room in our lives for the atoning sacrifice of our Savior. That is not the plan! That is not how it is supposed to be. Aren't we lucky that we have the gospel and example of Jesus Christ to help us on our mortal path? The "grown up" version of this song, so to speak, would be "Lord, I Would Follow Thee." Read through the lyrics below and you will see how the two songs basically say the same thing.
Savior, may I learn to love thee,
Walk the path that thou hast shown,
Pause to help and lift another,
Finding strength beyond my own.
Savior, may I learn to love thee-
Lord, I would follow thee.
Who am I to judge another
When I walk imperfectly?
In the quiet heart is hidden
Sorrow that the eye can't see.
Who am I to judge another?
Lord, I would follow thee.
I would be my brother's keeper;
I would learn the healer's art.
To the wounded and the weary
I would show a gentle heart.
I would be my brother's keeper-
Lord, I would follow thee.
Savior, may I love my brother
As I know thou lovest me,
Find in thee my strength, my beacon,
For thy servant I would be.
Savior, may I love my brother-
Lord, I would follow thee.
President Eyring also said "Just as Jesus used a child in His mortal ministry as an example for the people of the pure love they must and could have to be like Him, He has offered us the family as an example of an ideal setting in which we can learn how to love as He loves.
That is because the greatest joys and the greatest sorrows we experience are in family relationships. The joys come from putting the welfare of others above our own. That is what love is. And the sorrow comes primarily from selfishness, which is the absence of love. The ideal God holds for us is to form families in the way most likely to lead to happiness and away from sorrow. A man and a woman are to make sacred covenants that they will put the welfare and happiness of the other at the center of their lives. Children are to be born into a family where the parents hold the needs of children equal to their own in importance. And children are to love parents and each other."
I especially like the line that states that "joy comes from putting the welfare of others above our own. That is what love is."
Have you ever heard it put so simply, so succinctly, so perfectly? It's simple. Joy+Service= Love. Sorrow +Selfishness= No Love. We can honor and respect others as Christ would have us do. He is our perfect example in deed, AND in thought. We can learn to love others as our Savior loves them. We can also learn to love ourselves as the Savior loves us.
President Eyring also spoke of the following; "There is a gravestone near my home of a mother and grandmother. She and her husband were sealed in the temple of God to each other and to their posterity for time and all eternity. The inscription on the gravestone reads, “Please, no empty chairs.” She asked for that inscription because she knew that whether the family will be together depends on the choices each family member makes. The word “please” is there because neither God nor she can compel another to choose happiness. And there is Satan, who wants misery, not happiness, in families in this life and in the next." What have you done that makes you worthy to be at the Lord's table today? Dede B.
Moroni 7:48 says “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."
All of us have different circumstances and problems. We all want to become better, smarter, more than we are. And, we all can. Through living the gospel of Jesus Christ, our perfect example, we can become more like our Savior.
President Eyring recalled an experience of listening to a group of children singing "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus." Many of us are familiar with the lyrics;
I’m trying to be like Jesus; I’m following in his ways.
I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,
“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught."
President Eyring said of the experience; "It seemed to me that they were not just singing; they were declaring their determination. Jesus Christ was their example. To be like Him was their fixed goal. And their eager looks and their shining eyes convinced me that they had no doubts. They expected to succeed. They believed that the instruction of the Savior to be perfect was not a hope but a command. And they were sure He had prepared the way."
What strikes me about this song, is the title...I'm TRYING to be like Jesus. None of us is capable of perfection. Our Heavenly Father made us that way. If we were able to be perfect on our own there would be no room in our lives for the atoning sacrifice of our Savior. That is not the plan! That is not how it is supposed to be. Aren't we lucky that we have the gospel and example of Jesus Christ to help us on our mortal path? The "grown up" version of this song, so to speak, would be "Lord, I Would Follow Thee." Read through the lyrics below and you will see how the two songs basically say the same thing.
Savior, may I learn to love thee,
Walk the path that thou hast shown,
Pause to help and lift another,
Finding strength beyond my own.
Savior, may I learn to love thee-
Lord, I would follow thee.
Who am I to judge another
When I walk imperfectly?
In the quiet heart is hidden
Sorrow that the eye can't see.
Who am I to judge another?
Lord, I would follow thee.
I would be my brother's keeper;
I would learn the healer's art.
To the wounded and the weary
I would show a gentle heart.
I would be my brother's keeper-
Lord, I would follow thee.
Savior, may I love my brother
As I know thou lovest me,
Find in thee my strength, my beacon,
For thy servant I would be.
Savior, may I love my brother-
Lord, I would follow thee.
President Eyring also said "Just as Jesus used a child in His mortal ministry as an example for the people of the pure love they must and could have to be like Him, He has offered us the family as an example of an ideal setting in which we can learn how to love as He loves.
That is because the greatest joys and the greatest sorrows we experience are in family relationships. The joys come from putting the welfare of others above our own. That is what love is. And the sorrow comes primarily from selfishness, which is the absence of love. The ideal God holds for us is to form families in the way most likely to lead to happiness and away from sorrow. A man and a woman are to make sacred covenants that they will put the welfare and happiness of the other at the center of their lives. Children are to be born into a family where the parents hold the needs of children equal to their own in importance. And children are to love parents and each other."
I especially like the line that states that "joy comes from putting the welfare of others above our own. That is what love is."
Have you ever heard it put so simply, so succinctly, so perfectly? It's simple. Joy+Service= Love. Sorrow +Selfishness= No Love. We can honor and respect others as Christ would have us do. He is our perfect example in deed, AND in thought. We can learn to love others as our Savior loves them. We can also learn to love ourselves as the Savior loves us.
President Eyring also spoke of the following; "There is a gravestone near my home of a mother and grandmother. She and her husband were sealed in the temple of God to each other and to their posterity for time and all eternity. The inscription on the gravestone reads, “Please, no empty chairs.” She asked for that inscription because she knew that whether the family will be together depends on the choices each family member makes. The word “please” is there because neither God nor she can compel another to choose happiness. And there is Satan, who wants misery, not happiness, in families in this life and in the next." What have you done that makes you worthy to be at the Lord's table today? Dede B.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Family in need
For any one who is able to help, there is an account set up at any First Federal branch for the Stollar Family.They are the family who lost everything they owned in the house fire on Pierson Road. Many of our children may know one or two of the 5 children as they attend Greywolf, Sequim High and Sequim Middle School. The mom's name is Kelly Morrison. The children are Travis, Brandon, Kelsey, Mason, and Wyatt. The Olympic Rehab is also collecting things for the family. Sherry Soderberg's sister Debbie works there, her email is shearple@msn.com she can tell you what has been collected and what is still needed.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Relief Society Lesson 16 May 2010
Our lesson, CH.10 The Scriptures, was taught by Nicky Newell. We talked about the four standard works, the Bible, the Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.
The Bible is broken into two parts, the Old Testament, and the New Testament.
The Old Testament contains sacred writings from Adam to Christ, and foretells of the coming of a Savior.
The New Testament tells of the life of the Savior, and His church in that day.
The Book of Mormon chronicles Christ's visit to the Americas.
It shows us a pattern for preparing for the second coming.
The Book of Mormon gives us power to resist temptation, avoid deception, and stay on the path of righteousness.
It is the keystone of our belief, giving us; witness of Christ, doctrines of salvation, and the basis of our testimony.
The Doctrine and Covenants provides revelations for the restored Church of Jesus Christ.
It teaches glorious truths regarding the nature of Christ.
It gives us prophecies of events to coms, and shed lights on prophecies of the bible.
The Pearl of Great Price gives us insight into the creation and the priesthood.
It contains a history of the church, as well as the Articles of Faith.
All of these beautiful works draw us to Christ. They help us to learn and feel the truth of the gospel.
Studying the scriptures every day can help us to share these truths with our children.
Inspired words of our living prophets become scripture for us today. The other day, my newborn was crying unconsolably and my three year old was having a temper tantrum. I began reading aloud the Conference talks from the May Ensign just to keep my sanity. I hoped that they would realize that I was not going to stop just because they were having fits. Suddenly after about 4-5 minutes I realized the room had fallen silent. The boy was sitting quietly, and I looked down to see the baby staring at me. She seemed to really be listening to the words. Her eyes had a glimmer of recognition. I don't know if she could really understand what was being said, but I truly believe she understood that she was hearing the words of our Prophet and his apostles. It was a spiritual moment that bring tears to my eyes even remembering it now.
Have you allowed the scriptures to bring spiritual blessings to you today? Dede B.
The Bible is broken into two parts, the Old Testament, and the New Testament.
The Old Testament contains sacred writings from Adam to Christ, and foretells of the coming of a Savior.
The New Testament tells of the life of the Savior, and His church in that day.
The Book of Mormon chronicles Christ's visit to the Americas.
It shows us a pattern for preparing for the second coming.
The Book of Mormon gives us power to resist temptation, avoid deception, and stay on the path of righteousness.
It is the keystone of our belief, giving us; witness of Christ, doctrines of salvation, and the basis of our testimony.
The Doctrine and Covenants provides revelations for the restored Church of Jesus Christ.
It teaches glorious truths regarding the nature of Christ.
It gives us prophecies of events to coms, and shed lights on prophecies of the bible.
The Pearl of Great Price gives us insight into the creation and the priesthood.
It contains a history of the church, as well as the Articles of Faith.
All of these beautiful works draw us to Christ. They help us to learn and feel the truth of the gospel.
Studying the scriptures every day can help us to share these truths with our children.
Inspired words of our living prophets become scripture for us today. The other day, my newborn was crying unconsolably and my three year old was having a temper tantrum. I began reading aloud the Conference talks from the May Ensign just to keep my sanity. I hoped that they would realize that I was not going to stop just because they were having fits. Suddenly after about 4-5 minutes I realized the room had fallen silent. The boy was sitting quietly, and I looked down to see the baby staring at me. She seemed to really be listening to the words. Her eyes had a glimmer of recognition. I don't know if she could really understand what was being said, but I truly believe she understood that she was hearing the words of our Prophet and his apostles. It was a spiritual moment that bring tears to my eyes even remembering it now.
Have you allowed the scriptures to bring spiritual blessings to you today? Dede B.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Relief Society Lesson 9 May 2010
Our lesson was taught by Sis. Sherry Soderberg, and was based on Chapter 9 of the Gospel Principals lesson manual. The lesson was on Prophets. We started by talking about our "first" prophets. Who is the first prophet you remember? Who is "your" prophet. In my life, I have been truly lucky to have been able to have several truly remarkable prophets leading the church. Sister Soderberg told us about when she was a new member of the church. She had only been a member for about a year, when she had the opportunity to attend a session of General Conference in person. Between sessions, she was walking in temple square, and saw a large group of people. Upon going closer, she saw that the group was surrounding President and Sister Kimball. Sis. Soderberg was able to shake the hand of the living prophet. While he was shaking her hand, President Kimball said to her "You are a new member of the church." At that point Sis. Soderberg KNEW that he IS a prophet of God. How amazing it must have been to speak to, touch, and witness revelation from the living prophet. The manual says "Many people live in darkness, unsure of God's will. They believe that the heavens are closed and that people must face the world's perils alone. How fortunate are the Latter-day Saints! We know that God communicates to the church through His prophet." It is also important to note that the prophet is the only living prophet on earth. That means he is the prophet for all people, whether they are members of the church or not. Whether they know or believe it or not. The prophet's council applies to ALL people, not just Latter-day Saints. Think about all that the prophet is asked to do. Every moment of his life, from the moment he is ordained, until the last moment of his earthly life, he serves all of us. It is a HUGE sacrifice, and it is made out of love for all people. How does the prophet speak to God? The same way you do! Each of us can go to our Heavenly Father in prayer. We are entitled to personal revelation. The prophet receives revelation for all of us. The manual says "NO person except the chosen prophet and president can receive God's will for the entire membership of the church...Many people find it easy to believe in the prophets of the past. But it is much greater to believe in and follow the living prophet." The prophet is the mouthpiece of the Lord. He will not give us instruction that is not from the Lord. President Wilford Woodruff said; " The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this church to lead you astray. It is not in the program. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place." EVERYTHING the prophet instructs us to do is to bring us closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Sister Soderberg also gave us an assignment. I will put her words here.
"Sisters, Today's lesson is about the Prophets and how we can support the Prophet. Last week we talked about how we can love our sisters, and how we can support our sisters when we only see them on Sunday. Well there is a way...every sister will have a secret sister praying for her every day. When you are having problems with life, you will know that yo have a secret sister praying for you. Last conference, said in his talk "YOU are my hands," "Every day, as we contemplate with reverence and awe how our Savior embraces us, comforts us, and heals us, let us commit to become His hands, that others through us may feel His loving embrace." Sisters, let the sisters feel that embrace through your daily prayer for your secret sister. In the holy name of Jesus, our Savior, Amen. "
There were far more names available than there were people to take them. So, if you are reading this and did not take a name (or two,) PLEASE call Sis. Soderberg and ask her for a name. What a wonderful way to show love for our sisters. Praying costs us nothing and is worth much. Even if you can not do anything physically or financially, you can plead with our Heavenly Father for the blessings our sisters need. The bible dictionary says of prayer; " The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings." What blessings might our sisters be missing simply because we are not asking for them? Dede B.
Sister Soderberg also gave us an assignment. I will put her words here.
"Sisters, Today's lesson is about the Prophets and how we can support the Prophet. Last week we talked about how we can love our sisters, and how we can support our sisters when we only see them on Sunday. Well there is a way...every sister will have a secret sister praying for her every day. When you are having problems with life, you will know that yo have a secret sister praying for you. Last conference,
There were far more names available than there were people to take them. So, if you are reading this and did not take a name (or two,) PLEASE call Sis. Soderberg and ask her for a name. What a wonderful way to show love for our sisters. Praying costs us nothing and is worth much. Even if you can not do anything physically or financially, you can plead with our Heavenly Father for the blessings our sisters need. The bible dictionary says of prayer; " The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings." What blessings might our sisters be missing simply because we are not asking for them? Dede B.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Relief Society Lesson 2 May 2010
Our lesson was taught by Heather Consoliver, the newest member of the RS presidency. The theme of the lesson was welcoming sisters to Relief Society, whether it be from Young Women's, new members, returning members, etc. Sis. Consoliver quoted a talk by James E. Faust entitled “What It Means to Be a Daughter of God,” (Ensign, Nov 1999.)
" The new declaration of the Relief Society begins, “We are beloved spirit daughters of God.” To be a daughter of God means that you are the offspring of Deity, literal descendants of a Divine Father, inheriting godly attributes and potential. To be a daughter of God also means that you have been born again, changed from a “carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness."
We need every sister to realize that we are all "beloved spirit daughters of God." Each of us has divine potential. President Spencer W. Kimball said "I wonder if women who do not participate in Relief Society realize the great promises that come with their membership."
How can we help each sister in our area, whether members of the church or not, to want to come to Relief Society? Sis. Consoliver said that we can express love, invite and remind, and show kindness, but like any other principal we need to gain a testimony of the importance of Relief Society. Sis. Consoliver spoke of a survey done on a group of Young Women coming into Relief Society for the first time. Most expressed that when they came to Relief Society the first time, if someone sat with them, it made them feel welcome and more apt to come.
It is important that we make sure each sister knows that she has a place in Relief Society, even if she is serving in a Sunday calling that takes her out of Relief Society.
We also spoke of the importance of service when trying to bring our sisters into Relief Society. We never fully know the impact our service can have on another. Several sisters shared stories of how Relief Society sisters served them in love and kindness. It is important to remember that service will probably not ever be convenient. Part of what makes an act of service so valuable is the aspect of sacrifice it requires. Don't just ask what you can do...think of something appropriate and go do it!
I hope that each of you knows that you are an important part of our Relief Society. The RS presidency loves each of you and misses you when you are not in Relief Society. Who do you know that could benefit from learning of their divine potential by joining us in Relief Society? Dede B.
" The new declaration of the Relief Society begins, “We are beloved spirit daughters of God.” To be a daughter of God means that you are the offspring of Deity, literal descendants of a Divine Father, inheriting godly attributes and potential. To be a daughter of God also means that you have been born again, changed from a “carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness."
We need every sister to realize that we are all "beloved spirit daughters of God." Each of us has divine potential. President Spencer W. Kimball said "I wonder if women who do not participate in Relief Society realize the great promises that come with their membership."
How can we help each sister in our area, whether members of the church or not, to want to come to Relief Society? Sis. Consoliver said that we can express love, invite and remind, and show kindness, but like any other principal we need to gain a testimony of the importance of Relief Society. Sis. Consoliver spoke of a survey done on a group of Young Women coming into Relief Society for the first time. Most expressed that when they came to Relief Society the first time, if someone sat with them, it made them feel welcome and more apt to come.
It is important that we make sure each sister knows that she has a place in Relief Society, even if she is serving in a Sunday calling that takes her out of Relief Society.
We also spoke of the importance of service when trying to bring our sisters into Relief Society. We never fully know the impact our service can have on another. Several sisters shared stories of how Relief Society sisters served them in love and kindness. It is important to remember that service will probably not ever be convenient. Part of what makes an act of service so valuable is the aspect of sacrifice it requires. Don't just ask what you can do...think of something appropriate and go do it!
I hope that each of you knows that you are an important part of our Relief Society. The RS presidency loves each of you and misses you when you are not in Relief Society. Who do you know that could benefit from learning of their divine potential by joining us in Relief Society? Dede B.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Relief Society Lesson 25 April 2010
Today our lesson in RS was taught by Sis. Carol Heintz and was based off of the Talk "Repent, That I May Heal You" given by Elder Anderson in Oct 2009.
All of us has the opportunity to feel the forgiveness, love, and comfort that comes from true repentance.
The Lord wants us to come to him and feel the loving arms of his forgiveness. (Alma 5:33)
Sis Heintz said that she has sometimes felt that the voice calling us to repentance is one of chastisement. It isn't. It is a voice of love and concern from a compassionate parent.
Repentance is a way to return to God and be more than we are...to change, to feel joy and happiness. It is a way for us to rejoice in the joy of being forgiven. Repentance brings blessings.
How do we decide where our repentance should be focused? We are able to benefit from personal revelation given through prayer, personal reflection, council of priesthood authorities.
Our repentance brings blessings to our families and those we love.
Sister Heintz told a story of her great grandfather, which I will paraphrase. He joined the church in Sweden, and decided to come to Zion. His wife was pregnant, and he was concerned for her safety during delivery crossing the plains. He talked to the captain of the wagon train, who assured him that there was a midwife traveling with them, and they would stop whenever and where ever the birth occurred. The baby was delivered and was healthy, but the family also had a sick three year old, who died 3 days after the birth. The captain of the wagon train said they had to move out of the hostile territory they were in for the safety of every one. Great grandfather became angry because he was told they would stop no matter when/where the baby was delivered. The captain was firm in his command to move to a safer location, and ordered a shallow grave dug for the three year old. Great grandfather stayed behind to dig a proper grave, asking a neighbor to give some candles to his wife and new baby. The neighbor refused, saying they couldn't spare any. Great grandfather started to become bitter towards the Mormons. When they arrived in Salt Lake, great grandfather got odd jobs, and ended up taking a job with the railroad. He went to get paid, and the forman told him he was not on the list. He ended up checking the list himself and finding his own name. He got paid, but only partly in cash. He continued to harden his heart and become bitter towards the church and Brigham Young in particular. Great grandfather ended up leaving the church. However, his wife, who endured the same trials stayed faithful and had her testimony strengthened. Their situations were exactly the same, however their attitudes made a significant difference. The same applies to repentance. You need to allow the blessings of repentance into your life. Do not harden your heart and refuse to repent, refuse to forgive yourself, refuse the Savior's atonement to apply to your life.
I pray that you all allow yourselves the blessings that come from repenting. May your hearts be lightened and your burdens reduced. Dede B.
All of us has the opportunity to feel the forgiveness, love, and comfort that comes from true repentance.
The Lord wants us to come to him and feel the loving arms of his forgiveness. (Alma 5:33)
Sis Heintz said that she has sometimes felt that the voice calling us to repentance is one of chastisement. It isn't. It is a voice of love and concern from a compassionate parent.
Repentance is a way to return to God and be more than we are...to change, to feel joy and happiness. It is a way for us to rejoice in the joy of being forgiven. Repentance brings blessings.
How do we decide where our repentance should be focused? We are able to benefit from personal revelation given through prayer, personal reflection, council of priesthood authorities.
Our repentance brings blessings to our families and those we love.
Sister Heintz told a story of her great grandfather, which I will paraphrase. He joined the church in Sweden, and decided to come to Zion. His wife was pregnant, and he was concerned for her safety during delivery crossing the plains. He talked to the captain of the wagon train, who assured him that there was a midwife traveling with them, and they would stop whenever and where ever the birth occurred. The baby was delivered and was healthy, but the family also had a sick three year old, who died 3 days after the birth. The captain of the wagon train said they had to move out of the hostile territory they were in for the safety of every one. Great grandfather became angry because he was told they would stop no matter when/where the baby was delivered. The captain was firm in his command to move to a safer location, and ordered a shallow grave dug for the three year old. Great grandfather stayed behind to dig a proper grave, asking a neighbor to give some candles to his wife and new baby. The neighbor refused, saying they couldn't spare any. Great grandfather started to become bitter towards the Mormons. When they arrived in Salt Lake, great grandfather got odd jobs, and ended up taking a job with the railroad. He went to get paid, and the forman told him he was not on the list. He ended up checking the list himself and finding his own name. He got paid, but only partly in cash. He continued to harden his heart and become bitter towards the church and Brigham Young in particular. Great grandfather ended up leaving the church. However, his wife, who endured the same trials stayed faithful and had her testimony strengthened. Their situations were exactly the same, however their attitudes made a significant difference. The same applies to repentance. You need to allow the blessings of repentance into your life. Do not harden your heart and refuse to repent, refuse to forgive yourself, refuse the Savior's atonement to apply to your life.
I pray that you all allow yourselves the blessings that come from repenting. May your hearts be lightened and your burdens reduced. Dede B.
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