This week in Relief Society

Today we talked about Jesus Christ, Our Chosen Leader and Savior. We needed to leave Heavenly Father's presence in order to be given a body, to be tested, to learn and grow, to exercise free agency. We needed a Savior in order to return to our Heavenly Father's presence after using that agency. Heavenly Father knew and loved each of us. He planned a way to help us, and that was through the atoning sacrifice of a Savior. Heavenly Father asked "Whom shall I send?" (Abraham 3:27) Jesus Christ said "Here am I, send me." (Abraham 3:27) Jesus was willing to come to earth, give his life and take upon himself our sins. He wanted us to be able to choose whether we would obey Heavenly Father's commandments. He was willing to do this out of love, without any glory. Satan also came forward and said "Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor. (Moses 4:1) It strikes me as ironic that Satan wanted to impose a plan on us that completely took away our agency, yet he was given free agency to present this plan. Heavenly Father allowed Satan to make decisions that ultimately led to his being cast from Heaven, yet Satan did not want to allow anyone else that same freedom to make decisions. After hearing both sons, Heavenly Father said "I will send the first." (Abraham 3:27) While Jesus was on the earth, He taught "I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. "(John 6:38)
We chose Jesus in the sprit world as our leader and Savior, and we again must chose Him in this life as our leader and savior. Take a moment and ask yourself what gift the Savior has given you today, right now, in this moment. It may be as simple as a beautiful sunset, or as miraculous as a healing through the power of the priesthood. Now think for a moment about this....people watch you. They know we are members of Christ's church. They see our actions and they might wonder to themselves if you represent Christ in every moment. WIth that in mind....what gift have YOU given to Jesus Christ, our Chosen Leader and Savior today? Dede B.