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.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Relief Society Lesson 18 April 2010
The lesson was taught by Nicky Newell, and was a combination of Lesson 7 The Holy Ghost and Lesson 8 Praying to our Heavenly Father. I was not in RS so I will take the handout Nicky gave and put that here.
"We should pray for...the Holy Ghost to give us guidance...night and day.
He is Heavenly Father's messenger His mission is to bear witness of the Father and the Son and of the truth of all things. He will help us.
We should pray to confess our sins to God and ask Him to forgive us, which is Repentance.
For strength to live the gospel...Protection from our enemies...
To express love to Heavenly Father and to feel closer to Him...
To thank Him for our welfare and comfort...
To keep on the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life...
To be righteous in our thoughts, words, and actions.
We should pray in faith "with a sincere heart, with real intent" (Moroni 10:4)
We can also pray for ours and others faith and testimony to be strengthened that we may endure. For our prophet and the general authorities and their families, for our stake presidencies, bishoprics, and their families.
Our prophet has asked us to pray for lands to open and except the preaching of the gospel in all the world. We can pray for fathers and children of our eternal family. We can pray for the families we have stewardship over, for our teachers that they may have the spirit to be with them. Thank you for your prayers while I was sick and unable to be at church, I felt them! This church is truly His!! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen With love from, Sister Newell"
"We should pray for...the Holy Ghost to give us guidance...night and day.
He is Heavenly Father's messenger His mission is to bear witness of the Father and the Son and of the truth of all things. He will help us.
We should pray to confess our sins to God and ask Him to forgive us, which is Repentance.
For strength to live the gospel...Protection from our enemies...
To express love to Heavenly Father and to feel closer to Him...
To thank Him for our welfare and comfort...
To keep on the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life...
To be righteous in our thoughts, words, and actions.
We should pray in faith "with a sincere heart, with real intent" (Moroni 10:4)
We can also pray for ours and others faith and testimony to be strengthened that we may endure. For our prophet and the general authorities and their families, for our stake presidencies, bishoprics, and their families.
Our prophet has asked us to pray for lands to open and except the preaching of the gospel in all the world. We can pray for fathers and children of our eternal family. We can pray for the families we have stewardship over, for our teachers that they may have the spirit to be with them. Thank you for your prayers while I was sick and unable to be at church, I felt them! This church is truly His!! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen With love from, Sister Newell"
Monday, April 12, 2010
Gardening/Canning classes
On Tuesday, May 11 we are having a gardening class taught by Florence Larsen, Janell Heintz, and Evelyn Shaw. Sister Shaw is teaching about growing Dahlias, Sister Heintz is teaching about square foot gardening, and Sister Larsen will be talking about gardening. If any of you ladies are interested we are having classes all spring and summer long on getting your soil ready to plant and what can be planted when. We will also do classes on canning and preserving your food from your garden. If there are sisters who are willing to help teach gardening or canning call or talk to Heather Consoliver. Her number is 477-8438 and her e-mail address is heather_con24@hotmail.com
Sunday, April 4, 2010
General Conference
If I may paraphrase from my favorite talk from General Conference, it was from President Uchtdorf's "You are my hands" talk. (Sunday morning session.)
Pres. Uchtdorf told a story of a small city that was bombed during WWII. During the bombing a large statue of Jesus Christ was destroyed. Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but the hands were damaged beyond repair. There was debate as to whether to have new hands made or to leave the statue with out. Ultimately it was decided to leave the hands off. The people of the city placed a plaque at the base of the statue of Christ with the words "You are My hands." The Savior always talked with never down to people. He loved the humble and the meek, and walked among them, ministering and offering hope and salvation. That is what he would still be doing if He lived among us today. And, it is what we should be doing as his disciples and as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As we emulate His perfect example, our hands can become His hands, our eyes His eyes, our heart His heart. You (as members of the church) are a shining light to the world, and you are known for your goodness and compassion. However, sometimes we, as imperfect beings, can make others feel less than adequate. As disciples of Christ, we are called to support and heal rather than condemn. We are commanded to "mourn with those that mourn, and comfort those who stand in need of comfort. Pres. Uchtdorf said "It is not good to make those around us feel as though they are deficient. When we are tempted to judge let us think of the Savior..." He also stated that every person we meet is a "VIP" to our Heavenly Father. To illustrate this point, he told the story of a woman who had been through years of trials who stated that she had come to realize that she was like an old $20 dollar bill. Wrinkled, dirty, abused, scarred...But, she realized she was still a $20 dollar bill. She is still worth something. Even though we may not look like much, even though we may feel as though we have been battered and bruised, we are still worth the full $20.
I hope you all heard something profound that touched your heart in yesterday's or today's sessions. Leave a comment and share your favorite quote or talk from this conference! Dede B.
Pres. Uchtdorf told a story of a small city that was bombed during WWII. During the bombing a large statue of Jesus Christ was destroyed. Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but the hands were damaged beyond repair. There was debate as to whether to have new hands made or to leave the statue with out. Ultimately it was decided to leave the hands off. The people of the city placed a plaque at the base of the statue of Christ with the words "You are My hands." The Savior always talked with never down to people. He loved the humble and the meek, and walked among them, ministering and offering hope and salvation. That is what he would still be doing if He lived among us today. And, it is what we should be doing as his disciples and as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As we emulate His perfect example, our hands can become His hands, our eyes His eyes, our heart His heart. You (as members of the church) are a shining light to the world, and you are known for your goodness and compassion. However, sometimes we, as imperfect beings, can make others feel less than adequate. As disciples of Christ, we are called to support and heal rather than condemn. We are commanded to "mourn with those that mourn, and comfort those who stand in need of comfort. Pres. Uchtdorf said "It is not good to make those around us feel as though they are deficient. When we are tempted to judge let us think of the Savior..." He also stated that every person we meet is a "VIP" to our Heavenly Father. To illustrate this point, he told the story of a woman who had been through years of trials who stated that she had come to realize that she was like an old $20 dollar bill. Wrinkled, dirty, abused, scarred...But, she realized she was still a $20 dollar bill. She is still worth something. Even though we may not look like much, even though we may feel as though we have been battered and bruised, we are still worth the full $20.
I hope you all heard something profound that touched your heart in yesterday's or today's sessions. Leave a comment and share your favorite quote or talk from this conference! Dede B.
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