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.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
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.
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