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... =) )
Sunday, August 29, 2010
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.
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