December 30 - Link to "Learning Resources for Youth"

Here is the link to "Learning Resources for Youth" for the New LDS Youth Curriculum
https://www.lds.org/youth/learn?lang=eng

Announcements - December 23, 2012

• Please attend tithing settlement if you have not already done so.

• Please finish your December visiting teaching and report results using “Return and Report” on-line reporting system.

• The first weekday Relief Society meeting of 2013 will be held on Wednesday, January 16 at 7:00 p.m.  This will be a financial preparedness workshop available to all ward members, not just the Relief Society.  Childcare will be available.

• Stake Women’s Conference will be February 2, 2013.  The emphasis will be about temples.  If you have any thoughts about specific topics, please contact Sharyn Larsen.

Lesson Recap - December 23, 2012

  

“Becoming a More Christian Christian”

Elder Robert D. Hales

“The First Great Commandment”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

October 2012 General Conference

Lesson by Andrea

Andrea began her lesson by explaining that both of these conference talks are about the 21^st chapter of John.   Elder Hales summarizes this chapter this way:

“After the Savior’s Crucifixion, He appeared to the women and told them that the brethren would find Him in Galilee.  When Peter, the senior Apostle, returned to Galilee, he also went back to what he knew—to what he felt comfortable doing.  “I go a fishing,” he explained, and took several disciples with him.

Indeed, Peter and the others fished all night without catching any fish.  The next morning Jesus appeared on the shore and called to them across the water, “Cast (your) net on the right side.”  The disciples in the boat followed the Savior’s instructions and quickly discovered their nets were miraculously filled to overflowing.  John recognized the Savior’s voice, and Peter instantly cast himself into the water and swam to the shore.”

The disciples were originally fishermen before they became disciples of Christ and after His crucifixion, they went back to what was comfortable which was fishing.  They were doing what they needed to do to take care of themselves and their families.

This passage is full of symbolism.  They were fishing just as they were when He called them.   The Apostles were vulnerable after Christ was crucified, they no longer had the power of the Holy Ghost.

The disciples were fishing but not catching any fish.  Then Jesus spoke, and John recognized His voice, and Peter threw himself into the water.

Why did Jesus appear to them in this manner?  Perhaps to tell them “I’m still with you, to guide you”. 

Elder Hales continues his summary of this story:

“As the brethren returned to the shore, they discovered a feast of fish and bread.  “come and dine,” the Savior invited. As He fed them, He asked Peter three times, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?”  When Peter expressed his love, the Savior implored him, “Feed my lambs…Feed my sheep.”

Regarding John 21, Jeffrey R. Holland in his conference talk says this:

“Then Peter, why are you here?  Why are we back on the same shore, by these same nets, having this same conversation?  Wasn’t it obvious then and isn’t it obvious now that if I want fish, I can get fish?  What I need, Peter, are disciples—and I need them forever.  I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs.  I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith.  I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do.  Ours is not a feeble message.  It is not a fleeting task.  It is not hapless; it is not hopeless; it is not to be consigned to the ash heap of history.  It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world.  So, Peter, for the second and presumably the last time, I am asking you to leave all this and to go teach and testify, labor and serve loyally until the day in which they will do to you exactly what they did to me.”

Then, turning to all the Apostles, He might well have said something like:  “Were you as foolhardy as the scribes and Pharisees?  As Herod and Pilate?  Did you, like they, think that this work could be killed simply by killing me?  Did you, like they, think the cross and nails and the tomb were the end of it all and each could blissfully go back to being whatever you were before?  Children, did not my life and my love touch your hearts more deeply than this?”

It was mentioned that this seems like a parent/child relationship.  Often children don’t do what they are asked, and then are caught.  It appears that there was some doubt on the part of the disciples, about what they should have been doing after the crucifixion.

He lovingly admonished the disciples during this incident.  They were confused as to who they were and their relationship to Christ and Heavenly Father.

Love isn’t necessarily something you just say, but your actions show your love.  This is why the Lord asked Peter three times whether he loved Him and then said, “If you love me, feed my sheep.”

Act outwardly, it’s not just a conversation between yourself and Heavenly Father.  He wants you to act outside yourselves and feed his sheep.

John 21: 20-23:  “Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple who Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?  Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?  Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?  Follow thou me.  Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die;  yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?”

Nephi teaches us to liken the scriptures unto our selves.  We read the scriptures but often don’t liken them to ourselves enough per Neil A. Maxwell in a 2001 talk.

Andrea asked “Where are you in the scripture?”

“Are you fishing?”

“Did you just hear His voice and say, “Shucks, I forgot?”

“Are you facing the hard question—Do you love the Lord”

“Are you jumping into the water like Peter?”

“Are you looking over your shoulder at your neighbor wondering whether she is following?”

Andrea shared her conversion story, where she had lots of questions and doubts.  She in many ways, went fishing.  She went to her comfortable ways in certain aspects.  But has been immediately rewarded when she has prayed and felt His love and listened to His voice.

Others mentioned that they notice a difference when they don’t pray and ask for guidance and when they do.

Melanie mentioned that the disciples each had different jobs to do:  John was the beloved, Peter was the rock, for example.  She feels that “fishing” is a definitive assignment, but Christ didn’t give them definitive assignments, except “feed my sheep”.  Usually we like explicit roles/jobs.  Often we receive callings without explicit tasks and we are called upon to use our resources and talents to perform our callings to our best abilities.  It would be easier to do what we know how to do rather than to do something we don’t know how to do.  We each have different strengths and weaknesses…unique to each one of us. 

We are commanded to follow Him.  That is very general, how do we do that?   Each one of us will find our own way to follow Him and feed His sheep.  What shall we give to the Lord?  It is hard to give up what ever it is that is necessary but if we love Him enough, we will be rewarded and blessed and have peace.

Andrea showed the following video:

“What Shall We Give?”

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxu1mGkXjmg

Andrea closed by saying that what we can give Him this Christmas is turning over our natural self, and following Him and showing our love for Him by feeding His sheep.   

Moraga Kids at Christmas - shown at the Ward Christmas Party

Lesson Recap December 16, 2012

Righteous Living in Perilous Times

by Julie

This year we have studied the teachings of George Albert Smith, whose  service as a General Authority spanned the first 50 years of the 20^th century.  During his tenure the world saw many devastating and tumultuous events, including the Great Depression and two world wars plus many physical calamities throughout the earth.  His time saw a general moral decline in our society that  continues today.

Pres. Smith saw these world events as the fulfillment of prophecies about the last days and he was convinced that the only hope for peace in the world was obedience to God’s laws.  He found   that many people had become anxious, fearful  and discouraged.  Pessimism abounded.   While he acknowledged that war, natural disasters, and spiritual danger are part of living in the latter days, Pres. Smith taught the Saints that they can escape much of the anxiety and distress of these perilous times by living the gospel and resisting temptation.

We have been warned that in the last days serious difficulties would arise.  If we will read the revelations we will learn that the experiences through which we are now passing were predicted long ago.

We are not out of the woods.  This world is in for a housecleaning unless the sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father repent of their sins and turn to Him.  And that means the Latter-day Saints, along with all the rest, but we, first of all, ought to be setting the example.

Pres. Smith greatly encouraged Latter Day Saints to influence all the lives we can touch while living the gospel as carefully as we can.  Be as anchors in the community in which we live that others may be drawn to us and feel secure.  Let your light so shine that others, seeing your good works, will have a desire in their hearts to be like you.

Pres. Smith admonished Sister Belle Spafford, the president of our General Relief Society at that time, to continue participating in the National Council of Women when she became discouraged and wanted to withdraw.  Renewed by his counsel to exert her LDS influence upon the group, she went on to take leadership positions and eventually became the president of that national organization.   By her commitment, her good influence spread far and wide.  We must not shrink from exerting our influence wherever we can. 

The daily press brings to us accounts of disasters that are everywhere - - the sea heaving forth, earthquakes, great tornadoes, such as we have been told would occur in the last days are now occurring.   The fig tree surely is putting forth its leaves and those who are thoughtful must know that the summer is nigh, that those things   the Lord has predicted as preceding his second coming are now coming to pass in our day. 

When the gospel was restored to the earth in this dispensation, the Lord repeated that the price of peace and happiness is righteousness.  There are many who appear to think that we can obtain happiness and peace in some other way, but we should all know by this time that there is no other way.  The adversary of righteousness never sleeps.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27)  We are to put our total trust in the Lord and follow His commandments in order to feel peace in our lives amid the challenges we face in these last days. 

We need have no fear if we do what the Lord has asked us to do.  This is His world.  All men and women are subject to Him.  All the powers of evil will be controlled for the sake of His people, if they will honor Him and keep His commandments.

Surely we ought to take stock of ourselves.

Our homes should be the abiding place of prayer and gratitude and thanksgiving.  Husbands should be kind to their wives, and wives considerate of their husbands.  Parents should hold the love of their children by their righteous living.   Prepare to visit the temple often, it is a source of serenity and peace.  In these ways we can fortify and prepare ourselves for what lies ahead with the knowledge that the Lord will sustain us through perilous times if we repent and stay close to Him.

In these days of uncertainty when men are running to and fro seeking for some new plan by which peace may be brought into the world, know this: that the only way to peace for this world is the pathway of the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord.  There is no other. 

Announcements - December 9, 2012

  

• The Moraga Ward family Christmas party will be on Monday, December 17 beginning at 6:00 pm in the chapel and dinner at 6:30 followed by a visit from you-know-who...........

Lesson Recap - December 9, 2012

“Of You It Is Required To Forgive”

Teachings of the Presidents of the Church

President George Albert Smith

Lesson 23

Lesson by Kim

Kim began her lesson by having a sister read the following story about George Albert Smith:

“In 1897, while still a young man, George Albert Smith enlisted in the Utah National Guard.  At the encouragement of some of his companions, he ran for an elected office in the Guard, but during the weeks leading up to the election, a rival guardsman began spreading false rumors accusing George Albert Smith of unethical practices.  As a result, Sergeant Smith lost an election that he felt he should have won.  What made the situation more difficult was that the man who spread the false rumors had once been a friend.

Though he tried to brush it off, the offense filled George Albert Smith’s heart with bitterness.  He went to church the following Sunday, but he did not feel right about taking the sacrament.  He prayed for help and realized that he needed to repent of the resentment he was feeling.  He decided to seek out his friend and be reconciled with him.

George Albert Smith went directly to the man’s office and said in a soft voice, “My brother, I want you to forgive me for hating you the way I have for the last few weeks.”

Immediately his friend’s heart softened.  “Brother Smith, you have no need for forgiveness,” he said.  “It is I who need forgiveness from you.”  They shook hands, and thereafter they remained good friends.”

A few years later, George Albert Smith made forgiving others one of his lifelong goals when he wrote in his personal creed:  “I would not knowingly wound the feeling of any, not even one who may have wronged me, but would seek to do him good and make him my friend.”

In this story, President Smith initiated the exchange to forgive.

Kim listed three items that she wanted us to take away from this Relief Society lesson:

1-We must forgive everyone for any reason.  It is a commandment.  D&C 64:10 says:  “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.”

2-We will be challenged to forgive often throughout our lives, sometimes for small things, sometimes for larger things.

3-We should practice forgiveness on the smaller things in preparation to forgive on larger things.

This is similar to anger.  Studies have shown that the more a person gets angry (road rage, etc.) the easier and quicker that person will go to anger.  Likewise, the more a person practices forgiveness, the easier it will be for that person to forgive.

Melanie explained what a “grievance story” is.  This is when you take bad things that happen to you and make a story out of it.  A tale of woe you tell yourself over and over again, almost to comfort yourself, to justify yourself.  The offender is the star of the story and you as the victim has the small, helpless role.  If you keep telling yourself the story over and over, you keep yourself in the helpless, victim role.  In this scenario, the offender is at fault and it is a way to justify your own behavior.  It absolves us of any responsibility.  We don’t often check our grievance story and we continue to add to it to justify our actions and eventually we tell ourselves the story until it is a comfort to us, whether it is accurate or not.

We need to turn a negative grievance story into a positive forgiveness story.  We need to re-write the negative.

George Albert Smith said, “If we understand the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are more disposed to forgive others.  There is one thing that we could well strive to cultivate, and that is, the disposition to forgive one another our trespasses.  The spirit of forgiveness is a virtue without which we shall never fully realize the blessings we hope to receive.”

“The people of the world do not understand…how the Savior felt when in the agony of his soul, he cried to his Heavenly Father, not to condemn and destroy these who were taking his mortal life, be he said:

“…Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”  (Luke 23:34).

That should be the attitude of all of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  That should be the attitude of all the sons and daughters of God and would be, it seems to me, if they fully understood the plan of salvation…Anger and hatred in our hearts will not bring us peace and happiness.”

“…We must get into a condition where we can forgive our brethren.”

Some ideas from the audience were that we are all human, and although it is hard, we should not take offenses personally and move on.  We need to step away from our pride.  We need to keep love in our heart.  We need to remember all the things we need to be forgiven of.  We should pray to have a forgiving heart.

The book, “Loving What Is” by Byron Katie was mentioned.  In her book, Ms. Katie lists techniques to get beyond our grievance stories and those who have done things against us.  One thing she mentions is asking ourselves, “Is that true?”  If you are always asking for the truth and inspiration for any situation, you will know what is true, real, and right.

Kim asked the audience for ideas on what are things we need to forgive?  Some suggestions were:

·      Communication/Miscommunication/Non-communication

·      Expectations are resentments waiting to happen.

·      Misjudgments

·      Forgiving ourselves

·      Mistreatment of others

·      Actual wrongdoings/accidents require forgiveness.  We can’t use that an incident as justification to not forgive

·      It is hard to forgive things that happen to our children

·      Infidelity

·      Health issues—how to forgive Heavenly Father

·      Other’s imperfections—love people for who they are.  We need to give people the benefit of the doubt.

Some other ideas on forgiveness:

We need to act rather than react.

Do we choose to be offended?

It is hard work to forgive.

We need to forgive for our own sanity.

Often we have a fear of conflict but if you talk out a situation with the other person, most likely it will make the relationship stronger.  It tells that person that you value the relationship.

We can’t grow in the Gospel if we don’t forgive.

Forgiving is not the same as forgetting.

Forgiving helps us heal and helps us become better individuals.

In summary, Kim read from George Albert Smith:

“We will be in this world only a short time.  The youngest and strongest of us are simply preparing for the other life, and before we get into the glory of our Father and enjoy the blessings that we hope to receive through faithfulness, we will have to live the laws of patience, and exercise forgiveness toward those who trespass against us, and remove from our hearts all feelings of hatred toward them.”

Kim also recapped:

1-We must forgive everyone for any reason.

2-We will be challenged to forgive often throughout our lives, sometimes for small things, sometimes for larger things.

3-We should practice forgiveness on the smaller things in preparation to forgive on larger things.