Announcements - Dec. 22, 2013

Plan to attend the Weekday Activity on Wednesday, January 8^th at 7 P.M.

Start the New Year right by learning about Internet, Safety and Savvy.

All ward adults are invited.  

Lesson Summary - Dec. 22, 2013

Teaching of President Lorenzo Snow #24

and

“The Moral Force of Women”

by Elder Christofferson

Presented by Andrea

“When Jesus lay in a manger, a helpless infant, He knew not that He was the Son of God, and that formerly He created the earth…The Glory and power He possessed before He came into the world was made known unto Him…while traveling here on earth, fulfilling His mission. Jesus told the people He did not perform the miracles He wrought in their midst by His own power, nor by His own wisdom; but He was there in order to accomplish the will of His Father. He came not to seek the glory of men, or the honor of men; but to seek the honor and glory of His Father that sent Him. Now, the peculiarity of His mission, and that which distinguished it from other missions, was this: He came not to seek the glory and honor of men, but to seek the honor and glory of His Father, and to accomplish the work of His Father who sent Him. Herein lay the secret of His prosperity; and herein lies the secret of the prosperity of every individual who works upon the same principle.”

Lorenzo Snow

Elder Christofferson teaches us the same message: “Sisters, of all of your associations, it is your relationship with God, your Heavenly Father, who is the source of your moral power, that you must always put first in your life. Remember that Jesus’s power came through His single-minded devotion to the will of the Father. He never varied from that which pleased His Father. Strive to be that kind of disciple of the Father and the Son, and your influence will never fade.”

The common message from each of these lessons is to have the single minded focus in all that we do, of bringing honor and glory to the Father and the Son.

How do we do this? President Monson suggests “and when we find Him, will we be prepared, as were the wise men of old, to provide gifts from our many treasures?” What is our treasure? What are our gifts?

Some sisters offered: our time, our agency, our service, and our single-minded focus.

The only gift we can give Him is the only one He wants. It encompasses all of those suggestions: we need to give Him our heart.

C.S. Lewis talks about humans as Tin Soldiers. That through learning of Christ and becoming His disciples, and handing ourselves over to Him, we are becoming real. We change. The part of us that doesn't like the change is the part of us that is still Tin.

Lewis continues, “The terrible thing, the almost impossible thing is to hand over your whole self – all your wishes and precautions – to Christ. But it is far easier than what we are all trying to do instead. For what we are trying to do is to remain what we call ‘ourselves’, to keep personal happiness as our great aim in life, and yet at the same time to be ‘good’. We are all trying to let our mind and heart go their own way – centered on money or pleasure or ambition – and hoping, in spite of this, to behave honestly and chastely and humbly. And that is exactly what Christ warned us you could not do…”

When He said, “Be perfect”, He meant it. He meant that we must go in for the full treatment. It is hard, but the sort of compromise that we are all hankering after is harder – in fact, it is impossible.”

Why can’t part of us stay Tin? Some answers were: we need to become vulnerable, to be humble. He knows us better than we know ourselves.

In our darkest moments is just when He wants our hearts, when He will be there to bear our burdens and to comfort and direct our lives.

In his book “Believing Christ”, Stephen Robinson give an example of a convert who was “one of the roughest persons he has ever known. Abused as a child, she had run away – lived on the streets, traveled with a motorcycle gang. Then she met the missionaries and became converted. For a long time after her baptism, this sister still swore like a trooper, even in church, and never quite lived the Word of Wisdom one hundred percent. She punched out someone at a Relief Society meeting… At what point did she become eligible for the kingdom? When she quit cigarettes? Got her temper and language under control? No, though important. She was justified through her faith in Jesus Christ on the day that she repented of her sins, was baptized, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost…She believed in Christ and believed Christ. She gave all she had and held nothing back. It may not have been much, but it was everything.”

He summed it up this way, “Each of us operates at a different level of performance within the covenant boundaries. The percentages vary both from person to person, and even for the same person over a period of time. In my case, my efforts might take me 20% of the way to perfection. The Savior covers the other 80%. In your cases, your efforts might take you 50% or 2% of the way. The Savior’s will covers the difference. But in every case the sum of the joint effort is the same – anyone’s best efforts however great or small, plus the atonement of Christ will equal 100% of what is needed to enter God’s kingdom.”

“And when we find him, will we be prepared, as were the wise men of old, to provide gifts from our many treasures? They presented gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These are not the gifts that Jesus asks of us. From the treasure of our hearts Jesus asks that we give of ourselves.” Pres. Monson

So this takes us to Christ’s gifts to us – we give Him our hearts – our singular focus – and what does He give to us?

Each one of us is given the gift of the atonement – knowledge that we are saved. Brother Robinson said it this way: ”The divine victim has answered the demands of justice in the Garden of the Press and on Calvary, and He did it alone, and He did it for you and me. This gives Him the right to claim those who enter into His covenant, to bring each of us under His wing and say, ‘I've paid for this one; this one is mine’ ”.

C.S. Lewis continues, “A real person, Christ, here and now, is in that very room where you are saying your prayers, is doing things to you. It is not a question of a good man who died two thousand years ago. It is a living Man, still as much a man as you, and still as much God as He was when He created the world, really coming and interfering with your very self; killing the old natural self in you and replacing it with the kind of self He has.”

Consider the power we have as women. Consider the effect that each of us has on loved ones, neighbor, colleagues, friends when we show – in overt and subtle ways – how we turn to Christ. Is there any greater lesson we can teach?

Elder Christofferson quotes Elder Maxwell, “When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses?”

My prayer for each of us on this day – and going into this week – is to better recognize the moments when we are not doing our very best to turn to Christ. When we are more tin than divine. And I pray that when we do turn ourselves over to Him in our moments of grief, loneliness, pride, we share our testimony of the sweet relief that we feel with those around us. With this not only can we change ourselves, we can change the world.

Lesson - Dec. 15, 2013

Teachings of the Presidents of the Church - Lorenzo Snow

Lesson 24 “Reflections on the Mission of Jesus Christ”

presented by Michelle

Michelle began her lesson by explaining that the lesson was about the mission of Jesus Christ and that we would be watching several bible videos on the life and mission of Christ from lds.org/Mormon channel.

The first video was “The Nativity” which depicted the events leading up to the birth of Christ and His birth in Bethlehem as noted in Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:19; Matthew 1:20-21:

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-38

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:1-19

 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:20-21

Michelle asked, “What was Christ’s mission here on earth?”

The answer is the Atonement…He came to atone for our sins.

Moses 1:39 says:  For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

He came to suffer for our sins in Gethsamane.

Joseph Smith said, “The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.”

Lorenzo Snow had this as one of his main focuses during his presidency, that Christ came to earth to do the will of the Father.

Other parts of Christ’s earthly mission besides the atonement were:

Being an example of perfect living

Love for everyone: healing, raising of the dead, ministering to all

Organizing His church and preparing the apostles to take over the church after His crucifixion.

His mission (the atonement) and His ministry on earth go hand in hand.

To illustrate this point, Michelle played several more videos from lds.org/Mormon channel.

The next video was: “Whosoever Will Lose His Life for My Sake, Shall Find It” which dealt with Matthew 16:21-28:

21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

In this video, Jesus was teaching the principle of service. He also rebuked Peter but then showed an increase in love to him. He set the example that we should be firm in our beliefs but then we follow up with love.

Michelle then showed the video, “Suffer the Little Children” which tells about Luke 18: 15-17:

15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

 16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

 17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

The next video was, “Thou art the Christ” which depicted Matthew 16: 13-19:

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

In these scriptures, Jesus was teaching about revelation. He wanted His disciples to rely on revelation and the Spirit and was preparing them for what it would be like after His crucifixion.

All this circles back and highlights Christ’s ultimate mission which was the atonement for all our sins.

Michelle closed with her testimony of the atonement of Christ and during recent events in her life, she has been able to turn herself over to the Lord. She has felt the power of the atonement and has more of an understanding of it.

The final video Michelle played to close the lesson was, “For God So Loved the World”. This video covered John 3:16:

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Announcements - Dec. 1, 2013

• The ward temple night will be Thursday, December 5, 7:00 p.m. session.

• The ward progressive dinner will be Saturday, December 7, 6:30 p.m.

• Our next weekday activity will be on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. which will be dinner and a program celebrating Christmas.

Lesson Summary - December 1, 2013

Engage in Service and Good Works

presented by Diane

Diane began her lesson by relating a story about their family cook in Uruguay. This woman had given birth to her third child just three weeks before, but had returned to work since she was the only source of income for her family. Diane’s mother had loaded the station wagon with two large tubs filled with food, canned goods, towels, toys, and various sundry items. The cook and her family lived in a tiny corrugated hut with a sheet for a door. Diane’s mother showed the family how to bath the baby, and the two other children found toys that had been brought to them. Joy filled the little hut that day as service was rendered and hearts turned to God. Diane’s mother set an example of service in the most natural way, by being a mother, and that service comes in all shapes and sizes. Simple acts and generous hearts are all that are required.

The scriptures note service often:

“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matt 25:40

“…by love serve ye one another.” Galatians 5:13

“Choose ye this day whom you will serve but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”

“Say unto this people, Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you.” Moses 6:33

“…When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are in the service of your God.” Mosiah 2:17

There are many ways we can serve. Often they come naturally, or they can be learned.

Diane told about a young father in the ward, who last week came up to her and gave her a hug because she reminded him of his mother. He said that his mother would want him to do that because he was sure that she missed him as much as he missed her. It was a simple act of service that Diane appreciated so much.

We have had many opportunities for service recently, especially in our ward, with the special fasts for those who are sick.

None of us are immune from the difficulties of life. So our job is to lift up the hands that hang down and we bear each others burdens with service to one another.

Diane next asked the audience to come up with ways we serve the Lord. Some of the ways were listed were:

1-Random acts of kindness

2-A phone call to someone, letting them know we are thinking of them

3-Teaching our children, and other children correct principles

A sister who has worked in the Primary for many years, was asked to talk about her service to the children in the ward. There are all types of children, from ones who know a lot about the church and gospel principles, to ones who don’t know much. Some who have problems or who are having a bad day. Primary gives children a sense of security and peace. Those who work in Primary serve the children of the ward.

4-Accepting others who are different from us. A bishop in Salt Lake dressed up as a homeless person and showed up to his ward meetings. It was amazing to see the reactions of the ward members. Most ignored him, some welcomed him, some even told him to leave and a few gave him money. They were surprised when he revealed himself and realized how they treated people differently if they weren’t like themselves.

5-Tithing and other offerings. The humanitarian offerings have raised $1.4 billion from 1985-2011. 179 countries have received aid since 1985 and there are 143 storehouses in operation. Countless people have been served.

Joseph Smith in the “Times and Seasons” in 1842 said, “We are to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all.”

Thomas S. Monson said in January, 1995, “Not only by precept did Jesus teach, but also by example. He stretched forth His hand that others might be lifted toward God. . . . .Unaltered is the divine command to succor the weak and lift up the hands which hang down and strengthen the feeble knees. Each of us has the charge to be not a doubter, but a doer; not a leaner, but a lifter. But our complacency tree has many branches, and each spring more buds come into bloom. Often we live side by side but do not communicate heart to heart. There are those within the sphere of our own influence who, with outstretched hands, cry out: “Is there no balm in Gilead … ?” (Jer. 8:22) Each of us must answer.”

6-Visiting Teaching

Acts of service don’t need to be big. “A small thing now is better than a big thing later or never.”

Small acts of service mentioned were a plate of muffins to one of the widowers in the ward, or a dozen donuts and a couple of quarts of milk to a new neighbor who may not have gone to the store yet.

One sister witnessed a store clerk during the Christmas rush, stop and help a small child pick out a Christmas present for her mother. This store employee gave her total attention to this child when she didn’t have to and when there many other customers around.

It is a good reminder that so often people around us are “invisible” and we may not notice them. We should be mindful of those people and lend a hand when possible.

Diane advised us to follow inspiration to know what to do for that particular person.

It can be as simple as telling someone they look nice today.

Another sister mentioned that when someone does something to hurt her, she tries to respond with kindness and love. That person may have something going on in their life that causes them to act that way. This sister reminds herself that “It’s not all about me.”

Former General Relief Society President, Julie Beck, used to tell herself, “Get over yourself.” She would worry about what people would think if she tried to do something for them; she worried that she was imposing on people, that they wouldn’t appreciate what she was trying to do. She just had to tell herself to “Get over herself”, that it wasn’t about her but about the people she was trying to help. It made her not worry about providing service for others.

7-Just do it! What would Jesus do?

8-Give hugs. The power of positive touches.

9-Donate clothing, items to Deseret Industries, Goodwill, etc.

10-Missionary work

11-Fulfill your callings

12-Use your creativity to find ways to provide service

We need to serve God by humbling ourselves.

13-Serve in our community. One sister who is very active in her community told about her experiences while serving as mayor. She advised the sisters to become more involved in the community, that we don’t realize that we can be a great influence for good. This sister wondered how she could bring the light of the Gospel to the community. She decided that as mayor, she would emphasize service and began the tradition of a community service day within her city. It is still going on after five years and is hugely successful.

Serving outside of church allows opportunities for others to ask about the church. She said that we should be good examples.

Another ward sister teaches tennis at the local high school and mentioned to Diane that she knows that she is a positive influence on the girls she teaches.

Diane closed by expressing her hope that we will be examples to those we interact with to spread truth and let our influences for good be known and take the opportunities around us to expand our influence.

Announcements - Nov. 24, 2013

Our Progressive Dinner will be on Saturday, December 7^th.  Please sign up.  Diane is still looking for a few more hosts.

We will meet here for our special Relief Society Christmas dinner and program on Wednesday, December 11^th  at 6:30.  All are welcome.

Lesson Summary - Nov. 24, 2013

Teachings for Our Times

Lesson by Rebecca

Our lesson today is taken from a talk given by President Monson at the October Conference Priesthood session.  It is called “True Shepherds” and is all about home teaching.  That would be visiting teaching as it applies to us. 

I will make some initial comments and then I have asked five sisters to share their experiences relating to visiting teaching.

The purpose of visiting teaching is to minister.   What comes to mind is: to take care of, to look after, to see to, to mentor, and not just to physical needs, but to spiritual and emotional needs as well.

When I think back on all the visiting teachers I have had and the impact  some of them have had on me, I can appreciate that they helped me to grow spiritually, given me relief from my trials and helped me to feel loved and understood.  For this I am truly grateful.  I think of the time when I was pregnant with Mitchell and I was on bed rest for 6 months while Brent was in medical school.   We had two small children at the time and were not living close to our family.  I didn’t know my visiting teacher very well, but she brought us dinner every Monday night and she took our little children to church on the Sundays Brent could not go.  I felt really vulnerable in that hard situation and so appreciate the help I was given. 

On a lighter note, I have also had a pedicure with my visiting teachers,  I’ve gone to lunch,  I’ve hiked, I’ve laughed and cried and ranted with my visiting teachers.  Some have shared long conversations, opened up and shared their trials too, thus creating a bond that I really appreciated.

“Our service should be selfless, quiet and be done willingly, with our hearts full of love of God and His children.”

                                                                                                Sylvia Allred

“Because we follow the example of the teachings of Jesus Christ, we value the sacred assignment to know, love, understand, serve, teach and minister in His behalf.”

                                                                                                Julie Beck

“I hope the sisters perceived  a difference in their homes after a visit.”

                                                                                                Eliza R. Snow

Sister Snow also counseled teachers to prepare themselves spiritually before they visited homes so they would be able to ascertain and meet the spiritual needs as well as the temporal ones “so that you may feel to speak words of peace and comfort.”

Rebecca then had five sisters share their thoughts:

First:

When I graduated from college I moved to Boston.  I had never been there before and I didn’t have a job and I knew 2 people.   It turned out to be a great chapter in my life.  All I had to do was show up at church and within a week I had a place to serve and to find support.  At work, I met a woman who wanted to move to a new place as I had, but she was afraid because she didn’t know anyone in the new place.  It was then I realized that it is home teaching and visiting teaching that gives us that chance to embrace each other wherever we go.  Recently we have been given more flexibility in how we visit one another.  It is important to remember that it is that spiritual connection that is the essence of visiting teaching.  That is what we strive for in our efforts to serve one another.  Through those connections is how we can bless the lives of those we visit and those who visit us. 

Second:

I have noticed lately that many of our lessons are related to visiting teaching whether or not that is the stated objective.  President Snow says we have been sent into this world to do good to others and in doing good to others we do good to ourselves.   A few weeks ago our lesson was on missionary work and getting out and meeting people you wouldn’t ordinarily meet.  I related that again to visiting teaching because many times I have been assigned or others have been assigned to me that I probably would never have gotten to know on such an intimate basis without that assignment.

When I was first married we lived in Los Angeles.  I didn’t know anybody and I was assigned to be a visiting teacher to this older woman who was retired.  I wondered what I could ever teach this woman who seemed so wise and solid in the church.  It was an amazing experience of her teaching me and we became lifelong friends.  

I have had my visiting teacher for a very long time and I consider her more of a friend.  We do many things together.  We share our thoughts and I appreciate her always giving me wise advice.   She always exhibits Christ-like love to those around her.  If my daughter ever joins the church it will be through the influence of my visiting teacher.  

Third:

I am here because of a sister I met 39 years ago in Oakland when we lived in the same complex.   She invited me to attend church with her.  That was my first involvement in Relief Society.  I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without this sister who was instrumental in bringing me into the church or without the support and love of this sisterhood.   I have definitely fallen in love with this sweet, unique, and most definitely inspired organization.  Prior to that time I had never belonged to a woman’s group of any kind.   Relief Society sisters are loving, compassionate, patient, ministering to the sick, giving of their time, god-fearing and possess a spiritual inner beauty unmatched in the world today.  Relief Society is one of the most powerful forces for good in the church and in the world. 

Fourth:

I think visiting teaching is like a cup with a hole in the bottom of it.  You can just keep pouring more energy and more love into it.  My first assignment as a visiting teacher was to an older woman who said I did not need to come to her home but that we could visit at church and count it done.  I regret that I never did get to know her well.   Another time, my companion was a very unstable type 1 diabetic.  I became involved in her life far more than I had anticipated.  Several times I helped her children when she suddenly couldn’t, called an ambulance for her, broken into her home to help her, learned how to check her blood sugar, once gave her a shot in her stomach, all the result of her condition.  I was far more involved than usual in that circumstance.

Lastly, I was called to assist the Webelo leader.  I found out many had turned down that opportunity before me.  Turns out that 10 yr. old boys can really cheer you up!  The leader had been in that position for a very long time and needed some help.  Her marriage was coming to an end and she needed to go back to work.  I came to see that it was an opportunity to help her that others had missed because they had not accepted the calling.   Every opportunity prepares you for the next.  Visiting teaching can be a balancing act at times.  Your efforts and abilities change as your life circumstances change.  I understand now that those I visit and those who visit me are like my siblings.  I didn’t choose them but I trust that God chose them and put them into my life for a reason.  I am grateful for those who have been placed in my path. 

Fifth:

President Kimball gave a talk to a group of sisters about visiting teaching.  He used the violin image and told them they could be a fiddle or a Stradivarius when going into the home of those you visit.  More recently, Pres. Eyring tells us, “You sisters are called to represent the Savior.  Your voice becomes the same as His voice, your hands to lift, the same as His hands.  Your calling is to bless lives.  There are no small callings to represent the Lord.  You are women of divinity, power and strength.  Pray for such qualities to be expanded to your visiting teaching efforts.”  I know a sister in Berkeley ward who was less active for 15 years.  She had the same visiting teacher for all that time “and she just loved me into the church”.    She says if her visiting teacher had not been consistent and loving, she would not be here today.  (She was the Relief Society president at the time).   I think what motivates me today is realizing how much I petition the Lord in my prayers.  How can I ask for those blessings if I’m not doing my best to bless others?   May we all  strive to be the Stradivarius in our efforts and not just $15 fiddles. 

Rebecca ended the lesson with the scripture from Psalms:

“For He shall give His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways.”  As visiting teachers we can be angels to those we teach and love.  The idea of all the sisters keeping watch over one another is really beautiful.  

Announcements - Nov. 17, 2013

• Many thanks to the Activity Committee for putting on a wonderful activity night this past Wednesday.

• Our next weekday activity will be on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. which will be dinner and a program celebrating Christmas.

• The ward progressive dinner will be on Saturday, December 7, 2013.

Lesson - Nov. 17, 2013

Teachings of the Presidents of the Church

Lesson by Michelle

Lorenzo Snow - Lesson 22 - “Doing Good to Others”

Michelle began by asking us to think about something good that someone had done for us that has had a significant impact in our life.  She then asked, “When we talk about the Plan of Salvation, what are some of the reasons we come here to Earth?”

Some answers were: To get a body, to become more like God, to walk by faith, to be tested.

Lorenzo Snow said, “We have been sent into the world to do good to others…”

Christ was the perfect example of this. After the last supper, when He knew that soon His mortal life would be taken, He would have to suffer the sins of the world, and that one of the apostles would betray Him, He humbly provided service by washing the feet of His disciples. Every moment of His life was spent in service, from healing the sick, feeding the hungry, to teaching the masses. Even as a twelve year old, He was about His Father’s business.  Although this seems very overwhelming to us, to follow in His example, even our smallest actions show our determination to be like Him.

President Snow said, “We have been sent into the world to do good to others, and in doing good to others we do good to ourselves. We should always keep this in view, the husband in reference to his wife, the wife in reference to her husband, the children in reference to their parents, and the parents in reference to their children. There is always opportunity to do good to one another.”

Often, when we think of service, we think of service outside the home, but the most important service we can perform is within our homes. This can be helping our children with their homework, devoting our attention to their activities or their creations, or to teach them good principles.

Doing good works comes down to sacrificing our time. It may be easy to give money to a charity, but giving of our time is much harder.

Taking time away from cooking, or cleaning to spend precious moments with our children are priceless and teach important lessons to our children that they will remember throughout their lives. It comes back to us ten-fold.

Michelle spoke about when she was in high school and a girl called her by name and said hi to her. This simple act grew into a friendship and her (Michelle’s) investigation of the Church and ultimately her baptism.

Michelle challenged us to think outside ourselves for a moment to serve as God’s instrument.

Spencer Kimball said, “God does notice us and He watches over us. But it is usually through another person that He meets our needs.”

Acts of service bond us to others as nothing else can. The bond is love. That is the greatest connection we can have with another person.

President Snow said, “Our happiness increases when we help others find happiness.”

One sister spoke about the foundation she founded to help families who have children with Asperger’s syndrome. It grew out of her need to connect with other families and finding more resources. This foundation has helped many families. It helps her and others when she takes time to listen and talk to others in similar situations.

Another sister mentioned that we should look at people as Children of God. This way it makes it easier to love and to serve others. We should look for opportunities to serve. This sister told about giving a homeless man five dollars, and the look of gratitude in this man’s face when he thanked her, is something that she will never forget.

President Snow said, “When we look first to the interests of others, we improve more rapidly ourselves…The best way to improve ourselves is to exercise ourselves in doing good to others.”

Michelle spoke about playing soccer for years, but she couldn’t be the soccer player she wanted to be by just watching. She had to do and practice to become a good soccer player. Likewise, you don’t learn to live the gospel by just watching. We have to go out and live it.

Michelle quoted a ward priesthood member, “It doesn’t matter how many cups of coffee you’re not drinking, if you’re not doing good to others, you aren’t living the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Michelle then referred back to her opening statement about asking us to think about something good that someone had done for us that has had a significant impact in our life.

One sister talked about living in New Hampshire where there were three other families who had just moved into the ward there. The four wives had become close friends with a non member woman who said that she loved being around them because she liked doing nice things for others. This sister hadn’t thought of it that way, but she thinks that we are more aware of what is happening with others that allow us to help others.

Another sister spoke about how someone gave her family “12 days of Christmas” several years ago. This anonymous act made her feel loved and special. It makes her want to “pay it forward” to someone else someday.

Another sister told about how her older sister helped her after she graduated from college. She helped her move to Boston, taught her how to get a job, and spent priceless time with her during this time of transition.

A fourth sister related how much help her friends and ward members have been these past difficult months. Her daughter said that they shouldn’t worry because there would always be ward members there to keep an eye out for her. She has felt so loved.

President Monson is a perfect example of service. He spends time going to visit widows, going to hospitals, etc.

Acts of service don’t need to big productions, they can be small acts of kindness.  Chieko Okazaki, former first counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency spoke about the Japanese word, Kigstsuku, and said, “Kigatsuku means “an inner spirit to act without being told what to do.” It is when you see a need and fill it without being told what to do, or without waiting to be told.

In closing, Michelle quoted from her favorite musical, “Les Miserables” the line that says, “To love another person is to see the face of God.” She amended it to say, “To serve another person is to see the face of God.”

Announcements - Nov. 10, 2013

•

The next Relief Society activity night will be Wednesday, November 13 at 6:30 pm.  In addition to the craft projects, there will be a chocolate demonstration by Nancy Jenkins and hot cocoa secrets by Nancy Clark.

•

The ward progressive dinner will be on Saturday, December 7, 2013.  

•

The December service project will be for the Blue Star Moms organization. We will be collecting travel sized toiletries, small packs of granola bars, snacks, crossword puzzle books, etc.  Donations can be brought to Wednesday’s week-day activity or to Relief Society on Sundays.  We will be assembling kits from the donations.

Lesson Summary - Nov. 10, 2013

Teachings of the Presidents of the Church - Lorenzo Snow -Lesson 21

“Loving God More Than We Love the World”

 Presented by Sharyn

Sharyn began her lesson by saying that this lesson by Lorenzo Snow is based on the first and greatest commandment:  “…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy hear, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”  (Matt. 22:37)

Sharyn then played an excerpt from Elder Jeffrey Holland’s October 2012 Conference talk:

“I am not certain just what our experience will be on Judgment Day, but I will be very surprised if at some point in that conversation, God does not ask us exactly what Christ asked Peter:  “Did you love me?” I think He will want to know if in our very mortal, very inadequate, and sometimes childish grasp of things, did we at least understand one commandment, the first and greatest commandment of them all—“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind.”  And if at such a moment we can stammer out, “Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee,” then He may remind us that the crowning characteristic of love is always loyalty.”

“If ye love me, keep my commandments,” Jesus said.  So we have neighbors to bless, children to protect, the poor to lift up, and the truth to defend.  We have wrongs to make right, truths to share, and good to do.  In short, we have a life of devoted discipleship to give in demonstrating our love of the Lord.  We can’t quit and we can’t go back.”

Sharyn, then, put this up on the board:  “Did you love me more than you loved____?”

She then asked “What do I do regularly to show Him I love Him?”

Some of the answers were:

Prayer

Church attendance

Keep the commandments

Do one kindness to someone every day

Be grateful, thankful

Sharyn asked can we do these things and still succumb to worldliness?

The answer is yes, because we do, everyday.  Do you ever do things, just to check them off your list?  I read my scriptures today, check; I said my prayers, check, etc.

Do you ever wonder, “Am I doing these things because I truly love Him?”  We need to consider our attitude when we do these things…what is truly in our hearts.

Most of this lesson was taken from a talk give by Lorenzo Snow in Logan, Utah in 1889. It is so relevant today, that it could have been given last month in General Conference.   President Snow tells about events that happened about 50 years before in Kirtland, Ohio at the temple dedication.  He recounted how Jesus had appeared in the temple and “showed Himself in His glory.” Many people had experienced these many wonderful visions and blessings.  “The gifts of the Gospel had been poured out to a remarkable extent—the riches of eternity.  Angels had visited them.  The Son of God…had talked to His servants.  At the dedication of the Temple the blessings which the people received were marvelous.  During that rich time of God’s favors I, myself, attended the various meetings which were held in the Temple.  We had prayer meetings, and testimony meetings, and such testimonies as the brethren and sisters could bear were wonderful.  They prophesied, they spake in tongues, and had the interpretation of tongues to a remarkable degree.  These blessings were almost universal upon the people in Kirtland.”

President Snow also said that during this same time “a spirit of speculation began to pervade the hearts of the people.  One would have imagined that after receiving these wonderful manifestations no temptation could have overthrown the Saints.  But it did, and it scattered them…”  Within six months, “one-half of the quorum of the Apostles, in the day of Kirtland, fell beneath these evil influences.  It was this speculation, this love of gold—the god of the world—which produced this doleful effect.  And if it had this effect upon those who held the highest priesthood upon the earth, how would it affect us who, perhaps, have not had the intelligence, the information and the experience they possessed?”

Can you believe being that high and then that low?

What are our “gods of gold and silver” today?  

Some answers were:

Entertainment

Technology—iphones, ipads, etc.

Fashion—worldliness, and thinking that we need to acquire more and more:

“There, there little luxury don’t you cry, you will be a necessity by and by”

More leisure time

Fear and self-centeredness

President Snow was worried that as people get more, they let more worldliness into their lives.  And as they let more worldliness into their lives, they turn their backs on the more important eternal principles.

What makes our task more difficult is that the Lord doesn’t ask us to get out of the world…we must live on earth as part of the eternal plan.  He doesn’t tell us that we have to hate our ipad.  He doesn’t tell us that we don’t have to not love football or fashion, books, entertainment, etc. you just have to prioritize and love Him more.

We are a covenant people:  He gave us markers to live by.

What are the things that you do to show Him that you love Him?  What have you seen others do that show that they love Him?

Melanie told about her son, Griffin, who was in a discussion with a teacher recently.  The teacher said that no thinking, reasonable person would believe in religion.  The teacher also attacked the Church.  Griffin defended what he believed and stood up for God, although this was difficult to do to a person of authority.

Elizabeth said that at the end of each day, saying her prayers, she considers how she has treated and raised her children.  Since her children are Heavenly Father’s children, she feels a very great responsibility to treat and train them well. This is how Elizabeth shows her love for Him.

Ulunma said that it is important not to deny Him.  If someone asked you about or threatened you for your beliefs would you stand up for your beliefs or would you deny Him?

Pam shows her love for Him by organizing many service projects.  Many, many members of our ward keep serving others and therefore are showing their love for Him.

Melissa often starts her day by praying “Who can I help today?”

Another sister told about how her now sister-in-law was suddenly widowed soon after Thanksgiving.  She had three small children and was so grief-stricken that she couldn’t even provide Christmas for them.  Many of her friends, neighbors and people she didn’t even know, came forward and donated money, toys, food and the children were able to have a nice Christmas.  Her sister-in-law’s challenge to others is to find someone who won’t have a wonderful holiday, and do something nice to help them.

Another sister spoke about how when a husband and wife get married, often one will say to the other, “If you really love me you will change (a bad habit, etc.).  Similarly, if we truly love the Lord, we will change and strive to become more like Him.

Marna spoke about being in Idaho to help her dying sister and her family.  One of her sister’s children brought a car full of pears to share.  The family ended up canning the pears with the help of an elderly neighbor.  This neighbor provided much service over the many hours it took to can this fruit.  The family will never forget this kindness.

Lisa spoke about her singing and how it is a talent that Heavenly Father has given her.  She needs to practice and perfect her singing but what is her motivation to become better and better…is it for fame or is it for the love of Heavenly Father and to serve him?

How do we measure our actions?  How can we be sure we are doing because we are sincere and love God or is it habit?

We need a high degree of self-awareness.  We need to know what may tempt us so we don’t love the Lord as much, otherwise we may get off track.  We need to have our own checklist of things we know to do to love Him, and those things that may divert us from the path.  Repentance is part of the process and often we don’t know ourselves well enough to know to repent.

Sharyn closed by saying that President Snow reminded us that this life is short compared to eternity.  Naturally, we want the blessings that our Heavenly Father, who loves us as we should love Him, has promised us.  And we can find joy that our Heavenly Father loves us and blesses us.

   

Announcements - Nov 3, 2013

Please be sure to sign up for the project you want to make at our Enrichment Night on Wednesday, November 13^th starting at 6:30.

You may also sign up online.

Save the date and sign up for the ward Progressive Dinner on Saturday, December 7^th.  

Lesson - Nov. 3, 2013

“Sharing Your Testimony of the Gospel with Others”

by Joann

Sister Carver is here today, having just returned this week from her mission to Russia. Her mother shared one of her letters recently and it made me think of my own mission to Costa Rica and Panama almost 25 years ago. The letter was about looking at your investigators not just as investigators but as friends and loving them. It reminded me of two things that I wanted to accomplish on my mission: two things that I felt Heavenly Father wanted me to do. First, to express my love to Him and also to give back something that I had been given because I am a convert to the church. I was baptized when I was 16. I have to say that that experience of serving a mission has blessed me my whole life since that time. Nevertheless, there was about a ten year period when I felt in a dark place. I think now it was post-partum depression that was not recognized at the time. But about 2 ½ years ago, I became reacquainted with a mission companion who I had not talked to in a long time. Talking to her became a catalyst for the change in me to where I had a willingness to change my life. By doing that, it has gotten me to where I am now, having some very neat missionary experiences and being willing to share my testimony with others.

My life was very small, and then about a year and a half ago, I got involved with something that expanded my world and put me in touch with some people I would not have normally known. It has helped me see that there are many people who simply do not know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each one of us and that He loves us, that we have a Savior, that we have scriptures that can guide us in our lives and that we have the Holy Ghost. All of these things have made me realize the importance of sharing what I have been given.

Many of our recent lessons have emphasized our need to and our responsibility for spreading of the gospel. Joann then shared a story:

“Long, long ago, we all sat together in the grand counsel in heaven while our loving Father described His plan to us. We surely understood it more fully than we do now, and we must have understood more about our relationship with one another. We knew that we were a family. We really knew it. We had experiences with one another, we loved one another, we felt responsible for one another”

Elder John A. Widsoe paints this picture for us: “In our pre-existence, in the day of the great counsel, we made a certain agreement with the Almighty. The Lord proposed a plan, conceived by Him. We accepted it. Since the plan was intended for all men, we became parties to the salvation of every person under that plan. We agreed, right then and there to be not only saviors for ourselves, but measurably saviors for the whole human family. We went into partnership with the Lord. The working of the plan then became not only the Father’s work and the Savior’s work, but also our work. The least of us, the humblest, is in partnership with the Almighty in achieving the purpose of the eternal plan of salvation.

I love thinking about us knowing each other.

Elder Ballard said in general conference, “We know through our research that most active members of the church want the blessings of the gospel to be a part of the lives of others whom they love, even those whom they have never met. We also know that many members hesitate to do missionary work and share the gospel for two basic reasons: fear and a misunderstanding of what missionary work is.”

We need to get from doubt and fear to hope and faith. Love is what will take us from one to the other. The love we feel from Heavenly Father and the love we feel for other people. That will move us to speak up.

Go online and look up “Hastening the Work of Salvation” in the October Ensign. Joann quotes from it, “As Latter-Day-Saints, we are blessed to be living in this time when the Lord is hastening His work. Because God has a purpose in placing us on earth at this time, we have the capacity to do more than we think we can. As long as we reach out in kindness and love to those who need our friendship and help, we will not fail. Missionary success comes by following the inspiration that flows into our minds and hearts and simply inviting others into our gospel centered lives. The invitation is the mark of success, not whether people are baptized or become active in the church.”

Opening one’s heart creates energy, closing one’s heart depletes energy.

An open heart looks outward, a closed heart looks inward. We need only to try. Go ahead, experiment for yourself. That’s what this is all about. One way to recognize a closed heart is if you feel you can’t attend to someone because you are too busy. An open heart is a matter of being present and open to whoever is in your physical space at any given moment.

Joann then challenged us each with an assignment which we shall report on in two months. The directions read:

Over the next two months I will be more aware of the condition of my heart and with that awareness seek to keep it more open towards others. I will do this in the normal course of my life, in other words, not feeling pressure to put any extra activities in my day. I will notice the spirit and be willing to honestly report what happened or didn’t happen. In doing so, I will try to understand my personal stumbling blocks and strengths.

Please be ready to share some of your experiences in Relief Society.

Resources for Modest clothing (from Sept Activity)

Modest Clothing Websites:

1. ADressyOccasion.com
2. atreschicboutique.com (skirt extenders, fashion, accessories)
3. beautifullymodest.com (formal, casual, swimwear)
4. deviinemodestee.com (dresses and swimwear)
5. downeastbasics.com
6. jenclothing.com
7. junieblake.com
8. latterdaybride.com (prom)
9. limericki.com (swimwear)
10. MakeMeModest.com
11. mikarose.com
12. modcloth.com
13. modbod.com
14. modestprom.com (prom)
15. shabbyapple.com
16. sistermissionaryclothes.com (sorellabella)
17. sistermissionaryfashion.com (skirt extenders)

Announcements - Oct. 27, 2013

We will have a Craft Night on Wednesday, November 13^th , starting at 6:30.  There will not be dinner, but we will start early so you will have time to finish your crafts.   Be sure to sign up by next Sunday (Nov. 3).  If you do not want to make/do a craft, please come anyway and get to know all of our wonderful new sisters.

Lesson Summary - Oct. 27, 2013

Teachings for Our Times

Presented by Rebecca

Our lesson today is taken from a conference talk given by Sister Wixom, the general Primary president, and is entitled “The Words We Speak”.    How we speak to our children and the words we use can encourage and uplift them and strengthen their faith.  I want to make sure we don’t limit this lesson to just the words we speak to our own children but to all children and to adults as well.    

When I saw this topic, I thought my own words were usually pretty kind and encouraging, but then a memory came to mind.   When my son was about 3, I must have been angry about something and I said to him, “I’m sorry I lost my temper.”  He came back with, “It’s OK Mommy, you can always find another one.”

I was brought up by parents who were very loving in their words and their actions.  They are still my role models when it comes to parenting.  I still have a rather vivid memory of the one and only time I ever heard my Dad swear.  It was directed at my brother as  he was walking into the bathroom with a pair of pliers to remove his own braces.  My Dad challenged him----something to the effect of ‘don’t you dare’ (maybe said a bit more colorfully).  Well, my brother proceeded to lock the door and remove all his braces --- he felt the orthodontist, our
Bishop at the time, was way out of line to leave them on so long.  Needless to say, my brother had to pay to have his braces put back on, but I am happy to say he is now an upstanding citizen with straight teeth and 4 teenagers of his own who are giving him a run for his money.  What goes around comes around. 

My point is that all of us have times when the words we speak are not what they should be.  Given certain  circumstances combined with particular individuals, it becomes a lot more difficult to speak kindly. 

Helaman taught his sons: “And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation.  And they did remember his words; and they went forth to teach the word of God among all the people.”

Even though Helaman’s sons were persecuted and put in prison, those words they heard never failed them.  They were protected and encircled about with a pillar of fire.

 Then came a voice, saying to their captors: “Repent ye, and seek no more to destroy my servants…”  It was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul.” 

Sister Wixom suggests that we can learn from that voice from heaven.  It was not loud, scolding or demeaning; it was a still voice of perfect mildness, giving firm direction while giving hope.   She suggests that is a good model for us as parents.

First, to speak to a child’s heart we must know a child’s needs.  If we pray to know those needs, the very words we say may have the power to reach into their hearts.   If we seek this help, the Lord has said: ”Speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts.”

Unfortunately, the distractions of this world prevent many children from hearing encouraging words that could shape their view of themselves.  Nowadays, too often there is something akin to benign neglect.  As both child and parent become distracted with individual technology, there is a disconnect.  Full attention is denied each party by choice. 

There is a story told of a man who went to pick up a revered rabbi from the airport.  As the two drove toward the tollbooths to exit the airport parking lot, the man had to choose between an automatic payment lane and a  lane manned by an attendant. “Take the lane where you pay a person” the rabbi urged.  “Why is that?” asked the man.  “Because any opportunity to make contact with another human being is a blessing from God” answered the rabbi. 

For some of the best parenting advice out there, see James 1:19.  “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”   How many times do we think about our response when someone is talking to us instead of listening to what they are saying?   Especially with teenagers.

Elder Holland counsels us, “We must be so careful in speaking to a child.  What we say or don’t say, how we say it and when is so very, very important in shaping a child’s view of himself or herself.  But it is even more important in shaping that child’s faith in us and their faith in God.  Be constructive in your comments to a child--always.  Praise each child individually for what that child is, and help him or her escape our culture’s obsession with comparing, competing and never feeling we are ‘enough’ “.

We can influence our children through the words we write to them  Nephi writes, “We labor diligently to write, to persuade our children…to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God.”   

After 2 years as a prisoner in Vietnam, an airman was allowed to write 25 words to his family.  He wrote: “These things are important: temple marriage, mission, college.  Press on, set goals, write history, take pictures twice a year.”   My Dad always wrote to me, everything from little notes to a letter every week when I was away at college.  My father definitely influenced me through the words he wrote. 

Sister Wixom writes: ”May the words we speak and write to our children reflect the love our Heavenly Father has for His Son Jesus Christ, and for us.  And then may we pause to listen, for a child is most capable of speaking great and marvelous things in return.”