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)