Announcements - April 27, 2014

The next Relief Society activity night will be Wednesday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m. It’s called “Give and Get” which is like a mini garage sale. Bring an item you have that is extra or you no longer need and you might find something that you need from the things that someone else has brought.

The next ladies day group will be held on Friday, May 16 when the group will go to a movie matinee.

“Chili Cook-off & Pie Contest” will be held on May 17 here at the ward. This is for adults only.

The Interfaith blood drive kick-off will be held on Saturday, May 3, 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. The blood drive will continue through the summer.

 

For those who missed the Stake Relief Society presentation on Women at the Well, you can view a recording of the event: https://vimeo.com/channels/712069

Lesson Summary - April 27, 2014

Teachings of the Presidents of the Church - Joseph Fielding Smith

Lesson 8 - “The Church and Kingdom of God”

Presented by Michelle

 

Joseph Fielding Smith served the Lord and the Church his entire life. He joked that his first Church assignment was when he was nine months old, he and his father, President Joseph F. Smith, accompanied President Brigham Young to St. George, Utah, to attend the dedication of the St. George Temple. He had various callings throughout his life including a full time mission, president in a priesthood quorum and a member of the general board of the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association. Joseph Fielding Smith served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for almost 60 years, including almost 20 years as the President of that Quorum. He then became President of the Church at the age of 94 on January 23, 1970 until his death on July 2, 1972.

 

Joseph Fielding Smith said, “The Lord (has) restored the gospel and organized again his Church upon the earth. The reason for such organization and restoration is the fact that for centuries the world has been in spiritual darkness, without the authority, and without the understanding; they knew not how to worship the living God...”

“We announce that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on earth, the only place where men may come to learn the true doctrines of salvation and find the authority of the holy priesthood.”

 

“The Lord Himself directs the work of the Church, and it is our privilege to have membership in it.”

 

“I know that God lives. I know that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son in the flesh of our Father. I have perfect faith in the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith and those who have succeeded him.”

“I know that we have the truth of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ, just as well as I know that I live. If I did not know it, I wouldn’t want to be here or have anything to do with this work. But I know it in every fiber of my body. God has revealed it to me.”

 

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is in literal reality the kingdom of God on earth.”

 

“I desire to say that no man of himself can lead this church. It is the Church of Jesus Christ; he is at the head. The church bears his name, has his priesthood, administers his gospel, preaches his doctrine, and does his work.”

 

Michelle said that the Lord allows us to run his church although it would be easier for Him to do it Himself. It is essential for our growth and learning that we can participate in the running of the Church. It is a great responsibility for us to execute our callings to the best of our abilities. This is a church of volunteers and the Church has thrived.

 

Joseph Fielding Smith also said, “If this were the work of man, it would fail, but it is the work of the Lord, and he does not fail. And we have the assurance that if we keep the commandments and are valiant in the testimony of Jesus and are true to every trust, the Lord will guide and direct us and his church in the paths of righteousness, for the accomplishment of all his purposes.”

 

Michelle said that the system/organization of the church is inspired and perfect. It has grown and thrived in spite of us.

 

President Smith also said, “There never was a time since the organization of the Church when a man led the Church. It was not so in the days of Joseph Smith nor Brigham Young; it has not been so since. It is the Lord’s work, and do not forget that it is the Almighty who is going to do this work, and not man.”

 

“I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on earth, and that as now constituted and officered it has the Lord’s approval and is moving in the course so directed.”

 

“Let all men know assuredly that this is the Lord’s Church and he is directing its affairs. What a privilege it is to have membership in such a divine institution.”

Anouncements - April 20, 2014

We have inaugurated a new Ladies Daytime activity.   The time and the activity will change every month.   The first activity will be on Friday, May 16th. More details to follow.   Everyone welcome. No child care.

Next Saturday, April 26th will be the last day to volunteer at the Fred Finch Center. Please come any time between 9 and 4.

Our next Activity Night will feature a “Give and Get” recycle event. Bring any useable items that you no longer need and take away something you like. Whatever is left will be given to Deseret Industries.

Save the date of May 17th for the next Ward Party. It will be a Chili Cook-off and Pie Contest for adults only. Prizes awarded.

Lesson Summary - April 20, 2014

Joseph Fielding Smith - Lesson 7- “Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Witnesses for Jesus Christ” 

Presented by Christina

 

From the time he was very young, President Joseph Fielding Smith had a special connection with the Prophet Joseph Smith and was inspired by the example of his grandfather, Hyrum Smith. In life, he never knew Hyrum or his grandmother, Mary Fielding, who also died very young. However, he knew her sister, Mercy Thompson, who told him stories about his grandfather and his great uncle. Through these accounts he developed a closeness to Joseph and Hyrum and as a result, he always had a testimony of the divinity of our Savior and the prophet Joseph Smith.

 

As Pres. Smith described, “The Lord did not select one who was versed in the learning and traditions of the world. His ways are not the ways of man, neither are His thoughts like the thoughts of men. One taught in the learning of the world would have had too much to UNLEARN of the traditions and philosophies of men.”

 

Who has felt completely capable at all times in your entire life? How about in the last year? The past month? How about today? Do you think at his young age Joseph Smith felt completely capable of the many things he was asked to do for all of us? How did he step into all the major responsibilities given him?

 

 Joseph had no training, no education.   He was asked to do so many things that were outside his comfort zone. How did he do that?   How many of us have been asked to take a church calling that was completely beyond our capability? If you expect to do it alone you will fail. We are promised that the Lord will help us in such a circumstance.

 

Elder Hales said, “Like Joseph, we must search the scriptures and pray. For many, this means overcoming feelings of doubt and unworthiness, being humble and learning to exercise faith.”

 

Let’s talk a moment about our ancestors. President Smith said he had always felt a very strong connection to his ancestors and acknowledged the part that played in his strong testimony.

 

Like President Smith who felt such a connection to his grandfather and his great uncle. What can you do to make sure your children and your children’s children know you and benefit from your experiences and testimony?

President Kimball gave us one answer: “What could you do better for your children and their children than to record the story of your life. As our posterity read of our life’s experiences, they will come to know and love us. And in that glorious day when our families are together in the eternities, we will already be acquainted with them.”

 

Another ancestor of President Smith is his great uncle, Hyrum Smith. We know that Hyrum was 6 years older than Joseph and that the Lord blessed him to have “peace sufficient to accomplish the work which God has given you to do”. Another of his descendants, Elder Ballard, called him firm as the pillars of heaven.

 

Hyrum was one of the eight witnesses, one of the first to be baptized and one of the six men chosen to formally organize the church.   He was the first to start digging the foundation of the Kirtland temple and again for the Nauvoo temple. He served on the first high council and as the patriarch and counselor in the First Presidency. He was one of only two men who ever held the office of Assistant President of the Church.

 

Joseph said of Hyrum, “If he could not make peace between two who had fallen out, the angels themselves might not hope to accomplish the task.”

 

Elder Ballard said of Hyrum, “I would like to be as loyal to my family and friends as Hyrum was to his younger brother Joseph. He guarded his younger and more favored brother as tenderly as if the Prophet had been his son instead of his younger brother.”

 

Hyrum and Joseph died together. I am grateful for the opportunity to teach this lesson and study the life of Hyrum Smith. We need to keep the memory of our forefathers and church legacy alive, learn to love our ancestors and make sure that we leave a legacy for our posterity.

 

Announcements - Apr. 13, 2014

 

Announcements

  

·         There are still 2 opportunities to volunteer at the Fred Finch Center in Oakland:  Saturday, April 19 and April 26 from 8:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.  See Christian Kimball for details.

 

·         Sister to Sister Temple Day will be Tuesday, April 15, 2014, 9:00 a.m. session

 

·         Ward Temple Night will be Thursday, April 17, 2014, 7:00 p.m. session.

 

·         There will be a new weekday sister group starting, Wednesday, April 16, 2014, 11:30 a.m. in the Relief Society Room.  Lunch will be served.

 

·         Lamb of God performance, Saturday, April 19, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at the Interstake Center.  High Priest dinner at 5:15 p.m. before the performance.  All are invited.

Lesson Summary - Apr. 13, 2014

Spiritual Spotlight

By Janean

 

Janean grew up in a typical LDS family and is one of nine children.  When she was about 5 or 6, Janean had a Primary teacher who was teaching the class about God.  The teacher told the class that if they went home and prayed to Heavenly Father, asking if He was real and if He loved them, He would answer their prayers.  That night, she gave a simple child-like prayer and as she did, she felt a pure love that filled her soul.  This was the first experience that she remembers along her spiritual journey.

 

Several years later, in high school, Janean attended Seminary.  She did all the assignments, etc. but she didn’t read the scriptures.  Time and time again, the instructors admonished her to read the scriptures.  Janean finally began reading the New Testament, initially for 10 minutes a day.  As she read more and more, she gained an overwhelming knowledge and testimony that Christ was her Savior.  She gained her testimony that Christ died for her.  This became so real to her and an answer to her prayers. 

 

These parts of her testimony were now in place: God, Jesus Christ—He is our Savior,   and the progression to live with Him again.  But Janean could not stand up and tell others that the Church was true.  She was afraid to ask, pray about this, in case she received the answer that it wasn’t true.  Janean went to a fireside one Sunday night that was on the Restoration.  As she was leaving the fireside, it was very crowded, but she heard an audible voice tell her “It is true, it is all true”.  This didn’t come from anyone around her, but it was an answer to the question that she had in her heart.

 

She needed these people:  a primary teacher, a seminary teacher, a fireside speaker to help her along her spiritual journey.

 

These early spiritual experiences prepared Janean for her next stage of her life.  Her patriarchal blessing indicated that her everyday life would be a mission, but also it is her responsibility to take the Gospel to all the nations of the world.  She was planning on continuing her education, and was in the process of buying a car, when she had a very uneasy feeling about the situation.  She prayed and studied all night to receive an answer.  By the morning, Janean knew that she was to go on a mission and had complete peace about her decision.

 

Janean served in the Oklahoma City mission.  After she came home, she eased back into non-missionary life and she and David dated.  When he proposed, she expected to receive a huge, overwhelming feeling/answer that she should marry him but she didn’t get one.  She finally agreed to marry him but thought of the following quote from Elder Boyd K. Packer:  “We once had a major decision to make. When our prayers left us uncertain, I went to see Elder Harold B. Lee. He counseled us to proceed. Sensing that I was still very unsettled, he said, “The problem with you is you want to see the end from the beginning.” Then he quoted this verse from the Book of Mormon, “Dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 12:6).

He added, “You must learn to walk a few steps ahead into the darkness, and then the light will turn on and go before you.” That was a life-changing experience from one verse in the Book of Mormon.

Janean was rewarded a day or two later after she said “yes” to marrying David.  Just like Elder Packer, she walked a few steps into the darkness, and was rewarded by feeling complete joy and knowing that this was right.

God was teaching her how He communicates to His children.  Janean challenged the Relief Society sisters to look through their spiritual journeys to see how Heavenly Father has spoken to them and given answers to prayers.  In closing, Janean bore her testimony that she has learned the basics:  God is real, Jesus Christ is real, and this is the real, true church and Heavenly Father will direct us in those important decisions in our lives.