Announcements - May 25, 2014

A representative from 9th ward announced their upcoming Polynesian Carnival on June 7th from 11:00 - 2:00 at the ISC. There will be lots of food, games and performances along with a silent dessert auction. $10 per person or $25 per family.   All are welcome so invite your friends and neighbors.

We are still collecting cleaning supplies for the women’s shelter. Please bring your items here.

The next ward temple night will be on Thursday, June 5th. Make plans to attend with the ward.

The next Ladies Day activity will be held at the home of Marsha on Tuesday, June 17th at 11:00 a.m.   Marsha will give a presentation on Joseph Smith.

The next Relief Society Activity will be a garden party at the home of Tiffany toward the end of June. More details to come.

Lesson Summary - May 25, 2014

 

“Love – the Essence of the Gospel” - Conference Talk by Thomas S. Monson

given by Marsha

 

Love is the one quality that best describes our prophet, Thomas S. Monson and our goal as members of the church.  

 

The Pharisees tried to trap Jesus by asking Him which is the greatest of over 600 commandments in the law.  His answer was, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  The second is like unto it; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

 

In the 1^st century A.D., members of the growing church in Corinth were enthusiastic about the gospel but were often contentious with each other.   In response, Paul wrote them a letter pleading with them to be more unified.  His message was: Nothing you do makes much of a difference if you have not charity, which is the pure love of Christ. 

 

One who has charity has the attributes of patience, kindness, selflessness, understanding, compassion and courage.   Having these attributes is our goal as we interact within our families and with all others.   

 

Pres. Kimball reminded us, ”We must remember that those mortals we meet in parking lots, offices, elevators, and elsewhere are that portion of mankind God has given us to love and to serve.  It will do us little good to speak of the general brotherhood of mankind if we cannot regard those who are all around us as our brothers and sisters.”

 

Some of our greatest opportunities to demonstrate our love will be in our own homes.  Love should be the very heart of family life, and yet sometimes it is not.  There can be too much impatience, too much arguing, too many fights, too many tears.   Why is this so?  The answer may be different for each of us, but the bottom line is that the reasons do not matter.  If we would keep the commandment to love one another, we must treat each other with kindness and respect. 

 

Discipline should be meted out fairly when needed, but remembering the counsel found in the Doctrine and Covenants – namely that when it is necessary for us to reprove another, we must afterward show forth an increase of love. 

 

Dale Carnegie, a well known American author and lecturer, believed that each person has within himself or herself the power to increase the sum total of the world’s happiness by giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who is lonely or discouraged.  Said he, “Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime.”

 

At the final day, the Savior will not ask about the nature of our callings.  He will not inquire about our material possessions or fame.  He will ask if we ministered to the sick, gave food and drink to the hungry, visited those in prison or gave succor to the meek.  This is the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

 

Announcements - May 18, 2014

Thanks to the Relief Society Activity Committee for their hard work in putting on the Wednesday night, “Give and Get” and the Ward Chili Cook-off and Pie Contest last Saturday.

The Relief Society is collecting cleaning supplies for the Monument Crisis Shelter.

Lesson Summary - May 18, 2014

Teachings of the Presidents of the Church -Joseph Fielding Smith

Lesson 10 - “Our Search for Truth”

Lesson by Chris

 

 Why Search for Truth?  Why the word “search”? Some answers were: to do a thorough examination, to know and learn, diligent, desperate, methodical examination, to look over carefully.

 

Sandy told about recently when she lost her keys and how they were found after a desperate and methodical search. It was noted that we should search and study the scriptures with as much diligence and focus. How much more would we get out of our scripture study if we had that focus.

 

When Joseph Fielding Smith “was eight years old, his father gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon and asked him to read it. “I received this Nephite record with thanksgiving,” he later recalled, “and applied myself to the task which had been assigned to me.” His love for the book motivated him to get his chores done quickly and sometimes even leave baseball games early so he could find quiet places to read. In less than two years after receiving the gift from his father, he read the book twice.”

 

D&C 130:19 says: “And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.” We are very education focused but how do we balance our secular knowledge vs. spiritual knowledge?

 

1-Be a role model. Model for your children. If you have a love of the scriptures, your children will see that. Tell them what it is doing for you. They notice what is important to you.

 

Joseph Fielding Smith said,” We sometimes hear the complaint, “I haven’t time.” But we all have time to read and study which is our solemn duty. Can we not arrange to find at least fifteen minutes in each day to devote to systematic reading and reflection? This would be but a trifling amount of time, yet it would be one hour and forty-five minutes in a week; seven and one-half hours in a month of thirty days, and ninety-one hours and a quarter in the year...”

 

Chris asked the audience what tips they had for reading the scriptures. Some suggestions were doing it first thing in the morning; break up the fifteen minutes into smaller chunks; study by topic; record in the back of your scriptures when you finish a standard work.

 

2-Spend time to connect the dots. What is it that we are really reading?   For example, study to link the Book of Mormon to the Bible.

 

3-Be a student of the scriptures rather than a casual reader. We will get more out of the scriptures if we approach it that way.

 

Other tips for reading the scriptures: Take your scriptures, Ensign, etc. with you so you have them when you have a couple of minutes; read scriptures to your children and talk about them and explain it to them; avoid distractions; avoid “coasting” but read with focus.

 

Be as passionate about reading the scriptures as you are about other things in your life. A description of passion: “something that you are doing so intensely that it hurts when you stop doing it.”

• See RS lesson summaries and

Announcements -May 11, 2014

Wednesday night will be our “Give and Get” event at the ward building. Come and bring gently used items you no longer want and take home some newfound treasure.   Drop off your items on Tuesday night between 7:00-8:30 or on Wednesday morning from 9:30-11:00. See you there!

 

Ladies Day Group will meet this coming Friday to go to a matinee of “Heaven is Real” in Walnut Creek. No child care. Call Clo B. for details.

 

Remember the Saturday night Chili and Pie cook-off event. Prizes will be awarded. Adults only please.    

 

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 - May 11, 2014

Teachings of Joseph Fielding Smith #9 - “Witnesses of the Book of Mormon”

presented by Michelle

 

Our Book of Mormon is a history of the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and a witness for Christ including an account of His personal ministry after the resurrection. It also stands as a second witness for Jewish scripture, the bible.

 

We rely on faith for our own testimonies of the book, however, the Lord saw fit to allow Joseph to show the plates to others and to leave their witness to the world. Three witnesses were shown the plates by the angel Moroni and 8 more were shown the plates by Joseph. “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established”

                                                                                                            2 Cor. 13:1

 

“Never does one man stand alone in establishing a new dispensation of a revealed truth or in carrying the burden of such message and warning to the world. In every dispensation, from Adam to the present, two or more witnesses have always joined their testimonies, thus leaving their hearers without excuse in the day of judgment should the testimony be rejected.”                                                                             Bruce R. McConkie

 

When Joseph Smith first received the gold plates he was not authorized to share them with others, however, the book itself foretold of the future witnesses.                                                                           2 Ne 27:12-14

 

Of the 11 witnesses to the Book of Mormon, 7 were Whitmers. When mob violence erupted in Harmony, PA where Joseph was translating, Joseph asked if he could come to the Whitmers’ farm to continue. David Whitmer’s family decided there was too much farm work to do and unless David got a “witness from God” he would not go and bring Joseph and Oliver back to the farm. The next day David went out to plow the fields and discovered his acreage had been plowed overnight. The next day he went to his sister to get the fertilizer and she recounted how three strangers came earlier and fertilized the land “with great speed and skill”.   At that point, David’s father advised him to go and bring Joseph and Oliver back to the farm to continue the translation. Mother Whitmer was the first person allowed to see the plates. One evening after finishing her many duties in the home, she walked out to milk the cows. A stranger approached her and said, “You have been very faithful and diligent in your labor, but you are tired because of the increase of your toil; it is proper therefore that you should receive a witness that your faith may be strengthened.” He untied the knapsack on his back and removed the gold plates, then turned over the plates, leaf by leaf. He told her to be patient in bearing her burden a little longer and promised that her reward would be sure.   She was a strong believer in the Book of Mormon to the day of her death.

 

Joseph Smith was alone in the first vision, alone when Moroni brought the message to him, alone when he received the plates; but after that he wasn’t alone. The Lord called other official witnesses to testify to the world that they had seen and handled the golden plates.   Said Joseph,

”The load has been lifted and I am no longer alone” to his great relief.

 

Several of the witnesses fell away from the church, however all remained true to their testimonies until death, never denying what they knew and had seen.

 

The promise is made in the Book of Mormon that all who desire to know whether it is true and contains the word of the Lord may know that it is true if they will ask with a sincere hear, with real intent, having faith in Christ, for He will reveal it to them by the power of the Holy Ghost.

                                                                                                            Mor 10: 3-5

 

Announcements - May 4, 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.

 

·         Wednesday, May 7 will be ward temple night.

Lesson Summary - May 4, 2014

Spiritual Spotlight

By Joann

 

Joann has been in the ward for 15 years and is married to Ed.

She grew up in Colorado, was raised Catholic and joined the church at age 16.

Joann’s mother is a person of great faith and someone Joann has turned to throughout her life.  Joann’s parents had difficulty having children, with several miscarriages and a sister who lived one day and a brother who lived for one hour.  She also has a younger brother who is three years younger than she is.  Joann weighed 2 lbs, 3 oz when she was born.  She was so tiny that they didn’t think she would live but her parents and the doctors and nurses recognized that she had a strong will to survive.  This has given her strength, to know that she is here for a reason and that each of us have different roles to play in life.

Although her father was a good man, he was also an alcoholic and her parents divorced when she was nine.  She is grateful to her parents that they allowed her to join the church.  Joann reiterated that her mother has always been extremely faithful, has a strong belief in God and has always been there for her.

Since her mother was an only child and originally from California, when Joann was 18, her mother moved them to California to be closer to her mother (Joann’s grandmother).  Joann believes that this was the best decision her mother ever made.

Joann attended the University ward in Berkeley and when she was 21, her father passed away.  About this time, Joann received her patriarchical blessing, which said she would teach with great success.  Although her mother didn’t want her to go on a mission, Joann decided to go anyway.  Heavenly Father confirmed her decision.  She was called to the Costa Rica/Panama mission.  Joann’s mother said that although she didn’t want her to go on a mission, she knew she would go anyway.  Joann’s mother had promised God when Joann was born that she would devote Joann’s life to God.  Joann feels that going on her mission was fulfilling her mother’s promise.

While preparing for her mission, Joann felt the Adversary working hard for her not to go.  She attended a devotional while at the MTC where Neil A. Maxwell spoke about Joseph Smith.  After the devotional was over, Joann shook Elder Maxwell’s hand and as she did, she knew without a shadow of a doubt that what Elder Maxwell said was true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.

 Following her mission, Joann finished her education to become a dental hygienist.  She also started going to the Oakland First ward with her mother.  She was called to be the Primary President, which turned out to be a wonderful calling for Joann.  She met Marsha, the stake Primary president.  Marsha and Sue introduced her to Ed in the fall of 1998 and they became engaged in January and were married in May.  They have Victoria who is 12 now.

 For several years after her mother’s health began to fail about ten years were difficult for Joann.  She was overwhelmed with responsibilities with her mother and her own family.  This was a time when Joann became less active.  Over the last three years, there have been a lot of changes for Joann.  She has become re-acquainted with a missionary companion who motivated her and since then her testimony has become the strongest that has ever been.

 Joann closed with her testimony and read from the October, 2013 General Conference talk by Elder Timothy J. Dyches who quotes President Thomas S. Monson, “President Thomas S. Monson has said, “There is one life that sustains those who are troubled or beset with sorrow and grief—even the Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

“If you feel unclean, unloved, unhappy, unworthy, or unwhole, remember “all that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.” Have faith and patience in the Savior’s timing and purposes for you. “Be not afraid, only believe” (Mark 5:36).”

 

“Be assured the Savior still seeks to mend our souls and heal our hearts. He waits at the door and knocks. Let us answer by beginning again to pray, repent, forgive, and forget.” 

 

From the same talk, she quoted this: “As we draw near to Him, we realize that mortality is meant to be difficult and that “opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11) is not a flaw in the plan of salvation. Opposition, rather, is the indispensable element of mortality and strengthens our will and refines our choices. The vicissitudes of life help us fashion an eternal relationship with God—and engrave His image upon our countenance as we yield our hearts to Him (see Alma 5:19).”