June 2015 Calendar

04/26/15 Review

Defenders of the Family Proclamation – by Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women General President

“Let us help build the kingdom of God by standing up boldly and being defenders of marriage, parenthood, and the home.”

Sister Oscarson said, “When President Gordon B. Hinckley first read ‘The Family: A Proclamation to the World’ 20 years ago this year, we were grateful for and valued the clarity, simplicity, and truth of this revelatory document. Little did we realize then how very desperately we would need these basic declarations in today’s world as the criteria by which we could judge each new wind of worldly dogma coming at us from the media, the Internet, scholars, TV and films, and even legislators. The proclamation on the family has become our benchmark for judging the philosophies of the world, and I testify that the principles set forth within this statement are as true today as they were when they were given to us by a prophet of God nearly 20 years ago.”

Sister Oscarson made the point that “[l]ife rarely goes exactly according to plan for anyone, and we are very aware that not all women are experiencing what the proclamation describes. It is still important to understand and teach the Lord’s pattern and strive for the realization of that pattern the best we can.”

Sister Oscarson reminded us that “each of us has a part to play in the plan, and each of us is equally valued in the eyes of the Lord. We should remember that a loving Heavenly Father is aware of our righteous desires and will honor His promises that nothing will be withheld from those who faithfully keep their covenants. Heavenly Father has a mission and plan for each of us, but He also has His own timetable. One of the hardest challenges in this life is to have faith in the Lord’s timing. It’s a good idea to have an alternative plan in mind, which helps us to be covenant-keeping, charitable, and righteous women who build the kingdom of God no matter which way our lives go. We need to teach our daughters to aim for the ideal but plan for contingencies.”

Question to ponder:  Sister Oscarson issued the challenge to all of us as women of the Church to be defenders of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”  In what ways can we be defenders of the proclamation?

Points to ponder:  Sister Oscarson reminded us of three important principles taught in the proclamation which are especially in need of steadfast defenders. 

The first is marriage between a man and a woman.  Sister Oscarson counseled us to be defenders of marriage as the Lord has ordained it while continuing to show love and compassion for those with differing views. 

The second principle calls for our defending voices in elevating the divine roles of mothers and fathers.  Sister Oscarson asked this question:  “Do we also teach our sons and daughters there is no greater honor, no more elevated title, and no more important role in this life than that of mother or father? I would hope that as we encourage our children to reach for the very best in this life that we also teach them to honor and exalt the roles that mothers and fathers play in Heavenly Father’s plan.”

The third principle we need to stand and defend is the sanctity of the home.  Sister Oscarson stated: “We need to take a term which is sometimes spoken of with derision and elevate it. It is the term homemaker. All of us—women, men, youth, and children, single or married—can work at being homemakers. We should ‘make our homes’ places of order, refuge, holiness, and safety. Our homes should be places where the Spirit of the Lord is felt in rich abundance and where the scriptures and the gospel are studied, taught, and lived. What a difference it would make in the world if all people would see themselves as makers of righteous homes. Let us defend the home as a place which is second only to the temple in holiness.”

Sister Oscarson ended her remarks by saying that she is grateful to be a woman in these latter days. She further stated, “[w]e have opportunities and possibilities which no other generation of women has had in the world. Let us help build the kingdom of God by standing up boldly and being defenders of marriage, parenthood, and the home. The Lord needs us to be brave, steadfast, and immovable warriors who will defend His plan and teach the upcoming generations His truths.”

4/12/15 Review

April 2015 Lesson Schedule

• Apr 5: General Conference
• Apr 12: ETB Ch 7: Joseph Smith, an Instrument in the Hands of the Lord
• Apr 19: ETB Ch 8: The Power of the Word
• Apr 26: TBA

Chapter 7: Joseph Smith, an Instrument in the Hands of the Lord

President Ezra Taft Benson recounted an experience he had while serving as a missionary in England in the early 1920s.  He and his companions experienced great opposition to the Church.  There was a group of people in northern England who were very faithful and devoted.  They invited him and his companion to speak in their sacrament meeting.  Elder Benson prepared a fifteen minute talk on the apostasy. When they entered the little chapel it was filled.  As Elder Benson spoke, he realized he had spoken for twenty-five minutes and hadn’t mentioned or even thought of the apostasy.  His remarks had borne witness of Joseph Smith, that he was a prophet of God, and told about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon as a new witness for Christ.  At the end of the meeting, the Saints came forward and expressed their gratitude and told him several of their neighbors said that up until that time they could accept everything about the Church except Joseph Smith, but afterward, they said they were ready, that they had received the witness that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God.

President Benson said, “Joseph Smith was a prophet of the Living God, one of the greatest prophets that has ever lived upon the earth.  He was the instrument in God’s hand in ushering in a great gospel dispensation, the greatest ever, and the last of all in preparation for the second coming of the Master.”

Questions to ponder: What was the greatest event in the history of the world? The answer is the Resurrection of the Savior.  What is the second greatest event in the history of the world?  Joseph Smith’s first vision.

President Benson said, “The most evident truth that emerged from the Prophet’s experience in 1820 was the reality of God’s existence and the fact that Jesus Christ was indeed resurrected.  He saw them as separate, distinct, glorified Personages who spoke to him as one man speaks to another.”

President Benson reminds us that although he endured much persecution and many trials, Joseph Smith never recanted his experiences.  Before he was martyred, Joseph Smith said, “I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am as calm as a summer’s morning.  I have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward all men.  If they take my life I shall die an innocent man, and my blood shall cry from the ground for vengeance, and it shall be said of me, ‘He was murdered in cold blood.’” 

Questions to ponder:  In what ways does Joseph Smith not recanting help your own testimony? How did you come to know the Book of Mormon is true? 

President Benson said, “We invite you to test the validity of our witness about the origin of the Book of Mormon.  You can do this by reading it and asking our Heavenly Father if these things are true. I promise you, if you are sincere, you will receive a confirmation of the truthfulness by the Holy Ghost. Millions, with soberness and sincerity, testify they know it is from God….If the Book of Mormon is true, then Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith was His prophet, The Church of

Question to ponder:  What are some of the blessings have come to you because of the Gospel?

[LINK: VIDEO CLIP OF“A NEW DAY”]