Important Dates
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Apr
5: Youth baptism 10am
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Apr
11-12: Stake/ward Temple days
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Apr
13: Marvin Goldstein concert 7pm
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Apr
19: Easter Egg Hunt 2pm
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May
4: Temple dedication (Temple recommend required)
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May
14: Missionary Zone Conference Luncheon
Special Request from the Bishop
In Sacrament meeting, Bishop Ladle asked us to read the following items in correlation with the talks that had been given:
- The Family: A Proclamation to the World
- The Lord's Standard of Morality, Elder Callister
- We Believe in Being Chaste, Elder Bednar
Lesson Review
“What we need in the Church, as well as out of it, is repentance. We need more faith and more determination to serve the Lord.”
President Joseph Fielding Smith taught, “The forgiveness of sins comes through faith and sincere repentance.” He said that “it is necessary, not merely that we believe, but that we repent,” and he also taught that when we perform good works in faith until the end, we will receive the reward of the faithful and a place in the Celestial kingdom of God.” With a desire for all people to receive this regard, he testified of Jesus Christ and preached repentance throughout his ministry.
In a sacrament meeting one Sunday, President Smith told the congregation why he spoke with a warning voice. His son Joseph, who attended the meeting, later wrote: “I remember vividly some of the remarks [my father] made on that occasion. ‘Who is your friend, or who loves you the most?’ he asked the congregation. ‘The person who tells you all is well in Zion, that prosperity is around the corner or the person who warns you of the calamities and the difficulties that are promised unless the principles of the gospel are lived? I want you to know that I love the members of the Church, and I do not want one of them to point an accusing finger at me when we pass beyond the veil of mortal existence and say, “If you had only warned me I would not be in this predicament.” And so I raise the warning voice in hopes that my brothers and sisters may be prepared for a kingdom of glory.’”
President Smith goes on to say “Remember everyone has weaknesses, and that are at least two sides to every story. If you err in judgment, be sure you err on the side of love and mercy.”
Questions to ponder: How do we express kindness and mercy to someone who has erred? How do we err on the side of love and mercy and kindness to ourselves?
1. The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Question to ponder: What does it mean to center your life around Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
2. Faith means action.
Question to ponder: Why does true faith always lead to action?
3. Repentance is the second principle of the gospel and is essential to our salvation and exaltation.
Question to ponder: How is repentance the “outgrowth of faith?” How much courage does it take to repent?
4. In the principle of repentance, the mercy of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is made manifest.
Question to ponder: How can we share our gratitude for the Savior’s atonement?
5. Repentance includes sincere sorrow for sin and complete turning from sin.
Question to ponder: Why is repentance impossible without sorrow for sin?
6. The time to repent is now.
Questions to ponder: In what ways is procrastination “the thief of eternal life”? What are the dangers of procrastinating our repentance?
7. We owe it to the world to raise a voice of warning.
Question to ponder: How do we do this?
President Smith said, “ I plead with the members of the Church to do the works of righteousness, to keep the commandments, to seek the Spirit, to love the Lord, to put first in their lives the things of God’s kingdom, and thereby work out their salvation with fear and trembling before the Lord.” [see Philippians 2:12]
Next Week: To My Grandchildren, President Eyring & The Strength to Endure By Elder Richard J. Maynes
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