- May 4: Temple dedication (Temple recommend required & Green slip)
- May 14: Missionary Zone Conference Luncheon
- May 22: Relief Society night, 7pm at the Thomasville Rd Building
May 2014 Lesson Schedule
- May 4: Temple dedication (9am, 12pm or 3pm sessions)
- May 11: Chapter 7: Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Witnesses for Christ
- May 18: Chapter 8: The Church and Kingdom of God
- May 25: The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood by Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Love: the Essence of the Gospel – by President Thomas S. Monson
President Monson states:
“We cannot truly love God if we do not love our fellow
travelers on this mortal journey. Likewise, we cannot fully love our fellowmen
if we do not love God, the Father of us all. The Apostle John tells us,
“This commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother
also.”3 We are all spirit children of our
Heavenly Father and, as such, are brothers and sisters. As we keep this truth
in mind, loving all of God’s children will become easier.
“Actually, love is the very essence of the gospel, and Jesus
Christ is our
Exemplar. His life was a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He
lifted; the sinner He saved. At the end the angry mob took His life. And yet
there rings from Golgotha’s hill the words: “Father, forgive them; for they
know not what they do”4—a crowning
expression in mortality of compassion and love.
“There are many attributes which are manifestations of
love, such as kindness, patience, selflessness, understanding, and forgiveness. In all our associations, these
and other such attributes will help make evident the love in our hearts.
“Usually our love will be shown in our day-to-day
interactions one with another. All important will be our ability to recognize
someone’s need and then to respond….”
Questions to ponder:
What experiences have you had when someone showed you an act of kindness? What
experiences have you had when you provided an act of kindness for another
person? Have there been any times when you have missed an opportunity to show a
kindness or act of service to another person? How can we make loving our
“fellow travelers on this mortal journey” a priority?
President Monson ends his remarks as follows:
“May we begin now, this very day, to express love to all
of God’s children, whether they be our family members, our friends, mere
acquaintances, or total strangers. As we arise each morning, let us determine
to respond with love and kindness to whatever might come our way.
“Beyond comprehension, my brothers and sisters, is the
love of God for us. Because of this love, He sent His Son, who loved us enough
to give His life for us, that we might have eternal life. As we come to
understand this incomparable gift, our hearts will be filled with love for our
Eternal Father, for our Savior, and for all mankind. That such may be so is my
earnest prayer in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.”
______________________________
The Witness – By Boyd
K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Elder Packer gave a marvelous talk on his witness of our
Father in Heaven, the Holy Ghost, and our Savior, Jesus Christ. The following
are excerpts from his talk:
“I wish to share with you those truths which are the most
worth knowing, the things that I have learned and experienced in nearly 90
years of life and over 50 years as a General Authority. Much of what I have
come to know falls into the category of things which cannot be taught but can
be learned.
“Like most things of great worth, knowledge which is of
eternal value comes only through personal prayer and pondering. These, joined
with fasting and scripture study, will invite impressions and revelations and
the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. This provides us with instruction from on
high as we learn precept upon precept.”
“One eternal truth that I have come to know is that God
lives. He is our Father. We are His children. “We believe in God, the Eternal
Father, and in His Son,Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost” (Articles of Faith 1:1).”
“Another truth I have come to know is that the Holy Ghost
is real. He is the third member of the Godhead. His mission is to testify of
truth and righteousness. He manifests Himself in many ways, including feelings
of peace and reassurance. He can also bring comfort, guidance, and correction
when needed. The companionship of the Holy Ghost is maintained throughout our
lives by righteous living.”
“A supernal truth that I have gained in my life is my
witness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Foremost and underpinning all that we do, anchored
throughout the revelations, is the Lord’s name, which is the authority by which
we act in the Church. Every prayer offered, even by little children, ends in
the name of Jesus Christ. Every blessing, every ordinance, every ordination,
every official act is done in the name of Jesus Christ. It is His Church, and
it is named for Him—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (see D&C 115:4).”
“I believe
and I am sure that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God, and that He lives. He is the Only Begotten of the Father, and “by
him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the
inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:24).
“I bear my witness that the Savior lives. I know the Lord. I am His witness. I know of
His great sacrifice and eternal love for all of Heavenly Father’s children. I
bear my special witness in all humility but with absolute certainty, in the
name of Jesus Christ, amen.”
Question to ponder:
These are the things of which Elder Packer testified - what do we know to be
true?
NEXT WEEK (5/04/14): Temple dedication (Temple recommend required & Green slip)
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