5/18/14 Review

Important Dates

• May 22: Relief Society night, 7pm at the Thomasville Rd Building
• June 5-7: Stake Laurel High Adventure
• June 9-11: Stake Priest High Adventure
• June 15: Father's Day
• June 23-27: Stake Girl's Camp
• July 10-12: Youth Conference 

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 

**The entire 2014 Lesson Schedule is now available on the blog, complete with lesson links to the lds.org page! Click "2014 Lesson Schedule" tab or this link: http://tall3rdwardrs.blogspot.com/p/monthly-calendar.html to get to the page** 

Lesson Review

Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, Joseph Fielding Smith

Chapter8: The Church and Kingdom of God

President Joseph Fielding Smith said, “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!”

President Smith life was devoted to the Church. As a young man, he served a full-time mission and was later called as president in a priesthood quorum, and a member of the general board of the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association.  He worked as a clerk in the Church Historian’s office, and in an unofficial way, he also helped his father, who was then serving as President of the Church.  He served as an Apostle for almost 60 years before serving as President of the Church. He never sought any of these positions, but when he was called to serve, he willingly obeyed the call. 

President Smith shared a reason for his dedication to the work of the Church: “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.” 

President Smith counseled us to, “never refuse to serve.”

Question to ponder: After centuries of spiritual darkness and apostasy, the Lord restored His gospel and organized His Church on the earth.  Where would you, individually, and the world, generally, be with the gospel?  Some answers might include:

No eternal families; no priesthood, as well as all the accompanying blessings of the priesthood; no appreciating Heavenly Father’s glorious creations; no light, knowledge, hope or peace; no constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, no true happiness; no example of strong, faithful, righteous members; no love, no security, no unity; selfishness would abound; no guidance or guidelines; loss of the strength that the gospel brings

President Smith said, “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.”

Question to ponder: In what ways to Church auxiliaries help individuals and families?

President Smith said, “I desire to say that no man of himself can lead this church. It is the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ; he is at the head.  The church bears his name, his priesthood, administers his gospel, preaches his doctrine, and does his work….If this were the work of man, it would fail, but it is the work of the Lord, and he does not fail….” 

President Smith promises us that, “In this dispensation the Lord has decreed that the Church shall never again be led astray; this time the gospel is here to stay.”

Next Week: The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood by Elder Dallin H. Oaks