10/26/2014 Review

Important Dates

• Nov 1: Adult Temple Trip--seats still available for bus, see Bro or Sis Kent for details

Nov 2014 Lesson Schedule

• Nov 2: Chapter 21: Proclaiming the Gospel to the World 
• Nov 9: Visiting Teaching Conference
• Nov 16: Chapter 22: Prayer--a Commandment and a Blessing
• Nov 23: Chapter 23: Individual Responsibility
• Nov 30: Conference Talk: TBA

Lesson Review

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf – Living the Gospel Joyful

Linda K. Burton – Prepared in a Manner that Never Had Been Known

The word “gospel” means good news.

The Bible Dictionary states: “The good news is that Jesus Christ has made a perfect atonement for mankind that will redeem all mankind from the grave and reward each individual according to his/her works.  This atonement was begun by his appointment in the premortal world but was worked out by Jesus during his mortal sojourn.”

President Uchtdorf’s talk was a feel-good talk, a talk full of “good news.” 

As we review his counsel, ponder these questions:

-          Why is this talk for me? What am I supposed to learn from this talk?

-          What does Heavenly Father want me to remember at this time?

-          How can I use President Uchtdorf’s counsel to better my life?

-          What is one think that I can work on for the next month that will help me “live the gospel joyful”?

President Uchtdorf states:

“It is good to remember that you are always a child of God. This knowledge will carry you through the most difficult times in your life and will inspire you to accomplish remarkable things. However, it is also important to remember that being a daughter of eternal parents is not a distinction you earned or you will ever lose. You will always and forever remain a daughter of God. Your Heavenly Father has high aspirations for you, but your divine origin alone does not guarantee you a divine inheritance. God sent you here to prepare for a future greater than anything you can imagine.

“The promised blessings of God to the faithful are glorious and inspiring. Among them are ‘thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths.’ And it takes more than a spiritual birth certificate or a “Child of God Membership Card” to qualify for these incomprehensible blessings.”

President Uchtdorf asks a profound question:  “Do we really need to obey all of God’s commandments?”

His response is simple:  “I think God knows something we don’t….”

He expounds:  “If you believe this in your hearts—if you truly believe the great mission of our Heavenly Father is to exalt and glorify His children and that He knows best how to do it—doesn’t it make sense to embrace and follow His commandments, even the ones that appear difficult? Should we not cherish the light posts He has given that guide us through the darkness and the trials of mortality? They mark the way back to our heavenly home! By choosing Heavenly Father’s path, you lay a divine foundation for your personal progress as a daughter of God that will bless you throughout your life…. The Creator of the seas, sands, and endless stars is reaching out to you this very day! He is offering the grand recipe for happiness, peace, and eternal life!”

President Uchtdorf counsels us to “…trust in the saving power of Jesus Christ; keep His laws and commandments. In other words—live the gospel joyful.”

Sister Linda K. Burton’s talk dovetails nicely with President Uchtdorf’s talk.  “Prepared in a Manner That Never Had Been Known.” 

She talks a lot about the temple, and quotes Elder Russell M. Nelson: “As temples are prepared for the people, the people need to prepare themselves for the temple.” 

She also discusses the parable in Matthew of the ten virgins, and states: 

“As we consider this parable as a pattern for temple preparation, consider the words of a latter-day prophet who taught that “the oil of spiritual preparedness cannot be shared.” President Spencer W. Kimball helped clarify why the five ‘wise’ young women could not share the oil in their lamps with those who were “foolish” when he said: ‘Attendance at sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years. Fasting, family prayer, home teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures—each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store. Deeds of kindness, payment of offerings and tithes, chaste thoughts and actions … —these, too, contribute importantly to the oil with which we can at midnight refuel our exhausted lamps.’”

“Can you see the pattern of preparedness—drop by drop—that can help us as we think how we might be more diligent in our preparation to receive sacred ordinances for ourselves and others? What other small and simple things might we do to add precious spiritual drops of oil to our lamps of preparation?”

Sister Burton ends her remarks by saying, “…May we prepare to worthily receive saving ordinances drop by drop and keep the associated covenants wholeheartedly. As we do so, I know we will qualify to receive the promised blessings of a fulness of the Holy Ghost and the power of the Lord in our homes and individual lives….”

Question to ponder:  Do you think that “fulness of the Holy Ghost and the power of the Lord in our homes and individual lives” is what President Uchtdorf meant by living the gospel joyful?