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”]

April Calendar

RS Meeting Reminder!

Hair Cutting & Styling

By Expert: Jen Sunseri

When: Thursday, April 16th at 7pm

Where: Amber Pierce's Home

Who: Relief Society Sisters & Friends

General Conference Weekend

Just a reminder that it's General Conference this weekend. If you'd like to watch conference live, online at home you can follow the link below to the LDS.org webpage.

>>Watch General Conference Live<<

A few announcements: 

*A quick reminder that the Walton Feed Orders are due to Marilou Woolstenhulme no later than April 15th. 

*Mark your calendars for a RS Meeting on Thursday, April 16th at 7pm.

A Few Announcements

-There is not a Relief Society Meeting activity tonight (March 19th).

-I sent the 2015 Walton Feed Group information to everyone. Orders must be placed (and money given) on/before April 15, 2015. Our Ward Feed Group leader is Marilou Woolstenhulme. If you have any additional questions or concerns about the order you can contact any member of the RS Presidency or Marilou. 

-March 28th is the 3rd Ward Easter Activity at 10am 

-Also March 28th is the General Women's Broadcast. Dinner will be provided by the Stake at 7pm and the Broadcast will begin at 8pm. 

-March 29th (the fifth Sunday) will be a combined Priesthood and Relief Society meeting spanning through the Sunday School and RS hours. We will be learning more about the family history website. Everyone is encouraged to bring an electronic device (tablets or laptops, if you have them available) to use during the lesson. We encourage everyone to have their lds.org account set up before that Sunday (to help minimize the delay during the lesson). You'll need your membership number in order to create an account. This membership number can be obtained by asking any members of the Bishopric. 

-We are also encouraging everyone to update their family/individual pictures on the Ward Directory on the LDS website. (Having updated images help connect names with faces. We hope that this will help everyone become more familiar and will help in our journey to stronger ward unity.)
If you don't know how to update/change the image, here is a quick list that will hopefully help :)
1. Go to www.lds.org and log in (using your lds account user name and password).
2. Under "My Account and Ward" there is a column labeled "My Ward"
3. Click "Directory"
4. Under the column on the left hand side choose "Tallahassee 3rd Ward: Households"
5. Find your name and click on it
6. You'll see your personal information pop up. At the top there are two buttons "View" and "Edit."
7. Click "Edit"
8. Underneath the empty picture frame (or old picture) there is a "Change" button.
9. Follow the uploading steps with the new image you'd like to upload for the Ward Directory.

Lesson Review: Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Freedom of Choice, an Eternal Principle

Quote1: “The principle of agency, he said, ‘runs like a golden thread throughout the gospel plan of the Lord for the blessing of his children.’”

Quote2: The central issue in that premortal council was: Shall the children of God have untrammeled agency to choose the course they should follow, whether good or evil, or shall they be coerced and forced to be obedient? Christ and all who followed Him stood for the former proposition – freedom of choice; Satan stood for the latter –coercion and force.

Quote 3: The scriptures make clear that there was a great war in heaven, a struggle over the principle of freedom, the right of choice.

Question: Why was agency so important? Why was it worth fighting for? – It’s not just about getting the right answers, it’s about learning the material. We didn’t just come here to be tested, we came here to learn and grow and to return to our father a little more like him. PROGRESSION

Thought: Agency is more than just choosing between right and wrong, sometimes we think about it too narrowly in general discussions. We tend to minimize it to just right vs wrong, but it is the ability to choose at all. To be masters of our fate, to determine the path our life will take. What will we make of our time here?

Quote 4: His teachings about the principle of agency included more than just a reminder to “choose between right and wrong”. He spoke of agency as the ability to “make important decisions that will have bearing on our salvation” and that will “affect our happiness in eternity.

Quote 5: The biggest business of any life is making decisions. While one of the greatest gifts of God to man is…the right of choice, he has also given man responsibility for these choices….We put our own lives in the direction of success or failure. We may not only choose our ultimate goals, but we may also determine and decide for ourselves, in many cases, the means by which we will arrive at those goals, and by our industry or lack of it determine the speed by which they may be reached. This takes individual effort and energy and will not be without opposition or conflict.

Question: Do we consider often enough what we are doing with our lives? Are we living deliberate lives? We learn in 2 Nephi that God created things to act and things to be acted upon. Do we find ourselves being acted upon more often than taking control of our lives and doing the acting.

2 Nephi 2:14   And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon.

Thought: Are we utilizing our agency to the fullest? Agency is not fixed, it can grow and expand, it can go underutilized and it can diminish. When we learn a new skill, such as playing the piano, we open our agency to choose whether or not we answer the call to play. If we have not learned to play then there is no choice for us to make, we have not earned that agency.

Question: We fought for it in the pre-existence, we know to fight for it as toddlers, have we forgotten how precious this gift is, are we using it, are we fighting for it?

Quote 6: DC 58:27-28 27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; 28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

Momentum: Good vs Bad vs Transfers

We have momentum in our lives, it is interesting to consider some of the principles of momentum in the context of this discussion.

1.       Momentum

a.       Objects in motion, stay in motion, unless acted on by another force

b.      Function of mass and velocity

c.       Has directionality

d.      On earth there are resistances that prevent perpetual motion, drag, friction, deplete energy. The more momentum you have the longer you can overcome those

e.      It is easier to maintain motion, than to initiate motion

2.       Good Momentum

a.       Mass: amassing spiritual experiences throughout our lives

b.      Velocity: anxioiusly engaged…in a good cause, acting instead of being acted upon

c.       Spiritual momentum can carry us through spiritual draughts and hard times.

d.      But we must continue to put the energy in so that we can preserve our spiritual momentum, to ensure that it doesn’t fizzle.

                                                               i.      What big spiritual experiences have we amassed that ground our testimonies (important to remember them, if we have them and forget, throw out the window, then they don’t help as if we hold them close to us and retain them)?

                                                             ii.      What small recent experiences have we had?

                                                            iii.      What habits do we already have in place that help us stoke our spiritual flames, that help us maintain that momentum?

                                                           iv.      What new habits or changes could we make to?

                                                             v.      Momentum carries us through hard times, but if left unfed it will fizzle out. We must constantly be feeding the good momentum in our lives, whether small inputs during hard times are large inputs during good times.

3.       Bad Momentum

a.       We have ruts, bad habits in our lives. How can we overcome these? What energy can we apply to overcome these?

b.      What are tools that you use to help yourself get out of these ruts (favorite talk, exercise, do service, get together with someone)

c.       Grace in Bible Dictionary: enabling power to do more than we can do on our own and to maintain

4.       Momentum transfers

a.       We can influence others for good or bad. We are in this together.

Thought: We are often told that our will is the only gift that is truly ours to give.

Thought: Will indicates impending action. “This will happen, I will go, I will be”. The word will is a force, a power, energy, desire, something that you are going to do. When the word “will” is used in a sentence like that, it is evidence of our wills. And Will power is having control over one’s impulses and actions. It is self-control. It is having control over what we are going to do in the future.

Quote 6: Our decisions have made us what we are. Our eternal destiny will be determined by the decisions we WILL yet make.

AGENCY IS ALL ABOUT BEING EMPOWERED AND ENABLED. I hope that we can remember this and take control of our lives. That we can maintain the good momentum in our lives, break out of the bad and be an influence for good to those around us. That we can be agents unto ourselves. That we can choose to act instead of merely being acted upon. I hope that we can all live more deliberate and thoughtful lives of action.

Lesson Review: Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Principles of True Repentance

Oftentimes our challenges with truly understanding repentance are rooted in improper understanding of other gospel aspects. Repentance itself seems simple enough, but do we truly understand it in all its beauty?
Quote 2: repentance means more than simply a reformation of behavior. Many men and women in the world demonstrate great willpower and self-discipline in overcoming bad habits and the weaknesses of the flesh. Yet at the same time they give no thought to the Master, sometimes even openly rejecting Him. Such changes of behavior, even if in a positive direction, do not constitute true repentance.
Quote 3: Paul wrote: “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner. …
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” (2 Cor. 7:9–10.)
In both of these scriptures, godly sorrow is defined as a sorrow that leads us to repentance.
Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit.
 Quote 4: No one is more anxious to see us change our lives than the Father and the Savior. In the book of Revelation is a powerful and profound invitation from the Savior. He says, “I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.” (Rev. 3:20.) Note that He does not say, “I stand at the door and wait for you to knock.” He is calling, beckoning, asking that we simply open our hearts and let Him in.
 
One Sunday after her self-evaluation, she began to feel gloomy and pessimistic. She could see that she was making the same errors over and over again, week to week. But then she had a distinct impression that she was neglecting a big part of the Atonement—Christ’s enabling power. She was forgetting all the times the Savior helped her be who she needed to be and serve beyond her own capacity.
With this in mind, she reflected again on the previous week. She said: “A feeling of joy broke through my melancholy as I noted that He had given me many opportunities and abilities. I noted with gratitude the ability I had to recognize my child’s need when it wasn’t obvious. I noted that on a day when I felt I could not pack in one more thing to do, I was able to offer strengthening words to a friend. I had shown patience in a circumstance that usually elicited the opposite from me.”
She concluded: “As I thanked God for the Savior’s enabling power in my life, I felt so much more optimistic toward the repentance process I was working through and I looked to the next week with renewed hope.” (The sacrament, a renewal for the soul Cheryl A Esplin, Oct 2014 General Conference)

Faith and Repentance are the first 2 principles of the gospel, they lay the foundation for our testimonies. Satan knows this and aggressively attacks these.  His attack of faith can often seem more obvious and overt, as we see the faith of our society come under attack. We see the same philosophies as seen in the Book of Mormon evidenced today in young adults mocking the “foolish traditions” of their fathers when referring to religious beliefs. Among other attacks on our faith.

But he works just as hard at attempting to undermine the true beauty of repentance. However, his attack on repentance is sometimes more covert, as the repentance process is often done in private. Satan works hard to try to distort repentance to be something we fear or get uncomfortable about. We might have different emotions on the topic based on different phases of life or the different phases of the repentance process that we might currently be at.

Elder Christofferson, The divine gift of repentance

Only repentance leads to the sunlit uplands of a better life. And, of course, only through repentance do we gain access to the atoning grace of Jesus Christ and salvation. Repentance is a divine gift, and there should be a smile on our faces when we speak of it. It points us to freedom, confidence, and peace. Rather than interrupting the celebration, the gift of repentance is the cause for true celebration.

We discussed the following aspects of repentance that some people struggle with

·         Feelings of excessive/debilitating guilt

·         Inability to get past guilt or to feel relief or to feel forgiven (completed process, but still feel bad)

·         Not realizing the need to repent

·         Wondering if they have done enough to make restitution or paid the price sufficiently

·         Being afraid to confess

·         Fear of if restitution will be accepted

·         Feelings of hopelessness due to repeat offenses, I keep slipping up

·         Not feeling the desire to change

·         Not being willing to give up the sin (I like it, peer pressure)

·         Trying to avoid/escape truly understanding repentance by attempting to be perfect (on our own merits)

We discussed the following potential roots of these struggles and what might be a solution or answer to some of these.

·         Remembering the price has already been paid

·         Remembering that it’s not just reformation, but paying the price

·         Remembering the importance of forgiving others

o   We are not perfect, how prideful to withhold our forgiveness when we most assuredly need forgiveness. If we are struggling with repentance, think of someone we can forgive.

·         Faith that the atonement is real, that we can be forgiven. Enos: Guilt was swept away., because I knew God could not lie. How is this done? Because of his faith in Jesus Christ

·         Remembering our divine worth:

·         Recognizing progress, the enabling power having impact on our lives

·         Remembering everyone needs it

·         Remembering true meaning of: Godly sorrow is a tool to bring us to repentance and have a change of heart. It has a purpose, it is not meant to lead us to despair. Hopelessness comes from Satan.

·         Remembering Heavenly Father and Jesus want us to succeed

·         Retaining hope

Quote 1: “The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature. …

“Yes, Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world.”

Quote 5: One of Satan’s most effective strategies with those whom he has lured into sin is to whisper in their ears that they are not worthy to pray. He will tell you that Heavenly Father is so displeased with you that He will never hear your prayers. This is a lie, and he says it to deceive us. The power of sin is great. If we are to extricate ourselves from it, especially serious sin, we must have a power greater than ourselves.

No one is more anxious to help you flee from sin than your Heavenly Father. Go to Him. Acknowledge your sin, confess your shame and your guilt, and then plead with Him for help. He has the power to help you triumph.13

Quote 6: there are hundreds and thousands of people who find the process of repentance much more subtle, much more imperceptible. Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life. They live quiet lives of goodness, service, and commitment. They are like the Lamanites, who the Lord said “were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.” (3 Ne. 9:20; italics added.)

We must not lose hope. Hope is an anchor to the souls of men. Satan would have us cast away that anchor. In this way he can bring discouragement and surrender. But we must not lose hope. The Lord is pleased with every effort, even the tiny, daily ones in which we strive to be more like Him. Though we may see that we have far to go on the road to perfection, we must not give up hope.15

Quote: Enabling Power, Seeing our Progression:

Each week, she conducted a self-evaluation during the sacrament. She recalled mistakes she had made, and she committed to be better the next week. She was grateful to be able to make things right and be made clean. Looking back on the experience, she said, “I was acting on the repentance part of the Atonement.”

Thought: Eustress vs Distress application to proper guilt

Eustress is the good stress that motivates you to continue working. Stress can be a motivator and provide incentive to get the job done. This "good stress" is what eustress can be identified as and some people enjoy it. Everyone needs a little bit of stress in their life in order to continue to be happy, motivated, challenged and productive. It is when this stress is no longer tolerable and/or manageable that distress comes in.

Bad stress, or distress, is when the good stress becomes too much to bear or cope with. Tension builds, there is no longer any fun in the challenge, there seems to be no relief, no end in sight. This is the kind of stress most of us are familiar with and this is the kind of stress that leads to poor decision making.

Similarly, Godly sorrow is a gift from God that motivates us to change and improve and repent. But when our sorrow transitions to despair and hopelessness, that comes from Satan and instead of helping us, it can hinder our progression. It is important to be aware of the source of our guilt and not allow Satan to pull us down.

RS Meeting this Saturday!

Relief Society Meeting

this Saturday, January 31st 

10:30am at 
**UPDATE** Rachel's home

(3418 Woodley Rd) 

We'll be socializing, have refreshments, and

Diana Janopaul will demonstrate 

lip balm and salve making! 

01/25/2015 Review

Lesson Review

The Stake Relief Society presidency visited us for Ward Conference this week.
The lesson focused on this point:

Unlock the power of Christ's atonement

through His grace

and our covenants

 

Grace is divine help and strength that we receive through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Through grace, we are saved from sin and death. In addition, grace is an enabling power that strengthens us from day to day and helps us endure to the end. (source) 

We spoke about ways we can find grace and focus more on a Christ-centered life. Through relying on our Savior and keeping an eternal perspective we can overcome all the trials presented us by the world. 

01/18/2015 Review

Lesson Review
Ezra Taft Benson
Chapter 2: Pray Always

President Ezra Taft Benson said of prayer, “There is power in prayer.  All things are possible through prayer.  It was through prayer that the heavens were opened in this dispensation. The prayer of a boy fourteen years of age, in the Sacred Grove, opened a new gospel dispensation, and brought forth a vision of the Father and the Son, as they appeared as glorified heavenly beings before the boy, Joseph.”

 

He further stated that “[i]f we would advance in holiness – increase in favor with God – nothing can take the place of prayer.  And so I adjure to you to give prayer – daily prayer – secret prayer – a foremost place in your lives. Let no day pass without it.  Communication with the Almighty has been a source of strength, inspiration, and enlightenment to men and women through the world’s history who have shaped the destinies of individuals and nations for good.”

 

Questions to ponder:  How have you been blessed as a result of personal prayer?  When have you seen family prayer lead to blessings? 

President Benson offers five ways to improve our communication with our Heavenly Father:

1. We should pray frequently. We should be alone with our Heavenly Father at least two or three times each day—“morning, mid-day, and evening,” as the scripture indicates. (Alma 34:21.) In addition, we are told to pray always. (See 2 Ne. 32:9; D&C 88:126.) This means that our hearts should be full, drawn out in prayer unto our Heavenly Father continually. (See Alma 34:27.)

2. We should find an appropriate place where we can meditate and pray. We are admonished that this should be “in [our] closets, and [our] secret places, and in [our] wilderness.” (Alma 34:26.) That is, it should be free from distraction, in secret. (See 3 Ne. 13:5–6.)

3. We should prepare ourselves for prayer. If we do not feel like praying, then we should pray until we do feel like praying. We should be humble. (See D&C 112:10.) We should pray for forgiveness and mercy. (See Alma 34:17–18.) We must forgive anyone against whom we have bad feelings. (See Mark 11:25.) Yet the scriptures warn that our prayers will be vain if we “turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart [not] of [our] substance.” (Alma 34:28.)

4. Our prayers should be meaningful and pertinent. We should avoid using the same phrases in each prayer. Any of us would become offended if a friend said the same words to us each day, treated the conversation as a chore, and could hardly wait to finish in order to turn on the television set and forget us. …

For what should we pray? We should pray about our work, against the power of our enemies and the devil, for our welfare and the welfare of those around us. We should counsel with the Lord regarding all our decisions and activities. (See Alma 37:36–37.) We should be grateful enough to give thanks for all we have. (See D&C 59:21.) We should confess His hand in all things. Ingratitude is one of our great sins.

The Lord has declared in modern revelation: “And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.” (D&C 78:19.)

We should ask for what we need, taking care that we not ask for things that would be to our detriment. (See James 4:3.) We should ask for strength to overcome our problems. (See Alma 31:31–33.) We should pray for the inspiration and well-being of the President of the Church, the General Authorities, our stake president, our bishop, our quorum president, our home teachers, family members, and our civic leaders. Other suggestions could be made, but with the help of the Holy Ghost we will know about what we should pray. (See Rom. 8:26–27.)

5. After making a request through prayer, we have a responsibility to assist in its being granted. We should listen. Perhaps while we are on our knees, the Lord wants to counsel us.

Question to ponder:  What will we do, what changes will we make, to follow President Benson’s counsel?  

01/11/2015 Review

Lesson Review

Ezra Taft Benson

Chapter 1: The Great Commandment--Love the Lord

11/23/14 Review

Important Dates

• Nov 27: Thanksgiving
• Dec 2: Boy Scout Court of Honor, 6:30pm
• Dec 5-6: Troop Campout
• Dec 12: Ward Christmas Party
• Dec 25: Christmas

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: Covenant Daughters of God by Sis. Stevens and Sharing Your Light by Sis. Marriott

Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, Joseph Fielding Smith

Chapter 23: Individual Responsibility

 President Joseph Fielding Smith emphasized that although Latter-day Saints should diligently help others receive the blessings of the gospel, salvation is an individual responsibility.  He also encouraged the Saints to be self-reliant and to work industriously in temporal pursuits. “That is what life is all about,” he said, “to develop our potential, and especially to gain self-mastery.”

President Smith reminds us that our self-reliance is not “merely to be applied to plowing fields, or to reaping and harvesting and engaging in industry, but it means likewise that a man should be industrious in spiritual things as well as in the temporalities by which he makes his living.”

Question to ponder:  What can we do to be more self-reliant temporally?  What skills or knowledge do we need to gain?  How would temporal self-reliance bring us peace of mind?

As to our temporal blessings, he further states, “We cannot take any of them with us when we depart. Gold, silver and precious stones, which are called wealth, are of no use to man only as they enable him to take care of himself and to meet his necessities here….The Lord…expects us to have knowledge of temporal things so we can care for ourselves temporally; so we can be of service to our fellowmen; and so we can take the gospel message to his other children throughout the world.”

Coupled with individual responsibility is free agency.  God has given us agency and expects us to do all we can for ourselves.  President Smith explains: “Agency [is] the great gift the Lord has bestowed upon every soul to act for himself, to make his own choice, to be an agent with a power to believe and accept the truth and receive eternal life or to reject the truth and receive remorse of conscience. This is one of the greatest gifts of God….Joseph Smith was asked how he governed so great and diverse a people as the Latter-day Saints. He replied: ‘I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves.’”

Question to ponder:  How can this teaching benefit families? How can it guide priesthood quorums and Relief Societies? 

President Smith states that “We believe that it is by grace that we are saved after all that we can do, and that building upon the foundation of the atonement of Christ, all men must work out their salvation with fear and trembling before the Lord. [See 2 Nephi 25:23; Mormon 9:27] It is an important fact…that God has done for men all that men cannot do for themselves to secure salvation, but he expects men to do all for themselves that is in their power….It is a most serious error to believe that Jesus did everything for men if they would but confess him with their lips, and there is nothing else for them to do. Men have work to do if they would obtain salvation.”

Our two great responsibilities are to seek our own salvation and to work diligently for the salvation of others.  President Smith said, “It is my duty, as it is your duty, my brethren and my sisters likewise – for responsibility is placed also upon you – to do the very best that is within our power, and not to shirk, but endeavor with all our soul to magnify the callings the Lord has given us, to labor diligently for the salvation of our own house, each one of us, and for the salvation of our neighbors, the salvation of those who are abroad.”

11/16/14 Review

Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, Joseph Fielding Smith

Chapter 22: Prayer – a Commandment and a Blessing

President Joseph Fielding Smith’s prayers revealed the depth of his testimony and his love for his Father in heaven and his Savior.  President Boyd K. Packer, who was called to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles when Joseph Fielding Smith was President of the Church, said: “It was an experience to hear President Joseph Fielding Smith pray.  Even when he was past ninety he would pray that he would ‘keep his covenants and obligations and endure to the end.’”

President Smith reminds us that it is a “commandment from the Lord that we seek him constantly in humble prayer.”  He asks then answers these questions:  “I wonder if we ever stop to think why the Lord has asked us to pray.  Did he ask us to pray because he wants us to bow down and worship him? Is that the main reason? I don’t think it is. He is our Heavenly Father, and we have been commanded to worship him and pray to him in the name of his Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.  But the Lord can get along without our prayers. His work will go on just the same, whether we pray or whether we do not….Prayer is something that we need, not that the Lord needs. He knows just how to conduct his affairs and how to take care of them without any help from us.  Our prayers are not for the purpose of telling him how to run his business. If we have any such idea as that, then of course we have the wrong idea. Our prayers are uttered more for our sakes, to build us up and give us strength and courage, and to increase our faith in him.”

He further said, “Few things in life are as important as community with Deity in prayer. The Lord has drawn over our minds a curtain of forgetfulness so that we do not remember him and our association with him as members of his family in the premortal life. Prayer is the avenue of communication which he has provided for us to commune with him again. Thus, one of the chief purposes of our mortal probation is to see if we can learn with the spirit of prayer always in our hearts so that when the Lord chooses to speak, we shall hear his voice in our souls.” 

Question to ponder: Reflect upon your personal approach to prayer. What can we do so that our prayers will help us draw nearer our Father in Heaven?

The season for prayer is always.  We read in Alma 34:18-28 of the doctrine of prayer.  President Smith promises us that “…if a man will pray as he is commanded to do in this passage of scripture…then he more than likely will be found in all things righteously keeping the commandments of the Lord.”

President Smith counsels us that we …”should not pray merely with our lips; but in every act, in our conversation, in all that we undertake to do, we should try to carry out the expressions of our prayers, and be in harmony with the thoughts that we declare to the Lord in our daily supplications.”

Question to ponder:  How has prayer caused you to modify or improve your actions, your conversations, or any other aspect of your life?

President Smith reminds us to express our gratitude in prayer.  He said, “I believe that one of the greatest sins of which the inhabitants of the earth are guilty today is the sin of ingratitude, the want [or lack] of acknowledgment, on their part of the Lord and his right to govern and control.” 

Question to ponder: How can we better express our gratitude to the Lord for all he has given us?

We should plead with Heavenly Father for all our righteous desires.  President Smith directs us to “…plead with [Heavenly Father] for faith and integrity and for every godly attribute, for the triumph and success of his work, for the guidance of his Holy Spirit, and for salvation in his kingdom.  We should pray for our families, for our wives and children, for food and shelter and clothing, for our business concerns, and for all our righteous desires.”

Question to ponder:  When was the last time you had a prayer answered? 

11/02/14 Review

Important Dates

• Nov 9: Visiting Teach Conference
• Nov 15: Stake Single Adults Activity
• Nov 15: Youth Tri-Stake Dance
• Nov 16: Priesthood Review
• Nov 18: Young Women in Excellence
• Nov 21: Laurel/Priest activity
• Nov 27: Thanksgiving

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

11/2/14 – Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, Joseph Fielding Smith

Chapter 21 – Proclaiming the Gospel to the World

Question to ponder:  Have you ever had the opportunity to share the gospel in an unexpected place? 

While serving a two year mission in England, President Joseph Fielding Smith did not “…make one convert, did not have opportunity to perform one baptism….”  Unable to see many results of his labors, he found comfort in knowing that he was doing the Lord’s will and that he was helping prepare people who might receive the gospel later in their lives.  He did however, have the opportunity to share the gospel with nurses and others while he and four other missionaries were confined and quarantined in a hospital because they had been exposed to smallpox.  He reported that they at least made an impression on those at the hospital for good.  Seventy years later, President Smith returned to England and was able to see that the seeds he and others had planted had sprouted and flourished.

Questions to ponder:  How might President Smith’s example influence your service in the Church?  In what ways can our words and actions communicate the plainness and simplicity of the gospel?

President Smith said reminds us of the proclamation of the prophet Nephi that the time would come that the Savior shall “…manifest himself unto all nations….” (1 Ne. 13:41-42)  Of that proclamation, President Smith said, “That promised day is now dawning.  This is the appointed time for the preaching of the gospel in all the world and for the building up of the Lord’s kingdom in every nation.  There are good and upright people in all nations who will respond to the truth; who will come into the church; and who will become lights to guide their own people….”

President Smith also reminds us that we are all missionaries.  “We are all set apart, not by the laying on of hands; we have not had a special calling; we have not been singled out to do missionary labor, but as members of the Church, having pledged ourselves to the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ we become missionaries.  That is part of the responsibility of every member of the Church.”

President Smith states that, “There is no cure for the ills of the world except the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Our hope for peace, for temporal and spiritual prosperity, and for an eventual inheritance in the kingdom of God is found only in and through the restored gospel.  There is no work that any of us can engage in that is as important as preaching the gospel and building up of the Church and kingdom of God on earth.”

Question to ponder:  How can we be better member missionaries?