8/18/13 Review

Important Reminders
-Stake Conference Aug. 24-25

Lesson Review

Lorenzo Snow: Chapter 16 "That We May Become One"

This lesson has four ideas:

1.      Becoming united or “one” is essential to helping the world recognize us as God's Kingdom.  From the verses John17:19-21 we read the importance and necessity of the Apostles being united in order for the Lord’s purposes to be effective in the world.  “For unless the Apostles and those that believed on them were united, the world could not believe in the mission and purposes of the Savior."

2.       Unity starts at home within the family, especially between a husband and wife. 

Sisters in Relief Society mentioned:

·         Don’t judge

·         Show respect

·         Look at the point of view of the other

·         Be understanding of the feelings of others

·         Listen more, talk less

·         Be positive

·         Hold family counsels

·         Enjoy the moment

·         Spend time together

·         Improve yourself

·         Pray for your family

·         Be forgetful of others mistakes

·         Say "I'm sorry" 

3.      Being interested and zealous about the happiness and welfare of others is a way to unite a ward. This also requires extra works of love and good will.

President Snow said, “something has to be done by [each] party in order to secure each other's friendship and to bind us together as a community..." “We have got to know that it is our business to learn to secure the peace and happiness of those around us…"

4.      Forgiveness fortifies our hearts so we can create an atmosphere which promotes unity and caring in our ward. 

"I tell you it is in our folly and weakness that we will not bear with our brethren, but if they trespass upon our rights we immediately retaliate, and if they tread upon our toes we immediately jump upon theirs. … When I see a brother that has been trespassed against, and then he turns round and jumps upon the offender, then I say how far is that brother from the path of duty is, and I say to him you must learn to govern yourself or you never will be saved in the kingdom of God."

The Lord requires that men should forgive one another, even seventy times seven. And even if the party does not ask forgiveness, we are to forgive. … He that forgives not his brother, we are told, there remaineth in him the greater sin—that is, he is a greater sinner than the person that offended him. The Lord requires us to love our neighbor as we do ourselves—a pretty difficult matter under many circumstances; but we will have to reach that point of perfection, and we will reach it.

"The voice of the Almighty called us out from the midst of confusion, which is Babylon, to form a union and a lovely brotherhood, in which we should love one another as we love ourselves. When we depart from this purpose, the Spirit of God withdraws from us to the extent of that departure. But if we continue in the extent of those covenants which we made when we received the Gospel, there is a corresponding increase of light and intelligence."

Next Week (8/24/13): Stake Conference

RS Meeting Announcement

{Come for a great evening of food, fun, & fellowship}

September 12th 

7 pm at the church 

8/11/13 Review

*I'm sorry for the lesson delay--I didn't have access to a computer this past week*

Important Reminders
-Stake Conference Aug. 24-25

Lesson Review

This week’s lesson was Chapter 15 of the Teachings of Presidents of the Church-Lorenzo Snow (“Faithful, Energetic Service in the Kingdom of God”)

What does it mean to be “energetic” in our service in the Kingdom of God?  President Snow said, “Knowing our religion to be true we ought to be the most devoted people on the face of the earth to the cause we have embraced.”

He, himself, was a wonderful example of this statement.  As his mission in Italy drew to a close, he journeyed to the island nation of Malta, and hoped to board a ship there to India.  He felt a great desire to join the missionaries he had sent there under his supervision.  Elder Snow’s plans, however, changed when he learned that his transportation had been delayed.  He decided to make the most of the delay and go to work to establish a branch on Malta.

Because we have received the fullness of the gospel, we serve as ambassadors of Christ.  What does it mean to be an ambassador of Christ?  An ambassador is a representative of an organization or government, and as an ambassador of Christ, we are to not only to set good examples, but aid in building up His Kingdom.

Our membership in the Church is a call to help others receive salvation.  As we know, mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is: (1) proclaim the gospel; (2) perfect the saints; and (3) redeem the dead.  President Snow said, “When the Lord calls an individual or a class of individuals out from the world, it is not always with an object to benefit that particular individual or individuals.  The Lord has not in view merely the salvation of a few people called Latter-Day Saints…, but the salvation of all men, the living and the dead.”

Scriptural reference included:

Psalms 100:2

            Serve the Lord with ^agladness: come before his presence with ^bsinging.

D&C 64: 33-34

            33 Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.

34 Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.

D&C 76:5-6

            For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am ^amerciful and gracious unto those who ^bfear me, and delight to honor those who ^cserve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.

The best way to be faithful and energetic in our service in the Kingdom of God is to keep a constant desire to serve the Lord.

Next Week (8/18/13): Lorenzo Snow: Chapter 16 found HERE