10/27/2013 Review

Lesson Review

Read or sing the words to the following songs:

 “Where Can I Turn for Peace?” Hymns, no. 129.

 “How Gentle God’s Commands,” Hymns, no. 125.

 “Though Deepening Trials,” Hymns, no. 122.

Basic Belief

Nothing is more basic to all of us, and our doctrine, than the truths of the first article of faith: “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost” (Articles of Faith 1:1).

Further, He is our Heavenly Father, who knows us, loves us, and wants us to return to Him. Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer, who through the Atonement made it certain we will overcome death and live again and possible for us to be exalted and have eternal life. The Holy Ghost is our comforter, revelator, teacher, testifier, and guide.

Think of it, brothers and sisters—we are not spiritual orphans! We are not alone.

God has the way to live. 

He teaches us from the scriptures.Great sources for finding the Lord’s way are teachings of the living apostles and prophets. If we do things the Lord’s way, He is bound to bless us and we have claim to His promises; and if not His way, we have no promise (see D&C 82:10).

Governing Ourselves

We are taught correct principles and the members governed themselves. Brothers and sisters, our living apostles and prophets are still teaching correct principles. The question is “Are we using these principles to govern ourselves?” One thing we have often been taught is to bloom where we are planted.  The apostles and prophets have often taught that what happens inside the home is far more important than what our children encounter outside. How we raise our children is more important than where we raise them.

Espeically Important

Our Heavenly Father knows us, loves us, and wants to help. He knows best how to help. We are not spiritual orphans!

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; see also Alma 38:9). His way is based on eternal truth and leads us to “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23).

Peace

As recited in the 10th chapter of Matthew, the Savior instructed the Twelve and acknowledged that His mission would not achieve universal peace in this mortal life. It is clear that universal peace did not exist on the earth during Christ’s mortal ministry, and it does not now. Events often occur that rob us of peace and heighten our sense of vulnerability.I have been impressed with the doctrinal difference between universal or world peace and personal peace.  Even with the trials of life, because of the Savior’s Atonement and His grace, righteous living will be rewarded with personal peace.

 

Agency is essential to the plan of happiness. It allows for the love, sacrifice, personal growth, and experience necessary for our eternal progression. This agency also allows for all the pain and suffering we experience in mortality, even when caused by things we do not understand and the devastating evil choices of others. The very War in Heaven was waged over our moral agency and is essential to understanding the Savior’s earthly ministry.

It is as individuals and families that we achieve the kind of peace that is the promised reward of righteousness. This peace is a promised gift of the Savior’s mission and atoning sacrifice.

The peace to which I am referring is not just a temporary tranquility. It is an abiding deep happiness and spiritual contentment.

President Heber J. Grant described the Savior’s peace this way: “His peace will ease our suffering, bind up our broken hearts, blot out our hates, engender in our breasts a love of fellow men that will suffuse our souls with calm and happiness.” 

We all long for peace. Peace is not just safety or lack of war, violence, conflict, and contention. Peace comes from knowing that the Savior knows who we are and knows that we have faith in Him, love Him, and keep His commandments, even and especially amid life’s devastating trials and tragedies. 

President Harold B. Lee taught, “So, we must be refined; we must be tested in order to prove the strength and power that are in us”

Remember, “God is not the author of confusion, but [the author] of peace.” For those who reject God, there is no peace. We all participated in the councils of heaven that provided for moral agency, knowing that there would be mortal pain and even unspeakable tragedy because of the abuse of agency. We understood that this could leave us angry, bewildered, defenseless, and vulnerable. But we also knew that the Savior’s Atonement would overcome and compensate for all of the unfairness of mortal life and bring us peace. Elder Marion D. Hanks had a framed statement on his wall by Ugo Betti: “To believe in God is to know that all the rules will be fair, and that there will be wonderful surprises.”

What are the sources of peace? Many search for peace in worldly ways, which never have and never will succeed. Peace is not found by attaining great wealth, power, or prominence. Peace is not found in the pursuit of pleasure, entertainment, or leisure. None of these can, even when attained in abundance, create any lasting happiness or peace.

Emma Lou Thayne’s beloved hymn asks the appropriate questions: “Where can I turn for peace? Where is my solace when other sources cease to make me whole?” The answer is the Savior, who is the source and author of peace. He is the “Prince of Peace.”

Conscience is a moral compass pointing us toward peace. It is activated by at least two sources: the Light of Christ, a glorious birthright from our Heavenly Father (see Doctrine and Covenants 88:6–13; 93:2), and the gift of the Holy Ghost (see Doctrine and Covenants 39:6).

Repentance and living righteously allow for peace of conscience, which is essential for contentment. When there has been a major transgression, confession is required to bring peace. Perhaps there is nothing to compare with the peace that comes from a sin-wracked soul unloading his or her burdens on the Lord and claiming the blessings of the Atonement. 

“Two sets of forgiveness are required to bring peace to the transgressor—one from the proper authorities of the Lord’s Church, and one from the Lord himself. [See Mosiah 26:29., Spencer W. Kimball]”

What is the source of true peace?

The Savior is the source of true peace. Even with the trials of life, because of the Savior’s Atonement and His grace, righteous living will be rewarded with personal peace. In the intimate setting of the Passover chamber, the Savior promised His Apostles that they would be blessed with the “Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost” and then uttered these important words: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” Then just before His Intercessory Prayer: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

10/20/13 Lesson Review

Important Reminders
-VT Interviews will be held during Sunday School and Relief Society
-Oct. 26: Primary Halloween Party, 10am in the Church parking lot...decorate your cars for Trunk or Treat

Lesson Review

Teachings of the Presidents of the Church

Lorenzo Snow – Chapter 20: The Kingdom of God Moves Forward

In 1844, when Lorenzo Snow was fulfilling an assignment in the eastern US, the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were martyred.  President Snow later recalled, “It was thought by some in the days of Joseph that this Church could not prosper except Joseph guided its destinies, and when the time came when he was to pass away from this world as a martyr into the spirit world, the Saints throughout the kingdom of God were greatly agitated.  It was something unexpected.  They hardly knew how things would then move.  The responsibility [to lead the Church] then devolved upon the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; and through the blessings of God upon them and the spirit of inspiration that dwelt in their bosoms, and under the guidance of the Almighty, the kingdom moved forward.”

When the second President of the Church, Brigham Young, died in 1877, after having led the Church for 33 years, Elder Lorenzo Snow, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, once again witnessed a change in the Church’s earthly leadership, and later said, “The Saints were hardly prepared for it.  And yet the kingdom of God moved forward.”

In 1887, after reassuring the Saints at President Taylor’s funeral, Lorenzo Snow said, “…the Church still moves forward.” 

In 1898, while serving as President of the Quorum of the Twelve, and needing assurance that the Church would still move forward as President Wilford Woodruff’s physical health was failing, Lorenzo Snow knew that according to the established line of succession, he would preside over the Church.  Considering himself inadequate to assume the leadership of the Church, he went alone to a room in the Salt Lake Temple to pray. He asked God to spare President Woodruff’s life, but he also promised that he would perform any duty God required of him.

Not long afterward, President Woodruff passed away and President Snow once again went to a private room in the temple to pray. He acknowledged his feelings of inadequacy but expressed his willingness to do the Lord’s will.  He asked for guidance and waited for an answer, but none came, so he left the room.

Entering a large hallway, he received the answer and the reassurance he had sought.  Before him stood the resurrected Savior, who told him what he needed to do.  President Snow later related this experience to his granddaughter, Alice Pond (see Teachings of the Prophets, Lorenzo Snow, Chapter 20, p. 238-239).  President Snow’s visit with the Savior was a sacred confirmation of a truth he had known for many years – that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church, and the Church would continue to progress in spite of opposition.

As a testament to this, President Snow said the following:

“His purposes will be accomplished in spite of all the opposition which may be brought against them by wicket men and the powers of darkness.  Everything that stands in the way of this work will be removed.” 

“No matter who are lost by the way and make shipwreck of their faith, the Church will go on.”

“The Church will stand, because it is upon a firm basis.”

The work of the Lord will continue, regardless of what happens in the world, with or without our help.  President Snow instructed we are to be engaged in the work of God, that is time for us to humble ourselves before God and accomplish the work He has entrusted to us. 

“It is the business of those who profess to be engaged in His work to move on, to go forward,…without murmuring or having to be urged; so long as there remains a step forward to be taken, that step should be taken.”

President Snow warns that the Lord “very possibly may cause a heavy pressure to bear upon us, such as will require great sacrifice at the hands of his people.  The question with us is, will be make that sacrifice? This work is the work of the Almighty and the blessings we look for which have been promised, will come after we have proven ourselves and passed through the ordeal.”

President Snow also urges us forward:  “Well, I [say] to one and all, Move on! Move on, and see the salvation of the Lord, and not stand still.”

Next Week (10/27/13): Personal Peace: The Reward of Righteousness and The Lord's Way (click the title to see articles) 

Emergency Preparedness: Meatless Enchiladas

We were reminded to include spices/seasonings in your food storage.
Examples: salt, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, beef/chicken bouillon

Meatless Enchiladas
3 cps cooked pinto beans
2 cps cooked rice
1 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tbsp onion powder
1 4-oz can green chilies
2 tsp garlic powder
4 cps tomatoes
12 corn tortillas
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 cps grated cheese or 1/2 cp cheese sauce powder

Mix rice and beans together and put 1/3 cp in the center of each tortilla and roll up. Place filled tortillas, seam side down, into a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish.

In a blender, combine all spices and seasonings, green chilies, tomatoes and vegetable oil and puree. Pour this pureed tomato sauce over tortillas.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Sprinkle grate cheese or prepare cheese sauce (follow package directions) over top and put back in oven until cheese is melted.