Lesson Recap for March 10

The lesson on 3-10-13 given by Janeen Baylon was #5 from our RS manual "The Grand Destiny of the Faithful."  It is a wonderful pleasure to speak upon the great things that God proposes to bestow upon His sons and daughters, and that we shall attain to if we are faithful."

President Snow adopted this saying as a theme for his life and shared this truth in many of his sermons.

"As man now is, God once was;

 As God now is, man may be." 

He also taught "I believe that we are the sons and daughters of God, and that he has bestowed upon us the capacity for infinite wisdom and knowledge, because He has given us a portion of Himself.  We are told that we were made in His own image, and we find that there is a character of immortality in the soul of man.  There is a spiritual organism with thistabernacle (the physical body) and that spiritual organism has a divinity in itself, though perhaps in an infantile state; but it has within the capacity of improving and advancing, as the infant that receives sustenance from its mother."

In 1John 3:2-3 it reads "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  And every man that hath this hope in him,purifieth himself, even as he is pure."

President Snow goes on to say "We do not all of us fully comprehend the blessings and privileges that are prepared in the gospel for us to receive.  We do not fully comprehend and we do not have before our view the things which await us in the eternal worlds, nor indeed the things which await us in this life and that are calculated to promote our peace and happiness and answer the desires of our hearts."

"We are all aiming for celestial glory, and the grandeur of the prospects before us cannot be expressed in human language.  If you will continue faithful to the work in which you are engaged, you will attain unto this glory, and rejoice evermore in the presence of God and the Lamb.  This is worth striving for; it is worth sacrificing for, and blessed is the man or the woman who is faithful unto the obtaining of it."

"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my father in His throne."  Revelation 3:21.

As we continue to strive and sacrifice, let us have greater faith in the blessings that await us. 

Recap by Kris Eddington

Piano For Sale

Norma Jean McHale has a baby grand player piano for sale.  It is about 7 years old and there are music CDs included.  The asking price is $8,000.  If you are interested, please contact her directly by email at normajean_mchale@yahoo.com.

RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS DAY - MONDAY MARCH 18th!!

Hello Sisters! In honor of the 171st birthday of the Relief Society we'd like to extend a challenge to each of you. 

Let's carry out 171 RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS all on the same day together!

When? MONDAY MARCH 18th

It can be something small or something large -- it's really up to you! 

Imagine how much GOOD we can do and how much KINDNESS we can spread in one day while we work together!

One of the purposes of the Relief Society is to seek out those in need. What better way to do that than

to knit our hearts together in love and kindness?

If you are on any social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter or Facebook

snap a picture and upload it with the hashtag #171actsoflove so we can all follow along!

March 18th is going to be an amazing day!

Monthly Newsletter -- MARCH!

Can you believe it is already March? Here is our monthly newsletter! Do download or print a copy, please click the butterfly on the right in the sidebar.

Lesson Recap for March 3rd

The lesson on 3-3-13 given by Nina Seibert was taken from a talk by David A Bednar "That We May Always Have His Spirit To Be With Us."

The first ordinance of the gospel is baptism.  It is to be done not just by immersion but must be followed by a baptism of the spirit.  In John 3:5 it reads "Jesus answered, verily, verily I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

Joseph Smith taught "You might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man, if not done in view of the remission of sins and receiving the Holy Ghost.  Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half- that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost.  We were baptized by immersion in water for the remission of sins.  We must also be baptized by and immersed in the Spirit of the Lord, and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost."

Elder Bednar describes the function of the Liahona from Alma 37.  It was given to Lehi and his family as a compass as they traveled and found their way through the wilderness.  He describes how it provided the "pointers" and operated "according to their faith and diligence and heed".  When the family members were "contentious, rude or slothful"  the Liahona failed to guide them.  The Holy Ghost works in the same way.

As we each press forward along the pathway of life, we receive direction from the Holy Ghost just as Lehi was directed through the Liahona. "For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, It will show unto you all things what ye should do." 2Nephi 32:5

Elder Bednar says this regarding promptings.  "The standard is clear.  If something we think, see, hear or do distances us from the Holy Ghost, then we should stop thinking, seeing, hearing, or doing that thing.  If that which is intended to entertain, for example alienates us from the Holy Spirit, then certainly that type of entertainment is not for us.  Because the Spirit cannot abide in that which is vulgar, crude, or immodest, then clearly such things are not for us."

Nina closed with President Hinckley's testimony.  "May the Spirit of the Lord accompany us and remain with us.  We know not what lies ahead of us.  We know not what the coming days will bring.  We live in a world of uncertainty.  For some, there will be great accomplishment.  For others, disappointment.  For some, much rejoicing and gladness, good health, and gracious living.  For others, perhaps sickness and a measure of sorrow.  We do not know.  But one thing we do know. 

Like the polar star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives.  He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith.  In sunshine and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us."

Through the "sunshine and in shadow" let us look to the Holy Ghost as our compass to inspire and guide. 

Recap by Kris Eddington

Lesson Recap for Feb 24th

The lesson on 2-24-13 given by Karin Alexander was taken from two 2012 general conference talks.  The first was by Elder Henry B Eyring "Where Is the Pavilion."  The second talk by Elder Neil L Anderson "Trial of Your Faith."  Like the intense fire that transforms iron into steel, as we remain faithful during the fiery trial or our faith, we are spiritually refined and strengthened.

Karin began with this from President Eyring.  "Many of us, in moments of personal anguish, feel that God is far from us.  The pavilion that seems to intercept divine aid does not cover God but occasionally covers us.  God is never hidden, yet sometimes we are, covered by a pavilion of motivations that draw us away from God and make Him seem distant and inaccessible.  Our own desires, rather than a feeling of "Thy will be done," create the feeling of a pavilion blocking God.  God is not unable to see us or communicate with us, but we may be unwilling to listen or submit to His will and His time."

The apostle Peter defined our challenges as a "trial of your faith."  In 1Peter 1:7 it reads "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honourand glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." 

We then discussed several ways in which our faith is tested and the ways in which we can remain steadfast in our faith.

Trials of our faith:

1.    loss of a loved one

2.    inactive family members

3.    illness or injury

4.    job loss

5.    divorce

How to remain steadfast and immovable:

1.    serve others

2.    do not fear

3.    pray for understanding and clarity

4.    study and ponder the scriptures

5.    consider the Lord's timetable

6.    stay close to fellow saints

Elder Anderson stated "It is within the sanctuary of the church that we protect our faith.  Meeting together with others who believe, we pray and find answers to our prayers; we worship through music, share testimony of the Savior, serve one another, and feel the Spirit of the Lord.  We partake of the sacrament, receive the blessings of the priesthood, and attend the temple.  When you are faced with a test of faith, stay within the safety and security of the household of God.  There is always a place for you here.  No trial is so large we can't overcome it together."

In Isaiah 55:8-9 it says "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

"With faith come trials of faith, bringing increased faith.  The Lord's comforting assurance to the Prophet Joseph Smith is the very same promise He makes to you in your trial of faith:  Hold on...fear not...for God shall be with you forever and ever." 

May we hold tighter and fear less through the trials of our faith.

Recap by Kris Eddington

Lesson Recap for Feb 10th

The lesson on 2-10-13 given by Janeen Baylon was #3 from our RS manual "Lifelong Conversion: Continuing to Advance in the Principles of Truth."  Our religion should be incorporated within ourselves, a part of our being that cannot be laid off. 

President Snow recorded his experience as he received his own personal manifestation of the truthfulness of the gospel and the Holy Ghost. "I cannot tell how long I remained in the full flow of this blissful enjoyment and divine enlightenment, but it was several minutes before the celestial element, which filled and surrounded me, began gradually to withdraw.  On arising from my kneeling posture, with my heart swelling with gratitude to God beyond the power of expression, I felt- I knew that he had conferred on me what only an Omnipotent Being can confer- that which is of greater value than all the wealth and honors worlds can bestow."

"Every man has got to learn to stand upon his own knowledge, he cannot depend upon his neighbor; every man must be independent; he must depend on his God for himself entirely.  It is impossible to advance in the principles of truth, to increase in heavenly knowledge, unless we exercise our reasoning faculties and exert ourselves in a proper manner." 

An example of this is Oliver Cowdery.  He was promised that he would be given the power to translate the ancient records of the Book of Mormon.  He thought all that was required of him was to open his mind and wait.  He quickly realized this was not enough and he was not able to do what the Lord had asked him to do.  He realized that he must put forth effort, think about how he might do this, and use his abilities the best as he could.  He was not prepared. 

The Lord responded to him in D&C 9 saying " Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you when you took no thought, save it was to ask me; but, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you."

A perfect analogy of how our religion must become a part of our being is that of a ship.  We cannot separate ourselves from the things we are taught and know to be true.  Our religion should be incorporated into everything we do. "Nothing can be more foolish than the idea of a man laying off his religion like a cloak or garment.  There is no such thing as man laying off his religion unless he lays off himself."

"Stick to the ship of Zion.  If boats come to the side, showing beautiful colors and making wonderful promises, do not get off the ship to go to the shore on any other boat; but keep on the ship.  If you are badly used by any of those that are on the ship, who have not got the proper spirit, remember the ship itself is alright.  We should not allow our minds to become soured because of anything the people on the ship may do to us; the ship is alright, and the officers are alright, and we will be right if we stick to the ship.  I can assure you it will take you right into the land of glory."

President Smith said "And if there is any man or woman that is not fairly awake, may the time soon come that the Spirit and power of the Holy Ghost may be upon them, that it may teach them things past, present, and to come, and by the assistance of the Lord, plant righteousness and the principle of truth in their systems, that they may be prepared for the storms that are coming." 

Let us seek confirmation of these truths for ourselves, "stick to the ship" and continually prepare for the storms that are coming.

Recap by Kris Eddington