Relief Society Lesson: Sunday, Feb 23rd

Sis. Kay Bashford gave a wonderful lesson from the talk 'Small and Simple Things' by Elder Valenzuela from the October 2013 General Conference. In the Book of Alma, in The Book of Mormon, Alma is talking to his son Helaman. He says, "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls" (Alma 37:6-7). Sis. Bashford reminds us that the word 'means' can mean process, resource, way, a manner, or course.

There were many examples from sisters in our ward about how a small and simple act brought about a great change. Sis. Sue Schilling told the story of how the notes in her fathers' scriptures helped her sister, who had been inactive for many years, come back to full activity in the church. Sis. Jackie Milonas just last Saturday told a non-member friend who was in the hospital that she could receive a priesthood blessing. These small and simple ways have the potential to bring about much good to those around us.

In Elder Valenzuela's talk he reminds us of Naaman, a captain of the kind of Syria, but also a leper. When he was searching for a cure for his leprosy the prophet Elisha sent a messenger to him and told him to go and wash in the river Jordan seven times. Naaman was waiting for a mighty miracle to cure his leprosy, but it was a small and simple thing that he was commanded to do in order to become clean. 

It is by small and simple things that we will be able to reach out to those around us and rescue them, as Elder Valenzuela has promised us. "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kindom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many sould unto me!" (D&C 18:15-16)

See the entire talk HERE.

FAMILY HISTORY STORIES

Read some remarkable stories of early saints and their determination as a family! These can be found under the 'FAMILY HISTORY' tab at the top of this page.

There is also a quick link to Family Search on the left of this page.  Simply click on the Family Search image and it will get you to the site.  More on how family history can link you to your family through family stories - see video below.  The stories are often the first step to family history.

Relief Society Lesson: Sunday, Feb 16th

Sis. Jill Rockwood from the stake RS presidency taught from Elder D. Todd Christofferson's talk from last General Conference, 'The Moral Force of Women'.  Elder Christofferson says that, "A woman's moral influence is nowhere more powerfully felt or more beneficially employed than in the home. There is no better setting for rearing the rising generation than the traditional family, where a father and a mother work in harmony to provide for, teach, and nurture their children. Where this ideal does not exist, people strive to duplicate its benefits as best they can in their particular circumstances."
 
Sis. Rockwood shared some powerful examples in her life when she was able to be an influence for good while she was a Young Women's leader, before her own children came. She also expressed a great appreciation for women in her life who were wonderful examples to her own children. No matter what our individual circumstances, we can be a powerful influence for good by example and deed. 
 
Elder Christofferson talks about 3 forces and trends that are at work that weaken and even eliminate the good influence of women. 1) A pernicious philosophy that undermines women's moral influence is the devaluation of marriage and of motherhood and homemaking as a career. 2) Attitudes toward human sexuality threaten the moral authority of women on several fronts, such as abortion and sexual immorality. 3) The third area of concern comes from those who, in the name of equality, want to erase all differences between the masculine and the feminine.
 
Elder Christofferson quotes Elder Neal A. Maxwell, who said it well: "When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses?"

Click HERE to see Elder Christofferson's talk.

Relief Society Lesson: Sunday, Feb 9th

We thank Sister Tanner for her sweet testimony and words given regarding The Plan of Salvation. There is so much peace and understanding we can have when we understand our Father in Heaven's plan for us in this life.  We shared experiences with each other on how the Atonement of Jesus Christ helps us as we work out our salvation during mortality.

“Our Father in Heaven established a plan of salvation for his spirit children.. to enable them to advance and progress until they obtain eternal life.”  -Joseph Fielding Smith 

"This mortal probation [is] a brief period, just a short span linking the eternity past with the eternity future. Yet it [is] a period of tremendous importance. … This life is the most vital period in our eternal existence."  -Joseph Fielding Smith 

The earth shall be in distress, man and women’s hearts are failing them because they forget their identity and purpose...with faith you can handle the difficulty knowing with an eternal perspective all will be well......   -Elder Nelson

Heartaches will come, death, children go astray, disability, illness, injury’s...to the individuals who are fearful in the heart be patient with yourself, perfection does not come in this life but the next life. Don’t demand things that are unreasonable... but demand in yourself improvement… as you let the lord help you through that he will make the difference…  -Elder Nelson

Click HERE to see the entire lesson.

Words with Friends - Mormon Messages

'Learning, pondering, searching, and memorizing scriptures is like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths that can be called upon any time, anywhere in the world.'

February Newsletter

Presidency Message

During the month of February our thoughts are centered around love. We send valentines and cards and remember those who are important in our lives. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf helps us to remember the true meaning of love.

"True love requires action. We can speak of love all day long—we can write notes or poems that proclaim it, sing songs that praise it, and preach sermons that encourage it—but until we manifest that love in action, our words are nothing but “sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." 1 Corinthians 13:1.  Christ did not just speak about love; He showed it each day of His life. He did not remove Himself from the crowd. Being amidst the people, Jesus reached out to the one. He rescued the lost. He didn’t just teach a class about reaching out in love and then delegate the actual work to others. He not only taught but also showed us how to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.” Doctrine and Covenants 81:5 (You Are My Hands, May 2010 Ensign)

As sisters in the gospel we have the opportunity to exercise this true love, or the pure love of Christ, as we serve those around us and do as the Savior would do. Let us look to Christ as our example. Know that we as a presidency love each one of you; you are in our thoughts and prayers always.

Love,
The Relief Society Presidency,
Marty, Lisa, Jan, Debbie & Jenny



February 2014 Birthdays
     2   Jeannette Stone
    5   Jennifer Evans
    6   Kathy Williams
    8   Jenny Maxwell
    8   Jerry Whiting
  10   Genevia Nall
  16   Cynthia Stover
  18   Carol Chase
  18   Katherine Toone
  19   Margaret Agnew
  20   Amber Johnson
  20   Rachel Mason
  23   Kathy Conley
  25   Sabrina Hankal


Lesson Schedule
Feb 2 Presidency message taught      by Marty Rozeski
Feb 9 Chapter 3 “The Plan of Salvation” taught by Kristen Tanner
Feb 16 Ward Conference – Lesson taught by Stake Relief Society Presidency
Feb 23 Oct 2013 Conference talk “Small and Simple Things” by Amulfo Valenzuela taught by Kay Bashford

Upcoming Events
Feb 11   Lunch Bunch 11:00 meet at           Chick-fil-A (52th & Wadsworth)
Feb 16   Ward Conference
Feb 19   Ward Temple Day
Mar 13   Relief Society Birthday Party
 Mar 19   Stake All-Day Temple Day

Relief Society Lesson Sunday, February 2nd 2014

Today's lesson was given by Sister Marty Rozeski. Each of us, no matter who we are, or where we serve must make the most out of each opportunity that comes.  The fruit of our labors can heal the world, and sisters, in the process they can heal us. 

The lesson was taken from a talk given by Mary Ellen Smoot, The R.S. General President, at the R.S. General Meeting in 1999.  At that conference she presented The Relief Society Declaration.  This declaration was approved by the Prophet, and the Quorum of the twelve.  

We are beloved spirit daughters of God, and our lives have meaning, purpose, and direction:  Sister Smoot says: “We know we have and always will exist.  We know we have been sent to earth to gain experience and prove ourselves.  The decisions we make are vital if we are to gain eternal life and exaltation.  We know that this estate is important, and this understanding gives meaning, purpose, and direction in our lives.  Ultimately all of us want to learn our lessons well and return to our loving Heavenly Father.”

As a worldwide sisterhood, we are united in our devotion to Jesus Christ, our Savior and Exemplar:  Sister Smoot:  “We accept the Savior as the Only Begotten Son of our H.F.  We know that through him we will be redeemed and resurrected.     ‘We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ we preach of Chris.’”  (2 Ne. 25:26)

Dedicate ourselves to strengthening marriages, families, and homes:  Sister Smoot:  “We understand that the home is the basic unit created by God for us to learn in and serve in.  Spending time with our family is top priority.  We need to look inside in order to be kind and loving and forgiving to family members.  We are to encourage our children to embrace the gospel.”

Stand for truth and righteousness:  Sister Smoot: “We speak out to stop the flowing tide of filth and corruption that is a plaque in our society.  Sisters who know right from wrong stand firm on the Lord’s side, making choices that set them apart from the rest of the world as they fully monitor the family’s use of television programs, dress modestly, and refrain from watching any films that glorify violence and immoral behavior.”

Sustain the priesthood as the authority of God on earth:  Sister Smoot:  “We rejoice as each child is blessed, each child is baptized, as we partake of the sacrament and are set apart for Church callings …  We are grateful for priesthood blessings that light our way and give direction and hope. “

Rejoice in the blessings of the temple, understand our divine destiny, and strive for exaltation: Sister Smoot:  “Sisters who seek to make and keep their covenants and do work for their kindred dead, in the process find their own loads lifted and their power to resist temptation fortified.”