Sunday Lesson: May 25th

Sis. Jacquelyn Brady taught the lesson from a General Conference talk by Elder W. Craig Zwick What are You Thinking? Elder Zwick shares the story of when he and his wife and infant son were in an 18-wheel semitruck taking a heavy load down a steep highway. The cab of the truck suddenly filled with thick smoke and Elder Zwick did all he could to quickly stop the truck. Before the truck came to a stop, however, his wife opened the door to the cab and jumped out with the baby in her arms. As soon as Elder Zwick got to his wife and son, he blurted out, "What in the world were you thinking? Do you know how dangerous that was? You could have been killed!" Elder Zwick's wife answered that, "I was just trying to save our son." She thought that the engine was on fire and was trying to get out before the truck exploded. Elder Zwick knew the problem was an electrical failure that was hazardous, but not fatal.

Elder Zwick states, "When our truck cab filled with smoke, my wife acted in the bravest manner she could imagine to protect our son I too acted as a protector when I questioned her choice. Shockingly, it did not matter who was more right. What mattered was listening to each other and understanding the other's perspective."

Ephesians 4:29 - "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good and edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Sis. Brady pointed out that the 3 things communication should always be is good, edifying and contain grace. 

Listening also is a big part of communication. Sis. Brady shared some important points from the recent Stake Women's Conference. Stephen R. Covey said, "Seek first to understand, then to be understood...To feel understood is the deepest psychological need...Understanding comes through listening...Most people listen with the intent to respond instead of listening with the intent to understand."

As we work hard to communicate better with others, we must always remember the role the Holy Ghost can play. The Spirit will help us to transform "corrupt communication" into "ministering grace." Elder Zwick teaches us that 'it may not change or solve the problem, but the more important possibility may be whether ministering grace could change us."

Sunday Lesson, May 18th

We thank Sister Kristen Tanner for the lesson she taught and the reminder of the importance to study the scriptures.

“It seems to me that any member of this Church would never be satisfied until he or she had read the Book of Mormon time and time again and thoroughly considered it so that he or she could bear witness that it is in very deed a record with the inspiration of the Almighty upon it.” -Joseph Fielding Smith

The Book of Mormon is a sacred record that contains the everlasting gospel and bears witness of Jesus Christ. Every author of the Book of Mormon wrote a personal heartfelt testimony of Jesus Christ. This book was written for us.

23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. -2 Nephi 25: 23;26 “study of the Book of Mormon is most rewarding when one focuses on its primary purpose—to testify of Jesus Christ. By comparison, all other issues are incidental.” -Elder Russell M Nelson
 
The other main purpose of the Book of Mormon is to be a witness for the Bible. God regularly uses multiple witnesses to establish truth. Each book within the Bible was a stand-alone book… its own unique witness up until the 1500’s when it was put together.

In accordance with the law of witnesses, the Lord called special witnesses to testify of the Book of Mormon. The three men called to serve as special witnesses of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon by the power of God, are Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris. … They beheld the engravings upon the plates as the leaves were turned one by one before them, and the voice of God was heard by them declaring from the heavens that the translation was by the gift and power of God, and commanding them to bear record of it to all the world. These three witnesses, through adversity, persecution, and all the vicissitudes of life, always remained true to their testimony that they beheld the plates in the presence of an angel and heard the voice of God speaking to them from the heavens. -Joseph Fielding Smith

Each Member of the Church can be a witness of the Book of Mormon.
 
It seems to me that any member of this Church would never be satisfied until he or she had read the Book of Mormon time and time again, and thoroughly considered it so that he or she could bear witness that it is in very deed a record with the inspiration of the Almighty upon it, and that its history is true. …

… No member of this Church can stand approved in the presence of God who
 has not seriously and carefully read the Book of Mormon.18 -Joseph Fielding Smith

As we continue to read the Book of Mormon sincerely and prayerfully, it endears itself to us more and more. We know that reading The Book of Mormon will bring you closer to the Lord and his loving power. We challenge every sister to read the Book of Mormon and receive inspiration and strength from it.

See the entire lesson HERE.

In preparation for Sunday's lesson

From Sister Kristen Tanner:

This coming Sunday we are learning in Chapter 9 about Witnesses of the Book of Mormon.  I'm going to ask for testimonies about the Book of Mormon during the lesson and would appreciate anyone willing to share experiences where they came to understand how inspired and true the Book of Mormon is.  

Sunday Lesson, May 11th

The Stake asked that Chp. 24 of our Joseph Fielding Smith manual be taught, perhaps because of Mother's Day. Sis. Kay Bashford gave a wonderful lesson on The Work of Latter-day Saint Women: "Unselfish Devotion to This Glorious Cause".

To start the lesson, Sis. Bashford asked us all to take a few minutes and think of all the women who have been important to us. Women who have taught us, been examples to us, and loved us. She encouraged us to write these names down so these women wouldn't be forgotten. 

Pres. Joseph Fielding Smith spent a lifetime serving alongside faithful Latter-day Saint women. This service began when he was young, about 10 years old. His mother, Julina L. Smith, followed the counsel of the church to gain an education in medicine and health care. She received training as a midwife and young Joseph would be the one to drive the horse-drawn carriage to homes where babies were about to be born. "Serving with his mother in this way, young Joseph Fielding Smith saw an example of the strength and compassion of the women of the Church." Sis. Bashford's own grandmother also received this kind of training. Money was earned in her behalf in her stake in Wyoming for her to travel to Salt Lake to be trained. She helped countless mother's when it was time for their babies be born.

The scriptures are full of amazing examples of women who have brought about good and taught us many things: Eve, Ruth and Naomi, Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, the unnamed women who touched Jesus and had the faith to be healed, the mother's of the 2,000 stripling warriors, and many more. 

Pres. Smith said, "Surely the Church of Jesus Christ would not have been completely organized had not this wonderful organization (Relief Society) come into existence...The Relief Society has grown to be a power in the Church. Absolutely necessary - we speak of it as an auxiliary, which means a help, but the Relief Society is more than that. It is needed." Sis. Bashford helped us understand that even though Visiting Teaching is not an easy job to do, it is so important to help build the kingdom of God. "I don't know what in the world our stake presidents and bishops in the wards would do if they didn't have these good sisters of the Relief Society upon whom to depend; whom they can call to their service, many times, to handle situations that would be very delicate, that is for our brethren, but which our sisters may perform to the very greatest advantage."

At the end of her lesson, Sis. Bashford asked us all to read a little part of section 4 of the lesson, The Lord expects women to seek for light and truth that they may be entitled to celestial glory. This section teaches us that the plan of salvation as well as saving ordinances such as baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost are for women just as much as they are for men. "The Lord expects the sisters to be qualified with a testimony of the truth to understand the doctrines of the Church just as he does those who hold the Priesthood." Pres. Smith also said, "Our sisters are entitled just as much to the inspiration for their needs of the Holy Spirit as are the men, every bit....When they pray they should pray earnestly, expecting to have an answer to their prayers."

Sometimes we as women do not give ourselves enough credit for the countless hours and time we give in service of our fellow men. As we work hard day after day to become as our Savior, we will feel of His love and know that the work we are doing is His work. Pres. Joseph Fielding Smith: "There is no limit to the good that our sisters can do."

See entire lesson HERE

To Every Mother

Every woman plays a role as a mother.  You are loved and appreciated more than you will ever know!

Thank you for all you do!!

Sunday Lesson: May 4th

The Presidency message for May was taught by Marty Rozeski. She chose to teach Chapter 10 from the Joseph Fielding Smith manual, Our Search for Truth. Pres. Smith always had a thirst for gospel knowledge. He was given a copy of the Book of Mormon by his father at eight years old. He had such a love for the book that he was motivated to get chores done quickly and even left baseball games early in order to read. President Joseph Fielding Smith said, "All my life I have studied and pondered the principles of the gospel and sought to live the laws of the Lord. As a result there has come into my heart a great love for him and for his work and for all those who seek to further his purposes in the earth."

Sis. Rozeski shared with us her experience as she has searched for the truth. Throughout her life she has sought an education and is constantly learning. She commented that that as she has continued to make covenants with God, that her discernment of secular knowledge has been easier and made more sense.

As a people and a church we believe in education. However, President Smith teaches us that, "It is more important, a thousand times over, to have a knowledge of God and his laws, so that we can do the things which bring salvation, than it is to have all the worldly knowledge that can be obtained." The most important truth we should come to know is that of our Savior. "It is far more important to know that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer, that he has given unto us the principles of eternal life, than it is to know all that can be obtained in secular education."

President Joseph Fielding Smith: "I say to you, my brethren and sisters, you cannot keep the commandments of the Lord and walk in righteousness unless you know what they are." It is so important to search for ourselves and obtain knowledge through the scriptures. Doctrine and Covenants 130:18-19 states, "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another he will have so much the advantage in the world to come."

We cannot forget the role of the Holy Ghost as we study and search for truth. President Smith teaches that, "Treasuring up his word is far more than merely reading it. To treasure it one must not only read and study but seek in humility and obedience to do the commandments given and gain the inspiration which the Holy Spirit will impart." As we are obedient and search for truth, we can always ask for help. "If there is any doctrine or principle connected with the teachings of the Church that we do not understand then let us get on our knees Let us go before the Lord in the spirit of prayer, of humility, and ask that our minds might be enlightened that we may understand."

"That which is of God is light, and he that receiveth light and continueth in God receiveth more light, and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day." D&C 50:24.

See entire lesson HERE.

Sunday Lesson: Apr 27th

Tiffanie Huntley taught the RS lesson this past Sunday. The lesson came from the very recent General Conference talk by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf,Grateful in Any Circumstances. To start the lesson off Sis. Huntley gave us a note card and told us to write down the things we are grateful for, in only 30 seconds. Then, we turned the note card over and wrote down the things we feel we can improve on, in 30 seconds as well. Sis. Huntley pointed out that if we found it easy to think of things we are grateful for, we are already being grateful in our circumstances, we are choosing to be grateful.

Pres. Uchtdorf teaches us that even though we will all be faced with trial and bitterness in our lives, "there is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious. We can be grateful!" "Why does God command us to be grateful? Our loving Heavenly Father knows that by choosing to develop a spirit of gratitude will bring us true joy and great happiness." It may be very hard to be grateful when our world is falling apart. Pres. Uchtdorf suggests that being grateful for thing is the wrong approach. He suggests that "we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation. Instead of being grateful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances - whatever they may be."

We can choose to be grateful, just like Nephi when his brothers tied him up. Job was grateful even though his whole world was falling apart taken from him. The pioneers maintained an attitude of gratitude as they crossed the plains, singing and dancing as they went. Joseph Smith continued to be grateful for his blessing even while being held prisoner in horrible conditions. Pres. Uchtdorf says, "When we are grateful to God in our circumstances we can experience gentle peace in the midst of tribulation." Gratitude is an act of faith; it requires us to trust God and hope for things better.

Pres. Uchtdorf teaches us that because we are eternal beings, the endings in life seem unacceptable to us. "Why is this?" he asks. "Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal beings....ending are not our destiny." "The more we learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more we realize that ending here in mortality are not endings at all. They are merely interruptions."

"Gratitude to our Father in Heaven broadens our perception and clears our vision. It inspires our humanity and fosters empathy toward our fellowmen and all of God's creation. Gratitude is a catalyst to all Christlike attributes! A thankful heart is the parent of all virtues."

See the entire talk HERE