Sunday Lesson: Aug 3rd

This weeks lesson was given by our Relief Society President, Marty Rozeski. It was a great reminder how we can over come our weaknesses.

She started by sharing a BYU devotional address given Dec. 3^rd of 2013.  It  was given by Gerald Causse, the 1^st counselor in the presiding Bishopric of the Church. He begins by reminding us of last year when the Lord decided to hasten his work.  President Monson announced that the ages for serving missions had been lowered. Since then tens of thousands of youth responded.

Those outside the Church probably wondered “Why would the Church put so much responsibility in the hands of inexperienced youngsters?” The scriptures are filled with stories of young and modest people who have great faith and are magnified by the power of God to accomplish exceptional things.  Such as...

   Enoch, who called himself  “a lad”  “slow of speech”  (Moses 6:31)

   Joseph Smith who described himself “an obscure boy”  “of no consequence in the world”

   The Virgin Mary who said “My soul doth magnify the Lord…for he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden”  (Luke 1:46)

Perhaps you feel too weak to overcome some challenges.  Perhaps you are afraid.  There is no shame in that!  Everyone has these feelings from time to time.

Sister Rozeski had us write down our talents, traits, attributes, inadequacies, abilities. Pointing out that * We are all a blend, multiple, and diverse. *Being objective and accurate about ourselves is difficult. *Some of us over estimate our strengths and others doubt our own abilities.

           

Elder Causse outlines 4 principles to 
help you receive strength to overcome life’s challenges:

1st Build on your Strengths

Our problem is never that we have no strengths; the problem comes when we don’t recognize our strengths and build upon them.We cannot be happy in life if we don’t acknowledge those gifts from the Spirit, develop them, and use them to bless others.

2^nd Recognize your Personal Limitations

It might be a challenge to accept a limitation.

Sister Rozeski told of a relative who for years listened well and memorized books in Elementary school because she had a reading disability and could not read.  Why would a child do this?  One reason, is that weakness is perceived by society as a fault or failure. The world values Superheroes. This ideology can lead to dangerous behavior.  People hide their problems by appearing strong with boasting, aggression or abusive behavior. What is the core trait of all this behavior? Answer: Pride! 

“Pride whispers, ‘You can get there all alone.  You just need a little intelligence and strength.’  This reasoning may work in certain aspects of our lives.  However, it is of no value in accomplishing the core purpose of our existence.  Are our personal abilities, intelligence, and work sufficient to enable us to fulfill the measure of our creation?  Can we, by our own efforts, raise ourselves to the level of perfection required to return to the presence of God?

3^rd Rely on the Lord

True wisdom causes us to recognize our dependence on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, to reach our full potential.

We have so many examples of this principle in the scriptures. Ammon’s success among the Lamanites. (Alma 26:12)

Another important point is that we usually experience our greatest growth when we face difficult, if not impossible situations. Why is that?  We are pushed to humble ourselves and to rely solely on His strength.

4^th Qualify yourselves to receive the grace of the Savior

  “As Elder Neil L. Andersen said, ‘Grace is spiritual knowledge and power that changes how someone sees himself, increases his capacities, and magnifies his ability to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord,’”

  “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.  I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. “ (Ether 12:27)

Grace is available through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. How do we access this grace? Answer, By receiving the ordinances of the Gospel: The Sacrament, Receiving the Holy Ghost. Each of us have gifts from God, Strengths we can build upon.

If you humbly recognize your personal limitations, remain faithful to our covenants and put our confidence in the Lord, our weaknesses will be transformed into strengths through the power and grace of His Atonement.