Sunday Lesson: Nov 30th

We were privileged to hear from all three members of our bishopric today during 3rd hour. They all shared with us suggestions on what we can do to make a more meaningful Christmas season.

Bro. Welling started off by asking us the question, "How can we increase our spirituality during this Christmas season?" He shared with us a scripture in James 2:14-18 which says, "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?" In other words, it takes work to find peace and receive the blessings that are promised us. There are three things we can add to our lives to increase our spirituality:

1) Meaningful prayer - In the bible dictionary it says "the object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings."

2) Meaningful fasting - Make sure there is a purpose in your fast.
3) Testimony - As yourself who needs to hear my testimony this season? They need to know your beliefs on the Savior.

Bro. Phillips talked about service. He shared some wonderful examples of service that was given to him, and things that he has been involved in recently, that have made an impact on our lives. He said he would add #4 to Brother Welling's list and put service on the bottom. In Matthew 25:35-45 it reminds us that we have been commanded to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, help the homeless, etc. In verse 40 it says, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Bro. Phillips taught us that we need to be a 'savior' to those who need us. How can we fulfill this scripture? He suggests that we:
1) Think of someone who has served you and then
2) Think of someone who needs you and reach out. Take with you the Spirit of Christ as you serve.
In Matthew 16:24-25 the Savior teaches us, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

Bishop Larsen was the last to talk to us. He asked the question, "What comes with the Holiday season?" We made two lists, on on the left side of the chalkboard, and one on the right. The things that are important were included on the right (birth of our Savior, family, traditions, etc.) and those not so important things were on the left (expenses, stress, etc.). The Bishop encouraged us to try and focus on the important things, instead of using our precious time on the not so important things. He reminded us that as parents we want everything that we have and more for our own children. Our Heavenly Father wants the same good things for us. Everything that He has and more. If we focus on the good side of the list of Christmas, we can have those things. December is a wonderful time to make change in our lives. Focusing on the things that are important, the things that Bro. Welling and Phillips talked about, will be what makes our Christmas season wonderful.

Thankful - For You!

We would like to thank each and everyone of you!!  We are so grateful to you for all the small and large acts of service you give. Many of those services go unseen by many. Your hearts are so good! We are blessed to serve with you and know you. We are grateful for your testimonies, examples, kind words, and efforts you make to help those around you. More importantly your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ thank you for all that you do. Keep up the good works and remember how much you are loved!!

Just A Thought

Thanksgiving Daily

The more often we see the things around us, the more they become invisible to us. Learn how you can live in thanksgiving daily by noticing the wonders and beauties of this world.

Talks on Gratitude

THE DIVINE GIFT OF GRATITUDE

LIVE IN THANKSGIVING DAILY

GRATITUDE AND THANKSGIVING

GRATITUDE

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Announcements

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

BOOK CLUB - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4^th AT 7:00 PM

Kyle Koyle’s home

We will be discussing our Nov book. The book is “I am Malala: The girl who stood up for education…” You can come even if you haven’t read it.

LUNCH BUNCH - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9^TH AT 11:00 AM.

Jackie Milonas home. Everyone is invited.

RS MEETING: CHRISTMAS DINNER

“WE ARE NOT HOMELESS...

FOR IN HIS LOVE THERE IS A HOME." 

THURSDAY, DEC 11^TH AT 6:30 PM

We invite all RS sisters to join us. This will be a special night to mingle, enjoy a wonderful meal, and be uplifted through work and song. Come and enjoy the spirit of the season.  

A nursery will be provided. Friends and neighbors are welcome to join. Please RSVP through the Evite to help us in our food and nursery preparations.

In the spirit of giving, please bring two dozen cookies (and recipe if you choose) in which we will eat and exchange at the end of the night. If you can, please also bring a small bag of Frito chips to donate. We will be sending these to Brother Koyle's unit in Afghanistan.

WARD CHRISTMAS PARTY

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13^TH 5:30 PM AT THE ALKIRE BUILDING

WARD TEMPLE DAY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17TH
Please Note: The Denver Temple will experience and extended closure in Jan and Feb of 2015. Certain areas of the temple will be renovated to reflect the current temple standards and to attend to the regular temple maintenance. The temple will be closed from Monday Jan 19th through Monday Feb 23rd, a total of five weeks. The temple will reopen on Tuesday Feb 24th 2015.

Ward Choir Practice meets directly after church on Sundays in the RS room from 12:05 - 1:00 pm.

Check out the bulletin board outside the RS for announcements and activities. Also, a new tab has been added to the blog - Recipes. Let a member of the presidency know if you have something you would like to add to it.

Sunday Lesson: Nov 23rd

Our Sunday lesson was given by Jacquelyn Brady on the recent conference talk, Stay in the Boat and Hold On!, by Elder M. Russell Ballard. Elder Ballard relates an experience of a friend who went river rafting. The were to go through miles of white-water rapids that are very dangerous. As they were preparing for their journey, their guide reviewed 3 importants rules to ensure their safety: "Rule number one: stay in the boat! Rule number two: always wear a life jacket! Rule number three: always hold on with both hands!" He then said again, with even more emphasis, "Above all, remember rule number one: stay in the boat!"

President Brigham Young often refered to the gospel and 'The Old Ship Zion'. Presidnet Young said, "We are on the old ship Zion...{God} is at the helm and will stay there...He dictates, guides and directs. If the people will have implicit confidence in their God, never forsake their covenants nor their god, He will guide us right."

So how do we stay on the Old Ship Zion? Elder Ballard says this, "Here is how. We need to experience a continuing conversion by increasing our faith in Jesus Christ and our faithfulness to His gospel throughout our lives - not just once but regularly....The experienced river guides today can be likened to the Church's apostles and prophet and inspired local priesthood and auxiliary leaders. They help us arrive safely to our final destination."

We also cannot forget about rules two and three: always wear a life jacket, and hold on with both hands. "The words of the Lord are found in the scriptures and the teachings of the apostles and prophets. They provide us counsel and direction that, when followed, will act like a spiritual life jacket and will help us know how to hold on with both hands." Elder Ballard urges us to focus on studying, living, and loving the doctrine of Christ. He says, "we need to stay focused on these simple things, and avoid becoming distracted."

"President Brigham Young said that he worried about people losing their way when they were being blessed - when life was good: 'It is in calm weather, when the old ship of Zion is sailing with a gentle breeze, when all is quiet on deck, that some of the brethren want to go out in the whaling boats to have...a swim, and some get drowned, others drifted away, and others yet again get back to the ship. Let us stick to the old ship and she will carry us {safely} into the harbor; you need not be concerned'."

If we keep our focus on the Lord, we are promised a blessing beyond comparison. In 2 Nephi 31;20 it says, "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."

Elder Ballard pleads with us, "Brothers and sisters, stay in the boat, use your life jackets, and hold on with both hands. Avoid distractions! And if any one of you have fallen out of the boat, we will seek you, find you, minister to you, and pull you safely back onto the Old Ship Zion, where God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are at the help and will guide us right."

Patterns of Light

THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

DISCERNING LIGHT

SPIRIT OF REVELATION

Just A Thought

Sunday Lesson: Nov 16th

Proclaiming the Gospel to the World, Chp. 21, was our lesson this past Sunday. Sis. Kay Bashford really helped us all to engage ourselves and helped us to think of missionary work in a little different light.

Not too long ago, just a few generations, it was very common for young newly married men to be called as missionaries. The same happened to President Joseph Fielding Smith. Elder Smith served in England and wrote letters to his new bride, always filled with love and testimony. In one Elder Smith's letters he wrote, "I know that the work I have been called to do is the work of God or I would not stay here one minute, no, I would not have left home. But I know our happiness is dependent upon my faithfulness whie I am here. I should be willing to do this much for the love of mankind when our Savior could suffer as He did for us." Do we feel the same as President Smith? If we have this same testimony and belief, it should motivate us to be better missionaries.

President Smith" was not able to make one convert, di not have opportunity to perform one baptism, although he did confirm one convert." Even though Elder Smith did not see the results of his labors, "he found comfort in knowing that he was doing the Lord's will and that  he was helping prepare people who might receive the gospel later in their lives."

Sis. Bashford pointed out to us that we all have the blessing of the restored gospel in our lives. What are the things we have because of the church? Some of these things include temples, the Plan of Salvation, the authority of God on the earth (Priesthood), ordinances, a living prophet, and knowledge of our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. These truths should be, need to be, shared with all those around us. President Smith said, "The promised day is now dawning. This is the appointed time for the preaching of the gospel in all the world and for the building up of the Lord's kingdom in every nation. There are good and upright people in all nations who will respond to the truth....The gospel is for all people, and the Lord expects those who receive it to live its truths and to offer them to those of their own nation and tongue....I believe that our success in the world depends largely upon the attitude of the Saints. Your responsibility is to be living witnesses of the truth and divinity of the work."

In Mosiah 28:3 we learn about the feelings of the Sons of Mosiah, who were great missionaries. They were to teach the gospel to their enemies, the Lamanites. "Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble."

Many of us get nervous and worried about how to talk to others about the gospel. We need to talk to people in a matter of fact way. If we can get more comfortable about exposing people to our feelings and beliefs then that is the first step. Just like President Smith's mission was all about planting seeds, that's what we need to do, start planting seeds, In Preach My Gospel it says, "Your success is measured primarily by your commitment to help others become members of the Savior's church and enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost, not by the number of converts." If our hearts are in the right place, and we can learn how to talk more freely and openly about our beliefs, the rest will start to fall into place.

Here are some things we can do to be a better missionary:

Let the Spirit testify to people through you.

Love others and desire their salvation.

Live worthy of the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
Develop Christlike attributes.

Help build up our ward by working where you are assigned.

Pray to recognize someone who is ready to hear about the gospel.

We concluded our lesson time by role playing missionaries and a potential investigator. We were paired with sisters that we probably normally wouldn't be paired with, and some amazing conversations were had. This was a good way to practice being a missionary, or an investigator, and start thinking about ways we can talk to people about the beautiful truths of the gospel. The Savior loves all of us, we are all God's children, and He wants us all to return to Him. Let us be excited about this marvelous work and do our part that we have covenanted to do.

You can read the entire lesson from the manual HERE.

FHE Lesson: Help Teach Children about Pornography

Some parents may feel uncomfortable discussing sexual intimacy and pornography with their children, or they may not feel like it is necessary until children are much older.

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve counseled, “Parents, be aware that the addiction of pornography can begin with youth at a very early age. Take preventative action to avoid that tragedy.” 

The lessons include basic doctrines and principles about the sacredness of the body, sexual intimacy, following the Spirit, choosing good media, appropriate action steps for when a child sees pornography, and repentance.  They also include age-specific activities parents can select based on the needs of their family.

The lessons are designed for a family home evening setting, but the references and activities can be used in a variety of situations.

Sister Cheryl Esplin, second counselor in the Primary general presidency, said, “Sometimes the most powerful way to teach our children to understand a doctrine is to teach in the context of what they are experiencing right at that moment. These moments are spontaneous and unplanned and happen in the normal flow of family life. They come and go quickly, so we need to be alert and recognize a teaching moment when our children come to us with a question or worry.” 

While the doctrinal foundation will be taught during family home evening, parents and children can return to these materials frequently in personal study and one-on-one interactions to help youth deal with the pervasive effects of pornography.

The following lessons can be accessed on the overcomingpornography.org website:

   • My Body Is from God

   • The Spirit Can Help Me Choose Good Media

   • What Should I Do If I See Pornography?

   • The Savior Desires to Forgive and Heal the Wounds of Pornography

The lessons are not intended to be taught in a particular order, nor is it expected that all of the content will be shared in a single family home evening lesson. Rather, parents can counsel together and with the Lord on which principles and activities will be most beneficial to their family.

SEE ARTICLE HERE

Just A Thought

Sunday Lesson: Nov 9th

This past Sunday's lesson was Chp. 20, Love and Concern for All Our Father's Children. Sis. Tiffanie Huntley was so willing to be a guest teacher and did a wonderful job. She started the lesson by asking us all, "What does it mean to love your neighbor?" There were varied responses from being friendly and nice to the people who live close to you, to saying hello to people at the grocery store. 

President Joseph Fielding Smith was probably one of the kindest men that ever lived. At the beginning of the chapter there are two sweet stories about how he showed kindness. The first is about a boy who was at a conference meeting and was asked to give up his seat right before the meeting was to start. Pres. Smith saw what happened and had the boy come up to the stand. He asked him what had happend, and then shared his own seat with him during the conference. The other story was about a missionary that was about to depart on his mission to eastern Canada. Pres. Smith asked him if he had a suitable coat to stay warm in. The missionary told him that he didn't. Pres. Smith took him across the street to the department store and bought him the warmest coat in stock.

Pres. Smith said, "I think if all men knew and understood who they are, and were aware of the divine source from whence they came, and of the infinite potential that is part of their inheritance, they would have feelings of kindness and kinship for each other that would change their whole way of living and bring peace on earth."

Sis. Huntley wanted to share a Mormon Message, but was unable to do so. Here is the link to that powerful message that teaches us we should care for all people, for we are all sons and daughters of God. The Civility Experiment 

To go along with the video, President Smith also taught, "I believe it is our solemn duty to love one another, to believe in each other, to have faith in each other, that it is our duty to overlook the faults and the failings of each other, and not to magnify them in our own eyes nor before the eyes of the world."

Sis. Huntley asks us "Why is it so difficult to have Christ like love for one another?" It is difficult because we must live among those who do not share our beliefs and values and covenant obligations. In His great Intercessory Prayer, offered just before His Crucifixion, Jesus prayed for His followers: “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14). Then, to the Father He pleaded, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil” (verse 15).

There is a wonderful story in the manual about a horse that belonged to the Smith family while Pres. Smith was growing up. The horse would somehow turn the water tap on and leave it running all night long. Pres. Smith and his father tried everything in their power to keep her tied up, but it seemed the horse was almost smarter than they. Pres. Smith said of the horse, "It doesn't mean that she was bad, because she wasn't. Father wasn't about to sell or trade her, because she had so many other good qualities that made up for this one little fault." That same horse was so reliable and dependable at pulling the buggy. She was the horse that always took Pres. Smith and his mother on important house calls, many times in the middle of the night, because Pres. Smith's mother was a midwife. Often while Pres. Smith's mother was attending to the birth of a baby, he would wait in the buggy for his mother with the horse keeping him company. He said, "This experience with this horse was very good for me, because early in life I had to learn to love and appreciate her for herself. She was a wonderful horse with only a couple of bad habits. People are a lot the same way. None of us is perfect; yet each of us is trying to become perfect, even as our Father in heaven. We need to appreciate and love people for themselves."

Sis. Huntley did a wonderful job at reminding us that the second great commandment is to love our neighbors as ourselves. We need to remember that not only is it the nice thing to do when we are kind to one another, but it is also a commandment. We are all God's children, which means we are all brothers and sisters. To become more like our Savior we should treat others the way He would.

Home: The Heart of Learning

When learning at church supports 
learning at home, you build a strong 
foundation of gospel living.

When we consider the time we spend at home verses the time we spend at church it would make sense that the majority of our learning should happen in the home. We need to be learning and practicing gospel teachings at home daily. Also, remembering to attend all of our Sunday meetings, knowing they are to supplement our home learning and strengthen us. 

Church meetings are really meant to support individual and family learning. As Presiding Bishop Gary E. Stevenson taught, “The primary place of teaching and learning is the home.” When learning and teaching are centered in the home, they carry power that can lead to conversion.

“None of us are minimizing the in-chapel, in-meetinghouse teaching,” says Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “We’ve all done that all of our lives, but we’d like it to be 24/7 out in the lives that we’re living.” As you incorporate that 24/7 learning into everyday moments in your family’s life, you can establish a strong foundation for a “house of learning” (D&C 88:119) that will provide you and your family with spiritual shelter and protection.

D&C 88:119 - Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.

See entire article HERE

Just A Thought

Sunday Lesson, Nov 2nd

During our RS lesson today, taught by Sister Welling, we discussed how we keep our testimonies alive when there are so many distractions around us.

President Joseph Fielding Smith taught that a testimony “is a convincing knowledge given by revelation to [a person] who humbly seeks the truth.” He said of testimony and the Holy Ghost, who brings that revelation, “Its convincing power is so great that there can be no doubt left in the mind when the Spirit has spoken. It is the only way that a person can truly know that Jesus is the Christ and that his gospel is true.”

Think of the moment when you first FELT and KNEW that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was true. When did it happen? Where were you? What were you doing? Who were you with? How old were you?

Many sisters shared their experience of when the FELT and KNEW that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was true. In every case it was when they were acting, searching, and doing something that was good. It was when they were ready to listen to the promptings from the Holy Ghost. It is important for each of us to have our own personal conversion to this gospel and to work to keep it alive.

We discussed Lehi's Dream - His vision of the tree of life in 1 NE chapter 8. Subheading ~ Lehi sees a vision of the tree of life—He partakes of its fruit and desires his family to do likewise—He sees a rod of iron, a strait and narrow path, and the mists of darkness that enshroud men—Sariah, Nephi, and Sam partake of the fruit, but Laman and Lemuel refuse.

Lehi’s inspired dream symbolically represents our life in mortality. We can find ourselves represented in it and can see where our lives are headed if we remain on our present path. I love this account and the symbolism in these scriptures.

Since this represents our life here on earth we need to understand and break this down to understand it.

SYMBOL (what Lehi saw)	MEANING
Large and spacious field (v.9)	the world (v. 20)
Tree            (v.10)	the love of God (1 Ne 11:22)
Fruit            (v.10)	the love of God or eternal life (1 Ne 15:36)
River of water (v.13)	depths of the river=depths of hell (1 Ne 12:16)
Rod of iron (v.19)	the word of God (1 Ne 11:25)
Strait and narrow path (v.20)	the way to eternal life (2 Ne 31:18)
Mist of Darkness (v.23)	the temptations of the devil (1 Ne 12:17)
Great and spacious building	the vain imaginations and pride of the world (1 Ne 11:36, 12:18)

   FRUIT - The blessings of the Lord surpass all human understanding. So it is when one fully comprehends the love of God. That love can be felt in the loneliest deserts or in his blessed presence. The blessings of God’s love and eternal life are available only through the atonement.

ROD OF IRON - serves as a protection to keep us out of the filthy water.

-   

Elder Bednar gives a talk about the difference between the groups of people in this dream called, Lehi's Dream: Holding Fast to the Rod.

There are 4 groups of people. Everyone on earth can be placed in one of these groups, ask yourself which group you are in. Three of the groups were pressing forward along the strait and narrow path seeking to get to the tree and its fruit. A fourth group did not seek after the tree, desiring instead the great and spacious building as their ultimate destination (see1 Nephi 8:31–33).

In 1 Nephi 8:21–23 we learn about the first group of people who pressed forward and commenced in the path that led to the tree of life. However, as the people encountered the mist of darkness, which represents “the temptations of the devil” (1 Nephi 12:17), they lost their way, wandered off, and were lost. Notice that no mention is made in these verses of the rod of iron. Those who ignore or treat lightly the word of God do not have access to that divine compass which points the way to the Savior. Consider that this group obtained the path and pressed forward, exhibiting a measure of faith in Christ and spiritual conviction, but they were diverted by the temptations of the devil and were lost.

What are some distractions we have? How does the devil temp us so that we might lose our way & wander off? Why would Satan not want us to see the tree and the fruit?  What experiences in peoples lives may cause them to be blinded to the love of God?  Why would failure to perceive the love of God cause us to harden our hearts?

In 1 Nephi 8:24–28 we read about a second group of people who obtained the strait and narrow path that led to the tree of life. This group “did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree” (verse 24). However, as the finely dressed occupants of the great and spacious building mocked this second group of people, “they were ashamed” and “fell away into forbidden paths and were lost” (verse 28). Please notice that this group is described as “clinging to the rod of iron” (1 Nephi 8:24; emphasis added).

It is significant that the second group pressed forward with faith and commitment. They also had the added blessing of the rod of iron, and they were clinging to it! However, as they were confronted with persecution and adversity, they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost. Even with faith, commitment, and the word of God, this group eventually was lost—perhaps because they only periodically read or studied or searched the scriptures. Clinging to the rod of iron suggests to me only occasional “bursts” of study or irregular dipping rather than consistent, ongoing immersion in the word of God.

Do you live the gospel in bursts, when it is convenient to you? When you are around others that might believe differently do you stay true to the principles of the gospel? Do you ever feel ashamed of your beliefs? If we are in this group we will eventually fall away and be lost. Clinging or irregularly living the gospel is not enough. 

  

In verse 30 we read about a third group of people who pressed forward “continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.” The key phrase in this verse is continually holding fast to the rod of iron.

The third group also pressed forward with faith and conviction; however, there is no indication that they wandered off, fell into forbidden paths, or were lost. Perhaps this third group of people Consistently read and studied and searched the scriptures. Perhaps it was diligence and devotion to a seemingly “small and simple [thing]” (Alma 37:6) that saved the third group from perishing. Perhaps it was “the knowledge of the Lord” and “the knowledge of the truth” (Alma 23:5, 6) obtained through faithful study of the scriptures that yielded the spiritual gift of humility—such that this group of people “fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree” (1 Nephi 8:30; emphasis added). Perhaps it was the spiritual nourishment and strength provided by continually “feasting upon the word of Christ” (2 Nephi 31:20) that enabled this group to heed not the scorning and mocking of the people in the great and spacious building (see 1 Nephi 8:33). This is the group you and I should strive to join.

What is the difference between clinging and holding fast to the rod of iron? 

We discussed how close the filthy water (hell) is to the iron rod. By clinging and only occasionally holding on we are in danger of falling. We must be consistent in our efforts to hold fast to the iron rod (word of God) continually, and earnestly using the holy scriptures as our guide. It is the seemingly easy things, the small and simple things that we need to doing. Consistently attending all of our church meetings, praying, scripture study, etc. will help us. By doing these things our testimonies will be strengthened and kept alive.

President Eyring teaches ~ Testimony will come to you in pieces as parts of the whole truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ are confirmed. For instance, as you read and ponder the Book of Mormon, verses you have read before will appear new to you and bring new ideas. Your testimony will grow in depth as the Holy Ghost confirms that they are true. Your living testimony will expand as you study, pray, and ponder in the scriptures.

We can have a testimony of so many things; Visiting Teaching, Temple Work, Scriptures, Prayer, Tithing, Living Prophet. If your testimony isn’t where you want it to be then do these things. If we are not living a principle we will not gain a testimony of that. We have to act and do! Without the doing, we will never gain a testimony of that thing we hope to understand better.

Elder Packer gives us this promise: An unseen power will hold your hand as you hold to the iron rod.  Will this solve all your problems? Of course not! That would be contrary to the purpose of your coming into mortality. It will, however, give you a solid foundation on which to build your life (see Helaman 5:12).

The mist of darkness will cover you at times so much that you will not be able to see your way even a short distance ahead. You will not be able to see clearly. But with the gift of the Holy Ghost, you can feel your way ahead through life. Grasp the iron rod, and do not let go. (See 3 Nephi 18:25; D&C 9:8.)

You may think that Lehi’s dream or vision has no special meaning for you, but it does. You are in it; all of us are in it.

For our testimonies to grow we have to stay on course. We have to continue to do and live the gospel. We must attend our meetings and attend to our duties, pay tithes, take the sacrament, honor the priesthood, follow our leaders, read the scriptures, study the Book of Mormon, and pray. We have to press forward. We cannot heed or listen to outside or inner voices that would discourage us or tell us to do otherwise. We have to change our course if we are not numbered with the 3^rd group who are continually holding fast to the word of God.  

   

Elder Eyring

I do not depend on what has happened in the past. To keep my living testimony of the Book of Mormon secure. I don’t take that blessing of a testimony for granted as a perpetual entitlement.

Testimony requires the nurturing by the prayer of faith, the hungering for the word of God in the scriptures, and the obedience to the truth we have received. There is danger in neglecting prayer. There is danger to our testimony in only casual study and reading of the scriptures. They are necessary nutrients for our testimony.

November Newsletter

Presidency Message by Lisa Lara
How do we develop an attitude of gratitude? President Joseph F. Smith said, "The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil. Love overpowers jealousy, and light drives darkness out of his life." With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it is hard not to think about the countless blessing that God has given us. He has given us so much in our lives, and the most important gift He has given is our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Just the other night, after a few rough and long days behind me, my daughter was finishing her piano practicing before going to bed. She is learning a primary song, 'My Heavenly Father Loves Me'. As she played so carefully, my heart became full as the words went through my mind:

Whenever I hear the song of a bird Or look at the blue, blue sky,Whenever I feel the rain on my face Or the wind as it rushes by, Whenever I touch a velvet rose Or walk by our lilac tree, I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world Heavenly Father created for me.  

He gave me my eyes that I might see The color of butterfly wings.He gave me my ears that I might hear The magical sound of things. He gave me my life, my mind, my heart; I thank him reverently For all his creations, of which I'm a part. Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me.

As I listened I realized once again how blessed I am for all the things Heavenly Father has given me. What a change that can take place if we take a moment and let ourselves be grateful for all that we have, even for those rough and hard days. I pray that we can learn to be positive and optimistic in our lives, and that we let gratitude fill our hearts so we can become more like our Savior and be ever thankful for all that we have been given.

Love, Marty, Lisa, Jan, Debbie, & Jenny

Birthdays
1 Kendra Mauger
11 Contessa Hardman
12 Marianne Nance
16 Amber Graves
28 Karen Hamblin
29 Deanna Allred
29 Ariadne Sorensen
29 Amy Wagner

Lesson Schedule
Nov 2 Lesson by Jan Welling
Nov 9 #20 “Love & concern for all our Father’s children” taught by Kristen Tanner
Nov 16 #21 “Proclaiming the Gospel to the World” taught by Kay Bashford
Nov 23 “Stay in the Boat” by Elder Ballard taught by Jacquelyn Brady
Nov 30 Bishop’s Instruction

Upcoming Events
Nov 6 Project Night 7pm at Jan Welling’s
Nov 19 Temple Day
Dec 11 RS Meeting Christmas Party 6:30 pm “We are Not Homeless”

Other Opportunities
Nov 4 Election Day
Nov 11 Lunch Bunch at 11 am Panda Express (Kipling & 50th)
Dec 4 Book Club at 7pm at Kyle Koyle's "I am Malala: The girl who stood up for education…"
Dec 9 Lunch Bunch at 11 am at Jackie Milonas’ home (5665 Dudley St)
Dec 13 Ward Christmas Party
Thursdays 9:30 am playgroup
Saturdays 8 am pickup basketball
Mon & Wed 9 am Aerobics

The visiting teaching message for this month should be taken from the October 2014 Conference addresses. Please think of each sister you visit, and pray to know the message that would help her in some way. God bless your faithfulness.

Your Relief Society Presidency

THE PARABLE OF THE KEYS

by S. Michael Wilcox

Once there was a little boy and a little girl who loved Jesus very much, and he loved them. They were kind and always told the truth, and whatever Jesus wanted them to do they tried their best to do. "You may come to my house," Jesus told them one day, "and there I will give you a gift." They put on their best clothes, made sure they were clean, and went to Jesus' house. It was a beautiful house, and it made them feel beautiful too, just to be inside it. They met Jesus, and he gave them his gift. It was a key -- a wonderful key. "Take care of this key," he said. "Put it next to your heart. Don't let it tarnish or get rusty. Always keep it with you. One day it will open a wonderful door. Whenever you wish, you may return to my house, but each time I will ask to see the key." They promised him they would, and they went home.

They returned often to Jesus' house, and each time he asked if they still had the key. And they always did. One day he asked if they would follow him. He led them to a hill covered with green grass and trees. On top of the hill was a mansion in the middle of a beautiful garden. Even in their dreams they had never imagined anything so magnificent. "Who lives here?" they asked him. "You may," he answered. "This is your eternal home. I've been building it for you. The key I gave you fits a lock in the front door. Now run up the path and put your key into the lock." They ran up the hill and through the garden to the front door. "If it's this beautiful on the outside," they said, "it must be even more wonderful inside!" But when they reached the front door, they stopped. It was the strangest door they had ever seen. Instead of one lock, the door was covered with locks, hundreds of locks, thousands of locks. And they had only one key. They put their key into one of the locks. It wouldn't fit. They put it into another. It didn't fit that one either. They tried many different locks. Finally they found the one that fit. They turned the key and the lock clicked. But the door wouldn't open. They ran back to Jesus. "We cannot open the door," they said. "It is covered with locks, and we have only one key."

He smiled at them and said: "Do you think you will be happy living in your mansion all alone? Is there anyone you would like to live with you there?" They thought for a while and then answered, "We would like our families to live with us." "Go and find them," he said. "Invite them to my house, and I will give each one their very own key. Soon you will have many keys." They rushed out eagerly to find their families. They found their fathers and mothers, their brothers and sisters, and all their cousins and brought them to Jesus' house. Just as he had promised, he gave each one a key. When all had been given a key, together they returned to the great door of the mansion. Now they had dozens of keys, but there were thousands of locks, and the door still wouldn't open. They needed more keys. Once again they returned to Jesus. "We have brought our families," they said. "But the door still won't open."

"Do your parents have a mother and father and brothers and sisters?" He asked them. "Do you think they will be happy living in the beautiful mansion without them? If you look hard enough, you will find many, many people. Bring them all to my house, and I will give each one a key." They looked very hard, just as Jesus had told them. They found mothers and fathers. They found brothers and sisters. They found grandmas and grandpas and great-great-grandmothers and great-great-great grandfathers. They found aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews and cousins. They found them in big cities. They found them in tiny villages. Some lived by the seashore. Some lived on the open prairie. Some lived near the mountains. Some lived far across the ocean. And some lived close, just over the next hill. Some were blacksmiths and some were farmers. There were cobblers and tailors and fishermen. There were teachers and mechanics and shopkeepers. Some were tall with strange-looking hats. Others were short and wore wooden shoes. They spoke different languages and came from many different countries. They found some with long blond hair that hung far down their backs in braids. They found some with short red hair that stuck straight up and had to be hidden under a hat. The boy and girl searched until they had found everybody and all their families.

They brought all the fathers and mothers, the brothers and sisters, the aunts and uncles, the nieces and nephews, the grandmothers and grandfathers to Jesus' house. Inside he gave each one his or her own key. Soon all the families were gathered before the great door. There was a lock for every key. They turned the keys, but the door remained closed. There was one final lock, a great big one right in the middle of the door, and no one had its key. The boy and girl returned to Jesus. "We have found all our families," they said. "But the door still won't open. We're missing a key and don't know where to find it."

Jesus smiled, put his arms around them, and gave each one a kiss. "I have the last key," he said, and he held it up. It was bright and shining and beautiful. "This is the key of my atonement," he said. "Am I not a member of the family? Do you think you will be happy living in your mansion without me? Do you think I would be happy living without you? Now that you have found the whole family, all my brothers and sisters, all our Father's children, together we will enter our eternal home, for home will always be where families live and love together." He took their hands, and the whole family opened the door, entered the mansion, and spent an eternity of happiness together. "In my Father's house are many mansions," Jesus said. "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know." (John 14:2-4; emphasis added.)