Sunday Lesson: Dec 7th

Sis. Lisa Lara taught the lesson today on the topic of Ward Families. She started by asking the question: What are the characteristics of a Family? Some of the them are listed.

Stay together

 Friendship

 Support each other

 Love

 Have fun together

 Learn how to live together, get along

 Loyal

 Stick together through good and bad

 Serve each other

United

What is a Ward Family? – It is the basic ecclesiastical unit to which we all belong as members of the Church of Jesus Christ.

What are the characteristics of a Ward Family? – The characteristics should be the same as a family. It’s not very different than a regular family unit, just bigger.

Romans 12:4-5 says, “For as we have many member in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members of another.” What does this mean? Even though we are individual people, we are all part of the same unit, or group, the body of Christ, or the kingdom of God.

Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley said. “This Church…is far more than a social organization where we gather together to enjoy one another’s company. …It is the kingdom of God in the earth. It behooves us to act in a manner befitting membership in that kingdom.”

Some of us may feel that because they don’t have a traditional family or if they don’t have the same things in common to others that they won’t fit into a ward family very well. Elder Hales said, “All of us can take heart in understanding the great blessings of baptism. When we were baptized, we moved from the world into the kingdom of God. In the kingdom of God, salvation is for everyone in whatever circumstances we may find ourselves; male, female, married, single, with children, childless, rich, poor, young, or old – the possibilities are endless. There are almost as many categories as there are individuals. But we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father who wants us to succeed and return to his presence. In that respect, we are all the same. We are not alone. We are all loved.”

In an Ensign article in 2005 Bro. David Brown also said, “No matter what our circumstances might be, we all have an inherent duty to reach out to fellow members and include them in our circle, making each ward and branch a family. That is why we call each other brothers and sisters.”
Last week Bro. Welling, Bro. Phillips, and Bishop Larson all talked about ways we become closer to our Savior during this Christmas Season. We can have more meaningful prayers and fasting, share our testimony, serve others, and focus on the important things. I would like us to talk about the service part of that equation today, specifically regarding our ward families.

Why is it that so many members say that when they visit wards that aren't their own, they still feel at home?

Bro. David Brown said, “A strong ward family is easy to recognize. The members are warm and friendly, testimonies are borne with conviction, charity abound, activities are well attended, and dedicated home teachers rarely miss a visit. The chapel is not just a place of worship, it is a safe harbor from worldly cares, a place of belonging, of friendship and compassion. It’s a place where people who are different can come together to be as one.”

Three sisters shared of times in their lives when they have felt part of a ward family. It was so wonderful to hear of their experiences and think of our own that we have had.
What are things we can do – individually, to have a strong ward family. To contribute to the body of Christ?

Virginia H. Pearce, former counselor in the YW General Presidency gave 6 purposes to have a strong ward family:

1. Ward Families provide a sense of belonging.
2. A Ward Family can provide the reassurance of listening ears. A perfect time for this to happen is while we Visit Teach each other.
3. Ward Families provide encouragement.
4. Ward Families are a refuge.
5. Ward families provide ways for us to contribute, to serve each other.
6. A Ward Family provides a laboratory to learn and practice the gospel.

Pres. Ezra Taft Benson said, “Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace.”

As we strengthen ourselves and really become a part of our ward family, the love of Christ will enter into our lives more abundantly and we will become more like our Savior.