Sunday Lesson: Mar 22nd

Priesthood Session talk by President Monson, Guided Safely Home.

President Monson tells a story of a ship – A German Battleship known as “The Bismark”. It was considered unsinkable and the greatest of its time. It was the pride of the German Navy. In an effort to sink the ship the British concentrated the strength of five battleships, two aircraft carriers, 11 cruisers and 21 destroyers. During these battles, shell after shell inflicted only superficial damage on the Bismarck. Was it unsinkable after all? Then a torpedo scored a lucky hit, which jammed the Bismarck’s rudder. Repair efforts proved fruitless. With guns primed and the crews at ready, the Bismarck could only steer a slow circle. Just beyond reach was the powerful German air force. The Bismarck could not reach the safety of home port. Neither could it provide the needed haven, for the Bismarck had lost the ability to steer a charted course. No rudder, no help, no port. The end drew near. British guns blazed as the German crew scuttled and sank the once seemingly indestructible vessel. The hungry waves of the Atlantic first lapped at the sides and then swallowed the pride of the German navy. The Bismarck was no more.

President Monson likens our lives to a ship, similar like that of the German Bismarck. We battle things every day, and need to be prepared hit after hit as the world strikes against us, our families, marriages, our children, our finances, our health etc… we need to be prepared for battle and what comes our way. However, it’s the rudder of a ship, that steers it and when that is lost it will never make it back to home port.

Think about yourself for a minute and ask yourself……What is your rudder? What steers you? Each one of us has something….. something that keeps us going. Gives us hope, it’s what we believe in… Our individual rudders may be different than one another’s. Think about what it is that keeps you from veering off the path. When you are tempted, when trials come, when we are tested… what keeps YOU on the path?

Examples of our own personal rudders that keep us on the straight and narrow might be:

Family, an eternal family

Our relationship with the Savior

Marriage

Covenants we make

We want to be different than our friends

Testimonies

The examples of our parents

The well know scripture story about Daniel is a great example of this. He was offered great riches and power. He was offered things representing the world and not of God. When Daniel chose to continue worshiping God even after a decree that would forbid such worship.

Daniels determination to steer a steady course never faltered and as a result, it provided a great protection and a sanctuary of safety for him.

President Monson states that such a protection and safety can be ours as we also steer a steady course toward our eternal home.

Quote 1 " We are strengthened by the truth that the greatest force in the world today is the power of God as it works through MAN". What do you think he means when he says: the power of God as it works through man?

Story of Natalie. She is a single mother of 5, and her youngest son, Boston, has Down Syndrome. Her husband left her and she found herself raising her children alone. Her Aunt Susie recently moved into her neighborhood from Georgia. Her aunt was a fomer Relief Society president and was surprised that her new calling in her new ward was to be Boston's helper during primary hours. 'Is this really a calling?' Susie thought to herself. Little did she know the blessings that would come to her and to Natalie as she became close to Boston. This little boy loves his Aunt Susie and the impact of her help to Natalie is tremendous. This is an example of how the power of God works through man. Strength and power often times come through small and simple means.

Examples of efforts where God worked through you or someone else that have benefited your own life, or where you have been able to help someone else. Sometimes just smiling or acknowledging someone makes all the difference in the world. Being a friend or being aware of someone elses struggles and being supportive can help in a way we may never know. Acts of service also help those around us and we learn to be more like our Savior and we serve. All of these things not only help shield us from the battles that hit us every day, but they also make us strong, keep us pure, keep our focus, they give us faith as we strive to maintain a straight heaven bound course.

As the world beats down on you and attacks you it's always best to fight back with dignity, purity and kindness. You become great examples and leaders that others admire. The power of God really is working through you by the small and simple things you do.

Quote: 2 When we maintain our personel purity we become righteous examples for others to follow. The Apostle Paul admonished " Be though and example of the believers. In word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." He also wrote that the followers of Christ should "be as lights in the world." Providing an example of righteousness can help to illuminate an increasingly dark world.

Sis. Bashford talked of her grandmother. She was raised as a member of the church and married a non-member, he was a great man who supported her in all that she did. She raised 6 children. faithfully attending her meetings, serving others, praying, and following the prophets counsel all of her days. By simply staying on course, charting her way through the rough waters of life, she raised bishops, stake presidents, temple sealers and workers, missionaries, relief society and primary presidents, and teachers of all sorts. Those 6 children raised her 41 grandchildren, who followed in their parents footsteps. Those 41 grandchildren (who Sis. Bashford is one of) are now trying their best to raise her 66 great grandchildren.

One person, who came from modest beginnings and remained faithful all her days, never lost sight of her heavenly home. Just think of the difference if she would have lost her course, and the impact it would have had on these generations!

Quote #3 Always remember that people are looking to you for leadership and you are influencing the lives of individuals either for good or for bad, which influence will be felt for generations to come.”

We are strengthened by the truth that the greatest force in the world today is the power of God as it works through man. To sail safely the seas of mortality, we need the guidance of that Eternal Mariner—even the great Jehovah. We reach out, we reach up to obtain heavenly help.

The need to remain focused on eternal goals is illustrated in the biblical account of Jesus walking on the sea and Peter’s desire to do the same. Peter progressed over the water so long as he looked to Christ. But when he diverted his gaze away from the Master and allowed fear and doubt to enter in, he began to sink. If we, like Peter, keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and our eternal destination, we, too, may “walk triumphantly" over the swelling waves of our lives. We must not allow the things of the world to dim our vision of the eternal destination. Nor must we permit the “voices in the world” to lead us off course.

Sis. Bashford closed her lesson by reading a quote from Pres. Monson's talk: "The clock of history, like the sands of the hourglass, marks the passage of time. A new cast occupies the stage of life. The problems of our day loom ominously before us. Throughout the history of the world, Satan has worked tirelessly for the destruction of the followers of the Savior. If we succumb to his enticings, we—like the mighty Bismarck—will lose that rudder which can guide us to safety. Instead, surrounded by the sophistication of modern living, we look heavenward for that unfailing sense of direction, that we might chart and follow a wise and proper course. Our Heavenly Father will not leave our sincere petition unanswered. As we seek heavenly help, our rudder, unlike that of the Bismarck, will not fail."