Sunday Lesson: Oct 18th

This Sunday's lesson was on Chp. 21 from our Ezra Taft Benson Manual, Principles of Temporal and Spiritual Welfare. The Church first introduced a welfare program in 1936 when the world was struggling with the effects of the Great Depression. The program was called the Church Security Plan and it was established "to help people help themselves."

In Doctrine and Covenants 29:34 we are taught, "...all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal..." We live, however, in a material and temporal world. Pres. Benson teaches, "LEt us ever keep in mind that all material things are but a means to an end, that the end is spiritual, although the Lord is anxious and willing to bless his people temporally.

In the Church handbook we learn about the Church welfare program. Its stated purpose is "to set up, insofar as it might be possible, a system under which the curse of idleness would be done away with, the evils of a dole abolished, and independence, industry, thrift, and self-respect be once  more established amongst our people. Work is to be re-enthroned as the ruling principle of the lives of our Church membership." Pres. Benson further teaches us that, "The strength of the Church welfare program lies in every family following the inspired direction of the Church leaders to be self-sustaining through adequate preparation. God intends for his Saints to so prepare themselves "that the church [as the Lord has said] may stand independent above all other creatures beneath the celestial world." (D&C 78:14)

This is a gospel of work, which is the only way we can grow in godly attributes. We need to be willing to work. "Energetic, purposeful work leads to vigorous health, praiseworthy achievement, a clear conscience, and refreshing sleep. Work has always been a boon to man. May you have a wholesome respect for labor whether with head, heart, or hand. May you ever enjoy the satisfaction of honest toil."

The next step is to become self-reliant. How quickly would we all be paralyzed if transportation was suddenly stopped because of a natural disaster? Or if there was a war or depression? We need to learn how to grow a garden and harvest the food for our own support. Pres. Benson has said, "The revelation to produce and store food may be as essential to our temporal welfare today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah. . . .Plan to build up youf food supply just as you would a savings account. Save a little for storage each pay-check. Can or bottle fruit and vegetables from your gardens and orchards. Learn how to preserve food through drying and possibly freezing. Make storage a part of your budget. Store seeds and have sufficient tools on hand to do the job....We urge you to do this prayerfully and do it now."

Another way to become self-reliant is to save money and avoid debt. "Live within your own earnings. Put of portion of those earnings regularly into savings. Avoid unnecessary debt." We never know when some kind of crisis may come, whether it be sickness or loss of employment. We need to always be prepared for these kind of circumstances. President Benson warns us, "Do not leave yourself or your family unprotected against financial storms. Forgo luxuries, for the time being at least, to build up savings....Brothers and Sisters, peace and contentment come into our hearts when we live within our means. God grant us the wisdom and the faith to heed the inspired counsel of the priesthood to get out of debt, to live within our means, and to pay as we go."

The last way our teacher suggested that we stay on top of our spiritual and temporal welfare is to make service a priority in our lives. We need to be consistent in our tithing and generous in our fast offerings. If we focus our energies at times on others, our own situation will not seem so difficult. When we serve we can also help others learn how to help themselves. What a valuable lesson to learn!

Sunday Lesson: Oct 25th

Our lesson today came from the very recent conference talk by Elder Costa, That They Do Always Remember Him. Elder Costa says, "I love to study and ponder the life of Him who gave everything for me and for all of us." Our teacher asked us this question: How many times a day do you think of the Savior? Pres. Howard W. Hunter counseled, "We must know Christ better than we know Him; we must remember Him more often than we remember Him; we must serve Him more often than we serve Him." 

Our Savior should be at the forefront of our minds more than He actually is. Our prophet, Pres. Thomas S. Monson has said, "Prepare time for Him in our lives and room for Him in our hearts. In these busy days there are many who have time for golf, time for shopping, time for work, time for play - but no time for Christ."

Elder Costa give 15 things that we can meditate on to remember our Savior:

1) To remember His premortal life, when this beautiful planet was made by Him.

2) To remember His humble birth in a manger in Bethlehem of Judea.

3) To remember when, even as a 12-year-old-boy, He taught and preached to the doctors in the temple.

4) To remember when He went aside privately into a desert to prepare for His mortal ministry.

5) To remember when He was transfigured before His disciples.

6) To remember when He instituted the sacrament at the Last Supper with them.

7) To remember when He went to the Garden of Gethsemane and suffered so intensely for our sins, pains, disappointments, and illnesses that He bled from every pore.

8) To remember when, after so much suffering and severe pain, even yet in Gethsemane, He was betrayed with a kiss by one of the disciples whom He called a friend.

9) To remember when He was taken to Pilate and to Herod for trial.

10) To remember when He was humiliated, buffeted, spat upon, smitten, and scourged with a whip that tore His flesh.

11) To remember when a crown of thorns was brutally put upon His head.

12) To remember that He had to carry His own cross to Golgotha and that He was nailed to the cross there, suffereing every physical and spiritual pain.

13) To remember that at the corss, with his bowels full of charity, He looked at those who crucified Him and raised His eyes to heaven, pleading, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

14) To remember when He, knowing He had fulfilled His mission of saving all mankind, gave up His spirit into the hand of His Father, our Father.

15) To remember His Resurrection, which ensures our own resurrection and the possibility to live beside Him for all eternity, depending on our choices.

When we simply remember the Savior in our lives so many things can happen. A mighty change can and will come into your life. We will be able to resisit temptation better. Remembering our Savior will bring about peace and joy. Lonliness will be replaced by peace and comfort when we remember Jesus. These are just a few of the ways our lives can be changed if we just remember our Savior more often.

Recently Pres. Monson shared this story: "Through the years, the offices I have occupied have been decorated with lovely paintings of peaceful and pastoral scenes However, there is one picture that alwyas hangs on the wall which I face when seated behind my desk. It is a constant reminder of Him whom I serve, for it is a picture of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When confronted with a vexing problem or a difficult decision, I always gaze at that picture of the Master and silently ask myself the question, "What would He have me do?" No longer does doubt linger, nor does indecision prevail. The way to go is clear, and the pathway before me beckons."

To help us remember our Savior more often our teacher gifted each of us a little card with a picture of the Savior and the words, "I will not forget thee. I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands." She asked us all to keep this small picture of the Savior in our wallets where we will see it on a daily basis. Our Savior always remembers us; He loves us and died for us. We can remember Him and all the love he has for each one of us.

Sunday Lesson: Oct 11th

The lesson this past week begun with us all learning of the importance that each individual is to God. When Pres. Benson was in a stake presidency in Idaho they were trying to select a man to become the Elder's quorum president in a struggling ward. Pres. Benson took a chance on this particular brother. He was not living the gospel as he should, but after a few visits and some accepted challenges, he accepted the call to be the Elder's quorum president. He later became a bishop and said, "I used to think I was happy, but I didn't know what real happiness was." Pres. Benson encourages us to reach out to members of the Church who "live apart from the Church and the influence of the Gospel."

We were able to watch a fun, yet powerful, video about reaching out to those who have strayed.

 

Just like in the video, Pres. Benson teaches us that Latter-day Saints who have strayed need real, heartfelt concern from true and loving shepards. There needs to be personal watchcare. "There must be real, heartfelt concern by a true and loving shepard, not just shallow concern." Pres. Benson pleads that we be heartfelt in our home and visiting teaching. "We urge you to give renewed emphasis to effective priesthood home teaching and effective Relief Society visiting teaching. Home teaching and visiting teaching are inspired programs. They are designed to reach each member of the Church each month, both the active and the less active. Please give home teaching and visiting teaching an increased emphasis."

We are reminded that the principles to activate souls do not change. These principles are:

1) The lost or less active must be found and contacted.

2) Loving concern must be demonstrated. They must feel of our love.

3) They must be taught the gospel. They must feel the power of the Holy Ghost through the teachers.
4) They mjust be included in our fellowship.

5) They must have meaningful Church responsibilities.

The Church "hath need of every member" (D&C 84:110), and every member has need of the gospel, the Church, and all its ordinances.

GENERAL CONFERENCE

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Christine was struggling with one particular challenge, but when she heard President Uchtdorf speak at general conference, she made a commitment that would scare most of us.

October Newsletter

Presidency Message

The Optimist Creed 

Promise Yourself To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

Love, Marty, Lisa, Jan, & Debbie

October Birthdays

2 Ann Miller

7 Kathleen Cernek

8 Colleen Riggs

12 Lisa Siegrist

12 Carol Thorpe

22 Nora Petty

25 Samantha Phillips

26 Aubrey Chevrier

27 Carol Petersen

27 Debbie Rolfson

28 Maddison Nelson

Lesson Schedule – (Ezra Taft Benson)

Oct 3&4 General Conference

Oct 11 #20 “Feed my Sheep” taught by Jenny 

Oct 18 #21 “Principles of Temporal & Spiritual Welfare” taught by Kay 

Oct 25 Conference talk taught by Mary Kay 

Upcoming Events

Oct 3 & 4 – General Conference

Oct 21 – Ward Temple Day

Other Opportunities

Oct 7 Project Night 7 pm at Quail Bldg

Oct 10 Road Show 5:00 pm Quail Bldg

Oct 11 Linger-Longer after church

Oct 13 Lunch Bunch at 11:00 am at Subway (64th)

Oct 17 Quail Building clean up 8:00 am

Oct 24 Halloween Party 6:00 pm

Thursdays 9:00 am playgroup (see Jan)

Saturdays 8 am basketball Stake Center

Mon & Wed 9 am Aerobics