Sunday Lesson: Jan 3rd

Sister Rozeski gave the lesson this week.

This year our Relief Society curriculum is, Teachings of Presidents of the Church, Howard W. Hunter. President Hunter was our 14th Latter-Day Prophet. At the beginning of this text, there is a section entitled, “The Life and Ministry of Howard W. Hunter”. Reading this section is a wonderful way to get to know the man whose words we will be studying all year.

As we read about his life in the manual as well as this great article by Richard A. Hunter (Pres. Hunter's youngest son) entitled, “Howard W. Hunter: My Father, the Prophet” we learned of the things valued by President Hunter. Such as:

Church Membership   -   Testimony   -   Prayer   -   Priesthood   -   Perseverance   -   Kindness   -   All life   -   Courage   -   Family   -   Sacrifice   -   Loyalty   -   Love   -   Sorrow   -   Work   -   Persistence   -   Determinations   -   Family   -   Loving   -   Duty   -   Calling   -   Service   -   OTHERS

On May 30,1994, Howard W. Hunter became our Prophet. President Hunter was president of the Church for only 9 months, but his influence was profound.  

Richard Hunter said he was often asked:
“Do you think your father was really a prophet of God?” This question has always been easy for me to answer. I can never remember a time in my father’s personal, family, career, or Church life that would lead me to think that he was not qualified. But that is different than believing he was actually called as God’s representative to all of His children on the earth. I have come to know that he was a prophet of God, but that knowledge didn’t come from knowing him, watching his example, or being touched by what I saw him do and say. Those things help. But that knowledge was given to me as a merciful gift by the same God who called him.”

This year we will have the same chance to gain a witness to the prophetic words, from this loving Prophet. My favorite quote from President Hunter (so far) is this: “If our lives and our faith are centered upon Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right.”

Howard W. Hunter’s story is not over. What he valued lives in his children and in us as we study his words. We all have a story. I hope we remember our stories are important and DO influence others. I pray we all strive to live what we value.