FATHER'S

Taken from LDS.ORG  

"Men on earth have the opportunity to become fathers and experience some of the same joys that our Heavenly Father feels for us. Fatherhood is a divine responsibility to be cherished."

Sunday Lesson: June 12th

Pres. Howard W. Hunter said, "Giving consistent effort in the little things in day-to-day life leads to true greatness." Chapter 11 from our manual, True Greatness was our lesson this past Sunday. President Hunter lived his life according to this teaching. Rather than seeking the spotlight or the acclaim of others, he performed daily deeds of service and sacrifice that were often unnoticed.

The world's definition of greatness is often misleading and can prompt damaging comparisons. Pres. Hunter tells us that we need to realize  who we are and what we may become. "As someone once noted, there is within each of us a giant struggling with celestial homesickness." It is understandable that we make comparisons with others; sometimes this can even be beneficial as we strive to become better. However, making unfair and improper comparisons can destroy our happiness when they cause us to feel unfulfilled or inadequate. We cannot ignore aspects of our lives that may contain elements of true greatness.

Giving consistent effort in the little things in day-to-day life leads to true greatness. In 1905, President Joseph F. Smith made this most profound statement about true greatness: "Those things which we call extraordinary, remarkable, or unusual may make history, but they do not make real life." Pres. Hunter said, "....it is the thousands of little deeds and tasks of service and sacrifice that constitute the giving, or losing, of one's life for others and for the Lord. They include gaining a knowledge of our Father in Heaven and the gospel. They also include bringing others into the faith and fellowship of his kingdom. These things do not usually receive the attention or the adulation of the world."

The Prophet Joseph was concerned with the daily tasks of service and caring for others. The Prophet Joseph was an everyday Christian. He was concerned about the small things, the daily tasks of service and caring for others. There are many stories where Joseph Smith made sure that all around him were comfortable and had the things they needed, regardless of the circumstances. George Q. Cannon said of him, "Joseph never saw the day when he did not feel that he was serving God and obtaining favor in the sight of Jesus Christ by showing kindness and attention 'even unto the least of these'."

True greatness comes from perservering in the difficulties of life and from serving in ways that are often unnoticed. We should try our best to follow the example of the Savior, who was constantly serving others and worrying about their welfare. There are many heroes that walk among us. Those who go about quietly serving, lending a hand, making calls and visits to those who need it, and fulfill their church responsibilities. Those are they who are achieving true greatness.

True greatness requires consistent, small, and sometimes ordinary steps over a long period of time. Pres. Hunter says, "True greatness is never a result of a chance occurence or a one-time effort or achievement. Greatness requires the develpment of character. It requires a multitude of correct decisions in the everyday choices between good and evil." The achievement of greatness is a long-term process.

Commonplace tasks often have the greatest positive effect on others. Pres. Hunter teaches us that we are all unique with different talents and skills. We also all have our own set of challenges and contraints as we are striving to serve others. "It is the commonplace tasks we perform that have the greatest positive effect on the lives of others, as compared with the things that the world so often relates to greatness."

Doing the things that God has ordained to be important will lead to true greatness. Pres. Hunter pleads with us, "To those who have devoted their lives to service and sacrifice for their families, for others, and for the Lord, the best counsel is simply to do more of the same.....If you endure to the end and if you are valiant in the testimony of Jesus, you will achieve true greatness and will one day live in the presence of our Father in Heaven."

Our teacher shared a beautiful video at the end of her lesson that reminds us all of the little, commonplace things, that we often don't think matter so much, really do matter in the lives of those we serve. You can watch it here:

Relief Society Meeting June 9th

We hope to see you at our Relief Society Meeting. 
It is this week on Thursday, June 9th at 6:30.

Fort Collins Temple and Ward Gospel Study

A couple weeks ago during our 5th Sunday we heard from Brother Welling and Bishop Larson. They talked to us about the importance of us preparing for the opening of the Fort Collins Temple. That we not only need to prepare ourselves, but our families as well, and we will receive blessing. As part of this meeting the Bishop Larson introduced A2 Ward Six Month Gospel Study. He asked us to read one chapter in the Book of Mormon each day and listen to one talk from General Conference each week. This will have each of us finishing the Book of Mormon by the end of November. This study is very doable! We are just a few days into it and of course it is never too late to start. Hope you enjoy your reading and your blessings! 

"As we touch the temple and love the temple, our lives will reflect our faith. As we go to the holy house, as we remember the covenants we make therein, we will be able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation."

—Thomas S. Monson

#HisDay

This brought a smile to my face! The Sabbath Day really can be a delight. We must have the right frame of mind. I always tell my kids {and myself} He gives us six days, we can give him at least one. Let us set aside the things we do on a regular basis and devote this day to him. After all it really is #HisDay.

Talk of the Week

" I WAS A STRANGER"

June Newsletter

Presidency Message by Lisa Lara
It is such a beautiful time in the Spring to see the earth come alive again. The world is a gift to us from our loving Heavenly Father. Appreciating and enjoying nature helps us feel the love that God has for us. It helps our testimonies to grow. One of my favorite hymns is #92, For the Beauty of the Earth.

For the beauty of the earth, For the beauty of the skies, For the love which from our birth, Over and around us lies, Lord of all, to thee we raise, This our hymn of grateful praise. For the beauty of each hour of the day and of the night, Hill and vale, and tree and flower, Sun and moon, and stars of light, Lord of all, to thee we raise, This our hymn of grateful praise. For the joy of human love, Brother, sister, parent, child, Friends on earth, and friends above, For all gentle thoughts and mild, Lord of all, to thee we raise, This our hymn of grateful praise.

Take time to be outside, dig in a garden, breathe the glorious Colorado air, plant something and marvel at the miracle of the earth that God has given us. Elder Hales said in October 2014, "Do you remember the first time you knew there was a God and could feel His love? As a boy, I used to gaze into the starry sky and ponder and feel His presence. I thrilled to explore the magnificent beauties of God’s creations—from tiny insects to towering trees. As I recognized the beauty of this earth, I knew that Heavenly Father loved me. I knew that I was a literal spiritual offspring, that we are all sons and daughters of God."

I know you will feel Heavenly Father's love for you more as you appreciate the creations He has blessed us with. Enjoy them and share them with others.

Birthdays
15 Heather Allison
15 Lisa Weldon
16 Sheree Cardon
17 Lisa Larson
17 Sandra Sullivan
18 Kristin Mann
21 Sephora Haertel
24 Eva Carroll
24 Gayle Tracy

Lesson Schedule – (Howard W Hunter)
June 5 Stake Conference
June 12 #11 “True Greatness”
June 19 #12 “Come Back and Feast at the Table of the Lord”
June 26 “What shall We Do” by Neil Marriott AND “Refuge from the Storm” by Patrick Kearon

Upcoming Events
June 4-5 Stake Conference
June 9 Relief Society Meeting 6:30 pm
June 15 Ward Temple Day
June 19 Father’s Day
July 3-18 Temple closed

Other Opportunities
June 8 Book Group at 7 pm at Stacey’s “All the light we cannot see” by Anthony Doerr
June 14 Lunch Bunch at Chipotle
Saturdays 8 am basketball Stake Center
Mon & Wed 9 am Aerobics