Sunday Lesson, Feb 5th

The purpose of the Relief Society is to prepare women for the blessings of eternal life, it is a temporal and spiritual work. That is what the women did in the Savior’s day, and that is what we continue to do. The Relief Society is not just another group of women trying to do good in the world. It is different. It was ‘something better’ because it was organized under priesthood authority. Its organization was a necessary step in the unfolding of God’s work on earth. In order for us to not be just another group of women trying to do good in the world, we have to be different.  We have to BE that someone better. That happens as we work on ourselves as individuals.

In 3 Ne 27:27 Christ is teaching the apostles. He is speaking and says, “What manner of men {women} ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am."

President Benson says, This is a challenge for any person! He is a member of the Godhead. He is the Savior and Redeemer. Pres. Benson asks, is it possible for us to be even as He is? Yes, he says. Not only can we, but that is our charge, our responsibility. He would not give us that commandment if He did not mean for us to do it.  

The Apostle Peter teaches that knowing about God and knowing God are not the same, and that a true knowledge of God requires that we become like him. 

2 Peter 1:5-7  Peter teaches us what we need to do

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

We broke up into 5 groups and discussed some of the attributes outlined by Peter. These attributes are part of the Savior’s character. We need to learn and emulate these if we want to know him and be more like Him. See Preach My Gospel to learn more about these attributes and their meanings.

We were encouraged to pick one of these attributes to study more about and work on. Not to be overwhelmed with all of them at one time.  Study what it means. Look in the bible dictionary. Look up scriptures. Spend time working on it and praying for help. Christlike attributes are gifts from God. They come as you use your agency righteously. Ask your Heavenly Father to bless you with these attributes; you cannot develop them without His help. With a desire to please God, recognize your weaknesses and be willing and anxious to improve.