Our lesson this week was on the April 2017 conference talk by Elder Oaks on the Godhead. Elder Oaks explained that the doctrine of the Godhead makes our church stand out and has an impact on many other beliefs that we have. Throughout the lesson we discussed why it is so important that we know the true nature of the Godhead. Elder Oaks taught that each member of the Godhead has an important and distinct role in the plan of salvation.
We first discussed that one thing that sets us apart is that we believe we can come to know God. We lived with them before mortality and learned what we could as spirits. We are on earth to learn, through experience, even more about God. Our learning will continue after this life. We know that God the Father and His Son have bodies of flesh and bone and we know many things about their nature and character.
We then discussed the different roles of each member of the Godhead. Joseph Smith described the roles of the Godhead thus, “God the first, the Creator; God the second, the Redeemer; and God the third, the Witness or Testator… [It is] the province of the Father to preside as the Chief or President, Jesus as the Mediator, and the Holy Ghost as the Testator or Witness.”
Elder Oaks started by describing the role of God our Father as the president and leader of the Godhead. He taught, “God the Father is the Father of our spirits. We are His children. He loves us, and all that He does is for our eternal benefit. He is the author of the plan of salvation, and it is by His power that His plan achieves its purposes for the ultimate glory of His children.”
Next, we discussed the important role of the Savior. President Thomas S. Monson taught, “Essential to the plan [of salvation] is our Savior, Jesus Christ. Without His atoning sacrifice, all would be lost.” The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth and testifies of the Father and Son. His role is essential for us to know we are on the right path.
We are blessed to understand God’s plan of salvation for all of His children and the role of each member of the Godhead within that plan.
Sunday, June 25, 2017
Sunday, June 18, 2017
Sunday Lesson, June 18th
Home—The Basis of a Righteous Life
President Hinckley believed strongly that “the strength of any nation is rooted within the walls of its homes”. He taught us many principles to understand the importance of family relationships and to learn how to strengthen family members and teach in our homes.
Our family relationships are the most important relationships we have, and we have the responsibility to help our children learn the principles of the Gospel. We must do so by the Spirit; being gentle, kind, and loving as we teach them to understand the Gospel. When we teach in this way, President Hinckley said that there will be love and peace in our homes, and warm relationships will develop.
We must also remember that children are gifts from God and treat them accordingly. President Hinckley encouraged us to control our anger when speaking with children and to be free with compliments, while limiting criticism. Love is the best way to teach our children.
Family prayer is very important. Our children will need to learn that they can rely on their parents when they need help, and also learn that they also will need the help of the Lord. Teaching children to pray through family prayer is essential.
Family home evening is also very important. President Hinckley urged everyone to make the effort to hold it. He said, “If you have any doubt about the virtue of family home evening, try it. Gather your children about you, teach them, bear testimony to them, read the scriptures together and have a good time together.”
President Hinckley emphasized that it is far easier to direct a child when they are young than trying to change them when they are older. He compared it to the importance of staking a tree so it will grow straight instead of having to severely prune it to help it be straight after it is established. Sometimes, even if a child is brought up properly they still may rebel against Gospel teachings. President Hinckley urged us to never give up, it is never too late!
We closed with President Hinckley’s wise counsel. “Raising a family may not be easy. It may be fraught with disappointment and challenge. It will require courage and patience…Love can make the difference—love generously given in childhood and reaching through the awkward years of youth will do what money lavished on children will never do.
“These, with prayers, will accomplish wonders. You cannot expect to do it alone. You need heaven’s help in raising heaven’s child—your child, who is also the child of his or her Heavenly Father.”
President Hinckley believed strongly that “the strength of any nation is rooted within the walls of its homes”. He taught us many principles to understand the importance of family relationships and to learn how to strengthen family members and teach in our homes.
Our family relationships are the most important relationships we have, and we have the responsibility to help our children learn the principles of the Gospel. We must do so by the Spirit; being gentle, kind, and loving as we teach them to understand the Gospel. When we teach in this way, President Hinckley said that there will be love and peace in our homes, and warm relationships will develop.
We must also remember that children are gifts from God and treat them accordingly. President Hinckley encouraged us to control our anger when speaking with children and to be free with compliments, while limiting criticism. Love is the best way to teach our children.
Family prayer is very important. Our children will need to learn that they can rely on their parents when they need help, and also learn that they also will need the help of the Lord. Teaching children to pray through family prayer is essential.
Family home evening is also very important. President Hinckley urged everyone to make the effort to hold it. He said, “If you have any doubt about the virtue of family home evening, try it. Gather your children about you, teach them, bear testimony to them, read the scriptures together and have a good time together.”
President Hinckley emphasized that it is far easier to direct a child when they are young than trying to change them when they are older. He compared it to the importance of staking a tree so it will grow straight instead of having to severely prune it to help it be straight after it is established. Sometimes, even if a child is brought up properly they still may rebel against Gospel teachings. President Hinckley urged us to never give up, it is never too late!
We closed with President Hinckley’s wise counsel. “Raising a family may not be easy. It may be fraught with disappointment and challenge. It will require courage and patience…Love can make the difference—love generously given in childhood and reaching through the awkward years of youth will do what money lavished on children will never do.
“These, with prayers, will accomplish wonders. You cannot expect to do it alone. You need heaven’s help in raising heaven’s child—your child, who is also the child of his or her Heavenly Father.”
Monday, June 12, 2017
Sunday, June 11, 2017
Sunday Lesson, June 11th
Nurturing the Eternal Partnership of Marriage
President and Sister Hinckley were wonderful example of being equal and loving partners in their marriage. They each saw the potential that the other had supported and cared for each other. President Hinckley shared some of the experience and wisdom gained through his marriage that can help us strengthen our own marriages or look forward to an eternal partnership in the future.
When a couple first is married, there is a period of time to get used to each other. Remember that this doesn’t mean that there is not love in the relationship or something is wrong with the marriage; it is normal. We need to realize that we should not try to change our spouse, but get used to their differences and learn to appreciate and see their strengths.
When Sister Hinckley passed on in 2004, President Hinckley stated that even through his despair, there was an assurance that, “as surely as there has been a separation, there will be a joyful reuniting.” If we are being Christ-like in our marriages, we too can have this assurance and can prepare for the blessing of eternal life. Temple attendance can strengthen our marriages and families and help us become better marriage partners.
Our teacher shared her experience of being divorced and not knowing when she would remarry. She reminded us that all will have the opportunity for an eternal marriage because God is just and good. No matter what the timing is, God will not withhold His greatest blessings from any that are faithful. We should be sure to include those who are single and not think that being married or single makes a person different.
President Hinckley shared wonderful advice on how to be happy in our marriages. He said, “I have learned that the real essence of happiness in marriage lies … in an anxious concern for the comfort and well-being of one’s companion. Thinking of self alone and of the gratification of personal desires will build neither trust, love, nor happiness.” He also shared that as we are simply kind and concerned for the other partner in our marriage, we will fortify our marriages against divorce. We discussed that we will at times be disappointed in our marriages, but we will also disappoint our spouse at times.
Repentance and forgiveness are central to a happy marriage. Even when our marriage (or not being married) is not according to our plan, we can find comfort that it is part of the Lord’s plan to help us become who He wants and needs us to be.
President and Sister Hinckley were wonderful example of being equal and loving partners in their marriage. They each saw the potential that the other had supported and cared for each other. President Hinckley shared some of the experience and wisdom gained through his marriage that can help us strengthen our own marriages or look forward to an eternal partnership in the future.
When a couple first is married, there is a period of time to get used to each other. Remember that this doesn’t mean that there is not love in the relationship or something is wrong with the marriage; it is normal. We need to realize that we should not try to change our spouse, but get used to their differences and learn to appreciate and see their strengths.
When Sister Hinckley passed on in 2004, President Hinckley stated that even through his despair, there was an assurance that, “as surely as there has been a separation, there will be a joyful reuniting.” If we are being Christ-like in our marriages, we too can have this assurance and can prepare for the blessing of eternal life. Temple attendance can strengthen our marriages and families and help us become better marriage partners.
Our teacher shared her experience of being divorced and not knowing when she would remarry. She reminded us that all will have the opportunity for an eternal marriage because God is just and good. No matter what the timing is, God will not withhold His greatest blessings from any that are faithful. We should be sure to include those who are single and not think that being married or single makes a person different.
President Hinckley shared wonderful advice on how to be happy in our marriages. He said, “I have learned that the real essence of happiness in marriage lies … in an anxious concern for the comfort and well-being of one’s companion. Thinking of self alone and of the gratification of personal desires will build neither trust, love, nor happiness.” He also shared that as we are simply kind and concerned for the other partner in our marriage, we will fortify our marriages against divorce. We discussed that we will at times be disappointed in our marriages, but we will also disappoint our spouse at times.
Repentance and forgiveness are central to a happy marriage. Even when our marriage (or not being married) is not according to our plan, we can find comfort that it is part of the Lord’s plan to help us become who He wants and needs us to be.
Sunday, June 4, 2017
Sunday Lesson, June 4th
This week in Relief Society we discussed things we can do to be fully committed to the Gospel and the blessings we receive as we are fully committed. Thoughts and stories we taken from Elder Sabin’s conference talk from April 2017.
We started with a story that Elder Sabin shared about a boy who didn’t unroll his sleeping bag on a campout. In the morning he complained that he had been cold most of the night, but hadn’t wanted to roll the sleeping bag back up in the morning. Elder Sabin said that similarly we can think we can remain spiritual strong but don’t take time to study our scriptures, pray, or do the others things that we know will strengthen us spiritually. We need to be fully committed, or “all in” as Elder Sabin says, to receive the blessings we desire.
One of the amazing blessings of being all in is that the storms and trials of life cannot keep us down. Elder Sabin said that being fully committed helps us “stand up on the inside”; able to bounce back up after being knocked down by trials. What an amazing blessing!
We show we are committed by accepting God’s will in times of disease, death of a loved one, or other trials. When we are all-in we will also help others who are in need, defend the truth and stand up for what is right. Living this way may sound difficult, but Elder Sabin said that only being partially committed can be more difficult. He said, “If we are not able to be “all in” the way we are presently walking, then maybe we need to run; maybe we need to recalculate our route. We might even need to make a U-turn. We might need to study more intently, pray more earnestly, or just let some things go so we can hang on to those things that really matter. We may need to let go of the world so we can hang on to eternity.” The sacrifice is worth the blessing of having the peace and joy that accompany a righteous life.
When we live fully committed to the Gospel, we bless far more lives than just our own. Our example will help others come unto Christ.
Elder Sabin closed by reminding us that all things will work for our good as we serve God. He also reminded us that no matter the course our life is on today, we can change and be better and receive all the blessings God desires to give us.
We started with a story that Elder Sabin shared about a boy who didn’t unroll his sleeping bag on a campout. In the morning he complained that he had been cold most of the night, but hadn’t wanted to roll the sleeping bag back up in the morning. Elder Sabin said that similarly we can think we can remain spiritual strong but don’t take time to study our scriptures, pray, or do the others things that we know will strengthen us spiritually. We need to be fully committed, or “all in” as Elder Sabin says, to receive the blessings we desire.
One of the amazing blessings of being all in is that the storms and trials of life cannot keep us down. Elder Sabin said that being fully committed helps us “stand up on the inside”; able to bounce back up after being knocked down by trials. What an amazing blessing!
We show we are committed by accepting God’s will in times of disease, death of a loved one, or other trials. When we are all-in we will also help others who are in need, defend the truth and stand up for what is right. Living this way may sound difficult, but Elder Sabin said that only being partially committed can be more difficult. He said, “If we are not able to be “all in” the way we are presently walking, then maybe we need to run; maybe we need to recalculate our route. We might even need to make a U-turn. We might need to study more intently, pray more earnestly, or just let some things go so we can hang on to those things that really matter. We may need to let go of the world so we can hang on to eternity.” The sacrifice is worth the blessing of having the peace and joy that accompany a righteous life.
When we live fully committed to the Gospel, we bless far more lives than just our own. Our example will help others come unto Christ.
Elder Sabin closed by reminding us that all things will work for our good as we serve God. He also reminded us that no matter the course our life is on today, we can change and be better and receive all the blessings God desires to give us.
Saturday, June 3, 2017
June Activities
RS MEETING - Thursday, June 8th at 6:30 pm
“WHAT’S YOUR SUPER POWER?”
Special guest speaker: Patriarch
Bashford
Potluck
– Bring a Salad ** Friends are welcome! Please RSVP to the Evite **
Service
Opportunity: Bring a NEW baby item(s) to donate to
Babies in Need.
Diapers: size NB, 1, 2 - Onsies - Sleepers (3-6 mo)
– Reusable Nuring Pads – Fitted Crib Sheets
Baby Wipes – Burp Cloths – Sleep Sacks: NB or 0-3
BOOK
CLUB
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14th AT 7:00 PM –
Jaynie’s home
We will be discussing “The Paris Architet”by
Charles Belfoure
You can come even if you haven’t read it.
FATHER’S
DAY JUNE 18TH
LUNCH
BUNCH
TUESDAY, JUNE 20TH 11:30 AM – CHIPOTLE (64TH
& Ward Rd)
Everyone is invited – Each person pays for their
own.
TEMPLE DAY JUNE 21st
Thursday, June 1, 2017
June Newsletter
Presidency Message by Karen Schmidt
Our words have a profound influence on the Spirit in our homes and the tone of our interactions with others. It can be so easy to be impatient, thoughtless, or unkind when we speak to others, about others, or even about ourselves, but we are commanded to learn to bridle our tongues (see James 3:2-10).
One evening when I was pondering how to control my words better, I remembered some phrases from a General Conference talk given ten years ago by Jeffery R. Holland. In his talk, “The Tongue of Angels”, Elder Holland encourages each of us to work on making our words more kind, faithful and edifying instead of criticizing, embarrassing, or being hurtful to others. He urges us to be so careful to praise our children individually for what they are and to never compare them. He says, “What we say or don’t say, how we say it and when is so very, very important in shaping that child’s faith in us and their faith in God. Be constructive…always.” I think this applies to more than just children; we should be careful and constructive at all times towards all people we have contact with.
Elder Holland also encourages us to be optimistic. The Savior commanded us to “be of good cheer” (John 16:33). When we speak, we should try to be hopeful and happy about ourselves, others, and our circumstances. Speaking optimistically will help lighten our load and that of others. We invite the Spirit into our homes as we make an effort to be positive in our speech. I have noticed that as I have made the effort to be more positive and patient in my words to my family members, things go better and the Spirit of love and unity abides in our home.
We can be a blessing and light to our communities where negativity and anger are so common. When we speak lovingly and have the Spirit guide what we say, Elder Holland says “tears can be dried, hearts can be healed, lives can be elevated, hope can return, confidence can prevail.” I have seen so many wonderful examples of loving and kind communication in this ward and elsewhere. It is an attribute worth working on; it will make our lives and those around us happier if we will learn to talk “with the tongue of angels” (2Ne 1:13).
June 2017 Birthdays
14 Melissa Bowler
15 Heather Allison
16 Sheree Cardon
17 Lisa Larson
17 Sandra Sullivan
24 Eva Carroll
Lesson Schedule – (Gordon B Hinkley)
June 4 Presidency message Karen Schmidt
June 11 #10 “Nurturing the Eternal Partnership of Marriage”
June 18 #11 “Home – the Basis of a Righteous Life”
June 25 “The Godhead and Plan of Salvation” by Elder Oaks
Upcoming Events
June 8 Relief Society Meeting at 6:30
June 18 Father’s Day
June 21 Ward Temple Day
July 3-24 Temple closed
Other Opportunities
June 14 Book Group 7 pm at Jaynie’s book is “The Paris Architect” by Charles Belfoure
June 20 Lunch Bunch at 11:30 at Chipotle
Saturdays 8 am basketball Stake Center
Mon & Wed 9 am Aerobics
Service Opportunity Collect/Buy new items for Newborns in Need
Our words have a profound influence on the Spirit in our homes and the tone of our interactions with others. It can be so easy to be impatient, thoughtless, or unkind when we speak to others, about others, or even about ourselves, but we are commanded to learn to bridle our tongues (see James 3:2-10).
One evening when I was pondering how to control my words better, I remembered some phrases from a General Conference talk given ten years ago by Jeffery R. Holland. In his talk, “The Tongue of Angels”, Elder Holland encourages each of us to work on making our words more kind, faithful and edifying instead of criticizing, embarrassing, or being hurtful to others. He urges us to be so careful to praise our children individually for what they are and to never compare them. He says, “What we say or don’t say, how we say it and when is so very, very important in shaping that child’s faith in us and their faith in God. Be constructive…always.” I think this applies to more than just children; we should be careful and constructive at all times towards all people we have contact with.
Elder Holland also encourages us to be optimistic. The Savior commanded us to “be of good cheer” (John 16:33). When we speak, we should try to be hopeful and happy about ourselves, others, and our circumstances. Speaking optimistically will help lighten our load and that of others. We invite the Spirit into our homes as we make an effort to be positive in our speech. I have noticed that as I have made the effort to be more positive and patient in my words to my family members, things go better and the Spirit of love and unity abides in our home.
We can be a blessing and light to our communities where negativity and anger are so common. When we speak lovingly and have the Spirit guide what we say, Elder Holland says “tears can be dried, hearts can be healed, lives can be elevated, hope can return, confidence can prevail.” I have seen so many wonderful examples of loving and kind communication in this ward and elsewhere. It is an attribute worth working on; it will make our lives and those around us happier if we will learn to talk “with the tongue of angels” (2Ne 1:13).
June 2017 Birthdays
14 Melissa Bowler
15 Heather Allison
16 Sheree Cardon
17 Lisa Larson
17 Sandra Sullivan
24 Eva Carroll
Lesson Schedule – (Gordon B Hinkley)
June 4 Presidency message Karen Schmidt
June 11 #10 “Nurturing the Eternal Partnership of Marriage”
June 18 #11 “Home – the Basis of a Righteous Life”
June 25 “The Godhead and Plan of Salvation” by Elder Oaks
Upcoming Events
June 8 Relief Society Meeting at 6:30
June 18 Father’s Day
June 21 Ward Temple Day
July 3-24 Temple closed
Other Opportunities
June 14 Book Group 7 pm at Jaynie’s book is “The Paris Architect” by Charles Belfoure
June 20 Lunch Bunch at 11:30 at Chipotle
Saturdays 8 am basketball Stake Center
Mon & Wed 9 am Aerobics
Service Opportunity Collect/Buy new items for Newborns in Need
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