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Sunday, December 9, 2012

Sunday December 9th Lesson

Of You it is Required to Forgive
Chapter 23 from "Teachings of the Presidents of the Church George Albert Smith"

It is important to forgive others as well as ourselves. In addition to our manual we also discussed many excerpts from Elder Uchtdorf's talk "The Merciful Obtain Mercy". A link to the talk is provided below.
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/the-merciful-obtain-mercy?lang=eng&query=merciful+obtain+mercy

Christ is our perfect example. He has taught us how to forgive.
In Luke 23:34 we read Christs beautiful works "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
Even while suffering on the Cross, our Savior showed love and forgiveness to those who persecuted him.
As we obtain a greater understanding of the gospel and the Savior's Atonement, we will obtain a greater capacity to forgive others and ourselves.

If we want forgiveness we must forgive.
This can be learned form "The Parable of the Unrighteous Steward" found on page 249 of the manual or Matthew 18:23-35.
In this parable a man owes a large fortune to his master; not able to pay the debt, he asks for forgiveness. It is granted him, and he goes his way. Later he finds a man that owes him a small portion of money, and demands the payment without any thought to mercy. When the master finds out about this he brings in the unrighteous servant and punishes him.

We did an activity where hymn books were stacked in someones arms. This is like each time we don't forgive somebody. All the anger and burdens weigh us down spiritually, and hinder our ability to love others and feel the spirit. We must learn to let go of the burdens and the hurt and forgive. It will bring us true happiness.

From Elder Uchtdorf's talk we learned that God's love helps us to change and have our hearts softened, and that love allows us to forgive. Forgiveness is accepting Christ's Atonement because he will make everything right. In Romans 12:19-21 the last line says "overcome evil with good". There are many ways to do this whether it is through forgiving another, saying we are sorry, or even befriending those who wrong us.

May we all work on forgiving others and ourselves to find a greater happiness.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Sunday, December 2 2012

Trials of Your Faith
By Neil L. Anderson

Our Relief Society lesson this last week was from the conference talk given by Neil L. Anderson. Posted below is a link to the talk for those there on Sunday to review, and those who couldn't make it to read through if they would like.
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/trial-of-your-faith?lang=eng

Our faith is most important to us. From the talk we learn that our faith should be centered in Christ. We are given trials to show our faith and test our courage. Faith is active not passive, so when the hard times come we need to be prepared and act.

Reiterated throughout the lesson we learned to...
Stick to what we know, it will pull you through our trials.

In the talk were given two examples of people who had faith through their trials. The first was from a single woman and the second from a man.
“God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.”12 In the New Testament the Savior lifted the moral standard for His followers when He declared, “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”13 He taught us not to condemn others, but He was unafraid to speak directly: “Go,” He said, “and sin no more.”14

Another friend served an outstanding mission, followed by rigorous academic training. He hoped to have a family. His trial of faith: feelings of same-sex attraction. He wrote me recently: “I am promised in my patriarchal blessing that I will have my own family someday. Whether that will occur in this life or the next, I do not know. But what I do know is that I don’t want to do anything that will jeopardize the blessings God has promised both me and my future posterity. … Living [the law of chastity] is a challenge, but did we not come to earth to confront challenges and to show God our love and respect for Him by keeping His commandments? I am blessed with good health, the gospel, a loving family, and loyal friends. I am grateful for my many blessings.”16

Although they faced hardships, what made the difference for them?
In class we discussed:

  • Going to the temple to keep an eternal focus.
  • Patriarchal blessings.
  • Gratitude
  • Write down what you know.
Satan will use pieces of truth to confuse us, and if we become complacent in our faith it will be much easier to fall. Remember Helaman 5:12 if we build on Christ we cannot fall. Stay close to the church when the trials come, for they will come, and we need the gospel most at these times. Put Christ first and everything else will fall into place. He will not leave us behind. 

I will wrap this up with Elder Anderson's testimony:
With faith come trials of faith, bringing increased faith. The Lord’s comforting assurance to the Prophet Joseph Smith is the very same promise He makes to you in your trial of faith: “Hold on … , fear not … , for God shall be with you forever and ever.”28 Of this I bear my sacred witness in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.