Count your Blessings
What blessings do we receive from the Gospel?
*Christ's Atonement- Sacrament
*Priesthood
*Eternal Families
*Baptism-gift of the Holy Ghost
*Knowledge that we are children of God
*Temples
*Scriptures
*Prophet
*Prayer- the Heavens are open
*Purpose
*Opportunities
*Hope
This list can go on and on. I invite you to ponder on the blessings you receive from the gospel.
We are so blessed to have the gospel in our lives, and it is our responsibility to share these blessing with those who are searching for the truth.
A missionaries journal shares the story of one convert named Gertrude Specht. She invited the missionaries in to talk religion and revealed to them that she had 3 PhD's dealing with religion, and was the religion teacher at the near by university. She accepted a Book of Mormon from them and read it. She ended up reading the Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and many other church writing. At her baptism she expressed her feelings saying to the members "I don't think you understand what you have". Without the gospel she had been in a famine starving for the truth, and not even her PhD's could fill her. There are many others like Gertrude out in the world that are starving for the truth we have because they don't know where to find it. They need us to bear our testimonies unashamed of the truth.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Sunday, January 20th Lesson
Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost
Chapter 2 from Teachings of Presidents of the Church Lorenzo Snow
President Snow tells his baptism story on page 47 of the book. He was a convert, but at first had anxiety about being baptized. He knew that by being baptized he would have to put away the world. "Through the help of the Lord... I laid down pride, worldly ambition... humble as a child, went to the waters of baptism, and received the ordinances of the gospel."
At baptism we promise to...
Be a witness of Christ
Take upon us the name of Christ
Remember Him
and keep His commandments
In return the Lord promises that we can...
Receive the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost
Have a remission of our sins
Be born again
Each week when we partake of the Sacrament we renew these covenants. The Sacrament is like being re-baptized.
Baptism is an outward ordinance connected to our inward works of faith and repentance.
The steps to return to our Heavenly Father are...
Faith
Repentance
Baptism
Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
Endure to the end.
Remember that Baptism is the gate that opens the way. It is essential for each of us to be baptized and live our covenants to return to Him.
Chapter 2 from Teachings of Presidents of the Church Lorenzo Snow
President Snow tells his baptism story on page 47 of the book. He was a convert, but at first had anxiety about being baptized. He knew that by being baptized he would have to put away the world. "Through the help of the Lord... I laid down pride, worldly ambition... humble as a child, went to the waters of baptism, and received the ordinances of the gospel."
At baptism we promise to...
Be a witness of Christ
Take upon us the name of Christ
Remember Him
and keep His commandments
In return the Lord promises that we can...
Receive the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost
Have a remission of our sins
Be born again
Each week when we partake of the Sacrament we renew these covenants. The Sacrament is like being re-baptized.
Baptism is an outward ordinance connected to our inward works of faith and repentance.
The steps to return to our Heavenly Father are...
Faith
Repentance
Baptism
Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
Endure to the end.
Remember that Baptism is the gate that opens the way. It is essential for each of us to be baptized and live our covenants to return to Him.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Sunday, January 13th Lesson
The Power of Thought
At the beginning of our lesson each of us received a "Clicker". During the first minutes we counted up on our clickers all the negative things that happened to us throughout our week. This list includes: snow, cold, school, the news, boys. As you can guess the feelings that came with all these things were negative as well.
Then we counted up all the positive things during our week including: sunshine, the temple, missions, boys. As we thought about all the good things we were lifted up with positive feelings.
The idea of the Clickers came from Hilary Weeks after she heard that the average person has 300 negative thoughts a day. She decided to test this, so she got a clicker and counted up all the negative thoughts she had a day. At the end of a week she was feeling so depressed from concentrating on these negative feelings. She then decided to count up all her positive thoughts, and her attitude drastically changed.
Along with the clicker we got a hand out that says:
*****
What is Clicking?!!?
*We become what we think about.
*We think about what we focus on.
*Clicking is about learning and developing what we focus on.
D&C 121:45
"and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God"
Drops of Awesome! I thought. Every time you do something good, something kind, something productive, it's a drop in your Bucket of Awesome. You don't lose drops for every misstep. You can only build. You can only fill.
*****
Drops of Awesome was another idea focused on in the lesson similar to the clicker. Every time we do, think, or say, something good or kind it is a Drop of Awesome into our bucket. Just like it says above, the drops can't be taken away or diminished by a bad or neglectful deed. This helps us to focus on the good we do which rewards us with joy and in return helps us to do more good.
It is also important to remember the Atonement fills our buckets as well. Even when our accumulated drops of awesome seem meager, the Savior fills our buckets and our souls to overflowing.
(Wendy has plenty of extra "clickers" if anyone missed Sunday and would like one to remind them about thinking positively.)
At the beginning of our lesson each of us received a "Clicker". During the first minutes we counted up on our clickers all the negative things that happened to us throughout our week. This list includes: snow, cold, school, the news, boys. As you can guess the feelings that came with all these things were negative as well.
Then we counted up all the positive things during our week including: sunshine, the temple, missions, boys. As we thought about all the good things we were lifted up with positive feelings.
The idea of the Clickers came from Hilary Weeks after she heard that the average person has 300 negative thoughts a day. She decided to test this, so she got a clicker and counted up all the negative thoughts she had a day. At the end of a week she was feeling so depressed from concentrating on these negative feelings. She then decided to count up all her positive thoughts, and her attitude drastically changed.
Along with the clicker we got a hand out that says:
*****
What is Clicking?!!?
*We become what we think about.
*We think about what we focus on.
*Clicking is about learning and developing what we focus on.
D&C 121:45
"and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God"
Drops of Awesome! I thought. Every time you do something good, something kind, something productive, it's a drop in your Bucket of Awesome. You don't lose drops for every misstep. You can only build. You can only fill.
*****
Drops of Awesome was another idea focused on in the lesson similar to the clicker. Every time we do, think, or say, something good or kind it is a Drop of Awesome into our bucket. Just like it says above, the drops can't be taken away or diminished by a bad or neglectful deed. This helps us to focus on the good we do which rewards us with joy and in return helps us to do more good.
It is also important to remember the Atonement fills our buckets as well. Even when our accumulated drops of awesome seem meager, the Savior fills our buckets and our souls to overflowing.
(Wendy has plenty of extra "clickers" if anyone missed Sunday and would like one to remind them about thinking positively.)
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.
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:
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.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Sunday, November 18th Lesson
Bringing Up Children in Light and Truth
Chapter 22 from Teachings of the Presidents of the Church George Albert Smith
Some might be thinking this lesson isn't important for me at this point in my life, but there is something we can all learn from these words from George Albert Smith.
The family is the most important organization. This is not just true in the church, for the world. We can find important truths about the family in The Family: A Proclamation to the World. During our lesson we were challenged to read the Proclamation, and write down a list of what the gospel says about family responsibilities and blessings, and what the adversary is doing to destroy the family. For everyone's convenience here is a link to the Proclamation.
http://www.lds.org/Static%20Files/PDF/Manuals/TheFamily_AProclamationToTheWorld_35538_eng.pdf
We focused on 4 points to strengthen our families now and our future families.
1. We need to have an understanding and testimony of the gospel if we are going to teach it to our children.
Matthew 7:7 teaches us to search for answers, and study to know.
It is important to actively be searching and learning about the gospel.
Once we are baptized we have left neutral ground.
2. Children learn by example- Be your best self.
Page 233 of the text President Smith shares how he learned from the example of his parents, and how he remembers the patience of his mother in raising her children.
3. Create a miniature Zion in your home.
On page 240 of the lesson we are taught to "safe guard the rising generation" because if we as obligated members of a family don't, who or what will protect the children from the garbage of the world.
A way to create Zion at home is to have a picture of the Savior in every room of the house. Personally in my family we have a picture of a temple in every bedroom.
Not only should our home be like Zion, but our family is Zion. The people and interactions in our home can create our safe havens.
4. Gather family often, and study the gospel.
Even though we are not yet the wives and mothers of our own families, we are all part of a family, and we are all important members of Gods family.
If all these responsibilities seem overwhelming let us turn to Doctrine and Covenants 98:12. The Lord will teach us precept upon precept. He does't expect us to be perfect all at once, and he will help us achieve our worthy goals.
Chapter 22 from Teachings of the Presidents of the Church George Albert Smith
Some might be thinking this lesson isn't important for me at this point in my life, but there is something we can all learn from these words from George Albert Smith.
The family is the most important organization. This is not just true in the church, for the world. We can find important truths about the family in The Family: A Proclamation to the World. During our lesson we were challenged to read the Proclamation, and write down a list of what the gospel says about family responsibilities and blessings, and what the adversary is doing to destroy the family. For everyone's convenience here is a link to the Proclamation.
http://www.lds.org/Static%20Files/PDF/Manuals/TheFamily_AProclamationToTheWorld_35538_eng.pdf
We focused on 4 points to strengthen our families now and our future families.
1. We need to have an understanding and testimony of the gospel if we are going to teach it to our children.
Matthew 7:7 teaches us to search for answers, and study to know.
It is important to actively be searching and learning about the gospel.
Once we are baptized we have left neutral ground.
2. Children learn by example- Be your best self.
Page 233 of the text President Smith shares how he learned from the example of his parents, and how he remembers the patience of his mother in raising her children.
3. Create a miniature Zion in your home.
On page 240 of the lesson we are taught to "safe guard the rising generation" because if we as obligated members of a family don't, who or what will protect the children from the garbage of the world.
A way to create Zion at home is to have a picture of the Savior in every room of the house. Personally in my family we have a picture of a temple in every bedroom.
Not only should our home be like Zion, but our family is Zion. The people and interactions in our home can create our safe havens.
4. Gather family often, and study the gospel.
Even though we are not yet the wives and mothers of our own families, we are all part of a family, and we are all important members of Gods family.
If all these responsibilities seem overwhelming let us turn to Doctrine and Covenants 98:12. The Lord will teach us precept upon precept. He does't expect us to be perfect all at once, and he will help us achieve our worthy goals.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Sunday, November 11 Lesson
The Power of Kindness
Chapter 21 from Teachings of the Presidents of the Church George Albert Smith
President Smith's granddaughter tells a story of his kindness one hot summer day. Many workers came to fix a problem on the street President Smith lived on. As the day progressed the heat and the hard labor put the men in bad moods and they started using offensive language. One person came out to ask the men to stop using such foul language, but this only further upset the workers and they continued cussing. President Smith went outside with lemonade to the workers and said, "My friends, you look so hot and tired. Why don't you come and sit under my trees here and have a cool drink?" All anger soon left and after their break they returned to their work carefully and quietly.
What does George Albert Smith teach us in this simple example of kindness?
Something I learned was to lead by example. When we teach kindness through our actions more than through our words, others will follow our kind deeds.
Matthew 7:1-5
This scripture teaches us to righteously judge. "For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged."
On page 225 of the manual President Smith says, "You can find good in everyone if you will but look for it."
This is true! We all have an innate goodness within us. Let us take the time to find the goodness, not the faults, in others and ourselves. The more we get to know someone, the more we will love them and be able to so them kindness.
One last quote to end with:
"You can tell a lot about a persons relationship with Christ by the way they treat other people."
Have a wonderful week!
Chapter 21 from Teachings of the Presidents of the Church George Albert Smith
President Smith's granddaughter tells a story of his kindness one hot summer day. Many workers came to fix a problem on the street President Smith lived on. As the day progressed the heat and the hard labor put the men in bad moods and they started using offensive language. One person came out to ask the men to stop using such foul language, but this only further upset the workers and they continued cussing. President Smith went outside with lemonade to the workers and said, "My friends, you look so hot and tired. Why don't you come and sit under my trees here and have a cool drink?" All anger soon left and after their break they returned to their work carefully and quietly.
What does George Albert Smith teach us in this simple example of kindness?
Something I learned was to lead by example. When we teach kindness through our actions more than through our words, others will follow our kind deeds.
Matthew 7:1-5
This scripture teaches us to righteously judge. "For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged."
On page 225 of the manual President Smith says, "You can find good in everyone if you will but look for it."
This is true! We all have an innate goodness within us. Let us take the time to find the goodness, not the faults, in others and ourselves. The more we get to know someone, the more we will love them and be able to so them kindness.
One last quote to end with:
"You can tell a lot about a persons relationship with Christ by the way they treat other people."
Have a wonderful week!
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