“Prayers of Faith”

Thank you Tristan for our discussion on “Prayers of Faith” by President Eyring that was led via Zoom. It was so great to see so many of you and to hear your thoughts.

Tristan started by telling us how her testimony of prayer started young… it started by watching her Mom praying and she could see how important it was to her. Her brother and her were in elementary school and had the chance to go to their cousins for a play date – they had to walk through the school since their house was on the other side of the school from them. Her mom told them how to get there and before they left, she stopped them and had them come back and kneel in prayer and prayed for them to be protected. This memory stands out in Tristan’s mind and she could feel her faith as she called on Heavenly Father to watch them. Faith in prayer has snowballed from there. 

“These words from the sacrament prayer should then describe our daily life: “Always remember him.” “Him” refers to Jesus Christ. The next words, “and keep his commandments,” suggest what it means for us to remember Him. As we remember Jesus Christ always, we might ask in silent prayer, “What would He have me do?””

What we he have me do?

-One Sister said we can pray to know what Heavenly Father would have us focus on today. 

-Another Sister mentioned scripture study and prayer can help bring personal revelation. 

-One Sister talked about her to do list and she prayed over it… she was prompted to spend extra time with one of her children and it was most important for that day. Each day is different but if we pray for guidance we can be guided in what is most important or who needs to be ministered to. 

Any examples of prayers of faith?

-The Sister missionaries shared an experience about how they were having a rough day and felt they should go on a walk. They prayed before they left their home and decided to carry a Book of Mormon with them and asked to help find one person to give it to. They were walking along a street and a woman jumps out of her car and started talking to them and took the Book of Mormon. This Sister joined us on our Zoom discussion. It’s amazing when we have faith Heavenly Father blesses us. 

-One Sister shares we are always supposed to be praying. Her mom taught her to pray in her heart. She shared how her and her family went out of town and visited family after school got out… she was nervous about going due to our present circumstances but they had a great time. They had cleared her fridge out before going… they got back and the next day She had a dental appointment. It was early morning and she went to Costco and had the thought to say a prayer… she had the thought to check on her boys. She called them and they said they were fine but mentioned the fridge had stopped working so she was able to avoid buying a month worth of food that she wouldn’t have had a fridge to put it in. 

-One Sister shared how when her daughter got the call that she wouldn’t be able to continue on her mission.. she was initially able to say she was going to move on and do what she needed to do. Then she started to question it and whether what she was going to do was correct. This Sister remembered from her own mission that she would have a “pray now” – they would ask investigators to pray right now if the things they were talking about if they were right. She asked her daughter to pray right now and ask Heavenly Father what he thinks about the plans her daughter had made – if they’re right. They prayed. And pray of these “pray nows” is you just wait for an answer… sometimes an answer comes now or you have to wait. This Sister shared how she has a testimony of prayer and know that it works.

-One sister shared instead of looking at things as a problem or trial… look at them as a challenge. Easier said then done. This Sister continued to share how in her line of work she talks with people who have lost their faith… she tells them to look at it as a challenge. God is asking them to stand up. God opens a doorway. God is daring us to trust him. 

We were reminded that Heavenly Father cares about the things we care about.. even if we think it is insignificant.

We should all remember that the Prophet Joseph Smith’s prayer changed the world. 

First is Joseph Smith. He asked in childlike faith what the Lord would have him do. His answer changed the history of the world.

Lastly, our discussion ended with the reminder that our Heavenly Father and Jesus love us.

When I pray with faith, I have the Savior as my advocate with the Father and I can feel that my prayer reaches heaven. Answers come. Blessings are received. There is peace and joy even in hard times.

“Spiritually Defining Memories”

Thank you Annette for your thoughts on Elder Anderson’s talk, “Spiritually Defining Memories”.

Elder Anderson explained that, ” Along with the peaceful direction we receive from the Holy Ghost, from time to time, God powerfully and very personally assures each of us that He knows us and loves us and that He is blessing us specifically and openly.  Then, in our moments of difficulty, the Savior brings these experiences back into our mind.”

I can remember being in the 6th grade and recently moving into a new house.  My parents had given me a house key and I felt very important.  One afternoon I was playing outside with a friend in the woods down the street and I had put the key in my coat pockets. I went home for dinner and the key was not in my pocket.  I was very worried.  After dinner I said a prayer and went back to where I had been playing.  After several minutes I saw the key!  I knew that Heavenly Father had heard and answered my prayer.  Now, 47 years later, I still think about about this experience and remember that Heavenly Father knows me and loves me.

Elder Anderson reminds us, “With constant prayer, a determination to keep our covenants, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, we navigate our way through life.  When personal difficulty, doubt, or discouragement darken our path, or when world conditions beyond our control lead us to wonder about the future, the spiritually defining memories from our book of life are like luminous stones that help brighten the road ahead, assuring us that God knows us, loves us, and has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to help us return home.”

Our spiritually memories help us through difficult times, when we need reassurance or to share to help loved one.  We recently read in our Come Follow Me studies when Alma shared a spiritually defining memory with his son to help him.  Elder Anderson encouraged us to believe in our spiritual memories, to write them down and share them with your family.  Spiritually defining memories are gifts from our Heavenly Father, we should be aware of these gifts as we “Hear Him”.  Take time this coming week to record and share one of your spiritually defining memories.  

Elder Anderson shares this promise, “I promise you that as you willingly acknowledge and carefully treasure the spiritually defining events in your life, more and more will come to you.  Heavenly Father knows you and loves you!”

“A Perfect Brightness of Hope”

Thank you so much Annette for the following message on the talk “A Perfect Brightness of Hope” from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.

“We all need to believe that what we desire in righteousness can someday, someway, somehow yet be ours…. So, when our backs are to the wall and, as the hymn says, “other helpers fail and comforts flee,” among our most indispensable virtues will be this precious gift of hope linked inextricably to our faith in God and our charity to others.”

These two quotes from Elder Holland’s talk reminded me of what we studied in Come Follow Me when Alma, two of his sons and several of his fellow missionary friends go to the Zoramites and find, “…they had fallen into great errors, for they would not observe to keep the commandments of God, …neither would they observe the performances of the church, to continue in prayer and supplication to God daily, that they might not enter into temptation.” (Alma 31:9-10).  The scriptures tell us all of the missionaries were “astonished beyond all measure” when they observed the Zoramites. Their backs were against the wall!

We can learn from what Alma and his fellow missionaries did next.  As you read Alma 31:26-38 what did you learn?  What should we do when our backs are against the wall? How can we apply the brightness of hope Elder Holland talked about and the example Alma gave us, in our lives this coming week?

We all have hopes, in 2 Nephi 31:20 it reminds us:

 “Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”

“Finding Refuge from the StormS of Life”

Thank you so much Tristan for preparing this message for us.

Elder Ricardo P. Gimenez begins his talk, Finding Refuge from the Storms of Life, with a story. He served at a fire station in Chile during his college years. He was told he needed to be at the fire station on New Year’s Eve because there is always an emergency that day. At midnight, the bells at the fire station indicated an emergency. Elder Gimenez noticed the contrast of people that night. As he and his associates rushed to help the people in serious trouble, Elder Gimenez saw crowds of people enjoying the evening and celebrating the new year.

 

“This experience helped me realize that although our lives may at times be relatively smooth, the time will come for each of us when we will face unexpected challenges and storms that will push the limits of our ability to endure. Physical, mental, family, and employment challenges; natural disasters; and other matters of life or death are but some of the examples of the storms that we will face in this life.”

 

Another lesson I picked out from this story is that the Santiago Fire Department planned on emergencies happening on New Year’s Eve. They were prepared to act when the time came. Knowing that we will all be affected by the storms of life should encourage us to be prepared. The COVID-19 pandemic was a wake-up call as our physical preparedness was put to use.

 

Elder David A. Bednar recently discussed the pandemic at a BYU Law School conference. He is quoted as saying, “Our world has seemingly been filled recently with strong wake-up calls. From natural disasters to a deadly pandemic sweeping the globe to a most pernicious social plague of racism, we are daily reminded that we need to awaken to the perilous times that surround us, come to ourselves and arise and turn to our Divine Father, who desires to instruct and edify us through our trials.”

 

Are we spiritually prepared to endure the storms of life? My prayers become more sincere when I am in the middle of a trial. I am trying to maintain the strength of my spiritual muscles during the calm times in my life so I can be prepared for the inevitable storms. Some time ago, we had a Relief Society lesson where we were asked to think of a time when we were prepared for a difficult trial. That question has stuck with me for some reason. While I could think of a specific tender experience, I was surprised with how the Lord prepared me for another trial soon after that lesson.

 

Every day for months, my mind was filled with thoughts of how the Savior’s Atonement has blessed me personally. After a while, these thoughts were so persistent that I started to wonder why. Then my daughter became very ill and was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. The spiritual peace that normally accompanies bad news wasn’t as immediate with this trial. I have lived with Type 1 diabetes for over 30 years and I knew exactly how her diagnosis would affect our family’s lives. I went to bed late that night knowing I wouldn’t be able to sleep. As I tried to rest my body, thoughts of the Savior and His Atoning sacrifice returned to my mind. I knew the Lord was aware of me and my family. My own testimony that had been occupying my conscious thoughts for months provided the peace I needed at that difficult time.

 

Elder Gimenez shares many powerful quotes and scriptures in his talk. I hope you take the time to read them. I add my testimony to his, “As we face the storms of life, I know that if we make our best effort and rely upon Jesus Christ and His Atonement as our refuge, we will be blessed with the relief, comfort, strength, temperance, and peace that we are seeking, with certainty in our hearts that at the end of our time here on earth, we will hear the words of the Master: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: … enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21). In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

 

I invite you to ponder your own storms. Count your blessings and recognize tender mercies. How has the Lord prepared you? How have your burdens become lighter as you yoke yourself with Jesus Christ? Do you have power scriptures or quotes that strengthen you during your storms?

 

 

Watchful unto Prayer Continually

Tristan taught our lesson on Elder David A. Bednar’s general conference talk “Watchful unto Prayer Continually“.

Tristan started the lesson by showing us the following two videos and asked us to look for the similarities & differences between the two videos and to think about how it applies to our lives.

 

What did you notice or think about while watching these videos?
Some of the Sisters answered..

• Predators are relentless & stealthy. The similarities between them and Satan are striking. He is stealthy and distracting too. He hides in so many ways and is subtle.
• While the cheetahs were doing their pursuit, they kept going and didn’t stop. The crocodiles would sit and just wait. Satan does both.
• Patience – Satan is patient and will try again and again throughout our lives to tempt us.
• The Savior knows us. Satan knows us as well. He knows how to get to us and he will do whatever it takes.
• The man jumped who jumped the fence knew of the danger but still jumped the fence. There were signs posted even but he still did it.

The rest of the lesson Tristan asked the following five questions and we discussed them together

1.How do evil influences get into our homes and how can we insulate our homes against these evil influences?

• We bring them into our home (TV, music, phones, computers). These sources are both good and bad & we need to recognize that. We need to make the choice to use them for good.
• Bad attitudes, speaking ill of one another, etc will come into our home periodically. We recognize it will happen but how do we mitigate it? The Lord has shown us by example how to respond in love. Everyday won’t always be unicorns and rainbows – it is real life.

2. What are you doing to beware of evil’s beguiling disguises, stay awake and be alert, and understand the intent of the enemy?

• We have to be constantly looking to be better. We cannot be complacent. We can ask ourselves whats the next step forward?
• A few sisters mentioned how they have a phone zone or charging zone for all the cell phones in their house. All phones go to a designated area overnight so there are not cellphones in bedrooms.
• Do all the things everyday as a family that we should be – read scriptures, pray… This allows the Spirit to be there and the Spirit is key.

Constant vigilance is required to counteract complacency and casualness. To be vigilant is the state or action of keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties. And keeping watch denotes the act of staying awake to guard and protect. Spiritually speaking, we need to stay awake and be alert to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and the signals that come from the Lord’s watchmen on the towers.

A cheetah is a predator that naturally preys on other animals. All day, every day, a cheetah is a predator.

Satan “is the enemy of righteousness and of those who seek to do the will of God.” All day, every day, his only intent and sole purpose are to make the sons and daughters of God miserable like unto himself.

• The question says “the intent of the enemy” – We know Satan doesn’t want us to get back to our Heavenly Father. However, Satan tries so many different things to distract us and to try and get us believe.
• It can be overwhelming to be a wife and mom. If you get bogged down by Satan it affects the entire family and home. Your family needs you to be that rock. It is important for us to take care of ourselves first so that we can take care of others.

3. What are some scripture stories that illustrate and help you teach others of how to counteract Satan’s attacks?

• Nephi and his brothers – Nephi had great strength even though he was younger. His brothers saw the angels too but needed Nephi. We can pray and ask Heavenly Father for help – Laman & Lemual never asked for help.

Precisely because Captain Moroni knew the intention of the Lamanites, he was prepared to meet them at the time of their coming and was victorious.¹² And that same principle and promise applies to each of us.

“If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.

“And that ye might escape the power of the enemy.”

• People of Ammon buried their weapons of war. We need to do whatever it takes to get rid of our temptations.
• We can remember that we have the strength and the faith. We need to remember that we need to obey the small commandments even though we may not know why – examples from scriptures looking at the staff, bathing in specific water.

4. What can we do when loved ones choose not to obey?

• Love them anyways.
• Still be an example. Continuing to live the gospel shows those around us it is important to us. By choosing the right we are blessed. Satan will tempt us with the small things first.
• Remember that we all have free agency and that we fought for that.

5.  How can we live in the world but not be of the world?

• Follow the example of Jesus Christ.
• Constantly compare against what we know is the standard of Jesus Christ and if we need to then we need to do a course correction.

Tristan ended the lesson by leaving us with this question and asking us to practice for the next two weeks: What is one thing you can practice, on your own or with your family, to fortify your home against the adversary?

Covenant Women in Partnership with God

Annette taught our lesson on Henry B. Eyring’s talk from the October 2019 Womens General Conference session titled “Covenant Women in Partnership with God“.

We first were asked if any of us had followed up on previous lessons or studied further.

• One sister told us how she had continued to study Doctrine & Covenants section 25 further.
• One sister talked about how she has continued to read Doctrine & Covenants and is very excited for the coming General Conference in April. We were asked to prepare for this General Conference and if we do so it will help us feel the Spirit.

Becoming a covenant woman in partnership with God is how great and good daughters of God have always mothered, led, and ministered.

What is a covenant woman?
Sisters responded with the following:

• It is a woman who follows the covenants of the Church and stays on the path.
• A woman who makes covenants and strives to keep them.
• A woman willing to serve
• We made covenants when we were baptized to take upon His name, keep the commandments and to serve Him.

When you came out of the water, you had accepted another call to serve. As a new covenant daughter of God, you made a promise and received an assignment in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which you were then confirmed a member. You covenanted with God to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ, to keep His commandments, and to serve Him.

What do we do to become Covenant women?

• One sister said that we are in a partnership with God. Heavenly Father reaches out to us and we have to act and reach back.

How do we partner with God? What does it look like if we do or don’t partner with God? Are there any examples of this in our recent Come Follow Me studies?

• A sister responded that just like with our partners here in this life, we make decisions together. We need to talk to God and work together with him.
• In the Book of Mormon video in which Nephi’s bow breaks, one sister responded that our attitude makes a huge difference. When Nephi’s bow broke, everyone else complained and didn’t do anything. They were all worried that they would starve, however, Nephi acted and made a new bow. We can act because we can have faith that there is a solution to our problems.
• One sister stated that the word used, “Becoming”, means that there is a process happening. We are becoming a partner so we know that it doesn’t happen all at once. We are always learning and it is trial & error. It is just like how when we read the scriptures we can read them again and again but each time we read them we can see and learn something new. We are constantly learning.
• One sister mentioned that she liked how Lehi takes the time to talk to his younger sons and share what he learned and heard from the Lord. He allowed himself to become a partner with God and in doing so is giving his sons the opportunity to do the same.
• Another sister said we want to share our experiences with each other so that we can all lift each other up.

Let’s start with the assignment to be a ministering sister. Whether you have that assignment as a 10-year-old daughter in a family where the father has died, or as a Relief Society president whose town was recently affected by fire, or when you are in a hospital recovering from surgery—you have a chance to fulfill your call from the Lord to be His ministering daughter.

Those appear to be very different ministering assignments. Yet they all require the preparation of a powerful, loving heart, a fearless faith that the Lord gives no command save He prepares a way, and a desire to go and do for Him.

What do we do cultivate the qualities of a powerful, loving heart, fearless faith, and a desire to go and do?

• Pray to see others & their needs. We don’t know what everyone is going through. We should approach everyone with love and try to see them as the Savior does. Prayer for sight.
• Try to not judge but to serve those around us. As we serve, we learn from those around us and understand them more.
• In recent Come Follow Me studies, we learn how Laman & Lemuel hearts are hardened. Anger hardens our hearts. We should pray for our hearts to be softened.
• Keep a mind of gratefulness. We should look for the good, love those around us and we will see how we can serve them.
• Nephi was always looking back and remembering the blessings he received from big trials. We can remind ourselves how we have been blessed. We can look back as we go forward.
• Don’t give up. A sister shared how there is someone she sees regularly who doesn’t like her for some reason. This sister continues to be nice to her and this week the person finally smiled at her. This was a big step and this sister mentioned that she continued to ask herself what else she could do.
• One sister shared how in her marriage prep they wrote down the attributes of their spouse that they fell in love with. They could go back to this list during hard times or whenever they were upset. We can focus on the positive.

You cannot know when, or for what length of time, your personal mission will be focused on service in calls such as mother, leader, or ministering sister. The Lord, out of love, does not leave us the choice of the timing, duration, or sequence of our assignments. Yet you know from scripture and living prophets that all of these assignments will come, either in this life or in the next, to every daughter of God. And all of them are preparation for eternal life in loving families—“the greatest of all the gifts of God.”

What thoughts do we have in regards to the three calls of mother, leader, or ministering sister?

Leader–

• They inspire others to do things alongside them. They work together.
• They’re a good teacher.
• They’re the most successful and appreciate the assets and talents of the people they lead.

How are we a leader right now?

• The idea of a leader can be skewed as a person with power of authority. A leader is someone who influences peoples lives with growth and change.
• One sister stated how she has a card in her bathroom that states “I am a leader in my community” and that she reads it and thinks about it often. She asks herself what she should be doing if she is a leader in her community. Something she does is as simple as smile at others in the grocery store.
• Be positive. A leader should be an example.
• One sister shared about an article she had read in a doctors office about how after birth we learn by example. What are we doing and how is it affecting other people?
• One sister shared how she feels love when she is smiled at at church. Because of this, language isn’t a barrier. Smiles make her feel happy and she knows we are all children of our Heavenly Father.
• We need to show up and be the best version of ourselves. Leaders make people who are involved with whatever we are doing important. They reach out to those doing the work.

Ministering Sister–

• One sister shared how when the change from Visiting Teaching to Minister Sisters, she thought how Heavenly Father wants us to go from friends to family. With being ministering sisters, its normal for us to go to the aid of our sisters when they need help. We can really become like sisters.
• It is a giving and receiving process. We may not always be in the position to give… but we will at some point. We may be the one giving the service at different times in our lives – or we may be the one in need.
• With the change of program, one sister said that it no longer feels like an obligated visit. It feels like consistent people, or family, that she can count on if in need.

Mother–

• One sister shared how she was touched by Henry B Eyrings tribute to his wife in the talk. You don’t have to be a mother to have given physical birth to a child. Henry B Eyring talks about how his wife has accepted the call to be a motherly influence to hundreds of families. A mother is someone who shoes love, attention, and consideration to those around us.

Becoming a covenant woman in partnership with God is how great and good daughters of God have always mothered, led, and ministered, serving in whatever way and place He has prepared for them. I promise that you will find joy in your journey to your heavenly home as you return to Him as a covenant-keeping daughter of God.

I testify that God the Father lives and He loves you. He will answer your prayers. His Beloved Son leads, in every detail, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Russell M. Nelson is His living prophet. And Joseph Smith saw and spoke with God the Father and Jesus Christ in a grove of trees in Palmyra, New York. I know that is true. I also testify that Jesus Christ is your Savior; He loves you. And through His Atonement, you can be purified and lifted to the high and holy callings which will come to you. I so testify in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

We were invited to do something in the coming weeks from one of the areas of this lesson and to show the love of our Heavenly Father to those around us.

Spiritual Treasures

Tristan taught our lesson on President Nelson’s General Conference talk titled, “Spiritual Treasures“.

In this talk we were encouraged to study Doctrine & Covenants sections 25, 84, and 107.

What have we learned from studying these sections?

Those sections will lead you to other passages. The scriptures and teachings by modern prophets, seers, and revelators are filled with these truths. As your understanding increases and as you exercise faith in the Lord and His priesthood power, your ability to draw upon this spiritual treasure that the Lord has made available will increase. As you do so, you will find yourselves better able to help create eternal families that are united, sealed in the temple of the Lord, and full of love for our Heavenly Father and for Jesus Christ.

These sections led Tristan to Doctrine & Covenants 121. In this section Joseph Smith is in Liberty Jail and he is in terrible circumstances. Joseph Smith turns to God and he speaks peace to him. Doctrine & Covenants 121:33-46 are the verses that she liked the most and felt that they relate to us as covenant women. These verses help us to understand how the Priesthood applies to us. These verses can help us to as ourselves how should we be acting as disciples of Jesus Christ? How should we act in certain situations and how can we be like Jesus Christ?

How has the Priesthood blessed your life?

• One sister shared how each year at the beginning of school her husband would give their children and herself blessings. This gave her an opportunity for her to know what she should focus on as well was a huge blessing to their children.
• One sister shared how her sons birthday was recently and it reminded her of everything it took him to get him here. When he was born he was very small and he needed to be rushed and put on a ventilator. Her husband immediately asked what their child’s name was so that he could give a Father’s blessing. The pediatrician came in and told this sister that as a Priesthood holder he knew their son would be okay because of the blessing her husband had just given him. This experience helped set this sisters foundation for the power of the Priesthood.
• One sister shared how their baby had croup and they had taken him to the hospital. He was stabilized and his grandmother, who worked at the hospital, arrived and immediately asked if he had had a blessing yet. She took it upon herself to find someone, a random person at the hospital, to help give the baby a blessing.
• One sister shared how when she thinks of things that give her peace, they all have to do with the Priesthood – the Sacrament, temples, or our beautiful world. It was with God’s power that he created our world.
• One sister shared how she grew up without a Priesthood holder in her home but her mother always taught them that they always had access to the Priesthood. One experience she shared was they had broken down while traveling and her mother called the local bishop and Priesthood holders came and helped them. She has memories of help from Priesthood men and they brought peace and show love.
• We are entitled to the blessings of the Priesthood.

This question came from this weeks Come, Follow Me lesson – Why are we “armed with righteousness and with the power of God” when we live true to our covenants with God?

• When we do the right thing and follow the commandments – that is a power. Blessing of following the commandments is power. We are promised that we will have an added strength. Blessings won’t always be obvious.
• One sister shared how she teaches her children that when we do spiritual things the Spirit is closer to us and its easier to hear. We need to try and listen. The Spirit speaks to us all the time but the less we do good, the harder it is to hear him. How he talks to us changes over time.

Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God. Those who are endowed in the house of the Lord receive a gift of God’s priesthood power by virtue of their covenant, along with a gift of knowledge to know how to draw upon that power.

The heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power flowing from their priesthood covenants as they are to men who bear the priesthood. I pray that truth will register upon each of your hearts because I believe it will change your life. Sisters, you have the right to draw liberally upon the Savior’s power to help your family and others you love.

How can we draw the Savior’s power to our lives?

• Repentance. We need to make sure we are upright before the Lord.
• Serving others. One sister shared how when she helps others she gets closer to Heavenly Father, even if it is by washing dishes. Any way of showing love.
• One sister shared how focusing on her scripture study all week versus cramming at the end of the week makes a big difference. Reading her scriptures leads her to remembering prayer more in her life.

We were asked to skim Doctrine & Covenants 25. The same things given to Emma Smith apply to us. Look at the advice Heavenly Father gave to Emma and think how it applies to us right now.

What versus stood out?

• One sister shared how verse 10 stood out and said that this was a big task.
• One sister shared how verse 2 stood out. Her seminary teacher always taught to replace names in the scriptures with your own. Heavenly Father has revelations for us and He will preserve us. We just need to be faithful and we can be protected.
• One sister shared verse 13. We can be happy and rejoice. We need to cleave, hold tight, to our covenants.
• One sister shared verse 8. We are commanded to receive the Holy Ghost and to learn much. We need to be able to articulate truth and share what we know.

As women we have a special gift and we shouldn’t be afraid to share our voices in meetings.

How do we put aside the things of this world?

• One sister shared how we were doing that by being at church and learning.
• One sister shared she does this by doing scripture study and putting things of the world aside. We need to make the time to sit and read.
• One sister shared how we need to use our phone, and social media, for good. Would you turn back for your scriptures if you forgot them? Do we treat our scriptures like we do our phones? Do we look at them as often?
• One sister shared how she would use a quote or scripture as the picture on her phone for her lock screen – it would be something she wanted to memorize and she would read it every time she unlocked her phone. This helped to her think about this often.
• One sister shared how we need to remember the season of life we are in and do what works for us and our circumstances. Do not feel guilty and know we are doing our best.
• One sister shared the importance of making our homes sanctuaries.

Now a little word of warning. There are those who would undermine your ability to call upon the power of God. There are some who would have you doubt yourself and minimize your stellar spiritual capacity as a righteous woman.

Most certainly, the adversary does not want you to understand the covenant you made at baptism or the profound endowment of knowledge and power you have received or will receive in the temple—the house of the Lord. And Satan certainly does not want you to understand that every time you worthily serve and worship in the temple, you leave armed with God’s power and with His angels having “charge over” you.

We were encouraged to continue to study this talk.

Your Great Adventure

It’s been a while since we met as Relief Society sisters! Ivy H. was released as Relief Society instructor. She is now serving as Primary secretary. I have been released as Relief Society secretary. I will be serving as Relief Society instructor and Noelle G. will serve as Relief Society secretary.

The goal is to keep this blog going. A Relief Society secretary in my former ward emailed notes from the Relief Society lessons. I found those notes very encouraging when I was serving outside the Relief Society and was unable to attend the lessons. I have tried to pay it forward by posting a weekly summary of our lessons.

Annette taught our lesson on Elder Uchtdorf’s General Conference talk titled Your Great Adventure.

What is our great adventure?

• We all chose to come to earth, stick it out, and return to Heavenly Father. It’s amazing to realize that each person on earth made this choice.

What are other names for the Plan of Salvation?

• Plan of Happiness
• Plan of Redemption
• The Heroine’s Journey (not in the scriptures but a wonderful name!)
• Plan of Restoration

The Savior invites us, each day, to set aside our comforts and securities and join Him on the journey of discipleship.

Incline Your Heart to God

How can we strive to find Him?

• Prayer
• We can turn our hearts to Heavenly Father when we are hurt or are hurting. We don’t need to feel lost during those difficult times if we try to find Him in our circumstances.
• We find Him in other people when they act as the Savior would.
• We find Him in the little blessings that are personal and meaningful to us.

How do we learn to love Him?

• Talk to Him each day and learn to listen to Him.
• Service
• Feeling gratitude reminds us of our blessings and we find we love Him more for blessing us.
• We show love for Him by obeying His commandments. If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)
• We love those people we trust and have a relationship with. Trust Him.

If you hesitate in this adventure because you doubt your ability, remember that discipleship is not about doing things perfectly; it’s about doing things intentionally.

What does it mean to do something intentionally? Give an example.

• Doing something intentionally means to do it on purpose like when we study the scriptures.
• A sister made a plan for Sunday School lessons.
• Another sister listens to the General Conference for the Relief Society lesson. She will listen one last time on Sunday morning before going to church.
• Doing something intentionally isn’t only for spiritual matters. We can intentionally create a healthy meal incorporating all the food groups. While other times we eat something just to fill our bellies.

What is the difference between striving for something or having our imagined expectations fulfilled?

• Sometimes other people change the outcome unexpectedly. This can be positive or negative.
• Family Home Evening doesn’t always work out the way we expect. Striving is still doing it regularly, regardless of the outcome.
• It’s important to continue to strive each day and do the best we can.

Annette passed out index cards to write goals on. We wrote ways we can incline our hearts toward God.

Reach out in Love to Others

To help others is the path of discipleship. Faith, hope, love, compassion, and service refine us as disciples.

How do we do this?

• Christ was our example. We can be an example of Him through love and service for others.
• We covenanted to care for others. We can share happiness with others.

True disciples of Jesus Christ love God and His children without expectation of something in return. We love those who disappoint us, who don’t like us. Even those who ridicule, abuse, and seek to hurt us.

• This can be hard for some people.
• We can love others but we may not like their behavior. Separate the sin from the person.

Think of someone in the scriptures who is refined for their example of faith and hope. In times of trial look to these people for support. It’s always helpful to look back and find strength from someone who has also gone through a difficult trial.

We wrote another action on our card of ways we can reach out to others in love.

Share Your Story

The third thing we strive to master in this journey is to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ and not be ashamed of being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ.

The difference between casual social contacts and compassionate, courageous discipleship is—invitation!

• A sister invited her hairdresser to our Christmas Sacrament Meeting. The hairdresser mentioned that her dad is taking lessons in hopes of being baptized a member of the Catholic church. This sister was grateful that her invitation opened the door to future gospel conversations.
• Another sister was talking with a discouraged co-worker. The co-worker felt like she had been yelled at by a pastor who had been filling in while the regular pastor was out of town. This sister invited the friend to our Christmas Sacrament Meeting telling her we take turns speaking and teaching. Our messages are always positive. The friend did not come to the meeting but she was very grateful for the invitation. Other co-workers also commented on the sweet invitation and know the offer still stands to join this sister at church.
• Through a series of fortunate events, a sister was able to talk with a student’s mother. The student was part of the ESL program and the sister was able to help tutor the mother in ESL as well. The mother asked if the sister believed in angels. The sister was able to share her testimony of the Restoration and Joseph Smith’s story.
• When we invite others to learn more about the gospel, we should remember that it’s the Spirit that will do the converting and not us. We don’t even have to do the teaching! The sister missionaries will help with that. Sometimes the challenge to invite someone to church is more about the opportunity to talk about church and the gospel.
• Another sister texted a General Conference talk to a friend.

We have been asked to do a lot of things. We need to do more than just talk about things. We need to act. At the October 2019 General Women’s Session, President Nelson asked us to read Sections 25, 84, and 107 in the Doctrine & Covenants. Annette challenged everyone to do that. Our lesson on January 26 is on President Nelson’s talk and we will be discussing what we have learned from studying these sections.

We wrote action items of ways we can share our story.

We could spend a lifetime waiting for that moment when everything lines up perfectly. But now is the time to commit fully to seeking God, ministering to others, and sharing our experience with others.

 

Honoring His Name

Annette taught our lesson from an October General Conference talk by Sister Lisa Harkness titled Honoring His Name.

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “we first pledge[d] our willingness to take upon us the name of Christ … by the ordinance of baptism.” Through this covenant, we promised to always remember Him, keep His commandments, and serve others.

What are some examples of how you are doing through your everyday life?

• One sister is watching her grandkids. She is doing laundry every day to help keep her grandkids on track.
• Another sister teaches Seminary every morning to help her teenage students grow closer to the Savior.
• We take Christ’s name upon us when we pray each day and attend Sacrament Meeting each Sunday to receive the ordinance of the sacrament.
• A sister shares her time and personal resources to serve in the ward.
• A sister shares positive quotes and scriptures with her grandkids.
• Daily repentance reminds us of the Savior’s atonement. We won’t always get things right the first time, but we can repent and try again. Daily repentance is about change.
• One sister enjoys buying gifts for the local giving tree. It’s her way of paying forward the blessings she and her children received over the years.
• Another sister is kind to customers at work. She noted how simple it is, but it can make such a big difference to someone.

Mosiah 3:17 And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.

Why should we take upon us the name of Christ?

• Salvation will not come any other way.

President Russell M. Nelson has asked that we “be intentional about talking of Christ, rejoicing in Christ, and preaching of Christ with [our family] and friends.”

How are we doing this?

• One sister is intentionally making friends with people of other faiths. As the friendship grows, they naturally start sharing what they know of Jesus Christ.
• Another sister shares what she learned from Come Follow Me that week. Sharing insights along with things she learned is a way for her to apply the lessons more personally throughout the week.
• A sister often asks her daughter’s opinion on gospel questions she is pondering.
• Another sister realized that her non-member family is often more open about sharing blessings from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. She decided to look for opportunities to share her testimony with others. She likes to share quotes and positive messages on social media from prophets and general leaders of the Church.
• A sister shared a memory. She had a friend who was craving religion, but this sister was too timid to share her testimony with the friend. The friend soon joined another church. This sister is now more open with sharing her thoughts and feelings about the Savior, as well as talking about what she does at different church meetings and activities.
• One sister said she wants to share more with friends but often stops herself. She used to say, “I don’t want to be a bother,” instead of sharing her feelings. Her friends have told her she isn’t a bother and they would love to be “bothered” with her thoughts. Another sister added to this line of thought by saying that she likes to use the phrase, “This works for me.” The gospel is not a one-size-fits-all situation. We all experience it and apply it differently.
• Another sister frequently has gospel conversations with her non-member friends. They talk about what they learned in church that week. This sister sends links to the conference talks we discuss twice a month in Relief Society.

Our promise to always remember the Savior gives us strength to stand for truth and righteousness—whether we are in a large crowd or in our solitary places, where no one knows our actions except for God. When we remember Him and His name we bear, we have no place for self-degrading comparisons or overbearing judgments. With our eyes on the Savior, we see ourselves for who we really are—a cherished child of God.

Honoring His name becomes a part of who we are.

We ended with a video. Before church, I heard a talk where the speaker talked about daily to-do lists. He said that if we were to pray about what to include in our list, we would be surprised by how short our lists would be. We would also notice that Heavenly Father wants our lists to be more home centered. Now grab a tissue because this video may make you leaky!

The Joy of the Saints

Update: I keep forgetting to mention that Stephanie M. was called and sustained to serve on the Relief Society Meeting Committee a couple weeks ago. We are so excited to be working with her!

Ivy taught our lesson from Elder D. Todd Christofferson’s recent General Conference address titled, The Joy of the Saints.

Elder Christofferson quotes President Russell M. Nelson:

The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.

Joy is not just a topic for the holiday season, it seems we are hearing more about joy all the time.

Why are we discussing joy so much?

• We need to stand out and be a joyful people.
• We are created to feel joy. A sister shared a special experience where she felt joy at the temple. This sister was dropping off her daughter with her daughter’s father. This sister recognized that it’s difficult to see her ex-husband with his new family, but she chose not to focus on the painful situation. Instead she allowed herself to enjoy her service in the temple. She was able to feel the joy of the gospel.
• Joy is something real. It is in stark contrast to the false façade the world represents.
• A sister likes to remember that JOY = Jesus, Others, You. These letters help us prioritize Jesus first, which helps us focus on others as we remember to take care of ourselves.
• When we stay focused on the Savior, we are insulated from the negativity of life.
• Life can be difficult. It can often feel like waves are knocking us down. Are we focused on Christ and the strength He provides, or are we focused on the waves?

Ivy divided the room into three groups to address the major points of Elder Christofferson’s talk – The Joy of Keeping Christ’s Commandments, The Joy of Overcoming through Christ, The Joy of Serving as Christ Serves.

Each group discussed what we are to learn from that section, thoughts and insights, a scriptural example, and a discussion question for everyone.

Group 1 learned eternal perspective. Their thoughts and insights were that Christ helps us progress. The early Pioneer Saints experienced so much loss on their journey, yet they still sang and felt joy. Discussion question:

Identify a time when you felt joy while keeping the commandments?

• One sister shared how she wanted to take her son to the temple to do baptisms. Each weekend seemed to be so busy and they kept canceling their temple plans. Finally, she decided she had to make it happen. It was not easy, but she prayed to be able to feel peace and joy at the temple. She was grateful for the peace of the temple and the way that worldly cares seem to disappear at the temple. She and her son did feel joy in their service.
• One of the Sister Missionaries shared an experience her sister had while growing up. The sister and a group of friends went to a dance. That night they happened to see Elder L. Tom Perry. The friends were very nervous to meet this apostle because their dresses were not modest. The sister’s dress was and she felt great as she greeted the apostle. The Sister Missionary was touched by her sister’s example. She loved wearing her sister’s dresses to dances. She also has a lot of confidence in dressing modestly.

Group 2 learned that because of Jesus Christ’s atonement, we can do anything. Their thoughts and insights were the importance of finding joy in the journey.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

How have you seen or measured your spiritual progression?

• One sister measures her spiritual progression by how quickly she turns to Heavenly Father for help rather than turning to Google.
• Obedience is a good litmus test for another sister. When we are going through a trial do we still keep the commandments?
• Another sister reminded us of Pres. Nelson’s quote. The joy we feel has little to do with our circumstances. Boiling water softens a potato but hardens an egg.

Group 3 learned that joy decreases when we compete or compare. Joy increases when we are trying to please God. Alma found joy in the success of others. Discussion question:

How have you felt joy as you serve as Christ serves?

• One sister loves seeing service lift someone up. She also noted that service often makes us grateful for what we have.
• Another sister has been participating in a clothing drive she found on JustServe. She is grateful for the opportunity to bless the lives of children in need. She enjoys seeing how much clothing has been collected for this service project.
• Service is a testimony builder for another sister.