Lesson for August 18, 2013 Chapter 16: That We May Become One

Sister Maggie Kopp gave the lesson. We talked about unity as a ward, as a stake, and as a people. We need one purpose, one mission. Margaret Cook thinks of unity as coming together and strengthening by using the strengths of each person—staying away from division. Elder Snow was asked by Brigham Young to raise money for the Perpetual Immigration Fund. He had some difficulty because people were not wealthy, very poor, in fact. The hearts of the Saints were opened and they donated cheerfully to help others come across the plains. Sister Francis said that today we felt a spiritual communication as we performed as a choir. Enoch’s people were united in purpose and serving the Lord and each other. Maggie said she just came back from a professional development class that was tough. There were nine people in the class and when the class was over, the response of her classmates was one of unity and friendship from working through this tough class. Jesus prayed that his disciples would be one. If we are divided, how can we be effective instruments in His hands? The Lord has a mission for the Church and if we are not unified, he cannot make us the people we need to be. Missionaries who are having hard times need to get unity with their companions and districts to be effective. Maggie told about Chieko Okasaka telling about doing what needs to be done where we live. For example, fruit in Utah must be bottled to be preserved for winter, yet, fruit in Hawaii is available year round right outside the door. Another quote is that we must all learn about each other so we can learn from each other and have love for each other. President Snow said we have commonalities in our wards and stakes and families. What does it take for someone to go from a stranger to a friend? One sister said that when she moved in to her apartment, some of her neighbors were distant. They moved out and she felt bad that she didn’t know them. So she now makes cookies or something to take to them and get to know them. She said we need to reach out to others. Sister Cook said that she was baptized 37 years ago and lots of people came to her baptism. It was that reaching out that helped her feel comfortable in the ward. Another sister said that serving others makes it so you can serve with others to help additional people. Sister Lopez said when she was a young mother and struggling with the bottle at church, another sister came and helped her. Now she sees this woman and she’s a friend Sister Lopez can talk to and know they are comfortable with each other. We need to love one another. Age is no difference. Sister Laycock said she was Peggy Benson’s visiting teacher and she was old enough to be Sister Laycock’s mother, but they were the best of friends. Sister Heather Cantrell said she loves to come to church to be with the sisters who feel like her family. She said that Ruth Hendriksen, especially is a true friend. We can love people who are nothing like us, even if we don’t love their individual actions. We can find those commonalities that can make relationships stronger. Sister Cook said that Abraham Lincoln said that he didn’t like a certain man, so he needed to get to know that person better. We need to give people the benefit of the doubt. Sister Trewartha said that she once taught a lesson on this topic and she gave an object lesson of a bundle of pencils and one pencil is easy to break, but if they are bundled, they are strong. Maggie asked how we can repair the damage when we break down the unity. Admit we’re wrong and reach out. Sister Hanson said we need to forgive even if no forgiveness has been asked for. Sometimes we need to put ourselves in their shoes and that makes it easier to forgive. We can feel the Spirit better when we pray about it and wait for that moment to come, even if it is not on our timeline. We have to be patient with ourselves and the other person. Stop murmuring and becoming dissatisfied. Missionaries always love the people they serve, so we should develop that same love for those whom we serve. If we do that we can easily love.

Lesson August 11, 2013

Relief Society, August 11, 2013 Sister Amy Fehlberg gave the lesson on Chapter 15: Faithful, Energetic Service in the Kingdom of God. She read to us a picture book called the Selfish Crocodile. She said the opposite of service is selfishness. The story is about the selfish crocodile who kept everyone away until he got sick. A little mouse saved the crocodile by pulling its tooth. The crocodile gave the mouse a nut and the mouse and the crocodile became friends and the rest of the animals, too. We need to give others acts of love. Sisters said that service is giving of your time, giving smiles, compliments, and building the kingdom of God. If we serve others, we serve God. A loving attitude helps. If you are serving just to be seen to serve, it means nothing. D&C 4:2-3 tells us to embark in the service of God to be blameless and blessed. Psalms 100:2 says to serve the Lord with gladness. Amy said we will enjoy it more if we serve with gladness. Sometimes little things make big differences. We provide service by helping those around us keep up standards. We provide service by talking on the telephone and listening. Sister Laycock said that every calling we have is a service to someone. Not every calling will be our favorite, but it’s what the Lord needs at that time. It’s like the body and how every part of the body is needed for the body to work well. President Snow said for everyone to serve diligently. Elder Holland said every calling is important. She said that her mother gave everyone who came into their home a gospel message and ended up having three of her children’s friends join the Church, including her daughter’s boyfriend who was super excited to be called as a home teacher—he felt it was the best calling in the world. We need to have that kind of excitement about our callings. We need to be humble enough to get the service. We can put people’s names in the temple, because sometimes it’s the only thing we can do. Going to the temple is something we can do without thinking or asking others if we can do it. They’re always happy to have us. For a lot of us, we do service selfishly because it brings so much joy to us. Sometimes we have to allow others to help us with the type of service they can give. These instances of service—whether we give or receive—makes us teary eyed, because it means so much to both the giver and the receiver. Looking for ways to serve others is the way we find ways to serve. President Snow said that knowing what we should do means we need to be energetic and diligent in serving others, not lukewarm, because of the nature of our gospel and because we know it is true. Another reason we give service is that it is a commandment, so if we love God we should serve Him.

more lesson

It is important to have good music in the home to create calmness and peace in the home. Sometimes you don't realize something is going on, but then your children will play "Love at Home" and you know they are trying to help. Some of the electronic resources the Church has provided are especially good, like apps for our phones and tablets. even Pandora has a section on LDS hymns. Playing hymns while trying to get to church gets everyone in the family in the right mood. Other artists who are not sponsored by the Church can be especially helpful as well. The words "I love you" and Forgive me" provide comfort and express the tenderness of our hearts. We need to show each other how much we care. Sister Barbara Thompson said to love and nurture our children. Express kind words and theach them to pray. Now we also text to our loved ones and brighten their days. we also need to share our love of the sriptures with our families.

Lesson August 4, 2013--Presidency message

Sister Lopez gave us the lesson on "The Home School of Life" and some other talks. She asked that we participate and help with the discussion. The talk is about the lessons learned in the home. The best school is called home. Sister Lopez said her family had to wait for years to all be sealed in the temple. She remembers that it was an important thing to happen for her family. The temple is the place. She found out that she and her husband were sealed to their families on the same day in the same temple and may have passed each other in the hall. There is so much single sisters can do for their families and their nieces and nephews. President Benson said not all sisters in the church will have the opportunity for all blessings in this life. But they will get them if they are faithful, He also said it takes two people to caused contention and he was not willing to be one of those people.

August 20 activity

Join for our preparedness activity about personal documents and first aid. Come to the church at 7:00. Some refreshments.

August Temple Sessions

Join us at the temple. We leave from the church west parking lot one hour before sessions. In August we will attend sessions on August 13 at 6:30 p.m., August 17 at 8:00 a.m., and August 21 at 7:30 p.m.