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.