Lesson October 20, 2013

Relief Society Lesson, “The Kingdom of God Moves Forward” on October 20, 2013 Out lesson on “The Kingdom of God Moves Forward” was by Amy Fehlberg. Amy asked us how many of us read the lesson. Not one person had. She told us about going to the Sacred Grove while she was in middle school and it was the first time she really felt the Spirit and the Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. She read from Joseph Smith’s History verse 11-12 where it tells about Joseph Smith reading in James 1:5 about how God would answer prayers. In verse 17-18 it talks about the appearance of God the Father and Jesus Christ and how they spoke to Joseph Smith and told him that none of the churches was correct. Amy said her father has an original Book of Mormon with Joseph Smith’s signature in it. She said they’ve always had a huge appreciation for the Book of Mormon and what Joseph Smith went through to bring it about. After his death, in Nauvoo that many thought the Church was done, but under the guidance of the Almighty, the Church moves forward. Whenever a prophet dies, the Church moves forward. When Wilford Woodruff got ill, Lorenzo Snow, who was the president of the Quorum of the Twelve, became afraid, but promised the Lord that he would do what was required of him by the Lord. After he said his prayer, President Snow, President Woodruff died. President Snow prayed in the temple for reassurance and did not get his answer until he went out into the corridor to the celestial room where the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him and told him to reorganize the quorum. He said Jesus stood about 3 feet off the floor and seemed to stand on a plate of gold. President Snow told his granddaughter when they were in the temple together and said it was the testimony of her grandfather. Paige Gibson said she was impressed that he did not get his answer right away, but went forward even so. He showed he had faith. Another sister said she was impressed that his first prayer that President Woodruff not die was answered with “no.” The same thing happened to Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane and the benefit is tremendous to us. So when we are told no, perhaps it is for our benefit or the benefit of others. Amy said that the Garden of Gethsemane is amazing to visit. She could feel her Savior’s love for her. She asked about experiences where we have felt the Spirit. One sister told of when President Hinckley died, it was hard because he was the only prophet she knew. She had to pray to get the same testimony of President Monson and appreciate the Church moving on. Amy said she also felt sad when President Hinckley died and had to learn to love President Monson. She said the same thing happened when her ward was disbanded and they moved into our ward. Sister Sandy Green said that studying the prophets helps us learn to love and appreciate past prophets. Amy moved to how the kingdom of God will stand throughout the rest of time on the earth. It gives her comfort that the Church is here and led by Heavenly Father and to know it is here. Daniel 2:44 says that God shall set up His kingdom that shall never be destroyed and stand forever. Sister Jill said that she wants those she loves can join in the Church. Another sister said that she is comforted that no one can mess up the Church by themselves. Amy said that when someone makes a mistake it doesn’t make the Church untrue. Amy read that God has set up his kingdom to benefit families and guide them for his glorious second coming. To talk about the kingdom being destroyed and it is like moving the sun from its orbit. Sister Hickman said she wrote a letter to her grandson and asked him if he knew a certain team is going to win, would he want to be on that team? Amy read that those who want to destroy Mormonism, just let them do what they want, but the Church will not perish. There will always be a ram caught in the thicket to keep us safe. How do we handle opposition? One sister said we can turn things into missionary experiences. She had a friend whose pastor talked against Mormons. The friend asked questions of the sister and actually became baptized. Sister Bahr said she works in a non-Mormon environment. She was working last week on a project and her boss said she shouldn’t be nervous because the Holy Ghost would help her. He was joking, but she said she could pray, and he didn’t want her to, but it brought up some of her co-workers remembering good things about the Church. She gave her boss a Book of Mormon and he thanked her. Amy said it is important for us to realize that we may have hard times, but we are supported by the Lord. Will we make the sacrifice and prove ourselves. We need to be prepared to make those sacrifices. Amy said her mother was here last week and she told Amy about Job, who lost everything and gained it all back and then some. God will make our weak things become strong. Erin said her mother lost her husband and moved to California. They met an LDS person who helped them convert. They moved from San Diego to Utah, kids kicking and screaming, and yet they have regained everything and then some. Another sister said her husband had 10 children and lost them in divorce. He then remarried her and they married when she had 5 children and they had 5 more. He had sores because of diabetes, yet he felt that he had regained everything, like Job. We need to trust the Lord.