Relief Society Lesson for October 27, 2013 "The Windows of Heaven"

Relief Society lesson October 27, 2013 Our lesson today is from the Teachings of Our Times and was given by Sister Jessica Lewis. It was on a talk by Elder David A. Bednar, “The Windows of Heaven.” Jessica had been thinking of all of us and how much she loves us, even if she doesn’t know us very well. She asked for us to share our insights. The first lesson Elder Bednar talked about was the significant but subtle blessings we are blessed with as we pay our tithing the second is the way tithing has blessed the church. Sister Bednar always kept faithful records of her finances as she learned from her mother. In going over these records, her mother realized that their doctor’s bills were very low in comparison to what they should be and realized they had received a blessing from paying tithing. Sister Laycock said she went on a USO tour and was paid a per diem and decided to pay tithing on it. She had finished her student teaching before and no job in sight. When she came home she got a job within a week. Amy Young said that even if you are awful with your money, pay your tithing and you will survive better. Another sister said that while planning her wedding, it was expensive. Her husband had to work on Sunday and decided to give that money to fast offerings or tithing and she feels they have been provided for. Emily Campbell said that paying tithing does not just change our circumstances, it changes us as people. It shows the Lord that we want to do what He wants us to do. She feels it has changed things in her life for the better. Another sister said that it is our way of showing the Lord we are serious. Paying our tithing also gives us access to the services in the church. Sister Bell said that her family had nine children and her father was in and out of work. They lived on nothing. They always made it through and her parents paid their tithing. Those growing up years for her made her family closer. Linda Campbell said her family wasn’t active, but when she came to BYU and read the scriptures, she read that if you pay your tithing, you won’t burn as stubble and it had a huge effect on her. She did not want to burn. Sister Bahr said that in good times, she and her husband try to pay more tithing than they could. They feel that they will be supported in the bad things. She’s even had a big chunk of money come in just when they needed it. In Malachi, he alluded to the windows of heaven if we honor the law of tithing. Elder Bednar also said paying tithing enriches our souls. Keeping a grateful attitude helps us feel like we are not going without. When we seek employment, we can enjoy an enhanced gift of discernment because we are looking through heavenly windows. We may appropriately expect improved circumstances, but the blessing that comes through heavenly windows, we may be empowered to change our circumstances. Emily Campbell said a grateful attitude teaches not to be entitled to having things given to us. Sue Ann Harding said she and her husband were on poor salary for her husband for three years, and prayed for a higher salary. Now he has one and they know they can live on less and save the rest. Sister Cantrell said her husband is retired from the military, but not with a great retirement and she and her husband needed another job. They have always helped their children and paid a generous fast offering. He was able to get a job in McDonald’s and it is a great help to their family. Another story was that an uncle who was Catholic was able to give his offerings to her family with the blessing of the priest and that blessed their family. Elder Bednar is on the committee on the disposition of the tithes. He said our tithes help so many others in the church and programs in the church. The leaders of the Church feel a great responsibility to administer the widow’s mite well.