Lesson for January 12, 2014

Our lesson today was given by Maggie Kopp. She started with a quiz with two parts: (1) Three things learned from the scriptures about our Heavenly Father. One from the Bible and then from modern scriptures. Answers were that God is very strict and supports the law. God created the earth. He has a body of flesh and bone. He looks like us. Male and females who are His offspring. He sent His Son. He is eternal, unchangeable, and infinite. He loves us. He set it up so mortality is our path to perfection. He is the God of Israel. He is separate from Jesus Christ. He is separate from the Holy Ghost. Even though He knows everything, He wants us to tell Him. He can weep. He called noble and great ones to be leaders. He wants us to know His will through His prophets. He restored His church. Maggie said that Joseph Fielding Smith marveled at the great discoveries of his day, but he sorrowed that none led people back to God. He did understand that a lot of information has come through latter-day prophets who help us understand God. D&C 93:19 tells us to know what to worship so we can know how to worship. Sister Campbell said he was touched by the passage that said for us to pray to God like He is our friend. Sister Boyadjin said her relationship with God was gained from her grandmother. Sister Gibson said we often have examples who point us toward worshiping God. Scripture stories help us know how to worship and from them we gain expectations that God will treat us similarly. How does knowing that God is indeed our Father help us exercise faith? Sister Campbell said that knowing He is our Father helps her know he will forgive her. Sister Farnworth said that knowing He won't ask her to do anything without providing a way is comforting. Joni Trewartha said she is the kind who wants to do what is right, so she wants to be able to say to her Heavenly Father that she tried to do what is right. Another sister went on her mission to the Czech Republic, the most atheistic country, and spent a lot of time helping people understand who God is. Sister Hanson said it is important to know that you can put your trust in God and He is reliable. Moses chapter 1:35-39 is about Moses going up on the mountain and conversing with God. God has created many worlds, and the worlds were created to put his sons and daughters on. He values us more than the worlds he as created. Moses 7:28-33: He really works according to natural laws, and things happen because of natural laws. Joseph Fielding Smith said we learn that the great work of God is to bring to pass our eternal salvation. His interest is more about our salvation than anything else. He loves each one of us individually. What helps us to feel our Heavenly Father's love? Jill Judd said that serving others helps her feel a small part of what God feels about us. JFS said that the worlds are a means to an end, not the end themselves. One sister said that the beauties of nature and the study of nature help her to feel the love of God. He has created a beautiful pathway back to Him. It is hard when a loved one does not feel the same. Sister Hanson said God sends us tender mercies that come into our lives so we can know God's love. Charlene Farnworth said that sometimes we have a very personal trial, and yet we can read in the scriptures and find our personal answer. Another sister said she feels like she asks for something and she gets tenfold what she needed. He is so much more knowledgeable and knows what we really need. Linda Campbell said that the knowledge of the plan of salvation is most helpful in times of trial. It is important for us to write down those times of God's love so we can go back and read those things. When we are in trouble it is hard to feel God's love, so a priesthood blessing can help us feel that love. Another sister said President Eyring had a special journal about how the Lord had a hand in blessing his family and he wrote in it every day. She got her own journal and wrote in it on her mission. At first it was hard, but as the months went on, she noticed every little thing that was an act of God's hand in her life, because her heart was set on recognizing these things. Coming home from her mission, she realizes that there are so many things every day that are evidence of his Love. Paige Gibson said she has scriptures pop into her head because she has done the foundation things of reading her scriptures and praying so she can leave the lines of communication open. Sister Adele Hickman was prompted to write a letter to her grandson and it took days to get there, but it got to him on a really bad day. She knows that God plans ahead and we should respond to promptings.