Lesson for January 11, 2015

Today our lesson was given by Kristine Hanson on Chapter 11, “The Great Commandment—Love the Lord.” From President Uchtdorf’s talk. We read about Jesus and the Passover and how one of the apostles would betray him. They were all sorrowful. President Uchtdorf said often when we hear that someone does something that needs correction, sometime we only think that others need correction. It’s interesting that it was given to the men, who often think better of themselves than they are, while women must be encouraged to think well of themselves. President Uchtdorf told the parable of a man who took walks around his neighborhood who saw a dandelion in a neighbor’s beautifully kept yard, but failed to notice his own dandelion-riddled yard. Saying, “Lord is it I?” is the beginning of wisdom, the pathway to personal conversion, and the pathway to lasting change. We have to be on our guard always. President Uchtdorf told about a ward seemed outwardly perfect, but over some years, many divorces occurred. He said that when the focus changes from things that keep us close to the Spirit to worldly things, we do not do our best. We lose the intensity of our faith. It is a small thing to pray and, but if we don’t do it we lose. Kristine said she’s going to try to increase her faith by holding family home evening every Monday by writing her father’s history. She said when you read Alma 5 about having your countenance reflect your spirituality, do you cringe or do you feel better about yourself? Have you disengaged from the gospel, even a little? Ask yourselves where is your treasure? Are you concerned with the things of this world or the gospel. Are you rooted in the love of God and men? Do you put effort into your marriage? Do you study the gospel. Our General Relief Society president said you are probably doing better than you think you are, but you can do some things better. One sister said she is trying to read the entire Book of Mormon in thirty days and it is helping her. Another sister said she made changes once before to feel the spirit more, and those things are not good enough now that she has progressed, so she realizes that she must do more. She uses the tools on lds.org and it has been a beautiful experience. Another sister and her husband are making an effort to kneel down and say morning prayers—knees on the ground. Putting out a little more effort. Another sisters said she is trying hard to get family home evening more regularly every week with her sisters and it helps her family. Another sister is trying to express gratitude more. She felt like she had an umbrella over her head, keeping her separate and now that she is meditating about her gratitude and writing about it, she is feeling more connected. She feels like sunshine is coming in, whereas before I was blocked. Another sister related to the verse in Alma 5 and related the questions to a list that can help you get the spirit and if you have the Spirit, you get help progressing. Sister Bahr said it is important to write goals. Her children didn’t want to do it, but she helped them realize that they could make small steps. She had them go over last year’s goals and realized that she had been somewhat selfish in wanting good friends, when she should be a good friend. We need to see ourselves clearly and then as we read our scriptures, conference talks, and study the gospel, we can use them as a mirror to ask if that is us or not. We can also pray for help and let the Lord tell us what we need to change. Then we need to commit. The people who do not want to change will wonder what the church has for them, but those who do want to change and are willing to look to the gospel will receive great blessings. We need to acknowledge our shortcomings and look for ways to change and we will be shown where we can change and how to do it. We are meant to walk by faith in this life. We cannot see beyond the veil very often, so most of the time we need to have faith. Our faith can become strengthened through prayer, scripture study, and other things the Lord has told us to do. Let the Lord help ourselves to become the people we should and want to become.