Lesson for March 22, 2015

Lesson for March 22, 2015 Today our lesson was given by Kristine Hansen on a talk by Elder Ballard, “Stay on the Boat and Hold On!” Last time she taught, she taught us to walk in the path of the Savior. She asked people to share how they did it. Charlene Farnworth said she had a child in her class whose father committed suicide and it gave them the opportunity to show compassion and not rub salt in the child’s wounds. Sister Bahr helped a man immigrating to our area and who is blind find an apartment to live in. Heather Cantrell has felt guilty about the way she’s treated her daughter’s boyfriend, who is very trying, but she’d trying to treat him better. Elder Ballard told about his friends who went white water rafting through Cataract Canyon on the Colorado River and they were told some rules: Hang on and Stay in the Boat. The raft of the Church, or The Old Ship Zion, as Brigham Young. The ropes and handholds are the covenants, and the life jackets are scriptures, prayer, fasting, etc. We are distracted by media, health issues, daily events, depression, etc. The guide is the helmsman and in the Church it is Christ, the prophet, and apostles, stake presidents, bishops, and auxiliary leaders, etc. What does it mean to stay in the boat? Brace yourself. Don’t leave the Church. God guides, directs, and dictates to us. Brigham Young said that people sometimes jump out of the boat and drown in calm or in rough waters. Adele Hickman said she went through a period of time when she didn’t want to come to Relief Society and just had to hang onto her chair to make her stay. Kristine told about a woman in one of her former wards who could not walk easily and would have to start walking early to get to church because she had a time when she didn’t want to go, but she persevered and couldn’t even remember why she didn’t want to come. Emily Campbell said through the hard times she’s gone through with the death of her daughter and the terminal illness of her daughter, she’s had to figure out what it is in the gospel that feeds her soul and she knows that the Church is not perfect, but the gospel has what she needs. We know how we felt when we came into the Church, but sometimes we sag a little. We need continuous conversion. We can’t give up. The Church’s inspired prophets and prophets can steer us right. Apostles have had their own struggles, but they have persevered. They have been mentored and tutored by the Lord Himself. The life jacket is all the things that brought us into the Church in the first place. It seems that these things that are not greatly measured are important. Those who do not hold onto these things with both hands lose their focus on the central truths of the gospel. Even if you have doubts, hang on with both hands. Amy Young said that a few months her husband came across something that bothered him doctrinally. He decided to focus on the truths he does know and set the bothersome thing aside. It was a good example to her. One sister said her husband has been faced with liberal principles in his schooling in social work and he had to turn to the scriptures for help. President Uchtdorf said to doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. Emily Campbell said she wanted the Church to be perfect, but she can’t expect people or herself to be perfect, why should she expect the Church to be perfect. The people in the Church are not perfect, but the gospel is. As mothers we have a responsibility to stay focused on what we know what is true and teach our children. Vira Bahr said Christ was to help the sinners, not those who were healthy already. When we start finding fault with the leaders of the Church, is when we get into trouble. If we hold on with both hands, it doesn’t mean we can’t have doubts. Sometimes people focus on the appendages, rather than the clear message of the gospel. Members are always free to question and search for answers. Having questions is not incongruent with discipleship. A sincere questioner continues to be obedient while searching for answers. Those who fail stop doing what they should and flounder about trying to find answers. Emily said that it takes more courage to continue on in spite of doubts. As Alma said, you have to keep trying and experimenting on the word. Christ is a physician for the sinner and we can join in His work and teach others the gospel and it will help us as well. Peter sank when he tried to walk on the water was saved when Christ reached out to him. Even doing little things like going to church can help us as we struggle and help others as we struggle. We should let someone know. If you are doing everything right, you get a ton of opposition.

Lesson for March 15, 2015

Today our lesson was given by Megan Miller on having a testimony of Jesus Christ our Savior and Redeemer, Chapter 6. Having such a testimony is to know the divine nature of His birth. He was the promised Messiah. His laws and doctrines are supreme. He voluntarily suffered the sins of all mankind. God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. He came forth triumphantly from the grave. The Church He established is the only true Church. President Benson linked his testimony to Jesus Christ to the Book of Mormon, and its main purpose is to declare the divine nature of Jesus Christ. Megan asked everyone to find a favorite scripture about the Savior and share it with a neighbor. Some sisters chose Helaman 5:12 about Christ being the rock and the sure foundation that will not allow us to fall, if we believe on Him. Also in 2 Nephi where it says we preach of Christ and we rejoice in Christ. Mosiah 3:8 where it says that He shall be called Jesus Christ. And then in 17 that no other name shall be given for salvation—there is no other way to salvation. 3 Nephi29-30 where it says it is not the doctrine to have contention, but Christ’s doctrine is of peace. Alma 37:36-37 Let all our thoughts be directed to the Lord and when we lie down or rise up it should be to the Lord and He will watch over us. Being valiant in our testimony of Jesus Christ. Megan asked what part of a testimony is most important to us and what helped us gain that. In Alma 32 it talks about planting a seed. We don’t know at the beginning that Christ’s doctrines are true, but if we work with it and let it grow, we will know. Sister Cantrell said if you live by the laws of Jesus Christ, pay your tithing, you will be blessed. Sister Bauer said she grew up around people who were good, but didn’t have the gospel and that they had no comfort or direction. Only through His doctrine can we be saved. Another sister said that when we give service we should look for the surplus in our lives. Having such a testimony is vital, but being valiant in our testimonies means believing all that Christ said. We should also know that we are not going to be perfect, but it means to do everything the Lord or the bishop asks us to do even if things are not convenient for us right now. Megan said her sister left the Church because the gospel is not convenient right now. We need to ask when it will be convenient. We should look at our history and all the people who have worked so hard to establish what we have now. Get involved in genealogy so hearts will be turned. Sister Campbell said it all boils down to prayer and love and teaching correct principles. It’s not always easy, but they have to know they are loved by you and the Lord. People around us who truly care can make a difference. Sister Lyman said when she came back to Church she had gotten out of the habits and was embarrassed and overwhelmed by the enormity of the gospel. She needed to be reminded of small things, line upon line so she felt she could come back. She felt like she knew the prayers and temple visits her family did were made apparent to her and she felt supported. People need to have a testimony plus the spiritual aspect that they themselves can accept the gospel. They need the people around them to pray for them and love them and feel the Savior’s love through us. We need to hold Christ’s love in our hearts and treat people the way Christ would love them so they can be ready to gain a testimony of Christ. The Savior’s love can change us to where we can be an influence. God knows the hard work we do. We have to remember that it is God’s love and His time. We cannot control others. The only thing we can do is love them and pray for them. President Benson said we may not ever know in mortality how Christ performed the atonement, but we know it was because of His love for us. We cannot forget why.

Relief Society Birthday Dinner March 17

Join us at 6:30 p.m. for our annual Relief Society Birthday Dinner. The theme for this year is Luck, so don't forget to wear green, since it's on St. Patrick's Day. Sarah Campbell is gathering stories of how we have been blessed in ways that could be considered lucky. Email her at sara.dav.camp@gmail.com.

Lesson for March 8, 2015

Today our lesson today was given by Maggie Kopp on Principles of True Repentance. Today’s lesson is taken from an Ensign article President Benson wrote about repentance. Forgiveness can only come from divine help. It is important to forgive, regardless. To forgive takes a lot of emotional energy. Emily Campbell said to repent quickly before things pile up. Sister Laycock said sometimes it takes a long time and a lot of work. It also takes a lot of work to carry a grudge. Even if you forgive, it doesn’t mean you have to allow that person into your life and to be able to harm you again. To not forgive yourself is a type of vanity that means you think yourself above the atonement. Sometimes in certain situations you have to put distance between yourself and the abuser. However, over time, sometimes you can work through a situation. It’s so very hard, but we have to think of the good. If we have offended someone and they want to rub it into your face, it might take a lot of prayer and work through effort. Don’t close the door. It might be easy to say you will never forgive yourself or the person, because you might change and they might change. True repentance is a fresh view, a turning of the heart toward God. Without this, there can be no repentance and it is a commandment of God. Sometimes when we think of repentance, we think of pain and guilt, but it is supposed to make us feel fresh and new. President Benson said that if we wish to truly repent, we must come to realize that the gospel plan is the plan of happiness and wickedness never was happiness. Repentance is also a way for us to learn and learning is a basic principle of the gospel. Sister Bahr was invited to the Church by member in Ukraine. One of them was not keeping the commandments, but she had to realize that those things are personal to that person. Repentance has to be complete and clean to be worthy of happiness. President Benson said that the principle of repentance is tied to the principle of faith. If you don’t have faith in the Lord, how can you have faith in repentance. What is the use of repenting? Faith doesn’t have to be huge. It can be the seed or a spark that can grow. Pondering and thinking about it can be helpful. Another principle is that repentance does not include just a change of action, but a change of heart. Then it is a desire to do good. Another principle is that we feel Godly sorrow. We are genuinely sorry for what we have done. A lot of life is learning to cope. These emotions are what we need to feel. Life is hard, but that is required to feel happiness. Just considering consequences can make us sorry, but to truly feel sorry puts us on a higher plane so we can feel what our Heavenly Father feels. Sister Marriott learned that attending the temple can help us feel lighter and not be self-absorbed. Another principle is that Heavenly Father and Jesus are anxious for us to ask for help. They don’t even wait for us to knock on the door and ask. Sometimes they step in and help when we make the least little movement toward them. We need to ask for help. Sister Lamb said she needed help forgiving her father for separating from her mother. She had to pray about it and one day, her anger was gone and she could love her father again. Another principle is to keep hoping that change will occur. We must be cautious not to think we will be like Paul and have a public miracle occur, but that our repentance may be quiet and steady. As we move closer and closer and pray, many miracles and tender mercies will occur in our lives and our lives will be happier.

Lesson for March 1, 2015

Today our lesson was given by Kristine Hansen, “Ponder the Path of Thy Feet,” a talk by President Monson. He starts his talk with reminding us why we are here on this earth: to get a body, learn from experience, prove ourselves through keeping the commandments. Because of our agency, we can learn the difference between good and evil and bitter and sweet and that God is here to help us, besides prophets, parents, the Church, and the example of the Son of the Living God. We first must know what the Son is and has done. We need to know enough to be changed. President Monson said it is more important to be like Jesus (walk as He walked) than to walk where He walked. Kristine says some paths where Jesus walked could be called paths of trial, paths of paths of disappointment, paths of sorrow, and paths of pain. President Monson said we all walk these paths through mortal events, our choices, the actions of others, and temptations. How does what Christ went through help us? We can compare our trials to what Jesus has gone through. We can know that this, too, shall pass—and it will. Sometimes we have to endure things and we can, because we know that Jesus did, that His hand is in everything, and he will help us. Sometimes we are given trials so others can step up and do something for us. Nothing builds a bond more than to share a bond with others. In Hebrews it says we have a high priest who has been tried in all things. President Monson said there are also paths of discipline and paths of obedience, paths of love and service, the paths of rescue, the paths of improving talents, the paths of mercy, humility, righteousness, purity, and peace. President Monson said that as we tread on these paths and accept His discipline, He will make something of us. If we want to show where our loyalties lie, we have to be diligent about following Christ. We can’t make someone be what they don’t want to be—they have to choose. We just have to love people and realize the only person we can change is ourselves and not be discouraged. Even if things are not OK, they will become OK. Hopefully we have family and friends to help each other, however, we need to have the strength to carry ourselves and rely on God. We have angels around us. President Monson told about German immigrants in Canada who had been the president of a branch and was a barber near an Army base. He loved to cut the hair of the missionaries. He gave a substantial tithing of about thirty percent of his income. His generous spirit influenced his ward in Canada and he eventually served missions and even died while serving in the temple. We may get off the path, but we have the merciful Atonement to help us back. Walking down these paths is the only way we can reach the heights we look to attain.

Relief Society Birthday party, March 17 at 6:30 p.m.

Join us for a lovely evening on March 17 at 6:30p.m. We will have a dinner and program.