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.