Lesson for April 26, 2015

Lesson for April 26, 2015 Today our lesson was given by Kristine Hansen. It was a Teaching for Our Times lesson about “The Music of the Gospel” by Elder Anderson. She had Sara Campbell dance, first without music and then with music. What was it like to watch her? It was beautiful, but odd to dance without music. Sara said she felt awkward. How does it change to dance with music? Sara said it said it gave her a reason to dance. It also gave emotion and instruction. He told the story of the young doctor on the Navajo reservation and an old man came in, but did not talk. Finally the old man said he danced, then the doctor thought the old man must be a tribal healer and asked if he could teach him. The old man said he could teach him to dance, but not to hear the music. How do we hear the music? Kristine said her grandmother was the north star for her—a woman who heard the music. One woman said she heard the wrong music for a long time, and it made her miserable, so she wanted to come back to hear the music of the gospel. Another sister likes to think about the why when she hears the music. Heidi said it was helpful for her to have visiting teachers and other teachers who helped her, so she wasn’t alone as she tried to hear the music. Another sister said she knew what to do to hear the music—read the Book of Mormon and pray. Sometimes it is really basic stuff that helps you hear the music. Sister Cook said after her mother died, she felt all alone. All the static in the world got to her. Her brother said he was going to join the LDS Church and she was happy for him. She had to reach a certain point in her life where she was willing to hear it. It was like coming home and hearing what she had known sometime before. Emily Campbell said there was a time after Tori died that she did not feel the Spirit. She wanted to believe, but couldn’t, so she prayed for help with her unbelief and the answer came very strongly, but only after a long time. Kristine said this lesson reminds her of last month’s lesson where it taught us to stay in the boat, even if we can’t hear the music. The lesson said we must walk the same path we did when we first heard the music—exercise faith in Christ, repent, and continue on, taking the sacrament, then we will feel the influence of the Holy Ghost. Kristine said she only really knows when she has it when it departs and she is shocked enough to try to get it back. We need to feel like things are possible. Jill Judd said we need to find even little things to repent of every day. How can we help family members hear the music? Elder Anderson said no influence should be exercised just because you are the dad or the mom or the loudest or the strongest. It should be by persuasion. Some concrete things are to sing a lullaby of love unfeigned and the lullaby of long-suffering. You feel the music when you practice service. Adele Hickman said her granddaughter started to throw a fit and Adele pointed to her sign that says better not cry, better not pout and the little girl stopped. When Adele’s daughter came to get the little girl, Adele told her what happened and the daughter said to the little girl, “That goes for our house, too.” The granddaughter said, “But we don’t have a sign in our house.” A sister said her parents taught her things and let her make choices that helped her make choices later. Sister Harker said when her boys were younger, they decided to go home after Sunday School. Brother Harker went home and found them watching television. He turned off the TV and said if you won’t go to priesthood, priesthood will come to you and proceeded to give them a lesson. Amy said she is good about telling why her children should do things, but she needs to provide more experiences with the Spirit so they can learn to hear. Claudia Laycock’s sister went inactive, but the family stayed in touch. Her psychiatrist told her that her problems were from her family. She called Claudia and Claudia told her that it made no difference if she was in or out of the Church, they would still love her and eventually she came back to Church. Sometimes it’s the way you pray to God, too. But you have to continue to love them and be constant in that love and pray for them. You cannot threaten them or force them in any way. Sometimes you have to go to them. Part of the problem is that you think you have control is a fallacy. It’s ridiculous to think you can’t love someone who does not do what you want them to. Sara Campbell’s brother came home from his mission and he went inactive. The thing her family did right was to keep treating him like normal and inviting him to everything, made it not such a big deal, and eventually he came back. However, it is good to talk about your church activity and your experience. You still have to model the dance so others can see the sweetness. If some of the family orchestra is out of tune, then keep practicing and you will feel joy, although there are problems.

Lesson for April 19, 2015

Lesson for April 19, 2015 Our lesson today was given by Megan Miller on “The Power of the Word.” 1 Nephi 18:19-28 19 And I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood. 20 And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world. 21 And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood. 22 And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree. 23 And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost. 24 And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree. 25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed. 26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth. 27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit. 28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost. 29 And now I, Nephi, do not speak all the words of my father. How does this vision apply to us? Madeline Campbell said that sometimes people mock us because we go to church or other things. Kristine Hansen said that there are many kinds of mists of darkness and sometimes we say we will let go of the rod of iron for a little time, but we become lost. She has a sister-in-law who used to be one who holds on the rod and is now in the great and spacious building. Sister Cook said she has a granddaughter who was one of the mockers, but she is now being rebaptized, because she found out that she was missing out. Megan said we all go through times when we are in one part of the vision or the other. What can we do to stay out of the group who partakes of the fruit and then falls away? Amy Young said none of us are immune. It depends on what we do on a daily basis, such as prayer and scripture study and a Christ-centered testimony.. Without them we are susceptible to falling away just like anyone else. Testimonies come to those who say their prayers and study their scriptures and bear their testimonies. The gospel is so simple and we don’t need to make it something complicated. Notice in the vision that those who heeded those who were making fun of them were the ones who fell away. If we don’t have that solid testimony, we may heed those who mock. Heidi said that there are things on the internet against the gospel, but if we have that sweet testimony we can set things aside and cling to what we know—the Savior, the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon—and know that when it is time, we can understand. If we know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ, any doubt or other information we can kneel down and ask Christ about our doubts and worries. We must also understand that we are not perfect and no one in the Church is perfect. Megan’s husband said I don’t know one way or the other about some things, but I have faith enough in the prophet that I will follow the prophet says and what revelation comes from God. The prophet and apostles themselves go to the Lord for guidance, since they don’t know everything. So we know that what comes is from the Lord. 1 Nephi 15:24 it says 24 And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction. Megan asked us what experiences have you had while reading the scriptures? Sister Cook said that when she first started investigating the church she had been a teacher and she knew that a teenage boy could not possibly know all this. She prayed about it and a quiet, but strong, feeling that has sustained her for 40 years. She knows that her experience in the Church is her responsibility. Sister Campbell said that she had a huge question and felt she should read her scriptures. The answer was not in the scriptures, but she got peace and felt closer to the Spirit and got her answer. Boyd K. Packer said that there is no question that we might have that we can’t answer through the scriptures. Megan said that all of our questions will be answered through our reading our scriptures. Amy Young said to make that goal to read your scriptures every day—at least a little bit.

Lesson for April 12, 2015

Lesson for April 12, 2015 Today our lesson was given by Maggie Kopp on “Joseph Smith, an Instrument in the Hands of the Lord” chapter 7, especially section one on the First Vision. President Benson said, “The First Vision of the Prophet Joseph smith is bedrock theology of the Church.” President Smith tells about his mission and preaching about the Church in England at a member missionary day. Many were interested, but not willing to join because they could not believe that Joseph Smith actually saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. Linda Campbell said if you know that Joseph Smith actually saw the First Vision, you must believe in the rest. Other organizations have foundational stories that are important to them and we have the same. It is meant to inspire us as a story of great faith. We can be assured that this story is for everyone. The gospel topics page on lds.org or Mormon.org has great resources about the First Vision. As far as accounts of the First Vision, we use the account in the Pearl of Great Price. We read from JS-History, verse 7 on: 7 I was at this time in my fifteenth year. My father’s family was proselyted to the Presbyterian faith, and four of them joined that church, namely, my mother, Lucy; my brothers Hyrum and Samuel Harrison; and my sister Sophronia. 8 During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness; but though my feelings were deep and often poignant, still I kept myself aloof from all these parties, though I attended their several meetings as often as occasion would permit. In process of time my mind became somewhat partial to the Methodist sect, and I felt some desire to be united with them; but so great were the confusion and strife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person young as I was, and so unacquainted with men and things, to come to any certain conclusion who was right and who was wrong. 9 My mind at times was greatly excited, the cry and tumult were so great and incessant. The Presbyterians were most decided against the Baptists and Methodists, and used all the powers of both reason and sophistry to prove their errors, or, at least, to make the people think they were in error. On the other hand, the Baptists and Methodists in their turn were equally zealous in endeavoring to establish their own tenets and disprove all others. 10 In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it? 11 While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 12 Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible. 13 At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to “ask of God,” concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture. 14 So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally. 15 After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction. 16 But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. 17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! 18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join. 19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.” 20 He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, “Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off.” I then said to my mother, “I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.” It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy? Some truths that we learn from the First Vision are that we are known individually by God, Christ and God have bodies, they are individuals separate from each other, Satan is real and works against God’s plan and he knows us as well, the Godhead is one in purpose, none of the churches are of God and our church is not an offshoot of the Catholic Church or in reaction to those churches, we all have the right to inquire of God, God speaks to prophets again and revelation is ongoing, God answers our prayers, Jesus Christ is God’s sin, God chooses the humble and teachable, the Bible is true, and Joseph Smith wrote down this experience. There were, however, many people who prayed daily for more truth and light and for the true Church to be on the earth. Our spiritual experiences are things we can build on and be foundations. Because we know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are real our lives are different from others in every way. We know the importance of family and everything in the 13 Articles of Faith, programs, temples, priesthood, patriarchal blessings, working toward Heavenly Father’s plan, comfort and the ability to see the entire plan. The most important event that has ever happened because it allows us to know of the importance of the Atonement and the entire Plan of Salvation. As we remember and honor the Prophet Joseph Smith, we remember he was a humble and honest man and he really did see the First Vision.

Two events April 18 and the 21st

April 18 come to the Stake center and come to work on a couple of quilts from 10:30 to 12:00. April 21 we will visit the Family History Center in the evening.