Lesson for August 16, 2015

Today our lesson was given by Maggie Kopp on “The Elderly in the Church.” Maggie said she works in Special collections at BYU and she has a colleague who works with the older people who want to donate their books or journals to the library. If you have older relatives or friends, there are certain joys, such as grandchildren, more wisdom from experiences, more time, better perspective on what is good or bad, patience, experience. Some challenges include health issues, loneliness, dependency, loss of independence, loss of context, loss of memory, finances, lack of respect. Many of those with great responsibilities in the Church are elderly or more experienced. Maggie asked how others we know have served. Megan Miller said her Young Women’s leader was older were great. Often older people have wonderful things to offer. One sister said she makes the effort to have lunch with her grandfather on Fridays. Another sister said an older man in her ward terrified her until he directed a choir she was in and he helped her grow and because a grandfather to her. Heidi said her first job out of high school was to take care of an older woman who taught her a great deal, especially patience and budgeting money. Linda Campbell ‘s mother became incapacitated and so family members had to help take care of her. Her son, Spencer, especially learned from his grandmother. How do we honor those older family members. We can listen to their stories. Jessica Lewis’s daughter Ashton interviewed people who lived through World War II. Lana Horrocks said that helping her mother with her family history gave them a bond together. Megan Curran said her aunt passed away, but her father kept the stories and her cousins are coming to him for the stories. Megan’s sister is posting some of them on Facebook so many people can learn more about her father’s family. Another sister said that she helped some of the older people in their family keep up on their hobbies that they loved doing before. She also read to her great-grandmother as well. Sister Gibbons said her children have helped her mother, including reading the entire Work and the Glory series on tape for her. Sometimes they really need transportation help, because their independence is gone when they stop driving. If they don’t have family nearby, they’re stuck. So we need to take care of the people in the ward who have needs like that. Maggie asked what about spiritual needs? What about transportation to the temple? Service could be wonderful, to help people. Taking the sacrament to someone’s home is important. Those who don’t have the Church also need our help. Letting them share their experiences and advice helps them to feel validated. Suzie Sullivan said she visited her grandmother and heard her conversion story and testimony and it was a blessing to Suzie. President Benson said our later years can be our best years. He gave eight reasons and so Maggie asked how we can apply each of these areas to our lives? Collecting family histories, missionary service and letting them share their experiences with us, keep busy and keep active physically, helping them cook, planning for the future and finding out about government services. President Benson said there are many wonderful things about this time of life to share with each other.