Lesson for January 10, 2016

January 10, 2016 Today our lesson was given by Sydney Kelsey on chapter 1: “Jesus Christ—Our Only Way to Hope and Joy.” We are using the Howard W. Hunter manual. We must know Christ better than we know Him. We went to Jeremiah 18:2. Sydney also showed us a video about her mother throwing a pot on a potter’s wheel. First she showed what happens when the clay is uncentered and develops thin and thick spots. The clay actually popped off the wheel. Then she showed how the clay works when it is centered. The clay did not jump around as much and her hands were able to smooth the shape evenly. The resulting bowl was strong and nicely shaped. When Sydney heard the title of the lesson, she thought of centering a pottery piece and how it relates to our lives and centering our lives on Christ. If we are centered, we do not flail around. It means to put Him first and then add the rest of our life afterward. Sydney said her husband had to work on Sunday and they looked for a different job. They prayed about it and he got another job with something he loves to do that would pay enough and they could go to school and go to church. They feel so blessed. We have similar opportunities every time we pay tithing. Things often just work out. Our core, the center of our lives, must be Christ. President Hunter had questions to ask ourselves. How central to your life do you know Him to be? How gratefully do you remember His atoning sacrifice? How adoringly do you reflect on His life? How often to you think of the Savior? We must reflect on Him more often and we must serve Him more often. The Savior loves us whether we are easy to center or not. As we exercise faith in the Savior, He smooths the turmoil in our lives. We have sudden squalls arise that make us wonder if the Savior remembers us, but He does. The Father of us all would say, “Why are you so fearful? Why do you even question my love for you? I have overcome the world for you.” If we center our lives on the Savior our fear turns to joy. We often feel ugly and inferior, but God thinks we’re beautiful and we matter and have value in the Master’s hand. If we center our lives in Christ we can feel joy and know we are valued.