Lesson for June 19, 2016

Lesson for July 19, 2016 Today our lesson was given by Camille Maynard on “True Greatness” from Chapter 11 in Teachings of Howard W. Hunter. Camille said she has been working Primary for the last two years, so she doesn’t normally get to see people. What is the world’s definition of greatness? Someone like Donald Trump; someone with education; important job; shows or says they’re accomplished; good looking; fancy car; says they’re the greatest; talented; celebrities. Howard W. Hunter said people who inspired used to be the most admired, but now it is movie stars. There is no lack of great people: inventors, doctors, musicians, artists, architects and those who accomplish great things. But the world’s definition of greatness makes some people unhappy because they are constantly compared to other people. It can be a damaging things because it can make people concentrate on having important jobs. Two minutes on Instagram can make us feel bad about ourselves for 50 different things. Many Latter-day Saints are happily enjoying the joys that life offers, yet many feel they have failed because they aren’t great. Within each of us is a giant of greatness. When there are problems, it is often because people won’t achieve worldly greatness. Adele Hickman said both her grandfathers were great who raised families strong in the gospel and went quietly through life. The things that make us truly great are not big flashy things. We need to have charity for others and for ourselves. In sacrament meeting a story was told about the necessity of treating everyone we come into contact with as someone important for us to get back to our Heavenly Father. How we treat others has a consequence attached. Those who can love the unlovable are truly great. You have to do it for the right reasons, so the rewards are equal to the intent. True greatness is related to loving to yourself and inside, but not in a self-centered way. Whenever we get away from our own concerns and focus on other people, we can gain greater happiness. It’s a series of small things that build up over our lives. True greatness comes from thousands of little deeds and losing our lives for others, even if unnoticed. Howard W. Hunter’s wife suffered from strokes and required constant care, even though he was the prophet. He would do his work in the day and then go straight to see her. He continued to tell her of his love. This care continued for ten years. Even when she got so she did not recognize him, he continued to care for her. Those things that we call extraordinary, we must ask, “What does God expect of us?” Gaining a knowledge of our Father’s family and their needs and the common lot of all mankind can help us know what to do to serve. True greatness in a large part comes through an understanding of who we are. Our self-worth comes from our knowledge of how great our Heavenly Father is. We can be good listeners, loving each other, showing affection to others, showing patience in moments when our patience is thin, even for good reasons. Sometimes we can overthink what we should be doing, but that doesn’t mean we can’t think of what we can do better. The Prophet Joseph Smith often spent part of his days looking for ways to serve others and making others feel worthwhile. The governor of Illinois sent a posse to arrest Joseph Smith. The sheriff became deathly ill and Joseph took the man into his home and nursed him for four days. Taking time to serve others and be there for them can be very important. Having lots of friends in social media is not the most important thing in our lives. Taking care of our families is more important. Telling our Heavenly Father our goals can help us find the circumstances we need to participate in. Sometimes it is strangers who help us or who we help. Sometimes we have to persevere through the hard times. Ways to persevere through difficulties include being persistent in goodness and not letting these things be roadblocks stop us from doing good. Camille had everyone get together in groups to discuss ways to persevere. The final message is that true greatness comes from quiet lives of service through difficulties and good times—sometimes in the midst of suffering and sorrow. Stories of people who come to success quickly, but true greatness is not quick and fast, but consistent work over a long time.