Lesson for August 27, 2017

Kristine Hansen gave our lesson today about President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk "Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear." Kristine started the lesson by telling the two main purposes: Contemplate the extent by which we use fear to motivate ourselves and others, and to find a better way. Fear is important to help us avoid danger, but it is necessary to know the right thing to fear. Have we ever told a child, "Just wait until your father comes home." It makes them fear their father and that's not what we want. It is true that ear has an influence, but it does not have the power to change our hearts. People who fear often say the right things, but they do not feel the right thing. Then they might behave the opposite of what we want. He said it grieves him that church members often exercise unrighteousness dominion, yet they cannot see it in themselves. When others don't obey arbitrary rules and then they are punished. The Lord wants us to show love unfeigned and showing forth more love. Do we cause ourselves to be afraid. We sometimes fear one thing in politics and economics, but we can prepare. It startled many of us that Earl Harding died suddenly last week. We wonder if it could happen to us. It can be a wake up call. We fear over our wayward children. We are fearful of health issues. We fear that we might die in our sleep. Lisa Anderson it's good to come to sacrament meeting every week so we only have seven days of sins we need to repent of. As our kids get older and make decisions we wonder if they will make the right ones. Satan wants to manipulate us by making us fearful, yet right now is actually one of the best times to be alive. Heavenly Father wants us to not be afraid. He does not condone bad behavior. He wants us to change more than o ur behavior--he wants us to change our hearts. He wants us to reach out and firmly reach out and grasp the iron rod. President Uchtdorf said God is our mentor and wants us to make better choices, but through love and staying positive and look to Christ. There are challenges and opportunities for us to experience. When Kristine hears about some things, she emails her sister and says, O isn't it awful and her sister says it is according to plan. We need to prepare ourselves to receive the Savior when he comes again. Does that change our perspective? He has given us an abundant number of things to help us overcome Perhaps as we age. Lori Freytag said when she found out she was pregnant with twins for a second time, she was told by doctors that there were risks. She relied on priesthood blessings and faith to help her turn her fears around and accept whatever would happen. One sister has a four-year-old child who has no stranger danger and she is fearful he will go up to the wrong person. She was in the shower and thought she should view thee people as Christ viewed them and from that moment her anxiety is gone. We do have to wary, but as a mom we can get feelings about what is wrong or that something is wrong. We should not see danger everywhere. Alana said she was reading the Book of Mormon and was assured that her children who served in the military would be safe. When one of her sons was on a mission, he was robbed and yet came out OK. President Uchtdorf read a string of scriptures about how obeying the commandments and looking to God can cast out fear through perfect love. God wants us to turn to him and love Him and he will protect us.

Lesson for August 13, 2017

Today our lesson was given by Charlene Farnworth about Jesus Christ, His Characteristics, His Actions, and His life. Charlene began by asking what do we think of Christ? She talked about songs of Christ. She talked about Elder McConkie's song, "I Believe in Christ." She said he wrote these words when he was battling cancer an he exemplified a follower of Christ What His characteristics and actions that gives us a relationship with Christ. Emily Campbell said that from Noriko Viramontes's talk, he spent time with sinners. She said, "God love token things." He is compassionate and accepting. He loves us unconditionally. He is patient with us. He performed miracles. His miracles were to benefit someone, not himself. He was perfectly obedient to his father in heaven, even though not always to his mother. He knew the plan in the pre-existence and he performed the plan perfectly. He was humble. He grieved for us. Even though he was busy, he gave one-on-one quality time to those who needed it. He had strong leadership, yet he was meek. He forgave everyone, including those who were wrong. Kristine Hansen said she has been going through the scriptures about Christ and she was struck by how powerful he is. Charlene said she enjoys the many paintings that have been painted recently that depict Christ in his power and glory. She suggested we go to see The Light of the World exhibit at Thanksgiving Point. He was sinless. He served others. He had perfect timing, even though some thought he was late. He is God. He healed--who else can make us whole. We need to acknowledge his power and that he is God and not treat him as if he is a common person who has no power to save. Do we ever avoid saying God bless because we are afraid of sounding preachy. In the scriptures, when Christ spoke to his disciples, he asked what they thought of Christ? The Pharisees said he was the son of David and Christ used logic to refute them. We discussed some comments that were distributed among the sisters about what the prophets have said about Christ. We decided he lives and he is the light of the world. Through faith we can gain a testimony. Joseph Smith's first vision can teach us so much about God. Everyone of us has had personal experiences dealing with things that could not be resolved except through the power of Jesus Christ.

Lesson for August 6, 2017

Today our lesson was given by Maggie Kopp on the Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley chapter 14 "Losing Ourselves in the Service of Others." Maggie started by reminding us of what she taught us a couple of weeks ago. She appreciates his optimism and how he encouraged us to make the world a little better. In a Presidency message in 1986, he told of Jesus Christ serving others. Andrea told of how Jesus healed the woman with the issue of blood. If you make your life a life of service, it will start ripping outward and others will be blessed whom you did not even know you did. Maggie told of Jesus healing the woman who was bent over and He healed her on the Sabbath. Vira told of Jesus who brought to life the son of the Widow of Nain. Another example was the woman who was taken in adultery and Christ showed compassion to her. Ultimately all of us are sinners, so we should e treating others compassionately. Heather Cantrell told of how Christ was chastised, but said he had to go about his Father's business. Paige Gibson said she remembered how Jesus washed the feet of his apostles. He descended below all things to lift us above all things. The story of Lazarus is memorable for his healing in the name of the Father. President Hinckley established the Perpetual Education Fund and other things that blessed those who didn't have much or who was struggling. Lisa Anderson told of how the door into the bride room was altered when President Hinckley said it was too narrow for bride's dresses. We're doing service as mothers and friends. It's not something we wouldn't do. What we do is serve each other. President Hinckley said to map out some of our lives to serve others without recompense. If not now, when? If not you, who? Lana Horrocks said that she is still being blessed for something that happened 40 years ago. Two women talking in the chapel were talking about problems. One said, "I don't know what you need, but I want to help you" and she didn't leave her friend, but helped the woman figure things out. Maggie said at work she is the go-to person who helps students understand about her profession. Maggie said she used to suffer from anxiety and depression and her second semester at BYU. The girl next door to her struggled even more and caused issues. Maggie didn't want to be that way, so she didn't have someone to talk to. So she thinks that when people struggle, we shouldn't push people away. You never know that someone you will be kind to years ago will remember you years later. Several sisters told of the kindnesses done for their loved ones. If we are willing, we can do wonderful things. Looking at those things gives us the motivation to serve others. It's a good idea to ask in morning prayers to help others. Andrea had a paradigm shift when she learned to trust the Lord, but then she wondered if the Lord could trust her, which is more important. Listening to the Spirit can help us know when others need help. President Hinckley said that when we help others, we find our true selves. Mary Ellen Smoot said when we are united in helping others, we can succor those in need. If you feel to help others, take advantage of all the opportunities to help others.