Lesson for October 29, 2017

Today our lesson was given by Lana Horrocks, a counselor in the Relief Society. Her lesson was on teachings for our time. She began by talking about Kristine Hansen and her beautiful lessons. Today we get to learn about the Book of Mormon from the perspective of Russell Nelson as he told about visiting in Ghana. He talked to the king through a linguist, until Elder Nelson gave his speech. Then the king came to speak to him without the linguist and they spoke about Jesus Christ. Elder Nelson told about Christ’s visit to America and how he organized his church. It is in the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. The local mission president had a copy of the Book of Mormon and Elder Nelson gave it to the king. The king said the book was of greater worth than rubies. Lana asked us to decide if we would rather have jewels or the Book of Mormon. Lana says that she reads daily from the Book of Mormon. Elder Nelson gave us some tips on reading the Book of Mormon. Lisa Anderson told about how she joined the Church at 18. She said that without the Church she was going in the wrong direction and would probably be dead. But she does have the Church and she does have joy and it comes from coming to Christ. Charlene Farnworth said she had to think a lot about her testimony. She would not have as much hope without the Book of Mormon, she wouldn’t understand the power of faith, the plan of salvation, or that it was available for everyone, the organization of the church, that she could progress eternally. She loves the scripture that says we teach of Christ and rejoice in Christ She says she has a responsibility. Another sister said she doesn’t know where she would be without the Book of Mormon because she’s always had it. She wouldn’t have faith or hope, or know about repentance. If we believe in Christ, doubting nothing, we will know there is so much more. Lana said it is a gift to believe on someone else’s words. Dorothy Francis said that listening to Charlene, it was like listening to General Conference. She has had so many personal experiences that come from studying the Book of Mormon. Her favorite chapters are Moroni 6 and 7. If you shall have faith in Christ, you will have power. She said she learned that miracles have not ceased and we can have help from angels. Suzy Sullivan said the Book of Mormon has influenced her life. It is everything that she knew about God. When she went on her mission, she ran into people who had never learned these things associated with the plan of salvation. The Book of Mormon is also the foundation of her testimony of Joseph Smith. Moroni 7:15 With a perfect knowledge we can know what we should do with our lives. How powerful it is to hear the testimony of people we know. Lana gave out sheets with questions about our testimonies of the Book of Mormon. She also handed out President Nelson’s tips about the Book of Mormon telling what it affirms, refutes, fulfills in prophecy, clarifies, and reveals. She gave us time to write the answers to those questions and then asked for people to share. Emily Campbell said she would not have an understanding of how revelation works and how she can access it for herself and her family. She also understands through the stories in the Book of Mormon how the plan is carried out. Heather Cantrell said she would not have the gospel. She said she knows by the power of the Holy Ghost. Another Emily said that on her mission she should always read a scripture from the Book of Mormon to those she taught, because it is a keystone in our religion. Chelsea Jolley said the Book of Mormon is her map, so she would be lost without it. She’s been told all the answers to life’s problems. Lana said she always gets answers from reading the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon helps us know that the prophet is the prophet and we now that Heavenly Father planned for our mistakes, such as Martin Harris losing the manuscript. Even the story of how it is on the earth now is a miracle. It gives us patience to be better mothers when we read it on a daily basis. Virginia Roundy said there is a power in reading the Book of Mormon because it brings that power into your life and makes your bosom burn. Elder Nelson said we receive power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, console, cheer our souls. We can resist temptation by reading the Book of Mormon. Elder Nelson gave this tip sheet to us when the talk was published so we can have it. Often the very chapter we’re reading gives us the answers to our questions. Everyone has the ability to receive revelation from God by reading the Book of Mormon. Hellman 5:12 Remember remember it is upon this rock. She feels safe standing on this rock.

Lesson for October 15, 2017

Today our lesson was given by Maggie Kopp on Chapter 18, “Virtue—a Cornerstone.” Maggie began by saying that during her education, she had to take a Latin class. She said that because of Latin class, that when we talk about virtue as chastity, it is not quite accurate. A lot of chastity lessons are about what not to do, but virtue is more about what we should be doing. In Latin it is virtue. Paul used the world and the Aritcle of Faith 13. Something related to power and moral excellence The woman with the issue of blood touched the hem of Jesus’s clothes and virtue went out of him. Thinking of the broader definition, what does it mean to live a virtuous life? Being pure, living up to standards, doing good for others, integrity, being whole, being righteous and standing in holy places, a strengthe of values, learning from the best books. We’re seeking for these things, as it says in the Article of faith. We all have strengths and we have to seek after additional things. The Lord has said to let virtue garnish your thoughts unceasingly. Then the Holy Ghost will be our constant comapanion. Could there be a greater promise than this? Even our thoughts should be virtuous. We should seek for consciousness and being strong. As we choose to have virtue in our thoughts and hearts, we can act with confidence and have a measure of power in our lives. It goes beyond chastity, but in all our lives. When we are honest, we are able to be trusted and confident in our actions, have peace of mind, have a clear conscience, and have the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Then you can be filled with light and have the reputation of helping others and being trusted. We build up our inner selves as well as our outer selves. With the topic of pornography, those involved in it are exploiting others and objectifying them and not viewing them as our Heavenly Father would intend for us to view his children. On her mission, Suzy Sullivan studied the scriptures about virtue and most of her actions were good, so she worked on her thoughts. Maggie reads an advice column for managers and a person had struggled with self image. A person was assigned to her team who was very young and beautiful and the manager knew she was treating this new employee poorly. Her lack of self-esteem was having a negative influence for her whole team. She lost her managerial situation and recognized it was because she couldn’t control her thoughts. If we work on our inner thoughts, we won’t be as likely. Heather Cantrell said when she was an airline stewardess, she had to deal with men who had no integrity and it scared her. Interacting with other people who don’t have integrity can be helped by living a virtuous life and being aware that these people exist, we can stand up for what we believe in. One of Maggie’s personal values is to not judge others. Satan can influence us if we are not strong in what we believe, especially if you do things you now you shouldn’t, then the Spirit isn’t able to be with us as strongly. The Christlike attributes are in Preach My Gospel and the virtues are really all interconnected, so if we can clear our thoughts by memorizing a scripture, we are also increasing our knowledge and obedience. It’s that way whenever we focus on one virtue. If your eye is single to God’s glory, you can be filled with light. Hymns, scripture stories, scripture study can help us focus on God’s spirit If you’re scared or bored or trying to find compassion with yourself. One of the Turning points is to recognize that the adversary gives us negative thoughts that can affect us even thirty years later. Our internal voices are really strong and that could be good or bad. We need to acknowledge what our internal dialogue is so we dont let ourselves down. Ask if this thought is from Heavenly Father or some other source and replace it if you need to. We can be like God because we are His children. Physical appetites and desires can be controlled with discipline and maturity. It is possible that we can master ourselves. Sometimes it’s just a process of growing older or changing your circumstances. Having compassion on yourself. Joseph Smith said he did not care how fast we run on the path to virtue. So, as long as you’re trying, you are on that path. We are most likely not going to be perfect in this life, but we can be courageous and become women of integrity. We know that Heavenly Father wants us to be.

Lesson for October 8, 2017

Today our lesson was given by our Relief Society president, Suzy Sullivan, based on the talk “Be 100% Responsible,” BYU Elder Robbins at a BYU devotional. Suzy began the lesson by saying she had another lesson prepared and she heard this talk and decided it was what she needed to talk about. On the board she wrote AGENCY and RESPONSIBILITY. Satan goes about getting to us in sneaky ways He attacks both of these. In Hellman 13:40 it says to remember that those who perish and do iniquity do it themselves. So, we. Are responsible for all choices we make. Sometimes Satan convinces us that the principles of salvation should be used for evil purposes. For instance, freedom of choice could be used to choose abortion. He gave a list of anti-responsibility choices: 1. Blaming others; 2. Rationalizing or justifying; 3. Making excuses; 4. Minimalizing or trivializing sin; 5. Hiding; 6. Covering up; 7. Fleeeing from responsibility; 8. Abandoning responsibility; 9. Denying or lying; 10. Rebelling; 11. Complaining or murmuring; 12 Finding fault and getting angry; 13. Making demands and entitlements; 14. Doubting, losing hope, giving up, and quitting; 15. Indulging in self-pity and having a victim mentality; 16. Being indecisive or being in a spiritual stupor; 17. Procrastinating; 18. Allowing fear to rule; 19. Enabling. Sometimes there are actual reasons, but there is a difference between reasons and excuses. Suzy let us hear a story from the talk about how sometimes excuses are counterproductive, even if they are right. He told about two employees who were supposed to ship materials to where Elder Robbins and his employees were giving presentations. When he talked to the employees who were supposed to ship, they excused their errors and blamed them on others. Then an executive of a large company wanted a seminar, but the supplies were wrong. There was a lot of anger and a Vice President said there will be no more errors. So Elder Robbins’s instituted an incentive system for no errors. He told the employees that they would lose their bonus if there were errors, no matter who was responsible. He told them they were 100% responsible for each shipment. He said he removed the anti-responsibility list from their list of possibilities. They took it to heart and started calling other divisions to verify correct materials and shipment. Errors finally stopped and they began to earn their bonus each month. It brings peace when we are empowered and have taken the initiative. Elder Robbins told stores about being married. One woman drew a line down a piece of paper and wrote her husban’s Faust on one side and things she should do down the other. Then she threw away the side of the paper with faults on it. Forgiving is the responsibility of each of us individually. Communication is key to understanding expectations. For example, our spouses probably don't understand what we expect without being told. We need to recognize that we are needing to overcome some things, an take responsibility for fully confessing our sins and any wrong choices we make. We can’t blame other people for our wrong choices especially if you are the one who made a decision. Suzy suggested that we read the tall, so look up BYU education week and Robbins and Responsibility. He also calls this list the anti-faith list. We can all repent and take responsibility, so if we take these things to the Lord, He can help us.