Lesson for May 22, 2016

Lesson for May 22, 2016 Today the lesson was given by Kristine Hansen about “Choice” by President Monson, “Opposition in all Things,” by Dallin Oaks, and “The Holy Ghost,” by Robert Hales. The common thread in these sermons is that when we have the Holy Ghost with us we can make wise choices and deal with opposition. Elder Hales says that we can have this companionship always, if we always remember the Savior, keep the commandments, repent of our sins, partake of the sacrament. President Monson said our choices determine our destiny, we have the gift of agency, and we know that our goal is the celestial kingdom. As we choose Christ we will make the right choices. We have to build up powerful faith and develop courage to defy the consensus. Sometimes you can’t be cool and be righteous. Sometimes the choices are between good, better, and best. We need personal revelation to help us make correct choices about careers, schooling, where we will live, but we need to learn to make correct choices on our own, too, in smaller things. The Lord honors our agency. As long as we have the Spirit with us, then we will get the feelings we need to make correct choices. We need to know how to discern when our choices are good or bad. Start with prayer and use discernment—or righteous judgment. You wouldn’t let a convicted child molester babysit your children. The Holy Ghost has a mission to give us the strength to overcome difficulties, see the good we might not otherwise see, develop our spiritual gifts, give us hope and peace and joy, comfort us, he can confirm that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of our Heavenly Father, give us knowledge, cleanses and sanctifies us, encourages us, and leads us to do good. Elder Oaks reminded us that the purpose of the Earth is to provide a mortal life with choices and opposition as found in 2 Nephi 2. It is ironic that Satan tried to undermine God’s plan and actually facilitated God’s plan. But we wouldn’t grow or progress if we didn’t have those challenges. Kristine’s sister’s husband was laid off and was jobless for two years. They had their food storage and savings, stayed faithful, and the husband looked over and over for jobs. One day a woman gave them some money ($300). They didn’t need it, but soon the car needed repairs. A man in the ward had a shoe repair business and had the Spirit tell him to fix the husband’s shoes. They had a constant feeling of peace and understanding and love in their home. When the husband got a job, that feeling left gradually. As a class, we discussed times when we felt the prompting of the Holy Ghost. Many people shared times when the Holy Ghost helped them know how to take care of children, with jobs, facing opposition, and, as Elder Holland said, not cast away our confidence. The Lord teaches us through our trials. Suzy explained how she decided to go on a mission and Elder Bednar spoke, but instead of paying attention to what he said, she kept thinking of going on a mission. Lana said that she was close to her father and when he passed away and peace stayed with her for over a year, because she feels him right there. The Lord knows what we need and can give us comfort. One sister prayed for comfort when life was hard and one of her old roommates came to visit. Kristine said she moved into a new apartment and didn’t know roommates or her ward. Her roommates left for the weekend and she was broke. She prayed for help and was prompted to go see her aunt. Her uncle paid her for some work she had done for him and she got to visit with her aunt. God eases our burdens, but he will not hurt someone else for our benefit. Through all our mortal lives, the Holy Ghost will consecrate our afflictions for our gain and we will have a stronger testimony on the other side.

Lesson for May 15, 2016

Lesson for May 15, 2016 Today our lesson was given by Maggie Kopp about “The Law of Tithing.” Does anyone remember that President Hunter was an attorney before he became a General Authority and he explains things really well. We are going to discuss the spiritual side of paying tithing and avoid being contentious. President Hunter said, The tithe is God’s law for all children, but the payment is voluntary. Refusal to pay does not negate the law. President Hunter was engaged and went to get a temple recommend. His bishop said you don’t pay much tithing, so do you have enough to live on? President Hunter didn’t understand what a true tithe meant. His bishop explained what tithing is. His fiancée said she believed in tithing and so they decided on living the law of tithing. The Lord has established the law of tithing and His children who love Him, will pay it. Maggie divided us into 3 groups to talk about our own experiences with the spiritual blessings of tithing. One quote was that the principle of tithing should be more than a mechanical payment, but should be a spiritual experience more than a legal, mechanical experience. If you pay your tithing with love, then you get the love back. It’s like being part of a family. It’s a way to pay forward to the church. It is an eternal law that helps us overcome our selfishness. We can expect the Lord to open the windows of heaven when we pay because we love the Lord. Our faith is reinforced when we pay the Lord out of love. How can paying tithing help us to be less selfish. Other offerings, too. Our money is the Lord’s and paying tithing is just giving back a little bit, so we don’t actually own the money. The Lord will reward us so we can learn how to give, too. Fast offerings can also bless us and is an easy way for us to be helpful. That gift is not just to the Lord, it is also for those who need our help. Those who work for the Church are often reminded that they are the recipients of the widow’s mite. Knowing that it is a gift and not just mechanical can help us. Going on a mission is like giving back 10% of a 20-year life. Chelsea Jolley said her son said he is receiving so much more on his mission that he feels like he needs to give more service to the Church to make up that 10% even more. Vira Bahr said that growing up in Ukraine meant she could not save enough to go on a mission, so it was the donations of the members that made it possible for her to go on a mission, which changed her life. The missionaries experience miracles because of the donations of the members. Paying tithing solidifies faith and we cannot afford to deny ourselves of these blessings, such as the temple and other activities associated with the Church. Some of the smaller blessings include increasing our spirituality. Chieko Ukasaki said no one is hungry or cold or unclothed in the next life, so if we want to be of comfort and encouragement, we need to do it in this life. It is our donations that can help change people’s lives and help us to reach out and accomplish things it would be good to be involved in.

Lesson for May 8, 2016

Lesson for May 8, 2016 Today our lesson was given by Sydney Kelsey about taking the gospel to all the world. She served in Taiwan, so she will relate missionary work to that experience. In her second to last area as a senior missionary, her companion was struggling, until they tracted out a sweet lady who had a disability with her leg and used crutches. So, she had no family to help her and did not make any money. She wanted to listen to the gospel. She grasped it, but could not get to church. But when she went, she loved it, but some of the ward felt like they couldn’t support someone like that. How would they handle that? They wanted to follow their priesthood leaders, who didn’t want them to teach this lady, but they felt the lady was a child of God. As we share the gospel, how can it help us to see that all are children of God. Lisa Anderson found a Vietnamese family right after the Vietnam War and the local branch was made up of veterans who did not like the Vietnamese. She prepped the ward and it changed their hearts and they accepted the family. Jill Judd said she knows a family of refugees in Jerusalem who is attending a branch with Palestinians and the gospel is bringing people together. The lesson has an overarching theme of love for each other. Cade Jolley is in North Dakota and many Liberians, many of whom do not see their own potential and feel down about themselves. He is a positive person and he loves to teach about the gospel to help others grow and it has helped him grow immensely. He recognizes the Spirit and how it works in his life. Linda Campbell said that Joseph Merrill said he worked hard on his talk, but Louis stood up and just expounded. Louis has been a member for only 4 years, but the influence of the other boys and leaders in the ward have helped him grow. Missionaries are a means of growing love in people and feeling love for those they serve. Everyone deserves the gospel. We are to teach the gospel to all nations. Prophets and scriptures have said that. There are no national boundaries or race or culture, either. Kelsey said President Uchtdorf said to lift where we stand. Another sister said she went on her mission and was very excited. She had education goals and had to establish that she really should go through prayer and meeting with her bishop. She made the decision to not go on a mission and went to school and got married. She thinks that member missionary work is so exciting. It’s a frame of mind, so if you’re ready to lift where you stand, you can serve. Vira Bahr went on a mission and received a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and wanted to share it with everyone. She had to leave her father alone and he was OK with it, even though he wasn’t a member. The greatest joy is seeing when they truthfulness of the gospel changes people’s lives. She served on Temple Square and felt it was a proselyting mission because many people sparked and wanted to know more. When she found some later on in small towns, they just knew and Heavenly Father found them and wants them back with Him, in spite of their problems. The light shines through. That’s the greatest blessing. Not everyone is Mormon in Utah Valley and Orem, Utah. You can find your mission and preach through your actions and sticking to what you believe. Suzy said that as a mother she is a missionary to her children. We can do a lot to teach our children. Kelsey said her husband wasn’t in the Church, but he found he needed the happiness he remembered from his childhood and he came back to the Church to find it. We need to remember that we bring additional happiness and bring all truth together and establish peace and happiness among all mankind. Take was good and add more goodness to it. Kelsey said in Taiwan, the people are Daoist and they have ceremonies to burn incense in food to feed their ancestors and if they turn Christian, they can’t do that any more, like not having Thanksgiving dinner with their families, but our Church said that we revere our ancestors and they can celebrate by also taking their family names to the temple. What keeps us from sharing the gospel? Maybe we are terrified by talking to people. Maybe we are have experiences about what people know about the Church—the weirdness and dudes in bike helmets. Emily Campbell said she writes columns and expresses her faith in her writing. People say it is who she is, so it is appropriate. Sometimes we need to clear up misconceptions. One sister had experiences where she had to learn it is OK to be different. We have fears of being outcasts. We might have a fear of being able to explain what we believe. Prayer and testimonies help. By relying on the Spirit, we get inspiration about how to tell people. Laura Campbell said one of the best things we can do is to be good examples and who we are will show through, especially letting our light shine. We can also influence those in the Church who are not as confident in the gospel. Kelsey brought up Enos praying for everyone and Lehi wanting to share the fruit with his family. We will feel the increased desire to share the gospel. Study the Atonement and other aspects of the gospel to increase our desires.

Lesson for May 1, 2016

Lesson for May 1, 2016 Today our lesson was given by Lana Horrocks as her last time after being released from the Relief Society presidency. Her lesson is on the talks by Elder Oaks and Elder Holland, especially about opposition. She said Elder Oaks said our troubles are tailor made for us. Awe progress by making choices and having the agency that provides alternatives, so there must be opposition. She said she had been praying for the Lord to show her what is most important for her to do and she ended up in a wheelchairs. Lehi taught that there must be opposition in all things and if not there could not be happiness. If the fall had not taken place, Adam and Eve could not have progressed. Joseph Smith was ordained of God to publish the Book of Mormon, but he still had to find a publisher. He had to approach E.B. Grandin twice and was turned down by Grandin and other publishers, too. Finally Grandin relented and said he would publish the book. When Joseph was imprisoned in Liberty Jail, he was told that time would be for his experience. Jeannette said she had a similar experience when she had a stroke and could only read the scriptures. President Monson explained why we have our difficult experiences. He said Heavenly Father knows that we grow through hard experiences. These and other trials present us with the real test of our ability to endure. Sometimes we need to recognize it is God’s plan, not our plan. We need to do what we can when we can and not wait until later to prepare ourselves for what may come. We have to know what we can do and what we need and how much we can endure. Lana asked us what enduring well looks like. She had a friend who died last fall. This woman was full of grace and loveliness and the picture of enduring well. Elder Oaks said there are many things in early Church history that some use in opposition. We need to look at the fruits and know there is opposition in all things and we need to rely on faith. Often it is not a problem with the facts, but it is the faith that is lacking. Lana said last night when the pain got so bad, her husband gave her a blessing that her children will come back to the church and has comforted her. Lana says there are so many blessings. Elder Oaks said our afflictions will be consecrated for our gain. Lana added Elder Holland’s talk about being illuminated by the gospel after affliction. So, opposition is in all things, but with the strength of heaven we can improve and we get credit, even if we don’t always succeed. As women, we always feel beat up because we aren’t good enough. Elder Holland said that the Lord told Joseph Smith that blessings are for those who are obedient AND for those who try to keep them. Elder Holland said we take some solace in the fact that if God were to reward only the perfectly faithful, He wouldn’t have much of a distribution list. The Savior is there to help us repent, fix, and keep going. Our righteous desires are for our good. So one sister was unemployed and couldn’t find a job. She started doing Family Search and so much opened up for her. The first great truth is that God loves us. That assurance gives us the ability to continue. God will never desert us and it is not in His character to do so. We shall emerge better and purer. The Lord has stood by us through many trials. One sister said that going through her morning sickness helped her rely on the Lord. If we give our hearts to the Lord Jesus Christ, then tomorrow and every other day will be magnificent. Keep loving. Keep trying. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on. It is the promise of Christ. It is the sanctification part of our trials that we need to work on.

Lesson for April 24, 2016

Lesson for April 24, 2016 Today our lesson was given by Kristine Hansen about talks from the April Conference this year from the women’s conference, oh Sister Burton’s talk, President Eyring’s talk, and Brother Kearon’s talk. Our own people have been refugees and the people of Quincy, Illinois welcomed them. The Savior was a refugee as a baby. Elder Kieron said it is estimated that there are 60 million refugees in the world today and half are children. They’ve overwhelmed many communities. It is overwhelming to us to know what to do to help them. Many of them are well educated and had to leave all they had. Some of these people will be established and will become leaders where they live. In the past, when Brigham Young heard there were people out on the plains suffering, he stopped conference and sent people to rescue those people. The women stripped off petticoats and stockings and sent them to the sufferers. They then prepared food and places for them and set up means to help their hurts. People said they took pleasure in helping people who were suffering. Kristine gave out handouts to help us see what had been said by our Church leaders about helping refugees. One talk said we may contribute to the Church humanitarian fund and invite us to do such projects. President Eyring said we will be guided by love of God that helps us love others, and knowledge of what to do, and a desire to be closer to the Savior. The Lord feels the comfort we give to others as if given to Him. Sister Burton said we should contribute to the “I Was a Stranger.” We should do what we have strength to do. See that all these things do not make us run faster than we have strength. There are about 60,000 refugees in Utah alone. There is going to be a world refugee day on June 4, 2016 at Liberty Park. Think globally—act locally. Sister Burton said she knew of a Relief Society president who organized a quilt drive and drove them to Kosovo to relieve others. But on the way home she received the impression that she had done well, but that she should go home and serve her neighbor. It is important that we can serve locally. It is also important to donate the right things. Money is always important so it can be used for what is needed, then nothing goes to waste. Use good sense. The Church works with local agencies to see what is really needed. Elder Kearon said that the Saints in Europe and Great Britain are offering services to help resettle and give them medical services, as well as education. If you have the ability to go to some of these places, you can give aid. All those who have given aid are like the people of Alma. We can’t be judges of these people, but need to offer aid. Refugees can be humble and ready to contribute to their new homes and maybe even accept the gospel. Kristine offered a list of things people can do to help refugees. This list will be posted on the Relief Society Facebook page. The list comes from Sharon Eubank who is a representative for the Church for refugee organizations. Also, you can give money to the Church’s Humanitarian Fund. Learning the stories of these people will change you. We have found refuge, so let us come out of our safe places and offer refuge to others. We can give whatever. It doesn’t have to be out of our ability to give. A little will make a difference.

Lesson for March 25, 2016

Lesson for March 27, 2016 Today our lesson was given by Kristine Hansen about talks by Elder Ballard (“God is at the Helm”), Elder Christofferson (“Why the Church”), and Elder Bednar (“Chosen to Bear Testimony of My Name”). On this Easter, she reminded us of something President Hinckley said: that there would be no Christmas if there had been no Easter. Our lesson today is about the Lord’s church as it is organized based on how the Church at Christ’s time was established. He taught us that it should bear His name and be based on apostles and evangelists. She invited us to share our thoughts. Her nephew drew a clipper ship on a poster for Kristine to use as an object lesson. She says the fastest growing segment of religious people is people who say they believe in God and they feel they can go it alone. However Elder Bednar said that the Church is to strengthen and edify those in the Church and we are the members of the body of Christ. One of the blessings is to have a community to join. When we think of serving together and praying together, we bond and unite. The Lord wants us to bear one another’s burdens, so we need someone we trust to go through with these things. Claudia Laycock said she knows a young woman who recently moved to Tennessee and instantly had a family in her new ward. It causes you to learn to like and love others who you never would have sought out otherwise. It enriches your life in ways you never would have known. What a blessing it is to have people we can talk about religion with. It is so nice to have friends who are like us. It is good to see other families and see examples whom we can look up to. Elder Ballard introduced us to the concept of the old ship Zion, and to hold on and not jump ship. He gives four things to hold on to. (1) Prophets and apostles, we need to see the extraordinary things they do in spite of their humanity. Elder Bednar said it is good we have older men in positions of authority who are spiritually seasoned and wise to guide us. The mortal limitations of these men actually show the divine object of God in calling these men, so the Lord is blessing and sustaining them. Elder Hales said when you can’t do everything, you do what matters. Sisters brought up the Proclamation on the Family and knowing they were emphasizing good things rather than telling people they are bad. Also, admonitions to love one another. Also we need to see the potential in people—just love them—no matter what path they should be on. We don’t need to fear the future; the future is as bright as our faith. These prophets and apostles give us the means to have personal revelation in General Conference. (2) We have the Plan of Salvation. (3) We have a voice of warning. It is a blessing to be reproved and shown our faults. Repentance is individual, but fellowship on that painful path comes from the Church. (4) They teach us to keep the commandments. (5) We can make covenants and ordinances. Families can qualify for eternal life through covenants. The Church does not supplant the family. (6) We also get the gift of the Holy Ghost. We do not become converted to the Church, but to the gospel, and the Church strengthens us. The size of the Church and the organization is to work together with the families to strengthen us. We all benefit because we share our talents and service. Because the Church is as big as it is, we can help the poor and send supplies to disaster areas. We can build buildings and temples. We can take the gospel to the world. The goal of the Church is to establish Zion and prepare for the Second Coming of the Lord. The Prophets and Apostles are the officers of the ship and we are the crew and the Lord is the guidance system. If we stay on the ship we will arrive at our destination.

Lesson for March 6, 2016

Lesson for March 6, 2016 Today our lesson was given by Andrea Gerber of the Relief Society presidency. She taught us about understanding our eternal worth and living consistent with our divine heritage. We need to find our worth in eternal things and not just worldly things. She said as a teenager, she did not understand how to feel self-confident, especially as a daughter of God. She said she finally realized that she was very self-absorbed and worried about how other people thought of her. She said it was not an enjoyable way to live. She had to constantly be aware of threats or seeking for approval. It was an impediment to her spiritual connection to God and her ability to help others. There is a difference between humility and lack of confidence. If we know that God can use our weaknesses to bless others and our own good. Lack of confidence means you reject God’s ability to work with us. We’re not always aware of how we are denying our divine nature. Every time we’re sinning, we are not being close to God. If we compare ourselves to others, we do not have a good foundation. When we see others as competitors, we live small. When we aren’t willing to ask others to teach us, we live small. Neglecting self-care can also be detrimental. Calling yourself bad names blocks the Spirit. Then judging others indicates lack of the Spirit. Three benefits of being aware are knowledge, preparing our minds, and one more way we can overcome. The big picture is that there was a time when we were with Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father and we have their attributes in ourselves, even if some are dormant. If we recognize our divine nature, we can face down Satan and temptations, because we know who we are a children of God. Then every time we fail, and we will, we will believe we do not measure up and that we never will, or that we’re not worthy. Sometimes we resent that God knows all about us. Then our foundation is shaky. If we accept that God and Jesus Christ love us, then we can build and look upward and hopeful for where it can lead us. That critical inner voice is not God’s. The difference between God and Satan is an interesting one Satan, in the pre-earth life, was a leader and said he would do everything for us. God, on the other hand, knew we could do these things ourselves and that we could grow. Heather Cantrell always felt less than she was. She found that reading the scriptures and focusing on the Lord and His love for her, she felt like she had self-worth. We not only need to realize what we need to work on, we need to acknowledge our strengths. One sister said she started saying two nice things about herself whenever she said something negative about herself and her whole family picked up the habit, too. Looking at a patriarchal blessing is like seeing a love letter from God. Reading is important, especially patriarchal blessings, scriptures, and conference talks. It is good motivation to realize that the negatives are what Satan would like us to think. Elder Cook said it is hard to feel gratitude and envy at the same time. There is a difference between how God tells us what we’ve done wrong and how Satan tells us. God is kind and gentle and answers our prayers. Being familiar with the hymns and Primary songs can be good to use as response to negative feelings. Guilt is often overdone. The worth of souls is great in the sight of God. We may not remember the pre-earth life, but we can know that we were important in the sight of God and we chose Him. By being modest, we can show our own worth. Our Heavenly Father knows our struggles and wants to bless us. He says to us that we are good enough, but He can make us so much better.