Lesson for November 12, 2017

Today our lesson was given by Maggie Kopp about missionary work and fellowshipping. Emily Campbell said that people like talking about themselves, especially about life in general. Asking questions helps make people more comfortable Barbara Alldredge said her brother has his own church, but the parts of the gospel he does understand, he lives. Since the temple is in Salt Lake City. President Hinckley said we live in a world of great diversity and we need to be tolerant of all people.He reminded us that the 11th Article of Faith says we believe everyone has the privilege to believe as they wish. President Hinckley said we should not be prideful or look down on others for their beliefs. He said we must not be clannish or self righteous. He prays for a spirit of tolerance and being friendly. Being supportive and using our faith to support others. Speaking to others who express their own faith and reaching out to them, chance encounters, Speaking to someone who has left the Church works better if we identify their hurt and acknowledge that they are good people can help them heal and establish a friendship. More outward focus opportunities is to work with people of other faith for relief efforts and social evils. We can pleased to work with them to accomplish good. We can serve others and be an example, even with our busy lives. Lana said she was in Nauvoo and participated in community Bible camps and community Easter and Christmas celebrations. There had to be unity between missionaries, members, and the community through common causes. President Hinckley said if you treat others with love and respect, we can show them we are true followers of Christ Let us strengthen o ur own faith while treating others with love and respect. For example, they found that it took 10 positive stories about Mormons to replace a prejudice or misunderstanding about Mormons. Our behavior demonstrates what our beliefs actually are. If you’re not actually being kind, then you’re not connected with what is good in the church. Maggie said her friend was kind to a young woman in high school, so the young woman became interested, but had a bad experience with some church members, so she didn’t join the church. The good things we share with our friends and neighbors will stick with them. Inviting people to be our friends can have a huge influence on them and invite the Spirit. You can’t raise someone if you don’t have a good foundation. Sometimes it can e daunting to approach people outside the church, but consider a way to reach out to somebody outside. President Hinckley said the best way is to invite the Spirit into our lives. The Spirit has a way to smooth out differences between people.

Lesson for November 5, 2017

Today we were given the presidency leadership lesson by Charlene Farnworth on the new teaching method coming up. She reflected on Lana’s lesson from last week on the Book of Mormon. Charlene thought of the children of Israel and the brass serpent. A lot of the Israelites perished, although all they had to do was look. She wonders if the Book of Mormon is our brass serpent. All we have to do is look. It has healing powers. About 6 months ago she went to a conference at BYU called the LDS Educators Conference. About 150 people were there. She wondered why she was invited, since it was for anyone who is LDS and who teaches. The General Sunday School presidency taught the lessons. They talked about the new program to counsel together. Elder Callister quoted Elder Packer that there is no question that need go unanswered, any question or problem. A framework for teaching was presented. Teaching and learning is a cycle. Prepare-Engage-Improve This takes place in a role as a teacher or a learner. It is a why we are going to learn. Elder Callister said that principles are ways to improve our maximum agency and maximum growth. Principle 1. We are here to learn 2It is a call to action. 3. It must be scripture based, including our current prophets. 4. We will have guidelines and boundaries. 5 inviting—a time when we can all join in. 6. Environment of trust. 7 Open. So community opportunities and things we need to learn about will be talked about. We are asked to act outside the meeting on the challenges we discuss. Joseph Smith said, “I teach them correct principles and let them govern themselves. We will base our discussions on scriptures, like Nephi asked God about the scriptures his father told him about. It is not for the purpose of divulging private issues, but we can talk about sensitive issues without naming names. Some things are private in our hearts. So we need to be sensitive. We are all invited to discuss, but none are pressed to discuss. We want everyone to get a chance to speak, if they wish. Trust is important. Trust is a powerful principle, so we need to engender a safe environment and be trustworthy. We need to be dear friends. Five basic elements to be trustworthy: honest, benevolent, speak openly, confident in what we say and understand the scriptures, and we have to be reliable. It points out the significance of token trust. It takes a long time to restore broken trust. We need to be open, so teaching in a circle helps with openness. In Adam-Ondi-Ahman, it is a huge bowl/circle where Adam taught is descendants. If Father Adam can do it, we can try it. We are going to do an exercise to decide what to talk about in 2018. We filled out a survey to decide what we want to talk about.

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.

Lesson for September 17, 2017

Today our season was given by Camille Maynard on Chapters 16 and 17 on "The Power of the Book of Mormon" and "Continue in the Great Process of Learning." President Hinckley told the story of when he was a missionary and he read the Book of Mormon before he went to bed each night He had a conviction come into his soul that the Book of Mormon was true. He gave a challenge in 2005 for the church members to read the Book of Mormon by Christmas, and many did. He proclaimed that the Book of Mormon supports the Bible in being a testimony of Jesus Christ. 2 Nephi 25 it says that we base everything on Christ. In Alma it says Christ suffered everything so he could succor us. All of 3 Nephi, especially chapter 11 about the coming of Christ. If you study the Book of Mormon prayerfully, you will learn of the gospel. Both sets of people received the same teachings and principles. The plain and precious points of the gospel are sometimes removed from the Bible, but they are found in the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. We can receive a revelation for ourselves of the truth of the gospel, the test is found in the words in the Book of Mormon. The power from it comes as a gift from God. You can know for yourself if it is true. Moroni was the final writer in the Book of Mormon wrote in ch 10:5 that if you read the Book of Mormon and ask God with a sincere heart and real intent, you can know for. Yourself. It's so personal because we all receive our witness in different ways. We can have the Spirit testify to our hearts that these things are true. The Lord makes it so you can't prove scripture with scientific methods. The Lord is merciful to have us get our testimonies through spiritual means, rather than scientific means because then we have the passion necessary to change our lives. We have to have real intent, or the Book of Mormon is just another book. Once the Holy Ghost has testified and it is engraved on our hearts, then we can be assured. The stories speak to our hearts better than God giving us a list of do's and don't' We née to read the scriptures all our lives because they mean different things to us as we are in different stages. Focusing on what we are reading helps. Another section in this lesson is about having a testimony of the Book of Mormon can help us get a testimony of other truths, such as having a testimony of prophets, Jesus Christ, the priesthood, the church. Basically every truth of the restoration hangs on the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. If you have a testimony of the Book of Mormon, you have a testimony that God lives. There is a promise that if we keep the commandments, we will prosper. We can have a testimony that the Bible is true because of the the Book of Mormon supports the Bible. Listening to the prophet's counsel and reading the Book of Mormon helps us to really come to know Christ. Without the Book of Mormon, we can still know something about the Savior, but not as well. If we have questions in our lives, if we read the Book of Mormon more, God could answer our prayers better. The problems in our lives and in society could be made better and be answered if we read the scriptures. Sometimes you have to do the work of studying the scriptures to get enlightenment to know the solutions to our problems. If we need help remembering, we need to have the Holy Ghost with us to help us remember and we can have the Holy Ghost with us if we read the scriptures. There are stories about how the Book of Mormon affected people like Parley P. Pratt and how they came to read the Book of Mormon. Pratt called it the Book of Books. He read and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. He became one of the leaders of the Church and gave his life for the gospel. It can move people in their hearts, more than converting their minds. Another story was about a woman who read the Book of Mormon and was able to stop smoking. Another story was about a man in prison and he found a copy of the Book of Mormon. He read the book and became a changed man. President Hinckley said such is the power of the Book of Mormon. If you read it a measure of the Spirit will come into your hearts.

Lesson for September 3, 2017

Today our lesson was given by Andrea Gerber and Emily Campbell as the presidency lesson about "The Strength of Women" and "Humanitarian Aid." Emily is the ward humanitarian aid and stake representative. Our responsibility as sisters, working together, we will get together for a large project to help others in a way that we can't do as individuals. We will meet at the stake center on October 3, from 2-8 p.m. Emily let us hear an excerpt from Sister Burton about those who helped the handcart companies. Such service brings unanimity. What we need to remember is that we need to make covenants and become better people. We become better y serving others. We read Matthew 25:35-36 about when Jesus said I was an hungered and ye gave me bread. The First Presidency wrote a letter about becoming part of the I Was A Stranger project. You can look on the lds.org web site to see what ways you can help. There are 60,000 refugees who live in our state, and our people were refugees as they came into this territory as pioneers, so we understand what it is like to be a refugee. We have an opportunity here with four projects. One is Days for Girls where women around the world, have their periods and have to stop working or gong to school when they have their periods. The project we're working on is a kit made out of felt fabric sewn into washable pads and clean underwear and soap and information to educate women about their menses. We need people. There is also a project to make quilts and teddy bears for children. We're working with Tabitha's Pantry to supply foods. We're trying to help these people simulate into our society. We are looking for donations for things they might need for people who are moving to Utah, such as cleaning supplies, cooking utensils, storage supplies, laundry supplies, personal care items, bicycles, art supplies, and other supplies. These people are like you and me with different experiences. This is our opportunity to love and serve. Emily said they understand that we cannot give everything, but the widow's mite is appropriate example. Andrea wants us to reflect on the power that we have as sisters. In America we are the most liberated women in the world. One of the powers that we have is chastity. Sheri Dew said she was invited to a World forum on women. She was able to speak to these women. She spoke about chastity and abstaining from all sexual relations outside marriage. She explained that she had never had to wonder about an abortion or a sexually transmitted disease or divorce. Women who don't have the gospel model in their lives dont have the assurance in their lives of men who want to be men with responsibility. We have a lot of influence in the family and a lot of power in society. Women can lead out to instigate activities and over our children's minds. Not all men and not all women understand the role of women. We understand that Eve was wise and far-seeing. If we want to change the world, it comes from the home. It is powerful to raise daughters and sons. To bear children is a power. To bear with children is another power. Even if you don't feel that they deserve it , we love them. Women have the power of love and long suffering. Moral authority is based on the gospel. We can back up our understanding of what is right or wrong with scripture and the words of the General Authorities. Temple power and the power of the endowment. We're armed with God's power. Joseph Fielding Smith said that all the blessings given to men are also given to women. We can be given strength beyond our own to face trials. Sheri Dew said that the moment we learn to unleash the full power of women in gospel territory, the landscape of the church will change. We're not just daughters of God, in the church we are women of God.