Lesson for February 18, 2018

The lesson today was about “Abiding in God and Repairing the breach” a conference talk by Sister Neil F. Marriott. Thanks to Carly for teaching the lesson. Carly spoke about the call to action to live to have the Spirit with us to manage opposition. We need to get to the point of wanting feelings of offense from us and we can turn to God. If we turn to Goght d to change ourselves we can resist being offended. We can realize that being offefended is widespread and we can resist offending others. We discussed the story in church history about Sister Marsh who agreed to share milking strippings that influenced Governor Boggs in expelling the Saints. Yet Brigham Young accepted chastisement from Joseph Smith with humility that had a positive result. Brother Marsh came back to the Church years later, saying the Church lost nothing by his absence, but he lost a great deal. Carly asked how it felt to be forgiven. An answer was that it felt free and light. Whenever we feel offended we lose something. We have something missing. When we can make amends we can feel forgiven. Is there someone in your life who needs your forgiveness? As we do forgive others, we will feel more free. It is impossible to be offended if we don’t choose to be offended. We don’t have to worry about others. Don’t let somebody else push your buttons. Try to understand why they would behave that way. There is a difference between forgiveness and trust. We’re much happier if we can trust Christ. We can ask God to help us to forgive and grow. We can also ask to know when we should change and how to change. Some people may need to work on something and may have their own problems. We should have the perspective that they have their own reasons. How can being offended take us away from friends? We need to know those we love and know what their friends needs are. Offenses can be huge, but we can be true to who we are and do our part. It’s important to see that people are imperfect. We can learn to be kind and forgiving. Our eternal perspective can change due to circumstances that will influence us and our families forever. The choices we make have eternal consequences. It would be easier in the long run to choose to not be offended. The gospel is true even if people are not perfect.

Lesson for January 1, 2018

Today we are starting a new curriculum for the new year. Today we talked about scripture study in a discussion led by our president Suzy Sullivan. Suzy began by explaining the new structure. Which is that on the first Sunday we have a council. So we split up into groups to discuss the topic. She said she is trusting us to guide our discussion. She said she has a testimony of scripture study. Several sisters told about the blessings they’ve received for being consistent about scripture study. Consistency seems to be the key. The more we read the Book of Mormon, the more we find it pertains to our own lives today. We can find protection and inspiration by being consistent. It is a force that opens up our minds. We split up into four groups to counsel with each other on what works and what helps.

Lesson for December 10, 2017

Today our lesson was given by Maggie Kopp about Lesson 25 “Move Forward with Faith.” Maggie began the lesson by reading a quote from the first section: the one thing needed to succeed is faith, a practical pragmatic faith. Get on your knees and pray and go forth and make it happen. President Hinckley said it is action. It isn’t abstract, but follows principles. It is a living vital force that motivates us to action. Faith includes works. It takes faith to keep the commandments. President Hinckley said he worked for the railroad and found that a railroad journey is a series of short journeys Illuminated by light, so we can apply this to our lives by taking one step at a time. Do you have the faith to do the little everyday things. The manual tells a story of President Hinckley who was asked by the mission president to go to a publisher and lodge a complaint about a book being published that contained false information about the church. President Hinckley went to the publisher and had a civil conversation with the publisher who then recalled all the copies of the book and inserted a page that said the book was a work of fiction and not meant to offend anyone. Maggie gave three principles: (1) Accept the challenge with faith; (2) call on the Lord; (3) go to work. We all face circumstances that cause fear. fear is the antithesis of faith. Dealer can make us frozen. It consumes us and stops us from moving forward. Satan tries to keep us from making good choices that help us move forward. Fear doesn’t come from the Lord. It helps to see other people who have faced the situation successfully. Sometimes we need to plan differently so we have our lives in balance. We feel joy by focusing on Jesus rather than on ourselves. The scriptures say not to run faster than we have strength. We can only do so much. We should not over schedule ourselves. Sometimes everyday life can be what we fear. There are ways to overcome our fears. We can compare our trials with people who have overcome more than we have had to or remind ourselves what we have accomplished in the past. It helps to look upwards, have conviction, confidence, courage. Identify the next action steps and take it so you know what to do next. Maggie said there was a time when she was very anxious and found that she had to focus on one problem at a time. Just because we’re some way, we don’t need to stay that way. We can learn how to cope. We can focus on something peaceful and realize that most things pass. The things in our lives that are hard right now won’t be the same in five years. Sometimes we have to learn the hard way. Start with one thing and take into consideration the well being of the family or yourself. That way you will be strong. Having a different perspective can help. Relying on the Lord can help us, especially if we make the decision to follow the Lord before we are confronted with any situations. Imagine the Savior beside you cheering you on what would you do? Would you feel braver and more able to are things on? President Hinckley was an optimist and knew that everything will work out. He said the testimony of Jesus will light a lamp that lights the way to the celestial kingdom.

Lesson for December 3, 2017

Today our lesson was given by Andrea Gerber on The Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, lesson 24 on “The Atonement of Jesus Christ: Vast in Its Reach, Intimate in Its Effect.” Andrea started by saying that she wanted to cover this topic. President Hinckley sad there would be no Christmas if there were no Easter. Without the Atonement, life would be meaningless. Some of the doctrine The name Christ means the Anointed One. Messiah is the same. The anointing was done by the Father with the Holy Ghost and with power.. It broke the bands of death both physical and spiritual. All of us are covered from Adam’s fall. Children are innocent because of the Atonement. It also means there is the possibility of salvation and sanctification. We can renew ourselves and become something new. here will be the power to do good works and we can choose. Heavenly Father’s love is expressed by giving us his Son. God the Father sacrificed his son. It helps us now that the Atonement allows us to start new each day. It covers all the pain and illness we experience. The Savior has paid for our pain and our sins. It gives hope because life will not be the same forever. The Atonement is like oxygen, so everyone needs it, although some people need it more than others. We can trust God and let things pass and allow Christ into our lives to take our pain away. He understands what we are going through and he has the power to do something bout it. THrough the Savior’s atonement, all people will be resurrected. Our pains are not permanent. The resurrection is a blessing that can soften the tragedies in our lives. We can feel the atonement for us and allow that it can work for others as well. We just need to understand how it works for us. What can we do to show gratitude for thi gift? We have the opportunity to renew our covenants while taking the sacrament. One of the ways we can show our gratitude is by repenting and using it. We can share our testimony with others and help them o not feel alone. It strengthens your own understanding and testimony. Write it down so you have them to look bac on. There is a power in the written word, which can also increase gratitude. The Atonement can help us overcome all the hardships we have as we think about what Christ would do in our circumstances. Show gratitude by being a nicer human being. W can then e one with him. If you had something wrong with your foot, you wouldn’t cut it off, you would comfort it and help it heal, which is what Christ owes for us. We ended with President Hinckley’s testimony that Christ is the king of kings. He wishes for all of us a time to contemplate the majesty of Jesus Christ.

Lesson for November 26, 2017

Today our lesson was given by Camille Maynard on Gordon B. Hinckley’s lesson on treating others with love. Camille said that she has known many people who have had problems and left the church or lost their testimony. People who are having a hard time need our love. It can apply to anyone. Emily Campbell read a story about baptizing a gifted, educated young man. He made a small mistake and a man in the church chastised him. The young man left the church and wasn’t in contact for years. As years passed, the man retired from work and moved to Switzerland. The missionary who had baptized him stayed in contact and tried to bring him bac, but h him back, but the man died without returning to the Church. Emily said it behooves each of us t treat others with love For many converts coming into the church is huge. They lose friends ad family. Or even someone in the ward. When Lisa Anderson first joined the church she was in college, she had a new coat and wore it to church. She got home and had chocolate on her coat. She almost didn’t go back, but her roommates were LDS and encouraged her to go. So when someone is kind enough to say something kind. Why do we care if other people are here or not? In an interview President Hinckley said something miraculous happens when someone feels accepted in the church. Jesus was concerned with individuals and so is the church. Every member is an individual and all of them need to be nourished. Any convert whose faith grows cold is a tragedy. The Lord left the 99 to find the one lost sheep. We should reach out in love to those who need it. We have been blessed by those who took a personal interest in us. Diane Barker said someone took an interest in her at a time when she might have gone inactive and it strengthened her. Virginia Roundy said during her last pregnancy she had to be on bed rest. Her son broke his leg and her visiting teacher moved in with her to help her. Her other visiting teacher brought a red wagon to transport her son. The Relief Society cleaned her house and did her laundry. We can be more sensitive to others. We can offer to do things for others without grudging. We can offer specific services so the person doesn’t have to think of things they can do. Emily Campbell said her parents joined the church right after marriage and because of the influence of the people who took them in and treated them with love, they raised a good family. You can’t do that without getting to know and love people. You need to get to know people and do your part if you are feeling left out. We can seek out opportunities. Just ask a to serve others. Just ask a question. Smile at them. Jayne Galloway read that the greatest tragedy in the church and then fall away. It need to happen. They must sacrifice so many things that result in loneliness and fear for that person, so members need to welcome and reassure and encourage and thank them or all they do. There is no point in doing missionary work without the kindness of the members. Even moving into a new area can be frightening. President Hinckley received a letter from a new member and members don’t know how hard it is to be a new member. We find that we have entered into a foreign world which can turn into frustration and anger and we leave. Even our language is strange, like what to call people. Remember who you are and what they are. If hey could have a friend to sit with them and explain to them, even more than visiting teachers and home teachers. We need more mentors or sponsors to help people. For yourself, Heather said, you shouldn’t be offended. Come to church because it’s true. President Hinckley said new members need three things: A Friend. Responsibility. Continue to be nurtured. Why is it difficult to return to the church because of embarrassment, or feeling judged, or your children don’t know how to behave, lack of knowledge and the spirit in their lives. President Hinckley said whatever the reason, put it aside and come back. There is more to be gained by coming back than by staying away. Be there for them. The experience of welcoming someone back is joyful. Camille told the story where President Hinckley said he had to go to California for a set of meetings when he got a phone call from an old friend who had left the Church. he wanted to come back but thought it would be embarrassed. He said take the first step. It will feel good to be back again.

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.