Lesson for July 20, 2014

Lesson for July 20, 2014 Today our lesson was given by Megan Miller on Chapters 15 and 17 on “Eternal Marriage” and “Sealing Power and Temple Blessings.” President Smith said there is no ordinance more necessary than eternal marriage. It is the most important because it works the hardest to perfect you. Part of being exalted. It’s the start of everything, the family, an eternal bond between partners. It is a good way to become like Christ. It is one of our jobs to bring spirits into the world. All faithful women will have the opportunity. D&C 131:1-4 says that there are three heavens or degrees and to enter into the highest, we must be married and sealed in the temple. We need someone else to make it to the highest. Some of the blessings include balance. As a child there is comfort and surety being raised in such a family. We get companionship, friendship, a partner raising children. Support and love. Marriage is not just a civil contract—it is in fact, an eternal principle—so much more than how the world views. The world sees it as disposable. If it becomes difficult, people get divorced or the marriage annulled. It is not just two people’s paychecks. A lot of people see it as convenience and a tax benefit. There is no real commitment or effort required. An eternal marriage is something solid in life. It requires sacrifice and a focus on our partners. President Hinckley said that a sacrifice is giving up something good for something better. The knowledge that we have an eternal marriage brings with it more responsibility. The person who lives worthy to marry in the temple commits to that marriage long before that marriage takes place, so an eternal marriage actually starts early in life. In the story of Adam and Eve, there was no second wife created. There was permanence. Some things to do to preserve our marriages is to wear our garments and wear them worthily. Emily Campbell said that her friends are getting divorced and it has upset her own children, so it has had an effect on her family. It is important to always have each other’s back and support each other no matter what. It is important in our own marriage to not compare our marriage with others’ marriage because we only see the good side. It is important to pray together. It is important to realize that in a relationship, we only have control over one person in our marriage. If you want to be like Christ and you try to be like Him, it makes all the difference. It is important to teach children the difference and how to be Christlike. How can we share the message with the world? Not hide that it is hard work and it is a covenant, but that we can be successful. One of the biggest selling point of the Church is eternal families. Even though many people are married until death, they really believe that their marriages will be eternal. The way you draw closer to someone is through service. Family scripture study and companion study is important and so is individual study. You can draw closer to God through having children. Having opportunities to forgive and be forgiven can also draw couples closer together. It’s good to know that someone loves us enough not to write us off. We have to learn how to navigate our relationship with our spouse just as we have to learn to navigate our relationship with God. Those who do not marry in this life and who live worthy of the temple covenants will reap the blessings of the temple covenants. The best explanation Charlene Farnworth heard a temple sealer saying that covenants must be kept in order for the sealing to take place. By keeping an eternal perspective, we know that this life is a temporary situation that is not fair and we know that in the eternities all will be made fair, even though we can’t figure it out now. Knowing that we belong to something bigger than we are will give us comfort. One way to understand the bigger picture is to do family history and temple ordinances for our ancestors so we can see that we belong to something bigger than ourselves. We can share doing indexing and family history with our children. Our testimony of the Savior will be deepened and we will be safeguarded, according to Elder Bednar.

Lesson for July 13, 2014

Lesson for July 13, 2014 Today our lesson was given by Maggie Kopp about two chapters: Baptism and The Gift of the Holy Ghost. We know that the first and second ordinances of the gospel are baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, but the things that stood out to Maggie, were the first things we should know about baptism. She remembers her interview and being able to answer all the questions. Another sister remembers being all in white and looking in the mirror and feeling strong and excited to be part of the gospel. President Smith discussed the symbolism of baptism. Maggie divided us up into groups to discuss baptism and the symbolism associated with it. Maggie likened baptism to birth and also to death and resurrection. Some of the scriptures she referred us to were Moses 6:58-60; John 3:3-8; Romans 6:4; and Matthew 3:16-17. Some of the things we thought of were that we are being born into the kingdom of God, no matter what age we are. Once a child is born it becomes separate from the mother and once a person is baptized he/she is accountable for their own sins. Once a person is baptized, he/she takes on Christ’s identity. Sister Davis’s son thought the word accountable sounded like “a cannibal” and he didn’t want to do that. Baptism is a symbol of rebirth, or resurrection as the baptized person becomes a new person with a new life. We bury our old life and leave it behind so we can take part in our new life. As we look back on our own baptism, we’ve learned to keep covenants. Emily Campbell said they taught their children leading up to baptism just like a new convert would be taught so it could be their choice. We need to mention the gift of the Holy Ghost, because we learn so much once we have that gift. We don’t have to know everything about the gospel and that we are willing to commit to learning more after baptism. The basic testimony and commitment are what are necessary and will carry us through. Sister Aldridge said she has learned that she can start fresh each week by taking the sacrament. Maggie’s grandpa said that he remembered being baptized and after he accidentally ripped his pants and swore and thought he’d messed up his baptism. So because babies are sinless, it really seems odd to baptize children. President Smith said that it was a vision that gave the church the idea that eight was the proper age. Amy Young said we need to teach kids that we are all trying and making mistakes and that they can repent and take the sacrament to make themselves clean again. Also, that Jesus is waiting for them to come back to them. We covenant to keep the commandments and we would prove to God that we are willing to live by the word of God with humility and diligence. Sister Cantrell said that the most important thing is to remember that we can always have the Spirit to be with us if we keep the commandments. Sister Harding said we need to be good representatives of Christ and good examples. Do we have the Holy Spirit with us and being Christ-like. Maggie said that our baptismal covenants are indicative of being saved by works and grace of the Atonement. Our baptism is incomplete unless we receive the Holy Ghost. We can do lots of things and not receive the Holy Ghost, unless we are blessed by the gift. Joseph Smith said that baptizing someone without giving them the gift of the Holy Ghost was as effective as baptizing a bag of sand. We should focus on receiving and keeping the Holy Spirit with us at all times and that includes all the things we should do to keep the gospel in remembrance and at the forefront of our thoughts. All the things we do should be to keep the Holy Ghost and having the Holy Ghost with us helps us do the thing we should, so it’s kind of like an endless loop. Sister Lewis said that when we receive revelation, we need to act on it so the Lord knows we value revelation and then we can ask for more. Sister Boyadjian said it is the verb to act and to do. It is as if are drive the car and we can see the road, but if we do not act upon the appropriate rules of driving, we will crash. Sister Cantrell said we need to pray always and the Lord will direct us. We need to do the work so we can get the promptings to make right choices. Gratitude is a key to having revelation in our life. President Smith said it is the privilege of every member to know the truth and gain the light.

July 6, 2014 lesson

Lesson for 6 July 2014 Today our lesson was taught by Irma Lopez, titled “Sisterhood, O How We Need Each Other.” Irma showed us the video that went with Sister Oscarson’s conference talk about how important it is to share ourselves with other sisters in the gospel. In the video several groups of sisters of all ages from all over the Church sang, “I Am A Child of God.” Irma asked Amy Young to share her experience of being in the Conference Center and Amy said it was amazing. Irma said it is our privilege to be women in the Church and to belong to that society that is a great force for goodness. Heather Cantrell read a quote about the international nature of our society. Irma said it is magical that we all belong to the same society. No matter where we go in the world, we have a home in a ward or branch where the lessons and the doctrine and the meetings are the same. Emily Campbell said she doesn’t bicker with us like she did with her sisters, but we are sisters. Many sisters in the ward said we all feel like sisters. We are all going through different stages and different ages, so no matter where we come from or what part of life we’re in, we can all be sisters and have beautiful friendships. Irma said she came into our ward 21 years ago, from a ward where her best friend was in Relief Society. She is still her good friend. She is available to Irma for prayers and encouragement and to talk to when she has problems. Bonnie said she lived in Cleveland, Ohio and had lots of friends, but she felt she needed a special friend. She prayed for a friend and Michelle moved into the ward, but her husband was immediately transferred. She is still Bonnie’s good friend. Irma said the adversary is always telling us we are not good enough, instead of saying that we have wonderful traits. She pointed out that we should not compare ourselves to others, but learn new things. Sister Bahr read a quote about not judging ourselves, but seeing ourselves with compassion and recognize our divine background. Our desire is to lift up one another and serve one another. Irma said we need to help people as sisters. Emily Campbell said that women have a biological need to connect with other women. Barbara Aldridge said sometimes only a woman can understand another woman. Only a woman will get it. Irma said she asked several women who they go to when they have problems. Many said their sisters, or another woman friend. Some said Heavenly Father and then another woman. Jessica Lewis said that when we were baptized we covenanted to take on each others’ burdens. Sister Oscarson in her talk said we need to rely on each other. She told of a little girl named Sarah and went with her mother to help another little girl who had multiple sclerosis. She learned to be compassionate and caring for another. Another story she told about the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth as they supported one another through their pregnancies—old and young who strengthened each other. Amy Young said she has met sisters in every situation in life through visiting teaching, and these women are her friends still. They have given her wonderful advice and she has wonderful friendships through visiting teaching. Irma said we have much to contribute to each other. Heather said she has a friend who is a Methodist, but she was gathered in by the local Relief Society who helped her through an illness 24 hours a day for two years. Sister Oscarson’s mother walked to church on her own as a child because she had Primary teachers who loved her. Another story is about an 81 year old sister who was called to be a MIA Maid advisor and who brought wisdom and love to the girls and the girls helped her. Irma asked how we can include the young women to get them to see that Relief Society is for them, too. In one ward, they included the younger sisters once a month. Sister Campbell said we need to include them. One young sister said she wanted to join Relief Society from the time she turned 18 and she thinks she liked going to activities with the Relief Society. Sometimes it would be good to recognize the young women and say hello to them and invite them to sit with us. We can find out what is going on in the high school, so we can tell the youth that we saw them. Sister Oscarson said we have each other and are rich in connections so we can nurture and serve each other.

RS activity for July--Canyon Activity

July 15th! Join us for the July activity up the canyon. You do not want to miss this activity! We will have fun together, along with a campfire and s'mores, although you can bring other desserts, too. Meet in the church parking lot at 5:45 to carpool up.

Lesson for June 8, 2014

Today our lesson was given by Maggie Kopp on “Our Search for Truth.” She said her profession as a librarian makes her very sensitive to seeking truth. Her husband said, “It’s kind of hard not to be Mormon and know learning is important.” She asked who is learning something new. Sister Farnworth said she is taking a new math class. Another sister said she is taking birthing classes. Another sister is taking an art history class and a family class. Sister Campbell is taking neurology through. Sister Lewis said you can find God in anything you study, from history to how to make sourdough. She says not to separate church stuff from other stuff. Emily Campbell said science is how people try to codify what God has always known. Maggie said that Chieko Okasaki taught an important lesson on the relationship between study and faith, citing the scriptures that tell us to study out of the best books. Maggie asked us what studying the body has to do with faith. We are created by God in His image. We breathe and our hearts beat on their own. Sister Linda Campbell said when she taught health and went to BYU to see the cadavers, it was an eye opener to her to see the systems and precise use of the body. Claudia Laycock said our bodies are our ticket back to God. Another sister said she works with people who are not healthy and that it is their challenge to work with their bodies. Emily Campbell said there are certain things you can do to make your bodies work better. We are all individuals and not all things work equally for everyone. Obviously you can’t work in the health industry on faith alone, but faith can help us to know the knowledge we have been exposed to and use it. How does the combination of study and faith work in your life? Jessica Lewis said that everything she studies strengthens her faith, but the most influential was studying herbs and how the Lord has blessed us with everything we need. There are so many things we learn on this earth that help us. Chieko Okasaki said not many of us read too much. He reiterated that learning comes by study and faith. She listened to a great talk that is listed on speeches.byu.edu about living knowledge. God uses natural laws to accomplish what He intends to happen. Heavenly Father created all of this for us. Claudia Laycock said she believes it is like the parable of the talent and we need to expand our knowledge. It’s part of what we owe God. Jessica Lewis said she has been reading a book by S. Michael Wilcox who compared us to a compass drawing a circle, with one foot in the gospel and the other searching out all truth. Another sister said that being grounded in the gospel and living it helps us filter everything we learn. Our sister missionary said that all of our learning is for our end goal, which is to become like our Father in Heaven. Maggie said the professor who spoke said that our learning is endless. Heather Cantrell said to learn about God before we can understand the rest. Chieko Okasaki said that learning by study and learning by faith cannot be separated. Maggie challenges us to learn more of God and Christ.

Lesson for May 18, 2014

Lesson for May 18, 2014 Our lesson today is about the witnesses of the Book of Mormon, lesson #9. It was given by Maggie Kopp. Today we based the lesson a lot on scriptures and quotes. The law of witnesses has always been followed by the law. Whenever the Lord has established a dispensation, more than one person was present. Linda Campbell said that we need the additional witness to help us know things are true. When Joseph Smith first had the plates, he was not supposed to tell anyone, but the Book of Mormon itself says that other witnesses would bear witness that it is true—as many witnesses as seem good to the Lord. Mary Whitmer was the first woman to have a witness of the plates. Maggie used an article written by Keith Perkins. Mary clothed and fed Joseph Smith and Emma and worked to take care of her family, as well. She was very tired, and one day was approached by a stranger who showed her the gold plates as a reward for her efforts and faithfulness. We also mentioned other women who were witnesses. Of the witnesses, 5 were Mary Whitmer’s sons, 1 was her son-in-law. In the Book of Mormon in the testimony of the Three Witnesses, we learn of the coming of an angel of the Lord who came down to show them the plates. They stated that their testimony is to the world. Claudia Laycock said that legally they covered all the elements that people would want to poke holes at: they saw the plates, they knew what was in them, and they declare their testimony. We know from the article that although most of the witnesses fell away from the Church, none ever denied their testimonies. Lucy Mack Smith said that Joseph came home weeping after the experience because a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He had known of the plates since he was fourteen, but had not been able to tell about them. Now there were others. It is important for those of us now, since we haven’t had this experience, to have these witnesses. Emma was never privileged to witness the gold plates. She was told to not murmur. She did have access to the plates, but she did feel them through the cloth to clean, but she did not peek. She said they were pliable like paper and rustled. She also left the church, but she told her son that she knew they were true. She acted as scribe and Joseph often just took up where he had left off and went on with no problem. She was satisfied that the Book of Mormon was true and that she didn’t need to see the plates. Sometimes we want to save the world and do important things, but what Emma was told she would do is how she helped to build the kingdom of God. So we need to find out where we need to build the kingdom. This new volume of scripture was also to be a witness to the Bible and they should grow together to the condemnation of those who do not believe. Joseph Fielding Smith said that the three witnesses bore a testimony that was true and that the Book of Mormon was translated correctly and those who desire to know can know the truth. If we read it prayerfully and carefully, we can also have a testimony from a daily habit of reading the scriptures and building the habit of keeping the scriptures in our lives. Various sisters told of how they gained their testimonies. Some said it was gradual and some said it was an answer to prayer. We all have an individual personality that God knows and will help us understand these things in the best ways for us.

Lesson for 11 May 2014

Today our lesson was given by Randy Hickman on Mother’s Day, so the ladies would not have to give any lessons today. He said this is a first for him—he has never taught Relief Society. He told of going to a movie and realized he and his wife were the only white people there. He feels somewhat like that. His lesson is about “The Church and Kingdom of God.” If you have smart phones or tablets, the lessons are available. Also available are conference talks back to 1971. So we should use the technology we have to help us with the gospel. In the introduction President Joseph Fielding Smith said, at the age of 89, when he went into a meeting and fell down a flight of stairs and limped around like an old man. His leg was broken in multiple places. The reason for his dedication is that he knows that Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith is the prophet, and he knows it with every fiber of his being. Jeffrey R. Holland said he is more certain that the keys have been restored and the gospel than he is that he was standing there taking to everyone. Brother Hickman said he often wondered where his testimony came from. He believes that spiritual experiences are personal, but he asked if anyone wanted to share. Did anyone have an Alma the Younger or Enos experience. Crystelle Boyadjian said when the missionaries contacted her and then she went to see the prophet speak, she had a huge impression that he was the prophet. We often don’t have one single event, but thousands of little events stacked on each other. Heather Cantrell said she had experience with the devil as she was investigating the Church, and received a blessing and hasn’t had her faith waiver. Brother Hickman is a builder and thinks of a testimony like a brick mason laying bricks. When a brick mason sets up corner poles, they have to be perfectly vertical. He strings a line and slings mud on the brick, and cut a groove down the brick before putting it on the first bricks. He taps it so it’s level. Then he puts the level on the bricks and makes sure it’s really level. After about six or eight courses, he needs to check the mortar and raking the seams between bricks. The more he watches brick masons, he realizes that there is care and skill and patience to make sure each brick is laid just right. In our church, there are at least 60-70,000 bricks on the exterior. If you don’t lay the foundation of your testimony just right it won’t work as well. We will remember the effort it took to build our testimony. One small event after another are necessary to build a durable testimony, like brick on a building. Think of the bricks that built our own testimonies. Heather Cantrell said we also need a firm foundation or the bricks fall down. Brother Hickman said his bishop made him wait 3 months to get the priesthood, then he gave him the stake president as a home teaching companion, and they were to teach the bishop. His bishop was teaching him, laying bricks. Our bishop goes to visit the sick and gives blessings. Jessica Lewis said we are not given experiences just for ourselves, but to bear our testimonies rekindled and passed down. So we need to write them down so we can pass them down. Where are our testimonies and do we write them down? There is no stopping point. Now we’re all aware of where our testimonies come from, we need to write them down, and we also need to share them. President Smith said our service in the church expresses our Lord’s infinite love. It helps others as well as helps others as we serve. He also said that the man in the church who only does what is necessary is not working toward perfection. Sister Boyadjian said to know God you have to do what God does. Service is how we get to the celestial kingdom. Service is unselfishness. Never refuse to serve—President Smith is a prophet. When a presiding officer asks us to do something, we are under covenant to do so. This course brings joy and peace and those who don’t shrivel and die. Brother Hickman was asked to be the Gospel Doctrine teacher and found that he got more out of the lessons than he felt the students did. He thoroughly enjoyed it, although he felt very unprepared. He finds it interesting that service and testimony are intertwined. Something happens to you.