Lesson for July 17, 2016

Lesson for July 17, 2016 Today our lesson was given by Camille Maynard on the temple. President Howard W. Hunter preached that the temple should be the symbol of our membership. She said that we have to want to go to the temple. It is a symbol that we have done certain things to get there. President Hunter’s father was not a member until Pres. Hunter was nineteen. When President Hunter was a stake president, on his birthday he was asked to speak to a group in the temple. His parents walked in dressed in white and ready to have their endowments and sealing. He was speechless. Just the building is a symbol that others see. The placement of temples makes it so people can see them all of a sudden. Doing work for others can strengthen our own testimonies. How does going to the temple sustain the leaders of the church, even the local leaders? When we sustain someone, it is a commitment to support them, not just a vote, and it says that we believe in the gospel. We need to be morally clean. We need to treat our family well. We need to be honest in our dealings with others. We need to be a full tithe payer. We need to observe the Word of Wisdom. People who pay tithing and observe the Word of Wisdom usually are faithful about other things as well. Being in the temple is a break from worldly things and even being on the grounds brings us comfort. Even having a temple recommend relieves a lot of worry about things that go on in the world. Living those principles can help us in many areas of life. When we are free and clean from the sins of the world, then going to God’s house shows us what it will be like in the next life. President Hunter dedicated the Bountiful Temple before he died. He said that entering the temple helps us rededicate our lives and receive comfort. Having the temple in our lives can bring us peace and calmness. D&C 3:1 What a glorious thing to go to the temple and what a glorious thing to do temple work for others. Doing the work for the dead brings us blessings as well. Realizing that going with open minds can help us get the inspiration we should be getting. Jessica Lewis made a commitment to go to the temple so many times and had all kinds of problems getting it done, but on the last day, when she had too much to do, the temple workers and her Heavenly Father went to a great deal of trouble to help her go to the temple and get her other things done on time. We will receive blessings if we go to the temple and do our family history. In 1994, on his birthday and the birthday of the Utah Genealogical Society, President Hunter reflected on the great movement toward family history and how so many advancements have taken place that forwards the work. He also mentioned how important it is to work on family history. When we explain the temple to those who do not understand them, then we can perhaps help them to want to do their genealogy. How do you explain it to non-members? Books by the Church can help us explain that doing a person’s work is honoring that person.

Lesson for June 19, 2016

Lesson for July 19, 2016 Today our lesson was given by Camille Maynard on “True Greatness” from Chapter 11 in Teachings of Howard W. Hunter. Camille said she has been working Primary for the last two years, so she doesn’t normally get to see people. What is the world’s definition of greatness? Someone like Donald Trump; someone with education; important job; shows or says they’re accomplished; good looking; fancy car; says they’re the greatest; talented; celebrities. Howard W. Hunter said people who inspired used to be the most admired, but now it is movie stars. There is no lack of great people: inventors, doctors, musicians, artists, architects and those who accomplish great things. But the world’s definition of greatness makes some people unhappy because they are constantly compared to other people. It can be a damaging things because it can make people concentrate on having important jobs. Two minutes on Instagram can make us feel bad about ourselves for 50 different things. Many Latter-day Saints are happily enjoying the joys that life offers, yet many feel they have failed because they aren’t great. Within each of us is a giant of greatness. When there are problems, it is often because people won’t achieve worldly greatness. Adele Hickman said both her grandfathers were great who raised families strong in the gospel and went quietly through life. The things that make us truly great are not big flashy things. We need to have charity for others and for ourselves. In sacrament meeting a story was told about the necessity of treating everyone we come into contact with as someone important for us to get back to our Heavenly Father. How we treat others has a consequence attached. Those who can love the unlovable are truly great. You have to do it for the right reasons, so the rewards are equal to the intent. True greatness is related to loving to yourself and inside, but not in a self-centered way. Whenever we get away from our own concerns and focus on other people, we can gain greater happiness. It’s a series of small things that build up over our lives. True greatness comes from thousands of little deeds and losing our lives for others, even if unnoticed. Howard W. Hunter’s wife suffered from strokes and required constant care, even though he was the prophet. He would do his work in the day and then go straight to see her. He continued to tell her of his love. This care continued for ten years. Even when she got so she did not recognize him, he continued to care for her. Those things that we call extraordinary, we must ask, “What does God expect of us?” Gaining a knowledge of our Father’s family and their needs and the common lot of all mankind can help us know what to do to serve. True greatness in a large part comes through an understanding of who we are. Our self-worth comes from our knowledge of how great our Heavenly Father is. We can be good listeners, loving each other, showing affection to others, showing patience in moments when our patience is thin, even for good reasons. Sometimes we can overthink what we should be doing, but that doesn’t mean we can’t think of what we can do better. The Prophet Joseph Smith often spent part of his days looking for ways to serve others and making others feel worthwhile. The governor of Illinois sent a posse to arrest Joseph Smith. The sheriff became deathly ill and Joseph took the man into his home and nursed him for four days. Taking time to serve others and be there for them can be very important. Having lots of friends in social media is not the most important thing in our lives. Taking care of our families is more important. Telling our Heavenly Father our goals can help us find the circumstances we need to participate in. Sometimes it is strangers who help us or who we help. Sometimes we have to persevere through the hard times. Ways to persevere through difficulties include being persistent in goodness and not letting these things be roadblocks stop us from doing good. Camille had everyone get together in groups to discuss ways to persevere. The final message is that true greatness comes from quiet lives of service through difficulties and good times—sometimes in the midst of suffering and sorrow. Stories of people who come to success quickly, but true greatness is not quick and fast, but consistent work over a long time.

Lesson for June 12, 2016

Lesson for June 12, 2016 Today our lesson was given by Maggie Kopp about “The Scriptures: The Most Profitable of All Study.” This lesson is from Chapter 10 from the teachings of President Howard W. Hunter. Maggie started with a presentation about scripture study. President Hunter liked to use scriptures in his conference talks to give examples and a context of the points he made; he had a great love of the scriptures and loved to study them. In the scriptures, there are stories that apply to every single circumstance we encounter. The manuals and church magazines are good, but if we only read those things and not the scriptures, it is not as good. Maggie asked what we do to read scriptures. You can use the online scriptures and make notes and highlight, so no matter what device you use, those personalized things will be there. Some people highlight in their physical scriptures and change copies to highlight different things and see the scriptures in a new light. New sets of scriptures give us the chance to look at things in a new way. Some type up scriptures to open their minds and be able to have the Spirit help them think better. D&C 109:7 says that as all have not faith then study the scriptures and search out of the best books—books that uplift and teach us. Perhaps we don’t have the faith of Moses who was taught all things by God, but we can read our scriptures. Concentrated, focused, and prayerful study will help us get more faith and knowledge. President Hunter said that reading habits vary widely, but to understand requires more than casual reading and studying the scriptures every day. There should be a regular time each day when we can concentrate on the scriptures. Prayer helps our understanding a great deal. The Holy Spirit will guide our study. Whenever we study, most important is that a regular time is set aside for study, even a little time—regularity will help us reap great blessings, no matter the age. Even children have great insights that can enrich the rest of the family. Rather than a set number of pages or chapters is not as good as having a set amount of time. Emily Campbell said that reading in the morning, rather than the evening, is better for her and gives her greater insights. Reading as a family is good, too. Reading to a schedule is good, including seminary study guides and institute manuals. Reading with a pen in your hand while reading scriptures also gives you insights and points. Another idea is a scripture journal, as well as reading a companion’s scriptures to gain insights of the scriptures and the other person. If you need to make adjustments in your scripture study, try out some of these things this week.

Lesson for June 5, 2016

Lesson for June 5, 2016 Today our lesson was given by Andrea Gerber of our Relief Society presidency about personal revelation. She said she struggles to get answers for her prayers, at least not clear answers. She was never sure. She feels that not many people discuss the language of the Spirit. She has learned a lot about what the prophets. Her favorite is by Richard G. Scott and acquiring spiritual revelation. The Lord has more for you, no matter where you are in spiritual growth. We need to be grateful for the revelation we have. Every good feeling we have is from the Holy Ghost, even the feelings we get from holding a baby. It is more like a warm light shining in your being. Many people in the Church will not feel the burning in the bosom, but only that light. Joseph Smith said that when you get pure strokes of intuition, that could be revelation. Elder Oaks said it could be inspiring feelings, performances, words, actions. Miracles are not usually the parting of the sea or a burning bush, but the small miracles that happen every day. We may not recognize the Spirit if it comes in common dress. We may feel a call to action because of a good Relief Society lesson or church talk. Praying about something and having it linger in your mind is a type of revelation, even if you fight against it. When we listen to the Spirit and carry out what our feelings are given to us, we respond to the Spirit and gain revelation and trust the answer. We also need to recognize what we have already been given as revelation and not worry that God is not telling us over and over again what we already know. We need to build on that knowledge. That is a confirmation. And sometimes the Spirit just gives us an impression, but that is revelation. As long as you live your life with the Spirit and so you can have the Spirit that you can have personal revelation in your life. We need to teach each other how to recognize the Spirit. The Spirit works differently with each person and you don’t have to have the same type of revelation as someone else does to have revelation. Sometimes you need to just ask and not look for signs. Acting with charity is guided by the Spirit. The Spirit follows humility and forgiveness. We all come from heaven with certain gifts, but the scriptures say to seek after the best gifts. If we act on the inspiration we get, the Lord will bless us with more. We can practice and not give up. The Lord can move a moving target better than he can move a stationary target, so we need to keep moving. Elder Holland told us how to tell the difference between our own thoughts and what we get from the Spirit. If the result was good, it came from the Spirit. If we operate on that premise and practice, we will get the answer we need—maybe not immediately, but we may receive inspiration and learn that what we are already doing and decided the best we could do, will be right. You have to be humble enough and brave enough and act on the inspiration. Some get an intense high when we are doing what is right. We sometimes have to work for our spirituality and that includes actively studying the gospel, going to church, attending the temple, taking care of our bodies, getting rid of critical or negative feelings, and actively doing what is necessary to receive the Spirit. Sometimes you need to be grateful for the type of revelation you receive. Strong emotions, such as anger, greed, pride, fear, exhaustion, and others overcome the effects of the Spirit. We need to remember that the Lord can overcome those. We can choose to not feel those emotions. We can choose to do the things we need to for us to receive revelation. We can choose to turn our lives to the Lord. Sometimes we are being tested to see if we will continue on. The Adversary is a copycat and can copy many feelings, but he cannot copy feelings of peace. Elder Scott said there is no simple formula or technique to gain the Spirit, but the Lord wants us to learn how to be led by the Spirit through our own struggle with the Spirit. It takes work. We cannot learn the language of the Spirit without work. Things you can try is to ask the Lord, study, act on any good idea, try the morning for revelation, fasting, taking care of our bodies, record your impressions so you can reply to the first impressions you are given.

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.