Bringing up Children in Light & Truth - lesson summary

Sis. Nolan gave this weeks lesson on Chapter 22 - Bringing up Children in Light and Truth. 

She compared some of her lesson with a the recent conference address from Elder Perry - Becoming Goodly Parents. So many of the same things that President Smith said years and years ago parallel the same advice given today from Elder Perry. 

President Smith told of a story about when his daughter was young and took the streetcar home from piano lessons. The driver forgot to ask for her money to pay and she proudly told her father of her good fortune. He replied, " ‘But, darling, even if the conductor doesn’t know about this, you know and I know and Heavenly Father knows. So, there are still three of us who must be satisfied in seeing that you pay in full for value received.’”

What was he able to teach her so successfully? 

We are told we as Parents have the primary responsibility to teach our children the gospel. Why did the Lord put this responsibility with the Parents? why not the church leaders? President Smith tells us, "My Father in heaven has commanded that I should do that myself. Nobody else can perform the part that God has assigned to us as parents. We have assumed an obligation when we have been the means of bringing children into the world. We can’t place that responsibility upon any organization. It is ours. … First and foremost the obligation is upon you and upon me to not only advise and counsel but to train, by setting an example, by spending sufficient time with our loved ones, these boys and girls, that they may not be led into … forbidden paths"

Other interests must not cause us to lose sight of our duty to teach our children. The manual says, "I want to suggest to you … , there is no time that you can spend, no way in which you can utilize your time that will be of greater advantage than training your boys and your girls to be worthy of the blessings of our Heavenly Father". Our example can lead a child to safety, righteousness and happiness. 

"you safeguard the rising generation from the pitfalls that the adversary has laid for their feet. Many of our [movies], radio programs, magazines, books, etc., are unfit … , and unless we neutralize the influence of these things by wholesome teaching and environment, bringing to the youth the benefits derived from knowing the lives of good men and women, teaching them the virtues of the prophets and the meaning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, some of those whom we love may slip away from us. … Let us teach our children to be pure in their lives, to be upright."

There were many wonderful comments made and stories shared. Come join us in RS to get your cup filled for the coming week and drink in the wonderful spirit there. 

The Legend of the King and the Water

This is the story that Sis. Murdock shared in her most recent lesson. It's wonderful. Be sure to read it and share it with your family and friends. 

The Legend of the King and the Water

A long time ago there lived a very wise king. He lived in a beautiful castle on the top of the hill and all the people of the town lived below in the valley.

The King was very kind, and all the people loved him. One day the king sent a messenger to all the people in the valley. In the message the king told them that his well had gone dry and  asked if they could each bring some water to the castle the following day. In turn he also invited them to stay for a banquet that evening.

The villagers were thrilled to be invited to a banquet at the castle. The king was known for his generosity and was sure to provide a fabulous feast. Everyone in the village would want to attend! They asked the messenger how much water each of them were to bring. He replied that the king hadn't specified how much; he was sure that the king would be pleased with whatever they could bring.

The next day the villagers began their trip up to the castle, each of them carrying containers filled with water. There were buckets, cups, jugs, teaspoons, and a few people were seen pulling heavy wagons filled with big barrels of water.

Whey they arrived at the castle the king greeted them warmly and thanked them for their efforts. They went in to the castle and enjoyed a feast more marvelous than any they had imagined! After the banquet the king thanked them all again and told them the servants had emptied the water into his well and would they please pick up their containers and take them home with them.

They in turn thanked the king for the wonderful feast he had provided. When the villagers went to pick the containers they were amazed to find their containers had been filled with gold and jewels, each as much as it would hold. Imagine the excitement of those who had brought buckets and barrels! Many who had brought only small cups or spoons were disappointed and felt sad that they hadn't made more of an effort to help their beloved king. The villagers who had given so much had been richly blessed!

Lesson Summary - The Power of Kindness

Today we have the wonderful pleasure of hearing from Sis Olsen for our lesson today - Chapter 21 - The Power of Kindness

By being kind and patient, we can soften hearts and encourage others to live righteously.

Pres. Smith always treated others with kindness. One reason why is this belief that there is innate goodness in everyone. 

Elder Cowley said of President Smith:

“He loved everyone because he could see the good within them. He did not look upon sin with the least degree of allowance, but he loved the sinner because he knew that God was love, and that it is God’s love that regenerates human souls and may, by that process, transform the sinner into a saint."

Sis. Olsen asked, "When you have seen an act of kindness soften someone's heart?"

The spirit of the Lord is a spirit of kindness, not harshness and criticism. 

 I feel sad sometimes when I hear the unkind things that are spoken, not only of people in our Church, but of people in the world. Unkind things are not usually said under the inspiration of the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord is a spirit of kindness; it is a spirit of patience; it is a spirit of charity and love and forbearance and long suffering; and there are none of us who do not need all these virtues that are the result of the possession of the Spirit of our Heavenly Father.

 In Matthew 7: 1 - 4 we are told judge not....

As a people we are asked not to be critical, not to be unkind, not to speak harshly of those with whom we associate. We ought to be the greatest exemplars in the world in the regard. 

Sis Olsen asked, "Why is harsh criticism and judgement so harmful?"

She shared the story from President Monson about laundry and dirty windows. Are you looking through a window at others that needs cleaned?

 The manual says, "if we have the spirit of fault finding, of pointing out the weaknesses and failings of others in a destructive manner, that never comes as a result of the companionship of the Spirit of our Heavenly Father and is always harmful...What a joy, what a comfort, what a satisfaction can be added to the lives of our neighbors and friends through kindness. How I would like to write that word in capital letters and emblazon it in the air. Kindness is the power that God has given us to unlock hard hearts and subdue stubborn souls and bring them to an understanding of His purposes.

Live in such a way, in love and kindness, that peace and prayer and thanksgiving will be in your homes together...I pray that the love of the gospel of our Lord will burn in our souls and enrich our lives, that it will cause husbands to be kinder to wives, and wives to be kinder to husbands, parents to children, and children to parents because of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is a gospel of love and kindness. 

Thank you Sis Olsen. Everyone was richly blessed to hear your lesson and feel of your spirit. 

Dec. RS Acitivity - Hints for Happiness

WOW! We as a presidency were thrilled with the turn out and I am SURE all those who attended had a great time! Emily Watts spoke right to the heart and related to us as women and mothers on so many levels. We laughed and cried and laughed again! It was wonderful to see so many visitors. We are happy you are reaching out and brought so many to enjoy the night with us. 

One of my favorite quotes from the night was - "God loves you just the way you are...but He loves you too much to leave you just the way you are." 

Thank you thank you to the wonderful committee for all their hard work and preparation for this evening. 

 

A few asked for the recipe to the cake we enjoyed so here it is! 

Raspberry cheeseCAKE

1 package - white cake mix

2 packages (8oz each) cream cheese, softened

4 c. powdered sugar

1 pint whipping cream, whipped

2 cans (21 oz each) raspberry pie filling

Prepare cake mix according to the package directions. Pour into 2 greased 9x13 pans or 1 large jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted near the middle comes out clean. Cool. 

In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Fold in the whipped cream. Spread over the cake. Top with pie filling. Chill for 4 hours or overnight. 

(super easy! It's a favorite at bridal or baby showers in my family)

1st Sunday summary - Light of Christ

Sis. Griffin gave the lesson today and started it off by asking, "What do you love about Christmas?"

We went around the room everyone naming something different than the next person. Things like music, lights, smells, traditions, temple square, family, kids excitement, the spirit, baking and more were mentioned. 

Sis. Griffin's favorite thing is the lights! She loves light all year around. It cheers you, warms you and all of her favorite scriptures but 2 have the word LIGHT in them. 

I am the LIGHT and LIFE of the world - focus of her talk

Samuel the Lamanite prophesied that the sign of the Saviors birth would be a day of light before the night he was born. There would be no darkness. 

Lori made the comparison of 2 words - SON & Sun. And also compared the 2 words - SunDAY or SONday. 

Sis. Griffin quoted C.S. Lewis, "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."

That which is of God is light. The power of Jesus Christ is stronger than anything in this world - even Satan. 

How is Jesus Christ the LIFE of the world? 

It started in Gethsemane when He suffered for us and set up the Atonement. Then when we was Resurrected He became the LIFE of the world too. 

We need to think of the Life at the other end of the Manger scene. He was born to die. He was born to suffer, die, atone and be resurrected. 

She closed her lesson by saying, "my hope and prayer is that we can radiate the Savior's LIGHT to al that are in our sphere of influence."