1st Sunday - Testimonies

Sis Mark gave our lesson today on Testimonies. Joseph Smith was once asked, "What are the fundamentals of your religion? He answered by saying that the testimonies of the prophets and apostles that Jesus came this earth, died and was resurrected and lives today is the fundamental part of our religion." 

She asked us to think about and share thoughts on the importance of YOUR testimony and the advantage of having one. 

Several quotes were shared from our leaders regarding testimonies. Here is a quick synopsis: 

- Testimonies change lives

- Strong testimonies are anchored in conviction that God won't fail us and He will fulfill His promises

- 2 Nephi 25:26 - We talk of Christ, we preach of Christ....

- Whatever our circumstances are, we can be given the knowledge to know that God lives

We have been counseled that it's our responsibility to work and gain our own testimony

A testimony will always included the following simple and clear truths: 

1. God lives and we are His children

2. Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God and Savior to the World. 

3. Joseph Smith is the prophet who God restored the gospel of Jesus Christ through in the latter days. 

4. Book of Mormon is the word of God. 

5. We have a living prophet today and his counselors and members of the 12 are prophets, seers and revelators in our day.

We ended our lesson with comments and stories shared from several sisters in response to this question Sis. Mark asked: 

What strengthens your testimony? 

"There is no better way to get peace and comfort than to keep your testimony firm" - Sis. Mark

4th Sunday - Ask the missionaries!!!

Sis. Murdock taught today's lesson from the conference talk - Ask the missionaries! They can help you! by Elder Russel M. Nelson

Elder Nelson said, "Two years ago and powerfully reaffirmed again this morning, President Monson declared “that every worthy, able young man should prepare to serve a mission. Missionary service is a priesthood duty—an obligation the Lord expects of us who have been given so very much.”¹ Again he explained that for young sisters, a mission is a welcome option but not a responsibility. And again he invited many more mature couples to serve." 

What better education can a mother have than going on a mission. Sis. Murdock said, "It's going to be a missionary year."

You will not be magically transformed once you decide to go on a mission or be a missionary. It's a process that needs to be started long before we "decide". 

Sis. Murdock asked us, "Who knows the missionaries in our Stake?"

The conference talk says to get to know the missionaries and take care of them. 

She shared a book she is reading called, "The power of everyday missionaries." We are all missionaries. We know this. We need to magnify that "calling". She said she thinks most of us (including her) lack courage. 

Sister Jossilyn Webb was asked to bear her testimony about missionary work. She said she never really focused on "preparing" for a mission. She was just focused on living the gospel and preparing to go to the temple. She said, "while we are preparing to be missionaries, Heavenly Father is preparing people to be ready for the gospel." 

Sis. Murdock shared a story of courage that may help you. Elder Tom Perry tells a story of when he and his wife lived in Boston. One day at church a woman pulled up on a motorcycle wearing jeans and a tshirt. She sat in the back and after about 10 minutes Sis. Perry got up and went to sit by her. She just sat down and put her arm around. The woman teared up a few times during the service and when it was over said, "I think I will come back next week." She did come back and was greeted again by Sis. Perry who was wearing jeans and tshirt. 

I am sure that took courage for Sis. Perry to do and do this woman to come back. 

Although we may be told "NO" several times it is said that you need to ask 4 times before you get a "YES". No missionary experience is ever wasted. It's a seed that is planted. It's the feeling of the spirit and His influence being there that they will recognize again. And when their time is right - they will say YES. 

Sis. Murdock shared the saying, "Preach the gospel - use words if necessary." 

If you are looking for more knowledge about any of the following subjects - guess what?? The missionaries can HELP! 

Geneology

To live a longer healthier live

Wondering what is your purpose? 

you want to strengthen your Family

to Gain Knowledge

to Understand the scriptures better

Want to help people in need

Wondering about life after death

Thank you Sis. Murdock. Every member a missionary! And remember what the STake President said, "We need to be praying for opportunities".

Drop n Swap - next month!!!

Our activity next month will be a DROP n' SWAP!!

Think of it like a Yard sale WITHOUT the buying part! Gather up your gently used items - clothing, home decor, home goods, books, etc and bring them to the church. 

6:30pm Wednesday Feb 6th 

(no nursery. It's sort of come and go night - kids are welcome if necessary though) 

Come to drop stuff off. 

Come to just pick up a few things

or come to do both!!! 

Visiting and chatting are encouraged with a few goodies that night too! 

Please arrive promptly at 6:30pm to set out your items on the designated tables. We will start to wrap up the night at 7:30pm and run all the left over items to the D.I.

Spread the word! clean out those closets! See you next month!

p.s. later that month (feb) the Stake an activity for us. A special speaker plus a dinner I believe! more details to come....

Learning by Faith - lesson summary

It's our first lesson from the new manuals - Chapter 1, Learning by Faith. 

Pres. Lorenzo Snow has always had a love of learning. He always had a good. His Mom and sister actually joined the church before he did. After he was baptized and confirmed, he eventually turned his interest more to “the education of the Spirit” than to “book studies.

Sis. Nolan asked us, "What leads a person to continue learning throughout their life? 

There were several comments made and wonderful insight shared from the sisters. 

The manual went on to say, "In this system of religion that you and I have received there is something grand and glorious, and something new to learn every day, that is of great value. And it is not only our privilege but it is necessary that we receive these things and gather these new ideas.

The whole idea of Mormonism is improvement—mentally, physically, morally and spiritually. No half-way education suffices for the Latter-day Saint. 

We have got to obtain knowledge before we obtain permanent happiness; we have got to be wide awake in the things of God...We have got so much ground to walk over, and if we fail to travel to-day, we shall have so much more to travel to-morrow."

 

Sis Nolan stated that we have got to keep pushing forward and progressing. If we "skip" a day of putting effort into something - ex.- reading the scriptures - we are that much further behind we start up again. 

The manual tells us, "There is a kind of education worthy [of] the best attention of all, and in which all ought to engage—that is the education of the Spirit^. A little spiritual knowledge is a great deal better than mere opinions and notions and ideas, or even very elaborate arguments; a little spiritual knowledge is very important and of the highest consideration...If our minds are too one-sided, paying too much attention to the acquiring of earthly goods, to the neglect of spiritual wealth, we are not wise stewards."

 

Sis Nolan again presented a question to us, "What does the education of the Spirit mean to you?" Elder Bednar gave an example of the parable of the fisherman - The give a man a fish vs. teaching a man to fish. When you are given an answer by another person you are likely to remember it for a bit but soon it is forgotten. If you discover an answer for yourself it is highly more likely you will remember it. Some of our best education is "caught" not taught. 

The Holy Ghost is our teacher and we get to have a teacher with us all the time. 

Sis Nolan bore her testimony of Learning by faith by saying, now is the time to apply faith in your learning and it will broaden your mind, perspective and what you learn. You will be enlightened.

 

 

Pres Message - Joy in the Journey

Sis. Snow taught the lesson this week and it was her 3rd opportunity to speak on the same subject - JOY. She hopes that by giving the same message 3 different ways that she has reached all the sisters in 1 way or another. 

She started her lesson by asking us, "Think about the things that bring you joy?"

Pres. Monson has told us that we live in a time of joy with so many blessings and we can find greater happiness in the smaller things of life. 

Do we ever look at others and think, "I want what they have...They seem so happy, etc." Sis. Snow emphasized, "We NEVER know the whole story." Any number of these people could be going through a hard trial in their lives or struggling with something but you'd never know it just "looking in". They are choosing to be happy even through their current circumstances.

Several Sisters then shared with us what brought them joy. Pres. Eyring shared a story once about asking himself each day, "Have I seen the hand of God in my life and the life of my children this day. He would then proceed to write down those things. Sis. Snow related that to almost being like a THANK YOU note to our Heavenly Father and we will find and see more gratitude and joy in our lives. 

Sis. Snow asked us, "What are the blessings of being in your season of your life?" - Every season has joy in it - just different joy and blessings to be had. She then turned out the lights in the RS room and held up a mirrored ball. Think of your life as the ball. As you shine your light the ball reflects that light all around. You can't predict where that light will fall, who it will touch. Isn't the world a better, brighter place when our light is shining and reflecting out. Can you image a mirror ball not shining? 

If you feel it - SHARE IT! Let your joy and light blossom outwardly. Let your light shine - you could make someone's day - you could change a life. 

Thank you Sis. Snow for kicking off our year of Focusing on JOY!!

handout.

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."