Lesson Summary 4th Sunday

Sis. Murdock gave our lesson this Sunday compiled from 2 talks - The Power of Deliverance - Elder L. Tom Perry & Thanks Be To God - Elder Russell M. Nelson

She shared a story from Elder Nelson talk about an aquarium: 

Recently, Sister Nelson and I enjoyed the beauty of tropical fish in a small private aquarium. Fish with vivid colors and of a variety of shapes and sizes darted back and forth. I asked the attendant nearby, “Who provides food for these beautiful fish?”

She responded, “I do.”

Then I asked, “Have they ever thanked you?”

She replied, “Not yet!”

I thought of some people I know who are just as oblivious to their Creator and their true “bread of life.”¹ They live from day to day without an awareness of God and His goodness unto them.

How much better it would be if all could be more aware of God’s providence and love and express that gratitude to Him. Ammon taught, “Let us give thanks to [God], for he doth work righteousness forever.”² Our degree of gratitude is a measure of our love for Him.

She focused the remainder of her talk about 3 gifts. 

 1. Physical - She ask Molly and Autumn come in and sing - I am a Child of God. She asked us to think of the words to that song - he sent us here, gave us parents, knows our needs our great, etc. You don't need a perfect body to make it back to heaven with live with our Heavenly Father. 

There was another story shared from Elder L. Tom Perry's talk about his friend Scott. You can read it here but he didn't let his physical limitations stop him from helping the work progress forward. 

2. Spiritual - our gifts are strengthened  as communicate with Heavenly Father. Our return to Him is not based on what we wore and how cute our hairstyle was...It's about love, virtue, integrity, service to others, etc. 

Sis. Murdock shared a neat comparison of cell phones to our scriptures: 

I wonder what would happen if we treated our Scriptures like we treat our cell phones?
What if we carried them around in our purses or pockets?
What if we turned back to get them if we forgot them?
What if we flipped through them several times a day?
What if we used them to receive messages?
What if we treated them like we couldn't live without them?
What if we gave them to kids as gifts?
What if we used them as we traveled?
What if we used them in case of an emergency?
This is something to make you go hmm... where are my Scriptures?

Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't ever have to worry about our Scriptures being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill! 

     3. Gospel - Many of the stories in the Book of Mormon are about deliverance. Can we only find deliverance in the scriptures? What about church magazines and music too? 

She shared a story of the pioneers who crossed the plains and a particular food shortage situation. The saints didn't pray for their circumstances to change or for a different type of food to cross their path. They prayed that their stomachs would adapt to the food they had. They prayed for strength in their circumstance. 

Elder Nelson summed up the lesson perfectly: 

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, but we are not. Each day, ours is the challenge to access the power of the Atonement so that we can truly change, become more Christlike, and qualify for the gift of exaltation and live eternally with God, Jesus Christ, and our families. For these powers, privileges, and gospel gifts, thanks be to God! 

- Sis. Pyrah 

 

SOUPER Service Night

Novembers RS activity Night - Nov 6th - 6:30pm at the church. 

SOUPER Service Night!

Join us for a warm and yummy soup dinner and YOU bring the service! Please bring an item you enjoy like lotion, crossword, fruit, sweets, etc. We will be creating some small baskets as a "pick me up/thinking of you" gift for some sisters in the ward. Then we will deliver them that night as well! 

Nursery provided. 

It's not an activity unless you are there! 

Lesson Summary - Chapter 19

Sis. Nolan gave our lesson today on Chapter 19 - Temporal and Spiritual Blessings from the Word of Wisdom.

The manual says, "Daniel was a prophet of God, and he was a prophet because he kept the commandments of God. I would like you … to take this message with you. Daniel observed the teachings of God with his companions, with reference to the kind of food and drink they should have, and refused to accept the food that was served upon the king’s table."

Sis Nolan asked, "How do you politely refuse items that are against the Word of Wisdom?"

The manual goes on to say, "The gospel of Jesus Christ is to preserve souls, of which the body is the tabernacle, for eternal happiness....Our Heavenly Father in his kindness and love [warned]: “In consequence of the evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you and forewarn you by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation.” (D&C 89:4.) … The purpose of the gospel of Jesus Christ is to prepare us to understand the beauty of life as the Lord has indicated it should be lived, by telling us how we may avoid the things that are destroying the world.^"

^{"I pause to ask....are we worthy to be called Saint?"}

^{Sis. Nolan reiterate this question. If you think about your week, are you doing things that qualify you to be worthy to be called among the Saints?"} 

^{Sis. Nolan related a few stories from Pres. Monson's talk from the recent Priesthood session. She encouraged us all to read it if we haven't already. From that talk...Are we seeing people for who they can become? Or are we judging them on who they are now? Christ loves them just as much as anyone else. What if our sins smelled of cigarette smoke? or we all came to church with our biggest sin written across our backs....How many would feel comfortable to attend?}  

^{The lesson rounded out talking about how to teach our families the obey the Word of Wisdom...the best way is to obey it ourselves.} 

^{"...the best evidence of our faith in that law, that we believe it came from God, is a consistent observance of it in our lives. We may preach it all day long, but if we transgress it in practice, our example may be disastrous to those we love better than life, for they will feel that they can safely follow where we lead. Let me plead with you, search the Word of Wisdom prayerfully. Do not just read it; search it prayerfully. Discover what our Heavenly Father gave it for. He gave it to us with a promise of longer life and happiness, not if we fail to observe it, but if we observe it. Read the Word of Wisdom in the presence of your families and set the example. If we will do that Zion will continue to grow. If we will do that the Church of the Lamb of God will continue to become a power for good in the world."}  

^{Thank you Sis Nolan!} 

^{- Sis Pyrah}  

Lesson Summary - chapter 18

Sis. Roueche taught our lesson this Sunday. It was on Chapter 18 of the manual - Stay on the Lords Side of the line.

The Lord has given us commandments so that we can resist evil and find happiness. 

She asked us - "What can we do to stay on the Lord's side?"

The manual says staying on the Lord's side of the line requires strict obedience to the commandments. 

It goes on to say, "All safety, all righteousness, all happiness are on the Lord’s side of the line. If you are keeping the commandments of God by observing the Sabbath day, you are on the Lord’s side of the line. If you attend to your secret prayers and your family prayers, you are on the Lord’s side of the line. If you are grateful for food and express that gratitude to God, you are on the Lord’s side of the line. If you love your neighbor as yourself, you are on the Lord’s side of the line. If you are honest in your dealing with your fellow men, you are on the Lord’s side of the line. If you observe the Word of Wisdom, you are on the Lord’s side of the line. And so I might go on through the Ten Commandments and the other commandments that God has given for our guidance and say again, all that enriches our lives and makes us happy and prepares us for eternal joy is on the Lord’s side of the line. Finding fault with the things that God has given to us for our guidance is not on the Lord’s side of the line."

"If we will follow the advice and counsel that the Lord has given, our pathway will be one of happiness. It will be a pathway, perhaps not of ease and comfort always, but in the end it will terminate in the presence of our Heavenly Father, and glory, immortality and eternal lives will be our portion."

The adversary tries to lead us astray with his deceptions and subtleties.

"There are two influences in the world today and have been from the beginning. One is an influence that is constructive, that radiates happiness and that builds character. The other influence is one that destroys, turns men into demons, tears down and discourages. We are all susceptible to both. The one comes from our Heavenly Father and the other comes from the source of evil that has been in the world from the beginning seeking to bring about the destruction of the human family."

Sis. Roueche asked, "How can we help young people recognize the temptations and trappings of Satan? 

We can resist evil by choosing to subject ourselves to the influence of the Lord.

She asked again, "What are places/circumstances you have no desire to do evil? 

A quote from the manual rounded out the lesson, " See that your feet are planted upon the rock. See that you learn the desires of the Master toward you, and, knowing those desires, see to it that you keep His laws and commands. See to it that the purity of your lives shall entitle you to the companionship of the Holy Spirit, because if you are pure and virtuous and upright, the evil one will have no power to destroy you.

I pray that we examine ourselves and find out which side of the line we are on; and if we are on the Lord’s side, stay there, because that means eternal happiness in the companionship of the best men and women that have lived upon the earth.

If we have slipped in any way, if we have been careless; if we have listened to the tempter and gone across the line to partake of those things that the world thinks are so desirable and the Lord has said are not good for us, let us as quickly as possible get back on the other side, ask the Lord to forgive us our foolishness, and then with his help go on living the life that means eternal happiness."

Thank you Sis. Roueche for your lesson and insight. And thank you to all the sisters who attended and also gave offered up their comments.

Breakfast Recipes from Activity

THANK YOU thank you to the RS Activity Committee for all their hard work! They have shared the recipes with us!~ Here they are!

 

Breakfast Quiche

4 cups frozen hash browns, thawed

2/3 cups butter or margarine, melted

2 cups cheddar cheese, grated

2 cups Swiss cheese, grated

2 cups bacon or ham, cooked & diced (opt)

1 can evaporated milk

6 eggs

½ tsp. salt

Make crust with hash browns in a 9 X 13” pan. Pour melted butter over hash browns and pat down. Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes. Mix remaining ingredients together and pour over the crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until knife comes out clean.

 

Breakfast Casserole

1 ½ lbs pork sausage

1 tsp salt

9 eggs slightly beaten

3 cups milk

1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese

5-6 slices of bread, cubed

1 ½ tps dry mustard

Cook sausage, drain and cool. Grease a 9X13 pan. In a large bowl mix eggs, milk, mustard and salt. Fold in bread, cheese and sausage. Pour in prepared pan and cover. Refrigerate overnight. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Let stand 15 minutes.

 

Oven French Toast

½ cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

2 Tblsp corn syrup

1 loaf of Texas Toast bread

5 eggs

1 ½ cup half & half milk

¼ tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

Combine butter, brown sugar, & corn syrup in a sauce pan over medium heat. Pour the mixture into a large greased jellyroll pan, spread to cover whole surface.

Lay 12 slices of Texas Toast bread over that layer of mixture. Mix together eggs, cream, salt & vanilla. Spoon that mixture over each piece of bread cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake uncovered @ 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Conference Chart

Here is the link to the chart that Lori gave away from tonight's activity!

http://jennandben.blogspot.com/2012/03/general-conference-chart.html

4th Sunday lesson summary - the Race of Life

Sister Murdock started her lesson by asking 3 questions:

Where do we go after this life?
Why are we here?
Where did we come from?

These are the questions we consider in the times of our deepest reflection or in time of need.

Everywhere people are in a hurry. In a seemingly endless stream, and for a multitude of reasons we
rush about the business of the day. The trivial things we occupy our days with lose their significance
when times of crisis arise. At that point our thoughts become focused on the things that matter.

President Monson told the story of a woman who was preoccupied with cleaning her home, furnishing
it, visiting her hairdresser, and spending money adding to her wardrobe each month. Her grandchildren
were invited to visit only infrequently because what she considered at the time to be her ‘precious
possessions’ might be broken or ruined. Preoccupied that is until she received the shocking news that
her mortal life was in jeopardy and that she might have a very limited amount of time left. She knew
immediately with her diagnosis that things needed to change, that her remaining time would be spent
with her family and friends and with the gospel at the center of her life…that was really what was most
precious to her.

The Savior said “Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and
where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your
treasure is, there will your heart be also”. Happiness, true happiness comes from serving others, with
the gospel at the center of our lives.

So why are we here? Some of the answers from the sisters in the room were

To be tested
To use our agency
It’s a learning experience
To form relationships
To obtain a body
To become like Christ

Part of God’s plan is that we endure to the end. Although we come into mortality “trailing clouds
of glory,” life moves relentlessly forward. Youth follows childhood, and maturity comes ever so
imperceptibly. From experience we learn the need to reach heavenward for assistance as we make our
way along life’s pathway. We have to be committed to endure, and we have to always be on guard so
we aren’t swayed off our path. We know that if we endure to the end our reward is eternal life and to
live with God.

Sister Murdock compared enduring to the end to a marathon. When running a marathon you have
to work hard; climb hills, run down alleys, there are a lot of aches and pains associated with running a
marathon. Then as you’re wondering whether you can make it to the end you see people you know
cheering you on, you get a rush of adrenalin, and you can see the end. You cross the finish line to the
cheers of hundreds of people.

Life is like multiple marathons; sometimes just as you finish one, another one presents. We need to
remember the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. The prize belongs to him who
endures to the end. But President Uchtdorf reminds us enduring to the end isn’t to suffer. Blessing we
receive along the way, and in the end are the metals we receive. The greatest of all being eternal life.

We were sent to earth with divine attributes to guide our journey. Jesus Christ is our exemplar. His life
was difficult in almost every way, yet He endured to the end. Christ marked the way to perfection.

That doesn’t mean we can expect things to be easy. Should the Lord protect the righteous? No, our
trials, if endured through faith, make us stronger. If everything came easy what reason would we have
to be righteous and strive to return to our Heavenly Father?

Joseph Smith counseled us to remember; “Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although
we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire.”

President Uchtdorf counseled; “We would do well to slow down a little, focus on the significant & truly
see the things that matter most.”

Sister Murdock closed her lesson by referring back to the questions asked at the beginning. We don’t
need to wonder about these questions, we just need to follow the commandments and do the things we
know need to be done. We want the metals of life.

We closed by singing, When Faith Endures

I will not doubt, I will not fear;
God’s love and strength are always near.
His promised gift helps me to find
An inner strength and peace of mind.
I give the Father willingly
My trust, my prayers, humility.
His Spirit guides; his love assures
That fear departs when faith endures