Lesson Summary August 24, 2014

Katie T. led our discussion of Elder Russell M. Nelson's talk "Let Your Faith Show" about faith and priorities.

Katie began by relating two times she prayed and had faith she would be safe after the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and a post 9/11 trip to Europe.

"When we speak of faith--the faith that can move mountains--we are not speaking of faith in general but of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ." (Let Your Faith Show)

• What is the difference between faith and faith in Jesus Christ?

If you were navigating a boat and basing your movements on the path of a cow on a hill instead of the hill itself your path would not be on something fixed.

"The word religion literally means “to ligate again” or “to tie back” to God. The question we might ask ourselves is, are we securely tied to God so that our faith shows, or are we actually tied to something else?"(Let Your Faith Show)

• What can we be 'tied to' that distracts our lives?

Fashion, exercise excess, celebrities, academia, hobbies with Sunday activities.

"God declared in the first of His Ten Commandments, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” He also said, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” Yet so many people look only to their bank balance for peace or to fellow human beings for models to follow.

Clinicians, academicians, and politicians are often put to a test of faith. In pursuit of their goals, will their religion show or will it be hidden? Are they tied back to God or to man?

I had such a test decades ago when one of my medical faculty colleagues chastised me for failing to separate my professional knowledge from my religious convictions. He demanded that I not combine the two. How could I do that? Truth is truth! It is not divisible, and any part of it cannot be set aside."
(Let Your Faith Show)

The Veterans Administration (VA) recently had an issue with people putting priorities on monetary incentives for scheduling numbers. It took a whistleblower to bring the issue to light and the current secretary wants to focus on integrity in place of the incentives.

"Problems abound in this world because it is populated by imperfect people. Their objectives and desires are heavily influenced by their faith or lack of it. Many put other priorities ahead of God. Some challenge the relevance of religion in modern life.
But living the Lord’s pure religion, which means striving to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ, is a way of life and a daily commitment that will provide divine guidance. As you practice your religion, you are exercising your faith. You are letting your faith show. "(Let Your Faith Show)

• How does your faith influence your desires/objectives?

Having an eternal perspective, making a decision prior to a foreseeable situation brings increase of faith, trust the process/covenant path, role play prior to issue.

"The scriptures provide one of the best ways to find our course and stay on it. Scriptural knowledge also provides precious protection. For example, throughout history, infections like “childbirth fever” claimed the lives of many innocent mothers and babies. Yet the Old Testament had the correct principles for the handling of infected patients, written more than 3,000 years ago! Many people perished because man’s quest for knowledge had failed to heed the word of the Lord!

My dear brothers and sisters, what are we missing in our lives if we are “ever learning, [but] never able to come to the knowledge of the truth”? We can gain great knowledge from the scriptures and obtain inspiration through prayers of faith.

Doing so will help us as we make daily decisions. Especially when the laws of man are created and enforced, God’s laws must ever be our standard. In dealing with controversial issues, we should first search for God’s guidance." (Let Your Faith Show)

• Is that what I do, search the scriptures for greater knowledge?

Instead of basics we distract ourselves with other paths of decision to soothe anxiety. We need discipline to find answers from the scriptures instead of being fooled.  Surprise vs. crisis: we can be thoughtful and proactive in an ongoing way to not feel the crisis since we've been thinking about it.
We have the Spirit with us more, greater discernment of what is of man or what is in line with what you've felt spiritually.

• How does having faith encourage courage?

We might know that Jesus can do something but also having faith to accept that he does the right thing/what we need.

"Savor Your Season" Enrichment Garden Party

We celebrated all our seasons of our lives together in Sue's garden on a lovely Saturday morning.

We began with a delicious brunch including raspberry bread pudding with syrup, muffins, cinnamon rolls, egg dishes with salsa and plenty of tasty, fresh fruit.  The tables were decorated with pencils to both remind us to slow down and 'savor our season' by handwriting something and also to remind us of the many donated items to local schools that were collected prior to the event.

A group dressed from the 60's led us to dance to the tune 'Turn, Turn, Turn' to kick off the program with flowers in their hair.

 Perspectives on different 'seasons' of life were given by Julie S., Cassy B. and Jean G.

 It was a great time to connect with all our sisters on a mild summer morning.

Lesson Summary August 17, 2014

Tori G gave a wonderful lesson today using Joseph Fielding Smith Chapter 20, Love and Concern for All Our Father's Children.

Quote #1:

"I think if all men know and understood who they are, and were aware of the divine source from whence they came, and of the infinite potential that is part of their inheritance, they would have feelings of kindness and kinship for each other that would change their whole way of living and bring peace on earth. We believe in the dignity and divine origin of man. Our faith is founded on the fact that God is our Father, and that we are his children, and that all men are brothers and sisters in the same eternal family...The God we worship is a glorified Being in whom all power and perfection dwell, and he has created man in his own image and likeness, with those characteristics and attributes which he himself possesses. And so our belief in the dignity and destiny of man is an essential part both of our theology and of our way of life. It is the very basis of our Lord's teaching that "the first and great commandment" is: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all they heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy mind"; and the second great commandment is: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (See Matt. 22:37-39)

Mosiah 2:17

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellowbeings ye are only in the service of your God.

Matt 25: 40

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

How do we remember to view people in our lives as God's children? 

-Cassy B. Shared how someone told her to imagine people in white 

-Katie S. recommended to imagine someone as a literal child 

-Heather C. says to remember that god wants us to be kind to each other  

-Alice M. shared how she calls other drivers her brother and sister 

Moroni 7:47-48

47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

 48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

Acts 17:28

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

Romans 8:16-17

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are thechildren of God:

 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Seeking to do what is right gives us a special lens in viewing people. 

When we are seeking divine, we can see divinely. 

We can pray to see others as he sees us.

What are some ways you have seen love? Received or given love?

- Tori discussed how she and a friend wrote a Christmas letter to their elementary janitor and how it touched the janitors life.

- Carolyn T. discussed her study of a Buddhist practice called Loving Kindness Meditation. This practice urges to love unconditionally.

- Sue A. talked about how her relationship with her son helped bring him back to the church. 

Love is powerful.  Why do we sometimes fall short? 

"I believe it is our solemn duty to love one another, to believe in each other, to have faith in each other, that it is our duty to overlook the faults and the failings of each other, and not to magnify them in our own eyes nor before the eyes of the world. There should be no faultfinding, no back-biting, no evil speaking, one against another, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We should be true to each other and to every principle of our religion and not be envious one of another. We should not be jealous one of another, nor angry with each other, and there should not arise in our hearts a feeling that we will not forgive one another our trespasses. There should be no feeling in the harts of the children of God of unforgiveness against any man, no matter who he may be...We ought not to harbor feelings one against another, but have a feeling of forgiveness and of brotherly love and sisterly love, one for anther. Let each one of us remember his or her own individual failings and weaknesses and endeavor to correct them. We have not reached a condition of perfection yet, it is hardly to be expected that we will in this life, and yet, through the aid of the Holy Ghost, it is possible for us to stand united together seeing eye to eye and overcoming our sins and imperfections. If we will do this, respecting all the commandments of the Lord, we shall be a power in the world for good..."

President Joseph Fielding Smith discussed his childhood horse named Junie. 

"She was a wonderful horse with only a couple of bad habits. People are a lot the same way. None of us is perfect; yet each of us is trying to become perfect, even as our Father in heaven. We need to appreciate and love people for themselves. "(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith, Chapter 20: Love and Concern for All Our Father’s Children)

1 John: 4:18-21

 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

 19 We love him, because he first loved us.

 20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who lovethGod love his brother also.

Thank you Tori for your wonderful lesson. 

Lesson Summary: August 10, 2014

Tina D. gave the lesson from Chapter 19 In the World but Not of the World with emphasis on how to help the youth.

"Despite the grief President Smith experienced [at the loss of his son], he was comforted by the memory of Lewis’s good life." (Chapter 19: In the World but Not of the World)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27

Tina has felt the comfort and peace that President Joseph Fielding Smith spoke of since she's joined the Church. Trials seemed easier, and now there's peace, often through priesthood blessings.

• Think about some challenges our youth face today when their parents are not with them?

We need to give them as many opportunities to go to Heavenly Father before they leave our homes and let them know that they love you in all circumstances.

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Mark 8:34-36

This scripture can be daunting to youth but they need to accept that they are enough, they can consecrate themselves to the Lord, and He responds with abundance.

And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day; For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High;
Doctrine & Covenants 59:9-10

"Nothing is so distressing or shocks the feelings of a refined person more than to hear some uncouth, ignorant, or filthy creature bandy around the name of Deity. Some individuals have become so profane that it appears almost impossible for them to speak two or three sentences without the emphasis--as they think--of a vulgar or blasphemous oath."
(Chapter 19: In the World but Not of the World)

It can be hard to live up to the Gospel. Basic commandments are challenging in this world, especially as a youth.
Tina related a story from a vacation to Las Vegas. After becoming frazzled protecting her boys she prayed for help and saw the promotional street teams ignore her sons she knew she needed to let go and trust the Lord will take care of them.

• What can we do to help the youth stay strong in making good choices in such situations?

Teach them your process for dealing with life's struggles, how prayer can lead to the best choice.

• What are the blessings when we do keep the commandments?

Instead of seeing the commandments as limiting and punitive, see them as "Joy guidelines."

Lesson Summary: August 3, 2014

Katie S. gave a wonderful lesson on following the 

"covenant path"

She referenced the following 4 talks for her lesson:

A Priceless Heritage of Hope by President Henry B. Eyring

Daughters in the Covenant by President Henry B. Eyring

Wanted: Hands and Hearts to Hasten the Work by Linda K. Burton

Keeping Covenants Protects Us, Prepares Us, and Empowers Us by Rosemary M. Wixom

2nd Nephi 31:20:

Highlighted in this scripture are the joys of following the covenant path.

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

"As women of all ages, we walk in His light. Our journey on the path is personal and well lit with the Savior’s love". Rosemary Wixom

Think about the different covenants you have made and how you felt:

Nettie:  Feeling of "glory" when she was confirmed member of church. 

Heather C: amazed at blessings she received when first going through temple.  Felt better equipped for the journey. 

"You may not have clapped your hands when you first heard that invitation to covenant by baptism, but you surely felt the love of the Savior and a greater commitment to nurture others for Him. I can say “surely” because those feelings are placed deep in the hearts of all of Heavenly Father’s daughters. That is part of your divine heritage from Him." Elder Eyring

What takes us away from feeling the joy of our covenants? 

Jen W: Distraction   Talked about when she thought  she was on the right pathway but was on the wrong path. Realized the right path was so much better. 
Suzi J: Stated we often forget about how blessed we are with our children,where we live, etc... 
Katie S: The laziness and daily frustration of life can make you forget 

Elder Eyring gives us tools to help remember others on our covenant path:

"Whoever you are and wherever you may be, you hold in your hands the happiness of more people than you can now imagine. Every day and every hour you can choose to make or keep a covenant with God.

Wherever you are on the path to inherit the gift of eternal life, you have the opportunity to show many people the way to greater happiness. When you choose whether to make or keep a covenant with God, you choose whether you will leave an inheritance of hope to those who might follow your example".

Katie shared a story about how her grandmother joined the church and how the decision to join church affected many generations.

"One way to Remember that we are children of god.  Treat every person you meet as child of god. Each person you meet is his loves spirit child" Elder Eyring.

Katie encouraged us to read the talks to discover how we can help each other on this covenant path. Thanks Katie for the wonderful lesson.