October 25, 2015 - “Why the Church"

This week's lesson was taught by Lanae S. using the October 2015 General Conference talk by Elder D. Todd Christofferson “Why the Church".

• When you think of the church what do you think of?
• How has the church been a tool to getting closer to Heavenly Father?

The ancient purpose remains: that is, to preach the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and administer the ordinances of salvation--in other words, to bring people to Christ.
Without the capabilities of His Church in place, the Savior’s commission to take the gospel to all the world could not be realized. There would not be the apostolic keys, the structure, the financial means, and the devotion and sacrifice of thousands upon thousands of missionaries needed to carry out the work. Remember, “this Gospel of the Kingdom [must] be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come.” “Why the Church"

• How have you been helped by the aggregate strength of the church?

...a major reason the Lord has a church is to create a community of Saints that will sustain one another in the “strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life. “Why the Church"

• How can you help the community of saints in their path of discipleship?

In the Church we not only learn divine doctrine; we also experience its application. As the body of Christ, the members of the Church minister to one another in the reality of day-to-day life. All of us are imperfect; we may offend and be offended. We often test one another with our personal idiosyncrasies. In the body of Christ, we have to go beyond concepts and exalted words and have a real “hands-on” experience as we learn to “live together in love.” “Why the Church"

• Which element of discipleship will you work on as you serve this week?

2015 Fall Retreat - Seek Learning

This year's theme for our annual retreat stemmed from the verse: "And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." Doctrine and Covenants 88:118

The evening began with snacking, visiting and serving as we packaged up snack bags for people staying at the nearby Ronald McDonald house.

We then gathered for a dinner of sweet pork barbacoa salad in the style of Café Rio including the signature tin plates!  The decor of festive fall leaves, stacks of books and apples set a warm tone throughout.

As ladies finished eating, we were treated to amazing piano by Hilary M. and then had a Show & Tell presentation where sisters shared new learning endeavors they had developed in the last few years.

We then had two class times where sisters could learn from any of 4 classes: Art Therapy with Keily, Nourishing your Family Spiritually and Physically with Suzi, Improve your Photography with Courtney and Empower Yourself with Power Tools with Brianna.

We closed the evening with a spectrum of apple desserts and more visiting!

A big thanks to the activity committee, bakers, participants and supporters for an invigorating evening.

"Strengthen thy stakes" - October 18, 2015

Leanne G. taught the lesson using: "Strengthen thy Stakes"  Chapter 23 from the Ezra Taft Benson manual.

“The stakes and districts of Zion are symbolic of the holy places spoken of by the Lord where His Saints are to gather in the last days as a refuge from the storm.”

Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson

• As members of the Church, we gather in the stakes of Zion.
• Stakes are organized to help parents teach the gospel and lead their children to the ordinances of salvation.
• As stake members reflect the Lord’s standard of holiness, the stake becomes a beautiful emblem for all the world to see.
• Each stake serves as a defense and a refuge from enemies seen and unseen.