Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration: March 20, 2016

Megan J. lead us through a discussion of chapter 5 Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration from the Howard W. Hunter manual.

• What do you KNOW about the Joseph Smith?
• How does what you know bring you closer to Christ and His Gospel?

[Elder] John A. Widtsoe defines a prophet as a teacher—one who expounds truth. He teaches truth as revealed by the Lord to man, and under inspiration explains it to the understanding of the people. The word “prophet” is often used to designate one who receives revelation and direction from the Lord. Many have thought that a prophet is essentially a foreteller of future events and happenings, but this is only one of the many functions of a prophet. He is a spokesman for the Lord.

A seer is one who sees. This does not mean that he sees through his natural eyes but rather through spiritual eyes. The seeric gift is a supernatural endowment. Joseph was like unto Moses, the ancient seer, and Moses saw God face to face, but he explains how he saw him in these words:

“But now mine own eyes have beheld God; but not my natural, but my spiritual eyes, for my natural eyes could not have beheld; for I should have withered and died in his presence; but his glory was upon me; and I beheld his face, for I was transfigured before him” (Moses 1:11).

A revelation makes known something unknown or which has been previously known by man and taken from his memory. Always the revelation deals with truth, and always it comes with the divine stamp of approval. Revelation is received in various ways, but it always presupposes that the revelator has so lived and conducted himself as to be in tune or harmony with the divine spirit of revelation, the spirit of truth, and therefore capable of receiving divine messages.   (Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration)

• What blessings have come to you through Joseph Smith?
• What can we learn from his example?

Visiting Teaching Message- Sunday March 6, 2016

Thanks Kimber J (visiting teaching supervisor) for talking to us about the importance of visiting teaching. Here are a few quotes/scriptures she shared. 

"for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do"
3 Nephi 27:21

"There have been times when sisters have focused more on completing visits, teaching lessons, and leaving notices when they have stopped by their sisters’ homes. These practices have helped sisters learn patterns of watchcare. Just as people in the time of Moses concentrated on keeping long lists of rules, the sisters of Relief Society have at times imposed many written and unwritten rules upon themselves in their desire to understand how to strengthen one another. With so much need for relief and rescue in the lives of sisters and their families today, our Heavenly Father needs us to follow a higher path and demonstrate our discipleship by sincerely caring for His children."
Julie B. Beck,What I Hope My Granddaughters (and Grandsons) Will Understand about Relief Society