Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins - September 25, 2016

Marguerite H. led us in a lovely review of Elder Bednar's talk "Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins" from last April's conference, with many gardener perspectives of how to become sanctified.

"The ordinances of salvation and exaltation administered in the Lord’s restored Church are far more than rituals or symbolic performances. Rather, they constitute authorized channels through which the blessings and powers of heaven can flow into our individual lives." ("Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins")

"The ordinances of baptism by immersion, the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the sacrament are not isolated and discrete events; rather, they are elements in an interrelated and additive pattern of redemptive progress. Each successive ordinance elevates and enlarges our spiritual purpose, desire, and performance. " ("Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins")

Sow to yourselves in righteousness,
reap in mercy;
break up your fallow ground:
for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
Hosea 10:12

• What is it like to break up the fallow ground of our souls?
• What is the 'digging bar' of the hard parts of our life?

• How do you sow seeds of righteousness to move toward being holy?
  
• How is the progress going in your life?  How does the weeding go?

Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God. Helaman 3:35

And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
Isaiah 58:11

Marguerite told the story of the efforts of Jenny Butchart to restore beauty to a quarry created for cement.  The resulting gardens are now famous, though the process was painstaking.

We all have quarries in our lives.  As we turn to the Savior and break up our fallow ground and sow the seeds of righteousness - we see a miraculous transformation in our lives.

September Cocoa Chat

A bright, sunny day filtered through the lattice of Nanci's trellis for this month's Cocoa Chat.

Many ladies enjoyed the amazing spread of treats and savory snacks while chatting, and a few tiny toes bounced on her in-ground trampoline. You went above and beyond Nanci!

Marriage—An Eternal Partnership : September 11, 2016

Colette T. presented thoughts from Chapter 16, Marriage—An Eternal Partnership from the Howard W. Hunter manual.

• Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and is intended to be eternal.
• When deciding whom to marry, be patient, have faith, and stay worthy of receiving divine assistance.
• No blessing, including that of eternal marriage and an eternal family, will be denied to any worthy individual. While it may take somewhat longer—perhaps even beyond this mortal life—for some to achieve this blessing, it will not be denied. …
• Successful marriage requires our best efforts to live the principles of the gospel.
• Husbands and wives should work together to strengthen the bonds of marriage.

 

What can we do to strengthen our unity as sisters? Presidency message 9/4/2016

Jen P gave the lesson which focused on Unity.

"I pray...that we'll be unified in our efforts to follow Christ so that when there's any level of crisis or need, that our society can support that need..." Our PA2 RS president Megan!

What can we do to strengthen or unity?

1- Recognize how much we need each other.
" The fact of the matter is, we really and truly need each other. Women naturally seek friendship, support, and companionship. We have so much to learn from one another, and we often let self-imposed barriers keep us from enjoying associations which could be among the greatest blessings in our lives."

2- Rejoice in our differences.
" The adversary would have us be critical or judgmental of one another. He wants us to concentrate on our differences and compare ourselves to on another... We as women can be particularly hard on ourselves. When we compare ourselves to one another, we will always feel inadequate or resentful of others. Sister Patricia T. Holland once said. The point is, we simply cannot call ourselves Christian and continue to judge one another- or ourselves- so harshly. She goes on to say that there is nothing that is worth us losing our compassion and sisterhood over. We just need to relax and rejoice in our divine differences. We need to realize that we all desire to serve in the kingdom, using our unique talents and gifts in our own ways. Then we can enjoy our sisterhood and our associations and begin to serve."

3. Recognize how much we have in common

4. Render Christ-like service.


Jen encouraged us to read 2 general conference talks:
- Sisterhood: Oh, How We Need Each Other! by Bonnie L. Oscarson. April 2014
- Our Hearts Knit as One. President Henry B Eyring. October 2008