"Learn from Alma and Amulek" - January 22, 2017

Hikari directed the discussion through the talk "Learn from Alma and Amulek" by President Uchtdorf from the October General Conference.

Every citizen of the Nephite nation must have known Alma’s story. The Twitters, Instagrams, and Facebooks of his day would have been filled with images and stories about him. He probably appeared regularly on the cover of the Zarahemla Weekly and was the subject of editorials and network specials. In short, he was perhaps the most well-known celebrity of his day.

But when Alma saw that his people were forgetting God and lifting themselves up in pride and contention, he chose to resign from public office and dedicate himself “wholly to the high priesthood of the holy order of God,”³ preaching repentance among the Nephites.

• What can I learn from Alma?

 Perhaps we think that we can do the work better by ourselves, or we are reluctant to inconvenience others, or we assume that others would not want to participate. Too often we hesitate to invite people to use their God-given talents and engage in the great work of salvation.

Think of the Savior—did He begin to establish His Church all alone?

No.

His message was not “Stand back. I’ll handle this.” Rather it was “Come, follow me.”⁹ He inspired, invited, instructed, and then trusted His followers “to do the things which ye have seen me do.”¹⁰ In this way, Jesus Christ built up not only His Church but also His servants.

In whatever position you currently serve... —to be successful, you must find your Amuleks.

It may be someone who is unassuming or even invisible within your congregations. It may be someone who seems unwilling or unable to serve. Your Amuleks may be young or old, men or women, inexperienced, tired, or not active in the Church. But what may not be seen at first sight is that they are hoping to hear from you the words “The Lord needs you! I need you!”

While some of us should be looking for an Amulek, for others the question might be “How am I like Amulek?”

• How am I like Amulek?

Perhaps you have, over the years, become less committed in your discipleship. Perhaps the fire of your testimony has dimmed. Perhaps you have distanced yourself from the body of Christ. Perhaps you have become disillusioned or even angry. Like some of the ancient Church of Ephesus, you may have left your “first love”¹²—the sublime, eternal truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps, like Amulek, you know in your heart that the Lord has “called [you] many times,” but you “would not hear.”

...my dear friends, let us seek out, find, inspire, and rely upon the Amuleks in our wards and stakes. There are many Amuleks in the Church today.

Perhaps you know one. Perhaps you are one.

Perhaps the Lord has been whispering to you, urging you to return to your first love, contribute your talents, worthily exercise the priesthood, and serve side by side with your fellow Saints in drawing closer to Jesus Christ and building the kingdom of God here on earth.

Our beloved Savior knows where you are. He knows your heart. He wants to rescue you. He will reach out to you. Just open your heart to Him. It is my hope that those who have strayed from the path of discipleship—even by only a few degrees—will contemplate the goodness and grace of God, see with their hearts, learn from Alma and Amulek, and hear the life-changing words of the Savior: “Come, follow me.”

 Hikari encouraged us to do something that pushes you out of your comfort zone that engages you more in the Gospel.

An Ensign to the Nations, a Light to the World- January 15, 2017

Thank you to Alice who led our discussion on Chapter 2: An Ensign to the Nations, a Light to the World (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley, 2016)

We discussed what an ensign is (a banner, our standards) and how the way we live shows others what the gospel is all about. Our actions and efforts as a church also tell the community at large what we represent. 

Alice told the story of when the pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley:

"When the Brethren stood on the summit, they looked over [the] valley to the south of them. It was largely barren, except for the willows and rushes that grew along the streams that carried water from the mountains to the lake. There was no building of any kind, but Brigham Young had said the previous Saturday, “This is the place.”

The summit where they stood was named Ensign Peak out of reference to these great prophetic words of Isaiah: “And he [speaking of God] will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly.” (Isa. 5:26.)"

Alice asked, why do we need to be able to see the vision the early pioneers? 

• Without a vision, people will perish. 
• We need a vision of our end goal. Sometimes we also need to trust when we don't see that vision
• A vision helps us stay connected
• When you keep your focus on who you are, remembering your divine destiny and where you are going, you can have that foundation to strengthen you when you question 
• "We are the vision that the prophet saw." This can help us feel inspired
• We can persist in coming to church and sacrament meeting even when we may question "Why do I bother?" especially with young children
• Carving out time for church is an ensign to others about what is important. As waves of difficulty crash in our life, we can ask ourselves how we may need to change the way we spend our time and our goals
• If we don't make goals and have a vision for our day and life we can "blow it"... a day, month, year, or our life by not having a vision of where we are going 

Gordon B. Hinckley encouraged:

"Each of us has a small field to cultivate. While so doing, we must never lose sight of the greater picture, the large composite of the divine destiny of this work. It was given us by God our Eternal Father, and each of us has a part to play in the weaving of its magnificent tapestry. Our individual contribution may be small, but it is not unimportant. …

… While you are performing the part to which you have been called, never lose sight of the whole majestic and wonderful picture of the purpose of this, the dispensation of the fulness of times. Weave beautifully your small thread in the grand tapestry, the pattern for which was laid out for us by the God of heaven. Hold high the standard under which we walk. Be diligent, be true, be virtuous, be faithful, that there may be no flaw in that banner."

As the standards of the world change, President Hinckley noted that members of the church may seem more and more peculiar, but we can still remain true to our values:

"It is not always easy to live in the world and not be a part of it. We cannot live entirely with our own or unto ourselves, nor would we wish to. We must mingle with others. In so doing, we can be gracious. We can be inoffensive. We can avoid any spirit or attitude of self-righteousness. But we can maintain our standards. …

As we observe these and other standards taught by the Church, many in the world will respect us and find strength to follow that which they too know is right."

Alice concluded by challenging us to get the vision of the glory of the plan Heavenly Father has for us. We can weave our gold thread (in the tapestry) and make it beautiful!

The Restoration of the Gospel- The Dawning of a Brighter Day. January 8, 2017

Thank you to Emilee who guided our discussion on "The Restoration of the Gospel- The Dawning of a Brighter Day" from the Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley manual (2016).

Our teacher encouraged us to enhance our scripture and personal study as we begin this new year. The "Introduction" in our new Gordon B. Hinckley manual includes some good tips such as prayerfully seeking the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, writing down thoughts and feeling we get as we study, and underlining passages we want to remember. We can also read chapters more than once to understand it more completely and strive to understand how the teachings can help us with our personal challenges on concerns (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley).

Gordon B. Hinckley was a prophet many knew and loved. Sisters were able to share some favorite memories they had of Gordon B. Hinckley. His special relationship with his wife, love of temples, happy spirit, accessibility, ability to touch the youth, and sense of humor were all mentioned.

We were able to watch a video that told the story of how Gordon B Hinckley received a testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith when as a young boy he accompanied his father to a priesthood meeting and was overcome by the spirit as the congregation sang "Praise to the Man". President Hinckley expressed: "It touched my heart. It gave me a feeling that was difficult to describe. I'd never had it previously in terms of any church experience. There came into my hear a conviction that the man of whom they sang was really a prophet of God. And I'm grateful to be able to say that that conviction, which came, I believe, by the power of the Holy Spirit, has never left me." (from video found here: https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-05-1503-preparation-of-gordon-b-hinckley-a-testimony-of-joseph-smith?lang=eng&_r=1)


What can we do to strengthen our testimony of Joseph Smith?

We can share our testimony with others and remember times when the spirit has testified to us. Some sisters shared that studying the life of Joseph Smith helped them receive a stronger testimony.

We were challenged to continue to foster our knowledge and testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith and the restoration of the gospel.

2017 lesson schedule

Updated as of January 4, 2017

Jan 1 - Presidency message
Jan 8 - Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley (GBH) Chapter 1
Jan 15- GBH Chapter 2
Jan 22- Pres. Uchtdorf "Learning from Alma and Amulek"
Jan 29- Bishopric message

Feb 5- Presidency message
Feb 12- GBH Chapter 3
Feb 19- GBH Chapter 4
Feb 26- Elder Holland "Emissaries to the Church"

Mar 5- Presidency message
Mar 12- GBH Chapter 5
Mar 19- GBH Chapter 6 ** Ward Conference (may change)
Mar 26- Elder Renlund "Repentance: A Joyful Choice"

Apr 2- General Conference
Apr 9- GBH Chapter 7
Apr 16- GBH Chapter 8
Apr 23- Teaching for our Times (TFOT)
Apr 30- Bishopric message

May 7- Presidency message: All Hands
May 14- GBH Chapter 9
May 21- GBH Chapter 10
May 28- TFOT

Jun 4- Presidency message
Jun 11- GBH Chapter 11
Jun 18- GBH Chapter 12
Jun 25- TFOT

Jul 2- Presidency message
Jul 9- GBH Chapter 13
Jul 16- GBH Chapter 14
Jul 23- TFOT
Jul 30- Bishopric message

Aug 6- Presidency message
Aug 13- GBH Chapter 15
Aug 20- GBH Chapter 16
Aug 27- Stake Conference

Sep 3- Presidency message
Sep 10- GBH Chapter 17
Sep 17- GBH Chapter 18
Sep 24- Teaching for our Times (TFOT)

Oct 1- General Conference
Oct 8- GBH Chapter 19
Oct 15- GBH Chapter 20
Oct 22- TFOT
Oct 29- Bishopric message

Nov 5- Presidency message
Nov 12- GBH Chapter 21
Nov 19- GBH Chapter 22
Nov 26- TFOT

Dec 3- Creche Sunday
Dec 10- GBH Chapter 23
Dec 17- GBH Chapter 24
Dec 24- TFOT
Dec 31- Bishopric message

"What Lack I Yet" , January 1, 2017

Thank you Suzi J. for the wonderful discussion using the talk "What Lack I Yet" given by Larry R. Lawrence in Oct 2015 General Conference.

Matthew 19: 16-26

 16 ¶And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt lovethy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 23 ¶Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Suzi asked us to list things we wished we were better at:

Wake up at 6

Be more organized/patient

Don't compare self to others

Check instagram less often

Read more to kids

Exercise more

Don't complain as much

Write in journal regularly

etc...

She then went on to explain that we can make a long list of how to improve ourselves,
But what WE need to do is ask God specifically what "I" should do.
She challenged us to ask the Lord to inspire us on one thing we can work on.