Lesson Summary: "Forget me Not"

Keith F. presented Sunday’s lesson on President Uchtdorf’srecent talk, Forget Me Not. In the talk, President Uchtdorf offers five truths that we should never forget:

1.   Forget not to be patient with ourselves
2.  Forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice
3. Forget not to be happy now
4. Forget not the “why” of the Gospel
5. Forget not that the Lord loves you

Keith discussed how as he was preparing for this lesson over the Thanksgiving holiday he felt that this talk helped him with the inevitable stressors of the holiday. He remembered to pray for patience when things were tough. He suggested that applying President’s Uchtdorf’s wisdom to a specific situation may increase its salience and as such asked us to think about how we might apply these tenets to the upcoming Christmas season.

1.      Patience: We are not perfect, and others are not either. Our Father knows this and we should remember not to compare the worst in us to the best in others. Sisters in the ward suggested that while we remember others are not perfect, we offer acceptance to others (and ourselves), we don’t look for faults in others to buoy ourselves, but rejoice in the talents of others and the chance to learn. Another sister noted that it is prideful to compare ourselves to others, instead of giving of the talents we have been blessed with.

2.      Sacrifice: The holidays are fraught with busy activities. We can easily lose sight, but focusing on the scriptures and the “why” can help us evaluate whether activities are worth the sacrifice

3.      Happiness: It is easy to have Christmas be a to do list. We need to not think that “once we get past this activity” then I will enjoy the season. We should enjoy and feel the Spirit of the season always.

4.      The “why”: It is easy to lose sight of the reason for Christmas. Simply, we need to focus on Christ. Sisters suggested remembering to simplify, and to focus on people rather than things.

5.      Love: Keith ended by discussing Isaiah 49:16 and the appearance of Christ to the American continent. He requests that everyone come feel the wounds in his hands, not just people that would like to do so. He has engraved each person in his hand, not just the best people. He cares about each of us. He related the story of Mary Whitmer who was blessed to receive a personal witness of the gold plates in her hour of need, and the scripture account retold in the hymn “Abide with Me Tis Eventide” where two disciples receive comfort and teaching from Christ. They say “Thy walk today with me Has made my heart within me burn.” (read more about the history of this hymn)

Keith ended with his testimony and hope that we may feel the burning of Christ this season.