Lesson Summary: April 15, 2012

Today Alice M. Presented the lesson "Immortality of the soul". In a recent exchange with a dear friend Alice realized the uniqueness of our understanding of the soul. We start with the premortal life, move to the mortal/earthly life, we then live in the Spirit world and finally eternally in the Post-mortal world.

In the premortal world, as spirits, we gained some of our talents and gifts, we had a choice whom we should follow and ultimately we all chose to follow Jesus and to come live in mortality in the conditions we live. In this time we were taught, we received callings and foreordination. This is called the "first estate". Abraham 3:24-26.

In the manual there is a story of a funeral address given by George Albert Smith. He said that before he came he was unsure about whether he would be able to give the address, but as he spoke he testified of the peace he felt with the knowledge that death was not the end, just part of the eternal process. We sometimes think of eternity as what happens after we die, but we are currently in one part of our eternity.

Here on Earth we are meant to gain several things. First we gain our mortal body and have opportunities to make covenants. We also experience trials that teach us, we learn more about the Gospel, we have additional choices and gain mortal experience. We learn through serving others. It is our Spiritual Adolescence in a sense. We are organized into families, which persists through eternity. We experience joy.

When Alice's father died she thought about what it is that is most important. First is our relationship with God, and second relationships with our family and others. Turns out these are the first two great commandments.

President Smith notes that despite prosperity many doubt. Why? He declares that we are selfish and place ourselves above our fellow men.

After this life we our spirits and bodies are reunited and we are judged. We need ordinances and covenants, which is the purpose of our temple work. We return to enjoy that which we are willing to receive.

"Do the things the Lord would have you do, and you will not miss anything that is worth while; but on the contrary you will be continually laying up treasures in heaven where moth and rust cannot corrupt or thieves break through and steal." - George Albert Smith

RS Birthday Party

To get you excited for our next great RS Event this Saturday, here are pictures from our last great gathering with a beautiful spread of cheeses presented by Steve Rasmussen of the Milk Pail Market, a lovely dinner of salads and bread, birthday cupcakes, serenades from Steve Henderson and more!

Enjoy!

Lesson Summary: April 8th, Easter!

This Easter we joined with all Sisters to share in a special Relief Society. In the spirit of the day, two sisters shared their thoughts on coming to feast at the Lord's table.  

First Holly shared her thoughts. There we a lot of actions that we do, such as prayer, visiting the temple, reading the scriptures but these are the vehicle. What is important is our heart. How do we drive this vehicle. First, we come in desperation, when we are in times of crisis, such as when we need direction in our lives, or have a particularly hard trial. At these times we feel very humbled. There are other times when we drive on cruise control. This is a very routine approach, where our goals are often based on the frequency of actions (e.g. Prayer every morning). At these times we can still come closer. What we really need is every day intensity or every day "earnestness."  for I pray continually for them by day 

Sarah spoke about John 4, where the story of the woman at the well is recounted. Sometimes, like the Samaritan woman, we feel like we are in a desert, bereft of help or resources and we feel thirsty. Christ promises us a water which after drinking we will not thirst. Living water can give us the strength we need. Sometimes we want this water to fulfill our physical needs, like removing our physical burdens, and we fail to recognize that our spiritual thirst impacts us greatly. We first have to want to come to the spiritual feast. Sarah shared that the hope of eternal life is what brings her to the spiritual feast. 

After these thoughts we were treated to a feast of honeycomb from Catherine's bees and other foods remiscent of the days of Christ.

We also received a copy of the article Visiting Teaching Understanding the Power of Ministering. As well as a copy of an list of questions we can ask our visiting teachees from the Daughter in the Kingdom:

1. What worries or concerns do you have?
2. What questions do you have about the gospel or the Church?
3. Would you allow us to help you with ______?

Catherine pleaded with us to discuss these questions with our visiting teachees, so that we may truly know how to support them.