Lesson Recap: November 18

Today we heard from Lisa on the topic of Temporal Salvation for Ourselves and Others.

Lisa began with quotes from survivors of superstorm Sandy - some that were prepared and some that were not. These are relevant examples of how we have been counseled to be wise stewards of all that we have been given.

How have we been counseled to be wise stewards?

"… This people have been advised to conserve their energies and their means. We have been taught by those whom the Lord has raised up to instruct us that we should live within our income, that we should not follow the fashions of the world and expend as rapidly and even more rapidly than we can earn the money that comes into our hands, to take care of ourselves and our families. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, Chapter 20: Temporal Salvation for Ourselves and Others)

"Some individuals … are disposing of their holdings and spending their money for unnecessary things, and if hard times come, they may find themselves unable to meet their obligations. "(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, Chapter 20: Temporal Salvation for Ourselves and Others)

 Have been asked to live within our incomes, avoid debt. Are there things in our lives that we are spending more money than we should?

One sister shared that they did things that created experiences for their family rather than just to have more stuff. We have been advised to conserve our energy to serve other people.

'“Wo unto you rich men, that will not give your substance to the poor, for your riches will canker your souls; and this shall be your lamentation in the day of visitation, and of judgment, and of indignation: The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved!” (D&C 56:16.)

That is what the Lord says of the rich people who refuse to impart of their substance to those who are poor. But he says something just as serious to the poor man who is not doing his best. He says:

“Wo unto you poor men, whose hearts are not broken, whose spirits are not contrite, and whose bellies are not satisfied, and whose hands are not stayed from laying hold upon other men’s goods, whose eyes are full of greediness, and who will not labor with your own hands!” (D&C 56:17.) …

We must not fall into the bad habits of other people. We must not get into the frame of mind that we will take what the other man has. Refer back to the ten commandments, and you will find one short paragraph, “Thou shalt not covet.” [Exodus 20:17.] … (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, Chapter 20: Temporal Salvation for Ourselves and Others)"

Once our own house is in order, how do we care for others?

How do we develop when we serve others in needs? Why does God ask us to serve and to earn our living rather than just giving it to us?

We begin to understand the Atonement more, by requiring us to rely on the Spirit more. Sometimes when we go through experiences ourselves we can better help others. We become more like our Savior. If we want to become like our Father in Heaven we have to learn to be generous.

 "If you have paid an honest tithing, I may say without hesitation the other nine-tenths has been a greater blessing to those who have paid than the one hundred percent has been to those who have not. It is the Lord’s work. … Men could not have done this. With all your generosity and all your giving, all your missionary work, with your care of the poor, … with all that you have been giving as ordinary people, I testify that what you have left brings to you more happiness, more peace, more comfort and more assurance of eternal life than any other people in the world enjoy today." (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, Chapter 20: Temporal Salvation for Ourselves and Others)

Marian G. Romney (1971) challenged us to increase our generosity. He promised that if we would double our fast offerings or other offerings, that the spirituality would double.

Lisa shared than when we first heard this she acted on it and then her income doubled. Once again she did so and her income doubled, but in reality this is a spiritual promise. Catherine shared that she worried about having enough energy to serve as President and as a mother. Se has felt the compensatory blessings with increased peace in her home.

Mother Teresa said,  “Mother, I have been touching the body of Christ for three hours.”  “How? What did you do?” Mother Teresa asked her. “When I arrived there,” the novice replied, “they brought in a man who had fallen into a drain, and been there for some time. He was covered with dirt and had several wounds. I washed him and cleaned his wounds. As I did so I knew I was touching the body of Christ.”

RS Recap: November 11

Today Sarah shared thoughts on the Word of Wisdom.

We have many stories in gospel history of people adhering to dietary restrictions in obedience to God. In the Old Testament Daniel refuses meat that he was commanded not to eat, and was blessed for his actions.

In 2010, Sara was able to go on a church history tour, including the Newell K. Whitney store. It was above this store the revelation of the Word of Wisdom was received.  In that store was held the School of the Prophets, where the men frequently used tobacco. In reaction to that environment, Joseph inquired about the care of the body. The revelation is found in Doctrine and Covenants 89.

The scriptures offer insights into how this law is related to spiritual laws. The Lord see no difference between a spiritual law and a temporal law. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, D&C 29:34)

"I look upon the Word of Wisdom as kind advice of our Father in heaven, who desires to see His children become more like Him. … I take it as the fatherly counsel of one who, knowing what I needed, said to me: 'My son, these things are not good for you, and if you will avoid them I will give you the companionship of my Holy Spirit and joy while you live in the world and in the end eternal life.' " - George Albert Smith

Under this law we don't drink wine or strong drinks, tobacco or hot drinks (tea or coffee). We do eat herbs and plants and use meat sparingly. D&C 59:16-17.

"The purpose of the gospel of Jesus Christ is to prepare us to understand the beauty of life as the Lord has indicated it should be lived, by telling us how we may avoid the things that are destroying the world." - George Albert Smith

RS Lession Recap: The Power of Grace

Today we heard from Heather on the topic of The Power of Grace.

 

Philippians 4:13 says "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me."

 

In 2011 President Uchtdorf related the a parable of a man that scrimpted to buy passage on a cruise ship. During that cruise he envied those that could attend all of the events and fine dining, as he hadn't any money left to do so. Only at the end of the cruise did he find that all of those activities were included in the fare he had already paid.

 

We all have the grace of Christ available to us - Christ has paid the fare - but if we don't access them we will miss out.

 

Hebrews 4:16 say "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

 

In the Bible Dictionary we learn that grace is the Devine means of strength or help to do things that we cannot do on our own. It is an enabling power.

 

What does it mean to have an enabling power?

• It keeps us from being frozen into uselessness.
• We understand that we cannot do enough right, but we know that through grace we can have hope to do better.
• Our works are our gifts to Christ to show that we accept his grace.
• We think about the Atonement as being only a means of being forgiven, but it really allows us to do more than we could otherwise.
• To be enabled means that we already have nascent capabilities within us and allows us to overcome barriers to accessing those capabilities.
• When we feel hurt we can just allow The Lord to heal us instead of dwelling on hurt.
• You + God = enough. This equation may be better stated as a mutliplying effect. 
• If we give ourself wholly unto Him and understand all that He has to offer, we will feel the very close relationship we can have with our Savior and the grace will become real in our lives.

 In 1 Nephi 7, Nephi is given physical power to break the bands through the grace of Christ. Alma and his people in Mosiah are able to carry their burdens through their belief in Christ.

How do we come boldly to the Throne of Grace? We can come up with our own framework by looking back on the times we have felt the grace of God and identify our personalized principles for coming unto Christ.