Lesson Summary: December 22, 2013

This weeks lesson was taught by the Relief Society presidency using Elder Scott's general conference talk from October 2013 titled "Personal Strength Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ"

Sue A: Covenants

"In the Book of Mormon we read of Ammon and his brethren teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to a people who were “a wild and a hardened and a ferocious people.”¹ Many of the people were converted and chose to leave behind their sinful behavior. So complete was their conversion that they buried their weapons and covenanted with the Lord that they would never use them again.²

Later, many of their unconverted brethren came upon them and began to slay them. The now-faithful people chose to succumb to the sword rather than risk their spiritual lives by taking up arms. Their righteous example helped even more people to be converted and to lay down their weapons of rebellion.^{3" (Elder Scott, October 2013}

-If you were to bury your sins, what would you bury? 

. 

-What choices have you made in your life as an alternative to breaking a covenent? How has the knowledge of the atonement given you the strength to do this?  

***Musical number -- Chiang children “Joy to the World”***

Catherine B: Strength and weaknesses 

We were led through a mental exercise:

Imagine a strength you have.  How did you earn it? What does it look like. What does it feel like?  Consider one of your weakness.  Do the same thing. What does it look like? Has it always been there?  

As you are doing this, imagine your greatest weakness transformed and it is no longer a weakness.  It has changed now. What does it look like? How does it feel? 

Catherine discussed how our weaknesses become our strengths through patterned obedience. 

"Many of us have allowed weakness to develop in our character. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we, like the Ammonites, can build spiritual fortifications between ourselves and any past mistakes that Satan attempts to exploit. The spiritual protections built around the Ammonite fathers blessed and strengthened themselves, their families, their country, and future generations. The same can be true with us" (Elder Scott, October 2013)

***Musical number:  Vocal group sang Mary's Lullaby: Marguerite H, Sinclair H,  Julia J, Nicole J, Katie S, Sara G,  Kimber G.  Accompanied by Deanne W***

Kim H: Gift of repentance

Kim discussed when she learned of repentance when investigating church, this gave her hope.

"Fill your life with service to others. As you lose your life in the service of Father in Heaven’s children,²³ Satan’s temptations lose power in your life." (Elder Scott, October 2013)

Because your Father in Heaven loves you profoundly, the Atonement of Jesus Christ makes that strength possible. Isn’t it wonderful? Many of you have felt the burden of poor choices, and each of you can feel the elevating power of the Lord’s forgiveness, mercy, and strength. I have felt it, and I testify that it is available to each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. (Elder Scott, October 2013) 

Hot cider, cake and socializing followed the lesson.