Lesson Summary: July 27, 2014

Tori G. gave the lesson using the following general conference talks: "Grateful in Any Circumstances" by President Uchtdorf and "Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease" by Elder Bednar. 

Tori started off the lesson by discussing her adventure while on a boat from Italy. She discussed how her "deck" seats were less than desirable and how she was extremely grateful when able to upgrade to a cabin seat. She discussed how grateful she was for the simple luxuries during this trip. 

"Everyone’s situation is different, and the details of each life are unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious.We can be grateful!It might sound contrary to the wisdom of the world to suggest that one who is burdened with sorrow should give thanks to God. But those who set aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead the goblet of gratitude can find a purifying drink of healing, peace, and understanding" Elder Uchtdorf

Have gratitude in the midst of challenges. The blessings we receive when we are grateful carry us through the tough times. 

Examples of gratitude- class discussion: 

• Kathryn L. discussed how everything good comes from God and we should be grateful.

• Alice M. discussed how a gratitude journal helped prevent her from falling into "ruts"

• Carolyn T. described how she found gratitude among pain after experiencing a painful trial. We can be grateful even when acknowledging things are bad.

"In any circumstance, our sense of gratitude is nourished by the many and sacred truths we do know: that our Father has given His children the great plan of happiness; that through the Atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ, we can live forever with our loved ones; that in the end, we will have glorious, perfect, and immortal bodies, unburdened by sickness or disability; and that our tears of sadness and loss will be replaced with an abundance of happiness and joy, “good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over." Elder Uchtdorf

Tori then summarized Elder Bednar's story about a friend who acquired a truck and got stuck in the snow. HIs friend got out of the vehicle and started cutting his firewood. After he had filled the truck with his heavy load, he was able to move the truck back onto the road. see Elder Bednar's talk for the full story. 

When was a time you turned to the Savior when pulling a heavy load?

• Jule S. shared how she was amazed at all they were able to accomplish with the Lord's help when recently moving. 

14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.
Mosiah 24:14-15

Thanks Tori for the wonderful lesson! 

Lesson Summary: July 20, 2014

Katie T. began a discussion of Chapter 18: Living by Every Word that Proceeds from the Mouth of God in the Joseph Fielding Smith manual by a 'sighted guide' technique for people with vision loss.
She guided a volunteer back into the room with audio commands and descriptions of what she should do to get to where she should go.  We can be similarly guided by the Lord when we listen to his commandments and guidance from his prophets.

The volunteer noticed that it might take practice and trust to become better at being led.




President Smith tells a story of a man who said he liked a talk he gave on keeping the Word of Wisdom....now that he was keeping it.

• How does following the commandments change our feelings about the gospel?

And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?
Mosiah 2:24

"As we keep the commandments, the Lord comforts and blesses us and strengthens us to become men and women worthy of exaltation. 

To please [the Lord], we must not only worship him with thanksgiving and praise, but render willing obedience to his commandments. By so doing, he is bound to bestow his blessings; for it is upon this principle (obedience to law) that all things are predicated." (Chapter 18: Living by Every Word that Proceeds from the Mouth of God)

There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated--And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.
Doctrine & Covenants 130:20-21

• What are ways The Lord will bless us as we keep the commandments?

The manual cites that we will: become better people, grow nearer to God, build faith, be strengthened, be comforted, receive salvation, keep us unspotted from world, give us protection, quicken our minds, give knowledge to help clear up difficulty, peace, immortality, glory, eternal life/a place in the kingdom of God, joy, all that He has will be ours.

For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.

They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God.

And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;

For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;

And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;

And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.

And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.

Doctrine & Covenants 84: 33-39

• What experiences can you share in which you received some of those blessings?

Many sisters referred to Elder Bednar's recent address on tithing, noting that it may not be a windfall of money at an opportune time that results from following the commandment but rather that we are taught to live within our means and other beneficial patterns of life.

"… I believe the Lord meant just what He said, that we should be perfect, as our Father in heaven is perfect. That will not come all at once, but line upon line and precept upon precept, example upon example, and even then not as long as we live in this mortal life, for we will have to go even beyond the grave before we reach that perfection and shall be like God. But here we lay the foundation. Here is where we are taught these simple truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in this probationary state, to prepare us for that perfection. (Chapter 18: Living by Every Word that Proceeds from the Mouth of God)

• What one thing can you do better each day with the Lords help to "stay on the road to perfection"?