Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence - March 22, 2015

Carolyn P. highlighted sections of Elder Jörg Klebingat's talk from October's General Conference, Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence.

"On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your spiritual confidence before God? Do you have a personal witness that your current offering as a Latter-day Saint is sufficient to inherit eternal life? Can you say within yourself that Heavenly Father is pleased with you? What thoughts come to mind if you had a personal interview with your Savior one minute from now? Would sins, regrets, and shortcomings dominate your self-image, or would you simply experience joyful anticipation? Would you meet or avoid His gaze? Would you linger by the door or confidently walk up to Him?

1. Take responsibility for your own spiritual well-being.  Spiritual confidence increases when you take responsibility for your own spiritual well-being by applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ daily.

2. Take responsibility for your own physical well-being. Spiritual confidence increases when your spirit, with the help of the Savior, is truly in charge of your natural man or woman.

3. Embrace voluntary, wholehearted obedience as part of your life. Spiritual confidence increases when you are truly striving, for the right reasons, to live a consecrated life in spite of your imperfections!

4. Become really, really good at repenting thoroughly and quickly. Spiritual confidence increases when you voluntarily and joyfully repent of sins, both small and great, in real time by applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

5. Become really, really good at forgiving. “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men” (D&C 64:10). Forgive everyone, everything, all the time, or at least strive to do so, thus allowing forgiveness into your own life. Don’t hold grudges, don’t be easily offended, forgive and forget quickly, and don’t ever think that you are exempt from this commandment. Spiritual confidence increases when you know that the Lord knows that you bear no ill feelings toward another soul.

6. Accept trials, setbacks, and “surprises” as part of your mortal experience."

Relief Society birthday party - The Hundred Dresses - March 17, 2015

We celebrated the 173rd birthday of the Relief Society around the theme of the book The Hundred Dresses.

Sara G. presented the themes from the book with inspired direction that we should not be bystanders but up-standers when bullying occurs as well as the warning echoed in the Book of Mormon to resist the desire for "fine-twined linen, and the precious clothing" that can sometimes separate us from one another.

Courtney M. and Becca J. gave a lovely musical number.

We donated interview/office clothes to Dress for Success for women re-entering the workforce.
Sisters also displayed different dresses that had special meaning to them, from blessing and wedding dresses to performance costumes and others.

Thanks to those who contributed to the yummy potato bar and salads and the lovely centerpieces, birthday cakes! What a fabulous sampling!

Jesus Christ, Our Savior and Redeemer

Tori G. gave a wonderful lesson using Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson. Chapter 6: Jesus Christ, Our Savior and Redeemer.

I. According to President Benson, to have any measure of appreciation and gratitude for what [Jesus Christ] accomplished in our behalf, we must remember these vital truths:

 Jesus came to earth to do our Father’s will.

1. Abraham 3:27

2. Luke 2:46-49

3. John 6:38

4. Moses 4:2

He came with a foreknowledge that He would bear the burden of the sins of us all.

5. Ether 3:14

The atoning mission of Jesus Christ was no self-assumption. True, He had offered Himself when the call was made in the heavens; true, He has been accepted, and in due time came to earth to carry into effect the terms of that acceptance; but He was chosen by One greater than Himself. The burden of His confession of authority was ever to the effect that He operated under the direction of the Father, as witness these words: “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.”^s “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”^t “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” - Elder James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, (2006), Chapter 3: The Need of a Redeemer

 He knew he would be lifted up on the cross.

6. John 12: 31-33

7. Mark 9:12

8. D&C 45:52  

He was born to be the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind.

9. 2 Ne 9:5-6

10. D&C 52:44

11. John 11:25

He was able to accomplish His mission because He was the Son of God and He possessed the power of God.

12. Acts 13:33

13. Mosiah 15:2-3

14. Matt. 3:17

15. 3 Ne. 9:15

"What other man has lived with power to withstand death, over whom death could not prevail except through his own submission? Yet Jesus Christ could not be slain until His “hour had come,” and that, the hour in which He voluntarily surrendered His life, and permitted His own decease through an act of will. Born of a mortal mother He inherited the capacity to die; begotten by an immortal Sire He possessed as a heritage the power to withstand death indefinitely. He literally gave up His life; to this effect is His own affirmation: “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.”^q And further: “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.”^r Only such a One could conquer death; in none but Jesus the Christ was realized this requisite condition of a Redeemer of the world.” - Elder James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, (2006), Chapter 3: The Need of a Redeemer

He was willing to accomplish His mission because He loves us.

16. 2 Ne. 2:6-7

17. D&C 19:16-19

18. John 3:16

"That holy, unselfish act of voluntarily taking on Himself the sins of all other men is the Atonement. How Onecould bear the sins for all is beyond the comprehension of mortal man. But this I know: He did take on Himself the sins of all and did so out of His infinite love for each of us….In spite of that excruciating ordeal, He took the cup and drank. He suffered the pains of all men so we would not have to suffer. He endured the humiliation and insults of His persecutors without complaint or retaliation. He bore the flogging and then the ignominy of the brutal execution—the cross.¹¹In Gethsemane and on Calvary, [Jesus] worked out the infinite and eternal atonement. It was the greatest single act of love in recorded history…We may never understand nor comprehend in mortality how He accomplished what He did, but we must not fail to understand why He did what He did. Everything He did was prompted by His unselfish, infinite love for us.¹³” - Teachings of President Ezra Taft Benson, Lesson 6

Jesus Christ came forth from the tomb, and He lives today as a resurrected being.

Matt. 28:6  

Alma 11: 40-45

“These simple words - ‘he is not here, but is risen’ - have become the most profound in all literature…they are the triumphant response to the query facing every man, woman, and child who was ever born to earth.” - President Gordon B. Hinckley, He Is Not Here, But is Risen, April 1999

“In our hour of deepest sorrow, we can receive profound peace from the words of the angel that first Easter morning: ‘He is not here: for he is risen.’” - President Thomas S. Monson, He Is Risen!, April 2010

He alone had the power of resurrection. And so on the third day following His burial, He came forth from the tomb alive and showed Himself to many. … As one of [His] special witnesses so called in this day, I testify to you that He lives. He lives with a resurrected body. There is no truth or fact of which I am more assured or more confident than the truth of the literal resurrection of our Lord. - Teachings of President Ezra Taft Benson, Chapter 6

 II. What does knowledge of the Atonement and Resurrection mean for each of us as individual women?

A. We can repent and be freed from our sins.

19. Alma 5:48

20. Alma 22:14

21. Alma 36:17-21

B. We too can be resurrected and become like Christ, dwelling in the presence of Heavenly Father.

22. Mormon 9:13

23. 1 John 5:5

C. We are never alone. We have a companion in our challenges and trials who knows how we feel and can succor us personally.

24. Mosiah 14:4-7

25. D&C 68:6

Against all odds and with none to help or uphold Him, Jesus of Nazareth, the living Son of the living God, restored physical life where death had held sway and brought joyful, spiritual redemption out of sin, hellish darkness, and despair. With faith in the God He knew was there, He could say in triumph, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” ¹⁹ Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].” - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “None Were With Him,” April 2009

D. We are loved — wholly, infinitely, and unfailingly.

26. 1 Ne. 21:16

27. 1 John 4:10

28. Romans 8:35, 37

It is my prayer that as we strive to learn more about our Savior and his love for us, we will have the faith to follow Him and do the things that will allow us to be with Him and Heavenly Father once more.

29. Galatians 2:20

30. Moroni 9:25

Principles of True Repentance - March 8, 2015

Natalie M. led the discussion about Chapter 5: Principles of True Repentance from the Ezra Taft Benson manual and set the tone for a safe and honest discussion on repentance.

The gospel is the plan of happiness. 

• Why is that important to remember that repentance is a part of the plan of happiness as we repent?

"Young people especially sometimes feel that the standards of the Lord are like fences and chains, blocking them from those activities that seem most enjoyable in life. But exactly the opposite is true. The gospel plan is the plan by which men are brought to a fulness of joy. This is the first concept I wish to stress. The gospel principles are the steps and guidelines that will help us find true happiness and joy." Chapter 5: Principles of True Repentance

“O how love I thy law! … Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies. … Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. … Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.” (Ps. 119:97–98, 105, 111.)
Chapter 5: Principles of True Repentance

Faith precedes true repentance

Therefore, repentance means more than simply a reformation of behavior. Many men and women in the world demonstrate great willpower and self-discipline in overcoming bad habits and the weaknesses of the flesh. Yet at the same time they give no thought to the Master, sometimes even openly rejecting Him. Such changes of behavior, even if in a positive direction, do not constitute true repentance.

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation upon which sincere and meaningful repentance must be built. Chapter 5: Principles of True Repentance

• Why is a change of heart so important? 

As you replace the behavior you are repenting of with something better it can be simply wanting the Spirit of the Lord and that the old behavior would prevent that. A change of heart is the difference between a temporary change and a a permanent one.

Repentance involves a change of heart

And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually. Mosiah 5:2

C.S. Lewis said we become new creatures. Jesus Christ can change us.

Thus, the change is likened to a new birth. Thousands of you have experienced this change. You have forsaken lives of sin, sometimes deep and offensive sin, and through applying the blood of Christ in your lives, have become clean. You have no more disposition to return to your old ways. You are in reality a new person. This is what is meant by a change of heart.
Chapter 5: Principles of True Repentance

• What can you do if you are waiting for a loved one to experience the change of heart? 

We can focus on becoming more like the Savior and being patient, while knowing you cannot control their change of heart.

Godly sorrow leads to true repentance

"No one is more anxious to see us change our lives than the Father and the Savior." Chapter 5: Principles of True Repentance

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." Ether 12:27

We must not lose hope

Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life. They live quiet lives of goodness, service, and commitment. They are like the Lamanites, who the Lord said “were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.” (3 Ne. 9:20; italics added.)
Chapter 5: Principles of True Repentance

Hot chocolate morning!

It was many people's first time to Hot Chocolate morning this month, even Ronna's first time to host.
Hope to see you there next month!

Thanks for the fruit, muffins and yummy french toast bake (with a little help from Wendy)!

Temple symbols - March 1, 2015

We had guest teacher Lynne W. speak on some of the symbols of temple worship.  Here are a few notes from her robust lesson.

What a blessing it is for us to approach the veil of the temple, in biblical times only one man could do so, and only once a year.

 Elder John A. Widtsoe said: 'There is a feeling abroad that the benefits of the temple are primarily for the dead. This is not so. While the dead, if repentant, are able through our efforts to enter into a larger salvation, yet the work itself has a most beneficial effect upon the living who serve as proxies for the dead. . . . The response of the spirit of man to the ordinances of the House of the Lord stimulates every normal power and activity and helps greatly in the accomplishment of our daily tasks; more joy enters into the daily routine of life, . . . spiritual vision. . . love. . . peace tempers the tempests of life, and we rise to higher levels of thought and action. . . In this way the temples are always places where God manifests himself to man and increases his intelligence. A temple is a place of revelation.' (Christ Manifested to His People by Marion D. Hanks)

Catherine Thomas said: 'The temple is the narrow channel through which one must pass to reenter the Lord's presence. A mighty power pulls us through that channel, and it is the sealing power of the at-one-ment of the Lord Jesus Christ. . . In scripture we can study how the ancient great ones were drawn through that narrow channel to find their heart's desire . . . This was the very search for which they were put on earth: to rend the veil of unbelief, to yield to the pull of the Savior's sealing power, to stand in the Lord's presence, encircled about in the arms of his love (Doc. & Cov. 6:20; 2 Nephi 1:15). This then is the temple endowment: having been cast out, to search diligently according to the revealed path, and at last to be clasped in the arms of Jesus (Morm 5:11).' (Temples of the Ancient World by Donald Perry)

In ancient temple worship there is evidence of that they washed, anointed, clothed, enthroned and named people in the temple as a way to focus their service to Christ.  The olive oil used for anointing in the ancient temple was the first pressing of the olives.

Paul spoke on Veils of Authority in 1 Corinthians 11: 2-13 which explains why women wear veils. 'Head' can also mean 'source' so in verse 3: "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God."
In verse 7, "but the woman is the glory of the man." instead of the glory of God.  Only through woman could man/humanity continue.

Brigham Young said "Your endowment is, to receive all those ordinances in the house of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back to the presence of the Father, passing the angels who stand as sentinels (DBY, 416)."