"On Being Genuine"- June 28, 2015

Rebecca S. had us thinking about our motivations when we put our best foot forward as we discussed President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's April 2015 talk "On Being Genuine."

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me...Isaiah 28:13

• It is part of human nature to want to look our best. Why do we do this? Why do we put forth our best?

The Church is not an automobile showroom--a place to put ourselves on display so that others can admire our spirituality, capacity, or prosperity. It is more like a service center, where vehicles in need of repair come for maintenance and rehabilitation. (On Being Genuine)

I wonder if our organizational and personal goals are sometimes the modern equivalent of a Potemkin village. Do they look impressive from a distance but fail to address the real needs of our beloved fellowmen? (On Being Genuine)

• What am I putting out for others to see?

Whether your testimony is thriving and healthy or your activity in the Church more closely resembles a Potemkin village, the good news is that you can build on whatever strength you have. Here in the Church of Jesus Christ you can mature spiritually and draw closer to the Savior by applying gospel principles day by day.
With patience and persistence, even the smallest act of discipleship or the tiniest ember of belief can become a blazing bonfire of a consecrated life. In fact, that’s how most bonfires begin--as a simple spark. (On Being Genuine)

The greatest, most capable, most accomplished man who ever walked this earth was also the most humble. He performed some of His most impressive service in private moments, with only a few observers, whom He asked to “tell no man” what He had done. When someone called Him “good,” He quickly deflected the compliment, insisting that only God is truly good. Clearly the praise of the world meant nothing to Him; His single purpose was to serve His Father and “do always those things that please him.” We would do well to follow the example of our Master. (On Being Genuine)

"Seek The Spirit in All You Do"

This weeks lesson was taught by Colette T.

Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson Chapter 12: "Seek the Spirit in All You Do" 

THE SPIRIT

1. What is it? 

-The Comforter, A Guide, The Holy Ghost 

• Gail S shared a story about when she was in a leadership position and needing to call a new counselor.  She prayed and received answer to her prayer through the holy spirit. 
• Jennifer S shared a story about her decision regarding the holy spirit guiding her where she needed to move for her nursing career. 

2. How (does it work)?

-Example in the Book of Enos :1

"2 And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins. 3 Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart. 4 And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens. 5 And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed." 

-Lord how is it done? through faith 

The Gift of Spirit is through our faith 

3. When (does the spirit come)?

• Suzanne J discussed how the spirit helps her when she is running behind.  she prayers that she will get there at a good time.
• Sue A. talked about when she was teaching early morning seminary; she would have ideas and could depend on the spirit for help.
• Nettie W, shared about how she had started feeling sorry for her self and then she looked at pictures of her family and thought how can she be unhappy when she has gifts of family. Spiritual manifestation of why we are here.

4, Why?

Enos vs 9 

 9 Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites; wherefore, I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them. 

The Holy Ghost does inspire us When we need it, when we are ready.   

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We should strive for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost all the days of our lives. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson, Chapter 12: “Seek the Spirit in All You Do”)

If we are humble and sensitive, the Lord will prompt us through our feelings. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson, Chapter 12: “Seek the Spirit in All You Do”)

We obtain the Spirit through sincere prayer and fasting. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson, Chapter 12: “Seek the Spirit in All You Do”)

Daily scripture study, including meditation on passages of scripture, invites the Spirit. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson, Chapter 12: “Seek the Spirit in All You Do”)

The Holy Ghost will abide with us as we honor, respect, and obey God’s laws. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson, Chapter 12: “Seek the Spirit in All You Do”)

Follow the Living Prophet - June 14, 2015

Thanks to Tina for a great discussion from Chapter 11: Follow the Living Prophet of the Ezra Taft Benson manual.

• What does learn to keep your eyes on the prophet mean to you?

The President of the Church is the Lord’s mouthpiece on the earth.

"Learn to keep your eye on the prophet. He is the Lord’s mouthpiece and the only man who can speak for the Lord today. Let his inspired counsel take precedence."
Chapter 11: Follow the Living Prophet

The most important prophet for us is the living prophet.

• Why do you think the most important prophet for us is the current President of the Church? What counsel have we recently received from the living prophet?

"As members of the Church we have some close quarters to pass through if we are going to get home safely. We will be given a chance to choose between conflicting counsel given by some. That’s why we must learn--and the sooner we learn, the better--to keep our eye on the Prophet, the President of the Church."
Chapter 11: Follow the Living Prophet

We will be blessed as we follow the living prophet.

"To help you pass the crucial tests which lie ahead, I am going to give you … a grand key which, if you will honor, will crown you with God’s glory and bring you out victorious in spite of Satan’s fury."
Chapter 11: Follow the Living Prophet

• Consider the “grand key” that President Benson identifies. What are some blessings you have received when you have been true to this grand key?
  
  
  The living prophet tells us what we need to know, not necessarily what we want to hear.
• Reflect on a time when you have followed the prophet’s counsel even though you have not completely understood it. What can we learn from such experiences?
  
  
  

Sunday June 7, 2015: The Eternal Perspective of the Gospel

Sunday's lesson was taught by Jo Anne S. using: "The Eternal Perspective of the Gospel" by Elder Rafael E. Pino from the April General Conference Sunday Afternoon Session​

Jo Anne began the lesson by discussing the worth of Gold 

"Perspective is the way we see things when we look at them from a certain distance, and it allows us to appreciate their true value."

Sometimes we need to step back to get better perspective.  

"Let me share another experience. In our home our children liked to do jigsaw puzzles. We have probably all had the opportunity to do a puzzle. Some are made up of many small pieces. I remember that one of our children (I won’t give his name in order to protect his identity) used to focus on the individual pieces, and when one did not fit in the place where he thought it should, he would become angry and assume it was no good and want to throw it away. He finally learned to do the puzzle when he understood that each small piece had its place in the final picture, even when he did not know where it fit at a given moment."

"Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught: “Though ‘anchored’ in grand and ultimate hope, some of our tactical hopes are another matter. We may hope for a pay raise, a special date, an electoral victory, or for a bigger house—things which may or may not be realized. Faith in Father’s plan gives us endurance even amid the wreckage of such proximate hopes. Hope keeps us ‘anxiously engaged’ in good causes even when these appear to be losing causes (see D&C 58:27).”^3"

"The Book of Mormon mentions the attitude that Nephi took and the attitude of Laman and Lemuel. They had all suffered much difficulty and numerous afflictions; however, their attitudes toward them were very different. Nephi said, “And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us, that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings.”^4"

"Laman and Lemuel, on the other hand, complained bitterly. “And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father. And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them.”⁵ Not knowing or disregarding “the dealings of … God” is one way of losing eternal perspective, and murmuring is just one of the symptoms. Even though Laman and Lemuel witnessed many miracles along with Nephi, they exclaimed, saying: “And we have wandered in the wilderness for these many years; and our women have toiled, being big with child; and they have borne children in the wilderness and suffered all things, save it were death; and it would have been better that they had died before they came out of Jerusalem than to have suffered these afflictions.”^6" 

"President Spencer W. Kimball wrote the following: “If we looked at mortality as the whole of existence, then pain, sorrow, failure, and short life would be calamity. But if we look upon life as an eternal thing stretching far into the premortal past and on into the eternal post-death future, then all happenings may be put in proper perspective.”

If we Keep eternal perspective , we will find peace and joy in life. 

Spreading the Gospel with the Love of Christ - May 31, 2015

In our combined meeting we discussed how Developing the Love of Christ helps us to share the Gospel by (1) develop a deeper love towards Christ and (2) develop a more Christlike love of our ward family and beyond.

We heard from our bishop, our Sister Missionaries and the Elders and from Suzanne who was most recently baptized.

We then broke into small discussion groups to answer questions about sharing the Gospel and to form goals.

• What has worked for you?
• What is a new item you have learned?
• What is something you will implement in your life?