Am I Good Enough? Will I Make It? - December 18, 2016

Hikari presented thoughts from a General Conference talk given by Elder J. Devn Cornish in October 2016 entitled, "Am I Good Enough? Will I make it?"

Elder Cornish describes how inadequate and discouraged he often felt as a young medical student. A mentor reached out to him with encouragement during a particularly difficult time and believed in him when he did not even believe in himself.

Elder Cornish noted how many church members question if they are good enough as a person or wether they are worthy of the celestial kingdom. He says it is normal to "wonder if we are acceptable before the Lord." People may become discouraged and compare themselves to others feeling like they  might never measure up.  He encourages  us to "stop comparing ourselves to others. We torture ourselves needlessly by competing and comparing. We falsely judge our self-worth by the things we do or don't have and by the opinions of others."

Many sisters shared various ways that women in the church compare themselves to others. We then discussed what we can do with those "things" that make us feel "less". Some thoughts shared included:

-When we compare ourselves to others we are often looking at someone's biggest strengths, compared with our weaknesses

-Remember to look back at how far you have com

-Use the accomplishments of others to set your own goals

-Appreciate what you have and be gentle with yourself. Help your children see how splendid they are in their own right

-We can offer and consecrate all we can to Christ, and appreciate what others offer as well

-Be careful not to pass judgment on others

Elder Cornish's advice to combat this is that "if we must compare, let us compare how we were in the past to how we are today- and even to how we want to be in the future." We can ask God what He thinks of us, but be aware that "He will only love and correct but never discourage us; that is Satan's trick."

He continues with emphasis: "let me be direct and clear. The answers to the questions "Am I good enough?" and "Will I make it?" are "Yes!" You are going to make it as long as you keep repenting and do not rationalize or rebel"

We must always remember that we have a loving Heavenly Father "who gave His Only  Begotten Son that we might not perish but have everlasting life!"

Gordon B Hinckley taught: "All the Lord expects of us is to try, but you have to really try"

We must remember to apply the atonement both for our sins and for our weaknesses.  Grace is also another principle that we can remember which gives us "heavenly help each of us desperately needs to qualify for the celestial kingdom."

We can ask the Lord to help us develop Christ-like attributes.  Ideas were shared regarding things that can be done to draw closer to the Savior:

-Choose to trust in God and look to Him for the answer. When the waves come, don't let go of the rope that holds you to the rock.

-As we draw closer to God, we want to do what's right. We must rely on the atonement.

Elder Cornish reminds us that when we truly repent, we will really be forgiven. The consequences of our sins may remain for a long time but forgiveness is possible.

A challenge was given by our teacher to choose a couple things to do to help us draw closer to the Savior and help those around us.

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper - August 21, 2016

Alex B. taught our lesson using Chapter 15: The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper from the Howard W. Hunter manual.

We discussed the importance and symbolism of the Passover: the lamb, the blood, the sacrifice.  Christ cleansed the temple and fed the five thousand on different Passovers and of course instituted the sacrament at the Last Supper.

"That is why every ordinance of the gospel focuses in one way or another on the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, and surely that is why this particular ordinance with all its symbolism and imagery comes to us more readily and more repeatedly than any other in our life. It comes in what has been called “the mostsacred, the most holy, of all the meetings of the Church” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954–56, 2:340)." (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "This Do in Remembrance of Me", October 1995)

A woman had been accidentally missed when the sacrament was passed. Right after the meeting she was invited into a classroom.

"A priesthood holder came in. He knelt down, blessed some bread, and handed her a piece. She ate it. He knelt down again and blessed some water and handed her a small cup. She drank it. Thereafter, Diane had two thoughts in rapid succession: First, “Oh, he [the priesthood holder] did this just for me.” And then, “Oh, He [the Savior] did this just for me.” Diane felt Heavenly Father’s love." ("That I Might Draw All Men unto Me", Elder Dale E. Renland, April 2016)

• How do you know you are worthy to take the Sacrament?

“For whoso eateth and drinketh my flesh and blood unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to his soul.” (3 Ne. 18:28–29.)

What does it mean to partake of the sacrament worthily? Or how do we know if we are unworthy?

If we desire to improve (which is to repent) and are not under priesthood restriction, then, in my opinion, we are worthy. (Elder John H. Groeberg, The Beauty and Importance of the Sacrament, October 1989)

True Greatness - June 19, 2016

Sara G. led our thoughts from Chapter 11: True Greatness from the Howard W. Hunter manual.

Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer, frequently said "I am the greatest!" His biography sits in many libraries.
Have you considered the question: Why do some people have books about them in the library?

The Lord does admonish us to write down our own personal story and to study those of our ancestors. "For the names of the righteous shall be written in the book of life, and unto them will I grant an inheritance at my right hand" (Alma 5:58)

The world’s definition of greatness is often misleading and can prompt damaging comparisons.

• Are we affected by the world's definition of greatness?  Is popular put above valuable?

“Those things which we call extraordinary, remarkable, or unusual may make history, but they do not make real life.

“After all, to do well those things which God ordained to be the common lot of all mankind, is the truest greatness."

True greatness comes from persevering in the difficulties of life and from serving in ways that are often unnoticed.

True greatness requires consistent, small, and sometimes ordinary steps over a long period of time.

 … Giving consistent effort in the little things in day-to-day life leads to true greatness. Specifically, it is the thousands of little deeds and tasks of service and sacrifice that constitute the giving, or losing, of one’s life for others and for the Lord.

As President Joseph F. Smith has said, “Let us not be trying to substitute an artificial life for the true one.” (Juvenile Instructor, 15 Dec. 1905, p. 753.) Let us remember that doing the things that have been ordained by God to be important and needful and necessary, even though the world may view them as unimportant and insignificant, will eventually lead to true greatness.

The small things are significant. We remember not the amount offered by the Pharisee but the widow’s mite, not the power and strength of the Philistine army but the courage and conviction of David.

"What is my depth but layers and layers of shallow?"  e e cummings

Frequently it is the commonplace tasks we perform that have the greatest positive effect on the lives of others, as compared with the things that the world so often relates to greatness.

But all things must come to pass in their time.

Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great. (Doctrine and Covenants 64:32-33)

To Be of Use by Marge Piercy

The people I love the best
jump into work head first
without dallying in the shallows
and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.
They seem to become natives of that element,
the black sleek heads of seals
bouncing like half-submerged balls.

I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy cart,
who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience,
who strain in the mud and the muck to move things forward,
who do what has to be done, again and again.

I want to be with people who submerge
in the task, who go into the fields to harvest
and work in a row and pass the bags along,
who are not parlor generals and field deserters
but move in a common rhythm
when the food must come in or the fire be put out.

The work of the world is common as mud.
Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust.
But the thing worth doing well done
has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.
Greek amphoras for wine or oil,
Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums
but you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person for work that is real.

Lemons to Lemonade night

Our summer Relief Society activity began with a keynote address by Paige B. on turning life's lemons to lemonade.

You may think you don’t have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us. The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter. (Happiness, Your Heritage, President Uchtdorf)

President Spencer W. Kimball taught, “The more we serve our fellowmen in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls.”

In today’s world of pop psychology, junk TV, and feel-good self-help manuals, this advice may seem counterintuitive. We are sometimes told that the answer to our ills is to look inward, to indulge ourselves, to spend first and pay later, and to satisfy our own desires even at the expense of those around us. While there are times when it is prudent to look first to our own needs, in the long run it doesn’t lead to lasting happiness.

“But my favorite effect on the body is actually on the heart. Your heart has receptors for this hormone, and oxytocin helps heart cells regenerate and heal from any stress-induced damage. This stress hormone strengthens your heart.”  (How to Make Stress Your Friend, Kelly McGonigal)

  Face the (Lemon) Cookie

Kintsukuroi: The Japanese tradition of mending broken objects by aggrandizing the damage and filling the cracks with gold. They believe that when something’s suffered damage and has a history it becomes more beautiful.

After her inspiring talk, we broke into 4 teams to compete in Minute to Win It games, with lemon themes of course!
Tipsy (with lemonade in a soda can)

   Face the (Lemon) Cookie    Chocolate Unicorn

 This Blows (like when life gives you lemons)

Suck it up

Wet Lemon

The winners got lemon lip balm and the team in last place got 'lemons', small toy cars. 

How better to end the night than to visit more and enjoy decadent lemon treats ranging from popcorn, cakes, and mousses.

Thanks to a great team for setting it up: Katie, Sunny, Jessica, Monica and more helpers, and thanks Sue for all the lemons from your tree!

2015 Fall Retreat - Seek Learning

This year's theme for our annual retreat stemmed from the verse: "And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." Doctrine and Covenants 88:118

The evening began with snacking, visiting and serving as we packaged up snack bags for people staying at the nearby Ronald McDonald house.

We then gathered for a dinner of sweet pork barbacoa salad in the style of Café Rio including the signature tin plates!  The decor of festive fall leaves, stacks of books and apples set a warm tone throughout.

As ladies finished eating, we were treated to amazing piano by Hilary M. and then had a Show & Tell presentation where sisters shared new learning endeavors they had developed in the last few years.

We then had two class times where sisters could learn from any of 4 classes: Art Therapy with Keily, Nourishing your Family Spiritually and Physically with Suzi, Improve your Photography with Courtney and Empower Yourself with Power Tools with Brianna.

We closed the evening with a spectrum of apple desserts and more visiting!

A big thanks to the activity committee, bakers, participants and supporters for an invigorating evening.

Perseverance - September 6, 2015

Jo Ann had many inspirational stories and quotes on Perseverance to encourage us along our way.

The example of John Rowe Moyle and his dedication are presented in this video.

Perseverance and Never Giving Up

"I was taught the way of progress is neither swift nor easy." Marie Curie.

"Let me tell you the secret that has led to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity." Louis Pasteur

"I am a slow walker, but I never walk back." Abraham Lincoln

"Every strike bring me closer to the next home run." Babe Ruth

"It always seems impossible until it's done." Nelson Mandela

"Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th." Julie Andrews

"It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop." Confucius

"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out." Robert Collier

"Fall seven times and stand up eight." Japanese Proverb

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." Winston Churchill

"It's not that I'm smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer." Albert Einstein

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at that end of the day saying 'I will try again tomorrow'." Mary Anne Radmacher

All-Hands Relief Society Meeting - May 10, 2015

We were blessed to be in the company of almost all the sisters, as the men took over roles in the Primary and Young Women classes.

Sue introduced the meeting with some interesting statistical information and quotes from Elder Ringwood's talk from April and Sheri Dew's "Are We Not All Mothers?" talk from October 2001 General Conference.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said: “Over the course of my life, I have had the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the most competent and intelligent men and women this world has to offer. When I was younger, I was impressed by those who were educated, accomplished, successful, and applauded by the world. But over the years, I have come to the realization that I am far more impressed by those wonderful and blessed souls who are truly good and without guile.”
(Truly Good and without Guile, Elder Michael T. Ringwood, April 2015 Conference)

Today there are some who would have us believe our search for relevance can be satisfied only by obtaining position and power. Yet, thankfully, there are many who are uninfluenced by this perspective. They find relevance in seeking to be truly good and without guile. I have found them in all walks of life and in many faith traditions. And I find them in large numbers among the truly converted followers of Christ.
(Truly Good and without Guile, Elder Michael T. Ringwood, April 2015 Conference)

Since it was Mothers Day, members of the presidency shared vignettes of women who had been strong influences in their lives - sisters in the ward, seminary teachers, young women leaders and dear friends.  We were then blessed by a musical number of "Nearer, My God, to Thee" by Becca and her children.
After the meeting we enjoyed a snack prepared by the activities committee, thank you ladies!

We hope you celebrate the ways that you feel valued and relevant and take a moment to thank a woman who helped you get there.

The Power of the Word - May 3, 2015

Tori G. presented her thoughts and invited a good discussion based on how the scriptures impact our lives and the forces trying to limit that impact - based on Chapter 8: The Power of the Word from the Ezra Taft Benson manual.

Satan is waging war against the members of the Church who have testimonies and are trying to keep the commandments. And while many of our members are remaining faithful and strong, some are wavering. Some are falling. Some are fulfilling John’s prophecy that in the war with Satan, some Saints would be overcome. (See Rev. 13:7.)
Chapter 8: The Power of the Word

When Laman and Lemuel asked, “What meaneth the rod of iron?” Nephi answered, “It was the word of God; and [note this promise] whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.” (1 Ne. 15:23–24; italics added.)
Chapter 8: The Power of the Word

• If we are thinking of ourselves clinging to the rod what are our mists of darkness? What is challenging us today?

... this is an answer to the great challenge of our time. The word of God, as found in the scriptures, in the words of living prophets, and in personal revelation, has the power to fortify the Saints and arm them with the Spirit so they can resist evil, hold fast to the good, and find joy in this life.
Chapter 8: The Power of the Word

“I am convinced that each of us, at least some time in our lives, must discover the scriptures for ourselves--and not just discover them once, but rediscover them again and again. …
        “The Lord is not trifling with us when he gives us these things, for ‘unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.’ (Luke 12:48.) Access to these things means responsibility for them. We must study the scriptures according to the Lord’s commandment (see 3 Ne. 23:1–5); and we must let them govern our lives.” (Ensign, Sept. 1976, pp. 4–5.)
Chapter 8: The Power of the Word

...when individual members and families immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, these other areas of activity will automatically come. Testimonies will increase. Commitment will be strengthened. Families will be fortified. Personal revelation will flow.
Chapter 8: The Power of the Word

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."

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)."

The gift of our bodies - November 2, 2014

Nettie lead us in a brief lesson about how we are blessed with having a physical body.
She recalled many events her body taken her through, getting high heels at 16 and hearing of the attack on Pearl Harbor, going on a train alone at 21, getting married at 23, and dressing her mother for burial at 61 - the body that gave her a body.

Brown and white Spectator pumps, circa 1940

• Why do we have a body?

To cover our spirits, to learn. Our bodies are connected to our spirits, so taking care of one can also improve the other.  We can feel life more fully with our bodies.

Our bodies are an amazing gift and it is incredible what people do with it, even if not every part works perfectly.

We closed with time for a few beautiful testimonies.

Fall retreat 2014 - Arise!

We gathered for our annual retreat to recharge and relax with the theme: Arise!

Before dinner, drinks were available (including a yummy wassail) and you could tie blankets for donation to the VA hospital.

 

After a dinner of soups, salads and breads, we had a musical number and our keynote speaker.  She spoke on disruptive innovation and how we can improve ourselves through change and how we approach it.

 There were five classes to choose from for two rotations from yoga, knitting, indexing, writing your life story and getting organized.  The knitting was for donation to the Foster Care to Success - Red Scarf Project.

 The night closed with desserts and a presentation to Susan of one of our quilts to wrap her with love as her stay here draws to a close.