The Restoration of the Gospel- The Dawning of a Brighter Day. January 8, 2017

Thank you to Emilee who guided our discussion on "The Restoration of the Gospel- The Dawning of a Brighter Day" from the Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley manual (2016).

Our teacher encouraged us to enhance our scripture and personal study as we begin this new year. The "Introduction" in our new Gordon B. Hinckley manual includes some good tips such as prayerfully seeking the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, writing down thoughts and feeling we get as we study, and underlining passages we want to remember. We can also read chapters more than once to understand it more completely and strive to understand how the teachings can help us with our personal challenges on concerns (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley).

Gordon B. Hinckley was a prophet many knew and loved. Sisters were able to share some favorite memories they had of Gordon B. Hinckley. His special relationship with his wife, love of temples, happy spirit, accessibility, ability to touch the youth, and sense of humor were all mentioned.

We were able to watch a video that told the story of how Gordon B Hinckley received a testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith when as a young boy he accompanied his father to a priesthood meeting and was overcome by the spirit as the congregation sang "Praise to the Man". President Hinckley expressed: "It touched my heart. It gave me a feeling that was difficult to describe. I'd never had it previously in terms of any church experience. There came into my hear a conviction that the man of whom they sang was really a prophet of God. And I'm grateful to be able to say that that conviction, which came, I believe, by the power of the Holy Spirit, has never left me." (from video found here: https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-05-1503-preparation-of-gordon-b-hinckley-a-testimony-of-joseph-smith?lang=eng&_r=1)


What can we do to strengthen our testimony of Joseph Smith?

We can share our testimony with others and remember times when the spirit has testified to us. Some sisters shared that studying the life of Joseph Smith helped them receive a stronger testimony.

We were challenged to continue to foster our knowledge and testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith and the restoration of the gospel.

The Scriptures—The Most Profitable of All Study

Tina D. taught our lesson today from Chapter 10: The Scriptures—The Most Profitable of All Study in the Howard W. Hunter manual.



Video of the story of Jairus


Living with Purpose and Real Intent

Blessings of reading the scriptures - November 29, 2015

In our joint meeting, Brother S. opened a time of reading the Book of Mormon and a short sharing time with his testimony and the following quote:

"Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon give us the beautiful assurance that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. I hold in my hand a copy of the first edition of the Book of Mormon in French, published by John Taylor as he began the work in France in 1852. Some or all of the Book of Mormon is now in 110 languages across the world. It provides a spiritual and tangible witness of the truthfulness of the Restoration. When was the last time that you read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover? Read it again. It will increase your faith."  Faith Is Not by Chance, but by Choice by Neil L. Anderson, October 2015 General Conference.

Enjoy your feast as we endeavor to finish reading the Book of Mormon by the end of the year.

The Book of Mormon - May 24, 2015

Natalie M. taught the lesson from two chapters of the President Ezra Taft Benson manual: Chapter 9, The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion and Chapter 10, Flooding the Earth and Our Lives with the Book of Mormon.

“I bless you with increased understanding of the Book of Mormon. I promise you that from this moment forward, if we will daily sup from its pages and abide by its precepts, God will pour out upon each child of Zion and the Church a blessing hitherto unknown..." Chapter 9: The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion

• What you have learned about the Savior by studying the Book of Mormon?

Our beloved brother, President Marion G. Romney, … who knows of himself of the power that resides in this book, testified of the blessings that can come into the lives of those who will read and study the Book of Mormon. He said:
        “I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity--the pure love of Christ--will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness” (Ensign, May 1980, p. 67).
Chapter 9: The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion

17 Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments;
18 And also gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these things unto the world; and all this that it might be fulfilled, which was written by the prophets--
19 The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh--
D&C 1:17-19

6 Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews?
7 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?
8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.
9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.
10 Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written.
2 Nephi 29:6-10

• What are the lessons you have been taught from the Book of Mormon?

There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called “the words of life” (D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance. Chapter 10, Flooding the Earth and Our Lives with the Book of Mormon

Now the spirit, as well as the body, is in need of constant nourishment. Yesterday’s meal is not enough to sustain today’s needs. So also an infrequent reading of “the most correct of any book on earth,” as Joseph Smith called it, is not enough. (History of the Church, 4:461.) Chapter 10, Flooding the Earth and Our Lives with the Book of Mormon

• Are there any scriptures in the Book of Mormon that relate to challenges we are facing today?

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