Sunday, July 10th Lesson #36- The Family Can Be Eternal by Julie C.

From The Family: A Proclamation to the World:

The Family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His Children.

Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of:

• Faith
• Prayer
• Repentance
  
• Forgiveness
• Respect
• Love
• Compassion
• Work
• Wholesome recreational activities

This lesson is not intended to make anyone feel bad. We all come from different situations and not all have what is considered the "ideal family." Hopefully each of us can use the tools of the gospel to help us improve whatever situation might be ours.

There is sometimes a chasm between the eternal potential of families and the reality of our own family. We need to remember that Heavenly Father is merciful, loving and wants us to return to Him. You are a child of God and part of His family. He can help you improve your family and make it successful in whatever form it may be in.

We should remember that we determine our own destiny. We are not saved based on decisions that our spouses or children make. We choose how we will live.

"I believe that the best place to prepare for ... eternal life is in the home."

-President David O. McKay

Why is the home so important in preparing us for our eternal lives?

• It is a small group where we can best give the individual attention children need to learn important lessons.
• We must learn to live with, love and forgive people because they will always be our family. We may change our friends or roommates, but we can't change our family.
• Though we often have friction and conflict, most of time we are still loved and forgiven. Through this, we learn to be more like Heavenly Father.

How can we help our youth learn the sacredness of families and the importance of the marriage covenant?

• We can speak to our children with compassion about other family/extended family members who may be difficult to live with, rather than gossiping or criticizing.
• Spouses can speak with kindness and patience to each other, which helps create a "haven of peace" in the home. Children observe when their parents or friends' parents are in conflict.
• Recognize that the children look at other marriages outside of just their parents to see what they admire. We can all set an example for them.
• The temple covenants and ceremonies teach us of our individual worth and purpose. The messages there counteract the messages we often hear elsewhere about our worth. The youth should be taught these positive messages about their worth and purpose as children of God.

How can you help your home to have more harmony?

• Get enough sleep, eat well. Make sure your basic needs and your children's basic needs are met. When these are not met we tend to not be as nice to each other.
• Say a prayer for people in your family that may be bothering you. It helps to remember that they are often having a hard time.
• There is a benefit to having patience and being forgetful. Despite the natural conflict that comes with most families, over time we usually still love each other and forget about it.
• We can sing uplifting songs during difficult times. (ex. "Choose the Right" when children are struggling to make decisions)
• Keep children separated when they are having a hard time getting along.
• Teach your children in simple terms that Satan wants us to be selfish and mean. Jesus wants us to be kind and share.

What do you do to foster prayer and repentance?

• Have compassion for everyone. Julie worked at a mental health agency with children with behavioral problems. It was helpful to realize that their parents came from difficult circumstances, sometimes for generations back. We should have compassion for everyone as we don't always know their circumstances.
• Try to be the best example you can. If your own family is struggling, help your children to find examples and role models from church or other families. try to be positive and let children know that the family difficulties will improve with time.
• Apologize to your children. This helps them learn to apologize to each other and recognize when they've done something wrong. You also realize how quick children are to forgive you, which helps you be quick to forgive them.

Julie encouraged us to look over the list of principles of successful families and write down any specific ways that come to mind that we can strengthen our families.

Giving Meaningful Service Within Our Means - April F.

What I’ve learned from being the recipient of service given in love

When I was 14 my friend’s father died in a tragic plane crash. I thought long and hard
about what I could do to help console her, and finally decided the best thing to do would
be to get her a puppy. Thankfully, before going to the animal shelter, I consulted with
some older and wiser friends who gently suggested the best thing I could do for her was
to continue being her friend, be a good listener, and tell her I loved her.

There is no perfect way to serve another, but when service is thoughtfully and prayerfully
given, we are able to offer appropriate and inspired support to those who need it.

I have had many opportunities to be on the giving and receiving end of service. The
experience of being served by others has been humbling, strengthening, comforting, and
at times, miraculous. It has also taught me more about how to better serve others around
me, even when my time and resources are limited.

The limiting factors currently in my life include 4 small kids who are at home all day
for the summer, wreaking havoc on the bedroom they all share, enthusiastically tearing
through the house and yard and down the street like wild animals, taking off their dirty
diapers on the trampoline so they can jump naked… you get the picture. Therefore, most
of the “service” I give these days is taking care of the needs of my own family.

But I’ve found there is also tremendous joy and perspective that comes from looking for
ways to serve outside of those who live under my roof. As I’ve tried to make service a
habit in my life, I have found ways to fit it in—mostly ideas that have come from service
I have first received.

Here are just a few examples of ways I have found to serve others when life already
seems very full:

Make taking dinner easy on yourself and the recipient:
• Reduce cooking time and pick up a meal that’s partially or already prepared.
Ex: When I pick up a rotisserie chicken from Costco I can easily pick one up for
someone else, split a two-pack of bread loaves, add a simple salad, and there’s the
meal.
• If delivering is hard, pair up with someone else who may not have time to cook
and ask them to pick up the meal you’re preparing and deliver it for you.
• If possible, put food in disposable containers, re-sealable bags, or Tupperware that
you don’t need returned (and let your recipient know you don’t need it back).

Add small acts of service into your own routine:
• Going to the grocery store or running errands? Call a friend and offer to pick up
what they need as well.
• Watching someone’s children? If it’s not too much, invite another child to come
over as well.
• Give plentifully of smiles, hugs, and encouraging words.

Notice others around you and pray to “see” their needs:
This sounds so easy but can make such a difference to others—I know it has in my life.
• Pray that you will be attuned to the needs of those around you, and then act on
thoughts and promptings that come to you.
• Actively listen to your coworkers, friends, and neighbors.
• Strike up a conversation with another mom at the park or the person you don’t
recognize at church.

Serving others doesn’t need to be complicated. It simply comes from a desire to love
the Lord and glimpse our brothers and sisters on this Earth in the way that He sees
them. “Charity never faileth”, even when the roast is undercooked, the words come out
all-wrong, or the child you're watching gets bitten by one of your children (all things I’ve
personally been responsible for).

We all have limits and challenges that ebb and flow through our lives, but I believe we
can find small ways to serve even when our burdens feel like more than we can bear.
Allowing others to share our burdens can be a blessing to them, strengthening friendships
and faith. I have also found great comfort in my own trials by reflecting on the examples
of others who, in trials of their own, have faithfully endured.

Thank you, wonderful women of the PA2 Ward, for teaching me about charity and for
your countless acts of service quietly and lovingly rendered.

Sunday, July 3rd Lesson- "Teaching and Learning" by Eva T.

Discussion: Why do we spend so much time teaching/learning at church?

• We don't usually learn things the first time we hear them. If we were following all the principles we were taught we might not need to hear about them so often.
• Each time we teach/are taught is an opportunity for the spirit to teach us. As we're taught in various forums the spirit can teach us in different ways.
• Each time we hear a lesson it counters the many incorrect teachings we often hear each day.
• In the church we have many opportunities to both learn and teach. Each experience is valuable to us.
• At different stages and situations people need different things. If the messages are not continuously repeated they may not appeal to the right person at the right time.

Scriptures about teaching:

• D&C 88:77
• 3 Ne 26:19
• Mosiah 4:15
• D&C 38:23
• D&C 88:118
• Colossians 3:16

Scriptures about learning:

• D&C 88:123
• Proverbs 1:55
• Proverbs 9:9
• D&C 90:15
• D&C 109:8
• Romans 15:4