Lesson Summary: November 10, 2013

Katie T. led our discussion of Chapter 21: Loving God More Than We Love the World in the Lorenzo Snow manual.

Using different photos, Katie likened being limited physically to see clearly, and spiritual blindness when focusing on the wrong priorities.

• 1. What is it about worldliness that leads people to forget their religion? 

We miss the mark and get focused on other things, we forget about the essential reason we are here.

• How can we take care of our temporal needs without being overcome by worldliness?

Listening to the prophets can be key in overcoming temptations and the buzz of the world.
Being honest on where your heart is and not making excuses.

• 2. How can our love for God help us avoid being overcome by worldliness? 

It's a battle, but through our love of God and evaluating where your heart is, we recognize our motivation. Be careful of the pride cycle, sometimes prosperity can be a trial of faithfulness. Focus outward by serving others.

• 3. President Snow taught that we have covenanted to “use our time, talent and ability for the upbuilding of the kingdom of God upon the earth”. Think about what you can do to keep this covenant.

• 4. In what ways can the following truths help us keep our covenants? “This world is short compared with eternity.” No one can “really and truly call any of this world’s goods his own.”

Lesson Summary November 3, 2013

Heather C lead a wonderful discussion around the general conference talk "Do We Know What We Have?" by Carole M. Stephens, first counselor in the general relief society presidency. 

This past week, have you come across something you needed to do but couldn't do?
How do the ordinances and covenants empower/enable us in our daily lives?

These priesthood ordinances and covenants provide access to the fulness of the blessings promised to us by God, which are made possible by the Savior’s Atonement. They arm sons and daughters of God with power, God’s power,⁸ and provide us with the opportunity to receive eternal life—to return to God’s presence and live with Him in His eternal family.

What covenants have we participated in?
- Baptism

We need baptism. When we are immersed in the waters of baptism, we covenant to take Christ’s name upon us, always remember Him, keep His commandments, and serve Him to the end, that we may always have His Spirit to be with us.²

-Confirmation
We need the gift of the Holy Ghost. Through that ordinance, we can have access to the constant companionship of the Spirit. President Wilford Woodruff taught: “Every man or woman that has ever entered into the church of God and been baptized for the remission of sins has a right to revelation, a right to the Spirit of God, to assist them in their labors, in their administrations to their children, in counseling their children and those over whom they are called upon to preside. The Holy Ghost is not restricted to men, nor to apostles or prophets; it belongs to every faithful man and woman, and to every child who is old enough to receive the gospel of Christ.”³
Personal stories:
*Hilary M. shared how the Holy Ghost reminds her to be become a better person. She tells of the time she returned home from her mission and how the Holy Ghost comforted her and reminder her to love others and have charity.  
*Tori G. shared a story about a rigorous youth trek. She explained how she was strengthened during a physically weak moment by the Holy Ghost and was able to immediately feel greater strength. 

-Sacrament
We need the opportunity to renew our covenants each week as we partake of the sacrament. Latter-day prophets and apostles have taught that when we worthily partake of the sacrament, we can renew not only our baptismal covenant but “all covenants entered into with the Lord.”⁷

-Endowment
We need to receive the temple endowment. Elder M. Russell Ballard said: “When men and women go to the temple, they are both endowed with the same power, which by definition is priesthood power. … The endowment is literally a gift of power.”⁴
*Strengthened us in times of loneliness

-Sealing
We need the sealing ordinance, which leads to eternal life, “the greatest of all the gifts of God.”⁵ This priesthood ordinance is received only by a man and a woman together. Elder Russell M. Nelson taught, “Priesthood authority has been restored so that families can be sealed eternally.”⁶

Conclusion:
Jesus Christ is the one who makes our covenants valid. His love makes us want to be better. Try hard. Keep growing and keep going.

Thank you Heather for the wonderful lesson!

Fall 2013 Retreat: What Desirest Thou

We took time to feed our bodies, minds and souls on October 18th.

The evening opened with tasty beverages and a variety of hearty fall soups, breads and salads, while sisters could also peruse the Create Gallery showcasing our creative energies.  Lovely piano music accompanied all the cheerful conversation.

After dinner we met with song and inspiration on our topic "What Desirest Thou" by April F.

Considering our heart's desires and finding ways to realize them with break out groups to brainstorm how to make your desire a reality.

Before dessert there was a skit by Colette and her crew on the stage.

There was an opportunity to try you hand at card making with washi tape.

Even the young women got into the act with a few photo bombs by the end of the night.