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.

2017 lesson schedule

Updated as of January 4, 2017

Jan 1 - Presidency message
Jan 8 - Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley (GBH) Chapter 1
Jan 15- GBH Chapter 2
Jan 22- Pres. Uchtdorf "Learning from Alma and Amulek"
Jan 29- Bishopric message

Feb 5- Presidency message
Feb 12- GBH Chapter 3
Feb 19- GBH Chapter 4
Feb 26- Elder Holland "Emissaries to the Church"

Mar 5- Presidency message
Mar 12- GBH Chapter 5
Mar 19- GBH Chapter 6 ** Ward Conference (may change)
Mar 26- Elder Renlund "Repentance: A Joyful Choice"

Apr 2- General Conference
Apr 9- GBH Chapter 7
Apr 16- GBH Chapter 8
Apr 23- Teaching for our Times (TFOT)
Apr 30- Bishopric message

May 7- Presidency message: All Hands
May 14- GBH Chapter 9
May 21- GBH Chapter 10
May 28- TFOT

Jun 4- Presidency message
Jun 11- GBH Chapter 11
Jun 18- GBH Chapter 12
Jun 25- TFOT

Jul 2- Presidency message
Jul 9- GBH Chapter 13
Jul 16- GBH Chapter 14
Jul 23- TFOT
Jul 30- Bishopric message

Aug 6- Presidency message
Aug 13- GBH Chapter 15
Aug 20- GBH Chapter 16
Aug 27- Stake Conference

Sep 3- Presidency message
Sep 10- GBH Chapter 17
Sep 17- GBH Chapter 18
Sep 24- Teaching for our Times (TFOT)

Oct 1- General Conference
Oct 8- GBH Chapter 19
Oct 15- GBH Chapter 20
Oct 22- TFOT
Oct 29- Bishopric message

Nov 5- Presidency message
Nov 12- GBH Chapter 21
Nov 19- GBH Chapter 22
Nov 26- TFOT

Dec 3- Creche Sunday
Dec 10- GBH Chapter 23
Dec 17- GBH Chapter 24
Dec 24- TFOT
Dec 31- Bishopric message

"What Lack I Yet" , January 1, 2017

Thank you Suzi J. for the wonderful discussion using the talk "What Lack I Yet" given by Larry R. Lawrence in Oct 2015 General Conference.

Matthew 19: 16-26

 16 ¶And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt lovethy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 23 ¶Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Suzi asked us to list things we wished we were better at:

Wake up at 6

Be more organized/patient

Don't compare self to others

Check instagram less often

Read more to kids

Exercise more

Don't complain as much

Write in journal regularly

etc...

She then went on to explain that we can make a long list of how to improve ourselves,
But what WE need to do is ask God specifically what "I" should do.
She challenged us to ask the Lord to inspire us on one thing we can work on.