Saturday, November 27, 2010

Fourth Sunday Lesson: November 28th

Hello Sisters!

Tomorrow morning's lesson will be taught by Sister Christen Long. 

She will be teaching from a talk given by Bruce A. Carlson, 

You can read from the text below, or hit the link above to print from the Church website!
See you tomorrow!



Bruce A. Carlson, “When the Lord Commands,” 
Liahona, May 2010, 38–40

Faithful obedience, regardless of the apparent size of the task, will bring the Lord’s guidance, assistance, and peace.

Image

The story is told of two outdoor enthusiasts who hired a bush plane to fly them to a remote lake for their annual fishing trip. Following a successful outing, the pilot returned to retrieve them. However, he quickly informed the fishermen that his small plane would not support them, their equipment, and the added weight of the fish they had caught. A second flight would be required.
Now, the sportsmen were not interested in paying for a second round-trip. So after a promise to pack tightly and a small bonus payment, the pilot reluctantly agreed to attempt the flight.
The fishermen grinned knowingly as the pilot forced the aircraft into the air. However, seconds later the plane stalled and crashed into a large, flat swampy area at the end of the lake.
The plane had stalled as it flew because of a well-known phenomenon called “ground effect.” Ground effect is created when air is compressed between the aircraft’s wings and the earth’s surface—when they are in close proximity. In this case, as the bush plane inched its way upward out of ground effect, it was required to fly on its own power, which it simply could not do.
Fortunately there were no serious injuries, and after regaining their senses, one of the fishermen asked the other, “What happened?” The second replied, “We crashed on takeoff—about a hundred yards (91 m) from where we ended up last year!”
Like the two sportsmen, occasionally we believe that there must be an easier way, a shortcut or modification of the Lord’s commandments that will accommodate our individual circumstances. Thoughts such as these fail to acknowledge that strict obedience to God’s laws brings His blessings and failure to abide by His laws leads to foreseeable consequences.
At the time of his appointment as President of the Church, Harold B. Lee said: “The safety of the Church lies in the members keeping the commandments. … As they keep the commandments, blessings will come.”1
When we choose to disobey a commandment, it is usually because (1) we have convinced ourselves that the commandment does not apply to us; (2) we do not believe that it is important; or (3) we are certain that it is too difficult to obey.

1. This Commandment Doesn’t Apply to Me

During the closing years of King Solomon’s reign, the Lord informed him through His prophet, “I will … rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.”2
Shortly thereafter, the prophet Ahijah identified that servant as Jeroboam, an “industrious” man whom Solomon had made “ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.”3 Jeroboam’s duties required him to travel from the mountains of Ephraim, where he lived, to the capital of Jerusalem. During one of those trips, Ahijah met him along the road. Through Ahijah, the Lord said, “I will … give ten tribes to thee.”4 He also instructed Jeroboam, “If thou wilt … walk in my ways … to keep my statutes and my commandments, … I will be with thee … and will give Israel unto thee.”5
After hearing of Ahijah’s prophecy, Solomon sought to kill Jeroboam, so Jeroboam fled to Egypt.6 Upon Solomon’s death Jeroboam returned from exile to the northern part of Israel and began to lead the northern ten tribes.7
However, Jeroboam’s plan to rule the kingdom involved a mixture of good and evil. He established Shechem as the nation’s capital, a city of great religious significance to his people. But sadly he introduced satanic rituals into their worship.8
Jeroboam convinced himself that some of God’s commandments were not applicable to him. As a result of his actions, all of his descendants were slain, and because of the heathen practices he had introduced into their sacred ordinances, the ten tribes of Israel were eventually driven from their inheritance.9
Just as flying out of ground effect with more weight than an aircraft’s wings can sustain will lead to disastrous consequences, our partial or selective compliance with God’s laws will fail to bring the full blessings of obedience.

2. This Commandment Is Not Important

Decades later Naaman, a Syrian war hero, “a mighty man in valour,”10 traveled from his native country to Israel and approached the king, Jehoram, to be healed of leprosy.11
Naaman was directed to the prophet Elisha. “And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, … and thou shalt be clean.”12
Despite this prophetic promise to be cured, Naaman was offended that Elisha did not greet him in person and even more insulted with the prophet’s direction to wash seven times in the small and muddy Jordan River. His pride demanded something more noteworthy and grand, something matching his stature and place in the community and nation.
Fortunately for Naaman, his servants convinced him that regardless of what the prophet asked him to do, if obeyed, it would bring the Lord’s blessings. Naaman washed himself in the Jordan River as directed and, as a result of his obedience, was cured of his leprosy.13
Obedience to the Lord’s commands, in spite of how trivial or unimportant we believe them to be, will surely bring His promised blessings.

3. This Commandment Is Just Too Hard

Following the Lord’s command, the prophet Lehi led his family into the wilderness. During the first few days of the journey, Lehi instructed his son Lemuel to be “firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord!”14
However, when the prophetic requirement came to return to Jerusalem to retrieve the brass plates, containing a “record of the Jews,”15 the two oldest boys rebelled, saying, “It is a hard thing.”16
Despite his older brothers’ murmuring, Nephi’s faith in and obedience to the Lord’s commands led to obtaining those brass plates. A nation was built, a language was preserved, and the gospel of Jesus Christ was taught for generations to come.
At times we may rationalize that the Lord will understand our disobedience because our special circumstances make adherence to His laws difficult, embarrassing, or even painful. However, faithful obedience, regardless of the apparent size of the task, will bring the Lord’s guidance, assistance, and peace.
The Prophet Joseph Smith petitioned the Lord on two occasions, asking if a prominent friend, Martin Harris, could take the first 116 handwritten pages of translated material from the book of Lehi from Harmony, Pennsylvania, back to Palmyra. Each time, the Lord counseled Joseph to avoid entrusting the manuscript to Mr. Harris.
Martin was seeking to use the translated material as evidence to stop his associates from spreading rumors about his friendship with Joseph Smith. On the third request the Lord granted Joseph’s appeal.17
Martin lost the manuscript, and as a result the plates were taken from the Prophet Joseph Smith for an extended period. This was a painful lesson for the Prophet Joseph, who said, “I made this my rule: When the Lord commands, do it.18 This should and can be our rule as well.
The Lord’s response when we obey His commandments is sure. He has promised us, “If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life.”19
Additionally He has counseled us, “I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.”20
Obedience to the Lord’s commandments provides us confidence in our chosen path, qualifies us for His guidance and direction as we pursue our efforts, and offers us the potential to become like our Savior, Jesus Christ, and return to our Father’s presence.
It is my prayer that each day will find us striving to be more obedient to the laws, ordinances, and commandments of the gospel of Jesus Christ in order that He may more fully bless our lives.
I testify that obedience to God’s commands brings the blessings of heaven; that our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, live; that the Book of Mormon is the word of God; and that President Thomas S. Monson is the Lord’s prophet for our day, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Notes

1. Harold B. Lee, quoted in Stephen W. Gibson, “Presidency Meets the Press,” Church News, July 15, 1972, 3.
6. See 1 Kings 11:40.
11. See 2 Kings 5:5–6.
17. See History of the Church, 1:20–21; Doctrine and Covenants 3; 10.
18. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 160.
20. Doctrine and Covenants 76:5; emphasis added.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Don't Forget!

The 180th Semi-Annual General Conference is being held this weekend!


Come listen to our beloved Prophet, 
President Thomas S. Monson, 
his counselors, Henry B. Eyring and Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 
and the Quorum of the 12 Apostles!



The First Presidency invites all members of the Church to participate by attending, viewing, or listening via television, radio, satellite, or Internet transmission at www.lds.org. Messages of inspiration and guidance will be delivered by the First Presidency, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other General Authorities and general officers of the Church.



Sessions are broadcast ET as follows:

Saturday, October 2nd
Morning Session 12p
Afternoon Session 4p
Priesthood Session 8p*

Sunday, October 3rd
Morning Session 12p
Closing Session 4p

*Priesthood Session will only be available at the Stake Center for members of the Elders Quorum.
                             

Baby Items Needed!


Wislande Lubin gave birth September 29th to a baby boy. This is her first child. She has been discharged to go home from Tampa General Hospital already.
 Her husband from
Haiti
is here now, and has been here since the 1st of September.
She and her Sister were baptized last year and have been unable to attend church
due to their jobs at a hotel. 

They are in need of basic items for the new baby.  Sister Dolphin will be in touch with Sister Mortensen to let her know what more the Lubins are in need of. 

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

September's Relief Society Activity

For a Hootin' Hollerin' Good Time
Moooove Yourself on Over to the RS Service Auction and Dinner

Tuesday, September 7th at 6:30p
In the Cultural Hall of the John Moore Building


Please be prepared with a service or item you will be willing to auction off to another sister.

Also, there will be a clothes swap! Bring any well cared for clothing that you are no longer interested in wearing and pick-up something new!

P.S. Some ideas of service you could auction off:
Babysitting (1 hr. - to overnight, whatever you're willing to offer)
Yard work (how ever long you're willing to offer)
Cookies
Homemade Bread
Sewing lessons
House cleaning
Ironing
Piano Tuning
Piano Lessons
Dinner Drop-off (1 night or more)
Family Photo Shoot
Make-Up Session
Voice Lessons
Homemade Jewelry
Homemade Candles
Floral Arrangements
a Ride to the Airport
a Birthday Cake
FHE helps
Christmas Present Wrapping
Car Wash/Detailing
Art Lessons
Scrapbooking Pages
Blog Design
Homeschooling Workshop
anything you are willing to offer!

Sunday, August 8, 2010

A Little Tutorial

Some of you may have noticed that the Ensign has had a little remodel. The messages meant to be used by Home and Visiting Teachers have been made more "user friendly". So, I am here to help you understand how to fully take advantage of the opportunity you have each month!

First of all, one of the three purposes of the Relief Society is to serve the Lord and His children. The Visiting Teaching program is our opportunity to serve and build-up the sisters in our ward. "Because we follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ, we value this sacred assignment to love, know, serve, understand, teach, and minister in His behalf” (Julie B. Beck, “Relief Society: A Sacred Work,Ensign, Nov. 2009, 113). Visiting teaching is such an awesome opportunity to reach out to those among us as He would. It gives us the chance to grow close to Him as we follow His example, while we teach others of Him. Visiting Teaching is truly a program inspired by the Lord.

Now, back to helping you utilize the new format of our monthly Visiting Teaching messages. Feel free to grab your own Ensign and follow along.

Gone are the days of flipping through the back of the Ensign in a desperate search for the Visiting Teaching message! It has been moved to the front of the Ensign, just behind the initial article (which is also used as the Home Teaching message)! Woo Hoo!

Click on image to enlarge, you'll get a better view of the layout!

Starting at the left, is the core message from the General Relief Society Presidency. From now on, they will be providing the message to us, for us,  each month. Underneath the message, are some scripture references that will help the preparation and personalization of your lesson.

To the right of the central message is a second column. This column is titled, "What Can We Do?" Each month, there will be 2 questions asked in this column. The first, is to help us act on inspiration when relating the message to each of our individual Sisters. The second question is for our own personal application and benefit. It will help us integrate the lesson into our own lives. Underneath these questions, is a link to other resources found on the Church's Relief Society website.

And last, but not least, the third column is titled, "From Our History". It will contain experiences and stories from our Pioneering Sisters of the early Relief Society. While reading this section, we will be able to be inspired by their sacrifices; which will hopefully translate to us taking our part in building the Lord's Kingdom in the latter days.

Please take thoughtful and prayerful consideration of your Sisters when preparing your messages for them. Keep them in your prayers daily so that when they need help, you will know it. After all, God answers our prayers through the service of others. The more in-tune we are with the Spirit and our Sisters, the better fit we will be able to help them as Jesus would.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Physically and Spiritually Prepared

Alright, I'll admit it. I was late. Twenty minutes late to be exact, to Tuesday night's activity. Therefore, I wasn't eligible for this month's giveaway. Only those who arrive on time are considered for the prize. Stinko for me, good for Sister Brock, who won! 

However, I did get there just in time to document the effects of the frenzy that had taken place while everyone made their 72-hour kits.

Sister Sue Cummins, First Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency,taking stock of what was left after the assembly line had ended. 
The charm of these kits is that they are made up of items that my child will actually eat. And since I have the palette of a 14 year-old, I too will happily eat what was put in my kit. My favorite feature is that they don't have wheat to crush or potato flakes to deal with. Most of the items are ready to eat and easily transported.

Mmmmm... Peanut butter crakers, Kudos, and Pringles.
Now, these kits are meant to be a jumping off point for your Emergency Preparedness. Don't forget about other essential elements such as important documents, medications, and water. Do not forget about water!

After the kits were made and stowed away, the ladies helped themselves to some delicious desserts. Since we were physically prepared for the storms of this world, we then prepared to defend ourselves spiritually. 

The awesome turn out at our Relief Society Activity!

Sister Jennie Rhoades performed a beautiful violin solo of "More Holiness Give Me" to invite the Spirit to our meeting.

Sister Rhoades is planning a violin recital for the 21st of this month with Catherine Michelson.

We then heard from our Stake Patriarch, Patriarch Earl D'Avignon. He spoke to us about receiving our own patriarchal blessing. Not only do we need to be spiritually prepared to receive it, but once we have it, our blessing helps us to focus and fulfill our own righteous desires while we help to build the Lord's Kingdom. It was a beautiful message. It only solidified the testimony I have about my own blessing. I recommend that anyone who has not yet received theirs, wait until they feel they are ready to and then prepare themselves spiritually for it. A patriarchal blessing is one of the most amazing gifts we can receive from our Heavenly Father in this life, and should not be treated lightly or taken for granted.

Patriarch D'Avignon
Overall, it was a wonderful evening. We were able to work on both physically and spiritually preparing ourselves for the trials of this temporal earth. A lesson that I know I will always be learning and improving upon in my own life.

It was awesome to see so many Sisters Tuesday night! If you were unable to make it to this month's activity, I look forward to seeing you at the next one!

Monday, August 2, 2010

Violin Recital

Starring 
Jennie Rhoades 
and Catherine Michelson

 Saturday, August 21,
at 7pm in the cultural hall.

There will be a 30-40 minute program.
All are invited (children are welcome)!
Refreshments will be served afterwards.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Emergency Preparedness

For the month of August, our Relief Society Activity will be to prepare our households for this hurricane season with some 72-hour kits! You will also be able to put together some mini-medical kits. Make sure to be there!

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
at seven o'clock in the evening
at the John Moore Building
$5 for each 72-hour kit
$2 for each mini-medical kit