What a beautiful day, snow on the mountains and blue sky.
THOUGHT: “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.' Not only will the word of God lead us to the fruit which is desirable above all others, but in the word of God and through it we can find the power to resist temptation, the power to thwart the work of Satan and his emissaries”.
President Ezra Taft Benson
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Stake Women's Conference has been changed to Saturday, April 21st at 10:00 am. More details to come.
- Women's Basketball will start on January 19 and run through February 23. Games will be played at the Manila building (on 900 W directly North at the pond and across from the blue silos) on Thursday evenings from 8:30-10 pm. We will play “open gym” style games. All skill levels are invited to play. This should be a fun time to get so,e exercise, meet your sisters in the stake, and develop your talents. Question, contact Wendy Pinson 830.2562 or Stephanie Wilson 703.4366.
- Next Sunday we will have a combined Priesthood/Relief Society meeting.
- On Sunday February 5th, we will have our Visiting Teachers Conference. We are asking you to place read, study and ponder chapter 7 from the book “Daughters in my Kingdom”. If you still do not have a book, please contact a member of the RS Presidency.
- This year in lieu of individual birthday gifts, we will celebrate each sister's birthday by having a quarterly Brunch. For example birthdays that fall in Jan., Feb, and March, will be celebrated sometime in March. We will give the gift of each other. Each member of the RS Presidency will host a Brunch. Looking forward to celebrating with you.
BIRTHDAYS: Jan., 27th, Juliana Glenn; Jan. 28th Karen Glenn, and Jan., 29th, Emily Lesher.
This Sunday's lesson was presented by Darla Cox taken from October Conference “Covenants” by Elder Russell M. Nelson.
When Megan was telling us about President Smith last week and the book she was reading on his life, I decided to go buy a copy.
After last week's lesson by Amy Waldron on the quality George Albert Smith had and the ability to love people, love his fellow man as himself, I asked her what was that quality. She said to read the manual. Because I was interested, I pondered all week what that quality was. The Lord bless me with an experience. While at work, I saw a person I had not seen in 12 years. We immediately embrace, and then embraced again. She started to weep and I got teary eye as we express love for each other and then she left. I wondered why there had been such an outpouring of love on both our parts. We weren't even in the same ward, but had worked together on a school project and had grown closed. I feel that the Lord blessed me with just a taste of what love for another person feels like, a quality that President Smith exemplified; unconditional love and charity.
I heard a quote by the author of “Peter Pan” “always be a little kinder than necessary.”
A few facts about Elder Nelson. He was a heart surgery, in fact he was President Kimball's doctor. His wife, Dantzel passed away, was the mother of 10 children, and he then married Wendy Watson. As Church leaders, they travel all over and it's not a bed of roses for them. In May 2009, while fulfilling an assignment, they were attacked.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Elder Russell M. Nelson and his wife were fulfilling assignments for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mozambique when they were attacked as they had dinner with African Southeast Area Presidency and President Blair J. and Sister Packard, mission presidents of the Mozambique Maputo Mission.
A statement released from the LDS Church said, "On Friday evening they were having dinner together in the mission president's home when armed assailants entered the home and robbed them. We don't have complete information yet, but we understand that Sister Packard's arm was broken. In addition, she and other suffered some superficial injuries, mainly cuts and bruises."
Violence in the African nation is constantly a threat there is great political unrest. Local officials are investigating the attack.
The statement also said that Elder and Sister Nelson will continue their assignment as planned.
A statement released from the LDS Church said, "On Friday evening they were having dinner together in the mission president's home when armed assailants entered the home and robbed them. We don't have complete information yet, but we understand that Sister Packard's arm was broken. In addition, she and other suffered some superficial injuries, mainly cuts and bruises."
Violence in the African nation is constantly a threat there is great political unrest. Local officials are investigating the attack.
The statement also said that Elder and Sister Nelson will continue their assignment as planned.
We never really heard much about that again. Imagine having the courage to travel again. That is commitment in serving in the Lord's Kingdom. That's the price they pay.
I heard this from someone. If anyone in this company is in need of special blessings, go to the Temple with an empty cup praying for blessing. Your comments will help some sister today and their cup will be filled.
Elder Nelson:
“One week after a recent assignment to create the first stake in Moscow, Russia, I attended a district conference in St. Petersburg. While speaking about my gratitude for early missionaries and local leaders who brought strength to the Church in Russia, I mentioned the name of Vyacheslav Efimov. He was the first Russsian convert to become a mission president. He and his wife did wonderfully well in that assignment. Not long after they had completed their mission, and much to our sorrow, President Efimov suddenly passed away. He was only 52 years of age.
While speaking of this pioneering couple, I felt impressed to ask the congregation if Sister Efimov might be present. Far in the rear of the room, a woman stood. I invited her to come to the microphone. Yes, it was Sister Galina Efimov. She spoke with conviction and bore a powerful testimony of the Lord, of His gospel, and of His restored Church. She and her husband had been sealed in the holy temple. She said they were united forever. They were still missionary companions, she on this side of the veil and he on the other side. With tears of joy, she thanked God for sacred temple covenants. I wept too, with full realization that the everlasting unity exemplified by this faithful couple was the righteous result of making, keeping, and honoring sacred covenants.”
He makes it clearer later on in the text. “When we realize that we are children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects of us. His law is written in our hearts. He is our God and we are His people. Committed children of the covenant remain steadfast, even in the midst of adversity. When that doctrine is deeply implanted in our hearts, even the sting of death is soothed and our spiritual stamina is strengthened.”
Because they had been sealed in the temple, because of their covenants, the sting of death was taken from her.
“One of the most important concepts of revealed religion is that of a sacred covenant. In legal language, a covenant generally denotes an agreement between two or more parties. But in a religious context, a covenant is much more significant. It is a sacred promise with God. He fixes the terms. Each person may choose to accept those terms. If one accepts the terms of the covenant and obeys God's law, he or she receives the blessings associated with the covenant. We know that 'when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.”
When I started reading the book, there were two experiences where at two different times President Smith made covenants. “There was another time in George's boyhood when his faith in God and in the things he'd been taught became vitally important. One day George began to feel sick. Sarah put him in bed and called for a doctor. When the doctor came, he diagnosed George with typhoid fever. The doctor instructed George to stay in bed for at least three weeks, to eat no solid food, and to drink some coffee. When the doctor left, George told his mother he did not want any coffee. Having taught her son about the Word of Wisdom, Sarah wondered what to do—two of her three children had already died, and she felt anxious about her son's fever. George than suggested that his mother call their home teacher, Brother Hawkes.
Brother Hawkes, who worked at the foundry, was poor and humble but had great faith. Brother Hawkes came, placed his hands on George's head, and blessed him that he would be healed. During the blessing, George promised his Heavenly Father that he would dedicate his life to serving Him if he would be healed. When the doctor came the next morning, he was surprised to find George playing outside with the other c children. The fever was gone, and he seemed to be fully healed.
Though George's bout with typhoid fever proved that George was spiritually alert, he was still a young, restless boy who got into a good deal of mischief as he teased the neighborhood children. There were times when George did not obey his mother, and she would spank him with a willow stick. On one such occasion when George had willfully disobeyed his mother, she took a willow stick and marched George into the kitchen. She was about to whip him with it when George took hold of both of his mother's hands and would not let her proceed with the spanking. Sarah then said, “I'm not going to whip you, Son. If you're old enough to know you can stop me by holding my hands, then you're too old to be whipped.” She never whipped him again.
A strong bond developed between mother and son, especially after an incident when George was instrumental in saving Sarah's life. When a high cupboard fell on top of his mother, George heard the commotion and quickly ran to his mother's side. He found her lying unconscious o the floor and tried in vain to revive her. Then, remembering how his mother had taught him to pray, George asked the Lord to save her. He promised that if her life were spared, he would devote his life to the work of the Lord. His mother did revive, and George learned once again that the Lord answered his prayers and was watching over him.
Take a normal, active boy who made covenant with the Lord and look what we got.
Then there's the story of Hannah in the Old Testament. She made a covenant with the Lord that if He would give her a man child, she would give her child to the Lord in the Temple. She was blessed with more children after she kept her promise.
I have a sister who expected to have a large family when she married, but they weren't blessed with children. She became pretty obsessed with this and would go to the temple often. She felt she was in need of a blessing. Hannah and my own sister had the same faith. She told the Lord that she would have as many children as He wanted her to have. She had 12 single births and is trying to make good on her promise as she raises her children in the Lord.
Janet: I forget what promises I made to the Lord. I accept the Lord's terms.
That is why we need to write it down.
I learned something very important when I had promised the Lord I would do something if a certain blessing was granted. It became more complicated. It took a long time and when the blessings did come, I didn't follow through on my promise and the blessing went away. We are responsible for doing our part.
Billie W: We couldn't have any children and I told the Lord that I would do what He asked me. While we were young marrieds, we were called to go to Fiji on a Mission. I didn't really want to serve a mission if we didn't have a family. We had considered adoption. If we go on a mission I'm sure the Lord will bless us. When we returned from our missions, we were able to adopt two children. The Lord knew our heart.
Chanel: We had a Bishop in our Married's Ward that said that he would serve the Lord, but please don't send us a handicapped child and not lose a child to death. Well, they had a very handicapped child and lose a 17 year old daughter in an accident. We cannot bargain with the Lord. We have to let his will be done.
Lynette: I'm not understanding covenants. I associate covenants with the Lord as baptism covenant, Temple covenant. Letting thy will be done.
There's prayer and faith. You've told the Lord, if you do such and such, I will do that.
Amy S: Specific covenants are made with ordinances.
Lynette: The Lord tells me what to do and then we covenant.
Pat H; It is a two way promise. If we say to the Lord, if you do this, then I will do this, then there is no promise from the Lord, no guarantee.
Elder Nelson:
“In a religious context, a covenant is much more significant. It is a sacred promise with God. He fixes the terms. Each person may choose to accept those terms. If one accepts the terms of the covenant and obeys God's law, he or she receives the blessings associated with the covenant.”
“Children of the covenant have the right to receive His doctrine and to know the plan of salvation. They claim it by making covenants of sacred significance. Brigham Young said: “All Latter-day Saints enter the new and everlasting covenant when they enter this Church....They enter the new and everlasting covenant to sustain the Kingdom of God.” They keep the covenant by obedience to His commandments.”
“At baptism we covenant to serve the Lord and keep His commandments.34 When we partake of the sacrament, we renew that covenant and declare our willingness to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. Thereby we are adopted as His sons and daughters and are known as brothers and sisters. He is the father of our new life. Ultimately, in the holy temple, we may become joint heirs to the blessings of an eternal family, as once promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their posterity. Thus, celestial marriage is the covenant of exaltation.”
If we are obedient, we get the blessings.
Lupe: At Stake Conference, President Goodsell said that in our private prayers, we are to seek the will of Heavenly Father first. Don't mistake events not to be the answer to prayer. Events that often seem difficult are answer to prayers, even events that we may not understand. Dia and I were discussing prayer one day and she asked me if we pray for something, then why do we say, let thy will be done? I really didn't know how to answer that.
Christy S: it is about our humility, our faith and our obedience. Our humility is the only thing we can offer the Lord. We offer our will in expression of our faith, I will do all that I can.
Andrea C: It's about agency. He wants us to communicate with Him. He can't and won't intrude n our agency.
Holly: He will not impose his will on us.
Whitney N: There are different ways that He can achieve His will. Other than how we think.
Martha: Andrea said it all. When I was young and got my patriarchal blessing, it told me to pour out my heart in prayer, but to know that not all things will be fulfilled because not all that we pray for is the best for us. This increases our communication.
Lynette: This is how faith is strengthened and developed.
Pat H: We need to be careful as Christians and Mormons. When something bad happens, we tend to say that it is God's will and we just have to accept it. When we make bad choices, then we get bad consequences, bad situations, but it is not God's will. This is not true gospel doctrine.
Addy B: Of course whatever the Lord wants to happen will happen, but blessings come as we pray.
We need to pour our heart to to the Lord. That's how we grow. We pour out our gratitude and then he blesses us again. He will bless us according to our faith and His will.
I liked that quote from Elder McConkie that we heard in Sunday School class in reference to the path in Lehi and Nephi's vision. “It is a path, not an elevator or a freeway. The way to traverse is on your knees.”
I am reminded of the young man who had an addictive behavior. He found that he was not tempted if he was on his knees thru prayer. One night he felt asleep while praying on his knees and when he woke up the next morning, he was still on his knees.
We didn't get to all the lesson, so I encourage you to go home and read the lesson. We had great discussion.
Afterward, Robby gave a good example of how covenants work. She said that one of the Temple presidency told them that covenants were when the Lord set the terms and we decided whether to accept or not. If a child comes to his mother in the kitchen and says, Mom, can I have a piece of candy? She may say no, and he keeps asking and says, if you let me have what I want, I promise I will clean my room. Mom has not made that promise with him. It is a one sided promise. We don't set the rules, the Lord does.
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