Lupe's Notes - Jun 24, 2012

THOUGHT: “I desire the Spirit of God to know and understand myself that I might be able to overcome whatever of tradition or nature that would not tend to my exaltation in the eternal worlds. I desire a fruitful, active mind, that I may be able to comprehend the designs of God, when revealed through His servants without doubting.”

Emma Smith

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Single Adult Conference, 31 yrs & over. “Be of Good Comfort, Thy Faith Hath Made Thee Whole” June 26 – July 1. Including presentations by Elder Jay E. Jensen, Jeffrey & Silvia H. Allred, and many others. Join us for this and many other activities including a concert from the group Imagine and dinner with David Osmond. There is a BBQ that you can bring your children to. Go online to multistakesingles.org to register.
2. Relief Society Birthday Brunch on Saturday, June 30^th at 10:30 am at Amy S., home (1365 N 1100 E) for those who had birthdays in April, May and June and for those who had birthdays in Jan., Feb., and March and didn't attend Megan's celebration.
3. “Super Summer Sensational Supper” Sat, July 14^th at 6pm @Val Vista Park (behind Montagnoli's)
4. Don't forget to visit our blog http://manila12thwardrs.blogspot.com

BIRTHDAYS: June 27^th Candice C., 29^th Linda W., and 30^th Ashley P,. Have a wonderful day.

Today's lesson was presented by Darla C. and it's Elder Holland's address “ The Laborers in the Vineyard” from April General Conference.

I am grateful to enjoy this time as we discuss the gospel together. We will discuss Elder's Holland's talk, “The Laborers in the Vineyard. We will read directly from the scriptures and then read from his interpretation. There are three hidden scrolls though out the room, under chairs. Look under your chairs and if you have one, open it and glance at it and I'll call on you to read. Those will be Elder Holland's interpretation of the parable of the vineyard. Love to hear directly from the scriptures.

Karen M: read from Matt. 20:1-16

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard

And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hours, and did likewise.

And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

So when even was come, the Lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,

Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Now we will hear from Elder Holland:

I wish to speak of the Savior’s parable in which a householder “went out early in the morning to hire labourers.” After employing the first group at 6:00 in the morning, he returned at 9:00 a.m., at 12:00 noon, and at 3:00 in the afternoon, hiring more workers as the urgency of the harvest increased. The scripture says he came back a final time, “about the eleventh hour” (approximately 5:00 p.m.), and hired a concluding number. Then just an hour later, all the workers gathered to receive their day’s wage. Surprisingly, all received the same wage in spite of the different hours of labor. Immediately, those hired first were angry, saying, “These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.” When reading this parable, perhaps you, as well as those workers, have felt there was an injustice being done here. Let me speak briefly to that concern.

When I read that, I couldn't get it through my head what he was saying. Elder Holland explains the three meaning and then it becomes very beautiful and meaningful. Let's continue on with what he says:

First of all it is important to note that no one has been treated unfairly here. The first workers agreed to the full wage of the day, and they received it. Furthermore, they were, I can only imagine, very grateful to get the work. In the time of the Savior, an average man and his family could not do much more than live on what they made that day. If you didn’t work or farm or fish or sell, you likely didn’t eat. With more prospective workers than jobs, these first men chosen were the most fortunate in the entire labor pool that morning.

We can see that happening today, what with the economic situation and more unemployment. We can relate to that. The men chosen first were the very best.

Indeed, if there is any sympathy to be generated, it should at least initially be for the men not chosen who also had mouths to feed and backs to clothe. Luck never seemed to be with some of them. With each visit of the steward throughout the day, they always saw someone else chosen.

But just at day’s close, the householder returns a surprising fifth time with a remarkable eleventh-hour offer! These last and most discouraged of laborers, hearing only that they will be treated fairly, accept work without even knowing the wage, knowing that anything will be better than nothing, which is what they have had so far. Then as they gather for their payment, they are stunned to receive the same as all the others! How awestruck they must have been and how very, very grateful! Surely never had such compassion been seen in all their working days.

Bear with me as we continue

It is with that reading of the story that I feel the grumbling of the first laborers must be seen. As the householder in the parable tells them (and I paraphrase only slightly): “My friends, I am not being unfair to you. You agreed on the wage for the day, a good wage. You were very happy to get the work, and I am very happy with the way you served. You are paid in full. Take your pay and enjoy the blessing. As for the others, surely I am free to do what I like with my own money.” Then this piercing question to anyone then or now who needs to hear it: “Why should you be jealous because I choose to be kind?”

Scroll number One: Envy

Could we discuss together the meaning of envy?

Holly: Feeling badly about the blessings others receive.

Yes, the discontent of others possession. If I can't have it, I don't want anyone else to have it.

Davri read:

Brothers and sisters, there are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt—and certainly not to feel envious—when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those.

Furthermore, envy is a mistake that just keeps on giving. Obviously we suffer a little when some misfortune befalls us, but envy requires us to suffer all good fortune that befalls everyone we know! What a bright prospect that is—downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a happy moment! To say nothing of the chagrin in the end, when we find that God really is both just and merciful, giving to all who stand with Him “all that he hath,”2 as the scripture says. So lesson number one from the Lord’s vineyard: coveting, pouting, or tearing others down does not elevate your standing, nor does demeaning someone else improve your self-image. So be kind, and be grateful that God is kind. It is a happy way to live.

I am grateful to him for bringing this to my attention. (Darla puts on the board the word 'Envy”)

Micheale C: We can't be happy when we are not happy for others.

Sally J: It's a complement to us when we are happy for the person who did well.

I have been told that it is a measure of the level of self esteem by how you respond to others good gift I am so happy for you. You can celebrate with me.

Cheryl N: The parable of the Prodigal Son deals with this too. I used to think that it was about totally the repentant son, but the lesson was also in the faithful son who was upset because his father received him with a celebration and gifts. The father celebrated the return of the repentant son.

Yes, in the end it is not the hours it took you to get there, but the faith it took you to arrive.

Kristi A: I have an older sister who feels that praise is what is important. Praise those who do well so that the world can move forward and they can do more. Immediately praise and be happy for him. It is a testimony that Heavenly Father has a job for you. Put a smile on your face.

All blessings come from God.

Pat H: Steven Covey wrote a book concerning this, Abundant Mentality. It is a celestial principle. As a missionary, no one can teach the gospel without understanding this principle. It would be like telling a convert that he can have certain blessings but not quite as good as the blessings the missionary has because he has been a member for much longer. Converts has the right to ever5y blessings that those born in the gospel have.

Holly: I have been reading a children' book on fairness. In in the main character is told by his father that fairness is getting what they need, not getting the same thing. The Lord does that for us.

Andrea C: Be grateful for those people who are examples. Strife for that great quality. I am grateful to have the gospel in my life and that I have had it y entire life.

Yes, we can celebrate and be happy.

Shanae: For me, I would much rather go to work in the field that sit home and fret. We should be grateful to get hired when we were.

The Lord is generous to us. I never thought of the parable this way.

Micheale C: Fair is where you go to see the pigs. Love is not exclusive. All these people can love you.

Robby: I used to be envious of people, not in a mean, malicious way. I have wanted to be a good photographer and we have sisters in the ward who are beautiful photographers. Their work inspires me, I am not jealous but wish I could be like them. I am happy they are so clever. I have a garden and realize that I can learn from other people's skills.

Yes, you see talents in others. The Lord has to have an audience for a performer and he made me one of the audience. That is my role.

Gayla: I love that is shows the mercy the Lord has. We will all be in the end at the same point. The Lord is perfect and knows all things.

Micheale C: read:

A second point I wish to take from this parable is the sorrowful mistake some could make if they were to forgo the receipt of their wages at the end of the day because they were preoccupied with perceived problems earlier in the day. It doesn’t say here that anyone threw his coin in the householder’s face and stormed off penniless, but I suppose one might have.

My beloved brothers and sisters, what happened in this story at 9:00 or noon or 3:00 is swept up in the grandeur of the universally generous payment at the end of the day. The formula of faith is to hold on, work on, see it through, and let the distress of earlier hours—real or imagined—fall away in the abundance of the final reward. Don’t dwell on old issues or grievances—not toward yourself nor your neighbor nor even, I might add, toward this true and living Church. The majesty of your life, of your neighbor’s life, and of the gospel of Jesus Christ will be made manifest at the last day, even if such majesty is not always recognized by everyone in the early going. So don’t hyperventilate about something that happened at 9:00 in the morning when the grace of God is trying to reward you at 6:00 in the evening—whatever your labor arrangements have been through the day.

Any thoughts? ( Darla puts on the board the word 'Old Issues)

Kristi A: One word 'chill'

Anyone lamented? Can we stop doing that?

We consume such precious emotional and spiritual capital clinging tenaciously to the memory of a discordant note we struck in a childhood piano recital, or something a spouse said or did 20 years ago that we are determined to hold over his or her head for another 20, or an incident in Church history that proved no more or less than that mortals will always struggle to measure up to the immortal hopes placed before them. Even if one of those grievances did not originate with you, it can end with you. And what a reward there will be for that contribution when the Lord of the vineyard looks you in the eye and accounts are settled at the end of our earthly day.

Shanel: Forgiveness. We deny the Atonement when we don't allow old issues to stay old issues. We need to allow the Atonement to forgive these old issues.

Micheale C: The pain is in the past. To relive the pain is our choice.

Please forgive me, but feel the need to share with you this thought. In my lifetime, I met this gal who was sexually abused when she was young and became pregnant at the age of 16. She gave the baby up for adoption and later on she married in the temple. Needless to say, she and her husband had a lot of difficulty because of this issue. As I got to know this person I could see that she couldn't let it go. Everyone she met who would listen she would tell everything detail. How it grieved her and how it affected her life. Another LDS sister listened to her and consequently they got into a situation that could have destroyed both families. The Bishop had to intervene. She has this burden to bear. She sought counseling from the Bishop and professional people. I hope she finally feels peace. I don't want to judge, but some things, some burdens have to be place at the feet of the Lord. I know that she suffers. I feel that the Lord can remove that from her. She cannot bear the burden on her own.

Karen M: I went to a funeral of a man who's motto was “no regrets”. Don't worry about the past.

Robby: Some people just cannot forget. It must be in their genes. Their disposition. I don't know. I see Sally here who always has the biggest smile. And other who look like they carry the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Shanae: My sister and I both struggle with letting go. Life is like a symphony. The emotions create beauty later on. The last cord is only beautiful because of the dissonance before it.

Nothing is lost.

Megan read:

Which leads me to my third and last point. This parable—like all parables—is not really about laborers or wages any more than the others are about sheep and goats. This is a story about God’s goodness, His patience and forgiveness, and the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a story about generosity and compassion. It is a story about grace. It underscores the thought I heard many years ago that surely the thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially to those who don’t expect it and often feel they don’t deserve it.

I do not know who in this vast audience today may need to hear the message of forgiveness inherent in this parable, but however late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.

Darla wrote on the board the word Atonement.

I encourage each of you to go home and read the last of it. I close by this by Elder Holland.

My beloved brothers and sisters, to those of you who have been blessed by the gospel for many years because you were fortunate enough to find it early, to those of you who have come to the gospel by stages and phases later, and to those of you—members and not yet members—who may still be hanging back, to each of you, one and all, I testify of the renewing power of God’s love and the miracle of His grace. His concern is for the faith at which you finally arrive, not the hour of the day in which you got there.

So if you have made covenants, keep them. If you haven’t made them, make them. If you have made them and broken them, repent and repair them. It is never too late so long as the Master of the vineyard says there is time. Please listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit telling you right now, this very moment, that you should accept the atoning gift of the Lord Jesus Christ and enjoy the fellowship of His labor. Don’t delay. It’s getting late. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Especially where he says “Please listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit telling you right now, this very moment, that you should accept the atoning gift of the Lord Jesus Christ and enjoy the fellowship of His labor. Don't delay. It's getting late.' He is representing the Lord of the Vineyard. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Posted in: Lupe's Notes