Upcoming Quarterly Relief Society Meeting: Service Activity Assembling Newborn Kits

Please join us for our upcoming Quarterly Relief Society Meeting! 

This meeting will be a community service project, and we will be assembling Newborn Kits and sewing blankets that will be donated to Einstein Hospital in Montgomery County. 

Here is more information about the meeting and donations that are needed for the kits. Please feel free to bring your donations to church on Sunday or the night of the meeting.

We thank you for your service and donations! Remember: "that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17). 

Check out these Mormon Messages on how service provides blessings to all involved!

Opportunities to Do Good:

Unselfish Service: 

And check out LDS.org: Humanitarian Service: What You Can Do

Hurricane Sandy Clean-up

If you haven't signed-up or encouraged hubby to sign up to help on the Hurricane Sandy work crews...see link from Bishop below. Well worth it. Feels good to help out where need is great.

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Bishop Behunin:

Brothers and Sisters,

The Hurricane Sandy Relief project is ongoing and our ward is organizing crews for the following days: Saturday, December 1st; Saturday December 8th; Sunday December 9th; Saturday December 15th; and Sunday December 23rd.

Many of the families impacted by this storm are still trying to recover from the damage to their homes and property. This is an opportunity to serve people who are in need.

We need volunteers for each of the days listed above including this Saturday, December 1st.

If you are interested in participating in this service project please, sign-up by copying the following link to the sign-up spreadsheet.
 
 Sincerely, Bishop Behunin

From Devon Linn:

1. Also, if you aren't able to help because you aren't physically able but would be willing to assist in watching another sister's children so that she might serve, OR if you are able to assist but would need childcare, please let me or Connie Thorneloe (thorneloefamily [at] hotmail.com) know and we will try to arrange something. 

2. Hurricane Sandy Relief Toy Drive

The youth from our ward are asking for our assistance with their combined Young Men/Young Women Toy Drive to benefit Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts. 

We have two ways to donate: Drop a new, unwrapped toy in the box in the foyer between 11/26- 12/11 OR Donate gently used toys (but still gift condition) by contacting youth or their leaders.

So start watching for good deals on toys and games or start going through things you may have purchased and not used much and see if you have some things that are still in nice enough condition to give as a gift for someone who has lost everything. 

This is a great way we can support our youth AND help those who are in need this holiday.  There is a flyer attached as well with the dates and information, so watch for the donation boxes and let's be generous this holiday season!

Lesson: The power of kindness

George Albert Smith, Lesson 21,
The power of kindness

Kristen Hinchman did a great job at reminding us of the power of kindness. Read the whole lesson is you get a chance. Here are a few ideas I took away.

Kindness is not always what we do, but the manner in which we do it.

Kindness is the absence of criticism and judgement.

Kindness changes lives.

Kindness changes the atmosphere in our homes.

Kindness can bind up hidden wounds in those around us.

Kindness takes time and patience.

Kindness is giving sincere praise to those around us.

Kindness can lead our children from their mistakes and invite them to listen to counsel.

President Smith:

I pray that the love of the gospel of our Lord will burn in our souls and enrich our lives, that it will cause husbands to be kinder to wives, and wives to be kinder to husbands, parents to children, and children to parents because of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is a gospel of love and kindness.

Thanks for a great lesson, Kristen.



e

Lesson recap: Advancing the work of the Lord

I taught the lesson today. It's George Albert Smith, Lesson 15, Advancing the work of the Lord. Here is part of what we discussed. Do read the whole lesson when you get a minute.

God directs His work, and He calls upon every member of the Church to participate in moving it forward. 

We are doing so much. Besides missionary work, think of all the ways we as women advance the work of the Lord...visiting teaching, callings, service, family history, temple work, teaching our families and other youth, feeding folks, nurturing others, and the list goes on. Every family prayer, every family home evening, every simple act of kindness, every Sunday at church, every session of scripture study is advancing the the work of the the Lord. Let's pat ourselves on the back and acknowledge the good work we women do in the church.

It's a cooperative work. Let's see our work as a cooperative one with our brothers in the gospel. Every calling in the church is a service calling where hierarchy plays no part. Neylan Mcbaine reminds us:

You are needed. You matter. You have a purpose. Your opinions matter. Not just at home behind closed doors, not just with our children, as essential as those influences are, but also in the broadest context of the Lord’s kingdom.

We women need to do a better job of claiming the power and direct access that comes from being a child of God and realizing that power in the choices we make in our own lives. Ours is not a gospel of limitation; it is a gospel of empowerment to get the education we want, pursue our dreams, work in partnerships with spouses and friends to raise families, contribute to our communities as our talents dictate, and seek out answers to our deepest questions without intermediaries.

Inventions of our day are blessings. George Albert Smith embraced technology to do the Lord's work. 

While the first half of the 20th century saw significant challenges (WWI, WWII, the Great Depression), it also brought new technologies that President Smith believed would further the Lord’s work. He was a strong proponent of the aviation industry and saw it as a way to fulfill his travel assignments as a General Authority more efficiently. He also supported the Church’s use of radio and television to take the word of the Lord to a broader audience.

“We ought to regard these [inventions] as blessings from the Lord,” he said. “They greatly enlarge our abilities. They can indeed become blessings if we utilize them in righteousness for the dissemination of truth and the furtherance of the work of the Lord among men. The great challenge facing the world today lies in the use we make of many of these inventions. We can use them to destroy, as we have sometimes done in the past, or we can utilize them to enlighten and bless mankind, as our Heavenly Father would have us do."

Are there ways we can use the technology of today in good ways to do the Lord's work?

Air travel, radio, TV, internet, social media (Facebook, Twitter, Mormon.org, YouTube), smart phones, texting or e-mails, blogging about your faith and your family, crowdsourcing at The Vineyard (indexing, submitting photos, tagging photos) or LDS Tech. While most of these can be used for evil or to destroy let's focus instead on using them to build the kingdom in positive ways.

There is ample opportunity for every member to participate in the work of the Lord.

The responsibility for the conduct of this work does not devolve alone upon [the President of the Church], nor upon his counselors, nor upon the quorum of the Apostles; but it devolves also upon every man and woman who has been baptized by the servants of God and become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. … We cannot shift the responsibility if we would; our Father has placed it upon our shoulders, and we must round them up and help to carry it off triumphant.

Consider that no one can take your place. This story from Sheri Dew illustrates.  No One Can Take Your Place, page 196-199.)

In 1971 as a shy Freshman at BYU Sister Dew struggled for self-worth. "I wasn't talented enough, thin enough, smart enough, cute enough, or basically anything enough to amount to much." She was homesick and lacked social skills. But she did know how to play basketball.

I had grown up playing basketabll in the great basketball stae of Kansas, and had had some success on the court. More than anything, I wanted to play ball for BYU. So my shyness notwithstanding, I found out where and when team tryouts were being hed and showed up at the gym at a certain hour. but when I pulled open the gym door and peeked inside, a group of girls were already running drills. and they looked good! Clearly, I wasn't in Kansas anymore. Suddenly, every insecure cell in my body began to scream, "What are you thinking? You aren't good enough to play ball here! You can't compete with these girls! What has gotten into your head!" I quickly closed the door and told myself that if I just had a few minutes to regain some composure I would go in. I began to pace up and down the hallway outside that gym, telling myself that at any moment I would go in, I paced and paced...for three hours I paced—until the tryouts were over. I am sorry to say that I never went in.

Now fast foward 30 years. Sister Dew spoke to female athletes at BYU, letting them know she believed they had already accomplished so much. She told this story. Afterwards Dr. Elaine Michaelis approached and said she was the women's basketball coach then, and that it was the only year she had not been able to fill her roster. Her team went that year one girl short.

All the way home Sister Dew stewed. If only she'd had the confidence to try. Maybe she could have made a difference.

The lesson here, from Sheri Dew, is that no one can take your place.

Oh, sure, we have all let others down and watched someone else step in to fill the gap, and we've all at times helped fill in the gap when others have let us down. So yes, it's possible to fill in for someone. But it's not possible to take their place. No now, not ever.

No one can take your place in your family or with your friends. No one can take your place in your ward or your extended family, in your neighborhood or a the company where you work. No one can have the influence you have been prepared to have on all who come within your sphere of influence. Without question, no one can fulfill your foreordained mission. No one can do what you were sent to do. No one.

I think we forget this. Ask the Lord what His will is for you, expect Him to give you the power to carry it out. Know that is may be different for you than the sister sitting next to you. We are here to do our work. And He will give us the power to carry it out.

Doctrine and Covenants 64: 33- 34

 33 Wherefore, be not ^aweary in ^bwell-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of ^csmall things proceedeth that which is great.

 34 Behold, the Lord ^arequireth the ^bheart and a ^cwilling mind; and the willing and ^dobedient shall ^eeat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.

Sisters, it is a great work we are involved in. We can contribute in many ways, both large and small. It's a cooperative work where all hands are needed and appreciated. Blessing await those who are willing and obedient.

Let's do the work in the way women work well...learning, spreading information, tending and befriending, communicating, cooperating, creating community, and seeking balance. These are some ways we can advance the work of the Lord.

e

 

"Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself" (George Albert Smith lesson #2)

"The measurement of the result of what love and charity may bring into the world is impossible. Opportunity is offered in every branch and ward and mission field to go about 

radiating sunshine

developing happiness and lifting up those who are discouraged, and bringing joy and comfort to those who are in distress."
--President George Albert Smith


The exact phrase "Love thy neighbor as thyself" appears in the scriptures 8 times.  How quickly can you find one of the references?  Our Relief Society presidency was pretty quick -- both Devon and Margie found D&C 59:6 in a very short time!


President Smith had a goal to love all his neighbors -- throughout the entire world.  

“I do not have an enemy that I know of, and there is no one in the world that I have any enmity towards. All men and all women are my Father’s children, and I have sought during my life to observe the wise direction of the Redeemer of mankind—to love my neighbor as myself. … You will never know how much I love you. I have not words to express it. And I want to feel that way toward every son and every daughter of my Heavenly Father."

Here is a story that perfectly illustrates this goal:

“On a cold winter morning, the street cleaning crew [in Salt Lake City] was removing large chunks of ice from the street gutters. The regular crew was assisted by temporary laborers who desperately needed the work. One such wore only a lightweight sweater and was suffering from the cold. A slender man with a well-groomed beard stopped by the crew and asked the worker, ‘You need more than that sweater on a morning like this. Where is your coat?’ The man replied that he had no coat to wear. The visitor then removed his own overcoat, handed it to the man and said, ‘This coat is yours. It is heavy wool and will keep you warm. I just work across the street.’ The street was South Temple. The good Samaritan who walked into the Church Administration Building to his daily work and without his coat was President George Albert Smith of The Church ofJesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His selfless act of generosity revealed his tender heart. Surely he was his brother’s keeper." (President Thomas S. Monson)

Throughout the lesson, President Smith used many action words to describe how to love.  He encouraged us to evidence our love by our conduct, by our gentleness, by our faith, by our charity, by imparting of our substance, by saying a kind word, by teaching the truth, by our visits, by disseminating our light, by lifting others up, by bringing joy and comfort.

President Smith also taught that loving others helps us feel good as well.  He used words like happiness, enriched, peace and warmth when describing how we will be blessed.

"I have only good will in my heart for mankind. I haven’t any animosity in my heart toward any living human being. I know some that I wish would behave themselves a little better than they do, but that is their loss, not mine. If I can get my arm around them and help them back on the highway of happiness by teaching them the gospel of Jesus Christ, my happiness will be increased thereby. … You cannot drive people to do things which are right, but you can love them into doing them, if your example is of such a character that they can see you mean what you say."

President George Albert Smith

May we be inspired to love all of God's children and serve them as we can.

Sacrament Meeting Talk: Vermena Lee on Callings

This talk was give January 1, 2012 by Vermena Lee.

A fresh start, a fresh new year in which we can improve and change our lives. 

A calling is an official assignment in the church, extended by the Lord’s authorized leaders to serve, lead or teach in a particular way. We are called and sustained which is to receive support from the other members, and then set apart. It’s all about doing the Lord’s work.

For this talk I'll focus on 3 areas when it comes to serving in a calling. Magnifying your calling, recognizing the blessings of that calling, and doing our best until released.
 
First, magnify your calling
When we talk about serving in a calling, we talk of “magnifying it.”

President Monson said this:

Magnifying a calling means to build it up in dignity and importance, to make it honorable and commendable in the eyes of all men, to enlarge and strengthen it, to let the light of heaven shine through it to the view of other men.

Sister Kathleen Hughes, a former counselor of the general R.S. presidency said this:

But does the phrase “magnify your calling” ever make you nervous? It has worried me! Recently I read a talk in which President Thomas S. Monson said on the subject: “And how does one magnify a calling? Simply by performing the service that pertains to it” (Priesthood Power, Ensign, Nov. 1999). 

Sisters, we can do that! I hear women say that their callings are wearing them out or that they don’t have time to serve. But magnifying our callings does not mean staying up all night preparing handouts and elaborate table decorations. It does not mean that each time we do our visiting teaching we have to take something to our sisters. Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. Let’s simplify. The message of a good lesson comes through spiritual preparation. Let’s put our focus on the principles of the gospel.

Sister Dorothy Moore from Malad, Idaho said in an article in the Ensign that fasting and praying helped her and her counselors to serve more effectively rather than planning grandiose activities and making extravagant visual aids. Not only did they receive new ideas for dealing with problems, but the Spirit touched the children in greater measure and prepared them to learn what they taught.

Magnify means to enlarge, Elder Scott said “Remember, don’t magnify the work to be done, simplify it.”  When we do our callings, it is the Lord who enlarges our efforts. 

Second, callings bring blessings and inspiration

The second area of callings is the blessings that come with them and the right to receive inspiration for our callings. Being called to serve in whatever capacity brings blessings and greater meaning into our lives.  

As we magnify a calling, we learn to love those we serve, those who we work with and those who preside over us. (Bro. Bo Wennerlund, a sealer in the Stockholm Sweden temple)

A friend of mine was called to be the gospel doctrine teacher, teaching the OT. How overwhelming that was for her! We had the stake president, a temple sealer and a stake patriarch in the class and many more seasoned members who had by far more knowledge of the OT than she. She felt a bit intimidated. As she prepared and taught, she gained a love for the OT and it expanded her testimony and knowledge of the scriptures she never would’ve if she had not that calling.

When we are set apart for our callings, we are blessed with the right to receive revelation for that particular calling. I am to receive inspiration for my calling as others do for theirs.

A few months ago I substitute taught the CTR4 class. I admit I didn’t do a very good job, later I was talking to Sister Pope about my experience. She said she figured out what worked for her to teach those children. Of course she did—she was entitled to do so.


I was talking to my mother about this subject and she was recently released as a R.S. teacher.  She said she received blessings for that calling and now it is time for another sister to receive those blessings.  She said this new sister teaches the lessons differently than she does, but that’s okay because it’s the same gospel and the same doctrine.

We all do our best in a calling and then receive "callings of release" 
A certain calling might be more appropriate at one point in a member’s life than at another; as stated in Ecclesiastes, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.”

Our callings become a stimulating and joyful part of our life.  Bro. Wennerlund said,

No wonder we feel sad and perhaps even frustrated when our release comes! In my opinion, this is natural. In fact, I feel if we are not a little sad, we have not appreciated our calling enough! Personally, I have never actually felt happy to be released from a calling, simply because I have loved all the callings I have had.

I counted quickly how many “average” callings a sister could have in a ward, I counted 40.  Say we look at a lifespan of 20 to 80. That's less than 2 years per calling.

Brother Sang Han, Seoul Korea said this:

Often, those who do not have a firm foundation of experience in the Church see a release as a bureaucratic demotion or a loss of social status. But, except for a limited number of General Authorities, most members of the Church throughout the world are constantly receiving new callings and also “callings of release.” Yes, I feel that a release from a responsibility in the Church is actually another type of calling.

I love that—every Sunday thousands are being called, thousands are being released.

I served a mission for 18 months and when it was over, it was time for me to move on to the next part of my life. Others needed to receive the blessings associated with missionary work.

I’ve also seen some members unable to “move on” after being released. In one ward, a new Sunday school teacher was called and her lessons were being interrupted by the former teacher still trying to teach!

This other brother I knew went back to his mission and stopped by one of his apartments. It was a time of day that when he was a missionary, he was out contacting. Much to his surprised he found the current missionaries at home. He felt it was his right to reprimand them since he has served there. But it was not his stewardship to correct them. It was their mission president’s.

Sometimes we tend to compare our efforts to those who are serving in callings that we previously had and find fault with them.

Elder Oaks said, "Fault finding is the act of pointing out faults, it is related to backbiting and evil speaking.” They are all unchristian. In a small branch of the church, one brother started finding fault in others in their various callings, then continued to pick apart their testimonies, and then onto their characters.  Sadly, it led to the dissolvement of that branch.


We are aware that we are not to criticize the Lord’s anointed, which we assume means the prophet and other general authorities. Anointed can include the ‘elect’ ones, and that is everyone who has been baptized. When we criticize or find fault with others in their callings we are breaking the second commandment, “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”

A friend of mine was recently called to serve as president in an auxiliary. She felt she was being compared to the last president and was expressing her frustration.

I remembered a MASH episode, in which the company clerk, Radar, went home and his position was replaced by Corporal Klinger.  Klinger wasn’t doing a good of a job as Radar had done and everyone was on his back about it.  Finally the company commander, Colonel Potter sat down with Klinger and said this:

Col. Sherman Potter: I guess we both realize you’re no Radar. 

Klinger: So they tell me, sir. 

Col.: But, by the same token, Radar is no Klinger. 

Klinger: I don’t follow you, sir. 

Col: Folks around here were pretty fond of Henry Blake when he ran this fort, weren’t they? 

Klinger: Well, sure the Colonel was a top notch kind of guy! 

Col.: I don’t mind telling you my first few days in his shadow were a mite uneasy. No one was jumping for joy over me. I was no Henry Blake. Never tried to be. That didn’t make me any better or worse, just different. The point is, the folks here gave me the time to get comfortable and make this job Sherman Potter’s. I guess I forgot that when  you took over for Radar. What I’m trying to say is, you need the time to make this job Max Klinger’s. So, just do it! And if you need any help, just knock on my door. Is that clear? 

Klinger: Crystal, sir. 

Col: From now on, Radar’s office is closed, Klinger’s office is open.

So as we begin this New Year with new resolutions, let us get a fresh new start on magnifying our callings, enjoy the blessings that come during the time that we have them, and be more supportive to others in their callings. 

Vermena Lee

Lesson: Service, Joy, Kindness

Flecks of gold

Margie combined two lessons into one this month. Kindness Begins with Me and Finding Joy Through Service. Both are conference talks given in April Conference and chosen as our lesson topic for the 4th Sunday of each month by the Bishop.

A simple math formula: 

Me + Service = Joy!

Being kind is an act of service
Our Savior taught us about and lived a benevolent life. Jesus loved all and He served all. Centering our lives on Jesus Christ will help us acquire this attribute of benevolence. For us to develop these same Christlike attributes, we must learn about the Savior and “follow in His ways.”

An invitation
I would like to invite each of you to do at least one Samaritan-like act this coming week. It may require that you reach beyond your usual friends or overcome your shyness. You may courageously choose to serve someone who doesn’t treat you well.

I promise that if you will extend yourself beyond what is easy to do, you will feel so good inside that kindness will start to become a part of your everyday life.

You’ll see that benevolence can bring joy and unity to your home, your class, your ward, and your school. “Remember this: kindness begins with me.”

Sometimes we don't believe serving will make us happy...why?

Often we feel helpless in dealing with our lives and that leads to depression. Sometimes we want to fix everything and just can't. We forget that faith enables and fear disables. We give into our fears. Sometimes we just love our self-will and agency too much and forget that if we let go and let God direct our days and lives we'll be happier. Sometimes we get too busy and too caught up in so many things.

Simplify, focus
Elder Ballard counsels us:

Brothers and sisters, the gospel of Jesus Christ is simple, no matter how much we try to make it complicated. We should strive to keep our lives similarly simple, unencumbered by extraneous influences, focused on those things that matter most.

What are the precious, simple things of the gospel that bring clarity and purpose to our lives? What are the flecks of gospel gold whose patient accumulation over the course of our lifetime will reward us with the ultimate treasure—the precious gift of eternal life?

I believe there is one simple but profound—even sublime—principle that encompasses the entirety of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we wholeheartedly embrace this principle and make it the focus of our lives, it will purify and sanctify us so we can live once again in the presence of God. ...

It is only when we love God and Christ with all of our hearts, souls, and minds that we are able to share this love with our neighbors through acts of kindness and service—the way that the Savior would love and serve all of us if He were among us today.

When this pure love of Christ—or charity—envelops us, we think, feel, and act more like Heavenly Father and Jesus would think, feel, and act.

First, charity begins at home. 

The single most important principle that should govern every home is to practice the Golden Rule—the Lord’s admonition that “all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:12).

Another place where we have ample opportunity to serve is in the Church.

Our wards and branches should be places where the Golden Rule always guides our words and actions toward each other. By treating each other kindly, speaking words of support and encouragement, and being sensitive to each other’s needs, we can create loving unity among ward members. Where charity exists, there is no place for gossip or unkind words.

A third area where we can serve is in our communities.
As a pure expression of our love and concern, we can reach out to those who have need of our help.

Great things are wrought through simple and small things. Like the small flecks of gold that accumulate over time into a large treasure, our small and simple acts of kindness and service will accumulate into a life filled with love for Heavenly Father, devotion to the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and a sense of peace and joy each time we reach out to one another.

e

Photo credit

Lesson: Waiting on the Road to Damascus

Teachings for Our Times, Waiting on the Road to Damascus,

Pres. Uchtdorf, taught by Margie Clark

Are we like or unlike Paul, on the road to Dasmascus?

... there are some who feel that unless they have an experience similar to Saul’s or Joseph Smith’s, they cannot believe. They stand at the waters of baptism but do not enter. They wait at the threshold of testimony but cannot bring themselves to acknowledge the truth. Instead of taking small steps of faith on the path of discipleship, they want some dramatic event to compel them to believe.

They spend their days waiting on the road to Damascus.

Elder Bednar's insight in The Spirit of Revelation, in April 2011 conference, tells us that revelation and testimony come in two ways:

A light turned on in a dark room is like receiving a message from God quickly, completely, and all at once. Many of us have experienced this pattern of revelation as we have been given answers to sincere prayers or been provided with needed direction or protection, according to God’s will and timing. Descriptions of such immediate and intense manifestations are found in the scriptures, recounted in Church history, and evidenced in our own lives. Indeed, these mighty miracles do occur. However, this pattern of revelation tends to be more rare than common.

The gradual increase of light radiating from the rising sun is like receiving a message from God “line upon line, precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30). Most frequently, revelation comes in small increments over time and is granted according to our desire, worthiness, and preparation. Such communications from Heavenly Father gradually and gently “distil upon [our souls] as the dews from heaven” (D&C 121:45). This pattern of revelation tends to be more common than rare.

If the mighty manifestation does not come to us, what do we do? We look for line upon line learning and gradual gentle understanding over time...all while our feet are moving forward.

Belief comes one step at a time

Margie gave an insight from one of her children when they were eight years old. After having been to a friend's house where the friend had every doll and outfit of a certain brand of dolls, and her daughter had a single doll and a few accessories, Margie asked how she felt about that.  The answer was 'it's okay...wanting something makes it better.'

Wanting and working for a testimony makes it more powerful and meaningful when it comes.

President Uchtdorf explains:

The truth is, those who diligently seek to learn of Christ eventually will come to know Him. They will personally receive a divine portrait of the Master, although it most often comes in the form of a puzzle—one piece at a time. Each individual piece may not be easily recognizable by itself; it may not be clear how it relates to the whole. Each piece helps us to see the big picture a little more clearly. Eventually, after enough pieces have been put together, we recognize the grand beauty of it all.

Then, looking back on our experience, we see that the Savior had indeed come to be with us—not all at once but quietly, gently, almost unnoticed.

This can be our experience if we move forward with faith and do not wait too long on the road to Damascus.

 Elder Benar confirms this:

I have talked with many individuals who question the strength of their personal testimony and underestimate their spiritual capacity because they do not receive frequent, miraculous, or strong impressions.

Perhaps as we consider the experiences of Joseph in the Sacred Grove, of Saul on the road to Damascus, and of Alma the Younger, we come to believe something is wrong with or lacking in us if we fall short in our lives of these well-known and spiritually striking examples.

If you have had similar thoughts or doubts, please know that you are quite normal. Just keep pressing forward obediently and with faith in the Savior. As you do so, you “cannot go amiss” (D&C 80:3).

 Try these three ideas for strengthening your testimony and commitment to serve, from President Uchtdorf...

1. Harken and heed
2. Serve
3. Share

Harken and heed

I testify to you that our Father in Heaven loves His children. He loves us. He loves you. When necessary the Lord will even carry you over obstacles as you seek His peace with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

Often He speaks to us in ways that we can hear only with our heart. To better hear His voice, it would be wise to turn down the volume control of the worldly noise in our lives.

Think of a time when you felt the Lord's love carry you or speak to your heart. Turn to Him in gratitude often, for the small and big things, and you will see his love manifested in your life.

Or perhaps our morning prayers should include more often the phrase, "Lord, what wilt thou have me do?" as Paul responded on the road to Damascus. And then we should be up and doing.

Serve

Another reason we sometimes do not recognize the voice of the Lord in our lives is because the revelations of the Spirit may not come directly to us as the answer to our prayers.

...The answer may come through the voice and wisdom of trusted friends and family, the scriptures, and the words of prophets.

Let's look for his love and guidance all around us.

Let's be thinking and praying for others and their well-being. By becoming the answer to someone’s prayer, we often find the answer to our own.

It has been my experience that some of the most powerful promptings we receive are not only for our own benefit but also for the benefit of others. If we are thinking only of ourselves, we may miss some of the most powerful spiritual experiences and profound revelations of our lives.

Often, the answer to our prayer does not come while we’re on our knees but while we’re on our feet serving the Lord and serving those around us.

Share

There are times when the Lord reveals to us things that are intended only for us. Nevertheless, in many, many cases He entrusts a testimony of the truth to those who will share it with others.

...the Lord expects the members of His Church to “open [their mouths] at all times, declaring [His] gospel with the sound of rejoicing.”

Owenna reminded us that one may have the gift of faith and another to believe on their words, meaning one experience may be meant to be shared with all, for the benefit of all. Even recalling the goodness of God in the scriptures can become our own experience; we make it our own.

In conclusion

Brothers and sisters, dear friends, let us not wait too long on our road to Damascus. Instead, let us courageously move forward in faith, hope, and charity, and we will be blessed with the light we are all seeking upon the path of true discipleship.

e

Newborn Kits - Service Activity

A big thanks to all who came and/or donated items for our Relief Society Service Activity this week. We ended up with a lot of great Newborn Kits to donate to Montgomery Hospital for the newborns in their Labor & Delivery Unit.  Everything will be so loved and appreciated by the new babies and their mothers!  A great time was had by all!

And also thank you to Margie for coordinating these activities for us.  What a great opportunity for us to help out in our community!

Devon

Lesson: Aligning our will with our Heavenly Father's

Aubrey Behunin taught our lesson today, her first since being called the RS Presidency. Here are a few of the inspirational quotes she used.

Aligning our will with our Heavenly Father's

"The submission of one's will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God's altar.  The many other things we "give," brothers and sisters, are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us.  However, when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God's will, then we are really giving something to Him!  It is the only possession which is truly ours to give!"
- Neil A. Maxwell

"To the extent that we are not willing to be led by the Lord, we will be driven by our appetites, or we will be greatly preoccupied with the lesser things of the day.  The remedy is implicit in the marvelous lamentation of King Benjamin:  'For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?' (Mosiah 5:13)"
- Neil A. Maxwell

"When we live by covenant rather than by convenience we direct our lives toward our heavenly home"
- Donald L. Hallstrom

"Most omissions occur because we fail to get outside ourselves.  We are so busy checking on our own temperatures, we do not notice the burning fevers of others even when we can offer them some of the needed remedies, such as encouragement, kindness, and commendation.  The hands which hang down and most need to be lifted up belong to those too discouraged even to reach out anymore."
- Neil A. Maxwell

Five ways we can seek to give our hearts and minds to the Lord.  (As outlined in Elder Hallstrom's article in the June 2011 issue of the Ensign article, The Heart and a Willing Mind.)

1.  Gain and constantly nurture your own testimony.
2.  Honor priesthood ordinances and covenants.
3.  Root out duplicity.
4.  Establish a life of service.
5.  Continually study the doctrine.

Thanks Aubrey!

It's A "FREEBIES" PARTY - This Saturday!

With all of the moves coming up and all the organizing and cleaning out many of us are doing to get ready for summer, a bunch of us have been trying to figure out the best way to give away items others might be able to use, and then donate the rest. So we decided to have a FREEBIES PARTY (aka "Hand-me-down Swap") this Saturday, June 18 at the church from 8:30-10:00 am  If it's nice we'll try to hold it outdoors, but if it's raining we'll be in the gym.

We would LOVE to have anyone who would like to participate join us...whether you have hand-me-down clothes, toys, and housewares to bring to give away OR you just want to do some FREE yard sale-type shopping! I've heard of a lot of great items being given away, so if you're looking for something in particular that someone else might have for FREE, then stop by! I know with summer starting I would love to find some play clothes for my kids in bigger sizes and some different activity items, and give someone else some of the things we've outgrown at the same time! Also, the Sister Missionaries cleaned out their apartment and closets before they left so there are quite a few women's church clothes that had been left from previous sisters that are up for grabs. Other items available are table linens and curtain valances (many new), home decor items, plus lots of toys and shoes.

If you have things you've been wanting to give away but can't make it on Saturday, let me know and we can try to arrange some way to coordinate pickup. Everything that isn't given away or wanted will be taken to Liberty thrift for donations afterwards (unless you'd prefer to take your items back home with you).

Hope you can make it -- it'll be fun!
Devon

Image Credit

Room Makeover - Relief Society Style

Our Relief Society had a great time making-over Tobi's new room while she was visiting her husband overseas and getting it all ready for the upcoming baby.  Tobi was so surprised when she got home and saw it. 



Thanks to all of you who donated baby items, room decor, and furniture!  This was really a group effort, and the time and effort put into this was especially appreciated.  Sister Bates and Sister Blas did a great job painting the room and the Rattrays were great to come over to hang the curtains and put all the finishing touches together!  We are all so excited for this wonderful time for Tobi, and we wish her the best of luck in the coming few months!  We love you Tobi!

Devon

Quotes - more Oil for our Lamps

This past Sunday Owenna shared a couple of wonderful, thought-provoking quotes as comments to the Relief Society & Sunday School lessons, and I've asked her to send them to us all for the blog.  They really made me think and ponder, as some of the best quotes are known to do!  Here they are in Owenna's own words:

I e-mailed my sister (Kathleen Bahr; retired BYU prof) to ask for her exact words. She told me I was actually quoting her paraphrase of Kiekegaard. Since I like hers better, I've included it as well as the original. I am grateful that these quotes that I have repeated to myself so often might be of help to someone else as well -- even though over time I have managed to garble them from the original.

"To the Christian, love is the works of love. To say that love is a feeling or anything of the kind is really an un-Christian conception of love. That is the aesthetic definition and therefore fits the erotic and everything of that nature. But to the Christian, love is the works of love. Christ's love was not an inner feeling, a full heart and what-not: it was the work of love which was his life." —Søren Kierkegaard on Christianity

Owenna's version of Kathleen's version of Kierkegaard:

"When Christ commanded us to love one another, I do not believe he was commanding our emotions, because they cannot, in fact, be commanded. I believe he was commanding our behavior. Love is an action verb. He was commanding us to behave in loving ways toward each other, even when love, as an emotion, is weak or absent."

Gale, visiting our RS from Kansas, also asked for the definition of faith that I attributed to Elder Gene R. Cook in SS. Well, I was wrong again - with my memory it is a wonder that I remembered the quote at all. It is properly attributed to Elder Stephen Nadault (Ensign, Dec. 95), not Elder Cook.

Elder Nadault pointed out that "when Joseph Smith re-translated parts of the Bible, he changed the word "substance" to "assurance," the way it is in Greek. So we could re-word the scripture to read 'Faith is having or accepting an assurance of things hoped for, and accepting evidence of things not seen.'"

When I read this years ago, it really turned on a light for me. My own paraphrase is: "Faith is a willingness to accept the assurances our Heavenly Father has given us as being sufficient."
Owenna

Thanks Owenna for these great morsels to savor and ponder.  We can always use more oil to put in our spiritual lamps!

Lesson Recap: "Because of your Faith"

Lesson taught April 24, 2011 by Kristin Hinchman
Taken from Elder Holland's "Because of your Faith"

What is Faith?  Simply stated, it is believing in that which is not seen, but it is also more than that.  True faith also compels us to DO something.  It is not passive.  Elder Holland gives tribute and gratitude to all the members who serve the Lord and one another because of their faith in Jesus Christ and His gospel.

Owenna commented that something she tells herself is that "Faith is a willingness to accept the assurances our Heavenly Father has given us as being sufficient."  And our actions would  apply to those assurances as well.

Because of the faith that members of our church have in Jesus Christ, we give much of our lives to service.  Whether it is because we are given official callings to serve or just following promptings, we try to exemplify our Savior in our service to our fellow man.

There are many who sacrifice their time and talents in an effort to serve the church and it's members in the name of the Lord.  Elder Holland says:

"We all know there are special keys, covenants, and responsibilities given to the presiding officers of the Church, but we also know that the Church draws incomparable strength, a truly unique vitality, from the faith and devotion of every member of this Church, whoever you may be. In whatever country you live, however young or inadequate you feel, or however aged or limited you see yourself as being, I testify you are individually loved of God, you are central to the meaning of His work, and you are cherished and prayed for by the presiding officers of His Church. The personal value, the sacred splendor of every one of you, is the very reason there is a plan for salvation and exaltation. Contrary to the parlance of the day, this is about you. No, don’t turn and look at your neighbor. I am talking to you!"

We all give of ourselves in different ways and at different times in our lives.  Often in those times of service we feel we are not in positions where we are leaders making huge differences in the lives of great numbers.  Sometimes those are the most important moments when we are giving "behind the scenes" acts of service that often go by silently.  To these members Elder Holland states,

"And to the near-perfect elderly sister who almost apologetically whispered recently, 'I have never been a leader of anything in the Church. I guess I’ve only been a helper,” I say, “Dear sister, God bless you and all the ‘helpers’ in the kingdom.' Some of us who are leaders hope someday to have the standing before God that you have already attained."

Sister Hinchman then helped us to each really ponder what it means when someone serves us, and how we can then turn and find ways to serve others - even if we haven't been officially called.  As Visiting Teachers, we have many opportunities for quiet service and love.  How much stronger are we when we each take the time to truly serve!

Thanks Kristin for the great lesson.  It was wonderful hearing from you and feeling of your Spirit and testimony!

Image Credit

Church Humanitarian Aid, Japanese Church Members Helping People Suffering From Disaster

 

From the church news room, this about our efforts to help the people of Japan. This story is a couple of weeks old so the numbers may be different. Could be a topic of conversation with coworkers or family members. Church Humanitarian Aid, Japanese Church Members Helping People Suffering From Disaster

The Church has provided more than 135,000 pounds of food, water and supplies, 10,000 liters of fuel and 15,000 blankets and is working with the local prefectural governments to coordinate their distribution.

These items are being purchased in Japan and shipped to Sendai and surrounding areas where they are most needed. The blankets have been purchased in China and are now being distributed in Japan.

... 40,000 hours of service...plans to assemble hygiene and cleaning kits...delivering aid by scooters.

Related articles
President Monson: Our hearts go out
Another Church news story: Church Responds to Japan Disaster
Desert News: Jeffrey Holland Media Conference
Donate to the Church Humanitarian fund

e

Lesson: Service

Zora Mae, in her 90's and legally blind, makes quilts for newborns

Gospel Principles, Lesson 28, Service
Taught by Margie Clark

How we can serve

Think about ways people have served you and your family members.

Jesus said, “I am among you as he that serveth” (Luke 22:27). As true followers of Jesus, we also must serve others.

Service is helping others who need assistance. Christlike service grows out of genuine love for the Savior and of love and concern for those whom He gives us opportunities and direction to help. Love is more than a feeling; when we love others, we want to help them.

All of us must be willing to serve, no matter what our income, age, or social position. Some people believe that only the poor and lowly should serve. Other people think service should be given only by the rich. But Jesus taught otherwise. When the mother of two of His disciples asked Him to honor her sons in His kingdom, Jesus replied, “Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26–27).

There are many ways to serve.

We can do small and large acts of service. We should never fail to help someone because we are unable to do great things.

- Elizabeth remembered a time as a military family when a bag of hand-me-down clothes was like Christmas.
- Owenna recalled a time after a surgery when a friend showed up at her door to scrub the bathrooms.
- Our fast offerings go to help our fellow ward members.
- A smile, extra patience with a child doing homework, a listening ear can all be acts of service.
- A home teacher or visiting teacher can touch hearts in small ways.
- That sort of kindness creates a pattern that keeps the service going.
- President Coe in our ward conference encouraged us to act quickly on a thought, to minister.
- Think of a time when even the smallest service lifted your heart.

Sometimes, however, we must sacrifice greatly to serve someone. The Savior gave up His life in serving us. Boyd K. Packer tells this story:

Over the years I have watched one dear sister give service far beyond any calling to teach or lead in the Church. She sees a need and serves; not “Call me if you need help,” but “Here I am; what can I do?” She does so many small things, like holding someone’s child in a meeting or taking a child to school who has missed the bus. She always looks for new faces at church and steps forward to make them welcome.

Her husband knows that when they attend a ward social, he can generally count on her saying, “Why don’t you go along home. I see they are a little short on help to clear up and do the dishes.”

He came home one evening to find her putting the furniture back in place. That morning she had the feeling that she should see how an elderly sister with a heart condition was managing a wedding breakfast for a grandchild who had come from out of state to be married in the temple.

She found the woman sitting alone at the church, in despair, surrounded by the things she had brought in preparation. Somehow there had been a double booking of the hall. In a few hours the guests would arrive. Whatever could she do?

This attentive sister took the older sister home with her and put her down to rest. Then she went to work moving the furniture around. When the guests arrived, a beautiful wedding breakfast was ready to be served.

Think about people in your family or community who are in need economically, socially, physically, or spiritually. Ponder things you can do to serve them.

Why the Savior wants us to serve others

Through the service of men and women and boys and girls, God’s work is done. President Spencer W. Kimball explained: “God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 82).

What blessings do we receive through service to others?

When we serve others we gain important blessings. Through service we increase our ability to love. We become less selfish. As we think of the problems of others, our own problems seem less serious. We must serve others to gain eternal life. God has said that those who live with Him must love and serve His children (see Matthew 25:34–40).

President Spencer W. Kimball said, “We become more substantive as we serve others—indeed, it is easier to ‘find’ ourselves because there is so much more of us to find!” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, 85–86).

The Savior provided the perfect example of service.
He explained that He didn’t come to earth to be served but to serve and to give His life for us (see Matthew 20:28).

Jesus Christ loves all of us more than we can understand.

He is the Creator of the earth and our Savior, yet He did many humble acts of service. Just before His Crucifixion He met with His disciples. After teaching them, He took a basin of water and a towel and washed their feet (see John 13:4–10; see also the picture in this chapter). In those days washing a visitor’s feet was a sign of honor and was usually done by a servant. Jesus did it as an example of love and service. When we willingly serve others in the spirit of love, we become more like Christ.

Dallin H. Oakes: "Our Savior...taught that each of us should follow him by denying ourselves of selfish interests in order to service others."



Related posts:
Delight in service and good works
Your personal ministry, Bishop Pope
Visiting teaching, the movie

Serving in the Vineyard: New Opportunities

The church has a new website that lets you serve in many small ways...Vineyard.lds.org .

Tweets:

• Be among the first to share your time and talents on the new church website: http://vineyard.lds.org. #lds #mormon
• 3,700 small and simple things to do on The Vineyard. Visit http://vineyard.lds.org. #lds #mormon
• 2,000 members are currently completing work on the church's new volunteer site. Visit http://vineyard.lds.org to begin. #lds #mormon
• Three minutes equals three completed tasks on The Vineyard. Visit http://vineyard.lds.org to begin today. #lds #mormon

At LDS Media Talk

By simply creating a personal profile, anyone can access a number of tasks such as updating Church publications, media tagging, document translation, and video editing.  The great part about it is that it only takes about 5 minutes to complete one task. All you need is an Internet connection, computer, or web-capable phone to get started.

On Mormon Times

You can also be a part of this awesome beta experiment by registering. Then you click into the opportunities to peruse what’s available. Once you find an activity to start, save it to your workspace and work on it whenever it is convenient. Cool! So go forth into the vineyard and serve.

Yes, go forth and serve. It only takes a few minutes.

e

Caring for Church Property

Having had the opportunity to clean the church recently I thought of this article by Orson Scott Card in the Mormon Times, Caring for Church Property.

My wife and I were both raised in families where the ethos was that when we used property that didn't belong to us, we returned it in better condition than we received it. Before making permanent alterations, we got permission. This seemed to us to be the minimum condition for civilized sharing of property.

The idea of property is a social convention. Every human society that advanced and thrived had the social contract that a person's property remained his even when he wasn't actually using it. Part of civilizing our children is teaching them to respect the property of others.

It's easy to think that what belongs to the ward belongs to nobody. He scolds us a bit and asks us to remember to respect the property of others and of the church.

I think we do this well in our ward.

Thank you to all who take such good care of our church building every week, who go the extra mile to clean the kitchen, who mop floors which have become sticky from meals and basketball, who care for tablecloths and always return them ready to go for the next event, who donate to the kitchen supplies and who clean the church every week.

Keep up the good work and keep teaching your children too.

I am pleased to add my small efforts to yours in the cleaning and care for the Lord's house in Valley Forge.

(And big thanks to Kellen Wentzel for keeping us all organized.)

e

Upcoming Meetings

Preparedness Meeting: All About Wheat

Everything you wanted to know about storing, purchasing, grinding, & using wheat!

Wednesday, February 16
7:00 pm
At Deb Chiapelli’s



RS Service Activity & Potluck Lunch

Wednesday, February 23
11:00 am
At the church


We’ll be putting together Newborn Kits
 for Montgomery Hospital’s Maternity Wing



What we need:

YOU - to help put together the gift sets
(please come, whether or not you are able to contribute clothing)

Solid-color, infant pants
(we have a ton of "onesies" that need pants)

Receiving blankets

Infant layette gowns

Booties or socks

We hope you're able to come to one of these activities.  Thanks!

Devon