Sunday Lesson Recap: "Mothers and Daughters"

The lesson this week came from Elder M. Russell Ballard's talk "Mothers and Daughters" and Sister Julie B. Beck's talk "And Upon the Handmaids in Those Days I Will Pour Out My Spirit". Here are the highlights:

- Even though we aren't married and don't have kids, we do set an example for our younger siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins that we have an influence over.

- "Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity." Sister Margaret D. Nadauld, former Young Women General President (from October 2000 General Conference)

- The second general Relief Society president, Eliza R. Snow, said this to the sisters: “We want to be ladies in very deed, not according to the term of the word as the world judges, but fit companions of the Gods and Holy Ones. In an organized capacity we can assist each other in not only doing good but in refining ourselves, and whether few or many come forward and help to prosecute this great work, they will be those that will fill honorable positions in the Kingdom of God. . . . Women should be women and not babies that need petting and correction all the time. I know we like to be appreciated but if we do not get all the appreciation which we think is our due, what matters? We know the Lord has laid high responsibility upon us, and there is not a wish or desire that the Lord has implanted in our hearts in righteousness but will be realized, and the greatest good we can do to ourselves and each other is to refine and cultivate ourselves in everything that is good and ennobling to qualify us for those responsibilities.” (quoted by Sister Beck)

- "A mother-daughter relationship is where a daughter learns how to nurture by being nurtured. She is loved. She is taught and experiences firsthand what it feels like to have someone care about her enough to correct her while continuing to encourage and believe in her at the same time." - Elder Ballard

- “Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world (in whom there is often such an inner sense of spirituality) will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different—in happy ways—from the women of the world. . . ." - President Spencer W. Kimball (quoted by Sister Beck)

Thanks to Chrissy for the great lesson!

Announcements (and a quick word)

Hello again everyone!

Just to let you all know - we usually update the blog every Sunday (unless something happens), so don't get too worried if we don't update for a few days.

Okay - on to the activities!

- FHE is Monday at 7:30 pm. We will be meeting at the church and playing water softball (should be interesting) and then stick around for chips and salsa.

- Institute at 7:00 pm on Wednesday at the Seminary building.

- Fast Sunday is next week (August 1) and after church, the branch presidency will be serving breakfast.

- August 8 - there will be a Relief Society Fireside right after church. We'll be having a speaker and dinner, so come for that!

- Also, mark your calendar for Stake Conference on September 18-19. Elder Dallin H. Oaks is coming to speak, so that will be good to come to. We'll keep reminding you, but here's the first announcement of it.

Sunday Lesson Recap: The Priesthood

This week's lesson is from the Gospel Principles manual, chapter 13 "The Priesthood" Some highlights:

- The priesthood is the power of God given to man to act in God's name.

- Priesthood bearers would do what God would do if He were present.

- Priesthood power enables us to perform sacred ordinances and make covenants with God.

- Even though we as Relief Society sisters do not hold the priesthood, we can receive the blessings of the priesthood and must exercise faith in the priesthood to receive those blessings.

- Part of preparing to receive the blessings of the priesthood is to be ready.

From President Henry B. Eyring:

"Wherever I am in the day or night, there is nearby a small container of olive oil. This is the one which I keep in the middle drawer of the desk where I work. There is one in my pocket when I am working outdoors or traveling. There is also one in the kitchen cabinet in my home.

The one I hold now has a date on it. It is the day when someone exercised the power of the priesthood to consecrate the pure oil for the healing of the sick. The young men of the Aaronic Priesthood and even their fathers might think that I am a little extreme in my preparation.

But the call during the day or the knock at the door at night always comes as a surprise." (from October 2009 General Conference "Be Ready"

- As sisters, we can also encourage worthy priesthood holders around us to remain worthy and set an example for them.

- President David O. McKay promised every man who uses the priesthood in righteousness that he “will find his life sweetened, his discernment sharpened to decide quickly between right and wrong, his feelings tender and compassionate, yet his spirit strong and valiant in defense of right; he will find the priesthood a never failing source of happiness—a well of living water springing up unto eternal life”

- Doctrine and Covenants 121:45-46: Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

Activities A-Plenty

Hello again! Here's what's going on this week and even beyond!

- FHE will be Monday at 7:30 pm at Carlee Woods' house (her address is 390 N 490 E in Delta).

- Institute will be Wednesday at 7:00 pm at the Seminary Building. We're studying from the April 2010 General Conference (May 2010 Ensign).

And, just as a heads-up - there will be an outdoor movie night on Friday, July 30 at the Neighborhood Park (by the hospital). Everyone will be gathering at 8:00 pm for games and the movie will start at 9:00.

Please come! :)

Sunday Lesson Recap - "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance"

This week's lesson was a talk by Elder Richard G. Scott, "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance" from the October 2009 General Conference. Some highlights -

- "We are led to seek personal inspiration in life’s important decisions."

- How can we enhance our ability to receive the Spirit? (see Julie B. Beck "And upon the Handmaids in Those Days I Will Pour Out My Spirit")

• Read and study the scriptures
• Pray to have the Spirit
• Making and keeping sacred covenants
  
• Be in an environment that the Spirit can be in
• Record impressions and prompting we receive (in a journal or notebook)

-Actively seek more guidance - if you write it down, you show the Lord that you value what you've been given.

- Essential personal growth comes as we struggle to learn to follow the Spirit - it'll mean more as we work to learn how to recognize the Spirit.

- Experience and confidence in following the Spirit comes with time.

- Everyone is born with the Light of Christ - we get a little more as we progress through life and as we heed the promptings of the Spirit.

- Have faith that you are trying to do the right thing, even if you make mistakes.

-Have patience with yourself as you learn.

Thanks Emma for giving such a great lesson!

Annoucements - July 11, 2010

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July! We have a few things going on this week -

First, on Monday - FHE will be at 7:30 pm and we will be meeting at the sand volleyball at the middle school, so come ready to play!

Also, Institute will be held every Wednesday night at the Seminary building at 7:00 pm. The lessons will be talks from the April 2010 conference (May 2010 Ensign).

See you there!